Database Develop

[Q] Unlocking the bootloader

Hi.
Since it's possible to unlock the bootloader of the regular version of the phone using htcdev, is there any difference between the developers version and the regular version?
I also understand that the warranty is not void if the bootloader is unlocked, but it is void of one installs a custom ROM (so it will apply to both the regular and developers version). Is it correct?
And will a ROM made for one version work on the other one?
Thanks. And sorry of this question was already answered, I just couldn't find an answer.

romitkin said:
Hi.
Since it's possible to unlock the bootloader of the regular version of the phone using htcdev, is there any difference between the developers version and the regular version?
I also understand that the warranty is not void if the bootloader is unlocked, but it is void of one installs a custom ROM (so it will apply to both the regular and developers version). Is it correct?
And will a ROM made for one version work on the other one?
Thanks. And sorry of this question was already answered, I just couldn't find an answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The developers edition may or may not have S-off, meaning kernels and radios can be flashed in recovery without needing a PC for fastboot.
I personally stand by the fact that warranty is not void if the bootloader is flashed, even if HTC claim otherwise, you can take them to court. However, many people say that once the bootloader is unlocked, warranty is void. It doesn't matter if you have flashed a custom rom or not: HTC won't actually be able to tell this if you take it in for repair, but they will be able to see if the bootloader has been unlocked and often use this as an excuse to decline the repair and charge you.
A rom made for one version will work on the other one, but LTE may be disabled.

Rooting for dummies

I need help and that's an understatement. It comes down to this... I'm super confused as what I need to do to flashing a custom recovery and ROM. I'm on a Sprint Moto X running 4.4.
Someone just tell me what to do if you can. This downgrading and what not is confusing me when I see people saying not to worry about it.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

Since the downgrading and what not is confusing you, I'm not sure what you know and what you don't so let me start at the beginning...
When you purchase the Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and other carrier editions, they come with their bootloaders locked. You can only flash/install roms and parts of ROMs which are signed by Motorola. This means you have to use some tricks and exploits to root your phone and disable the phone's Write Protection. This is why you see the SlapMyMoto, and MotoWPNoMo, and the like. These processes involve downgrading the rom on your phone so you can take advantage of "flaws" which are present in the older rom and exploited to gain root and disable write protection.
With ROM updates, Motorola can/will close the holes and flaws, meaning new exploits are needed to gain root and such. With 4.4.2, Moto closed the loop hole that allowed downgrading the ROM version on your phone, so you can't use the older tricks to gain root and disable write protection. So if you have 4.4.2 on your X, you are stuck.
If you purchased a developer edition, you can unlock your bootloader, and do so without voiding your phone's warranty. This allows you to flash things/roms/parts that are not signed by Motorola. You can flash a custom recovery for example. Unlocking the bootloader also disables the Write Protection. So you can easily root by flashing a custom recovery, booting to it, and installing SuperSU to root. And you can even flash a custom rom if you want, and if there is one available for your X. This works no matter what ROM version you flash. (this still works for 4.4.2)
Thankfully, some carriers allow you to unlock your Non-Developer Edition X's bootloader. Sprint and T-Mobile allow this. However some, like Verizon and ATT do not. Motorola has a web site setup where you can request the unlock code for your phone. However if your carrier allows this, and you have a Non-Developer edition phone, your warranty is voided when you Accept the terms and REQUEST the code. BUT this does give you the exact same flexibilty to root and disable write protection as a Developer Edition does, just with a voided warranty.
So when you read these threads, there will be info for LOCKED Bootloader and UNLOCKED bootloader.
Ok, that being said.. Since you have a Sprint X, if you are ok voiding your warranty, the best thing to do is get the unlock code from Moto's web site, unlock your bootloader, and use the Root Process for developer edition Moto X. (there is a thread for it) If you already have 4.4.2 on your phone, this is the only way to root and disable write protection.
If you do not want to void your warranty & unlock your bootloader, then you have no choice but to follow the SlapMyMoto thread to root. it does involve downgrading your rom,etc. BUT do not even think about taking the 4.4.2 update if you want to keep root and write protection disabled. And this doesn't work if you already have 4.4.2 on your phone.

Jon.StatiK said:
I need help and that's an understatement. It comes down to this... I'm super confused as what I need to do to flashing a custom recovery and ROM. I'm on a Sprint Moto X running 4.4.
Someone just tell me what to do if you can. This downgrading and what not is confusing me when I see people saying not to worry about it.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sprint model has an unlockable bootloader so you wont need to follow the SpapMyMoto steps. That's only for those with a locked bootloader (although you could do it if you really wanted to).
I unlocked my US Cellular Moto X which is pretty much the exact same thing but without the same model number. So this is what I did:
Unlock the boatloader through the Motorola unlock program. This voids your warranty though.
Flash twrp
Flash supersu
And now your rooted!
Now that you've flashed a custom recovery, the only thing left to do on your list is flash the rom you want.
NOTE: This will only work of you have an unlockable boatloader in which case - you do. If you are able to request an unlock code through the program then just follow those steps and you'll be sweet. Just make sure you copy the code into a word document then remove the spaces first. I made the error of leaving the spaces in there and wondered why I couldn't request a code. Also the request button is at the very bottom of the page so just scroll to the bottom to find it once you input the code. A message will pop up if you forgot to remove the spaces.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

If I unlock the bootloader and go that route I'm open to flash any ROM I want right?
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

Right. Thanks for the help!
Sent from my XT1056 using Tapatalk

KidJoe said:
Since the downgrading and what not is confusing you, I'm not sure what you know and what you don't so let me start at the beginning...
When you purchase the Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and other carrier editions, they come with their bootloaders locked. You can only flash/install roms and parts of ROMs which are signed by Motorola. This means you have to use some tricks and exploits to root your phone and disable the phone's Write Protection. This is why you see the SlapMyMoto, and MotoWPNoMo, and the like. These processes involve downgrading the rom on your phone so you can take advantage of "flaws" which are present in the older rom and exploited to gain root and disable write protection.
With ROM updates, Motorola can/will close the holes and flaws, meaning new exploits are needed to gain root and such. With 4.4.2, Moto closed the loop hole that allowed downgrading the ROM version on your phone, so you can't use the older tricks to gain root and disable write protection. So if you have 4.4.2 on your X, you are stuck.
If you purchased a developer edition, you can unlock your bootloader, and do so without voiding your phone's warranty. This allows you to flash things/roms/parts that are not signed by Motorola. You can flash a custom recovery for example. Unlocking the bootloader also disables the Write Protection. So you can easily root by flashing a custom recovery, booting to it, and installing SuperSU to root. And you can even flash a custom rom if you want, and if there is one available for your X. This works no matter what ROM version you flash. (this still works for 4.4.2)
Thankfully, some carriers allow you to unlock your Non-Developer Edition X's bootloader. Sprint and T-Mobile allow this. However some, like Verizon and ATT do not. Motorola has a web site setup where you can request the unlock code for your phone. However if your carrier allows this, and you have a Non-Developer edition phone, your warranty is voided when you Accept the terms and REQUEST the code. BUT this does give you the exact same flexibilty to root and disable write protection as a Developer Edition does, just with a voided warranty.
So when you read these threads, there will be info for LOCKED Bootloader and UNLOCKED bootloader.
Ok, that being said.. Since you have a Sprint X, if you are ok voiding your warranty, the best thing to do is get the unlock code from Moto's web site, unlock your bootloader, and use the Root Process for developer edition Moto X. (there is a thread for it) If you already have 4.4.2 on your phone, this is the only way to root and disable write protection.
If you do not want to void your warranty & unlock your bootloader, then you have no choice but to follow the SlapMyMoto thread to root. it does involve downgrading your rom,etc. BUT do not even think about taking the 4.4.2 update if you want to keep root and write protection disabled. And this doesn't work if you already have 4.4.2 on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gotta say @kid Joe this is an awesome explanation. I'm on the fence about voiding my warranty never have I seen such a detailed explanation without any animosity or being rude. I love Xda.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk

r_diaz13 said:
I gotta say @kid Joe this is an awesome explanation. I'm on the fence about voiding my warranty never have I seen such a detailed explanation without any animosity or being rude. I love Xda.
Sent from my XT1053 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree completely. I was about to comment the same. Great response.

Sending back GSM Dev edition with unlocked boot loader

I'm going to return my dev edition moto x. Do I have to go through the process of relocking the boot loader or will they accept the return with the boot loader unlocked? I'm curious if anyone has tried this?

LSUtigers03 said:
I'm going to return my dev edition moto x. Do I have to go through the process of relocking the boot loader or will they accept the return with the boot loader unlocked? I'm curious if anyone has tried this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re-Locking the BL won't do any good. They will know without a doubt that you had unlocked previously, since once re-locked, the status can never be changed back to "LOCKED", but only "RE-LOCKED".
Word is that they will honor the warranty on the DEV edition regardless of whether or not you have unlocked.
Additionally, some individuals have reported that Moto honored the warranty on their *non-DEV* editions, even though they unlocked the BL - even though the terms seem to suggest this voids your warranty. I'm certainly not saying that they absolutley will honor it for a non-DEV edition, but the word is that they are honoring the warranty anyways.
The documentation seems to suggest that unlocking an actual DEV edition does not affect the warranty process whatsoever.
Good Luck :good:

I appreciate the reply. I'll give it a shot and see what happens.

Moto's policy for Developer Editions is... Unlocking the bootloader does NOT void the warranty. So there should be no fear of returning it unlocked.
I would just make sure you have flashed to a stock rom and factory reset the device to ensure its a hardware problem before you send it.

Are there any risks rooting the P20 Pro?

As i am coming from Samsung, i want to know if there is any risk of loosing functions that are protected???
With sony, it were some camera functions i lost when i rooted it, on my note 3 it was the efuse etc...
So is there anything i have to worry about?

Bolvaron said:
As i am coming from Samsung, i want to know if there is any risk of loosing functions that are protected???
With sony, it were some camera functions i lost when i rooted it, on my note 3 it was the efuse etc...
So is there anything i have to worry about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting itself does nothing that you mentioned.
Using a firmware other than the one intended or flashing outside of the natural progression which was intended is what breaks those things
Samsung- efuse chip is triggered when you use Odin, not rooting.
With Sony when I had a Z1 it was using a non standard ROM or: Cm or aosp which meant the standard savers didn't work as it wasn't ported unless they really tightened up their DRM.
In this regard its the same, but the camera has already been ported, its in the ROM section of this forum, so no worry there, I don't know if there is an efuse chip on the Huawei but I do know they're funny about bootloaders being unlocked and further modifying so there may be a way for them to know and they'll probably blame any issues as a result of that regardless of what it is if they can prove it.
That being said there are reports of users who've totally bricked their phones and already have replacements so I would say it depends.
With unlocking the bootloader and modifying your phone against the advice of OEM's always carries a risk, so it's up to you if you continue.
Personally I'll do what I want with my phone, by buying it it's my choice and I'll do what I want.

Can't you root the p20 pro without unlocking the bootloader?

paysen said:
Can't you root the p20 pro without unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, first of All you need to do is unlock the bootloader.
I came also from Samsung, i unlocked my P20 pro and then i rooted. And i had no impairment.
Regards

Okay, thanks for your answers. So ill root mine too, got my bootloader unlock code from huawei.

I suppose you loose warranty the moment you use the bootloader code. P.s. how do you request a code?
Thx

varignet said:
I suppose you loose warranty the moment you use the bootloader code. P.s. how do you request a code?
Thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out guides on this forum. There are quite a few places that explain how to do it.
For example a thread has all info: [GUIDE] - How to root debrand and/or remove Retail mode for P20pro CLT-L29
Can't post any links yet gotta get through my first 10 posts.

Warranty void post root?

Hi,
I'm trying to choose between buying a K20 Pro (when it releases in India on 17th) or a OnePlus 7.
I remember that that the warranty of older Mi phones would not be considered void if it was rooted or only the bootloader was unlocked. If I remember it correctly, it would be voided only if a custom ROM was flashed.
So, is this the same scenario with the K20 Pro? What can be done without voiding the warranty?
Thanks

Isn't that the case for any make and model of smartphones?

plskillme said:
Isn't that the case for any make and model of smartphones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so. Rooting voids the warranty of most phones. Xiaomi, OnePlus and another OEM were the only ones who allowed rooting without voiding the warranty.
Also, the info I remember is from 4~5 years ago, so I might be wrong.

tsg97 said:
I don't think so. Rooting voids the warranty of most phones. Xiaomi, OnePlus and another OEM were the only ones who allowed rooting without voiding the warranty.
Also, the info I remember is from 4~5 years ago, so I might be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an OP3, rooting voids warranty, same case with my SGNote2.

plskillme said:
I had an OP3, rooting voids warranty, same case with my SGNote2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any idea about the K20?? Will rooting it voids it's warranty too?

Unlocking the bootloader doesn't, rooting will.

Unlocking or rooting shouldn't void your warranty. Also I'd given my RN4 for replacing the board and I had a custom ROM in it but I still got it replaced under warranty. There's no official statement but you can always revert back to a stock ROM before giving it for repair