Hi guys,
Long story short: My phone lost its developers lock and I can no longer unlock it again without having to hard reset my phone (this will restore the portal urls in the registry).
My issue is I have sms's dating back to when i got the phone (htc hd7) at launch and I really dont want to loose these. It's not an option for me to loose them.
What I need to know is if there is any way of backing this sms data up without it being developer unlocked? The reason why I cant unlock it is because I removed the Portal url info in the phones registry prior to me going legit with a developers account and I forgot to change it back. This is now preventing the phone from checking that I have a legitimate developers account.
Any help appreciated.
Do you have a backup of the phone (Zune restore point) from when you were unlocked? You can restore that, and you'll be unlocked again and still have all the SMS you've received prior to taking that backup. Not perfect, but it should work...
Odd that an official dev-unlock (via AppHub) doesn't work. My phone has the PortalURL values wiped (to prevent it from continuously resetting my interop-unlock) but the Windows Phone Developer Registration tool can still access my phone and sees it as currently being unlocked. Maybe it's becuase I first unlocked with the official unlock, then applied "keep unlocked" (the Portal reg values) and interop-unlock?
That said, to use any of the SMS backup tools you'll need at least an interop-unlock as well, and if your firmware version is too recent that's not currently possible. Even if you previously had WP7 Root Tools installed, you wouldn't be able to run it.
Related
I just restored to a previous backup of an interop-unlocked version of Tango with Zune and my phone became relocked after two days. Does anyone know if Zune now puts back the MS internet lock check links in the registry during restores? These are the two http addresses that are to prevent relock and the ones you have to undo for Tango updates to prevent relock.
I am going to restore again with the work around to prevent relock and see if these registry values are modified, but it seems it is not just updating to Tango that causes this but even a restore to a backup (and my backup was made after I edited the registry back to prevent relock).
Zune Restores Relock now
UPDATE: I have tried going back to past backups I know worked before and everytime the restore is relocked immediately. MS has done something new to Zune where it relocks the phone regardless of the state you backed up. I also confirmed this with the internet disconnected so it is locally embedded in the Zune program.
I am now going back through the HTC IU process (thankfully I still have the v1 drivers) but this might explain issues I am seeing on the forum.
Question - is there any other method to restore a backup without using Zune?
Question2 - can you undo any changes MS does to Zune? How about using an older version?
This is not good
Yes, the registry entries responsible for the calling home are restored upon updating to Tango. For more information on how to upgrade without using your unlock see this guide written by Jaxbot.
Also, have you put your phone in airplane mode, too whilst trying this?
ZetaZynK said:
Yes, the registry entries responsible for the calling home are restored upon updating to Tango. For more information on how to upgrade without using your unlock see this guide written by Jaxbot.
Also, have you put your phone in airplane mode, too whilst trying this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am fully aware and had been unlocked on Tango. I was messing around some more with hacks on my Tango and I wanted to revert back to my backup from a few weeks ago and found that Zune's restore process locks the phone regardless of any previous unlock saved in the backup. Zune has never done this before and I have restored to unlocked backups many times.
This is new behavior for Zune and I am wondering if anyone else has seen this. Unfortunately I don't recommend trying this as if it is new and true you will lose your unlock. However, it makes going back to an unlocked backup useless now.
This appears to be related to Chevron Labs token expiring even though I have an AppHub account. I had to unlock the phone again through AppHub and then reapply the IU HTC trick. I read over on WPCentral that even if you are on an AppHub unlocked and came from the Chevron token you can still get relocked when you sync with Zune since the tokens expired. Unfortunately you have to unlock again (and this does not work if you have the prevent unlock hack applied; you have to undo that first).
Pain in the ars....hopefully my rambling and findings come in handy for anyone else in this scenario.
So i upgraded to 7.10.8773.98 aka Tango without realizing i would lose inter-op unlock capabilities. So now, i cant have homebrew apps anymore which i really liked. is there any way that i can go back to an older version? i dont have a backup anywhere either.
Thanks
PS: I have a Samsung Focus Flash so it worked with WPH's windowbreak project
Question 1: what happened to your backup?
Question 2: did you not read the info on how to preserve your until on Tango?
That said, if you really did nuke your backup, you're SOL. We don't yet know of any other way to downgrade a Samsung gen2 phone, nor of a way to interop-unlock a fully up-to-date one. It's possible to carry an unlock forward, but that's it.
Q1: So for like a month, i switched from windows phone to android to try it out. i was using the s2 but didnt really like it much. but when i switched, i deleted zune thinking i wouldnt need it. so i uninstalled zune. so since i uninstalled zune, my backup is now gone.
Q2: Question 1 answers it lol. but i had resetted my windows phone after i came back to it because the sim wouldnt be recognized. thats where i lost my interop-unlock
if i deleted zune, is there any way of getting my old backup back? like is it laying on my computer somewhere or no?
yj121 said:
if i deleted zune, is there any way of getting my old backup back? like is it laying on my computer somewhere or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
had you done it straight away its possible that you could have "undeleted" it, however it would have been a pure pain in the arse even if you did it straight away as its hundreds of files, all of which would have lost their name. leaving it for any length of time would have more than likely let the OS overwrite some of it.
Sorry mate, your stuck
thanks anyways
Actually, I'm not certain that deleting Zune will also nuke the backup image. It's stored in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Phone Update. Reinstalling Zune, or re-connecting your phone to Zune, may have wiped it though.
If you're running Vista or Win7, you may be able to recover the backup folder using the "Previous Versions" feature. Check for Previous Versions of your %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft folder, and see if you can find the Windows Phone Update folder. If so, restore it (just the WPU folder, not everything else) and see if it works.
A month is a longish time for that many files to sit undisturbed in the volume shadow copy stash, but if you have a very large hard drive or don't do a lot of disk writes, it's quite likely they're still there. I have Previous Versions of some files that go back for three or more months.
its empty
lol can some1 give me their backup? without any person stuff on it? i just need the old firmware, nothing else
Also, is there any way i can trick zune into thinking that i have an older version on my windows phone thus upgrading to like 8107 or 7740 or something? or is there any way that i can get the firmware online (instead of from the appdata thing on my computer) and download it and use that?
You can't use backups from other devices, the backup is device specific, your device your backup.
I'm not exactly sure how the updates work but I suspect it checks file version numbers an since we can't mess about with system files unless we have custom roms, which would negate this problem in the first place, I don't think it is possible to fool it to install an older firmware
Sent from my Lumia 900 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
I beleive the version info for updating actually comes from the registry (DeviceTargetingInfo). I've been meaning for some time to try messing with that, and since I need to re-flash my phone anyhow, I might just do so (I have an HTC, so this is possible for me). It's a dangerous registry key to mess with, though, and of course editing it requires interop- or root-unlock.
Hi all,
I am a total noob in these matters but from what I understand, in order to root my phone I need to unlock the bootloader. The problem I have is that I have used my phone for a few weeks now and have some very important data (app data) along with the way I set the layout of the phone etc. I was wondering, if there is any back up app that would allow me to literally copy everything from my phone i.e. the layout of apps, app data (very important), pics in different folders etc.
I am on Lollipop 5.0.2. Helium seems to have problems with Lollipop atm. Any other ideas?
I know Titanium Backup would be ideal but from what I gather, my phone needs to be rooted before I can use that so it wouldn't make sense for me to use that. Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance and apologies if this has been posted in the wrong area.
So my GF has doubt that her phone (Samsung A5) has been tapped by her ex BF who knew her phone pass and did take care of all devices they posses
Assuming that is the case, will the factory reset remove tracking software from her phone of will I have to flash her phone with fresh OS to be sure the software has been removed completely
gesaugen said:
So my GF has doubt that her phone (Samsung A5) has been tapped by her ex BF who knew her phone pass and did take care of all devices they posses
Assuming that is the case, will the factory reset remove tracking software from her phone of will I have to flash her phone with fresh OS to be sure the software has been removed completely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the ex actually did something like that and embedded into the system partition on the device, a factory reset will not remove it.
You would need to flash the device with the firmware to remove it, you may even need to use the "re-partition" option in Odin when you flash the device.
It would also be wise to change the password on her Google account before flashing the device, to be thorough, change the password and maybe even the email/username while you're at it, then go to system settings and remove the account then sign back in with the new email/password, then flash the device, after flashing and booting, sign back in with the new account details.
I would also change passwords and account details for any other apps on the device, such as Facebook, Facebook Messenger, any other email addresses or other email apps and any other types of social media apps or other apps that require an email/username and password. Change any and everything on the device that the ex could have possibly had access to. If she also has other devices or PC's synced with her phone or email, I'd change the details on those other devices/PC's as well. If she has WiFi at home, change its password and maybe even see about changing the IP of her modem/router.
Then, after that, make sure she doesn't click on/open/download anything from anyone that she doesn't know, including multimedia texts/pics, it could be the ex trying to embed something again, opening it will just compromise the device again.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
While what Droidriven is saying is correct first things first. Has the phone been unlocked and/or rooted? If the phone is locked (*Not tampered) then all of that is overkill. Here's a simple test that you can do to see how at risk you are. Start the phone in Bootloader mode and see what it says at the top. It will either say Locked, Locked *Tampered, Unlocked or Unlocked *Tampered. Locked is exactly what it sounds like, the phone is factory locked. Unlocked again means exactly what it says, the phone is factory unlocked. The caveat is the Tampered. So you can unlock a phone and lock it back which will result in the tampered tag/statement. In which case anything could have been done or undone once the phone was unlocked even if it says locked. If the phone simply says Locked, there is no need to panic and simply factory resetting the phone will erase anything that the ex may have done or installed. If the tampered tag/statement appears that's when more detailed steps should be taken, as described by Droidriven. It is always advisable to change passwords after a breakup even if you don't suspect foul play as a precaution. If she fears foul play Google offers 2-Step verification, which I highly recommend anyway, which allows the account holder to use an Authentication app that randomly generates codes to access the account and also prevents anyone from accessing the account without the users phone in their direct possession. Google also offers security screening tools that allows users to see where they are signed in, when the last time that sign in point was accessed, and the ability to sign out of sessions that may still be active. Furthermore Google offers notifications that will text or email a user anytime a sign-in occurs allowing the user full disclosure and control over their account. Although not mentioned, Facebook also offers similar tools and notifications should the concern arise. First thing first however, find out how to log into your Bootloader and verify if the device has ever been tampered with and then work from there.
VidJunky said:
While what Droidriven is saying is correct first things first. Has the phone been unlocked and/or rooted? If the phone is locked (*Not tampered) then all of that is overkill. Here's a simple test that you can do to see how at risk you are. Start the phone in Bootloader mode and see what it says at the top. It will either say Locked, Locked *Tampered, Unlocked or Unlocked *Tampered. Locked is exactly what it sounds like, the phone is factory locked. Unlocked again means exactly what it says, the phone is factory unlocked. The caveat is the Tampered. So you can unlock a phone and lock it back which will result in the tampered tag/statement. In which case anything could have been done or undone once the phone was unlocked even if it says locked. If the phone simply says Locked, there is no need to panic and simply factory resetting the phone will erase anything that the ex may have done or installed. If the tampered tag/statement appears that's when more detailed steps should be taken, as described by Droidriven. It is always advisable to change passwords after a breakup even if you don't suspect foul play as a precaution. If she fears foul play Google offers 2-Step verification, which I highly recommend anyway, which allows the account holder to use an Authentication app that randomly generates codes to access the account and also prevents anyone from accessing the account without the users phone in their direct possession. Google also offers security screening tools that allows users to see where they are signed in, when the last time that sign in point was accessed, and the ability to sign out of sessions that may still be active. Furthermore Google offers notifications that will text or email a user anytime a sign-in occurs allowing the user full disclosure and control over their account. Although not mentioned, Facebook also offers similar tools and notifications should the concern arise. First thing first however, find out how to log into your Bootloader and verify if the device has ever been tampered with and then work from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, Samsung does not have bootloader mode, it uses Download Mode, otherwise known as factory mode or Odin mode. It also does not quite display the information that you described as you described it. Some Samsung devices may or may not display bootloader status as "locked" or "unlocked", I've never seen anything about Samsung devices ever showing anything about *Tampered. I've seen devices show "custom binary" or "official binary" and show system status as "official" or "custom", some show info for secure boot, activation lock, kernel lock or Knox warranty void.
But, none of this necessarily has anything to do with whether something could have been embedded into system. You can push things to system even if the bootloader is locked and without "triggering" anything or being "flagged" by the system.
Plenty of Samsung devices have been rooted without unlocking the bootloader, without tripping Knox or Qfuse and will show binary status as "Custom"(the one thing that does show that the device is rooted/tampered but still doesn't necessarily indicate any malicious code that might have been placed by the ex, just rooting the device and nothing else would give the same result), all locks at default status as "locked"(non-tampered) and system status as "Official".
Given that the ex was the one that took care of and managed all devices that she owned, I would just take the thorough route just to cover the bases just because there are so many points of entry that the ex could have set up among all of the devices/equipment that she has.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
While I'll give you that there may be differing nomenclature for the things I mentioned, I've never heard of anyway to reach the Root of a device without going through the Bootloader and without leaving some evidence. While I cannot find an actual picture of the bootloader screen, in the link below there's a picture of the recovery menu where you can see the second option on the Samsung A5 Reboot into Bootloader. Ultimately it's up to the OP but becoming tech savvy enough to root a device is not for everyone. If the device shows no signs of being rooted, to learn how to root a device just in case seems less than worthwhile. OP you could also try one of the root detectors on the Play Store.
https://www.teamandroid.com/2017/01/28/enter-recovery-mode-samsung-galaxy-a5-2017/
VidJunky said:
While I'll give you that there may be differing nomenclature for the things I mentioned, I've never heard of anyway to reach the Root of a device without going through the Bootloader and without leaving some evidence. While I cannot find an actual picture of the bootloader screen, in the link below there's a picture of the recovery menu where you can see the second option on the Samsung A5 Reboot into Bootloader. Ultimately it's up to the OP but becoming tech savvy enough to root a device is not for everyone. If the device shows no signs of being rooted, to learn how to root a device just in case seems less than worthwhile. OP you could also try one of the root detectors on the Play Store.
https://www.teamandroid.com/2017/01/28/enter-recovery-mode-samsung-galaxy-a5-2017/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This tells me that you aren't familiar with Samsung devices because plenty of Samsung devices have been rooted without unlocking bootloader, I couldn't even begin to count them all. Unlocking bootloader is really only necessary if flashing a custom recovery or custom ROM. Not all Samsung devices are rooted by flashing a custom recovery to gain root. Most of the Samsung devices sold in the US have locked bootloader that cannot be unlocked by any means whatsoever, yet these devices can be rooted. Obviously, they have been rooted without unlocking the bootloader.
Yes, it may have the "reboot bootloader" option in recovery, if selected, that will boot you into download mode/Odin Mode. Typically, what you are describing with bootloader mode applies to devices that use fastboot, Samsung does not use fastboot, it isn't compatible with fastboot, adb works with Samsung but fastboot does not work with Samsung in any way, shape, form or fashion.
And it is possible to root a Samsung device, then install something in system and then remove root immediately after(which means that root checker will not see anything) and it won't show anything in Odin mode, won't trip Knox or Qfuse and still show Official in Odin mode. If it is rooted, then an app is pushed to system then root is immediately removed and this was all done without rebooting the device in the process, then the bootloader, Knox, Qfuse and all that never even detects that root was ever there because it was removed, which means it never gets loaded at boot for the bootloader and other security coding to see that root was there. Some can be rooted and then flash TWRP using Loki without unlocking the bootloader, which "shouldn't" be possible with a locked bootloader, yet, it is done.
I'm just saying, it isn't always as detectable as you imply.
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Friend got into a fight with his brother. His brother was able to break into his phone.
Friend changed the password on the device last week, and because of his school, he doesn't take the phone with him.
He opened the phone today, and can't remember the password.
It is a Moto G7 Power, running Android 9
It has GenTech installed on the phone.
I do not know any specifics beyond that, as the settings are hidden behind a lock screen.
When I logged into the Google account, it looks like the account hasn't been backing up photos, contacts, etc since the GenTech was put on. iDrive also hasn't been backing anything up.
Are there any tools that can remove the lock screen? Preferably free, but I wouldn't mind paying a small amount. And NOT wipe the device.
Before coming here, I saw Eelphone, but it looked super shady.
Searching through XDA's forums, I saw Dr.Fone as an application as well.
Are these the best options? I mean, I troubleshoot devices for clients all the time, and thankfully haven't had to recover their devices like this, and I know that it has changed a lot since the beginnings of Android, but I need something in the toolbox for sure.
Any help is appreciated, thank you!
Edit: I thought I might try Dr.Fone on my Motorola device. Uh, not the right application that I need! I want the data preserved, not wiped. If I wanted the phone wiped, I'd have done it from the bootloader.
(Or do they make a copy of the device, wipe the phone, and reload everything minus the lock screen?)
(Or is Dr.Fone a malicious program masquerading as legitimate?)
DaNissNYC said:
Friend got into a fight with his brother. His brother was able to break into his phone.
Friend changed the password on the device last week, and because of his school, he doesn't take the phone with him.
He opened the phone today, and can't remember the password.
It is a Moto G7 Power, running Android 9
It has GenTech installed on the phone.
I do not know any specifics beyond that, as the settings are hidden behind a lock screen.
When I logged into the Google account, it looks like the account hasn't been backing up photos, contacts, etc since the GenTech was put on. iDrive also hasn't been backing anything up.
Are there any tools that can remove the lock screen? Preferably free, but I wouldn't mind paying a small amount. And NOT wipe the device.
Before coming here, I saw Eelphone, but it looked super shady.
Searching through XDA's forums, I saw Dr.Fone as an application as well.
Are these the best options? I mean, I troubleshoot devices for clients all the time, and thankfully haven't had to recover their devices like this, and I know that it has changed a lot since the beginnings of Android, but I need something in the toolbox for sure.
Any help is appreciated, thank you!
Edit: I thought I might try Dr.Fone on my Motorola device. Uh, not the right application that I need! I want the data preserved, not wiped. If I wanted the phone wiped, I'd have done it from the bootloader.
(Or do they make a copy of the device, wipe the phone, and reload everything minus the lock screen?)
(Or is Dr.Fone a malicious program masquerading as legitimate?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the device rooted?
Does the device have USB debugging enabled in system settings?
If the answers to these questions are no, then all you can do is factory reset. After resetting, it will probably be FRP locked(Factory Reset Protection), which means you still need to remember the google account username and password to get logged into the device, but, the lockscreen pin/password will be removed. You'll lose the user's data in the process. At this point, if it isn't rooted or does not have USB debugging enabled, there aren't really any options to save their user data before resetting the device.
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The phone is not rooted, unless the GenTech software gained the root access. (I am too new to post a direct link, but it is a monitoring program - I don't know how common it is outside of my community)
If I recall correctly, I did get access to developer options, but that was back in July - I'm not sure if I have developer options enabled at this time.
The paid softwares can't crack it? That really is too bad.