I recently came across this article here: http://www.redmondpie.com/unlock-nearly-all-htc-bootloaders-while-sparing-your-warranty/
Basically, I can lock and unlock my bootloader at will
Warranty is voided if you unlock the bootloader, which is required for rooting, unless there's a method to do otherwise.
Is my warranty still available if I unlock, root, then relock? Because the HTC service staff says that unlocking might cause damage, but as far as I know none will be caused. But should it do so, won't relocking it make it alright?
Also came across this: http://www.modaco.com/topic/353986-...t-unlocking-the-bootloader-windows-mac-linux/
Rooting without unlocking bootloader is impossible.
Your warranty will be void if the bootloader has been once unlocked. Relocking won't always make it better and it will display **relocked** instead of **locked**
It's not impossible though to get the phone fixed under warranty with unlocked state...
Sent from my IceCold One X
Perhaps where you are from, it is permitted. Here though, the technicians tend not to know too much about this kind of thing.
I've seen all sorts of reports. Some with unlocked bootloader have success with warranty repairs and some do not.
It all depends on where you send it back, who looks at it, what the actual fault is and the position of the moon.
I seem to recall on htcdev and the screen on the phone when unlocking say 'may' void your warranty.
Basically pot luck but not 100% no.
Sent from my HTC One X
Seeing as it's the same thread, I'd just like to ask if there is ANY damage caused at all by unlocking the bootloader. As far as I know it does not happen.
Related
Ok so my handset has the screen flicker issue. I ofc want to return it to see if I can get a handset without the issue, however I unlocked the bootloader. I realise this voids my warranty but with my old Desire I could pretty much return it to stock. With the new unlocking system when you relock the phone it literally says "RELOCKED" at the top of the bootloader screen. Does anyone know of a way to restore the bootloader so that it will read "LOCKED".
I realise this is my own fault but I cannot help but feel cheated if the phone has an issue that I didn't cause and now I cannot return it. It is on t-mobile if that helps anyones suggestions.
Perilion said:
Ok so my handset has the screen flicker issue. I ofc want to return it to see if I can get a handset without the issue, however I unlocked the bootloader. I realise this voids my warranty but with my old Desire I could pretty much return it to stock. With the new unlocking system when you relock the phone it literally says "RELOCKED" at the top of the bootloader screen. Does anyone know of a way to restore the bootloader so that it will read "LOCKED".
I realise this is my own fault but I cannot help but feel cheated if the phone has an issue that I didn't cause and now I cannot return it. It is on t-mobile if that helps anyones suggestions.
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Since Screen flickering is a hardware problem, you should be fine with warranty, because warranty is only void if software is causing a problem.
You can relock bootloader with fastboot command: fastboot oem lock
But its not like the real HTC Lock.
I hope that helped.
Hey guys,
I'm sorry if this has been asked before - I did a search around but found nothing, surprisingly. Question is, if I flash my HTC One X (which is currently stock and on a plan with Vodafone, so full of 'bloatware' and 'outdated' builds) with the 'universal' (unlocked?) stock ROM will my original warranty be voided? My main reasons for wanting to do this is remove a few unnecessary apps that Vodafone include and make sure I'm receiving the latest OTA updates straight from HTC. Obviously I can continue to wait for the updates and turn a blind eye to the 'crapware', but if I'm able to flash the official stock ROM straight from HTC then I'd much rather do that, just need to make sure no warranty issues will arise as I'd hate to have such a beautiful device collecting dust because I was too impatient or ignorant to check beforehand.
Thanks for any suggestions or help,
DJ GLiTCH
...
If you are going to flash any ROM (including stock) you will need to unlock your bootloader first (via HTC dev) and install CWM Recovery. The act of unlocking you bootloader voids your warranty. They keep a note of all of the phones that they have unlocked. You may still be covered for physical defects (although maybe not) and you definitely won't be covered for anything software related.
gifton1 said:
If you are going to flash any ROM (including stock) you will need to unlock your bootloader first (via HTC dev) and install CWM Recovery. The act of unlocking you bootloader voids your warranty. They keep a note of all of the phones that they have unlocked. You may still be covered for physical defects (although maybe not) and you definitely won't be covered for anything software related.
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Not technically true.
HTC clearly state that unlocking your bootloader *may* void *certain* parts of your warranty. In other words if you screw up your phone as a result of flashing roms then your on your own. If your phone develops a fault then it's covered.
HTC can't possibly keep a note of what phones have been unlocked. How can they? When you go through HTCDev.com you get sent the unlock file which you then have to flash. Only because HTC sent you this file it does not mean that you have flashed it - you may have changed your mind afterwards.
Once you unlock your bootloader and flash a custom rom you can choose you revert back to Stock by relocking then flashing the Vodafone branded RUU file. Providing you don't balls up your phone during this process your entire warranty will remain intact, including software issues.
dr9722 said:
Not technically true.
HTC clearly state that unlocking your bootloader *may* void *certain* parts of your warranty. In other words if you screw up your phone as a result of flashing roms then your on your own. If your phone develops a fault then it's covered.
HTC can't possibly keep a note of what phones have been unlocked. How can they? When you go through HTCDev.com you get sent the unlock file which you then have to flash. Only because HTC sent you this file it does not mean that you have flashed it - you may have changed your mind afterwards.
Once you unlock your bootloader and flash a custom rom you can choose you revert back to Stock by relocking then flashing the Vodafone branded RUU file. Providing you don't balls up your phone during this process your entire warranty will remain intact, including software issues.
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If you unlock and afterwards relock the bootloader again, in fastboot mode it says bootloader RELOCKED and not LOCKED. That`s how they see it.
I spoke to Vodafone Australia and they assured me that the act of unlocking alone does NOT void your warranty, however once you make a modification, warranty is gone. So yes, flashing another Rom will void warranty
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
dr9722 said:
Not technically true.
HTC clearly state that unlocking your bootloader *may* void *certain* parts of your warranty. In other words if you screw up your phone as a result of flashing roms then your on your own. If your phone develops a fault then it's covered.
HTC can't possibly keep a note of what phones have been unlocked. How can they? When you go through HTCDev.com you get sent the unlock file which you then have to flash. Only because HTC sent you this file it does not mean that you have flashed it - you may have changed your mind afterwards.
Once you unlock your bootloader and flash a custom rom you can choose you revert back to Stock by relocking then flashing the Vodafone branded RUU file. Providing you don't balls up your phone during this process your entire warranty will remain intact, including software issues.
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Actually, as pointed out by Gee2012 above, the bootloader says Relocked if you lock it again - so it is fairly obvious. This is irrelevant anyway as they have your phone imei number which is most probably what they use - they aren't stupid!
And from what I have been reading - HTC are being funny when people are trying to claim on warranty even if it is a physical defect that you have, once you have unlocked your bootloader. See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631610
gifton1 said:
Actually, as pointed out by Gee2012 above, the bootloader says Relocked if you lock it again - so it is fairly obvious. This is irrelevant anyway as they have your phone imei number which is most probably what they use - they aren't stupid!
And from what I have been reading - HTC are being funny when people are trying to claim on warranty even if it is a physical defect that you have, once you have unlocked your bootloader. See here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631610
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Yes I know it says relocked but HTC arnt keeping a "note" as such at the point of unlocking via HTCDev.
I sent my HOX back due to dust under the screen with the bootloader relocked and I received it back good as new (still unlocked).
dr9722 said:
Yes I know it says relocked but HTC arnt keeping a "note" as such at the point of unlocking via HTCDev.
I sent my HOX back due to dust under the screen with the bootloader relocked and I received it back good as new (still unlocked).
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They gave your phone back due to a hardware issue - fair enough. But if you went back for example with poor signal quality, even if you have flashed your original RUU, I very much doubt they would consider that under warranty anymore. They know you have unlocked the bootloader and tinkered with the software (even tho you are now back on stock). Have a lock at the link that i posted - it seems to be pretty murky water!
I also think that it also varies from servicecenter to servicecenter how they cope with this procedure or protocol. Some are more strict than others. I once took a bricked I9000 (due to a bad flash) to Dynafix and they repaired it under warranty!
It was running a custom rom and kerrnel.
Thank you all very much for your responses. I'm sorry for the delay, but for some reason never received any email notifications of replies.
I understand that flashing 'may' void warranty, depending on how far you go with the whole unlocking the bootloader and custom roms, but my concern is with flashing a non-carrier orientated stock rom. Such that I can revive updates quickly and OTA without needing the delay of Vodafone and the like, as well as removing all of their 'useful apps' they include inside their roms which I cannot remove.
Not trying to go off topic here either, but I come from a Samsung background (upgraded from the original Galaxy S) and was just wondering if the flashing process is similar? Like I'm guessing there is no odin for HTC, but clockwork mod and the rest are still around, correct? Not after instructions, just curious, as I'm trying to avoid losing my warranty and would likely only flash stock roms (for the time being at least, until I cave in). Cheers.
According to Vodafone, you will lose your warranty regardless of what you flash whether its stock based or not. They also said that simply rooting voids it as well.
However you might be able to flash the stock RUU for voda which may cover your tracks. I'm not 100% though.
As for flashing, Im still stock at the moment but from what I gather it is the same with respect to clockworkmod recovery and what not. But just double check any OPs before you start though lol
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA
Hi guys, i have a question, i want to return my phone for warranty and i've read this thread that if your bootloader is showing 'relocked' you cannot return the device for warranty.
I am here to ask if there is a way to make the bootloader show 'locked' bootloader instead of 'relocked'?
it would be GREATLY appreciated if you could help me. thanks!
for those who want to relock their bootloader can follow the instructions here
There is no way to do that ATM.
If the problem is the hardware issue, HTC should honor the warranty.
ckpv5 said:
There is no way to do that ATM.
If the problem is the hardware issue, HTC should honor the warranty.
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actually i'm looking to sell the phone, the phone have no issues whatsoever, but if the person i sell to wants to claim warranty, it may be an issue.
Not possible. When you got your unlock bin from HTC, it logged the device info. There gonna know right away it was tampered with.
rayford85 said:
Not possible. When you got your unlock bin from HTC, it logged the device info. There gonna know right away it was tampered with.
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so that means there is no option to claim warranty unless i pay for the 'fines' or charges that incur to repair my device?
zincsnow said:
so that means there is no option to claim warranty unless i pay for the 'fines' or charges that incur to repair my device?
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Correct. From what I've read, unlocking voids the warranty instantly (even tho htcdev says it "could" void your warranty) So any repairs are gonna cost you.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I saw this
kfasheldon said:
OK.. while trying to re-flash my phone after messing up, I tried to re-lock (fastboot oem lock) and it put up 3 messages, 1 succeed, 2 failed, on reboot of phone it read locked.
Yes!! Locked not re-locked ! I forgot I had not flashed stock recovery ! So triued to unlock, it worked but I could not flash stock recovery, failed, but I could re-lock with same LOCKED message, if I then went from HBoot to Fastboot I got a new menu SECURITY .. bellow locked a message SECURITY WARNING, if I select SECURITY menu then I get a new screen , KEYCARD failed, and reboots.
Anyway the LOCKED was enough to get the phone swapped as its two weeks old, any way after charging and attempting RUU again it locked on black HTC screen most times it booted.
Still maybe this menu holds a key to S-OFF, and maybe the relock failing can be replicated, it seems to have sent only 1 of 3 parts if the file across, so if you phone is bricked maybe you can give it a shot for htc service cover by part re-locking in some way.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7526938/IMAG0439.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7526938/IMAG0384.jpg
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and was hoping we could make some headway on it.
I noticed you are on Vodafone Australia.
I spoke to multiple stores and service reps and each of them said the same thing, that merely unlocking the bootloader will not void your warranty with them assuming a hardware fault. They even allowing discussion of bootloader unlocking in their community forum.
They did say however that flashing custom roms and rooting will void your warranty as per usual and any damage caused as a result of overclocking or messing with voltages etc is not covered.
I don't know if that is any help, but they seem pretty good about it so long as you didnt cause any actual damage yourself
kylec said:
I noticed you are on Vodafone Australia.
I spoke to multiple stores and service reps and each of them said the same thing, that merely unlocking the bootloader will not void your warranty with them assuming a hardware fault. They even allowing discussion of bootloader unlocking in their community forum.
They did say however that flashing custom roms and rooting will void your warranty as per usual and any damage caused as a result of overclocking or messing with voltages etc is not covered.
I don't know if that is any help, but they seem pretty good about it so long as you didnt cause any actual damage yourself
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Unfortunately I bought it outright from All phones. Don't think they'll accept it. but never mind anymore, I sold my HTC one x. I put up a *phone has boot loader unlocked* note on the ad
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3
Hello, i have a HTC One M9 and I want unlock bootloader without htcdev with sunshine app. But if I use sunshine app i need root my phone and unlock my bootloader with htcdev. But it void the warranty. So how to root my phone without unlocking bootloader?
This is a vicious circle! :crying:
czifraj2 said:
Hello, i have a HTC One M9 and I want unlock bootloader without htcdev with sunshine app. But if I use sunshine app i need root my phone and unlock my bootloader with htcdev. But it void the warranty. So how to root my phone without unlocking bootloader?
This is a vicious circle! :crying:
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their are ways to return the phone to it's out of box factory state, so it looks like it was never rooted
HTCdev.com do not log your usage and deny you repair for requesting an unlock. Their is no proof you ever used it.
clsA said:
their are ways to return the phone to it's out of box factory state, so it looks like it was never rooted
HTCdev.com do not log your usage and deny you repair for requesting an unlock. Their is no proof you ever used it.
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HTC does track that. If you unlocked the bootloader, they know about it.
All they know is you asked for a unlock code. They have no way to prove that you used it.
If you return the phone to it's original state. Theirs nothing they can do.
aooga said:
HTC does track that. If you unlocked the bootloader, they know about it.
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I don't know if it's as cut & dried as that. Like clsA said, they don't know whether or not you used the unlock token.
HTC's FAQ references the warranty implications and the warranty issue is also referenced in their explanation about unlock vs S-ON/OFF.
From my reading of their explanations, unlocking does not automatically mean warranty claims will be rejected. It simply adds an additional element to the process of determining whether or not the issue is HTC's responsibility or the user's.
computerslayer said:
I don't know if it's as cut & dried as that. Like clsA said, they don't know whether or not you used the unlock token.
HTC's FAQ references the warranty implications and the warranty issue is also referenced in their explanation about unlock vs S-ON/OFF.
From my reading of their explanations, unlocking does not automatically mean warranty claims will be rejected. It simply adds an additional element to the process of determining whether or not the issue is HTC's responsibility or the user's.
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True. But they told me that I would need to send it in if I had any issues, then they would determine if I caused it by unlocking the bootloader or not. (like you said).
I've never made a warranty claim with HTC before, but my guess is that while they'd need the phone to be sent in, they would be looking for physical proof that its bootloader was unlocked. I suppose they might ask you directly if they look at the HTCdev request record, but more likely they'd just check the phone itself.
I'm afraid you probably can't avoid unlocking the bootloader via HTCdev - modders aren't going to spend time on a new method when HTC is being so accommodating. On the flip side, their friendly stance towards modders indicates that they aren't necessarily looking to give them a bum rap.
aooga said:
True. But they told me that I would need to send it in if I had any issues, then they would determine if I caused it by unlocking the bootloader or not. (like you said).
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So basically you trust what HTC told you instead of what you learned here on XDA ?
Maybe HTC will tell you how to S-Off and reset your phone to Stock also
clsA said:
So basically you trust what HTC told you instead of what you learned here on XDA ?
Maybe HTC will tell you how to S-Off and reset your phone to Stock also
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Uh, yes? lol. I would trust what they said (and my experience) over XDA. Even if I reset all the flags, in their system, it showed my phone as being unlocked. I chatted with about 3 people and they all said the same thing.
aooga said:
Uh, yes? lol. I would trust what they said (and my experience) over XDA. Even if I reset all the flags, in their system, it showed my phone as being unlocked. I chatted with about 3 people and they all said the same thing.
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Maybe @nkk71 or @alray can explain it to you better
aooga said:
Uh, yes? lol. I would trust what they said (and my experience) over XDA. Even if I reset all the flags, in their system, it showed my phone as being unlocked. I chatted with about 3 people and they all said the same thing.
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clsA said:
Maybe @nkk71 or @alray can explain it to you better
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i bought a pack of condoms two days ago (actually it was a carton) at the pharmacy not online .... so i have 240 condoms available, and i've used them all up
basically, what i'm saying, it just i bought a pack of condoms.... can you prove i used them
**theoretically** HTCSync Manager, and the CheckinProvidor apk could in **theory** could dial home" and report it, .... still whether true or not, htcdev unlock, is not only as vague as vague can be, but it does say "it may void warranty"... it does not say it voids it defacto (especially if it's a hardware problem)
anyway, TL;DR what this was about anyway.... but if i can that many boxes at the pharmacy, it must be true
nkk71 said:
i bought a pack of condoms two days ago (actually it was a carton) at the pharmacy not online .... so i have 240 condoms available, and i've used them all up
basically, what i'm saying, it just i bought a pack of condoms.... can you prove i used them
**theoretically** HTCSync Manager, and the CheckinProvidor apk could in **theory** could dial home" and report it, .... still whether true or not, htcdev unlock, is not only as vague as vague can be, but it does say "it may void warranty"... it does not say it voids it defacto (especially if it's a hardware problem)
anyway, TL;DR what this was about anyway.... but if i can that many boxes at the pharmacy, it must be true
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Yeah, I get both of your points. I would think the same exact thing too. Especially if I have a custom rom, there theoretically should be no way for them to prove that I USED the token, just that I got the token.
Based on my experience with HTC support (HORRIBLE), I wouldn't be surprised if they just charge you if you got the key.
aooga said:
Yeah, I get both of your points. I would think the same exact thing too. Especially if I have a custom rom, there theoretically should be no way for them to prove that I USED the token, just that I got the token.
Based on my experience with HTC support (HORRIBLE), I wouldn't be surprised if they just charge you if you got the key.
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I can speak from personal experience that HTC will not deny service simply because you unlocked. I s-off'd and modded my M7 to hell and back, and they still fixed the pink camera defect for free.
From what I have heard from over the years, HTC may have some undisclosed methods of knowing when the bootloader has been unlocked, even when the phone has been restored to bone stock. Whether this is true, I cannot say, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised. HTC's historic friendliness toward modding may well be in part because they know they can tell when you've screwed things up on your own.
So if i ask the token from htcdev and i don't use, void the warranty? But i don't use.
But if i use the token and unlock my bootloader and i buy a s-off and set back the flag: Locked , void the warranty?
I'm thinking of returning/replacing my phone due to the issue with the screen (one side is darker).
I unlocked the bootloader und rooted the phone. Am I'm going to have any problems because of that? If I return to stock, will they be able to detect that it was unlocked?
I did find this statement in the faq:
The technical process of rooting or unlocking the bootloader does not void the warranty of a OnePlus device. However, we strongly suggest for you to only root or unlock the bootloader of your OnePlus device if you are confident in your understanding of the risks involved.
By accessing resources regularly unavailable to the software, you may damage your hardware during or after the procedure. Such damage is not covered under warranty. In warranty handling, we will first need to verify that any faulty behavior is unrelated to rooting / unlocking.
I'm still within the 15 day return period.