Can anyone tells me about the advantages and disadvantages of unlocking bootloader? because i saw some people said that they regret unlocking it. So whats the point of unlocking it? thanks for anyone who willing to explain.
I'm just an user but from what information i got so far (pardon me if anything is innacurate):
Unlocking the bootloader may open up a series of improvements that were not possible before without workarounds, like having a proper custom kernel, a proper Cyanogenmod version etc. Maybe even real multitouch or 16 million colors are possible, but this is a bit harder since someone will need to write new drivers, and it's highly unlikely this will happen but... who knows?
But to take advantage of unlocked bootloader you need to DEVELOP for it first, for now it's like having root enabled without any root app available for it. Also, bricking the x10 was impossible, you could always go to flashtools and reflash your firmware and fix it if you screw up, but with unlocked bootloader there's a chance of actually brick it for real, so you must be extra careful.
Some people are so eager to have the latest novelty that they'll do it first and think about it later. But it's a positive advancement for sure, i'll be lurking the dev threads to keep up with the news.
Related
Hi guys I'm fairly new to the android hacking scene and am also one of the lucky guys who decided to flash GingerBread to his phone before everyone started posting about changes to the bootloader and now about fuses being burned.
Would anyone care to explain why an OTA update would burn a fuse like this? Is this some sort of software protection? Is there actual damage to the phone? Why would Motorola publish an update that does this? Please excuse my ignorance but I'm definitely confused about why they would do something that might lead to more returned devices.
Thanks much in advance.
Chad
nineismine said:
Hi guys I'm fairly new to the android hacking scene and am also one of the lucky guys who decided to flash GingerBread to his phone before everyone started posting about changes to the bootloader and now about fuses being burned.
Would anyone care to explain why an OTA update would burn a fuse like this? Is this some sort of software protection? Is there actual damage to the phone? Why would Motorola publish an update that does this? Please excuse my ignorance but I'm definitely confused about why they would do something that might lead to more returned devices.
Thanks much in advance.
Chad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA did not burn a fuse. Unlocking the bootloader burns the fuse, which is a hardware bootloader lock (unlocking the bootloader burns a fuse. Once unlocked, always unlocked). The new OTA GB upgrade puts a different bootloader on your phone making it nearly impossible to flash back to an earlier version. If you try to RSD back to 4.1.83 for example, you will have a nice paperweight afterwards. Motorola removed the ability to unlock the bootloader from the upgrade which was just released for reasons unto themselves. Many of us have unlocked bootloaders thanks to the devs, and are on a version of GB which we can flash back from if we want.
If you are not too worried about modding, and are happy with a stock phone, i.e. stock GB which Moto released, you have nothing to worry about. Just continue to update when they release OTA updates and you will be fine.
Hello, I have just preordered my Xperia active from a local salesperson, but from what i see in the development threads, its nothing like HTC phones when it comes to rooting.
In HTC phones all you had to do is, unlock the bootloader with an update.zip file, root it, and then you're free to do whatever you wanna do from CWM.
I really havent understood how the procedure goes in Xperia phones, nor is there a comprehensive guide towards rooting the phone.
So could someone explain in simple steps what i need to do to root the phone? Or even is it worth rooting it since its so new and the development is more or less... inexistant? The only real custom rom I see so far for the mini mini pro and active is the FXP one which is in beta stages AFAIK.
Also about unlocking the bootloader. Losing DRM and TrackID is what makes them know that you have unlocked it therefore you lose your warranty?
Please enlighten me
Comprehensive Xperia Rooting Guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034087
For the active... there doesn't appear to be much, but if you have 'OCD' like me and like the absolute control... it's worth it. But to each his/her own preferences
Once you unlock, DRM is permanently gone, no more TrackID.
I'm not sure about warranty regulations but there is a way to re-lock the boot loader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134335
Hope this helps.
EDIT There's also a way to unlock the bootloader and not lose DRM
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285285
But there's no current way to relock it if you use that route.
Thanks a lot for your detailed reply.
Although i still got questions regarding custom ROM's. I saw someone mentioning a insecure kernel, and using it before flashing a new ROM. Kernels in HTC devices are simply there for you to find out which one is best for your country and ROM. Is it the other way around here?
Yes i do want the best out of my device, but voiding warranty for something that isnt yet "ready".... It kinda puts me off.
hi dumraden,
The days with simply zip unlocking are gone either on HTC. The HTC Desire S of a friend of mine was locked. They call it S: on ..unlocked was S: off
I could not keep joking about who was so silly to convert his Desire S back to a Desire.. sorry for that
The step with the insecure kernel is to flash a stock rom where we know a method to use an exploit on it. Sony prevents unsigned firmware from beeing flashed to their devices (compare ps3 or PSP). Thus we need to make use of an exploit to get access to the device to make rooting possible. As root we are the master of desaster and can do what ever we want.
Warranty? Okay, there is a possibility to relock the bootloader in case you'll run in the case of needing warranty. Otherwise there are ways to make it that unsuable that even the support cannot wake it up thus find no real reason for the error.
This is not an FXP ROM, it is cyanogenmod ported by Team freeXperia and mainly released by FXP. It is almost ready. The smartkeyboard and camera did not work on my selfcompiled one on friday. FXP claimed camera would work. Could be my fault.. who cares. They'll get it fixed.. I think soon.
Yea i am a prior HTC user, have my Desire Z getting fixed as we talk ( i hope so at least ).
So basically the insecure kernel works as an exploit for us to install custom roms on the phones. Cool thanks for the heads up.
Wasnt FXP working with cyanogen to build a kernel from scratch in order for us not to have to go through the hassle of using a modded stock kernel for the Custom ROM's? As far as i can tell this is a breakthrough for Xperia phones since we will be able to have an AOSP base in order to build from there up. Right?
I have the same rooting problem. I use superOnClick and gingerbreak but didn't work.
I'm new to android so that keep searching and reading xda..
Then I start using android sdk & fastboot and adb mode said in one of the topics, but fastboot didn't work even though bootloader is unlocked.
I'm confused, waiting for help
Sent from my ST15i using XDA App
Its all here. Read some posts
Hi Everyone!
Just want to start off by saying I’m new to the Atrix, but not new to the forums or android itself. I’ve rooted and flashed ROMs and kernels on other devices for myself and others, but the Atrix seems different from all those, so I have a few questions that I couldn’t find definitive answers to (and yes, I know where the search button is).
First off “unlocking” the phone seems to be more of a risk than I am willing to take, considering I’m doing this for a friend.
So I realize I won’t be a able to flash custom ROM’s, but what can I do after rooting?
Can I even get CWM?
Can I flash a kernel that lets me overclock?
Can I do OTA updates? (I hear ICS is coming to the Atrix soon, which is why I’m not worried about custom ROMs at the moment)
Once I OTA update to gingerbread will I be able to unlock the phone down the line?
Also what are some other things you guys say are a "must do" for this phone?
I know I’m asking a lot of questions, but any help would be greatly appreciated (and yes, I know where the thanks button is too)
You can unlock up to and including GB 2.3.6. How do I know cuz I did it myself.
Second you are very limited on what you can do until you do in fact unlock your bootloader. CWM can only be installed after your BL is unlocked.
Finally there's a few YouTube videos that show you step-by-step instructions on how to do this (even on GB) so it's really not that bad. Just watch them a couple of times, go slow, and most of all make sure your phones battery is charged. In the end once you unlock, you'll be glad you did...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Thanks for your answer, you've convince me to unlock it, but I have one more question.
Since my friend bought the phone new off amazon very recently is there a chance that unlocking the bootloader will be blocked, which I've seen other users saying.
kingv10 said:
Thanks for your answer, you've convince me to unlock it, but I have one more question.
Since my friend bought the phone new off amazon very recently is there a chance that unlocking the bootloader will be blocked, which I've seen other users saying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, use the following link to unlock the bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...r UNLOCK/ROOT for AT&T 1.26/1.57/1.83/4.5.91 [UPDATE%2007/31/11]
Follow everything the command say. Make sure at no point do you take the cable out, if you are asked at any point to select a command on the phone but it does not let you just carry on with the process. It worked for me. Mine was locked to Gingerbread 2.3.6 build 4.5.141
anaschillin said:
No, use the following link to unlock the bootloader.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...r UNLOCK/ROOT for AT&T 1.26/1.57/1.83/4.5.91 [UPDATE%2007/31/11]
Follow everything the command say. Make sure at no point do you take the cable out, if you are asked at any point to select a command on the phone but it does not let you just carry on with the process. It worked for me. Mine was locked to Gingerbread 2.3.6 build 4.5.141
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on unlocking usa att 2.3.6 4.5.141 with that program
MB860, CM7.2.0, Faux 026b1 1Ghz
One thing to consider though is that you´ll probably void the warranty. That would be the case in Brazil. IMHO, the benefits of rooting/unlocking far outweighs the loss of warranty. I would only let my friend know that even though it doesn´t happen very often, things can go wrong and you cannot be held responsible for any demage...just like we see in each every custom ROM disclaimer.
Hello
My friend is gonna unlocking his Sony Xperia Z2 tablet SGP511 but he is very afraid that unlocking a bootloader bricks his tablet because his tablet is 2 months old. he don't use any Sony apps so he don't care if he lose his DRM key. i really need your real answer and a explanation about why it can brick or why it can't brick. thank you
bump. i need answer
It can brick the tablet, but it does not have to. Otherwise no one would do it...
He just needs to do it properly
If he follows the instructions properly then it can only brick if there is a hardware fault.
OTOH what he does with the unlocked bootloader afterwards ROFL... plenty of brick-able things you can flash!!!!!
If he's that much of a n00b that he has to ask, I would advise him to stick with stock. if he wants to mess around with ROMs etc. get a Nexus, that's what they're for.
Any other Android OEM (except for Xiaomi I believe) unlocking bootloader and custom ROMs involve extra complications and / or loss of functionality / loss of warranty.
I speak for the people on versions 3.2.7 3.2.8 4.1.x and 4.5.x my question is will there be any way in the foreseeable future of uniting the people below 3.2.7 with those that are higher and only seem to have access to nexus 4.2.2 safestrap edition 1.0.1 pretty much all versions of both tablets (except Saturn) have been rooted but they are unable to do much due to the bootloader incompatibilities. Wish auto update was not a feature.
I am hoping for the longest and most prospererous future for our device. I am very sorry if this is spam or irrelevant.
What can we expect to see coming in the future for new bootloader devices?
No one knows.
it would be nice though
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
LittleGreenSony said:
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, it's not just about someone creating a compatible ROM or unlock. Otherwise, we would've already seen some development for the newer firmware versions. The sole reason for why these things are possible in the first place lies in exploits. No one has been able to discover any holes in the system yet that make these devices vulnerable enough for "attacks" like allowing you to replace the stock recovery or kernel.
I'm kinda bored with nexus safestrap.
Is there anything that can be done with fastboot, can we use that to unlock the bootloader similar to how Sony Xperias get unlocked?
No, completely different devices and software and everything else. Only similar thing is the base of Android, and even then, both Amazon and Sony modified the base(Amazon more so)