I had to trade my S6 in 2016 because I couldnt stand not being able to flash custom roms via recovery, and at the time it was deemed nearly impossible to bootloader unlock an S6, especially since dev's were losing interest working around Exynos chip vs Qualcomm. But what about today? I see some threads talking about roms and TWRP and stuff which makes me think this phone was finally cracked? Is that so? Or is it only very particular variants? I remember there was like 1 model S6 that you could properly root if it had a very specific version of Android on it at the time, but if it was ever upgraded it was locked.
So which phones are bootloader/recovery installable? And what do I need to know version wise before buying one? (like are some versions blacklisted, to stay away from)
Bootloader is not locked on S6 except AT&T variant.
forumber2 said:
Bootloader is not locked on S6 except AT&T variant.
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but it used to be right? I had a verizon S6 and it was basically impossible to unlock as I recall. Is this a new development?
Related
I recently bought an AT&T S4 I337 and I really hate the locked bootloader (and lack of cyanogenmod goodness).
On my last phone, an LG Nitro HD, the method used to unlock the bootloader was to force-flash it to a different carrier's LG image for a similar model which happened to have an unlocked bootloader.
I wonder if it's been tried on the S4... I think I remember reading that T-mobile didn't lock thier loader and since t-mobile uses the same modem type (IIRC), I wonder if one could use ODIN to flash said image (and use the update bootloader option to slip the unlocked bootloader)?
I'm probably crazy for even asking... but I didn't recall reading that this hadn't been tried.
Not a clue in the world, but I'm crossing my fingers.
ratdude747 said:
I recently bought an AT&T S4 I337 and I really hate the locked bootloader (and lack of cyanogenmod goodness).
On my last phone, an LG Nitro HD, the method used to unlock the bootloader was to force-flash it to a different carrier's LG image for a similar model which happened to have an unlocked bootloader.
I wonder if it's been tried on the S4... I think I remember reading that T-mobile didn't lock thier loader and since t-mobile uses the same modem type (IIRC), I wonder if one could use ODIN to flash said image (and use the update bootloader option to slip the unlocked bootloader)?
I'm probably crazy for even asking... but I didn't recall reading that this hadn't been tried.
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but due to physical hardware limitations this will never work. I would go into details but it's fair plastered around the forum as to why this wouldn't work. If it where this simple we'd have unlocked the bootloader ages ago.
ratdude747 said:
I recently bought an AT&T S4 I337 and I really hate the locked bootloader (and lack of cyanogenmod goodness).
On my last phone, an LG Nitro HD, the method used to unlock the bootloader was to force-flash it to a different carrier's LG image for a similar model which happened to have an unlocked bootloader.
I wonder if it's been tried on the S4... I think I remember reading that T-mobile didn't lock thier loader and since t-mobile uses the same modem type (IIRC), I wonder if one could use ODIN to flash said image (and use the update bootloader option to slip the unlocked bootloader)?
I'm probably crazy for even asking... but I didn't recall reading that this hadn't been tried.
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This has been mentioned and covered many, many times.
Ah. I personally didn't see it mentioned anywhere when I searched but with the ocean of threads around here, I could understand them being buried.
Well, **** then.
gretting and salutations,
I recently traded my iphone 6 plus with a busted screen to a store for a galaxy s7, which is still under warrenty so im hella stoked. Anyway, love the phoone. Would like to root and flash something vanilla. or as vanilla as i can get.
I have an att model g930A, unlocked and on t-mobile.
I've been looking in the forums and im not seeing alot of roms for the att model, which i guess is different than the international version.
any insight??
As i said, id like the be as vanilla as i can get.
wifi calling is not required and neither is VOLTE.
-As long as tethering works, im fine.
Yes the US models are using a Qualcom CPU instead of exynos and have a locked bootloader which makes custom ROMs near impossible.
I believe you can flash stock ROMs with Odin, that's about it.
Beanvee7 said:
Yes the US models are using a Qualcom CPU instead of exynos and have a locked bootloader which makes custom ROMs near impossible.
I believe you can flash stock ROMs with Odin, that's about it.
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there is an option under developer options for oem unlock and i read that unlocks the bootloader.
i dont mind the phone as it is but id like to debloat or just flash straight android. no bloat.
You can find a thread here https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...covery-official-twrp-galaxy-s7-t3458579/page3 discussing the unlocking of bootloader.
According to a post in early May it still hasn't been done for US models.
Really thinking about flashing the U firmware but I'm worried about my unlock.
I couldn't go thru att but I did pay for a code, if that matters. Reading on the forum it should be fine if you got it thru att but IDK what my process is classified as.
So my s7 930u is here. I've found hundreds of methods on here and youtube and odin just fails..
Who has rooted their s7 930u android 7.0 phone. And what exact method did you use. This is getting ridiculous
tried this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KawiIZ4bAV8
annnnnnnd now my phone is bootlooped
im flashing 7.0 stock firmware (latest update) with odin 3.12.10
seemed to be the only odin that flashed bl + ap + cp + csc correctly for me
if anyone has the latest method used to root this phone id greatly appreciate a link or tut
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Since the US models have a locked bootloader, it's much harder to root than international. I think they'll reject anything from Odin that isn't official firmware.
You might have more luck in the US/Snapdragon specific sections of the forums, near the bottom: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7
Beanvee7 said:
Since the US models have a locked bootloader, it's much harder to root than international. I think they'll reject anything from Odin that isn't official firmware.
You might have more luck in the US/Snapdragon specific sections of the forums, near the bottom: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7
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I thought oem unlock was unlocking the bootloader? I can simply do that in developer options.
OEM unlock as in the developer settings menu? That toggle only works on Exynos (930F/FD/W8) devices, on Snapdragon (930U/V/T/P/A) it doesn't actually do anything. SD bootloader has and likely will always be hard locked.
Beanvee7 said:
Since the US models have a locked bootloader, it's much harder to root than international. I think they'll reject anything from Odin that isn't official firmware.
You might have more luck in the US/Snapdragon specific sections of the forums, near the bottom: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7
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Beanvee7 said:
OEM unlock as in the developer settings menu? That toggle only works on Exynos (930F/FD/W8) devices, on Snapdragon (930U/V/T/P/A) it doesn't actually do anything. SD bootloader has and likely will always be hard locked.
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So why all the tutorials and YouTube videos on all the different methods of rooting snapdragon s7 if the bootloader doesn't unlock for root. Wtf
I've never watched them so I can't say, but I would assume they would use round about methods to do it? For example Exynos is simply flash TWRP on with Odin, then flash a SU zip.
Do the youtube videos tell you to do that with the snapdragon models, or is it some arbitrary multi step process? The only way I can imagine rooting Snapdragon is exploiting security flaws. I've also seen mentions of flashfire but I don't know what it does.
Like I said you'd have better luck going to the AT&T/T-mobile/Verizon etc sections. This area of the forum is mostly for Exynos.
I don't even know what this phone classifies under.
It was a Verizon phone, with Verizon logo on back.
Unlocked.
Now it's on TMobile Network.
aarongotgame said:
I don't even know what this phone classifies under.
It was a Verizon phone, with Verizon logo on back.
Unlocked.
Now it's on TMobile Network.
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Isn't there a method to unlock a bootloader?
Carrier unlocked just means you can use it on any carrier network, which is you've got.
But bootloader lock is at a firmware level, and can't be done for any US model S7.
Since all the US models are basically the same, any guide in any of their sections should work for any other model. Yours is a G930V but you can use any guide or firmware from any other US model S7.
You need to root using an engineering bootloader. Not sure if there's a version compatible with the latest update.
You will have problems, as eng BL is not stable, and your battery will not charge past 80%.
So basically is really difficult/impossible Root a 930u? and more difficult flash with a custom firm?
Investigating because just buy a Samsung S7 gm-930u and want to debloat it.
How can i know if is a snapdragon? I am on new zealand not US.
Rooting is difficult, flashing custom firmware, as in a ROM is basically impossible on snapdragon SoC's. With a locked bootloader you can't modify the boot image which is needed for ROMs.
To check your model boot into download mode by turning it off, then pressing and holding vol down + home + power. In there it will tell you your model, being in new zealand you should be on a SM-G930F or FD unless you grey imported.
Same button combo for ~10 secs gets you out of download mode.
Yes is the grey and is 930U pitifully.
So I should sell it and buy another one haha
Thanks for the advice.
Is there anyway to unlock the Bootloader of the snapdragon galaxy s7
There is no way to unlock the bootloader at the moment.
audit13 said:
There is no way to unlock the bootloader at the moment.
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Do you think there will be a way soon?
I highly doubt the bootloader for any USA phone will be unlocked soon. Just need to look at the s4, s5, s6, note 3, etc. which still have a locked bootloader after all these years.
Unless US carrier decide to feel charitable, it's not going to happen. They're the ones twisting Samsung's arm in the US market.
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?
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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.
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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?