In the past I would take it for granted that a device associated with XDA would come with an unlocked or unlockable boot loader and that the ROM, kernel and source for both the LineageOS and Ubuntu builds would be made available so that owners could try out both or mix their own. Being today's XDA and since I've not seen mention of it anywhere I have to ask whether an unlocked bootloader and fully open ROMS are part of the plan or are there steps in motion to lock people into the OS they choose at time of purchase?
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I'm new to Android development but I just read that the Asus Transformer Prime will have a 128-bit locked bootloader... what I don't understand is why Google can require manufacturers to release their source code but not require unlocked (or unlockable) bootloaders. It seems pointless to require release of the source code if you can't install a modified ROM on the device without a hack.
The reason so many devices have locked bootloaders is because it provides a layer of security. If every device manufactured had to be shipped unlocked it would be a nightmare for the manufacturers and carriers to support them. The average user has no need for root access, and likely doesn't know what it is anyways. But often when enough people ask the companies responsible or other developers will provide a method to root any device.
I bought a Xperia C, a fairly popular model here in Brazil, but I just found out that it's bootloader was locked until some months ago, when Sony decided it was time to let people unlock it.s bootloader.
But now I see the phone has never receveid an update after Jelly Bean 4.2.x and no Custom ROM was ever developed for it (all ROM's that I found are just themed versions of the OEM 4.2 Jelly Bean).
So I decided that maybe I could build CM or AOSP for this device but after reading about the process I discovered that there's no device tree or vendor or kernel info available anywhere for this device.
I think this is all because Sony allowed the bootloader to be unlocked just now the phone is discontinued, so the possible developers this phone had moved away from it too quickly...
It's a shame, because it's indeed a good device, but it's stuck in a old firmware because of Sony's lack of support - same thing happened to the Xperia SP, another excellent device, which at least had an unlocked bootloader which allowed a lot of Custom ROM's to be developed.
So, I wish to know if there's any salvation for this device or if I should give up on it...
PS: I am a software developer, but I don't understand anything about android or Java. I'm willing to learn and develop ROM's for this device with someone's else help... I'll just need to find time to do that...
if your bootloader is unlocked the first step is compile a custom recovery, normally twrp that you can find tutorials in here. the kernel source code is always provided because of the linux open source license, I'm on the cellphone so I cant post links but search for the twrp compiling guide in here. i hope this helps
While the bootloader of many g5 devices is not allowed to be unlocked (no official way) LG releases the source code for the kernel of those devices.
Is that even useful?
How can we even compile and use a custom kernel while we are allowed to flash one?
Sent from my sh!tty LG-H860 that is beyond crap
So after a lot of speculation I'm finally going to buy this device!
I want to install PE Q version on this phone.
Q1) should I directly unlock bootloader and flash Q?
Q2) do I need to do OTAs till the latest version?
Q3) any bugs on custom roms like PE Q?
Q4) average SOT on Q?
Q5) GCam works on custom Roms?
Q6) any better custom Q rom?
Q7) how do we unlock the bootloader?
That's all folks!
Hope you answer this..
GopalKaul said:
So after a lot of speculation I'm finally going to buy this device!
I want to install PE Q version on this phone.
Q1) should I directly unlock bootloader and flash Q?
Q2) do I need to do OTAs till the latest version?
Q3) any bugs on custom roms like PE Q?
Q4) average SOT on Q?
Q5) GCam works on custom Roms?
Q6) any better custom Q rom?
Q7) how do we unlock the bootloader?
That's all folks!
Hope you answer this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
answer to all is pretty much yes. for better details search on youtube; there are plenty already
GopalKaul said:
So after a lot of speculation I'm finally going to buy this device!
I want to install PE Q version on this phone.
Q1) should I directly unlock bootloader and flash Q?
Q2) do I need to do OTAs till the latest version?
Q3) any bugs on custom roms like PE Q?
Q4) average SOT on Q?
Q5) GCam works on custom Roms?
Q6) any better custom Q rom?
Q7) how do we unlock the bootloader?
That's all folks!
Hope you answer this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to unlock bootloader first..it will take 72 hours..enough time to catch up on all ota updates..
PE is in early stages so yes expect a few bugs but still its a daily driver so go for it..
Yes gcaM works but video recording is nt working in PE Q as of now..
No PE is best right now..
Tutorial of bootloader unlocking is present in detail at xda
GopalKaul said:
So after a lot of speculation I'm finally going to buy this device!
I want to install PE Q version on this phone.
Q1) should I directly unlock bootloader and flash Q?
Q2) do I need to do OTAs till the latest version?
Q3) any bugs on custom roms like PE Q?
Q4) average SOT on Q?
Q5) GCam works on custom Roms?
Q6) any better custom Q rom?
Q7) how do we unlock the bootloader?
That's all folks!
Hope you answer this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
these question are your fears you are thinking loud!
every rom (stock or custom) has bugs! and you know that!
the only thing which i will answer here (which you didn't ask btw) is follow the flashing process properly to avoid bricking your phone!
after every vendor image, do flash DFE in order to avoid encryption error otherwise you will have to format everything. Make sure not to change the filesystem from ext4 UNLESS your kernel and rom support or you will be locked out (format data)
for unlocking , follow xiaomi website and request unlock powers to your Xiaomi account. you should be running Developer rom (at least this is how I unlocked it)
First I want you to know the cons of unlocking your bootloader:
Data can be accessed by people if your phone is stolen (don't flash disabled encryption to encrypt your data)
In some cases manufacturers void the warranty of phones
Unofficial roms can have spyware in them do only go for official builds of lineage, pixel experience or any trusted rom....
Note: Start reading up on XDA regularly to check out new ROMs and kernels. It helps one decide on whether they want to take this step forward...
But those who do don't regret it cause this leads to opening up a whole new world....and in some cases people become android developers due to their love for the amount of resources on XDA and the supportive community that is there on XDA
xdayumson said:
First I want you to know the cons of unlocking your bootloader:
Data can be accessed by people if your phone is stolen (don't flash disabled encryption to encrypt your data)
In some cases manufacturers void the warranty of phones
Unofficial roms can have spyware in them do only go for official builds of lineage, pixel experience or any trusted rom....
Note: Start reading up on XDA regularly to check out new ROMs and kernels. It helps one decide on whether they want to take this step forward...
But those who do don't regret it cause this leads to opening up a whole new world....and in some cases people become android developers due to their love for the amount of resources on XDA and the supportive community that is there on XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ONCE
- Boot is unlocked and
- you are running Rooted ROM
TECHNICALLY its HACKERS HEAVEN!
anyone who gets hold of your device can not only steal the hardware but your personal data too
in ROOTED fone hackers may find vulnerabilities in SeLINEX (specially on permissive mode) and can take hold of your device!
yes if you keep your internal storage Encrypted! chances are who ever takes hold of your device cannot access your data! however Vendor/Firmare 10.3.8 is not supported YET by many roms and if you flash this vendor and flash custom rom! it won't able to access the internal storage (Like LineAge) and it will keep rebooting!
also if you flash older stable vendor firmare 9.6.27-9.0, and don't flash DFE, & later come back and try different custom rom! you will LOCK yourself out from internal storage and ALL the date will be WIPED! basically vendor treats YOU also as intruder if you change roms!
- I swapped between Havoc and Crdroid with vendors and EVOLUTIONX and had to either FORMAT data for vendor to encrypt Internal storage with new Hash or my device kept bootlooping
summing up,
- even if you DON"T flash DFE and have ROOTED custom rom, hackers CAN still find loopholes in Anrdoid and have access!
- LineAge, Crdroid, Mokee has some sort of security Options ON/OFF which can be found in settings! you may try that! but then if fone is rooted! you are vulnerable
So this is my very first attempt in any kind of android development. I have here my phone's official kernel source. I was wondering if I can build this to boot or if it's ready for building.
Also this phone is bootloader locked and there's no official or unofficial way to unlock it.
So what can I do with the source or the boot image ?
I figured a way to get root access using the source code. I am still working on it tho and need help