Bootloader - what is it? Operating system loader

Not everyone who owns a mobile device in the form of a smartphone or tablet running an Android phone, knows that in any version of the OS there is such a thing as Bootloader. What is it is now and will be considered. Based on an understanding of the very essence of the question, it will be possible to find out what operations can be performed when it is unlocked.

Bootloader: what is it?

Let's start, so to speak, with the basics. Bootloader of Android-systems is almost no different from what is available on any computer terminal, whether it's PC or Mac. In simple terms, Bootloader is a built-in tool for loading the operating system.

If we cite as an example computer terminals with several installed "operating systems" (say, Windows and Linux), the loader after switching on the stationary unit or laptop offers the user the choice of login to the system, and after confirmation loads one or another operating system.

Principles of OS download

As with stationary systems, the Bootloader loader in mobile devices accesses the initialization files in the manner that Windows does, for example, when loading parameters from the boot.ini file.

If you pay attention to such data, it is easy to conclude that in Android-systems you can easily change not only the way of loading, but also the loaded OS either in manual or in automatic mode. However, few people know that this tool itself downloads only the system that is written for a particular model of a smartphone or tablet.

Bootloader: how to unlock and why is it needed?

As for the possibilities that the unlocking of the bootloader involves, it's not just the restoration of the data that matters here.

It is believed that in this case the user gets access to the kernel of the system, which by default is impossible. How can I describe Bootloader in this situation? What this, it becomes clear, if you look at the lack of so-called superuser rights. It turns out that after removing the lock, they are not needed at any level. And then you often have to install special firmware and applications. If the custom firmware, to put it mildly, "clumsy", then the entire system can fly away.

Any manufacturer of mobile equipment provides work with a component such as Bootloader. How can I unblock it? Usually this is done with the help of special utilities installed on a PC when connecting to a mobile device via a USB interface. Note that the superuser rights are not required in this case.

For most devices, including, for example, Sony and HTC gadgets, it means the use of the utility Adb Run, and Sony will have to additionally use special drivers Sony Fastboot, and even turn to a special section of Unlocker on the official site. As you can see, although the procedure is feasible, it is quite complicated.

Data recovery

On the other hand, in its standard operating mode, restoring the Bootloader after resetting the settings to the factory settings allows you to perform simply a simple operation. It does not even require a hard reset.

It's enough just to drop the settings on the gadget itself, and after rebooting the system will offer to choose the option: either use new settings on the device, or restore settings, programs and files using the Google services account. In this case, you will have to enter the Gmail address with a password, and also connect to the Internet, for example, if there is an active Wi-Fi connection.

Installing another "operating system"

If we talk about the possibility of installing another OS, this question is quite complicated, although we solve it. The fact that some manufacturers claim, they say, that after "Android" on the gadget other system will not. Pure water is an advertising move designed to advertise the installed system.

And after all, the Chinese on their "left" HTC devices have already proved that Android and Windows Phone are absolutely at work on one device. In this case, such models are supplied in most cases with the already unloaded Bootloader. What is it in this case? This tool allows not only to choose the bootable OS, but also to install any other with changing parameters at the system level.

In other words, the user can do without even any firmware or additional programs to optimize the operation of the installed "operating system." Furthermore! This will not require even specialized utilities like optimizers, which are so divorced today that the user himself does not understand what to choose from all this a huge number of programs and applications.

What should I pay attention to separately?

But when it comes to custom firmware, which has become quite popular with many owners of mobile devices, you need to be very careful with them. Of course, the smart firmware or OS update will not cause harm, but rather, on the contrary, will only improve the operation of the device, but when something unofficial is installed, and has not yet been tested (like computer beta versions), expect trouble. Then surely no loader will help.

By the way, few realize that such versions can exert too much strain on "iron" components, which, in turn, can lead to their complete inoperability. But to change the processor in the same smartphone - it's far from the simplest.

In addition, unlocking the bootloader in officially released branded gadgets implies an automatic loss of warranty and the possibility of free service. So you have to think a hundred times before doing such actions and operations.

Finally it remains to add that the question of installing another OS on the Android-device is, in general, quite controversial. Yes, of course, the system will arise, whatever the manufacturer claims. But here's how it will work - this is another question, especially since most users usually put some light versions with an unknown source of origin. But in vain. Here, as they say, it is possible to break such firewood, and then you will not get sin. Yes, and the manufacturer himself with such changes under the current international standards, there is no responsibility for the correct operation of the mobile device. Therefore, the decision on the appropriateness and should take the owner of the gadget. But it's better not to joke with such things.