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UNLOCK BOOTLOADER ON NOTHING PHONE 1 AND RELOCK IT — A BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Unlock Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1 and Relock it — A Beginner’s Guide

In the realm of Android customization, few tasks are as fundamental and empowering as unlocking the bootloader. For the owners of the Nothing Phone 1, this process opens the door to a world of advanced modifications, custom ROMs, and root access. However, it is a procedure that requires precision, understanding, and a commitment to following steps carefully. This comprehensive guide, brought to you by Magisk Modules, will navigate you through the entire lifecycle of bootloader management for your Nothing Phone 1—from the initial unlocking process to the final step of relocking it for security.

We understand that venturing into bootloader territory can be intimidating. Therefore, we have crafted this guide to be as detailed and beginner-friendly as possible. We will cover the prerequisites, the step-by-step unlocking process using the official method, how to flash custom recoveries and root your device, and finally, the crucial process of relocking the bootloader when you wish to return to a stock state.

Understanding the Bootloader and Its Implications

Before initiating any technical procedures, it is essential to comprehend what a bootloader is and what unlocking it entails for your Nothing Phone 1.

What is a Bootloader?

The bootloader is the first piece of code that executes when you power on your device. It acts as a security checkpoint, verifying the integrity of the operating system before loading it. By default, smartphone manufacturers lock the bootloader to ensure that only authorized, official software (like the stock Nothing OS) can run on the device. This is a critical security measure that protects users from malicious software and ensures system stability.

Why Unlock the Bootloader?

Unlocking the bootloader on the Nothing Phone 1 grants you S-Off privileges (in HTC terminology) or, more accurately, the ability to flash unsigned images. This is the key to:

Risks Involved

We must be transparent about the risks. Unlocking the bootloader will:

Prerequisites for Unlocking Nothing Phone 1

Preparation is the cornerstone of a successful unlock. We recommend gathering all necessary tools and fulfilling the prerequisites before touching your device.

Essential Tools and Software

  1. A Computer: A Windows, macOS, or Linux machine is required to run the Android SDK Platform-Tools.
  2. Android SDK Platform-Tools: Download the latest version of ADB and Fastboot tools for your specific operating system from the official Android developer website.
  3. USB Cable: A high-quality USB-C cable to connect your Nothing Phone 1 to your computer. Avoid using cheap, unverified cables, as data transfer issues can cause the process to fail.
  4. USB Drivers: For Windows users, installing the generic Android USB drivers is crucial for the computer to recognize the device in Fastboot mode.
  5. Nothing Phone 1 USB Drivers (Optional): While generic drivers usually work, specific drivers from Nothing can sometimes offer better stability.

Device-Specific Requirements

Enabling Developer Options and USB Debugging

  1. Navigate to Settings on your Nothing Phone 1.
  2. Scroll down to About Phone.
  3. Tap on the Build Number seven times consecutively until you see a message saying, “You are now a developer!”
  4. Go back to the main Settings menu and find System > Developer Options.
  5. Enable USB Debugging. This allows your computer to communicate with your phone via ADB.
  6. Enable OEM Unlocking. This is the critical switch for bootloader unlocking.

Step-by-Step Guide: Unlocking the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

We will now walk you through the official method provided by Nothing. This method uses Fastboot commands and requires a connection to a computer. This guide assumes you have the ADB and Fastboot tools properly installed and accessible from your command line or terminal.

Step 1: Connect Your Phone to the Computer

Connect your Nothing Phone 1 to your computer using the USB-C cable. Ensure the connection is secure. On your phone, when prompted, allow USB debugging for the connected computer. You can check the connection by opening a terminal or command prompt and typing:

adb devices

You should see your device’s serial number listed. If not, check your drivers and USB debugging authorization.

Step 2: Boot into Fastboot Mode

To issue commands to the bootloader, you need to reboot your phone into Fastboot mode (also known as Bootloader mode). There are two ways to do this:

  1. Using ADB Command: With your phone still connected and recognized, type the following command in your terminal:
    adb reboot bootloader
  2. Using Hardware Keys: Power off your phone completely. Then, press and hold the Volume Down button and connect the phone to your computer. Keep holding the Volume Down button until you see the Fastboot screen.

Once in Fastboot mode, verify the connection by typing:

fastboot devices

Your device serial number should appear. If it does, you are ready to proceed.

Step 3: Obtain the Unlock Key from Nothing

Unlike some manufacturers, Nothing does not require you to request an unlock token via email. The process is handled entirely locally on the device, which simplifies the procedure significantly.

  1. With your phone in Fastboot mode, you need to use the fastboot flashing command.
  2. The command to initiate the unlock is:
    fastboot flashing unlock
    Note: For users with older ADB/Fastboot versions, the command might be fastboot oem unlock. However, for Nothing Phone 1, the fastboot flashing unlock command is the standard protocol.
  3. Execute the command in your terminal.

Step 4: Confirm the Unlock on Your Phone

After executing the command on your computer, your Nothing Phone 1’s screen will change. You will see a warning message about unlocking the bootloader. You will also see two options on the screen:

Using the volume buttons on your phone to navigate and the power button to select, choose START.

Step 5: The Unlocking Process

Once you confirm on the device, the unlocking process will begin. The phone will wipe all user data, including internal storage. This is a security measure to protect your previous data. The terminal on your computer will show progress bars.

Do not disconnect the USB cable during this process. Wait until the process completes, and you see a message on the computer terminal like Finished. Total time: X.XXXXs.

Step 6: Booting the System

After the unlock is complete, the phone will reboot automatically. The first boot may take longer than usual as the system sets up the newly wiped data partition. You will have to go through the initial device setup process again.

Step 7: Verify the Unlock

To verify that the bootloader is successfully unlocked, you can repeat the steps to boot into Fastboot mode. On the Fastboot screen, look at the top of the display. It should say “UNLOCKED” or “Orange State” warning, confirming that the bootloader is no longer locked.

Post-Unlock: Rooting with Magisk

Now that the bootloader is unlocked, you have the foundation for rooting your Nothing Phone 1. Rooting provides administrative privileges to the Android operating system, allowing for deep customization. The recommended and safest method for rooting modern Android devices is using Magisk.

Step 1: Extract the Stock Firmware

To root your device, you need the stock boot image file. You can find the stock firmware for the Nothing Phone 1 from official sources (such as the official Nothing Community or reliable firmware repositories).

  1. Download the full OTA zip for your specific firmware version and build number.
  2. Extract the zip file on your computer. You should find several files, including payload.bin.
  3. Use a payload dumper tool (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux) to extract the contents of payload.bin.
  4. From the extracted files, locate the file named boot.img (or init_boot.img if the device uses a separate partition, but Nothing Phone 1 typically uses a single boot image).

Step 2: Patch the Boot Image with Magisk

  1. Transfer the boot.img file to your Nothing Phone 1’s internal storage.
  2. Download the latest Magisk APK from the official GitHub repository.
  3. Rename the file extension from .apk to .zip. For example, Magisk-v27.0.apk becomes Magisk-v27.0.zip.
  4. Boot your phone into Fastboot mode.
  5. Use the fastboot boot command to temporarily boot the Magisk app without permanently flashing it. This is a safety measure. If something goes wrong, a simple reboot restores the stock state.
    fastboot boot Magisk-v27.0.zip
    Note: The command to boot a custom recovery or image is fastboot boot <filename>. Ensure the Magisk zip is in your computer’s ADB folder.
  6. Once the device boots, open the Magisk app. Select “Install” > “Select and Patch a File” and choose the boot.img you placed on your device.
  7. Magisk will create a patched file named magisk_patched.img (or similar) in your Downloads folder.
  8. Transfer this patched image back to your computer.

Step 3: Flashing the Patched Image

  1. Reboot your phone into Fastboot mode again.
  2. Flash the patched boot image using the following command:
    fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
  3. Once the flashing is complete, reboot the system:
    fastboot reboot

Step 4: Verifying Root Access

After the phone reboots, open the Magisk app. It should show that Magisk is installed with a version number. You can also download the “Magisk Manager” or “Root Checker” app from the Play Store to verify root privileges. You are now rooted!

Enhancing Functionality with Magisk Modules

With root access, you can now explore the Magisk Module Repository hosted on Magisk Modules. These modules allow you to modify your system without touching the system partition. Examples include:

Always read the documentation for each module to ensure compatibility with your Nothing Phone 1 and current firmware version.

Relocking the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

There are times when you need to relock the bootloader—perhaps to receive an official OTA update, to pass SafetyNet for banking apps, or to return the device to a stock, secure state for resale. Warning: Relocking the bootloader on a device with a modified boot image (like a rooted system or custom recovery) can result in a hard brick. You must be on a completely stock, unmodified firmware before relocking.

Prerequisites for Relocking

  1. Stock Firmware: You must have the exact stock boot.img or the full OTA zip for your current Android version and build number.
  2. Unlocked Status: The device must be currently unlocked.
  3. Data Backup: Relocking will also wipe your device data. Back up everything important.
  4. Stock Recovery: Ensure you have the stock recovery image if you are using a custom recovery like TWRP or Orange Fox. You need to flash the stock recovery back before locking.

Step 1: Restore Stock Boot Image

If you are currently rooted or have a custom kernel, you must revert to the stock state.

  1. Download the exact stock firmware for your device build number.
  2. Extract the boot.img from the firmware.
  3. Boot your Nothing Phone 1 into Fastboot mode.
  4. Flash the stock boot image:
    fastboot flash boot boot.img
  5. (Optional) If you have a custom recovery, flash the stock recovery image:
    fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
  6. Reboot the device to ensure it boots normally into the stock OS.

Step 2: The Relocking Command

Once you have confirmed that your device is running the unmodified stock firmware and boots correctly:

  1. Boot back into Fastboot mode (Volume Down + Connect USB).
  2. In your command prompt or terminal, type the following command:
    fastboot flashing lock
    Note: Do not use fastboot oem lock unless specified by the manufacturer. fastboot flashing lock is the standard command for modern Android devices.
  3. Execute the command.

Step 3: Confirm on Device

Similar to the unlocking process, your phone screen will display a warning. It will ask you to confirm the bootloader lock.

The device will begin the process of locking the bootloader. It will wipe your data again to ensure the new state is secure. Wait for the process to complete on your computer terminal.

Step 4: Verification and SafetyNet

After the process finishes, the device will reboot. The first boot will take some time.

  1. To verify the lock, boot back into Fastboot mode. It should say “LOCKED” at the top of the screen.
  2. Once set up, check your banking apps or Google Pay. With the bootloader locked and stock firmware, they should function normally. If you still encounter issues with SafetyNet (CTS profile mismatch), it might be because the device still retains some trace of previous modifications (e.g., Knox tripped, although Nothing devices don’t have Knox). In most cases, locking the bootloader on stock firmware resolves these issues.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with a detailed guide, things can go wrong. Here are common issues and their solutions.

Fastboot Devices Not Recognized

“Flashing is not allowed for Critical Parts”

This error usually occurs if you try to flash a partition that is considered critical without the proper unlock state or if your command syntax is wrong. Ensure you are using the correct fastboot flashing unlock and fastboot flashing lock commands. Do not attempt to flash abl or xbl partitions directly unless you know exactly what you are doing, as this can hard-brick the device.

Device Stuck in Bootloop

If your device is stuck in a boot loop (continuously restarting):

  1. Boot into Fastboot mode.
  2. Flash the stock boot.img immediately.
  3. If that fails, you may need to perform a factory reset via Fastboot:
    fastboot -w
    This will wipe userdata and cache.
  4. As a last resort, use the fastboot update <zipname> command with the full stock OTA zip to restore the system completely.

Relocking Error: “Device Critical Unlocked”

If you get an error when trying to lock the bootloader stating that critical partitions are still unlocked, you need to relock the critical partitions first. The command is:

fastboot flashing lock_critical

However, on the Nothing Phone 1, the standard fastboot flashing lock usually handles the user partitions. If you have previously flashed critical partitions (like boot and vbmeta), ensure the stock firmware matches exactly. If the device refuses to lock, flash the full stock firmware via fastboot update and then attempt to lock again.

Conclusion

Managing the bootloader on your Nothing Phone 1 is a powerful way to take full control of your device. By following this guide,

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