Source: http://www.androidauthority.com/hmd-global-803915/
"HMD Global has vowed to provide unlocked bootloaders for its smartphones, stating that this will occur “one model at a time.” "
"a reassurance on this, given the current climate, is welcome."
Related
I intend provide a consolidated list of information about notable Android devices how each device verifies loaded firmware.
I shall start with what I know about the Droid X.
Motorola Droid X
Kernel secured by the bootloaderThe bootloader verifies the digital signature of the kernelIs the bootloader secured?
Motorola Xoom
Kernel is secured by an unlockable bootloaderIs the bootloader secured?
HTC Thunderbolt
Kernel is secured by the bootloaderBootloader security has been crackedIs the bootloader secured?
Your contributions are welcome.
The format that I currently have above is ugly, so if anyone has a better way to organize it please tell me.
I'm looking up update to a new phone, and I ran into this question that I've never thought about... I've never had to do an update to my bootloader (After it was unlocked, That I'm aware of) when going between Android 4.x, 5.x, and 6.x. I know there are new kernels/boot.imgs, but never noticed a bootloader update. Unless I'm missing something, from what I can tell other phones (even ones that are unlocked) seem to "require" an updated bootloader to allow the newer code in the OS to boot.
If this is all true, and I'm not missing something obvious, why is this? Did someone rig the kernel or OS on our phones to allow using an older bootloader or something? I'm seeing responses on other sections of the site for other phones like the G4 T-Mobile (Which doesn't have a locked bootloader) and some other places that a Marshmallow update to CM or another AOSP-like cannot be done until the carrier releases 6.x for the phone, even if the International variant of the phone has the 6.0 update.
I just bought the Verizon Moto Z3 today from Verizon solely with the purpose of rooting this phone so that it could be my dedicated computer/phone for my car computer screen. Trying to figure this out is making me come to a conclusion that this can't be unlocked? Is that true? Is there a way around this so that I can root this phone or did I just sign up for a 2 year contract with a POS that i have no use for now?
I have read that the Verizon makes all phones they have not unlockable. Should have read that too before buying maybe?
phelix208 said:
I just bought the Verizon Moto Z3 today from Verizon solely with the purpose of rooting this phone so that it could be my dedicated computer/phone for my car computer screen. Trying to figure this out is making me come to a conclusion that this can't be unlocked? Is that true? Is there a way around this so that I can root this phone or did I just sign up for a 2 year contract with a POS that i have no use for now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
El Hombre Principal said:
I have read that the Verizon makes all phones they have not unlockable. Should have read that too before buying maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is notorious for locking the bootloader on all of their devices. If you want a device that can be rooted and/or flash custom ROMs, then, from now on, you just need to stay away from anything offered by Verizon, regardless of how long you've had service with them or how pleased you are with their service and devices.
They can't be rooted by flashing TWRP and/or SuperSU or Magisk, they can only be rooted by using one of the many different universal rooting apps or universal rooting programs on PC, and that is only IF one of them has an exploit that works, if these universal tools won't work, you're out of luck.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
So buying an unlocked phone that is combatable with Verizon is the way to go or are you saying leave Verizon because not that is combatable with their system is rootable.
DocNomad said:
So buying an unlocked phone that is combatable with Verizon is the way to go or are you saying leave Verizon because not that is combatable with their system is rootable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using a device from somewhere else that is unlocked and has root and custom ROMs available for it and is also compatible with the Verizon network is the way to go.
Do some searches for unlocked devices that you might be interested in, make a note of the specific model number. Then, do some searches with those model numbers to see if they have root and custom development available, like this:
"How to root (the specific model number)"
And
"TWRP for (the specific model number)"
***IMPORTANT NOTE***
The device absolutely must have an unlocked bootloader or at least can be unlocked by some known method for that specific device model number, otherwise, you won't be able to use TWRP or custom ROMs but you "might" still be able to have root, just not custom recovery or custom ROMs, so you'll have to go a little deeper with your searches to verify bootloader status on the chosen device.
And
"Custom ROMs for (the specific model number)"
Those search terms should find whatever is available, if available for those model numbers.
Then, go to Verizon's website to check if the devices are compatible with the Verizon network.
Basically:
1) find a device you're interested in that is unlocked and note its model number and verify the bootloader status for the device.
2) search to see if there is root and custom development for that model.
3) verify it is compatible with Verizon network.
Find something that satisfies those criteria, then you can activate the device on Verizom when you get it then root and or flash the device after you get it successfully activated on the Verizon network. Then you should be good to go to use the device with Verizon and continue using/updating the custom software and/or customize/modify the device. Just be sure that anything you use is for the specific model number of your device. Using stuff that is not for your specific model number will almost certainly lead to a bricked device.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
I was wondering whether there is a reliable way to verify the integrity of the bootloader? I bought a used phone on ebay and was thinking how i could verify its software? (Malware etc.)
I've read that many android versions come with verified boot, but I suppose by rooting the phone and unlocking the bootloader one could replace the software with one that does not use veryified boot nor is the official ROM.
My specific phone is an LG G8, LG has not released a way to unlock the bootloader but there are rumors that some people know how to do it and are reselling refurbished phones (https://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g8/how-to/lg-g8-root-yesterday-t3960915/page5)
Thanks for any input.
Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
XDASikpupy said:
Need to pick up a few phones to play with. Since they all seem to have their own bootloaders (or do they?), should I go with Verizon, ATT, Sprint phone, or?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Virtually all models of devices from the major US carriers are going to have locked bootloader with no way to unlock them. I suggest getting the devices directly from the manufacturer or buying international non branded devices because the majority of them have unlocked bootloader or bootloader that can at least be unlocked.
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
XDASikpupy said:
If a US phone is "unlocked", does that mean the bootloader is unlocked or just unlocked for carrier use? I also hear phones directly from Samsung are locked also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you buy a phone that says it is unlocked, yes, it is referring to the fact that it is SIM/carrier unlocked to be used on other carrier networks.
Unlocking bootloader is a very specific procedure in order to modify the device or add/remove pieces of system level software If you're looking to use custom recovery and custom ROMs, you will definitely need to make certain that it is a model that has the bootloader already unlocked or has a stock firmware version that has a bootloader that can successfully unlocked. Typically, the older the firmware version for a specific device model number is the safest bet, the later, newer updated firmware for that specific device model number tend to have locked bootloaders. And it gets worse as the devices get newer and more improved with security features and roadblocks.
A safe bet is a Non US Google Pxel device, they are all very well supported here. Regardless of the device in question, you don't ever want anything that Verizon has to offer, period. AT&T and Sprint are just as bad.
Droidriven - Thanks for the info, thats what I have been reading, and, what makes me wonder. If I can get unlocked phones with locked bootloaders, and I am not going to mess with he bootloader, is there one "locked" bootloader better than the other?