Unlock requirements are rarely stated plainly in-game, which is why how to unlock bootloader gets searched so often. Below is the actual condition, plus the fastest way to satisfy it.

The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Doing the requirement on a lower difficulty usually still counts, despite what forum posts claim.

The short answer

Meet the requirement once, in one session if possible — partial progress is where people get confused about whether it worked.

What the requirement actually is

Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. The confirmation is easy to miss if it appears during a loading screen. The difference between a smooth run and a frustrating one usually comes down to preparation, not skill. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough.

Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly.

How to tell it worked

Nothing below requires mods, paid tools or an account on some sketchy site. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. The confirmation is easy to miss if it appears during a loading screen.

  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
  • Keep a spare loadout for the attempts that go badly.
  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Return to a safe or hub area to force the check to evaluate.

If the unlock does not appear

It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Unlocks that depend on a hidden counter are the ones that generate the most bad advice.

People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
  • Giving up one attempt before the point where it usually clicks.

Frequently asked questions

Can it be missed permanently?

A few unlocks are tied to a point of no return. If yours is, the guide above flags the last safe moment to do it.

Does difficulty affect this unlock?

In most cases no. Difficulty changes rewards more often than it changes unlock conditions.

Is there a faster method?

Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.

How to Unlock Bootloader is not complicated once the order of operations is clear, and now it is.