Samsung's first XR headset lets users unlock the bootloader via OEM unlocking, hinting at modding on Android XR, though it may close the loophole soon.
© Samsung
Samsung has begun selling its first extended reality device, the Galaxy XR, built in partnership with Qualcomm and Google, with the latter providing the Android XR software platform. Although the headset is billed as a closed ecosystem for AR/VR content, enthusiasts have already found a way to bypass its restrictions.
As one X user discovered, the Galaxy XR’s Developer Options include an OEM Unlocking toggle that enables bootloader unlocking. After switching it on and completing the standard steps, the user confirmed that the bootloader can indeed be unlocked—meaning custom Android firmware could, in theory, be installed.
That’s unexpected. In recent years, Samsung has steadily clamped down on such capabilities. Following the release of One UI 8, bootloader unlocking became impossible on all of the company’s modern smartphones, regardless of region. In the case of the Galaxy XR, it looks like the developers either overlooked this—or left the door open for now. The openness feels more accidental than strategic, yet it still sends a friendly signal to tinkerers.
It’s also notable that rivals like Apple’s Vision Pro offer no official route to unlock their devices. Against that backdrop, the Galaxy XR stands out as a rare instance where a manufacturer leaves space for experimentation and modification—a small, but telling difference.
Samsung could close this loophole in a future update to keep its security policy consistent. For the moment, though, Android enthusiasts have been handed unexpected freedom—and that may be exactly what gives the fledgling Android XR platform a welcome jolt.