Well, I hear the 2.3.5 update is coming for the MoPho. If you want to be able to flash custom roms, kernels, etc. you should read here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1620905 It appears if you flash this you may have the same issue the Electrify users had after they flashed 2.3.5.
Way to keep, I mean, break a promise Moto!
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
I actually have 4G at my office and thats why unlocking has been a deal breaker for me. This is also the reason I wont buy another Motorola device. I bought this device, I own it. Motorola said they would unlock the bootloaders and now its pretty apparent they arent going to. I wont make the mistake of buying another Motorola phone. They need to just go back o Verizon and stay there.
LexLuger82 said:
<MOD EDIT>
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Moto suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Yeah,I kind of feel the same way.I was digging around in the ICS system dump for the Razr.I almost think id rather have AOSP ICS over what Moto offers,if its gonna look like the Razrs.With ICS,they have to "theme" the AOSP Holo theme,not rework it completely per Google.And looking through the apps,no more Universal Mail Box,my personal favorite.
FernBch said:
Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Motor suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i love the hardware... seriously it's the best! i hate the locked bootloader. after this phone it's nothing but Nexus phones for me here on out.
For me, Motorola's superior radio is more important than the bootloader. I live out in the country, and I use US Cellular because the Big Four don't consider service to my neck of the woods to be profitable. Even so, US Cellular service with a Samsung or HTC means I have to put my phone in the windowsill to get reception. With Motorola, I can have the phone at my desk or in bed, or in the bathroom which is practically a Faraday cage, and still get calls and messages.
I thought Sprint was abandoning the Photon. Are they still doing so?
Also, thanks for the heads up. My brother has a Photon. I'll make sure he doesn't upgrade to 2.3.5. I've tried to get him to sign up here and learn how to change up his phone. Pretty sure he just has everything stock. (He lives in another state, I've never actually seen his phone.)
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't hold your breath. Moto has not unlocked any device in the past and the Photon will probably be no different. People have been begging for unlock for the first Droid X and a few others for quite some time.
It was taken away from Electrify users and now Photon users. It will not be given back.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Sprints keeping it locked down because its still a high selling phone. You would figure they would want to keep there entire north American nation on their network as long as they are still selling this phone. Sounds like good business to me while also helping the people out that do actually travel the world and still able to use their only world phone to do so. Sprint is being smart with this phone. I would do the same if I were them and if anyone complained to me I would tell them "we gave you a world phone so you could travel. You want a phone you can't leave the US with in exchange for an unlocked bootloader then get one of our many other amazing androids with unlocked restricted to north America only. Either way were getting your money and so does Motorola"
This phone already has more to offer than most high end androids out there. Top notch radios, solid design, superb CPU with nvidia graphics technology, only sprint Android to be unlocked for other country's" it does not have 3D if you want that get the evo 3D.
Please people appreciate what Motorola and sprint has offered us and stop complain so much. Sure I hate that its still locked and i can't use it for At&t but I also understood this before I bought the phone and dealt with it for what it is. Everyone here seems to knows Motorola's past about promises but yet you still purchased this device anyway...
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You misunderstand, what they are talking about here is the bootloader. It needs to be unlocked to flash custom roms and kernels. Right now unlocked bootloader means no 4g. After update it means unable to unlock bootloader at all. Has nothing to do with using on att.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
The OP is right. The next release for the Photon for now is a GB maintenance update. Here is a link to Moto's explanation that defines the terms "update" and "upgrade". On the SOAK test page it says that they are looking for users to test the pre-release "update". I hope the Photon doesn't have the same issues as the Electrify. I have no doubt that ICS upgrade is in the works and will be released in Q3 and this update is a side thing.
posted April 25, 2012 by Remy
ericchan3 said:
"New call for SOAK testers for an upcoming release. Look at the sticky thread for the update posted today. I am hoping its for the ICS update."
This is not going to be an ICS release for a couple of reasons:
1) It does not match up with the timeline posted here on the upgrades page.
2) Terminology; Update = maintenance update, fixes. Upgrade = OS upgrade, ie: ICS.
I hope this helps clear things up.
Thanks,
J
https://forums.motorola.com/posts/25829baf50
bricky23 said:
You misunderstand, what they are talking about here is the bootloader. It needs to be unlocked to flash custom roms and kernels. Right now unlocked bootloader means no 4g. After update it means unable to unlock bootloader at all. Has nothing to do with using on att.
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your saying that Motorola(or sprint telling moto what's up) has decided to Bork 4G if bootloader is unlocked? Kinda makes sense. If your not going to use software provided by the hard working people over at moto then why should they give you everything? Makes sense wouldnt give us an unlocked bootloader. Because they know that no matter what we will still be able to unlock it ourselves or still find a way to install custom roms and kernels. This isn't their first rodeo obviously. They worked hard to bring us this wonderful phone why would they make it easy for us to replace it?
I understand what you guys are saying. I just thought I would add a bit more to it before it was debated later. Motorola all around still has some of the highest selling android phones most of which have locked bootloaders but somehow still attract the same people that always say "I will never buy a Motorola again!"
Im just trying to get the people to understand that its just like when you were a kid and you touch a hot stove for the first time. You don't touch it again right? Why get the photon if you could have gotten a different high end device? Maybe one with an unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my I9300 using XDA
tsdeaton said:
Give it time guys. Once Motorola has released their ics update and sprint stops supporting the moto(EOL catches up) then I see no reason why they wouldn't unlock it or at least give us north America at&t so I could "lose" my phone and get its replacement and continue to use this phone as a prepaid go phone after I get my upgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Moto/Sprint has to do is make the claim of "network security concerns" and all petitions and laws related to unlocking can be ignored. Just look at Verizon and devices on Block C frequencies. Now if nobody purchased Moto devices for on release cycle then Moto may reconsider but that will never happen so our phones stay locked by the manufacturer.
True, but someone sooner or later will get an anti trust action or whatever you call it. Microsoft tried that crap and were eventually shot down. Your phone is basically a mini PC. What they are doing is trying to limit software to what they can control.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
I had used HTC phones for years, but wanted to give Moto a shot.
I'll probably go back to HTC.
But - important - I now no longer see the need to upgrade every year. I got to that point a few years ago with my laptop, and think I'm there with my tablet also.
I quit upgrading every year. There's really no need to. My first was the Moto Q, had it for over a year then I got it wet. My next was a HTC Ozone, grew tired of the WinMo thing after almost two years. Next was a Droid X, I really liked it, even renewed my contract, but Big Red really pissed me off. Now I have the MoPho and it's here to stay. Being able to get ICS from these awesome devs just cements it's place. But Moto does need to either quit making promises they don't intend to keep and/or get with the program.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
FernBch said:
I quit upgrading every year. There's really no need to. My first was the Moto Q, had it for over a year then I got it wet. My next was a HTC Ozone, grew tired of the WinMo thing after almost two years. Next was a Droid X, I really liked it, even renewed my contract, but Big Red really pissed me off. Now I have the MoPho and it's here to stay. Being able to get ICS from these awesome devs just cements it's place. But Moto does need to either quit making promises they don't intend to keep and/or get with the program.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a year in India, one year ago I made the jump from WinMo to Android - have had 3 Android phones in that year. Happy with the Photon for at least another year+ with ICS coming.
FernBch said:
True, but someone sooner or later will get an anti trust action or whatever you call it. Microsoft tried that crap and were eventually shot down. Your phone is basically a mini PC. What they are doing is trying to limit software to what they can control.
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly! if i buy a laptop and it comes with windows 7 on it and i want windows xp i can do that. why the heck can't i do the same with my phone that costs more than my laptop?
like i stated in another thread.... all my devices for now on will be Nexus'. hopefully it will be a motorola one cause i love their hardware but i feel that i should be able to put what ever the hell i want to on my phone. i have a huge problem with the fact that companies won't allow me to do that. so for now on either the phone already has a unlocked bootloader (by the manufacturer or by another means) or i'll just buy a Nexus phone.
Somehow I'm still surprised that this update they are testing is ONLY the 2.3.5 gingerbread update. Somehow I had some sort of hope that this would be the ICS update. Not sure how I was that optimistic about it, I guess I just figured they wouldn't be just now testing an update for the Photon that came out on the electrify over a month ago.
Hey, you know how it is. They have to lay the "ground work"............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
FernBch said:
Maybe. I guess I can consider myself lucky. I mean, IMHO, Moto's hardware is better than most. They are well built, my reception is top notch, and I do have an unlocked device.
The part that makes Moto suck is the software end. They said they would unlock things, but it appears this is not the case. And who's to say that Sprint doesn't have a hand in this, either? I mean, if we unlock, flash, etc. we are using our devices how WE want, not how THEY want.
Just saying..............
My MoPho's in the kitchen sink!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you 100%. Motorola phones have been very good to me. I need something that's durable with my job, and the way my Motorola phones have held up has been more than acceptable. I am actually scared to try another manufacture's device because of how much luck I've had with Motorola.
Related
When Motorola said they would unlock bootloader s in late 2011, depending on carrier.
If your carrier is not one that will allow it, could you flash another carrier sbf to acquire an unlockable bootloader?
Desire is the source of all suffering.
cant see why not, the french 2.1.1 is a retail sbf afaik so in theory that should get any updates almost straight away as opposed to the carrier specific sbfs, may be wrong though :S
ears1991 said:
cant see why not, the french 2.1.1 is a retail sbf afaik so in theory that should get any updates almost straight away as opposed to the carrier specific sbfs, may be wrong though :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just was noticing how some sbf's are not compatible. And if it's an update that effects the bootloader then it maybe brand specific, unless it's upto the carrier to give you that update, so then they could with hold it, if it allows the bootloader to be unlocked.
Swyped from 'mount' olympus
nitrox1 said:
When Motorola said they would unlock bootloader s in late 2011, depending on carrier.
If your carrier is not one that will allow it, could you flash another carrier sbf to acquire an unlockable bootloader?
Desire is the source of all suffering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa when did motorola say they were going to unlock bootloaders? do you have a link?
This is AT&T we are talking about here.
With their long history of screwing customers over, do you really thing this will happen?
(I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just more realistic)
Mgamerz said:
This is AN AMERICAN CARRIER we are talking about here.
With their long history of screwing customers over, do you really thing this will happen?
(I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just more realistic)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There, I fixed that for you!
I would think that after they stop supporting the device they will open the bootloader but knowing Motorola they might just expect you to get a new phone that they will support for another few months. If we have to sign a contract with the carrier then the carrier should sign a contract with us agreeing to support the device, however I know realisticly AT&T would never go for that. What is sad is that my G1, the first android phone got Cyanogen support up to froyo. With motorola we will get Gingerbread at some point and maybe Ice Cream but who knows.
Sorry for ranting I just which Motorola was a more open company in respect to dealing with its customers. The more they disconnect from their customers the less they will have...
Tmo and sprint are doing pretty well. Verizon is alright (with the droid line). Most non droid motorola phones seem to suck and be crippled.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G on the network with the most backhaul, whatever that is
neotekz said:
whoa when did motorola say they were going to unlock bootloaders? do you have a link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's out there, think it's on their facebook, or google it.
They said 'all their range', but also upto carrier, by end of 2011.
When I was flashing my desire, htc updates changed hboot, that's why I asked.
And if you have a at&t phone, would you be able to flash a tmo uk sbf, to get your bootloader unlocked, if at&t didn't provide? Was the real question, or vice versa.
Swyped from 'mount' Olympus
Dependant on carrier? I'm confused.....Does this mean that HTCs will still be locked on AT&T even though they said they won't?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
The carriers can, but the flipside is that its more work for the lazy bums at at&t. I doubt htc will lock the bootloader, but at&t does have the final word.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G on the network with the most backhaul, whatever that is
I've pretty much accepted the fact that we'll never see an unlocked bootloader on this phone. Either officially, or through some dev work on xda. Atleast that way I can be surprised if it ever happens.
If AT&T really does have the final say, I dont see why we couldnt flash a bootloader update intended for, say, a Bell Atrix. Remember when people were flashing a radio intended for Tesla Atrix's that unlocked HSPA+ speeds before 1.83? We could probably just do the same here.
Jotokun said:
If AT&T really does have the final say, I dont see why we couldnt flash a bootloader update intended for, say, a Bell Atrix. Remember when people were flashing a radio intended for Tesla Atrix's that unlocked HSPA+ speeds before 1.83? We could probably just do the same here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no dev, but am pretty sure you can't just go about flashing a bootloader all willy nilly like. could be wrong though
holtenc said:
I'm no dev, but am pretty sure you can't just go about flashing a bootloader all willy nilly like. could be wrong though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you are wrong. With the Dream you could flash the SPL off the google dev phone to it which was the source of all custom roms for a while. This in fact would be a closer match and would work with little/no modification.
chria01 said:
Well you are wrong. With the Dream you could flash the SPL off the google dev phone to it which was the source of all custom roms for a while. This in fact would be a closer match and would work with little/no modification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Atrix isnt the Dream, so there's no way to know for sure. But until its proven that cant be done, I choose to remain optimistic.
The bootloader and kernel are signed.
If you flashed the bootloader, you'd need to also be able to decrypt the kernel otherwise flashing would be pretty useless. Unless you could redirect what kernel to load. (Lol defeated my own argument)
I don't believe it's the carrier's that carry all the weight. It seems more like the OEMs do.
HTC declared that all bootloaders would be unlocked. They just said so. They didn't say, with permission from the carrier.
That's only after people bombed their facebook and twitter after hearing about the Evo3D. We've been trying since the DX to get even a vague response on if Motorola will do it or not.
From my understanding, if Motorola provide an SBF or update.zip that can load a signed boot image that will then allow us to load unsigned packages then we should be able to get it retroactively.
I'm just not sure if any of the people on the TI OMAP cpu will be as lucky as those devices also had hardware mechanism in place to stop flashing.
I'm still trying guys!
I'm using HTC's announcement as steam and have a contact in Moto Australia trying to help me get the right people on the phone. No promises, just a reminder that I'm fighting this and will continue to until it's unlocked.
Cheers,
Irwin
I spoke with an upper level tech support rep from AT&T yesterday and I know it's not absolute but when I asked what AT&T's stance was on unlocked boot loaders, she said they were against it.
I know it's not an official answer, but they said flashing of any unauthorized ROMs is something they're against and therefore will not support unlocked boot loaders.
Just putting it out there. Let's hope our devs can bypass this =].
I don't know how to say this in a correct manor so I hope I don't get banned for this [email protected]#$ Motorola! I am serious pissed with Motorola now.
I feel lied to...even though they didn't promise anything they said they intended to unlock bootloaders late this year....well there are now 2 days left in the year....how much later can they wait?
I know they said "with carrier approval" well apparently VZW for one approves as the Galaxy Nexus has an unlockable bootloader and now this thread comes out.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/htc-unlocks-all-its-verizon-and-att-bootloaders/
am I missing something here? Or were we decieved....again
Apparently Verizon won't let Motorola unlock their phones.
Someone probably signed a really crappy contract back in the day.
HTC, Samsung etc has a lot more leverage and money.
Since Moto was on the brink of bancrupcy for a long time, I guess they signed some panic-treaty.
The rest of the world isn't getting the 4g razr either.
I thought it's going to be unlocked after ICS update?
milf33 said:
I thought it's going to be unlocked after ICS update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was what I have been reading on some other forums.
milf33 said:
I thought it's going to be unlocked after ICS update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How long after, a year two years?
nerdslogic said:
I don't know how to say this in a correct manor so I hope I don't get banned for this [email protected]#$ Motorola! I am serious pissed with Motorola now.
I feel lied to...even though they didn't promise anything they said they intended to unlock bootloaders late this year....well there are now 2 days left in the year....how much later can they wait?
I know they said "with carrier approval" well apparently VZW for one approves as the Galaxy Nexus has an unlockable bootloader and now this thread comes out.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/htc-unlocks-all-its-verizon-and-att-bootloaders/
am I missing something here? Or were we decieved....again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are confused and you can't believe everything you read on the interwebs. Motorola NEVER promised you or any of us it would unlock the bootloaders. If you can find where they did, I would love to be proven wrong.
If an unlocked bootloader is so important to you, I would seriously take your Moto phone back to the store and get the Nexus.
seanmcd72 said:
You are confused and you can't believe everything you read on the interwebs. Motorola NEVER promised you or any of us it would unlock the bootloaders. If you can find where they did, I would love to be proven wrong.
If an unlocked bootloader is so important to you, I would seriously take your Moto phone back to the store and get the Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed
+1
seanmcd72 said:
You are confused and you can't believe everything you read on the interwebs. Motorola NEVER promised you or any of us it would unlock the bootloaders. If you can find where they did, I would love to be proven wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I googled for less than a minute. Do research yourself next time, okay?
http://www.motorola.com/blog/2011/10/24/ice-cream-and-bootloaders-and-motorola-–-oh-my/
"It’s our plan to offer an unlockable/relockable bootloader, currently found on the Motorola XOOM, in future software releases starting later this year, where operator and channel partners will allow it."
Now, if there's one thing we all know about Moto, it's that they're terrible with dates. So if you're looking forward to it, don't expect it until the ICS update, because I doubt they will make an update just for the sake of unlocking bootloaders. They originally DID say that ICS was coming later this year, after all. I don't know if they'll fight for it as hard as Google/HTC did to get Verizon to agree with them, though. The way they have it worded is very... laid-back sounding. Kind of more like a "hey is this okay? no? alright we won't do that" approach
"It’s our plan to offer an unlockable/relockable bootloader, currently found on the Motorola XOOM, in future software releases starting later this year, where operator and channel partners will allow it."
thats not a promise just a statement :/
Agreed.
Unlocking bootloader is a simple thing. Knowing Moto's track record and their laxness on this phone, how can we believe that ICS is even going to come this year, if at all?
seanmcd72 said:
If an unlocked bootloader is so important to you, I would seriously take your Moto phone back to the store and get the Nexus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice....that is exactly what I did
Sent from my unlocked Nexus on XDA premium.
[TSON] said:
I googled for less than a minute. Do research yourself next time, okay?
http://www.motorola.com/blog/2011/10/24/ice-cream-and-bootloaders-and-motorola-–-oh-my/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"... where operator and channel partners will allow it"
THAT MEANS it's completely up to Verizon.
seanmcd72 said:
"... where operator and channel partners will allow it"
THAT MEANS it's completely up to Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like I said....nexus and now all HTC devices are being unlocked.....only Motorola's are not
Sent from my unlocked Nexus on XDA premium.
Shadowdancer123 said:
Apparently Verizon won't let Motorola unlock their phones.
Someone probably signed a really crappy contract back in the day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then care to explain why the Motorola milestone was encrypted, while the Droid wasn't? I can count the number of un-encrypted devices that Motorola has released...worldwide with one hand.
If Verizon is against unlocked bootloaders then why are they allowing the galaxy nexus on their network? Or allowing HTC to unlock their devices?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
seanmcd72 said:
"... where operator and channel partners will allow it"
THAT MEANS it's completely up to Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more corporate laziness than actually the carriers decision. Honestly, Motorola must be hiding something in their phones to be so uptight about unlocking the bootloader.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
I really dont get why people complains about Motorola. As I know the decision to get this phone its our, Im agree with you in the idea that Motorola its making a really mistake blocking the bootloader but as I tell you before the decision its yours. Simply dont get the phone.
Okay, so here's the deal. I Bought this Photon in March, unlocked the bootloader, got CM7.2 running on it, set up the dock so it works with an external HD and runs shows and movies on my TV. Then, last month Sprint up and cancelled my phone with no warning. I'm on Verizon now with the Droid X2, which I noticed is startlingly similar to the Photon. I already know the Photon can be unlocked for international use, but how would I convince it that it's now a Verizon phone? I've got a couple really simple "You can't do it" with no explanation, but I've seen them for sale on ebay claiming to be usable on Verizon domestic, and in this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664212 - which I cannot post on, there are a couple posts towards the end saying that a couple people managed to get theirs up and running on Verizon, albeit with a few bugs.
Now, I'm not expecting miracles, but these two phones are so alike it's not even funny. I don't care about 4G, need 4G, or even *want* 4G access. If flashing my phone somehow irrepairably damages 4G, I really could care less. They're both CDMA/EVDO networks, so there's *got* to be a way to make this work. I know that's an oversimplification, but it's basically true.
As a side note, since the two phones are so similar, is there a way to use the sbf file (it's like, ten meg) that unlocked my Photon to unlock my X2? *edit* Tried it, didn't work. Oh well, worth a shot.
Caboose27 said:
Okay, so here's the deal. I Bought this Photon in March, unlocked the bootloader, got CM7.2 running on it, set up the dock so it works with an external HD and runs shows and movies on my TV. Then, last month Sprint up and cancelled my phone with no warning. I'm on Verizon now with the Droid X2, which I noticed is startlingly similar to the Photon. I already know the Photon can be unlocked for international use, but how would I convince it that it's now a Verizon phone? I've got a couple really simple "You can't do it" with no explanation, but I've seen them for sale on ebay claiming to be usable on Verizon domestic, and in this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1664212 - which I cannot post on, there are a couple posts towards the end saying that a couple people managed to get theirs up and running on Verizon, albeit with a few bugs.
Now, I'm not expecting miracles, but these two phones are so alike it's not even funny. I don't care about 4G, need 4G, or even *want* 4G access. If flashing my phone somehow irrepairably damages 4G, I really could care less. They're both CDMA/EVDO networks, so there's *got* to be a way to make this work. I know that's an oversimplification, but it's basically true.
As a side note, since the two phones are so similar, is there a way to use the sbf file (it's like, ten meg) that unlocked my Photon to unlock my X2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to get Verizon to activate the ESN on their network. Which is not likely to happen. But if you can the rest is simple.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA
na7q said:
You need to get Verizon to activate the ESN on their network. Which is not likely to happen. But if you can the rest is simple.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA
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Click to collapse
Okay, what is "the rest"? I don't honestly know what needs to happen for this to work, which is what I'm trying to find out.
My contract with Sprint is going to be up soon and, sadly, I am moving on to a different device. Although my Photon was a great device the unfulfilled promises from Moto/Sprint and lack of a trouble free ROM above Gingerbread leaves me no other suitable option but to upgrade. Tie that to the fact that I have moved to an area where Sprint service barely exists and my P4G's fate is sealed.
That said, everyone here in the Photon forums will be missed. There are some very talented dev's here that I owe a great amount of Thanks to. Loki, th3bill, jokersax and so many others made it possible to unlock much of my device's potential. If only Moto would have coughed up what they promised the Photon would have truly been a formitable device for anyone to reckon with.
Anyone have suggestions on the best place to list a near mint Photon4G with an unlockable bootloader? I'm sure it could possibly be of some use to a devloper somewhere.
(Mods please don't delete, I am not trying to sell here. Just want to know the best place to list.)
I got a Photon Q used for $100. No LTE here yet, but was able to Unlock bootloader and running CM10.2
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rbeavers said:
I got a Photon Q used for $100. No LTE here yet, but was able to Unlock bootloader and running CM10.2
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Sounds like a good deal. For me I'm going to Big Red, Sprint has no local service here (only roaming) and everyone else is either more $$ or bad service (did a lot of research). So I gave in and am getting the GS4.
The Moto X will be available soon on Verizon.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
rbeavers said:
The Moto X will be available soon on Verizon.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But will it be rootable and romable??
FernBch said:
Sounds like a good deal. For me I'm going to Big Red, Sprint has no local service here (only roaming) and everyone else is either more $$ or bad service (did a lot of research). So I gave in and am getting the GS4.
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Click to collapse
I switched to ATT for the same reasons you're talking about Verizon. I also got the S4 and I LOVE it. It has the best battery life of any phone I have ever had, bar none. I bought two extra batteries and a charger, as I always do when I get a new phone, it's been two months now, and I have yet to use them. One day I got the battery down to 17%, but otherwise, never below 30%, and I do use the phone a lot. I don't miss my Moto phones at all. Never again. Regarding selling your phone, I think they promote swappa around here. You could always use craigslist too. But if you're in a position to consider it, as I was, think about donating to one of the developers. I donated my phone and honestly hope some good has come of it.
rbeavers said:
The Moto X will be available soon on Verizon.
Sent from my XT897 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
For me, I cannot think of a phone I want LESS than this moto phone. They used to have better radios but I don't think that's true anymore. My S4 works everywhere I've needed it. No dropped calls, 4G service that's much better than Sprints service, and we had 4G LTE here in Houston. Step away from the moto addiction, you won't be sorry you did. There is GOOD life without moto, and Punit Soni doesn't need your buisness, trust me on that. That guy has deluded himself about his honesty and ethics, to the point that he doesn't even realize he talks out of both sides of his mouth.
I agree with the sentiments expressed on the development here, and the community that was built. It was the friendliest, most helpful group of people I'd ever been around bar none. I miss that a lot, but I haven't missed the photon for 5 minutes. Well, I kind of missed it while I used the Galaxy Nexus I bought off ebay for six months, that thing had horrible battery life, but otherwise was an equivalent phone. Since I've had the S4, not missed the photon for a minute.
Thanks retailguy, you're the second person that has told me good things about the GS4. Hopefully I'll get the MDK build instead of ME7 when I pick it up this week.
I'm ditching smartphones completely and moving to the Omate TrueSmart. If I'm going to loose Ubuntu for Android functionality I see no reason for me to waste my money on a smartphone.
FernBch said:
But will it be rootable and romable??
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Most likely. Motorola has built a website to unlock the bootloader. But beware, the moment you use it, your warranty will be voided.
---------- Post added at 08:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------
FernBch said:
Thanks retailguy, you're the second person that has told me good things about the GS4. Hopefully I'll get the MDK build instead of ME7 when I pick it up this week.
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Click to collapse
Truthfully, I don't know which build I even have. Other than access to wireless tethering, and removing the ATT bloat, I see no reason to even root the phone. It's THAT good.
retailguy said:
Most likely. Motorola has built a website to unlock the bootloader. But beware, the moment you use it, your warranty will be voided.
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Click to collapse
Moto may have built the site but I have read in many places that VZW does not support or allow unlockable BL's from the mfg's.
FernBch said:
Moto may have built the site but I have read in many places that VZW does not support or allow unlockable BL's from the mfg's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you're right. Not having Verizon, I forgot about that. Unless someone finds an exploit, the bootloader will stay locked. And considering that no one has found an exploit for the Photon, it's doubtful that anyone will find one for the X. Personally, I believe that's why Motorola never unlocked the photon bootloader, it was their unofficial "test" to see if the community could defeat their security. But, I've also been accused of being a bit paranoid too.
You must be talking about the Photon Q. I remember reading that before it was released. The Photon 4G was put out with an unlockable bootloader. That was the reason I picked one up. Mine runs CM10.2. I really like the features that Cyanogenmod puts into their ROMs. That's why I'm hoping to get the MDK build. If I do CM will be on my GS4 in a matter of hours.
If you are on Verizon or AT&T, expect every phone you buy to be locked down tighter than Fort Knox. To the people looking for the MDK build of the S4, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT. YOUR PHONE WILL BE PERMALOCKED OOB. The turnover was brutally fast, and 99.9% of all new units after the OTA were shipped with ME7 pre-installed. That's for both carriers. Unless you buy used or can verify that it wasn't updated. My friend has the AT&T one, and I keep telling him that I feel his pain haha.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
There is going to be a Verizon developer edition Moto X with an unlocked bootloader out of the box.
FernBch said:
You must be talking about the Photon Q. I remember reading that before it was released. The Photon 4G was put out with an unlockable bootloader. That was the reason I picked one up. Mine runs CM10.2. I really like the features that Cyanogenmod puts into their ROMs. That's why I'm hoping to get the MDK build. If I do CM will be on my GS4 in a matter of hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Motorola pushed an update that locked the bootloader. Anyone who had 2.3.4 and accepted that update got a present of a locked bootloader that no one has been able to defeat. My understanding is if you got 2.3.5 from the factory you did not have this problem. Only those who participated in the soak test have locked bootloaders.
You must have a factory 2.3.5 phone, or one that originally had 2.3.4 and was not updated as part of the soak test.
Koopa777 said:
If you are on Verizon or AT&T, expect every phone you buy to be locked down tighter than Fort Knox. To the people looking for the MDK build of the S4, YOU WILL NOT FIND IT. YOUR PHONE WILL BE PERMALOCKED OOB. The turnover was brutally fast, and 99.9% of all new units after the OTA were shipped with ME7 pre-installed. That's for both carriers. Unless you buy used or can verify that it wasn't updated. My friend has the AT&T one, and I keep telling him that I feel his pain haha.
Sent from my MB855 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. This is surprising and disappointing, but truthfully, I haven't even thought about unlocking the bootloader on this phone. The stock rom does everything I want it to do, and since it's the most popular Samsung phone out there , it'll probably be supported longer than I care to use it. It will affect what I buy next time, the whole locked bootloader really ticks me off, but c'est la vie. I will survive. At least they didn't lock it during a soak test and take functionality away from me. I stupidly didn't investigate before I bought the phone. Won't do that again...
retailguy said:
Motorola pushed an update that locked the bootloader. Anyone who had 2.3.4 and accepted that update got a present of a locked bootloader that no one has been able to defeat. My understanding is if you got 2.3.5 from the factory you did not have this problem. Only those who participated in the soak test have locked bootloaders.
You must have a factory 2.3.5 phone, or one that originally had 2.3.4 and was not updated as part of the soak test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be. My understanding is if you have 2.3.4 you can unlock. If you have 2.3.5 you cannot unlock, regardless of how you got it. Root is still obtainable either way.
I believe this has been posted before, but I wanted to bring it back to life.
I received a new phone from Asurion (I'm on Verizon.) today. It came prepacked with MK2.
You can imagine the frustration with this that I had after having AOSP KitKat on my previous GS4, and I'm willing to do just about anything to bring the new one to a firmware in which I can unlock the bootloader.
Anyway, here is the Change.org link: http://www.change.org/petitions/sam...ock-the-bootloader-of-the-verizon-s4-sch-i545
Were only 340 signatures away.
Good luck
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Well I signed it what the hell. I just don't think they care though.
They're too much into the big picture to care about us folks who want to flash ROMs . they made the dev s4 to address this, I think that's where they will stay. They'll just end up losing people like us as customers as we move to the other carriers that don't lock them down.
Hey I'm with you though... Why not try. Doesn't cost anything.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I agree. The big picture is what Samsung cares about the most. (They are turning more and more into Apple everyday.)
However, maybe with a stroke of good luck and 1000 petition signatures...
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4
From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
swordmastr54 said:
From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be entirely honest, I'm not sure. Although you do sound correct.
However, I'm sure if this petition make 1000 signatures, Change.org would get it sent to the leads of the departments in both companies. It's called CHANGE.org for a reason, and if they weren't to do that, I would be genuinely surprised. I guess we'll just have to get it signed and see what happens! :fingers-crossed:
swordmastr54 said:
From what I know its not Samsung its Verizon att etc , if I buy the international version of this phone its bootloader is unlocked somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, Knox was created by Samsung either way. Meaning that they technically could come out with a BL unlock, if they really wanted to for Verizon customers. (unless legal issues?)
I'm not sure, but I suspect Samsung is looking to expand into a corporate environment where security is king. I can see the possibility of selling unlocked bootloaders to those customers who know the risks involved, but their challenge is to protect the security of their products. I don't know where Blackberry is with the ability to "root" their phones, but when I was on the Storm, all kinds of people were looking to unlock their devices and were stymied by the security measures in place.
enterprise clients who represents the single largest bulk of cell phone sales vs those who mod their phones are driving the security for good reason...modders can purchase the dev edition with an unlocked BL if they want to...
safestrap is our option currently and gives us of plenty of choices.
retrogrymlyn said:
Also, Knox was created by Samsung either way. Meaning that they technically could come out with a BL unlock, if they really wanted to for Verizon customers. (unless legal issues?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well of course they could, Samsung does the actual "locking" of course. But it's the carrier that makes them do it.
To be honest 1,000 signatures is a joke compared to millions of enterprise customers.
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
Barack Obama will personally address this issue if we get enough signatures!
Sent from my SCH-I545
Please unlock the bootloader of the SCH-I545, respectively. We wouldn't want this device to be retired due to the fact that the people are not fully satisfied with it in its current state.
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Click to collapse
I'm not signing that. It doesn't even make sense. ITYM "respectfully." And, they're not going to retire a phone because people are not fully satisfied, they retire phones when they don't sell or a newer model comes out.
And why not call it what Verizon calls it - the Samsung Galaxy S4? Do you think some VP keeps track of the phones by model number?
Skrazz said:
Barack Obama will personally address this issue if we get enough signatures!
Sent from my SCH-I545
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wrong site lol
Sent from my HTC6600LVW using Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2
Such writing. Much horrible. Wow. If you want to make a petition you may want to proofread and/or learn the English language first. However, even if the petition was properly worded it would not help to unlock the bootloader any more than me praying for it to be unlocked. Nice try though.
mike.s said:
I'm not signing that. It doesn't even make sense. ITYM "respectfully." And, they're not going to retire a phone because people are not fully satisfied, they retire phones when they don't sell or a newer model comes out.
And why not call it what Verizon calls it - the Samsung Galaxy S4? Do you think some VP keeps track of the phones by model number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention that from a hardware standpoint, this phone is still pretty good a year after its release.
Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
xxtoxicravenxx said:
Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
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Click to collapse
That's true from a carrier perspective. He was referring to "SIM locks," which prevent a phone from being used on a different carrier. People who've dealt with GSM phones are more familiar with the concept - other than some pre-pay phones, I'm not aware of any US CDMA ones which were ever locked (and they didn't have SIMs, so it's not a true SIM lock, they did it in a different way).
xxtoxicravenxx said:
Funny fact is the verizon rep spoke yesterday to us saying "all of our phones are unlocked and are free to do what you want with them"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they are unlocked from carrier veiwpoint
again, its enterprise customers which number in the millions vs modders who number in the thousands who drive this.......
if you want to mod a phone, a developer edition is available
I'm sorry but I'm completely confused by your attitude toward this. Here you are on the largest modding website known to man and by your post count you've been here for quite a while. Yet you solution is "buy a dev phone".
I guess that might make sense for the devs who are creating roms for the community, but what about there userbase? Are you saying every single person on these boards (with a locked bootloader) should purchase a dev phone? I mean you might as well just close the site at that point because the userbase is going to dwindle, and then you've just got dev's making roms for devs.
I bought this phone, it is now my property and i should have the option to do with it what i please.
I guess I'll have to start buying dev car's and dev computers when i want to make mods to them too with that kind of attitude.
Void4ever
decaturbob said:
if you want to mod a phone, a developer edition is available
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
void4ever said:
I'm sorry but I'm completely confused by your attitude toward this. Here you are on the largest modding website known to man and by your post count you've been here for quite a while. Yet you solution is "buy a dev phone".
I guess that might make sense for the devs who are creating roms for the community, but what about there userbase? Are you saying every single person on these boards (with a locked bootloader) should purchase a dev phone? I mean you might as well just close the site at that point because the userbase is going to dwindle, and then you've just got dev's making roms for devs.
I bought this phone, it is now my property and i should have the option to do with it what i please.
I guess I'll have to start buying dev car's and dev computers when i want to make mods to them too with that kind of attitude.
Void4ever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about the attitude, it's about not much could be done to get Verizon to side with us in giving us unlocked bootloaders. Up to this day there has not being an unlock for the S4, Note 3, or newly updated S3. With it being so tight the only way to go is to buy a developer edition. User base or not, the answer for a bootloader unlock isn't going to just fall out of the sky the chances only get slimmer by the holes that get patched up from each loophole. Of course I see your side of your case but I also see why he'd say buy have a dev phone or simply jump carriers or a different phone that can be unlocked.
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