so with loki is anyone still working on this bootloader unlock. I thought that someone had it unlocked before the device even came out. with loki does it even really need to be unlocked? thanks for any answered questions
The bootloader was never unlocked. This "loki" you've heard about was a workaround by djrbliss which allows users to flash custom roms. You don't need to be too concerned about it, unless you are a developer. Head over to the Android Development section and follow the stickied guide to root your phone and flash a custom recovery. The recoveries released for the Verizon S4 have been set up with this workaround already.
If you are a developer, or if you are just curious, you may want to search around for djrbliss's work for a more in-depth description.
Related
Sorry is this question is stupid, but I just got my Maxx, and I'm a bit confused about the locked bootlader. How do you guys flash roms? What exactly does the locked BL mean?
There are root exploits for the Razr. That allows you to install a custom recovery and flash ROMs. Unfortunately the locked bootloader means no custom kernels. The kernel is the building block of the OS. All the cool under-the-hood stuff is in the kernel. So basically without a unlocked bootloader custom ROMs are more of a glorified theme. Obviously there is more to a ROM than just the Theme but that's as simple as I could explain it.
Also it is important to note that with a locked bootloader it is very important to know what you are doing and read instructions thoroughly. If you mess up it can be a huge headache to correct it. As with a locked bootloader some mistakes can be irreversible
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
The short story (MODS please move this to correct forum if required)
How do I:
Unlock the bootloader
Root the TF201
Install CWM or TWRP
Install a custom ROM
I have a TF201 on JB 4.1.1 build no: 10.4.2.15
It has never been rooted or bootload unlocked
The Long Story
Hi all
I am sure the above question has been asked about a thousand times but here goes (MODS move this thread to correct thread if in the wrong place)
I have owned an Asus TF201 since about March, bought brand new from ebuyer.com, as i was new to android back then i didn't dare root it or unlock the bootloader in case i voided my warranty etc.
Since then my Prime has received all its updates via OTA and the current build is 10.4.2.15 on JB 4.1.1, it has never been rooted or bootload unlocked, it is in pristine unmodified condition.
In the mean time i got a Samsung Galaxy S3 and having played around with that got brave, i rooted it using CF Root method which automatically installed CMW Recovery and then proceeded to flash the Wanamlite ROM and have been happy with it since.
I am now looking to install a custom ROM on my PRIME it but have come across the fact that its not as easy or straight forward as the S3
Firstly, as its never been bootloader unlocked, rooted or modified in anyway shape or form it might be a bit tougher.
I have stumbled upon the fact that to install a custom rom, i need TWRP or CWM (or both (not sure)) installed which needs it to be rooted and in order to root i need to unlock the bootloader.
I have googled high and low on XDA, youtube and while they all point to an official Asus Bootloader unlocker, the Asus website claims that this is for ICS only (i'm on JB now in case you missed it), also a lot of the info out there is out of date since Asus has made changes.
So my question is as follows:
How do i unlock the bootloader? Everyone keeps mentioning an official Asus unlocker but its says for ICS ONLY and how do i run it
How do i root? - is there something like CF Root which was for the SGS3
Once i have the above do i then use TWRP or CWM or both to install a custom ROM?
I am aware that unlocking the bootloader voids warranty, i am aware that installing a custom ROM increases the binary counter, i am ware that bricking is possible (but lets try and minimize that), i am aware of those as i was warned about them from general research on wanting to do this and from modifying my S3.
Basically to use a custom rom on this device you download the unlocker tool from Asus (Says ICS only but works on JB, know from experience. Did it myself). It is an application and all you do is connect to the internet and run it. Once unlocked you can flash TWRP/root your device. Use either the guide on their website or go on youtube and look at some videos. There are step by step guides that show it all on video. Once you have TWRP you can head over to the dev section for the TF201 and download one of the custom roms (Hairybean 1.4 is supposed to drop soon, I'd suggest that one) and use the in-thread guide to flash it.
My #1 tip to you is read. read, and read it again. Understand it all and then proceed. Asking questions before you flash is better than doing it wrong and posting in the thread saying you bricked your prime then the OP/devs have to help you through the unbrick process. Questions are almost always answered quickly and in a friendly manner. Hope I helped
I think what he is asking for... is a full step by step guide... from a full stock JB locked TF201.... and I think It would be nice for all...
See U.
Istarth said:
I think what he is asking for... is a full step by step guide... from a full stock JB locked TF201.... and I think It would be nice for all...
See U.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what i mean, all the information is fragmented all over, not just on XDA but also on other Android /TF201 forums, in some places its clearer in others a bit obscure or vague or worse out of date since them Asus c**ks keep changing stuff
The Galaxy S3 Dev forums are far clearer and have step by step guides on how to do this, personally i hate watching them youtube videos whilst they are trying to help and plus points for the effort they put in, a lot of the people doing it just waffle in them and i still prefer the old fashion of step by step guides.
I learned how to go from stock S3 to Wanamlite ROM all in one evening and it was quick and painless.
But thanks for your help regarding using the Asus official tool for ICS works for JB, might now try it tomorrow or the day after.
I started a guide thread.
Sent from my Zio using xda app-developers app
Wow that guide would be awesome. I'm in the same situation as Shizbazki and I find it hard to get all the info to one and do it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1998359
Link to my guide thread in the general forum. If anybody has any questions you can PM me or comment there and it'll likely be answered quickly. I'll gladly guide anyone through this process if they need other information.
NM. thanks, McJesus.
Hello! I apologize for asking something that's fairly basic. I went to install some ROMs onto my Verizon Galaxy S4 and realized something. The ROM I was about to install is i9505, which I figured was my phone. But when I'm on the Verizon S4 forums and while I was checking my phone's model number, I realized everything says SCH-I545. Which leads me to a few questions.
What exactly should I be looking for when I want to install a ROM onto my phone?
Are Verizon S4 phones bootloader locked? or is it just the newest update? What does that mean for us?
What exactly are i9505 phones?
Sometimes it's hard for me to find direct answers to questions like these as I'm not a super active member in rooting forums. I appreciate your help very much.
Zantillian said:
Hello! I apologize for asking something that's fairly basic. I went to install some ROMs onto my Verizon Galaxy S4 and realized something. The ROM I was about to install is i9505, which I figured was my phone. But when I'm on the Verizon S4 forums and while I was checking my phone's model number, I realized everything says SCH-I545. Which leads me to a few questions.
What exactly should I be looking for when I want to install a ROM onto my phone?
Are Verizon S4 phones bootloader locked? or is it just the newest update? What does that mean for us?
What exactly are i9505 phones?
Sometimes it's hard for me to find direct answers to questions like these as I'm not a super active member in rooting forums. I appreciate your help very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
JaeKay said:
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify he means the bootloader is LOCKED for all verizon s4's. In the development section there is several touch wiz based roms, hyperdrive seems to be the most popular at the moment. the original dev section houses mostly aosp based roms, so between the 2 sections there is a ton of different rom choices. Battery life, stability, and customization are generally the most sought after features.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
JaeKay said:
Welcome!
First of all, those (i9505 and SCH-I545) are model numbers. 9505 is international and I545 is verizon.
Secondly, the bootloader is unlocked for all versions of the Verizon model. However, there is a workaround for a custom recovery for the MDK build. If you are on the ME7 build, you can only root.
Rooting guides should be on the general form, and MDK loki exploit (which allows recovery installation) is also here. If you are on ME7, you can install safestrap after rooting, which kinda lets you install ROMs, through booting on top of stock.
For ROMS that work with Verizon's check out Verizon Samsung Galaxy s 4 > Android Development or Original Android Devlopment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I do have MDK build and have stayed there from hearing about ME7. Thanks for your help.
hexitnow said:
Just to clarify he means the bootloader is LOCKED for all verizon s4's. In the development section there is several touch wiz based roms, hyperdrive seems to be the most popular at the moment. the original dev section houses mostly aosp based roms, so between the 2 sections there is a ton of different rom choices. Battery life, stability, and customization are generally the most sought after features.
Hit thanks if I helped you out. Doing a little bit of reading goes a long way. Sent via tapatalk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you also for your help.
Please read forum rules before posting.
Questions and request for assistance go in the Q&A section.
Thread has been moved.
Thank you for your future attention to this.
Have a great day!
Is there a way to unlock the bootloader like the note 3 and 4?
Developer of TrentsROM here. It's been a while but I would also like to know this as well.
Ghettoroot for root. No unlocked bootloader, looking like it's just not gonna happen. You could always use Safestrap I guess.
As I have said to TheRock40359,
put some work and let your valid links/findings/research to the thread I made.
I am personally still in haze but in all the research I see the small cracks in all these schemes made to make owner lives worse for no good reason now.
This device is a s3 derivate. So researching s3 stuff as well.
I wanna make it happen.
Lets move over to "my" thread for that.
from what I read, if you have the 4.3 update (MJ9 firmware) you will not get an unlocked bootloader.. if you have anything before that (4.2 / 4.1 etc) then you can use CAUSUAL to unlock and root your device.
does anyone know if the ND7 (4.4.2) firmware has a bootloader that we can unlock?
Hey guys
There seems to be a lot of conflicting information with respect to this model.
So can the boot loader be unlocked or not? Most people are saying not, some are saying its possible with certain versions of firmware.
I want to purchase this phone but am only willing to do so if I can root and get custom ROMs on it.
If it can, I'd be grateful if somebody could point me in the right direction for instructions.
Regards
Mubs
The phone can be unlocked on every stock firmware except 26s (eUI 5.9) which forcibly locks the bootloader and prevents unlocks unless you flash some dev release (dunno where to find that).
See this post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=74025878&postcount=18