Bootloader enforcement mechanism - Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Questions & Answers

Can anyone explain the mechanism that is used in these devices that keeps us from downgrading the bootloader and/or booting unsigned images?
Speaking of the usa snapdragon devices specifically but I'm sure that all the snapdragon devices probably have the same setup.
I'm just wondering why it's not possible to bypass this via a hardware mod if we are never going to be able to soft mod them to accept our modified firmware

Also. I'm sure this has been covered as well. But is there not any way to flash the snapdragon bootloader and rom from the devices outside the USA? Feom what I understand those snapdragon devices are bootloader unlockable. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
What would stop us from flashing those firmwares?

Related

Root ?

Has anyone tried this im too afraid to jack up my device lol
http://www.androidinfotech.com/2017/07/s8-verizon-sm-g950u-nougat-install-twrp.html
wont work.
U.S. version of S8 has a CPU that requires a signed bootloader - no key, no luck! Non-U.S. version has different processor that allows non-signed bootloaders.

CrossFlashing

Is Cross flashing the s10e possible?
I don't know. What is Cross Flashing?
As I understand, crossflashing is using firmwares between variants of product (eq S10, S10+ and S10e).
So I don't think its possible (snap vs. exy).
5ta1da said:
As I understand, crossflashing is using firmwares between variants of product (eq S10, S10+ and S10e).
So I don't think its possible (snap vs. exy).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about cross flashing the HK variant of the snap dragon?
For Samsung's official Firmware isn't possible.
It's only possible for bricking the device xD
The last time I tried such a thing was with my Korean S7 (exynos), flashed the F/international model firmware to get dual sim support to work for me.
1st, you can't use Odin for this you'll need a jtag (I used z3x).
2nd, Samsung made this way harder since Android 8 and there is a higher chance you'll break the device.
3rd, you can't flash a firmware for a different SoC, Snapdragon to Exynos or the other way around is a no go.
4th, Usually you can flash everything but the bootloader so even if you boot the phone an it says SM-GXXXF odin will still show SM-GXXX0/S/K/etc.., sometimes the modem as well.
5th, There is also a chance you might lose network access completely.
Tho, if what you're after is like flashing an S10+ firmware on a S10e, even tho its technically possible as its the same hardware (almost) you still can't do that as again, Samsung is making it harder and harder to tamper with the phone with each new release, we're lucky the S10 can actually be unlocked and rooted, Exynos variant that is (and the chinese snapdragon variant).
But I don't see why you'd need to do so anyways, usually if there is a specific feature in a popular device there is a high chance someone already ported it over so nothing is worth breaking your device for.

A71 SM-A715F/DS and A-716U questions

is the unlocked A-716U rootable using magisk and does anyone think there will be development on it(ie Custom recoveries ? One last question one this specific model; assuming root is possible on unlocked would it be possible to get a carrier locked version (cost saving) and reflash firmware similar to oneplus's MSMtool?
lastly is the A71 SM-A715F/DS root-able with TWRP support?
Thank you
ps
I will also contribute to bounties
everyone is going to say/think "search the forum!!!" but unfortunately the posts available dont list specific model numbers when talking about successful root/custom recovery,.
U.S. variants usually can't be unlocked and therefore you can't install custom stuff like magisk patched files.
That used to be the case until recently that a person was offering bootloader unlock as a service to many 2019 and onward devices, as you can see here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/sampwnd-usa-model-bl-unlock-info-u-u1-w.4201689/
But, you would have to ask if the A71 is supported. It probably would need to be tested, but the owner of the thread was quite confident that it could be possible.
ShaDisNX255 said:
U.S. variants usually can't be unlocked and therefore you can't install custom stuff like magisk patched files.
That used to be the case until recently that a person was offering bootloader unlock as a service to many 2019 and onward devices, as you can see here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/sampwnd-usa-model-bl-unlock-info-u-u1-w.4201689/
But, you would have to ask if the A71 is supported. It probably would need to be tested, but the owner of the thread was quite confident that it could be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh okay, so there is no MSMtool like with oneplus devices where you can just change to international firmware? If so if there an international 5g version of the a71 (any a-series) with 5G? sorry the model/SKU's for samsung devices is confusing and there is an insane amount of them.
sixisixsix said:
Oh okay, so there is no MSMtool like with oneplus devices where you can just change to international firmware? If so if there an international 5g version of the a71 (any a-series) with 5G? sorry the model/SKU's for samsung devices is confusing and there is an insane amount of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sort of guessing that's the Odin equivalent of Samsung devices, not sure I've never owned a OnePlus device.
You can use Odin to flash different firmware on the device as long as it's the same SoC. For example, I've flashed Galaxy S9+ Unlocked firmware on my T-Mobile Galaxy S9+. One is variant SM-G965U and the other is SM-G965U1. However on this case, both firmware were US. One was unbranded U.S. firmware and the other was T-mobile branded firmware. I've also flashed Poland firmware on my Mexican A71, they're both model SM-A715F on this case.
I don't know if there's an international variant of the A71 5G. I guess you'll have to look that part up on your own. I think there is though.
The MSM tool enable users to take a carrier locked oneplus device and unlock it among other things. can odin unlock bootloaders ?
sixisixsix said:
The MSM tool enable users to take a carrier locked oneplus device and unlock it among other things. can odin unlock bootloaders ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. Odin can only flash firmware, either stock or custom (you use it to flash TWRP and then basically everything else you flash with TWRP).
And no, Odin doesn't do any bootloader unlocking, any unlocking is done with the device itself. But as I mentioned, U.S devices aren't unlockable out the box.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Not really. Odin can only flash firmware, either stock or custom (you use it to flash TWRP and then basically everything else you flash with TWRP).
And no, Odin doesn't do any bootloader unlocking, any unlocking is done with the device itself. But as I mentioned, U.S devices aren't unlockable out the box.
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Click to collapse
when you say "out of the box" do you mean there is NO possible way to unlock them or it takes a process?
sixisixsix said:
when you say "out of the box" do you mean there is NO possible way to unlock them or it takes a process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no possible way to do it... for free as of now. If you want to unlock the U.S. variant you have to do it via the paid service I pointed out and thats only IF it works (as I mentioned, its been untested on the A71)
In comparison, you can buy the F variant, turn it on, head to developer settings and select OEM unlock and then unlock the bootloader.
If we ignore the paid service, sampwnd, that I pointed out in my other response then it is impossible to unlock the bootloader of the US variant and therefore, impossible to root.
ShaDisNX255 said:
There is no possible way to do it... for free as of now. If you want to unlock the U.S. variant you have to do it via the paid service I pointed out and thats only IF it works (as I mentioned, its been untested on the A71)
In comparison, you can buy the F variant, turn it on, head to developer settings and select OEM unlock and then unlock the bootloader.
If we ignore the paid service, sampwnd, that I pointed out in my other response then it is impossible to unlock the bootloader of the US variant and therefore, impossible to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much does the paid service cost and do you have a link? i didnt see you mention it before. also do you have the aseries discord invite or telegram?
sixisixsix said:
how much does the paid service cost and do you have a link? i didnt see you mention it before. also do you have the aseries discord invite or telegram?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure about the cost as I've never used the service myself, but I know the person running the thread is very reliable
Link: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/sampwnd-usa-model-bl-unlock-info-u-u1-w.4201689/
There are a few A71 groups on Telegram, you can just search with @A71 on there, most groups are public

Check list if I want to buy a S10 with the intention of rooting

I am looking for a phone to replace my rooted S5. One of the candidate is a second hand S10.
It is crucial that I am able to root the phone, and I was wondering how tricky the process is on this phone, and whether there are models where it might be impossible (perhaps Snapdragon based?), or if the baseband is above a certain version, or anything there are anything else that might impede the process I should pay attention to.
If anyone has successfully rooted their device in 2021 (ideally recently), please let me know.
Thanks.
A few fellow XDAers have done this recently. I assume you're speaking about a Snapdragon phone, which is where it gets tricky. The process requires payment to someone to perform the actual unlock... there are two providers (that I know of) that offer this service.
For the device, the bootloader revision is what's important - it needs to be old enough to allow this to work. In addition, once unlocked, it must REMAIN on this older bootloader otherwise you lose root. I believe you must be on BLv4 or older, which means it cannot be updated past Februrary of this year. The 5th character in the PDA/Phone build number (a number) from the right is what shows this version. For example, the March update for Verizon on the SM-G975U is G975USQU5GUBH, so that "5" means it's BL5.
My recent purchased phones were 5 and 6. I'm giving up on getting root, as I don't need it anymore. Sure, I'd prefer to have it, but it's getting too difficult and expensive to get it and I don't NEED it...
The two unlock providers I know about can be seen here (I have used neither myself, of course):
[Android][UNSAMLOCK] Bootloader Unlock for Samsung US/Canada Devices
This thread is @svetius approved Important notice: Do not update to April 2023 security update (XXXXXXXXXXWCX) or later. Examples: G998USQS6EWCA, N986USQU4HWD1. Samsung has patched the bootloader unlock again on those updates. NOTE: The OneUI...
forum.xda-developers.com
Samsung Development | SamPWND
Unlock your bootloader on USA Model Samsung Galaxy devices! Visit https://www.sampwnd.com and have the SamPWND team help you!
www.sampwnd.com
schwinn8 said:
A few fellow XDAers have done this recently. I assume you're speaking about a Snapdragon phone, which is where it gets tricky. The process requires payment to someone to perform the actual unlock... there are two providers (that I know of) that offer this service.
For the device, the bootloader revision is what's important - it needs to be old enough to allow this to work. In addition, once unlocked, it must REMAIN on this older bootloader otherwise you lose root. I believe you must be on BLv4 or older, which means it cannot be updated past Februrary of this year. The 5th character in the PDA/Phone build number (a number) from the right is what shows this version. For example, the March update for Verizon on the SM-G975U is G975USQU5GUBH, so that "5" means it's BL5.
My recent purchased phones were 5 and 6. I'm giving up on getting root, as I don't need it anymore. Sure, I'd prefer to have it, but it's getting too difficult and expensive to get it and I don't NEED it...
The two unlock providers I know about can be seen here (I have used neither myself, of course):
[Android][UNSAMLOCK] Bootloader Unlock for Samsung US/Canada Devices
This thread is @svetius approved Important notice: Do not update to April 2023 security update (XXXXXXXXXXWCX) or later. Examples: G998USQS6EWCA, N986USQU4HWD1. Samsung has patched the bootloader unlock again on those updates. NOTE: The OneUI...
forum.xda-developers.com
Samsung Development | SamPWND
Unlock your bootloader on USA Model Samsung Galaxy devices! Visit https://www.sampwnd.com and have the SamPWND team help you!
www.sampwnd.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Does the Bootloader 5 restriction also applies on Exynos devices? I am uessing that might be why I had difficulties my recently purchased Tab S4.
Another question, can a bootloader be updated while the OS stays on an older version, or do they usually get updated together? For instance, if I find a phone that is still on Pie, is it likely be on an older baseband, or can a phone be on Pie AND be on a new baseband?
I don't know much about Exynos systems, but from what I gather they may be "normally rootable"... I don't believe there are as many restrictions on that platform (it seems to be a USA/EU thing to prevent rooting, primarily).
BL and OS seem to get upgraded together, generally speaking.
xAxB said:
Thanks. Does the Bootloader 5 restriction also applies on Exynos devices? I am uessing that might be why I had difficulties my recently purchased Tab S4.
Another question, can a bootloader be updated while the OS stays on an older version, or do they usually get updated together? For instance, if I find a phone that is still on Pie, is it likely be on an older baseband, or can a phone be on Pie AND be on a new baseband?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope- those can be unlocked whenever
they still can't be downgraded though damn...
I have both phones...snapdragon IS slightly better

Question Does a bootloader unlock on Note 10Pro blow any EFuses?

Hello.
I want to ask if someone here knows, if unlocking the bootloader changes any EFuse states in the SOC, because Samsung does that
to prevent Google pay from working again on the device, even if the bootloader gets relocked. Now the question is, if Xiaomi does that too?
Does any one here also probably know if, and when yes, what EFuses are set on the Xiaomi devices from factory?
Regards
No.
When you relock bootloader it's like from the factory and your warranty isn't voided.
Do you know if they have "Etched" the checksum of their Bootloader into the SOC by setting the configuration EFuses, or is
it possible to replace the entire bootloader through another one (Normally this isnt possible because the SOC itself is locked
to the Cellphone manufactuerers signed bootlaoder by blowing config fuses. Does Xiaomi that too?

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