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I am an Android Developer, but so far I've avoided rooting my phone or trying custom kernels, but lately I get the feeling I could learn so much more by really getting behind the curtain so to speak. I keep reading that if you root the phone you may void your warranty and no longer get over the air updates.
I'm on AT&T an paid full price for my Nexus One. I also got the phone engraved so I'm wondering what value if any the warranty actually has. Is it worth mucking around with custom kernels on the Nexus one, or should I get a cheaper dev phone like the G1 ?
Looking forward to hearing advice from other developers and what you've learned versus the risks involved.
Oh, Do you still get OTA updates as well?
I'm interested in hearing from people who decided the warranty was or was not work the risk. Looks pretty easy from what I can see.
Thanks all.
Just root it without unlocking the bootloader and you're good to go
J.L.C. said:
Just root it without unlocking the bootloader and you're good to go
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Click to collapse
^this
root is fun and even better you can keep your warranty
Does using the technique of not unlocking the bootloader also mean you can run custom ROMs and/or recoveries? Or just gain root access to the stock ROM?
flybyme said:
^this
root is fun and even better you can keep your warranty
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Click to collapse
You CAN root your Nexus One without losing your warrenty.
I had my bootloader Unlocked, then i got a issue with mounting SD cards.
I sent the phone to HTC Repair center and just got it back today with the issues gone and Bootloader locked
Unlocking your Nexus One bootloader does void your warrenty with HTC, but if you experience hardware issues, they dont care if you unlocked your bootloader !!
By unlocking your Bootloader you can put whatever ROM on your phone you like, doesn't have to be stock
About the OTA's.
Yes you will get them if you run Stock ROM's.
You will not be able to install them however since you are not using a stock recovery image.
Wow, didn't know they didn't care about unlocked bootloader as long as your problem is in hardware. My GPS doesn't work at all and I'd like to send in my phone for repairs but the bootloader is unlocked.How long did it take for you to get your phone back?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
WebghostDK said:
You CAN root your Nexus One without losing your warrenty.
I had my bootloader Unlocked, then i got a issue with mounting SD cards.
I sent the phone to HTC Repair center and just got it back today with the issues gone and Bootloader locked
Unlocking your Nexus One bootloader does void your warrenty with HTC, but if you experience hardware issues, they dont care if you unlocked your bootloader !!
By unlocking your Bootloader you can put whatever ROM on your phone you like, doesn't have to be stock
About the OTA's.
Yes you will get them if you run Stock ROM's.
You will not be able to install them however since you are not using a stock recovery image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=718141
they arent always so nice haha
cmcm said:
Wow, didn't know they didn't care about unlocked bootloader as long as your problem is in hardware. My GPS doesn't work at all and I'd like to send in my phone for repairs but the bootloader is unlocked.How long did it take for you to get your phone back?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
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Click to collapse
I sent my phone from Denmark to UK, it took 1½ week quite fast
Can you point me to a link with instructions on how to do this?
I've found a few videos and articles that say this can be done, but reading to the end they all say seem to be closed or say not to do it.
Is it still possible to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader? I've searched google, but keep coming up with dead ends.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=710842
Hey guys,
Just wondering if the Sony Xperia Z will come with a locked or unlocked bootloader?
if it is locked, can it easily be relocked after unlocking it for warranty purposes?
I know there isnt much info out right now, but i have never owned a sony xperia phone so,
someone shed some light for me?
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked. The process does not record your full IMEI and can be relocked after so you are pretty safe in that regard. My HTC takes the full IMEI (so it can be identified) and if you lock it then it goes to "re-locked" and not "unlocked" .... so the sony method is actually pretty good.
Before buying you can always check on a live unit if bootloader can be unlocked.
M.
mattman83 said:
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked. The process does not record your full IMEI and can be relocked after so you are pretty safe in that regard. My HTC takes the full IMEI (so it can be identified) and if you lock it then it goes to "re-locked" and not "unlocked" .... so the sony method is actually pretty good.
Before buying you can always check on a live unit if bootloader can be unlocked.
M.
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Click to collapse
Ah okay thanks mate,
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
m00moo said:
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if i recall correctly, the verizon droid DNA had a permanent locked bootloader too, but the guys here on XDA found a way to crack it.
who knows, maybe there will be a loophole discovered after the first few days?
I'm currently using a T-Mobile Xperia T, and the bootloader is not unlockable. So I would guess the same for the Z.
Though I think early units are generally unlocked (but don't quote me on that but this was the case with my Galaxy SIII and another guy mentioned this for UK network 3).
AW: [Q] Xperia Z Bootloader?
mattman83 said:
Devices from carriers usually can't be unlocked. If you buy it outright then usually it can be unlocked.
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Click to collapse
Is this just the way sony handles it's bootloader?
I unlocked several different phones which were ordered from a carrier without problem. Depends on the device itself!
But Sony seems to be very developer-friendly. There's a developer site on sonys website, where details about bootloaders are posted. Don't know the exact url atm, I'm at work...
For me it is essential to get a phone where bootloader can be unlocked. My first phone was a lg, without custom rom I would not use it anymore...
It all depends on the country. In The Netherlands all bootloaders can be unlocked, even if it are branded handsets from a carrier.
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
m00moo said:
hmm new to Sony here too. So what are the chances of pre-orders from carriers being bootloader locked? Just to clarify, does that mean carrier purchased devices are useless (if they are locked)? I was planning to get my device from Orange Uk as i can get a pretty decent 40% off the monthly tariff which makes it the best deal for me. But if it is locked then I may need to pass on this....bummer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're getting any sort of subsidy discount, it's highly likely your device will not be unlockable.
The general rule for Sonys is: If it is sold SIM-locked, you will not be able to unlock the bootloader. If it is sold SIM-unlocked, you'll be able to unlock the bootloader. If the carrier later gives you a SIM-unlock code for a device that is sold SIM-locked, your bootloader will remain locked (Sony is working on trying to change this with carriers).
spazzy1912 said:
Well, if i recall correctly, the verizon droid DNA had a permanent locked bootloader too, but the guys here on XDA found a way to crack it.
who knows, maybe there will be a loophole discovered after the first few days?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony's bootloader security is pretty strong. If the Z were likely to have a loophole, the T would've probably been defeated by now.
m00moo said:
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
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Click to collapse
You can cross-flash firmwares for other devices, but you cannot flash anything that has a modified kernel.
Thanks Entropy for your very helpful reply! I appreicate it
In regards to the discount, it is only because a friend works for them and in return are given a discount for friends and family. Otherwise it will be just the same as purchasing it direct from my carrier. My usual experience with purchasing a phone from a carrier, especially a newer phone which has 'just' (first batch usually) released is that they are usually simfree stock (sim unlocked), but heres hoping!
The Bell (Canada) Xperia ZL I have has an unlockable bootloader.
Only stok based roms... cm, miui, paranoid, etc bootloader must be unlocked so you can flash custom kernel
Sent from my LT26i
So therefore AOSP roms cannot run on a Locked bootloader due to requiring a different kernel. Where as variations/modded versions of Sony's rom can be flashed due to not requiring a custom kernel.
I think I understand now. The Sony rom looks decent to be honest which isn't something I can say about Touchwiz. It is actually skinned nicely and I wouldnt mind a de-bloated version of that.
I'm pretty sure sony will unlock it, judging from Sony's recent actions where they released the kernel source for the T if i'm not mistaken. Why wouldn't they do it for this monster phone right?
brambizimski said:
I'm pretty sure sony will unlock it, judging from Sony's recent actions where they released the kernel source for the T if i'm not mistaken. Why wouldn't they do it for this monster phone right?
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Click to collapse
It's already listed on Sony's "Unlock Bootloader" site. So i guess they'll all unlock, unless you get it carrier branded/simlocked and they ( carrier ) will interfere with unlocking process.
m00moo said:
again as mentioned this is my first Sony Android device so please bare with me. Can someone explain the reasons to unlock the bootloader as from what i've seen people have said u still can flash ROMS with a locked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
This is pretty simple if it's sim locked then it's also bootloader locked. The issue is not if you bought it on your carrier or on a retailer store. It's about locks
spazzy1912 said:
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on what you mean by "boot the rom" i am assuming you are referring to AOSP roms which use a different kernel to stock roms usually. Thus if you cannot flash a custom rom on the phone with a "locked" bootloader, you are stuck with stock Sony type roms. Don't mind it personally just sucks i cannot experience the great kernels that the XDA devs release. Fingers cross the first batch of pre orders will be unlocked though as they are usually sim unlocked in my experience.
Riyal said:
This is pretty simple if it's sim locked then it's also bootloader locked. The issue is not if you bought it on your carrier or on a retailer store. It's about locks
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Click to collapse
50% true. As Entropy said the simlock can be "unlocked" by the carrier. This will therefore then be a sim unlocked device, but the bootloader remains locked. This needs to be clarified to Sony noobies like myself who may think sim unlocking will result in a unlocked bootloader, or by buying a sim unlocked device from say Ebay they have definately gotten a unlocked BL.
spazzy1912 said:
I believe you need an unlocked bootloader to be able to boot the rom?
For htc devices, you need an unlocked bootloader, but it does not have to be S OFF.
If it was S ON, you just had to do an extra process of manual flashing the boot.img through fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's different again. With a locked bootloader you can't flash a custom kernel *at all*. I'm on a HOX now so I know all about the stupid htc bootloader unlock It basically means the device is useless for custom roms etc..
Still waiting to see if my local carrier will lock it or not, they have a mixed history with simlocking devices so could go either way. If it is locked I'll just pick get an iphone instead (should be roughly same price on contract) to sell on ebay and buy my sony outright I'll make it work one way or another.
M.
Most prob been asked a million times but I want to root my One but heard bad things about HTC and unlocking bootloaders. Does it 'fully' void my warranty for good and is there a way to root without touching the bootloader? (HTC site says 'May' but I've read fully by some people)
Also if I unlock my bootloader and then lock it (so it says relocked) does that still count as void?
recklesslife85 said:
Most prob been asked a million times but I want to root my One but heard bad things about HTC and unlocking bootloaders. Does it 'fully' void my warranty for good and is there a way to root without touching the bootloader? (HTC site says 'May' but I've read fully by some people)
Also if I unlock my bootloader and then lock it (so it says relocked) does that still count as void?
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Click to collapse
Yeah you'll lose DRM keys. I'll try to look for an exploit on this device once I get it. Will try to find a way to root without unlocking the bootloader.
I would advice against unlocking the bootloader,
A few months back i unlocked my HTC One X
Only done this i the phone was branded by the provider and i can't stand that.
Was not overclocking the cpu or any thing like that just wanted stock unbranded rom's
Any how unlocked it worked well for months then the screen came unresponsive just a thin strip half way down,
Phone still worked very well just need to turn it on its side to text.
Contacted HTC about this told them i unlocked the bootloader,
The minuet i said that you could tell i was not going to get any help,
Pointed out that the Dev site says
It is our responsibility to caution you that not all claims resulting or caused by or from the unlocking of the bootloader may be covered under warranty
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Click to collapse
Asked if they could confirm what claims would be covered,
Was advised non.
Asked why the dev site said "not all claims" yet when trying to claim you get told "no claim"
Got told to take it up with the dev site.
Few emails later i am still waiting for an answer or for them to update the site.
Asked HTC how much it would cost to repair the phone and was told "you don't want to know"
So got a new HTC One and want to unlock it but no need now as this one is not branded so i am happy with it locked.
Steven_belfast said:
I would advice against unlocking the bootloader,
A few months back i unlocked my HTC One X
Only done this i the phone was branded by the provider and i can't stand that.
Was not overclocking the cpu or any thing like that just wanted stock unbranded rom's
Any how unlocked it worked well for months then the screen came unresponsive just a thin strip half way down,
Phone still worked very well just need to turn it on its side to text.
Contacted HTC about this told them i unlocked the bootloader,
The minuet i said that you could tell i was not going to get any help,
Pointed out that the Dev site says
Asked if they could confirm what claims would be covered,
Was advised non.
Asked why the dev site said "not all claims" yet when trying to claim you get told "no claim"
Got told to take it up with the dev site.
Few emails later i am still waiting for an answer or for them to update the site.
Asked HTC how much it would cost to repair the phone and was told "you don't want to know"
So got a new HTC One and want to unlock it but no need now as this one is not branded so i am happy with it locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
eg1122 said:
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely if it says relocked then they know?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
eg1122 said:
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you can relock it but if you check the Hboot it says "Relocked" and so they can tell if it has been unlocked before.
At least for the evo once you relock it says relock, but once you ruu it goes back to lock. Also on the evo forums we have a tool that customizes the hboot and u can make it say whatever u want. My phone is s off and unlocked yet it says locked and s on. So something like this can also work in case the ruu does not remove the relocked string. But I'm 100% positive it will. Furthermore simply locking and taking a ota will still display relocked.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Why would you tell them you unlocked the bootloader LOL?!?!?
Seriously? HTC WILL repair hardware issues covered that don't involve software. Many, many people have used their warranty despite being bl unlocked.
And as some1 above pointed out, there are ways to relock so HTC wont even know you touched the phone.
I recently bought the Xz on the 3 network (uk) and straight away wanted to get on aosp but this was shortly lived when my bootloader unlock status said no!!! Arghhh!!!
After moving from the HTC one X this was a massive disappointment as I loved the IceColdJelly Rom from Lord.
So I started to look into how to get around this and came across a solution online saying you need to network unlock the device officially from your network operator this would then change the bootloader unlock allowed status to yes.
Great but I cannot get this yet as 3 state you need to be over 1 month into the contract witch I sadly am not.
I then done a bit of thinking and wondered if I managed to get onto the official unbranded software from Sony via an official method I may be able to get round it.
To do this I:
Rooted for locked bootloaders
Installed twrp for locked bootloaders
Installed one of the roms for locked bootloader (353?)
Then plugged my phone into the computer and started up the Sony update software and this gave me the option to update my phone to the latest 434? Software (something I couldn't get while on the branded stock rom)
So update done I reset the phone from within settings and preyed my bootloader unlock allowed status had been changed from no to yes. But no it hadn't .
So what's the point of this post?
Well I'm sharing my way of getting the latest update from Sony officially if anyone would ever want to do it that way.
But also I'm opening this thread to discuss if anyone had unlocked their network limitations and found that it changed the bootloader unlock allowed status.
Thank you for your time
Hi.
I renewed my contract with Three and got the XZ, and like you was hoping it had the unlockable bootloader. I knew I had the contract I needed anyway and was prepared to do whatever I had to do if the bootloader was properly locked. In the end the only thing I could do was get rid of the phone and buy one that was Sim free and bootloader unlockable. I bought it from Phones for you and checked the bootloader status before I handed over any money.
When I had my "old" XZ, I put it up for sale and in the hope of getting it sold easier I had it sim-unlocked by Three and I flashed UK unbranded firmware. As expected, unlocking the Sim and flashing unbranded firmware did not change the bootloader status.
In short, the only way to run something like CM is to sell your blower and buy one with a suitable bootloader.
Ah well that sucks surely it's not down to the carrier to impose these limitations apon the end user? There must be a way around this even if it is contacting Sony, surely if I the owner of my phone want to. Unlock my bootloader it's for me to decide, not the middle man.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Does Permanent unlock mean permanent? Or is it something you can lose with a firmware update, factory reset, or user modification?
How does the device unlock? Is it unlocked by hardware like a knox trip? Is it from the carrier? Could it ever be re-locked?
Basically I bought my S6 from T-Mobile with the full intention of cancelling the service once I fully payed it off. $860 later, I made my final payment a week ago. I put in an ATT sim card, tried unlocking, nothing happened. Put my T-mo sim back in, did unlocking just to try it again, and it says my device is permanently unlocked.
I just want to know how permanent is permanent, and is it safe to cancel my service with T-Mo, and could the phone ever be re-locked by means of factory reset or by any change in the software?
Also my T-mo account balance is -$60, I don't fully know what that means, but it appears that they owe me $60. If I cancel, is a negative amount refunded?
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
Question
guyd said:
It's supposed to be permanent. But T-Mo's custom device unlock is bugged. I permanently unlocked mine a few days ago and switched back to AT&T. Last night I started getting an invalid sim inserted message with my AT&T sim in it! So much for permanent unlock!!!
All I could think of doing to make sure it's permanent this time around is to Odin back to the stock MetroPCS rom so I could use their radio and unlock it the old fashioned way. Works fine with AT&T now. I just have to stick with the MetroPCS radio, or it will become locked again!
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Click to collapse
I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
brojoe11 said:
I've been away from android for a short time and now back on T-Mobile S6. I bought it outright from T-Mobile and haven't even had it three days yet but service is terrible. Is there a guide for exactly how to use the PCS firmware and then get root and twrp? How and where did you get the unlock code also? You said I need to stay on PCS? What if I flashed a T-Mobile custom rom off xda development site? Thanks, I'm just a little rusty and don't want to mess up my new phone. LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a guide somewhere. I read it a couple of weeks back, so I knew what to do to Odin flash the Metro rom and use the regular sim unlock method. You can flash any compatible rom with your device. You just can't flash the T-Mobile radio, or you'll loose the SIM Unlock! The radio firmware is never part of a custom rom, so no need to worry there.
I bought the unlock code from androidsimunlock.com and told them it was a MetroPCS Galaxy S6. Worked perfectly.
Thanks. I'll do some more searching.
So the unlock is in software only?