Xiaomi just launched its new “HyperOS” skin for Android devices, but in a bit of a twist of the knife to enthusiasts, the company is not only disabling the option to unlock the bootloader but is also ...

I've been writing about Android since 2011, with a focus on device reviews, Samsung and Google Pixel hardware, and the latest happenings in the ecosystem. In my entire writing career, I've reviewed ...

Xiaomi has confirmed that it is blocking bootloader unlocking by default on HyperOS phones. The company says you’ll need to apply for permission to unlock your HyperOS device via its forum. MIUI and ...

Chris Thomas was a reporter at Android Police from 2022 until 2025. People generally want the ability to use purchased devices how they see fit. Xiaomi, on the other hand, wants to maintain ...

Years ago, unlocking the bootloader on Android phones was more common. While far fewer people do it now, there is still a niche that likes to test advanced software modifications and more. That said, ...

OnePlus is making a considerable change with its Android 16 update which will require users to fill out an application before having the ability to unlock their bootloader. In a post this week, ...

Unlocking your phone’s bootloader has long meant the risk of losing access to certain software features. In support documents, Google now confirms that Gemini Nano does not work on devices with ...

Google’s new Pixel 9 series has caught a lot of attention, especially for its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features. However, there's a detail that might disappoint some tech enthusiasts.

For many Xiaomi fans, using the phone as it comes out of the box is never enough. Some of us want more control. We want to install custom ROMs, root the device, or just explore features hidden under ...

A new Qualcomm GBL exploit is reportedly affecting Qualcomm SoCs, mainly the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This enables bootloader unlocking on flagship phones that were previously difficult to ...