[Q] Questions about bootloader unlocking - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey Guys, i'm having a xperia PLAY for a long time and i've been unlocking the bootloader of it. On xperia devices you're losing DRM keys, when you're unlockoing it.
1.Happens something similar to the N7 when unlocking it?
2.And if you'd relock it, woukd it be in any way noticable that ialready had it unlocked?
3.What else are you losing besides the sdcard data?
Thanks

Spatinator said:
Hey Guys, i'm having a xperia PLAY for a long time and i've been unlocking the bootloader of it. On xperia devices you're losing DRM keys, when you're unlockoing it.
1.Happens something similar to the N7 when unlocking it?
2.And if you'd relock it, woukd it be in any way noticable that ialready had it unlocked?
3.What else are you losing besides the sdcard data?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't answer question 1 for you, but for the other questions:
2: after unlocking, an unlocked symbol will be displayed while booting the device. After relocking, this symbol will disappear. As far as I know, there are no ways to find out if a device has been unlocked.
3: everything. Your device will return to factory settings.

Related

[Q] Updates Post Unlocking Bootloader

It appears once I unlocked my bootloader, even after locking it again, I am incapable of taking OTA updates, even after relocking the bootloader. Is there any way around this? If not, is there any place I can get the latest ROMs to flash?
Did you root? Then this is the cause for not being able to update. You can search the other threads to find the solution.

Problems with WiFi and bootloader.

Hello guys. Ihave some questions about my Huawei P8 Lite:
1)Lock bootloader: I've read that if i give command
HTML:
fastboot OEM relock
the bootloader ststus is "relocked" is this true? If yes, how can i make it "locked"?
2)I 'd like to give the phone to an assistance center to fix the WiFi problems (WiFi and hotspot don't work) but i have some issues: the bootloader is unlocked but i haven't do it, i've used kingroot that unlocked it so i don't have the code for relocking (but i can still obtain it)... Even if the bootloader is unlocked, it gives error when flashing every file (recovery, etc...) so i don't think is unlocked
So... if i give the phone to assistance center, will they accept it even if is unlocked?
Should i relock the bootloader?
How much will it cost?
I 'd like to use the door-to-door service (I haven't used this yet)
How to make bootloader status "locked" and not "relocked"?
Thanx for replyes :fingers-crossed:

[Q] TA partition and DRM fix

Sorry for a noob question.
I rooted my previous device, Xperia Z3 compact, without unlocking bootloader, so I am completely new to this stuff.
I am looking into buying a used X Compact and worried that the device no longer has its TA intact.
I've searched the forum but didn't quite find an answer to my question.
So, for X compact and many other xperia models, there is DRM fix that restore DRM keys on a bootloader-unlocked device, even if you didn't backup your TA and your TA is completely wiped by unlocking, correct?
Then, how can you tell the difference between a device that has its original TA (either still intact or TA properly restored from backup) and a device without TA but DRM keys restored?
And, if you can't tell the difference, what is the point of having TA backup and restoring it later?
Sorry it seems pretty basic stuff but I can't find any direct answer to it.
Hope someone can help. Thanks in advance!
tapa_t said:
So, for X compact and many other xperia models, there is DRM fix that restore DRM keys on a bootloader-unlocked device, even if you didn't backup your TA and your TA is completely wiped by unlocking, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly - the drm fix is a mod that attempts to replicate the features and functions that are lost when wiping ta. I've never used it, so can't say myself, but it seems like people who have are happy with it. The main issue with wiping ta is the loss of Sony camera features and quality. I believe there are also other things attached to the ta, but most people probably wouldn't ever miss them.
If you wipe the ta without backing it up, then it is gone, and your only option is drm fix. Most people would probably rather have the ta intact...
levone1 said:
Not exactly - the drm fix is a mod that attempts to replicate the features and functions that are lost when wiping ta. I've never used it, so can't say myself, but it seems like people who have are happy with it. The main issue with wiping ta is the loss of Sony camera features and quality. I believe there are also other things attached to the ta, but most people probably wouldn't ever miss them.
If you wipe the ta without backing it up, then it is gone, and your only option is drm fix. Most people would probably rather have the ta intact...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks -- but that doesn't really answer my question. Question is *HOW* do you tell apart a phone with drm fix and no TA from a phone with an intact TA. If you can't tell the difference, people can't be sure they've got the TA intact whether they prefer it or not.
tapa_t said:
Thanks -- but that doesn't really answer my question. Question is *HOW* do you tell apart a phone with drm fix and no TA from a phone with an intact TA. If you can't tell the difference, people can't be sure they've got the TA intact whether they prefer it or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Service menu > service tests > security
See in screen shot :
- Widevine... "OK"
- ckb... "OK"
- Fido keys provisioned
with drm fix
zokkii said:
with drm fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting - and thats with drm keys missing (TA wiped)?
yes,without drm keys
That's only half of the story. The DRM Fix library has two working modes, and what defines which mode it'll pick depends if you have your unique device key (that get wiped when you unlock the bootloader) flashed in an alternate TA Unit. You can extract your device key and then flash it on an alternate unit as long as you have a TA backup taken before unlocking the bootloader (the RootKernel utility from @tobias.waldvogel ships with the required tools to extract and flash your device key).
On the "normal" mode (DRM Fix + device key flashed on alternate TA unit) you have exactly the same functionality you would get on a bootloader locked device with its TA intact, everything works. But, in case you don't have your device key flashed into an alternate TA unit (e.g. unlocked the bootloader without backing up the TA first, lost backup, etc), then DRM Fix will work in emulation mode. On emulation mode, most features that check for DRM will still work (e.g. camera algorithms, X-Reality Engine, etc) but some specific DRM features that requires the device key (e.g. Widevine L1 decryption, HDCP on Screen Mirroring, etc.) won't work. As it was increasingly more difficult to find exploits for newer devices and firmwares, that's the mode most DRM Fix users utilize, I guess.
Now, how to tell a DRM Fix restored device apart a device with intact TA is a little tricky, but you basically have 3 situations:
• Bootloader locked device, security test in Service Menu shows both Widevine and CKB as [OK] [Active] => stock device with TA partition intact
• Security test in Service Menu shows [unknown] or [generic error] on Widevine or CKB (or both) => TA partition wiped, DRM Fix not applied
• Bootloader unlocked device, security test in Service Menu shows both Widevine and CKB as [OK] [Active] => TA partition wiped, DRM Fix applied
When a device has the DRM Fix applied, it's not possible to tell if it's working in normal or emulation mode until you try something that requires the device keys (e.g. Widevine L1 or HDCP on Screen Mirroring). If it works, DRM Fix is in normal mode, otherwise it's in emulation mode. Also, you can't trust the "Bootloader Status" info on the Security Test of the Service menu to tell whether the bootloader was unlocked or not, as it'll always report "locked" if you have the DRM Fix applied. A safe way to tell the bootloader status is (re)booting the device and observing if the "Your device has been unlocked and can't be trusted" message appears before the Sony logo. If that message appears, the bootloader was unlocked.
You'll also find many people debating whether FIDO Keys being provisioned or not actually indicates the status of the DRM Fix, but from my experience, they aren't related. Fact is that I had FIDO Keys not provisioned on my Xperia X right after I turned it on for the first time (brand new device, had just taken it from the box), but upon registering a fingerprint, FIDO Keys became Provisioned again. Same thing occurred after I backed up my TA with the dirtycow exploit then unlocked the bootloader, FIDO Keys became not provisioned but after enrolling a fingerprint they became Provisioned again, even through I hadn't installed DRM Fix yet at that point.
And to finish, keep in mind all I said on this post is only valid for Xperia devices that launched before Xperia XZ Premium. With XZ Premium launch, Sony reworked many parts of the DRM protection and the original DRM Fix from previous devices didn't work at all. Another user eventually developed a new DRM Fix solution for those newer devices, but it works completely different and I have absolutely zero experience with it.
Does this work on the Android 9.0 custom roms? DRM Camera fix for 9.0?
sheeplings said:
Does this work on the Android 9.0 custom roms? DRM Camera fix for 9.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
mbc07 said:
That's only half of the story. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks A LOT for this information!
I have searched for a long time for something similar but everyone seems to just know this and expecting everyone else too, so it's never thoroughly described, until now!
mbc07 said:
On the "normal" mode (DRM Fix + device key flashed on alternate TA unit)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any information that would help a noob accomplish this? Link to a good, noob adopted, step-by-step guide? So far I'm out of luck finding anything that will give me confidence enough to try it.
Thanks again!
Holton181 said:
Do you have any information that would help a noob accomplish this? Link to a good, noob adopted, step-by-step guide? So far I'm out of luck finding anything that will give me confidence enough to try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, nope. The process is "half" streamlined if your phone happens to be supported by the original Root Kernel tool or the modded version posted on the last pages of that thread, but you would still need knowledge on how to get a TA backup on your particular device and on unlocking the bootloader / flashing a modded kernel. If your phone isn't supported then the process also involves manually modding the kernel to include the DRM Fix library too, and none of that is noob-friendly, at all...
If you can't/don't want to deal with it, your best bet is searching at your device's subforum, perhaps somebody already did the work for your particular phone model and published a ready to flash, DRM Fixed kernel there...
mbc07 said:
Sorry, nope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thanks anyways. My understanding of this is much better already after your description.
Backing up TA, unlocking bootloader and rooting is the easy part, pretty good understanding how its done. It's how to make good use of the DRM:s that's all new to me.
My device is the full size X (not Compact as in this sub-forum), my wife's old working phone. I'll try to search the forum for it.

Google Unlocked Pixel 3a on Verizon

Hi all. I have been searching high and low for information on this specific question:
Will activating an unlocked Pixel 3a on Verizon disable the OEM Unlock and bootloader unlock capability?
I got a Verizon variant before I realized that there was not way to unlock the bootloader. Bummer. So, I returned it for an Unlocked version from Google, which I just received tonight. I breezed through the setup (without the SIM card) and noticed that OEM Unlock was disabled stating I needed to connect to the internet. So, I enabled WiFi and the OEM Unlock was then available. It would seem that I an now able to follow the unlocking procedure.
My goal is to unlock the bootloader and root, but do I have to do it immediately? My concern is that activating the phone with my Verizon SIM could:
1) Prevent unlocking the bootloader in the future if I don't unlock it before I activate with SIM (research seems to indicate that factory resets will undo disabling OEM Unlock if this can happen if I understand correctly)
2) Re-lock an unlocked bootloader - maybe this is not even possible?
I don't want to mess this up. All the info I am finding are discussions related to trying to unlock a Verizon variant and I cannot find good info on what happens to bootloader unlocking options on unlocked phones that are activated on Verizon. The only reason I may want to delay this process is because I dont have a lot of time at the moment and would rather not rush the bootloader unlock and root process. However, my HTC 10 is in bad shape and need a phone to get through the holidays. I was hoping that I could activate it on Verizon now, use it with its locked bootloader for a few weeks, and when things cool down after the holidays, implement the bootloader unlock and root.
If that is not advisable, what about unlocking the bootloader immediately (doesn't seem too hard and I have used ADB before), and activating without root. Then root later? Any possibility of concern #2?
Can OTA's re-lock a bootloader and prevent future unlocking?
I appreciate anyone's incite, experience, or links to the needed information for clearing this up. Thanks you!
I would advise you to unlock the bootloader asap. If you wait it will be a pain later because unlocking causes loss of data. If you don't care about that, wait as long as you like.
As far as Verizon is concerned, if the phone is unlocked, I don't see how they could possibly lock the bootloader. They may restrict your services but they can't touch the lock status of a device you purchased.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

SM T-290 re-lock bootloader and update ROM?

So I bought this a while back with the intention of rooting it, but never got around to it. Now I just want to lock the bootloader, update the software and give it to my kid. Can I relock it? Will it be safe to update the software without fear of a soft brink (which is where my T500 currently is after trying to upload an updated ROM)?
Just perform in the reverse order? I searched but got too many "Unlock" results...

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