Database Users

[Q] Unlocking vs rooting

Potential first time Nexus user coming over from Desire Z.
I intend to transfer my old data from my DZ to the nexus4 when I get it via Titanium Backup. My DZ is rooted with S-off, so it's all good.
I've stumbled over instructions on how to unlock the nexus4 via ABD, but if I'm not wrong, that's only to allow flashing of custom bootloaders and ROMs, right?
Which is to say, unlocking != rooting, and in order for Titanium Backup to work properly, the n4 will have to be rooted as well as SU, busybox etc installed.
Am I on the right track?
Cheers.

nexus come unlock.
unlock = to be use with any carrier
rooting = giving beyond standard permissions such as changing how android does things. EG overclocking, changing your sound "quailty" etc and you said. TB (titanium backup)

Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.

Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Unlawful said:
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.

endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I doubt it. Be cool if it did
Once you have it unlocked you enter the recovery mode and root it there. I'm probably guessing shortly after its release someone is going to make a program so it does it in few steps.
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.

endlesstrail said:
Thanks Unlawful. Yes, I meant bootloader unlocking.
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.

NeverAlwaysEver said:
Nexus 4 does not come rooted. You have to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys. I guessed as much.
Yeah, I'll probably have to do without the backup of my apps for a few days until some kind soul manages to root it and posts instructions. Maybe it'll just be a day or a few hours even! :fingers-crossed:

You will be able to unlock the bootloader right away.
Root maybe not. In order to root it you will need either need a custom recovery for the device or a software exploit.
It won't take long but a custom recovery needs to be built and tested first.

It's easy to root a nexus
First you unlock the bootloader=fastboot oem unlock.
Then you use fastboot to flash a recovery. Once recovery is flashed you have to use adb to make it stick(delete the script that overwrite custom recovery with stock) then you flash su. Zip in recovery. Very simple to do
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Unlawful said:
Unlock can also mean bootloader unlocking so you can flash/boot from custom recoveries, ROMs, kernels etc (the previous poster was referring to SIM unlocking).
It's just as easy to root, simply install/flash SuperSU via recovery though ChainsDD's Superuser works as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.

USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Just want to clarify, I have not had a nexus device before, but my understanding is that, even on a Nexus, without unlocking the bootloader, one would still need to exploit and mount system as RW first to install SU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
endlesstrail said:
Do you mean to say that the nexus4 comes rooted? Because installing of any of the SU apps require the phone to already be rooted, which I assume is not the case even for Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Chainfire meant that in case you wanted to switch from Superuser to SuperSU or if you're just installing the APK (the application). If you do want to root, you should just flash the zip file found here in a custom recovery which does everything for you.

Unlawful said:
Without unlocking the bootloader, it's much more difficult to root and as you said, one would need to use an exploit and then do as you have said. However, Nexus devices do come with the luxury of unlockable bootloaders for a multitude of reasons .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.

I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Bootloader a.k.a HBoot - This is the piece of software that runs before anything else on the phone. It basically packages it all up, tells what to run in what order e.t.c Every computer device has a bootloader in some form or another, be it an Android Phone, iPhone, Windows PC, iMac e.t.c. The HBoot is accessible by switching your phone off, then holding down volume down as you turn it back on. The first line of the HBoot will tell you if you are S-OFF or S-ON.
Recovery - The recovery is the piece of software that allows us to write files to partitions while they aren't being used. It is the portal to allow us to flash custom ROM's and kernels. There are custom recoveries with more options than the stock such as ClockworkMod.
Superuser a.k.a su or Root - This is a user that is present on all linux distros that allows higher permissions than standard users have access to. Certain apps need superuser permissions to function, such as Titanium Backup.
A bootloader is traditionally locked. This means it stops you from writing to any partition on the device other than data. What is always true of Nexus devices, and now true of most consumer devices, there is an offical method for unlocking the bootloader. With HTC, you have to download some software, with Nexus devices, it is as simple as booting into fastboot mode, and typing the command "fastboot oem unlock" (assuming you have fastboot installed on your connected PC / mac).
Although this unlocks the bootloader (which by the way resets your device to factory settings), you still aren't rooted. You now have the ability to flash images to the previously locked partitions. Once you have access to write to partitions, the easiest method of rooting is installing a custom recovery (fastboot flash recovery recovery.img, and then using that to flash a superuser zip.
There are exploits for rooting, which either eman the recovery partition gets written to without the bootloader unlocking OR the su files get pushed to the system partition while the bootloader is locked. These exploits are more tricky and are getting harder to find, but allow you to gain root access without voiding your warranty.
To answer someone else's question, when you unlocked the bootloader on the Nexus One you got a watermark on the bootsplash, I don't know about any Nexus after that.
EDIT - Unlocked Phone: To throw some further clarification, when people talk about "unlocked phones" what they actually means is carrier. This term pre-dates smartphones, and a locked phone just meant that if you bought your phone through a carrier, you could only use it on their network, so no other SIM would work unless you bought a code off them to unlock it. This only applied to GSM phones (not CDMA) and s still practised today. The Nexus 4 will not be carrier locked wherever you buy it.

l0st.prophet said:
I just want to clear up some terminology to stop people getting confused...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the excellent clarification. It's much clearer now.

USSENTERNCC1701E said:
Thanks. Bytheby, my only experience in the past with non-hack bootloader unlocking is with HTCunlock. Have past nexus devices had a permanent watermark even after relocking? I'm hoping that's not the case, cause extensive googling does not have anyone explicitly saying one way or the other, so maybe only HTC is that jacked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 don't have anything changed when you unlock the bootloader (apart from an unlocked lock image on the boot screen beneath the Google logo and then it disappears after going to the boot animation). I would assume this was the same with the Nexus S . Also another good thing about Nexus devices is that you can relock the bootloader after unlocking it and it will be back to a stock configuration (assuming you're on the Google-built ROM).

PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beg to differ; DroidWall is the one utility I refuse to live without, and that requires root.
Other than that and TitaniumBackup though, you're quite right; the new stock features of JellyBean mean I likely won't even bother with any major third-party modifications. Indeed, I'm thinking this'll be the first 'phone in many a year which I won't be installing a custom ROM on for at least the first six months of use.

PlanBSTi said:
There won't be anything really out that really requires root, other than TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, the irony is I really only use TB because I'm switching ROMs. I disagree though, I really like the extra customization that comes with a lot of custom ROM's. But I've run phones for a few months with OEM skins, while waiting on an exploit. I agree there won't be a pressing need for root.

I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.

albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
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Click to collapse
I actually don't find many apps to have very intrusive ads at all. I also feel better knowing I'm not ripping off the devs

albundy2010 said:
I guess you guys like to actually see ads on your phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never actually ended up with an air push app, and the rest of the ads really don't bother me, sometimes I'll go on a clicking spree to support devs. If it really bothers me I buy the full version or uninstall it.

[Q] Question about rooting

Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!

timour79 said:
Hey everyone. I was wondering if you could root without unlocking the bootloader first. I know i wouldn't be able to flash roms and such, but I just want the Superuser app so I can use apps like Titanium backup and sixaxis controller. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.

Billchen0014 said:
sorry to tell you, but there is no way of rooting without unlocking the bootloader, since its secured and you won't be able to flash the necessary super user scripts. i could be wrong, but i think its necessary to unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?

timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well

Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks

Billchen0014 said:
if you choose the relock bootloader option in the toolbox, it removes superuser as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock

timour79 said:
Can I unlock the bootloader, root, then relock the bootloader and keep the root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app

noneabove said:
What's your reason for wanting it relocked?
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Click to collapse
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?

Nate2 said:
I'm not the OP, but I don't like the open padlock icon that shows that the device's bootloader is unlocked.
Any disadvantage to re-locking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I dont want to completely void the warranty, unless rooting already does that. If it was mine then i would've unlocked and rooted. I'd probably already have a rom and kernel on it. But it's actually my dad's, and he said I can root it if I don't do anything too serious(like I said, I just want Superuser so I can use things like the sixaxis controller app.)

comminus said:
This is a good example of where using a toolkit fails.
You can re-lock the bootloader without affecting root. Boot the phone in fastboot mode, connect to computer and run the following command:
Code:
> fastboot oem lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would that be manual rooting?

NRT questions
hey there
have some newb questions about rooting along the same lines of the OP. hope you can help me
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
sorry for the newb questions but there are so many different guides out there and some of them refer to older versions of the NRT so just want to clarify these points.

timour79 said:
Would that be manual rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. All you are doing there is unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader is the equivalent of pre-heating your oven. You haven't messed with any ingredients or cooked anything yet.
---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------
Lemegeton300 said:
1. what are the chances of bricking the nexus by rooting if all i am going to do is the same as the OP. use sixasis and the usb stick apps. has anyone completely bricked their device or is there always a way back. i have seen a lot of info and guides to suggest you can always get the factory image restored.
2. does the superuser app already need to be installed on the nexus or does the toolkit install it for me?
3. if i am only rooting for basic stuff like sixasis is there any point installing clockword mod?
4. i have downloaded the toolkit and tried the driver installation. my experience was different from the screenshots in the toolkit and guides i have seen but when i run the driver check/step 3 it comes back with success and i have managed to make a backup. so does this imply i can safely unlock and root.
5. if i have to get my device repaired and relock the device and un-root it will my warranty be ok or can google still detect rooting has been done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The chances are pretty slim for permanently bricking. That is the beauty of Nexus devices - the entire factory image is available to be flashed back on if you screw things up. That is the equivalent of reformatting your harddrive & reinstalling your OS on your desktop.
2. mkskip's toolkit will install it for you. I am sure wug's will too.
3. You don't have to install CWM, especially if you are thinking that you will pretty much always stay stock. But, the bug might hit you in a month or two to start playing around, and then CWM or TWRP is your friend. I installed CWM & made a backup pretty quickly in case I do something I shouldn't, such as accidentally deleting a vital system app. That way you do not have to do the factory reinstall route. Every few weeks you can make yourself a fresh backup just for fun.
4. You should be fine - the drivers must be working if the toolkit is doing backups for you. I am assuming you are using mkskips toolkit based on this question - his instructions say that sometimes in 1 step it says drivers didn't install correctly when they actually do - Windows is...Windows. If you want to be sure, ask away on mkskip's thread. He is quite helpful.
5. If you reflash the factory image & the bootloader is relocked, there is nothing for them to see...not that they'd really care since the point of a Nexus is to develop on it. You would only be returning it for a hardware issue, and the software unlocking has no impact on the hardware problem, since your hardware issue would've happened no matter what software you had on it. The only way a software thing could cause a hardware issue would be if you over-overclocked it & cooked some parts. You'd really have to work at doing that since these things usually shut down when the temperature gets too high.
In short: root it & enjoy it!

Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Lemegeton300 said:
Thanks for the info. Its wugs tool I am using so not sure what happened with drivers but like you said its good to go. So will the clockwork mod essentially create a restore point for me ?
Going to go ahead and root the device now. Thanks for the help.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. When you restore a backup it will be just as it was when you made it. Have fun!

[Q] To Lock or not to unlock

I was hoping I could get a definitive answer on this coz I have been seeing different opinions on this matter. When I unlock my bootloader, is it ok or recomended to keep it unlocked or should I lock it again after doing the purpose of unlocking it?
Of course the downside of locking it again is that if I have to unlock it again then it will erase again all my apps, data and files. But others say when you leave it unlocked then it would be at risk of malware and stuff (not really sure about this if its true)
Could you advice if I should leave it open? Or is there also a downside to this? I am at a stage of trying different ROMS coz I have just recently unlocked and rooted my phone for the first time and have no experience yet in modding my N4.
If there are any pros and cons that I should know about, kindly list it both for unlocked state and locked state bootloader. What are the limitations if I locked again my bootloader. They say I could not make fastboot commands with it locked. Are there other things I should know about?
Thanks in advance!

Just leave it.

Any cons if i leave it unlocked?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

nope.
unlock and forget it.
the only instance where you would need to re-lock is if you had to RMA it.

namurt said:
nope.
unlock and forget it.
the only instance where you would need to re-lock is if you had to RMA it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. So the guy who told me that leaving it unlocked will make my phone from to malwares and things like that was wrong? Thanks for correcting this.
So, if i were to unlock again, this means i have to factory reset and delete again all my apps, data and settings? So unlucky of me to believe that guy which led me to locking it again when i was supposed to enjoy already being unlocked without worrying about it being left unlocked!
I have twrp and titanium backup. Could i use this to save the time and effort of restoring everything back the way it was after i unlock my bootloader again? Which is the better backup to use? Via twrp or titanium?
Appreciate the inputs.
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

any other opinions?

I use bootunlocker to lock/unlock mine, you won't loose any data. I also have trickster mod which has that capability too. Both are on play store, trickster may cost you though as I have paid version.
sent from my N7 :smokin:

[WARNING] Do NOT lock your bootloader when on Android 5.1

The new Device Protection features of Android 5.1 on the Nexus 9 and Nexus 6 can, in certain cases, cause you to have a bootloader which can not be unlocked.
Please have a read of the following links:
https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6172890?hl=en
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/help/update-to-5-1-lock-bootloader-t3058480
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/relock-bootloader-time-updating-to-5-1-t3053497

What a pita
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

i would never relock my bootloader
people unlock there bootloader for a reason
but to relock it after thats just wrong...
thats one of the things i hate about CM
they recommend you to relock your bootloader...

Agreed, why would you lock your bootloader unless sending in for repairs maybe?
But Google is really messing up the flow. The nexus 6 5.1 OTA is a mess right now but I will leave that for another thread.

Android 5.1 for Nexus 9? You must be joking.

So, I just purchased a Nexus 9 via the 4-hour online-only sale at Best Buy. It was $100 off, couldn't pass it up. My question is: is this likely going to be shipped in such a condition as to prevent me from permanently unlocking the bootloader? Or is a permanent lock something one must deliberately do?

disturbd1 said:
So, I just purchased a Nexus 9 via the 4-hour online-only sale at Best Buy. It was $100 off, couldn't pass it up. My question is: is this likely going to be shipped in such a condition as to prevent me from permanently unlocking the bootloader? Or is a permanent lock something one must deliberately do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no you can still unlock it
But if you relock it that's the problem

disturbd1 said:
So, I just purchased a Nexus 9 via the 4-hour online-only sale at Best Buy. It was $100 off, couldn't pass it up. My question is: is this likely going to be shipped in such a condition as to prevent me from permanently unlocking the bootloader? Or is a permanent lock something one must deliberately do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As USBhost said, you'll be able to unlock it. However, when you are first setting it up and are running through the set-up wizard, there will be an option to "Protect Device" or something like that. If you enable it, and re-lock the bootloader, it will put you in a situation where you can only unlock the booloader in certain situations -- and if you happen to have a bootloop with a locked bootloader, that's when you are in trouble.
EDIT: On Nexus devices, I personally unlock the bootloader as soon as I take it out of the box, without first booting into Android, and then leave it unlocked. But of course, you give up some security by doing that.

efrant said:
As USBhost said, you'll be able to unlock it. However, when you are first setting it up and are running through the set-up wizard, there will be an option to "Protect Device" or something like that. If you enable it, and re-lock the bootloader, it will put you in a situation where you can only unlock the booloader in certain situations -- and if you happen to have a bootloop with a locked bootloader, that's when you are in trouble.
EDIT: On Nexus devices, I personally unlock the bootloader as soon as I take it out of the box, without first booting into Android, and then leave it unlocked. But of course, you give up some security by doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering this is a tablet, hopefully I won't lose or misplace it
Thanks, guys! Glad I stumbled across this thread before the thing arrived.

Locking the bootloader doesn't protect you from anything. If the device leaves your physical control in a potentially hostile environment, whatever is on the system or boot partition becomes suspect, regardless of whether the bootloader is locked or unlocked.

doitright said:
Locking the bootloader doesn't protect you from anything. If the device leaves your physical control in a potentially hostile environment, whatever is on the system or boot partition becomes suspect, regardless of whether the bootloader is locked or unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Example: I have a device running a stock ROM with no encryption, the stock recovery and a lock screen password. I happen to lose my phone. What happens to the photos of me dancing to Old Time Rock & Roll in my underwear that are stored on the device? If the bootloader is unlocked, someone just plugs it into a PC, boots TWRP and pulls them off. If the bootloader is locked, there is no easy way to see or get the photos off the device.
That is all I was saying about security. Nothing to do with you leaving your device somewhere or losing it, and then finding it again. Strictly about the personal content on the device.

efrant said:
EDIT: On Nexus devices, I personally unlock the bootloader as soon as I take it out of the box, without first booting into Android, and then leave it unlocked. But of course, you give up some security by doing that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought Lollipop always requires you to go in and check the Enable OEM Unlock box? Or is that not true if you never booted into Android even once?

bailyc said:
I thought Lollipop always requires you to go in and check the Enable OEM Unlock box? Or is that not true if you never booted into Android even once?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have never booted into Android, then you don't need to check that setting. As I said, that's the way I did it on my N6: take out of box -> charge -> boot directly into bootloader -> "fastboot oem unlock". No other steps required if you don't boot into Android first.

can i use this guide for safely relock my Bl on Nexus 9 ..... Relocking coz of RMA and warranty purpose as bought from amazon India instead of Play Store
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-safely-lock-bootloader-android-5-1-t3067302

lilliput222 said:
can i use this guide for safely relock my Bl on Nexus 9 ..... Relocking coz of RMA and warranty purpose as bought from amazon India instead of Play Store
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-safely-lock-bootloader-android-5-1-t3067302
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that should work for the N9 as well.

The bootloader on my Nexus 9 Android 5.1.1 is locked forever due to my mistake
Short backstory:
- I wanted to install the Android M developer Preview for the Nexus 9 but I forgot to check "Enable OEM unlock" in developer options (worst mistake).
- I used adb command to flash the new image but failed somehow
- I carelessly type # fastboot oem lock
- I tried to factory reset from bootloader to bring it back to Stock. Now it couldn't factory reset and my Nexus 9 hangs in a nice boot loop.
- I try # fastboot oem unlock but failed with permission denied error
I tried some ways to save my device but no hopes
- I used Nexus Root Tookit to unlock bootloader or restore image with force mode but failed,
- I follow instruction in HTC dev forum to get identifier token in order to receive your unlock code binary file but failed
- Unluckily, I don't installed any custom recovery.
Please help if you know a way unlock the bootloader or flash the factory ROM to save the nexus 9

quekl84 said:
Please help if you know a way unlock the bootloader or flash the factory ROM to save the nexus 9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not possible. You will have to return it to HTC for repair or replacement.

quekl84 said:
Short backstory:
- I wanted to install the Android M developer Preview for the Nexus 9 but I forgot to uncheck "Enable OEM unlock" in developer options (worst mistake).
- I used adb command to flash the new image but failed somehow
- I carelessly type # fastboot oem lock
- I tried to factory reset from bootloader to bring it back to Stock. Now it couldn't factory reset and my Nexus 9 hangs in a nice boot loop.
- I try # fastboot oem unlock but failed with permission denied error
I tried some ways to save my device but no hopes
- I used Nexus Root Tookit to unlock bootloader or restore image with force mode but failed,
- I follow instruction in HTC dev forum to get identifier token in order to receive your unlock code binary file but failed
- Unluckily, I don't installed any custom recovery.
Please help if you know a way unlock the bootloader or flash the factory ROM to save the nexus 9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u mean u forgot to CHECK to box to allow oem UNLOCK? im confused lol

cobyman7035 said:
u mean u forgot to CHECK to box to allow oem UNLOCK? im confused lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I forgot to check the box to allow oem UNLOCK. And now my device is locked forever.

A quick question: A lot of N9 ROMs require flashing an updated bootloader from the factory image. Aren't these bootloaders locked by default? Can we flash a factory bootloader over a custom ROM?
It seems that we might bork our Nexus 9s if we flash a locked bootloader in.

Root without bootloader unlock?

Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.

The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.

Scyntherei said:
The QFuse does not blow when you unlock or relock the bootloader. Many reviews and Android news sites spouted that nonsense without having tried it. There are many screenshots of Google CSRs saying that they don't know what the QFuse is for, but unlocking the bootloader/rooting/alterring software is fine as long as it's not so bricked you can't reflash stock images before sending it in to them.
Link to a thread discussing this issue.
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+1 the QFuse status didn't change when unlocking the bootloader. The media exaggerated about the qfuse and nothing has happened. Everything about the phone still works properly.

Thanks very much, I wasn't aware of this, I should read more. Awesome news.

But to answer the first question.
Very few people put in effort to root a phone with an unlocked bootloader, not matter what fuses are blown.
A phone with an unlocked bootloader has root by default.

Swatto86 said:
Good Afternoon All,
Do you think it may be possible that we can get root access without unlocking the bootloader - I'm a little reluctant to unlock the bootloader because of the QFuse blowing.
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last i read you have to flash a kernel in order to root the phone therefore you need to unlock the bootloader to do so, i would like to just root myself but i don't know if you can.

No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?

Why people are afraid to unlock the bootloader? Nexus devices don't lose the warranty when you unlock it, you can also lock it again.
Enviado desde mi Nexus 7 mediante Tapatalk

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
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No

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
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Click to collapse
The answer is no.
To do what you want, someone would need to develop and exploit.
There is no motivation to do that when all one has to do is unlock the bootloader.
On phones where a bootloader unlock exists, root methods require unlocking the bootloader.
This is to install a custom recovery so yiou can flash SU.
Unlocked bootloader = root, no matter what.
You will need to invest the time and backup your device.

@TS, did you read the unlock/root guide in general section? It clearly states you need an unlocked bootloader + custom recovery to root your device..
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA-Developers mobile app

I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?

sushah23 said:
I think this should be possible now with Quadrooter vulnerabilities?
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DOA.
But nobody is going to put in time and effort.
What is the point? Unlock the bootloader and flash. It does not void the warranty.
There is even a defined method to get the monthly security update.
With the exploit, it will only work until the next OTA patches it.

I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?

LiquidAlloy said:
I was hoping to root without unlocking the boot loader also. I am definitely not willing to do this since I believe that is what wrecked my previous 6P. It was fine until I used Nexus Root toolkit. I unlocked the boot loader, installed TWRP and rooted then minutes after this the phone locked up, rebooted and was stuck in a permanent boot loop. I couldn't get into recovery or even install any recovery. That phone is currently at the Huawei repair center in Texas and they are sending me a new device. They believe the internal ROM failed and I have suspicions of everything I did with the Toolkit did this. I am afraid to try it on my current 6P that I got from a friend. I have no root now and the phone is massively stable. 400+ hours uptime with no reboot and no slowdowns. But if I were able to root with no unlocking of the boot loader or installing any custom recovery I probably would do it. I hate that I am scared to do all that again with this other phone haha. Sorry for sounding paranoid but ****, see where am I coming from?
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As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.

Jammol said:
As good as toolkits are, put in the extra time and avoid using them because you are never in full control of what is being done to your device. Take a little extra time and learn adb and fastboot. It's actually really simple and you can get so much done without the need for using a toolkit.
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I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/

LiquidAlloy said:
I have tried that only a few times. I understand what you're saying. I guess convenience can be more destructive. :/
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In all honesty it's not even more convenient. Once you've used the command line you'll never go back to a toolkit. It's actually easier, much faster and you have way more control over what you do.

PetrichorXFi said:
No answer?
I would like to get Root on my Nexus 6p but currently do not want to invest the time for full bootloader unlock/fresh install.
So... I will ask again, is it possible to get Root access on Nexus 6P with stock kernel and leaving bootloader in factory locked state? If yes... are there any guides to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Helium app for individual apps backup. Worked great to backup a few apps/data when I changed from one Nexus 6P to another. Might be a bit buggy to get working to get the backup, but after that everything is fine.

you can do it with KINGROOT