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how to root moto g without unlocking bootloader?

how to root moto g without unlock bootloader?

Right now there is no solution. Maybe one day, but don't hold your breath.

ok, and unlocking bootloader can be reverted to locked bootloader for warranty as it was never unlocked? when bootloader is locked theres any difference or alert, like the alter triangle in samsung phones with unlocked bootloader?

When the bootloader is unlocked there is a warning when you boot, but there's a solution published in these forums for how to revert to the normal Motorola boot screen. You can relock the bootloader but it doesn't restore the warranty as Motorola have a list of which phones have been unlocked.
However in Europe unlocking the bootloader does not invalidate your warranty, regardless of what Motorola might say. You also have an automatic 2-year warranty on all purchases.

raniero1 said:
ok, and unlocking bootloader can be reverted to locked bootloader for warranty as it was never unlocked? when bootloader is locked theres any difference or alert, like the alter triangle in samsung phones with unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To unlock Bootloader you have to submit "fastboot oem get_unlock_data" on Motorola's website and you'll get the unlock code. If you do so they have your device in their database. Secondary it is flagged in the device itself if i remember right.

ok but ive just spoken with motorola support in italy, they told me that if the phone had any software modification they wont provide anymore warranty
I know that to unlock sony phone you have to get from their website also a code, but that dont get you warranty off, in italy ive sent the phone in assistance and they didnt even check that database
anyway i hope there will be a way to root without losing warranty in near future, like for samsung flashing prerooted stock firmware
i just want root to restore data from a titanium backup for 1 app from my previous android phone, nothing more

raniero1 said:
ok but ive just spoken with motorola support in italy, they told me that if the phone had any software modification they wont provide anymore warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure with this, but i think, in Europe you'll have full warrenty anyway on the Hardware as long as you did not destroy it by a software failure. So for e.g. if you unlock Bootloader only and your screen will be dead later which is not caused by a software modification you'll have full warrenty on the Hardware. But if it comes hard, it might be difficult to deliver a proper proof to Motorola that it is a manufacturers fault.

This is the chat i had right now with motorola germany
Ben: Hallo, mein Name ist Ben. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
me: Hello, can i just ask you a question in english?
Ben: Sure, how can I help?
me: Thank you very much, i just would like to know if phone unlocking, about moto g, void warranty
me: With phone unlocking i mean bootload unlocking
Ben: Yes, this will void the warranty.
me: Ok thank you ben
me: goodbye
Ben: You are very welcome, bye for now.

This is also written in their licence Agreement. I doubt that it is applicable to EU law in this way. But as i said i don't know for sure, I'm not a lawyer. They can write and say a lot if the day is long and of course they will not give you any legal advice which will be against their own terms.. If you ask them they will always answer what they want. Terms can sometimes be futile. Maybe you can ask in a lawyers Forum. Many more will be interested in that
EDIT: In Germany you have the Terms Gewährleistung und Garantie. It can be that the Gewährleistung will be lost because it is voluntary given to you by the vendor. But with my above mentioned Situation the Garantie will be still applicable as in aboves case, at least in Germany. But as i said I don't know for sure. This is what i read in the last weeks about this.
NOT SURE IF IT IS REALLY LIKE THAT!!!
EDIT: If you can understand German you might read this. Maybe I'll find this also in English.
EDIT: Several Laguages:
Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees

I have unlocked the bootloader and if a hardware fault occured I would ask Motorola to fix it, if they said no as my warranty is void (and refuse to fix it whatever I say) my only option is to then take to them court. Am I going to do that over a £160 phone - no Im not, I'll just buy a new phone as taking Motorola to court isnt something I fancy doing
I guess there may be other options, eg some sort of civil rights organization which helps with warranty issues which may or may not cost money, but even if its free its still going to cost a lot of my time.
I think if you unlock the bootloader you really want to acknowledge that the chances are that Motorola wont be fixing your phone, whether thats lawfully right or wrong may not be worth your time and money arguing over.
Personally I wouldnt blame Motorola for telling me that made my choice and now to live with it.
What I do think is a shame is that they dont officially release the stock images of the moto g as they do with their dev editions of some phones. After all that may remove a lot of support calls they get (and then refuse) from people that have screwed up their moto g's by unlocking and rooting etc.

scott_doyland said:
I have unlocked the bootloader and if a hardware fault occured I would ask Motorola to fix it, if they said no as my warranty is void (and refuse to fix it whatever I say) my only option is to then take to them court. Am I going to do that over a £160 phone - no Im not, I'll just buy a new phone as taking Motorola to court isnt something I fancy doing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you buy the phone from Motorola directly? Probably no.
Amazon, Tesco, Phones4you etc...
The warranty contract which is provided by EU law is not between you and the manufacturer (Motorola), but between you and the seller.
So if you have a hardware fault, you send/take the phone back to the seller. It's true that If they don't replace it right away, they'll probably send it to Motorola for repair anyways, and Motorola can say that your warranty is void.
But in this article this article they say:
"In case the seller refuses your right to repair or replace the device, you can sue him in a civil litigation and can report the incident to the national authority. In many European countries such action does not even require hiring a lawyer and is most of the time ensured by consumers associations."

Thanks for the info, its obvious to me now that I'd go to phones4u - just as I would return any faulty appliance to the seller. It would be interesting to see what happened if I ever had to do that, but i hope I don't have to.

cwm without unlocking
can we install cwm by this method ( http://motorola-g.blogspot.in/2013/12/how-to-install-cwmtwrp-custom-recovery.html?m=1 )without unlocking? if possible we can install pre rooted roms by cwm. am a noobie... guide me pls

balajiasmartguy said:
can we install cwm by this method ( http://motorola-g.blogspot.in/2013/12/how-to-install-cwmtwrp-custom-recovery.html?m=1 )without unlocking? if possible we can install pre rooted roms by cwm. am a noobie... guide me pls
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't. Atm it's not possible root moto g without unlock bl. There are not other ways for now.

denzel09 said:
You can't. Atm it's not possible root moto g without unlock bl. There are not other ways for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cwm?

balajiasmartguy said:
cwm?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without unlock bootloader you can not boot or flash a custom recovery on moto g. It is not possible in our case. Again.

y its not possible... in recovery it has a option to install update from SD card... with this can't we install cwm? correct me if I am wrong...

For root on g you need:
unlock bootloader,
custom recovery.
If you don't unlock bootloader forget root.

denzel09 said:
For root on g you need:
unlock bootloader,
custom recovery.
If you don't unlock bootloader forget root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
am sorry for disturbing you. am not asking about root. can I install cwm directly without unlocking... using install update from SD card option in stock recovery...

balajiasmartguy said:
am sorry for disturbing you. am not asking about root. can I install cwm directly without unlocking... using install update from SD card option in stock recovery...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
..............

[Q] Warranty reset, possible?

Hi all,
I've had a bit of experience in rooting and flashing, back on my old Nexus 4. Haven't done it in awhile due to my 4.4 Nexus 5 stock being bloody perfect in my opinion.
But coming up to Android 5 lollipop... I'm really looking for a new ROM as I believe 5.0 stock is terrible. So my first question: Is it now possible to restore the tablet back to a state that the warranty provider will not be able to tell it's been rooted/flashed (and voided warranty)?
My Second is: How on earth do you chose between ROMs now? I'm thinking of using xTraSmooth 3.1 but OptiPop has also caught my eye!
Cheers.

Tomo8281 said:
Hi all,
I've had a bit of experience in rooting and flashing, back on my old Nexus 4. Haven't done it in awhile due to my 4.4 Nexus 5 stock being bloody perfect in my opinion.
But coming up to Android 5 lollipop... I'm really looking for a new ROM as I believe 5.0 stock is terrible. So my first question: Is it now possible to restore the tablet back to a state that the warranty provider will not be able to tell it's been rooted/flashed (and voided warranty)?
My Second is: How on earth do you chose between ROMs now? I'm thinking of using xTraSmooth 3.1 but OptiPop has also caught my eye!
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, the Nexus 5 isn't a tablet.
It is possible to reset the bootloader tamper flag and relock it, either with a few apps that require root access then removing root with the option in SuperSU, or simply flashing with LG Flashtool. The Nexus 5 doesn't have anything else to show if it has been modified or not, unless you blatantly have the bootloader unlocked or a custom ROM/SuperSU binaries installed (which doesn't matter if the phone can't even boot up at all I guess).
Also, if you bought it from Google via the Play Store, they don't seem to mind any sort of software state if its a legitimate manufacturing defect that the warranty usually covers. People have sent in their devices for legitimate defects with unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs + kernels and Google hasn't really cared.
Regarding your second question: you try a few out and find the one you like. Or if that's not possible then some of us end up building our own.

Lethargy said:
First of all, the Nexus 5 isn't a tablet.
It is possible to reset the bootloader tamper flag and relock it, either with a few apps that require root access then removing root with the option in SuperSU, or simply flashing with LG Flashtool. The Nexus 5 doesn't have anything else to show if it has been modified or not, unless you blatantly have the bootloader unlocked or a custom ROM/SuperSU binaries installed (which doesn't matter if the phone can't even boot up at all I guess).
Also, if you bought it from Google via the Play Store, they don't seem to mind any sort of software state if its a legitimate manufacturing defect that the warranty usually covers. People have sent in their devices for legitimate defects with unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs + kernels and Google hasn't really cared.
Regarding your second question: you try a few out and find the one you like. Or if that's not possible then some of us end up building our own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake for posting this while thinking of my new Christmas present (Galaxy Tab S tablet) !
Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it!
I think I'll install xtrasmooth today !

Can I root the Moto G3 with an app like KingRoot?

Hi peps,
I just switched from my crappy HTC One X to my new Moto G3 and I'm in love!
I don't really want a custom ROM, but I'd like to undervolt this babe. But since a root requires unlocking the bootloader = voiding the manufacturers warranty, I don't really wanna do that..
I've bought it over Amazon and I live in the EU, so I technically still have the retailer's warranty and Amazon would replace it without a hassle, but yeah.. it's new and all.
But I know there are apps like towelroot, KingRoot and what not, do they work with the Moto G3? I'm on 5.1.1.

Jut install SuperSU ZIP using TWRP recovery

Osid said:
Jut install SuperSU ZIP using TWRP recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you read my post first?
squid2 said:
Your bootloader must be unlocked to use this recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocking bootloader = voiding warranty.

shawly said:
Could you read my post first?
unlocking bootloader = voiding warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're worried about voiding the warranty, you're on the wrong site.

Ragarianok said:
If you're worried about voiding the warranty, you're on the wrong site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this unnecessary input. :good:
On previous versions of Android there were exploits that allowed rooting the phone without unlocking the bootloader, which means you could keep your warranty and I just asked if it works on the current Moto G3 with Lollipop 5.1, why do you have to be such a smartass? It's a normal question, why can't I have a normal answer?

I used to root in one click in just one method on my previous phone xperia sp but i dont know this phone have any toll which will work or not?

shawly said:
Thanks for this unnecessary input. :good:
On previous versions of Android there were exploits that allowed rooting the phone without unlocking the bootloader, which means you could keep your warranty and I just asked if it works on the current Moto G3 with Lollipop 5.1, why do you have to be such a smartass? It's a normal question, why can't I have a normal answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being a smartass is kind of my thing.
You're afraid to unlock your device's bootloader because you'll lose the warranty, but you're perfectly fine with risking the security of your device by rooting it, right? Seems odd to me, but whatever.
Generally speaking, both KingRoot and TowelRoot are used on devices where using those two methods are the only way to root those devices.
Unlocking the bootloader will have no ill effect on your device other than voiding the warranty, and, if you're worried about voiding your warranty, you shouldn't be trying to modify your device.
In the words of the always optimistic Ms. Frizzle: "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"
---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------
zephiK said:
Just unlock the bootloader and root. You're making it too difficult for yourself, the whole point of the bootloader being locked is to prevent changes being made to the system.
Its like saying, you're going to break your windows to get into your house when you can just unlock the door.
Just unlock the bootloader and flash supersu for root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also this.

Ragarianok said:
Being a smartass is kind of my thing.
You're afraid to unlock your device's bootloader because you'll lose the warranty, but you're perfectly fine with risking the security of your device by rooting it, right? Seems odd to me, but whatever.
Generally speaking, both KingRoot and TowelRoot are used on devices where using those two methods are the only way to root those devices.
Unlocking the bootloader will have no ill effect on your device other than voiding the warranty, and, if you're worried about voiding your warranty, you shouldn't be trying to modify your device.
In the words of the always optimistic Ms. Frizzle: "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who said I'm afraid of unlocking the bootloader? Who said I never unlocked the bootloader of other phones before?
I just don't wanna lose my warranty in the first two or three months, in case my phone breaks unexpectedly, I also don't plan on using custom roms, I just want the root features so I can undervolt like I said and IF I could root it permanently without unlocking the bootloader, why not?
I'm not worried, it would just be convenient to have root without losing the warranty, that's it.

As far as I know you may be able to do it search kingroot in Google then download the apk and install it then open in and follow the instructions

shawly said:
Who said I'm afraid of unlocking the bootloader? Who said I never unlocked the bootloader of other phones before?
I just don't wanna lose my warranty in the first two or three months, in case my phone breaks unexpectedly, ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then leave the device stock ...
If you want the best of both worlds (root & warranty), then go buy a Nexus. Motorola drew a line in the sand as to what they will support, while still empowering owners with the option to unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Ragarianok said:
If you're worried about voiding the warranty, you're on the wrong site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. While I've unlocked my previous phones, my new g3 I'm leaving locked for the first year, while the warranty lasts. But this site still has a few helpful stuff.
Ragarianok said:
...You're afraid to unlock your device's bootloader because you'll lose the warranty, but you're perfectly fine with risking the security of your device by rooting it, right? Seems odd to me, but whatever...if you're worried about voiding your warranty, you shouldn't be trying to modify your device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He just wants the warranty, but he doesn't care about rooting it because there's not really anything wrong with rooting if you know what you're doing and how to fix it.
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app
---------- Post added at 01:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:03 PM ----------
And to answer the question; you need to unlock the bootloader to root
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

Question, I attempted to use towelroot on my stock g3 and got a message saying my phone is not supported. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also, fairly newbish, so be gentle!!

Jdwright0819 said:
Question, I attempted to use towelroot on my stock g3 and got a message saying my phone is not supported. Any help is greatly appreciated. Also, fairly newbish, so be gentle!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Towelroot is exploiting a bug in the Linux Kernel in order to root a device. This bug was already fixed in June 2014.
On all Kernels with a later build date Towelroot will most likely not work.
For sure it will not work on the Moto G3 with a kernel build date more than one year after this bug was fixed.

Thanks!

shawly said:
Hi peps,
I just switched from my crappy HTC One X to my new Moto G3 and I'm in love!
I don't really want a custom ROM, but I'd like to undervolt this babe. But since a root requires unlocking the bootloader = voiding the manufacturers warranty, I don't really wanna do that..
I've bought it over Amazon and I live in the EU, so I technically still have the retailer's warranty and Amazon would replace it without a hassle, but yeah.. it's new and all.
But I know there are apps like towelroot, KingRoot and what not, do they work with the Moto G3? I'm on 5.1.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably been answered already but those exploits are security flaws with the SE Linux system and so with each release of android these have been patched, by 5.1 these security holes have been fixed and now by locking the bootloader
It's like just locking down and modifications to the system partition so unfortunately you can't root without unlocking, unless you have android versions lower down
shawly said:
Thanks for this unnecessary input. :good:
On previous versions of Android there were exploits that allowed rooting the phone without unlocking the bootloader, which means you could keep your warranty and I just asked if it works on the current Moto G3 with Lollipop 5.1, why do you have to be such a smartass? It's a normal question, why can't I have a normal answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have unlocked bootloader and i m on stock recovery amd on stock rom without rooted. Can i install twrp without pc

Are you root yet

I have moto g 3, its bootloader is unlpcked but when I tried to root it using SuperSU and twrp recovery then I ended up corrupting it software. Can anybody tell me how to safely root it...?

Ankur1 said:
I have moto g 3, its bootloader is unlpcked but when I tried to root it using SuperSU and twrp recovery then I ended up corrupting it software. Can anybody tell me how to safely root it...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of TWRP did you use coz I know there were some bugs on the moto range with TWRP 2.X.
I would completely wipe device using stock recovery, including dalvic/cache/data everything just to be on the safe side, then download the TWRP zip to your computer and flash it on using ADB.
Boot up normally and move the superSU zip from the link to your phones internal storage. Then reboot to TWRP, select install and pick the zip file.
superSU.zip:
http://dl-1.va.us.xda-developers.com/3/6/5/5/4/0/1/BETA-SuperSU-v2.62-3-20151211162651.zip?key=u0OeGV4-4s02KJXqrXJ-gg&ts=1466705675
If you get stuck this might help:
https://motog3.com/unlock-bootloader-install-twrp-root-moto-g3/

No longer works
Osid said:
Jut install SuperSU ZIP using TWRP recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps you can offer wisdom on this? I rooted my Moto G 3rd Gen once, wrecked something and had to go back to factory, then try to reroot again. Problem. No matter what I do in setting the device back to factory, the bootloader stays unlocked and reads the system software as "modified" which then seems to bork installing SuperSU. I install SuperSU via twrp and it goes fine, no errors, but when I reboot the system is lost in a loop of the "bootloader unlocked" screen.
So I cannot RE-lock the bootloader (ala setting the phone back to true factory) and after I flash SuperSU the phone refuses to successfully bootup.
Any aid? Ideas?
I had failed to backup my phone the first time with twrp and so to set to factory I downloaded the stock retail xml.zip for my phone and reflashed the entire thing via fastboot. Reinstall twrp, and try to root and the endless boot loop begins.
So I came to this thread to look into the possibility rooting my phone via another means that MIGHT work.

Moto g 3 - is there easy tool to root phone.

Hi,
is there easy tool to root phone. I don't need install trwp and custom roms.
I just need to root the phone - that's all.

There is no shortcut... you must unlock the device via Motorola's Official Unlock tool, this will wipe your device and void the warranty. Then you can boot TWRP (without flashing it if you wish) and install root.
Sorry, but since Lollipop, and all future versions of Android, there will be no more quick root solution that can be done without unlocking and following the "old normal" procedure, Google made sure of that, for now at least until someone discovers an entirely new way to root.

i was thinking that there is some easier way.
Motorola has app (Moto care i think ) that can remotely wipe phone when lost. When i was activating it there was some info about root access.
So i need that tool:
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a
??
How to boot into TRWP without flashing it ?
Is there way to lock the phone after unlock process ? For example when I won't need any more rooted phone.

Yes
You boot twrp with the 'fastboot boot xxxx.img' command
Your phone will always show unlocked, even when relocked, unless you flash a stock rom image using a special OEM lock procedure. TBH, almost no one bothers because it will always show tampered and you won't get the warranty back.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

that's not good information. With my "luck" to phones it probably will need warranty after unlock
what else will i need to unlock it ?
Motorola unlock tool - i know.
i suppose drivers for phone, what else ?

bartwaw said:
that's not good information. With my "luck" to phones it probably will need warranty after unlock
what else will i need to unlock it ?
Motorola unlock tool - i know.
i suppose drivers for phone, what else ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no "tool"... Just drivers (Win only), a few fastboot commands, and Moto's website, it's all manually done with the G3.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

If you are ready to root your phone, then don't think about warranty. every warranty voids at one day, then if you want full control over your phone , you must ready for everything, otherwise don't root .
Before doing anything, you must do a backup
Read everything and understand then hit ok in all steps of Android rooting life .

There is a root tool called One Click Root. It seems great. have a try.

drmuruga said:
If you are ready to root your phone, then don't think about warranty. every warranty voids at one day, then if you want full control over your phone , you must ready for everything, otherwise don't root .
Before doing anything, you must do a backup
Read everything and understand then hit ok in all steps of Android rooting life .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are saying backup before doing anythig... But how to backup it? When we unlock all data get wiped... So there is nothing to backup... Device is very clean...

sagar27691 said:
You are saying backup before doing anythig... But how to backup it? When we unlock all data get wiped... So there is nothing to backup... Device is very clean...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should back up as much as possible before you unlock the device. Photos, Videos, etc - you can back-up to your SD card. Contacts, Calendar, etc. can be backed up on Google.
I'm not sure about other app data, like in games.

Before you root, consider whether you actually *need* to root your phone for you to use it. Often, a lot of the 'control' people mention, is something they hardly make use of. One popular reason for rooting might be ad-blocking, but if it's just to block ads in browsers, there are various browsers available with ad-blocking enabled (firefox for instance with a plugin) and if you want system-wide ad-blocking, there are services such as AdGuard, which work with a local VPN / without rooting. More 'control' also means you're potentially making your device less safe. Lastly, the Moto G3 is very clean to begin with, very close to stock Android and the Motorola apps that are included are generally considered to be useful instead of bloat.
TL;DR, think before your root / gamble with your warranty, don't just root for the sake of it.
That said, good luck

Buying a used phone. Is the second-hand device trustworthy and safe to use?

[Apologies for being a noob, I tried my best to do the homework]
I want to buy a used Pixel 2 (or Pixel 3). There is some general advice on the internet reminding to check:
(i) for physical damage
(ii) if ESN / IMEI has been blacklisted
(iii) if the device is compatible with a carrier (communication standard, uses SIM and not e-SIM, not carrier locked)
(iv) and warning that the device can break or become blacklisted after the purchase.
All of the above is associated with a risk, which is limited to the amount of money paid.
But my primary concern is the risk from using the second-hand device where privacy is critical (email, online banking, 2FA through SMS). How do I make sure the previous owner hasn't planted a backdoor? If I trust Google, what are the reasonable steps to ensure that the device hasn't been tampered with by someone else? In particular:
(1) How do I check on Pixel 2 that the firmware, bootloader, OS are the original ones?
(2) If the device had been bootloader unlocked and/or rooted, is it possible to restore the original images, re-lock the bootloader to be confident that no one (but Google) will spy on me?
(3) Is there anything I am missing?
(4) Which of these are probably different on Pixel 3 and should be asked on Pixel 3 forum?
I barely understand the difference between the bootlocker and the recovery, and I would appreciate clear answers very much.
Related:
- A related thread mentions telling apart Verizon and unlocked versions of Pixel 2:
Buying Pixel 2 on Craigslist any tips to avoid issues?
Hi, I would like to buy a used Pixel 2 off Craigslist and since I am not familiar with the Pixel 2 I hope you can help me make sure I don't get scammed. I know I need to check that the IMEI is not blacklisted (can run it through the swappa IMEI...
forum.xda-developers.com
- A similar question was asked about Galaxy Note 9. One senior member says "Hell, back in the day we could reset knox counters ... even checking knox isn't a full proof method". Another says "So rest assured if your Warranty Bit is not 0x1 a Custom Binary has never been flashed". I am confused, as there is no concensus.
Bought used. Security concerns?
I had been looking for a new phone for awhile. Settled on a Note 9 because I wanted to try using the S Pen for work and dislike the Note 10 design. However, they are still sold at full price where I live, so I bought one secondhand. Everything...
forum.xda-developers.com
- Here someone says "Really easy to relock" about OnePlus 5. I wonder if the same is true for Pixels 2/3?
Risk of used phone with unlocked bootloader?
Hey guys this is probably a lame question... does any risk come with buying a phone with an unlocked boot loader? I bought an OnePlus 5 from ebay used in great shape. The seller advised the the phone was rooted with Android 10. When i start the...
forum.xda-developers.com

Reboot the phone, and see if the yellow exclamation mark comes up saying the bootloader was modified.
If you don't see that, it means the Pixel 2 bootloader was never unlocked and a custom ROM was never flashed to the device.
Since all Pixel 2 phones would be out of warranty now, the only way to ensure security is to flash a trusty ROM yourself.

kodina said:
Since all Pixel 2 phones would be out of warranty now, the only way to ensure security is to flash a trusty ROM yourself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for you response, but I am not sure I understand the last bit. Do you mean I would have to flash a trusty ROM myself because there are no certified service centres that would accept the phone, as the warranty has expired? Or do you mean that there are no automatic updates or supported ROMs because of the end of life or something?

up!

wiltingenthusiasm said:
Thanks for you response, but I am not sure I understand the last bit. Do you mean I would have to flash a trusty ROM myself because there are no certified service centres that would accept the phone, as the warranty has expired? Or do you mean that there are no automatic updates or supported ROMs because of the end of life or something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I mean even if the bootloader is locked, even if the original owner never flashed a custom ROM, the device (in theory) could still have had been rooted in the past, unknown apps installed, root removed and you would never know. Hoewever, this is all in theory, but it is possible, and only applies if you are paranoid about security.
Otherwise, reboot the phone, no bootlaoder warning = 99% safe to use.

kodina said:
No, I mean even if the bootloader is locked, even if the original owner never flashed a custom ROM, the device (in theory) could still have had been rooted in the past, unknown apps installed, root removed and you would never know. Hoewever, this is all in theory, but it is possible, and only applies if you are paranoid about security.
Otherwise, reboot the phone, no bootlaoder warning = 99% safe to use.
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Oh, I see. And a factory reset would not help either, because it does not recover the OS from a reserve copy whose integrity can be ensured, but simply deletes all user data and extra apps, while keeping the rest, which could have been compromised via root access. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the factory reset via bootloader really gets the device to the "factory state". Is that correct?
[Many thanks for your explanation.]

wiltingenthusiasm said:
Oh, I see. And a factory reset would not help either, because it does not recover the OS from a reserve copy whose integrity can be ensured, but simply deletes all user data and extra apps, while keeping the rest, which could have been compromised via root access. Therefore, there is no guarantee that the factory reset via bootloader really gets the device to the "factory state". Is that correct?
[Many thanks for your explanation.]
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Click to collapse
In theory, because I have not ready any news, articles, guides or forum threads where people are claiming they have done it.
So, the only option to ensure things are 1% safer, is to unlock the bootloader and flash a custom ROM yourself, trusting that the ROM dev didn't put anything weird in it. Though, as far as I checked, none of the OFFICIAL ROMs for Pixel 2 have a history of putting in something bad.
So, if you want 100% stability, use the default google ROM after a factory reset, but if you want """more""" security, unlock the bootloader and flash the ROM yourself.