Can I unlock the Tmobile S9 bootloader without affecting the warranty? - Samsung Galaxy S9 Questions & Answers

I am looking to do a trade in deal with T-mobile for a new S9 (snapdragon) SM-G960UZKATMB.
The unlocking thread here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s9/help/samsung-galaxy-s9-bootloader-unlocked-t3758637 focuses on unlocking primarily for rooting or installing different roms. I don't want it, at least not yet.
What I do want to unlock, or decrypt my phone but keep it completely stock so I could root it in the future without having to do a full wipe.
As I understand any unlocking requires a full wipe so I want to do it now when the phone is new and has no data on it.
The Unlocked Thread does say just unlocking should not affect the warranty just on its own. Can anybody confirm or deny this?

You cannot unlock the bootloader on the US model Snapdragon S9s

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Vodafone Australia GT-N7105T how to unlock bootloader?

Not sure exactly where to post this as your forums are very American Carrier focused so I just went with model number.
I am just entering the world of rooting Android phones etc. so forgive my noob-osity but am eager to learn after realising this carrier phone really isn't MY phone.
I am wanting to use Chainfire's CF-AutoRoot to get root access on my Australian Vodafone GT-N7105T device however his instructions make very clear that the device will be bricked if I do not unlock the bootloader. I cannot seem to find a method of unlocking the bootloader for this specific device. Can anyone help with this?
Also just in general, some Rooting methods I have read about don't seem to "require" unlocking the bootloader or maybe haven't mentioned that it is part of the process.
Is unlocking the bootloader something that needs to be done ALWAYS when you root? I thought that unlocking the bootloader was only required if you wanted to flash custom ROMs and that having a locked bootloader did not prevent some rooting methods? If that is the case then I'm confused as to why Chainfire's CF-AutoRoot needs an unlocked bootloader as it's purpose is to leave everything stock?
Thanks for your assistance.

[Q] Will rooting affect unlocking with the T-Mobile app?

I've rooted a few devices in the past, but I've never unlocked any phones with this T-Mobile Device Unlock app.
Could anyone tell me if rooting and tripping the Knox counter affects unlocking using the T-Mobile app? I don't think it would but I'd like to be sure I can still unlock my device in the future after rooting my device.
Has anyone rooted first and then unlocked their T-Mobile S6 Edge?
Thanks in advance
sho51 said:
I've rooted a few devices in the past, but I've never unlocked any phones with this T-Mobile Device Unlock app.
Could anyone tell me if rooting and tripping the Knox counter affects unlocking using the T-Mobile app? I don't think it would but I'd like to be sure I can still unlock my device in the future after rooting my device.
Has anyone rooted first and then unlocked their T-Mobile S6 Edge?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nah dude. I rooted the TMob S6 Edge I have here and even froze the unlock app via Titanium Backup. it does nothing. I purchased this phone for our store with the intention of unlocking it because it was financed only to find out its damn near impossible. Waiting on a software fix. Maybe a custom ROM or flashing AT&T's software if its released..

Rooting Unlocked Phone Question

I have an ATT phone currently unlocked and using it on T-Mobile. I want to root and use it on T-Mobile, but Im a little nervous that once I root, and wipe everything, the phone will be re-locked to ATT. So my question is, once I root will I lose my carrier un-lock?
It might be helpful to clarify a couple of things. It sounds like you're currently SIM-unlocked (thus able to use your AT&T branded M9 on T-Mobile). Are you currently bootloader-locked and want to unlock it so you can root? Or are you already bootloader unlocked?
Rooting definitely does not wipe/re-lock anything. Unlocking your bootloader triggers a system wipe. My understanding is that once your phone is SIM-unlocked, system wipes don't affect your phone's SIM status.
Sorry for the confusion. I am currently sim unlocked, and I want to bootloader unlock. However, before I unlock my bootloader, I want to make sure that I wont re lock my sim. My ultimate goal is to unlock bootloader in order to root, but I dont want to relock my carrier to ATT. Yes, it is an ATT phone and I'm using it on T-Mobile.
I'm pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader will not affect your SIM-unlocked status.
But if it were me, I would want a more definitive answer than that.
Another forum member may be able to answer for sure. In the meantime, consider asking HTC directly via their chat system. I've found them friendly and straightforward.
random155 said:
I have an ATT phone currently unlocked and using it on T-Mobile. I want to root and use it on T-Mobile, but Im a little nervous that once I root, and wipe everything, the phone will be re-locked to ATT. So my question is, once I root will I lose my carrier un-lock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you won't lose your unlocked network status.
The unlock once done is permanent.
There was one a while ago on the s3, an app, which was unofficial and I lost that a few times between flashes, but I don't think you'll have that issue.
Thank You. Unlocked boot loader, rooted and still have sim-unlock.

Question Unlocking Bootloader still kill cameras?

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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!!!!

Question Downsides to unlocking bootloader?

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.

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