The HTC Bootloader Unlock service has been updated once more and now supports more than 40 devices, including many of HTC’s latest and greatest phones. You need to unlock the bootloader in order to install custom ROMs on your phone, so this is a great move from HTC. Whilst to my knowledge most of these bootloader unlocks could be achieved earlier with custom-developed tools, HTC have done well to offer a simple and relatively risk free operation that works with HTC phones on a variety of networks across the world.

The application, developed as a result on public pressure on the company to allow their phones to be unlocked safely, was released originally late last year. HTC are somewhat unique in offering such a service, with competitors like Samsung, Motorola and LG not providing any such mechanism to unlock their bootloaders (although, as before, many phones made by these manufacturers can be unlocked using custom-developed solutions.)

Of course, the Bootloader unlock service comes with a healthy dose of legal protection for HTC; once you’ve unlocked the phone it’s not covered by the warranty and if you accidentally brick your phone it’s entirely in your hands. Whilst these are fairly onerous requirements for the process, they’re also quite expected – and I’d rather have the option provided than not. Generally speaking, if you’re not confident about the unlocking process and you don’t know particularly why you want to unlock the bootloader, it’s probably best to leave it alone. It’s also worth noting that this won’t unlock the phone itself; that’s a different process.

Here’s a list of the more popular devices that are supported by the HTC Bootloader Unlock service. For the complete list, you can visit the official HTC Bootloader website.

• Amaze 4G
• Evo 3D
• Flyer
• Desire
• Rezound
• Rhyme
• Wildfire
• Incredible
• Sensation

All in all, it’s quite a comprehensive list – good show, HTC! While it’s not quite as simply shipping the phones with an unlocked bootloader in the first place, you can understand that HTC’s hands are tied somewhat due to mobile operator restrictions. It’s definitely a fair step above what other manufacturers have done, so I hope this particular trend catches on.

If you’d like to give it a go, check out the HTC bootloader website – but be careful!

This article was written by William Judd. William writes for Mobile Fun, the UK’s leading online retailer of leather mobile phone cases including the HTC Wildfire skin.