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From: Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid>
Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: Re: Samsung One UI 7 Update
Date: 15 Apr 2025 18:45:35 GMT
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extra extra <extraextra@mailbox.org> wrote:
> On 2025-04-15, Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
> > extra extra <extraextra@mailbox.org> wrote:
> > [...]
> >> It's too bad the bootloaders are locked on US model Samsung devices. 
> >
> >   As far as I know, most if not all bootloaders are locked, not just on
> > Samsung devices and not just only on US models.
> 
> Bootloader unlocking is possible on international model Samsung devices 
> through the "OEM Unlock" option in Developer Options. Other devices 
> really vary by manufacturer/region/wireless carrier.

  You're correct! Thanks for that information. My Samsung Galaxy A51
SM-A515F (SM-A515FZKVEUB to be precise), bought in The Netherlands,
indeed has that option.

> >   An unlocked bootloader is a gigantic security risk, because it doesn't
> > only allow *you* to install other system level software, but also
> > *anyone else* (thief, someone who finds your lost phone), who can then
> > get access to your personal data.
> 
> This is a good point, and I agree with you to quite some extent. 
> However, I still think the option should be available - and could be 
> made available - for those who "know what they're doing".

  I've seen many posts from users complaining about not being able to
unlock the bootloader, who did not seem to know/realize the
consequences. But as long *you* know what you're doing, all is fine! :-)

> >   FYI, there are on-line - paid - services which can unlock the
> > bootloader of most phones. I used one to unlock the bootloader of my
> > stone-age Huawei Ascend Y300 phone. That said, I wouldn't do that again
> > for my current - out of update-support - Samsung Galaxy A51, unless it
> > became unusable/too_old and I couldn't afford a replacement.
> 
> I can't imagine any of these paid services can do much that isn't 
> already publically available. And all discussions I've read on XDA 
> Developers and elsewhere are pretty adamant that US model Samsung 
> devices cannot be rooted/have a custom ROM installed in any way, shape, 
> or form. I would expect mention of these services if they were able to 
> do it.

  OK. As you've found no leads, clues, etc., it probably can't be done.

> I also certainly would not trust any of these services.

  I didn't/wouldn't either, but in my case it was try-or-dispose. It
worked and was not expensive, IIRC 4 dollars.

> >> This update has pushed me over the edge - I'd be installing a custom ROM 
> >> as we speak, if it were an available option.
> >
> >   You might want to check if there's a custom 'ROM' for your particular
> > model phone. LineageOS probably has the widest range of supported
> > models.
> 
> Installing a custom ROM requires unlocking the bootloader unfortunately, 
> otherwise I'd be doing that and not complaining about it on here :)

  Yes, I understand, but if there's no custom 'ROM' for your model,
there's no point to try to get the bootloader unlocked. Catch-22. Both
conditions have to be true.