Some Android operating systems are running on devices that allow you to unlock the bootloader, and there are some versions of Android running on devices that don’t. Those that do not struggle to find custom recovery images available because they usually require the bootloader to be unlocked before they can be installed. Those among you with Android development knowledge will be all too aware what a custom recovery image is for recovering the device just the same way as the standard stock recovery partition but also installing the zip files which can contain ROM files and new kernels. There are some other things you can do with a custom recovery image too like taking full backups with the NANDroid Backup feature, but that is usually used by people who need to wipe the ROM clean between flashing other ROMs.

YU Yunique owners can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Android bootloader can be unlocked on this device. By default, our bootloaders are already taught how to think and pack an acquired knowledge to do with your operating system and what modes it has on offer similar to the BIOS from a Windows operating system. The bootloader is trained to boot the operating system automatically, and allow you to get into things like recovery mode if it senses that it what you want instead of the OS loading. It figures this out by looking out for the button combination you press.

While many device bootloaders can be unlocked, they rarely start off that way. Those which can be unlocked will need to be unlocked by you–the end-user. An unlocked bootloader means it is no longer trained to think using the strict provisions of the manufacturer or phone carrier networks and it is willing to let you install a new recovery. Getting the custom recovery installed is also how we will install and enable SuperSU for those of you who want a rooted YU Yunique smartphone.

REQUIREMENTS

• The following guide is how to unlock the YU Yunique bootloader the official way and the same way is practice for many devices by making use of the ADB and Fastboot from a computer. However, you should look for another guide if you have another device because the steps leading up to using the Fastboot may change depending on your manufacturer and the preparation work that you need to do before you begin.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Unlocking the bootloader on the Yu Yunique smartphone wipes all of the data, and you will need to apply on a backup you made earlier to restore that data. No backups made means you cannot restore any of the data that was on your phone before including the phone contacts of all your family and friends so make sure you get that done. Most people like taking backups on a computer or using applications from the Google Play Store such as the Helium app. Once you have a custom recovery installed, you can start taking NANDroid Backups instead. Moreover, those who go on to root the smartphone can install apps like Titanium Backup.
• You need to unlock the Developer Options menu by tapping on the Build Number available from the About Device menu. Tap the build number at least seven times and it will say that you are using the device s a developer now which means the YU smartphone has the Developer Options menu now available from the settings.
• Enter the Developer Options menu and turn on the USB debugging Mode and the OEM Unlocking options by checking both boxes available next to those options. Once the boxes are marked, exit the Developer Options menu and the Android software will remember your preferences.

HOW TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER ON YU YUNIQUE SMARTPHONE

1. Follow our other guide that teaches you everything you need to set up ADB and Fastboot on a Windows-based computer and then come back and commute with this guide when you are done.
2. Have the ADB folder open on the computer.
3. Connect the YU Yunique smartphone to the computer with the USB cable.
4. From inside the ADB folder, hold down the Shift key and right-click the white background where there are no files.
5. Choose to open a new command prompt window here from the menu that you get popping up on the screen.
6. Type the command “adb reboot bootloader” and tap on the Enter key to get the Yu smartphone into the bootloader mode that you need before you can unlock the bootloader.
7. Type the command “fastboot oem device-info” and hit the Enter key to check whether your device is properly connected.
8. Type the command “fastboot oem unlock-go” and press Enter to execute the command that unlocks the bootloader.

In conclusion, that is everything you need to unlock the bootloader on YU Yunique smartphones by using the ADB, Fastboot and a computer that is running Windows. There are ways in which you can get ADB and Fastboot running from a MacOS or one of the Linux distributions, but they require individual files and also unique sets of commands from the command prompt window.

Those of you who have successfully unlocked the bootloader on the YU Yunique smartphone can now find out what it takes to install a custom recovery on the YU Yunique smartphone. A custom recovery will be your avenue for rooting the device next.