So to bolster FRP on devices
with unlockable bootloaders like the Nexus series, Google added a hidden setting within Android that prevents bootloader unlocking and makes fastboot flashing impossible unless it's enabled.
If you have either the SM - G9600 or SM - G9650, which I believe are the Snapdragon Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 + models
with unlockable bootloaders, then you can install AOSP ROMs from our Treble - Enabled Device Development forum.
Moreover, it is equipped
with the unlockable bootloader, which is quite friendly with the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when we learned that Motorola provided the Xoom
with an unlockable bootloader, giving developers and hackers easy access to the hardware.
As to why the Pixel ranks so highly on our list, let's start
with its unlockable bootloader.
When the latest Samsung Galaxy flagship pair was made official, we feared that only a handful of users would be able to grab the model
with an unlockable bootloader.
Unfortunately, the model sold in the U.S. is usually impossible to bootloader - unlock, so the only way to get a Snapdragon Galaxy flagship
with an unlockable bootloader is by importing one from China.
On a Pixel device or another phone
with an unlockable bootloader, you can choose to unlock your bootloader, which allows you to install another operating system, like the LineageOS custom ROM.
Custom kernels like ElementalX, custom recoveries like TWRP — none of this happens unless you buy a phone
with an unlockable bootloader.
Choose a handset
with an unlockable bootloader, and preferably with a microSD slot too, and check that an international ROM is available.
Unfortunately, we do not have an ETA on when Samsung will begin offering the Developer Edition Galaxy S III
with the unlockable bootloader.
Not exact matches
We see why the first Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet would have an
unlockable bootloader — for the developers, but Moto shouldn't be so fickle
with their handsets.
The off - contract Moto X Pure Edition comes
with an unlocked SIM and an
unlockable bootloader.
For this reason, we only included devices
with unlocked or
unlockable bootloaders, and we excluded devices that did not have a Fastboot interface for flashing said images.
Fortunately, Google has put those fears to rest, confirming that the Google Pixel and Pixel XL will, in fact, have
unlockable bootloaders, which means they can be rooted, but
with some caveats.
The T - Mobile variant of the LG G6 features an
unlockable bootloader, while most other North American variants come
with a tightly locked down
bootloader, which effectively limits the full potential of your brand new fairly expensive phone.
The Sony Xperia XA2 and the Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra are some of the first mainstream devices to launch
with Android 8.0 Oreo, and they have fully
unlockable bootloaders and support for Project Treble.
That said, rooting your device isn't something you should take lightly — unless it's a developer or other
bootloader -
unlockable unit
with stock images available, you should definitely tread carefully.
And of course if you aren't satisfied
with what OnePlus has created, you can blow it all away and install something else thanks to an
unlockable bootloader.
The Xperia XA2 Ultra, like the Xperia XA2, comes
with Google's Project Treble and a fully
unlockable bootloader, among other developer - friendly features, so the link will likely be up in the near future; there doesn't seem to be any real reason for Sony not to offer it.
T - Mobile is actually working
with Samsung on unlocking their Galaxy S7 variants»
bootloaders, leading users to question whether the LG G5 would have an
unlockable bootloader when it dropped.