Security Concerns from Chinese Company - OnePlus 3 Questions & Answers

When pertaining to security, anyone concerned that One Plus is a Chinese company?
Could the Chinese government require a backdoor from them?
Thoughts and comments?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app

martinezma99 said:
When pertaining to security, anyone concerned that One Plus is a Chinese company?
Could the Chinese government require a backdoor from them?
Thoughts and comments?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
If you really are concerned with security issue from the company, just flash a custom ROM that is not based on Oxygen or Hydrogen and a custom kernel. That should be enough to wipe off the OEM traces, whatever it is.

As if a custom rom/kernel would be enough if they really wanted to add a backdoor. Hardware backdoors could be almost impossible to detect for example.

why only chinese companies? how do you american companies arent doing the same? after all pretty much every phone is manufactured in china.

martinezma99 said:
When pertaining to security, anyone concerned that One Plus is a Chinese company?
Could the Chinese government require a backdoor from them?
Thoughts and comments?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app
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Click to collapse
...when you unlock bootloader, root, and flash Custom ROMs...all security goes out the window anyways.
In this day and age, privacy really doesn't exist. Otherwise, don't use a phone at all or use prepaid temporary phones and throw them away every 2 weeks and don't use any Google or cloud services. They all can be compromised (either by a Gov't or the company itself.)

F4uzan said:
If you really are concerned with security issue from the company, just flash a custom ROM that is not based on Oxygen or Hydrogen and a custom kernel. That should be enough to wipe off the OEM traces, whatever it is.
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Click to collapse
It's a serious concern, one this is hardly mitigated by the use of a third-party ROM and kernel. If the PLA (China's Army) is anything like the NSA, and I have every reason to believe they are (if not worse), they most certainly can and will require Chinese OEMs to both actively and passively subvert the security of their devices. I would think the most devastating (and also quite difficult to detect) vector would be the modem baseband. It would give them the ability to intercept all calls and texts, remotely install additional implants, and have complete access to the phone's storage.
Of course the possibility also remains for hardware backdoors, but seeing as how even U.S. companies source many of their chips from China, this concern isn't exclusive to Chinese OEMs.
Another possibility would be malware embedded in the stock ROM, within a system app, or within a shady "partner" application. It could be reporting back data as innocuous as usage or advertising analytics. This is the sort of thing that could be mitigated with a custom ROM or perhaps just by debloating the stock ROM.

martinezma99 said:
When pertaining to security, anyone concerned that One Plus is a Chinese company?
Could the Chinese government require a backdoor from them?
Thoughts and comments?
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not concerned at all. They make great phones.

Regarding custom roms, I don't agree that they are always bad for security. If you have a phone that don't receive the monthly security updates, you will be glad that cm can provide a rom with those patches. If you don't root and if you encrypt your phone, you should be secure enough for your needs. (stolen phone, hiding stuff from your wife...).

Related

CarrierIQ not on XPlay?

Ok, surely you heard all the news about CarrierIQ, a preinstalled app on most of the smartphones (not only Android) that registers and sends to a secret server all the things you are doing on your smartphone (from the numbers you typed to the games you played). That being said, it is also possible that the cause of unrelated phone lagging might be this program sending data to their servers. Every program that contains "IQ" might beleong to CarrierIQ.
I searched within all my apps and didn't find anything related to "IQ" so could I say this troublesome program is not installed on XPlay? Or is it hidden?
The problem is that sometimes my phone laggs for no reason so it might be this program... or it might be nothing.
Can anyone confirm this? Do you belive CarrierIQ is installed on XPlay?
PS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T17XQI_AYNo
Afaik the play does not have carrier IQ installed. Even if it was, it wouldnt bother me. I think the tech media have just been scare mongering. Carrier IQ as an application is safe imo. Its how companies (like HTC) have been using it, thats at fault.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
From what I can tell its installed by the carriers. Not really a model specific thing. I'd recommend installing the carrier iq test program off the market (voodoo something name escapes me) roots not required.
FWIW I'm running the 2.3.4 UK generic OTA and using Canada's Fido service and its NOT on my phone.
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
So our privacy might be secured.
Rule of thumb: where are carriers more invasive, less consumer friendly and where is a non competitive market in the cell phone business? The USA.
As far as I've seen the Carrier IQ rootkit is mostly an issue with USA carriers, USA customised models and/or with smaller manufacturers like Huawei.
Logseman said:
Rule of thumb: where are carriers more invasive, less consumer friendly and where is a non competitive market in the cell phone business? The USA.
As far as I've seen the Carrier IQ rootkit is mostly an issue with USA carriers, USA customised models and/or with smaller manufacturers like Huawei.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, they steal personal info from all around the world. Even from penguins with smartphones from South Pole.
AndroHero said:
Afaik the play does not have carrier IQ installed. Even if it was, it wouldnt bother me. I think the tech media have just been scare mongering. Carrier IQ as an application is safe imo. Its how companies (like HTC) have been using it, thats at fault.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So its ok for u if ur bank account details/passwords go to a ****ty company and their employ makes u bank corrupt?
Oh and none of SE phone have Carrier IQ
Official Sony Ericsson statement on Carrier IQ
Sony Ericsson does not install or support Carrier IQ on its devices. The exception is in the U.S when required by carriers. Sony Ericsson does not receive or gather any information or data collected by Carrier IQ. For questions regarding Carrier IQ, we recommend consumers to contact their operator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source: http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/12/02/sony-ericsson-says-no-carrier-iq-on-xperia-handsets/
Atarii said:
Source: http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/12/02/sony-ericsson-says-no-carrier-iq-on-xperia-handsets/
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Click to collapse
That's why I always trusted SE.
Not on Mine!
Geeve said:
That's why I always trusted SE.
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Click to collapse
So you always trusted SE because they don't use a certain spyware whose existence was unknown to you and everybody else a couple of weeks ago?
Logseman said:
So you always trusted SE because they don't use a certain spyware whose existence was unknown to you and everybody else a couple of weeks ago?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, dear user who wants to spam until 10000 posts, I always trusted them because they are not a money-making company as the other ones, but one that cares for its customers.
Never had I seen the number of posts of a user used in a demeaning sense. What does my having dunnohowmany posts detract from my message?
Geeve said:
That's why I always trusted SE.
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Click to collapse
Sony.... the same company who's music CD's were installing a rootkit on people's computers......
Geeve said:
No, dear user who wants to spam until 10000 posts, I always trusted them because they are not a money-making company as the other ones, but one that cares for its customers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sonys only objective is to make money. Don't fool yourself, they would rip you off silly if they thought they could get away with it.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 ?
Click to expand...
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...

Is OnePlus trutworthy and reputable company ?

ss
This-Denny said:
Hello,
Can someone tell me if OnePlus is a trustworthy and reputable company in terms of security (No backdoors etc) as well as quality built ?
I want to get OnePlus 3 but I am a bit hesitant since I haven't heard of them before but I have noticed that on their website you can select a region and there a quite a few of them so I assume they have their other divisions also in those countries since delivery is fast too ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't say "fast delivery" to one who ordered on 15th of September and will get the phone on 3rd of October (estimated date).
Well its android.. If u want an 'total' 'secure' phone go with Apple... Nothing wrong with the company
Got my phone in 4 days. I ordered it the moment that it was in stock again..
OnePlus die hard fan here.
Phone is safe using it now
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Demian3112 said:
Well its android.. If u want an 'total' 'secure' phone go with Apple... Nothing wrong with the company
Got my phone in 4 days. I ordered it the moment that it was in stock again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Prince Chandela said:
Get iPhone it's way better in providing after sales support and also security is best. If you want android with security consider getting blackberry dtek50
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apple isn't the only secure option at all. Google Nexus phones have been equally secure and received consistent security updates
Even blackberry is beginning to offer this, but that remains to be seen.
This-Denny said:
Hello,
Can someone tell me if OnePlus is a trustworthy and reputable company in terms of security (No backdoors etc) as well as quality built ?
I want to get OnePlus 3 but I am a bit hesitant since I haven't heard of them before but I have noticed that on their website you can select a region and there a quite a few of them so I assume they have their other divisions also in those countries since delivery is fast too ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get iPhone it's way better in providing after sales support and also security is best. If you want android with security consider getting blackberry dtek50
Demian3112 said:
Well its android.. If u want an 'total' 'secure' phone go with Apple... Nothing wrong with the company
Got my phone in 4 days. I ordered it the moment that it was in stock again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? Simply because Apple encrypted devices some years before Android doing the same?
OnePlus is encrypted by default, like Nexus devices.
Nothing to blame, Android is trustable and untrustable like Apple at all.
Backdoors and security issues are existing everywhere, even for spying reasons.
The only variant is the collaborative Google policy with local authorities, at the opposite of Apple (surely for a marketing reason, because they aren't so nice people).
My suggestion:
1) If you are a normal user: consider to require pattern/password at bootup, making device unaccessible even in recovery mode;
2) If you are a terrorist: go with proxy, Tor relaying, stay away from Google account, use a restrictive firewall and so on [emoji6]
Giocarro said:
Don't say "fast delivery" to one who ordered on 15th of September and will get the phone on 3rd of October (estimated date).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ordered 12th, expected delivery Oct 11
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Given how much modding goes on with the OP3 I assume somebody on the XDA-Developers forum would have a "backdoor" by now if one existed?
OP have also just agreed to supply handsets to mobile network O2 in the UK, so I assume they are happy that OP are a reputable company.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
In my opinion it is very trustworthy.
I ordered my device June 21st, and received it 2 days later. I have never used a smartphone like this one before, it's very fast, customizable and has a good battery life.
Untill now I have yet to discover any bugs.
Also the warranty is very good.
Demian3112 said:
Well its android.. If u want an 'total' 'secure' phone go with Apple... Nothing wrong with the company
Got my phone in 4 days. I ordered it the moment that it was in stock again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked down doesn't equal security. I'd argue the open source nature of Android makes it more secure, as just about anybody can audit it.
Don't trust anyone in this business. Neither Google, nor Apple, nor Microsoft, nor Samsung, nor Oneplus nor anyone else.
Follow the simplest rules of privacy and security, use security software such as Orbot, AFWall+, Xprivacy, don't click on everything in the net. The rest is hope.

Question Will you be unlocking BL/Rooting

Just out of curiosity. I know in most cases it isn't needed anymore but I've been on phones with locked BLs for about 3 years now so I might end up unlocking mine just to tinker around a little bit. Assuming we will be able to of course.
Right now I would say no - don't see a reason to. But I don't even know if I'll get this phone for sure I love tinkering with phones though. So on second thought If I do buy it, then I'll probably end up unlocking & rooting it at some point.
Root ofc, but who would need custom ROMs on a Pixel with 5 years of software updates?
xLexip said:
Root ofc, but who would need custom ROMs on a Pixel with 5 years of software updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, I haven't been able to run a custom ROM in 3 or 4 years so I'm behind the times lol. Not sure if there are still any features left in ROMs that stock doesn't have. Some folks just like the feeling of being on something custom. But yeah, I can totally see people just rooting in current times for AdAway and stuff like that.
On this topic, any idea if we'll be able to root and unlock the bootloader since it'll be the new tensor chip? I'm asking because on Samsung devices I remember being able to unlock only the Exynos and not Snapdragon, and I may be asking something silly here. Thanks!
If possible to unlock new chip, then I will root this badboy! Happy Flashing
xLexip said:
Root ofc, but who would need custom ROMs on a Pixel with 5 years of software updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 years of security updates, not software
This time I've said no but if there is a healthy custom scene then it will be a consideration.
The trade off will be having to see what we lose in unlocking the bootloader and rooting.
DinarQ8 said:
5 years of security updates, not software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Security updates are also software updates imo.
And Google doesn't just merge the android revisions, they still push some tweaks and fixes afaik.
I will not. I retired my 3XL this spring because I got a free Note 20 Ultra. So no root on it. The only thing I was rooting for was ad blocking and with Brave the few ads I get in apps don't bother me.
With Magisk Hide gone away I don't want to lose my banking apps and such.
FWIW I hate Sammy's software. Drives me crazy.
If the security chip somehow doesn't make it much harder, then sure I'll continue with AdAway and some free tethering. Otherwise, I've made my peace with it. Will grit my teeth and deal with these VPN ad blockers.
TonikJDK said:
I will not. I retired my 3XL this spring because I got a free Note 20 Ultra. So no root on it. The only thing I was rooting for was ad blocking and with Brave the few ads I get in apps don't bother me.
With Magisk Hide gone away I don't want to lose my banking apps and such.
FWIW I hate Sammy's software. Drives me crazy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in this same boat. I feel like I had a Google phone for years.. going from the Nexus line to Pixel and then have the 1XL, 2XL, 3XL and didn't continue to buy because they started making a mid-range device... well now they're back to making a high end phone, but I switched to the S21 Ultra.. Sammy software (One UI) I am not a fan of.. I do miss the simple and clean stock android software, but samsung/vzw has done a good job of getting me the monthly updates, the camera and phone in general is phenomenal.. will be hard to leave this phone especially with no magisk hide
TonikJDK said:
I will not. I retired my 3XL this spring because I got a free Note 20 Ultra. So no root on it. The only thing I was rooting for was ad blocking and with Brave the few ads I get in apps don't bother me.
With Magisk Hide gone away I don't want to lose my banking apps and such.
FWIW I hate Sammy's software. Drives me crazy.
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Click to collapse
Yeah I've been running Sammy devices the last 3-4 years waiting on Google to put out something like the P6. I'm so ready to get back on the Pixel train.
batpoil said:
On this topic, any idea if we'll be able to root and unlock the bootloader since it'll be the new tensor chip? I'm asking because on Samsung devices I remember being able to unlock only the Exynos and not Snapdragon, and I may be asking something silly here. Thanks!
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If it can be unlocked/rooted, then I plan to buy. If not, I'll have to reconsider. I realize nowadays there's smaller need to flash, but it's kinda a hobby of mine and I like being able to tinker with my device
darbylonia said:
If it can be unlocked/rooted, then I plan to buy. If not, I'll have to reconsider. I realize nowadays there's smaller need to flash, but it's kinda a hobby of mine and I like being able to tinker with my device
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Click to collapse
That's the XDA spirit!
znel52 said:
Just out of curiosity. I know in most cases it isn't needed anymore but I've been on phones with locked BLs for about 3 years now so I might end up unlocking mine just to tinker around a little bit. Assuming we will be able to of course.
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I love to tinker too! Kills the boredom.
batpoil said:
On this topic, any idea if we'll be able to root and unlock the bootloader since it'll be the new tensor chip? I'm asking because on Samsung devices I remember being able to unlock only the Exynos and not Snapdragon, and I may be asking something silly here. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is one hell of a good question. Totally forgotten about the new chip!!
The only reason why I have flashed all my pixels was ad blocking. Nowadays, do you think DNS blocking like dns.adguard.com is good enough to achieve the same result or hosts based blocking is still the king?
I'm using Firefox with ublock origin, so that takes care of the websites, so there's just apps that remain.
Of course now Google is using it's own chip and it remains to be seen if it's a good thing or bad. Some people say it's a good thing, because in theory Google can now provide longer support, since drivers have always been the main issue.
Also lately Google has been making noises about upstreaming Android kernel changes with the eventual goal of just straight up using mainline kernel and modulizing the drivers. That will open possibilities way beyond rooting, more ROM variety, etc.
BL unlocked and root before opening the box.
Under no circumstances I will own a phone (or a computer, for the shake of it) that sends any data to servers of Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, Amazon and the likes.
Cloud is just the marketing shiite to refer to someone else's computer.
Therefore I need root to remove all the crap, to do backups against my own computers, to have a proper firewall that blocks domains and IPs of unwanted servers, and so on.
To date,
Google has always allowed bootloader unlocking on their devices so I do hold out hope that they won't be making a change of tradition there.
They have been pushing OEMs and parts suppliers like Qualcomm to keep updated support for their products and part of that is contributing to providing source (AOSP). Further, as stated above, they are looking to eventually get on mainline Linux kernel if possible and have been going down that road for several years now.
Also let's not forget that Google makes it mandatory to release kernel sources for devices. It's just that not all OEMs comply and Google has never really enforced it for anyone else.
It's just my guess, but I think they will release all the sources and allow bootloader unlock. It would be a pretty massive change in rhetoric otherwise and massively hypocritical if they stopped now.

Best options to degoogle G980F?

Hello all! I have a galaxy s20 g980f stock with oneui 4 beta 1. What are my options to get rid of as much as possible bloatware, de-google, de-samsung etc.? im aware of adb debloating, but it has certain lmitations like knox. so what else? Custom rom? Which one is most debloated and 100% functional?
and1ronik said:
Hello all! I have a galaxy s20 g980f stock with oneui 4 beta 1. What are my options to get rid of as much as possible bloatware, de-google, de-samsung etc.? im aware of adb debloating, but it has certain lmitations like knox. so what else? Custom rom? Which one is most debloated and 100% functional?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
De-bloating is subjective: one man's bloat is another man's treasure. Moreover, aggressive debloating tends to result in broken functionality and it is time consuming to track down the removed package that causes a failure.
Custom ROMs vary greatly in objectives and quality. At the end of the day, the only way you will get exactly what you want is to roll your own.
sjevtic said:
De-bloating is subjective: one man's bloat is another man's treasure. Moreover, aggressive debloating tends to result in broken functionality and it is time consuming to track down the removed package that causes a failure.
Custom ROMs vary greatly in objectives and quality. At the end of the day, the only way you will get exactly what you want is to roll your own.
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Click to collapse
Well, I cant agree here. I assume there is a common meaning for debloating - getting rid of all preinstalled software that has spying and advertising functions, and replacing it with analog functional software without spying and advertising parts. For example i uninstalled samsung keyboard and replaced with one of foss options.
Now the main and only problem I got is that i was not able to find official detailed explanation of each stock package - over 400 of them. Do you now where this can be found?
and1ronik said:
Well, I cant agree here. I assume there is a common meaning for debloating - getting rid of all preinstalled software that has spying and advertising functions, and replacing it with analog functional software without spying and advertising parts. For example i uninstalled samsung keyboard and replaced with one of foss options.
Now the main and only problem I got is that i was not able to find official detailed explanation of each stock package - over 400 of them. Do you now where this can be found?
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Click to collapse
This is exactly my point. I actually like the Samsung Keyboard. That said, if you *really" want every last piece of invasive software off, you will likely be better served with LineageOS or some other close descendant of AOSP. For what it's worth, one of the most invasive pieces of software on just about any stock device is Google Play Services. However, without it, most of the Google apps won't work, and plenty of other apps downloaded from the Play Store will have issues too.
The closest I've seen to a list of stock packages I've seen is this: https://docs.samsungknox.com/CCMode/G980F_R.pdf. It doesn't provide descriptions though.
As you encounter .apk files in the firmware package, here's an easy way to determine the package name from the occasionally less than informative file name:
Bash:
aapt dump badging file.apk | grep -Po "^package: \Kname=\'\S+?\'"
Attached is the list of bloat specs I used when building my image for the G986B culled from a variety of sources. It should serve as a useful starting point.
Try florisboard from f-droid, i personally found it perfect. But off course I understand your point, it is common too. I go radical, i deleted google play, framework and all google apps, i simply do not use any soft that requires google, for me its an affordable price for privacy and freedom.
By the way for debloating I am using AppManager from Muntashirakon, in ADB mode. I see the packages there, but no description, so yeah its a hit or miss. But there is an option to disable, then you see what happens and if problems you enable it back. Pretty decent, but not perfect. I wish I could root at least, but i guess need to wait for full A12 firmware and a matching TWRP recovery. Currently device is running on A12 Oneui 4 beta1.
Thanks a lot, I was going to ask you for this, where to start putting together own rom!!
Wondering, why are Calyx and Graphene roms not getting much attention here on XDA? And linux phones deserve some, even though they're technically not XDA..
The g980f in subject I just happen to have, if i would have to buy a phone now I wouldn't consider Samsung at all for the restrictions. Few months ago I disabled Samsung Pay Services - phone got locked irreversibly. I called Samsung and only option they offered is hard reset. Lost some sweet stuff with it and will never go Samsung again.
and1ronik said:
Try florisboard from f-droid, i personally found it perfect. But off course I understand your point, it is common too. I go radical, i deleted google play, framework and all google apps, i simply do not use any soft that requires google, for me its an affordable price for privacy and freedom.
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Click to collapse
That keyboard actually looks pretty good. That said, I don't have the patience to fully cut Google/Samsung out of my life.
and1ronik said:
By the way for debloating I am using AppManager from Muntashirakon, in ADB mode. I see the packages there, but no description, so yeah its a hit or miss. But there is an option to disable, then you see what happens and if problems you enable it back. Pretty decent, but not perfect. I wish I could root at least, but i guess need to wait for full A12 firmware and a matching TWRP recovery. Currently device is running on A12 Oneui 4 beta1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know that you need an Android 12-based TWRP, but you definitely need a compatible version of Magisk. Modding is generally a lot harder when you're on the bleeding edge, and is further complicated by the fact that you can't roll back the bootloader; you'll never find me on the latest build. It looks like there is a Android-12 compatible Magisk Canary build but I haven't tried it yet.
and1ronik said:
Wondering, why are Calyx and Graphene roms not getting much attention here on XDA? And linux phones deserve some, even though they're technically not XDA..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the Android phone market is too fragmented. Any custom ROM is available for at most a handful of the hundreds of actively marketed devices in the Android ecosystem.
Of course the bigger question is why we even need the abomination of an OS that is Android. In short, we don't: Sharp was already selling its Zaurus line of Linux PDAs 20 years ago. Google, however, decided it needed to insert itself into the mobile market, and the rest is history.
and1ronik said:
The g980f in subject I just happen to have, if i would have to buy a phone now I wouldn't consider Samsung at all for the restrictions. Few months ago I disabled Samsung Pay Services - phone got locked irreversibly. I called Samsung and only option they offered is hard reset. Lost some sweet stuff with it and will never go Samsung again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung's "security" practices are obnoxious, though at least in the US, the carriers share plenty of blame for phones being locked down. That said, I have yet to find to find hardware that is more compelling--the lack of a SD card slot is a deal breaker.
By the way i am on beta oneui 4, and i'm not going to update to full A 12 yet, so I keep an option to go back to 11 anytime, and there I can go custom rom or root at least.
And the lack of sd card in pixels is the only thing holding me from switching too.. but very little, im actually going to get a pixel 5 as parallel to the s20. Lack of SD card can be partiality cured by cloud storage. I guess its less inconvenience comparing to struggling with samsung's bs..
From what i see online, pixels have widest rom options, Calyx, Graphene, e/OS, so I can experiment and see what works best for me.

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