what are the benefits of unlocking bootloader?? - General Questions and Answers

Hey guys I wanted to know the benefits of unlocking the bootloader on my Nexus 5x device.
Any help will be appreciated. Thank You.

Bootloader is like security software for your device, it'll prevent your device from loading a Software or code which aren't properly signed. So, by unlocking it, you can do vice-versa.. You can load all stuff that aren't allowed by your bootloader.
In this term and simple words, by unlock bootloader, you can enable root access and flashing various custom Software/firmware to your device.

R324D said:
Bootloader is like security software for your device, it'll prevent your device from loading a Software or code which aren't properly signed. So, by unlocking it, you can do vice-versa.. You can load all stuff that aren't allowed by your bootloader.
In this term and simple words, by unlock bootloader, you can enable root access and flashing various custom Software/firmware to your device.
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Can I do this by only unlocking bootloader or is root access necessary. Also is there any way that my phone will be harmed by unlocking the bootloader

mufaddal25 said:
Can I do this by only unlocking bootloader or is root access necessary. Also is there any way that my phone will be harmed by unlocking the bootloader
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Yes it does, lije I said before, bootloader is factory security software to prevent your device from running malicious codes and software.
Unlocking bootloader is necessary to overwrite your stock recovery by custom recovery like TWRP, because stock recovery doesn't allow you to altering system partition.
I suggesting you to do more research before applying this process as it's can harm and possibly bricked your device.

R324D said:
Yes it does, lije I said before, bootloader is factory security software to prevent your device from running malicious codes and software.
Unlocking bootloader is necessary to overwrite your stock recovery by custom recovery like TWRP, because stock recovery doesn't allow you to altering system partition.
I suggesting you to do more research before applying this process as it's can harm and possibly bricked your device.
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Oh okay thanks

Related

Flashing 33R (or any future OTA) without flashing the bootlodder

Is it possible to pull the 33R OTA package off the OnePlus One site (or anywhere else), and flash the package (via fastboot), on an "exploited" bootloader. In my case, I have an original OnePlus One with the old bootloader, which can be exploited, so that I can do stupid stuff, without unlocking the bootloader. Is it possible to extract the bootloader from a 33R edition (or greater) CM11s ROM, and only flash the /system and other partitions without overwriting my exploited bootloader. (I.e. flash the individual packages via fastboot)
You might ask me why I want to keep the old, unsecure bootloader on my OPO? Cause I don't want to constantly lock/unlock the bootloader after each OTA, and also because I like my OPO that way. (I'm on 25R at the moment)
Why do you think you need to lock/unlock the bootloader for an OTA? That isn't true at all. Just unlock it, leave it unlocked, and you never need to worry about it again.
Transmitted via Bacon
timmaaa said:
Why do you think you need to lock/unlock the bootloader for an OTA? That isn't true at all. Just unlock it, leave it unlocked, and you never need to worry about it again.
Transmitted via Bacon
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The bootloader is there for a 2nd security measure, in case your phone falls into the wrong hands. After you're done rooting and messing about with the phone, you'd relock the bootloader, so if someone tries to hack your phone via root shell, they would have to wipe the phone. For whatever reason, I want to keep my exploitable bootloader, but also update at the same time. AFAIK, the bootloader has no effect on the Android OS, so I was asking whether I could flash every package, except the bootloader, via fastboot. I know keeping the exploitable bootloader is a stupid thing to do, but it's just as stupid as leaving the bootloader unlocked after rooting.
Desolutional said:
The bootloader is there for a 2nd security measure, in case your phone falls into the wrong hands. After you're done rooting and messing about with the phone, you'd relock the bootloader, so if someone tries to hack your phone via root shell, they would have to wipe the phone. For whatever reason, I want to keep my exploitable bootloader, but also update at the same time. AFAIK, the bootloader has no effect on the Android OS, so I was asking whether I could flash every package, except the bootloader, via fastboot. I know keeping the exploitable bootloader is a stupid thing to do, but it's just as stupid as leaving the bootloader unlocked after rooting.
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The chances are if your phone was to be stolen, the thief wouldn't even know a thing about what a bootloader is. As what Tim said, there's no reason to leave your bootloader locked again unlocking.
Take a look into cerberus if you want recovery mode protection for anti theft if you're worried. And no it isn't "stupid" to leaving the bootloader unlocked after rooting, re unlocking would cause the phone to be wiped on your part.
Well I'll give it a shot, and see what happens,
Surely the OTA doesn't need to reflash the bootloader, it's just there as an exploit fix.

[Q] Any other method to root without unlocking the bootloader..??

What is a bootloader(tell me in simplest way)....Is unlocking the bootloader really required...? If not then please post another method for root......
ak_wolf007 said:
What is a bootloader(tell me in simplest way)....Is unlocking the bootloader really required...? If not then please post another method for root......
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watch this video to unlock it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIdJg7KNH3A
and a bootloader allows you to flash kernels/recovers/ and other custom things but only if it is unlocked.
with custom recovery you can install roms,make full system backup,and other things.
a custom kernel wil allow you to overclock cpu/gpu and more.
a custom recovery can be used to flash root.update zip.
but after unlocking bootloader you void your warranty . and your device got hard reset(factory reset)
it can be only unlocked if it is allowed to be unlocked.
android-vinay said:
and a bootloader allows you to flash kernels/recovers/ and other custom things but only if it is unlocked.
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Not entirely true, at least to all devices. I have a Moto Defy which also has a locked bootloader, no way to unlock, running KK CM11. Developer @pedrodh has managed to create an app called "2ndinit" (1) which allows a second kernel to boot on top of the locked one, allowing to flash new builds despite the locked bootloader. Because of this, Defy is known as unbricable. Similar approach could be used on E3 if some devel take a look into this.
(1) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1032212
Regards,
mmerlone said:
Not entirely true, at least to all devices. I have a Moto Defy which also has a locked bootloader, no way to unlock, running KK CM11. Developer @pedrodh has managed to create an app called "2ndinit" (1) which allows a second kernel to boot on top of the locked one, allowing to flash new builds despite the locked bootloader. Because of this, Defy is known as unbricable. Similar approach could be used on E3 if some devel take a look into this.
(1) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1032212
Regards,
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this required root.
for now you need to unlockbootloader to root xperia.
root ur device without unlocking
vinay said:
this required root.
for now you need to unlockbootloader to root xperia.
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just use kingoroot or kingroot to root ur device no need to unlock boot loader for running those you will have root access but can't do the flashing part

Difference between rooting w/o unlocking bootloader and rooting with bootloader unloc

Can anyone explain me the differences between above mentioned things. If i just root my phone without unlocking tje the bootloader then can i perform all root tasks? And also, can I flash.?
Or I should unlock Bootloader to flash..
If your device is rooted without unlocking the bootloader, you can do everything that needs root. You can install root apps and use them.
But you can't flash anything because that requires the bootloader to be unlocked. However, there are rarely cases which allows you to install custom software without unlocking the bootloader. Some devices also don't require to be unlocked to flash files, mainly Samsung and MTK devices.
If you have more questions or concerns about that, feel free to ask me and I will try to answer your questions.
So i cannot flash other roms without unlocking the bootloader..
But can i install marshmallow.?? I guess that too comes under flashing..

Does SafetyNet detect bootloader unlock? How about SuperSU systemless root?

I am on the Google variant. I'm curious whether simply unlocking the bootloader will prevent me from using Android Pay (and similarly protected apps). And same question for SuperSU systemless root?
As a bonus, if I were to unlock, root, modify a file (like hosts), then unroot and relock, would it complain?
NegativeOne said:
I am on the Google variant. I'm curious whether simply unlocking the bootloader will prevent me from using Android Pay (and similarly protected apps). And same question for SuperSU systemless root?
As a bonus, if I were to unlock, root, modify a file (like hosts), then unroot and relock, would it complain?
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If you modify the system and relock the bootloader, you risk bricking the device entirely, if it won't accept fastboot commands
NegativeOne said:
I am on the Google variant. I'm curious whether simply unlocking the bootloader will prevent me from using Android Pay (and similarly protected apps). And same question for SuperSU systemless root?
As a bonus, if I were to unlock, root, modify a file (like hosts), then unroot and relock, would it complain?
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First question, I think on some firmware, custom Kernel with root is allowing Android Pay for some users on some carriers. I wouldn't universalize, you have to try.
However, only unlocking bootloadet doesn't work, but in addition a custom kernel can fix what breaks is needed.
ndarkside93 said:
If you modify the system and relock the bootloader, you risk bricking the device entirely, if it won't accept fastboot commands
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Second question:
EXACTLY: the bootloader detects changes in the system partition away from pure stock, so if you change things, that signals "corruption" to the bootlader so it will PREVENT boot and as ndarkside says, RISK OF BRICK
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs
nednednerb said:
First question, I think on some firmware, custom Kernel with root is allowing Android Pay for some users on some carriers. I wouldn't universalize, you have to try.
However, only unlocking bootloadet doesn't work, but in addition a custom kernel can fix what breaks is needed.
Second question:
EXACTLY: the bootloader detects changes in the system partition away from pure stock, so if you change things, that signals "corruption" to the bootlader so it will PREVENT boot and as ndarkside says, RISK OF BRICK
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Very true, but on the pixel with the November update, safety net checks for bootloader unlock, but I think Franco kernel can hide it to pass the check, if there is no root.

Which phones allow keeping changes made from twrp after locking the bootloader?

So I've seen a few posts in the past, where someone has suggested rooting then locking the bootloader and other things like this. But now days do all phones delete data when they unlock the bootloader, if yes do some manufacturers not delete the data when you choose to relock the bootloader?
What i want is to know which brands if any would be possible for me to, unlock the bootloader flash twrp flash xposed other files root ect restore the stock recovery and then relock the bootloader keeping the changes i have made, for security reasons unlocked bootloaders are risky.
The next question is if this is possible if something messes up while it's locked, i won't have twrp to recover it, how would i fix this is this a issue for bricking the device? will fastboot always work to flash stock firmware files if the manufacturer provides them? i'm assuming that would be the only way to solve this? does fastboot need something like OEM unlock turned on in the system to be able to flash firmware to recover? if it does i wouldn't be able to fix that.
Samsung doesn't require OEM unlock to be turned on to flash through odin, but because of all samsung phones using dm-vertity even if the bootloader doesn't delete everything locking it, dm-verity would detect the changes and prevent using the phone in that state.
Appreciate all suggestions.
Thanks.

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