Unlocking the bootloader

KompaktOS needs an unlocked bootloader. A backup with mtkclient first is optional, but recommended.

1. Install ADB

adb and fastboot let your computer talk to the phone over USB. Both come in Google's platform-tools.

macOS

With Homebrew, in Terminal:

brew install --cask android-platform-tools

Windows

1. Download SDK Platform-Tools for Windows from Google's platform-tools page.
2. Extract it and open the platform-tools folder.
3. Click the folder's address bar, type cmd and press Enter.

Run the commands in that window.

Linux

sudo apt install adb fastboot

On other distributions, install the android-tools package.

2. Turn on USB debugging and OEM unlocking

On the phone:

1. Settings → About phone → tap Build number seven times. If the phone has a PIN, it asks for it.
2. Settings → System → Developer options → turn on USB debugging.
3. In the same list, turn on OEM unlocking.

OEM unlocking missing?

• Connect to the internet: it may only appear after that.
• Still missing: in Developer options, change Smallest width from 360 to 420. The layout hides the option at 360.

3. Connect

Plug in the phone and run:

adb devices

1. The phone asks Allow USB debugging?
2. Tick Always allow from this computer and tap Allow.
3. Run adb devices again: it should now say device.

Nothing listed? Try another cable: some cables only charge.

4. Unlock

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock

• The screen shows nothing: the confirmation is there, but the e-ink panel does not draw it.
• Press Volume-Up to confirm.
• The computer prints Start unlock flow.
• It takes about 12 seconds.

5. Check

fastboot getvar unlocked

• It should answer unlocked: yes.
• The phone stays in the bootloader: go straight to Install, step 1 and use the Already in the bootloader tab.

Relocking is only possible with MuditaOS-K installed, do not try to relock LineageOS.

If fastboot sees nothing

• Try another cable. A cable can work for adb and still fail in fastboot. If fastboot devices lists nothing, suspect the cable first.
• On a Mac, allow the accessory. The bootloader shows up as a new USB device, so macOS asks again whether to allow it to connect.