Nokia users can now unofficially unlock their bootloaders but the methodology is as sketchy as it gets

HMD reintroduced the Nokia brand to the smartphone scene about a year ago. Since then. the company has released a number of high value for money devices—with little to no compromises—so we're fans of what the Finnish startup is doing. 

Our major quibble with HMD, however, is the fact that the company has refused to release kernel sources or allow bootloader unlocks for its devices so far. That's particularly annoying, considering the fact that the first HMD device, the Nokia 6, is already over a year old. While we may not be getting kernel sources any time soon, there finally is a way to unlock the bootloader of the new Nokia devices.

The devices supported by the method are the first-gen Nokia 6, Nokia 8, Nokia 2, and Nokia 5. Speaking of the method, there's nothing known about the actual mechanics behind the unlock process. The developer on XDA requests users to send over their IMEI and phone models, upon which he creates a flashable signature file that unlocks the bootloader.

Of course, there are a number of issues with that, most notable being the fact that you'd be, you know, sending your IMEI to a faceless individual on the Internet. Sounds like a good way to have a couple nukes dropped off at your doorsteps, we think.

Exaggerations aside, the method does seem to work. Users have declared so, and shown proof of it. Like with most OEMs, the bootloader unlock is likely to wipe off all user data, so you'd do well to keep that in mind. It may not be the ideal solution but HMD doesn't look set to offer an official option soon, so it'll have to do for now.