Database Users

[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.

Unlock the bootloader

We could request to unlock the bootloader from Motorola directly.
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a

And if you read the "supported devices" list on the linked pages, you wont find Droid Turbo 2 unfortunately... Verizon forces motorola to lock down the devices and not offer this unless a "developer edition" phone is purchased. Currently there is no such thing for the Turbo 2.

In the developers options in the settings there is a switch that says OEM unlocking - allow the bootloader to be unlocked. I'm not sure if this is something that would help

pharisjosh said:
In the developers options in the settings there is a switch that says OEM unlocking - allow the bootloader to be unlocked. I'm not sure if this is something that would help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, unfortunately not.

pharisjosh said:
In the developers options in the settings there is a switch that says OEM unlocking - allow the bootloader to be unlocked. I'm not sure if this is something that would help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats for device protection, a function like apple iphone lock,
http://www.greenbot.com/article/290...ow-about-device-protection-in-android-51.html
http://www.androidpolice.com/2015/0...evice-protection-feature-and-how-do-i-use-it/
if you disable that option, you can flash things on the phone leaving the phone unlocked and open

With what your saying does that mean we can root it and flash a custom recovery?

Bill Idol said:
With what your saying does that mean we can root it and flash a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't think that this option will work its a shame..

Bill Idol said:
With what your saying does that mean we can root it and flash a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, only for unlocked devices, to droid turbo 2 doesnt apply.

Huawei Nova 3i.. OEM Unlock and Root?

I'm quite interested in buying this device (Nova 3i), but it's very important to me that i can root it.
I've noticed that the option "OEM Unlock" is not greyed out, and can be easily enabled, at least in the devices that are sold in my country.
So the question is:
Is it enought to enable "OEM Unlock" in "Developer Options" from the phone settings to unlock the bootloader and I can simply install TWRP afterthat?
Or do I still have to unlock it using unlock key from Huawei Website (which is unavailable)?
And if not, is there any other way to root it? Has anyone had luck in rooting it (e.g. Kingroot, etc)?
Thanks in advance.

Jan oatcoal said:
I'm quite interested in buying this device (Nova 3i), but it's very important to me that i can root it.
I've noticed that the option "OEM Unlock" is not greyed out, and can be easily enabled, at least in the devices that are sold in my country.
So the question is:
Is it enought to enable "OEM Unlock" in "Developer Options" from the phone settings to unlock the bootloader and I can simply install TWRP afterthat?
Or do I still have to unlock it using unlock key from Huawei Website (which is unavailable)?
And if not, is there any other way to root it? Has anyone had luck in rooting it (e.g. Kingroot, etc)?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have tried king root.... Stuck at 1 percent not hoing any further and its bootloader is still locked so we need to wait till we can get someone to unlock it

Xial Xahab said:
Have tried king root.... Stuck at 1 percent not hoing any further and its bootloader is still locked so we need to wait till we can get someone to unlock it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The days of kingroot working on phones are long gone

Dheeraj Menon said:
The days of kingroot working on phones are long gone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I knew that... But still wanted to see if that's a thing or no

Jan oatcoal said:
I'm quite interested in buying this device (Nova 3i), but it's very important to me that i can root it.
I've noticed that the option "OEM Unlock" is not greyed out, and can be easily enabled, at least in the devices that are sold in my country.
So the question is:
Is it enought to enable "OEM Unlock" in "Developer Options" from the phone settings to unlock the bootloader and I can simply install TWRP afterthat?
Or do I still have to unlock it using unlock key from Huawei Website (which is unavailable)?
And if not, is there any other way to root it? Has anyone had luck in rooting it (e.g. Kingroot, etc)?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pls check PHONE status in Fastboot and rescue mode. I have the nova 3i INE-LX2 it says its unlocked.

how did you manage to unlock it? plz share
how did you manage to unlock it? plz share

jioleight said:
pls check PHONE status in Fastboot and rescue mode. I have the nova 3i INE-LX2 it says its unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you do this

How you did it
How you did it please share The method i try about 5 app no one open it

Unable to turn on OEM Unlocking. OEM option is grey

I am trying to unlock my bootloader and root my phone but I am unable to turn on the OEM unlocking feature in developers options. Several months ago I returned/restored the phone's stock image. I previously rooted my phone but decided to unroot it. Now I am attempting to root it again but I cannot unlock the bootloader by switching on OEM unlocking.
The OEM Unlocking option is greyed out and appears to be locked or inaccessible. I have attached a screen shot.
Can someone tell me what I must do to fix this.

LeoG360 said:
I am trying to unlock my bootloader and root my phone but I am unable to turn on the OEM unlocking feature in developers options. Several months ago I returned/restored the phone's stock image. I previously rooted my phone but decided to unroot it. Now I am attempting to root it again but I cannot unlock the bootloader by switching on OEM unlocking.
The OEM Unlocking option is greyed out and appears to be locked or inaccessible. I have attached a screen shot.
Can someone tell me what I must do to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure the BL is locked now? If not boot into BL and check it. In any case Google is your friend:
https://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-fix-oem-unlock-greyed-out-or-oem-unlock-disabled-problem/
That's why I don't see any sense in relocking, I can't find any advantage in it.
Sent from my Moto G5 Plus using XDA Labs

Wolfcity said:
That's why I don't see any sense in relocking, I can't find any advantage in it.
Sent from my Moto G5 Plus using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you Wolfcity. And it is something that seems to come up on every device I have owned starting with the Moto G2 (G3, G4, G5+, & G5s+). I have had users flat out tell me I am wrong and that you need to relock the device in order to go back to stock or remove root. :silly:

Trying to Root a Moto e4, stuck on unlocking the Bootloader

Hello all! First post here so if I out this in the wrong section, or do the pst wrong, then feel free to correct me.
I am trying to root my old phone, which is a Moto e4. I tried rooting with mutiple sources (Using a computer) but all of them failed. I concluded through google searches that one reason this may be happening is because the bootloader is still locked, so I started on that.
I got to the command promt, and can locate and identify the device, but when I run the command to unlock the bootloader and get the code for the motorola website, (fastboot oem unlock, and some variations of this command, all the same result.) When I do this, I get the results that I should get, but where the code should be, it says not found. I have my OEM unclokcing checked in Deve settings, and USB debugging is on as well. I am at school right now, so unfornatly I cannot give information on the model number, or anything like that, but I can respond to questions when I can. If I don't even need to unlock the bootloader on the moto e4 to root, then all the better, but I am fine with going through the trouble of unlokcing the bootloader!
Thanks,
Eriith

Eriith said:
Hello all! First post here so if I out this in the wrong section, or do the pst wrong, then feel free to correct me.
I am trying to root my old phone, which is a Moto e4. I tried rooting with mutiple sources (Using a computer) but all of them failed. I concluded through google searches that one reason this may be happening is because the bootloader is still locked, so I started on that.
I got to the command promt, and can locate and identify the device, but when I run the command to unlock the bootloader and get the code for the motorola website, (fastboot oem unlock, and some variations of this command, all the same result.) When I do this, I get the results that I should get, but where the code should be, it says not found. I have my OEM unclokcing checked in Deve settings, and USB debugging is on as well. I am at school right now, so unfornatly I cannot give information on the model number, or anything like that, but I can respond to questions when I can. If I don't even need to unlock the bootloader on the moto e4 to root, then all the better, but I am fine with going through the trouble of unlokcing the bootloader!
Thanks,
Eriith
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes bootloader needs to be unlocked.
It could be a usb driver issue
See moto driver link in my
Motorola Flashing Guide
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/guide-flashing-motorola-firmware-t4042039
Sent from my mata using XDA Labs

sd_shadow said:
yes bootloader needs to be unlocked.
It could be a usb driver issue
See moto driver link in my
Motorola Flashing Guide
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/guide-flashing-motorola-firmware-t4042039
Sent from my mata using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In between the time you responded and now, I have ublcoked the bootloader, and got TWRP to work, not I just need to install Magisk and start the root! Thank you for responding though.