UPDATED: MODs could you please move this to the Q/A section if it is in the wrong section? Sorry for the confusion.
What are the major differences between the Razr M: Developer Edition vs Regular besides the bootloader being officially unlocked?
Is it possible to take the phone and activate it on a non-Verizon CDMA/LTE network? Anyone care to try and bring it to a non-Verizon network and see what the non-Verizon customer service reps do or say?
There are three ways to purchase the RAZR M (at least in the US) - Links will take you to the order pages:
1) Subsidized on contract for $99 from Verizon
2) Off contract from Verizon for $549
3) Developer edition from Motorola direct for $549
Options 1 and 2 are the RETAIL version of the RAZR M. This means that unless the dev community finds a way to "break" the boot loader and/or root the device, it will remain as-is and will only get updates from Motorola.
The Dev Edition's (option 3) boot loader can be unlocked.
The Moto page to unlock the boot loader is here: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a
There is no time limit as to when you can get the unlock code, but I would imagine Motorola reserves the right to change that policy at any time... meaning at some point it is possible they could shut down the site, but I do not see that happening any time soon.
You could generate the unlock code so you have it, but that does not mean you have to unlock your bootloader immediately. The unlock code is keyed to your device ID so it will not change even if Motorola upgrades the SW in the future. So, just to be safe you could generate the unlock code then use it in 6 months or 6 years from now.
That being said, as soon as you go through with the steps to obtain an unlock code, your device effectively goes on a "black list" with Motorola. You warranty is void EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED THE UNLOCK CODE. If you have issues with your device it would be Motorola's discretion whether to offer free service, fee-based service, or no service at all if you have a problem.
I have verified with Motorola that even if you have unlocked your boot loader, you will still get Motorola's OTA SW updates, but there is no guarantee they will work, especially if you have rooted and/or modified the core operating system in any way.
ETA:
I also verified with Verizon that all the RAZR M phones (regardless of retail, subsidized, or dev edition) are unlocked for all International GSM carriers out of the gate. While they will not work with US GSM carriers (AT&T and T-Mobile) anywhere else in the world should be ok. Please note though, LTE will not work outside of Verizon's reach.
I hope that helps.
Hi,
Apologies for my ignorance ...but would like to a know something basic about Unlock feature & then also needed to ask a specific question:
Basic Doubts:
1) Developer Edition Razr M :
If I buy this Developer Edition from US , can I use only in US only (or is it specifically Verizon) or can I use it any other country as well.
(In other words is it SIM / Network blocked).
2) What is the difference between Unlocked version & rooted device.
Is it that If I unlock the phone , does it mean rooted.
In some other words the related question is --> If I buy the Razr M Dev Edition , then do I need some sort of a password to unlock it or can I use it straight away like a Retail Razr M Phone.(even without unlocking).
3) What is the difference between Razr M Retail without plan & Razr M Developer Edition.
The reason I am asking this Q is because if we go to the Motorola US site for purchasing the Razr M we have 2 options :
one Retail version & one Dev Edition version.
However if in the retail version link we further select buy we are provided with options like (i) With plan - 99 $ & (ii) Without plan - 549 $
Also alternatively if we go to the Dev Edition buying link , we have one option for 549$.
Now the question is --> Are the options of Retail version without plan - 549 $ (as mentioned in (ii) above) & the option of Dev Edition also for 549 $ . really the same .
If not what would be the difference.
Specific question:
4) If I gift this phone to another friend of mine in another country i.e not US (& which has 3G Network & not 4G LTE)
Can he use the Razr M in that other country.
Sorry for this lengthy content ..But would request if you can please guide me with these queries..
Thanks in advance for the same....
Regards,
AT
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
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Thanks for your detailed reply...
I actually wanted the Razr M ..due to its Snapdragon S4 processor...over the Intel processor Razr i...
What I can more conclude from your reply ...which seems sense to me is that:
to buy the Razr M (without plan) or the Dev Edition at the 549$ price & gift it to my friend abroad , so that he can use it since it should have the SIM unlocked ...
Just wanted to confirm if my understanding is right for the above...would request if it is possible for you to comment on this...
(BTW his country supports the Network frequency for the phone...GSM 900/1800 )
So I guess he should have no issues in operating the phone...
Thanks again for your assistance...
Regards,
AT.
Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.
freak4dell said:
Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.
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Hi.
Thanks ..once again for the quick response...also thanks for the link ...
So I guess I shall wait for any response / comment for the overseas usage (i.e. whether the overseas SIM is unblocked from factory for the Razr M)..
But anyways thanks for all your responses...really appreciate..
Regards,
AT.
Yeah I'm using Razr M in sweden sent from USA, and it works well however when everytime i restart the phone it says " your sim card is from an unknown source" . But it works eventually. I think Rarz i is a better solution for oversea using since there can be no Boat-apps from verizon ( super stupid and worthless oversea) .. or at least those apps on razr i are more international usable..
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2
can i buy a verizon phone for 99$ and then unlock it some how???
freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
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as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.
sunilnm09 said:
as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.
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You won't need unlock codes.
But, I already explained how buying it for $99 and then breaking the contract isn't cost effective. Also, how are you going to buy a contract phone from a country you don't live in in the first place?
I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??
yy2013 said:
I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1984265&page=19
Hi
Thanks
Do you get 3G and 4g
So I am going to buy a probably used Galaxy S5, most likely from Swappa.com and I am going to activate it with Metro PCS, which is a GSM carrier, so I know I need a GSM carrier GS5, like from AT&T or T-Mobile. I did a bit of googling and I only ended up with more questions... Are the AT&T and T Mobile versions of the GS5 carrier locked? From what I read online, the ATT is locked and the Tmobile is unlocked, but I cant be certain from the couple forum posts I could only find. If the phone is already unlocked, I can just bring it into the Metro PCS store and activate it, right?
Now, what if it is locked? Can I carrier unlock it myself? How do I do that? Do I really need to buy an unlock code online? Seems kinda sketchy to buy these codes from random unlocking sites, but if I have to...? Also, can I have it unlocked by Metro PCS or T-Mobile or ATT?
Next part of my question is about the bootloader. Again, I did some research, but found only one relatively... relevant forum post. So I come here for direct help. I was chatting with AT&T tech support on their site asking about the bootloader.
Anyways, ATT told me the bootloader on their GS5's are encrypted locked. What about TMobiles version? Supposedly if they are encrypted, there is near to no chance of really getting that unlocked. Although, if they are not encrypted, would they be able to be unlocked? I have no idea about T-Mobile having a locked bootloader or not.
Lastly, has the bootlader been unlocked already for any GS5? I ask because ive seen some GS5's with custom ROM's and launchers and stuff, but last I heard, they were still locked.
You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
.
fffft said:
You didn't do much "research" via Google or searching this forum or you'd already have the answers your are looking for. These questions have been asked and answered innumerable times.
Very few carriers other than ATT and Verizon lock bootloaders. TMB's bootloader is not locked. Generally speaking, TMB model has the most GSM bands and is arguably the most desirable model but you need to check whether those include the bands you need with the carrier you plan to use. Do that by checking and comparing the bands that both carriers use or simply find out what S5 model your carrier uses itself.
Most phones, incuding TMB, ATT, et al are SIM locked. But you can easily get a third party vendor to provide an unlock code for about $20 and thereafter use it on another carrier.
.
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Sorry, this is just totally new to me. Ive never had an android device other than a Nexus 7 I was gifted that i hardly use. Ive never even had a smartphone, so Ive had to find and absorb all this info about rooting, bootloaders, unlocking. Its been kinda mind boggling. So in the meantime after I posted this I pieced together this info.. I hope I am corrrect:
-AT&T and Verizon have been locking their bootloaders for a while and everyone hates them for that
-Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
-CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Kinda iffy on this one, not 100% sure... -Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader. If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted and custom ROM's/recoveries can be installed.
-Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted... (cant link to outisde links, but just search "How to Root ANY Samsung Galaxy S5 Variant (Even AT&T & Verizon) in 20 Seconds Flat" and its the first link.
Based off this new info I have gathered... I want a T-Mobile GS5 (or AT&T if they can in fact be rooted and have custom ROM's installed on them). I will have to carrier unlock it myself unless it is already unlocked (someone on Swappa.com says they are selling a "factory unlocked" T-Mobile GS5 for $480, so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions). I will unlock it using a code from theunlockingcompany website for $40 (seems like a steep price, but supposedly its the best site to use). I will then unlock it with the code which should take a couple minutes after I get the code, code taking up to 5 hours to arrive in my email. I will then have to take it in store to Metro PCS (hopefully I can do it online too if I order the SIM card online to ship to me for $10) to have it activated with them and get service. Then it should be activated, have my phone number, have cell and data service, paid/pay $40 a month. All is well in the world.
Is that info I discovered above true, what about the steps I should go through in the last section, above?
DannyDee15 said:
Is that info I discovered above true
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I wouldn't know where to begin. Yes, a TMB phone is ideal IMO for ATT because it covers all of the ATT frequencies and then some, plus has an unlocked bootloader. Most of the rest you have wrong.
Any GSM carrier phone can be unlocked to work with any other GSM carrier
No. You can unlock phones, but models will seldom work well on a different carriers frequency allotment.
CDMA cannot be unlocked at all
Not true.
Rooting is the same as unlocking the bootloader.
They are not the same thing.
If the bootloader is not encrypted, the phone can be rooted
Not correct. You can root phones with locked (encrypted) bootloaders.
Supposedly Verizon and AT&T GS5's can now be rooted
Almost any Android with a pre-June6th firmware build can be rooted.
so I guess T-Mobile also sells carrier unlocked versions
Nope.
I don't know how you managed to adopt so much misinformation. I can only assume that you haven't done much reading yet and /or made a lot of assumptions. You should read some of the sticky posts to get a better general understanding of how everything fits together. Then you can pose more informed questions.
It has nothing to do with being new to smartphones. You just thought that it was easier to ask than to do a proper search or puzzle out a few confusing points. It would be in your own best interests to do some reading, but whether you do or not is entirely up to you.
.
I have a Verizon RAZR MAXX XT912 that is unlocked, rooted, BRAND new and completely useless to me (other than to pay Verizon upwards of a grand and then some) that I'd like to trade for a model I can use on another US carrier. XT907/926 etc. I'd also sell it to fund a new purchase of a usable one, so anyone in International GSM territory that wants a new phone for a moderate price hit me up!
shouldbeshroomin said:
I have a Verizon RAZR MAXX XT912 that is unlocked, rooted, BRAND new and completely useless to me (other than to pay Verizon upwards of a grand and then some) that I'd like to trade for a model I can use on another US carrier. XT907/926 etc. I'd also sell it to fund a new purchase of a usable one, so anyone in International GSM territory that wants a new phone for a moderate price hit me up!
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http://swappa.com/
I apologize for questioning but when I left the xt912 scene it was not unlockable neither bootloader nor us gsm.... Have things changed? I was under the impression that things would not be likely to change... That the xt912 would never be boot loader unlocked nor us gsm unlockable... Would you be kind enough to point me to the forum or topic of how to do these things for the xt912…?
We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves.
how to root him the boot loader cannot be unlocked
badreddine noble said:
my phone is Droid Turbo 2 xt 1585 android 6.0.1
how to root him the boot loader cannot be unlocked
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You are out of luck. Bootloader has to be unlocked on this Motorola phone to get permanent root. You should have gotten a Moto X Force, the Kinzie with the free bootloader unlock from Motorola. Instead you bought the crappy Verizon version with the locked down bootloader.
I assume you are not a Verizon customer and therefore do not actually need a Verizon phone?
ChazzMatt said:
You are out of luck. Bootloader has to be unlocked on this Motorola phone to get permanent root. You should have gotten a Moto X Force, the Kinzie with the free bootloader unlock from Motorola. Instead you bought the crappy Verizon version with the locked down bootloader.
I assume you are not a Verizon customer and therefore do not actually need a Verizon phone?
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Ah, but what if it's a Verizon phone that has been subsequently carrier unlocked? (Allowed to work with other carriers) Will the bootloader be able to be unlocked then? I wonder if anyone has tried this.
wjphillips said:
Ah, but what if it's a[b[ Verizon phone that has been subsequently carrier unlocked?[/b] (Allowed to work with other carriers) Will the bootloader be able to be unlocked then? I wonder if anyone has tried this.
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You question has a false premise. That Verizon phones are carrier locked...
All Verizon postpaid phones since 2012 - especially the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 and the 2014 Droid Turbo -- are already carrier unlocked. By order of the FCC, for Verizon to acquire more LTE bandwidth they had to agree to that.
No, using a Verizon phone on another carrier doesn't let you unlock the bootloader.
This year Verizon said they were going to start temporarily carrier locking their phones for 90 days, to prevent theft. But that's being appealed since it violates the 2012 FCC agreement. I haven't kept up with the outcome of this 2018 development because I'll never buy a Verizon branded phone for myself. But the DROID TURBO 2 was carrier unlocked from day 1.
ChazzMatt said:
You question has a false premise. That Verizon phones are carrier locked...
All Verizon postpaid phones since 2012 - especially the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 and the 2014 Droid Turbo -- are already carrier unlocked. By order of the FCC, for Verizon to acquire more LTE bandwidth they had to agree to that.
No, using a Verizon phone on another carrier doesn't let you unlock the bootloader.
This year Verizon said they were going to start temporarily carrier locking their phones for 90 days, to prevent theft. But that's being appealed since it violates the 2012 FCC agreement. I haven't kept up with the outcome of this 2018 development because I'll never buy a Verizon branded phone for myself. But the DROID TURBO 2 was carrier unlocked from day 1.
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I was not asking about *ALL* Verizon phones just the Droid Turbo 2. So no false premise.
I'm not your typical XDA user. However, I was under the impression that if I could carrier unlock the phone that that could allow me to also unlock the bootloader (on some phones). You are saying this is not the case with the Droid Turbo 2?
wjphillips said:
I was not asking about *ALL* Verizon phones just the Droid Turbo 2. So no false premise.
I'm not your typical XDA user. However, I was under the impression that if I could carrier unlock the phone that that could allow me to also unlock the bootloader (on some phones). You are saying this is not the case with the Droid Turbo 2?
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That is not the case, ever, for Verizon Motorola phones.
The false premise was assuming Verizon postpaid phones are carrier locked. They are not, have not been for 6 years.
Verizon postpaid phones (since 2012) are already carrier unlocked.
Verizon demands the bootloader be locked down on all their phones, even Google Pixel phones. You can't unlock any Verizon bootloaders except through some exploit. For the 2014 Droid Turbo (Quark), Sunshine team found an exploit. For the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 (Kinzie) no exploit was ever found.
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