OK, I bought my flyer last week. I wasn't going to upgrade to HC but couldn't stand knowing that there was an update just sitting there waiting for me. So last night, I pulled the trigger. I actually like most of the changes... Thing that some people said bothered them doesn't bother me. The one thing that does would be losing the buttons. But I think I'll be able to adjust.
Ok, so I was wondering what benefits would I get by using HTC unlock bootloader? I'm still not sure if I want to root. I have my thunderbolt rooted and if it wasn't for the wifi hot spot I would put it back to stock. There are just too many bugs that are associated with custom roms. Don't get me wrong, it's fun to see new things... But there is always bugs.
Anyway, do I gain anything by unlocking? I know about the warranty thing, that doesn't bother me. Are there any benefits that I'm not aware of?
Thanks
Sent from my HTC_Flyer_P512_NA using Tapatalk
Nope. If you are not going to install any custom ROMs, or custom recovery, there is no purpose to unlocking the bootloader. You will have accomplished nothing and voided your warranty.
If you ever want root and/or to flash custom ROMs, I'd advise doing the downgrade and Revolutionary method. Unlocked bootloader means you have to flash using fastboot, and doesn't give you root either.
Related
OK so I have been searching for this and im seeing somethings come up about unlocking bootloader for the photon and that you will lose 4g data. I kind dont want to lol.. But I do want to root the phone and flash some Roms. Do you really need to unlock bootloader to flash roms. Or it depends on the flashable rom that needs to have bootloader unlocked. Im reading about the unlock bootloader and not seeing why I need to do so. Or do you have to do so to flash ANY roms/kernels?
I see in the deve threads about rooting the the photon. looks simple enough which I have rooted others. But just double checking on these methods here. So any advice will be very helpful.
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to write to partitions that would normally not be allowed, even with root - like recovery. I think -though I have never done it - that you can use bootstrap recovery and get the same effect, but it is more of a hassle. Personally theres no WiMax near me without a 20 minute drive, then I can only get it if I am standing still and its no faster than 3G....so it was no question for me.
But I think that you can unlock, flash, and relock and some other steps to keep 4G active.
So you really don't need to unlock bootloader? Cause I'm rooting my friends once he gets in . So in trying to get all the info about rooting. But the 4g data connection will be good as the H huspa/3G is different cause its sprint. Just want to make that unlocking the bootloader is not a must do step. And when I root the photon I'm still able to use Rom manager to back up current roms etc.. and boot into recovery to flash any Rom
Inspire4G
You'll have to look at how the bootstrap recovery works - i've never used it. but I think thats the route you need to take.
You can get bootstrap recovery and flash p-roms. They dont require unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
I think the Laser ROM is the only P-ROM we have isn't it?
Where is that boot scrap at? And I notice not a lot of rons yet for the photon. So most of the roms will or will not need unlocked bootloader. What did u guys do for rooting,.and did you guys use the unlock bootloader.
Cause I seen then the one where u can root with hot the dock using that torpedo set up
Inspire4G
CYRAXDroid said:
Where is that boot scrap at? And I notice not a lot of rons yet for the photon. So most of the roms will or will not need unlocked bootloader. What did u guys do for rooting,.and did you guys use the unlock bootloader.
Cause I seen then the one where u can root with hot the dock using that torpedo set up
Inspire4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, so the Laser ROM which is in the Dev section some place, if you can't find it, I can hunt it down for you is a P-ROM that can be flashed via Boot Strap Recovery and doesn't require an unlocked bootloader.
As for Home Base, Alien, and Star Wars those are full ROM's so you will need to unlock the bootloader for reasons KCarpenter has mentioned.
I personally did the torpedo root method myself, was easy enough if you have a decent understand of command prompt and can follow written instructions, if not, there is also the AIO one click root method that is pretty easy and a lot of people use.
As for unlocking the bootloader, I think there is a thread here, if not, I can post a link that will help.
Also, I included the bootstrap recovery apk in this reply. Hope this helps.
Soon as I get back to my pc I'm thank u and the other member. Where is that aio located so I can that to and yeah I rooted some other stuff before and my inspire.
So might as well do the unlock bootloader and when I do I'll lose the 4g connection but still have 3g though.
What does that boot strap do.and.u need root to load that right..
Inspire4G
Bootstrap is pretty much a recovery for a locked bootloader. It works more or less like CWM does on unlocked bootloaders. But...if you're going to unlock, don't worry about Bootstrap, just do the CWM recovery.
One click root....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1217416
CWM Recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1218417&highlight=Recovery
Unlocked bootloader...
http://briefmobile.com/motorola-photon-4g-bootloader-unlocked
That should be good to get you rolling.
Thanks dude I'll look at all that soon..
Inspire4G
No worries Man. If you have any questions, I'll see what I can do to help ya.
awesome deal.. so once I root and then unlock bootloader. Which will allow me to install any roms and have clockwork mod so then I can back up my roms that install.. also where is thread for this where if need to unroot and restore all back to factory like out of the box.
and Im watching that youtube video about AIO root looks simple enough. But also see another video about rooting and unlocking bootloader.. Im still like 50/50 if I should unlock boot loader or not lol
I have been thinking about unlocking the bootloader as well and have chosen not to at this time. This is primarily because there are only 2 custom ROMs in existence for the Photon. We need more ROM choices for me to take the leap even though there is no 4G where I work or where I live.
ChadH42 said:
I have been thinking about unlocking the bootloader as well and have chosen not to at this time. This is primarily because there are only 2 custom ROMs in existence for the Photon. We need more ROM choices for me to take the leap even though there is no 4G where I work or where I live.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So really dont need to worry about like as in doing that method(unlocking bootloader) right away cause I only see like 3 roms lol I think. But i was thinking of flashing the Alien Rom seems to be the most popular one out right now but at the same time that needs to have unlock bootloader..
What roms are you guys you using
I'm on Home Base. V1.5 with the 4.2 update. Do you want the green color scheme from the Alien ROM?
Also. There is an overclock kernal which I run that you nees to be unlocked for. There was a stock file floating around. But just flash the latest SBF file. That SHOULD take you to stock. But you would have to ask in thay specific thread.
Sent from my Photon via XDA
xTMFxOffshore said:
I'm on Home Base. V1.5 with the 4.2 update. Do you want the green color scheme from the Alien ROM?
Also. There is an overclock kernal which I run that you nees to be unlocked for. There was a stock file floating around. But just flash the latest SBF file. That SHOULD take you to stock. But you would have to ask in thay specific thread.
Sent from my Photon via XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool deal..so being unlocked is good for flashing kernels and roms etc.. how is your battery life
Inspire4G
It was pretty decent. Gone done since the update keeps trying to install. But before that was probably ten plus hours with fairly heavy use.
Sent from my Photon via XDA
sweet well thanks for all the info man thanks again wish I could thank you again lol
No worries Man. Just tryin' to help.
Sent from my Photon via XDA
I'm 99.9% sold on the Amaze, I will probably be ordering this weekend.
One niggling doubt is the s-off issue. I see that it hasn't been achieved yet, though you can unlock the bootloader via the HTC.com dev code, and that allows perma-rooting and Custom Roms to be installed.
My questions are:
What would S-off achieve? Would there be more impressive roms that use the space and/or resources from /system or somewhere else that can't be touched without S-off? Is a CM 9 possible for the Amaze without S-off? In the CM forums, the "last" word so far is that it hasn't been included on the official list because "it doesn't even have S-off yet".
Is there a difference warranty-wise? I understand the _possible_ implication of asking HTC for the code, they have you in some database that says you unlocked the bootloader. But as for the device itself, is one undoable and the other not?
I understand that flashing kernels would be harder without s-off because it would have to be done via adb, I think I understood. This is no big deal in itself.
Finally: if you unlock the bootloader via the HTC code, and weeks or months down the road an exploit is found to gain S-Off, are you hosed because you used the code and didn't wait?
I'd like to know so I can make my decision before getting the phone. If it's very disadvantageous to use the code rather than wait for S-off, for one reason or another, then I'd have to decide if I can live with only temp-rooting the device.
I am not going to use it on T-Mobile, I'm in Venezuela and will use it with my carrier here, so the unnecessary bloat will be even more of an annoyance, because on top of it sucking, it won't even work; so it would be important for me to at least root to get rid of it.
I'm sorry if my questions are too expansive, I picked up bits and pieces of information in other posts, but none of them answered these questions clearly. Thank you very much to all those who can help me answer them.
el_ochito said:
I'm 99.9% sold on the Amaze, I will probably be ordering this weekend.
One niggling doubt is the s-off issue. I see that it hasn't been achieved yet, though you can unlock the bootloader via the HTC.com dev code, and that allows perma-rooting and Custom Roms to be installed.
My questions are:
What would S-off achieve? Would there be more impressive roms that use the space and/or resources from /system or somewhere else that can't be touched without S-off? Is a CM 9 possible for the Amaze without S-off? In the CM forums, the "last" word so far is that it hasn't been included on the official list because "it doesn't even have S-off yet".
Is there a difference warranty-wise? I understand the _possible_ implication of asking HTC for the code, they have you in some database that says you unlocked the bootloader. But as for the device itself, is one undoable and the other not?
I understand that flashing kernels would be harder without s-off because it would have to be done via adb, I think I understood. This is no big deal in itself.
Finally: if you unlock the bootloader via the HTC code, and weeks or months down the road an exploit is found to gain S-Off, are you hosed because you used the code and didn't wait?
I'd like to know so I can make my decision before getting the phone. If it's very disadvantageous to use the code rather than wait for S-off, for one reason or another, then I'd have to decide if I can live with only temp-rooting the device.
I am not going to use it on T-Mobile, I'm in Venezuela and will use it with my carrier here, so the unnecessary bloat will be even more of an annoyance, because on top of it sucking, it won't even work; so it would be important for me to at least root to get rid of it.
I'm sorry if my questions are too expansive, I picked up bits and pieces of information in other posts, but none of them answered these questions clearly. Thank you very much to all those who can help me answer them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know where to start with all of your questions but I will do my best.
The difference between S-OFF and Unlocked bootloader is that with S-OFF you can flash anything including a radio and supposedly it would give us the ability to update the kernel by recovery. With an unlocked bootloader we cannot update the radio or kernel but can pretty much change everything else. An unlocked bootloader is required to root your device and remove all the bloat that you don't like. You can temp root the device to remove that bloatware however they will re-appear after a reboot. It has been under some debate if in fact using the unlock_code.bin file provided by htcdev is going to void your warranty if your device would require servicing. If it's vital to know that information then call HTC to inquire before unlocking.
Regarding CM9, it is possible but slightly inconvenient since CM9 would almost certainly require a different kernel and since we cannot flash kernels by recovery it would have to be done in a very certain order. Is it currently in the works? To my understanding, yes! Any idea when you can see it as a download here in the forums? Not at this time. Check back daily because things change frequently!
Thanks a lot for your response, Binary. I see you have an Amaze and have indeed unlocked its bootloader, so I guess the real question would be: when and if s-off is achieved, will you be able to do it even though you've already unlocked the bootloader with the .bin file?
Warranty would be terribly hard for me to take advantage of anyways after the initial check. If I don't RMA the unit, then I'm pretty much gambling on the fact that it will work well no matter what, since sending it back to the US from Venezuela would be a major PITA, so I don't really care much about voiding it.
el_ochito said:
Thanks a lot for your response, Binary. I see you have an Amaze and have indeed unlocked its bootloader, so I guess the real question would be: when and if s-off is achieved, will you be able to do it even though you've already unlocked the bootloader with the .bin file?
Warranty would be terribly hard for me to take advantage of anyways after the initial check. If I don't RMA the unit, then I'm pretty much gambling on the fact that it will work well no matter what, since sending it back to the US from Venezuela would be a major PITA, so I don't really care much about voiding it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no reason that having an unlocked bootloader will interfere with being able to obtain s-off in the future because we can always relock the bootloader when (or if) it comes down to it.
Binary100100 said:
I don't know where to start with all of your questions but I will do my best.
The difference between S-OFF and Unlocked bootloader is that with S-OFF you can flash anything including a radio and supposedly it would give us the ability to update the kernel by recovery. With an unlocked bootloader we cannot update the radio or kernel but can pretty much change everything else. An unlocked bootloader is required to root your device and remove all the bloat that you don't like. You can temp root the device to remove that bloatware however they will re-appear after a reboot. It has been under some debate if in fact using the unlock_code.bin file provided by htcdev is going to void your warranty if your device would require servicing. If it's vital to know that information then call HTC to inquire before unlocking.
Regarding CM9, it is possible but slightly inconvenient since CM9 would almost certainly require a different kernel and since we cannot flash kernels by recovery it would have to be done in a very certain order. Is it currently in the works? To my understanding, yes! Any idea when you can see it as a download here in the forums? Not at this time. Check back daily because things change frequently!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your words helped me a lot. I was thinking about the diff between s-on/off and lock.unlock bootloader for long. Thanks so much
So as some of us should know HTC Legend can now be Hboot unlocked and can gain S-off. Now, a question for some of you phone nerds out there, what benefits does having S-off actually give you, other than running adblocking applications. I've been thinking about unlocking my bootloader to get S-off but heard that it is an irreversible method, so I need to make sure if it is worth it or not.
-cheers
That's a good question, what can one do with on S-off legend that you can't do with the new unlocked bootloader. Except return under warranty.
BTW HTC knows we unlocked our phone, that is why we need to provide a device token.
Sent from my HTC Legend using XDA App
If I know correct, S-OFFing is a unlocking procedure that gives access to /radio and simlock.
So, unlocked bootloader gives every access except /radio and simlock. To get these you'd have to S-OFF, which is impossible on 1.02.0000 (?)
He actually wants to know the benefits of unlocking his bootloader through the HTC-way.
Benefits include being able to flash a recovery (No more fakeflash recovery booting needed)
And alter animations/host file/everything else that lives in /system/. Apps like metamorph need this. All in all it's a pretty easy procedure, and there's little reason not to do it, especially if your warranty has expired.
pepijn499 said:
He actually wants to know the benefits of unlocking his bootloader through the HTC-way.
Benefits include being able to flash a recovery (No more fakeflash recovery booting needed)
And alter animations/host file/everything else that lives in /system/. Apps like metamorph need this. All in all it's a pretty easy procedure, and there's little reason not to do it, especially if your warranty has expired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I won't be doing it anytime sooner since my 2 year contract isn't even halfway yet. Cheers for the input.
Sent from my Legend using xda premium
Sorry if this is posted before or buried in the mountain of threads, but from what i've read so far, does the root method actually give you S-OFF? I don't want to root it if i wont be able to flash roms. Also, when i plugged in my device the driver updated and its 2.0.7.3. Does that mean i dont need to download the drivers?
tampered just means rooted if you want to unlock your bootloader so you can flash custom roms.click on the link below and it has instructions.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1690919
Check out this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1690919
There is no S-Off for this phone as of yet, but I don't think we'll need it. Root is different than S-Off.
S-Off is closer to an Unlocked bootloader, which the post I directed to you does. With this method you'll be able to flash roms using TWRP.
wobbies said:
Sorry if this is posted before or buried in the mountain of threads, but from what i've read so far, does the root method actually give you S-OFF? I don't want to root it if i wont be able to flash roms. Also, when i plugged in my device the driver updated and its 2.0.7.3. Does that mean i dont need to download the drivers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently there is no S-Off method available for this phone (as of right now). But we've come to find out that we don't need S-Off that much on this phone.
Even with S-On, you can flash roms, mods, tweaks, etc. Hell you can even flash Radios now (which use to be reserved for S-Off).
The current method is HTCDev Unlock. It does mark your bootloader as 'tampered'. But when am I going to actually use a manufacturer warranty or somebody like Sprint is actually going to check the Bootloader. But even that is different from root. You can root, which will give you root access. Then if you want you can unlock the bootloader which will allow you to flash a custom recovery which will allow you to flash Roms, etc.
Edit: I've been ninja'd.
Thank you very much guys
So in order to flash custom ROMs I have to unlock the bootloader (and void the warranty)?
sracercelica said:
So in order to flash custom ROMs I have to unlock the bootloader (and void the warranty)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but you can make it seem as if you never unlocked by ruu'ing. sprint will never know... if it gets that bad, "somebody stole it."
Rydah805 said:
yes, but you can make it seem as if you never unlocked by ruu'ing. sprint will never know... if it gets that bad, "somebody stole it."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well sprint only gives 30 days warranty anyways so I am actually worried about HTC's warranty. I dont have the insurance through Sprint (which I heard is going to increase to 10 bucks a month).
Got a stupid question and can't find the stupid question section on this forum for the M8 as in the M7 section. But, I have a new phone which I have upgraded to . I am not new to the rooting and switching roms I have done it since the One X, but , can I flash a custom recovery without unlocking the bootloader? Reason is , I use a app called Privacy Star for call blocking and just discovered by means of me having two identical phones except for the color . One has all the OTA's up to Android version 5.0.2 HTC Sense 6.0 the other is straight ouf the box and no updates, software Android 4.4.2 Sense 6.0. The app seems to work fine with 4.4.2 but the app makes the phone ringer silent after a blocked call and it has to be put in recovery and recovered or reboot the phone to get the ringer back. I know that flashing a custom recovery removes the ability to take OTA's and want to keep the phones at 4.4.2 , at least for a day or two. So can I flash a custom recovery such as TWRP without rooting? and RUU the one phone with the updates back to 4.4.2? Make sense? I hope so.
leesumm said:
Got a stupid question and can't find the stupid question section on this forum for the M8 as in the M7 section.
can I flash a custom recovery without unlocking the bootloader? I know that flashing a custom recovery removes the ability to take OTA's and want to keep the phones at 4.4.2 , at least for a day or two. So can I flash a custom recovery such as TWRP without rooting?
and RUU the one phone with the updates back to 4.4.2? Make sense?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think someone did a "stupid question" thread for this section at one point, long ago. But nobody really used it, it didn't get stickied, and quickly became buried among the other threads.
No, you can't install custom recovery without unlocking the bootloader. But you can restore to stock recovery when/if you want to install an OTA.
You can RUU back to 4.4.2 if you use sunshine ($25) to s-off the phone; which removes the version check, and allows you to "downgrade".
redpoint73 said:
I think someone did a "stupid question" thread for this section at one point, long ago. But nobody really used it, it didn't get stickied, and quickly became buried among the other threads.
No, you can't install custom recovery without unlocking the bootloader. But you can restore to stock recovery when/if you want to install an OTA.
You can RUU back to 4.4.2 if you use sunshine ($25) to s-off the phone; which removes the version check, and allows you to "downgrade".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, wasn't sure and its been a long time since I have messed with a stock phone . I really didn't want to void the warranty just yet as the phone isn't much over 24 old so far and wanted to let it "settle" in before doing any mods on it.
leesumm said:
Thanks, wasn't sure and its been a long time since I have messed with a stock phone . I really didn't want to void the warranty just yet as the phone isn't much over 24 old so far and wanted to let it "settle" in before doing any mods on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want, since the phone has older software (4.4.2) you should be able to temp root and s-off with sunshine ($25) which can also unlock the bootloader without using HTCDev.com. And HTC will therefore not have a record of you unlocking the bootloader. And with s-off, all can be returned to full stock (LOCKED bootloader, s-on, etc.) so HTC would never be any the wiser.
But also note that if you purchased the phone through AT&T, modifying the phone by unlocking the bootloader (root, etc.) does not actually void your warranty. AT&T actually changed their warranty terms a year or 2 ago. The only thing that voids the warranty are physical damage and water damage. There have been numerous reports of folks that successfully got warranty service from AT&T with unlocked bootloaders. But that is just through AT&T. HTC is a whole other story.
redpoint73 said:
If you want, since the phone has older software (4.4.2) you should be able to temp root and s-off with sunshine ($25) which can also unlock the bootloader without using HTCDev.com. And HTC will therefore not have a record of you unlocking the bootloader. And with s-off, all can be returned to full stock (LOCKED bootloader, s-on, etc.) so HTC would never be any the wiser.
But also note that if you purchased the phone through AT&T, modifying the phone by unlocking the bootloader (root, etc.) does not actually void your warranty. AT&T actually changed their warranty terms a year or 2 ago. The only thing that voids the warranty are physical damage and water damage. There have been numerous reports of folks that successfully got warranty service from AT&T with unlocked bootloaders. But that is just through AT&T. HTC is a whole other story.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One phone has 4.4.2 software and the other has 5.0.2 software, I didn't catch the newest one soon enough and my wife did the OTA without me knowing it. The only reason I wanted the older software was the fact the app I like has a glitch in it with the newer software update and it silences the ringer . The app works fine on the phone with the 4.4.2 software I just wanted to make sure it didn't update itself