[Q] Any point in using the official Bootloader Unlock? - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

As posted on the news page, the classic Desire is now supported by the HTC Bootloader Unlocking Tool. But afaik our bootloaders were fully unlocked by alpharev years ago, even with the possibility of sim-unlocking which is restricted by the official unlock. why should anyone use this tool, possibly loose their warranty and do less than with alpharev hboot's? is there any advantage we have by using this tool?

probably it's safer
Probably it's safer for the users who haven't unlocked it yet, but it makes no sense for the ones that have already done that.

Nobody is forcing anyone to use this and yeah, there may not be any point for it at this stage. But I'd still commend HTC for doing so. You can't say the same for Motorola.
via xda app

+1 on that. my motorola defy is still waiting for a unlocked bootloader

Related

Official unlocked bootoader from htc-dev.net

HTC announced on their site that now the DZ got a unlocked bootloader, i don't exactly know what it means though, so that's why i am posting. Does it mean that now the device will be way easier to root/s-off? no more adb and all?
I don't know what they've done for our phone exactly, but for another HTC phone I know the bootloader unlock doesn't give S-OFF, so while you can flash a custom ROM, it still won't let you flash radios.
Possibly the worst bit is by using this tool you will be officially agreeing with HTC that your warranty is void.
I suggest sticking with the method in the XDA Wiki.
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.

Unlocked bootloader

With the G2 now officially on the list of devices for this, is this basically the same as root. If not are there roms with root built in? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
Nope, unlocked bootloader and root are not the same. Unlocking the bootloader does not automatically give you root. But its easy to root after you unlock the bootloader. Please not that you also void your warranty by using HTC Unlock.
Every ROM in the Development subforum is pre-rooted. But you must be rooted to install them.
It seems its more complicated to gain root after HTC Unlock then I thought: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1453066
Can't vouch for this process, or HTC Unlock in general. But there are so many steps even with HTC Unlock, and you still need ADB, so I don't see the point. Just use the Wiki method and keep your warranty.
Also Nipqer states in the thread linked above:
The drawbacks to using htcdev is that htc have a record that you have voided your warranty, and the device is still quite locked down.
The downgrade/gfree method will give you a completely unlocked phone, which is a lot easier to fix if anything goes wrong, and you can restore your phone to stock, so that htc cannot see you voided your warranty.
Also, gfree provides sim-unlock, which htcdev does not.
Another thing, I don't think that HTC is going to support you if you try to use HTC Unlock, and something goes wrong. Where if you go the Wiki/gfree method and have issues, people on XDA will help you.
Moral of the story, I don't see why anyone would go the HTC Unlock method. And that goes for any HTC device, where other root/S-Off methods already exist. The main usage or HTC Unlock (for us folks on here anyway) is for newer phones where S-Off and root have not yet been achieved.

Demand for S-OFF HTC Phones

Now that HTCdev is unlocking bootloaders, I wonder if getting S-OFF will be put on the back burner. Certainly, I'm not speaking about our phone, but I really hope not. Personally, I won't purchase another phone until its S-OFF. I realize that unlocking the bootloader is a step in the right direction, but we still don't have full fledged access.
Did HTC ever say they would provide s-off? I think it's nice of them to unlock the bootloader for alot of their phones. Way better than any other manufacturer. However, I do agree, I would have a hard time buying a phone that is not s-off capable.
Between merely unlocking bootloaders and having to use a tool that records serial numbers when this is done, I still think there is still a likelihood that we will still try to s-off, root and install custom recovery like always. (Fingers Crossed)
I guess progress is still going on because Droid Inc with new hboot is now s-off
sjpritch25 said:
I guess progress is still going on because Droid Inc with new hboot is now s-off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but the hboot downgrade tool and s-off were around before the official HTC unlock tool...
I don't think the community is ever going to be satisfied with anything but complete access. Now that HTC's narrowing its lineup, there will be fewer devices to have to support too.
HTC specifically stated they will not provide s off because of the potential to brick your device from flashing radios in the bootloader.
Sent from my Sabotaged Droid Incredible 2.

[Q] Is it safer to use HTC unlock tool?

I just got my DZ back from HTC, and unfortunately they upgraded my firmware to 2.3. I took a look on the instructions on downgrading 2.3 to 1.xx, and it looks quite complicated and risky.
I know that HTC has released unlocking tool for DZ and I wonder if it is safer to use that. Anyone tried it before?
General opinion is that HTC's unlock tool is rubbish because (a) it is very restrictive and doesn 't really unlock properly, and (b) it officially voids your warranty.
The procedure in the Wiki is quite safe if you follow it properly. Read it carefully and come back and ask questions, before you try it, if there's anything you are not clear on. There are plenty of people here who can help you.
Sent from my Desire Z running CM7.
The thing is, that if you unlocked your boot loaders via htcdev, you will be able to get perm root and custom rom, BUT you will still have s-on. So apps like rom manager or boot manager won't work properly.
I recommend the wiki way too.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z using xda premium
I think you should use the wiki's instruction. It's actually a lot easier.
I had the same thought as you, tried HTC's unlocking method and could never get it done. Then I tried the wiki's instruction, downgraded, rooted and installed ICS all in about an hour.
Disclaimer: I am a noob, this is the second time I root a phone (first time was my SGS S a year ago).
steviewevie said:
General opinion is that HTC's unlock tool is rubbish because (a) it is very restrictive and doesn 't really unlock properly, and (b) it officially voids your warranty.
The procedure in the Wiki is quite safe if you follow it properly. Read it carefully and come back and ask questions, before you try it, if there's anything you are not clear on. There are plenty of people here who can help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to all of this.
HTC Unlock does not give you S-Off, does not give you root, and you can only flash from ADB. Just do the Wiki method, and get real control of your phone.
I think you shouldn't use the htc tool....not the greatest result but lost your garanty!
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA
Using the HTC tool is like sending a registered letter to HTC declaring you just voided your warranty. Stick to the wiki, IMHO!
Thanks guys. I decided to follow the wiki and got it successfully unlocked again! Got a custom rom back on!
Its warranty is not an issue to me as it is already expired
human-being said:
Thanks guys. I decided to follow the wiki and got it successfully unlocked again! Got a custom rom back on!
Its warranty is not an issue to me as it is already expired
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did right with the wiki. If for any reason something went horribly wrong with a flash and you still had S-On bootloader, such as via htcdev unlock, you could have been screeeewed. S-Off makes your phone virtually bomb-proof, seriously it takes effort hard bricking a G2/DZ that's S-Off
Sent from my HTC Desire Z using XDA

[Q] New HTC One -- Where to start?

Browsed the stickies for this stuff, but the closest I found was a pretty old post from before Verizon shut down S-Off.
I have a new HTC One w/ build 1.10.605.8 (Android 4.2.2/Sense 5.0). How far behind is this? Does it mean I have a better chance for exploits to work? I'm making a point of not putting the phone into a position where it might take an OTA. Presumably hacking the phone gets harder with the latest builds.
I would like to root this, if possible. If I can unlock the bootloader that's even better. S-Off not as important, but I'll do it if it's the pathway to an unlocked boot. I'm guessing there are still ways to unlock this (or equivalent) since Big Red shut down our HTC Dev?
Is there a current thread discussing this? Maybe somebody can show me where the latest info is. Or at least tell me what the general strategy is for customizing this device, if it's possible.
I'm pretty comfortable with this stuff; I once had to use a wire to S-Off an HTC Rezound. I just need to know where to go to find the current tools.
I saw references to weaksauce, rumrunner and firewater. Are these current? Can someone steer me toward the latest and greatest???
cpurick said:
Browsed the stickies for this stuff, but the closest I found was a pretty old post from before Verizon shut down S-Off.
I have a new HTC One w/ build 1.10.605.8 (Android 4.2.2/Sense 5.0). How far behind is this? Does it mean I have a better chance for exploits to work? I'm making a point of not putting the phone into a position where it might take an OTA. Presumably hacking the phone gets harder with the latest builds.
I would like to root this, if possible. If I can unlock the bootloader that's even better. S-Off not as important, but I'll do it if it's the pathway to an unlocked boot. I'm guessing there are still ways to unlock this (or equivalent) since Big Red shut down our HTC Dev?
Is there a current thread discussing this? Maybe somebody can show me where the latest info is. Or at least tell me what the general strategy is for customizing this device, if it's possible.
I'm pretty comfortable with this stuff; I once had to use a wire to S-Off an HTC Rezound. I just need to know where to go to find the current tools.
I saw references to weaksauce, rumrunner and firewater. Are these current? Can someone steer me toward the latest and greatest???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you're on 4.2.2 and 5.0 you should be able to use rumrunner.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473644
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
brholt6 said:
Since you're on 4.2.2 and 5.0 you should be able to use rumrunner.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473644
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much.
Looks like this tool sets S-Off? Does that disable/bypass the signature checks in the bootloader, or does it allow install of an alternate bootloader? How do I get from S-Off to a custom ROM?
cpurick said:
Thank you very much.
Looks like this tool sets S-Off? Does that disable/bypass the signature checks in the bootloader, or does it allow install of an alternate bootloader? How do I get from S-Off to a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure exactly, but once you're s-off you can just flash a recovery via fastboot and then flash a custom Rom through recovery.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
brholt6 said:
Not sure exactly, but once you're s-off you can just flash a recovery via fastboot and then flash a custom Rom through recovery.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will unlock your boot loader.
http://rumrunner.us
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any luck? In case anyone else has the same question in the future.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-Off trumps all. With S-Off you can do anything with your phone, including unlocking the boot loader and custom recoveries.
I used rumrunner because my older build was identified as being vulnerable to that exploit. I'm not sure about the interactions between S-Off and Bootloader because the device+build-specific rumrunner did both S-Off and unlocked BL in addition to rooting it. It says "unlock" but the experience looked like an engineering bootloader had been installed. The phone acquired a proprietary HTC disclaimer at startup.
If you have an early enough build, I would definitely recommend rumrunner for unlocking it. That program totally pwned the phone.
cpurick said:
I used rumrunner because my older build was identified as being vulnerable to that exploit. I'm not sure about the interactions between S-Off and Bootloader because the device+build-specific rumrunner did both S-Off and unlocked BL in addition to rooting it. It says "unlock" but the experience looked like an engineering bootloader had been installed. The phone acquired a proprietary HTC disclaimer at startup.
If you have an early enough build, I would definitely recommend rumrunner for unlocking it. That program totally pwned the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warning comes when you go S-Off. Every HTC One with S-Off does that. Rumrunner did its job.

Categories

Resources