On my new FP6, I’ve just installed /e/os using the web installer. Everything is working fine. But the bootloader is unlocked.
I’d like to know if I can relock the bootloader without any risk.
My phone:
Refurbished FP6 supplied with Android (I haven’t checked the version).
/e/os version 3.7.3-a15-20260506618655-official-FP6
Having looked through the official /e/OS and Fairphone documentation, and this forum, I understand that I need to check the security patch level, and that the version of /e/OS must be the official one. Otherwise, relocking the bootloader could result in a bricked device.
I think I have the latest official /e/OS version.
But how can I check the version of the original security patch?
Can I relock the bootloader without any risk?
This is an interesting read on the IodeOS forum. They suggest that only the vendor SPL date matters, not necessarily the Android SPL date. I’m still unsure about that as many people has bricks without change in the vendor SPL AFAIK
You probably read similar. It could be the subject of Report an issue if eosinstaller did not warn you to note the Android SPL of the installed version at time of unlock.
Many thanks to all three of you for your prompt replies, you’ve helped me ask myself the right questions.
I should have compared the Android SPL and the /e/os SPL before installing. I came very close to bricking my device.
Sorry, I can’t remember if I was warned.
Most likely: I’ve just bought the FP6 from Fairphone and the support information regarding refurbished FP6 seems clear:
For Fairphone (Gen. 6) refurbished devices, the software is completely wiped and updated to the latest Android version available. The current Gen. 6 software version is Android 16 (e.g., FP6.QREL.16.69.0).
/e/os version 3.7.3-a15-20260506618655-official-FP6
release: 2026-05-06
This /e/OS 3.7.3 version includes all Android security patches available as of 1 May 2026.
So I can’t relock the bootloader. Is that right?
I could try to relock it after an update with a security patch date later than 5 May 2026, even though A15 AOSP version is older than A16. Is that right too?
From
Fairphone Version: FP6.QREL.16.69.0
Security Patch: 05 May 2026
To
This /e/OS 3.7.3 version includes all Android security patches available as of 1 May 2026.
Does look like a Rollback, so I will say don’t.
However if you can find it written that /e/OS devs worked together with Fairphone on FP6 to accommodate this, then you might consider to proceed. Edited Marked deleted as I have not found the quote in order to link it and would not do this myself without being 100% certain of the source.
You should be able to relock the bootloader. A security patch dated to the 5th of a month effectively only contains the security patches until the 1st of that month.
In the release notes, they claim to have the Security Patch date 2026-05-05:
It can be difficult to express complexity / uncertainty on the forum, others for sure will be better informed than me. For you own education you might read the bulletin carefully and see the way that the updates are two (now more fully separated) parts of a cycle as said by @Philip456.
