In short, a bootloader is a piece of software that loads the operating system (OS) onto a device when it is turned on. Gaining access to the Android bootloader can give you full control over your operating system in a process known as rooting. It also allows you to install modified versions of Android, called ROMs. While some phone manufacturers and carriers don’t allow you to unlock your device’s bootloader, Google does things differently. It lets you dive right into Pixels that aren’t tied to a specific carrier (which are, confusingly, also known as “unlocked” devices). Last week, Android Police found several reports from Pixel 6A users who were frustrated to find that they couldn’t access the bootloader and later confirmed the problem on their own Pixel 6A control unit. A Google representative told Android Police that a fix is included in the latest Pixel 6A update, though it doesn’t specifically mention it in the patch notes. Google says the update will continue to roll out over the next week “depending on carrier networks.” So if you’ve been dying to tweak your brand new Pixel 6A, you won’t have to wait much longer.
