If you want to root your mobile , you may have heard about the bootloader, an indispensable tool in the operation of all mobile operating systems on the market, especially in what refers to Android, one of the most used in the world .
Also known as bootloader, the bootloader plays a very important role , since it is the one that allows you to start the operating system of your mobile.
While boot managers are not exclusive to mobile phones, but to any smart device, this term is mainly associated with them. In this article we will show you everything you need to know about your bootloader and everything you can do with it .
Index:
What is the launch launcher and what is it for on smart devices?
Bootloader or bootloader is a program installed on smart devices that is responsible for indicating to it which programs will start once you turn it on. This is the first program that is activated when you turn on your mobile and is responsible for indicating whether you should activate the operating system or if you want to go to another tool such as the well-known Recovery Mode.
This program is usually developed by the same mobile manufacturer, and can be in two states; locked and unlocked .
How does the bootloader work and what functions does it have on Android?
The bootloader is a fairly simple program, since what it does is simply give the order to tell the device which program it will start. Its activation is fully automatic and is activated just when you turn on the terminal before any other application .
Mobile phones, as well as any other smart device, have several boot modes, which have specific functions that allow you to make specific changes to your system or start it with certain functions. In smartphone the best known modes are the following :
- Recovery mode : This is a program outside the Android operating system that you can start on your mobile to perform actions such as resetting the device and the like.
- Operating system : this is the normal mode that our operating system starts so that we can use our mobile as we always do.
- Safe mode : this is a modality where you start the operating system normally, but you can only use essential applications such as making calls, sending messages or saving contacts.
On other devices, the bootloader also allows you to enter other modes, such as fastboot or download mode that allow you to use the device with certain limited functions , without forgetting the BIOS.
Why do hardware manufacturers block the bootloader of Android devices?
As we explain, the bootloader may be locked or unlocked, and it is the latter state that is the most common today. But Why do manufacturers block the device bootloader?
By blocking the bootloader, manufacturers ensure that the user cannot install applications or operating systems external or of unknown origin. That is, with the bootloader locked you will not be able to install on your terminal any operating system other than Android in any of its official versions .
In this way, they guarantee that the equipment works with a reliable and verified security system in which the user’s data will be safe. This is not the case with custom ROMs that may include malicious files that facilitate access to private consumer information .
What is the purpose of unlocking the Bootloader of my mobile risks? What does it do?
In basic terms, releasing the startup manager of your device will allow you to install and run any application or operating system you want. But this in turn gives you many more freedoms than you can imagine :
- Access to the mobile kernel : releasing the operating system you can install applications that allow you to modify the configuration of your kernel to customize any aspect you want from the terminal.
- Install custom recovery : a custom recovery is a tool outside the operating system that allows you to modify aspects of it, even without being a root user . If your phone came with a factory defect such as not being able to connect to the WiFi or the camera does not focus well, you can fix it without going to any technician with a custom recovery.
However, this has its risks, as we are entering a field where every action we take generates strong changes in the team.
- Damage the terminal : if in an environment with the bootloader unlocked we configure indispensable functions in a bad way, we can leave the equipment unusable.
- Less security : When installing custom ROMs, privacy is reduced as there is no guarantee of it.
For these reasons, most manufacturers have clauses that state that the user who releases the launch launcher loses its warranty. So before you even think about doing this, document yourself well and be sure of the things you can modify and those that you can’t .
When is it advisable to release the launch launcher of my smartphone?
While the risks are served, there are certain circumstances in which you find it convenient to assume them to make a quality leap to your terminal:
- With an old mobile : if you have your first smartphone out there with a two-core processor and 1GB of RAM, you can give it a second life by installing a custom ROM that empowers and elevates it the hardware performance it has.
- Due to a factory error : If the one you bought has a factory-level error at the system level, you can repair it without going to a technician with a recovery to flash to fix it.