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Solved: How do I relock Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

In this guide, I will show you the steps to relock the bootloader on your Nothing Phone 1. Few devices have managed to create such an astronomical amount of hype that this brand did in such a short span of time. While one major factor for the same is its unique Glyph interface, but that isn’t the only one. Since OnePlus is on a downward spiral trend, there was a genuine lack of options for the end users, with Samsung being the sole player in the market in that price domain.

However, Nothing seems to have broken this monopoly and has made its presence felt, in quite some style. And we aren’t just talking about the general users. It has a lot to offer to tech enthusiasts as well. Be it for flashing custom/GSI ROMs or gaining administrative access by rooting your device via Magisk, there’s a lot to look forward to.

However, this is just one side of the coin. Unlocking the bootloader and rooting the device comes with a few downsides too [which we will discuss shortly]. Owing to this, many users prefer to return to the stock ecosystem. If you are also on the same page, then this guide shall help you relock the bootloader on your Nothing Phone 1. Follow along.

Content Summary

Why Should I Relock the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1
How to Relock Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1
Remove all Modules and Root
Install Android SDK
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
Boot Nothing Phone 1 to Fastboot Mode
Relock the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

Why Should I Relock the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

Unlocking the bootloader brings in quite a few caveats with itself. Among them, it’s the failure of SafetyNet that results in the inability to use banking and payments apps that might prove to be of great inconvenience to the end users [though you could pass SafetyNet and use banking apps on rooted device].

Likewise, the Widevine L1 certification will be downgraded to L3, resulting in the inability to watch DRM contents in HD [though it could be fixed as well]. So if all these are way too much to deal with, then the best route forward is to relock the bootloader on your Nothing Phone 1. And in this guide, we will show you how to do just that.

How to Relock Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

The below process will wipe off all the data from your device, so take a complete device backup beforehand. We wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

Remove all Modules and Root

Step 1: You will have to unroot your device, uninstall all the modules, and remove custom ROM and recovery. While you could do each of these tasks individually, a shorter path will be to simply factory reset the device and then flash the stock firmware- all via fastboot commands.

Remove all Modules and Root

Install Android SDK

Step 2: Install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. Download the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google, then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

Install Android SDK Platform Tools

Reference: SDK Platform Tools release notes 

Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

USB debugging function will make your device recognizable by the PC in ADB mode and then allow you to boot your device into Fastboot Mode. On the other hand, the OEM unlocking function is required to carry out the bootloader unlocking process.

Step 3: Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number for 7 times.

Step 4: Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer options > Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking.

Go back to Settings/> System > Advanced > Developer Options

Enable OEM unlocking

Enable USB Debugging

Boot Nothing Phone 1 to Fastboot Mode

Step 5: Connect your device to the PC via USB cable.

Step 6: Go to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and press Enter key. This will launch the Command Prompt.

Go to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and press Enter key. This will launch the Command Prompt.

Step 7: Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode:

adb reboot bootloader

Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode: adb reboot bootloader

Step 8: Type in the below command to verify the Fastboot Connection:

fastboot devices

Step 9: If you get a device ID followed by the fastboot keyword, then the connection stands successful.

If you get a device ID followed by the fastboot keyword, then the connection stands successful.

Relock the Bootloader on Nothing Phone 1

Step 10: Type in the below command in the CMD window that is opened inside the platform-tools:

fastboot flashing lock

Step 11: If you had unlocked the critical partition as well, then use the below command to relock them as well:

fastboot flashing lock_critical

Step 12: You may now get a confirmation message on your device. Use the Volume keys to select the Relock the Bootloader option and press the Power key to confirm it.

Step 13: The device will reset and then the bootloader will be unlocked. Do keep in mind that the first boot might take up to a minute, this is completely normal.

Step 14: You will have to log in to Google ID and set up your device from scratch since a wipe has taken place.

That’s it. These were the steps to relock the bootloader on Nothing Phone 1.