Unlocking your phone’s bootloader is the very first step if you wish to root your Pixel/Nexus device, install a custom ROMs on it, flash a custom recovery like TWRP, or make any direct modification to the firmware.
In this tutorial, I will guide you on how to unlock the bootloader on any Google Pixel and Nexus devices using a bunch of Fastboot commands.
Before we begin, let me start by helping you understand what a bootloader is, why it is locked in the first place, and why/when you would need to unlock it.
It is a good practice to understand what these things are and how they work before you actually decide to follow the instructions to unlock the bootloader of your Google Pixel/Nexus device.
Who is this guide for? – It does not matter if you’re someone who’s completely new to the whole scene, or someone who has had years of experience in rooting, flashing customs ROMs etc. This guide is suitable for all users, regardless of their expertise in Android software flashing and modding.
What is Bootloader?
A bootloader is a piece of program that runs before an operating system starts to run, such as a computer or smartphone. It is responsible for loading and starting the operating system, as well as performing basic hardware initialization tasks on occasion. The bootloader also serves as a security barrier, assuring that only authorized firmware is installed and run on the device. It acts as a link between the hardware and the operating system, allowing you to install custom or a modified firmware, recover the device, or modify the software.
Why do Android Phones Come with a Locked Bootloader?
A bootloader is locked on an Android device to ensure the integrity and security of the operating system. This is done to prevent unauthorized access to the system, which might lead to the installation of harmful software or modification of the system which could cause the Android device to stop functioning properly. The manufacturer of the device that provides the service for the device will lock the bootloader to avoid such problems. By locking the bootloader, they can ensure that only software that has been approved by the manufacturer can be installed on the device, providing a higher level of security for the user.
Why unlock bootloader?
This brings us to the next major question – Why would you want or need to unlock the bootloader of your Google Pixel or Nexus device?
With a locked bootloader, your Google Pixel/Nexus device is limited to the manufacturer's preloaded firmware and the features that it offers.
If you want to make modifications to the stock firmware by rooting it or flashing a custom ROMs, you'll need to unlock the bootloader of your Pixel/Nexus phone first.
A Few Important Notes
Before we directly jump to the actual guide for unlocking the bootloader, let’s discuss things you should know before unlocking the bootloader.
1) Warranty: Unlocking the bootloader may void the warranty of your phone.
2) Data loss: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device, including your apps, contacts, and personal files. It's important to back up your data before proceeding.
3) Compatibility: Some custom ROMs or mods may not be compatible with your device after unlocking the bootloader, which could result in performance issues or even a bricked device.
4) Security risks: Unlocking the bootloader exposes the device to potential security risks, as it allows for the installation of unauthorized software.
5) Bootloop: A bootloop occurs when a device gets stuck in a reboot cycle and can't boot properly. This is a risk when unlocking the bootloader, as installing custom ROMs or mods could cause a bootloop.
6) Official support: If you encounter issues with your device after unlocking the bootloader, official manufacturer support may be unavailable.
Also Read - How to Manually Sideload OTA Updates on Pixel Devices
Compatible devices
You can follow the instructions provided on this guide to unlock the bootloader on every Google Pixel and Nexus device released till date. The list below includes all Pixel devices supported by this guide, along with their codenames.| Google Pixel devices: | Google Nexus devices: |
|---|---|
| Pixel 7a (Lynx) | Nexus 6P (angler) |
| Pixel 7 Pro (Cheetah) | Nexus 5X (bullhead) |
| Pixel 7 (Panther) | Nexus 6 (shamu) |
| Pixel 6a (bluejay) | Nexus 9 LTE (volantisg) |
| Pixel 6 Pro (raven) | Nexus 9 Wi-Fi (volantis) |
| Pixel 6 (oriole) | Nexus 5 (hammerhead) |
| Pixel 5a (barbet) | Nexus 7 Wi-Fi [2013] (razor) |
| Pixel 5 (redfin) | Nexus 7 Mobile [2013] (razorg) |
| Pixel 4a (sunfish) | Nexus 10 (mantaray) |
| Pixel 4 XL (coral) | Nexus 4 (occum) |
| Pixel 4 (flame) | Nexus 7 Wi-Fi (nakasi) |
| Pixel 3a XL (bonito) | Nexus 7 Mobile (nakasig) |
| Pixel 3a (sargo) | Galaxy Nexus |
| Pixel 3 XL (crosshatch) | Nexus S |
| Pixel 3 (blueline) | |
| Pixel 2 XL (taimen) | |
| Pixel 2 (walleye) | |
| Pixel XL (marlin) | |
| Pixel (sailfish) | |
| Pixel C (ryu) |
How to Unlock the Bootloader on Google Pixel and Nexus Devices
Before proceeding with the unlocking bootloader process on a Pixel/Nexus phone, please review the following requirements to ensure your device meets all necessary qualifications:
- First download and set up the Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
- Now, go to ‘Settings > About Phone > tap on the Build number 7 times until you see the “You’re now a developer!”.
- Now enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. Go to Settings > System > Developer Option and enable both options.
- With OEM unlocking enabled, your Pixel/Nexus device will now accept the bootloader unlock command.
Steps to Unlock Pixel/Nexus Bootloader
The method is quite simple and should not need much of your time. I've broken down the instructions into multiple steps so you can understand the process properly. Let’s start!
- So, the first step is to boot your Google Pixel/Nexus device into Fastboot mode by executing the following ADB command:
adb reboot bootloaderYou can either do this by using a combination of physical keys on your phone. Refer to the table below for the exact key combination for your particular device.
| Device | Keys combination |
|---|---|
| Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G) | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G) | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL | Volume Down + Power |
| Pixel, Pixel XL | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 6P | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 5X | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 6 | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 9 | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 5 | Volume Up + Volume Down + Power button. |
| Nexus 7, Nexus 7 3G | Volume Down + Power button. |
| Nexus 10 | Volume Up + Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 4 | Volume Down + Power |
| Nexus 7 (2012), Nexus 7 3G (2012) | Volume Down + Power button. |
| Galaxy Nexus | Volume Up + Volume Down + Power button. |
| Nexus S, Nexus SG | Volume Down + Power button. |
2. Connect your Pixel/Nexus to your PC via the USB cable. Once connected, verify that your PC can communicate with your Pixel/Nexus device over the bootloader interface. To do this, open the command window, input the following command and hit Enter:
fastboot devices
The fastboot devices command should return an output with your device's unique ID, as shown in the picture above.
3. The final step is to finally unlock the bootloader on your Google Pixel/Nexus device. To do this, type the following command in the command-line window and hit Enter:
fastboot flashing unlockImportant note: The fastboot flashing unlock command doesn't work on Nexus devices manufactured before 2015, such as the Nexus 6, Nexus 4, etc.To unlock the bootloader on these devices, use the fastboot oem unlock command.
4. As soon as the command is executed, you will see a confirmation prompt on your device's screen. Use the Volume keys to move the selector to “UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER“ and press the Power key to confirm.
5. Your phone's bootloader will be unlocked instantly, and it should reboot into Fastboot Mode. Now, reboot your Pixel/Nexus device by executing the following command:
fastboot rebootDuring the initial boot process, you will see the unlocked bootloader warning message. The message is completely normal and you can continue to use your device as normal.
So, this guide took you through the complete process of unlocking the bootloader on Pixel/Nexus device. I hope this guide was helpful. If you have any queries, please leave them in the comments section.