How to Lock Bootloader on Android

Today's TipsMake will show you how to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for Windows to unlock the bootloader - the program that boots the system and the pre-installed operating system on Android devices. Warning: this method has the potential to reformat the device. Make a backup before doing so.

Install Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

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Open a web browser on your computer.

The article is based on Windows operating system, but the process is not much different on a Mac.

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Go to https://androidmtk.com/download-15-seconds-adb-installer.

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Click on ADB Installer v1.4.3 . As of August 16, 2017, this is the latest version. If you see the word 'Latest version' next to something else, click that link.

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Click Download . This is the big green oval button. The .zip file containing the '.exe' installation file will begin downloading.

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Double-click the downloaded file. The contents of the .zip file will open.

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Double click on the file with the extension '.exe' located in the .zip folder. This file will be named 'adb-setup-1.4.3.exe' or similar. The command line screen will open and ask if you want to install ADB and Fastboot.

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Click Y. Now the system will ask if you want to install ADB system-wide.

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Click Y. A message about installing drivers for the device will appear.

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Click Y. After a while, the Device Driver Wizard installer will appear.

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Click Next .

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Click Finish . ADB will begin the installation on the computer.

Lock bootloader

Connect the Android device to the computer via a USB cable. If you do not have a USB cable with your device, use another compatible alternative that is safe for the device.

Depending on your device, you may need to install a driver in order for your computer to recognize your Android device. Visit the phone or tablet manufacturer's website to download the driver.

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Press ⊞ Win+S to open the search bar on Windows.

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Enter cmd. A list of matches will appear, including "Command prompt".

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Right click on "Command prompt" and select Run as administrator . As such, you will be able to use the command line with admin rights.

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Click Yes to confirm. A command line window will open.

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Type adb reboot bootloader and press ↵ Enter. The ADB program will launch.

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Type fastboot oem lock and press ↵ Enter. The command will execute and lock the bootloader. If an error message appears, try entering one of these two commands:

fastboot flashing lock

OEM relock

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Type fastboot reboot and press ↵ Enter. The Android device will reboot and lock the bootloader.

Update 25 February 2022
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