With One UI 8, Samsung appears to be discontinuing the bootloader unlock feature on its Galaxy devices.
Samsung’s One UI 8 may stealthily eliminate bootloader unlocks on your favorite Galaxy smartphones once it transitions to the stable channel, indicating a move towards stricter control over user modifications beneath the surface.
One UI 8, designed on Android 16 and launched in tandem with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, appears to lack the “OEM Unlocking” option in the developer settings. This feature was essential for installing custom ROMs, and its absence, according to a post on the XDA Forum, suggests Samsung is reinforcing its position on device customization (via SammyGuru).
Previously, Samsung restricted bootloader unlocking to U.S. models, but that limitation seems to be expanding globally with One UI 8. As per the XDA Forum post, the OEM Unlocking option is absent on international Galaxy devices as well, indicating that bootloader access may now be completely blocked universally.
Upon investigating the bootloader configuration, the post’s author discovered a new line: androidboot.other.locked=1. This flag directly obscures the “OEM Unlock” option in settings. When set to 1, the option vanishes, preventing users from even initiating the bootloader unlock process.
No more U.S.-only restrictions
That line, which was previously confined to U.S. models, has now appeared in One UI 8 builds for regions outside the U.S., indicating that Samsung’s bootloader lock is no longer region-specific, but likely a global standard.
Numerous Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 owners, including those outside the U.S., have verified that the “OEM Unlocking” option is absent, as mentioned by SammyGuru.
Samsung’s stable release of One UI 8 also seems poised to further secure recent flagship devices by eliminating the bootloader unlock option, effectively closing off any opportunities for custom ROMs or kernel modifications on newer Galaxy flagships.
This alteration significantly impacts Android power users and developers. Unlocking the bootloader serves as the gateway to various deep customizations, such as custom ROMs, tailored kernels for enhanced performance or battery efficiency, and root access for comprehensive control that far exceeds what stock software permits.
Most casual users are unlikely to even notice this modification, as very few venture into developer settings, let alone require an unlocked bootloader.
