Related
Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone has done this, or knows if it's possible to (after unlocking bootloader) flash the Google stock Pixel system image instead of the Verizon one? I'm assuming the hardware and firmware are identical, but am not sure and am not skilled enough (or at all) in code to know if its possible. I bought my phone through Verizon, only because nowhere else had stock. I use it on T-Mobile, but fear there may be some behind the scenes Verizon stuff going on that may hinder my phone on T-Mobile. I haven't experienced any issues yet, but with the Nov security update mentioning a specific fix for wifi calling in New Mexico only on the Verizon pixels, it makes me weary that there is more happening beneath the surface than I am aware of. Thanks for any and all help! Appreciate it.
newbienic said:
Hey guys, I'm wondering if anyone has done this, or knows if it's possible to (after unlocking bootloader) flash the Google stock Pixel system image instead of the Verizon one? I'm assuming the hardware and firmware are identical, but am not sure and am not skilled enough (or at all) in code to know if its possible. I bought my phone through Verizon, only because nowhere else had stock. I use it on T-Mobile, but fear there may be some behind the scenes Verizon stuff going on that may hinder my phone on T-Mobile. I haven't experienced any issues yet, but with the Nov security update mentioning a specific fix for wifi calling in New Mexico only on the Verizon pixels, it makes me weary that there is more happening beneath the surface than I am aware of. Thanks for any and all help! Appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did yesterday, bought mine from Best Buy and I unlock the BL. Sideload the OTA yesterday and I used NDE63V that comes with new radio. oh I'm also on Tmobile
jay661972 said:
I did yesterday, bought mine from Best Buy and I unlock the BL. Sideload the OTA yesterday and I used NDE63V that comes with new radio. oh I'm also on Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Thanks for the info... Really glad to know I can convert if need be. Thanks again!
jay661972 said:
I did yesterday, bought mine from Best Buy and I unlock the BL. Sideload the OTA yesterday and I used NDE63V that comes with new radio. oh I'm also on Tmobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting side note on this...
I went ahead and unlocked my bootloader and flashed Google's stock Pixel image. All went well, no problems... Until I tried to use Android Pay. It's telling me my software can't be verified. And I out of curiosity checked, and the "allow OEM unlocking" in developer options is still greyed out, and not selectable, even though my BL is unlocked. Hoping this doesn't mean that we can't take an OTA. Weird, I guess we'll have to wait and see when next month's security update comes out...
newbienic said:
Interesting side note on this...
I went ahead and unlocked my bootloader and flashed Google's stock Pixel image. All went well, no problems... Until I tried to use Android Pay. It's telling me my software can't be verified. And I out of curiosity checked, and the "allow OEM unlocking" in developer options is still greyed out, and not selectable, even though my BL is unlocked. Hoping this doesn't mean that we can't take an OTA. Weird, I guess we'll have to wait and see when next month's security update comes out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just having an unlocked bootloader trips SafetyNet now and you can't use Android Pay without a custom kernel.
ITGuy11 said:
Just having an unlocked bootloader trips SafetyNet now and you can't use Android Pay without a custom kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the OEM unlock option appears to be dependent on device ID (imeid? Ccid?), And not the software. So don't relock it, and you're fine
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
danaff37 said:
And the OEM unlock option appears to be dependent on device ID (imeid? Ccid?), And not the software. So don't relock it, and you're fine
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One thing I just realized, is in Developer Options, its greyed out like I mentioned, but also says "Bootloader is already unlocked". Which I actually remember seeing on my Nexus 5x when the bootloader was unlocked. It's got me really curious about re locking the bootloader. Mainly cause I actually use Android Pay. Had no idea bootloader unlocks are actually tripping safety net now. Major bummer. If anyone has gone through this process with a Verizon pixel and has actually relocked their bootloader with no issues I'd certainly appreciate any info you have. Otherwise, I may have to dive in blind and hope for the best.
If you want to use Android pay, flash a custom kernel but don't root. Works for me.
Don't relock if you ever want to have it rooted, custom, etc. The unlock method isn't going to survive another security update.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
danaff37 said:
If you want to use Android pay, flash a custom kernel but don't root. Works for me.
Don't relock if you ever want to have it rooted, custom, etc. The unlock method isn't going to survive another security update.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hypathetically, if I didn't want root or anything custom at all, do you think that relocking the bootloader could cause an issue while using the Stock Google image on a Verizon Pixel? I wish I had more knowledge on this, but I'm pretty in the dark on this stuff as of late... Thanks for your help!
Should be fine if all stock I think, just know that you may not be able to unlock later.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
newbienic said:
One thing I just realized, is in Developer Options, its greyed out like I mentioned, but also says "Bootloader is already unlocked". Which I actually remember seeing on my Nexus 5x when the bootloader was unlocked. It's got me really curious about re locking the bootloader. Mainly cause I actually use Android Pay. Had no idea bootloader unlocks are actually tripping safety net now. Major bummer. If anyone has gone through this process with a Verizon pixel and has actually relocked their bootloader with no issues I'd certainly appreciate any info you have. Otherwise, I may have to dive in blind and hope for the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contrary to what people are saying. You CAN relock your bootloader and then unlock it again later. However, keep in mind that at some point there will likely be an update that blocks the use of dePixel8 and you will no longer be able to unlock the bootloader unless someone writes another exploit.
I would like to find a way to permanently unlock VZW Pixels but until I get one from the Google Store to compare with my Verizon one I don't think I will make much progress.
Relocking your bootloader is as simple as running the "fastboot oem lock" command from the terminal window.
Lastly. If you want to relock the bootloader, make sure your phone is 100% stock image or you risk bricking the phone
If I were to buy the Verizon pixel and flash the unlocked (non European) image. How do you think updates would work? Would I get seamless updates from Google or would I need to flash every Ota manually. Might be too early to tell
b316kane said:
If I were to buy the Verizon pixel and flash the unlocked (non European) image. How do you think updates would work? Would I get seamless updates from Google or would I need to flash every Ota manually. Might be too early to tell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I did, and I am curious as well... We'll see next month I guess, but I'm guessing it will take the OTA just fine. My wife has a Pixel from the Google store, and mine is from Verizon. I've compared everything (including booloaders) since flashing the Google store Pixel image, and every informational detail is identical. Not sure if there is some other place hidden to me that might indicate a difference, but I'm thinking that Verizon's Pixel is only different in its official software image... And, that may be it. Please don't take my word for it, I'm no developer, and know very little about any of this, but in my comparisons, they are identical now since flashing Googles official (Non Verizon, Non European) image.
Sidenote, I have yet to try this, but I'm thinking that since I am on Googles image, that if I re-lock my bootloader, that I WILL be able to unlock again after locking. I think Verizon used Googles "Allow OEM Unlocking" software toggle in developer options as the only method to actually keep people from unlocking the bootloader (again speculative), and now that I'm on Googles image, that software "block" should no longer be present, so I should in theory, be free to lock/unlock the same as Pixels purchased from the Google store... Again, I've got no proof, or actual skill to back this up, but it's a theory I have, and if I end up locking my BL again, I'll post what I find...
newbienic said:
I have yet to try this, but I'm thinking that since I am on Googles image, that if I re-lock my bootloader, that I WILL be able to unlock again after locking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Verizon unlocking threads the people that tried relocking reported that they were unable to unlock again without depixel8, which is the same as how the Verizon phone typically works. Some people seem to have gotten into situations that could have been corrected with an unlocked bootloader, but because they had a locked bootloader that couldn't be unlocked using depixel8 they had no easy solution to get their phone working again at this time.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/psa-read-relocking-bootloader-t3494615
alluringreality said:
In the Verizon unlocking threads the people that tried relocking reported that they were unable to unlock again without depixel8, which is the same as how the Verizon phone typically works. Some people seem to have gotten into situations that could have been corrected with an unlocked bootloader, but because they had a locked bootloader that couldn't be unlocked using depixel8 they had no easy solution to get their phone working again at this time.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/psa-read-relocking-bootloader-t3494615
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up!!! Like I said, I really know nothing, just speculating. Appreciate you looking out.
newbienic said:
Thanks for the heads up!!! Like I said, I really know nothing, just speculating. Appreciate you looking out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forget where, but I saw written or implied that the "checking for updates" screen about third of way through initial setup of first boot uses WiFi AND sim carrier data to install Verizon custom restrictions and settings that among other effects make depixel8 required.
Even on "non Verizon phones" (which you are saying use the same build images byte to byte?)... You have to either use a SIM card or wifi and google account to allow the developer options to enable OEM unlock.
My theory: In other words, if you don't allow via SIM and a network wifi or data connect, for Verizon to mark your phone, or another carrier, then the phone can not be unlocked. So carrier models may indeed be differentiated from current factory images AFTER boot and setup.
There is a post in Q&A of someone trying to unlock bootloader without loading into the device, not having luck. This is why oem unlock toggle is so important and why people are bricking from locked bootloaders that won't unlock (so no wipe and factory images cannot be flashed.)
Another thing to consider: SIM network lock will not be flashed over.
Sent from my sailfish using XDA Labs
So I sold my s8+ g955fd seexynos to this guy for a really good price.
My s8+ was rooted with magisk and bootloader was unlocked.
But this guys wants it unrooted and wants the bootloader to be locked so that he can have the ota updates working. And if I fail to do so (which I am at the moment), I would have to return the money (which I dont want to).
I tried flashing stock rom (latest from Sammobile) from the scratch with Odin but still when I check with Intercept X app, it says bootloader unlocked. and I checked in developer options too, the oem unlock is greyed out and set to off and says "bootloader is already unlocked".
Could someone please guide me with working steps please? I am good with flashing and stuff.
I tried searching the s8+ forum but couldn't find anything helpful.
Need urgent help. :foldedhands:
Edit 1: now the OEM unlock is gone from developers options after flashing magisk again :scared:
Edit 2: After uninstalling magisk from magisk manager app
, phone went to bootloop. So I flashed stock rom "bl,ap,cp,csc" with odin again and the greyed out oem unlock is back with status "bootloader is already unlocked"
Any hint guys?
Just a hint would be enough!
Its a one way process from what I understand.
Anybody will want it locked because without it locked you cant use Knox or any of the payment apps that depend on Knox.
I could be wrong but this is what I feel.
RonChinoy said:
Its a one way process from what I understand.
Anybody will want it locked because without it locked you cant use Knox or any of the payment apps that depend on Knox.
I could be wrong but this is what I feel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already figured it out. I am sure that guy doesn't care about knox, but does care about ota updates
So you got the Edge S and want GApps? Basically you unlock your bootloader, root with Magisk, then install MagiskGApps.
DISCLAIMER: UNLOCKING YOUR BOOTLOADER MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY, AND DOING ALL THESE THINGS IN THIS GUIDE MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE/BRICKING YOUR PHONE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO TO YOUR PHONE. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
1. Unlock the bootloader: that should be doable with their global bootloader unlock website here.
2. Download Lenovo Motoroa Smart Assistant (Rescue and Smart Assistant), and follow its instructions to "rescue" your device. It will lead you to boot into bootloader mode and download the firmware. Find the firmware file via the LMSA's downloads (should have a "show folder" button). You'll need the boot.img file for Magisk.
3. Download Magisk, then follow its instructions. You'll have to copy the boot.img to your device, then use Magisk to patch the boot file, then copy the modified one to your PC.
4. You'll need fastboot. If you don't have it already, you can download the Android SDK platform tools here. Then go into the folder, Shift+Right Click the folder, then "Open Command Prompt" or "Open PowerShell," you should have something close to one of those two. Copy your Magisk modified .img file to that folder, then you'll want to input:
fastboot flash boot [modified .img file]
Once that completes, you should see in large text, "Start" on your phone next to the power button. Press the power button, and it should boot, and you should have root now.
5. Download MagiskGApps to your phone, open Magisk on your phone, click the button that looks like a puzzle piece at the bottom of the screen, "Modules." Click "Install from storage," locate the MagiskGApps file, and install it. After that it will ask you to restart your phone, do that, then you'll just have to be patient as it takes time once its restarted to load everything. You also may need to update some or all of the apps, then you should be able to use the notification to finish setting up the phone with Google Setup.
Thanks to Motorola for making it easy to unlock their bootloaders
Thanks to the whole Magisk team for making an easy, awesome root (and more!)
Thanks to Wacko1805 (and team?) for making MagiskGApps. This is really awesome.
unlock the BL and get root is will make some apps fingerprint and face ID fail?
kimker said:
unlock the BL and get root is will make some apps fingerprint and face ID fail?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk has a "Magisk Hide" which will allow it to pass SafetyNet, and most things which check on device security will think the device is secure. But unlocking BL and rooting does make the device less secure, and therefore incurs its own risks apart from bricking or damaging the device.
HopelesRomantc91 said:
Magisk has a "Magisk Hide" which will allow it to pass SafetyNet, and most things which check on device security will think the device is secure. But unlocking BL and rooting does make the device less secure, and therefore incurs its own risks apart from bricking or damaging the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i knew the unlock and root will take risk.. but not sure is Payment business apps using fingerprint will work normal.
kimker said:
yes, i knew the unlock and root will take risk.. but not sure is Payment business apps using fingerprint will work normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Pay works. But according to the Motorola website you should be able to relock the bootloader if yours doesn't work. But there's never any guarantee. If you need your device secure, recommend don't unlock bl or root, or wait to see if there's a root option without bootloader unlock that can be easily undone.
HopelesRomantc91 said:
Google Pay works. But according to the Motorola website you should be able to relock the bootloader if yours doesn't work. But there's never any guarantee. If you need your device secure, recommend don't unlock bl or root, or wait to see if there's a root option without bootloader unlock that can be easily undone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that someone’s edge s had unlocked the BL and Flash G100 firmware and everything worked normally, and then tried to lock the BL again, but it was unsuccessful and the system could not start. The flashing tool does not recognize the machine.
kimker said:
I saw that someone’s edge s had unlocked the BL and Flash G100 firmware and everything worked normally, and then tried to lock the BL again, but it was unsuccessful and the system could not start. The flashing tool does not recognize the machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not good. Hopefully they can restore it back somehow. With this guide to unlock and flash gapps why would you need to flash G100 though? This seems to be itright now without one of rom developer's releases to get root & apps. For me this is all i would look for. Titanium backup on it and restore.. done until PE rom comes out.
kimker said:
I saw that someone’s edge s had unlocked the BL and Flash G100 firmware and everything worked normally, and then tried to lock the BL again, but it was unsuccessful and the system could not start. The flashing tool does not recognize the machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think yes, if you flash different firmware, locking the BL would likely cause problems. It's very difficult to do anything w/o unlocked bootloader, except sometimes rooting is doable. That's pretty much the behavior I expect. If they come to this subforum, we might be able to help.
HopelesRomantc91 said:
I would think yes, if you flash different firmware, locking the BL would likely cause problems. It's very difficult to do anything w/o unlocked bootloader, except sometimes rooting is doable. That's pretty much the behavior I expect. If they come to this subforum, we might be able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you. They did not ask for help. It seems that the lock BL is a self-verification switch, and then performs a verification system integrity.
HopelesRomantc91 said:
I would think yes, if you flash different firmware, locking the BL would likely cause problems. It's very difficult to do anything w/o unlocked bootloader, except sometimes rooting is doable. That's pretty much the behavior I expect. If they come to this subforum, we might be able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm curious,If you unlock and flash other firmware and then flash back to the original firmware, can it be locked again?
Mine doesn't let me unlock its BL. I've got unlock code from moto and did a factory reset with SIM card in slot 1. After enabling developer mode and debugging the switch still is greyed out. So no chance to unlock it.
Has anyone got an idea what to try now?
Moto support answered yesterday to my request but also no solution since I told them that it doesn't work
Device is not branded. I got it from Amazon so no provider branding.
If this won't be able to be unlocked and rooted I'll have to return it and switch to a Google Pixel.
kischde said:
Mine doesn't let me unlock its BL. I've got unlock code from moto and did a factory reset with SIM card in slot 1. After enabling developer mode and debugging the switch still is greyed out. So no chance to unlock it.
Has anyone got an idea what to try now?
Moto support answered yesterday to my request but also no solution since I told them that it doesn't work
Device is not branded. I got it from Amazon so no provider branding.
If this won't be able to be unlocked and rooted I'll have to return it and switch to a Google Pixel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue, you need to factory reset WITH your sim card in the phone, this will let you open the OEM unlock slide thing in the dev mode.
Then once its done you can fastboot and unlock the bootloader.
I did so, maybe I explained not so well. SIM was inserted and then I did factory reset by starting it from settings. After restart it's still the same - switch / unlock slider greyed out.
kischde said:
I did so, maybe I explained not so well. SIM was inserted and then I did factory reset by starting it from settings. After restart it's still the same - switch / unlock slider greyed out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my OG Pixel XL, I had to wait 7 days for the slider to become normal. By the time I got around to do it on the Edge S it was about the same time.... could be related
Now as you said that I remember that thingy with another device. Maybe a Xiaomi I think... With that I had to wait several days until the unlock code was delivered.
But there was a message, too, when trying to get it sooner, which said you needed to wait some more time.
Not sure if it's the the same for Moto devices? Then again, when thinking that you experienced the same with a Pixel, too...
Did anyone else make such an experience with his/her g100?
kischde said:
Now as you said that I remember that thingy with another device. Maybe a Xiaomi I think... With that I had to wait several days until the unlock code was delivered.
But there was a message, too, when trying to get it sooner, which said you needed to wait some more time.
Not sure if it's the the same for Moto devices? Then again, when thinking that you experienced the same with a Pixel, too...
Did anyone else make such an experience with his/her g100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure your on the latest OTA, Lenovo made a mistake on previous versions with the OEM Unlocking function not being enabled. They fixed it in latest ota.
RSA tool said the file I uploaded yesterday is the latest one available (and it's exactly the same as the installed version).
The device was released just a few days ago in Europe. Perhaps they fixed the unlock switch in other regions and still need to fix it in Europe..
Will wait until weekend if they come up with a solution. If not I'm afraid I have to return the device as I need it personally AND professionally, too - I'm field agent, so.... :/
HopelesRomantc91 said:
I would think yes, if you flash different firmware, locking the BL would likely cause problems. It's very difficult to do anything w/o unlocked bootloader, except sometimes rooting is doable. That's pretty much the behavior I expect. If they come to this subforum, we might be able to help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The poor guy whose phone turned bricks went to the after-sales department of moto, and the answer was that he needed to replace the phone motherboard. .
kimker said:
The poor guy whose phone turned bricks went to the after-sales department of moto, and the answer was that he needed to replace the phone motherboard. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch...
kimker said:
I'm curious,If you unlock and flash other firmware and then flash back to the original firmware, can it be locked again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume so, but I don't really know why anyone would want to relock.
Hi, i am looking more styles for EdgeLighting. before, we could use EdgeLighting+ but now its not working on android 12.
there is an app called muviz edge that contains excellent styles but app does not work properly. so i am looking for a better app for replacing edgelighting+ with beautiful styles.
can we install S21 or something else edge lighting app on our A51?
do you have any recommended app?
Funny thing is, your phone already has all the edge lighting effects built in, the only problem is that there is a specific file called floating_feature that's missing one text line that would make all those extra edge lighting effects appear
So to answer your question, to get more styles for edge lighting you need to root your phone and edit the following file:
system/etc/floating_feature.xml
And add the following line inside the features:
<SEC_FLOATING_FEATURE_SYSTEMUI_CONFIG_EDGELIGHTING_FRAME_EFFECT>frame_effect</SEC_FLOATING_FEATURE_SYSTEMUI_CONFIG_EDGELIGHTING_FRAME_EFFECT>
Save, reboot and your phone should now have all the effects available that Samsung enables on their flagship phones.
And before you ask, no, there is no way to do this without root.
Tnx, but with root, secure folder will be disabled. and i cant root my phone.
in android 10 We could install edgelighting+ that installs additional styles. (without root).
so Did EdgeLighting+ somehow edit this file?
mahdi72 said:
Tnx, but with root, secure folder will be disabled. and i cant root my phone.
in android 10 We could install edgelighting+ that installs additional styles. (without root).
so Did EdgeLighting+ somehow edit this file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no clue. But as you said, edge lighting+ no longer works so on newer Android versions, rooting is your only choice.
ShaDisNX255 said:
I have no clue. But as you said, edge lighting+ no longer works so on newer Android versions, rooting is your only choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i Edit Stock Rom in Linux (add Floating_Feature, remove apps, add new apps) and flash it in my A51 phone?
Do I need root to install this modified rom?
mahdi72 said:
Can i Edit Stock Rom in Linux (add Floating_Feature, remove apps, add new apps) and flash it in my A51 phone?
Do I need root to install this modified rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need to root, yes. Since you will edit it, it will lose Samsung's trusted signature and will therefore count as a custom ROM
ShaDisNX255 said:
You will need to root, yes. Since you will edit it, it will lose Samsung's trusted signature and will therefore count as a custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I have researched, it does not seem to require root, but we have to open the bootloader or OEM Option in Developer Mode.
People are also talking about a tool called Odin Patched, which can bypass some verifications.
Is it possible to flash only the edited CSC file with this tool? Sorry to take up your time
mahdi72 said:
As far as I have researched, it does not seem to require root, but we have to open the bootloader or OEM Option in Developer Mode.
People are also talking about a tool called Odin Patched, which can bypass some verifications.
Is it possible to flash only the edited CSC file with this tool? Sorry to take up your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey no worries, XDA is meant for a place to learn and I'm happy to try and help/educate in any way I can.
Opening the bootloader is step 1 in getting root access. You may think that root is the equivalent of installing Magisk and that's what root is but it's a lot more than that. By installing something custom you've in some way obtained root access by editing your stock ROM.
But anyway, going back to your original question/answer, the patched Odin can only bypass some verifications on Odin's side but it can't bypass the verification that the phone does itself. The patched Odin is mainly for installing U firmware on U1 variants and vice-versa, something that you can't do on the original Odin. It can't really bypass checking the validity of Samsung's signature on stock firmware. Even if it could bypass that check, the phone also checks the firmware it's being installed so it will detect it as a custom fw file
So, long story short, if you edit stock FW with any tool it will break Samsung's trusted signature and both phone and Odin will pick it up as a custom firmware (i.e. custom ROM) and you will only be able to install it by unlocking the bootloader. Flashing anything custom will break/trip Knox and it will be broken forever
Let me know if you have any more questions I can help you with.
ShaDisNX255 said:
Hey no worries, XDA is meant for a place to learn and I'm happy to try and help/educate in any way I can.
Opening the bootloader is step 1 in getting root access. You may think that root is the equivalent of installing Magisk and that's what root is but it's a lot more than that. By installing something custom you've in some way obtained root access by editing your stock ROM.
But anyway, going back to your original question/answer, the patched Odin can only bypass some verifications on Odin's side but it can't bypass the verification that the phone does itself. The patched Odin is mainly for installing U firmware on U1 variants and vice-versa, something that you can't do on the original Odin. It can't really bypass checking the validity of Samsung's signature on stock firmware. Even if it could bypass that check, the phone also checks the firmware it's being installed so it will detect it as a custom fw file
So, long story short, if you edit stock FW with any tool it will break Samsung's trusted signature and both phone and Odin will pick it up as a custom firmware (i.e. custom ROM) and you will only be able to install it by unlocking the bootloader. Flashing anything custom will break/trip Knox and it will be broken forever
Let me know if you have any more questions I can help you with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, now many things are clear.
I want to know if unlocking the bootloader is worth it?
I have no problem with the warranty, I have the phone for more than 2 years and Samsung has no after sales service in our country. But for me, the use of banking app, Secure Folder, Samsung Pass are very important.
Is there a way to make all these apps work without problems by unlocking the bootloader?
Surely the OTA updates will also fail with this work, right?
can i unlock bootloader, flash edited files and relock bootloader?
mahdi72 said:
But for me, the use of banking app, Secure Folder, Samsung Pass are very important.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some banking apps are harder to trick than others. I have no problems hiding root from my banking app but I've seen others struggle to hide from theirs, can't really comment on it. Secure Folder has a fix in Android 12 so it should be able to be fixed. Samsung Pass is something that still has no fix as far as I know so if you decide to root/blow knox fuse, this will never work again even if you lock your bootloader again. I've made my change to Google Pass which works with root so Samsung Pass isn't important to me anymore.
mahdi72 said:
Surely the OTA updates will also fail with this work, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct, OTA updates stop working when you unlock your bootloader but if you re-lock your bootloader, you may get OTA updates again.
mahdi72 said:
can i unlock bootloader, flash edited files and relock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, this will lock your phone. Once you edit anything with root or install a custom fw (rom) then it will always count as custom for the phone. If you lock your bootloader while you have custom fw installed, your phone will be stuck in download mode telling you that your phone has custom fw and will refuse to boot until you flash stock fw.
Thank you very much for your very detailed explanation
So, for this part, I need Magisk, which probably Hide all banking apps in Iran
ShaDisNX255 said:
Some banking apps are harder to trick than others. I have no problems hiding root from my banking app but I've seen others struggle to hide from theirs, can't really comment on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to your explanation, This is my decision: I can unlock the bootloader and flash the modified ROM (I can apply the necessary fixes for Secure Folder and other changes to the ROM (Can i?)). The only thing I miss is the Samsung Pass feature, which I can replace with Google Pass, OTA updates can be ignored and do not have much priority for me.
The only important thing is the banking apps.
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted? Because I feel that some banking apps only check root access and have nothing to do with bootloader (At least in Iran).
If the root status has not changed after Unlocking the bootloader (I think the root status changes after installing Magisk or SU) I think that I can do the above steps and reach my goal
mahdi72 said:
This is my decision: I can unlock the bootloader and flash the modified ROM (I can apply the necessary fixes for Secure Folder and other changes to the ROM (Can i?))
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You can, yeah.
mahdi72 said:
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted?
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With unlock bootloader alone it's still un-rooted
mahdi72 said:
When the bootloader is unlocked, is the root status rooted or un-rooted? Because I feel that some banking apps only check root access and have nothing to do with bootloader (At least in Iran).
If the root status has not changed after Unlocking the bootloader (I think the root status changes after installing Magisk or SU) I think that I can do the above steps and reach my goal
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This is where it can get a little tricky and depends on each app because it's not a standard. If your banking app checks if your bootloader is unlocked then you pretty much need Magisk to hide your bootloader unlocked. Without Magisk, any app will be able to check that you have an unlocked bootloader
If your bank app checks to see if you have Magisk only then you can certainly avoid having to flash Magisk if you're not going to use it anyway
If your bank apps checks safetynet then you will again need to flash Magisk and flash a patch to pass safetynet tests
Again, it's not a standard so it all depends on the bank app in question. You can certainly try to unlock your bootloader and stay in stock and check if your bank apps detects your unlocked bootloader. Just unlocking bootloader shouldn't blow knox yet.
ShaDisNX255 said:
You can, yeah.
With unlock bootloader alone it's still un-rooted
This is where it can get a little tricky and depends on each app because it's not a standard. If your banking app checks if your bootloader is unlocked then you pretty much need Magisk to hide your bootloader unlocked. Without Magisk, any app will be able to check that you have an unlocked bootloader
If your bank app checks to see if you have Magisk only then you can certainly avoid having to flash Magisk if you're not going to use it anyway
If your bank apps checks safetynet then you will again need to flash Magisk and flash a patch to pass safetynet tests
Again, it's not a standard so it all depends on the bank app in question. You can certainly try to unlock your bootloader and stay in stock and check if your bank apps detects your unlocked bootloader. Just unlocking bootloader shouldn't blow knox yet.
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thank you so much Now everything became clear to me
Hi folks,
I've managed to stumble my way through using pixel flasher to update my P7Pro to the latest fw with root. Only need root so I can record calls, should I lock the bootloader now I'm done?
Also how do I update in future please without having to wipe, use pixel flasher and patch as I've just done?
I like to think I'm quite tech savvy but the guides for the P7Pro have gone over my head :/
Connorsdad said:
Hi folks,
I've managed to stumble my way through using pixel flasher to update my P7Pro to the latest fw with root. Only need root so I can record calls, should I lock the bootloader now I'm done?
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Not unless you want to brick your device. You need to be completely stock before relocking your bootloader (unless using avbroot, but you should have a deep understanding about how it works beforehand).
Connorsdad said:
Also how do I update in future please without having to wipe, use pixel flasher and patch as I've just done?
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Pixel Flasher will work fine for updating.
Lughnasadh said:
Not unless you want to brick your device.
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Huh, learn something new every day I guess...
Lughnasadh said:
Not unless you want to brick your device. You need to be completely stock before relocking your bootloader (unless using avbroot, but you should have a deep understanding about how it works beforehand).
Pixel Flasher will work fine for updating.
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Awesome, thanks a lot for your reply, much appreciated.
never ever* lock bootloader on google devices. fastboot only works on unlocked bootloader and there is no alternative to fastboot.
* exception
alecxs said:
never ever lock bootloader on google devices. fastboot only works on unlocked bootloader and there is no alternative to fastboot.
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And you can't flash a factory image to fix a phone on your own when it's soft bricked. It might have to go to a shop for repairs.
Connorsdad said:
Hi folks,
I've managed to stumble my way through using pixel flasher to update my P7Pro to the latest fw with root. Only need root so I can record calls, should I lock the bootloader now I'm done?
Also how do I update in future please without having to wipe, use pixel flasher and patch as I've just done?
I like to think I'm quite tech savvy but the guides for the P7Pro have gone over my head :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, relocking the bootloader requires wiping the device -- much like unlocking does -- and if you're unwilling to set everything (including anything on your /sdcard internal storage, not to mention all apps and their settings & system settings) back up from scratch (as any good complete backups require root access), this might not be what you wish to do.
And, if you had managed to successfully relock the bootloader, you could simply run the in-system update (OTA) that would update without wiping -- or even manually applying OTA from the recovery.
But there are hardly any benefits in re-locking the bootloader (after unlocking it) -- even if one was to a paranoid degree of security; which is the only major reason to (I can point you to the discussions that had taken place on it here, if you wish). If you don't want to run into any issues, you could simply run the stock ROM without root and be hardly impacted by it; with the added benefit of having the option to advanced recovery options and/or rooting options open to you in the future if need be...
alecxs said:
never ever lock bootloader on google devices. fastboot only works on unlocked bootloader and there is no alternative to fastboot.
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*it just occurs to me you meant to never lock bootloader because it limits options; not the risk of hard-bricking the device -- in which I wrote the following with that assumption. I'll leave the following comment as it is still sound advice, but I apologize in advanced that it doesn't quite relate to what you meant...
I mean, I feel doing Google's official Android Flash Tool is a safe enough method; it wouldn't do well if Google's own tool bricked their devices using their tool...at the very least the tool ensures that the stock factory firmware flashed matches the bootloader version and automates the fastboot commands so when re-locking the bootloader, it has the least potential to brick the device...
Exactly. there is no official flash tool from google, that's why I personally won't recommend to keep bootloader locked. If it's bricked with no working recovery mode, not even repair shop can fix it. all you can do is RMA to google get new device. no edl mode or anything else will help, fastboot is the official flashing method.
If you're referring to the "Android Flash Tool" that's no flash tool at all. I haven't tested it, but to me it looks like a WebUSB browser plugin. Reading the requirements it works with adb commands, usb-debugging and fully booted android is required. Therefore cannot unbrick devices.
Doesn't unlocking the bootloader break saftynet so then you have to root to use gpay?
iRhyiku said:
Doesn't unlocking the bootloader break saftynet so then you have to root to use gpay?
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I'll just chime in here because I have recently unlocked my bootloader but I haven't been able to root it yet and I haven't had any issues with safety net.
Trippyy Doee said:
I'll just chime in here because I have recently unlocked my bootloader but I haven't been able to root it yet and I haven't had any issues with safety net.
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Interesting, I thought unlocking would break it. I'll have to unlock then for the extra safty!
iRhyiku said:
Interesting, I thought unlocking would break it. I'll have to unlock then for the extra safty!
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That's of course another aspect. Good point. If you rely on SafetyNet or it's successor Play integrity, do not unlock bootloader. AFAIR the latter one can't be cheated.
simplepinoi177 said:
But there are hardly any benefits in re-locking the bootloader (after unlocking it)
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There are some benefits like some banking apps, streaming apps and games beginning to work. So it really depends on what is important for the user. I don't like flashing random mods to make apps work on rooted/ bootloader unlocked devices, primarily banking apps.