Locked vs Unlocked Bootloader - Xiaomi Mi Max Questions & Answers

Hi i would just like to ask something that has been confusing me for quite a while now. I've had my hydrogen for a week and ive unlocked bl, rooted now with a custom rom(rr rom 5.7.4 working great!!) I did not actually wanted to unlock the bootloader but to be safe, i followed the instructions.
so here it is, before mi max, I had a mi4i, an xperia, and a zenfone 4, done the same, root,install custom recovery, and flashed custom roms.. the only unit i unlocked bl was the xperia since i wanted to flash Official CM, (CM's comes with their own kernel right? so flashing them needs bl unlocked) but when BL was locked i could still flash roms, manual update, (ROMs that are meant for locked bl only). then with mi4i (locked bl) i was able to root, install twrp, manual flash updates, official roms, and custom rom (CM13).
The part where I am confused is, why do i need my bootloader unlocked if i was going to root,install twrp, and flash custom roms only on my max without touching the kernel? When in my previous experiences as long as i dont need touch/tweak the kernel, i dont need my bootloader to be unlocked.
Sorry for long post..
I hope my question makes sense

Related

[Q] Root vs Bootloader Unlock

I am new and fresh to this field, so what exactly is rooting and bootloader unlock?
Is it necessary for us to unlock bootloader before rooting the phone like most of the thread that i have read so far?
if we installing custom rom like Xperia Ultimate HD, paranoid,etc. is it necessary just to root/unlock bootloader or both is required?
Can we install custom rom without unlock the bootloader or rooting?
What is is the downfall of rooting and bootloader unlock?
Thanks for the reply in advance.
Rooting gives "admin" rights - allowing you to make changes to the system files on the phone.
Unlocking bootloader enables you to write to the /boot partition on the phone ( ie flash custom kernel) which is normally not writable even with root access.
it is phone dependent. Some phones need unlocked bootloader to be rooted, some do not. We have several rooting tools for locked bootloader, it's in the general section use the search button.
There are different types of rom - stock based and CM based.
But before that - kernels are only compatible with android version. You cannot use, say, JB kernel on ICS rom.
Stock based roms ( UHD, Zelly Cream etc) do not need unlocked BL bc they can run on the stock kernel.
CM based roms ( CM7.2, CM9, MIUI V5) need unlocked BL because they cannot run on stock.
So if you have locked BL, you root, copy Rom into sdcard, install recovery then install rom.
if you have unlocked BL, you simply flash kernel then flash rom. No need to root because custom roms are pre rooted.
Rooting does no harm to phone. Unlocking BL via official method makes u lose DRM keys and warranty but u can always relock and get warranty back. ( providing service centre does not check for DRM)
This is a simple overview for a more in-depth understanding check the general section there are many great guides in there.
Sent from my MiUI-ed Xperia arc S
\ press thanks if I've helped /
tangosierra_ said:
Rooting gives "admin" rights - allowing you to make changes to the system files on the phone.
Unlocking bootloader enables you to write to the /boot partition on the phone ( ie flash custom kernel) which is normally not writable even with root access.
it is phone dependent. Some phones need unlocked bootloader to be rooted, some do not. We have several rooting tools for locked bootloader, it's in the general section use the search button.
There are different types of rom - stock based and CM based.
But before that - kernels are only compatible with android version. You cannot use, say, JB kernel on ICS rom.
Stock based roms ( UHD, Zelly Cream etc) do not need unlocked BL bc they can run on the stock kernel.
CM based roms ( CM7.2, CM9, MIUI V5) need unlocked BL because they cannot run on stock.
So if you have locked BL, you root, copy Rom into sdcard, install recovery then install rom.
if you have unlocked BL, you simply flash kernel then flash rom. No need to root because custom roms are pre rooted.
Rooting does no harm to phone. Unlocking BL via official method makes u lose DRM keys and warranty but u can always relock and get warranty back. ( providing service centre does not check for DRM)
This is a simple overview for a more in-depth understanding check the general section there are many great guides in there.
Sent from my MiUI-ed Xperia arc S
\ press thanks if I've helped /
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, how about Xperia Arc and Xperia Arc S? does it require to unlock bootloader to root?
What is the main difference of Stock based roms and CM based roms? How to differentiate it?
Correct me if i mistake. Unlock the bootloader normally only required for flashing the custom kernel like lupus kernel which it is required for CM based rom. And if it is stock based it will only need root for the installation.
shuffle1990 said:
So, how about Xperia Arc and Xperia Arc S? does it require to unlock bootloader to root?
What is the main difference of Stock based roms and CM based roms? How to differentiate it?
Correct me if i mistake. Unlock the bootloader normally only required for flashing the custom kernel like lupus kernel which it is required for CM based rom. And if it is stock based it will only need root for the installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, Xperia Arc and Xperia Arc S use the same kernels, and the same ROMs, they're most likely the same phone. The stock-based ROMs, as far on my stay on xda I've learned that they are the ones based on the ROMs already released by sony, i.e Ice Cream Sandwich or Gingerbread. How to differentiate? Easy, on a first place the Rom Thread should clearly say if it's stock based or no, and you can see the tags [ICS] or [.587], or tags like that. CM based ROMs should be clearly stated too, plus it must say [CM10] or [CM10.1].
And yes, you're right, without unlocking bootloader you can still have a custom ROM, ICS based or GB based. You actually don't need root for the installation, and generally the ROMs that you install come pre-rooted. Hope it helped.
tangosierra_ said:
Unlocking bootloader enables you to write to the /boot partition on the phone ( ie flash custom kernel) which is normally not writable even with root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to correct this, unlocking bootloader allows custom, unsigned, kernels to be installed. /boot partition can still be edited by using stock kernels, which have been signed by Sony, these are the kernels within Flashtool FTF files. This can still be done with locked bootloader.
The thread titles will tell if it is stock or CM based
Ah yes forgot about the stock kernel, damn

Which ROMs can be installed with a locked bootloader?

Which ROMs can be installed with a locked bootloader? Mine can't be unlocked. As far as I know there's no way to get a different kernel with a locked bootloader.
You can only install custom ROMs based on stock ROM and use stock kernel. You can also head to the development section and find a ROM that runs on a phone with a locked bootloader. The developer will usually tell you if his ROM can run on a phone with locked bootloader.
僕のLT18iから送られてきた

[Q] Carrier Unlock

Is carrier unlocking (only) bootloader related?
In other words, will a custom rom or a custom recovery interfere with the carrier unlock?
If you want to carrier unlock the phone you must be on the original stock rom (the bootloader can be unlocked). You can't carrier unlock the phone on a custom rom. So no they are not related.
So the advice is to carrier unlock the device first before even unlocking the bootloader and after that proceed with custom roms if you wish.
my bootload is unlocked, i have a custom recovery and a custom rom installed
so you are recommending that i restore stock recovery and stock rom and then unlock it (but i dont need to lock the bootloader)?
To carrier unlock you must return to your stock rom and recovery otherwise it won't work. The bootloader can stay unlocked.
I unlocked mine while using MaximusHD with lyapota kernel and twrp recovery installed and I had no problems at all, maybe you just need a Rom based on sense and NOT aosp, cyanogen mod etc.

[Q] Locked bootloader w/ custom ROM and recovery?

Is it possible for a S3 to have a locked bootloader with a custom ROM and recovery?
I don't remember ever unlocking the bootloader, yet I have a custom ROM installed; AFAIK, I have to have an unlocked bootloader to flash custom ROMs. Yet when I ran the Synergy IMEI backup script, it skipped the process due to a locked bootloader.
This paradox is hurting my head.
Its not locked

Possible to flash custom rom via Flashfire on locked bootloader? See video inside

I know the answer is 99% NO but still how did this person do it? Does the galaxy use a different "kind" of bootloader that allows this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZDMHktN3sc
has anyone with a rooted (but locked bootloader) G4 actually tried the latest flashfire with a G4 custom rom like resurrection?
I tried lollipop genisys and its way faster
Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk
You can install Roms with locked bootloader.
I have CamUIX installed, which is based on the original rom.
I am not 100% sure but I know that you can not install custom roms which use a different kernel (any cm rom).
So it wouldn't be very useful :/
By the way, the rom in the Video is also a Touchwiz based rom
Sure you can... You can flash ANY rom that is compatible with stock kernel... Locked bootloader is only about signed boot.img and recovery.img not about system.img
oh interesting.. is there any custom G4 roms that uses stock kernel? i'm hesitant beacuse i have a h812 which has a locked bootloader and none of the roms that i see say that they can flashed for h812
it looks like genisys: http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/orig-development/bl-lock-ul-android-6-0-marshmallow-t3459260 uses stock kernel..? will it work on my H812 if i flash with flashfire?
You can flash custom system images ONLY also on lollipop ONLY. Boot.img and recovery must be signed by lg to load with locked bootloader, they obviously arent so cant do a single s**t really.

Categories

Resources