- OnePlus is placing new restrictions on bootloader unlocking.
- It requires filling out an application form and limits the number of requests to one every 30 days.
- Thankfully, these limitations only apply to Chinese users (so far) and only on devices running at least ColorOS 16 based on Android 16.
Android has evolved significantly in the last decade, and one noticeable shift has been in the decline of custom development in Android. Custom ROMs or mods are far less popular among users, and while one reason is the perception of finesse in Android skins, OEMs have been pulling support. Recently, Samsung placed roadblocks to bootloader unlocking, which is key to installing any custom mods or rooting an Android device, and another major phone brand — OnePlus — is placing additional hurdles.
OnePlus has announced a new system that limits who can unlock the bootloader on their phones. Stating reasons such as “data security” and an enhanced “system stability” (based on machine translation from Chinese), OnePlus has introduced a new procedure where anyone wanting to unlock the bootloader on their devices must first fill out an online request form for “Deep Testing.”