[Q] Confirmation that I can't do anything with this phone - RAZR HD Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I played around with my Droid X (installed CM and the like) years ago, but I haven't tried to do anything with my Razr Maxx HD since I'm in grad school. I've just been keeping it up to date with OTA updates, but I'd like to try roms again, namely the newer CM.
From what I've read, I need an earlier version of the OS in order to unlock the bootloader or root the phone.
I've also read (and have found from some personal experience the past couple days) that it is impossible to use RSD lite (6.1.4) to downgrade to literally any OS older than the one currently installed.
Is there anything I can do with this phone? Can I, either with or without RSD Lite, get to an earlier version? Can I at least root it so I can use Ti backup?
Or is there literally nothing I can do with this phone?
Two final, quick questions. Is anyone still working on this phone, or is it too much a pain andeveryone has moved on?
Finally, now that Moto is google, is the Moto X (and future phones) more dev friendly? Or do I need to think about moving away from Moto if I want to play around with my phone?
Sorry this is a repeated question, I guess I'm mostly bummed about what I've found and just want to be 100% sure I'm not able to do anything before I give up.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Pretty much if you want to mod a Moto now, you need to get a Dev X or a M/HD that has the bootloader already unlocked.

RikRong said:
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Pretty much if you want to mod a Moto now, you need to get a Dev X or a M/HD that has the bootloader already unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
recently turned my MHD in for an insurance claim (cracked screen)... didn't think about receiving a different MHD with up to date OTA's. LUCKILY received one with 9.18.79... so I can still obtain root... but lost being unlocked but like RikRong stated above... those are pretty much your only options now.. best of luck.

Related

[Q] Moto Droid Razr Maxx HD Bootloader

I went out and traded up to a Razr Maxx HD only to come home to find out that the moto site wont unlock the bootloader. F-you verizon! My big question of the day is... Is there anyone out there willing to try to crack the razr maxx hd bootloader? I would, but I'm a machinist. I dont get it completely, I followed through an article here on the V-SGSIII, loved it, I get the jist of it. Maybe I should've got into computers but instead when I was young, I went to work at a shipyard and became a machinist.
Ha, you and me both. Instead of reading up on computers and IT in college, I stuck with my degree of choice and spent my time boning broads. Even given our bootloader issue now I wouldn't change a thing
Anyways, do a search for Safestrap V3.05.16 (newest version). It's sort of a work-around the Verizon bootloader. Doesn't unlock it, but I think it pretty much does the same thing as though it was unlocked. There are a few threads, with the .zip file and instructions.
Thanks, yeah I did that right after walking in the door from buying it. Got root, safestrap so I'm good to go. I'll keep it but wednesday I'm upgrading the thunderbolt to a DNA, that ones looking pretty badass...thanks for your reply
LifeAsADroid said:
Ha, you and me both. Instead of reading up on computers and IT in college, I stuck with my degree of choice and spent my time boning broads. Even given our bootloader issue now I wouldn't change a thing
Anyways, do a search for Safestrap V3.05.16 (newest version). It's sort of a work-around the Verizon bootloader. Doesn't unlock it, but I think it pretty much does the same thing as though it was unlocked. There are a few threads, with the .zip file and instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problem is we don't have the ability to flash kernels, radios, or other system images. And without an unlocked bootloader, this phone is unlikely to attract more developers.
I got my Razr Maxx HD about a week ago and I'm still happy with it, but I wish there was a way to unlock the bootloader so I could have the same level of control I had on my Incredible.
I tried the bootloader unlock today and didn't work. I then called Motorola to ask if it is possible to do it and they said "no, not now. Possibly in the future" In response, I said this phone would be a top device if the phone was unlcoked and came with AOSP's latest. But I will have to send back to Verizon for something else. It upsets me that this device is ruined by VZ/Moto locking the bootloader.
trebills said:
I tried the bootloader unlock today and didn't work. I then called Motorola to ask if it is possible to do it and they said "no, not now. Possibly in the future" In response, I said this phone would be a top device if the phone was unlcoked and came with AOSP's latest. But I will have to send back to Verizon for something else. It upsets me that this device is ruined by VZ/Moto locking the bootloader.
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Click to collapse
-----------------------------------------------------------
Verizon's attitude regarding "unlocked bootloaders" sucks.
Here's the deal. If one is expected to pay full price for an "unlockable" device, then can one get discount on the monthly cost that adds up to the subsidy cost over the term of the contract. In other words, if the subsidy is $360, then give me a $15 discount on my monthly bill if I pay the full price for a device (or I bring my own device!)

[Q] Noob Questioner's

Hey guys. Just got this phone yesterday. Rooted and unlocked the bootloader last night. Love the phone! I wake up this morning to an OTA update request. I haven't installed any recovery yet. I'm on a 926 and the phone is running 4.1.2.... Honestly, I haven't figured out how to install a recovery yet. I don't want to brick this thing on day 2. I've done quite a bit of stuff and I realize now I need to get more educated before I screw something up. Heck I haven't even taken the time to understand the difference between the 925 and 926. So will it hurt anything taking the OTA?
It's not worth it to take it. Better off going with a custom rom.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
So I guess I need to work on installing a custom recovery.. Just curious, what is wrong with the OTA update?
jeph0r3 said:
So I guess I need to work on installing a custom recovery.. Just curious, what is wrong with the OTA update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA disables the hack that allows you to unlock the bootloader, but from everything I read if you have already unlocked the bootloader then you have nothing to worry about. It is still recommended to use a root keeper before taking the OTA update. The big advantage of the OTA is update radio drivers (better GPS, etc.)
OK, so, I'm rooted, unlocked, have rootkeeper installed and enabled, made a backup. If I take the OTA, can I get back to where I am now with my phone. I looked at each of the roms and they look OK.. Kinda happy with stock right now...
jeph0r3 said:
OK, so, I'm rooted, unlocked, have rootkeeper installed and enabled, made a backup. If I take the OTA, can I get back to where I am now with my phone. I looked at each of the roms and they look OK.. Kinda happy with stock right now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock is surprisingly okay from Motorola (once you freeze the Verizon bloatware), but I really enjoy having 4.2.2 (dashclock widget alone makes it worth the upgrade), customizable lockscreen (I was using WidgetLocker but it's never as smooth as built in), and the phablet UI with the quick settings panel. Have I tempted you enough to try a ROM? Also, stock icons and not the ugly Moto icons!
bananapeapod said:
The stock is surprisingly okay from Motorola (once you freeze the Verizon bloatware), but I really enjoy having 4.2.2 (dashclock widget alone makes it worth the upgrade), customizable lockscreen (I was using WidgetLocker but it's never as smooth as built in), and the phablet UI with the quick settings panel. Have I tempted you enough to try a ROM? Also, stock icons and not the ugly Moto icons!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
care to save me some time and let me know which is your favorite ROM so far? I'll end up trying a few just curious
jeph0r3 said:
care to save me some time and let me know which is your favorite ROM so far? I'll end up trying a few just curious
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've really only spent time with CM10.1 and have been very happy... a friend of mine has been going through the ROMs and he was excited about AOKP but now he's switching to Liquid can't remember why, some problems. From what I understand the CM ROM is likely to become official and that would be great so you can get the advantages of a fairly large eco system and constant development. Feel free to play around and try a ROM with halo (Pacman, Xenon, and some others seem to have it integrated) it looks really cool, but I'm not sure I would use it all the time.
@jeph0r3
So on Sunday, I made the mistake of "checking" to see if there was software update. There was. I did not want to update the phone, because I knew there was a good chance there was a root and unlock method out there for the current software version and wanted to investigate further. My only option was to "download now" or "download later" 12 hours.
12 hours came and went and I did not have the option to stop it. So I put it in WiFi mode and connected it to one of my WAPs that doesn't have internet access, which put a stop to the download. I did find a root/unlock method and went forward with it. Then the next question, what will happen when the download completes?
After rooting/unlocking the phone, I let the download complete, hoping that I didn't have to apply it. I got the option to postpone it once, but then it basically forced me. BegrudgingIy, I let it go before I could figure out a suitable root-keeper. Let me know what you use if you take the OTA and manage to keep root.
When it came back up after applying the patch, it seems I no longer have root access, but at least I have an unlocked bootloader so I can push ROMs if I want. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before Dan Rosenberg figures out a way around the new OTA patches. He has a reputation around here of being a Android ninja!
Can you get a custom recovery installed? You could flash a super user zip then.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
erikoink said:
@jeph0r3
So on Sunday, I made the mistake of "checking" to see if there was software update. There was. I did not want to update the phone, because I knew there was a good chance there was a root and unlock method out there for the current software version and wanted to investigate further. My only option was to "download now" or "download later" 12 hours.
12 hours came and went and I did not have the option to stop it. So I put it in WiFi mode and connected it to one of my WAPs that doesn't have internet access, which put a stop to the download. I did find a root/unlock method and went forward with it. Then the next question, what will happen when the download completes?
After rooting/unlocking the phone, I let the download complete, hoping that I didn't have to apply it. I got the option to postpone it once, but then it basically forced me. BegrudgingIy, I let it go before I could figure out a suitable root-keeper. Let me know what you use if you take the OTA and manage to keep root.
When it came back up after applying the patch, it seems I no longer have root access, but at least I have an unlocked bootloader so I can push ROMs if I want. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before Dan Rosenberg figures out a way around the new OTA patches. He has a reputation around here of being a Android ninja!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash a custom recovery through fastboot, you can then flash a super user zip using the custom recovery. No need to wait for a hack to the ota.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda premium
With an unlocked boot loader you have a lot of options, way to get the update from applying!
The craziest thing is that I'm really enjoying stock on the moto. Guys I have run every rom in the business. I've had the OG, the Droid X, NeXuS and a Razr, and now finally the RAZR HD.. I must say, I have had no lag, great connection and I've yet to find anything the phone has let me down on... I'm confused as to why this phone hasn't taken off!.. Have I forgotten to mention tha ti has an unlocked bootloader? Whats the deal?? I have not taken the OTA but I have gotten a message about it every 12 hours.. I know there is a way you can RSD back to the stock if you want it erikoink..
I may take the OTA.. If its better than this Stock Rom.. I'd be crazy not to
How do you like it erikoink????
I took the update without unrooting and used voodoo to restore it. I also had to install superuser then uninstalled it and supersu worked as normal.
No big changes with the update. The messages app doesn't display an incorrect unread message count which is nice.
I was a crack flasher with the gnex. But like you said, the phone just works. The only reason I unlocked my bootloader and rooted was to tinker with display resolution for an atrix lapdock.
I also don't know why the phone hasn't taken off. The lack of cases is irritating but I deal with it.
Been using my phone since March. Only important thing to remember is to restart the phone every few days or it looses some of its snap.
I decided to install "one power guard" but it's not really making that big of a difference. At first I was able to make it 2 days between charges and get almost 7 hours of screen on time. Now I can go a day and a half. I only have used a car charger three times and ALWAYS use the stock charger. Too risky.
This phone basically performs like my galaxy nexus but gets great battery life. I might get the note 3 in September but only if my battery life worsens.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD
jeph0r3 said:
I've had the OG, the Droid X, NeXuS and a Razr, and now finally the RAZR HD..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jfriend33 said:
Been using my phone since March...
I might get the note 3 in September but only if my battery life worsens.
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Click to collapse
How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?
bananapeapod said:
How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?
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Click to collapse
I actually have been lucky on my upgrades. I had the Original Droid, I flashed sooooo many roms on it that it started getting buggy. Found a Droid X for 200 and snatched it up.. When my contract was up for the Orig Droid, I got the NeXus.. The volume on it was so bad that I couldn't stand it, so I went back to Verizon and traded it in on the Rezound. It was an AWESOME phone.. It has/had some GREAT devs.. I then found a Droid RAZR HD on craigslist because I will not upgrade and lose my unlimited data.. If I lose my unlimited on Verizon, it will be because they make me. I will then go to another provider as I am really pissed with VZW about this...
I freaking love this RAZR HD.. Might be my favorite phone so far.. Not sure why it doesn't have more Developers and ports....
bananapeapod said:
How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, 2 smartphones with grandfathered unlimited data, and 3 feature phones. Why on earth people with a similar setup would blow an upgrade on a feature phone is beyond me.
I'm sure this won't go on forever though.
My razr maxx hd was purchased at full retail but was then reimbursed because my phone at the time was damaged and did not have a comparable replacement available.
I find it completely hysterical that verizons new upgrade payment plan called edge is only for share everything plans. BS!
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD
jfriend33 said:
Yes, 2 smartphones with grandfathered unlimited data, and 3 feature phones. Why on earth people with a similar setup would blow an upgrade on a feature phone is beyond me.
I'm sure this won't go on forever though.
My razr maxx hd was purchased at full retail but was then reimbursed because my phone at the time was damaged and did not have a comparable replacement available.
I find it completely hysterical that verizons new upgrade payment plan called edge is only for share everything plans. BS!
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon loves you.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4 Beta
mentose457 said:
Verizon loves you.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a love hate relationship. Verizon is very inconsistent with their CS. If I ever have a problem I basically prep myself to make 5 calls.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

[Q] Droid Ultra/Maxx - Is there a way to root my device and unlock the bootloader?

Hello all!
I am using the Droid Ultra forum because I can't find or there doesn't seem to be one specifically for the Maxx. I assume they are they same phone but one just has a better battery.
I recently bought my new Droid Maxx using an upgrade. When it arrived, I tried using FoxFi for wifi tethering since LTE is faster than my house internet. I found out it won't work since I have the 4.4. To anybody that is curious, 4.4 came with my phone, I didn't use the OTA update.
After looking around on the internet, I am unable to find a guide that can root my phone. Has anybody made a bootstrap?
I am wondering if there is a way to root my phone with the 4.4 kitkat, whether 4.4 root method is still in development, or people have given up on trying to root it.
Something else. I tried to root my device with two programs, each have failed in the process. Kingo and OneClickRoot.
There is no working root for Android 4.4 on the Ultra/MAXX/Mini, you're stuck like everyone else.
There was "a Chinese guy" doing bootloader unlocks for ~$40 in the recent past few weeks but he/she/it has since stopped doing so (probably unable to access Motorola's database anymore or simply got caught doing it, who knows).
So again, you're stuck with stock 4.4 like everyone else is. The info is all over this subforum...
br0adband said:
There is no working root for Android 4.4 on the Ultra/MAXX/Mini, you're stuck like everyone else.
There was "a Chinese guy" doing bootloader unlocks for ~$40 in the recent past few weeks but he/she/it has since stopped doing so (probably unable to access Motorola's database anymore or simply got caught doing it, who knows).
So again, you're stuck with stock 4.4 like everyone else is. The info is all over this subforum...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that is quite unfortunate. I just needed to get caught up in the news. Thanks and I hope to see some root hacks soon.
Garret27 said:
Ah, that is quite unfortunate. I just needed to get caught up in the news. Thanks and I hope to see some root hacks soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try easy tether pro
I've been thinking. I was reading the forums quite abit recently. The Chinese guy might of had access to the Motorola database with the IMEI or he might have developed a serial-cracker. I remember using keygens to unlock copies of Microsoft Office along time ago. This guy might have done the same but kept it for himself to make a profit. I am wondering if we might see a keygen that uses a person's IMIE.
Just an idea I had.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app
So for the sake of getting a more informed is this piece of crap ultra worth keeping in the hope of a root solution in the near future, or is anybody really even working on one?
It's a good phone that could be great (not as great as the MAXX 'cause of that battery life and no wireless charging) - I would say don't hold your breath for an unlock for the bootloader or even root nowadays, it's getting way too tough to root and bootloaders are pretty much... well, locked up I suppose. I don't know of any devs that are seriously working on the Droid devices anymore, it's kind of a crapshoot if you find one I guess.
IF I had gotten either of them before that "Chinese guy" stopped providing the bootloader unlock codes I may have developed a different opinion, but I missed that window of opportunity and so I decided holding onto those phones wasn't feasible given my requirements.
As I said in another post, I did like the MAXX and Mini when I owned them recently, but the fact that I wanted a bit more capability meaning root access because I use some apps that require it as well as the option of potentially using some customized ROM or doing customization that might require something like the Xposed framework means you're dead in the water with the Ultra/MAXX/Mini.
I sold both, picked up a Samsung Galaxy Express for $80 and it's unlocked (for T-Mobile, did that in 2 minutes), rooted and of course running CyanogenMod 11 aka Android 4.4.2 without a single issue so far except the camera FCs often but that's a well known bug that persists and likely will always be problematic (except on those new CyanogenMod phones I suppose since they're designed to run that OS 100% without problems).
The Ultra, the MAXX, and the Mini are damned nice devices if you like "pure stock" and pretty much zero chance of them ever being anything else - the fact that they're GSM unlocked from the factory is a plus, so is the wireless charging for the MAXX and Mini, but that's about it for me and not enough to keep them for the long haul.
Good luck...
Thank you very much for an honest opinion. Fortunately I just signed on with Verizon and received this phone only a couple of days ago and have the option of retuning it and canceling the service with only a minimal restocking fee to deal with. I guess I will have to exercise that option because root access to the device is critical for use at work.
SOSDD said:
Thank you very much for an honest opinion. Fortunately I just signed on with Verizon and received this phone only a couple of days ago and have the option of retuning it and canceling the service with only a minimal restocking fee to deal with. I guess I will have to exercise that option because root access to the device is critical for use at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exchange for a gs5. It has root. As does the HTC one m8. The m8 looks well built. And the dot view case is sweet.
Sent from my unlocked consumer edition Motorola Droid Maxx xt1080m.

[Q] Can I root my device if I have the latest OTA update?

HTC One M8 on Verizon. Android version 5.0.1. I did a lot of research yesterday, and could not find any working solution to root the phone. It's hard to find anything on Google because generally the information will be outdated (from last year or the year before). So can someone fill me in on what exactly I'd need to do? This is my first smartphone and I've never rooted an Android device before.
ziddy5 said:
HTC One M8 on Verizon. Android version 5.0.1. I did a lot of research yesterday, and could not find any working solution to root the phone. It's hard to find anything on Google because generally the information will be outdated (from last year or the year before). So can someone fill me in on what exactly I'd need to do? This is my first smartphone and I've never rooted an Android device before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you are still S-On and locked then you are stuck without root for now.
BladeRunner said:
Assuming you are still S-On and locked then you are stuck without root for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I was afraid of. How can I keep track of when there is an update to the situation?
ziddy5 said:
This is what I was afraid of. How can I keep track of when there is an update to the situation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep checking these forums and/or follow @teamandIRC on twitter
Rooting the already updated HTC One M8
It's going to be difficult. I've been scouring the webs for weeks looking for the answer to that one. The Sunshine S-off didn't work for me. The only way I can find right now to do this requires finding somone that has purchaced the elusive "HTC java card" sometimes called the HTC S-off card. They can s-off your phone in a heartbeat. Wish I had one, I just can't see forking over 375.00 to get one.
So if your S-off there is a root method available ? I haven't found it if there is.
I'm running 5.0.1 Verizon S-off
Thanks in advance
jjmstang said:
So if your S-off there is a root method available ? I haven't found it if there is.
I'm running 5.0.1 Verizon S-off
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're already s-off then just install twrp and flash, reboot recovery and it should ask you if you want to install root
BladeRunner said:
If you're already s-off then just install twrp and flash, reboot recovery and it should ask you if you want to install root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems you have to be rooted to install TWRP........at least what found
You only have to be rooted to install it with their app. If you are s-off you can download it from their site and flash it with fastboot.
mpappas87 said:
You only have to be rooted to install it with their app. If you are s-off you can download it from their site and flash it with fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed this method and I have re-gained root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ow-to-root-ota-pc-s-off-t3048604#post59750567
Now I'm going to try and flash the Dragon ROM with Sense 7
Thanks again for the help
same boat ; old filmware?
just received this HTC One M8 thru verizon, lollipop 5.0.1 after day 2 OTA update. I've been rooting every device i've owned since 08. Busy with daily tasks I haven't had a chance to sit and try unlocking bootloader until this weekend. I hit a wall when HTCdev returned an error after entering the identifier token \(^~^)/ . I did some reading, couldn't find anything.
I'm coming from a xt912 I've pretty much squeezed all I can get out of it since I got that brand new. I put CM12 on that just recently this HTC makes that the moto seem primitive. After bricking that (moto)spyder a few times flashing bad zips or doing things out of sequence I've put it thru the ringer and used RSDlite to just start from scratch. I have also found these device can put up with a lot and still bounce back. Geeze, I have three years of continuous text and data backed up on SD, lol . Something I haven't tried and wonder, does anyone know, is there any old VZW filmware for this M8 maybe 4.4.2 and try un locking from that point or Does the token id stay the same no matter what filmware?
Htcdev won't work on our phone because it's blocked by Verizon. Also, it's not possible to downgrade firmware or the OS without having s-off. At this time there's no way to get s-off on lollipop so you're pretty much stuck where you're at until an exploit is found by someone. Sunshine works for anything up to 4.4.4 but it won't work on a Verizon phone that's running 5.0.1. About all you can do right now is wait to see if Jcase and Beaups come up with a way to make it work on a Verizon phone too. I know that's not what you want to hear but that's how it is at the moment.
benjdevel said:
I've been rooting every device i've owned since 08. weekend. I hit a wall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, glad I didn't spend too much time trying to figure this out, never rooted a device before
Gotcha . ...Stupid vzw ? I glanced at a procedure to unlock SIM. Have no idea if that would help anything. Havent tried it. Ill have to keep a watch out for something. Really compaired to that spider this thing is like a ferrari. Not too much bloatware. Lollipop rocks and knowing Im up to date for the most part calms me a little. I still dont like the idea of not having complete control of my device. I've already received a few notification marketing related from verizon that i could not close unless i looked at it. I did notice control over saving things to my ext sd i do like. I am a student just getting into the ist world.wish there was something i could help with. 5 classes is killing me at the moment though. I did also try to install an imsi catcher apk updates version and it seemed like it ran fine. I could of swore that app needed root access. I could be wrong with the newest version though.
Joint Java Card?
Same boat (Verizon, htc one m8) . . . For some reason I was thinking Lollipop was the update which was still able to be handled by Weaksauce 2. So I accepted the OTA, without thinking. -hadn't gotten around to s-off, etc., before this time around.
So, in some 2013 posts, I saw that some people had tried to pool resources and share a Java Card, etc. But sending phones to a "card keeper", is expensive, and unsafe (besides having to live without your phone for a few days.). jcase, on their company's IRC support channel, indicates that the card is more than just a simple microSD card, which one might be able to dd a filesystem image from (i.e. copy it for distribution). That's entirely possible, since all SD cards have micro-controllers for dealing with failed sectors, etc (check out "Bunnie's Blog"). Basically, the controller could make it tough/impossible to access part of the card, and can take care of decrimenting credits, encryption, signing, etc. Even if it were a basic SD card, the use of signed binaries, and external license/resource server, etc. could still make it tough . . . -although the card I found states it needs no internet connection. It would be much cheaper to send the card, rather than phones. But how to coordinate and pool the cost seems like it could be a pain?
So here's what I'm thinking about:
Someone (me?) could purchase a legit, new htc Java Card. After I use my 2 or 3 credits to s-off/unlock my phone, I could put the card on, say, ebay for maybe $5 less than what I bought it for. Then, another person could use some credits, then sell it again, for a little cheaper, etc. If we want to keep it "in-house", we could just send to each other and pay with PayPal or Google Wallet. But, with e-bay, one could just copy/build on the ad the first person started. Take a picture of your phone's screen, when the remaining credits are shown, and put it on the ad. With 2000 credits, my conservative estimate is that it could cost less than 72 cents, for each unlock. The $5 incremental discount might be close enough to cover re-shipping costs.
The Sunshine guys have, for free, helped many of us over the years. So I was planning to purchase their solution, if it worked for this situation. But their download page states that "Verizon 5.0.x users will have to wait until we update.". They indicate they could get us supported soon, but they also indicate that Lollipop is much more secure, with SELinux updated and better enforced., etc. So I am a little concerned about when that will actually happen. I see they've been posting updates for Motorola, and making sure people are able to pay them via PayPal, etc. But nothing yet for Verizon 5.0.x.
Does anyone know/recall how long after the last android update, someone came up with a root exploit? I'm just trying to get a rough guesstimate about the minimum time people will have to wait this time. -then add time because Lollipop is apparently significantly more secure. I guess I don't completely mind that my phone might be secure enough to not make it tougher for someone to get into the deepest parts of it, without specialized hardware (Java Card), if I were to lose it.
But, really, what Verizon and htc and others have done to these devices . . . They are, essentially, specialized computers. It would be like if Dell or another computer manufacturer sold you a computer, without allowing you access to your administrator account (and no clear/easy way to boot from another drive, to recover/fix things, etc.). That's crap.
I dunno. What do people think? I suppose I could just try it, and see.
Are new devices updated already? If I were to get a phone from verizon today will it already have the Lollipop update or would I get a still root-able device that I can deny the update?
libredroid said:
But, really, what Verizon and htc and others have done to these devices . . . They are, essentially, specialized computers. It would be like if Dell or another computer manufacturer sold you a computer, without allowing you access to your administrator account (and no clear/easy way to boot from another drive, to recover/fix things, etc.). That's crap.
I dunno. What do people think? I suppose I could just try it, and see.
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Click to collapse
I like the idea of that Java card:good: and I completely agree with you on how wrong it is restricting administrative rights, especially considering these things are comparable to a new computer.
dimsumx said:
Are new devices updated already? If I were to get a phone from verizon today will it already have the Lollipop update or would I get a still root-able device that I can deny the update?
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No guarantees either way.
What is the status on SunShine for our device?
I got the Java Card.
@vazersecurity: still "Verizon 5.0.x users will have to wait until we update.", as of today.
I got the card, as previously proposed, and was able to get S-Off on my USA-Verizon HTC One M8 with the Lollipop OTA.
I needed to download and place two files in the root of the card (now done).
I then (CID changed) was able to use htcdev.com to unlock my bootloader, and ultimately gain root. I'm now happily running a current Cyanogenmod ROM. To regain some functionality from my camera, etc., I installed the htc camera, HTC Gallery, and Zoe apps from the Play store.
So I've already created a listing for the card on eBay. I assume the forum rules won't allow me to post the link. But I, honestly, always intended to use that as a way to make it more convenient to share with a community of people who wish to join in. -not to try and make any money off the card. Again, rather than have people ship phones to one person (with the shipping cost, and being without their phone), if figured it would be cheaper, and less disruptive, to ship the actual card. So, you'd purchase the card from the previous user, then re-list it for a bit less than what you paid for it. With the starting cost and credits, S-Off is about 30 cents, each. As the card credits get used up, it gets cheaper. Maybe each person would end up paying a few dollars for S-Off, when you factor in the shipping.
Maybe a moderator could chime in about whether it might be OK to post a link to this "community-intended" listing. -or suggest a better contribution/distribution method.
Also, since many users in our situations have been out of luck regarding S-Off, for a few months now, might a moderator or someone suggest/implement a way to post/place this information more prominently, in the forums?
Thanks.

Dmaxx.4.2.2 rooted and writable. Is sunshine only way to unlock bootldr?

I love this phone, nothing coming out is exciting. But, I need lollipop now. I'd like to install a recovery, make a backup, flash lollipop based Moto x Rom. If this phone was new, I would pay for sunshine without thinking, but I don't know if I want to invest money in a phone towards the end of its useful life.
So is there any other way to get lollipop?
Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.
br0adband said:
Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.
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Oh I've been doing really good with stock firmware sms xposed. Bought the phone new and still on jb, but phone runs flawlessly compared to what I've been hearing from those that took the updates.
However, I need lollipop now because I have android auto in my car. I'm debating between paying to unlock it out getting a new phone, maybe the nexus.
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.
mistermojorizin said:
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.
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Click to collapse
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.
br0adband said:
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.
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Click to collapse
i bought sunshine. thanks for the advice

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