I get that the US variants have locked bootloaders and they remain locked. But my question is specifically WHY they can't be unlocked and why is it so hard to do it? Mind you I have no experience in this stuff but I'm just curious.
That is because the Verizon overlords decided we did not need an unlockable boot loader and have encrypted it.
So it's the encryption that cannot be bypassed?
tech15 said:
So it's the encryption that cannot be bypassed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, this seems to be a recurring theme with Verizon devices. I used to use a Verizon S4 as my daily driver and that was locked up tight too. I remember there being significant trouble installing AOSP-based ROMs on the S3 as well.
fdigl said:
I remember there being significant trouble installing AOSP-based ROMs on the S3 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S3 bootloader was encrypted upon first release. We did eventually get the bootloader unlocked thanks to a leak from within, not by any decryption effort. So for a while, AOSP ROM's were flashable, but most likely Verizon OTA updates, stopped that. I never took a Verizon update on the S3, so I was able to flash ROMs like a boss, for the time it was my daily driver. The S7 is likely to be the last Samsung phone I own, and likely the last phone I purchase through Verizon. I will most likely order the Pixel 2 when it's available, and put an end to this nonsense.
Related
I have a simple question for all you Galaxy S5 owners. I am a current owner of the Galaxy Note 2 for AT&T.
I am an AT&T customer, and I am seriously considering buying myself the Unlocked version of the S5.
I can either get the unlocked S5 or the Note 3 NEO.
But in the xda forums, the note 3 neo is practically empty, however, the S5 is promising.
I see few roms with WORK IN PROGRESS status.
Im pretty sure its just a matter of time (and not that much time) that the S5 will have some nice stable official roms by OmniROM, CM, etc...
My questions is this.
mayb I hvent looked ahrd enough, but what can I do with an unlocked S5?
I know I can root it and stuff, does anybody have an S5 and have Xposed Settings modules setup like GravityBox or something?
Or are tehre any nice AOSP roms available that are stable with working cameras and etc??
I just want to know whats up before I spend this money on an S5.
All your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
For now I stick with tw roms cause they are stable. You might wanna check AllianceRom out! Xposed is working fine in my use. Alltho Alliance has most of gravity boxes features allready..Hope this helps even a little bit
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
ozzyGEEK said:
A simple question about the s5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most carriers do not lock their bootloaders. ATT is a notable exception and does lock their S5 bootloader. This means that you cannot use a custom kernel, recovery or ROM in the normal manner. Nor was the ATT model rooted until long after other variants were.
Custom ROMs and recovery need to be emulated with Safestrap on ATT due to the locked bootloader. There is an Developer model that has an unlocked bootloader, but Samsung has a poor record of timely firmware updates for Developer phones making it a questionable tradeoff.
Unless the appeal of a phone subsidy is inescapable for you, you'd do far better to buy the TMobile S5 which has an unlocked bootloader and a thriving Development and custom ROM community. It works just fine on ATT, supports all of the ATT bands + a few that the ATT variant doesn't. Which is an additional advantage for roaming.
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pyry666 said:
For now I stick with tw roms cause they are stable. You might wanna check AllianceRom out! Xposed is working fine in my use. Alltho Alliance has most of gravity boxes features allready..Hope this helps even a little bit
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Earlier this year for about a month I had an S4 without knowing that there was hardly anything I could do with it. I had the verizon version of the S4. This is the first time I fully made use of Xposed and, boy did Xposed do its job!
It actually made touchwiz very pleasant for me to use.. I probably wouldnt mind sticking with touchwiz + xposed and waiting until theres a nice stable omniropm available for the S5 heh=)
thank you guys!
fffft said:
Most carriers do not lock their bootloaders. ATT is a notable exception and does lock their S5 bootloader. This means that you cannot use a custom kernel, recovery or ROM in the normal manner. Nor was the ATT model rooted until long after other variants were.
Custom ROMs and recovery need to be emulated with Safestrap on ATT due to the locked bootloader. There is an Developer model that has an unlocked bootloader, but Samsung has a poor record of timely firmware updates for Developer phones making it a questionable tradeoff.
Unless the appeal of a phone subsidy is inescapable for you, you'd do far better to buy the TMobile S5 which has an unlocked bootloader and a thriving Development and custom ROM community. It works just fine on ATT, supports all of the ATT bands + a few that the ATT variant doesn't. Which is an additional advantage for roaming.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have AT&T but ill be buying the unlocked version of the S5, not the AT&T version.
Ill be able to unlock the bootloader right?
ozzyGEEK said:
I have AT&T but ill be buying the unlocked version of the S5, not the AT&T version.
Ill be able to unlock the bootloader right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your intent here is unclear and incorporates several assumptions. First, clarify what you intend to buy, then we can characterize it.
There are a dozen S5 variants. Which specific model are you referring to? Or at least narrow it down by telling us which carrier you plan to buy it from? You want to buy which unlocked version? From who?
.
fffft said:
Your intent here is unclear and incorporates several assumptions. First, clarify what you intend to buy, then we can characterize it.
There are a dozen S5 variants. Which specific model are you referring to? Or at least narrow it down by telling us which carrier you plan to buy it from? You want to buy which unlocked version? From who?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a factory unlocked brand new S5 at a store.. im not sure exactly what model it is exactly. Im getting it a day after tomorrow on wednesday.
ozzyGEEK said:
Its a factory unlocked brand new S5 at a store.. im not sure exactly what model it is exactly. Im getting it a day after tomorrow on wednesday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details are everything. You should know that not all S5 models will work well on ATT. Different S5 variants use different sets of frequency bands.
Could be great. Could be something else entirely.
.
Long time reader...first time poster
I bought an unlocked sprint s7 from ebay and it works like a dream and i was wondering if there was a safe method to update the phone WITHOUT ruining the unlock that the seller put on the phone.
Current software is update PC5 and i would love to benefit from security and bug fixes in new releases.
Thanks in advance!
nmarz3 said:
Long time reader...first time poster
I bought an unlocked sprint s7 from ebay and it works like a dream and i was wondering if there was a safe method to update the phone WITHOUT ruining the unlock that the seller put on the phone.
Current software is update PC5 and i would love to benefit from security and bug fixes in new releases.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always thought if a phone gets carrier unlocked it didnt matter what u did to it, it would stay unlocked. Unless the way he got it unlocked was thru a mod maybe that can b ruined. Im not sure
shooterlgk said:
I always thought if a phone gets carrier unlocked it didnt matter what u did to it, it would stay unlocked. Unless the way he got it unlocked was thru a mod maybe that can b ruined. Im not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely not a carrier unlock do to a unlocked padlock during boot animation as well as samsung pay not working due to software mods that im guessing made it unlocked in the first place. Thanks for the reply!
nmarz3 said:
Most likely not a carrier unlock do to a unlocked padlock during boot animation as well as samsung pay not working due to software mods that im guessing made it unlocked in the first place. Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea ur safest bet is to keep it as it is so u wont lose that. No problem
nmarz3 said:
Most likely not a carrier unlock do to a unlocked padlock during boot animation as well as samsung pay not working due to software mods that im guessing made it unlocked in the first place. Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootloader unlock and sim unlock are two different things. You said it has an unlock pad on boot up screen. That means it's bootloader is unlocked. Which means if I am correct if it has a custom recovery you are unable to do future ota updates. Can and possibly brick your phone. You can flash a ton that has the new update no issues developers are usually fairly quick to update there rom on the latest ota.
marcviado said:
Bootloader unlock and sim unlock are two different things. You said it has an unlock pad on boot up screen. That means it's bootloader is unlocked. Which means if I am correct if it has a custom recovery you are unable to do future ota updates. Can and possibly brick your phone. You can flash a ton that has the new update no issues developers are usually fairly quick to update there rom on the latest ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now my question is that since my phones bootloader is unlocked via custom software, would it be safe to root it and install custom roms that have the current updates? thanks
nmarz3 said:
Now my question is that since my phones bootloader is unlocked via custom software, would it be safe to root it and install custom roms that have the current updates? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! You are in the wrong forum though. You are on sprint but need to be with the enxyos forum ND running their tarp and roms
Have the same dilemma as OP.
unlocked on PC5 firmware with GCPro. No root was used
Should i update OTA or leave it be.
xronikus said:
Have the same dilemma as OP.
unlocked on PC5 firmware with GCPro. No root was used
Should i update OTA or leave it be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that updating over OTA will NOT screw with the unlock of the device. If your samsung pay does not work i would disable knox with a package disabler app to receive samsung pay in you new updated state.
OTA update from PC5 to PH7 on unlocked phone went smoothly.
Thanks
I have a unlocked Sprint S7 but im outside of America, is there any way i can update without losing the unlock? i don't want to end with an expensive brick.
Im stuck in G930PVPU2APC5 and i can't receive OTA updates
I bought unlocked sprint s7 that I'm using with metro PCS, but it's not letting me update the profile and because of that I'm not getting the wifi hotspot option. How do I get it to work?
@ThaDunder : You must initially do it manually over samsung smart switch then OTA will work @zirnitra : Sadly wifi tethering is not working for me either...no idea how to fix it =/ must be a symptom of the unlocking like wifi calling
nmarz3 said:
@ThaDunder : You must initially do it manually over samsung smart switch then OTA will work @zirnitra : Sadly wifi tethering is not working for me either...no idea how to fix it =/ must be a symptom of the unlocking like wifi calling
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already tried that, smart switch says there is no update available.
I see a lot of roms and root threads in the general galaxy s7e discussion forums but i see only 1 rom listed under the t-mobile variant. Are the other roms not going to work on G935t? or will they work but theres no point having multiple threads?
im coming from almost entirely nexus stuff before so this phone is still rather new to me with how locked down it is.
shrimants said:
I see a lot of roms and root threads in the general galaxy s7e discussion forums but i see only 1 rom listed under the t-mobile variant. Are the other roms not going to work on G935t? or will they work but theres no point having multiple threads?
im coming from almost entirely nexus stuff before so this phone is still rather new to me with how locked down it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tekv2 and Echoe are the only ones.
Personally and suggestion, i'll head up for TEKV2
This phone is locked down like Fort Knox. The locked bootloader was a big disappointment for ROM and root lovers, especially for early adopters like me.
Dr. Fed said:
This phone is locked down like Fort Knox. The locked bootloader was a big disappointment for ROM and root lovers, especially for early adopters like me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought we had gotten past that? Or is it just that we have root but the bootloader itself is still locked?
shrimants said:
I thought we had gotten past that? Or is it just that we have root but the bootloader itself is still locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing has changed. We have root because of an engineering kernel that allows root commands. But bootloader will not allow us to flash anything that isn't developed or approved by Samsung.
Will it ever be available?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Not likely, bootloader is locked and may never become unlocked
Well at least we have root
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
ThaHaloMilitia said:
Will it ever be available?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol give up hope never get another AT&T SAMSUNG DEVICE all perm root methods are lost for them. This is fact. AT&T sucks
Newbie Question
kangi26 said:
Not likely, bootloader is locked and may never become unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I am new to this stuff and I am wondering what does OEM unlock mean? Does this mean that the boot loader is unlocked? I have a samsung galaxy s7 edge with AT&T sm-G935A and I am trying to figure out if I can use TWRP and I see where you say no but I have found some sites that say yes and I am confused and do not want to brick my phone. I have rooted it just fine but would like custom recovery options if possible. As I said I am new to this and trying to figure it all out. Thanks.
JennHopper09 said:
So I am new to this stuff and I am wondering what does OEM unlock mean? Does this mean that the boot loader is unlocked? I have a samsung galaxy s7 edge with AT&T sm-G935A and I am trying to figure out if I can use TWRP and I see where you say no but I have found some sites that say yes and I am confused and do not want to brick my phone. I have rooted it just fine but would like custom recovery options if possible. As I said I am new to this and trying to figure it all out. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to get the Qualcomm (US) Galaxy S7's to boot unsigned code. Specifically, Samsung signed code. That means no TWRP or custom ROMs. The engineering kernel (which you rooted with) was leaked and is signed by Samsung, but it will only boot signed kernels. It does, however, make /system read-write so you can add your own system services.
The only good news is that Odin can recover from quite a few situations that would ordinarily brick a phone, but there are no custom recovery options such as what TWRP provides (like a whole ROM backup)
If you want a fully open Galaxy S7 you will have to import one of the Exynos devices, as they are still unlockable for now. However, as Samsung Pay expands, expect those to get locked down at some point in the future.
JennHopper09 said:
So I am new to this stuff and I am wondering what does OEM unlock mean? Does this mean that the boot loader is unlocked? I have a samsung galaxy s7 edge with AT&T sm-G935A and I am trying to figure out if I can use TWRP and I see where you say no but I have found some sites that say yes and I am confused and do not want to brick my phone. I have rooted it just fine but would like custom recovery options if possible. As I said I am new to this and trying to figure it all out. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OEM Unlocking is specifically for "Unlocking" on the carrier side so the device can be used on AT&T/T-Mo/Sprint etc
Bootloader unlocking is a completely different thing.
jshamlet said:
There is no way to get the Qualcomm (US) Galaxy S7's to boot unsigned code. Specifically, Samsung signed code. That means no TWRP or custom ROMs. The engineering kernel (which you rooted with) was leaked and is signed by Samsung, but it will only boot signed kernels. It does, however, make /system read-write so you can add your own system services.
The only good news is that Odin can recover from quite a few situations that would ordinarily brick a phone, but there are no custom recovery options such as what TWRP provides (like a whole ROM backup)
If you want a fully open Galaxy S7 you will have to import one of the Exynos devices, as they are still unlockable for now. However, as Samsung Pay expands, expect those to get locked down at some point in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OEM Unlock for Custom OS
kangi26 said:
OEM Unlocking is specifically for "Unlocking" on the carrier side so the device can be used on AT&T/T-Mo/Sprint etc
Bootloader unlocking is a completely different thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not entirely true. Turning on OEM Unlock warns that using Custom OS will disable functions like Knox and Samsung Pay. I own an AT&T Galaxy s7 Edge (SM-G935A) running official Oreo OS (Android 8.0.0)
What you have described is Carrier unlocking.
EDIT: Removed image link
OKAY so
I'm very late to the party, everyone is already settled in and or leaving.
I'm wondering about how is the ROM/Recovery/Kernel development going for this phone? Is it still going? do aspiring developers and geniuses still work on this device or have they already moved on? Do we have daily-driver worthy AOSP ROM? Does anyone still maintain a stock custom ROM?
Basically, i'm about to get a V20 to replace my Z5 and I want to know how fun this phone to satisfy my flashingitis :laugh:
webslasher said:
OKAY so
I'm very late to the party, everyone is already settled in and or leaving.
I'm wondering about how is the ROM/Recovery/Kernel development going for this phone? Is it still going? do aspiring developers and geniuses still work on this device or have they already moved on? Do we have daily-driver worthy AOSP ROM? Does anyone still maintain a stock custom ROM?
Basically, i'm about to get a V20 to replace my Z5 and I want to know how fun this phone to satisfy my flashingitis :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have looked in development section you will have noticed that the development for this phone is basically dead. It is a great device for a great price currently but most devs have moved on to the newer phones to work on.
webslasher said:
OKAY so
I'm very late to the party, everyone is already settled in and or leaving.
I'm wondering about how is the ROM/Recovery/Kernel development going for this phone? Is it still going? do aspiring developers and geniuses still work on this device or have they already moved on? Do we have daily-driver worthy AOSP ROM? Does anyone still maintain a stock custom ROM?
Basically, i'm about to get a V20 to replace my Z5 and I want to know how fun this phone to satisfy my flashingitis :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully your device will come with an older security patch that will allow you to root. Shut off auto update in developer mode when you get it until your sure of what you've got. And don't install any system updates until also or you may lose the opportunity to root.
nrage23 said:
If you have looked in development section you will have noticed that the development for this phone is basically dead. It is a great device for a great price currently but most devs have moved on to the newer phones to work on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. not much is happening, I saw unofficial lineageOS, weekly LineageOS, couple of Roms, Kernels and Recoveries
I honestly don't know how much development is "healthy", Manufacturers have released too many phones too quickly and devs switching to new devices.
I dont know anymore
loopytee said:
Hopefully your device will come with an older security patch that will allow you to root. Shut off auto update in developer mode when you get it until your sure of what you've got. And don't install any system updates until also or you may lose the opportunity to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait wait wait, whoa hold on
is this for real? LG does not provide official bootloader unlock for this device?
Wait wait wait, whoa hold on
is this for real? LG does not provide official bootloader unlock for this device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do for the unlocked US996, and the H918 can be unlocked with fastboot, but no flash command, so it is pretty useless. The H910 is the only carrier branded model that can still be rooted on the latest firmware version. Well, more to the point, it can be rolled back to a version that IS rootable because AT&T hasn't incremented ARB on it yet.
-- Brian
runningnak3d said:
They do for the unlocked US996, and the H918 can be unlocked with fastboot, but no flash command, so it is pretty useless. The H910 is the only carrier branded model that can still be rooted on the latest firmware version. Well, more to the point, it can be rolled back to a version that IS rootable because AT&T hasn't incremented ARB on it yet.
-- Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AH, so if i want to flash custom ROM on it, i will have to find US996 variant, or H910. Otherwise, not much we can do.
got it.
the official one released in my country, Indonesia, is the dual sim H990DS one, i should avoid that and find for second hand US996 variant instead.
yeah i was hoping root can be found for the H918 10q.. but it appears that may never happen..
Jaws4God said:
yeah i was hoping root can be found for the H918 10q.. but it appears that may never happen..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ALMOST pulled the trigger for H918, it works with my country's 4G band and it's cheaper than other models, comes with box. Glad I asked first
ON ANOTHER TOPIC, hey jaws, how's the LG Watch Urbane 2 with custom strap going?
Wait, remind me again. if H918 has no flash command on fastboot and can't be rooted, how is it possible that there's LineageOS for H918
All my knowledge is for verizon version, which didnt have an unlocked bootloader, but i rooted using dirty santa, was a pain but once i got root was all good. There is a stock flashable once rooted to answer ur 1st post, and kdz to stock phone files if you mess up dirty Santa like i did 1st time. All the stuff needed, stock boot.img's, custom/stock kernel variants, roms, etc is out there just gotta dig a bit. Is an excellent phone imo, especially if youre into high quality audio. Quad dac is a beast. A shame how little of support it got. It still compares to the new phones coming out now. Imo
cpete2112 said:
All my knowledge is for verizon version, which didnt have an unlocked bootloader, but i rooted using dirty santa, was a pain but once i got root was all good. There is a stock flashable once rooted to answer ur 1st post, and kdz to stock phone files if you mess up dirty Santa like i did 1st time. All the stuff needed, stock boot.img's, custom/stock kernel variants, roms, etc is out there just gotta dig a bit. Is an excellent phone imo, especially if youre into high quality audio. Quad dac is a beast. A shame how little of support it got. It still compares to the new phones coming out now. Imo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm happy as long as i can get root, and flash different ROMs, I dont mind complicated method involving command lines. It reminds me of good ol' Desire HD days with S-OFF.
I guess development is not very lively but some people do work on interesting stuffs.
Good enough for me.
I guess this is one of the few phones the verizon version has a slight advantage. Almost all the KDZ files are available, and all downgradeable (for now). Personally I have bounced back and forth almost daily between full un-root, to root access, etc. Don't ask why, no idea.
Development is pretty minimal, which is a bit sad. But it seems to work great, rather than the ole days when development here on XDA basically was a must for a phone to function.