[Q] Limited root functionality with locked BL? - Xperia Z3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Guys,
So I'm new to devices with locked bootloaders etc. I have managed to root my D6603 and update to Lollipop with Xposed installed and so forth. I then proceeded to relock the BL with a TA restore to regain camera goodies.
What I've now noticed is that I can't change boot animations or make my torch brighter (editing a file in /system/etc). These operations fail. I can confirm that I do infact have root (Root Checker + several functioning root apps). I was able to change the two aforementioned things while on an unlocked BL, hence my question.
TL;DR
Does having a locked BL limit the level of root access I have? Because it sure appears so.

seems to be a lollipop issue not giving full r/w permissions, plenty of threads about this already

Kyle07 said:
Hi Guys,
So I'm new to devices with locked bootloaders etc. I have managed to root my D6603 and update to Lollipop with Xposed installed and so forth. I then proceeded to relock the BL with a TA restore to regain camera goodies.
What I've now noticed is that I can't change boot animations or make my torch brighter (editing a file in /system/etc). These operations fail. I can confirm that I do infact have root (Root Checker + several functioning root apps). I was able to change the two aforementioned things while on an unlocked BL, hence my question.
TL;DR
Does having a locked BL limit the level of root access I have? Because it sure appears so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damm...I wanted to hit reply button but I clicked tnx.. never mind...
I'm using D6603 with recovery and 5.0.2 and everythings is working without any problems...
R/W in system...flashing through recovery...absolutely everything..

Related

[Q] Quick Question for Quick Answer

Hello folks,
What is the benefit of rooting a locked bootloader phone? If I am understanding it correctly, if my phone is locked that means I cannot install custom ROM/Kernel or is that assumption wrong? FYI - According to my research my phone bootloader cannot be unlocked (thanks ROGERS!...)
I want to know to determine if I should use the up-to-date firmware or downgrade my firmware and root it.
thanks!
Vicente
with root on locked bootloader phone, you can save drm keys to relock in a future in case you want.
If you only want to use some apps that need root (like Titanium, Greenify, SoftKeyz...) but want to stay in stock.
and you understands correctly, if you have a locked phone, you CAN'T flash custom rom or kernel (some phones have roms to locked bootloaders, but not this case....)
If you have locked bootloader you CAN use stock BASED custom roms. You can't use non stock based roms like cm12 etc. And also custom kernels can't be used like said before. Every rom should contain information if it's usable for locked bootloader or not in the OP
Backing up TA is not even useful for you since your bootloader can't be unlocked.
Root is used only for root apps like rootexplorer, titanium backup, xposed etc.

Magisk v14 - does it offer root without tripping Knox?

Hi guys
Magisk v14 has been released and it now offers installation without using custom recovery and still avaialble to use OTA's - does this mean I can root with Magisk (which it says is done by ADB) without tripping Knox? Description is below
"New Installation Method
Nearly a month ago, I introduced a way to install Magisk through ADB. This is nice for devices with no custom recovery support, or for people like me who wants to preserve stock recovery to apply OTAs. To make things even easier, I have added this feature natively into Magisk Manager. In Magisk Manager you can provide your stock boot image (in both raw image format or tar-ed up ODIN flashable format), the app will then patch the provided image. Other required files and scripts are extracted within the app's data, and will be picked up automatically while booting up once with a magisk patched boot image. Check the new instructions in the OP for more info.
Once your device has Magisk installed, you can install Magisk modules through Magisk Manager without custom recoveries. The powerful systemless interface means that you can literally do anything to your device - of course systemless-ly!"
I'm also interested in this. Hope someone knows if we can finally get root without tripping Knox.
Exactly.... if so then it really is the best of all worlds in my eyes
No, absolutely not. It still mods the boot.img which requires an unlocked bootloader. As soon as you unlocked the bootloader and it detects anything custom (Does not matter how it got there, if it's there, it's there) it will trip the fuse.
But doesn't the g955f already have an unlocked bootloader.. hence why it was easier to root before the g955u?
Knox is secure. It is only secure because the phone is not modified.
If you could root the phone and still use Knox then you (or someone else) could hack Knox. Do you want that?
RR-99 said:
Knox is secure. It is only secure because the phone is not modified.
If you could root the phone and still use Knox then you (or someone else) could hack Knox. Do you want that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[upvote]
meddylad said:
But doesn't the g955f already have an unlocked bootloader.. hence why it was easier to root before the g955u?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's bootloader doesn't work the same way a normal bootloader does. It still detects anything custom and will trip Knox if it does.
If you don't check the OEM Unlock option in settings, your phone will brick because the bootloader is locked. If you do check it, it's unlocked but still checks for custom firmware which then trips Knox.
Interceptor777 said:
It's bootloader doesn't work the same way a normal bootloader does. It still detects anything custom and will trip Knox if it does.
If you don't check the OEM Unlock option in settings, your phone will brick because the bootloader is locked. If you do check it, it's unlocked but still checks for custom firmware which then trips Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
through "embedded flash"
can be ignored Knox
And I got my hopes up for being able to root this phone I'll be getting in my post this week... Well, two years without root on that one it'll be unless some genius finds a way.
Interceptor777 said:
It's bootloader doesn't work the same way a normal bootloader does. It still detects anything custom and will trip Knox if it does.
If you don't check the OEM Unlock option in settings, your phone will brick because the bootloader is locked. If you do check it, it's unlocked but still checks for custom firmware which then trips Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The G955u doesn't trip Knox with root, but it's system level because of the locked bootloader. What it does break though is SafetyNet which kills Samsung Pay and such.
I really need the auto recording feature which is blocked in my country. So need to root this without tripping.

Ulefone S8 pro - rooting without unlocking bootloader possible?

Hello,
i have to root my S8 pro now because the whole internal memory is nearly used by apps and system.
Is there a opportunity to root my device without unlocking bootloader?
I found magisk to modify the boot-partition and for example getting root on the device.
But you have to unlock the bootloader to flash the new boot-partition. I also read that unlocking bootloader always means that the whole device is resetted to factory-defaults which means losing all installed apps.
I have about 50 !! banking apps for generating TANs. For these apps, it's not enough to reinstall the app. You also need to reconnect the app (especially the device) to the banking account.
I think the only way to backup the the configured and connected app is to have root on the device, right?
My plan was to root the device without unlocking bootloader, then make a full-backup, unlock bootloader which resetting the deivce, and restore the full-backup.
After this, I un-root my device because the banking-apps check if a device is rooted. My plan is t re-roote the device using magisk only when needed and when no banking app is used, and then un-root it again.
Any idea how to solve my problem?
Regards
UP
Root requires unlocked bootloader.Nice plan but it won't work.
aBetterAndroid. said:
Root requires unlocked bootloader.Nice plan but it won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really?
unlocked bootloader ist neccessary all the time while device is rooted, not only when flashing?

Easiest, fastest way to root without unlocking BL

I just received a brand new unlocked Pix2 without any carrier on Oreo 8.0.0 and do not wish to update to any new Android version.
What is the simplest way to gain root? Can I do this without unlocking the bootloader?
I do not intend on unlocking BL just for purity's sake and so that apps do not detect it ever was unlocked and so it goes undetected even to Google.
I have heard there are ways to gain root (like my old nexus one) such as apps that allow you to gain root temporarily until you restart the device!
Is this still available? I only need root one time to delete system apps and do other configurations to the stock rom.
That is all I need, then once I restart Android the root is gone as if nothing happened but with the modifications and system app deletion intact.
Can this be done? What is the best alternative? Any suggestion for my usage case?

More styles for EdgeLighting

Hi, i am looking more styles for EdgeLighting. before, we could use EdgeLighting+ but now its not working on android 12.
there is an app called muviz edge that contains excellent styles but app does not work properly. so i am looking for a better app for replacing edgelighting+ with beautiful styles.
can we install S21 or something else edge lighting app on our A51?
do you have any recommended app?
Funny thing is, your phone already has all the edge lighting effects built in, the only problem is that there is a specific file called floating_feature that's missing one text line that would make all those extra edge lighting effects appear
So to answer your question, to get more styles for edge lighting you need to root your phone and edit the following file:
system/etc/floating_feature.xml
And add the following line inside the features:
<SEC_FLOATING_FEATURE_SYSTEMUI_CONFIG_EDGELIGHTING_FRAME_EFFECT>frame_effect</SEC_FLOATING_FEATURE_SYSTEMUI_CONFIG_EDGELIGHTING_FRAME_EFFECT>
Save, reboot and your phone should now have all the effects available that Samsung enables on their flagship phones.
And before you ask, no, there is no way to do this without root.
Tnx, but with root, secure folder will be disabled. and i cant root my phone.
in android 10 We could install edgelighting+ that installs additional styles. (without root).
so Did EdgeLighting+ somehow edit this file?
mahdi72 said:
Tnx, but with root, secure folder will be disabled. and i cant root my phone.
in android 10 We could install edgelighting+ that installs additional styles. (without root).
so Did EdgeLighting+ somehow edit this file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no clue. But as you said, edge lighting+ no longer works so on newer Android versions, rooting is your only choice.
ShaDisNX255 said:
I have no clue. But as you said, edge lighting+ no longer works so on newer Android versions, rooting is your only choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i Edit Stock Rom in Linux (add Floating_Feature, remove apps, add new apps) and flash it in my A51 phone?
Do I need root to install this modified rom?
mahdi72 said:
Can i Edit Stock Rom in Linux (add Floating_Feature, remove apps, add new apps) and flash it in my A51 phone?
Do I need root to install this modified rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to root, yes. Since you will edit it, it will lose Samsung's trusted signature and will therefore count as a custom ROM
ShaDisNX255 said:
You will need to root, yes. Since you will edit it, it will lose Samsung's trusted signature and will therefore count as a custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I have researched, it does not seem to require root, but we have to open the bootloader or OEM Option in Developer Mode.
People are also talking about a tool called Odin Patched, which can bypass some verifications.
Is it possible to flash only the edited CSC file with this tool? Sorry to take up your time
mahdi72 said:
As far as I have researched, it does not seem to require root, but we have to open the bootloader or OEM Option in Developer Mode.
People are also talking about a tool called Odin Patched, which can bypass some verifications.
Is it possible to flash only the edited CSC file with this tool? Sorry to take up your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey no worries, XDA is meant for a place to learn and I'm happy to try and help/educate in any way I can.
Opening the bootloader is step 1 in getting root access. You may think that root is the equivalent of installing Magisk and that's what root is but it's a lot more than that. By installing something custom you've in some way obtained root access by editing your stock ROM.
But anyway, going back to your original question/answer, the patched Odin can only bypass some verifications on Odin's side but it can't bypass the verification that the phone does itself. The patched Odin is mainly for installing U firmware on U1 variants and vice-versa, something that you can't do on the original Odin. It can't really bypass checking the validity of Samsung's signature on stock firmware. Even if it could bypass that check, the phone also checks the firmware it's being installed so it will detect it as a custom fw file
So, long story short, if you edit stock FW with any tool it will break Samsung's trusted signature and both phone and Odin will pick it up as a custom firmware (i.e. custom ROM) and you will only be able to install it by unlocking the bootloader. Flashing anything custom will break/trip Knox and it will be broken forever
Let me know if you have any more questions I can help you with.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Hey no worries, XDA is meant for a place to learn and I'm happy to try and help/educate in any way I can.
Opening the bootloader is step 1 in getting root access. You may think that root is the equivalent of installing Magisk and that's what root is but it's a lot more than that. By installing something custom you've in some way obtained root access by editing your stock ROM.
But anyway, going back to your original question/answer, the patched Odin can only bypass some verifications on Odin's side but it can't bypass the verification that the phone does itself. The patched Odin is mainly for installing U firmware on U1 variants and vice-versa, something that you can't do on the original Odin. It can't really bypass checking the validity of Samsung's signature on stock firmware. Even if it could bypass that check, the phone also checks the firmware it's being installed so it will detect it as a custom fw file
So, long story short, if you edit stock FW with any tool it will break Samsung's trusted signature and both phone and Odin will pick it up as a custom firmware (i.e. custom ROM) and you will only be able to install it by unlocking the bootloader. Flashing anything custom will break/trip Knox and it will be broken forever
Let me know if you have any more questions I can help you with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, now many things are clear.
I want to know if unlocking the bootloader is worth it?
I have no problem with the warranty, I have the phone for more than 2 years and Samsung has no after sales service in our country. But for me, the use of banking app, Secure Folder, Samsung Pass are very important.
Is there a way to make all these apps work without problems by unlocking the bootloader?
Surely the OTA updates will also fail with this work, right?
can i unlock bootloader, flash edited files and relock bootloader?
mahdi72 said:
But for me, the use of banking app, Secure Folder, Samsung Pass are very important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some banking apps are harder to trick than others. I have no problems hiding root from my banking app but I've seen others struggle to hide from theirs, can't really comment on it. Secure Folder has a fix in Android 12 so it should be able to be fixed. Samsung Pass is something that still has no fix as far as I know so if you decide to root/blow knox fuse, this will never work again even if you lock your bootloader again. I've made my change to Google Pass which works with root so Samsung Pass isn't important to me anymore.
mahdi72 said:
Surely the OTA updates will also fail with this work, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct, OTA updates stop working when you unlock your bootloader but if you re-lock your bootloader, you may get OTA updates again.
mahdi72 said:
can i unlock bootloader, flash edited files and relock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this will lock your phone. Once you edit anything with root or install a custom fw (rom) then it will always count as custom for the phone. If you lock your bootloader while you have custom fw installed, your phone will be stuck in download mode telling you that your phone has custom fw and will refuse to boot until you flash stock fw.
Thank you very much for your very detailed explanation
So, for this part, I need Magisk, which probably Hide all banking apps in Iran
ShaDisNX255 said:
Some banking apps are harder to trick than others. I have no problems hiding root from my banking app but I've seen others struggle to hide from theirs, can't really comment on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to your explanation, This is my decision: I can unlock the bootloader and flash the modified ROM (I can apply the necessary fixes for Secure Folder and other changes to the ROM (Can i?)). The only thing I miss is the Samsung Pass feature, which I can replace with Google Pass, OTA updates can be ignored and do not have much priority for me.
The only important thing is the banking apps.
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted? Because I feel that some banking apps only check root access and have nothing to do with bootloader (At least in Iran).
If the root status has not changed after Unlocking the bootloader (I think the root status changes after installing Magisk or SU) I think that I can do the above steps and reach my goal
mahdi72 said:
This is my decision: I can unlock the bootloader and flash the modified ROM (I can apply the necessary fixes for Secure Folder and other changes to the ROM (Can i?))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, yeah.
mahdi72 said:
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With unlock bootloader alone it's still un-rooted
mahdi72 said:
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted? Because I feel that some banking apps only check root access and have nothing to do with bootloader (At least in Iran).
If the root status has not changed after Unlocking the bootloader (I think the root status changes after installing Magisk or SU) I think that I can do the above steps and reach my goal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is where it can get a little tricky and depends on each app because it's not a standard. If your banking app checks if your bootloader is unlocked then you pretty much need Magisk to hide your bootloader unlocked. Without Magisk, any app will be able to check that you have an unlocked bootloader
If your bank app checks to see if you have Magisk only then you can certainly avoid having to flash Magisk if you're not going to use it anyway
If your bank apps checks safetynet then you will again need to flash Magisk and flash a patch to pass safetynet tests
Again, it's not a standard so it all depends on the bank app in question. You can certainly try to unlock your bootloader and stay in stock and check if your bank apps detects your unlocked bootloader. Just unlocking bootloader shouldn't blow knox yet.
ShaDisNX255 said:
You can, yeah.
With unlock bootloader alone it's still un-rooted
This is where it can get a little tricky and depends on each app because it's not a standard. If your banking app checks if your bootloader is unlocked then you pretty much need Magisk to hide your bootloader unlocked. Without Magisk, any app will be able to check that you have an unlocked bootloader
If your bank app checks to see if you have Magisk only then you can certainly avoid having to flash Magisk if you're not going to use it anyway
If your bank apps checks safetynet then you will again need to flash Magisk and flash a patch to pass safetynet tests
Again, it's not a standard so it all depends on the bank app in question. You can certainly try to unlock your bootloader and stay in stock and check if your bank apps detects your unlocked bootloader. Just unlocking bootloader shouldn't blow knox yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you so much Now everything became clear to me

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