Develop Bugs

[Q] at&t bootloader

Googling and searching this website have yielded nothing useful so I figured I'd ask:
Has anyone yet been able to unlock the bootloader on the sm-t807a (the AT&T model of the 805)?
Thanks in advance. I'm just itching debloat this sucker and see what it can really do.

Not yet.

Okay; further query. Does the locked bootloader just mean I'll trip knox if I flash a custom ROM or otherwise acquire root or is it more insidious than that? Because I'll trade my warranty for root any day of the week. Is there absolutely nothing I can do? I can live with just root and not being able to use a custom ROM but I don't know how long I can run this thing without xposed before I lose my mind.

Locked bootloader means nothing will flash unless it stock and signed. There's chance of a brick and/ or end up with Knox tripped just for the he'll of of it.

Has anyone gained any ground on the T-807A as far as unlocking the bootloader. All I can get into is Odin Mode. Is there a fastboot mode? I have two tablets that are locked up and unbootable because of unapproved software. (TWRPn recovery on both occasions)​

Geraldleach2 said:
Has anyone gained any ground on the T-807A as far as unlocking the bootloader. All I can get into is Odin Mode. Is there a fastboot mode? I have two tablets that are locked up and unbootable because of unapproved software. (TWRPn recovery on both occasions)​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flash the stock firmware with odin.

Should i check OEM unlocking option in the Developer settings ?

Ok so i have read many posts on XDA about bricked nexus 5x's and many others, sometimes the main probelm is the oem isnt unlocked. I myself have a Nexus 5x that is completely stock no custom recovery no root no nothing, i just update the phone, right now on Nougat 7.0 sep security update.
So my question is, should i check the OEM unlocking in the settings ? i will never install any recovery or root but i think by reading the posts, it seems like its a major problem if this is not checked, should i check it just to be safe ?

U_Midrar said:
Ok so i have read many posts on XDA about bricked nexus 5x's and many others, sometimes the main probelm is the oem isnt unlocked. I myself have a Nexus 5x that is completely stock no custom recovery no root no nothing, i just update the phone, right now on Nougat 7.0 sep security update.
So my question is, should i check the OEM unlocking in the settings ? i will never install any recovery or root but i think by reading the posts, it seems like its a major problem if this is not checked, should i check it just to be safe ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have issues in your current state they will most likely be hardware related and unfixable via software. But even locked you can completely reinstall the OS via sideloading an OTA or using the TOT method.
Enabling OEM unlock disables Factory Reset Protection (FRP). FRP is a security feature that prevents a stolen device from being activated. There is allot of info about it online if you wish to learn more.
So you need to decide if you want FRP or the ability to flash the factory images.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
If you have issues in your current state they will most likely be hardware related and unfixable via software. But even locked you can completely reinstall the OS via sideloading an OTA or using the TOT method.
Enabling OEM unlock disables Factory Reset Protection (FRP). FRP is a security feature that prevents a stolen device from being activated. There is allot of info about it online if you wish to learn more.
So you need to decide if you want FRP or the ability to flash the factory images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok thx dude for the reply, nah i dont care about the FRP. so flashing factory images is easier right ? rather than sideloading or whatever this TOT method is...., and do most mobiles have a oem locked or unlocked ?

U_Midrar said:
ok thx dude for the reply, nah i dont care about the FRP. so flashing factory images is easier right ? rather than sideloading or whatever this TOT method is...., and do most mobiles have a oem locked or unlocked ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, flashing the factory images is probably slightly easier than the other methods. Note that in your case you would need to actually unlock the bootloader to flash the images. With those added steps it's probably faster to sideload.
The Allow OEM unlock toggle has been around since LP I think. An pretty sure it's in phones that shipped with LP. It didn't automagically mean that the phones bootloader can be unlocked though. It should stop disable FRP though.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Yes, most, I think all OEMs leave the possibility to unlock the bootloader.
By default the bootloader is locked on most OEMs (Sony, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, even Nexus devices).
For Nexus devices it's a simple one liner to unlock/lock the bootloader which will also trigger a data wipe but. On Nexus devices it doesn't void your warranty.
For most other OEMs phones you have to follow some steps and usually get some kind of code in order to unlock the bootloader the first time. This will void your warranty!
If you don't know whether or not you should unlock/lock the bootloader, the answer is: NO!
It seems you're not modifying your phones software (Custom Kernel, Custom Rom, Root etc) and you seem to have no intention doing so. So it's not needed and even less "secure" than with locked bootloader. If you do, you should know that you have to unlock the bootloader in order to change the phones software.
Why would you want to unlock the bootloader when the only reason to do so is to modify the software and you do not plan to do this?
On a stock nexus there is no need to unlock the bootloader, you can even reflash your phone with locked bootloader with the stock software image.

creambyemute said:
Yes, most, I think all OEMs leave the possibility to unlock the bootloader.
By default the bootloader is locked on most OEMs (Sony, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, even Nexus devices).
For Nexus devices it's a simple one liner to unlock/lock the bootloader which will also trigger a data wipe but. On Nexus devices it doesn't void your warranty.
For most other OEMs phones you have to follow some steps and usually get some kind of code in order to unlock the bootloader the first time. This will void your warranty!
If you don't know whether or not you should unlock/lock the bootloader, the answer is: NO!
It seems you're not modifying your phones software (Custom Kernel, Custom Rom, Root etc) and you seem to have no intention doing so. So it's not needed and even less "secure" than with locked bootloader. If you do, you should know that you have to unlock the bootloader in order to change the phones software.
Why would you want to unlock the bootloader when the only reason to do so is to modify the software and you do not plan to do this?
On a stock nexus there is no need to unlock the bootloader, you can even reflash your phone with locked bootloader with the stock software image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yo dude thx for the reply, as i said in my first post, i saw some bricked nexus 5x (they didnt mod anything i think) that couldnt be repaired cause he had the option unchecked about OEM, that is why i was asking for like a safety precaution that if something goes wrong it would be okay cause oem could be unlocked then... what do u say now ? (and yea im not gonna ever mod anything in the phone, learned fom my last phone which i somehow bricked and a man fixed it for for 5$ )

U_Midrar said:
yo dude thx for the reply, as i said in my first post, i saw some bricked nexus 5x (they didnt mod anything i think) that couldnt be repaired cause he had the option unchecked about OEM, that is why i was asking for like a safety precaution that if something goes wrong it would be okay cause oem could be unlocked then... what do u say now ? (and yea im not gonna ever mod anything in the phone, learned fom my last phone which i somehow bricked and a man fixed it for for 5$ )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That catch is if if you checked OEM unloking and chose to not perform oem unlock command now.
When something did went wrong afterward, you are able to perform oem unlock but it will wipe your data.
There is no point for doing it.

HebeGuess said:
That catch is if if you checked OEM unloking and chose to not perform oem unlock command now.
When something did went wrong afterward, you are able to perform oem unlock but it will wipe your data.
There is no point for doing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i shouldnt do it like just leave it be ?

F IT I DID IT
i just read this site and also got to know a bootloop can occur with OTA update so yea i have done it.
Site: http://android.wonderhowto.com/news...ting-before-modding-anything-android-0167840/

Help me out here, what's wrong with this?

My phone is not rooted I've checked. It's unlocked but I'm not sure if it's by Sprint or some other method coz look at these screenshots weird right. Btw I got this update and I'm not sure weather to update or not coz I don't want to lose my unlock in case it relock to Sprint, any help appreciated thanks

Simple way to find out if was ever rooted, put phone in download mode and check knox warranty void status

it says binary official and knox is void
should i update???

jimmyoh said:
it says binary official and knox is void
should i update???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No point on flashing or updating, knox is void and samsung pay won't work anymore on devices that have tripped knox

If I update will it relock?

Depends the way it was unlocked , I did mine on a remote service and didn't relocked after any update

johnny.goldy said:
Depends the way it was unlocked , I did mine on a remote service and didn't relocked after any update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the thing i dont know how it was unlocked but i reckon it shouldnt relock cause it says official status and works with non-sprint sim. I bought it second hand thats why i dont know.

I updated and it did not relock hew

Should we unlock the Bootloader if no root planned

If you have no plans to root the phone is there any reason to unlock the bootloader?

It would probably break Safety net and Android pay. BUT if you're unlocked, you have ability to flash factory images. That could be beneficial something goes really bad and your device won't boot up. You're also less secure with it unlocked.
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

You can always lock and unlock the bootloader when you want.

I would say you should at least have the option checked on in the Developer settings.
So just in case something happened and you can't fully boot the phone. you can still get into it and unlock the bootloader and do what you need to do.
This happened to a friend of mine where something happened and couldn't fully boot and couldn't unlock bootloader cause the option was never checked.

I don't believe the unlock option stays enabled after it boots up.

I would argue why WOULDN'T you unlock the bootloader? Regardless of rooting, an unlocked bootloader is a safety net for when things go south. Phone decides to bootloop tomorrow? No big deal, flash the latest images via fastboot and start from scratch.
Sure there's the counter argument of the phone being much less secure and vulnerable in the hands of a person who is tech savvy and stole/found your device. I'm not worried about my phone being stolen so I ALWAYS unlock my bootloader.

Pain-N-Panic said:
I would argue why WOULDN'T you unlock the bootloader? Regardless of rooting, an unlocked bootloader is a safety net for when things go south. Phone decides to bootloop tomorrow? No big deal, flash the latest images via fastboot and start from scratch.
Sure there's the counter argument of the phone being much less secure and vulnerable in the hands of a person who is tech savvy and stole/found your device. I'm not worried about my phone being stolen so I ALWAYS unlock my bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.

mngdew said:
You can always lock and unlock the bootloader when you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does re-locking the bootloader wipe the phone?

foosion said:
Does re-locking the bootloader wipe the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it does. That's why you should unlock or lock the bootloader when flashing factory images.

mngdew said:
Yes, it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
mngdew said:
That's why you should unlock or lock the bootloader when flashing factory images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand what you mean by this.
You have to unlock the bootloader to flash a factory image and you can eliminate the w flag so that flashing the factory image won't wipe the phone.

uicnren said:
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. If the phone goes into booploop due to a bad zip or whatever other reason you have a bricked device with no options to recover.

It's healthy for me to unlock my Bootloader ASAP on XDA!

Unlocking the bootloader was always the very first thing I did when I got a new phone. However, I use Android Pay all the time, and Google seems very determined to break AP for unlocked bootloaders with every new patch. Sure, someone usually finds a way to get it working again, but that sometimes takes time, and I simply use AP too much to deal with it. As long as AP won't work officially with an unlocked bootloader, mine stays locked unless I'm flashing an image, and even then, gets locked right after. Luckily, OTAs are posted by Google now, often at the same time as the Factory Images, so it hasn't really been an issue for me.

akenis said:
It would probably break Safety net and Android pay. BUT if you're unlocked, you have ability to flash factory images. That could be beneficial something goes really bad and your device won't boot up. You're also less secure with it unlocked.
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you what actually is compromised when phone is unlocked?

uicnren said:
or just flash the full OTA image without an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you flash with a locked bootloader?

painfree said:
Thank you what actually is compromised when phone is unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ho...unlocking-your-android-phones-bootloader/amp/
Sent from my marlin using XDA Labs

painfree said:
If you have no plans to root the phone is there any reason to unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ever contemplate going onto the Verizon network, when you first boot up after placing VZN sim into the phone,
the ability to ever unlock again is eliminated. You could relock it, but it will have the Unlock option in Developer
Option greyed out forever after that. I would unlock it maybe because of Verizon thing, but also to be able to flash factory a image in case I ever mess up the phone.

michaelbsheldon said:
If you ever contemplate going onto the Verizon network, when you first boot up after placing VZN sim into the phone,
the ability to ever unlock again is eliminated. You could relock it, but it will have the Unlock option in Developer
Option greyed out forever after that. I would unlock it maybe because of Verizon thing, but also to be able to flash factory a image in case I ever mess up the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you have the Google version it should never grey out on you at least that's how it was with the first pixels. I have Verizon I've never had it grey out.

jt3 said:
Unlocking the bootloader was always the very first thing I did when I got a new phone. However, I use Android Pay all the time, and Google seems very determined to break AP for unlocked bootloaders with every new patch. Sure, someone usually finds a way to get it working again, but that sometimes takes time, and I simply use AP too much to deal with it. As long as AP won't work officially with an unlocked bootloader, mine stays locked unless I'm flashing an image, and even then, gets locked right after. Luckily, OTAs are posted by Google now, often at the same time as the Factory Images, so it hasn't really been an issue for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Android Pay is pretty convenient and I always told myself I didn't need it compared to unlock+root. Wish Google would allow AP with unlocked bootloader but I can understand why they don't from a security standpoint.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

foosion said:
Thanks
I don't understand what you mean by this.
You have to unlock the bootloader to flash a factory image and you can eliminate the w flag so that flashing the factory image won't wipe the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you unlock the bootloader, phone is wiped automatically.

Question Disadvantage of Unlocking bootloader

What are the disadvantage of unlocking bootloader? Is there any reason to keep it locked? Do you lose anything by unlocking?

CrushedMango said:
What are the disadvantage of unlocking bootloader? Is there any reason to keep it locked? Do you lose anything by unlocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/4288121/post-85137959
Read step 7 and step 20.

Honestly the biggest drawback is that generally no L1 support after unlock, but in this phone that doesn't happen, so I would say No drawback at all

Ok thanks. I was thinking of trying miui but I didn't wanna wait 7 days once I decide miui isn't for me. I will unlock as soon as I get the phone

CrushedMango said:
Ok thanks. I was thinking of trying miui but I didn't wanna wait 7 days once I decide miui isn't for me. I will unlock as soon as I get the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you must wait 7 days to unlock after you submit the request to unlock bootloader. So you still need to bear with MIUI for at least 7 days.
There's no shortcut (yet).

Most banking apps will not work with unlocked bootloader. This apps consider unlocked bootloader as a root of the system, so a lack of security.

CrushedMango said:
What are the disadvantage of unlocking bootloader? Is there any reason to keep it locked? Do you lose anything by unlocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warranty will be voided if bootloader unlocked
Alin45 said:
Most banking apps will not work with unlocked bootloader. This apps consider unlocked bootloader as a root of the system, so a lack of security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that is true but it's still possible to pass safety nets but as long safety nets are passing u should still be able to use banking apps even if running on custom ROM

Alin45 said:
Most banking apps will not work with unlocked bootloader. This apps consider unlocked bootloader as a root of the system, so a lack of security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
theres a method to use baanking apps with the bootloader unlocked?

thewitchmerlin said:
theres a method to use baanking apps with the bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your phone stay not ROOTED. Don't get miss leading about Unlock Bootloader and ROOT.

Austinredstoner said:
The warranty will be voided if bootloader unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not always true.
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco in many countries still have warranty after bootloader unlocked.
Check the local Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco policy yourself.

pl1992aw said:
This is not always true.
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco in many countries still have warranty after bootloader unlocked.
Check the local Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco policy yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but if u install any custom ROM it will get voided for sure

ndez said:
As long as your phone stay not ROOTED. Don't get miss leading about Unlock Bootloader and ROOT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly is SafetyNet check. This is the first thing for banking apps.
Some ROMs did not pass SafetyNet out of the box and they have to use Magisk and modules to make them pass. This kind of ROMs mostly will have issues with bank apps.
To sum up:
Bootloader unlock: you can use bank apps, but sometimes not.
Root: you can use bank apps with some adjustments, but sometimes not.
ROMs: you can use bank apps, but sometimes not without the help of Root.
Try and error, life is just like this.

Austinredstoner said:
Yes but if u install any custom ROM it will get voided for sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not totally correct either.
There are many cases that people had installed custom ROM and bricked their phone, but Xiaomi still give free warranty within the warranty deadline.
If you installed custom ROM and need Xiaomi warranty, simply return to MIUI and you still get Xiaomi warranty within deadline, if the policy said so.

pl1992aw said:
That is not totally correct either.
There are many cases that people had installed custom ROM and bricked their phone, but Xiaomi still give free warranty within the warranty deadline.
If you installed custom ROM and need Xiaomi warranty, simply return to MIUI and you still get Xiaomi warranty within deadline, if the policy said so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Warranty good but even if it does get voided I will still unlock bootloader anyway because of custom ROM and stuff but it's cool that warranty does not get voided after unlocking bootloader

Austinredstoner said:
Warranty good but even if it does get voided I will still unlock bootloader anyway because of custom ROM and stuff but it's cool that warranty does not get voided after unlocking bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Example as here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/4264715/post-84877435

thewitchmerlin said:
theres a method to use baanking apps with the bootloader unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, some bank apps can work. If ur bank app does not work, then the only way to use it is to root the ROM using Magisk (and some other specific magisk modules have to be installed if installing magisk only does not do the trick).