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Successfully UNLOCKED A TF300T! Go check this post i sent for full story: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=35941776&postcount=43
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Hi everyone, i bought a TF300T. it came with pre installed jb 4.1.1, it has c9.... serial and build number WW 10.4.2.9 . I searched and read entire forum about unlocking and rooting my device. Since i cannot unlock my device with official asus bootloader unlocker apk, i learned that i need to downgrade to .17 firmware. so i dl'ed blobs for .17 (i have DE_epaduser9_4_3_17UpdateLauncher and WW_epaduser10_4_2_17UpdateLauncher ), copied it to /sdcard dir, and tried to downgrade with Wolf's 2nd method. I have installed sdk properly and tried both in ubuntu and windows 8. when i connect my device in debugging mode, i can detect it by adb devices code. when i get in to adb shell to apply codes, it says " failed on '/data/local/tmp' - Permission denied " after mv /data/local/tmp /data/local/tmp.bak line.
so i kept trying, this time i used automated version of this method (both viperMod and viperMOD Primer Tool v4.5 - Modded by bpear_v3 ). in DebugfsRoot_Generic_v2.3, no matter what i did, can't root my device because it keeps going back to main menu ( selection screen )
in viperMOD Primer Tool v4.5 - Modded by bpear_v3, i tried same procedure again and it rebooted my device without any changes. i can't gain root acces.
sorry for the long post but i'm very tired, trying methods since morning; and being a noob makes it very difficult. I can develop android apps but never had a device so it became very difficult to solve the problem. what want to do is simply gain root access and unlock the bootloader.
I will be very grateful for your help.
gravis502 said:
Hi everyone, i bought a TF300T. it came with pre installed jb 4.1.1, it has c9.... serial and build number WW 10.4.2.9 . I searched and read entire forum about unlocking and rooting my device. Since i cannot unlock my device with official asus bootloader unlocker apk, i learned that i need to downgrade to .17 firmware. so i dl'ed blobs for .17 (i have DE_epaduser9_4_3_17UpdateLauncher and WW_epaduser10_4_2_17UpdateLauncher ), copied it to /sdcard dir, and tried to downgrade with Wolf's 2nd method. I have installed sdk properly and tried both in ubuntu and windows 8. when i connect my device in debugging mode, i can detect it by adb devices code. when i get in to adb shell to apply codes, it says " failed on '/data/local/tmp' - Permission denied " after mv /data/local/tmp /data/local/tmp.bak line.
so i kept trying, this time i used automated version of this method (both viperMod and viperMOD Primer Tool v4.5 - Modded by bpear_v3 ). in DebugfsRoot_Generic_v2.3, no matter what i did, can't root my device because it keeps going back to main menu ( selection screen )
in viperMOD Primer Tool v4.5 - Modded by bpear_v3, i tried same procedure again and it rebooted my device without any changes. i can't gain root acces.
sorry for the long post but i'm very tired, trying methods since morning; and being a noob makes it very difficult. I can develop android apps but never had a device so it became very difficult to solve the problem. what want to do is simply gain root access and unlock the bootloader.
I will be very grateful for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I'm aware, if you're on JB you can't downgrade to ICS ROM because JB has a different Bootloader. If you can't use the official unlock tool (like myself and many others) there is (right now) no way to root or unlock your device if you're already on JB.
As far as I'm aware, if you're on JB you can't downgrade to ICS ROM because JB has a different Bootloader. If you can't use the official unlock tool (like myself and many others) there is (right now) no way to root or unlock your device if you're already on JB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried the official unlock tool but it was useless for me. So from your words, i see that i can unlock my bootloader so i can't use CFW's. I can live with that for some time, but can't i root my tf300t ?
gravis502 said:
I've tried the official unlock tool but it was useless for me. So from your words, i see that i can unlock my bootloader so i can't use CFW's. I can live with that for some time, but can't i root my tf300t ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not until someone manages to find/create a root method that works with JB. The method used for gaining root on ICS was patched in the JB update. There's a way for anyone who had root before upgrading to keep it, but no way (yet) to gain root without unlocking the bootloader (which, as you've mentioned is buggy).
Is anyone else working on unlocking the bootloader for verizon pixels? Its clearly possible as people are doing it but but not releasing it publicly. All the other threads on this are locked because people keep trying to offer services outside of XDA. Are there theories on how its being done? Spoofing the verizon IMEI check server? Temp root and modifying a system file?
Quada said:
Is anyone else working on unlocking the bootloader for verizon pixels? Its clearly possible as people are doing it but but not releasing it publicly. All the other threads on this are locked because people keep trying to offer services outside of XDA. Are there theories on how its being done? Spoofing the verizon IMEI check server? Temp root and modifying a system file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been poking around on google for a long time checking for Verizon bootloader unlock activity and I noticed that as well. This got me thinking, and while I haven't done a lot of digging to see if my idea if feasible here's what I got. I was thinking to leverage Spectre "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(security_vulnerability)" somehow to leak a signature that can then be passed in an api call to unlock the bootloader. If i recall, I think I remember seeing a function in android source somewhere that took a prm specifying unlock/lock and then a signature created by the vendor to allow the unlock. if you could figure out the appropriate offsets in memory, maybe it would be possible? As said, I have not done much research on this but just figured I'd share and see what others thought.
Pixel 2 Verizon unlock bootloader instructions are here below
Unlocking the Bootloader WILL WIPE YOUR DEVICE!! so backup important files.
Install ADB/Fastboot Drivers
Enable Developer Options
Enable USB Debugging in Developer Options
Plug Pixel 2 into PC
Open a Command Prompt window;
In Command Prompt, type adb start-server
and hit ENTER
If you see * daemon started successfully *
continue to next step
In Command Prompt, type adb devices
and hit ENTER
If you see "List of devices attached" as well as "Your Devices Serial Number device or unauthorized"
continue to next step
On Pixel 2 - Allow PC for USB Debugging
In Command Prompt, type adb reboot bootloader
Once your Pixel 2 has rebooted into the bootloader
In Command Prompt, type fastboot flashing lock_critical
and hit ENTER Then follow the instructions on your Pixel 2 to finish Unlocking Bootloader.
Correct on the steps, including the entire discussion found here. https://forum.xda-developers.com/pix...el-2s-t3726294
***PATCHED BY OUT-OF-CYCLE JANUARY UPDATE***
If you have received the OTA patch for your pixel2, and now are on OPM2.171019.016, you will no longer be able to run the command. And downgrade is not available at this time.
As of 1/24/2018 users who have purchased new phones have been able to remove the SIM, refuse internet (WiFi) connection at the initial startup. After completing the initial setup, you can sideload 8.1 to take advantage of the command in the OP. If you connect to the internet with WiFi or with your SIM, chances are high you will receive the update and this method WILL NOT work. To date, there are no other ways to unlock the bootloader on VZW PIX2 other than this method. Instructions to sideload stock OTA's are found here along with the downloads. https://developers.google.com/android/ota Once again, DO NOT USE 8.1.0 (OPM2.171019.016, Jan 2018, Verizon) but instead use 8.1.0 (OPM1.171019.013, Jan 2018) The command is not available on 8.0.
There is also another alternative way which has worked for me this week on Pixel 32GGB Verizon. Its called depixel8. more info can be found @ http://theroot.ninja/depixel8.html
Usage:
Step 1) Install fastboot and adb on your PC, ensure both are working with your Pixel.
Step 2) Run "adb push dePixel8 /data/local/tmp", "adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/dePixel8" and finally run the program "adb shell /data/local/tmp/dePixel8"
(put the depixel files in the same folder as your ADB/FASTBOOT drivers are where you do your command prompt commands)
Step 3) Wait for the phone to reboot to the bootloader. If it is not rebooting you can try to run various apps until it does, or you may have to reboot and start over.
Step 4) Issue the command "fastboot oem unlock", this will open up the unlock prompt and warning on the screen. You can now unlock. If you get an error, about unlocking not being allowed, start all over again.
MpandAUS said:
Pixel 2 Verizon unlock bootloader instructions are here below
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dePixel8 is patched in Android 7.1.1 and newer.
lock bootlooader without power button
How can i relock my bootloader without use of my power button its broken
Keetoowah said:
How can i relock my bootloader without use of my power button its broken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted?
Keetoowah said:
How can i relock my bootloader without use of my power button its broken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally recommend not relocking your bootloader. If you aren't on pure stock it will give you problems and even if you are on pure stock, an unlocked bootloader is a devices most powerful recovery tool and OTAs have been known to fail on occasion and other problems you would want to recover from can occur.
As to the answer to your question, if you can boot the device normally at all then you can turn on adb debugging and from there open an adb shell and use adb reboot bootloader to get to fastboot mode and then use fastboot oem lock I believe
KittyRgnarok said:
I personally recommend not relocking your bootloader. If you aren't on pure stock it will give you problems and even if you are on pure stock, an unlocked bootloader is a devices most powerful recovery tool and OTAs have been known to fail on occasion and other problems you would want to recover from can occur.
As to the answer to your question, if you can boot the device normally at all then you can turn on adb debugging and from there open an adb shell and use adb reboot bootloader to get to fastboot mode and then use fastboot oem lock I believe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank I've decided to have the power button repaired at my own expence since I have a Verizon Pixel 2 with an unlocked bootloader. The replacement they sent me wasn't unlockable. The unlocked bootloader with TWRP and root are well worth the price of the power button.
Keetoowah said:
Thank I've decided to have the power button repaired at my own expence since I have a Verizon Pixel 2 with an unlocked bootloader. The replacement they sent me wasn't unlockable. The unlocked bootloader with TWRP and root are well worth the price of the power button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much was the replacement button and installation by the way, I'm rather curious
getting back on track, it looks like someone claims to be able to OEM unlock after getting the April OTA? Can anyone support or contradict this claim? https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/89rnoa/google_pixel_verizon_oem_unlock/
Hi everyone.
I'm thinking in buying a phone from CAT (CAT S42) and I'm not sure if I can unlock its bootloader. But I've seen on another forum that the CAT S31 has root available for it through Magisk, and I didn't see anyone mentioning having unlocked the bootloader. S42 has a MediaTek chipset and S31 has a Qualcomm chipset, if that helps.
So my question is: is unlocking bootloader MANDATORY to root a device? Can I just run a custom recovery, root the phone with that, and then the recovery gets overwritten on system boot? Or can I root through USB debugging without even needing custom recovery?
The CAT S31 I mentioned was rooted with Magisk, and as I said, I didn't see anyone talking about unlocked bootloader. But I also read Magisk changes the boot partition and the bootloader checks if it was modified. So I'm a bit confused with this too. It's also written that MiracleBox was used and I'm not sure that's the reason that I'm getting confused or not (I had never heard of this tool until now).
A set of software for obtaining ROOT privileges.
Driver_Qualcom_m.7z (9.27 MB) [link]
Enter HS QDSLoad 9008 mode from Vol + and Vol- off state and connect without releasing to USB
MiracleBox [link]
The Boot image is processed on the phone by the Magisk manager, then uploaded to the phone using Miracle again from the computer.
MagiskManager-v7.3.2.apk (2.71 MB) [link]
Just in case,
Backup firmware without / Data partition
Attached files
XposedInstaller_3.1.5-Magisk.apk (2.96 MB) [link]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How may they have done that?
I'm sorry, I don't understand a lot of the root requirements part, since I was lucky and my 1st phone had the bootloader unlocked alreaedy for some reason and the second was as easy as writting a single command. But about this phone there's almost nothing and I'd like to know the general about this. If it's really necessary to have the bootloader unlocked, for example. And if it's not, then what methods can I use with it still locked?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Hello DADi590,
Unfortunately I can't answer all of your questions about S42. I have one of them and I am also looking for and confused with root procedures. But I can tell you that unlock boot loader was just a matter of get developer options on (tapping version # 10 times), and inside you can toogle lock/unlock bootloader...
How to root it safely is what I do not know yet.
good luck!
@DADi590
Rooting the Android OS of a device in practice is nothing more than adding the su cmdlet known from Linux OS to the Android OS. To root Android OS in no case requires device's bootloader must get unlocked to do so.
FYI: The bootloader of an Android device is comparable to the BIOS of a Windows computer.
Actually, after some time I decided to leave CAT alone and buy a Blackview one. If I'd break the phone, at least it wouldn't be as expensive as the CAT S42 (I bought a BV9500 - not Pro or Plus, the normal one).
Since then (with help of adventures with a tablet of mine) I've learned some more things. One of them I was suspecting and was now confirmed (thank you @jwoegerbauer) which is to root the device, just a binary file is needed to be on the correct place: su. I didn't know it was on other Linux OSes though. Interesting!
So the idea is that just a recovery must be installed to root a device. That's it and nothing else, I believe. To install the recovery is the part where one might need to unlock the bootloader - or not, if the chipset manufacturer left a tool to write partitions directly, like MediaTek or Rockchip. On these 2 it's possible to write partitions directly with a locked bootloader (this means the bootloader on my 1st phone was and still is probably locked - like my BV9500 one is, and I flashed various partitions on it already, one of them, a TWRP recovery).
This explanation is for anyone else like me who would have this question. Bootloader is just to flash partitions and I think run modified ROMs too, but not too sure about that (I never use custom ROMs). [Btw, if I said something wrong, I'm happy to be corrected!]
armandrix said:
Hello DADi590,
Unfortunately I can't answer all of your questions about S42. I have one of them and I am also looking for and confused with root procedures. But I can tell you that unlock boot loader was just a matter of get developer options on (tapping version # 10 times), and inside you can toogle lock/unlock bootloader...
How to root it safely is what I do not know yet.
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe I asked this because I prefer that it's not required to unlock a bootloader to do stuff. If you screw the phone somehow with the bootloader locked and there's no tool to flash partitions on it and you must be on fastboot with an unlocked bootloader or whatever, you just bricked the phone. And I'd prefer that not to happen. That's why I chose to buy phones that don't need me to unlock the bootloader to do anything on them. That might mean I can't ever brick them (at least I never bricked my 1st phone with the various things I did on it which I later found out not being recommended at all XD).
I've unlocked the bootloader on my Cat S42. Can be done.
I can't find anything definitive about whether it's rootable or not
Same here i tried every root app possible and failed.
just unlock bootloader and flash twrp
after that flash latest magisk zip hope it will work
Bhanu8082 said:
just unlock bootloader and flash twrp
after that flash latest magisk zip hope it will work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to flash TWRP: Booting into it is sufficient.
Bhanu8082 said:
just unlock bootloader and flash twrp
after that flash latest magisk zip hope it will work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you unlock the bootloader?
sCriptKittY1987 said:
How did you unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simple , go to about phone and try to find build number,
after you find build number tap on it until it says you are in developer mode
after that head on to developer option (it may be inside about phone section or above about phone section) turn on the option which says allow oem unlock. then,
just reboot to recovery mode either by pressing volume up or volume down key with power button.
after you enter recovery connect usb cable and open command prompt in pc and make sure that lg device drivers are installed on your pc also make sure you have adb and fastboot installed.
ok, after all this type command
adb devices
if any thing shows us then you have successfully connected your device.
after it type
adb reboot bootloader
then your mobile should restart and show fastboot mode in screen
type command
fastboot oem unlock
and done your bootloader is unlocked.
Bhanu8082 said:
just unlock bootloader and flash twrp
after that flash latest magisk zip hope it will work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you find a tarp img for the LG k51?
sCriptKittY1987 said:
Where did you find a tarp img for the LG k51?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tarp image????? just follow the tutorial.
I meant TWRP recovery . After you've unlocked the bootloader where did you get a custom recovery to flash for the LG k51. From what I saw on Team Wins website, there isn't one.
Bhanu8082 said:
simple , go to about phone and try to find build number,
after you find build number tap on it until it says you are in developer mode
after that head on to developer option (it may be inside about phone section or above about phone section) turn on the option which says allow oem unlock. then,
just reboot to recovery mode either by pressing volume up or volume down key with power button.
after you enter recovery connect usb cable and open command prompt in pc and make sure that lg device drivers are installed on your pc also make sure you have adb and fastboot installed.
ok, after all this type command
adb devices
if any thing shows us then you have successfully connected your device.
after it type
adb reboot bootloader
then your mobile should restart and show fastboot mode in screen
type command
fastboot oem unlock
and done your bootloader is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I typed fastboot oem unlock I get a reply saying <waiting for any device>
sCriptKittY1987 said:
When I typed fastboot oem unlock I get a reply saying <waiting for any device>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt that's going to work, but let me know if it does. Carriers and manufacturers use a variety of sophisticated security schemes like requiring lengthy codes that only they can provide, etc to purposely make it very difficult to unlock bootloaders. Tmobile gave me a K51 for free. They apparently feel the have to pay for it by spying on me. I bought a moto g7 plus unlocked for $117 directly from Moto and put Lineage on it, no gapps Would love to use thie k51 though if anyone figures it out because it's more waterproof and bigger battery.
mgsgta3 said:
I can't find anything definitive about whether it's rootable or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whether device's bootloader is unlockable / device's Android is root-able or not you easily can find out by means of ABB:
Code:
adb shell "getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported"
If returned value is 1, then it's supported otherwise it's not.
sCriptKittY1987 said:
Where did you find a tarp img for the LG k51?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and let me guess my doofus luck im guessing no way to unlock it with out a P.C. like nuttin at all?
Absolutely no of the crap above works at all in any capacity especially sprint. Generic postings like hold volume down and power also doesn't work to go into fastboot so if you guys are following the advice of some of these guys don't because you'll drop more money on a new phone then you will unlocking it some variants verizon is one I think you have to call LG I know I spent 6 hrs on the phone with "tech support" aka "jokes with a screen to read from" to FINALLY get into touch with an engineer who told me the only way "NOW" to unlocked the bootloader is in his office which means it has to be depot to be unlocked which as of this moment lg is not doing that WILL change in the future that was 12/03/2020. Even running external adb with kali linux to hack it broke the bootloader and sends you into an infinite reboot loop
jwoegerbauer said:
Whether device's bootloader is unlockable / device's Android is root-able or not you easily can find out by means of ABB:
Code:
adb shell "getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported"
If returned value is 1, then it's supported otherwise it's not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This returns no value on a locked bootloader because even with Dev. Opt. Enables its still read only until bootloader is unlocked this is verified on two carriers k51's sprint and att. However it is unlockable we haven't found it and/or LG has not added this service to their site which is where you will get the info needed for the unlocked.
Oh my. You know you need to do all this from a computer, right? Can't do it in an Android terminal because fastboot commands are only valid in a phone's bootloader environment. And if you didnt know that then rooting and all of the dangers that come with it just isnt for you. But yes, it's rootable. So here you go anyway.
Reboot the phone to download mode.
Install LG's K51 usb drivers, and install adb and fastboot, on your computer.
Open a command prompt and type: fastboot oem unlock
If it does anything other than pat you on the back and tell you it's proud of you and how well you follow instructions, then go back and follow the effing instructions.
Otherwise, type: fastboot reboot.
Download magisk manager.
Do the magisk manager.
Use the LG flash tool on your computer to flash what you just did when you did the magisk manager.
And presto, you're rooted. Or I successfully left out enough info and you dont know how to use Google, leaving your device still not rooted. And thank god for that.
Ive been learning from xda for some time now. Bricked a few phones in my learning curve and tonight i had my first success with my g7, and wrighting this on my new k51. This is my first post and I think that was pretty rude of you to say. This is supposed to be a place to learn, share knowledge, and help those who are less educated. Not look down on people and say crap like that. If he wants to learn even if it takes a couple bricked phones to do it, let him. Either give him the proper procedures or dont say nothing at all. How long did it take you? How many phones? Its taking me quit a while but i am finaly getting somewhere. Keep with it guy. Dont let this dude, or any one else for that matter, bring you down.
Kenwoodquality69 said:
Ive been learning from xda for some time now. Bricked a few phones in my learning curve and tonight i had my first success with my g7, and wrighting this on my new k51. This is my first post and I think that was pretty rude of you to say. This is supposed to be a place to learn, share knowledge, and help those who are less educated. Not look down on people and say crap like that. If he wants to learn even if it takes a couple bricked phones to do it, let him. Either give him the proper procedures or dont say nothing at all. How long did it take you? How many phones? Its taking me quit a while but i am finaly getting somewhere. Keep with it guy. Dont let this dude, or any one else for that matter, bring you down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yo Ken,
So your K51 rooted?
If so, maybe you could provide a step by step?
I haven't done this yet but is it verified working? I did a google search came across the method to do the unlocking but it showed it was a failed project?
TexasPride said:
I haven't done this yet but is it verified working? I did a google search came across the method to do the unlocking but it showed it was a failed project?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O lord i hope this isnt true
Hello. Looking at different forums for answers on this subject, I've found many people who also want to root their Hot Pepper VLE5 devices. I really want to root this thing, and in most forums instead of answering the question, people point out that this device is cheap and not worth rooting. I have tried ADB root, which returns with something like "cannot root production builds", and so I went to see how to change that. Spoiler, that also requires root. Then I saw the push/pull command and SuperSU tutorial, but once again you need root to do that, and to be honest, why would you put that on your device if you already have root?? I'm not exactly sure about how the twrp and magisk stuff works but from what I've seen those also require some kind of super user access or something. I have unlocked the bootloader with ADB, which is one problem out of the way, but I'm running out of options and need some help with it, if anyone wants to help, that is. I need root on this because it is currently the only device I have, besides a laptop made for Windows Vista running 7 Ultimate on it (I have a better PC, just not with me), and I want to do WiFi pentesting and other things because I'm very interested in cyber security and such and it's becoming difficult to find anymore help with this. I really am not concerned with the specs limiting the usage of the device, I just want a solution and there's many others I have found with the same issue.
Thank you for your time.
Only devices running Android of build type ENG and/or USERDEBUG can get rooted, AFAIK.
Only devices running a properly rooted Android can apply command "adb root" what allows you to write to device's /system partition.
To unlock device's bootloader you have to apply the appropriate Fastboot commands: You can't unlock the bootloader via ADB. At least I never have heard or read that this would be possible.
jwoegerbauer said:
Only devices running Android of build type ENG and/or USERDEBUG can get rooted, AFAIK.
Only devices running a properly rooted Android can apply command "adb root" what allows you to write to device's /system partition.
To unlock device's bootloader you have to apply the appropriate Fastboot commands: You can't unlock the bootloader via ADB. At least I never have heard or read that this would be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It allowed me to unlock it with ADB or Fastboot or something I forget, it was something via the command line
PulseJaymes said:
It allowed me to unlock it with ADB or Fastboot or something I forget, it was something via the command line
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. https://android.tutorials.how/adb-fastboot-installation/
2.
Unrelated, i just sent a DM to user diplomatic asking/offering a low bounty for sharing their mediatek temp-root exploit... They has already posted for other CPU architectures (incl armv8), but not the armv71, which iiuc is what the VLE5 runs on.
Idk diplomatic hasnt been active in a couple months so we'll see if they respond.
jwoegerbauer said:
Only devices running Android of build type ENG and/or USERDEBUG can get rooted, AFAIK.
Only devices running a properly rooted Android can apply command "adb root" what allows you to write to device's /system partition.
To unlock device's bootloader you have to apply the appropriate Fastboot commands: You can't unlock the bootloader via ADB. At least I never have heard or read that this would be possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@jwoegerbauer
Thanks for the info.
Sounds like the OP did use Fastboot commands.
Their OP question was on rooting... I have the exact same device, so am wondering:
If I unlocked the bootloader (via Fastboot tool commandline),
Can i then break the stock boot image to either:
A.) replace it (eg. with Lineage OS), and/or
B.) extract and patch the existing stock ROM?
(Note, the mgfr oem does not provide any updates nor firmware images, neither ota nor otherwise of any kind.
So i have to work strictly w what is on the device.
Another Q:
If i replace the stock rom w lineage and cannot backup the stock rom first.... Will i need to worry about drivers for Android (eg. wifi/bluetooth chips, GPU, etc.) ? I'm used to working w windows or linux, is why i ask..)
while I have no experiance with qualcomm devices, the procedure is near identical to mediatek devices, so to back up your system partition just boot into EDL mode and read the flash using a qualcomm flashing tool. Then, unpack the system image throw in a su binary under /system/sbin/ repack it and flash it!
it's optional to then install magisk or supersu for a root manager for security.
That's atleast how I mangled my cellphone and did unspeakable things to the system!
I just got this phone using it as a backup right now till I can fix my other phone so I'm assuming nobody got it rooted?
I found this VLE5 if this helps anybody I haven't tried it yet but I see the VLE5 on there