Database Develop

[Q] Explain the bootloader and why can't we unlock it?

I'm new to the S5 coming from a S3 (rooted, unlocked bootloader, etc). I see that it seems that the g900a and g900v are both bootloader locked. What actually prevents us from unlocking it? Is it software encryption? Hardware something or other? I've always been curious about it. Is there a possibility that someone would come up with a method to unlock the g900a bootloader, or is it nigh impossible to do?
I read this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Bootloader
But it didn't fully answer my questions.

I'm pretty sure it's encrypted. There is absolutely no doubt the bl can be unlocked, you could be the person to do it and become xda-famous. You just have to be (or have connections to) a high level tech at Samsung who can provide a method to decrypt the encryption that locks the bootloader. Should be a piece of cake...
Edit: the reason that more and more carriers are now opting to keep the bootloader locked down is because having a bunch of people screwing up their phones and then making warranty claims or needing customer service negatively impacts their bottom line. Keeping it locked is a safeguard, really.

I am def not the guy to do this. Hahaha. Thanks for the info!

out of curiosity, what would be required to change the boot loader? Is it flashable like the BIOS in a PC or is it- for lack of a better phrase- set in stone? thanks

ZKornecki said:
out of curiosity, what would be required to change the boot loader? Is it flashable like the BIOS in a PC or is it- for lack of a better phrase- set in stone? thanks
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Click to collapse
It's locked/encrypted so it can't be changed.

[Q] XT1058 (AT&T) lollipop root

I haven't seen any root methods listed here for 5.0.
I'm still on 4.4 because I didn't want to lose system write or root. Has anyone been able to successfully root 5.0 with system write ability? What method did you use?
I've seen mentions of using Chain Fire but the articles are usually poorly written, so I don't trust them.

d3athsd00r said:
I haven't seen any root methods listed here for 5.0.
I'm still on 4.4 because I didn't want to lose system write or root. Has anyone been able to successfully root 5.0 with system write ability? What method did you use?
I've seen mentions of using Chain Fire but the articles are usually poorly written, so I don't trust them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp has the option to root.
When you reboot from it.
That's how I rooted twrp

I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.

d3athsd00r said:
I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.
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Click to collapse
If you have a locked bootloader you need someone to find a in the phone, or its software. Then a repeatable process must be created to use the exploit to gain root. i.e. Hack It.
Root is only part. There is also Write Protection to worry about.. When Write Protection is enabled (the phone's default state with locked bootloader, any changes made to /system, or the like, (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on. Starting with 4.4.2, on a locked bootloader we can't disable write protection. No Vulnerabilities have been found/posted. However, Unlocking the bootloader disables write protection.
So if you have a locked bootloader, and want to root 5.02, you first need 5.02 to come out, then vulnerability found, tested, and a process created. When 5.1 comes out, it needs to be tested to see if the vulnerability was patched. if it was, the work starts all over again.. Its like playing "whack a mole." And even then you likely will have write protection enabled... so any power off/on or "hard boot" will mean lost changes to your phone.
Since the 2013 X is getting old, and only ATT, Verizon, and Republic wireless can't unlock their bootloader through Motorola's site, Paying $25 to use Sunshine if your phone is still on 4.4.2 or lower, is not a bad deal if you want to be sure you can root and disable write protection no matter what Android version comes to your phone.
NOTE: I am not affiliated with Sunshine... just trying to help you understand... Coming up with a root process for a LOCKED Bootloader isn't "quick and easy"

d3athsd00r said:
I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.
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Click to collapse
That's literally the only way you are going to have root on lollipop. At least for a while anyways. I don't think many people would be interested in finding and creating exploits after this phone has already be exploited to the point where almost everyone can unlock their bootloader. I started at 4.4, went down to 4.2.2, used RockMyMoto and MotoWPnomo, then used SlapMyMoto when upgrading back to 4.4. After that I installed Safestrap and was able to use the stock (and rooted) ROMs by @Ctrl-Freak all the way up to 4.4.4. But after I heard about Sunshine... That was the holy grail. Unlocked my bootloader, flashed a clean install of stock 4.4 and just upgraded till 4.4.4 again, flashed TWRP, rooted, and that was it.

Thanks guys. I was always wary about Sunshine. Just never sat well with me, but I think I'm going to do it after I move into my new house since I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

d3athsd00r said:
Thanks guys. I was always wary about Sunshine. Just never sat well with me, but I think I'm going to do it after I move into my new house since I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.
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Its true, Sunshine is kind of risky... BUT because of those involved with it, I would consider it as safe as any "hack" can get.
If I didn't have a Dev Edition X, and needed to unlock my bootloader, I would not hesitate to use Sunshine.

Root without paying anything?

Is there a way to root this device without paying anything?
I've an unlocked verizon droid turbo(supports all sim cards )
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

No.

Nope.

If you're unlocked you should be able to flash supersu on twrp. Unlocking carries the fee not rooting. Correct me if I'm wrong I just got this phone. However I never paid to root it. I paid to unlock it and felt awkward for it afterwards. I never had to pay to unlock a phone. It's like one of those things I get told not to do because it's a scam. Lol.

xrock8 said:
Is there a way to root this device without paying anything?
I've an unlocked verizon droid turbo(supports all sim cards )
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you used Sunshine, your phone is not unlocked. Your phone is SIM unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.

iiWoodstocK said:
Unless you used Sunshine, your phone is not unlocked. Your phone is SIM unlocked, not bootloader unlocked.
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Yeah my bad
Thanks for correcting me !
I actually meant SIM unlocked.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

xrock8 said:
Yeah my bad
Thanks for correcting me !
I actually meant SIM unlocked.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no way of getting free permanent root. You could use Sunshine to get temp root, but that might not be too useful since the bootloader is still locked.
The only way to get permanent root is to unlock the bootloader by paying for Sunshine.

Temp root doesn't really allow permanent changes. The write protection is really really annoying. Twrp disables this write protection.

That is incorrect. You can root without sunshine, or TWRP. There is a debate as to the permanence. You can run Kingroot, then some scripts to swap Kingroot for SU, this will result in permanent persistent root without installing TWRP. The question is if Sunshine disabled the write protection or not. If you have not unlocked with Sunshine then by all means git it a try and let us know if it worked. I posted a thread about it a while back.
I'm not sure why people repeat that TWRP is needed for perm root but rest assured, it is absolutely 100% not.

HT123 said:
That is incorrect. You can root without sunshine, or TWRP. There is a debate as to the permanence. You can run Kingroot, then some scripts to swap Kingroot for SU, this will result in permanent persistent root without installing TWRP. The question is if Sunshine disabled the write protection or not. If you have not unlocked with Sunshine then by all means git it a try and let us know if it worked. I posted a thread about it a while back.
I'm not sure why people repeat that TWRP is needed for perm root but rest assured, it is absolutely 100% not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're half right. An unlocked bootloader is required for persistent root on the Droid Turbo. There's not really any debate about that. Technically, TWRP is not required. There are ways to get SuperSU on there without TWRP after the bootloader is unlocked (sunshine or kingroot temp root + flashify), but most people prefer to use TWRP since it's incredibly useful for the things that people with unlocked bootloaders usually want to do. Unlocking a bootloader without installing TWRP is like buying a Swiss army knife that doesn't have any knives in it. And yes, if you're determined enough, you can get SuperSU on there via Kingroot with a locked bootloader. But with a locked bootloader, doing so achieves nothing more than a super unstable system. Root's great and all, but it's not better than a phone that will actually turn on for more than 5 seconds before every app starts force closing.
EDIT: Nevermind. I think I misread what you were trying to say. Your post was assuming an unlocked bootloader. I missed that.
---------- Post added at 12:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 PM ----------
s4shield said:
If you're unlocked you should be able to flash supersu on twrp. Unlocking carries the fee not rooting. Correct me if I'm wrong I just got this phone. However I never paid to root it. I paid to unlock it and felt awkward for it afterwards. I never had to pay to unlock a phone. It's like one of those things I get told not to do because it's a scam. Lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sunshine is 100% not a scam. It is primarily maintained by two guys known as jcase and beaups. If you google either of their names, you'll find that they're associated with many, if not the majority, of the root/unlock exploits that have been released for just about every Android phone that has ever received one. The fee, which is incredibly fair, is necessary to partially recoup the thousands of dollars of their own money that they spend on test devices. Jcase is also a professional security researcher by day, and by releasing things like Sunshine, he forfeits sizable bug bounties that he would receive if he reported these bugs to Google or any given phone manufacturer. You don't get something that is more legit, or two guys that are more willing to make our communities possible, than Sunshine and the team behind it.

That was the question that I have yet to see proved with empirical evidence. Does sunshine turn off write protection so that SU will be persistent between reboots. As i have a said a few times, i assume it did, but since i installed SU after I ran sunshine i can not tell for sure. Again, the question was not about preference it was about the misinformation that TWRP is required for permanent root. I dont know why but that one bugs the [email protected] out of me. Again, if you haven't run sunshine yet I urge you to look for the other thread I posted on root without TWRP and try it for yourself. Worst that happens is it does not work.

I am going to put this out there, not because I know I am right but because I'd like it confirmed or refuted myself.
On the Turbo, kingroot or whatever root implementation is used by sunshine is only a temp root, meaning it does not survive a reboot. Kingroot may or may not leave some components on the /system partition but it does not keep the phone rooted, sometimes it can't even keep root while the phone is continuously running. Either way, unstable temp root is not very useful, but it allows sunshine bootloader unlock to work through an exploit.
At this point the write protection may or may not be disabled, I assume it is disabled and I know the sunshine devs could clear this up. For most the next step is flashing twrp, which provides the option to disable WP or not. It is unclear why this needs to be done, I imagine for some circumstance where twrp is flashed but the user wants to keep WP. So twrp is able to toggle WP, but it isn't doing anything too special to accomplish this. For us there is absolutely no reason to unlock the BL, flash twrp, then keep WP on and in fact it may render the phone unusable in this state.
So to get perm root, you need WP turned off. To get WP turned off, you need the BL unlocked. To get the BL unlocked, you need temp root.
Thus there is no free option, just pay these hard working devs for their huge personal investment in our device and appreciate the fact that someone got it done. Root is not easy anymore, and that is why it costs something now. Other high-end carrier locked-down phones will never get root because no one with enough skill and determination is working on them. Or there is simply no available exploit (or at least one that is feasible to use).
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Again, this is the question that some seem baffled by.
Does running sunshine turn off the write protection to enable the swapping of kingroot for SU to be persistent through reboots.
As i have said, numerous time, TWRP is 100% not needed for ermanent persistent root. it just isn't, no matter how often the claim is repeated, it does not make it true. This is not a question about paying the devs or any other philosophical discussion on the merrits of TWRP vs stock recovery. It is a simple technical question of "Can you make root persistent without running sunshine"

HT123 said:
Again, this is the question that some seem baffled by.
"Can you make root persistent without running sunshine"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disclaimer: I have no idea what I am talking about but I'd wager I am right.
Not without a new exploit.
To date the only exploit we have that allows write protection disabled is the one that allows an unlocked bootloader.
After that we have full access and then have our choice to use fastboot, adb or twrp.
If another dev/hacker were to look for an exploit I'm guessing they would again attack the bootloader.
This is a very logical starting place since a persistent root would most likely need two exploits. One to gain root, another to gain write access.

mrkhigh said:
Disclaimer: I have no idea what I am talking about but I'd wager I am right.
Not without a new exploit.
To date the only exploit we have that allows write protection disabled is the one that allows an unlocked bootloader.
After that we have full access and then have our choice to use fastboot, adb or twrp.
If another dev/hacker were to look for an exploit I'm guessing they would again attack the bootloader.
This is a very logical starting place since a persistent root would most likely need two exploits. One to gain root, another to gain write access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the Droid Turbo XT1224, yes TWRP is needed for a fully stable write protection disabled permanent root.
On other phones, no a custom recovery is not necessarily needed. For example, on my old Droid 4, I rooted the phone without installing a custom recovery. That root was permanent, and had write protection turned off.

TheSt33v said:
You're half right. An unlocked bootloader is required for persistent root on the Droid Turbo. There's not really any debate about that. Technically, TWRP is not required. There are ways to get SuperSU on there without TWRP after the bootloader is unlocked (sunshine or kingroot temp root + flashify), but most people prefer to use TWRP since it's incredibly useful for the things that people with unlocked bootloaders usually want to do. Unlocking a bootloader without installing TWRP is like buying a Swiss army knife that doesn't have any knives in it. And yes, if you're determined enough, you can get SuperSU on there via Kingroot with a locked bootloader. But with a locked bootloader, doing so achieves nothing more than a super unstable system. Root's great and all, but it's not better than a phone that will actually turn on for more than 5 seconds before every app starts force closing.
EDIT: Nevermind. I think I misread what you were trying to say. Your post was assuming an unlocked bootloader. I missed that.
---------- Post added at 12:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 PM ----------
Sunshine is 100% not a scam. It is primarily maintained by two guys known as jcase and beaups. If you google either of their names, you'll find that they're associated with many, if not the majority, of the root/unlock exploits that have been released for just about every Android phone that has ever received one. The fee, which is incredibly fair, is necessary to partially recoup the thousands of dollars of their own money that they spend on test devices. Jcase is also a professional security researcher by day, and by releasing things like Sunshine, he forfeits sizable bug bounties that he would receive if he reported these bugs to Google or any given phone manufacturer. You don't get something that is more legit, or two guys that are more willing to make our communities possible, than Sunshine and the team behind it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it's not a scam when I first used it kind of came off that. I wasn't used to the process and I know why they charge. Anytime I've seen anyone asking you for money to either unlock your bootloader or root your phone it has always been a scam till now. So that's why I saw it that way.

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?
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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.

Has anyone returned their phone after locking the bootloader?

Hello there, I was just wondering if anyone returned their Asus Rog Phone 2 for repair or simply returned it after relocking the bootloader.
On XDA there is a great guide on locking the bootloader here https://forum.xda-developers.com/rog-phone-2/how-to/guide-convert-cn-to-ww-rom-26-08-t3961042http://
So would be interesting to see if locking the bootloader is all we need to peacefully rma the phone or does asus have some other sneaky peaky something going on to detect if we ever rooted.
I am perfectly happy with my phone its just some people on my youtube channel were asking if its safe to return after relocking I just said I haven't heard of anyone doing so, so not 100% sure.

Terminal_Heat_Sink said:
Hello there, I was just wondering if anyone returned their Asus Rog Phone 2 for repair or simply returned it after relocking the bootloader.
On XDA there is a great guide on locking the bootloader here https://forum.xda-developers.com/rog-phone-2/how-to/guide-convert-cn-to-ww-rom-26-08-t3961042http://
So would be interesting to see if locking the bootloader is all we need to peacefully rma the phone or does asus have some other sneaky peaky something going on to detect if we ever rooted.
I am perfectly happy with my phone its just some people on my youtube channel were asking if its safe to return after relocking I just said I haven't heard of anyone doing so, so not 100% sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most Android devices have a record in system chip. Once bootloader has been unlocked it will change status from 0 to 1 and even if you relock the device it will still stay as 1. Since you triggered the log thingy. So Asus techs will still be able to find out that bootloader has been touched. For example on Samsung devices they use something called a KNOX chip and when you unlock bootloader on a Samsung S9 or s10 the Knox chip will break and no longer work and status will say that Knox chip has been triggered with 0 to 1. That's how Samsung finds out if you have unlocked your bootloader on their devices. So Asus have probably a way aswell on their end.
You can return the device for repair but repair service will reject warranty repair and will put a price how much it will cost you to repair the device. Since they will see bootloader has been touched. So then warranty is voided.

I returned my 1st one because of no volte. Bl was unlocked, relocked using asus's app before the tool here was available. No issues, got a full refund.
I doubt they wouldn't repair it under warranty, unless it was actually caused by a bad flash, or something.

suzook said:
I returned my 1st one because of no volte. Bl was unlocked, relocked using asus's app before the tool here was available. No issues, got a full refund.
I doubt they wouldn't repair it under warranty, unless it was actually caused by a bad flash, or something.
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Click to collapse
What Asus app did you use to relock the bootloader? I thought the only way to relock is to use a fastboot command. Asus has an apk for unlocking the phone, haven't heard of one for relocking.

Terminal_Heat_Sink said:
What Asus app did you use to relock the bootloader? I thought the only way to relock is to use a fastboot command. Asus has an apk for unlocking the phone, haven't heard of one for relocking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, i used app to unlock, and used fastboot to lock

suzook said:
Sorry, i used app to unlock, and used fastboot to lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah OK no worries. At least now we know that people can safely return or repair their phones if they relocked the bootloader properly. Thanks for responding.

Terminal_Heat_Sink said:
Ah OK no worries. At least now we know that people can safely return or repair their phones if they relocked the bootloader properly. Thanks for responding.
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Afaik in EU they cant refuse repairing faulty hardware because you tried a software mod.