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Is it worth rooting / flashing the Mate 9?

I love this phone and have had it for more than 2 years now, and have no plans of upgrading and will use it until it breaks down. Since I don't expect any updates any more, I was wondering if its worth rooting and flashing an Android 10 ROM (any recommendations?) this phone, especially since I want to use the Google camera that only works with Android 10. But as I read the guides and threads here, it seems rooting is more complicated than other phones.
So, is it worth it?

tukmulin said:
I love this phone and have had it for more than 2 years now, and have no plans of upgrading and will use it until it breaks down. Since I don't expect any updates any more, I was wondering if its worth rooting and flashing an Android 10 ROM (any recommendations?) this phone, especially since I want to use the Google camera that only works with Android 10. But as I read the guides and threads here, it seems rooting is more complicated than other phones.
So, is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To flash a custom ROM you don't need root but unlocked Bootloader.
If you didn't obtain BL code when it was easy and free or cheap, that is now complicated and expensive (although still possible)- look at some other threads where people asked about flashing and it always comes down to the question about unlocking Bootloader

zgfg said:
To flash a custom ROM you don't need root but unlocked Bootloader.
If you didn't obtain BL code when it was easy and free or cheap, that is now complicated and expensive (although still possible)- look at some other threads where people asked about flashing and it always comes down to the question about unlocking Bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Thank you. Looks like I'm stuck with stock then. Thank you! It doesn't make sense to me to root if I can't flash anyway since I won't be able to get Android 10. The phone has excellent battery life and I have no complaints about speed. Unless there are benefits to just rooting that I don't know about?

tukmulin said:
I see. Thank you. Looks like I'm stuck with stock then. Thank you! It doesn't make sense to me to root if I can't flash anyway since I won't be able to get Android 10. The phone has excellent battery life and I have no complaints about speed. Unless there are benefits to just rooting that I don't know about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did I miss, but you didn't mention the most important fact - what is your EMUI version.
Supposing you are on 9.1 or 9.0 since you are asing about Android Q....
For rooting you must also flash (e.g. Recovery-Ramdisk patched by Magisk to get root, on EMUI 9), so it again comes down to the same problem about obtaining the Bootloader code (locked Bootloader prevents Fastboot from flashing) - to get a picture why is it complicated to obtain the BL code, please read like:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/mate-9-reached-dead-t3978105/post80497731
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/hi-to-downgrade-firmware-versions-gpu-t3917826
However, you can still do useful modding without TWRP, root, custom ROMs - that is, without the need to unlock Bootloader, see:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/modding-removing-bloatware-blocking-ads-t3971297

zgfg said:
Did I miss, but you didn't mention the most important fact - what is your EMUI version.
Supposing you are on 9.1 or 9.0 since you are asing about Android Q....
For rooting you must also flash (e.g. Recovery-Ramdisk patched by Magisk to get root, on EMUI 9), so it again comes down to the same problem about obtaining the Bootloader code (locked Bootloader prevents Fastboot from flashing) - to get a picture why is it complicated to obtain the BL code, please read like:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/mate-9-reached-dead-t3978105/post80497731
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/hi-to-downgrade-firmware-versions-gpu-t3917826
However, you can still do useful modding without TWRP, root, custom ROMs - that is, without the need to unlock Bootloader, see:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mate-9/help/modding-removing-bloatware-blocking-ads-t3971297
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Will look them up. Thank you so much! These are invaluable resources.

[S8+] Purchased a stock AT&T S8+ in a lot. It has latest bootloader and bad IMEI....

[S8+] Purchased a stock AT&T S8+ in a lot. It has latest bootloader and bad IMEI....
First off, I'm an engineering scientist with years of development experience developing both hardware and software for all sorts of phones and companies. So I feel I'm pretty familiar with Android and every conceivable (and off-the-wall) way to get this phone unlocked, rooted, and/or just flat out usable. And I have failed which is why I am finally giving this to the multiverse in hopes there is someone with some solution I have yet to attempt.
I have been searching and trying every possible option for a week and counting. I'm also aware of how close to impossible it is to work with locked Snapdragon CPUs. But not entirely impossible. There has to be a way of reviving this phone!
So I recently purchased a lot full of untested and "for parts" electronics. In there was an AT&T S8+ with a cracked screen. It was also stuck in a boot loop, so I can safely hazard a guess that someone tried to update the ROM, bricked it, and didn't realize they could reflash stock firmware and fix it. Well, upon further examination, I discovered they had attempted flashing a V7 bootloader. Yes, version 7. So that basically robbed me of any options I may have had, as well as all the bugs I could have used to root the device. All I could do was install Pie with a V7 bootloader. Voila! The phone boots up. But it gets better....
Now that the phone was working, I did some examining, one part of which was the IMEI as I wanted to unlock it if possible. I check the IMEI, and it is frakking blacklisted! So that blew ever being able to use this phone on a network. I even sat on hold for 46 minutes to speak with someone at AT&T to see if they could remove it off the blacklist. They promptly said "sure!", then transferred me to someone else to fix it and the guy said "no".. So it's stuck locked to AT&T, which sucks because I checked with several other networks who all said the phone could be used on their networks. But that's not an option if it is carrier locked and impossible to unlock. :silly:
Furthermore, OEM Unlock is 110% unavailable, and no bugs work or exist to force it to appear on Android 9 Pie like you can with 8 Oreo and 7 Nougat; and I tried for days. So the bootloader is permanently locked. If it wasn't, I could root the phone, fix the IMEI, unlock it, and get the phone functional again. Alas, I cannot, at least any time soon, if ever.
I've tried every possible thing out there to root this, unlock the bootloader, and/or try to roll back Pie to Oreo, Nougat, or some stock ROM with bugs that are still active. At the very least just to change the IMEI and get the phone working again. But there is no version of Oreo/Nougat that can be installed with a V7 bootloader.
Also, there is absolutely no Engineering Mode (NOT Developer Mode) available under this stock Android 9 Pie, either by code or by app/settings. Does anybody know of an exact Android 9 Pie stock ROM with an accessible no-root Engineering Mode?
And I've tried every way out there to force OEM Unlock to appear, but the bugs that work in Oreo and Nougat have all been patched and none of them work on Android 9 Pie. So I'm stuck with this ROM and bootloader
So I'm here today with these issues in hopes someone may have solutions for:
A way to force OEM Unlock to appear under Android 9 Pie (as no Oreo/Nougat hacks work under Pie)
A way to bypass KG state under stock Android 9 Pie (as no Oreo/Nougat hacks work under Pie)
A way to install Android 8 Oreo or Android 7 Nougat with a V7 bootloader
A stock ROM with Engineering Mode available
A way to change the IMEI without root
A way to modify the V7 stock ROM so it installs a Nougat/Oreo ROM instead of Pie
Another option to keep this phone from just being a fancy, pretty paperweight
Any solution we or I may discover, I will clean it up and make a guide to help others with these same issues as there is not much info yet V7 on bootloaders. So this is a group activity that could help many, many people; help me help us all!
Thank you all in advance for anything you can offer to help!
-DL
EDIT 1: I forgot to mention that the KG State is stuck on "Checking...." so I couldn't get "OEM Unlock" even by waiting

I used this video to figure out how to get the OEM Unlock option.
(input this after youtube url) watch?v=zhNhyT4F3e8&t=133s
Hopefully this helps.

domiluci said:
First off, I'm an engineering scientist with years of development experience developing both hardware and software for all sorts of phones and companies. So I feel I'm pretty familiar with Android and every conceivable (and off-the-wall) way to get this phone unlocked, rooted, and/or just flat out usable. And I have failed which is why I am finally giving this to the multiverse in hopes there is someone with some solution I have yet to attempt.
I have been searching and trying every possible option for a week and counting. I'm also aware of how close to impossible it is to work with locked Snapdragon CPUs. But not entirely impossible. There has to be a way of reviving this phone!
So I recently purchased a lot full of untested and "for parts" electronics. In there was an AT&T S8+ with a cracked screen. It was also stuck in a boot loop, so I can safely hazard a guess that someone tried to update the ROM, bricked it, and didn't realize they could reflash stock firmware and fix it. Well, upon further examination, I discovered they had attempted flashing a V7 bootloader. Yes, version 7. So that basically robbed me of any options I may have had, as well as all the bugs I could have used to root the device. All I could do was install Pie with a V7 bootloader. Voila! The phone boots up. But it gets better....
Now that the phone was working, I did some examining, one part of which was the IMEI as I wanted to unlock it if possible. I check the IMEI, and it is frakking blacklisted! So that blew ever being able to use this phone on a network. I even sat on hold for 46 minutes to speak with someone at AT&T to see if they could remove it off the blacklist. They promptly said "sure!", then transferred me to someone else to fix it and the guy said "no".. So it's stuck locked to AT&T, which sucks because I checked with several other networks who all said the phone could be used on their networks. But that's not an option if it is carrier locked and impossible to unlock. :silly:
Furthermore, OEM Unlock is 110% unavailable, and no bugs work or exist to force it to appear on Android 9 Pie like you can with 8 Oreo and 7 Nougat; and I tried for days. So the bootloader is permanently locked. If it wasn't, I could root the phone, fix the IMEI, unlock it, and get the phone functional again. Alas, I cannot, at least any time soon, if ever.
I've tried every possible thing out there to root this, unlock the bootloader, and/or try to roll back Pie to Oreo, Nougat, or some stock ROM with bugs that are still active. At the very least just to change the IMEI and get the phone working again. But there is no version of Oreo/Nougat that can be installed with a V7 bootloader.
Also, there is absolutely no Engineering Mode (NOT Developer Mode) available under this stock Android 9 Pie, either by code or by app/settings. Does anybody know of an exact Android 9 Pie stock ROM with an accessible no-root Engineering Mode?
And I've tried every way out there to force OEM Unlock to appear, but the bugs that work in Oreo and Nougat have all been patched and none of them work on Android 9 Pie. So I'm stuck with this ROM and bootloader
So I'm here today with these issues in hopes someone may have solutions for:
A way to force OEM Unlock to appear under Android 9 Pie (as no Oreo/Nougat hacks work under Pie)
A way to bypass KG state under stock Android 9 Pie (as no Oreo/Nougat hacks work under Pie)
A way to install Android 8 Oreo or Android 7 Nougat with a V7 bootloader
A stock ROM with Engineering Mode available
A way to change the IMEI without root
A way to modify the V7 stock ROM so it installs a Nougat/Oreo ROM instead of Pie
Another option to keep this phone from just being a fancy, pretty paperweight
Any solution we or I may discover, I will clean it up and make a guide to help others with these same issues as there is not much info yet V7 on bootloaders. So this is a group activity that could help many, many people; help me help us all!
Thank you all in advance for anything you can offer to help!
-DL
EDIT 1: I forgot to mention that the KG State is stuck on "Checking...." so I couldn't get "OEM Unlock" even by waiting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no OEM unlock on us snap dragon devices. Locked boot loader. Closest you will get is the combination firmware. But the OEM unlock in that does not work trust me on this. The imei is cert coded to the hardware. And can't be discussed on xda how to change. It's possible. But not by just anyone. The combination files are nougat. But their not going to help you out in this situation

Risks of having an unlocked bootloader

Hello guys, This is my first thread on XDA forum.
I just bought Xiaomi device (Poco X3 Pro Global) a few days ago.
So this is my first time to try custom rom, I searched what I'm trying to do, I'd like to make sure whether what I understand is correct or not since I'm totally new on custom rom.
the sources I mainly referred to:
source1
source2
Basic assumption:
1. Only flash custom rom without rooting
2. All unlocking bootloader and flashing custom rom process done perfectly, and all resouces (recovery, rom, ADB tool etc...) used during process are 100% clean and genuine.
3. No cold boot attack (source2) happens on me.
Q1. source1 is really helpful, but it's from 2012, is this still valid today?
Q2. source1 is posted on Galaxy Nexus forum, but is this applied to all android based devices, right?
Q3. This threat model assumes attacker has physical access to device, then I guess unlocking bootloader itself is 100% totally irrelevant to software level security risks like malware or OS vulnerability, is this right? (assuming no rooting and 100% genuine rom and resources)
Q4. From source1 you can choose between [device encryption] and [relocking bootloader] to protect security, which methods do you recommend using?
I feel I'm much more inclined to try device encryption method since I don't know if it's possible to relock bootloader safely after migrating from Global stock rom to xiaomi.eu rom. (Can anyone confirm this?) I fear it become bricked during relocking process.
Q5. So if I set device encryption with strong password and turn off USB debugging mode, I need not too worrysome?
Are there any other points in terms of security to bear in mind if you use device with unlocked bootloader?
Thank you for reading my thread

[INFO] Understanding the risks of having an unlocked bootloader
While unlocking the bootloader on a Galaxy Nexus unleashes the full potential of the bootloader, it also poses a security risk. Even with your lockscreen protected with a pattern/PIN/password, not having flashed a custom recovery, having an...
forum.xda-developers.com

jwoegerbauer said:
[INFO] Understanding the risks of having an unlocked bootloader
While unlocking the bootloader on a Galaxy Nexus unleashes the full potential of the bootloader, it also poses a security risk. Even with your lockscreen protected with a pattern/PIN/password, not having flashed a custom recovery, having an...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what I linked in thread (source1)

Only a side-remark:
An Android Smartphone bootloader is processor-specific and every OEM has its own version of bootloader specific for the hardware present in its environment.
It's the primary task of every bootloader to verify the Android OS to be loaded is genuine means signed by OEM to ensure the Android OS ( it's by nature a Custom ROM ) works flawlessly as it can be expected by user. People who use a phone as a tool and not as a toy probably never come up with the idea to unlock the bootloader because they know about the strengths and weaknesses of the phone when they bought it, they can expect that OEM did their best with regards to a phone's performance - OEMs are certainly not dumber than generally claimed by the modder / hacker scene.
My POV: Unlocking a phone's bootloader is an unnecessary action at all. If people do so they indirectly admit that they have purchased a phone that does not meet their expectations - they have made a wrong purchase.

Thanks for comment.
I understand your POV.
I realized later Global rom can't do call recording, that's the main reason why I try to flash xiaomi.eu rom and other optimazations are second reason.
And this phone will be my main phone so I wanted to make sure about security risk before I will change rom.

cromcromc said:
Thanks for comment.
I understand your POV.
I realized later Global rom can't do call recording, that's the main reason why I try to flash xiaomi.eu rom and other optimazations are second reason.
And this phone will be my main phone so I wanted to make sure about security risk before I will change rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having an unlocked bootloader doesn't need to be a risk whatsover as long as you're not flashing untrusted ROMS and other components to the device and critically control anything being flashed to the device. If you're flashing a signed ROM from the manufacturer as it sounds like is your plan, there is nothing to worry about. You can even lock the BL again after flashing & optimizing if you absolutely wish to although usually not recommended.

Huawei P30 GSI / Project Treble possible?

Hi,
After almost 2 years of owning this awesome device, not even once i stumbled upon any rom or root solution for it. Now after all that time being desperate for any development on this device, I come here for an opinion, answer or any idea how to get anything written above on this device.
So, I read some things about GSI roms being able to work on any device without porting and all that. I immediately downloaded the app called Treble Check and it said P30 is supported. So it got me thinking, in THEORY if somehow i got mine P30s bootloader unlocked, or if someone unlocked it before Huawei stopped unlocking bootloader, IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET GSI ROM WORKING, AND HOW?
If it is, is there any, even shady source to get the bootloader unlocked?
Bonus question if all this isn't possible: How to get EMUI 12 Beta Project in Serbia thru Beta app? Carrier locked model. ELE-L29.
Thanks.

I actually tried it, but stopped using it due to problems such as FOD coordinates and Volte.
Also, if you install GSI, your PC will not be able to recognize your device.
The boot loader was unlocked using DC Phoenix and hcu-client.

BL unlocking/custom ROM Question: What is permanently lost if I do that?

Hi,
Just grabbed an Xperia 5 II on a great deal and I'm loving this device. It's an A002SO. I have noticed in other threads that there is some loss with original functionality of the phone (maybe Dolby or some other features are broken even if phone is restored to stock). Is it true? And if so what features are broken.
I noticed that Xperia camera software are available for other roms too which is great but what about device fingerprint and BL unlock sensing protection for banking apps? (I am not interested in rooting the phone after flashing lineage/AOSP roms but more concerned about the broken safety net in-case I go custom ROM route)
Also, is there a risk of losing IMEI with all this process? Not talking about crossflashing here but would love an AIO guide about BL unlock > recovery > ROM and the Back to stock locked bootloader guides if there are any.
Thank you!

dark_prince said:
Hi,
Just grabbed an Xperia 5 II on a great deal and I'm loving this device. It's an A002SO. I have noticed in other threads that there is some loss with original functionality of the phone (maybe Dolby or some other features are broken even if phone is restored to stock). Is it true? And if so what features are broken.
I noticed that Xperia camera software are available for other roms too which is great but what about device fingerprint and BL unlock sensing protection for banking apps? (I am not interested in rooting the phone after flashing lineage/AOSP roms but more concerned about the broken safety net in-case I go custom ROM route)
Also, is there a risk of losing IMEI with all this process? Not talking about crossflashing here but would love an AIO guide about BL unlock > recovery > ROM and the Back to stock locked bootloader guides if there are any.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a different model, but I recently went from stock to Lineage OS, then back to stock. I haven't had any issues. Dolby works, my data/LTE works, and I can still use my banking app just fine. Fingerprint detection was a bit more finnicky with Lineage OS, though.
I should also note, I'm currently rooted with my bootloader unlocked, and still no issues.

SomeRandomGuy212 said:
I have a different model, but I recently went from stock to Lineage OS, then back to stock. I haven't had any issues. Dolby works, my data/LTE works, and I can still use my banking app just fine. Fingerprint detection was a bit more finnicky with Lineage OS, though.
I should also note, I'm currently rooted with my bootloader unlocked, and still no issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave up in the end because my device is Japan Softbank with bootloader unlocking not allowed. Crossflashing instructions have alot of "you can", "I think" but no definite root-to-fruit guide so I may convert it to global model and BL unlock without losing imei / 4G. Thank you for taking time to write the clarification.

dark_prince said:
I gave up in the end because my device is Japan Softbank with bootloader unlocking not allowed. Crossflashing instructions have alot of "you can", "I think" but no definite root-to-fruit guide so I may convert it to global model and BL unlock without losing imei / 4G. Thank you for taking time to write the clarification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't actually know if that would work... I don't mean to give you another indefinite answer, but I tried that once on a Japanese Xperia 10 II. I know it's a different device, but it may still apply in your situation. I would still try it, though. Worse case scenario, you have to use Sony's repair tool to get back to stock.
(Also, if you're interested in a non Japanese model, I am currently selling my 5 II.)

SomeRandomGuy212 said:
I don't actually know if that would work... I don't mean to give you another indefinite answer, but I tried that once on a Japanese Xperia 10 II. I know it's a different device, but it may still apply in your situation. I would still try it, though. Worse case scenario, you have to use Sony's repair tool to get back to stock.
(Also, if you're interested in a non Japanese model, I am currently selling my 5 II.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am from Pakistan so it's gonna cost me double the actual price to pay customs taxes and get it cleared for use in-country. Our country has a rule about only the devices which are approved after paying hefty taxes, are permitted on Pakistan's cellular operators.

This was discussed before, in short you seem to lose out certain manufacturer keys and your phone remembers you have unlocked its bootloader before. As for functionality, iirc they seem to come back after relocking.
More info: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/closed-delete.4177209/post-87242833