Database Develop

[Q]difference root with unlocked/locked bootloader

Hey guys/gals
i have a quick question.
what exactly is the difference (featurewise) when it comes to rooting with an unlocked bootloader and rooting with a locked one?
i'm pretty new to android (iOS user until last saturday), did some research today, but didn't really find much usefull information.
main reason i want to root (at least for now. i'm sure i would find more after spending more time with my xperia), is because i want to format my 64gb SD to exfat and move apps over to it.
thanks guys
edit: and no, i'm currently not thinking about getting a different theme/loader on it (this is one of the things you can only do with an unlocked one, right?)
edit2: and yes, my bootloader can be unlocked

dottore. said:
Hey guys/gals
i have a quick question.
what exactly is the difference (featurewise) when it comes to rooting with an unlocked bootloader and rooting with a locked one?
i'm pretty new to android (iOS user until last saturday), did some research today, but didn't really find much usefull information.
main reason i want to root (at least for now. i'm sure i would find more after spending more time with my xperia), is because i want to format my 64gb SD to exfat and move apps over to it.
thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok unlocked bootloaders = you lose DRM keys forever and Bravia Engine doesn't work. Relocking won't get them back. You can also overclock/underclock CPU with unlocked bootloader. You can also flash custom ROMs/kernels with unlocked bootloader.
Now with locked bootloader you can still have root but you don't lose your DRM keys. You can't flash custom ROMs/kernels or do any overclocking/underclocking.
That's all I can think of.

yeah, i read about that whole DRM thing. i don't care so much about the Bravia Engine and DRM, but i wouldn't mind it staying (first time i said that about DRM), so thats one of the main reason i didn't just went on with unlocking.
is flashing a custom kernel something more or less common when using a rooted android? could i get the things mentioned done without doing it? (i think i read moving apps only needs root, but then again: the xperia z seems to be a bit special when it comes to extSD)
thanks for the fast reply
shadowboy23 said:
Ok unlocked bootloaders = you lose DRM keys forever and Bravia Engine doesn't work. Relocking won't get them back. You can also overclock/underclock CPU with unlocked bootloader. You can also flash custom ROMs/kernels with unlocked bootloader.
Now with locked bootloader you can still have root but you don't lose your DRM keys. You can't flash custom ROMs/kernels or do any overclocking/underclocking.
That's all I can think of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

is flashing a custom kernel something more or less common when using a rooted android? could i get the things mentioned done without doing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's up to you. You can either flash custom ROMs/kernels if you want but you will need to unlock the bootloader to do that. Locked bootloader you can only have root and that's it sad to say. But you don't have to flash a custom ROM or kernel if you have root. because you can't anyway with a locked bootloader. Having root just means you can use apps that need root access.

shadowboy23 said:
Well it's up to you. You can either flash custom ROMs/kernels if you want but you will need to unlock the bootloader to do that. Locked bootloader you can only have root and that's it sad to say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, thanks. i think i'll stay with the locked one for now...let's see for how long

[Q] Unlocking/Re-locking Bootloader

I used to own an Xperai Sola. Before unlocking the bootloader I didn't know that I had to backup the DRM keys so that I can get back the "Bravia Engine" and "Download music Info option for Walkman" after the bootloader was unlocked. The information that we can backup our DRM keys came 6 months after I unlocked my bootloader.
These are my questions:
On Moto G 2nd gen do we need to backup something similar like the DRM keys of Xperia Sola?
What function do we lose when we unlock the bootloader other than Warranty? Does OS/Android update still work?
Does re-locking bootloader takes the phone back to its previous unlocked state?
@Falcon G
@vinaybaboo
@bhavin192

2. You can update phone after unlocking bl if you don't make changes to OS i.e. Xposed etc.
If you update even you have made changes to OS your phone will go into Bootloop
3. Yes Re locking and flashing stock firmware takes it to locked state
@NWKENT can answer this Questions more clearly

I´m also with similar doubts. I came from Samsung-way of unlocking bootloader.
Just to ensure if get it right, If I just put root on device, I still be able to update original rom from Motorola ?
It´s a pity we can change anything with xposed (in order to keep upgradable), bcos it´s small things we get used to, and we miss on stock roms...
Thanks,

leandrocn said:
I´m also with similar doubts. I came from Samsung-way of unlocking bootloader.
Just to ensure if get it right, If I just put root on device, I still be able to update original rom from Motorola ?
It´s a pity we can change anything with xposed (in order to keep upgradable), bcos it´s small things we get used to, and we miss on stock roms...
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your input.
Please @NWKENT @Falcon G @vinaybaboo can you kindly answer this question?

I guess if you wipe data and unnistall xposed and then flash stock recovery, you will be able to flash via OTA. No need to unroot

pleomaxell said:
I used to own an Xperai Sola. Before unlocking the bootloader I didn't know that I had to backup the DRM keys so that I can get back the "Bravia Engine" and "Download music Info option for Walkman" after the bootloader was unlocked. The information that we can backup our DRM keys came 6 months after I unlocked my bootloader.
These are my questions:
On Moto G 2nd gen do we need to backup something similar like the DRM keys of Xperia Sola?
What function do we lose when we unlock the bootloader other than Warranty? Does OS/Android update still work?
Does re-locking bootloader takes the phone back to its previous unlocked state?
@Falcon G
@vinaybaboo
@bhavin192
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pleomaxell said:
Thanks for your input.
Please @NWKENT @Falcon G @vinaybaboo can you kindly answer this question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No you don't need any DRM keys
2. U lose nothing rather than your warranty. Ota works if you don't install custom recovery and change the kernel
3. The new locked state is different than the OEM locked one

Falcon G said:
1. No you don't need any DRM keys
2. U lose nothing rather than your warranty. Ota works if you don't install custom recovery and change the kernel
3. The new locked state is different than the OEM locked one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Falcon G, thanks a lot for replying.
If the new locked state is different than the OEM locked one, then if a user wants to unlock the phone a second time, does he follow the same method he used to unlock the first time?
So, once the phone has been unlocked it is not possible to lock the phone to back to its OEM locked state?

pleomaxell said:
Falcon G, thanks a lot for replying.
If the new locked state is different than the OEM locked one, then if a user wants to unlock the phone a second time, does he follow the same method he used to unlock the first time?
So, once the phone has been unlocked it is not possible to lock the phone to back to its OEM locked state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you will be able to unlock the device.
And no you cannot get back to the original oem locked state

Relock bootloader after flash Global Rom

I bought a Xiaomi mi 8 in a Xiaomi Shop in Shanghai. If I try to relock the bootloader I always get stuck booting on the recovery mode. Besides, I can not flash anything (supersu, xposed...) because I always end in bootloop; in both cases it is a softbrick
Can anybody help me?

If you have a mi8 Chinese box you aren't allowed to flash global ROM and lock bootloader.

And is there any way to fix it? Writing to Xiaomi, waiting X time...?
Thanks for your reply!

There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you

achickennugget said:
There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?

Bortex19 said:
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome for my help. There are posts all over. I suggest you learn the courtesy of posting in the right sections instead or even better (to read first), this belongs in Q&A: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/help/to-relock-bootloader-chinese-device-t3834937 where if you read you would have realized it is all over the place, including one i created: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/how-to/please-read-tweaking-mi-8-t3833454. Anyways, have a good day, leaving this here for anyone else before they create another thread to "unblock" their bootloader

Bortex19 said:
And is there any way to fix it? Writing to Xiaomi, waiting X time...?
Thanks for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check out official xiaomi forum to see a way. However the official way posted there including open up the device & tinkering with the EDL mode, which is really too much of a hassle :/
---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------
Bortex19 said:
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you having a modern Xiaomi device? How can you relock bootloader without sending it to bootloop?

achickennugget said:
You are welcome for my help. There are posts all over. I suggest you learn the courtesy of posting in the right sections instead or even better (to read first), this belongs in Q&A: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/help/to-relock-bootloader-chinese-device-t3834937 where if you read you would have realized it is all over the place, including one i created: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/how-to/please-read-tweaking-mi-8-t3833454. Anyways, have a good day, leaving this here for anyone else before they create another thread to "unblock" their bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better now, at least you're helping to find the information. And you are right, I should read more before doing anything; in fact, I read a lot but you know, internet is so big and it's no difficult to get lost in that information sea (even more if you're a noob in the area). I'll do it better next time.
Have a good day.

TeeHoang said:
You can check out official xiaomi forum to see a way. However the official way posted there including open up the device & tinkering with the EDL mode, which is really too much of a hassle :/
---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------
Are you having a modern Xiaomi device? How can you relock bootloader without sending it to bootloop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.

Bortex19 said:
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if it bootloops the first time after you relocked it, it'll bootloop again & again. Was there any time after relocking did your phone boot properly? If not, you didn't avoid anything. As far as I understand, boot loop = soft brick.
And this is what I found on MIUI official forum:
TUTORIAL FLASH MI 8 BOOTLOP (SOFTBRICK & BRICK) WITH TESTPOIN:http://en.miui.com/thread-3459005-1-1.html

Bortex19 said:
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I read it right, your device goes into bootloop when installing a Global ROM version and trying to block the bootloader. Probably your device is a Chinese version, which should only have the bootloader locked running a China ROM.
Otherwise, it will be bootloop.

gugugrp said:
If I read it right, your device goes into bootloop when installing a Global ROM version and trying to block the bootloader. Probably your device is a Chinese version, which should only have the bootloader locked running a China ROM.
Otherwise, it will be bootloop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that. Any Chinese devices running global will get (soft)bricked

Yeah, I was asking is you know the way to lock a chinese phone in global rom. Maybe in the future or with MIUI 10

Is it possible to enter EDL mode via opening your device and connecting the dots to enter 9008 Mode and than use QFIL (Qualcomm_Flash_Image_Loader) to restore the software, instead of going with the MiFlashTool and a needed EDL authorized account?

Bortex19 said:
Yeah, I was asking is you know the way to lock a chinese phone in global rom. Maybe in the future or with MIUI 10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is still too early to know, because development is still slow.

Wrong forum section.

Sigray said:
Wrong forum section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find the way to change it. Do you know how to do it?

achickennugget said:
There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if he posted in the wrong section he didn't deserve an answer like yours. Keep in mind the Android cooperate spirit and try not to be that rude. And if you had read better his post you had understood how great is the information he gave, go on reading below.
Bortex19 said:
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually these are excellent news, I had never read about a case like this. We knew that if the bootloader was unlocked by the seller and you locked it flashing a global rom (being a Chinese phone) you would get a brick only repairable through testpoint and using an authorized account. But I had never read about doing the same whith the bootloader unlocked by the user and I didn't know if it would be possible to unlock it again. So now we know this :
- Chinese unlocked by the seller -> brick locking while flashing global -> impossible to unlock and edl needed
- Chinese unlocked by the owner -> brick locking while flashing global -> ability to re-unlock and flash normally
I had some questions now :
1.- Did you have to wait to unlock the bootloader the first time? (360hrs, 720hrs.. You know)
2.- Did you have to wait when unlocking after the brick or was it instantly unlocked?
Thanks in advance!

descarao81 said:
Even if he posted in the wrong section he didn't deserve an answer like yours. Keep in mind the Android cooperate spirit and try not to be that rude. And if you had read better his post you had understood how great is the information he gave, go on reading below.
Actually these are excellent news, I had never read about a case like this. We knew that if the bootloader was unlocked by the seller and you locked it flashing a global rom (being a Chinese phone) you would get a brick only repairable through testpoint and using an authorized account. But I had never read about doing the same whith the bootloader unlocked by the user and I didn't know if it would be possible to unlock it again. So now we know this :
- Chinese unlocked by the seller -> brick locking while flashing global -> impossible to unlock and edl needed
- Chinese unlocked by the owner -> brick locking while flashing global -> ability to re-unlock and flash normally
I had some questions now :
1.- Did you have to wait to unlock the bootloader the first time? (360hrs, 720hrs.. You know)
2.- Did you have to wait when unlocking after the brick or was it instantly unlocked?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to me that this is not so, as some members still manage. However, since they did not add their personal Account to the developer options, they were not able to unlock the device again because they did not have the account associated with the device. It seems to be something related to different cases.
What can be recommended is that the devices unlocked by the seller, return to Chinese ROM more stable, and have your bootloader blocked. By then, the user requests to unblock the bootloader regardless of the time they have to wait. Thus making everything safer, in the case of possible bricks in the future.

gugugrp said:
What can be recommended is that the devices unlocked by the seller, return to Chinese ROM more stable, and have your bootloader blocked. By then, the user requests to unblock the bootloader regardless of the time they have to wait. Thus making everything safer, in the case of possible bricks in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever heard of read about somebody doing that? Because I think there's still the doubt about the unlocking method used by the sellers, whether they do a regular unlock with an account or they patch the boot in any way which could cause problems locking the bootloader.

Why have the bootloader unlocked?

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 !!

Question OTA updates for MIUI after unlocking

Hey guys, this is my first xiaomi device and i would like to know, after unlocking the bootloader, do i still get OTA updates from xiaomi like normal, and if i do, can i update like normal without any complications. I am on Mi 11 Global, due for unlock in 48 hours

Of course!

nikosgs1 said:
Of course!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!

That's a relief.
If i may, a related question:
When unlocking the bootloader with the unlock tool, will the phone be factory reset? Apps and settings gone?
I ask because I don't want to waste a whole week setting my new phone up just for it to be erased when the unlock is finally available next Wednesday.

naylor83 said:
That's a relief.
If i may, a related question:
When unlocking the bootloader with the unlock tool, will the phone be factory reset? Apps and settings gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, everything gets wiped. However, you need to be using the phone in order to unlock it after the 7 day period. If not you'll get an error saying you need to use the phone more, and then you'll have to wait longer.

Disyraq said:
Yes, everything gets wiped. However, you need to be using the phone in order to unlock it after the 7 day period. If not you'll get an error saying you need to use the phone more, and then you'll have to wait longer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks for the clarification. That's annoying but I guess I can use the phone for certain basic things while I wait.

I have redmi note 11 pro china wich bootloader is unlocked and installed global miui rom so will I receive OTA updates? And can I install them normally?

Zaid Koudmani said:
I have redmi note 11 pro china wich bootloader is unlocked and installed global miui rom so will I receive OTA updates? And can I install them normally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same situation, did you get the updates automatically?