Can you simply explain what are advantages by unlocking the bootloader, waiting 14 days (why 14?) ?
I just wanted to replace the stock Android 7 with Oreo 8, but in most of the guides it looks like the boot loader must be unlocked.
Can one explain to me the technical reason for that?
Thnx
The bootloader must be unlocked so you can flash recovery and do a lot from there. The main reason you'd want it unlocked is for root or custom roms, or even Android P semi GSI
_Hinnie_ said:
The bootloader must be unlocked so you can flash recovery and do a lot from there. The main reason you'd want it unlocked is for root or custom roms, or even Android P semi GSI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Hinnie,
so far as I understand, if I would use a custom rom, the bootloader unlocked is mandatory...
But why one need to wait for 14 days?
The 14 days time is from Lenovo itself. Every company has different policy in terms of deciding duration for unlocking bootloader.
_maxim_ said:
Thank you Hinnie,
so far as I understand, if I would use a custom rom, the bootloader unlocked is mandatory...
But why one need to wait for 14 days?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, that the user has the option to cancel the process of unlocking, in these 14 days.
It's for safety purpose, coz once the bootloader is unlocked, one can customise (or destroy) everything from system files to IMEI to making phone a brick.
With great power comes great responsibilities
So, there are various pros & cons of unlocking bootloader.
But, nothing will be damaged until you follow the steps or guidelines provided for the various processes. Just read & read & implement once you are almost 90% sure that it will not harm your data or device.
And most important always remember to keep backups
Happy Flashing !!
I just wondering if it is possible to make an custom rom, of copperhead os? Or can it only be used in Google Pixel devices?
HenryStar said:
I just wondering if it is possible to make an custom rom, of copperhead os? Or can it only be used in Google Pixel devices?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think not since you need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom rom.
johnjingle said:
I would think not since you need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did all ready. Same day I got the phone I unlocked the bootloader and all.
HenryStar said:
I did all ready. Same day I got the phone I unlocked the bootloader and all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bootloader is also unlocked, I meant that you cannot run CopperheadOS on an unsecured/unlocked system. This is what I was referring to:
"Unlike other custom ROMs that strive to add lots of new functionality, Copperhead runs a pretty vanilla version of AOSP. Also, while the first thing you usually do when playing with a custom ROM is to add root access to the device, not only does Copperhead prevent that, it also requires that you have a device that has verified boot, so there's no unlocking the bootloader. This is to prevent malicious code from getting access to the handset."
I have a converted A2 (+ARB 4), with UNLOCKED bootloader.
I read somewhere if you relock the BL , you will not able to UNLOCK it again ever after! (is it true?)
and other thing: If it try the MIUI BL Unlocker Official Application to unlock my device (even when it is still unlocked) what could be happen? (I've just followed the steps till the warning msg: "Unlocking Bootloader will erase user Data" ). (I read somewhere else that for unlocking miui devices you need to submit the request and you need to wait for a long time to get the code, and I was going to get the code for a case of necessity in future.)
I need to know how far I can play with these stuffs on my devices and left a practical way to recover a Bricked phone. ( I consider even TEST POINT as a practical option [tried once and it is damn easy and fun ] )
Im sorry bro but the actual model and serial code of your phone is a A2.And that means you probably wont unlock it it will give a hardware error.But pls try it and report.Dont worry there will be a fix!!
Tech_jetoncesaj said:
Im sorry bro but the actual model and serial code of your phone is a A2.And that means you probably wont unlock it it will give a hardware error.But pls try it and report.Dont worry there will be a fix!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it locked again my BL, what would be the solution? I didn't find any.
the mi unlock app requires a mi account with unlock permissions (account! not phone)
if you try to unlock an unlocked a2 you should either get unsuported - it's meant for miui devices - or already unlocked.
The app first checks the account and passes to further steps, then recognizes my phone, and warns me about wiping Data. ( At this step I declined and closed the app)
Your hypothesis seems correct, but if in any circumstances I would be left with relocked converted A2 , ist there any chance to reunlock it again?
that's why the test point method exists, for locked that you try to fastboot flash
I tried, and it just says: Device Unlocked, no need to reunlock again!
So now is it safe to lock my bootloader and try the app again?
if you lock the bootloader via fastboot commands it wont boot any more.
only way to safely lock is with miflash and you cannot miflash a wayne miui on a converted a2. it will see that it's the jasmine.
if you miflash the a2 fastboot rom it will relock ok - if the flashing works...might not cuz of the arb - but you wont be on miui any more.
what are you trying to do anyway?
i think what you dont understand is the unlock on miui and android one are the same end result but different steps. for miui you godda use the mi unlock, for and1 its just the dev options switch
laviniu_c said:
if you lock the bootloader via fastboot commands it wont boot any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I run the command and re-lock it by Fastboot, how can I re-unlock it again?
laviniu_c said:
only way to safely lock is with miflash and you cannot miflash a wayne miui on a converted a2. it will see that it's the jasmine.
if you miflash the a2 fastboot rom it will relock ok - if the flashing works...might not cuz of the arb - but you wont be on miui any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do you mean there is no safety way to re-lock a converted A2 which runs MIUI ?
(and If I had a Banking app which needs a Locked BL to work, there will be no chance to run it at all?)
laviniu_c said:
what are you trying to do anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said I want to know all the aspects of practical ways to deal with my phone, right now I am totally happy with it, but actually the opportunity of dealing with all these technical stuffs convinced me to buy this phone.
laviniu_c said:
i think what you dont understand is the unlock on miui and android one are the same end result but different steps. for miui you godda use the mi unlock, for and1 its just the dev options switch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard that some ROMs may re-lock the phone, since then I would like to know if in any circumstances I would be stuck on that situation how can I re-unlock my phone.
any official miui rom that has the firmware folder in it might do it for example, so will bad ports....
try to use the magisk hide options to fix the banking app, add it to the list of apps for which it specifically hides root. add also the google services and make sure you pass the safetynet tests and your device shows as certified in the playstore settings. i think there were some modules to fix the bl check
laviniu_c said:
any official miui rom that has the firmware folder in it might do it for example, so will bad ports....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So lets assume it has been happened, what would be the procedure to rescue my phone? since as you said if the BL locked again it will not boot to OS.
laviniu_c said:
try to use the magisk hide options to fix the banking app, add it to the list of apps for which it specifically hides root. add also the google services and make sure you pass the safetynet tests and your device shows as certified in the playstore settings. i think there were some modules to fix the bl check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would'nt like to root the phone, isn't there any other option?
if you lock the bootloader with any kind of non official rom for your phone (i.e. jasmine_sprout) which in your case is android one it wont boot. the end. only way out of that is the edl mode and miflash. that's the basic difference between locked and unlocked, it checks what os it loads and it makes sure the loaded os is the official rom for the phone. converting the a2 means it needs to be unlocked and you load a rom that's a ported miui10 from wayne to jasmine_sprout. if you flash the full rom, that has the locked bootloader from wayne which will fail to start since:
1 - the phone still isnt wayne
2- the rom isnt quite the official one (since it's renamed to work on jasmine)
3 - even if the phone was fully wayne, you dont really want the official mi 6x rom since that's china only. i.e. no google services
the only unknown in all this is the ARB, but edl should ignore that.
somehow i was under the impression you already have magisk (root/hide) up and running on the converted miui 10. yes, there are good miui 10 ports (for example xiaomi.eu) that give you the miui experience on a2 except they will never have the full ota support that the official rom has.
my advice? stick to the stock a2 rom. locked and full stock. the moment you need to start experimenting is when the android one support stops OR if you really want root.
if you wanted miui and you're outside china, mi 6x is still NOT the way to go. cuz it doesnt have an official global rom anyway. i dont get why everyone is jumping through hoops to get unofficial roms installed with stock support available.
laviniu_c said:
if you lock the bootloader with any kind of non official rom for your phone (i.e. jasmine_sprout) which in your case is android one it wont boot. the end. only way out of that is the edl mode and miflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So please consider these situations:
The phone is A2 converted to 6X &
The BL has been re-locked &
ARB 4 has been triggered
how can I use EDL mode to unlock it?
(I think miflash would not help because the LOCKED BL and the phone is actually A2)
(I think also Fastboot wont be able to unlock it since it is A2 Converted to 6X)
laviniu_c said:
yes, there are good miui 10 ports (for example xiaomi.eu) that give you the miui experience on a2 except they will never have the full ota support that the official rom has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid but I didt't get the point, now every week I receive Pie beta updates (besides there are stable versions too) which actually stable enough, almost Bug & Lag Free (it differs Rom to Rom, but believe me it is COOL ) , and by PitchBlack you can use direct update. (I prefer to install it by myself since I LOVE TWRP & its child PB). so what exactly we miss of original OTA service of XIAOMI?
laviniu_c said:
my advice? stick to the stock a2 rom. locked and full stock. the moment you need to start experimenting is when the android one support stops OR if you really want root..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I think it wouldn't be an option for who has triggered ARB4! isn't it? (I read when you got ARB4 you must forget AndroidOne! even TestPoint won't help)
laviniu_c said:
if you wanted miui and you're outside china, mi 6x is still NOT the way to go. cuz it doesnt have an official global rom anyway. i dont get why everyone is jumping through hoops to get unofficial roms installed with stock support available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again I didn't get what do you mean, could you please explain it a bit more? (since my current MIUI 10.4 has almost everything)
http://bigota.d.miui.com/V10.0.2.0....0.PDIMIFJ_20181206.0000.00_9.0_02b8deeb6d.tgz this should work with the testpoint/edl method and miflash. (unless arb does something to stop it)
there's a few problems with your approach.
1) not official. any time the guys maintaining the custom rom can decide to stop producing it.
2) all work into these custom roms is voluntary. are they sometime better? sure, never said they werent but again, xiaomi/google/android have far far more resources at their disposal and while the phone is under the official period it will be maintained.
3) did you bother to read the first lines in any custom rom? they take 0 responsibility for whatever happens to your phone. they do not intend to break it, but they dont have to support you if you're in trouble either. if you dont have a valid warranty, that's understandable, you don't lose anything. but guess what? there are official vendors for xiaomi all over the world, offering official warranty. that holds as long as you're on STOCK.
4) though most custom roms are well intended, there is nothing assuring you there's nothing inside there that you dont want installed. you move your trust from xiaomi/google/android (which you can hold accountable) to whoever made that rom (who just carpet say, it's your phone you're doing the flashing, anything happens you're on your own). in most cases those devs don't mean harm, but they could and there's nothing to stop them (and they would never put in the hours of work if there was accountability for their action - i perfectly understand them. it's sortof like, i can try to do this, but because my work is not paid for by the end user they do not have any hold over me. it's correct and yet at the same time it's very very dangerous.). ever seen a custom miui built by a shop? i have, it's packed full of junk, bugs and malware. another thing here is testing. the official rom goes through a bunch of tests/beta versions. not saying it's perfect but it's better then the "known bugs: you tell me". custom rom devs cannot do it any other way, they dont have the time to test or the team to test.
5) the official devs don't have this option, they have a job and do it. it's a completely different approach.
this is not a rant against custom rom devs, i understand them 100%, they're trying to help. what i'm saying is there's always 2 sides to each story. there's no right or wrong, there's just what's best for each user. some of us will want the safe and easy way of the stock roms. some will want custom roms. in the end everyone is doing what they choose with their phone.
laviniu_c said:
http://bigota.d.miui.com/V10.0.2.0....0.PDIMIFJ_20181206.0000.00_9.0_02b8deeb6d.tgz this should work with the testpoint/edl method and miflash. (unless arb does something to stop it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it will not work, the Actual duty of ARB4 is to preventing you to use these things! as much as I know after ARB4 you have two options: MIUI 10 or custom ROMs such as Havoc or so, for AndroidONE we need to wait a version of AndroidONE which be compatible with ARB4! otherwise flashing STOCK AndroidONE will simply brick your phone! THE whole IDEA of this THREAT is this!
And BTW as much as I know XIAOMI.EU is cooperating now with the XIAOMI ! besides we do not keep a phone for a whole life time, 2-3 years of supports would be far enough. and they do offer it right now!
and I would like to lock the BL for further security reasons but it seems to be impossible so far otherwise someone suggests a practical way for it.
I guess you need to contact me.
sz.hatef said:
If it locked again my BL, what would be the solution? I didn't find any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey its not very good to talk here in xda.We can try some methods!
Chat with me in telegram.
@blackgryphon1
Dont worry about brick,bcz im the only one who can unbrick,downgrade a xiaomi phone even if its arb4.
Feel free to contact me.
Also join my group i will be there too.
Since i cant post links,search this on telegram <<its my group>><<iT HAS A BLACK PHONE WALLPAPER AND IT HAS 86 MEMBERS!
Mi A2 & Mi 6X
Tech_jetoncesaj said:
Hey its not very good to talk here in xda.We can try some methods!
Chat with me in telegram.
@blackgryphon1
Dont worry about brick,bcz im the only one who can unbrick,downgrade a xiaomi phone even if its arb4.
Feel free to contact me.
Also join my group i will be there too.
Since i cant post links,search this on telegram <<its my group>><<iT HAS A BLACK PHONE WALLPAPER AND IT HAS 86 MEMBERS!
Mi A2 & Mi 6X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as I said, I would like to know the possible ways, currently I haven't any problem, could you explain it a bit , how could it possible to reunlock my BL if it get locked on MIUI?
ahem.
There is NO way to unlock an A2 device that has been converted to an 6X with ARB anti 4.
Your bootloaders are important in this case (xbl.elf and abl.elf). ARB and bootloader status is also managed here.
If you are using A2, with 6X system without ARB anti 4, that phone uses A2 bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will still accept any flashes without authentication. You may or may not be able to unlock it again through fastboot.
If you are using A2, with 6X system and firmware with ARB anti 4, that phone uses 6X bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will not accept any flashes without authentication*. You cannot unlock the phone through fastboot**.
*There is a workaround to this but you need to open your phone's back.
**Because MIUI devices need Mi Unlock to be unlocked, and Mi Unlock wants you to log in, and the system is not accessible, your phone will stay bricked.
You can still unbrick the phone with the above workaround, but you will be stuck with China MIUI and won't be able to unlock your phone's bootloader even if you logged in because your phone is not registered on Mi Unlock database (since Android One devices do not need/use Mi Unlock because of Google's enforcements).
Too long, didn't read?
Do not attempt to lock your phone. Even if you are on fully stock with your phone's own firmware. Locking is extremely risky due to the fact that even unlocking the bootloader corrupts the system integrity in some way.
Letzen said:
ahem.
There is NO way to unlock an A2 device that has been converted to an 6X with ARB anti 4.
Your bootloaders are important in this case (xbl.elf and abl.elf). ARB and bootloader status is also managed here.
If you are using A2, with 6X system without ARB anti 4, that phone uses A2 bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will still accept any flashes without authentication. You may or may not be able to unlock it again through fastboot.
If you are using A2, with 6X system and firmware with ARB anti 4, that phone uses 6X bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will not accept any flashes without authentication*. You cannot unlock the phone through fastboot**.
*There is a workaround to this but you need to open your phone's back.
**Because MIUI devices need Mi Unlock to be unlocked, and Mi Unlock wants you to log in, and the system is not accessible, your phone will stay bricked.
You can still unbrick the phone with the above workaround, but you will be stuck with China MIUI and won't be able to unlock your phone's bootloader even if you logged in because your phone is not registered on Mi Unlock database (since Android One devices do not need/use Mi Unlock because of Google's enforcements).
Too long, didn't read?
Do not attempt to lock your phone. Even if you are on fully stock with your phone's own firmware. Locking is extremely risky due to the fact that even unlocking the bootloader corrupts the system integrity in some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, it explains everything and totally sounds right to me,
Just couple questions:
so in any circumstances it could be again usable just with a Chinese ROM, and so there will be no way to install Google Play on it, since there will be no custom recovery , no root accessibility , ... , It will be for ever with a Pure Chinese ROM (which practically would be unusable for us). Am I right?
Considering above situation, sending the device to a Xiaomi Center could help us to get back to any kind of global ROM (AndroidONE / MIUI) or not?
Right now I am totally happy with Xiaomi.eu MIUI BETA roms, no need to switch to other projects, I need to know is there any chance to stuck with a locked BL while attempting the new Beta ROMs? I use PitchBlack to flash new ROMs every week. Or if I want to ask it in short: How to prevent to get a Locked BL?
Thanks a lot again.
sz.hatef said:
Thanks a lot, it explains everything and totally sounds right to me,
Just couple questions:
so in any circumstances it could be again usable just with a Chinese ROM, and so there will be no way to install Google Play on it, since there will be no custom recovery , no root accessibility , ... , It will be for ever with a Pure Chinese ROM (which practically would be unusable for us). Am I right?
Considering above situation, sending the device to a Xiaomi Center could help us to get back to any kind of global ROM (AndroidONE / MIUI) or not?
Right now I am totally happy with Xiaomi.eu MIUI BETA roms, no need to switch to other projects, I need to know is there any chance to stuck with a locked BL while attempting the new Beta ROMs? I use PitchBlack to flash new ROMs every week. Or if I want to ask it in short: How to prevent to get a Locked BL?
Thanks a lot again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does flashing a MIUI.eu beta ROM without deleting the firmware folder lock the bootloader ?
what's the benefit from not deleting the firmware folder?
i'm using a converted MI A2
thanks
Hello! Is it possible to root this phone as for now? Are there any custom roms for this model?
Decimetre said:
Hello! Is it possible to root this phone as for now? Are there any custom roms for this model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can unlock bootloader, yes you can flash Magisk to root or flash GSI as custom ROMs.
Have you unlock your phone bootloader? May I know what model of your phone? Starting with RMX...
siamese007 said:
If you can unlock bootloader, yes you can flash Magisk to root or flash GSI as custom ROMs.
Have you unlock your phone bootloader? May I know what model of your phone? Starting with RMX...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the response. I could not find TWRP for this phone. The model is RMX2025. I couldn't unlock my phone's bootloader because the official "Bootloader Unlock Tool App" does not support this model... The lowest model it supports is rmx2051. Is there any other way to unlock bootloader on this phone? People say it's impossible...
Decimetre said:
Thank you for the response. I could not find TWRP for this phone. The model is RMX2025. I couldn't unlock my phone's bootloader because the official "Bootloader Unlock Tool App" does not support this model... The lowest model it supports is rmx2051. Is there any other way to unlock bootloader on this phone? People say it's impossible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome. As far as I know there is only deep test app to unlock bootloader for RMX2051 model of X50 5G only. As long as Realme does not provide deep test app for RMX2025, there is no possible way to flash TWRP or any custom recovery. IMO Realme probably care the vendors rather than the end users so that they have their phones unable to be unlocked.
I sold my RMX2025 and RMX2144 already. Right now I have Redmi K30 5G which is basically the same platform specs as Realme X50 5G. Android devices give the users the ability to customize their devices over iOS devices. This is one of the major attractive points that I chose Android devices over the iOS devices. But some major phone manufacturers chose to remove this selling point.
Well...There may be some hope that Realme may give the deep test app that supports other models of their X50 5G later. But no idea when.
I contacted a Hindu Youtuber who makes videos about unlocking phones, and he said that he will soon post a video of how to unlock RMX2025. As for now, I have restored my phone to default settings and removed (or disabled) almost every Chinese app. Google Assistant still doesn't work but I can live without it
Decimetre said:
I contacted a Hindu Youtuber who makes videos about unlocking phones, and he said that he will soon post a video of how to unlock RMX2025. As for now, I have restored my phone to default settings and removed (or disabled) almost every Chinese app. Google Assistant still doesn't work but I can live without it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be very cool. Please uodate whenever he post the unlock video. I am looking forwards to watching this. This phone is good though. If I can unlock the phone, I will probably buy another RMX2025.
I have seen a post showing how to debloat this phoneas well. You may also look in some section of this phone forum for additional space.
have you tried changing region of your phone? to make it CN variant?
I created this topic because I can't find a way to unlock the bootloader of my Asus Rog Phone 3. Regarding whether or not I unlocked it before, I would think not, since it was a high-end phone, when I bought it, it did not cross my mind unlock bootloader, root, install GSI roms, among others.
My Rog Phone 3 had Android 12 installed, I tried to Downgrade to Android 11, Downgrade to Android 10, and then use the Asus Original Unlock tool (using all its versions) without favorable results to unlock bootloader.
I also tried EDL Unbrick, although I don't know if there is any tool to unlock bootloader with EDL, tools, anyway, I open this question to see if there is any way today to unlock the bootloader of my Asus Rog Phone 3 (it has 12GB of RAM, It is optional, just in case.) Someone who can help me or access me, I would be very grateful, excuse my English. My goal is to unlock bootloader to root it and then install GSI roms, especially install GSI roms ..