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Is the CAT S60 (Snapdragon 617) Rootable?

Morning all,
I have recently received my CAT S60 and I have to say, I am extremely pleased with the device out of the box. It is solid, extremely well built, battery life is amazing and camera quality is far better than the reviews led me to believe. Call quality is also the best I have ever had on any handset.
Unfortunately, I have never before owned a device without root. I have rooted most of my phones + installed a custom rom within a couple of days of opening the box. Sadly, this time round I've bought a less-popular device which is quite new and there is no existing support.
I am able to do most of the root-requiring functions with this phone (flashlight via button from locked, skip tracks with volume etc) using software workarounds, but I am already butting up against things that are pissing me off because I don't have system access, and I am so used to having it.
I've read horror stories about the lockdown function Qualcomm have applied to the 617 chips, but I now see that some phones with this chip have already been rooted (Motorola) so I am wondering, what are the chances that I will see root or a root exploit for this phone in the near future?
I'm not sure that I would sell the device over not being able to gain root, but it is really really annoying me.

I would be interested too. I couldnt even figure out how to set the s60 to downloadmode (If there is such a mode at all) to flash a custom recovery like twrp. Recoverymode is the usual volume up before poweron.

heinzherbert said:
I would be interested too. I couldnt even figure out how to set the s60 to downloadmode (If there is such a mode at all) to flash a custom recovery like twrp. Recoverymode is the usual volume up before poweron.
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Recovery mode is volume up and power button together for 3 to 4 seconds

There is a switch in developer options to allow bootloader to be unlocked. Maybe this, combined with factory recovery menu will set us free? Flash a modified factory rom with root enabled? The stock ROM is very clean.

bandario said:
There is a switch in developer options to allow bootloader to be unlocked. Maybe this, combined with factory recovery menu will set us free? Flash a modified factory rom with root enabled? The stock ROM is very clean.
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There is an option to unlock bootloader. It's called OEM unlocking

So, flicking this switch should unlock the bootloader???
That gives me a bit of hope for some development on this handset. None of the previous cat phones have seen any real development.

bandario said:
So, flicking this switch should unlock the bootloader???
That gives me a bit of hope for some development on this handset. None of the previous cat phones have seen any real development.
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To be honest flicking that switch does nothing for me. I am unsure how to unlock the bootloader

On S60 bootloader is locked.
No fastboot, but you will be able to select recovery mode.

bump. I'd like to see this phone rooted.

Any progress on this or has anyone tried yet?
My SONY Z1C died on me the other day and I'd need to know if there's at least a chance to root this one.
I'm considering getting the S60 but only if I'm able to root it. An unrooted phone is barely usable to me...
Greetz and thanks in advance,
Unr3aL67

haven't tried rooting mine yet. Not felt the need to yet TBH

Mine is working pretty good without root. Only reason I'd want root honestly is to make backups, and perhaps uninstall a couple apps, but the bloatware is minimal.
Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

Since the original question was "Is this rootable?" and lately answers have come in the form of "I haven't tried rooting mine" .... which doesn't seem much like an answer at all, to be honest .... I want to join the OP in asking this question. For those of us who have grown accustomed to the freedom and flexibility of having root access to our devices, it would be really nice to know (before making a decision to purchase) whether it is possible to obtain root on the CAT S60.

Does anyone know where to get a zip of the ROM?

After the Arstechnica review this may be my next phone. However, I really require a way to root it so that I can use iptables.
Anyone had any luck?

In response to your query we regret to inform you that we do not offer any assistance or tools to root our devices.
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I tried contacting support about help to root, got the above back. It's a work phone so maybe it's better that I don't mess with it.
If anyone is going to root or make a custom recovery, it'll need to be without any support from the manufacturer. I mostly miss Xposed Framework for adblocking, less frequent notifications and the ability to longpress the back key to enable/disable screen rotation, the ROM itself is 99% "stock" otherwise and I have no complaints on that front.

In response to your query we regret to inform you that we do not offer any assistance or tools to root our devices.
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This is, of course, their right, and buyer beware if you wanted a rootable phone. Still, I can't keep from being annoyed at this attitude; if I'm paying them good money for my devices, I want the freedom to do with it everything that I want, including modifying it and knowingly voiding my warranty, or even breaking it outright, if that's what makes me happy. Especially now that rooting/jailbreaking is a thing. Wanting to keep on controlling and limiting how people are able to use your product after you've sold it to them always sticks in my craw.
I guess I'll be passing on what otherwise looks like a perfect phone for me, unless some shining hero (or heroine) manages to figure out how to root a CAT S60 anyway, despite what the manufacturer might wish.

Tangib1e said:
This is, of course, their right, and buyer beware if you wanted a rootable phone. Still, I can't keep from being annoyed at this attitude; if I'm paying them good money for my devices, I want the freedom to do with it everything that I want, including modifying it and knowingly voiding my warranty, or even breaking it outright, if that's what makes me happy. Especially now that rooting/jailbreaking is a thing. Wanting to keep on controlling and limiting how people are able to use your product after you've sold it to them always sticks in my craw.
I guess I'll be passing on what otherwise looks like a perfect phone for me, unless some shining hero (or heroine) manages to figure out how to root a CAT S60 anyway, despite what the manufacturer might wish.
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It is indeed a great phone, but the camera is sub-par. The focus takes an age compared to my Z5 Compact. I would wait for the second-generation version unless you critically need FLIR as a feature.

I've done a bit of poking around. I suspect that the bootloader could be unlocked with the commands "adb reboot bootloader" followed by "fastboot oem unlock-go".
I'm not going to do that at this point because without a custom ROM to flash there is no point in me voiding my warranty, but I believe it should be possible with USB debugging enabled, and the bootloader confirmed as unlockable.
I think this is how root will arrive on this device: by way of modifying a flashable ROM and flashing it to the device using QFIL as you would any other Qualcomm device.
The tools are all there in front of us, we just need someone with the knowledge to create that modified rom file....at this point I can't even find a factory rom to flash.
Given the recent speed and quality enhancements made available through the stock camera app, I also suspect that doing this will send us backwards to a much ****tier camera as has been the case with many sony handsets in the past.

bandario said:
There is a switch in developer options to allow bootloader to be unlocked. Maybe this, combined with factory recovery menu will set us free? Flash a modified factory rom with root enabled? The stock ROM is very clean.
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Click to collapse
Chuggers said:
There is an option to unlock bootloader. It's called OEM unlocking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bandario said:
So, flicking this switch should unlock the bootloader???
That gives me a bit of hope for some development on this handset. None of the previous cat phones have seen any real development.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That switch is available in a lot of devices and does nothing on a lot of them
Sent from my Lenovo A7010a48 using XDA Labs

Replacement pixel from Verizon.... Google edition?

I had to get a new pixel due to reboot issues when trying to make or receive calls... They sent me a replacement fairly easily after I explained the issue and the steps I took to try and solve they Google support...
Question is did i get a Google edition now? I am able to select oem unlock from the developer options... But my cid is vzw__001... See attached screenshots

We have seen this happen fairly often, VZ CID but unlockable. That is why most of us believe the database Google uses to allow unlocking is based on IMEI and sometimes they mess up and don't out them in correctly.

So I should be able to unlock by fastboot oem unlock? More for future use of the phone after it stops receiving updates from Google... Don't have much need to unlock at the moment I'm happy with the phone after a year still

two_cents said:
So I should be able to unlock by fastboot oem unlock? More for future use of the phone after it stops receiving updates from Google... Don't have much need to unlock at the moment I'm happy with the phone after a year still
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Yep. The unlockable ones wont let you move that slider. You are golden. Just keep​ in mind it will do a full wipe when you fastboot unlock it.

That's great... I'm very familiar with unlocking and rooting... I've been doing it since the htc incredible, dna, Galaxy Nexus, and htc one m8...

First things to do after receiving my new Google Pixel phone?

Hello everyone. I live in Brazil and just bought a 5'' 128GB Google Pixel (quite the new thing in our market). Still didn't receive it, though I'm already educating myself and doing research about the phone.
I'm looking for tips and information about what to do first as soon as I get my phone, particularly regarding preventive measures.
For example, I already know that:
Unlocking the bootloader is sound advice, particularly if you decide to update or install custom ROMs. [Source 1] [Source 2]
I assume you guys have had a lot of time to play around with your Pixels. If everyone would share a bit of information I'll keep adding them to this post and maybe we could turn it in a nice, straightforward TODO for new users

I'm sorry to say that you might meet some problem unlocking the bootloader. As far as I know, only Eu version can simply unlock by commands, the others , esp in the USA (Verizon), you can't. Fortunately you can still get help from amazing Chinese people on "taobao" for about $50 ,but you have to mail it around the world.

Where did you buy your device from?

I bought it from MercadoLivre, (our local eBay here in Brazil), so I ain't got a clue about where it comes from :/
The seller says the phone is carrier-unlocked, but I'm certain that has nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader, right?
I guess I'll try to unlock it as soon as I get it, and if I can't... well, I can always return it and get something else

Yes I Did It said:
I bought it from MercadoLivre, (our local eBay here in Brazil), so I ain't got a clue about where it comes from :/
The seller says the phone is carrier-unlocked, but I'm certain that has nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader, right?
I guess I'll try to unlock it as soon as I get it, and if I can't... well, I can always return it and get something else
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you should be fine. Just try to unlock the bootloader and see after that. I personally flashed Dirty Unicorns rom as soon as I unlocked the bootloader. I've had this phone for a month now. There's a discord channel in my signature if you want to find that rom and some more.

Is it possible to unlock the bootloader without using the official tool?

So I just got a Zenphone6 and I'm following this guide to install LineageOS
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/I01WD/install
but got hold up at the "Unlocking the bootloader" step, because while running the app on the device it wanted me to agree to a number of terms and also connect to Asus to report my IMEI and possible other info. As I hadn't setup any network connection the app wouldn't proceed.
This disturbed me quite a bit, I've just parted with a fair amount of hard earned cash to buy a piece of hardware and it turned out I couldn't take full control of it.
So my question is, is there any way to sidestep the official unlocking tool?

No

Marlin79 said:
So I just got a Zenphone6 and I'm following this guide to install LineageOS
but got hold up at the "Unlocking the bootloader" step, because while running the app on the device it wanted me to agree to a number of terms and also connect to Asus to report my IMEI and possible other info. As I hadn't setup any network connection the app wouldn't proceed.
This disturbed me quite a bit, I've just parted with a fair amount of hard earned cash to buy a piece of hardware and it turned out I couldn't take full control of it.
So my question is, is there any way to sidestep the official unlocking tool?
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I want to join this question, I really disappointed by such ASUS's policy. Too bad I can't give the phone back. If I wanted this kind of policy, I'd buy half priced Xiaomi.
By the way, have you tried 'fastboot oem unlock' command after allowing unlocking in Developer Options?

I don't see "Allow OEM Unlock" anywhere in Developer Settings.

Also interested in this. I figured since Asus is supporting devs, they would make unlocking as easy as Google/Oneplus does with their phones. Guess not.
Anyone tried this "unofficial" method?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80113454&postcount=51

Satoso said:
Also interested in this. I figured since Asus is supporting devs, they would make unlocking as easy as Google/Oneplus does with their phones. Guess not.
Anyone tried this "unofficial" method?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80113454&postcount=51
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I took a plunge and got the phone, and this method doesn't work. Only the official one does, which as OP says will require an internet connect and probably does transmit the IMEI number and so on.
However, it doesn't require you to connect to a Google account as mentioned in the official Lineage instructions. So I guess that's a partial consolation.
Still, since Asus is in touch with the devs here, it would be great if someone can put forth a suggestion to drop this "phone-home" requirement. It's the only way they can compete with the more dev-friendly Oneplus.

I wish that there was a way. I really want to unlock the bootloader but I'm on the 10 beta and the official unlock tool does not work because of this. There doesn't appear to be a way to roll back to P either unfortunately so I'm stuck for now I guess

Can't Enable OEM Unlocking

I've had this Pixel 2 for years now and like it a bit but I still can't root it because of Verizon locking the ability to enable OEM Unlocking. I've tried to unlock via usb and using lock/unlock critical and such. I've tried downgrading and it fails to do so.
Couldn't I just root it without using OEM Unlocking? I'd rather risk a brick than not root it honestly. Or if there is a way to unlock it, it'd be appreciated.

BLUF: no way to unlock right now.
I'm coming back to this phone because I'm trying to put a different OS on it, like lineageOS, since google has given up on updating their products. I've come to the conclusion, at this time, there is no patch/exploit to get around a locked bootloader. No my case is different, I picked this up on google fi and fi support notes the IEMI as being unlocked, but my phone is still locked at the bootloader. I've scanned the fourms, I've searched the google and I think we're not going to be happy right now
Sorry, hopefully someone has a different solution.
TL;DR - read BLUF

FynxSyndct said:
BLUF: no way to unlock right now.
I'm coming back to this phone because I'm trying to put a different OS on it, like lineageOS, since google has given up on updating their products. I've come to the conclusion, at this time, there is no patch/exploit to get around a locked bootloader. No my case is different, I picked this up on google fi and fi support notes the IEMI as being unlocked, but my phone is still locked at the bootloader. I've scanned the fourms, I've searched the google and I think we're not going to be happy right now
Sorry, hopefully someone has a different solution.
TL;DR - read BLUF
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Dang. That's unfortunate. I'll be going for a new phone soon anyways. Thinking ASUS Rog Phone 2/3.

eM-Krow said:
I've had this Pixel 2 for years now and like it a bit but I still can't root it because of Verizon locking the ability to enable OEM Unlocking. I've tried to unlock via usb and using lock/unlock critical and such. I've tried downgrading and it fails to do so.
Couldn't I just root it without using OEM Unlocking? I'd rather risk a brick than not root it honestly. Or if there is a way to unlock it, it'd be appreciated.
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