This guide walks through unlocking the bootloader on the Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus. Unlocking it wipes the phone and can void the warranty, but it is the step that lets you install TWRP recovery, root, or flash a custom ROM. The method is for this device only, so follow the steps carefully.
What is a bootloader, and why unlock it?
The bootloader is the program that runs when you power on the phone. It starts the hardware, loads the kernel and ramdisk, and begins the boot process. Most Android makers ship phones with the bootloader locked so you stay on the stock software, even though Android itself is open source. You cannot install a custom ROM or a custom recovery until you unlock it.
Unlocking the bootloader lets you root the phone, install TWRP recovery, and flash custom ROMs. The trade-off is that it wipes your data and usually voids the warranty.
About the Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus
The Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus (A6020), launched in February 2016, has a 5.0-inch 1080 x 1920 display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage expandable with a microSD card. It has a 13MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, and a removable 2,750mAh battery, and it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Lenovo’s Vibe UI.
Prerequisites
- Charge the phone to at least 70%.
- Warranty: unlocking can void it.
- Back up your data, since unlocking wipes the phone.
- Follow the steps carefully. We are not responsible for any damage.
What you need
How to unlock the bootloader on the Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus
- Enable Developer options: go to
Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times until you see “Developer options enabled.”
- Enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging: go to
Settings > Developer options and turn on both OEM unlocking and USB debugging.
- Extract ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
- Connect the phone with a USB cable and let the drivers install.
- Open a command window in the ADB and Fastboot folder (hold Shift, right-click, Open command window here).
- Check the connection: run
adb devices. If a USB debugging prompt appears on the phone, tap OK.
- Reboot to the bootloader: run
adb reboot bootloader.
- Confirm the device: run
fastboot devices and check that the serial number appears. If not, reinstall the drivers.
- Unlock: run
fastboot oem unlock. This wipes all data on the phone.
That is it. The bootloader on your Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus is now unlocked, and you can install a custom ROM, TWRP, or root the phone.
FAQ
Does unlocking the bootloader erase my data?
Yes. The fastboot oem unlock command wipes the phone completely, so back up first.
The fastboot command does nothing or the phone is not detected. What is wrong?
That is usually drivers. Install the Lenovo USB drivers, confirm OEM unlocking is enabled, and make sure the phone is in bootloader mode before running the unlock command.
Can I relock the bootloader later?
Yes. Run fastboot oem lock, or relock by flashing the stock firmware. Relocking also wipes the phone.
Do I need a Lenovo or Mi account to unlock?
No. Unlike some brands, the Vibe K5 Plus unlocks directly with fastboot oem unlock, with no account or waiting period.
If you have any questions about unlocking the bootloader on your Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus, leave a comment below.
i tried to unlock bootloader as mentioned above but i get message:FAILED (remote:oem nlcok is not allowed)