[Q] Locked bootloader - Verizon Galaxy Note 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I see the developer addition of the Note 4 is available. I do not want a Verizon sucks conversation, but iI am interested in why Verizon locks the bootloader. Does Verizon have an official answer? Does it have something to fo with lost revenue from taking Verizon completely out of my OS? How about those reading this with much more knowledge then I. What are some legitimate benefits to a locked bootloader?
BTW....I do agree....its my phone and I should be able to do what I want with it.

they locked to keep our XDA members from messup the phone from flashing and tweaking then return for exchange when bricked the device ...lol

bdraulston said:
I see the developer addition of the Note 4 is available. I do not want a Verizon sucks conversation, but iI am interested in why Verizon locks the bootloader. Does Verizon have an official answer? Does it have something to fo with lost revenue from taking Verizon completely out of my OS? How about those reading this with much more knowledge then I. What are some legitimate benefits to a locked bootloader?
BTW....I do agree....its my phone and I should be able to do what I want with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Officially? It's hard to get Verizon to address any of their customer concerns "officially."
There is some rather reasonable supposition. 1) Verizon sees enterprise customers as their bread and butter. Enterprise customers demand security. Unlocked bootlockers are not secure. 2) Verizon and other carriers are concerned about excessive warranty claims. There's a thread somewhere here where someone tried to root their brand new Note 4. Most people don't even know why they want to root, but they'll do it anyway without the necessary knowledge beforehand.

Was that VZ Note 4 they tried t root bricked?

Related

T-mobile released BOH6 firmware today!!

It was not a very big download, but it did mention things like stability improvements and speed enhancements.
I have a question to ask you. Does the T-Mobile version has any kind of bootloader unlocking issues, root or any kind of development issues? Because I've always bought factory unlocked Android devices in the past and this is the first time I'm buying it from a carrier. So wanted to make sure. Also, I've seen in the past like people giving bounties to users who find a root exploit (T-Mo Xperia Z1s) as it was pretty hard to achieve. So I don't want to get a device which is pretty locked by a carrier.
Tmobile bootloaders have usually been unlocked the past few years. At least for tmobile samsung phones. They have never had a problem geeting them rooted in no time.
At&t and Verizon are the worst when it comes to getting root access on phones now days.
crowlaw said:
Tmobile bootloaders have usually been unlocked the past few years. At least for tmobile samsung phones. They have never had a problem geeting them rooted in no time.
At&t and Verizon are the worst when it comes to getting root access on phones now days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the OEM Unlock in the developer settings toggles the bootloader lock. I may be wrong... sometimes I am.

Can the bootloader on an Unlocked att Note 4 be unlocked

Hi,
I know there is no way to unlock the bootloader on an att Note 4, but if ATT unlocks it would it become an International Version and can the bootloader be unlocked? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Young fool.... only now do you realize the power of evil AT&T produces.
Now Rosachin, you will die.
(In all realness, no of course not. ATT ain't that nice nor will it ever be. You can unlock the phone in terms of cellular network but that's it.)
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
BlindDude said:
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I feel you man. Note 4 was my first phone on ATT and I regret it. If I wanted to be locked down I would get a iphone. Still the note 4 is a great phone just with a lot of unused potential.
FLASHnox said:
Oh I feel you man. Note 4 was my first phone on ATT and I regret it. If I wanted to be locked down I would get a iphone. Still the note 4 is a great phone just with a lot of unused potential.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I just sent a return request for one of the note 4's. AND just bought a USED sm910T from ebay.
So, instead of me getting a brand new AT&T UNMODDABLE note 4, I will be getting a used but in great condition T-Mobile note 4.
And if I can get out of the restocking fees from the return, I will come out 50 bucks ahead. Cool.
The other new note 4 went to my daughter for xmas, and she already broke the screen. DOH!!
I lucked out this time I guess.
Cheers all.
BlindDude said:
I cant believe I didnt come here before I bought 2 brand new at&t Note 4's Unlocked. What an idiot I am. Just never had a at&t and didnt think anything of it because everytime I have wanted to root and mod my previous phones, I never had a problem.. I never had at&t though.. uhhgg. maybe by the time I just cant stand the stock rom, they will unlock the bootloader? I dont know if that's how it works...
Oh well, sad man here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah man, I'ved used At&t for years. Some phones still ended up rooting and unlocked (Sky-Rocket, LG E970, and Note II) this is the 1st phone I purchased that couldn't be rooted to install ROMs and Mods. Very annoyed but glad to know after this experience we know not to buy from At&t directly. Either buy unlocked form Swappa, eBay or Amazon or know that you will be limited when you buy from carrier. In the mean time if you really want out, pay the bill so its clear for selling, and sell it online or in person. Also you can wait it out until the next upgrade.
PhonePhan said:
Yeah man, I'ved used At&t for years. Some phones still ended up rooting and unlocked (Sky-Rocket, LG E970, and Note II) this is the 1st phone I purchased that couldn't be rooted to install ROMs and Mods. Very annoyed but glad to know after this experience we know not to buy from At&t directly. Either buy unlocked form Swappa, eBay or Amazon or know that you will be limited when you buy from carrier. In the mean time if you really want out, pay the bill so its clear for selling, and sell it online or in person. Also you can wait it out until the next upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never again for me, not directly from AT&T & maybe not Samsung. [AT&T-Captivate, and VZ-Note2..rooted and other ROM'd but now ]. Question: what aspect of the hardware allows a carrier's specific bands of LTE to function? Or is it that the hardware is fully "plastic", capable of any LTE banding given the software[albeit locked] and SIM[mine unlocked] ? There are multiple Note4's. AT&Ts also runs UMTS and GSM. T's? Verizon's also runs its EV-DO. Perhaps these 2G, and 3G aspects become irrelevant and the 4G/LTE buildout completes, but the question remains over capability on carrier specific LTE bands.
With my SIM unlocked Note4 I used a VODA SIM this summer in Italy, but don't recall whether I had access to LTE , or evn which data mode functioned.
Ok, I hope I don't get in trouble for asking this here. . I tried to search but I'm not real good on this phone yet. . That's no excuse, I know. ..
Anyway, I received my T-Mobile Note 4 today and I want to root it right away as I am an owner of titanium backup and rom toolbox.
I am wondering if there is an easy way to root my device without installing a custom kernel AND not require a pc?
If I have to use a custom kernel, which one is the most stable?
My device specs are
SM-N910T3
Android 5.1.1
LMY47X.N910T3UVU1DOK2
KNOX 2.4.1
I have data turned off on my phone and disabled data from my carrier. I use WiFi and no data. .
Again I'm sorry for asking this but it's been a real long time since I have installed custom anything and my pc blue screens randomly so I'm afraid to try rooting my phone that way.
Please, step by step, easy tutorial or a link to where I need to go?
Thanks a bunch.
Blind
BlindDude said:
Ok, I hope I don't get in trouble for asking this here. . I tried to search but I'm not real good on this phone yet. . That's no excuse, I know. ..
Anyway, I received my T-Mobile Note 4 today and I want to root it right away as I am an owner of titanium backup and rom toolbox.
I am wondering if there is an easy way to root my device without installing a custom kernel AND not require a pc?
If I have to use a custom kernel, which one is the most stable?
My device specs are
SM-N910T3
Android 5.1.1
LMY47X.N910T3UVU1DOK2
KNOX 2.4.1
I have data turned off on my phone and disabled data from my carrier. I use WiFi and no data. .
Again I'm sorry for asking this but it's been a real long time since I have installed custom anything and my pc blue screens randomly so I'm afraid to try rooting my phone that way.
Please, step by step, easy tutorial or a link to where I need to go?
Thanks a bunch.
Blind
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd recommend asking on the T-mobile Note 4 forum. We all own the ATT model here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
spexwood said:
I'd recommend asking on the T-mobile Note 4 forum. We all own the ATT model here.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, oops. Sorry for that.. Please disregard...
Odischeese said:
Young fool.... only now do you realize the power of evil AT&T produces.
Now Rosachin, you will die.
(In all realness, no of course not. ATT ain't that nice nor will it ever be. You can unlock the phone in terms of cellular network but that's it.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The real reason carriers lock bootloaders (just remove the space after www and http)
http s://www .youtube.com/watch?v=gpVocvREboo&list=UURAxVOVt3sasdcxW343eg_A&app=desktop
[email protected] the space. Ironically....yeah i will remove the space so you can suffer clicking on the link on your phone...
Since we are on the subject of bootloaders. It's been a while since I flashed a custom rom on a phone. But from what I remember, isn't the bootloader these pictures that I attached? I took pictures on my AT&T Note 4.
Thanks
Yes i have read the whole thing.
Ok, to cut a long story short;
i bought a note 4 on an online australian shop for $470 (really hard without a job)
Anyway, they noted that their phones are from GENUINE Suppliers and i got a Note 4 UNLOCKED from, you guessed it. AT&T.
Now i wasnt too fussed. I was happy i got a note 4 that wasnt a chinese brick phone, since it technically was refurbished from their Hong Kong Warehouse. Anyways
After like...idk 2 months? approx? i decided i wanna root it. Guess what?! BOOTLOADER. WHAT THE ***T!!
Anyway, i spoke to some people, one said he hasnt rooted a phone passed gen 6. and the other person said 'no cant root. Bootloader is locked and no way to bypass.'
Soo im wondering if its possible to root the phone without removing bootloader? I dont restart my phone much and the whole bootloader doesnt worry me so im just curious if i can chuck a stock rom on without worrying about the bootloader.
Some background info:
I am Australian, therefore my phone is running under Australian networks (Boost, Lyca, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc)
It is filled with unwanted, unnecessary AT&T bloatware.
esmereldakagaome101 said:
Ok, to cut a long story short;
i bought a note 4 on an online australian shop for $470 (really hard without a job)
Anyway, they noted that their phones are from GENUINE Suppliers and i got a Note 4 UNLOCKED from, you guessed it. AT&T.
Now i wasnt too fussed. I was happy i got a note 4 that wasnt a chinese brick phone, since it technically was refurbished from their Hong Kong Warehouse. Anyways
After like...idk 2 months? approx? i decided i wanna root it. Guess what?! BOOTLOADER. WHAT THE ***T!!
Anyway, i spoke to some people, one said he hasnt rooted a phone passed gen 6. and the other person said 'no cant root. Bootloader is locked and no way to bypass.'
Soo im wondering if its possible to root the phone without removing bootloader? I dont restart my phone much and the whole bootloader doesnt worry me so im just curious if i can chuck a stock rom on without worrying about the bootloader.
Some background info:
I am Australian, therefore my phone is running under Australian networks (Boost, Lyca, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, etc)
It is filled with unwanted, unnecessary AT&T bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No root or bootloader unlock yet or maybe ever....u can disable all the att stuff but not remove completely without root. At least it will cleanup ure app drawer a lil.
AT&T note 4 update?
I'm seeing the most recent updates being in 2016. Is there any new updates on the progress of unlocking bootloader for this device?
flgators197 said:
I'm seeing the most recent updates being in 2016. Is there any new updates on the progress of unlocking bootloader for this device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still waiting for a miracle to happen
rosachin21k said:
Hi,
I know there is no way to unlock the bootloader on an att Note 4, but if ATT unlocks it would it become an International Version and can the bootloader be unlocked? Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ripping encrypted DVDs (or DVDs locked to a region) = unlocked
PlayStation 3 = reverse engineered
iPhone = jailbroken
Why isn't the AT&T Note4 unlocked yet? Would offering a bounty help? Is it impossible to unlock? Is it a matter of time? Is it a matter of throwing lots of computation power against the lock?
What will finally get the AT&T Note4 unlocked?
bbwarfield said:
Ripping encrypted DVDs (or DVDs locked to a region) = unlocked
PlayStation 3 = reverse engineered
iPhone = jailbroken
Why isn't the AT&T Note4 unlocked yet? Would offering a bounty help? Is it impossible to unlock? Is it a matter of time? Is it a matter of throwing lots of computation power against the lock?
What will finally get the AT&T Note4 unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With that, the ATT Note 4 may very well be, the most secure mobile phone ever!
boofman said:
With that, the ATT Note 4 may very well be, the most secure mobile phone ever!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there no bounty offered? If each ATT Note4 owner chips in a few dollars, we could raise a bounty of several hundred dollars. Then some tech-wiz can take much time trying to unlock the bootloader.
Anybody else willing to contribute to a bounty?

Petition to Require Unsupported Devices to have Bootloader Unlocked

I have created an official petition to require carriers and manufacturers to unlock the bootloaders of handsets they do not choose to provide updates for.
Since I'm new, apparently I cannot post a link
All this waiting for official updates has driven me bananas. It should not take 9 months to release something that Samsung and Google has already done most of the work for.
I posted the link in my bio as a donation link
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov//p...aders-handsets-they-no-longer-plan-supporting
You'd have a better argument in requiring carriers and manufacturers to unlock the bootloaders of devices that are PAID for. If the device is under contract of some sort, we're basically screwed. But hell, I'll sign it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
I signed it, i totally agree
Maybe even off-contract ones only. They unlock carriers, why not bootloaders?
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
LordBloodstar said:
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More importantly, if you're off-contract, they have no issues doing Network Unlock. Following the same logic, Bootloader should have been unlocked as well, since you practically have paid for and legally own the phone at that point, so you should have full freedom to use it as you would.
LordBloodstar said:
The idea is that if they no longer want to provide support for the device, we should be able to find someone who can. I figured that makes sense. Why are we required to buy a new device when we have the ability to prolong the life of the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They (carriers, at least) will almost never admit they don't intend to support a device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
keithfrombm said:
They (carriers, at least) will almost never admit they don't intend to support a device.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Gods Son said:
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung announced that they are going to have a galaxy s7 american carrier unlocked version out soon. There are also plenty of unlocked phones to choose from (Moto X Pure, OnePlus 3, ect). Getting a unlocked phone over seas may not work with all the LTE bands, also getting a Tmobile phone also doesn't guarantee an unlocked bootloader.
I'm done buying AT&T branded phones. Just waiting to see what HTC does with the Nexus. Either that or I'll get the 6P.
I signed it
Same. Been with AT&T since 1996 or so and stayed loyal to them even while overseas but NO more. I'm done with them. As of Jan 2017 we're out. I love the note line (daily driver Note 4) but I'm looking for either a LG v10 unlocked or Nexus 6P. I've been looking at other overseas manufacturers as well. DONE!!!!!!!!! Oh and I have the Galaxy TAB S (t807A) with the same issue. That issue is AT&T.
Signed it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using XDA-Developers mobile app
I signed it
Enviado desde mi SAMSUNG-SM-N910A mediante Tapatalk
Gods Son said:
Well I will say this to all my fellow members who bought an AT&T device to just not buy any more of their phones but keep using their network. I currently have two AT&T branded phones that I use. I have a Note 4 and a LGv10. I bought the Note 4 when it first came out and the LGv10 was given to me. Now I have already told the wife that were not buying any more phones from AT&T but will continue to use their services. We're either going to buy phones from T-Mobile or from overseas because we don't want our bootloaders locked anymore. If we pay for a device it's our and we can do whatever we want with it. If we damage it physically or by messing with the software then it's on us. Companies like AT&T and Verizon hate communities like XDA because we choose to get the maximum out of our devices beyond 2yrs instead of what they want. I'm currently grandfathered in on a plan that AT&T no longer has and they hate for it. I have three choices for another phone and neither one involves me buying a AT&T branded device. Nexus, T-Mobile branded device, or by from overseas. Just stop by their locked down carp and just maybe just maybe the AT&T sections of branded devices can truly be bough back to life because they realize that they need the customers more than we need them. Plus I know the CEO of AT&T is a total douche bag for locking down all Android devices. Please stop buying their devices and buy elsewhere. The AT&T note 4 is a great phone but unfortunately it will never see it's full potential like our T-Mobile sibling did. Well thanks everyone for reading this and have a great day.
Sent from my LG-H900 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just read this blog
ALL the us bound s7's had there bootloaders signed
http://www.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7-bootloader-lock-explained-you-might-not-get-aosp-after-all/

Unlocked CDMA Variant?

I have looked around and can't seem to find a model that is cdma compatible with sprint that has the ability to unlock the bootloader. Seems the A505U carrier variant can't unlock the bootloader. I've tried doing the 7 day trick but it doesn't seem to work for the A505U sadly(looking for additional confirmation on this).
Also on the look out for this, but it's not looking very promising. ?
I wish there were an unlocked varient for the US i just purchased one and didnt realize till when i looked at the model number that its for Europe
So the Sprint model can not be unlocked and rooted? I haven't owned a Samsung device for several years but the A50 peaked my interest. Looks like the same scenario, GSM models can be unlocked and CDMA can not.
Xplorer4x4 said:
I have looked around and can't seem to find a model that is cdma compatible with sprint that has the ability to unlock the bootloader. Seems the A505U carrier variant can't unlock the bootloader. I've tried doing the 7 day trick but it doesn't seem to work for the A505U sadly(looking for additional confirmation on this).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprints S10 5G (G977P) is bl unlockable..
elliwigy said:
Sprints S10 5G (G977P) is bl unlockable..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen atleast one other report that the 505U on Sprint and Verizon has locked BL. I've been told in telegram this si the case to. I have tested the 7 day trick extensively and it doesn't work on A505U. Did you have to do something special to get the oem unlock in dev options?
New To The Game..
Hello Gents...
Just picked up an Xfinity Version of the A50.
I have no plans to unlock and root.. as I want the security of Knox for Samsung / Google Pay.
But.. has anyone looked into what Xfinity is doing with their software?
Sprint Samsung A50 BL Unlock NO GO!
Ok so I am now an employee of Sprint. The information I have gathered is as follows. When Sprint requested this device from Samsung in their lengthy list of requirements one of them was that the ability to unlock the bootloader be removed. The reasoning behind this was that they did not want the end users to wind up " Accidentally " bricking their devices. As per insurance guidelines any attempt to modify the devices hardware and or software voids your warranty and your insurance that you carry on the device. So basically what they are saying is hey Android / Samsung community because of several hundred unintelligent people ruining their own devices we are removing the option in general. I am currently pushing to see if we can work with Samsung to push a firmware update that will allow this feature to be accessible as the whole point of having an android device it the open platform and being able to do these things. I really wish more cell phone manufacturers were like HTC which allows you to unlock the boot loader on any of their devices and even provide you a tool to turn S-Off on their website. But we cannot all be great.... Anyway hope that clears it up for ya'll and I am fighting the good fight on your behalf. P.S. I have the Samsung A50 and I was really not happy when I found out I could not root it.
@RoyalAssassin - QQ - will unlocked Sprint A50 work or can it be activated on VZ?
Huskers2012 said:
@RoyalAssassin - QQ - will unlocked Sprint A50 work or can it be activated on VZ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're sprint a50 is unlocked it should work fine on vzw. You can call vzw and give them you're imei to check compatibly.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
RoyalAssassin said:
Sprint Samsung A50 BL Unlock NO GO!
Ok so I am now an employee of Sprint. The information I have gathered is as follows. When Sprint requested this device from Samsung in their lengthy list of requirements one of them was that the ability to unlock the bootloader be removed. The reasoning behind this was that they did not want the end users to wind up " Accidentally " bricking their devices. As per insurance guidelines any attempt to modify the devices hardware and or software voids your warranty and your insurance that you carry on the device. So basically what they are saying is hey Android / Samsung community because of several hundred unintelligent people ruining their own devices we are removing the option in general. I am currently pushing to see if we can work with Samsung to push a firmware update that will allow this feature to be accessible as the whole point of having an android device it the open platform and being able to do these things. I really wish more cell phone manufacturers were like HTC which allows you to unlock the boot loader on any of their devices and even provide you a tool to turn S-Off on their website. But we cannot all be great.... Anyway hope that clears it up for ya'll and I am fighting the good fight on your behalf. P.S. I have the Samsung A50 and I was really not happy when I found out I could not root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here in 2021 looks like things didn't go well :'(
My old A505U is just off contract and the "OEM Unlock" switch is missing from the developer options menu. Additionally, none of the normal methods for getting it to appear have worked for me. (I have tried reflashing the stock firmware, the whole messing with the date&time and updating, factory reset + login + wait 2 to 14 days)
I have spent hours on the phone with both Samsung and my previous carrier, but with no results; none of their support people have the knowledge/are allowed to help with unlocking the bootloader.
I am getting very discouraged that this old phone of mine will ever run anything open :'(

Can I unlock a carrier locked bootloader (T-Mobile) by using the pixel factory flash

Hello. I just got a pixel 3a xl, but it is bootloader locked to T-Mobile, I see Google has a pixel repair tool to reflash the pixel to stock. My question is it asks for your carrier, if I change the carrier to a different carrier that doesn't lock the bootloader will o be able to unlock my bootloader to flash root.
While I could not say for sure, I suspect the answer would be 98 percent no.
Thanks I want to try but it's my only phone and if it is down for a while I have no phone and I need 2FA for work.
If I try I will post here
Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
kdoggy said:
I want to verify this.
SO if I buy a used T-Mobile 3a XL that is paid in full, I should be able to get it SIM unlocked by the carrier correct and if its carrier SIM unlocked, I CAN unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
kdoggy said:
Question 2...
SO lets say I buy a T-Mobile 3a XL and it works fine with a T-M SIM but is SIM locked... Can I pay someone to unlock it and then still unlock the boot loader?
Someone know has a new in the box T-Mobile Pixel 3a XL I can have for $225.00 but its never had service on it and it sounds like it has to be active on T-Mobile AND have had seriver for 40 days to get them to do it.
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I've seen unlock services being advertised, but I have also seen people post that they don't work. It would require that someone hacked or has access to the T-Mobile locking software which isn't out of the realm of possibility, so it's possible some services do work.
Hello friends, I need your help! Who can help me raise my brick and make a full backup of my smartphone using qpst?
Update. So I ended up buying a T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL when they went on sale.
Search my name and look at the thread reply I just posted in the Pixel 4 XL forum about T-Mobile unlocking.
I included pictures.
I just purchased a Pixel 4 XL, I'm brand new T-Mobile subscriber, the phone is not paid off and I have it on a lease and I've only been on the service for 4 days.
I currently have the T-Mobile Pixel 4 XL with both a full SIM card unlock and OEM bootloader unlock.
I'm currently running the phone with an AT&T physical SIM and a T-Mobile eSIM.
acejavelin said:
You cannot unlock it from T-Mobile or unlock the bootloader, even with the flash tool... The flash tool does not/cannot modify that part of the phone, if it was that simple people would be doing it all the time.
Only T-Mobile can unlock the SIM, once that is done you can unlock the bootloader. Your only other option is to go through a 3rd party unlock code service, which can be sketchy according to some people (I have done it a few times without issue though).
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Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
sic0048 said:
As long as it is not the Verizon model 3a, then yes. You can bootloader unlock it once it is SIM card unlocked. Only the Verizon models permanently lock the bootloader.
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Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
Nightshadex543 said:
Have any recommendations? I have a brand new Pixel 4 that an online retailer lied about being unlocked & is T-Mobile carrier locked & they're completely unwilling to release the Sim from their network. I'll take the sketchy unlock service. I tried one in ATL friend gave me a number but most only do Samsung's or iPhones for obvious reasons.
---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------
Not just Verizon though right? I heard Sprint does too.
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Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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I can confirm this. I'm on TMO and I reached out on Twitter and got results. I'm not a big Twitter fan nor do I really use it, but customer services seems to be more in the loop there. I told them that I wanted to try the dev preview of android 11 and I needed to bootloader unlock. For that to happen I needed them to permanently sim unlock my phone. (Technically you can install the preview with a locked BL, but since it's a preview you can't re-flash anything lower or rollback without the BL being unlocked). Hence the dev preview. Anyways, I was polite and truthful about my intentions and they got it sim unlocked, fairly quickly too.
sic0048 said:
Keep in mind there are SIM locks and bootloader locks. Every US carrier SIM locks you phone if it was bought in an installment plan. Once the phone is paid off, I think every carrier will SIM card unlock the phone.
All recent Pixel versions have to be SIM card unlocked before the bootloader unlock option is available. So you have to have a SIM card unlocked phone before you can bootloader unlock. But Verizon is the only US carrier that has asked Google to permanently bootloader lock their phones. Sprint and others don't weigh in on the subject and Google's policy is to allow bootloader unlock. This isn't necessarily true with other phone brands however.
As far as getting the phone SIM unlocked, the policy is to not do it, so it's rare to find a call center person that is willing to do it whether you call in or chat with someone online. However, the success stories that I do see are usually done by DMing the carrier's support group on Twitter of all places. Explain that you need to get the phone unlocked and many times they will do it.
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Its bootloaders unlocked I was almost done rooting it but haven't; refrained because I don't want to violate the software warranty incase I need to return it, & find another way to do so for a refund. I called support multiple times same answer, & then Twitter dm'd last night they were again unable to do anything so they say.
They cite "privacy issues" but I know it's a ****ing money grab they don't want to unlock it unless you want to pay for one of their plans & get tied in a contract for a minimum amount of days first & I'm not going to ****ing do that. It's ridiculous to me carriers behave this way. This is why I believe in hacking because you can't trust companies for absolutely ****.
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
Nightshadex543 said:
You got results? Look at my next post, can you tell me your secret because they're being serious assholes here. Not a single company involved with this situation is helping at all.
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I'm a little confused. You say it's bootloader unlocked and you were about to root it but decided not because of warranty concerns correct?
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. That is in most cases and I assume is the same in this case, though I don't know that for a fact with a TMO Pixel 3a XL. I just assumed it was and most likely is. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. A locked bootloader kind of guarantees that nothing unofficial was flashed and that's why warranties are usually based around their status and why a flag is marked when it is. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues. Technically I'm still on installments with this phone, so they could have easily said no, not until it's paid off, but I like to think they said "Oh it's Airwalk... he's cool af, go ahead".
41rw4lk said:
Typically, whenever you unlock a bootloader your warranty is void then and there. The reason being is you can flash anything you want, and there is no way to guarantee that whatever has happened to warrant a claim wasn't due to user error or unofficial software. So even if you re-lock it, the flag still shows it was unlocked at one point.
As for actually unlocking it via TMO, the phone uses a TMO app to actually unlock it. It basically checks your imei against their server to see if it is eligible for unlocking. As for citing privacy concerns, basically you have a TMO phone and no account it seems, and you want it unlocked. For all they know it could be stolen, and as far as proving it's yours legally without any account... probably more than they want to deal with and I'm sure they have liability reasons as well.
All I know is, I've had an account for quite some time. I've bought several phones through them, so no issues.
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Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
Nightshadex543 said:
Only Sprint & Verizon manufacturers lock the bootloaders of their phones T-Mobile doesn't. I'm TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's to busy with wife & kids to update so flashing is difficult until you root it first unless you feel like doing a tethered through ADB. I know Samsung has the "Knox" & figured it's similar to that. Unless it's tripped it's negligible.
I know how the unlocking app works. Also, It's not stolen my situation is similar to the below it's "super whitelisted" I've had multiple services run the IMEI & it's come back clean. The phone meets all the unlocking criteria of which is being legit paid for is one of them.
They're just not releasing from the network. I need a workaround, I'm not trying to go through an entire claims process & have it sent back when aside from "network lock" it works just fine.
****ing Greedy ass corporations.
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Ah, Pixel 4 needs sim unlocked, I was confused because this is 3a XL and I wasn't paying enough attention. I see your frustration now. I don't know about that one, just (bonito) here and it was all easy for me. I suppose that if you don't meet their requirements it's all too easy to just lock you into their script. I can't help you here, sorry. I think you'll just have to be 'that guy' and persist with them. Good luck.
Nightshadex543 said:
TWRP doesn't even exist for Pixel 4 because dude's too busy with wife & kids to update....
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No quicker way to loose all goodwill and help from people than bad mouthing the generous developers.
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
sic0048 said:
Feel free to come up with your own TWRP solution. Until then, STFU.
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That isn't even the subject of the thread. If you're going to ignore everything else I was saying & completely miss the point to focus on a single cherry-picked remark that triggered you then you can take a hike. Don't respond. Go invest your frustrated energies elsewhere
You know what? Maybe I will take the source code & develop my own unofficial TWRP build for it. Hacking & Technological communities don't just stop because you want to "move on with your life" we still need these tools. You think journalists whistleblowers & Chinese protesters can "do without" Tor?

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