[Q] Nexus S 4G Bootloader Lock - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

My question is, if you relock the bootloader on ns4g after unlocking and rooting, will you loose the root or the ability to flash any custom roms or mods?

chrissboston said:
My question is, if you relock the bootloader on ns4g after unlocking and rooting, will you loose the root or the ability to flash any custom roms or mods?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You can still flash anything via custom recovery.
You will, however, lose the ability to flash a custom recovery if it is overwritten via fastboot. If you have root access you can still use the flash_image binary from the device or flash via Rom Manager. If you lose root and recovery though you will have to unlock again.

chrissboston said:
My question is, if you relock the bootloader on ns4g after unlocking and rooting, will you loose the root or the ability to flash any custom roms or mods?
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Click to collapse
This is a dev phone, so you can lock and unlock the bootloader as you please. You will not be able to switch the recovery with it locked.
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Rem3Dy said:
If the bootloader is locked you can not flash roms. This is a dev phone, so you can lock and unlock the bootloader as you please.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can - via a custom recovery you can flash whatever you want.
Pre 2.3.3 you could fastboot boot a custom recovery and flash whatever you wanted without even touching the stock recovery. That was never the intended functionality though and 2.3.3 took that ability away again (so that you now have to initially unlock in order to flash a custom recovery).

Thanks
Thank you Rem3Dy & krohnjw, I understand now. And thanks for the tip about flashing through rom manager krohnjw, its very usefull and easier instead of flashing manually.

chrissboston said:
And thanks for the tip about flashing through rom manager krohnjw, its very usefull and easier instead of flashing manually.
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Click to collapse
And is causing problems en masse.

rentaric said:
And is causing problems en masse.
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erasing before flashing seems to help, I just use fastboot though as it's easy and doesn't have any issues. I don't recommend locking the bootloader if you plan on flashing, but it is possible.
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I agree with you krohnjw as sometimes when you don't do a full wipe the new flashed rom gives you problems, specially with FC's, but I've never had a problem when flashing after doing a full wipe.

Related

Get rid of lock on splash screen?

Just curious if anyone knows a way to get rid of the unlocked lock on the Google splash screen with a phone with an unlocked bootloader?
Not trying to do anything devious, I just think it's kinda ugly.
relock the boot loader.
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kenvan19 said:
relock the boot loader.
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I sort of assumed that would do the trick. But won't that wipe my device and make flashing impossible?
fchipm said:
I sort of assumed that would do the trick. But won't that wipe my device and make flashing impossible?
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Click to collapse
No and no. Relocking does not wipe, only unlocking. Your custom recovery will stay installed, and as long as you have root you can even install a new recovery using flash_image if it is somehow overwritten.
krohnjw said:
No and no. Relocking does not wipe, only unlocking. Your custom recovery will stay installed, and as long as you have root you can even install a new recovery using flash_image if it is somehow overwritten.
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Click to collapse
Sweeeet - thanks for this!

[Q] Stock ROM and Custom Kernel

Just a quick question.
Say 2.3.4 stock ROM comes out. If I flash it via recovery, would I have to flash the custom kernel via recovery as well, this time without whole rooting process or would I have to start from unlocking bootloader steps?
The custom kernel might be too old or incompatible. When you upgrade you will need to go through the rooting steps again, you will most definitely lose root, I'm not sure if the bootloader relocks though, if it does just fastboot OEM unlock again, you can do that in no time
JD
Sent from my Google Black Neolithic Slab Of Wonderment S
Yes you can but you must be rooted
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Locking OEM

Hi I have just recently unrooted my phone and back to stock with stock boothloader and recovery.
I did this because I am just patiently
Waiting for the ICS update.
My questing is...how do I lock the OEM on my phone? I know you could but I want to know how. And ....if I do that....WOULD IT WIPE MY PHONE?
I want to relock my OEM, but keep all my apps on my phone.
So again, if I lock my OEM, would it wipe my phone?
PS. I have 19020A
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Don't think it wipes ur phone... maybe I'm wrong but here ya go
>Fastboot Device
>Fastboot OEM Lock
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Yup it will wipe everything
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mathkid95 said:
Yup it will wipe everything
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fastboot oem lock
Locking doesn't wipe anything. Unlocking wipes.
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You don't have to lock bootloader to recieve OTA updates, unlocked bootloader just allows you to flash something via fastboot (usually CWM). Just be unrooted and have stock recovery, as I do. This way you can always flash CWM, make a nandroid backup and flash someting else...without losing any data (you don't unlock bootloader).
Ahhh damnit. Thanks krohn, had a bit of a brain freeze there.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
dan542 said:
You don't have to lock bootloader to recieve OTA updates, unlocked bootloader just allows you to flash something via fastboot (usually CWM). Just be unrooted and have stock recovery, as I do. This way you can always flash CWM, make a nandroid backup and flash someting else...without losing any data (you don't unlock bootloader).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, why lock the bootloader? It doesn't need to be.
I thought locking the bootloader DID wipe. I guess I myself am mistaken too. (It would tell you though when you go to do it.).
Lastly, don't you think it's a little earlier to be going back to stock for the ICS update when it's not even announced as far as it being done and the phone; nor, is it announced of when the phone itself will be coming out. And, it won't be sometime till after that as well.
Just my opinion.
(You also didn't need to go unroot if you were stock rooted with no modifications).
Its just that I have lots of apps and I want to have them for when ICS comes out.
And....idk....I just figures if I am not rooted I might-as-well OEM lock just invade..if I might need to...for warenty
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Nah your good on that... while it's rooted and awaiting the OTA... give your phone some Cyber air... over clock it with an app... install a better radio.. do something =]
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BlackHawkA4 said:
Yea, why lock the bootloader? It doesn't need to be.
I thought locking the bootloader DID wipe. I guess I myself am mistaken too. (It would tell you though when you go to do it.).
Lastly, don't you think it's a little earlier to be going back to stock for the ICS update when it's not even announced as far as it being done and the phone; nor, is it announced of when the phone itself will be coming out. And, it won't be sometime till after that as well.
Just my opinion.
(You also didn't need to go unroot if you were stock rooted with no modifications).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can be rooted, but you'll have to have stock recovery and you'll lose root with OTA update.
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dan542 said:
Yes, you can be rooted, but you'll have to have stock recovery and you'll lose root with OTA update.
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Click to collapse
You don't need stock recovery. Stock recovery is not checked with an assert and is not patched, it is deleted and flashed using a full image. You can flash the OTA with CWM without any issues.
You will lose root in one of two scenarios with the OTAs, it recursively chmod's /system or formats /system (full update, not incremental). At this point all you need to do it flash the su binary again though to regain root access.
krohnjw said:
You don't need stock recovery. Stock recovery is not checked with an assert and is not patched, it is deleted and flashed using a full image. You can flash the OTA with CWM without any issues.
You will lose root in one of two scenarios with the OTAs, it recursively chmod's /system or formats /system (full update, not incremental). At this point all you need to do it flash the su binary again though to regain root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok
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Flashing PA with locked bootloader?

Good morning!
So, yesterday evening I rooted my N5 with Towelroot, installed TWRP and then flashed the latest SuperSU! Everything went fine and now I want to install PA (4.4 RC1). But I'm not quite sure if I need to unlock the bootloader for that... I think that only needs to be done for a kernel. So what should I do? Leave it locked and flash PA, or unlock it and flash PA?
Also, if someone could set me up with the 4.4.3 gapps, that would be nice. I downloaded a file, but its not a mini version and only has 97MB. The full versions are a lot bigger if I remember correctly, aren't they?
Anyway thanks!
*edit: I'm currently on the 4.4.3 stock ROM. That means that I don't need to update my radio, because it should already be the latest version from the OTA... Correct me if In wrong though!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Please can you ensure you ask questions in the questions section ?
The bootloader only needs to be unlocked to flash recovery which you need for rooting. This isn't an issue for you because you used the new exploit that means you can root without having to unlock the bootloader
Even though you've rooted already, I strongly urge you to read the pre root section in the thread shown in my signature to bump up your basic knowledge
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rootSU said:
Please can you ensure you ask questions in the questions section ?
The bootloader only needs to be unlocked to flash recovery which you need for rooting. This isn't an issue for you because you used the new exploit that means you can root without having to unlock the bootloader
Even though you've rooted already, I strongly urge you to read the pre root section in the thread shown in my signature to bump up your basic knowledge
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have basic knowledge (rooted my Nexus Phones before, every time with fastboot). I'm just asking if it is important to unlock the hootloader before flashing a ROM, as I'm not sure. Sorry for posting in the false section...
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julbra18 said:
I do have basic knowledge (rooted my Nexus Phones before, every time with fastboot). I'm just asking if it is important to unlock the hootloader before flashing a ROM, as I'm not sure. Sorry for posting in the false section...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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You can install custom ROMs, but only ROMs based on stock firmware and using stock kernel. ROMs like CyanogenMod, you can't install at all because you cannot flash the custom kernel that comes with it. Unlocked bootloader allows you to install unsigned kernels onto your phone.
fxdil said:
You can install custom ROMs, but only ROMs based on stock firmware and using stock kernel. ROMs like CyanogenMod, you can't install at all because you cannot flash the custom kernel that comes with it. Unlocked bootloader allows you to install unsigned kernels onto your phone.
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Where did you get this information? My bootloader is locked and I can flash all kernels via recovery
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rootSU said:
Where did you get this information? My bootloader is locked and I can flash all kernels via recovery
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Isn't that the case, or have I been misinformed? I left my boot loader unlocked since the day I was rooted, mostly because of that fact (I remembered reading it somewhere) and also because I can't do a RMA.
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fxdil said:
Isn't that the case, or have I been misinformed? I left my boot loader unlocked since the day I was rooted, mostly because of that fact (I remembered reading it somewhere) and also because I can't do a RMA.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You unlock the bootloader to flash a custom recovery. You flash kernels/ROMs in a custom recovery, not in bootloader.
Also this thread is in the wrong section.
So, if I just unlock my bootloader with bootunlock I won't have any problems?
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julbra18 said:
So, if I just unlock my bootloader with bootunlock I won't have any problems?
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Click to collapse
Sure. Also you wont have any problems if you DON'T unlock your bootloader
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Lethargy said:
You unlock the bootloader to flash a custom recovery. You flash kernels/ROMs in a custom recovery, not in bootloader.
Also this thread is in the wrong section.
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Click to collapse
That was where I was getting at, since I learnt to root using the manual way and not using a toolkit, I had to unlock my bootloader first before flashing a custom recovery. Never occurred to me to relock it.
(if I made a mistake somewhere, I apologized. I'm still learning, and learnt something new today!)
rootSU said:
Sure. Also you wont have any problems if you DON'T unlock your bootloader
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I'll try it with the locked one first, I can change it later on anyways! Thanks for your help!
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fxdil said:
That was where I was getting at, since I learnt to root using the manual way and not using a toolkit, I had to unlock my bootloader first before flashing a custom recovery. Never occurred to me to relock it.
(if I made a mistake somewhere, I apologized. I'm still learning, and learnt something new today!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash a kernel/ROM in a custom recovery regardless bootloader state, but the bootloader needs to be unlocked to use fastboot (i.e. flash the custom recovery in the first place). A bunch of people relock their bootloader with an app (and unlock when necessary, doesn't delete internal storage through this method) for extra security (internal storage wipes if bootloader is unlocked via fastboot).

[Q]Reflash stock rom

Is there any tool that will reinstall the stock rom on a Nexus 5 with LOCKED bootloader? Something like emergency reflash from LG Support Tool.
LG Support Tool? There's something LG Flashtool and that works.
albwh said:
Is there any tool that will reinstall the stock rom on a Nexus 5 with LOCKED bootloader? Something like emergency reflash from LG Support Tool.
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Click to collapse
If you have to reinstall the stock firmware why do you care? Just unlock the bootloader, you're going to lose everything anyway.
What situation are you in. There may be ways to save your data
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The ideea is that I want to root this phone with Towelroot and I've heard that if Google detects a change in the system you can't install any more OTA updates. If this is true, I want to find a method to reflash the stock so I cand get the updates.
albwh said:
The ideea is that I want to root this phone with Towelroot and I've heard that if Google detects a change in the system you can't install any more OTA updates. If this is true, I want to find a method to reflash the stock so I cand get the updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're rooted but otherwise completely stock, you should get OTA updates no problem.
albwh said:
The ideea is that I want to root this phone with Towelroot and I've heard that if Google detects a change in the system you can't install any more OTA updates. If this is true, I want to find a method to reflash the stock so I cand get the updates.
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Click to collapse
Well if you modify any system files you don't get the ota. Your best bet is to root and then flash a custom recovery with flashify and then flash a stock rom zip that will be created shortly after any updates come out. You can also unlock the bootloader without wiping data with boot unlocker after your rooted.
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jd1639 said:
Well if you modify any system files you don't get the ota. Your best bet is to root and then flash a custom recovery with flashify and then flash a stock rom zip that will be created shortly after any updates come out. You can also unlock the bootloader without wiping data with boot unlocker after your rooted.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a whole sticky on returning to stock so you can get OTAs. </thread>
If you're able to flash the stock ROM, you should be past the point where you need to worry about being able to get any updates.
Yeah. I'd highly recommend just flashing a prerooted busybox stock ROM. You can always do a dirty flash over stock ROM and still keep data.
jd1639 said:
Well if you modify any system files you don't get the ota. Your best bet is to root and then flash a custom recovery with flashify and then flash a stock rom zip that will be created shortly after any updates come out. You can also unlock the bootloader without wiping data with boot unlocker after your rooted.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do get the OTA, but if you modify /system/ or something else, the OTA won't install.
It takes 10 minutes to return to stock for an OTA. Just do what you want with the phone now and enjoy!
The next OTA will be months from now. Return to stock then.
You dont need any tool. Download factory image and flash that by executing flash-all.bat (for windows, if you use linux execute flash-all.sh). Flash a custom recovery. Then remove hidden tampered flag by flashing tampered flag remover zip. Then flash stock recovery and lock bootloader by typing fastboot oem lock.
yashade2001 said:
You dont need any tool. Download factory image and flash that by executing flash-all.bat (for windows, if you use linux execute flash-all.sh). Flash a custom recovery. Then remove hidden tampered flag by flashing tampered flag remover zip. Then flash stock recovery and lock bootloader by typing fastboot oem lock.
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Click to collapse
You can do the last 2 steps using bootunlocker from play
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rootSU said:
You can do the last 2 steps using bootunlocker from play
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Yes that is an awesome app.
yashade2001 said:
Yes that is an awesome app.
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Click to collapse
Yeah agreed. I use it to keep my bootloader locked but so I can unlock it without a wipe on the fly.
rootSU said:
Yeah agreed. I use it to keep my bootloader locked but so I can unlock it without a wipe on the fly.
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Click to collapse
Why do you keep your bootloader locked?
yashade2001 said:
Why do you keep your bootloader locked?
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Click to collapse
So no one can get my data
rootSU said:
So no one can get my data
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How someone can get my data if i have a unlocked bootloader?
yashade2001 said:
How someone can get my data if i have a unlocked bootloader?
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Click to collapse
Locking the bootloader isn't enough on its own.
Android: adb pull data, MTP (Screen lock can prevent)
Custom recovery: adb pull data, flash zip to turn off android lock screen (Recovery lock can prevent)
Lock bootloader: Prevent replacing locked recovery with unlocked recovery,

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