How to Unlock Bootloader of HTC Devices

      

HTC devices always came with a locked bootloader and you need to unlock bootloadermanually by the HTCDev website. Why do you need to unlock bootloader? Developers and devs who make custom ROMs and other tweaks for the phone require an unlockedbootloader.

Why unlock bootloader on your HTC device? You will be able to install custom/modified ROMs, flash a custom recovery which would give you tons of features and install other tweaks that require full system access. Let’s get on with the tutorial and unlock bootloaderof your HTC phone.

Disclaimer: All the tools, mods or ROMs mentioned below belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial 

Make sure you have installed the USB drivers of your HTC device to connect it with the computer. Download HTC Sync for USB drivers. Apart from just the USB drivers, there are a few more things that you need to take care of.

1. Your phone battery should be 80-85% charged. If your phone goes off suddenly because of battery, during flashing ROMs or installing mods and updates — your phone might go dead permanently. See here: How to Check Battery Percentage.

2. Backup all your important data that you might need because unlocking your bootloaderwill delete/wipe all your data. See below on how to backup data:

• Backup your SMS messages. How? –> How to Backup/Restore SMS Messages.
• Backup Contacts, Gmail and Google Data. How? –> Sync with Google Sync.
• Backup Call History. How? –> How to Backup Call History.
• Backup WhatsApp Messages. How? –> How to Backup/Restore WhatsApp Messages.
• Backup APN Settings: GPRS, 3G, MMS Settings.

NOTE: To prevent unauthorized access to your data, unlocking the bootloader will delete all personal data from your device including applications, text messages and personalized settings.

3. This tutorial is only for unlocked HTC phones. Carrier / network locked HTC phones are not supported by this tutorial.

Now, let’s proceed with the tutorial below and unlock bootloader of your HTC device.

How to Unlock Bootloader of HTC Phones

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to unlockbootloader of your HTC device. Please read every line carefully. We suggest, read the tutorial once before actually performing it on your phone.

IMPORTANT: Unlocking your device may void all or parts of your warranty by HTC.

Step 1 - Go to HTCDev.com website.

Step 2 - Click on ‘Register’ and create an account at the HTCDev website.

Step 3 - Activate your account. Login and go to main page of HTCDev.

Step 4 - Click on “Unlock Bootloader” button and click the “Get Started” button.

Step 5 - Select “All Other Supported Models” from the dropdown list and then click the “Begin Unlock Bootloader” button.

Step 6 - Carefully read the warning popup message and then press the ‘Yes’ button.

Step 7 - Check both the boxes in the Legal Terms popup box. Now press the “Proceed to Unlock Instructions” button.

Step 8 - Download Fastboot files if you don’t already have them and extract in C: drive.

Step 9 – Hold the Power button on your HTC device for 10 seconds to completely turn it off.

Step 10 - Now go to Bootloader Mode on your device. How? Press Volume Down and Power to start the device into Bootloader mode.

Step 11 - Use the Volume buttons to select up or down. Highlight Fastboot and press the Power button to select.

Step 12 - Connect your HTC device to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 13 - Now open Command Propmpt. How? Click the Start button and type ‘cmd’ (without quotes) and press Enter.

Step 14 - In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter.

cd c:fastboot

Step 15 - Now type the following command and press Enter.

fastboot oem get_identifier_token

Step 16 - You will see a long string of text (identifier token). What to do now? Open this page on HTCDev.

Step 17 - Now follow the instructions as given there to select and copy text from Command Prompt.

Step 18 - Once copied, paste that identifier token into the box at the bottom of that HTCDev page and then click Submit.

Step 19 - You will receive an email by HTC (on the registered email) with a link to the second part of the instructions and your “Unlock_code.bin” file attached.

Step 20 - Download “Unlock_code.bin” and save it in your Fastboot folder (C:fastbooot in our case).

Step 21 - Now type the following command in Command Prompt and press Enter.

fastboot flash unlocktoken Unlock_code.bin

Step 22 - Check your phone. Read on-screen instructions. Press Volume Up to accept and the Power button to confirm.

That’s it. Your HTC device now has a unlocked bootloader. This means, you can install custom ROMs, flash a custom recovery and perform other system tweaks on your HTC phone now.