How to Unlock the Bootloader on a Samsung Galaxy A72

Prerequisites for Bootloader Unlocking

• ⚠️ Backup your data before proceeding, as unlocking the bootloader will erase your phone completely.
• 📶 Ensure your phone has an internet connection and is set up, as this is required for the unlock process.
• 🔐 If you have a Google account, you may need to remove it from the phone via Settings > Accounts and Backup > Manage Accounts.

Enabling Developer Options and OEM Unlocking

• 📱 Navigate to About Phone > Software Information and tap the Build Number seven times to enable Developer Options.
• ⚙️ Go back twice to access Developer Options, where you will find the OEM unlocking setting.
• ✅ Enable OEM unlocking; it is usually disabled by default.

Entering Bootloader Mode

• 🔌 Power off your phone. Connect a USB cable to your computer, but do not plug it into the phone yet.
• 🔊 While holding both Volume Up and Volume Down buttons, plug the USB cable into your phone.
• 🔵 A blue screen will appear, indicating you have entered bootloader mode.

Confirming the Bootloader Unlock

• ⬆️ Press and hold the Volume Up button to initiate the bootloader unlock process.
• ❓ You will be prompted to confirm the unlock. Press Volume Up again to confirm (Volume Down cancels).
• ⏳ The phone will then perform a factory erase and restart, which may take approximately 5–7 minutes.

Verifying the Unlock Status

• 🛠️ After the phone restarts, complete the initial setup process. Connecting to Wi-Fi is necessary to see the OEM unlocking option.
• 🔍 Re-enable Developer Options by tapping the Build Number seven times.
• ✅ In Developer Options, the OEM unlocking setting should now be grayed out and display "Bootloader already unlocked", confirming the successful unlock.