Database Users

LG's lack of development community support

I was really surprised to learn that LG don't have a bootloader unlocking service like even HTC have done and given that the LG never managed to unlock the bootloader, I'm quite surprised that there wasn't more of a community outcry. What is up with that? Have LG ever spoken of supporting the development community? Is it unlikely that we'll see it happen within the flagship lifetime of our device?
NB: This is discussion topic, it's really not a question/answer topic.

sabret00the said:
I was really surprised to learn that LG don't have a bootloader unlocking service like even HTC have done and given that the LG never managed to unlock the bootloader, I'm quite surprised that there wasn't more of a community outcry. What is up with that? Have LG ever spoken of supporting the development community? Is it unlikely that we'll see it happen within the flagship lifetime of our device?
NB: This is discussion topic, it's really not a question/answer topic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa is this 100% correct? if that's the case I will strongly reconsider getting the G3 and will probably go for either M8 or Z2...

Well, coming from an LG Nexus 5, I can tell you that the development community is booming over there. But that's to be expected with a Nexus device. I'm planning on switching from the Nexus 5 to the G3 (ordered yesterday) in an effort to no longer sacrifice hardware in order to get the vanilla Android experience. These days I'd rather give up some of the software advantages in AOSP ROMs in order to get significantly better hardware.
Unfortunately, it's a sacrifice one way or another. And if you buy a phone such as the G3 you must do so expecting that the development for it will take significantly longer and will likely have less options. However, in my opinion the interface/features offered in the latest stock LG interfaces are quite improved and look/feel much better than the interfaces provided by other manufacturers. I don't think I'll have any issue using the stock interface with the LG for many months after coming from the previous 4 generations of Nexus devices.
The vanilla Android experience has gotten quite boring in my opinion and I welcome the features that will be available on LG's stock ROM.

cez10 said:
whoa is this 100% correct? if that's the case I will strongly reconsider getting the G3 and will probably go for either M8 or Z2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly yes, it's something I should've looked into in the six months of waiting for this phone. But it's sadly the case. Even on the G2, they couldn't unlock the bootloader and instead had to bypass it.
sn0warmy said:
Well, coming from an LG Nexus 5, I can tell you that the development community is booming over there. But that's to be expected with a Nexus device. I'm planning on switching from the Nexus 5 to the G3 (ordered yesterday) in an effort to no longer sacrifice hardware in order to get the vanilla Android experience. These days I'd rather give up some of the software advantages in AOSP ROMs in order to get significantly better hardware.
Unfortunately, it's a sacrifice one way or another. And if you buy a phone such as the G3 you must do so expecting that the development for it will take significantly longer and will likely have less options. However, in my opinion the interface/features offered in the latest stock LG interfaces are quite improved and look/feel much better than the interfaces provided by other manufacturers. I don't think I'll have any issue using the stock interface with the LG for many months after coming from the previous 4 generations of Nexus devices.
The vanilla Android experience has gotten quite boring in my opinion and I welcome the features that will be available on LG's stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the patience, I'd recommend waiting a little while to see if they announce a GPe of the G3. That could provide you with the best of both worlds.

Development will improve for sure - the phone has only been out less than a week (D855) with most people still not having received their devices yet and is not even released in the US. It seems the Korean models have shipped with an unlocked bootloader (from what I have heard) and as for the D855 no one has yet confirmed it a) it is locked and b) if it can be unlocked.
I have certainly not looked into it yet myself, although if it is locked, unlocking via any "hacking" method, is beyond my knowledge, someone smarter than me will have to tell us how to do that.
Give it time, development is always slow in the first month of a new device (unless its a nexus), and tends ot only pick up after release in the USA.

sabret00the said:
If you have the patience, I'd recommend waiting a little while to see if they announce a GPe of the G3. That could provide you with the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, if they release a GP edition G3 it will still pay to have this one because any AOSP ROMs for the GP edition will be quickly ported over to the non-GP edition anyway. I plan on keeping this phone but will also still be happy if they come out with a GP edition as well so we can get some AOSP source code up and running for this device.
And I'm not worried about the bootloader being locked. Someone ALWAYS finds a way to unlock it rather quickly these days.
Personally, my goal with this phone is to root it to get my DPI settings where I want them and get rid of any bloat that may cause the phone to slow down. If I can manage to accomplish those two things, I'll be happy (and it's already doable). My days of rooting, flashing ROMs, bricking, unbricking, and flashing more ROMs are over. At this point I just want a solid phone that works flawlessly.

Lennyuk said:
Development will improve for sure - the phone has only been out less than a week (D855) with most people still not having received their devices yet and is not even released in the US. It seems the Korean models have shipped with an unlocked bootloader (from what I have heard) and as for the D855 no one has yet confirmed it a) it is locked and b) if it can be unlocked.
I have certainly not looked into it yet myself, although if it is locked, unlocking via any "hacking" method, is beyond my knowledge, someone smarter than me will have to tell us how to do that.
Give it time, development is always slow in the first month of a new device (unless its a nexus), and tends ot only pick up after release in the USA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not so much talking about from the community side, I have faith the community will find an unlock or bypass method. I'm more so talking about from LG's point of view. They don't seem to be supportive hence no official channel to unlock the G2 bootloader despite the G3 launching globally this week.

sabret00the said:
I'm not so much talking about from the community side, I have faith the community will find an unlock or bypass method. I'm more so talking about from LG's point of view. They don't seem to be supportive hence no official channel to unlock the G2 bootloader despite the G3 launching globally this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember it took years to get HTC to provide an unlock tool (and the company nearly going bankrupt!), Moto and Sony were the same - moto becoming better when Google acquired them and Sony nearly gave up making android devices completely before they decided to become more dev friendly.
Basically companies only provide unlock methods as a last resort, when they feel its the only way to improve their sales. LG haven't needed this yet.
There are still plenty of devices where you cannot officially unlock the bootloader, its not just an LG thing.

Lennyuk said:
Remember it took years to get HTC to provide an unlock tool (and the company nearly going bankrupt!), Moto and Sony were the same - moto becoming better when Google acquired them and Sony nearly gave up making android devices completely before they decided to become more dev friendly.
Basically companies only provide unlock methods as a last resort, when they feel its the only way to improve their sales. LG haven't needed this yet.
There are still plenty of devices where you cannot officially unlock the bootloader, its not just an LG thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally hear you, but with the success Sony have enjoyed, you'd hope manufacturers would get involved early on.

Lennyuk said:
and as for the D855 no one has yet confirmed it a) it is locked and b) if it can be unlocked.
I have certainly not looked into it yet myself, although if it is locked, unlocking via any "hacking" method, is beyond my knowledge, someone smarter than me will have to tell us how to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this something that is easy to check?

Dubhar said:
Is this something that is easy to check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't even access the bootloader. Despite turning USB debugging on, I can't get ADB to recognise the phone. I started a thread to check if others have a similar problem.

It's a flagship, I'm not worried about development support. Look at the g2, it got cm support. Plus the LG software looks decent, not too basic like HTC or too intrusive like Samsungs touchwiz

sabret00the said:
I can't even access the bootloader. Despite turning USB debugging on, I can't get ADB to recognise the phone. I started a thread to check if others have a similar problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted D855 yesterday using ioroot and as a part of the process "adb devices" did show the phone with USB debugging on.
I had to install lg unified driver so windows 8 had a right driver for it.

Heisenberg420 said:
It's a flagship, I'm not worried about development support. Look at the g2, it got cm support. Plus the LG software looks decent, not too basic like HTC or too intrusive like Samsungs touchwiz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread is about development support from LG. Please read threads before commenting. The G2 you mentioned was given as an example of the lack of support previously provided by LG.
jodvova said:
I rooted D855 yesterday using ioroot and as a part of the process "adb devices" did show the phone with USB debugging on.
I had to install lg unified driver so windows 8 had a right driver for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps I need to update my drivers then. Though that's nearly unheard of as I'm on Linux.

If i can atleast root the phone to remove the bloatware, I'll be happy for a little while.

sabret00the said:
This thread is about development support from LG. Please read threads before commenting. The G2 you mentioned was given as an example of the lack of support previously provided by LG.
Perhaps I need to update my drivers then. Though that's nearly unheard of as I'm on Linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm, i've not check on Linux yet, but it is recognised on windows with the right USB drivers installed. Maybe its lacking some udev rule to properly recognise the device?
The LGD855 boots into recovery with adb reboot recovery, but not the bootloader using adb reboot-bootloader its just reboots. I goes into download mode with power+volume up, that about all ive tried.
Slash8915 said:
If i can atleast root the phone to remove the bloatware, I'll be happy for a little while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
towelroot worked.

on Win 7 by flashing sphinxrom for d855 and s,k,l :
when i was installing the lg driver, it installed the AndroidNet Sooner Single ADB Interface
i had to change it Android ADB Interface

what the hell the device just came out give it some time

daddioj said:
what the hell the device just came out give it some time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the hell can't you read & understand what OP has said or trying to say? (sorry no offence intended). He isn't talking about the support of the development community to this device(G3), which by the way will certainly pick up from what it is now, but he is talking about LG's support to the development community(being more developer friendly as Sony & HTC).
And even if we talk about how much active Android development this device(& it's variants) will see, then let me tell you that the development activity of this device will(probably) never be as much as you see with other flagship devices like HTC One(M7 & m8), that is because a) HTC is more developer friendly by letting you to unlock the bootloader & thus making easy for developers to port(make) ROMs, recoveries & what not, where as with LG & G2 it is entirely different case(ask any developer involved in G2 development, how difficult it is or was to make a recovery or a ROM for G2 and for common flahers the risk factor of flashing those recoveries & ROMs that much more because all the solutions based on a bypassing solution with many permutations & combinations rather than a fully unlockable bootloader just as with HTC devices and b) they are more popular devices among people(as much successful the G2 was it wasn't sold as many as S4s & S5s or M7s & M8s).
We all hope that LG will follow HTC & Sony in being developer frienly. No doubt they are making beautiful devices like G2 & now G3. But sadly, as one of other member pointed out above, it is at the stage of extinction that a manufacturer tend to be more friendly with developer community.

st_7 said:
What the hell can't you read & understand what OP has said or trying to say? (sorry no offence intended). He isn't talking about the support of the development community to this device(G3), which by the way will certainly pick up from what it is now, but he is talking about LG's support to the development community(being more developer friendly as Sony & HTC).
And even if we talk about how much active Android development this device(& it's variants) will see, then let me tell you that the development activity of this device will(probably) never be as much as you see with other flagship devices like HTC One(M7 & m8), that is because a) HTC is more developer friendly by letting you to unlock the bootloader & thus making easy for developers to port(make) ROMs, recoveries & what not, where as with LG & G2 it is entirely different case(ask any developer involved in G2 development, how difficult it is or was to make a recovery or a ROM for G2 and for common flahers the risk factor of flashing those recoveries & ROMs that much more because all the solutions based on a bypassing solution with many permutations & combinations rather than a fully unlockable bootloader just as with HTC devices and b) they are more popular devices among people(as much successful the G2 was it wasn't sold as many as S4s & S5s or M7s & M8s).
We all hope that LG will follow HTC & Sony in being developer frienly. No doubt they are making beautiful devices like G2 & now G3. But sadly, as one of other member pointed out above, it is at the stage of extinction that a manufacturer tend to be more friendly with developer community.
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Click to collapse
i am Guilty of not reading the whole Thread

CONFIRMED! Alcatel One Touch Idol 3 IS NOT getting Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update.

Hi. I own the 5.5' Idol 3 (6045Y).
This is just some information I received about three weeks ago and I just wanted to share it.
This is the official response that I got from the Alcatel One Touch team on Facebook.
I was thinking about buying the idol 3 (despite the many reviews where the laggy performance is mentioned, which is somewhat true).
Nevertheless, I bought it. For the price it has some unbeatable specs which don't quite perform as they should due to lack of optimization. If they did, this device would be excellent. Moto G (3rd gen) is the perfect example of a well optimized device which is a serious downgrade in specs compared to the Idol 3, but performs slightly better. I know because I own them both.
Still, what I was hoping for THE MOST with the Idol 3, since this is considered Alcatel's flagship model, were at least a couple of system updates. At least one for Lollipop 5.1.1.
However, now according to their official response, we're not getting that, not to mention something like Marshmallow 6.0.
I mean, even the Moto G is getting that for Christ's sake!
Very, very poor customer care. I was maybe even expecting this to some extent. But I was hoping that this brand wised up with this device.
However, Alcatel remains Alcatel, if you know what I mean. But hey, at least they were honest enough with the response.
So, there it is. Maybe this will be of some use for future buyers to think about.
P.S. I'm new to XDA and I'm posting this thread from the desktop but I can't find any option to attach the messages screenshots. If someone could tell me how to do that, that'd be great. Thanks.

Idol3Owner said:
Hi. I own the 5.5' Idol 3 (6045Y).
This is just some information I received about three weeks ago and I just wanted to share it.
This is the official response that I got from the Alcatel One Touch team on Facebook.
I was thinking about buying the idol 3 (despite the many reviews where the laggy performance is mentioned, which is somewhat true).
Nevertheless, I bought it. For the price it has some unbeatable specs which don't quite perform as they should due to lack of optimization. If they did, this device would be excellent. Moto G (3rd gen) is the perfect example of a well optimized device which is a serious downgrade in specs compared to the Idol 3, but performs slightly better. I know because I own them both.
Still, what I was hoping for THE MOST with the Idol 3, since this is considered Alcatel's flagship model, were at least a couple of system updates. At least one for Lollipop 5.1.1.
However, now according to their official response, we're not getting that, not to mention something like Marshmallow 6.0.
I mean, even the Moto G is getting that for Christ's sake!
Very, very poor customer care. I was maybe even expecting this to some extent. But I was hoping that this brand wised up with this device.
However, Alcatel remains Alcatel, if you know what I mean. But hey, at least they were honest enough with the response.
So, there it is. Maybe this will be of some use for future buyers to think about.
P.S. I'm new to XDA and I'm posting this thread from the desktop but I can't find any option to attach the messages screenshots. If someone could tell me how to do that, that'd be great. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't trust Alcatel customer support to tell me what day of the week it was. There have been multiple occasions where they have told folks on this forum things that ended up being blatant lies. When I first placed my order I tried to cancel it 1 hour after I placed it because I was charged shipping where it showed free shipping...I planned to simply cancel and re-order..something that should have taken 5 minutes...I spent a week going back and forth with Alcatel telling me I needed to cancel the order with amazon even sending them screenshots showing amazon would not allow me to cancel the order and the only reason it ever was "resolved" was that the stupid thing finally shipped after a week.

Actually I can confirm TCL is working on Marshmallow for the Idol 3, the bad news is it won't be released until the end of this year.

HughJanus said:
Actually I can confirm TCL is working on Marshmallow for the Idol 3, the bad news is it won't be released until the end of this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you're right. How did you confirm it?

I got Marshmallow on it right now, I trust this custom rom more than TCL that makes me factory reset after every update.

Yeah, I would do research and get answers from more than one source. Before saying that Alcatel is not working on a 5.1.1 update. The person who replied on Facebook is just one source. I would email Alcatel support and see what they say when they reply. Of course this would depend on the knowledge of the person who replies, and if he/she speaks with the people that create the updates for the Idol 3.

mokash34 said:
I hope you're right. How did you confirm it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source within TCL that told me initially that they would release 5.1 but later announced they canceled their plans for 5.1 to go directly to 6.0. anyway, I prefer to wait a bit and get a really stable marshmallow rom than a somewhat buggy 5.1. most memory leaks and performance issues have been ironed out in 6.0.

Karly Johnston said:
I got Marshmallow on it right now, I trust this custom rom more than TCL that makes me factory reset after every update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol you have marshmallows on your idol 3 right now?

Karly Johnston said:
I got Marshmallow on it right now, I trust this custom rom more than TCL that makes me factory reset after every update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say you have Marshmallow running right now - I am assuming you have a custom ROM - so I have a question for you - Are you able to use Android Pay with your custom ROM on your Idol3 ? Android Pay has become one of the major uses for me with my new device - and I am trying to find out if it would still work if I rooted the device and put on a custom ROM. I have heard otherwise, but since you already have a custom ROM on this device, maybe you can clear this up for me.
TIA

stl1859 said:
You say you have Marshmallow running right now - I am assuming you have a custom ROM - so I have a question for you - Are you able to use Android Pay with your custom ROM on your Idol3 ? Android Pay has become one of the major uses for me with my new device - and I am trying to find out if it would still work if I rooted the device and put on a custom ROM. I have heard otherwise, but since you already have a custom ROM on this device, maybe you can clear this up for me.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google does not allow custom roms to include GAPPS (Google apps) which includes google play etc...however there are various "GAPPS" available...paranoidandroid produces one for each version of android for instance...so it's a simple matter of flashing the rom first...then gapps.

famewolf said:
Google does not allow custom roms to include GAPPS (Google apps) which includes google play etc...however there are various "GAPPS" available...paranoidandroid produces one for each version of android for instance...so it's a simple matter of flashing the rom first...then gapps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I can flash gapps separately from a custom ROM - I have done it many times before. But this is not merely about flashing gapps and getting the Android Pay app on to the phone. It has been widely reported that Android Pay does not work on rooted devices. I am just looking for confirmation from someone that has this device and already has a custom ROM on it.

Alcatel/TCL support for update is totally poor... For every single model...
So I don't believe it will get 6.0
Too bad cause Idol3 5.5 is good phone and with specs could handle 6.0...

stl1859 said:
I know I can flash gapps separately from a custom ROM - I have done it many times before. But this is not merely about flashing gapps and getting the Android Pay app on to the phone. It has been widely reported that Android Pay does not work on rooted devices. I am just looking for confirmation from someone that has this device and already has a custom ROM on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given that no custom rom's have been made PUBLIC-ALLY available you'll probably have to wait a while for an answer. Google Play comes with the stock Rom and works fine. Best I can tell you for now.

stl1859 said:
I know I can flash gapps separately from a custom ROM - I have done it many times before. But this is not merely about flashing gapps and getting the Android Pay app on to the phone. It has been widely reported that Android Pay does not work on rooted devices. I am just looking for confirmation from someone that has this device and already has a custom ROM on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android Pay can work on a rooted device but not without some workarounds and not an all devices. I know this is vague but you can Google a workaround posted on Reddit.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...cs2AWiOpbIL3N_THg&sig2=n8MemJfiaZN-nsuOXK4eVQ

stl1859 said:
You say you have Marshmallow running right now - I am assuming you have a custom ROM - so I have a question for you - Are you able to use Android Pay with your custom ROM on your Idol3 ? Android Pay has become one of the major uses for me with my new device - and I am trying to find out if it would still work if I rooted the device and put on a custom ROM. I have heard otherwise, but since you already have a custom ROM on this device, maybe you can clear this up for me.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Google will not allow it to work on rooted devices for security reasons.

HughJanus said:
Actually I can confirm TCL is working on Marshmallow for the Idol 3, the bad news is it won't be released until the end of this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't mind at all waiting a couple more months for Marshmallow 6. It's just that since I got the response from their official facebook page about not planning to update even to Lollipop 5.1 I remain sceptical about 6.0.
Anyway, I really hope then that you're right and I'm wrong.

Can you post a screenshot of their answer?
Sent from hell

Someone asked about future updates on FB. They got that reply:

{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Kinda same answer I got.
Sent from hell

Idol3Owner said:
Hi. I own the 5.5' Idol 3 (6045Y).
This is just some information I received about three weeks ago and I just wanted to share it.
This is the official response that I got from the Alcatel One Touch team on Facebook.
I was thinking about buying the idol 3 (despite the many reviews where the laggy performance is mentioned, which is somewhat true).
Nevertheless, I bought it. For the price it has some unbeatable specs which don't quite perform as they should due to lack of optimization. If they did, this device would be excellent. Moto G (3rd gen) is the perfect example of a well optimized device which is a serious downgrade in specs compared to the Idol 3, but performs slightly better. I know because I own them both.
Still, what I was hoping for THE MOST with the Idol 3, since this is considered Alcatel's flagship model, were at least a couple of system updates. At least one for Lollipop 5.1.1.
However, now according to their official response, we're not getting that, not to mention something like Marshmallow 6.0.
I mean, even the Moto G is getting that for Christ's sake!
Very, very poor customer care. I was maybe even expecting this to some extent. But I was hoping that this brand wised up with this device.
However, Alcatel remains Alcatel, if you know what I mean. But hey, at least they were honest enough with the response.
So, there it is. Maybe this will be of some use for future buyers to think about.
P.S. I'm new to XDA and I'm posting this thread from the desktop but I can't find any option to attach the messages screenshots. If someone could tell me how to do that, that'd be great. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree with this post.
If you look at at the amount of Android phones out there, being upgraded to the latest (non-security) Android OS is the exception to the rule. That is why I had a Nexus phone prior to the Idol 3. Comparing a Motorola phone to an Alcatel phone is insincere as well because Google bought (and then later sold) Motorola, so in terms of treatment for updates, they get specialized treatment.

Is the party over? Bootloader unlocked, not rooted and no Pay?

I wonder if this is the death blow for Pay if your not 100% stock and bootloader locked?
I'm stock, unlocked, custom kernel and no root.
My pay failed today and I could not figure out why, I read a thread where someone did a complete wipe and still failed saftynet. It seems that Google shut the door for Pay regardless if your rooted, you just have to be unlocked.
Any thoughts this can be worked around? Or like Chainfire said, it's just a matter of time before Google shuts the door.

Exact same issue for me this morning... I have an unlocked bootloader but since upgrading to 7.0 I haven't rooted and I am completely stock - Android Pay failed. I ran Safetynet Helper and it failed with a CTS Profile Match: False.
As far as I am aware nothing has changed on my phone between me going to sleep last night and waking up this morning...

SafetyNet is now sensing bootloader status.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

So, I know folks like Chainfire was able to always figure out someway to get things to work with root. Being its at the bootloader level, do you think its possible that folks would be able to figure something out? I suppose Google is just trying to aim more towards the general population, which I suppose I can't blame them, they are a for profit company. Between the Nexus current news, Pixel only software and now this, it seems to be getting clearer what direction they are going. How long until no financial app works if not bone stock? And what about like Netflix, PSVue, etc., really any app that does not want to allow any mods to the phone just wont work anymore.

Game over. You must submit. Stay inside the lines.

hawgguy said:
Game over. You must submit. Stay inside the lines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That all just depends on the user. What's more important to you, root or AP? Do you want a more secure platform, or not? All they're really doing is forcing people to make that choice. Personally, I don't use AP very much, and when I do it's more to say, "Hey, that's cool, it works", so the choice is pretty simple for me :good:

bouchigo said:
That all just depends on the user. What's more important to you, root or AP? Do you want a more secure platform, or not? All they're really doing is forcing people to make that choice. Personally, I don't use AP very much, and when I do it's more to say, "Hey, that's cool, it works", so the choice is pretty simple for me :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My fear is that what is going to stop all apps from just building that check in and denying use? Apple has always been a walled environment, it was understood to a point, thank you Cydia. Google's implementation of Android on the Nexus was the main selling point to me. It was never the best device for me really, I have nothing but Mac's and the iPhone integrates great with the laptops, but again the open nature of the Nexus kept me hooked. It seems all the recent moves from Google is showing a different path, which I completely understand, but for me, I have to put the iPhone back at the top for my next phone, I'm not too sure what the current Android offerings do for me. Would the only way to get plain AOSP on my phone be to unlock and root? Or will I have to match my phone and software and really not be able to utilize all the available apps because if I want to mod something, I can't without possibly breaking apps? Or do I just not give a crap anymore and just smile and nod with my shiny new iPhone?

I just had this fail on me just yesterday. I unlocked bootloader, flashed stock Nougat firmware from google's dev site, left bootloader unlocked and just set up my device. Android Pay failed. Contacted Google, they told me to perform a factory reset, failed again. I just told them that I am assuming that the bootloader has to be locked in order for it to work. Locked and yes, it started working. I use AP almost on the daily, whether is be for the vending machines at the public park for when I pick up my daughter or for Uber. DAMN IT GOOGLE!!!

Interesting to note that Pokemon Go must not be using SafetyNet anymore. I flashed the developer preview images and am stock no root/custom recovery. SafetyNet fails, but PoGo still works.

I had a fail this morning in a shop I always use it,git a message saying cannot be used on this device .I'm unlocked bootloader but never rooted,on beta programme so running 7.1 but had same thing a few days ago running 7.0,prior to the AP recent update I was using it in problem in 7.0 with unlocked BL
Also how do you relock the BL ,don't flash ROMs etc anymore so may as well lock it if it allows AP
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

jackpollard said:
My fear is that what is going to stop all apps from just building that check in and denying use? Apple has always been a walled environment, it was understood to a point, thank you Cydia. Google's implementation of Android on the Nexus was the main selling point to me. It was never the best device for me really, I have nothing but Mac's and the iPhone integrates great with the laptops, but again the open nature of the Nexus kept me hooked. It seems all the recent moves from Google is showing a different path, which I completely understand, but for me, I have to put the iPhone back at the top for my next phone, I'm not too sure what the current Android offerings do for me. Would the only way to get plain AOSP on my phone be to unlock and root? Or will I have to match my phone and software and really not be able to utilize all the available apps because if I want to mod something, I can't without possibly breaking apps? Or do I just not give a crap anymore and just smile and nod with my shiny new iPhone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure Googles selling point was ever rooting and modding , the selling point of Nexus for me was a clean OS , fast and smooth, updates etc. rooting / modding was a bonus, Android as a whole still offers a tonne more options for customization and utility than the iPhone even without rooting.
For me Root and custom ROMs are slowely dying imo anyways, not much need for me to root anymore . again this is just my opinion, but i never get why people are like " oh no root ?back to iPhone then" really? like that's the other difference, youre going back to a much much more locked down OS because you can't have root ?

italia0101 said:
Not sure Googles selling point was ever rooting and modding , the selling point of Nexus for me was a clean OS , fast and smooth, updates etc. rooting / modding was a bonus, Android as a whole still offers a tonne more options for customization and utility than the iPhone even without rooting.
For me Root and custom ROMs are slowely dying imo anyways, not much need for me to root anymore . again this is just my opinion, but i never get why people are like " oh no root ?back to iPhone then" really? like that's the other difference, youre going back to a much much more locked down OS because you can't have root ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the comments, they did make me think. I 100% agree with you regarding root, since N I've not rooted and kept pretty much to stock with the exception of a custom kernel.
So for me that's not the issue as much as this bl check. Here's my issue in a nutshell; last week I wanted to try Google Assist on my phone, not a problem. The zip did not touch anything that broke Pay. Bring that forward say a year. Now 50% of the apps check bl and if unlocked, no dice. If Google really wanted Assist to only be on the Pixel, check and see if unlocked and it just does not function. That's my issue. I also understand completely why Google is doing what they are doing, I think they could of gave a nod to us folks by maybe making you initial your OK with all that unlocking the bl'er signifies, you get my point.
I also agree with you regarding ROM's, Googles ui has become feature friendly enough where I've not bothered to flash any ROM, once I add LMT pie I'm pretty happy. As for IOS, the main selling point to me is the tight integration with the other devices, right now I use Pushbullet to get close to the same level of integration. My wife and kids also are iPhone users and no need to discuss Googles abortive messaging issues.
Last comment; I'm not getting rid of my 6P so fast, what this does is simply put the iPhone back in what I would think about getting when I'm ready. Whereas before I would not even consider it.

jackpollard said:
Thanks for the comments, they did make me think. I 100% agree with you regarding root, since N I've not rooted and kept pretty much to stock with the exception of a custom kernel.
So for me that's not the issue as much as this bl check. Here's my issue in a nutshell; last week I wanted to try Google Assist on my phone, not a problem. The zip did not touch anything that broke Pay. Bring that forward say a year. Now 50% of the apps check bl and if unlocked, no dice. If Google really wanted Assist to only be on the Pixel, check and see if unlocked and it just does not function. That's my issue.
I also agree with you regarding ROM's, Googles ui has become feature friendly enough where I've not bothered to flash any ROM, once I add LMT pie I'm pretty happy. As for IOS, the main selling point to me is the tight integration with the other devices, right now I use Pushbullet to get close to the same level of integration. My wife and kids also are iPhone users and no need to discuss Googles abortive messaging issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair points, unfortunately the majority of people on Android are not us on xda... unlocking bootloader is a vulnerability in itself, it allows for custom recoverys. People want more security but that comes at a price.
I do get your point though. I either case, I've just locked my bootloader this morning, had to start fresh but wasn't too bad, Android pay working of course
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Question for you guys. I am coming from the S5 with a locked BL. my previous was the s3 and it was all kinds of unlocked. Very fun device back in the day. I JUST got my 6p and have unlocked it and rooted it. I added google assistant and maybe plan a few aesthetic mods like a circle battery. Maybe do the pixel experience. other than that, I dont plan to do much more customization. Keep it pretty stock. I rooted for the ad blocking and mobile hot spot. so big question is can I re-lock the bootloader and keep root? If so, then I do understand that i need to wipe to re-unlock it again. thanks,

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Prior to the update to AP I used it on my phone in the 15 th no problem,now I get this .Never been rooted but BL is unlocked.Going to relock the BL
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

Relocked my bootloader and working again
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

combat goofwing said:
Relocked my bootloader and working again
did relocking wipe your phone or no? i know that unlocking for sure wipes, but haven't found a definitive answer regarding relocking. thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Yes relocking wipes the phone and you must be stock rom and recovery prior to moving or it will brick
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA-Developers mobile app

italia0101 said:
Fair points, unfortunately the majority of people on Android are not us on xda... unlocking bootloader is a vulnerability in itself, it allows for custom recoverys. People want more security but that comes at a price.
I do get your point though. I either case, I've just locked my bootloader this morning, had to start fresh but wasn't too bad, Android pay working of course
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlocked bootloader indicates a huge risk. Even more then root. The volume of malicious android apps is growing at an alarming rate. With an unlocked bootloader it is possible to install a malicious app, but also to root, change the OS (as in a rootkit) so that everythng appears normal, but in reality everything in the OS is compromised. Root can then be removed or 100% hidden.
Google is avoiding the financial risk as best as possible - so looking for an unlocked bootloader is a better indicator then looking for root. It may indicate a false positive for some, but it protects AP 100%.
Google doesn't want the financial insecurities that exist in the desktop world - on all platforms (mac, linux, and windows).

Xa1 ultra repository

I will be creating a repository of root methods and guides, recoveries, roms and stock files. This will be a one stop shop for all your developer needs.
So far the only development. Is by Janjan, providing root, and a twrp recovery
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xa1-ultra/development/g3221-built-sources-t3622886

idontwanttobeanoob said:
I will be creating a repository of root methods and guides, recoveries, roms and stock files. This will be a one stop shop for all your developer needs.
So far the only development. Is by Janjan, providing root, and a twrp recovery
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xa1-ultra/development/g3221-built-sources-t3622886
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
considering all development for this device, from the only dev that ever worked on it, has stopped. I regret buying this device. I thought for sure Sony would have better action than this. I had a note 2 before this, and they were still developing for that phone when I stopped using it 2 months Ago. I think im going to try to sell it. it's really pathetic. but it is what it is
Sent from my Xperia XA1 Ultra using XDA Labs

I am in the process of moving but once that is done I will be working on porting a few roms so that we have some choices. Don't give up yet. I have faith in the community

idontwanttobeanoob said:
I am in the process of moving but once that is done I will be working on porting a few roms so that we have some choices. Don't give up yet. I have faith in the community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought this coming from a Nexus 6P and was surprised that nothing had really been done with it it seems to be a good phone, just some of the stock options suck lol. I saw your thread for root and custom recovery and am going to try it I'm the next couple days.
You said you are going to be porting some Roms over, any ideas which you will be attempting? If you are taking requests I wouldn't mind Pure Nexus.. It's pretty kickass from a well known dev.. Or maybe even crdroid (lineage based)? Thanks for your work so far and keep at it.. Like I said, pretty good phone, just no development much yet.

mikeandjaimie said:
I just bought this coming from a Nexus 6P and was surprised that nothing had really been done with it it seems to be a good phone, just some of the stock options suck lol. I saw your thread for root and custom recovery and am going to try it I'm the next couple days.
You said you are going to be porting some Roms over, any ideas which you will be attempting? If you are taking requests I wouldn't mind Pure Nexus.. It's pretty kickass from a well known dev.. Or maybe even crdroid (lineage based)? Thanks for your work so far and keep at it.. Like I said, pretty good phone, just no development much yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The option for root and recovery is done by JanJan who has stopped working on this device. Please give him a thanks and your credit. Mid level phones have a habit of taking a few months to really get development going. But this phone should have plenty in the coming months!

I'd like to jump in for kernel and recovery development, but the problem is I don't have experience and I have to setup a dedicated Linux machine from one of unused laptop. Also, I have to work like everybody. I have four Xperia (Z Ultra, XA Ultra, XA1 Ultra, and L1). I just need other developers to help me get started.
Note: I only have US version except Z Ultra (C6833).

Hii
Just to give my opinion too on this topic
I did the mistake.. Usually I do my own research by google-ing all the reviews
Then I read some opinions, then i look also on you tube and then the most important
I do look at xda forum to see the support of the device
And i saw all that...but than I saw the forum is not like I am used to..its like dead .. not
just there are no one posting things..but the custom rom support is not there...
Well, I said to me also... ok its a 6 inch.. not everybody likes phablets..
Like, 5 inch is more popular.. maybe that is the reson there are no development..
And then I said..ok announced in Feb/March but just got to the market about May..
So..new device..should be some development..
Unfortunally I got one with bootloader unlock NO status..
And now I can not even get root..
But still... It was weird to have such an phone on XDA with dead forum all at all
Did a bit more research last few day after I got the device
As It looks like all the X series from the Sony Xperia... has no support..
Like there are 7 or 8 devices from the X series and the only one is the X Performance Model wich has like 4 to 5 custom roms
and a few stock modified kernels..
All the other phones do not have anything..
Or let me say the best example the XA Ultra also 6 inch from last year 2016 Model
Has not evan 1 thread or commend under xda forum for custom roms or kernels or what ever..like
more then one year and what?? Nothing..
So I do not hope we will have anything...not to get fooled its a new devices it will be in time and
we will need to wait ... bla bla bla.. nothing will happen
The best thing is to fool yourself with different launchers so that after some of use of the phone
You get sort of a feeling you did flash something..and get the feeling you changed the phone
Thats all...
Would point to NOVA laungher..and some others wich have much settings to modify the looks and
the way it works...
I really to not think anything will happen.. ever

i bought the regular xa1 thinking that there'd be insane development going on for it. looking back, i shouldn't have unlocked bootloader, and looked at getting different phone. if i try to take it back to the store now even though it's under 1 year warranty, they'll just say, "oh we can't replace it, we got to send it off to sony" in which case they won't do anything as sony will see that the bootloader is unlocked

Not to say custom ROMs aren't great and all, I too was here for the good stuff, but people complaining and taking phones back is a bit dramatic.
The stock ROM is great. It doesn't really need a custom ROM. It's a perfectly reasonable phone by itself.
A custom ROM makes sense in phones such as Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi, where they botch everything to make it "unique", but Sony phones tread the line carefully to keep it pure as possible whilst adding actual useful features.
If you're picking up phones just to hack them, maybe you should try to start your own development on them. Get the toolchains, bring up a Linux system and get creative. Then you can be the hero of your own story.

What is the best way to return to fully stock? Relock the bootloader and flash the latest firmware? Might sell mine too and get an Essential PH-1.

So since this is my first Sony device and may be my last for a few reasons question I want to return everything to stock, and I use the method that was provided it won't relock bootloader right? I have to manually relock it like any other device? I just wanna return to stock so I can try and see what it take to get a Oreo rom once the update comes through.

Actually maybe do some research when this phone first came out with had start of support. We have twrp and custom kernel. There's a search button. Try it out.

I know that this thread seems to be dead but I was wondering if someone could share the sound file for plugging in the charging cord

Broken promises

I bought this damn phone because of the dev agreement between XDA and Hahahauwei. Never again will I trust this manufacturer. Everything is in the dark. No update posts. Dev is idle because of this. Flagship killer? Nah, flagship sinker.

Kirin. It's a freaking joke.

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Hahaha no updates, no custom roms. Honor 8 is a dead phone.
Wysłane z mojego FRD-L09 przy użyciu Tapatalka
---------- Post added at 05:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------
They must update our phone to Oreo. They promised to update our phone for 24 mounths. We can't agree when they don't do this.
Wysłane z mojego FRD-L09 przy użyciu Tapatalka

a long back ago,I lost my hopes , you realised it lately bro , i will never trust HONOR .

Bought this phone 2 weeks back for a wicked discount only to find the development community at a standstill. This experience has taught me that if the processor is not from Qualcomm, no matter how much the manufacturer guaruntees updates, you can't trust them. I do think the Oreo update will come though, perhaps early 2018 or something, but the dev community is very stagnant.

I've had more than my share of phones and one thing I've discovered is you can't trust any phone manufacturer. I can't speak for Iphones because I don't do and never will do Crapple.

What is it about getting Oreo ?
The phone performance on stock it's great ... Need updates the pixels are the one to buy now ... What do we expect for a 250 dls phone ?

luisaet82 said:
What is it about getting Oreo ?
The phone performance on stock it's great ... Need updates the pixels are the one to buy now ... What do we expect for a 250 dls phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Night mode and native chrome adblocker .

so what's the alternative? what phone should replace my honor 8, no high ends. it's just not worth it anymore.

Make a petition

I cant understand the need of newer software and updates from many people here. What exactly is you need so much and cant live without, from Android O?
Ok a better battery performance would be nice, but what else? I have a midrange phone that works just fine, the EMUI i find very nice, the camera is good for the money i paid.
Phones are mainly communication tools, they are made to do certain jobs and this one does em very well.
About the developer issue in the first post, yes its a pitty, there could be some roms with extra features and improvements which could come handy but...
Knives are made for us to cut things, not to sharpen them all the time.
Ps: i rooted my previus phone and put a custom rom and kernel too.
But this was because i was not satisfied with its functions. And lost a lot of time with updating/testing/waiting for bug fixes till it worked.
Then CM closed, Lineage came, phone got a mess, lost a key feature i needed, so i returned back to stock and sold the phone.
Even if there are custom roms on this one, i will keep it stock, because IT WORKS FINE for me.

Tomar777 said:
I cant understand the need of newer software and updates from many people here. What exactly is you need so much and cant live without, from Android O?
Ok a better battery performance would be nice, but what else? I have a midrange phone that works just fine, the EMUI i find very nice, the camera is good for the money i paid.
Phones are mainly communication tools, they are made to do certain jobs and this one does em very well.
About the developer issue in the first post, yes its a pitty, there could be some roms with extra features and improvements which could come handy but...
Knives are made for us to cut things, not to sharpen them all the time.
Ps: i rooted my previus phone and put a custom rom and kernel too.
But this was because i was not satisfied with its functions. And lost a lot of time with updating/testing/waiting for bug fixes till it worked.
Then CM closed, Lineage came, phone got a mess, lost a key feature i needed, so i returned back to stock and sold the phone.
Even if there are custom roms on this one, i will keep it stock, because IT WORKS FINE for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well said bro.
I'm also experiment flashed almost all gimmicks of custom ROM s and tired,
lastly remained with Stock EMUI + Magisk modules , clean and fast with all functioning features.:angel:

dileepxdn said:
well said bro.
I'm also experiment flashed almost all gimmicks of custom ROM s and tired,
lastly remained with Stock EMUI + Magisk modules , clean and fast with all functioning features.:angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is because of the lack of stable ROMs. If good ROMs were available, many people would switch to those, because most people don't like EMUI or want to have the latest software

Tomar777 said:
I cant understand the need of newer software and updates from many people here. What exactly is you need so much and cant live without, from Android O?
Ok a better battery performance would be nice, but what else? I have a midrange phone that works just fine, the EMUI i find very nice, the camera is good for the money i paid.
Phones are mainly communication tools, they are made to do certain jobs and this one does em very well.
About the developer issue in the first post, yes its a pitty, there could be some roms with extra features and improvements which could come handy but...
Knives are made for us to cut things, not to sharpen them all the time.
Ps: i rooted my previus phone and put a custom rom and kernel too.
But this was because i was not satisfied with its functions. And lost a lot of time with updating/testing/waiting for bug fixes till it worked.
Then CM closed, Lineage came, phone got a mess, lost a key feature i needed, so i returned back to stock and sold the phone.
Even if there are custom roms on this one, i will keep it stock, because IT WORKS FINE for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We need oreo because the future apps will have updates only for oreo in the near future.
Emui 8.0 must be on almost all huawei phones that already have Emui 5.0/5.1 because it provides a better and a stable software. Also it has some nice features like Substranium support (which i consider it very usedfull.
I understand what you mean, but having a devide with outdated android and outdated security is just useless, because you will end up having your device vulnerable to viruses/hacks.
---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------
P9 lite 2016 users are still waiting for EMUI 5.1 or 8.0
Even honor 5x users are still waiting for EMUI 5.0
And even Honor 8/8 pro users are waiting for 8.0
Make a petition already. The world must hear our voices

Johnny TDN said:
We need oreo because the future apps will have updates only for oreo in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The future apps, in 6-7 years...
Johnny TDN said:
Emui 8.0 must be on almost all huawei phones that already have Emui 5.0/5.1 because it provides a better and a stable software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Software is 100% stable at the moment on FRD L-09. Better software? What for example?
Johnny TDN said:
I understand what you mean, but having a devide with outdated android and outdated security is just useless, because you will end up having your device vulnerable to viruses/hacks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Outdated? Anroid 5 still running on many devices and doing the job, we have 7 at the moment.
Security, i will agree with you, if you make money transfers via phone its an issue. Otherways, if you dont install from unknown sources i see no big threat, never had a phone-virus.
No offense, but all i understand from all those "we want oreo,this and that" posts is "give us new toys to play"
Sure its fun, but if i like to program stuff i would get a Raspbery Pi, its much more fun.
PS. I would wait till January 2018 to see what Huawei will do. I think after updating the new models they will again give some update for Honor 8 too.
Dont think they want to lose old customers after such a good selling year.

This have nothing to do with personal preferences but with brand credibility. Once one commercial promise is broken and people accept it (keeping quiet and/or buying more from Honor/Huawei), it sets the precedent.
This year is software updates, next year they can say they offer the first screen replacement for free. Or all their phones are backdoor-access-free. Or battery usage will be optimised in the future.
It's not that promise, it's the promise itself.
Get that in your skulls.

zinko_pt said:
This have nothing to do with personal preferences but with brand credibility. Once one commercial promise is broken and people accept it (keeping quiet and/or buying more from Honor/Huawei), it sets the precedent.
This year is software updates, next year they can say they offer the first screen replacement for free. Or all their phones are backdoor-access-free. Or battery usage will be optimised in the future.
It's not that promise, it's the promise itself.
Get that in your skulls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
---------- Post added at 11:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 AM ----------
Tomar777 said:
The future apps, in 6-7 years...
Software is 100% stable at the moment on FRD L-09. Better software? What for example?
Outdated? Anroid 5 still running on many devices and doing the job, we have 7 at the moment.
Security, i will agree with you, if you make money transfers via phone its an issue. Otherways, if you dont install from unknown sources i see no big threat, never had a phone-virus.
No offense, but all i understand from all those "we want oreo,this and that" posts is "give us new toys to play"
Sure its fun, but if i like to program stuff i would get a Raspbery Pi, its much more fun.
PS. I would wait till January 2018 to see what Huawei will do. I think after updating the new models they will again give some update for Honor 8 too.
Dont think they want to lose old customers after such a good selling year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. But if they don't maintain a phone that they promised 24 months of updates (2 os updates and the rest are for security, performance, battery and stability).
I know huawei very well and i enjoy their hard work ever since i moved from samsung (because their os is unstable and they stopped providing updates to flagshits), but if they promised os updates, they stick with it.
Still if they don't provide updates for a phone that's at least 1 year old , then for what reason we buy them if they don't get anymore support?

Johnny TDN said:
Agreed.
I know huawei very well and i enjoy their hard work ever since i moved from samsung (because their os is unstable and they stopped providing updates to flagshits), but if they promised os updates, they stick with it.
Still if they don't provide updates for a phone that's at least 1 year old , then for what reason we buy them if they don't get anymore support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree too. I moved from samsung too. But i also expect them to just give an update with security updates only, they want to sell new phones like all brands.
Time will show...
But still its the best midrange phone i ever had.

They didn't break the promise regarding software updates.
My honor 8 FRD-L04 gets an update every 3 month.
Even if they don't deliver oreo but push security updates, the promise is not broken.

yalokiy said:
They didn't break the promise regarding software updates.
My honor 8 FRD-L04 gets an update every 3 month.
Even if they don't deliver oreo but push security updates, the promise is not broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True.
But emui 8.0 will bring fantastic battery and performance (due to oreo optimisations.) That's why we need it.