Samsung’s One UI 8 replace appears to stop customers from unlocking their system’s bootloader to load customized ROMs, as noticed earlier by SammyGuru. Over the weekend, customers on the XDA Builders discussion board observed that Samsung seems to have disabled the choice on gadgets in areas exterior the US, the place the choice had already been locked for years.
By unlocking the bootloader, customers can set up customized software program and make different modifications to their telephone. Customers found the brand new restriction after digging into the code of the Settings app on One UI 8, which ships with the newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7.
As identified by SammyGuru and Android Authority, the code incorporates the road “androidboot.different.locked=1.” When this line is about to “1,” it means the bootloader is locked, like it’s right here within the US. Earlier than One UI 8, this line had beforehand been set to “0” to allow bootloader unlocking in areas exterior the US. Customers noticed the restriction inside One UI 8 beta builds for the Galaxy S25 as nicely.
Samsung didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
