Since Android is an open source operating system, why are bootloaders locked? First off, the bootloader isn't part of Android, it's what lets the device boot into Android.

Esper editor Mishaal Rahman confirmed this is due to a vulnerability in the Android 12 bootloader. Android is open source, and that means it is potentially vulnerable to "downgrade attacks." ...

Android is known for being a far more customizable operating system than iOS, but some device makers are taking away a key ...

Smartphone bootloader firmware should be secure even if the operating system is compromised. But researchers have found five flaws in major chipset vendors' code that leave the process vulnerable ...

The Android developer community is well known for extending the lifespan of older phones well beyond what the manufacturer offered, but LG is closing a useful tool in that effort, its bootloader ...

Pixel 9 series buyers are reporting that several AI-powered features have stopped working after unlocking their bootloaders.

It seems like some Pixel phones have been bricked after the June 2025 update or tinkering. But Google isn't apparently helping.