“OnePlus has announced a new system that limits who can unlock the bootloader on their phones. Stating reasons such as “data security” and an enhanced “system stability” […]. OnePlus has introduced a new procedure where anyone wanting to unlock the bootloader on their devices must first fill out an online request form for “Deep Testing””.

Even if it is for one region, it is still enshitification preventing phones to have custom ROM 🤦‍♂️

  • Blackmist@feddit.uk
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    5 days ago

    Is Daddy Google making them do this under the excuse of “data security”? It’s a bit sus that they’ve all “decided” to do it of their own volition.

    Plus Google has locked a bunch of stuff out of the open source versions now, so it’s likely only a matter of time before it’s effectively useless.

  • darcmage@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    6 days ago
    • “requirements are only applicable to users in China”
    • “restrictions will not apply to previous versions of ColorOS” (<16)
    • “unlocking the bootloader won’t void the phone’s warranty”

    While not ideal, it’s also not the end of the world.

    • vividspecter@aussie.zone
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      6 days ago

      Hopefully this is as far as it goes and not something they will continually restrict each year. This feels similar to the Xiaomi situation which seems to have had the same problems in China, and they have gradually restricted unlocking more and more.

    • Aceticon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      6 days ago

      Xiaomi recently blocked bootloader unlocking and even before that it was a convolute process were you made a request using a app of theirs and had to wait one week before the phone was unlocked.

  • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip
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    7 days ago

    Fucking fantastic. /s. This is probably the first step to killing bootloader unlocking entirely and that could be a real problem because to the best of my knowledge that would leave Google and maybe Fairphone as the only two possibilities in existence until Graphene launches a device

      • ElectroLisa@piefed.blahaj.zone
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        6 days ago

        Motorola does conditional bootloader unlocks, you need to have your device connected to the internet for roughly 7 days after you bought it, in order to have the “OEM unlocking” option available. Then you have to request a bootloader unlock key through their website which requires a Lenovo ID account.

        I’m not saying it’s impossible, but at any of those steps they can make shit worse (like Xiaomi did).

        To my knowledge the only brand which lets you unlock your bootloader without a fuss is Nothing. Sony and Fairphone are on close second but there you still need to request a bootloader unlock key.

        • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip
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          6 days ago

          Oh yeah, I forgot about them. Question is, how well does custom ROMs work with media tech chips? Because from what I understand, a lot of Motorola’s are now using media tech. And I have not seen many custom ROMs work with them.

        • psud@aussie.zone
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          6 days ago

          Google don’t restrict unlocking the boot loader. I just checked on my Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the OEM unlocking toggle is still there. The only barrier is enabling developer options by repeatedly tapping the build number in settings/about phone, just like it always has been

          You can only relock the bootloader with a signed OS image loaded

  • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    FFS. Who the hell is even left that allows unrestricted bootloader unlocks? Sony?

    E: oh, Pixels too I guess

  • DoctorPress@lemmy.zip
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    6 days ago

    We should use the term “licensing” a phone over “buying”. Because this shit ain’t buying if I am, the device owner, can’t do shit they want to their phone cuz random big companies needs to protect the apps (aka spyware) from users.

  • Korhaka@sopuli.xyz
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    5 days ago

    I just stopped buying Android devices. Now I inherit old ones that other people would have thrown out. They are ok if you didn’t pay for it.

  • Grass@sh.itjust.works
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    6 days ago

    I had the 5 but really everything after 1 was aafter they had become just as bullshit as the competition

    • magikmw@piefed.social
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      6 days ago

      I switched to Nord after running my 3T down and I’m really happy, I got a great upgrade in hardware AND no shitty curved screen for 1/3rd of the price.

      • Grass@sh.itjust.works
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        6 days ago

        I kinda want a phone in the exact shape of the oneplus one but with current wifi and recent ish processor. When I got the 5 I gave the 1 to my brother who proceeded to drop it at work and run over it with a forklift. The screen cracked and the wood back plate broke but the phone still worked. Some months later he got the 5t and ran over that too but it was decimated.

  • 𞋴𝛂𝛋𝛆@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    They are going out of business and should be considered compromised by piracy. Buying a One Plus is supporting a global criminal organization.

    • Steve@communick.news
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      7 days ago

      Any citations? I haven’t been paying attention to OnePlus specifically, but haven’t heard about any of this.

      • sunzu2@thebrainbin.org
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        6 days ago

        Not sure what means beyond that in early 2020 OnePlus was going open route. I think there was even speculation they would allow bootloader relock for calyx or lineage

        Then just like that no and now this…

      • 𞋴𝛂𝛋𝛆@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        The article… Locking the bootloader is ceasing to sell a product that can be owned. It is a rental controlled by someone else actively, not just passively through a proprietary orphan kernel. It is action taken to filter, manipulate, and exploit. That is actually a soft coup against democracy itself, if you grasp the role of informed autonomous citizens and the reason ignorance is never an excuse in a democracy. The mechanism of trust is a fascist tool that is diametrically opposed to a liberal democracy. Trust in the chain of information flowing to a citizen is to subjugate and steal the right of citizenship. This is fundamentally simple with enormous implications. The naive stupidity of people blind to this fundamental issue is truly sad. The transition to actively exploiting the device, is to surrender democracy to a traitorous pirate if you purchase one of these. It is not small thing to shrug off. This is a pivotal moment and issue that will create an unimaginatively dark dystopia. The problem with coups is only the speed at which they are executed. This is a foundational cornerstone taken slowly where people are far to stupid to see it and resist in time to make a difference.