Develop Bugs

[Q] Can I re-lock the bootloader?

Hi all,
I just purchased a GSM Galaxy Nexus, and the seller didn't inform me that he had unlocked the bootloader. I am wondering if I can lock it, and return it to its stock settings.
Any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave

fastboot oem lock

Just like he said, but if you want to keep your sdcard files, back it up first cause it will erase it.

Any specific reason why you want to re-lock your bootloader?
Just because it has an unlocked bootloader doesn't mean the software/firmware/recovery isn't stock necessarily. You can unlock and not change anything else about the phone.
If you EVER plan on rooting or flashing ROMs, just leave it unlocked.

I thought unlocking the Bootloader wiped the phone, not locking it....Anyways I too was given an unlocked bootloader when my phone was sent for repair. I would personally keep it that way as it has helped me try on a few things, namely testing different basebands without losing data & setup of the phone...
Leave it like that I'd say!

I would suggest locking it if you plan on doing anything remotely sensitive on your device, Google Wallet, corporate email, naked pics of your spouse, etc.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

housry23 said:
Just like he said, but if you want to keep your sdcard files, back it up first cause it will erase it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s1977 said:
I thought unlocking the Bootloader wiped the phone, not locking it....Anyways I too was given an unlocked bootloader when my phone was sent for repair. I would personally keep it that way as it has helped me try on a few things, namely testing different basebands without losing data & setup of the phone...
Leave it like that I'd say!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s1977 is correct. Locking the bootloader does NOT wipe anything. Unlocking wipes.

[DISCUSSION] Google Play Nexus not wiping after Bootloader Unlock

So um...I'm kind of shocked.
I just unlocked the bootloader on my shiny new USA GSM Galaxy Nexus from Google Play and...my data was still there when I rebooted. No Android Wizard or anything.
It's as if I did nothing, but I checked MULTIPLE times and I'm unlocked. Got the unlock icon during boot and everything.
digweed4me said:
same here on mine my data was intact
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BlindWolf8 said:
Just relocked and unlocked again to make sure it wasn't some sort of weird fluke...looks like I'm immune. What's going on here? An unlock is supposed to wipe everything for security reasons.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FredFS456 said:
So all the apps, app data, virtual sdcard files, etc. were all there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BlindWolf8 said:
Yessiree. Everything was still there. The phone acted as if nothing happened whatsoever, despite the onscreen warning about losing data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Archpope said:
Same thing happened to me. I was prepared to start all over, but doing the 4-in-1 from the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit, I was surprised to see the only changes were an unlock symbol appearing on the screen at bootup, and Google Wallet griping about my having an insecure phone.
I may re-lock the bootloader now that I've rooted. I'm not sure if I will lose root, but I only rooted to run an adblocker anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BlindWolf8 said:
For the record I didn't even do that. I simply did "fastboot oem unlock". I like to keep things simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uoY_redruM said:
Got mine from the play store Friday. Unlock wiped nothing..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BlindWolf8 said:
Figured I'd just give ya all the info so you have it:
Stock bootloader shows:
FASTBOOT MODE
PRODUCT NAME - tuna
VARIANT - maguro 16GB
HW VERSION - 9
BOOTLOADER VERSION - PRIMELA03
BASEBAND VERSION - I9250XXLA2
CARRIER INFO - NONE
SERIAL NUMBER - [REDACTED] (I can give it if it's absolutely needed)
SIGNING - production
LOCK STATE - UNLOCKED
Download/Odin Mode shows:
OMAP-Samsung HW Information
Board Name: tuna REV 9
Board Rev: HSPA - 9
Boot Type: USB MMC1
Device Type: HS
Build Date: Jan 24 2012 18:27:20
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
efrant said:
Hmmm. You do have a shipping (sorry, "production") bootloader, not an engineering one. Very interesting... Not sure why some devices wipe while others will not, upon unlocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bilalakhtar said:
There are quite many security issues that could arise from being able to unlock the bootloader without wiping all data, for example, a hacker could get past your screen lock by:
1) Battery pull, then
2) Boot into bootloader using the key combination
3) fastboot oem unlock
4) Flash an unsecure boot.img that has r/w permissions
5) Edit the right files to remove screen lock
But I still have a feeling that this behavior with USA GSM Nexi is intended. Probably because Google intended that phone to be sold only to developers who are likely going to be unlocking bootloaders anyway, and decided to simplify the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

MERGED THREADS.
Mark.

bobsbbq said:
I don't think the Amazon is a USA version but an international version. If international version it will have to be shipped overseas for repair, Google Play has USA warranty. Also if you do decide to root the USA version does not wipe your device during the unlocking of bootloader like the international versions do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USA version, as any other hspa+ version, DOES wipe userdata when unlocking the bootloader.

I have the USA version from the play store. My data wasn't wiped after unlocking the bootloader. Either way, its not a big deal. Warranty matters are much more important.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

bobsbbq said:
I don't think the Amazon is a USA version but an international version. If international version it will have to be shipped overseas for repair, Google Play has USA warranty. Also if you do decide to root the USA version does not wipe your device during the unlocking of bootloader like the international versions do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody who has purchased a play store GN has reported wipe after unlock.

Mine from the play store did NOT wipe user data after unlocking. I am running CM9 and have locked and unlocked many times without wiping data.

DOHCtor said:
The USA version, as any other hspa+ version, DOES wipe userdata when unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does NOT wipe actually. Maybe leave it to people with first hand experience to answer a question like this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

ragnarokx said:
Does NOT wipe actually. Maybe leave it to people with first hand experience to answer a question like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although it may be a bug that will be fixed in a later update so I don't know if the failure to wipe is a permanent feature. However, I can verify my GN didn't wipe either after unlocking.

ragnarokx said:
Does NOT wipe actually. Maybe leave it to people with first hand experience to answer a question like this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this with the oem fastboot unlock method?

ragnarokx said:
Does NOT wipe actually. Maybe leave it to people with first hand experience to answer a question like this?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have 3 Play store Galaxy Nexus. They all wiped data when I unlocked bootloader. I think that's first hand experience. If it doesn't wipe the data, then that's a security risk.
Example: Just yesterday, I got tired of using CM9 and fastbooted the stock images without -w. I didn't want to go into recovery to wipe data and factory reset (because that just wipes data partition, not usb storage), so while in fastboot, I did fastboot oem lock then fastboot oem unlock. If it didn't wipe data, then my usb storage should've had a clockwordmod folder, music that I precache, and other various folders that were created from apps that were installed, and I wouldn't be introduced to the welcome screen upon bootup. Like I said, if it doesn't wipe data for you guys, then that's a security risk and you should be contacting Google. Because if you lose your phone, someone can oem unlock your phone and go through your data.

AcuraKidd said:
is this with the oem fastboot unlock method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup.
DOHCtor said:
I have 3 Play store Galaxy Nexus. They all wiped data when I unlocked bootloader. I think that's first hand experience. If it doesn't wipe the data, then that's a security risk.
Example: Just yesterday, I got tired of using CM9 and fastbooted the stock images. I didn't want to go into recovery to wipe data and factory reset, so while in fastboot, I did fastboot oem lock then fastboot oem unlock. If it didn't wipe data, then my usb storage should've had a clockwordmod folder, music that I precache, and other various folders that were created from apps that were installed, and I wouldn't be introduced to the welcome screen upon bootup. Like I said, if it doesn't wipe data for you guys, then that's a security risk and you should be contacting Google. Because if you lose your phone, someone can oem unlock your phone and go through your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then your statement about "The USA version, as any other hspa+ version" is at least inaccurate. As you can see, many people's data did not wipe when they unlocked their bootloaders, so all phones/situations are not the same.
And I'm not really worried about someone unlocking my bootloader if I lose my phone - it's already unlocked If I had data that precious on my phone, I wouldn't root in the first place.

ragnarokx said:
Yup.
Well then your statement about "The USA version, as any other hspa+ version" is at least inaccurate. As you can see, many people's data did not wipe when they unlocked their bootloaders, so all phones/situations are not the same.
And I'm not really worried about someone unlocking my bootloader if I lose my phone - it's already unlocked If I had data that precious on my phone, I wouldn't root in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was assuming that (maybe not the Docomo version) all GSM versions had the same hardware and if that's the case, then it's software related as to why your data's are not being wiped. Maybe the bootloader that came with the imm30d before it updated to imm76i doesn't wipe the data upon unlocking? Do me a favor, go into bootloader mode and tell me if your bootloader version is primela03.
I didn't get a chance to look at the bootloader versions when I received my Galaxy Nexus because I oem unlocked all three of them right away and fastbooted the latest takju images via flash-all.sh script on all of them just to avoid waiting for ota. I didn't want my dad and brother come to me and ask me "why is it telling me to update? What is it?"

DOHCtor said:
I was assuming that (maybe not the Docomo version) all GSM versions had the same hardware and if that's the case, then it's software related as to why your data's are not being wiped. Maybe the bootloader that came with the imm30d before it updated to imm76i doesn't wipe the data upon unlocking? Do me a favor, go into bootloader mode and tell me if your bootloader version is primela03.
I didn't get a chance to look at the bootloader versions when I received my Galaxy Nexus because I oem unlocked all three of them right away and fastbooted the latest takju images via flash-all.sh script on all of them just to avoid waiting for ota. I didn't want my dad and brother come to me and ask me "why is it telling me to update? What is it?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I did the OTA update before unlocking.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Edit: you realize that flashing factory images will also wipe your device, right?

DOHCtor said:
The USA version, as any other hspa+ version, DOES wipe userdata when unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well sorry sir your wrong. At least I can say this for the first initial unlock and root using the Nexus tool kit. I have two of them and both of them did not wipe. When they booted up everything was the same as before I unlocked and rooted.
After reading some of the comments in the Tool Kit thread is is believed the USA version has a slightly different bootloader. Some think Google wanted to make it easier as they know people are going to root their phones.
There maybe other ways to unlock the bootloader which causes a wipe. But I can assure you using the tool kit doesn't.

I wont say that its not possible but I have read all the way through the play store gsm thread and not a single purchaser reported a wipe after unlock.

ragnarokx said:
Interesting. I did the OTA update before unlocking.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Edit: you realize that flashing factory images will also wipe your device, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but after flashing the takju images for them, i loaded it up and did testing on the phone to make sure everything was okay. Afterwards, I would lock, unlock, and lock the bootloader again to wipe all data (including usb storage). How do I know it wipes? Because I am presented with the setup wizard again upon boot, and all the sample photos that I've taken to test the camera in the DCIM folder are gone.
Someone mention they unlocked bootloader and rooted with toolkit. For all those that did not have data wipe, which method did you guys use? I didn't use toolkit, I did it the old fashion way with setting up ADB. I'm use to doing that way since the G1 days.
edit: I'm not calling anyone a liars and this information about a no wipe bootloader unlock is all new to me. I'm just trying to find out why it's not wiping for some people...

DOHCtor said:
Yes, but after flashing the takju images for them, i loaded it up and did testing on the phone to make sure everything was okay. Afterwards, I would lock, unlock, and lock the bootloader again to wipe all data (including usb storage). How do I know it wipes? Because I am presented with the setup wizard again upon boot, and all the sample photos that I've taken to test the camera in the DCIM folder are gone.
Someone mention they unlocked bootloader and rooted with toolkit. For all those that did not have data wipe, which method did you guys use? I didn't use toolkit, I did it the old fashion way with setting up ADB. I'm use to doing that way since the G1 days.
edit: I'm not calling anyone a liars and this information about a no wipe bootloader unlock is all new to me. I'm just trying to find out why it's not wiping for some people...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have no way of knowing if your device was wiped the first time you unlocked, since you flashed factory images immediately afterwards. Could there be a difference between unlocking the first time and subsequent times? I wouldn't know because I only unlocked once.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

ragnarokx said:
So you have no way of knowing if your device was wiped the first time you unlocked, since you flashed factory images immediately afterwards. Could there be a difference between unlocking the first time and subsequent times? I wouldn't know because I only unlocked once.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then there's a possibility that all GSM Galaxy Nexus doesn't wipe the first bootloader unlock. Maybe people didn't take notice the first time they did it. Just a theory.
Can anyone that relocked and unlocked the bootloader chime in and let us know if it wiped their data?

Dohctor maybe our play store versions are later revisions idk? All I know is I also have two galaxy nexuses from play store and when unlocking boot loader it did not erase the data that I had on my phone all of my apps were still there also. Obviously play store nexuses do not wipe data upon unlockingand who knows why. Anyways I will make a video to show the non believers I have no problem doing that.... I also relocked and unlocked boot loader because I tried starting dead fresh to get google wallet to work again let's just say that if u do not wipe or reset data inside the app your beat so I thought locking boot loader and unrooting then reflashing stock image would help. It didn't .... secure element is beat on my one device. So I unlocked the "relocked" boot loader ( this is what it says when u relock it) anyways it told me it would wipe data I proceeded. Rooted again threw touch recovery on booted into recovery and there was my aokp backup waiting for me ... so unlocked relocked and unlocked again...no data loss. Pretty cool I think of it as if u have data on your phone that is that important do not root then! So it not wiping data doesn't bother me. ....all using toolkit btw

sarni84 said:
Dohctor maybe our play store versions are later revisions idk? All I know is I also have two galaxy nexuses from play store and when unlocking boot loader it did not erase the data that I had on my phone all of my apps were still there also. Obviously play store nexuses do not wipe data upon unlockingand who knows why. Anyways I will make a video to show the non believers I have no problem doing that.... I also relocked and unlocked boot loader because I tried starting dead fresh to get google wallet to work again let's just say that if u do not wipe or reset data inside the app your beat so I thought locking boot loader and unrooting then reflashing stock image would help. It didn't .... secure element is beat on my one device. So I unlocked the "relocked" boot loader ( this is what it says when u relock it) anyways it told me it would wipe data I proceeded. Rooted again threw touch recovery on booted into recovery and there was my aokp backup waiting for me ... so unlocked relocked and unlocked again...no data loss. Pretty cool I think of it as if u have data on your phone that is that important do not root then! So it not wiping data doesn't bother me. ....all using toolkit btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if you don't root, people can get access to your data if it doesn't wipe upon unlocking the bootloader. For example; you lose or someone steals your phone and wants your data for some reason. You never unlocked or rooted your phone, it's bone stock. The thief will hook it up to his or her computer and unlock the bootloader and boot up clockwork recovery and pull all your data, including files and pictures in your usb storage (unless you enable encryption). I'm not paranoid, I telling you guys what's possible.
That sucks that relocking and unlocking the bootloader didn't wipe data for you. Don't have to make a video because I believe you. And about having a later version, that's not true. I ordered mines the first day Google made it available in the Play Store.
It sucks that Google Wallet still has that SE error. I always reset data within the app every time I switch roms. Glad my Wallet still works

[Q] Is there a way to unlock the bootloader while rooted without wiping?

I know it's possible on Nexus devices using an app like this one.
Is it possible on the HTC One X?
The reason I want this is to prevent others from accessing my information if my phone is stolen (the screen lock is useless if the attacker knows how to enter recovery mode and extract the information directly).
Thank you!!

Nuwanda612 said:
I know it's possible on Nexus devices using an app like this one.
Is it possible on the HTC One X?
The reason I want this is to prevent others from accessing my information if my phone is stolen (the screen lock is useless if the attacker knows how to enter recovery mode and extract the information directly).
Thank you!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as am concerned, i don't think the bootloader can be looked with a password. the phone can be wiped while in bootloader mode

aromerblz said:
As far as am concerned, i don't think the bootloader can be looked with a password. the phone can be wiped while in bootloader mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't mean locking the bootloader with a password. I meant locking it in the same that it's locked when you buy the phone.
What I need is a way to unlock the bootloader without wiping. On Nexus devices it's possible by using the app I linked (though you need root for it to work). I was wondering if there was an app like that one for HTC phones, or an adb command, or anything that would allow me to to unlock the bootloader without wiping. I know it's not possible without root, but maybe there is a way on a rooted phone.

Nuwanda612 said:
I didn't mean locking the bootloader with a password. I meant locking it in the same that it's locked when you buy the phone.
What I need is a way to unlock the bootloader without wiping. On Nexus devices it's possible by using the app I linked (though you need root for it to work). I was wondering if there was an app like that one for HTC phones, or an adb command, or anything that would allow me to to unlock the bootloader without wiping. I know it's not possible without root, but maybe there is a way on a rooted phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way HTC allows to unlock is via HTCdev.com and that will wipe the phone.

Is an unlocked bootloader a security vulnerability?

I'm not a developer, just an enthusiast. Trying to understand if having an unlocked bootloader causes my device to be vulnerable to fastboot attacks? Or is my devices data still encrypted as long as i have a password? I know booting into my twrp recovery requires my password before decryption.. but can't they just fastboot boot a twrp image and gain access to my data somehow? or no? Can someone with knowledge explain?

If they have your phone in their hand yes it is a risk. They have access to all it's contents.

How hard is it to relock your bootloader? My bootloader is unlocked and my phone was rooted (i seem to have lost my root somehow maybe through an update). I am considering relocking my bootloader so that I can try Android Pay. Is this possible and is there a tutorial?

TolaSkamp said:
How hard is it to relock your bootloader? My bootloader is unlocked and my phone was rooted (i seem to have lost my root somehow maybe through an update). I am considering relocking my bootloader so that I can try Android Pay. Is this possible and is there a tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course there are tutorials, tons of them. One quick note, you should flash the latest factory image while you are unlocked to make sure everything is fully stock. No reason to save the data, just use flash-all, since relocking will wipe it all anyway. You could also just flash a kernel such as Elemental to access Android Pay.

bobby janow said:
Of course there are tutorials, tons of them. One quick note, you should flash the latest factory image while you are unlocked to make sure everything is fully stock. No reason to save the data, just use flash-all, since relocking will wipe it all anyway. You could also just flash a kernel such as Elemental to access Android Pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I will probably just flash the Elemental kernel and leave the bootloader unlocked, thanks. I seem to have lost my root, would I need to be rooted. I really rather not have to wipe all my data.

TolaSkamp said:
Thanks for the reply. I will probably just flash the Elemental kernel and leave the bootloader unlocked, thanks. I seem to have lost my root, would I need to be rooted. I really rather not have to wipe all my data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be rooted. Just boot to twrp and flash the kernel. AP with then work I believe. Try it out, I'm locked so I can't say for sure but on my 5x it works.

Doesn't Android Device Manager (or something there of) have some protection against lost/stolen phones. I recall reading that once you have your Google account sync'ed to the phone, you will need your Google account password to restart the phone even after a factory reset.

robchow said:
Doesn't Android Device Manager (or something there of) have some protection against lost/stolen phones. I recall reading that once you have your Google account sync'ed to the phone, you will need your Google account password to restart the phone even after a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is easily bypassed. It will keep the honest people out, but with minimal effort someone could get past it.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Here is the Android feature I was referring to about needing Google account's password:
Factory Reset Protection (FRP)
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6172890?hl=en
Am I correct that this statement "If you have Developer options turned on, you can also turn off device protection from your device's Settings app Settings. Tap Developer options and then OEM Unlocking" relates to bootloader unlock? As such, if unlocked bootloader then this FRP isn't active? Can FRP be turned on with unlocked bootloader?
superchilpil said:
This is easily bypassed. It will keep the honest people out, but with minimal effort someone could get past it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you suggesting that FRP is easily bypassed?

Should we unlock the Bootloader if no root planned

If you have no plans to root the phone is there any reason to unlock the bootloader?

It would probably break Safety net and Android pay. BUT if you're unlocked, you have ability to flash factory images. That could be beneficial something goes really bad and your device won't boot up. You're also less secure with it unlocked.
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

You can always lock and unlock the bootloader when you want.

I would say you should at least have the option checked on in the Developer settings.
So just in case something happened and you can't fully boot the phone. you can still get into it and unlock the bootloader and do what you need to do.
This happened to a friend of mine where something happened and couldn't fully boot and couldn't unlock bootloader cause the option was never checked.

I don't believe the unlock option stays enabled after it boots up.

I would argue why WOULDN'T you unlock the bootloader? Regardless of rooting, an unlocked bootloader is a safety net for when things go south. Phone decides to bootloop tomorrow? No big deal, flash the latest images via fastboot and start from scratch.
Sure there's the counter argument of the phone being much less secure and vulnerable in the hands of a person who is tech savvy and stole/found your device. I'm not worried about my phone being stolen so I ALWAYS unlock my bootloader.

Pain-N-Panic said:
I would argue why WOULDN'T you unlock the bootloader? Regardless of rooting, an unlocked bootloader is a safety net for when things go south. Phone decides to bootloop tomorrow? No big deal, flash the latest images via fastboot and start from scratch.
Sure there's the counter argument of the phone being much less secure and vulnerable in the hands of a person who is tech savvy and stole/found your device. I'm not worried about my phone being stolen so I ALWAYS unlock my bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.

mngdew said:
You can always lock and unlock the bootloader when you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does re-locking the bootloader wipe the phone?

foosion said:
Does re-locking the bootloader wipe the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does. That's why you should unlock or lock the bootloader when flashing factory images.

mngdew said:
Yes, it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
mngdew said:
That's why you should unlock or lock the bootloader when flashing factory images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand what you mean by this.
You have to unlock the bootloader to flash a factory image and you can eliminate the w flag so that flashing the factory image won't wipe the phone.

uicnren said:
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. If the phone goes into booploop due to a bad zip or whatever other reason you have a bricked device with no options to recover.

It's healthy for me to unlock my Bootloader ASAP on XDA!

Unlocking the bootloader was always the very first thing I did when I got a new phone. However, I use Android Pay all the time, and Google seems very determined to break AP for unlocked bootloaders with every new patch. Sure, someone usually finds a way to get it working again, but that sometimes takes time, and I simply use AP too much to deal with it. As long as AP won't work officially with an unlocked bootloader, mine stays locked unless I'm flashing an image, and even then, gets locked right after. Luckily, OTAs are posted by Google now, often at the same time as the Factory Images, so it hasn't really been an issue for me.

akenis said:
It would probably break Safety net and Android pay. BUT if you're unlocked, you have ability to flash factory images. That could be beneficial something goes really bad and your device won't boot up. You're also less secure with it unlocked.
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you what actually is compromised when phone is unlocked?

uicnren said:
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you flash with a locked bootloader?

painfree said:
Thank you what actually is compromised when phone is unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ho...unlocking-your-android-phones-bootloader/amp/
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

painfree said:
If you have no plans to root the phone is there any reason to unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ever contemplate going onto the Verizon network, when you first boot up after placing VZN sim into the phone,
the ability to ever unlock again is eliminated. You could relock it, but it will have the Unlock option in Developer
Option greyed out forever after that. I would unlock it maybe because of Verizon thing, but also to be able to flash factory a image in case I ever mess up the phone.

michaelbsheldon said:
If you ever contemplate going onto the Verizon network, when you first boot up after placing VZN sim into the phone,
the ability to ever unlock again is eliminated. You could relock it, but it will have the Unlock option in Developer
Option greyed out forever after that. I would unlock it maybe because of Verizon thing, but also to be able to flash factory a image in case I ever mess up the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you have the Google version it should never grey out on you at least that's how it was with the first pixels. I have Verizon I've never had it grey out.

jt3 said:
Unlocking the bootloader was always the very first thing I did when I got a new phone. However, I use Android Pay all the time, and Google seems very determined to break AP for unlocked bootloaders with every new patch. Sure, someone usually finds a way to get it working again, but that sometimes takes time, and I simply use AP too much to deal with it. As long as AP won't work officially with an unlocked bootloader, mine stays locked unless I'm flashing an image, and even then, gets locked right after. Luckily, OTAs are posted by Google now, often at the same time as the Factory Images, so it hasn't really been an issue for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Android Pay is pretty convenient and I always told myself I didn't need it compared to unlock+root. Wish Google would allow AP with unlocked bootloader but I can understand why they don't from a security standpoint.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

foosion said:
Thanks
I don't understand what you mean by this.
You have to unlock the bootloader to flash a factory image and you can eliminate the w flag so that flashing the factory image won't wipe the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you unlock the bootloader, phone is wiped automatically.