Not every owner of a mobile device in the form of a smartphone or tablet running the “operating system” of the Android series knows that in any version of the OS there is such a thing as Bootloader. What is it now will be considered. Based on an understanding of the very essence of the issue, it will be possible to find out what operations can be performed when it is unlocked.
Bootloader: what is it?
Let's start with the basics, so to speak. The bootloader of Android systems is practically no different from what is available on any computer terminal, whether it be a PC or Mac. In simple terms, Bootloader is an integrated means of loading the operating system.
If we take as an example computer terminals with several installed “operating systems” (say, Windows and Linux), the bootloader after turning on the stationary unit or laptop offers the user a choice of logging on to the system, and after confirmation it loads this or that OS.
OS Boot Principles
As in stationary systems, the Bootloader loader in mobile devices accesses initialization files similar to how Windows does, for example, when loading parameters from the boot.ini file.
If you pay attention to just such data, it is easy to conclude that in Android systems you can easily change not only the boot method, but also the bootable OS either in manual or automatic mode. However, few people know that this tool itself loads only the system that is written for a specific model of smartphone or tablet.
Bootloader: how to unlock and why is it needed?
As for the capabilities that the bootloader can unlock, the point here is not limited to data recovery.
It is believed that in this case, the user gains access to the kernel of the system, which is impossible by default. How to describe Bootloader in such a situation? What is it, it becomes clear if you look at the lack of so-called superuser rights. It turns out that after removing the lock, they are generally not needed at any level. And then you often have to install special firmware and applications. If custom firmware, to put it mildly, “clumsy,” then the whole system can fly off.
Any manufacturer of mobile equipment provides for working with such a component as Bootloader. How to unlock it? Usually this is done using special utilities installed on a PC when connected to a mobile device via a USB interface. Note that superuser rights are not required in this case.
For most devices, including, for example, Sony and HTC gadgets, the use of the Adb Run utility is implied, and for Sony it will be necessary to additionally use special Sony Fastboot drivers, and even refer to the special Unlocker section on the official website. As you can see, the procedure, although feasible, but quite complicated.
Data recovery
On the other hand, in its standard operating mode, restoring Bootloader after resetting it to factory settings allows you to do it simply. It will not even require a hard reset.
Simply throw off the settings on the gadget itself, and after a reboot, the system will offer you to choose the option: either use the new settings on the device, or restore the settings, programs and files using the Google services account for this. In this case, you will have to enter the Gmail email address with a password, as well as connect to the Internet, for example, with an active Wi-Fi connection.
Installing another "OS"
If we talk about the possibility of installing another OS, this issue is quite complicated, although we solve it. The fact is that some manufacturers say that after the “Android” the gadget will not have another system. Pure water advertising move designed to advertise the installed system.
But the Chinese on their “left” HTC devices have already proved that Android and Windows Phone coexist quite elementarily on one device. At the same time, such models are delivered in most cases with the already unlocked Bootloader bootloader. What is this in this case? This tool allows you to not only select the bootable OS, but also install any other with changing parameters at the system level.
In other words, the user can do without even any firmware or additional programs to optimize the operation of the installed “OS”. Moreover! This will not even require specialized utilities like optimizers, which are so divorced today that the user himself does not understand what to choose from all this huge number of programs and applications.
What should I pay attention to separately?
But when it comes to custom firmwares, which have become quite popular with many owners of mobile devices, you need to be very careful with them. Of course, sensible firmware or updating the OS will not do any harm, rather, on the contrary, it will only improve the operation of the device, but when something unofficial is installed, but has not yet passed verification (like computer beta versions), wait for trouble. Then certainly no bootloader will help.
By the way, few people realize that such versions can exert too strong a load on the “iron” components, which, in turn, can lead to their complete inoperability. But to change the processor in the same smartphone is not the easiest thing.
In addition, unlocking the bootloader in officially released branded gadgets implies an automatic loss of warranty and the possibility of free service. So you have to think a hundred times before performing such actions and operations.
In the end, it remains to add that the question of installing another OS on an Android device is also, in general, quite controversial. Yes, of course, the system will rise, no matter what the manufacturer says. But how it will work is another question, especially since most users usually put some kind of light version with an unknown source of origin. But in vain. Here, as they say, it’s possible to break such firewood, that then you won’t get sin. And the manufacturer himself, with such changes in accordance with applicable international standards, does not bear any responsibility for the correct operation of the mobile device. Therefore, the decision on expediency should be made by the owner of the gadget. But it’s better not to joke with such things.