OnePlus is tightening the rules around bootloader access with its latest software update. With the rollout of ColorOS 16 in China, users who want to unlock their phone’s bootloader will now need to apply through official channels instead of simply toggling a setting in developer options.

In a post this week, the company said the change is meant to “ensure device and data security and enhance system stability.” Users and developers who still want the option can apply for what OnePlus calls an “in-depth testing program.” 

The requirement applies only to devices running ColorOS 16 in China, and OnePlus also notes that it will require an account with no “abnormalities or violations” to move forward.

This means that bootloader unlocking will no longer be a straightforward process in China, at least on newer devices. Previously, users could just enable “OEM unlocking” inside the phone’s settings to begin the process. That option won’t be available out of the box anymore.

OnePlus is not alone

The move puts OnePlus in line with other manufacturers that have been restricting bootloader access in recent years. Xiaomi, for instance, has tightened up how long users must wait before unlocking, while Samsung has already removed the option altogether on some devices running its latest One UI 8 update.

It’s not the first time OnePlus has limited unlocking, either. For now, the new policy is limited to China, and OnePlus hasn’t said whether it plans to expand the requirement elsewhere.

The Android 16 update hasn’t fully rolled out yet, so it may take some time before the full impact of the change is clear. But for users in China who rely on custom ROMs or rooting, OnePlus devices are about to get a little less open.

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(Source)