Develop Bugs

[Q] Not A Generic Bootloader Unlock Thread! - R800at

Recently got an R800at from ebay that was unlocked (first ever smartphone, woo). I was able to use my dad's sim card no problem, and dialing the number for the settings window showed no column stating whether the bootloader was allowed to be unlocked or not - according to some threads I've read, users who had unlocked Plays also had the same experience, leading me to believe my bootloader was indeed unlocked.
After following the Gin2Jellybean guide, I managed to brick my phone today (stuck on sony ericsson text), but restored via downloading a stock rom off the internet and installing via flashboot (the SUS and pc companion were having issues - they said no software was available or I had the most up to date software).
Now it seems I goofed up a second time; I was following the Gin2Jellybean guide again when I realized I was following the version for locked bootloaders! I was already on step 4 to install CWM when I realized this, but I decided to just try to install doomlord kernel v14 as per normal and hope that the doomlord root toolbox from the locked bootloder tutorial that I had used wouldn't conflict with anything.
Upon reading the directions for doomlord kernal v14, I decided to double check that my bootloader was still the same as yesterday (before I had bricked my phone). As it turns out, I now have a column for bootloader, and it says unlocking is not allowed. So what's the deal, was my phone's bootloader actually unlocked in the first place, and if so, why is it not unlocked now? According to this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1720201), bootloader unlocking is permanent.
Here's the link to the guide I'm following: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631144
Gonna go take the dog for a walk now and listen to some calm relaxing music... Hopefully I didn't screw myself over here.

So when you typed in that code, you got told that your bootloader can't be unlocked? If this is the case, you would have to pay to have it unlocked by someone such as Alejandrissimo. It may be that your bootloader was never able to be unlocked as i can't think of why that would change
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

SIM unlock and bootloader unlock are two very different things, as you've probably found out by now; the r800at models can't be bootloader-unlocked with the free Sony method; you're going to have to pay someone, and it'll cost you at least $20. If you got one of the phones from the guy selling them for $105 on eBay, I'm pretty sure those are SIM-unlocked only.
If you don't want to pay extra, there's nothing wrong with keeping it locked; there're a few ROMs you won't be able to use, and you can't change your kernel, but for the most part you should have a good experience.

FEGuy said:
SIM unlock and bootloader unlock are two very different things, as you've probably found out by now; the r800at models can't be bootloader-unlocked with the free Sony method; you're going to have to pay someone, and it'll cost you at least $20. If you got one of the phones from the guy selling them for $105 on eBay, I'm pretty sure those are SIM-unlocked only.
If you don't want to pay extra, there's nothing wrong with keeping it locked; there're a few ROMs you won't be able to use, and you can't change your kernel, but for the most part you should have a good experience.
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Everything you said seems to be spot on. The only thing that doesn't add up is why there wasn't anything saying one way or the other whether my bootloader was unlocked yesterday, but now today there is.
And ya, I probably won't end up paying the $20; basically I just wanted to remove bloatware and have a nice looking interface. Besides the question about why there was nothing on my bootloader yesterday, can you say offhand whether my sim should still be unlocked? I don't have one nearby to test.

Go to the dialer and enter *#*#7378423#*#* and go to Service Info -> SIM lock. The bottom line should say SIM 0 if it's unlocked. As for why it wasn't showing the bootloader status, I don't know. I was having the same problem yesterday, on multiple ROMs, so perhaps it was added in some specific update.

OEM unlocking on Verizon device.

Okay, so, it turns out that I'm the last person in the world to find out that Verizon decided to make the point of owning an Android null and keep the bootloader on the HTCD530 lock fiveever. The very important OEM unlocking option doesn't appear under developer options. After talking to both Verizon AND HTC, I got a bunch of people who a.) barely spoke English coherently, and b.) had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. So I got no help there. Is it even POSSIBLE to somehow reveal the OEM unlocking option on this device, or has Verizon disappointed me after not even being with them for 24 hours?

Same way as I wrote here.
Only problem is that you need a temporary root to write to the FRP partition.
If someone can figure out how to write to the frp partition then follow my thread here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/desire-526/help/boot-loader-how-to-unlock-boot-loader-t3472785

Well please let me know if someone figures something out.

totallygoofed said:
Well please let me know if someone figures something out.
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I wish I'd seen this before I went out and just bought one.
This is not ok.
#VerizonSucks

So still no root possible for vzw version?

Yeah, I escalated this quite high within HTC - and they told me it's not possible. Reading between the lines, Verizon have contractually enforced clauses to remove this option.

anyone tried doing it with fastboot?
Same as other things install the correct driver on the PC and then install the SDK tools with ABD and Fastboot. Within the SDK tools is the ABD and Fastboot exe. Open a Command Prompt within that folder and run fastboot exe and then connect the phone to the PC via the cable and then on the command prompt type fastboot devices and make sure it shows up. once it does type fastboot oem unlock. It will erase all data on the phone. Select Fastboot reboot and then test to see if bootloader is unlocked.

Yeah tbh I'm never using Verizon again, I don't care how much money I'm saving. Their reps are trash, either that, or they're flat out liars. First they told me I could use a GSM unlocked phone with their service (Can't, didn't find that out until I drove to the store to get a SIM, had to get this replacement piece of trash instead, which is the entire reason I have it and not my good rooted BLU phone) Then they said I'd be able to root it quite easily as it's an HTC device (an obvious lie now that I know better.) As soon as my contract is over, I'm switching back to AT&T and telling them exactly why. Disabling rooting on an Android is like putting handcuffs on every person who isn't going to jail. Kind of defeats the purpose of having an Android in the first place.

Like I said before, It is able to be rooted unlocked and S-off. Even Verizon.
I have done this to a few HTC Desire 526. The unlock option in developer options is missing but its only a matter of changing the very last 00 in the FRP partition to a 01. After that your still stuck because even though you will be able to generate the unlock token the HTC DEV Site will reject the Verizon CID.
I have analyzed all of the usual HTC Partitions and can tell you the difference in being Unlocked + S-off is the data that is on the pg2fs , sec, and maybe 1 other partition. I made a image of my s-off 526 and burned it to a SD Card. When put into another device it boots off the sd card and keeps s-off permissions. It's basically running the S-off as the partitions are being read from the sd.
I still need to do some work on this. But i believe I am on to something. To see a totally locked down verizon phone boot and show s-off with the right sd card in it is a promising prospect.

Any updates on this? I bought this device when I was on USA for summer trip, then I came to Mexico and find out that I can only use voice & text but no data because the APN's configurations don't accept other than Verizon's... In order to change that I need to be rooted, but can't root because of Verizon being restrictive with all this things... Any ideas on how can I use my phone completely here in Mexico?

Same here!
I am in the same boat! i hope someone will find something out

OEM unlocking greyed out

My wife brought me this phone from eBay. The guy made out he was in London when in fact he was based in Singapore. Anyway tried to unlock the bootloader and it is greyed out. I've read sometime a Verizon phone locks the bootloader so it can't be modified. How do I find out if I have this kind of phone or what do I need to do to enable the OEM unlocking function.

If the OEM UNLOCKING is grey,you pretty much have your answer.
There are two kinds of "locked" that describes Carrier phones.
1) locked to only be used on that carrier's network
2) locked to keep the bootloader from being unlocked and the device rooted
Yours is likely only #2 above, as I believe VZW doesn't #1 lock their 4G/LTE devices any more...
There is also a way to check the model number, I think, that confirms it is a Verizon locked (unable to unlock the bootloader) variant, but I don't recall that process.

Thanks for your help

jacklite2017 said:
Thanks for your help
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If it's Verizon you'll see VZW if not it'll say open in the buyer name. Section Check with this link
https://www.imeipro.info/check_lg.html

AT&T G7 Play Rooting

Hey guys, have any one been able to unlock the bootloader and gain root access with this phone, or I am S.O.L?
I've tried going through Motorola's website to see if this phone is eligible for an unlock code, which proved fruitless.
Any leads would be helpful. Official, or if it's an exploit.
Model #: XT1952-5
OS: Android 9
Build #: PCY29.105-247

MrQuestionMarks said:
Hey guys, have any one been able to unlock the bootloader and gain root access with this phone, or I am S.O.L?
I've tried going through Motorola's website to see if this phone is eligible for an unlock code, which proved fruitless.
Any leads would be helpful. Official, or if it's an exploit.
Model #: XT1952-5
OS: Android 9
Build #: PCY29.105-247
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You are most likely SOL unfortunately. I was trying to get a list of "oem get unlock data" returns to compile them for comparison, because in theory, if you have enough of them, and their corresponding unlock codes, you could reverse engineer their keys and generate your own. Sadly, that never happened. Everyone has just unlocked and ran with it, never handing over the data. You'd need at least a few hundred before it could be reverse engineered, and I got like 2 at most. It might be possible to flash firmware from another model of G7 Play, and then get a proper unlock code from Motorola, but I've yet to see anyone try it. If the CID (which is part of the unlock data value) is AT&T it's just never going to work. But if the CID was say, RETUS or Sprint, it might work.
If you want to send me the result of oem get unlock data, then I might be able to help you out. It's a very slim chance, but it's better than nothing I suppose.

I asked this purely out of curiosity but I have a Boost Mobile G7 play that I plan on unlocking either tonight or tomorrow if I dump my CID partition is there any way to get the Motorola bootloader to let you write the CID or is it device-specific / impossible to do with the already locked bootloader?

Question Downsides to unlocking bootloader?

Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol

Teet1 said:
Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol
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As far as I know, only rooting will have disadvantages, <ie> Banking and Google Pay. My Bank won't allow rooted phones to use its app.

Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!

roirraW edor ehT said:
Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!
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Click to collapse
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!

Teet1 said:
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!
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Click to collapse
Cool, you're welcome. Yep, I fooled with a Sony phone once. Was extremely disappointing that it gimped the camera on purpose if you unlocked the bootloader using their official means to do so. And for a while with the bootloader unlocked but not rooted, I still received OTA updates just fine, but then suddenly they stopped allowing OTAs to download and install actually over the air - had to use XperiFirm to download and then flash them manually.

It's getting harder to pass various integrity checks for Play, banking apps, and GPay. And now device integrity. You have to consciously maintain all of these.