Samsung is reportedly set to remove the ability to unlock the bootloader on its smartphones with the upcoming One UI 8 update, affecting devices globally, including those outside the U.S.
Currently, Samsung phones in the U.S. lack the “OEM Unlocking” toggle in Developer Options, which prevents users from unlocking the bootloader. A contributor from XDA Developers identified a new line in the One UI 8 bootloader configuration, `androidboot.other.locked=1`, indicating a shift towards a global restriction. This change suggests that Samsung is moving towards disabling bootloader unlocking across all its devices worldwide.
If this line is set to 1, the OEM Unlock option will not appear, blocking bootloader unlocking altogether. The inclusion of this configuration in One UI 8 firmware has been noted even on devices outside the U.S., signaling that the issue is not limited to one region. Testing confirmed that non-U.S. Galaxy Z Fold 7 phones running the One UI 8 beta also lack the option to unlock the bootloader.
Some users speculate that this change may be unintentional, but reports indicate that multiple users with the One UI 8 beta build face the same restriction. Bootloader unlocking is essential for users wanting to install custom ROMs, gain root access, and modify their devices extensively. As Samsung rolls out One UI 8, those interested in customization should be aware of this potential limitation.
Those planning to update to One UI 8 or purchase new Samsung devices operating on Android 16 should consider these constraints. Meanwhile, devices that are not on One UI 8 currently maintain the ability to unlock the bootloader.
