I've decided to post a little blurb about the difference between rooting and unlocking your bootloader because I've seen too many posts using the terms incorrectly. I will update this based of off information posted here and as more information comes to mind.
Unlocking your bootloader:
First, let me describe what the bootloader is.The bootloader is a piece of software that is (essentially) the first thing that runs when you start up a device (bootloaders are on almost every device with an operating system.) The bootloader is what loads the operating system into memory. Now, unlocking the bootloader modifies the bootloader through a hack or a flag that is toggled in the bootloader (this is how the HTC Dev unlock works) that allows the recovery partition to be flashed (or a non-oem recovery to be flashed.) JCase's exploit (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2011611) is not a bootloader unlock; it is a method to allow the bootloader to be unlocked by modifying part of your device to emulate another device. This method allows you to use the HTC Dev website to semi-unlock the bootloader.
Rooting your device:
Rooting your device is gaining what is called root access to your device. On some devices, like the DNA, you must unlock your bootloader before you can gain root access. This is because after you unlock your bootloader you can put a file call 'su' in the /system/bin folder. Root privileges in Linux are equatable to administrator privileges in Windows. This is done by flashing the 'su' file to your device. The 'su' file is called by any program that would like to do things that need root privileges to do. The Superuser or SuperSU app on your phone is a manager for the su binary allowing you to allow and deny access to su. The su manager applications are equatable to firewalls for network access.
If anyone has any suggestions or comments for changes/mis-information let me know, please.
Edit:
Made some changes based off of Jarocks' information.
I'm not positive on this, but don't you need to unlock the bootloader to achieve permanent root on the Droid DNA? (Or even temporary root for that matter?)
Jarocks said:
I'm not positive on this, but don't you need to unlock the bootloader to achieve permanent root on the Droid DNA? (Or even temporary root for that matter?)
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Click to collapse
Yessir, you do.
Edit: I misunderstood your reply, and have modified my answer thusly.
Hello everyone. I just purchased an HTC One on AT&T. I want to root it, which from everything I have heard, means that I have to unlock the bootloader. I have no interest in flashing custom ROMS, I just want to use root apps like Titanium Backup and Wireless tether. If anyone knows about an exploit that allows for root without bootloader unlock, please let me know.
I also want to unlock the SIM/carrier lock via an unlock code. What I want to know is:
Should I do the SIM unlock first, then the bootloader unlock? Or the other way around?
Once the SIM/carrier lock is removed, will the bootloader unlock process have any effect on it?
Thank you,
Nick
Motochopper supposedly will root without bootloader unlock. Revone will grant s-off, allowing bootloader unlock without involving Htcdev. Sim unlock is unrelated and not affected by any of this.
Hey guys,
I have a question regarding locking the bootloader, but I'm not sure if it's entirebly possible.
TL;DR: Can I keep root access on the phone if I re-lock my bootloader?
Context:
When I unlock the bootloader, I am able flash custom roms and grant root access to APKs.
To do this, I must first go to "developer settings" and "allow OEM unlocking". Then I will be able to unlock the bootloader.
This allows me to install Cerberus, an anti-theft apk, as a system app.
However, in case the phone gets stolen, If I leave the bootloader unlocked, I am allowing anyone to flash over my phone, thus wiping Cerberus with it.
To prevent someone from tampering with it, I must "allow OEM unlocking" in the developer settings, which can only be toggled when the bootloader is locked.
Basically, I want to be able to unlock my bootloader, root my phone, install Cerberus, and re-lock my bootloader to prevent further tampering, while retaining root access to the phone. Is this possible?
Is this possible?
Don't know if I was confusing in my explanation, but I hope not.
SmoothMarx said:
Hey guys,
I have a question regarding locking the bootloader, but I'm not sure if it's entirebly possible.
TL;DR: Can I keep root access on the phone if I re-lock my bootloader?
Context:
When I unlock the bootloader, I am able flash custom roms and grant root access to APKs.
To do this, I must first go to "developer settings" and "allow OEM unlocking". Then I will be able to unlock the bootloader.
This allows me to install Cerberus, an anti-theft apk, as a system app.
However, in case the phone gets stolen, If I leave the bootloader unlocked, I am allowing anyone to flash over my phone, thus wiping Cerberus with it.
To prevent someone from tampering with it, I must "allow OEM unlocking" in the developer settings, which can only be toggled when the bootloader is locked.
Basically, I want to be able to unlock my bootloader, root my phone, install Cerberus, and re-lock my bootloader to prevent further tampering, while retaining root access to the phone. Is this possible?
Is this possible?
Don't know if I was confusing in my explanation, but I hope not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing the same question, will be impossible to steal a phone with Cerberus and locked bootloader.
If Cerberus is a system app it doesn't even need the root to work, isn't it?
Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk
SmoothMarx said:
Hey guys,
I have a question regarding locking the bootloader, but I'm not sure if it's entirebly possible.
TL;DR: Can I keep root access on the phone if I re-lock my bootloader?
Context:
When I unlock the bootloader, I am able flash custom roms and grant root access to APKs.
To do this, I must first go to "developer settings" and "allow OEM unlocking". Then I will be able to unlock the bootloader.
This allows me to install Cerberus, an anti-theft apk, as a system app.
However, in case the phone gets stolen, If I leave the bootloader unlocked, I am allowing anyone to flash over my phone, thus wiping Cerberus with it.
To prevent someone from tampering with it, I must "allow OEM unlocking" in the developer settings, which can only be toggled when the bootloader is locked.
Basically, I want to be able to unlock my bootloader, root my phone, install Cerberus, and re-lock my bootloader to prevent further tampering, while retaining root access to the phone. Is this possible?
Is this possible?
Don't know if I was confusing in my explanation, but I hope not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which phone are you using?
In many phones, bootloader can be locked after rooting, without losing root.
Are you sure locking bootloader will prevent someone who steal phone from unlocking bootloader again? I don't think so.
Is there any way to relock the bootloader on exynos s9+? Ive tried reflashing stock via Odin but the bootloader is still unlocked and not allowing me to use android pay etc.
I know knox will be tripped but there's no reason that I can't use android pay with a non rooted phone surely? I've tried the root checker app as well and that shows that I do not have root.
When I check in developer options it says the bootloader is already unlocked and the slider is to the left for the oem unlock option. I have tried to slide it to the right which factory resets the device but then on going into developer options again it still shows as the same status (bootloader already unlocked with oem unlock slider to the left)
What can I do to get my phone properly back to stock?
Thanks
hookguy said:
Is there any way to relock the bootloader on exynos s9+? Ive tried reflashing stock via Odin but the bootloader is still unlocked and not allowing me to use android pay etc.
I know knox will be tripped but there's no reason that I can't use android pay with a non rooted phone surely? I've tried the root checker app as well and that shows that I do not have root.
When I check in developer options it says the bootloader is already unlocked and the slider is to the left for the oem unlock option. I have tried to slide it to the right which factory resets the device but then on going into developer options again it still shows as the same status (bootloader already unlocked with oem unlock slider to the left)
What can I do to get my phone properly back to stock?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually there is a good reason why google pay wouldn't work even if the device isn't rooted. There are Payment/banking (and other apps I am sure) require that the device be secure. With the bootloader unlocked the security on your device is severely weakened.
Did you root the phone at all, flash anything to the phone or do anything to modify it at all (something like this as an example). If there was nothing at all done to the phone other then toggling the oem unlock, then it sounds like flashing the proper firmware to the phone, unticking the oem unlock option and factory resetting the phone should work.
If knox is tripped then there is no reversing that. Google searching also shows this would be a likely cause as to why you can not relock the bootloader.. Once knox is tripped it is irreversible (this is because it is an E-fuse), not even flashing stock will not make it go away.
I think your best bet at this point might actually be to have root and then use Magisk to hide root from the apps you want to use. I'm not sure which apps this will work for but it's probably worth looking into since there may be no going back with your bootloader
Thank you for the help guys. I did suspect that may be the case and I wouldnt be able to relock but it seemed some people were able to.
Will just root with magisk and use magisk hide to make it work. Thanks!
I have a question regarding locking the bootloader, but I'm not sure if it's entirely possible.
Can I keep root access on the phone if I re-lock my bootloader?