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Hi guys,
I'm an android app developer and I need a new phone. Well I've been struggling around what to get One X or GN. Hard decision hardware wise, easy decision software wise. In the end I decided to go with GN. I have a couple of questions for you, if you are kind to response.
1. It seems that in many stores in my country, phones have an problem: after a factory reset, the phone requests Sim Unlock number. The phones are sold as Unlocked. Does this mean that the phone has been unlocked with a number based on IMEI, then sold?
2. I need my warranty as my phone is used pretty intense. If I unlock bootloaders and install custom roms and kernels, is there a way to completely revert to stock just as I bought it, and send it for repair ?
Thank you.
1. I'm not sure, and wouldn't be the person to ask...I'm a CDMA guy.
2. Yep. Check Here. It's a well-written guide if you have fastboot set up (I assume you do). If you don't; check my sig for a tutorial on getting that running.
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Question is, if I flash my HTC One X (which is currently stock and on a plan with Vodafone, so full of 'bloatware' and 'outdated' builds) with the 'universal' (unlocked?)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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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,
I'm really interested in buying the new Z2 play, however I've noticed that unlocking bootloader means loosing the warranty.
So, is there a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader?
No. Probably never will be.
Sent from my Moto Z2 Play using Tapatalk
I remember that there were some tools for Samsung mobiles like Towelroot which rooted the phone without triggering knox/unlocking bootloader.
It could be also useful to relock the bootloader and find a way to hidden the boot notification of unlocked device.
Valeriuz said:
I remember that there were some tools for Samsung mobiles like Towelroot which rooted the phone without triggering knox/unlocking bootloader.
It could be also useful to relock the bootloader and find a way to hidden the boot notification of unlocked device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towelroot is a very old exploit, and newer protection measures along with FRP make it extremely difficult if not possible at this point to unlock/relock the bootloader from Android itself.
Besides, I'm fairly sure Moto service centers will still take your phone regardless of the bootloader status given that it is a defect that is unrelated to the user (ie: ghost touches, screen burn, etc.).
I've had my eye on this phone for a bit now, and if all is good, I'm going to get one next weekend.
Some disturbing news though, it appears that unlocking the bootloader will completely kill the cameras. And the only way to get them functional again, is to lock the bootloader again.
SO, I guess this means that recovery, root, or anything else that requires modifiying the system in any way, will kill the use of the cameras?
Is it possible to unlock, root and do whatever, then relock the bootloader and get cameras back while still having root?
The 90% people on this community first what learn ro do is to unlock bootloader. You think that they all dont need camera or..
How is that even possible?
Once when you unblock bootloader you can do what you want, flash custom rom, custom recovery, custom Kernel. Magisk. Magisk modules..
But when you lock it ,and something got wrong ,you get hard brick phone. Bootloader must ne unlock until you use root and etc..
Camera have nothing to do with unlocking and working perfectly. I dont know who say to you ...or make a joke
Btw what phone you want to unlock?
Sometimes it is better to keep quite, specially when you are not aware about current affairs.
@ OP yes, still same.
dr.ketan said:
Sometimes it is better to keep quite, specially when you are not aware about current affairs.
@ OP yes, still same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, dang. That kind of kills the idea of fully functional phone with root. I mostly use root for ad blocking anymore. I don't really do the custom ROM thing all that much. Custom Android development these days isn't what it used to be.
I'm looking at either the carrier unlocked version, or the Verizon version (as I have Verizon as my carrier)
I believe rooting for ad blocking means you are paying more (now a days). In my opinion, Private DNS could be a good choice for ad block on unrooted.
I use AdAway. Works perfectly. But for best use, requires root. But yeah, other than that, I don't really use root. Would be nice to have a functional TWRP, but that may or may not happen. But that camera kill is a problem. I guess if I can get DNS to work, I won't have to worry about the bootloader at all. There would be no point.
I use AdGuard on my non-rooted phone and I don't see ads. None.
I see no reason why you need to root to just block ads. There are some great ad blocking apps out there. I love AdGuard because it works not only on my phone, but my PC as well.
There is a reason you cannot get this on the PlayStore. Google kicked it off because it works so well.
NextDNS
tze_vitamin said:
The 90% people on this community first what learn ro do is to unlock bootloader. You think that they all dont need camera or..
How is that even possible?
Once when you unblock bootloader you can do what you want, flash custom rom, custom recovery, custom Kernel. Magisk. Magisk modules..
But when you lock it ,and something got wrong ,you get hard brick phone. Bootloader must ne unlock until you use root and etc..
Camera have nothing to do with unlocking and working perfectly. I dont know who say to you ...or make a joke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that is where you are wrong. Another user on this forum unlocked their bootloader on fold3 and then their cameras where disabled. There is even a warning message on unlocking bootloader screen that states clearly that cameras will be disabled after unlocking the bootloader. Even Sony smartphones had this but then Sony removed it so cameras won't be disabled after bootloader unlock.
You can read more about it here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/unlocking-bootloader-will-disable-the-camera.4321957/
So if bootloader locked/unlocked doesn't much matter (at least at this point), since I have Verizon, is there any reason to spring for the Unlocked version over the Verizon version? Does the Verizon version have any more apps preinstalled on it that the Unlocked version doesn't? Does either perform any differently?
Unlocked carrier is not the same as unlocked bootloader.
chevycam94 said:
So if bootloader locked/unlocked doesn't much matter (at least at this point), since I have Verizon, is there any reason to spring for the Unlocked version over the Verizon version? Does the Verizon version have any more apps preinstalled on it that the Unlocked version doesn't? Does either perform any differently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ronaldheld said:
Unlocked carrier is not the same as unlocked bootloader.
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Click to collapse
What he said.
Carrier Unlock is the same as SIM Unlock which lets you use other carrier SIM Cards, has NOTHING to do with the Bootloader.
The Bootloader just unlocks the ability to flash custom Recoveries and ROM's. This does NOT SIM Unlock your phone.
Guys, I'm well aware of the difference between the two. I've been at this for 14+ years. I'm just wondering if there is a performance difference, or bloatware content difference between the Carrier Unlocked version and the Verizon Locked version.
chevycam94 said:
Guys, I'm well aware of the difference between the two. I've been at this for 14+ years. I'm just wondering if there is a performance difference, or bloatware content difference between the Carrier Unlocked version and the Verizon Locked version.
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Click to collapse
Today, the hardware in the US variant "Unlocked" and "Verizon" versions are exactly the same. The difference is only in the software set. And you have choices there. With Odin 3B you can cross-flash between the models to get the software set you want. Hell, you can even put the TMO software on the VZW "locked" device (I use quotes there because it is only locked for 90 days, at which point it becomes fully SIM unlocked automatically). You can load the U1-XAA, the U1-VZW, the U-VZW, whatever you can get your hands on. I am currently using a Verizon device with U1-XAA software, happily on One UI 4.0 beta. The Note 10 was the last device to have different hardware profiles between carriers that prevented full cross-flash support, and that was just because of the differing 5G networks as 5G was still in its infancy.
Notice how my phone setting in the photo show my phone as being a U1 (because it reads the phones software), and my phone info page within Samsung Members shows it to be a VZW device (because it uses the serial number to look up info from its database).
If you have any specific questions about it, feel free to message me. I have been doing this stuff since the WinMo days before Android existed. I don't post a lot because very few people read AND understand.
Oh, and for clarification to all the trolls out there, my device is still bootloader locked, Knox is fully intact, and my device is still covered under warranty (This was tested with my Note20 when i had to have the NFC chip replaced, and it too was a U-VZW running U1-XAA software.).
tze_vitamin said:
The 90% people on this community first what learn ro do is to unlock bootloader. You think that they all dont need camera or..
How is that even possible?
Once when you unblock bootloader you can do what you want, flash custom rom, custom recovery, custom Kernel. Magisk. Magisk modules..
But when you lock it ,and something got wrong ,you get hard brick phone. Bootloader must ne unlock until you use root and etc..
Camera have nothing to do with unlocking and working perfectly. I dont know who say to you ...or make a joke
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hoping for some progress on camera issue and all we get is this dips### lol
I didnt know that unlocking bootloader can kill camera. I unlocking phones , Samsung mostly. After then Xiaomi comes with lower prices and I now unlocking Xiaomi.
Can understand why vendors doing it..
But ... Some Hacker will always find some way
I have a U1 phone on Verizon. Everything works. 5g, wifi calling etc. Not sure if Verizon video calling works but who uses that? Duo is in the dialer I think. I've used opera browser for years which has ad blocking as well. YT vanced also and fblc
tze_vitamin said:
I didnt know that unlocking bootloader can kill camera. I unlocking phones , Samsung mostly. After then Xiaomi comes with lower prices and I now unlocking Xiaomi.
Can understand why vendors doing it..
But ... Some Hacker will always find some way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's with this batch of Sammy phones. Doesn't always kill the camera.
BUT they have tried and haven't found a work around. Maybe 12 will let us, but for now we cannot unlock withou the camera "breaking".
Please see my thread - i believe with a12 this is thankfully now moot!!!!
Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol
Teet1 said:
Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, only rooting will have disadvantages, <ie> Banking and Google Pay. My Bank won't allow rooted phones to use its app.
Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!
roirraW edor ehT said:
Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!
Teet1 said:
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, you're welcome. Yep, I fooled with a Sony phone once. Was extremely disappointing that it gimped the camera on purpose if you unlocked the bootloader using their official means to do so. And for a while with the bootloader unlocked but not rooted, I still received OTA updates just fine, but then suddenly they stopped allowing OTAs to download and install actually over the air - had to use XperiFirm to download and then flash them manually.
It's getting harder to pass various integrity checks for Play, banking apps, and GPay. And now device integrity. You have to consciously maintain all of these.