HONOR India providing bootloader unlock codes via repair centers

It looks like Huawei sub-brand Honor is backtracking a bit on its parent company’s bootloader unlock code policy in India. According to HONOR India’s Twitter account, the company now provides bootloader unlock codes at authorized service centers.

There are some hoops to jump through, however. HONOR users in India cannot request a bootloader unlock code online — they must visit a service center. HONOR users must also bring their invoice with the device’s IMEI number mentioned on it and photo ID.

The name on the invoice and photo ID must match. If the names on the invoice and photo ID differ, HONOR users must also bring a consent letter. We assume that the consent letter must be signed by the other person and state that the other person is okay with the request for a bootloader unlock code.

This represents an about-face of sorts for HONOR. Back in May, parent company HUAWEI announced plans to shut down bootloader unlocking for HUAWEI and HONOR devices. According to HUAWEI, the decision was due to wanting to “deliver the best user experience and prevent users from experiencing possible issues that could arise from ROM flashing.”

HONOR got the green light to temporarily provide bootloader unlock codes to a limited number of XDA Developers forum users in September. At the time, the codes were available on a first-come, first-serve basis and you had to agree to HONOR’s terms and conditions. From there, you had to also submit your name, forum handle, email address, IMEI, serial number, product ID, and a reason for wanting a code.

HUAWEI can make its life and the lives of device owners much simpler if it retained its bootloader unlocking policy. Custom ROMs might be used by a small percentage of Android users, but they represent a way to prolong a device’s lifespan. With custom ROMs no longer an option for new device owners, those people are now at the complete mercy of HUAWEI and HONOR’s slow update schedule.