Download the latest SP Flash Tool and extract it on your computer.

Lock and unlock the bootloader | Android Open Source Project

: Flashing incorrect files can permanently brick your smartphone. Proceed with caution. Prerequisites A Windows PC or laptop.

Most modern Android devices come with a locked bootloader to ensure system integrity and security. To flash custom recovery images like TWRP or gain root access, this lock must be removed. On MediaTek devices, the SP Flash Tool interacts directly with the device's Preloader, allowing users to read or write specific partitions.

Flashing the wrong preloader or corrupt lk can permanently disable the USB boot ROM. Recovery requires an external programmer (Mediatek’s bootrom exploit, if available) or JTAG.

You must install and extract several pieces of software on a Windows PC before starting the process:

Unlocking a bootloader provides users with more control over their device, allowing them to:

Ensure your device has at least 50% battery capacity to prevent power loss mid-flash.

The tool will populate a list of partitions (PRELOADER, BOOT, RECOVERY, SYSTEM, etc.) with checkboxes. Step 3: Isolate the Bootloader Partition

| Factor | Status | |--------|--------| | Works on all MTK devices? | No – depends on bootloader design and security (SBC, DAA, SLA). | | Requires scatter file | Yes – must match exact device firmware. | | Data wipe | Yes – unlocking triggers factory reset (security feature). | | Warranty void | Typically yes. | | Success rate | High on older MT67xx/MT81xx; mixed on MT68xx/MT69xx with secure boot. |

To prevent errors during the flashing process, you must prepare your environment. Download and install the following components on your Windows PC: 1. MediaTek USB VCOM Drivers

While this is device-specific, it demonstrates SP Flash Tool's role in managing firmware versions to facilitate an unlock.

Unlocking your bootloader gives you full control, but it also shifts responsibility. It’s legal in most countries (exceptions: some mobile carriers lock devices contractually). However, using SP Flash Tool to unlock a device you don’t own is unlawful. Additionally, bypassing bootloader locks to install custom software may violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the US if it circumvents “effective access controls,” though exemptions exist for security research and interoperability.

MediaTek's hardware security prevents unauthorized flashing. The MTK Bypass Tool tricks the chipset into accepting manual partition writes. Extract and launch the on your PC.