OEM Unlock is a protective in Android Lollipop and later that is usually a step that users need to enable in order to officially unlock the bootloader of their device.
In Android 5.0 Lollipop and later, Google has implemented a protective feature that prevents someone from unlocking the bootloader of your Android device. The idea behind this is in case your smartphone or tablet gets stolen. If the bootloader of your device is unlockable, then all the thief would have to do is execute some ADB commands and then flash a custom recovery so that a factory reset can be performed.
This allows the thief to sell your device since it will be in working order.
With OEM Unlock protection in our phones now, the thief wouldn’t be able to do this unless they had your password/pattern/pin code and could log into the phone and enable this simple feature. It is a very simple and small feature and it has protected thousands(if not millions) of people’s stolen phones and tablets from being stolen and sold quite easily. For you or I, the people who actually own our phones and tablets, its easy for us to go into the settings of Android and enable it so that we can unlock the bootloader of our devices.
Enable OEM Unlock
- Enable Developer Mode
- Look for the ‘OEM Unlock’ Option in the Developer Mode Section
- Tap the Toggle to Enable OEM Unlock
Explanation
This is a short tutorial, assuming you know how to enable the Developer Mode on your device. If you aren’t aware of how to do this then simply follow the links in the guide above and those tutorials will walk you through the process. Once you have Developer Mode enabled, then you can search for the OEM Unlock option from within the Developer Options settings page. It’s just a single option with a check box or toggle to the right and all you have to do is enable it from here. Once that is done then your are able to unlock the bootloader through official means.
in my s6 there is no option to choose like that – talking about OEM – debug menu of course exists but no option
Which version of the S6(model number/carrier) do you have?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-galaxy-s6-edge/help/oem-unlocking-option-dev-ops-t3146591
This thread talks about OEM Unlock on the T-Mobile S6 with 5.1.1. Which version of Android does your S6 have?
I have a G925S SM 5.1.1 S6. free .. but I do not have that option oem ed developer..Appreciate your help
I can’t see OEM Unlocking option under Developer Option.
I have galaxy s6 edge 5.1.1 with SM-G625I model number.
If you don’t see the option in the Settings, then you shouldn’t need to enable it
is there any way to unlock bootloader of note 4 sm-n910s android version 5.1.1?
when i try to click this option on my htc one m9 it says security features will be disabled then doesnt activate the option when i click enable
There is a warning pop up in my note 5 saying “Device protection functions will not work while OEM unlock is turned on. Is it safe to continue? Thanks for the answer.
Yes it is 100% safe
Got a s6 there is no option of oem unlock
First able thank you, but I don’t have this option of OEM unlock in developer option on my Lenovo s60-a lollipop version. So… What should I do? Please help me
Not all devices have this. If a manufacturer like Lenovo doesn’t want you to be able to unlock the bootloader, then you’ll have to search for an exploit that unlocks it(if there is one)
on motorola xt1033 running 5.1 this option is not visible.
What to do?
Sadly not all devices have this 🙁
It’s built into the core version of Android, but some OEMs and carriers remove the option. There’s no way to get it back if it isn’t there
Factory data reset dummy
Hello, I clicked on an option in settings. I was seeing a little screen pop up. I wasn’t able to read it quick enough. So I did click it 4 or 5 times. I discovered i was now in developer mode. Well I have no knowledge of this sort of thing. I have no business being in there. So is it possible to put the genie back in the bottle? If it is possible. I do not wish to mistakenly destroy my device.
Thank you in advance
T.
There is no such option in my device moto xt1068.
What to do?
I’m sorry but sometimes a carrier or an OEM will remove this feature. If it isn’t there then we can’t make it appear. There will just be no way to do it 🙁
Hi 🙂
On my Galaxy A5, the OEM unlock option isn’t visible.
I’m (obviously) not an expert and was just wondering if I’ll be able to successfully and safely back up my ROM and root my phone without this option?
Thanks for your time. ^_^
Sometimes, OEMs and carriers decide to omit this oem unlock feature. If it isn’t there, that doesn’t mean you can’t unlock the bootloader and root the device.
What is the model number of your Galaxy A5?
lol it doesn’t matter, I threw it downstairs by accident and smashed it anyways…thanks though. 🙂
on my samsung galaxy a3 there is no OEM option. is there another way to activate it? 😉
Sometimes, OEMs and carriers decide to omit this oem unlock feature. If it isn’t there, that doesn’t mean you can’t unlock the bootloader and root the device.
How do we unlock it?
Sadly it backed fires the users who accidentally got themselves boot-looped and forgot to unlock oem.
Like me… Oem locked, and all are stocks no cwm/twrp… All i can do is bring this to the service center. :/
Mistake for me, error for google. 😛
Hey I’m new to this and I ran into a problem. My AT&T Galaxy S6 doesn’t show the OEM Lock/Unlock. If you can get back to me as soon as possible that would be great. Thank you!
Sometimes, OEMs and carriers decide to omit this oem unlock feature. If it isn’t there, that doesn’t mean you can’t unlock the bootloader and root the device.
So how would I bypass it? I’m trying to root my phone and I’m worried I might mess it up if I don’t do EXACTLY what the tutorials tell me to do.
I have enabled ‘OEM unlock’ on my Samsung Galaxy Tab A6 in settings. This means that my bootloader is unlocked now?
No, this only means that you /can/ unlock it now. You’ll have to boot the device into Fastboot mode and then do the fastboot unlock command
– https://www.androidexplained.com/oneplus-3-unlock-bootloader/
This should get you going in the right direction. It’s for a different device, but it might work for you
HELP! I Have a motorola moto x play and it just doesn’t start. I can olny access to the boot menu. I haven’t enabled the OEM option. And now I am stuck in the boot because it doesn’t let me unlock with the Motorola code o erase everything. Please, there must be a way to enable the OEM with CMD… please. i really need an answer.
Are you able to boot into Recovery Mode?
No it goes back to the Boot. It’s kind of a loop. I tried hard reset but nothing.
Strange, even if a phone is bootlooping, you should be able to boot into recovery mode. Are you holding the correct buttons during boot?
If you are, and you truly can’t get into recovery mode (or if a hard factory reset does nothing), your only option is to manually flash the firmware.
This guide should be able to help you
– http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-play/general/guide-how-to-flash-factory-image-return-t3261486
Ok, I am glad that there is an alternative. On the other hand, i tried to enter with the recovery mode and it turn off, vibrates and turn on again and goes to the boot menu =(. I can’t believe that there’s no other way to enable the OEM with commands. It should be complex. I will let you know if I succed. Thanks
I want to let you know that I entered to the recovery mode. I have the following options: Reboot system now, aply update from sd card or ADB, wipe data, wipe cache partition, reboot to bootloader, power down and view recovery logs. How could I enable OEM with this menu?
You can’t toggle OEM unlock on or off from the recovery mode menu. It can only be done within the Android software (this is a security layer to protect thieves from factory resetting and selling a stolen phone).
If you have a factory data reset option, doing that might be able to help you get past a bootloop
I’m seeing similar behavior on my Moto X Pure. I have an unlock code, but the phone won’t boot so I can’t toggle the dev option. My recovery option just reboots. How were you able to get to recovery mode?
I want to let you know that I entered to the recovery mode. I have the following options: Reboot system now, aply update from sd card or ADB, wipe data, wipe cache partition, reboot to bootloader, power down and view recovery logs. How could I enable OEM with this menu?
Help x when i go 2 turn on oem it comes up 2 put in current password but i dont have one ?
I have no oem unlock in my developers options menu
Please read the other replies to comments asking the same question
Why isn’t OEM Unlock an option in my dev options 🙁
Not all OEMs and carriers want you to unlock the bootloader. If the toggle isn’t there, then the OEM or the carrier has removed the feature. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a way to unlock it, but it isn’t good to not see it in there
I want to unlock the bootloader of my Motorola Moto G XT1068 and there’s no “enable oem unlock” in my developers option menu. Can I unlock the bootloader without checking that option?
Not all OEMs and carriers want you to unlock the bootloader. If the toggle isn’t there, then the OEM or the carrier has removed the feature. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a way to unlock it, but it isn’t a good sign
Hi, thanks for the article, did anyone find a way to enable OEM unlock when the option is hidden from the developer options?
It’s likely that this will not be possible. The only way to force it would be a hack from a community developer on XDA
Secret Codes app in Play Store. For HTC it’s code 759. Google Partner Setup-Rlz Debug UI. Noobs…
I rooted my phone then press on update super user but mistakenly i didnt switched on oem unlock now i cant switch on my phone what to fo plzzz tell me my phone is samsung j7
You’ll want to download Odin and a fresh firmware for your device (both from the firmware section of SamMobile.com) and then manually flash the firmware to your device.
hi,my name is alex,can you tell me please if i can’t get into settings to do how is in tutorial,how can i check that OEM if it’s enable or not?
If the option is not there, then OEM Unlock is disabled. Sadly, some OEMs and carriers remove this feature because they don’t want you to unlock the bootloader.
ok,so in this case?what sould i do?buy another phone???with the same problems??
Do some research I’m sure that there is a way to unlock you phone out in the internet
Hi, is there a way to enable OEM unlock when it’s not in the developers options menu? Also how can I hack into community developer on XDA? Thanks
Please, how to enable OEM unlock, when its not in the developers options menu?
Hi, i am trying to root my Nexus 6P but every time i go to turn on this setting i can punch in my pattern but the setting remains off. Is there something i can do to change this? I am running the latest dev preview(NPD90G at the time of writing) ifthat contributes to my problem or not idk
I’m not sure what would cause this. I never tried to enable OEM unlock while it was running the developer preview so that might be the cause of it
I figured it out I just had to take off my pattern lock and password and then it switched on
Hi, I put a pin on my OEM and forget it, can you help me?
My mobile is Wiko FEVER
Am not even getting developer option even after taping 20 times On build number
Which device?
There is no oem unlock option in my Galaxy S5 sm g900f. Plz tell me how to enable it????
there is not oem option on developer mode LG g3 vs985
then what should i do?
oem is not found in developer mode
Hopefully you can help me! I decided to root my phone but then after a while, I wanted to go back to stock firmware. I’ve looked up ANY and ALL tutorials/walkthroughs/etc to help me and i’ve found ABSOLUTELY nothing. I’m at a loss. I’m using a Motorola Moto G4 Plus Model Number: XT1644. I’ve also got it Boot unlocked and i’ve got TWRP installed on it. If you can PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me out, I’d be very appreciative. I don’t want to destroy this phone (although i do have insurance through best buy mobile, I’m not sure if a rooted phone is something i could get replaced lol)
This should be helpful – https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/help/help-how-to-revert-to-stock-rom-t3564501
I don’t see OEM Unlocking on my device
This either means your OEM or your wireless carrier chose to remove it to prevent you from unlocking the bootloader
They want ease in unlocking bootloader without resorting to inaccurate and unreliable tutorials, abandon devices from Motorola / Lenovo, Samsung … they always take away your freedom to do what you want with your device. I recommend LG.
my button is locled, i tap and dont work
Same problem exactly with my Samsung Galaxy A8 2018. Any help here would be amazing. Trying to solve this for 2 months. Without it Magisk will not root phone.
Hi.
Thanks for all the information by now. Unfortanetely I cant enable OEM unlock on my google pixel 2 android 9. I just cant switch the button and the line stays grey. You got any information to fix this. If it get fixed, can i lose my warranty then?
ik hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Michel from Netherlands.