This page will be updated with all of the ways in which you can unlock the bootloader of both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+.
Just like I did with the LG G6 bootloader unlock guide that I wrote up, I’ll be using this guide to detail every single method that enables you to unlock the bootloader of the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+. You should know that there are a lot of variants of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ out there though.
Variants from carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint do everything they can to keep the bootloader locked down and do not want you to unlock it.
There are times in which an exploit or something comes out that will let you bypass this restriction though. It is rare, but it does happen on occasion. If there are times in which one of those methods becomes available, then I will add it to this page. So I would advise that you stay updated here if unlocking the bootloader of your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ is something you want to do. For now though, I will be walking you through how to unlock the bootloader for the international Exynos model (aka the global variant).
Note – This method will work for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ with the model numbers – SM-G950F, SM-G950FD, SM-G950X, SM-G950N, SM-G955F, SM-G955FD, SM-G955X and SM-G955N
Galaxy S8 Unlock Bootloader
- Enable Developer Mode on the Galaxy S8
- Launch the Settings application
- Scroll down and tap on the Developer Options option
- Toggle the OEM Unlock option on
- Then tap on the Turn On button
Explanation
Some OEMs will require that you toggle this OEM Unlock feature on before you go into Fastboot Mode and unlock the bootloader. This is not how it is done for the SM-G950F and SM-G955F variants of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ though. As mentioned, the process is incredibly simple and it is very easy to do. Once you have gone through the steps here, you can then use software like Odin to flash a custom recovery onto your device.
So to start, we first need to enable Developer Mode on the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. You can follow the guide linked above, but it will be a bit different for these Samsung phones. To do this, you’ll need to launch the Settings application and then tap on the About Phone option. From here, tap on the Software Information option and this is where you will find the Build Number option. Go ahead and tap on the Build Number option 7-10 times and it will enable Developer Mode for you.
So now, you can press the Home button to go back to the Home Screen and then launch the Settings application again (or just press the Back button a couple of times). Scroll down all the way on the main Settings page and you should see a new option here called Developer Options. Tap on this and you’ll be shown a ton of unique little features that you can tinker with. Be careful here though because enabling or disabling something here can change the way the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ operates.
We want to ignore everything except for the OEM Unlock option. This should be toward the top and it’s just a simple toggle that you can flip on and off. By default, it will be set to off and this is what you want to tap on to enable it. You’ll see a dialog box pop up that asks are you sure you want to enable this feature. Simply tap on the Turn On button and you’re done. You can then press the Home button to go back to the Home Screen since your bootloader is now unlocked.
Simply unlocking the bootloader will not trip KNOX, it will not void your warranty, and it will not prevent you from accepting OTA updates. Those things only happen if you modify the core software (like installing TWRP, gaining root access, etc).
Do you think that the Verizon s8+ Will ever be possible to have it’s bootloader unlocked?
Anything is possible, but considering the S7’s bootloader can’t be unlocked, I would say the chances are very slim. I’m definitely keeping my eye on the community and will update the article as soon as something become available.
I would say we’re more likely to get some sort of exploit/method that gives us root access to the device (like we have with the S7) than we have of seeing a legit bootloader unlock. But these things seem to pop up from time to time so again, anything is possible.
can this work on the unlocked versions they are selling in the US? the gm-955u?
From what I’ve read, that ‘unlocked’ version just means SIM unlocked. I almost certain I saw this discussed in the XDA forums and it was confirmed that the bootloader for that one is in fact locked 🙁
I live in the US as well and had to resort to buying my Exynos S8+ from a reseller on eBay. Phone is perfect
hi
any solution for not show oem unlock in developed menu? the phone is a 955x. its possible to unlock oem with adb? regards
If that toggle is not there, then that means the carrier removed it. I only have the SM-G955F model so I can’t test all of them. I have included a list of the ones that I know this will work on. If there comes a time when other versions (likely carrier specific versions) can be unlocked and/or rooted, then I will create a new post about it here on Android Explained and then link to it from either here or the how to root article.
Hi, does it work, can anyone confirm ?
Hello, I have ordered the galaxy s8 duo, but now does not know whether the method goes also so, the bootloader to unlock?
It should be the same method. If that toggle is there and it is not grayed out, then you can simply tap it to unlock the bootloader
Hello I have the Verizon s8 plus g955u it has the exnoys prossecor in it. Does that mean the oem is unlocked already?
That’s not possible. If the phone came from Verizon Wireless then it has the Snapdragon chip. Either way, these phones do not come unlocked. You have to toggle the feature off as shown in this guide.
ola tenho um g955f nao aparece a opcao oem alguem pode me ajuda por favor
You have developer mode enabled?
Hey bro. 955u1 here. Unlocked variant. Not sure what that means. I think it’s just not CARRIER locked. Any script to check the boot loader etc??
I bought the Unlocked S7 because I was hoping Samsung would have let us unlock the bootloader of a carrier unlocked device. Sadly, that wasn’t the case and that hasn’t been the case since Samsung started doing these models.
So you’re right, your unlocked variant just means that it is carrier unlocked and that you can use it on any carrier right when you buy it instead of waiting for a carrier unit to to be paid off and manually unlocked by request of the owner.
Sadly, that means the bootloader cannot be unlocked 🙁 You may be able to gain root access to the device (with Magisk) if there is an exploit released for it. As of right now, I’m not aware of one but I have not followed the S8 scene on XDA so that would be the first place to start (if you’re interested in gaining root)
i have a sm-g950u is it possible to root?
Sadly no. Their “unlocked” device means SIM unlock, not bootloader unlocked (which is what we need to root)
sm-g950u no OEM unlock *cry*
…no question, just sadness.
Thanks for the write up 🙂
No root for sm950u????
I don’t have that phone, so I can’t test it, but this may be what you’re looking for – https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/development/root-t4060701
bootloader for s8+ {verizon?} in the lapsus leak?
I’ve read this whole write up and you have quite a few mistakes. For one, flipping the OEM unlock toggle DOES NOT mean your bootloader is now unlocked (you wrote, “We want to ignore everything except for the OEM Unlock option. This should be toward the top and it’s just a simple toggle that you can flip on and off…..simply tap on the Turn On button and you’re done. You can then press the Home button to go back to the Home Screen since your bootloader is now unlocked.” which isn’t true, it simply allows the bootloader to be unlocked. You actually require a pc to unlock your bootloader. Sorry bud.