New user - Google Pixel 4a Questions & Answers

Rooting question.
I just purchased a new Pixel 4a and wish to root it. It came with android 11.
I'm following the excellent guide in this section to do so and have some questions because I'm afraid of bricking it like my last phone.
1. I purchased the phone from BestBuy as 'unlocked'. Yet step '8' (it's misnumbered) says to 'Unlock the bootloader'. But this phone was purchased unlocked. Do I still need to unlock the bootloader a second time? Won't that do something bad?
Thank you.

The "unlocked" that best buy mentions is that it is unlocked so you can use any "carrier" - that is not the same "lock" that the tutorial is talking about.
The "unlock" mentioned in the tutorial is the "bootloader" which needs to be unlocked to flash new images.

Thank you. I had mistakenly assumed they were both about the bootloader.
Thank you for clarifying.

Related

[Q] Need an assist: Root, Unlock bootloader on a VZW Tab2 7" with VRBMI1

Hello, all
I have looked and searched. I have seen a few threads and a few posts, but cannot find anything concrete about this. I even officially bricked a device trying to follow a thread (to the letter).
I have rooted and unlocked several devices in the past, and installed many ROMs before. However, this device is proving to be a pain.
Recently I purchased the Tab 2 (SCH-i705) for a very low price. It was shipped to me running Android 4.1.2 (on Verizon) and the baseband is VRBMI1. I saw MrHyde03's post (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1885558) on rooting and unlocking the bootloader. However, when I flashed the aboot.img file, it toasted my previous device. No power-up, no USB recognition, no nothing. Managed to take it back and got it traded out for a new device. I now have a new Tab2, but the same setup. What I want to do is run the Slimkat ROM.
My long winded question is: can I do this? I know Verizon has made it tough to unlock the bootloader, something needed in order to add a custom recovery. Does anyone know of a method that will allow me to add the Slimkat ROM to this device? I know not many people are using it or developing for it any longer. But any help would be appreciated. Again, I have seen what MrHyde03 wrote up, but I am afraid I will brick another device by trying to flash an aboot.img file.
I did see this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48392009&postcount=1) about using Safestrap and not actually unlocking the device. I am currently doing that on my S4 since Verizon has it locked down. But I would not be able to run the ROM that I want.
Any help or pointers would be great. Thanks for reading and helping.
Cheers!
You can root it, but I don't think you can unlock the bootloader anymore. The root method is linked in one of those Hyde threads near the end. It's not his method... there's a "one click" for multiple devices that works great.
JelloB said:
You can root it, but I don't think you can unlock the bootloader anymore. The root method is linked in one of those Hyde threads near the end. It's not his method... there's a "one click" for multiple devices that works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've realized. Bummer too. I'll go take a look. I hadn't seen a one-click method. Everything I've seen has to be done via Odin & ADB.
If you happen to find the easy method, let me know!

Response from Nokia on unlocking bootloader

I can't say I am surprised, but I thought I'd ask and see what they say. Here's an email and the response I received.
Me:
Hello, Before I order the 8, I'd like to know if you provide the means / process to unlock the bootloader for your devices. I typically run stock Android, which I know you provide, but occasionally like to run custom ROM's as well. An unlocked bootloader will allow flexibility, and providing the ability to unlock will gain you a following in the modding community. Thanks!
Nokia:
Regarding your inquiry about the bootloader unlock for the Nokia 8, please be informed that we may not provide this information.
Additionally, please note that unlocking the bootloader for the device will void the warranty and we therefore do not recommend it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Best regards,
Nokia Mobile Care team
Now, I am really having a hard time coming up with a NEED for the bootloader to be unlocked... unless I need it to flash another region to add bands that aren't available on my device... maybe?
lorditler said:
If you want to root it, duuuh. Like installing SuperSU, dude. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the question specifically was not about root, but about unlocking the bootloader, which entirely different... dude.:silly:
This is so God damn bad news!
Really thinking about selling this phone right now...
Alttu said:
This is so God damn bad news!
Really thinking about selling this phone right now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't jump ship yet. Fact is, it still may be very easy to unlock the bootloader and gain root, as the device is runing bone stock Android. Frankly, there is not much left that I need root for.
For me, however, the 8 presents a specific problem. I live in the US, and the bands that are listed as supported are missing some LTE bands I really need (12 specifically). I am aware that there are ways to enable available bands for some devices, but I think you NEED an unlocked bl to get that done.
Thats likely a deal breaker for me. :crying:
charlatan01 said:
I wouldn't jump ship yet. Fact is, it still may be very easy to unlock the bootloader and gain root, as the device is runing bone stock Android. Frankly, there is not much left that I need root for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well we will see about that...
Thanks for reassuring!
Just taught to have a little chat with support too...
Maybe there's still a way to flash TWRP without unlocking the bootloader. They did it for example on the Nokia 6 by booting into what they call 9008 port mode (EDL in other words) and flashed the recovery with a tool named MiFlash in that mode. (Link to Nokia 6 thread)
Alttu said:
Just taught to have a little chat with support too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is simply ridiculous and not treating the customers serious enough.
Hi all,
i found an option in Developer Options -> OEM unlocking ->allow the bootloader to be unlocked.
To get developer options tap 8 times "Build number" in About Phone section of settings.
I hope this is the right way for unlocking bootloader.
Daniel
Orca74 said:
Hi all,
i found an option in Developer Options -> OEM unlocking ->allow the bootloader to be unlocked.
To get developer options tap 8 times "Build number" in About Phone section of settings.
I hope this is the right way for unlocking bootloader.
Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We already know that. Enabling that setting doesn't do anything.
anyone tried unlocking bootloader via fastboot?
before i get flamed for being a noob, yes i know you need to enter a code or something to unlock bootloaders unlike pixel/google phones.
no harm trying right?
Hmm. I know some devices in my past have not required an unlocked bootloader to allow root, but I'm not savvy enougb to figure out if its possible on this device.
And rooting will NOT void warranty in EU.
http://matija.suklje.name/rooting-and-flashing-your-device-does-not-void-the-warranty-in-eu
Hasn't a case like this have already been handled by a court. Consumer was right.
frostmore said:
anyone tried unlocking bootloader via fastboot?
before i get flamed for being a noob, yes i know you need to enter a code or something to unlock bootloaders unlike pixel/google phones.
no harm trying right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could only get the 8 into Download mode and could not install it as a FastBoot device.
Sure sucks that they seemingly won't allow this. I was interested in a Nokia phone as well. HMD have even said they want their phones to be like the new Nexus. They really need to support the custom ROM community if so!
Ok so, I can get the device to boot into bootloader(download mode) and somekind of a recovery, trough ADB in windows.
But no luck on "fastboot oem unlock" command. --FAILED <remote : flashing unlock is not allowed
Orca74 said:
Hi all,
i found an option in Developer Options -> OEM unlocking ->allow the bootloader to be unlocked.
To get developer options tap 8 times "Build number" in About Phone section of settings.
I hope this is the right way for unlocking bootloader.
Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Daniel,
Does unlocking bootloader violates the guarantee/warranty?
I just purchased Nokia 8 5 days ago.
Thanks.
TorpodeBaas said:
Hi Daniel,
Does unlocking bootloader violates the guarantee/warranty?
I just purchased Nokia 8 5 days ago.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are in the EU, no unlocking the bootloader does not void your warranty. It's protect under EU laws. Someone mentioned that in earlier posts. Unless you are in asia or some other parts of the world where they screw consumers in favor of big businesses.
and if you had read through, there is currently no way to unlock the bootloader on the nokia 8. If there was a way and devs are willing to move over to this beautiful device, i'd get it in a heartbeat.
frostmore said:
If you are in the EU, no unlocking the bootloader does not void your warranty. It's protect under EU laws. Someone mentioned that in earlier posts. Unless you are in asia or some other parts of the world where they screw consumers in favor of big businesses.
and if you had read through, there is currently no way to unlock the bootloader on the nokia 8. If there was a way and devs are willing to move over to this beautiful device, i'd get it in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe, i like the way you articulated the answer.
Thank you.
I miss FM radio now, i guess have to do something about it
Ok it seems With luck Nokia opens the bootloader after the **** storm...
Gesendet von meinem HTC 10 mit Tapatalk

[HELP] Trying to find a rootable Pixel 2

I recently purchased a Pixel 2 that I unfortunately found out it was a "Verizon Unlocked" device and I am unable to root it as I can not unlock the bootloader as the OEM Unlocking toggle is greyed out. I plan on returning it.
My question is what do I need to be looking for in order to be able to root my device? I plan on buying another but I would like to know if there is some specification I can look for that will tell me if it should be possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
If I am allowed to I can post the link to the new one I am looking at if that helps determine if it would be rootable.
Thanks!
Kitkun said:
I recently purchased a Pixel 2 that I unfortunately found out it was a "Verizon Unlocked" device and I am unable to root it as I can not unlock the bootloader as the OEM Unlocking toggle is greyed out. I plan on returning it.
My question is what do I need to be looking for in order to be able to root my device? I plan on buying another but I would like to know if there is some specification I can look for that will tell me if it should be possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
If I am allowed to I can post the link to the new one I am looking at if that helps determine if it would be rootable.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im stuck just like you so far thats what I found out
Hey there! Unfortunately since past January of 2018, Verizon rolled out an OTA which patched up a workaround. Since then, there have been no new developments to my knowledge. ? so get a phone before that 2018 Jan's patch ask seller if they can check that for you.
Well, as long as it is a "Factory Unlocked" phone, that should not matter, right?

LM-V5000EM can it be rooted? Currently on Stock Android 11

As in title really.
I've just bought a Samsung Galaxy S10+
and
LG V50 LM-V5000EM
Got them both in front of me right now and I VERY much prefer the V50, but can it be rooted so I can use Titanium backup and system app remover etc?
Just come from the V30 forums...gave that to my mother.
Any help will be very much appreciated.
thanks
Matt
Geez.....this forum in DEAD....off i go to the S10+
This has been up for weejs now and had hundeds of views and not one single person know if it can be rooted????
First of all, your title is wrong relating to model number.
If your bootloader is unlocked, then you should install Magisk app manager. Extract the boot.img from the firmware and have it patched in Magisk. Transfer the patched file to PC and flash it to the V50 boot partition using fastboot. That should make the phone rooted.
If you have problem in extracting the boot.img from the firmware, I can help you.
I am writing this after a cursory search through the V50 forums.
Your device model (LMV500EM) has an official method for unlocking the bootloader: https://developer.lge.com/resource/mobile/RetrieveBootloader.dev
Once your bootloader is unlocked, you may try to follow the instructions in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...sk-root-using-firehose.4221793/#post-84336553
Namely, you want to try the instructions that follow the "Magisk Root" subtitle. That thread is for V50 models without an official bootloader unlock method, so the first part deals with unofficial bootloader unlock. Since your bootloader can easily be unlocked, you shouldn't follow the guide step-by-step. Rather, AFTER unlocking your bootloader, your goal is to:
1) Get your phone into fastboot
2) Take note of the active slot - _a or _b
3) Back up the corresponding boot partition - either boot_a or boot_b
4) Patch the correct boot image using Magisk Manager
5) Write the patched image back to the correct slot on the device
This is not a detailed step-by-step guide, but rather an outline of what you need to accomplish using the information from the guide I linked above. This is just an observation as I don't have this model, and have never performed the procedure in this order. I used this guide to unlock the bootloader on a Sprint V50 and it worked for me. Therefore, if you attempt this, make sure to back up everything you can. I personally would be very careful attempting this since the risk of failure is fairly high.
I could try writing out more detailed instructions but I find your entitlement to an answer to be off-putting. Either way, I wish you luck with this, if you attempt it.
Royaltiger said:
First of all, your title is wrong relating to model number.
If your bootloader is unlocked, then you should install Magisk app manager. Extract the boot.img from the firmware and have it patched in Magisk. Transfer the patched file to PC and flash it to the V50 boot partition using fastboot. That should make the phone rooted.
If you have problem in extracting the boot.img from the firmware, I can help you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Saw your reply after I had posted mine. I completely forgot European models have firmware files available. It'd definitely be easier to extract a boot image from a firmware file rather than trying to get it from the device using QFIL, so your approach is better. I guess having the Sprint version got me into a scarcity mindset.
No problem. I hope OP can follow your roadmap.
Duchman said:
Saw your reply after I had posted mine. I completely forgot European models have firmware files available. It'd definitely be easier to extract a boot image from a firmware file rather than trying to get it from the device using QFIL, so your approach is better. I guess having the Sprint version got me into a scarcity mindset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, no worries, I VERY much appreciate your reply.
After coming from the V30 and how easy that was to root - you have scared the crap outta me with all those steps.
Just soooo wish it was 100% definitely possible.
I don't want custom roms oranhything, I just miss, in Order
1: Titanium Backup
2:System appremover
3: Adblock, proper adblock like i had on my v30 ( sniff, cry)
4: TWRP
Heck, I'd PAY to get my V50 rooted ;-)
thanks
Matt
matthew33 said:
Hey, no worries, I VERY much appreciate your reply.
After coming from the V30 and how easy that was to root - you have scared the crap outta me with all those steps.
Just soooo wish it was 100% definitely possible.
I don't want custom roms oranhything, I just miss, in Order
1: Titanium Backup
2:System appremover
3: Adblock, proper adblock like i had on my v30 ( sniff, cry)
4: TWRP
Heck, I'd PAY to get my V50 rooted ;-)
thanks
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this https://t.me/v50thinq/212343
LMV500EM is my model and I have Just unlocked bootloader, which was easy...but errrr, and ideas where i go from here?
as this cannot be rooted i think i will sell it on ebay and buy V60.
matthew33 said:
as this cannot be rooted i think i will sell it on ebay and buy V60.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just in case you missed it, @lallolu here offered to do it for 5 bucks which I think is a fair price. You mentioned you'd be willing to pay to get it rooted earlier.
Duchman said:
Just in case you missed it, @lallolu here offered to do it for 5 bucks which I think is a fair price. You mentioned you'd be willing to pay to get it rooted earlier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am not the one doing it. It is one guy called "Remote Unlock Service". He is very knowledgeable and he could help with other issues too. I used him once when I bricked my phone. Rooting and unlocking bootloader is actually easy for the ones that know how to follow guides.
I HAVE unlocked the bootloADER...THAT WAS SIMPLE.
This pile of junk defo being sold. Hello V60

Question is it possible to root P11 pro gen 2?

I'm looking to purchase this tablet, but want to be sure I can root it before doing so.
The one I'm looking at has the MediaTek Kompanio 1300T processor
I just want to be sure i can remove any factory installed apps, and can install magisk (or similar for tablet) and adblock.
i don't necessarily care about a custom ROM, but lineageOS or AOSP would be a good option, if available.
Thanks
JustinChase said:
I'm looking to purchase this tablet, but want to be sure I can root it before doing so.
The one I'm looking at has the MediaTek Kompanio 1300T processor
I just want to be sure i can remove any factory installed apps, and can install magisk (or similar for tablet) and adblock.
i don't necessarily care about a custom ROM, but lineageOS or AOSP would be a good option, if available.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The second response on the FAQ for this model has some good information about rooting. The process should be the same if you have the Official global version.
TB132FU - FAQ and How to's
Read carefully: This is a dedicated post for general questions only. If you need technical support about flashing or restoring your device, please use the general topic for TB132FU. Please search for your question below before asking. NEW: How...
forum.xda-developers.com
als_bvg said:
The second response on the FAQ for this model has some good information about rooting. The process should be the same if you have the Official global version.
TB132FU - FAQ and How to's
Read carefully: This is a dedicated post for general questions only. If you need technical support about flashing or restoring your device, please use the general topic for TB132FU. Please search for your question below before asking. NEW: How...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, that was very helpful. I ordered one from Lenovo directly.
Hello,
My is arrived today how about rooting and instruction for it ?
Turns out, it wasn't possible. I returned mine for this reason
jacobobbo said:
Hello,
My is arrived today how about rooting and instruction for it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry about OEM unlocking
Just go ahead and go to bootloader and enter
Code:
fastboot flashing unlock
and you're greeted with a bootloader unlock warning
mingkee said:
Don't worry about OEM unlocking
Just go ahead and go to bootloader and enter
Code:
fastboot flashing unlock
and you're greeted with a bootloader unlock warning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not in my case. Without the ability to toggle OEM unlocking in settings, all efforts to unlock via fastboot (and everything else I tried) were unsuccessful.
i gave up and returned it.
Hopefully @jacobobbo has better luck than I did.
JustinChase said:
Not in my case. Without the ability to toggle OEM unlocking in settings, all efforts to unlock via fastboot (and everything else I tried) were unsuccessful.
i gave up and returned it.
Hopefully @jacobobbo has better luck than I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd use P11 Pro OG if you want to root it because I did it on mine to fix cable content stuttering problem
I don't care L1/L3 because I don't play Netflix on it
JustinChase said:
Not in my case. Without the ability to toggle OEM unlocking in settings, all efforts to unlock via fastboot (and everything else I tried) were unsuccessful.
i gave up and returned it.
Hopefully @jacobobbo has better luck than I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure ? I don't wanna brick my device
jacobobbo said:
Are you sure ? I don't wanna brick my device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I tried several times. Nothing happened. It just doesn't unlock the bootloader.
There is another thread I've posted to about this with more stories from others.
I don't think there is much risk of bricking your device, but it is just unlikely to get rooted.
But, maybe you find something I did not and you will be successful.
I really liked the tablet, but refuse to be crippled by a manufacturer that pretends to be protecting me from ... I'm not sure what.
I rooted mine and it was a mistake.
I do not really gain anything out of it and now I cannot update my device anymore.
Do not do it.

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