OEM Unlock in Developer Options: Step-by-Step

Updated 15 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

OEM unlocking is an Android setting that lets you unlock your device’s bootloader, which is the first step toward installing custom ROMs, rooting, or flashing factory images. This guide walks you through enabling the OEM unlock toggle in Developer Options on most Android phones, and covers what to do when the option is missing or greyed out.

What You’ll Need

An Android phone or tablet (the steps are for stock Android and most manufacturer skins like Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Pixel).
A stable internet connection and your Google account credentials (some devices check for network or account status).
Your device PIN, password, or pattern, because you’ll need to confirm changes.
Patience — the process may require waiting up to 7 days on some brands (e.g., Samsung, Xiaomi) after enabling the toggle.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Tap the gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade.
Find “About phone.” Scroll down and tap About phone (sometimes called About device). On some phones, it’s under System first.
Locate the build number. Look for Build number (or Build number under Software information on Samsung). It’s usually near the bottom.
Tap the build number 7 times. Tap it repeatedly until you see a message like “You are now a developer!” or “Developer mode has been enabled.” You may need to enter your PIN/pattern to proceed.
Go back to Settings. Tap the back arrow once or twice to return to the main Settings screen.
Open Developer Options. Look for System > Developer options (on Samsung: Settings > Developer options; on Xiaomi: Settings > Additional settings > Developer options).
Toggle on “OEM unlocking.” Scroll down to the Debugging or Security section and find the switch labeled OEM unlocking. Tap it to turn it on.
Confirm the warning. A dialog will appear explaining that unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty and erase all data. Tap Enable or Allow to confirm.
Check the status. The toggle should now be in the ON position. If it turns off automatically, your device may require you to be signed into a Wi-Fi network or have a SIM card inserted (some carriers restrict this).
Wait if required. Some manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus) impose a cooldown period — often 7 days — after enabling the toggle before the bootloader can actually be unlocked. During this time, the toggle may show as enabled but the actual unlock command will fail until the timer expires.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling Developer Options first. You must tap the build number 7 times before the Developer Options menu appears. Skipping this is the most common error.
Looking in the wrong place. On Samsung, the toggle is under Developer options directly, not under System. On Xiaomi, it’s under Additional settings.
Assuming the toggle is enough. Enabling the toggle does not unlock the bootloader; it merely allows the fastboot oem unlock command to work later. You still need to use a PC with the platform-tools to actually unlock.
Ignoring the data wipe warning. Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on the phone. Back up important files before proceeding.
Carrier restrictions. Some carrier-locked devices (especially in the US) hide or grey out the OEM unlocking toggle entirely. This is a carrier policy, not a bug.

Tips

Enable OEM unlocking as soon as you get the phone, even if you don’t plan to root immediately. Some manufacturers only allow it during a short window after first setup.
Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi and signed into your Google account for at least a day before trying to enable the toggle, as some devices verify account status.
If the toggle is greyed out, try inserting a SIM card and rebooting. Some phones require a SIM to be present.
On Samsung devices, the toggle may be labelled “OEM unlocking” but appears only after you sign into a Samsung account and wait 7 days after first setup. The exact timing varies.
Once you enable the toggle, do not disable it again unless you are sure you won’t need it, as re-enabling may reset the cooldown timer.

Troubleshooting

OEM unlocking option is missing.

Make sure you have actually enabled Developer Options (tap build number 7 times).
Check if your device is carrier-branded. Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile often remove the toggle on their variants. In that case, the only workaround is to buy an unlocked model or use a different device.
On some phones, the toggle only appears after you insert a SIM card and wait a few hours.

OEM unlocking is greyed out.

Wait a few days. Many manufacturers enforce a mandatory waiting period after first boot or after enabling Developer Options.
Ensure your device has an active internet connection and is signed into your Google account (and Samsung account on Samsung devices).
Try rebooting the phone. Sometimes the toggle becomes active after a restart.

Toggle turns off by itself.

This is normal on some devices if you haven’t used the phone for a while or if you’ve signed out of your account. Re-enable it and keep the device active.
If it keeps turning off, your device may be a carrier model with a permanent restriction.

Bootloader unlock command fails even with toggle on.

You must use the official fastboot command from a PC. Make sure you have the correct USB drivers and that the device is in bootloader/fastboot mode.
Check if your manufacturer requires a specific unlock tool (e.g., Xiaomi’s Mi Unlock, Samsung’s Odin). The toggle alone is not sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does enabling OEM unlocking void my warranty?
Yes, in most cases. Unlocking the bootloader voids the manufacturer warranty, though some brands (like OnePlus) may allow re-locking to restore warranty status. Always check your device’s policy.

Will OEM unlocking erase my data?
Enabling the toggle itself does not erase data, but the actual bootloader unlock process (via fastboot) will wipe your device completely. Back up everything before proceeding.

Can I re-lock the bootloader after unlocking?
Yes, you can usually re-lock it using the same fastboot command (fastboot oem lock or fastboot flashing lock), but this will again wipe data and may restore warranty depending on the brand.

Why is OEM unlocking not available on my phone?
Carrier-locked phones often have the toggle removed. Also, some regions or specific models (e.g., US Snapdragon Samsung phones) do not support bootloader unlocking at all.

Do I need a PC to unlock the bootloader?
Yes, for most devices you need a computer with ADB and fastboot installed to run the unlock command. The toggle only permits the command to work.

How long does the 7-day wait last?
The wait is exactly 7 days from when you first enable Developer Options or when you first toggle on OEM unlocking, depending on the brand. After that period, the unlock command will succeed.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.