Hey all. My early upgrade is this weekend so I'm going to but a gs3 but I must be able to root and unlock boot loader.
Was looking at the unlock app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mmmeff.ez.unlock
And see that the recent reviews saying they are having issues unlocking boot loader since update from Verizon.
Is the app broken now And or did they patch the phone so u cant unlock the boot loader?
I don't amt to buy this phone then end up not being able to unlock the bootloader (I can't stand anything other than aosp)
Lmk. Also how would I go about unlocking the boot loader without using that app or is that the only way to do so?
This is posted all over this forum. However, all you need to do is search for version 1.2 and it will unlock the bootloader, after you root, of course.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
the guide posted at the top of the dev forum should be your new best friend
HHF2 said:
This is posted all over this forum. However, all you need to do is search for version 1.2 and it will unlock the bootloader, after you root, of course.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is my copy http://db.tt/TtOVCI1W . Just make sure you root first .
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Valkyrie743 said:
Hey all. My early upgrade is this weekend so I'm going to but a gs3 but I must be able to root and unlock boot loader.
Was looking at the unlock app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mmmeff.ez.unlock
And see that the recent reviews saying they are having issues unlocking boot loader since update from Verizon.
Is the app broken now And or did they patch the phone so u cant unlock the boot loader?
I don't amt to buy this phone then end up not being able to unlock the bootloader (I can't stand anything other than aosp)
Lmk. Also how would I go about unlocking the boot loader without using that app or is that the only way to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The developer recommends version 1.2 and you can get that from here: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/32456-app-920-ez-unlock-14-easiest-way-to-unlock-your-bootloader/
There is a way to unlock the bootloader manually, but that takes a bit more effort and some terminal coding. I would definitely recommend just downloading EZ-Unlock v1.2 and using that. It's just a push of a button! That's what I did.
At the risk of being reprimanded.....
My phone is rooted and I have unlocked the boot-loader with One click "ez bootloader unlock." I have flashed numerous ROM's and continue to flash various ROM's... After flashing each new ROM and getting through the initial setup, I download ClockWorkMod from the play store, if not already part of the ROM, and then "One click ez bootloader unlock." I then run the "One click ez bootloader unlock" and then the ClockWorkMod for my model phone. I do this each time I flash a new ROM.
My question is whether this is unnecessary or not? I see that the later versions of "One click ez bootloader unlock" have a re-lock option, but I am unclear as whether or not it is unnecessary to unlock the boot-loader each and every time a person flashes a new ROM? Or under what circumstances would a person need to unlock their boot-loader after successfully unlocking it the first time?
It seems to me that once the boot-loader is successfully unlocked that a person would not have to unlock it again unless they ODIN back to Stock OEM, but I have not been able to google or search these forums successfully to find an answer, and for that I apologize, because I'm sure it's here somewhere, and some "Senior Member" will be quick to jump at the opportunity to point that out to me.... After a healthy dose of liquid courage, I am reluctantly asking the question here.... And if someone is so kinda as to answer my question, who knows, maybe it will help some other person who has the same question, but is afraid to ask, because of the harshness and lack of patience of some "Senior Members?"
A sincere thank you in advance to anyone who might answer my question. :fingers-crossed:
The only time you need to re-unlock the bootloader is if you Odin back to stock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Related
Hey guys, I just got the awesome One S and looking to root it asap. Is there a root method that doesn't give you the TAMPERED notice in case I need to replace the phone?
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
NO,
You need to flash stock image, bootloader will stay unlocked. That should not be an issue.
The stock images are floating around sub-forum, maybe just do a search/google. Or someone will give you a link
Hmm so basically what you're saying is that I can return/replace the phone as long as I flash back to stock even if the bootloader is unlocked? I want to be sure before I go flash happy on it.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
nothing is for sure
but htc allows bootloader unlock, would think if it is a hardware issue, it wouldn't be a problem
never count on it though
No doubt, I figured as much too. Thanks rugmankc, I'll wait a little longer then.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
What about the tampered message?
Sent from my One S.
xflatlinex said:
What about the tampered message?
Sent from my One S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tampering message comes up no matter what. No matter if your boot loader is unlocked. It's the unlock unlock bootloadet message parts that you need to worry about. If I'm not mistaken there a relock command code to relock it. Just fellow the unlock bootloader directions but at the end change the unlock command to the relock command.
cbetso said:
The tampering message comes up no matter what. No matter if your boot loader is unlocked. It's the unlock unlock bootloadet message parts that you need to worry about. If I'm not mistaken there a relock command code to relock it. Just fellow the unlock bootloader directions but at the end change the unlock command to the relock command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But from what I've read, even if you relock it, it still says "Relocked" as opposed to "Locked". Is that correct?
Don't know
yeah i think i'll wait until there's a work around for this.
twosixths said:
But from what I've read, even if you relock it, it still says "Relocked" as opposed to "Locked". Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i wanted to claim warrenty on mine but when i relocked it said "relocked"
still waiting for someone to come up with a solution though
Most insurance company cover water damage now so you could soak that bad boy and pay the deductibles lol.
Sent from the One.
Moved To Q&A
Please post questions in the Q&A section
You can get rid of the ***TAMPERED*** message if you need to return to HTC
I tried this myself yesterday...just for my own piece of mind
Flash your phone back to recovery.img
Relock your bootloader
Run the RUU for your phone
I'm waiting my self for a complete tool to fix the tampered and relocked sign
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
Sorry, I've been a bit out of touch lately. I see that I can now install custom ROMs such as AOKP by simply flashing them from CWR, (assuming I'm rooted with CWR installed). I'm a bit confused, I know there was a bounty (that was achieved) for someone to unlock the bootloader but I wasn't aware that task had been accomplished?
Am I missing something?
Thx
It's unlocked in the sense that the devs have cracked it. There is an excessively simple app that you download in the play store called ez unlock. One click unlocks bootloader. Very impressive creation.
Verizon has not themselves unlocked the bootloader, but supposedly there is a development version that can be obtained unlocked. Not much info on my end about that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Thanks for that, did the creator get the bounty (just curious if I should send him some dough)?
I knew Samsung rumored an unlocked Verizon "Dev" phone, I guess I'll go check out their site. I see there is an ez lock also, I guess no reason to not do try some ROMS now, I assume they don't "trip" the counter?
Thanks again!
junksecret said:
Thanks for that, did the creator get the bounty (just curious if I should send him some dough)?
I knew Samsung rumored an unlocked Verizon "Dev" phone, I guess I'll go check out their site. I see there is an ez lock also, I guess no reason to not do try some ROMS now, I assume they don't "trip" the counter?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The guy that unlocked it (Adam Outler with help from a few others) got the bounty and I think he donated it to XDA. The app developer took his work ad put it into a simple one click app, although Adams method was pretty simple too.
Sent from my SGS3 on Synergy Nightlies
While AdamOutler and others were doing lots of great work reverse engineering the boot process, the main reason we have it unlocked today is due to an anonymous source named African Canadian Sock Monkey who leaked the unlocked bootloader we now all use.
I think most of the roms require bootloader be unlocked, so grab EZ Unlock from play store.
Rooted, Unlocked, Flashed, Overclocked Galaxy S III
Div033 said:
While AdamOutler and others were doing lots of great work reverse engineering the boot process, the main reason we have it unlocked today is due to an anonymous source named African Canadian Sock Monkey who leaked the unlocked bootloader we now all use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! while adam and others did do a tremendous amount of work on this phone, it was a leaked bootloader that got us to where we are today. our bootloader was not cracked, it was replaces by a leaked unlocked version.
And when I used ez unlock it replaced the stock. bootloader?
tapity tap tapped on my Galaxy S3
Yes
Hello everyone i need some help. I got verizon s3 from ebay and when i turn it on theres opened lock shows on screen with the word unlocked on the bottom. What is it stands for and how can i get rid of it? Everytime i search on google i get discussions about bootloader. Is that what it is? Thanks up front for any info.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Leo2005 said:
Hello everyone i need some help. I got verizon s3 from ebay and when i turn it on theres opened lock shows on screen with the word unlocked on the bottom. What is it stands for and how can i get rid of it? Everytime i search on google i get discussions about bootloader. Is that what it is? Thanks up front for any info.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to reboot couple times, make sure the message is legit. If it is, unlock means your phone is unlock (bootloader unlocked), which means you could flash custom rom/kernel etc... It's a good thing for people who like to play with custom rom.
Well...thats for my girl who doesnt want any custom rom and dont want to have any extra signs. My note 2 from att has a custom rom and doesnt show any signs on boot. Is this lock for verizon only? Thanks for reply.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
buhohitr said:
Try to reboot couple times, make sure the message is legit. If it is, unlock means your phone is unlock (bootloader unlocked), which means you could flash custom rom/kernel etc... It's a good thing for people who like to play with custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of the bootloader is unlocked then the screen week quickly flash. Not show unlocked I would guess it means dim unlocked.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
bootloader
The unlocked icon means that the boot loader is unlocked. This is what show up on all Verizon smartphones that have the boot loader unblocked. This is actually a good thing as it will allow you to use a custom ROM, set root privileges, and delete the garbarge-ware that is included on you phone that you probably will never use.
1seniorgeek said:
The unlocked icon means that the boot loader is unlocked. This is what show up on all Verizon smartphones that have the boot loader unblocked. This is actually a good thing as it will allow you to use a custom ROM, set root privileges, and delete the garbarge-ware that is included on you phone that you probably will never use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No on the s3 if the boot loader is unlocked the initial screen with only Samsung will flash very quickly.
If it boots and the Samsung shows and has an unlocked lock that says custom under it, then you have a modified system WITH A LOCKED BOOT LOADER. By unlocking the boot loader this will go away.
I have no idea what the lock with unlocked under it means; however if you're sortied about it OP go into the development thread and follow droidstyle's guide to restore it back to bone stock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Sounds more likely about sim card. I flashed the phone back to stock because it was freezing all the time then did factory reset and its asking for activation. Tried to activate at the store and it doesnt activate...freezing up after couple min. So i guess it is something to do with sim unlock?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
It means there is custom software on the phone, but the bootloader is NOT unlocked.
The custom software could be as simple as having Root access, or it could be a full custom ROM. You have two options to make it go away:
1) Unlock your Bootloader
2) Return to fully stock. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1867253
How I have a Droid RAZR Maxx HD 9.16.6xt926 android 4.1.2 build number 9.8.1Q-62VQW-MR-2. Last night I rooted my phone at least I think I did because the superuser is in my apps screen and I ran a app that read my phone is rooted I But when I shut phone off and go into recovery it days my bootloader is locked Does anyone have a ideal to unlock this??? Also does that mean I cant install custom room???
monkeyjjk said:
How I have a Droid RAZR Maxx HD 9.16.6xt926 android 4.1.2 build number 9.8.1Q-62VQW-MR-2. Last night I rooted my phone at least I think I did because the superuser is in my apps screen and I ran a app that read my phone is rooted I But when I shut phone off and go into recovery it days my bootloader is locked Does anyone have a ideal to unlock this??? Also does that mean I cant install custom room???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is an option in this tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439 to unlock your boot loader. it is a good all around tool to have on hand.
bweN diorD said:
there is an option in this tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439 to unlock your boot loader. it is a good all around tool to have on hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used that tool last night to root it went through right but when I tried to unlock the bootloader it wouldn't work and my phone said its still locked. Any I deals????
monkeyjjk said:
I used that tool last night to root it went through right but when I tried to unlock the bootloader it wouldn't work and my phone said its still locked. Any I deals????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you post a screenshot of your "about phone" screen from the settings menu plz.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
See my phone says root but can't get my boot loader unlocked
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Do you kmow link to unlock the bootloader
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
monkeyjjk said:
Do you kmow link to unlock the bootloader
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont rely on those root checkers, download an app that needs root and make sure it gets granted. also go into the settings of su and make sure the binaries are up to date, they usually are not. after that try the unlock tool again, im betting you have outdated binaries.
monkeyjjk said:
Do you kmow link to unlock the bootloader
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the utility dowloads an .apk that you have to open to get the bootloader unlocked. When I unlocked the BL on my M, I just used the stand-alone Motopocalypse tool.
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Template:Motopocalypse
RikRong said:
I believe the utility dowloads an .apk that you have to open to get the bootloader unlocked. When I unlocked the BL on my M, I just used the stand-alone Motopocalypse tool.
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Template:Motopocalypse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i should have known this lol
"This option requires your phone to be booted normally, with USB Debugging enabled. It will install an App version of Dan Rosenberg's Motopocalypse exploit for unlocking the bootloader."
thx
bweN diorD said:
i should have known this lol
"This option requires your phone to be booted normally, with USB Debugging enabled. It will install an App version of Dan Rosenberg's Motopocalypse exploit for unlocking the bootloader."
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that link and did what it told me to do went through the steps and at the end the phone shows its still locked. By any chance this phone is refurbish phone could this be the reason why it won't unlocked
bweN diorD said:
i should have known this lol
"This option requires your phone to be booted normally, with USB Debugging enabled. It will install an App version of Dan Rosenberg's Motopocalypse exploit for unlocking the bootloader."
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your screenshot shows that you are not on the latest update, so you should be able to unlock it, unless someone already had previously updated it then rolled back to that version. However, that version is 2 OTAs ago, so I would think it has never been updated. When I ran the stand alone Apocalyse utility, I had to run it about five times. Finally, during the last (and successful) try, I decided to wake up the phone. When I did this, there was a screen from my SuperSU asking to grant SU access to ADB. I granted it and the utility completed immediately and I was finally unlocked. When you run the Motopocalypse utility, you need to be booted into the OS.
What apocalypse utility link you rooted with do you have one. I have no luck with this . I able to wipe the phone install root but can't unlock the boot loader. So I gave up and figure out how to take root out and go back to stock. I give up unless someone else ideal how to do it.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
monkeyjjk said:
What apocalypse utility link you rooted with do you have one. I have no luck with this . I able to wipe the phone install root but can't unlock the boot loader. So I gave up and figure out how to take root out and go back to stock. I give up unless someone else ideal how to do it.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are on the latest update the unlock tool does not work and there is no way to unlock.
hiii
hi ..im new in XDA..
my phone is XT926 and rooted.. i wanna upgrade it to android 4.4.2 or 5.0
in past 3days worked in this & tried Motopocalypse & motorola site for unlocking bootloader but i didnt reach any success!!!
is unlocking bootloader necessary to upgrade android? and is there another way to unlocking?
i will be thanksfull if some one help me
amirka28 said:
hi ..im new in XDA..
my phone is XT926 and rooted.. i wanna upgrade it to android 4.4.2 or 5.0
in past 3days worked in this & tried Motopocalypse & motorola site for unlocking bootloader but i didnt reach any success!!!
is unlocking bootloader necessary to upgrade android? and is there another way to unlocking?
i will be thanksfull if some one help me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Please use the search function in the forums; your questions have been answered literally hundreds of times.
2. Please read the post immediately above yours, and in fact, some or all of the posts in any thread, before adding your post to it.
3. If you have a question that really hasn't been answered elsewhere, after searching, please don't post the identical question in more than one place, especially in threads that don't have anything to do with your question (like you did in the other thread).
I've successfully rooted my Droid RAZR MAXX HD with stock firmware version 9.30.1, but I can't seem to figure out how to unlock the bootloader.
The one catch with my phone being rooted is that it always ends up in fastboot when it boots. A simple
Code:
fastboot continue
fixes the problem, but I was wanting to flash CWM Recovery to install CM.
I have a working su/Superuser.apk, but I can't seem to fix the bootloader dilemma.
The last software version with an unlockable bootloader is 9.16.6.XT926. Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Jhall8 said:
The last software version with an unlockable bootloader is 9.16.6.XT926. Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay... I also have another wonderful problem: my phone consistently gets into fastboot mode upon startup, with my current workaround of doing fastboot continue. Is there any way to fix my currently locked bootloader?
impinball said:
Okay... I also have another wonderful problem: my phone consistently gets into fastboot mode upon startup, with my current workaround of doing fastboot continue. Is there any way to fix my currently locked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As Jhal said, you can't "fix" your bootloader, it's locked since you're on the newest OTA and it can't be unlocked. With that being said, your phone is not booting into fastboot because you're rooted. It's booting into FB because you tried to flash something that didn't work. What other things have you done or attempted to do, besides rooting? This will help us help you, the info you provided is pretty vague.
RikRong said:
As Jhal said, you can't "fix" your bootloader, it's locked since you're on the newest OTA and it can't be unlocked. With that being said, your phone is not booting into fastboot because you're rooted. It's booting into FB because you tried to flash something that didn't work. What other things have you done or attempted to do, besides rooting? This will help us help you, the info you provided is pretty vague.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done absolutely nothing beyond rooting it, installing Superuser & SuperSU (both through a script I can attach, but I'm on the wrong computer), and backed up a slew of apps.
This first begun when I modified the script to fix a bug in it (ash in JB 4.2 doesn't have a -f switch in rm, and the script had a 'rm -f'). If that bug didn't exist, then it would've still happened the first of several times (I attempted it about 4-5 times, but only the last caused this). The rm -f was actually doing effectively (with successful root privileges) 'rm -f /system/install-script-2.sh', but the script actually had another script to be put into it at the location /system/install-script.sh.
???
Start by detailing steps in your 2nd paragraph.
Your boot is locked if it was never unlocked before you upgraded to ...79 or later
what a coincidence i just got a xt926 and im at the same spot.. 9.30.1 rooted but locked ... iguess we're screwed huh
impinball said:
I've successfully rooted my Droid RAZR MAXX HD with stock firmware version 9.30.1, but I can't seem to figure out how to unlock the bootloader.
The one catch with my phone being rooted is that it always ends up in fastboot when it boots. A simple
Code:
fastboot continue
fixes the problem, but I was wanting to flash CWM Recovery to install CM.
I have a working su/Superuser.apk, but I can't seem to fix the bootloader dilemma.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like you either flashed a fastboot or used a tool that used the command "fastboot oem fb_mode_set" which causes the phone to boot directly into fastboot mode. It can usually be fixed with the command "fastboot oem fb_mode_clear".
skeevydude said:
Looks like you either flashed a fastboot or used a tool that used the command "fastboot oem fb_mode_set" which causes the phone to boot directly into fastboot mode. It can usually be fixed with the command "fastboot oem fb_mode_clear".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work. It is still booting there on its own upon start-up.
Also, I will mention that I did commit an act of stupidity: trying to flash against a bootloader that I couldn't verify was unlocked yet. I stupidly ran the command when I wasn't even 50% sure that it was unlocked yet (and is likely the cause of all my problems):
Code:
fastboot flash recovery <cwm-file>.zip
I'm trying my hardest to avoid sending this to Motorola just for them to charge me for the replacement, saying I've voided any warranty that exists with the phone. I have the original firmware to flash just in case, but I don't have the Motorola fastboot (for the dev editions).
impinball said:
Didn't work. It is still booting there on its own upon start-up.
Also, I will mention that I did commit an act of stupidity: trying to flash against a bootloader that I couldn't verify was unlocked yet. I stupidly ran the command when I wasn't even 50% sure that it was unlocked yet (and is likely the cause of all my problems):
Code:
fastboot flash recovery <cwm-file>.zip
I'm trying my hardest to avoid sending this to Motorola just for them to charge me for the replacement, saying I've voided any warranty that exists with the phone. I have the original firmware to flash just in case, but I don't have the Motorola fastboot (for the dev editions).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, there is no Dev Edition Fastboot....the closest would be Bell ICS since Bell shipped unlocked/unlockable Atrix HD's.
You don't flash zip files with fastboot flash.....Why is this becoming an issue these days?* The kernel is "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
*just thinking out loud
EDIT: Just realized that this was the RAZR HD forums.....just replying to quoted posts this morning....Not sure about RAZR HD Dev Edition fastboots....
Jhall8 said:
The last software version with an unlockable bootloader is 9.16.6.XT926. Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The shame is, I never cared about unlocking the bootloader, as I prefer to stick to OTA's, but I do require root. So that's all I've ever done. I'm successfully rooted with the locked bootloader on 9.30.1, but it seems (at least as far as I've read on here) that I'm stuck there as I can't go anywhere else and maintain root. Would love kitkat, but root is essential.
Um, you can unlock the bootloader and still stick to OTAs.
Being able to root at any time and use custom recovery is reason enough for me.
killrhythm09 said:
Um, you can unlock the bootloader and still stick to OTAs.
Being able to root at any time and use custom recovery is reason enough for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I in no way implied I was AVOIDING unlocking due to the desire to stay on OTA's - just that I had no reason to pursue unlocking. This is the first android device I've had that ended up with a sunset where you couldn't unlock it at pretty much any point, so i never had a fear of taking the OTA and losing something in the process. If i had expected that, I certainly would have unlocked prior to 9.30.1 being installed. I honestly have yet to figure out why they don't release a program that would allow unlocking the devices - I'm not sure the manufacture's fear of unlocked bootloaders and root, as any program they release would be loaded with disclaimers - and frankly, it would allow easy restorations to ANY firmware version by service staff at verizon/at&t.
crazifuzzy said:
I in no way implied I was AVOIDING unlocking due to the desire to stay on OTA's - just that I had no reason to pursue unlocking. This is the first android device I've had that ended up with a sunset where you couldn't unlock it at pretty much any point, so i never had a fear of taking the OTA and losing something in the process. If i had expected that, I certainly would have unlocked prior to 9.30.1 being installed. I honestly have yet to figure out why they don't release a program that would allow unlocking the devices - I'm not sure the manufacture's fear of unlocked bootloaders and root, as any program they release would be loaded with disclaimers - and frankly, it would allow easy restorations to ANY firmware version by service staff at verizon/at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Talk to Verizon. They're the ones preventing the bootloader from being unlocked.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
iBolski said:
Talk to Verizon. They're the ones preventing the bootloader from being unlocked.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. It's no coincidence that the xt925 can be unlocked through Motorola. Carriers are always the problem here in the US.
crazifuzzy said:
I in no way implied I was AVOIDING unlocking due to the desire to stay on OTA's - just that I had no reason to pursue unlocking. This is the first android device I've had that ended up with a sunset where you couldn't unlock it at pretty much any point, so i never had a fear of taking the OTA and losing something in the process. If i had expected that, I certainly would have unlocked prior to 9.30.1 being installed. I honestly have yet to figure out why they don't release a program that would allow unlocking the devices - I'm not sure the manufacture's fear of unlocked bootloaders and root, as any program they release would be loaded with disclaimers - and frankly, it would allow easy restorations to ANY firmware version by service staff at verizon/at&t.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, in actual reality, the XT926 was never meant to be unlocked. It was only unlockable via an exploit, just like obtaining root for locked devices is an exploit in the security of the OS/device.
So, there never really was a "sunset" for unlocking this device as it wasn't meant to be. Only after the exploit was found did a patch come out to stop that exploit from being utilized on any remaining unlocked phones, current or future.
So, when there is an exploit to unlock a device, your best bet is to take advantage of it immediately.
When I got my RAZR HD, it was as a warranty replacement for my OG RAZR MAXX. When I fired it up, it stated there was an OTA available. I immediately told it no and then went straight to the forums here and on another site to investigate what my options were. When I found out that there was the possibility of my unlocking the bootloader, I immediately went to where the tool was and downloaded it. I then proceeded to read and then ask questions on if my phone couldn't unlock, would it hurt it. SamuriHL helped me out a great deal and that is how I found all his tools and how much help he provides. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have discovered that I could unlock my bootloader.
Usually, I investigate the phone I'm interested in to see if:
1. Can the bootloader be unlocked (or is it already unlocked)?
2. Is there a known root exploit IF the bootloader cannot be unlocked?
3. What are the ROM options (safestrap, cwm, twrp recovery)?
It's definitely something I normally would look into, but I didn't know that I was going to receive the RAZR HD. Once I discovered the possibility of unlocking the bootloader, I was hoping beyond all hope that it could happen and it did. How I received a replacement phone that wasn't patched to the latest OTA was beyond me, but that is the reason I refused the OTA when I first fired up the phone. I had already read about other "horrors" of people taking an OTA and then finding they couldn't root or do other things with their phones.
Lesson learned is, NEVER take an OTA until you've fully researched what it does and what it might prevent.