Develop Bugs

Officially announced - Locked Bootloader

Friends, sadly the optimus G will have a locked bootloader
http://www.androidcentral.com/official-word-optimus-g-bootloader

And, therefore I won't be buying it. Oh well, I'll wait for a company that wants to play nice.
I'm in no hurry.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

JasonJoel said:
And, therefore I won't be buying it. Oh well, I'll wait for a company that wants to play nice.
I'm in no hurry.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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Good luck if you're on at&t.
Pretty sure you just have to go straight for an off contract phone.
I hate supporting phones that don't come with unlocked bootloaders by default but, I don't h ave 500$+ to spend.. Especially when I'll be paying the same price for my cellular service either way.

Well I guess we'll just have to wait for the Google announcement on the 29th to see when the Nexus 4comes out huh. After watching the PocketNow review of this phone I was considering it but with a locked bootloader no way.
sent from my Dark Nexus

i know what you feel bro
nyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyanyan

Snow_fox said:
Good luck if you're on at&t.
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Not really... Samsung phones (like the S3) have unlockable boot loader on at&t. As does the HTC One X I'm using (although HTC screwed that up in later releases).
Will probably just go with the Note 2 if it has an unlockable bootloader (which it should).
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Can someone please explain something. I'm obviously not up on this due to the noob question, but just yesterday there was news that the device is in fact root-able. I assume this is totally different than a locked bootloader? Can the boot loader still be locked, yet rooted? Once rooted, is the device's bootloader unlocked at that time? thanks, guys

Yes u can root even with a locked boot loader. You.just can't flash.custom kernels. Although I.don't know if kexec will work or not. I think the guys that.get the Sprint version will be ok with an unlockable boot loader. I am sure that there is someone with an unlocked boot loader floating around. Kinda like the Verizon s3 got a leak of an unsecured boot loader which let us unlock it Just have to wait.and see what.pops up.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

First... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Well, I was somewhat expecting this. Oh well. I will sit back and see what happens. Many locked phones have fallen to the powers of the Android community. (I forget what the Korean thread says, but I thought they had cracked their version already.) Only time will tell. I hope it's quick though.
gatorstew said:
Can someone please explain something. I'm obviously not up on this due to the noob question, but just yesterday there was news that the device is in fact root-able. I assume this is totally different than a locked bootloader? Can the boot loader still be locked, yet rooted? Once rooted, is the device's bootloader unlocked at that time? thanks, guys
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There is this post to give you a little start on the lingo. A google search ought to give you a good explanation quickly.
In short though, to answer your questions from a not-quite-so-noob, "rooting" a device gains you access to the software running on the system. Don't like the bloatware that came on the phone? With root access, you can delete them. You can have root without an unlocked bootloader. (Warranty likely voided.)
The bootloader is the first bit of software that the phone runs when the power is turned on, which loads the OS and such, and passes off control to the OS to boot up.With a locked bootloader, you are basically stuck with the updates (if any) blessed by the manufacturer AND the carrier. Unlocked, you can install customized ROMs, swap kernels, custom recoveries (search "nandroid backup"), and even more warranty voiding goodness. YOU decide "how" your phone works.
Now... If your phone DOES break, both acts can be reversed (some exceptions) so you can pretend you didn't do anything you weren't supposed to be doing, and have your "warranty."

JasonJoel said:
Not really... Samsung phones (like the S3) have unlockable boot loader on at&t. As does the HTC One X I'm using (although HTC screwed that up in later releases).
Will probably just go with the Note 2 if it has an unlockable bootloader (which it should).
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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Yes but, with HTC you are only marginally better off as they provide incredibly small kernel support. My HTC flyer has an officially unlocked bootloader and Dexter has been working on a JB Rom forever and it's still not in a "Factory release" state like other devices.
I don't blame Dexter but, it's pretty sad. Heck, in the One X+ forum there was announcement by a dev openly stated we should be aware it will be hard to dev for before we even consider it.
As far as Samsung goes, I applaud them for supporting the dev community the way they have in the various ways but, their SAMOLED screens are a bit..well dated looking. When they first came out, they were nice because they were brighter, more vibrant, and colorful. Now I really would love to hop on the IPS displays which are sharper.

I was right. Damn you LG! DAMN YOUUUUU!
Guess, I'm sticking with my O4X HD. With the same locked bootloader FTL

Would it be more productive to petition lg or start a bounty.... Or does the locked bootloaders even really matter? My understanding is without kernel sources an email unlocked bootloader isn't only marginally useful.
Sent from my HTC_Flyer_P512_NA using xda app-developers app.

Snow_fox said:
Would it be more productive to petition lg or start a bounty.... Or does the locked bootloaders even really matter? My understanding is without kernel sources an email unlocked bootloader isn't only marginally useful.
Sent from my HTC_Flyer_P512_NA using xda app-developers app.
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Already have one going on: http://www.change.org/petitions/lg-...opportunity-to-unlock-bootloader-in-lg-phones
So please guys, sign the petition and who knows...somewhere down the road maybe they'll listen and grant our wishes. :crying:
We're already up to 1000+ that already signed...lets get this rolling and share it to every other forum you go to. Thanks in advanced.

How often do petitions actually work?
Sent from my HTC_Flyer_P512_NA using xda app-developers app

Snow_fox said:
How often do petitions actually work?
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Imagine if <10,000 people signed a petition saying that they wanted McDonald's to stop selling meat products. Yeah, LG probably cares about as much as McDonald's would in that scenario.

Scotty_Two said:
Imagine if <10,000 people signed a petition saying that they wanted McDonald's to stop selling meat products. Yeah, LG probably cares about as much as McDonald's would in that scenario.
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I respectfully disagree. LG is not anywhere near HTC, Apple, or Samsung in terms of volume sold. They need all the help they can get and simply cannot afford to lose potential customers. Even HTC and Samsung have been affected by petitions like this. It led HTC to have unlockable bootloaders. Also, in your McDonald's analogy, McDonald's would be losing many customers if they no longer had burgers or other meat products, whereas LG would be gaining customers if they decided to open up a bit. And the community here at XDA (most of whom I would assume are against locked bootloaders) is for the most part, fairly knowledgeable about phones and mobile devices. As we are knowledgeable on the subject, people go to us for advice on their next devices. If LG's bootloaders were unlocked, I can assure you that I (like many other XDA users) would not only purchase the Optimus G for myself, but I would also be much more likely to recommend it. There's ~5 Million members here, of which I would imagine 1-1.5 Million are in the market for a new device. As it offers the best specifications on the market at the moment, I would assume the Optimus G would have to be a thought to most of these people. However, the lack of SD Card support (on the International and Sprint versions), nonremovable battery, and locked bootloaders can potentially deter many of these people from buying it and/or recommending it to their friends, families, and acquaintances and instead, these people could easily opt for roughly equivalent devices made by LG's competitors, such as the One series by HTC and the Galaxy series by Samsung. It never makes business sense to turn away thousands of potential customers, especially when said company is not leading sales figures in the industry.

xboxfanj said:
I respectfully disagree. LG is not anywhere near HTC, Apple, or Samsung in terms of volume sold. They need all the help they can get and simply cannot afford to lose potential customers. Even HTC and Samsung have been affected by petitions like this. It led HTC to have unlockable bootloaders. Also, in your McDonald's analogy, McDonald's would be losing many customers if they no longer had burgers or other meat products, whereas LG would be gaining customers if they decided to open up a bit. And the community here at XDA (most of whom I would assume are against locked bootloaders) is for the most part, fairly knowledgeable about phones and mobile devices. As we are knowledgeable on the subject, people go to us for advice on their next devices. If LG's bootloaders were unlocked, I can assure you that I (like many other XDA users) would not only purchase the Optimus G for myself, but I would also be much more likely to recommend it. There's ~5 Million members here, of which I would imagine 1-1.5 Million are in the market for a new device. As it offers the best specifications on the market at the moment, I would assume the Optimus G would have to be a thought to most of these people. However, the lack of SD Card support (on the International and Sprint versions), nonremovable battery, and locked bootloaders can potentially deter many of these people from buying it and/or recommending it to their friends, families, and acquaintances and instead, these people could easily opt for roughly equivalent devices made by LG's competitors, such as the One series by HTC and the Galaxy series by Samsung. It never makes business sense to turn away thousands of potential customers, especially when said company is not leading sales figures in the industry.
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I mostly agree with your points. I do, however, think that the whole purpose of OEMs locking their bootloaders is to deter people from prolonging the life of their phone and not to protect people from bricking them. Because let's face it, 99.9% of people that even know what a bootloader is in the first place will probably be able to flash their phone without bricking it and exchanging it for a new one at the OEMs expense. So, with that in mind, it only seems logical that an OEM would lock the bootloader to prevent people from taking things into their own hands with such a powerhouse phone that could last for years with proper software updates (that will undoubtedly not happen in a timely manner from LG for more than the first year, if that). They want people to like the phone, be at the mercy of LG for updates, and when those updates end, buy a new LG phone and repeat. So with this standard model, I just don't see how they could care about the very small (in comparison to the general public) development community. Just my thoughts though, I really have no idea what LG's strategy is or what will end up happening.

Scotty_Two said:
I mostly agree with your points. I do, however, think that the whole purpose of OEMs locking their bootloaders is to deter people from prolonging the life of their phone and not to protect people from bricking them. Because let's face it, 99.9% of people that even know what a bootloader is in the first place will probably be able to flash their phone without bricking it and exchanging it for a new one at the OEMs expense. So, with that in mind, it only seems logical that an OEM would lock the bootloader to prevent people from taking things into their own hands with such a powerhouse phone that could last for years with proper software updates (that will undoubtedly not happen in a timely manner from LG for more than the first year, if that). They want people to like the phone, be at the mercy of LG for updates, and when those updates end, buy a new LG phone and repeat. So with this standard model, I just don't see how they could care about the very small (in comparison to the general public) development community. Just my thoughts though, I really have no idea what LG's strategy is or what will end up happening.
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You know.. I think the bold part is also problematic. While it is a great "theoretical" strategy... the amount of people you piss off is potentially enough that they will never buy your device again.
Back when my Captivate was younger, despite there being many solid ROM options, people were still outraged the phone didn't receive prompt manufacturer provided updates.
Despite the whole "if people knew how to unlock bootloaders, bricks would happen left and right!" argument that I've seen circulating for the last 2 years.. the reality is if people know their warranty is voided, they either do or don't care. If unlocking the bootloader and rooting the phone were just a few ABD commands that would be all the litmus test needed really.
The reality is if people can use ABD then they are probably technically proficient enough to install a custom ROM. If they are too scared for their warranty/afraid of entering commands by text, they are probably not going to want to install a custom rom anyway.

Snow_fox said:
You know.. I think the bold part is also problematic. While it is a great "theoretical" strategy... the amount of people you piss off is potentially enough that they will never buy your device again.
Back when my Captivate was younger, despite there being many solid ROM options, people were still outraged the phone didn't receive prompt manufacturer provided updates.
Despite the whole "if people knew how to unlock bootloaders, bricks would happen left and right!" argument that I've seen circulating for the last 2 years.. the reality is if people know their warranty is voided, they either do or don't care. If unlocking the bootloader and rooting the phone were just a few ABD commands that would be all the litmus test needed really.
The reality is if people can use ABD then they are probably technically proficient enough to install a custom ROM. If they are too scared for their warranty/afraid of entering commands by text, they are probably not going to want to install a custom rom anyway.
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That's how it is on the Nexus series (simple ADB commands), which I doubt is bricked any more than on any other devices.
Back to Scotty's post, I really don't think LG wants to update these phones (that's what the development community is for), so I don't think their goal is to keep you on their software. I don't think the custom software is supposed to serve any purpose but to make people buy the devices in the first place. I do agree that they're concerned that unlocked bootloaders make people more likely to brick (which is likely not true since it's the same people unlocking bootloaders on locked devices as the people who install custom ROMs on others). I actually think that locking bootloaders makes people trying to unlock them more likely to brick in the process. CM ROMs actually make things easier on their update team since the people who care about the OS version are typically the first to try custom ROMs. At the very least, I would like for LG to implement a similar strategy to HTC and Motorola where they keep track of people who unlock, but give a free, painless method. This would make everyone (LG and us) fairly happy.

If there is going to be a lg nexus phone wouldn't it be much easier to unlock the boot loader and have kernel sources? The hardware is the same

Don't they care about customers ?

As many, I am quite astonished by the G4's lack of development (not to insult the awesome devs having allready crafted some nice roms/tweaks or the one working on it (Awaiting CM12 patiently ).
With solutions like flashfire, the fact we can root, have Xposed etc... without bootloader unlocking, why doesn't LG just open up ? It worked great for Motorola, the nexus line is beloved for just having the cleanest possible android and quick updates.
LG's UI isn't really as loved as Sense or Touchwiz (even if in my mind nothing beats stock, sprinkled with some goodies à la motorola).
I just wish an LG dev/executive/t-shirt seller reads this and thinks : Hey, why don't we open the bootloader ? It doesn't change anything for us, as people can already. flash what the want. Hey, why don't we give our customers the choice to use an aosp build next to our UI, so everybody can have it the way they want ?
Wouldn't this be an easy way to get some sells and a distinguishing factor in this hard market ?
Just my little late night rant, but this seems to obvious to still not be a norml situation (well Motorola got it... thanks Google for that)...
LG having made now 3 Nexii could really have learnt something... I might still buy their phones, but it could be a much more obvious choice if openness had a bigger place in their mind.
Any opinions or ideas on how to change this ? Change.org ? A sitting in front of their offices ?
Have a great time guys

The nexus 5, and now the new small one, are both by LG and have unlocked bootloaders. Bootloaders aren't locked by LG, its by carrier. The internation verison, and Tmobile have unlocked ones, and you can flash stock roms on sprint devices...
Also, the percentage of people who root is very low in terms of all the people who buy the phone.
Example: At the store I work at, we sold over 100 G4's since its been out. Maybe like 6 of those people will root if even that.

Some variants (815 international non EU) are controlled by LG. However, I wouldn't say they don't care about their customers. Honestly, how many people with an android phone root their phones? How many of them care about bootloaders? Sure if looking only at XDA people, it would be over 80% but in real life random sampling with a large population I'd say it's below 2-3% easily. Out of everyone I know with Iphones/Nexuses/Samsungs/LGs I can, honestly, only say maybe 2-3 of them jailbreak of root/want an unlocked bootloader.
So yeah, overall sales would not improve at all by advertising an unlocked bootloader, especially once you factor in that your warranty is null and void once you unlock it.

I wish all OEM's would release an unlocked version with unlockable boatloaders and faster updates and sell them on their website for full price. Not sure why it has to be carrier or nothing in the states.
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

Cor-master said:
I wish all OEM's would release an unlocked version with unlockable boatloaders and faster updates and sell them on their website for full price. Not sure why it has to be carrier or nothing in the states.
Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk
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That is ideal, but when there are different markets all over the world, it's too complicated and potentially costly to implement compared to the potential sales.

People that unlock/root/flash phones as a hobby is quite a small percentage of their customer base, why would they cater to you? Plus, H811 has unlocked bootloader

I meant unlocked bootloader but without the warranty loss. XDA has some million members, even 50% of that could be interesting (look at the oneplus one, it is not the selling feature, just a nice plus argument).
They could save money by not trying to lock the phone up so much and it would be interesting to some... As we all know that flashing can't simply wrong your phone (especially if it is designed to be flashed).
Envoyé de mon A0001 avec XDA Forums

soulysephiroth said:
Bootloaders aren't locked by LG, its by carrier.
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That's not at all true. it's LG that is locking the bootloader, nothing to do with the carriers.

because the bl is locked,and the developer can't develop the customer rom ,including based o stock.:crying:

ChriKn said:
I meant unlocked bootloader but without the warranty loss. XDA has some million members, even 50% of that could be interesting (look at the oneplus one, it is not the selling feature, just a nice plus argument).
They could save money by not trying to lock the phone up so much and it would be interesting to some... As we all know that flashing can't simply wrong your phone (especially if it is designed to be flashed).
Envoyé de mon A0001 avec XDA Forums
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Over 99% of LG customers do not even know what rooting is, nor "flashing a ROM". Locked bootloaders are a manufacturer's choice for security concerns....Manufacturers like Samsung leave the choice in the carriers' hands....it is not directed at this community to prevent flashing AOSP ROMs.....it is an attempt to keep malicious hackers out of the phone...LG could care less about that...it is just collateral damage. So as far as LG's "customers" are concerned there would be no noticeable increase in sales by supplying an unlock.

the_scotsman said:
That's not at all true. it's LG that is locking the bootloader, nothing to do with the carriers.
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When I had Samsung it was most differently carrier. Att was the only one who had blocked bootloaders and it was the carrier choice. Why then would lg just allow T-Mobile G4s to be unlocked? It didn't make sense to only allow two out their models if carriers have nothing to do with it.
Sent from my LG-H810 using XDA Free mobile app

ChriKn said:
I meant unlocked bootloader but without the warranty loss. XDA has some million members, even 50% of that could be interesting (look at the oneplus one, it is not the selling feature, just a nice plus argument).
They could save money by not trying to lock the phone up so much and it would be interesting to some... As we all know that flashing can't simply wrong your phone (especially if it is designed to be flashed).
Envoyé de mon A0001 avec XDA Forums
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It's never going to happen. FWIW if you unlock the oneplus one's bootloader, the warranty is void as well. You can brick your phone if you don't know what you are doing with an unlocked bootloader. This is why they do not come unlocked standard, and if you choose to unlock you lose warranty.

Daemos said:
It's never going to happen. FWIW if you unlock the oneplus one's bootloader, the warranty is void as well. You can brick your phone if you don't know what you are doing with an unlocked bootloader. This is why they do not come unlocked standard, and if you choose to unlock you lose warranty.
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Well... Not really...
https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/will-rooting-or-unlocking-the-bootloader-void-my-warranty
Of course you can make dumb stuff... But people knowing nothing and wanting to root at all price will always try, so isn't it better if there is a simple and easy solution at hand ?
Envoyé de mon A0001 avec XDA Forums

ChriKn said:
Well... Not really...
https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/will-rooting-or-unlocking-the-bootloader-void-my-warranty
Of course you can make dumb stuff... But people knowing nothing and wanting to root at all price will always try, so isn't it better if there is a simple and easy solution at hand ?
Envoyé de mon A0001 avec XDA Forums
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That's if you buy it directly from oneplus, however, you have an A0001 model, which is the Chinese-market version bought by a grey-market seller, who will probably consider any warranty void if the bootloader is unlocked. Even Google Nexus' phones have their warranty void when the bootloader is unlocked, and the Nexus phones were initially designed to be phones for developers to develop on.
I suspect the reason why many companies do not allow bootloaders to be unlocked easily is because there is no real benefit to them having it easily unlocked. In fact, having it easily unlocked (even with having the warranty void) could actually be an issue. This is because they then have less control over what software is actually running on their phones. Say someone installs an aftermarket rom, which is in beta, then someone who doesn't really doesn't have the XDA know-how uses it, they might find it unstable, laggy, crappy etc...and attribute it to the brand, and will tell others to avoid that brand. Then there is the problem of people who unlocked the bootloaders, who attempt to still try to send in their phone for warranty purposes when they broke it, or claim they didn't know their warranty would be void, this costs money still to check the phone determine that the boolader was unlocked. Then there may be some malicious people who convince their 'friends' to unlock their bootloaders, and install some virus, or spying software, and that could be blamed on the OEM by the person who doesn't know any better. IMO it could easily be considered an unacceptable risk to allow bootloaders to be easily unlocked compared to any benefit gained.
So except for appeasing the very small niche market that XDA caters to, which isn't really much of a benefit at all, there is more risk than it's worth to making bootloaders easily unlocked.
The only reason Oneplus could get away with that was because they didn't sell lots of phones (directly), they had a controlled invite system, and really most of the people who were even aware of oneplus' existence tended to be more of the type of people you'd find on XDA anyways. Even then, their customer service, even buying direct from Oneplus has been pretty shoddy.

Do you want my receipt form OnePlus ?
Or maybe the RMA Receipt of the last A0001 ?
Do you want my RMA receipt from the Bootloader unlocked/ custom kernel / custom recovery and whatever Nexus 5 I sent them ?
(and just FYI before you continue telling some random stuff... you can relock the Oneplus One/Nexus phons and there is no flag triggered (atleast not a known one...). Please do some research and just stop).
And you contradict yourself. You speak of a little niche, then talking about Oneplus targeting directly "Xda-memberish people" you know they sold some hundred-thousands of phone right ? So if my company could sell like even just 100.000 phones more (or even 50.000) just by making myselfs and the user's life easier why not do it ?

ChriKn said:
Do you want my receipt form OnePlus ?
Or maybe the RMA Receipt of the last A0001 ?
Do you want my RMA receipt from the Bootloader unlocked/ custom kernel / custom recovery and whatever Nexus 5 I sent them ?
(and just FYI before you continue telling some random stuff... you can relock the Oneplus One/Nexus phons and there is no flag triggered (atleast not a known one...). Please do some research and just stop).
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If you're in Europe you WILL get your warranty denied if you send in a device with altered software unless you can prove that the issue is not caused by the altered software. If you somehow managed to get a device repair under warranty it's either luck, an untrained chain of service workers or a very trained chain of service employees that understood that your issue was not caused by the altered system state.
ChriKn said:
And you contradict yourself. You speak of a little niche, then talking about Oneplus targeting directly "Xda-memberish people" you know they sold some hundred-thousands of phone right ? So if my company could sell like even just 100.000 phones more (or even 50.000) just by making myselfs and the user's life easier why not do it ?
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Because these numbers are insignificant for Samsung, LG, Motorola or whatever brand you want. Heck even for HTC they are. The extra effort would cost more in labor than those 100k device's turn over (yes, turn over, not even profit!).

nitrous² said:
If you're in Europe you WILL get your warranty denied if you send in a device with altered software unless you can prove that the issue is not caused by the altered software. If you somehow managed to get a device repair under warranty it's either luck, an untrained chain of service workers or a very trained chain of service employees that understood that your issue was not caused by the altered system state.
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I am in Europe, I even discussed it with them... there really isn't a problem with it as long as you can clearly explain what you did and how it can't affect. You just need to know what you are doing... but same goes for kids and knifes... Overprotecting just brings a bigger mess at a later moment.
Because these numbers are insignificant for Samsung, LG, Motorola or whatever brand you want. Heck even for HTC they are. The extra effort would cost more in labor than those 100k device's turn over (yes, turn over, not even profit!).[/QUOTE]
Isn't it more wok for them to find new protective measures than just letting it open ?

ChriKn said:
Isn't it more wok for them to find new protective measures than just letting it open ?
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Yes, it is more expensive at first, but cheaper in the long run.

ChriKn said:
Do you want my receipt form OnePlus ?
Or maybe the RMA Receipt of the last A0001 ?
Do you want my RMA receipt from the Bootloader unlocked/ custom kernel / custom recovery and whatever Nexus 5 I sent them ?
(and just FYI before you continue telling some random stuff... you can relock the Oneplus One/Nexus phons and there is no flag triggered (atleast not a known one...). Please do some research and just stop).
And you contradict yourself. You speak of a little niche, then talking about Oneplus targeting directly "Xda-memberish people" you know they sold some hundred-thousands of phone right ? So if my company could sell like even just 100.000 phones more (or even 50.000) just by making myselfs and the user's life easier why not do it ?
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Click to collapse
I did not know about the unlock flags not being triggered, that is my mistake. However, I did not contradict myself. OnePlus sells very few phones, and do not have mass appeal, and they targeted a specific group. This group is so insignificant, that large companies like Apple, Samsung, LG , Sony, HTC etc can really ignore them without much issue. I own an oneplus one. You may have had good luck with RMAing, but I know plenty that have had issues. Personally, I wouldn't buy another OnePlus phone for at least a couple generations.
The issue here is that you have not come up with a convincing argument to why bootloaders should be easily unlocked, and how that would lead to a significant market share increase for these companies, and that this larger market share would offset any costs and risk they inherit due to having an easily unlocked bootloader. I do not have the numbers, but, if you would like to convince these companies to do so, the onus would be on you to prove to these companies that it's worth their time.

Here is an example of why easily unlocked bootloaders can lead to bad experiences: Malware at the system level (not just installed, but intergrated into the system)
https://medium.com/@tuesdev/as-many...hs-to-receive-a-oneplus-2-invite-ba20ac8606ae
Although not specifically stated, without the unlocked bootloader this process would be far more difficult. Lucky the writer of the article knows it isn't Oneplus to blame...

Expecting a paid BL unlock from taobao.com

today morning I saw a listing in taobao.com , regarding bl unlock for droid turbo 2 , for 75$ , but soon they removed listing ,if its true then we all will be the happiest people in this world , if any one gets the update related to BL unlock for turbo2 then post here

I remember a time where unlocking the bootloader and gaining root was a fun thing to do for those of us who like to tinker. I remember when devs made awesome ROMs for fun (and donations), back before Cyanogen became mainstream. Now to think we have to pay, especially something like $75 to gain full access to our own device... It is sad. But hey, for $20 I'll do it, but no way am I spending $75 unless I get a whole lot of ROM choices.
Sent from my Turbo 2 using Tapatalk.

aneeshmbabu said:
today morning I saw a listing in taobao.com , regarding bl unlock for droid turbo 2 , for 75$ , but soon they removed listing ,if its true then we all will be the happiest people in this world , if any one gets the update related to BL unlock for turbo2 then post here
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Did you made an order before they removed it? If so let us know if it worked.

No unfortunately I missed it waiting to re list .. always searching Unlocked turbo2 .. in taobao..

Once you unlock it, which recovery are you going to use?

don't know

dinkoh said:
Once you unlock it, which recovery are you going to use?
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You would use the moto x force recovery

Exleh said:
I remember a time where unlocking the bootloader and gaining root was a fun thing to do for those of us who like to tinker. I remember when devs made awesome ROMs for fun (and donations), back before Cyanogen became mainstream. Now to think we have to pay, especially something like $75 to gain full access to our own device... It is sad. But hey, for $20 I'll do it, but no way am I spending $75 unless I get a whole lot of ROM choices.
Sent from my Turbo 2 using Tapatalk.
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Click to collapse
I completely agree $20 or 25 i would pay but not $75!

$75 is steep, but for the control I just may do it. Of course I'd much rather spend $20-25.

Exleh said:
I remember a time where unlocking the bootloader and gaining root was a fun thing to do for those of us who like to tinker. I remember when devs made awesome ROMs for fun (and donations), back before Cyanogen became mainstream. Now to think we have to pay, especially something like $75 to gain full access to our own device... It is sad. But hey, for $20 I'll do it, but no way am I spending $75 unless I get a whole lot of ROM choices.
Sent from my Turbo 2 using Tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gaining root or unlocking bootloader was much easier before, less number of devices to make rom for, etc. Now is completely opposite. Unlocking bootlader requires a lot of knowledge now and it's understandable that someone wish to monetize it. Cannot find
I would blame vendors or in this case carriers for locking our own devices. But I also understand why. IMO, solution is what Moto and some others do, offer official unlock with losing warranty. Would be nice to keep warranty but nothing is perfect.

something like this happened 2 years ago, it was a chinese motorola worker who unlocked the phones.

Jaocagomez said:
something like this happened 2 years ago, it was a chinese motorola worker who unlocked the phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup this is how I got my xt1080m moto maxx unlocked

Jimmy8881 said:
Yup this is how I got my xt1080m moto maxx unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ME too but it cost 40 bucks 75 is steep and no roms available yet or ever.

Zeljko1234 said:
Gaining root or unlocking bootloader was much easier before, less number of devices to make rom for, etc. Now is completely opposite. Unlocking bootlader requires a lot of knowledge now and it's understandable that someone wish to monetize it. Cannot find
I would blame vendors or in this case carriers for locking our own devices. But I also understand why. IMO, solution is what Moto and some others do, offer official unlock with losing warranty. Would be nice to keep warranty but nothing is perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is very true. But I doubt Moto will be up for fighting with Verizon about that.

Jaocagomez said:
something like this happened 2 years ago, it was a chinese motorola worker who unlocked the phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he didn't unlock the phones, he was distributing the unlock codes from a stolen/pirated data base.

I plan to wait until Sunshine has turbo2 support. Might take a while but its only 25...

during a live chat & twitter @jcase told they will not working on it anytime soon .. no support ,

Exleh said:
That is very true. But I doubt Moto will be up for fighting with Verizon about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never say never
http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_be...unlocks_on_verizon_moto_x_2014-news-16006.php

aneeshmbabu said:
during a live chat & twitter @jcase told they will not working on it anytime soon .. no support ,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, please keep our names out of your "mouth". You do not represent us. We don't discuss future support (as we told you over and over when you were asking about droid turbo 1,you kept submitting the same question FOUR times in our support system).
I have all records of your support tickets, and I have records of your chat (Which you ended up getting banned from).
We wont comment on future device support, and we certainly wont give you insight to our private operations.

jcase said:
Again, please keep our names out of your "mouth". You do not represent us. We don't discuss future support (as we told you over and over when you were asking about droid turbo 1,you kept submitting the same question FOUR times in our support system).
I have all records of your support tickets, and I have records of your chat (Which you ended up getting banned from).
We wont comment on future device support, and we certainly wont give you insight to our private operations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen. Lol

Locked bootloader

I think one of the best things that we all love about android is ability to change your phone and add what you want via root. My question is this, if the future of android is to lock all bootloaders, why should we stay with android and not get an I phone? If I can't get viper4android I'm not sure if I'm gonna stay with android. What are your thoughts?

chronos7 said:
I think one of the best things that we all love about android is ability to change your phone and add what you want via root. My question is this, if the future of android is to lock all bootloaders, why should we stay with android and not get an I phone? If I can't get viper4android I'm not sure if I'm gonna stay with android. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if v4a is all you want for android then get iphone h8r

BaconSeeds said:
if v4a is all you want for android then get iphone h8r
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A h8r wouldn't have android for the last 6 years...smh

There are only 2 types of Android customizers, people who can customize without root and bad customizers

If u really like a locked down device get an iphone. Last jailbreak took 11 months to get. Stock icons sucks on ios. At least u have options with android without root.

chronos7 said:
I think one of the best things that we all love about android is ability to change your phone and add what you want via root. My question is this, if the future of android is to lock all bootloaders, why should we stay with android and not get an I phone? If I can't get viper4android I'm not sure if I'm gonna stay with android. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because an iPhone is more locked down than an Android. It would be really dumb to downgrade to iOS just because your Android has a locked bootloader... That's just like replacing your gaming PC with a cheap Android tablet just because you don't like the new Ubuntu update.
Sent from my Motorola Moto E using XDA Labs

chronos7 said:
I think one of the best things that we all love about android is ability to change your phone and add what you want via root. My question is this, if the future of android is to lock all bootloaders, why should we stay with android and not get an I phone? If I can't get viper4android I'm not sure if I'm gonna stay with android. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you see that the bootloader is locked?
So far, only the VZW carrier version is confirmed to be locked.

cmason37 said:
Because an iPhone is more locked down than an Android. It would be really dumb to downgrade to iOS just because your Android has a locked bootloader... That's just like replacing your gaming PC with a cheap Android tablet just because you don't like the new Ubuntu update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone that has a iPhone isn't dumb. It's not about which OS is the best because they both have their plus and minus. The thing is that android is starting to lock their phones down just like Apple. The options that we all love about android are starting to fade (bootloader, removable battery, sd card). So if this keeps going on, android will be very similar to Apple, which is something none of us want.

uicnren said:
Where did you see that the bootloader is locked?
So far, only the VZW carrier version is confirmed to be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We won't know until someone gets the phone in their hands. Verizon is definitely locked, but phones bought from Google may not be locked.

chronos7 said:
Everyone that has a iPhone isn't dumb. It's not about which OS is the best because they both have their plus and minus. The thing is that android is starting to lock their phones down just like Apple. The options that we all love about android are starting to fade (bootloader, removable battery, sd card). So if this keeps going on, android will be very similar to Apple, which is something none of us want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't *say* anything about the intelligence of Apple users, nor did I really talk crap about iOS. All I said was switching to an OS which is *even more* locked down, just because the bootloader is locked, is a dumb decision. Like, you're angry that Android is locked down, so in retaliation you switch to something more locked down. Really??
Sent from my Motorola Moto E using XDA Labs

cmason37 said:
I didn't *say* anything about the intelligence of Apple users, nor did I really talk crap about iOS. All I said was switching to an OS which is *even more* locked down, just because the bootloader is locked, is a dumb decision. Like, you're angry that Android is locked down, so in retaliation you switch to something more locked down. Really??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they're both locked down more people will move to whichever OS they like because they are becoming more and more similar. You're dumd if you think that's not going to happen for whatever reason that a person chooses is best for them, and not what you think is the best decision. Wow!!!

chronos7 said:
If they're both locked down more people will move to whichever OS they like because they are becoming more and more similar. You're dumd if you think that's not going to happen for whatever reason that a person chooses is best for them, and not what you think is the best decision. Wow!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand the broken grammar in the second sentence.
Sent from my Motorola Moto E using XDA Labs

cmason37 said:
I don't understand the broken grammar in the second sentence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, you probably wouldn't. Go and troll somewhere else.

chronos7 said:
Lol, you probably wouldn't. Go and troll somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol how was I trolling? Don't get angry at me cause you don't know how to speak proper English.
Sent from my Motorola Moto E using XDA Labs

Folks, cut it out. This conversion can't be constructive and inflammatory at the same time. Please be respectful and let's have a mature discussion about this.
That being said, I thought I saw someone who said they got in touch with a Google rep who said the bootloader will unlocked, at least from the Play Store. Take it with a grain of salt, since not all manufacturers' reps know the difference between a bootloader and carrier locks, but this is Google we're talking about.

Now I'm not the most savy on bootloaders, more just an open source dev. But the nexus 6 I got from a verizon store had a locked boot loader. The nexus 6p I had for a short time had a locked boot loader. But they were unlocked fairly easily. From what I have always seem every phone had a locked boot loader that requires it to be unlocked to allow access and write to protected partitions. But the issue that I know is when in gets encrypted is when the issue arises. Without getting the verizon models in hand by a dev, we don't currently know if it is encrypted yet, or has this already been discovered? I highly doubt any verizon rep on the phone or on a chat will know the answer to that question. I believe the htc 10 on verizon has an encrypted bootloader, but it also had the htc bootloader, I assume the pixel is going to have the google boot loader. I just personally wanted to clarify it for my self if my understanding is correct, from someone who has a better grasp on this.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

I'm really hoping it's unlocked because I want this phone, but the note 7 has got me weary.

chronos7 said:
We won't know until someone gets the phone in their hands. Verizon is definitely locked, but phones bought from Google may not be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This Youtube unboxing shows an unlocked bootloader.

anarchos said:
This Youtube unboxing shows an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact that this guy has the phone already makes me think he's unique. Possibly a developer that 1) already unlocked it and just put everything back in just to do an unboxing video or 2) it came that way to him since he is or may be a developer or reviewer.
Either way it's promising that it can be unlocked. All the Nexus phones came locked but were easily unlocked. The Verizon one worries me, but I imagine if it's the exact same model as the Google store version, it shouldn't be hard to get it unlocked by 3rd party means. I'm just waiting on full confirmation before I make my purchase.
Thanks for the video.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

pimpmaneaton said:
Now I'm not the most savy on bootloaders, more just an open source dev. But the nexus 6 I got from a verizon store had a locked boot loader. The nexus 6p I had for a short time had a locked boot loader. But they were unlocked fairly easily. From what I have always seem every phone had a locked boot loader that requires it to be unlocked to allow access and write to protected partitions. But the issue that I know is when in gets encrypted is when the issue arises. Without getting the verizon models in hand by a dev, we don't currently know if it is encrypted yet, or has this already been discovered? I highly doubt any verizon rep on the phone or on a chat will know the answer to that question. I believe the htc 10 on verizon has an encrypted bootloader, but it also had the htc bootloader, I assume the pixel is going to have the google boot loader. I just personally wanted to clarify it for my self if my understanding is correct, from someone who has a better grasp on this.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't even bother calling Verizon to ask. They will emphatically say "yes it absolutely comes unlocked!" In reality they are referring to the carrier lock, not bootloader. They have no clue on bootloaders.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk

Clarification on Verizon 7.1.2

First of all apologies if this is in the wrong area. Please move and or let me know.
I've read through multiple threads and posts and I want to make sure I'm understanding things.
I have a pixel XL on Verizon at 7.1.2 with all the updates etc already applied (because I was stupid and didn't read before I did these things).
Based on what I read depixel8 it seems depixel8 was an option up until 7.1 andif you didn't get unlocked then then you are sol at this time. Is that right?
Am I correct that without an unlocked bootloader there is no TWRP no root and no custom ROMs? Some posts I read seem to say you can do these things with a locked bootloader. When I look at guides they all seem to say first unlock bootloader if you do that you can't go to step 2.
In short can those of us on Verizon 7.1.2 devices with a locked bootloader get TWRP root and custom ROMs?
I'm willing to try things and don't expect handouts. I just need a little guidance on where to start or someone to say yup you're sol.

No
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

If you can't​ slide the OEM Unlock button in dev options you are done. You cannot root or flash TWRP or anything else. No, I do not believe there will be a method to unlock it in the future.

Thank you both for the answers. Confirmed what I thought but didn't want to believe.

You may be able to put a sim from another provider and​ see if it lets you slide the toggle
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

tttuning said:
You may be able to put a sim from another provider and​ see if it lets you slide the toggle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.

This is a longshot as I have been out of the ROM game for a while... but would "upgrading" to the beta of Android O (soon to be 8.0) and then flashing a stock image back (un-enrolling) would that be able to drop the phone down to 7.1.0?
As I said...I may just be talking out my ass here.....

cirenj said:
This is a longshot as I have been out of the ROM game for a while... but would "upgrading" to the beta of Android O (soon to be 8.0) and then flashing a stock image back (un-enrolling) would that be able to drop the phone down to 7.1.0?
As I said...I may just be talking out my ass here.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It will bring you back to the latest security release.

toknitup420 said:
No. It will bring you back to the latest security release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can confirm this since the rollout OTA reverted me back to 7.1.2 with June's security.

I'm on 8.0 now, and OEM Unlock is still greyed out, even when I try to turn on with the sim card removed, and my "Android Security Patch Level" is May 05, 2017.... so still beyond what any of the bootloader unlocking methods have worked on....

cirenj said:
I'm on 8.0 now, and OEM Unlock is still greyed out, even when I try to turn on with the sim card removed, and my "Android Security Patch Level" is May 05, 2017.... so still beyond what any of the bootloader unlocking methods have worked on....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sell the phone and then buy a Google version. That's the way to unlock your bootloader, the only way. And please don't let others tell you to say something is wrong with the device and return it if there is really nothing wrong. It's fraud and not well received on these forums. Your choices are to either sell it or live with it.

I am returning my Verizon phone as I just bought one right from Google... (anyone know where they ship the phones from?) Is there a special sequence in booting up for the first time to make sure the bootloader can be unlocked and VZW doesn't mess with it?

cirenj said:
I am returning my Verizon phone as I just bought one right from Google... (anyone know where they ship the phones from?) Is there a special sequence in booting up for the first time to make sure the bootloader can be unlocked and VZW doesn't mess with it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy it from Google there are no issues. You can do whatever you want, put in any sim, flash any image.
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app

Damn...My Google Pixel was shipped today...but FedEx wont deliver it until Monday.... GRRR....

Yup sell or live with it. We can only blame ourselves for not researching before we bought from Verizon.
Me I'm gonna live with it and sell when pixel 2 comes out most likely.
bobby janow said:
You can sell the phone and then buy a Google version. That's the way to unlock your bootloader, the only way. And please don't let others tell you to say something is wrong with the device and return it if there is really nothing wrong. It's fraud and not well received on these forums. Your choices are to either sell it or live with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

philo_ said:
Yup sell or live with it. We can only blame ourselves for not researching before we bought from Verizon.
Me I'm gonna live with it and sell when pixel 2 comes out most likely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wound up here in this thread after seeing promos pop up recently for discounts Verizon is offering on the Pixel and XL on the order of $269, as well as giving you a 100% rebate on a new Google Home as part of the package. I don't see a comparable promotion when buying directly from Google. I'm less than 2 years into our current phones, but wife and daughter are having problems with theirs, so I've been considering early replacements.
So - getting a 128GB XL via Verizon appears $269 cheaper than via Google, and I'd get a $129 rebate (6 weeks out?) if I purchase a new Google Home (already have 3 -- that's enough, but I guess I could sell the new one). Verizon's discount comes in the form of a monthly rebate, with the full credit being applied over 24 months. Not terrible, I guess, if you plan to stay with Verizon (I'm going to: I consult, and travel all over the country, and need the coverage), but annoying.
Then there's the whole issue of the locked bootloader. Sorry in advance for not being up to date on this and perhaps asking an obvious question: I know the boatloader issue would prevent rooting, and I imagine custom ROMs -- but do Verizon-branded Pixel's get all the same Android updates directly from Google as Pixels do that are unlocked, purchased directly from Google?
(please don't sneer when you see that I'm running a Droid Turbo 2! I had to replace 4 phones a year and a half ago, and the available promotions back then made it possible to get them each for $300 - a deal I couldn't afford to pass up at the time! )
Jon

Basically it comes down to this:
Verizon can screw you anyway they want. Nothing you can do. Deceptive advertising, No real service through 95% of the areas they say is great, locked bootloader on the "Google Phone" that everyone gets to have pure Android and not F%$ed with.
But, you try and do anything to it, OMG... might as well be in jail for killing someone.
When will we stop the power of these media companies?
Sorry, had to reply, I'm just so fed up with the adds, the false deals, the F%*king lies....
---------- Post added at 02:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:38 AM ----------
philo_ said:
Yup sell or live with it. We can only blame ourselves for not researching before we bought from Verizon.
Me I'm gonna live with it and sell when pixel 2 comes out most likely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it's our fault they ripped us off and decided "Their Rules" apply?
No, not gonna buy it. Not gonna stand for it.
This is the attitude that got us here.
F*%$ YOU Verizon.
Stop buying their products?
Yeah, I know you can say nothing we can do, and there really is not much, but every bit counts.

scrufy said:
Basically it comes down to this:
Verizon can screw you anyway they want. Nothing you can do. Deceptive advertising, No real service through 95% of the areas they say is great, locked bootloader on the "Google Phone" that everyone gets to have pure Android and not F%$ed with.
But, you try and do anything to it, OMG... might as well be in jail for killing someone.
When will we stop the power of these media companies?
Sorry, had to reply, I'm just so fed up with the adds, the false deals, the F%*king lies....
---------- Post added at 02:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:38 AM ----------
So it's our fault they ripped us off and decided "Their Rules" apply?
No, not gonna buy it. Not gonna stand for it.
This is the attitude that got us here.
F*%$ YOU Verizon.
Stop buying their products?
Yeah, I know you can say nothing we can do, and there really is not much, but every bit counts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They didn't rip you off. You got the device you wanted. And you knowingly bought it from Verizon whom is known to lock down devices. They never sold it with the promises that you could unlock the bootloader and flash whatever you want. Don't get me wrong I hate vzw as much as the next guy. But they didn't use false advertising to sell this device. And if you want pure Android that's untouched then you should be buying directly from Google. Not from VERIZON.

To add to this, I have pretty much exhausted all methods, and it appears that if the phone came from Verizon, without a hack, there is no possible way to OEM Unlock! Here are the facts that I have;
1. I'm on firmware 7.1.2 - NJH47F - which is the non-Verizon firmware from the stock image download page
2. I have tried with both AT&T and T-Mobile SIM's
3. I chatted with Google Support, there is nothing they can do
4. I chatted with Verizon Tech support, there is nothing they can do (supposedly)
If it comes from Verizon, and you are past 7.1 then you cannot use dePixel8...
I can't believe there is no one willing to find even a temp Root exploit and find a way to mod the bootloader.img, even with a substantial bounty out there! I'd add $50 to it at this point!