Realme has yet again grabbed the market with its budget-friendly smartphones, which are getting good reviews on Flipkart as they are only available on their website. In a recent Ask Me Anything episode, the company CEO, Madhav Sheth, answered that to unlock the Realme 5 and 5 Pro bootloader, you will have to wait a month. He also revealed that the “screen on time” feature and other updates would be soon pushed through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
The Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro come in different variants with 3GB RAM and 32 GB ROM; the latter has 4GB RAM and 64 GB ROM. Both phones are expandable up to 256 GB using external storage. Talking about the battery, Realme has given a new life to these two smartphones with 5000 mAh battery to Realme 5 and 4035 mAh battery on Realme 5 Pro. Day-to-day tasks and gaming with video streaming can be done throughout the day on these two smartphones without any worries.
Coming at the Processor, we can see that Realme 5 is built on Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 clocked at 2 GHz Soc. The Realme 5 Pro has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon SDM 712 Octa Core clocked at 2.3 GHz SOC with VOOC Charging.
The camera on Realme 5 comes with 12MP + 8MP + 2 MP + MP, while the 5 Pro comes with a whopping 48 MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP sensors, and both smartphones have wide-angle and in-depth sensors. Arriving at the front, we can see Realme 5 is built on a 6.5 inch (16.51 cm) HD+ LCD screen while Realme 5 Pro has a 6.3 inch (16.0 cm) Full HD+ Screen with 13 MP and 16 MP front cameras with no flash as it has a drop notch.
Both phones have Fingerprint, Magnetic Induction, Light, Proximity, glyph meters, and Acceleration sensors and run on the latest Android Pie 9.0 operating system.
Realme has done an excellent job by enabling the Cam2API out of the box on both smartphones. You can install any GCam for advanced editing and RAQ capture. You can download GCam for Realme 5 and 5 Pro.
Regarding the availability of the devices in the offline market, the company’s CEO has announced that it will start selling them in mid-September. This is good news for many consumers who do not get the chance to purchase online through flash sales or are skeptical about shopping through e-commerce websites.
Realme has released the kernel source codes for both smartphones and now you can unlock the bootloader of Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro and install a custom recovery like TWRP on it. Please take a backup of all the personal data and follow the instructions on the guidelines provided. You may also install a custom ROM for Realme 5 Pro based on AOSP running on Android 9 Pie.
Content Table
Understanding Bootloaders
What is a Bootloader?
Before we delve into the unlocking process, let’s demystify what a bootloader is. A bootloader is a program that initializes the operating system when you turn on your device. Unlocking it allows you to install custom ROMs and gain more control over your device.
Preparing for Unlocking
Backup Your Data
Unlocking the bootloader involves a factory reset, so it’s crucial to back up your data to prevent loss. We recommend using cloud services or an external storage device for a secure backup.
Enable Developer Options
You must enable Developer Options on your Realme 5 or 5 Pro to start the unlocking process. This can be done by tapping the build number multiple times in the About Phone section of your device settings.
The Official Unlocking Process
Step 1: Requesting the Unlock
Visit the official Realme website and navigate to the bootloader unlock page. Follow the prompts to request the unlock, providing the necessary information. You may need to create a Realme account if you don’t have one.
Step 2: Receiving the Unlock Code
Once your request is approved, you’ll receive an unlock code. This code is unique to your device and essential for unlocking.
Step 3: Using the Unlock Code
Now that you have the unlock code, power off your device and reboot it into Fastboot mode. Connect your device to a computer and officially use the unlock code to open the bootloader.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Common Issues and Solutions
- Device Not Recognized: Ensure you have the necessary drivers installed on your computer.
- Unlock Code Error: Double-check the code for typos and ensure proper connectivity.
- Data Loss Concerns: Be aware of the factory reset and back up accordingly.
Conclusion
Unlocking the bootloader of your Realme 5 or 5 Pro opens a new realm of possibilities for customization and optimization. Embrace the freedom to explore custom ROMs and enhance your device’s performance.
FAQs
- Is unlocking the bootloader safe for my device?
- Yes, the official unlocking process provided by Realme is safe and approved.
- Can I relock the bootloader after unlocking it?
- No, the official unlocking is a one-time process.
- Will unlocking the bootloader void my warranty?
- Yes, unlocking the bootloader typically voids the warranty. Check Realme’s policy for details.
- Are there risks associated with unlocking the bootloader?
- While the official process is safe, there are risks involved. Follow the instructions carefully to minimize them.
- Can I install any custom ROM after unlocking the bootloader?
- Yes, unlocking the bootloader allows you to install custom ROMs.