I am completely clueless of what bootloader is and after some googling, I think that it's the locking of a phone's network to a specific company like verizon, at&t etc. But, here in India, we don't have such contracts, so do I need to unlock bootloader before rooting my phone? I previously had galaxy ace and there was no mention of bootloader even when I installed all sorts of custom roms.
nitish159 said:
I am completely clueless of what bootloader is and after some googling, I think that it's the locking of a phone's network to a specific company like verizon, at&t etc. But, here in India, we don't have such contracts, so do I need to unlock bootloader before rooting my phone? I previously had galaxy ace and there was no mention of bootloader even when I installed all sorts of custom roms.
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you just won't get root if your bootloader is locked
Unlock it for root, CWM, ROMs , etc
No, a bootloader doesn't do what you assumed, it just restricts your devices from any alteration by giving you limited access. Region locked or carrier lock is a different thing.
Thanks all, one more thing, if I unlock bootloader then can I get my warranty back?
nitish159 said:
Thanks all, one more thing, if I unlock bootloader then can I get my warranty back?
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NO, you won't. When you apply for the code on Motorola site you lose your warranty. Even if you somehow manage to trick them, Moto G will still show status code as 2 (meaning relocked) instead of 1 (locked) or 3 (unlocked). Anybody feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
I just received my Sony D6603 Xperia Z3 from my carrier which is Rogers. Is there a way to fully unlock the device as if it was purchased as an unlocked version? I've tried searching for answers, but only came up with how to unlock the bootloader and rooting instructions. Unless, if by doing those methods, will fully unlock my device including SIM lock. Any help and insight would be greatly appreciated.
Depending on Roger's terms you should be able to have them unlock it. Appears you have to wait 90 days though.
http://www.rogers.com/web/support/wireless/unlock/733?setLanguage=en
Loving this one:
Why do I have to wait 90 days before I can unlock my device?
Your device has been optimized for use on the Rogers network. You may find that some settings or features do not function properly once the device is unlocked and in use with another carrier's SIM card. We want to ensure that you've had the chance to experience the full capabilities of your device on the Rogers network before making the decision to unlock.
Rooting and bootloader unlock will make no difference to SIM unlock.
The two issues are separate.
gregbradley said:
Rooting and bootloader unlock will make no difference to SIM unlock.
The two issues are separate.
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If I unlock the SIM on my device via a code, will it still be unlocked even after re-flashing my device's firmware?
Because I just checked to see if I can unlock my device's bootloader, but I'm not able to at all. Maybe I will be after getting it unlocked by Rogers themselves after the 90 days.
Flava0ne said:
If I unlock the SIM on my device via a code, will it still be unlocked even after re-flashing my device's firmware?
Because I just checked to see if I can unlock my device's bootloader, but I'm not able to at all. Maybe I will be after getting it unlocked by Rogers themselves after the 90 days.
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Once your device is sim free (using code) it will remain unlocked no matter what you do
Flava0ne said:
If I unlock the SIM on my device via a code, will it still be unlocked even after re-flashing my device's firmware?
Because I just checked to see if I can unlock my device's bootloader, but I'm not able to at all. Maybe I will be after getting it unlocked by Rogers themselves after the 90 days.
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Please re-read what I said. Bootloader unlock and SIM unlock are two separate things. One does not affect the other. It does not matter what you do to one it will not change the status of the other.
gregbradley said:
Please re-read what I said. Bootloader unlock and SIM unlock are two separate things. One does not affect the other. It does not matter what you do to one it will not change the status of the other.
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Yes, I understood what you said. What I meant was, when or if I get Rogers to unlock my device, unless they're only unlocking the SIM on it, hopefully I'll be able to unlock the bootloader as if I originally purchased it unlocked to begin with. Because when I checked my device's service menu, the status on the bootloader is that it cannot be unlocked using Sony's official method. If I had purchased an unlocked device instead of getting it through Rogers, the bootloader unlockable status would be different, correct?
When I get home, I'll try and see if I can still unlock the bootloader un-officially using Flashtool, unless for some reason that method won't work at all and my bootloader will not be able to be unlocked at all currently.
Edit: All I basically want to accomplish in my new device is to have root access to it. My previous device was an Xperia PLAY which was also purchased originally locked from Rogers. But after fully unlocking it using the Omnius client, I was able to unlock it's bootloader, flash DooMLorD's kernel and get root access to it. Because all the tutorials I've found on how to access root on the Xperia Z3 involves having the bootloader unlocked.
Flava0ne said:
Yes, I understood what you said. What I meant was, when or if I get Rogers to unlock my device, unless they're only unlocking the SIM on it, hopefully I'll be able to unlock the bootloader as if I originally purchased it unlocked to begin with. Because when I checked my device's service menu, the status on the bootloader is that it cannot be unlocked using Sony's official method. If I had purchased an unlocked device instead of getting it through Rogers, the bootloader unlockable status would be different, correct?
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Probably, but some carrier free devices come with a boot that cannot be unlocked and some devices that are from a carrier can be unlocked. SIM free or SIM locked does not imply the bootloader can or cannot be unlocked.
When I get home, I'll try and see if I can still unlock the bootloader un-officially using Flashtool, unless for some reason that method won't work at all and my bootloader will not be able to be unlocked at all currently.
Edit: All I basically want to accomplish in my new device is to have root access to it. My previous device was an Xperia PLAY which was also purchased originally locked from Rogers. But after fully unlocking it using the Omnius client, I was able to unlock it's bootloader, flash DooMLorD's kernel and get root access to it. Because all the tutorials I've found on how to access root on the Xperia Z3 involves having the bootloader unlocked.
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There is no unofficial bootloader unlock for this device. Its done through sony's official method or not at all.
If Rodgers unlocks the sim for you it will not affect the status of the bootloader at all, unless you ask them to do it and they agree.
To get root access you do not need to be SIM unlocked. The only way to gain root acces on the Z3 currently is to unlock the bootloader, which you cannot do even if Rodgers SIM unlock it
The xperia play is a legacy device and there were unofficial ways to unlock the bootloader. That has not been the case with all new phones for a couple of years now. I believe (Correct me if I am wrong) that the xperia NEO was one of the last to come with an unofficial unlock (The test point method). My old Xperia T was one of the first to come that had no unofficial unlock and the only way to do it was via Sonys unlock site.
gregbradley said:
Probably, but some carrier free devices come with a boot that cannot be unlocked and some devices that are from a carrier can be unlocked. SIM free or SIM locked does not imply the bootloader can or cannot be unlocked.
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That's something I didn't know, I've always thought that when you purchase an unlocked Android device that the bootloader would be unlockable, good to know!
gregbradley said:
If Rodgers unlocks the sim for you it will not affect the status of the bootloader at all, unless you ask them to do it and they agree.
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So they can apparently change the unlock-able status of the bootloader themselves?
gregbradley said:
The xperia play is a legacy device and there were unofficial ways to unlock the bootloader. That has not been the case with all new phones for a couple of years now. I believe (Correct me if I am wrong) that the xperia NEO was one of the last to come with an unofficial unlock (The test point method). My old Xperia T was one of the first to come that had no unofficial unlock and the only way to do it was via Sonys unlock site.
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So basically, unlocking Sony devices unofficially, stopped around the same time Sony Ericsson became only Sony?
Flava0ne said:
That's something I didn't know, I've always thought that when you purchase an unlocked Android device that the bootloader would be unlockable, good to know!
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So they can apparently change the unlock-able status of the bootloader themselves?
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Yes, there have been some posts that some people have managed to do this with some carriers, but I am very sceptical as to this actually happening.
So basically, unlocking Sony devices unofficially, stopped around the same time Sony Ericsson became only Sony?
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That may be coincidence, I believe that Sony made a tactical decision to stop unofficial methods by allowing some devices to be unlocked officially. This saw an almost immediate stop in devs working on unofficial unlocks as you could always get hold of a device that could be unlocked officially and for free. They basically took the need of an unofficial unlock out of the equation.
If Rogers could do that, it really makes me wonder what kind of tool/program that they use to accomplish this.
Probably something similar to Emma or just fastboot and adb. I really do not know that. The problem is they know the keys, without them it needs a good dev to find a vulnerability and write an exploit. That takes time and skill. And since there is an official method there seems no need to spend that time, as people with that skill just get themselves devices which can be unlocked
My 3rd day now with my new Z3 and I'm really missing having root access.
11901
Will SIM unlocking allow you to delete the Rogers apps?
Also, I noticed my phone doesn't let me hide apps, though most people seem to have that option... is that a Rogers thing or is there something wrong with my device?
Sim unlock has nothing to do with root, so sim unlocking will not give you the ability to remove system apps.
msxghost said:
Will SIM unlocking allow you to delete the Rogers apps?
Also, I noticed my phone doesn't let me hide apps, though most people seem to have that option... is that a Rogers thing or is there something wrong with my device?
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What i have done already to my device as soon as i got it, before even turning it on for the first time, was use Flashtool and flashed it with the Global Generic Firmware to get rid of the Rogers branding on it. I was able to disable most of the built in bloatware that originally comes with it.
57147468 said:
What i have done already to my device as soon as i got it, before even turning it on for the first time, was use Flashtool and flashed it with the Global Generic Firmware to get rid of the Rogers branding on it. I was able to disable most of the built in bloatware that originally comes with it.
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Will doing so essentially wipe my phone? Unfortunately I've already downloaded all my apps/customized it how I want otherwise, so I'd like to avoid that if possible. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I'm new to Android.
msxghost said:
Will doing so essentially wipe my phone? Unfortunately I've already downloaded all my apps/customized it how I want otherwise, so I'd like to avoid that if possible. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I'm new to Android.
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Not if you tick the box to exclude data on flashtool when you flash it
gregbradley said:
Not if you tick the box to exclude data on flashtool when you flash it
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Is there some sort of beginners guide/explanation/walkthrough you can point me towards? I've never had an Android before, so I have no idea what I'm doing and I don't want to screw anything up.
Hey!
I just got a Pixel but I'm coming from a world of Samsung and Motorola. So I have some questions.
First, is the bootloader locked or unlocked on a Pixel?
Second, does Google void your warranty if you try to root/install a custom ROM?
If you unroot or flash stock Android from Google's servers, is there a Knox like thing that will show that the device has been rooted or has had a custom ROM installed or has had its bootloader unlocked (if it's locked)?
In other words are we free to do what we want with our device?
Thanks!
Prosis said:
Hey!
I just got a Pixel but I'm coming from a world of Samsung and Motorola. So I have some questions.
First, is the bootloader locked or unlocked on a Pixel?
Second, does Google void your warranty if you try to root/install a custom ROM?
If you unroot or flash stock Android from Google's servers, is there a Knox like thing that will show that the device has been rooted or has had a custom ROM installed or has had its bootloader unlocked (if it's locked)?
In other words are we free to do what we want with our device?
Thanks!
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Assuming you got it from Google and not Verizon.
It comes locked, but you hit a slider in dev options then issue a command in fastboot and it is unlocked.
Never heard of Google voiding a warranty for unlocking. They are very cool to work with.
Nothing like Knox but I would assume they can tell.
Yea, do what ever you want.
TonikJDK said:
Assuming you got it from Google and not Verizon.
It comes locked, but you hit a slider in dev options then issue a command in fastboot and it is unlocked.
Never heard of Google voiding a warranty for unlocking. They are very cool to work with.
Nothing like Knox but I would assume they can tell.
Yea, do what ever you want.
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Thanks! No I got it from Rogers in Canada actually but they're SIM unlocked and there's no branding but there is a Rogers app though.
So I should be OK to pretty much do what I want? That's nice!
Hello guys.
I'm going to buy used and bootloader unlocked Verizon Pixel tomorrow and I'm interested in couple of things:
1. Can I flash all the ROMs that are available for Pixel on Verizon version too?
2. Can I properly install TWRP, root using Magisk, etc?
3. Can I properly flash (and downgrade if needed) official system images (and are they ever available for Verizon models?)
4. Can I take part in Android Beta program?
5. Is there anything I should be afraid of?
Thanks in advance.
Make sure it is bootloader unlocked, and not just SIM unlocked. There are not many VZ ones around that are bootloader unlocked. You need that to do the items on you list.
TonikJDK said:
Make sure it is bootloader unlocked, and not just SIM unlocked. There are not many VZ ones around that area bootloader unlocked. You need that to do the items on you list.
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As I already stated, bootloader is already unlocked.
No one has an answer?
If it's bootloader u locked then yeah u can do all those things. Just do not ever for any reason ever relock the bootloader. Also I believe there have been a few cases where ppl have had semibricks or other issues which required locked stock to fix or somehow resulted in locked stock
I got a replacement about a month ago on my small Pixel and that one was unlocked. However, the one I got from Verizon in store did not have an unlocked bootloader. I'm not sure what the deal is, but maybe getting a replacement from an "accidental" break might do the trick. just to clarify, my first Pixels' usb port got completely fried and started to smell bad whenever it charged, and the phone would get really hot. I am now on 8.1 with an unlocked bootloader but have yet to actually root the phone
KittyRgnarok said:
If it's bootloader u locked then yeah u can do all those things. Just do not ever for any reason ever relock the bootloader. Also I believe there have been a few cases where ppl have had semibricks or other issues which required locked stock to fix or somehow resulted in locked stock
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Thank you!
gb_14 said:
Thank you!
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Np
Getting an Unlocked Pixel 2 off EBay.
Once I unlock the bootloader, and put in my Verizon sim.......will Verizon lock my bootloader?
z
I don't think any carrier has control over locking the bootloader. They can however keep you from unlocking it, just not the other way around
zardiw said:
Getting an Unlocked Pixel 2 off EBay.
Once I unlock the bootloader, and put in my Verizon sim.......will Verizon lock my bootloader?
z
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As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
Keithn said:
As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
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The op is talking about bootloader being unlocked and your talking about the carrier/sim lock... Verizon pixels that were on a certain firmware were able to have their bootloader unlocked, and then it was patched. So pretty much all Verizon pixel 2 are not able to have the bootloader unlocked. Pixels straight from Google are able to have the bootloader unlocked. Now as far as the carrier/sim lock, either version, Verizon or Google, they come unlocked and. I'm pretty sure they can't be relocked. I believe they would just blacklist the device.
ice711 said:
The op is talking about bootloader being unlocked and your talking about the carrier/sim lock... Verizon pixels that were on a certain firmware were able to have their bootloader unlocked, and then it was patched. So pretty much all Verizon pixel 2 are not able to have the bootloader unlocked. Pixels straight from Google are able to have the bootloader unlocked. Now as far as the carrier/sim lock, either version, Verizon or Google, they come unlocked and. I'm pretty sure they can't be relocked. I believe they would just blacklist the device.
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No, I am talking about both. I only mentioned to be aware that the device may be listed as unlocked due to not having carrier restrictions, but might still be a "Verizon Edition" with a non unlockable bootloader.
Keithn said:
As long as it actually was through Google and not a Verizon one you will be fine. Make sure it's not just carrier unlocked, since the Verizon ones will still be considered unlocked due to being able to use it on other carriers.
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Keithn said:
No, I am talking about both. I only mentioned to be aware that the device may be listed as unlocked due to not having carrier restrictions, but might still be a "Verizon Edition" with a non unlockable bootloader.
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Ahh gotcha. Sorry didn't get that when I read it the first time. When you put it this way, I now get what you were saying. Good advise! :good: :good: