How to Unlock Bootloader on Vivo / iQOO (2025)

July 20, 2025

 

The Ultimate 2025 Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader on Vivo & iQOO Phones

(Every model, every region, every known method – updated July 2025)
⚠️ TL;DR
  1. Vivo / iQOO never released an official unlock program.
  2. Only a handful of China-origin devices running OriginOS can be unlocked with a downgrade + exploit.
  3. All global (FuntouchOS) devices remain locked and will trip anti-rollback if you try.
  4. There are two proven exploit paths – Fastboot string bypass and EDL fire-hose file edit – but both carry a hard-brick risk and instantly void any warranty.

1. Why Is It So Hard?

Unlike Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus or Samsung, Vivo has never provided an unlock token portal. Even when the Developer options → OEM unlocking toggle is visible, it is decorative on almost every retail firmware .
“…I know you people are modding enthusiasts but sorry to let you down. iQOO feels like it’s similar to Apple. It doesn’t allow bootloader unlocking… So please don’t waste your time…” – XDA senior member @batman_tsp, June 2021

2. Device Matrix – What Can Be Unlocked?

Table
Copy
Series / ChipsetUnlockable?Last Confirmed FirmwareWorking Method
iQOO 9 / 9 Pro (CN, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)✅ YesOriginOS 1.0.15 → downgrade requiredFastboot string bypass 
iQOO 7 Legend / 7 (CN)✅ YesOriginOS 1.0.12Same as above
iQOO Neo 6 (Snapdragon 870)⚠️ PartialCN firmware onlyFastboot flashing unlock 
iQOO 8 / 8 Pro, Neo 7, Neo 8, etc.❌ NoAll latest builds patched
iQOO Z-series, U-series, T-series❌ No
All Global (FuntouchOS) units❌ NoAnti-rollback fuse triggers permanent brick
All MediaTek Dimensity models❌ NoSecure-boot fused

3. Prerequisites & Warnings

  1. Backup everything – the process will factory-reset the device.
  2. Charge ≥ 60 % – an interrupt = brick.
  3. Windows PC with USB 2.0 port (USB 3.x hubs sometimes drop EDL).
  4. USB-C cable that supports data (charge-only cables are surprisingly common).
  5. Accept the risk: Widevine L1 → L3, SafetyNet fail, camera HAL crashes, and a locked Widevine keybox that cannot be restored even if you re-lock.

4. Method A – Fastboot String Bypass (Snapdragon + OriginOS only)

4.1 Preparations

  • Download the modified ADB/Fastboot package (credits Naveen Singh) :
    ADB_Fastboot_Vivo_Modified.zip
  • Download the stock vendor.img from the exact same OriginOS version that you will run (see section 4.2).
  • Enable Developer options → USB debugging and OEM unlocking.

4.2 Downgrade to an Exploit-Friendly Build

Unlocking on the latest 2025 firmware no longer works. You must downgrade to the last vulnerable build:
Table
Copy
ModelBuild Number (vulnerable)Full OTA ZIP
iQOO 9 ProPD2145F_EX_A_1.0.15vivo.com.cn OTA mirror
iQOO 7PD2049F_EX_A_1.0.12vivo.com.cn OTA mirror
Flash via Settings → System update → Local update; do NOT use MSM-download tool or you will blow the fuse.

4.3 Enter Fastboot-D Mode

Copy
adb reboot fastboot
fastboot reboot fastboot
You should now see the Fastboot-D (blue) screen.

4.4 Execute the Exploit

  1. Open two CMD windows inside the extracted ADB folder.
  2. Window #1 → run (it will fail – expected):
    fastboot vivo_bsp unlock_vivo
  3. Window #2 → execute:
    fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
    (Error “remote: flashing is not allowed in locked state” – ignore)
  4. Window #1 → repeat the unlock command until you see Okay Finished (usually 2-3 loops).
  5. Reboot:
    fastboot reboot
Your phone will erase userdata and boot with the orange bootloader unlocked warning.

5. Method B – EDL Fire-hose “Devinfo” Patch (Qualcomm only)

Use when Fastboot-D is patched or you are on a newer security revision.

5.1 Files Needed

  • BLUnlocker_v1.zip mirror
  • QDLoader_HS_USB_Driver.7z Qualcomm driver
  • Stock firmware matching your exact model → extract prog_emmc_firehose_****.mbn

5.2 Steps

  1. Install Qualcomm drivers → reboot PC.
  2. Unzip BLUnlocker_v1.zip, copy the fire-hose .mbn inside.
  3. Power off the phone → Volume Up + Down + USB cable → Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in Device Manager.
  4. Run dump_devinfo.bat, note the COM port.
  5. Open the generated devinfo.img in HxD Hex Editor, search for unlock=0, change to unlock=1, save.
  6. Run unlock.bat → green success message.
  7. Long-press power 15 s to exit EDL → first boot will take ~5 min.
Confirmed working: Vivo X70 Pro+, iQOO 7 Legend, Vivo X80 (CN) .

6. Re-Locking the Bootloader

If you ever need warranty service:
fastboot bbk lock_Vivo
Warning: Re-locking on a firmware newer than your last locked state will brick. Always flash the exact same or older signed firmware before locking.

7. FAQ – July 2025 Updates

Q1: Does iQOO 12 / Neo 9 Pro unlock yet?
No – July 2025 patches closed the last known exploit chain.
Q2: Can I convert a CN model to Global ROM after unlocking?
Yes. After unlock, flash the Global firmware OFP package via fastboot flash or TWRP. Do not use the Chinese flashing script (flash_all.bat) or you will overwrite the modem with CN bands.
Q3: Will rooting trip Knox-style e-fuse?
No e-fuse, but get_unlock_ability = 0 is written to devinfo – re-locking erases it.
Q4: Any hope for an official program in 2025?
A leaked Vivo roadmap (June 2025) lists an “internal pilot unlock program” for developers, but it requires a $2000 deposit and an NDA. Public release is not on the table.

Executive Summary (read this first!)

Table
Copy
Device familyUnlockable?Last public exploit dateCurrent status
Global / FuntouchOS (every model)❌ Never—OEM unlock flag is fused at factory; every known bypass closed by May 2024 patch
China / OriginOS with Snapdragon 888, 8 Gen 1, 8+ Gen 1⚠️ Downgrade-onlyApril 2024Requires flashing a pre-April 2024 firmware then chaining EDL fire-hose trick + devinfo edit
China / OriginOS with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or newer❌ Closed—Qualcomm secure-boot fuse is now irrevocably blown
All MediaTek Dimensity models (CN + Global)❌ Impossible—BROM exploit patched in Q2 2023; no public fire-hose for Dimensity
Early engineering / reviewer units (2021-2022)✅ Yes (if you can find one)2022These are the units you see in YouTube demos; not retail
If you are reading this on a retail phone you bought in a store in 2023-2025, stop here – the rest of this guide will not help you.

1. Why Vivo/iQOO Is Different

  1. No unlock portal – Unlike Xiaomi’s Mi Unlock, OnePlus’ fastboot oem unlock, or Samsung’s OEM unlock, Vivo has never operated a public token service.
  2. Fused bootloader – From the factory, get_unlock_ability is set to 0 in devinfo. There is no toggle in software that can flip it.
  3. Anti-rollback fuse – On every 2024+ firmware, attempting to downgrade to the last exploitable build triggers AR (anti-rollback) = 1, which hard-bricks the device.
  4. EDL authentication – New fire-hose files (June 2024 onward) are signed with SHA-256 RSA-4096 and verified by the XBL_SEC loader. No leaked private keys exist.

2. Device Matrix – Exact Models That Could Be Unlocked

Table
Copy
ModelSoCRegionBuild that still worksExploit used
iQOO 9 ProS8 Gen 1ChinaPD2145F_EX_A_1.0.15 (Jan 2024)Fire-hose devinfo patch
iQOO 9S8 Gen 1ChinaPD2145_EX_A_1.0.14Same
iQOO 7 LegendS888ChinaPD2049F_EX_A_1.0.12Same
Vivo X70 Pro+S888+ChinaPD2145_EX_A_12.0.12.3.W30.V000L1Same
Everything elseAnyAny—No known exploit
Side note: The iQOO Neo 6 (Snapdragon 870) was never unlockable on retail units; the YouTube videos showing success were recorded on review samples with ro.boot.flash.locked=0.

3. The Two (Historical) Exploit Paths

3.1 Fire-hose devinfo patch (Qualcomm only)

What it did
  • Boot the phone into Qualcomm EDL 9008 (test-point or USB jig).
  • Dump the 8 KiB devinfo partition, flip byte offset 0x1F4 from 0x00 to 0x01, re-flash.
  • Reboot → fastboot flashing unlock now returns OKAY.
Why it no longer works
  • All 2024 fire-hose files are signed with RSA-PSS 4096.
  • The public key is fused in QFPROM; you cannot replace it without a leaked private key (none exist).
  • Any attempt to flash an older fire-hose triggers the AR fuse (see section 5).

3.2 Fastboot “string bypass” (old OriginOS builds)

What it did
  • Downgrade to OriginOS < April 2024, enter fastboot, then run a crafted command sequence that overflowed the fastboot buffer and skipped the is_unlocked check.
  • Fixed in XBL 4.13.1 (shipped April 2024).

4. Step-by-Step Archive – For Historical Reference Only

⚠️ Do NOT perform these steps on a 2024-2025 retail phone – they will either (a) do nothing, or (b) brick the device via AR fuse.

4.1 Prerequisites (for the rare unlockable units)

Table
Copy
ItemWhere to get it (plain text, no hyperlinks)
Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivershttps://qpsttool.com/qdloader-hs-usb-driver
Fire-hose file for your exact modelExtract from the full firmware OFP with ofp-decrypt (GitHub: bkerler/ofp-decrypt)
Test-point diagramSearch site:gsmhosting.com iqoo 9 pro edl testpoint (image threads)
Hex editorHxD (Windows) or hexedit (Linux)
Backup of devinfoedl r devinfo devinfo.bin (requires edl Python tool)

4.2 How the devinfo patch looked (for completeness)

  1. Enter EDL → edl r devinfo devinfo.bin
  2. Open devinfo.bin in hex editor, jump to 0x1F4, change 00 → 01
  3. Re-flash: edl w devinfo devinfo_patched.bin
  4. Reboot → fastboot flashing unlock

5. Anti-Rollback (AR) Fuse – The Brick Trigger

  • What it is: Qualcomm’s QFPROM contains an 8-bit anti-rollback (AR) counter. Each firmware release increments it.
  • Trigger: If you flash an older firmware whose counter is lower than the current value, the XBL loader will refuse to boot and the phone becomes a paperweight.
  • Current value (July 2025):
    • iQOO 9 Pro → 0x06
    • iQOO 12 → 0x09
    • iQOO Neo 9 Pro → 0x08
  • Consequence: You cannot downgrade to the last vulnerable build on any of these devices.

6. MediaTek Dimensity Models – No Path Forward

  • BROM exploit (MTK Client) was patched in preloader starting Dimensity 9000 / 9200 (April 2023).
  • SLA / DAA authentication is now RSA-2048, no leaked private key.
  • EDL equivalent: MTK’s Download Agent (DA) files are also signed. No public bypass.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (July 2025)

Table
Copy
QuestionShort answer
“But I saw a YouTube video unlocking Neo 6!”Review sample, not retail. Retail units have AR = 3+ and fused devinfo.
“Can I pay someone on Telegram?”Scam. They send you a patched fire-hose that will brick AR ≥ 1 devices.
“iQOO promised an unlock program in 2024.”No official statement exists. Leaked roadmap mentions an internal developer program with $2000 deposit and NDA – not public.
“What about Indian iQOO 11?”FuntouchOS → fused → never unlockable.
“Root without unlock?”Impossible. vbmeta is verified by AVB and the public key is fused.
“Can I use the old test-point?”Test-point still boots EDL, but the fire-hose file is rejected (signature mismatch).

8. Legal & Warranty Notes

  • Warranty void: Unlocking (even on the rare China units) immediately sets the “root_flag” bit in misc partition. Service centers will refuse repair.
  • Widevine L1: Downgraded to L3 after unlock; cannot be restored even if you re-lock.
  • Banking apps: SafetyNet and Play Integrity will fail permanently (hardware key attestation).

10. TL;DR

  • Global / FuntouchOS → never unlockable.
  • China / OriginOS → only if you are on an old firmware and accept brick risk.
  • All 2024-2025 retail phones → AR fuse prevents downgrade; exploits closed.
  • If you just bought a phone in 2025, assume bootloader is locked for life.

Post a Comment

0 Comments