I used to frequent XDA back when I first bought my Galaxy SIII. I was struck by the whole issue with the OTA update locking my bootloader, and pretty much stopped following XDA, since it was declared that there would be no way to flash custom roms or recoveries.
Well, my phone is on it's last legs and I'm looking to upgrade to perhaps the Galaxy S7 or the S7 Edge. Do these phones, (through Verizon) still have issues with locked bootloaders?
Yes, no bootloader unlock for any US models. There is root however and you can use an app called flashfire to flash things, even some ROMs(follow instructions carefully)
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Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!
1. No public unlocked Bootloader on any US variant. Flashfire works but no custom recovery
2. Right now with eng Kernel and custom(ish) roms like Echo don't trip Knox since it is still the U firmware of the s7
3. You can root and jump to roms like echo or other stockish roms and return to normal and return to store but no unlocked bootloader
4. Far as I know Xposed works on most if not all (I have mine on and Att variant running Echo) It is installed/Flashed via Flashfire and is a custom version.
Since we still need the leaked Eng Kernel we still have massive performance and battery lose. There are guides to alleviate these issues but its still not as good as stock. Even roms like echo require it for root. So remember that before you jump in
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
There is no bootloader unlock for the US carrier variants of the device as of yet, senior forums members are guessing there probably won't be, either. What is being done successfully is rooting via an engineering kernel. Visit the carrier-specific sub-forum for your S7E model to ensure you're using the appropriate method and files when flashing. Flashfire is being used after the fact, for things like xposed. There is no custom recovery option for any of the US models that I'm aware of.2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
None of the outlined processes will trip Knox, as they don't modify or replace the bootloader. Samsung Pay should still work fine when rooted, as far as I've read.3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
The Verizon variant has some of the better documentation and support for root, but AT&T and T-Mo carrier models can also be rooted. I'm currently running the firmware for the T-Mo variant on my AT&T model and loving it. I'm not rooted, as the engineering kernel is absolute crap in terms of performance/battery life balance, but it is a fluid stock experience w/out bloatware.4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
As far as I know, yes.
Ok, so I'm technically a new user on XDA although it's not the first time I've read through things here and been relatively successful with rooting and flashing different ROMs. I made an account recently because just reading is no longer helping me
Anyway, I'm trying to unlock the bootloader on the Galaxy S5 G900F model. I've been able to install Philz Touch Recovery and gotten root access, but I still can't flash a ROM because the bootloader is locked. I can't seem to find a method, specifically for G900F, but I've tried several methods already including the following:
[GUIDE] Unlocking the Galaxys S5 Bootloader … | Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 5
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ve...t/rd-unlocking-galaxys-s5-bootloader-t3337909
- All 4 methods don't work which isn't surprising since this is for G900V, the Verizon one.
How to unlock the bootloader, install and update LineageOS on the Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 – /jdrch
https://jdrch.wordpress.com/2016/04...genmod-13-0-on-the-verizon-samsung-galaxy-s5/
- Same problem as above, it's for G900V
Twrp, Root And Bootloader Unlock For Samsung Galaxy S5 - Droid School
http://www.droidschool.com/twrp-root-bootloader-unlock-samsung-galaxy-s5/
- This one just frustrated me because I knew the fastboot method didn't work on Samsung phones, but I tried it anyway.
I've also tried using the CF-AutoRoot flashed through Odin, but that ended up failing too.
If anybody can point me in the right direction or something, it would be very much appreciated.
G900F is int'l, so its bootloader is unlocked from the factory. G900V, the verizon model has a locked bootloader. Decide if you have a G900F or G900V.
Hello to the XDA Community, I recently made this account and would like to get some help from the great people here.
I own a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S7 G930V. I, unfortunately, found out the hard way that it could not be unlocked because Samsung decided to lock down the bootloader on it (something that they were a bit more lenient with on the Galaxy S8, I think?). Either way, I was reading this XDA article (https://www.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7-bootloader-lock-explained-you-might-not-get-aosp-after-all/) about the bootloader, and it basically says that, despite the OEM Unlock option being available under Developer Options, nothing that doesn't have some sort of official signature can be flashed to the device, so it's basically pointless.
But, then I saw that LineageOS dropped official builds for the Galaxy S7. My only question, therefore, is: why would Lineage OS drop custom ROMS for a phone that cannot have anything flashed to it? Am I missing something? Not sure what I'm missing. Just to clear things up again: I have the Verizon Galaxy S7 G930V (Snapdragon). I am also using a T-Mobile SIM in the phone, not sure if that matters or not, however.
So, what I assume is that somehow people were able to get past the bootloader and that is the reason that LineageOS released official builds of their ROM. If that's the case, is there a method/tutorial for, first, unlocking the bootloader and rooting the Verizon G930V, and then installing the custom ROM successfully? Also, I see that LineageOS does not have a build for the G930V specifically, so would it brick my phone if I installed the build for the G930S, for example?
Thank you guys! Bare with me if I completely missed something please!
charania007 said:
Hello to the XDA Community, I recently made this account and would like to get some help from the great people here.
I own a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S7 G930V. I, unfortunately, found out the hard way that it could not be unlocked because Samsung decided to lock down the bootloader on it (something that they were a bit more lenient with on the Galaxy S8, I think?). Either way, I was reading this XDA article (https://www.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7-bootloader-lock-explained-you-might-not-get-aosp-after-all/) about the bootloader, and it basically says that, despite the OEM Unlock option being available under Developer Options, nothing that doesn't have some sort of official signature can be flashed to the device, so it's basically pointless.
But, then I saw that LineageOS dropped official builds for the Galaxy S7. My only question, therefore, is: why would Lineage OS drop custom ROMS for a phone that cannot have anything flashed to it? Am I missing something? Not sure what I'm missing. Just to clear things up again: I have the Verizon Galaxy S7 G930V (Snapdragon). I am also using a T-Mobile SIM in the phone, not sure if that matters or not, however.
So, what I assume is that somehow people were able to get past the bootloader and that is the reason that LineageOS released official builds of their ROM. If that's the case, is there a method/tutorial for, first, unlocking the bootloader and rooting the Verizon G930V, and then installing the custom ROM successfully? Also, I see that LineageOS does not have a build for the G930V specifically, so would it brick my phone if I installed the build for the G930S, for example?
Thank you guys! Bare with me if I completely missed something please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are numerous variants of the GS7 and GS7E that have a bootloader that can be unlocked. The Verizon version is not one of them. There is no way currently (and likely ever) to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon version of this phone. This is the case with almost every Verizon phone. People are finding this out the hard way with the new Google Pixel 2's...all versions other than the Verizon one you can unlock the bootloader. It's a Verizon thing and it won't change. You'll need to buy an unlocked phone capable of running on Verizon's network bands if you want this kind of stuff on Big Red.
I just "upgraded" from an S5 to an S7 that I bought on Ebay running G930PVPU6BRD2. Coming from an S5, I just assumed (before I bought the S7) that the S7 could be rooted, but based on my web research, it seems impossible. Before I give up and live my life unrooted for the first time ever, I just want to confirm... Can I root my S7?
RazzMcTazz said:
I just "upgraded" from an S5 to an S7 that I bought on Ebay running G930PVPU6BRD2. Coming from an S5, I just assumed (before I bought the S7) that the S7 could be rooted, but based on my web research, it seems impossible. Before I give up and live my life unrooted for the first time ever, I just want to confirm... Can I root my S7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader is locked down tight.
method was found to root using 'engineering bootload'. This method yeilds limited root. No custom roms.
Sprint started updating bootloader separately of other carriers AND e-fused the bootloader so engineer bootloader no longer work on Sprint variant.
The digit '6' in G930PVPU'6'BRD2 isbthe bootloader version identifier. No going backward, e-fused.
Kaptain: Thank you for that excellent explanation.
It's been so long since I last rooted my phones, maybe 6 or 7 years now... I don't even know where to start. Is TWRP still the go-to method for rooting these Android devices?
I couldn't find anything specifically for the T-Mobile variants, dunno if that's been done yet.
Thanks,
Nick
Your bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. No root or TWRP available.
StoneyJSG said:
Your bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. No root or TWRP available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
No problem!
Is this device always going to have a locked bootloader? Flashing an unlocked firmware wouldn't change anything? Im new to samsung and have been out of the rom game a long time.
PunkUnity said:
Is this device always going to have a locked bootloader? Flashing an unlocked firmware wouldn't change anything? Im new to samsung and have been out of the rom game a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These devices will always be locked down. The last U.S. Samsung phone to get root was the S9, the S10 line are locked up tight. Flashing unlocked firmware just makes your phone carrier free so you can use it with any carrier, it doesn't unlock the bootloader.
What phones are best for modding these days then? Just came from a Pixel 4 XL and it had a locked bootloader plus tons of hardware issues that ended in me getting this phone
I would say a One Plus phone is probably the most versatile as far as modding goes these days. You could also get an exynos S10 variant which can be rooted and custom recovery installed.