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How to unlock or lock your Fairphone’s bootloader

Unlocking your Fairphone’s bootloader gives you advanced control over your device’s software, allowing you to install alternative operating systems or manually install Android. You can also choose to re-lock it later to secure your phone and protect your personal data.

This guide applies to all Fairphone models except the Fairphone 2. For more information, please see Fairphone 2 OS manual installation.

Important security and data warnings:

  • Permanent data loss: Unlocking or re-locking the bootloader permanently erases all personal data from your phone. Always create a backup before you begin.
  • Security risks: An unlocked bootloader disables essential security protections, which may allow expert users to compromise your phone's security.
  • Boot failures: Re-locking the bootloader with a non-Fairphone operating system (OS) installed may prevent your phone from booting correctly.
  • Device bricking risk: If you install an OS with an older security patch level than your previous system, re-locking the bootloader might brick your phone. Ensure your new software has an identical or newer security patch level.

What you need before you begin

Before starting, complete these vital preparation steps:

  1. Update your Fairphone’s software: Ensure your phone runs the latest software release. Make sure to check and update your software version.
  2. Turn on Developer options:
    1. Go to Settings > About phone.
    2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Build number seven times.
    3. Enter your PIN or password if requested.
  3. Turn on USB debugging:
    1. Go to Settings > System > Developer options.
    2. Under Debugging, tap USB debugging to turn it on.
  4. Update computer drivers: If you are using a Windows computer, update your USB drivers.

How to unlock your bootloader

Part 1: Allow OEM unlocking on your Fairphone

  1. On your phone, go to Settings > System > Developer options. If you cannot see this menu, repeat the preparatory steps above.
  2. Find OEM unlocking and tap the toggle to turn it on.
  3. Confirm your security pattern, PIN, or password if prompted.
  4. Wait a few moments for the system to complete verification.

If you encounter issues toggling this feature, verify that your phone is actively connected to the internet and running the latest system software.

Part 2: Unlock the system via your computer

  1. Connect your phone to your computer with a high-quality USB data cable.
  2. Download Android platform tools on your computer.
  3. Extract the downloaded archive folder and move it to your desktop for easy navigation.
  4. Open your computer's command line interface: Command Prompt on Windows, or Terminal on macOS and Linux.
  5. Change directories to your extracted folder by executing the appropriate path command:
    • Windows: Type cd C:\Users\[YOUR USERNAME HERE]\Desktop\platform-tools and press Enter.
    • macOS or Linux: Type cd ~/Desktop/platform-tools and press Enter.
  6. Type adb devices and press Enter. A prompt will appear on your phone screen; tap Allow to authorize USB debugging.
    • Tip: If a command fails on macOS or Linux, add ./ before the command name (e.g., ./adb devices).
  7. Type adb reboot bootloader and press Enter to restart your phone into fastboot mode.
  8. Type fastboot flashing unlock and press Enter. Look at your phone screen and follow the display prompts to confirm. This step wipes your data.
  9. After the phone completes its initial reset and reboots, access fastboot mode a second time.
  10. Type fastboot flashing unlock_critical and press Enter. Follow the on-screen prompts on your phone to complete the full unlock process. This step wipes your data again.

How to re-lock your bootloader (optional)

To protect your data from theft or unauthorized access, we highly recommend re-locking your bootloader after completing your software installations.

Re-locking the bootloader will erase all personal data and may prevent your Fairphone from booting correctly if a non-Fairphone operating system (OS) is installed.
If you install an OS with an older security patch level than your previous OS, Android's roll-back protection might brick your device when locking the bootloader. Make sure the security patch level is the same or newer before re-locking.

Rollback date warning for /e/OS owners: Unlike standard operating systems where the rollback protection date aligns exactly with the Security Patch Level (SPL), /e/OS hardcodes its internal rollback safety checkpoint to the 5th day of that SPL's month.

  • An /e/OS build with a listed SPL of 2025-06-05 uses 2025-06-05 as its checkpoint.
  • An /e/OS build with a listed SPL of 2025-07-01 uses 2025-07-05 as its checkpoint.

Before locking, compare the specific rollback date of your current /e/OS build against the target operating system's security patch level to prevent bricking your phone.

  1. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB data cable and ensure USB debugging is active in your settings.
  2. Open your desktop command line utility application (Command Prompt on Windows, or Terminal on macOS and Linux), navigate to your platform tools folder, and reboot your phone into fastboot mode.
  3. Type fastboot flashing lock_critical and press Enter.
    • Tip: Use ./fastboot flashing lock_critical if your terminal requires explicit pathing.
  4. Follow the validation instructions directly on your phone's screen.
  5. Hold the Volume down button immediately as your phone starts restarting to force it back into fastboot mode.
  6. Type fastboot flashing lock and press Enter to complete the final system lock profile.
  7. Close your command line interface and safely disconnect the USB data cable from your computer.

Frequently asked questions

Does the EU regulation (RED) ban Custom ROMs?

No. While Article 3(3)(i) demands software validation to prevent radio interference, this rule isolates and targets the standalone firmware controlling radio transmission hardware rather than your entire phone operating system.

How does Fairphone maintain compliance?

Fairphone isolates the radio frequency firmware into a protected section. It is verified and securely locked completely away from the Android operating system.

This architecture allows Fairphone to safely keep the bootloader unlockable for owners without impacting or risking the legal compliance of our radio frequencies.

Can I still install LineageOS, /e/OS, or Ubuntu Touch?

Yes. Custom software distributions do not interact with or modify the isolated radio modem code, meaning they remain compliant with the European directive. Fairphone continues to support digital freedom by providing necessary system binaries directly to these community development projects.

What is Fairphone’s stance on the "Right to Repair"?

Fairphone views an unlockable bootloader as an essential product feature. It empowers user freedom and extends hardware longevity, ensuring that the choice of your mobile environment belongs to you as long as the device remains compliant.

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