Develop Bugs

[Q] Rooting and carrier warranty

I need your help guys,
just got my Xperia ARC and i wanted to root it by this guide and i have a few questions:
i bought the phone from an Israeli carrier (pelephone if its matter) so in the guide i need to change the carrier firmware to the original firmware and i wander if it will void the warranty. also is there any way to change back the firmware after the change, if so then how? i searched and i couldn't find anything...
thanks ahead

The thing with Rooting a phone, is that you can root your phone and still the ¨stock¨ Arc is untouched after you have unrooted.
The flashing and rooting dont break the warranty by it self.
If you change from locked bootloader to unlocked.. The warranty is removed.
Easiest way to root is:
*Download*
3.0.A.2.181 Generic World: http://www.mediafire.com/?​y9s73andrl4bllc
*Use Flashtool to Flash .181*
Flashtool: http://www.multiupload.com​/7H4JT35B6G
*Use Gingerbreak after you flashed back*
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1044765
*After it have rebooted and active, go to settings and do a OTA over wireless.
This way you keep your Arc locked, nothing good comes from unlocking the bootloader yet.

Nepturion said:
nothing good comes from unlocking the bootloader yet.
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Click to collapse
That's not entirely true. You've got custom ROMs being developed; over-clock kernel just released, Recovery and what not.
Unlocking the bootloader is personal choice. I may not unlock my bootloader just yet but I can't deny that with improvements being shown, it's an increasingly tempting option. LOL!

[Q] Possible root without unlocking?

I've just bought my Galaxy Nexus for two days to replace my dead Nexus One.
The UI of ICS is so great but I miss the function from DEVs, like vibrate when the call made.
I have rooted my Nexus One without unlocking the bootloader and I would love to root my Galaxy Nexus without unlocking too.
Is there any DEV going to work on this?

I don't believe anybody is working on this since BL unlock is so simple, and there aren't really any disadvantages (that I know of). In order for root to occur without BL unlock, there would have to be an exploit found in the stock image. Is there a particular reason you don't want to unlock it? You have only had the phone two days, so I imagine your data loss won't be that big of an issue.

kekspernikai said:
I don't believe anybody is working on this since BL unlock is so simple, and there aren't really any disadvantages (that I know of). In order for root to occur without BL unlock, there would have to be an exploit found in the stock image. Is there a particular reason you don't want to unlock it? You have only had the phone two days, so I imagine your data loss won't be that big of an issue.
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Click to collapse
unlocking BL void the warranty

Booker-T said:
unlocking BL void the warranty
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Click to collapse
And rooting doesn't? After all, it does allow for modification/deletion of system files. In any case, you can re-lock it just as easily.

Booker-T said:
unlocking BL void the warranty
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Click to collapse
Accidentally thanked you haha - missed the quote button.
You can lock it if you have to send it in or return it, you know. The lock command is just as simple as the unlock!

zombieflanders said:
And rooting doesn't? After all, it does allow for modification/deletion of system files. In any case, you can re-lock it just as easily.
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Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't make the splash screen change (the lock under "Google"), so it can be easily unroot by deleting related files in the system and make it look like stock.
Are you sure a unlocked devices can lock again? Nexus One can't do this.

Booker-T said:
Rooting doesn't make the splash screen change (the lock under "Google"), so it can be easily unroot by deleting related files in the system and make it look like stock.
Are you sure a unlocked devices can lock again? Nexus One can't do this.
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Click to collapse
Yes, "fastboot oem lock" will re-lock the bootloader and make the padlock go away. Here is the write-up by droid-life (I can't view it at work, so I hope it has the right info!)
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/12/1...the-bootloader-and-return-to-a-factory-state/

kekspernikai said:
Yes, "fastboot oem lock" will re-lock the bootloader and make the padlock go away. Here is the write-up by droid-life (I can't view it at work, so I hope it has the right info!)
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/12/1...the-bootloader-and-return-to-a-factory-state/
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Click to collapse
Mine one is the GSM one, I have searched on Googles, there is no GSM version re-lock tutorial there, so I doubt GSM version cannot re-lock.
And I don't have the stock image.

Booker-T said:
Mine one is the GSM one, I have searched on Googles, there is no GSM version re-lock tutorial there, so I doubt GSM version cannot re-lock.
And I don't have the stock image.
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Click to collapse
I thought the GSM factory image was pretty widely available?
http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/4/2610060/google-galaxy-nexus-factory-image-restore-phone
I am fairly certain people with the GSM variant have re-locked their phones, but I would check the Nexus android development section (GSM) for proof.

I've tested relocking and can confirm it works fine
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Booker-T said:
unlocking BL void the warranty
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Click to collapse
I feel like this is a myth. You're not using an exploit, or anything like that, you're using a manufacturer provided tool to unlock the bootloader. Taken from android.com:
On Nexus One, Nexus S, Nexus S 4G, Xoom, and Galaxy Nexus, the bootloader is locked by default. With the device in fastboot mode, the bootloader is unlocked with
$ fastboot oem unlock
The procedure must be confirmed on-screen, and deletes the user data for privacy reasons. It only needs to be run once.
On Nexus One, the operation voids the warranty and is irreversible.
On Nexus S, Nexus S 4G, Xoom, and Galaxy Nexus, the bootloader can be locked back with
$ fastboot oem lock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I would love a way to root without unlocking the bootloader -- coming from the Nexus One, which I easily rooted without ever touching the bootloader -- it didn't occur to me that rooting would require unlocking the bootloader. Of course, I wish now that I'd unlocked the bootloader right when I took the phone out of the box, which is, I see now, what everyone recommends. But I've more data on the phone than I want to deal with losing right now.
So if anyone following this thread turns up a way to root without unlocking the bootloader, please let us know!

You won't see this feature arrive until manufacturers start selling ICS phones with locked bootloaders (I'm looking at you HTC, LG, etc). Devs will then try to punch a hole through the OS instead of using simple fastboot commands, as the bootloader will be locked down.
I don't understand why you would wait though, just fastboot oem unlock, root, then fastboot oem lock. The only way your warranty is going to be voided is if you have a rooted rom, that padlock means nothing on the Galaxy Nexus. IF THEY SEE SUPERUSER, THEY KNOW YOU ROOTED. They don't give a **** about the splash screen

Should i check OEM unlocking option in the Developer settings ?

Ok so i have read many posts on XDA about bricked nexus 5x's and many others, sometimes the main probelm is the oem isnt unlocked. I myself have a Nexus 5x that is completely stock no custom recovery no root no nothing, i just update the phone, right now on Nougat 7.0 sep security update.
So my question is, should i check the OEM unlocking in the settings ? i will never install any recovery or root but i think by reading the posts, it seems like its a major problem if this is not checked, should i check it just to be safe ?

U_Midrar said:
Ok so i have read many posts on XDA about bricked nexus 5x's and many others, sometimes the main probelm is the oem isnt unlocked. I myself have a Nexus 5x that is completely stock no custom recovery no root no nothing, i just update the phone, right now on Nougat 7.0 sep security update.
So my question is, should i check the OEM unlocking in the settings ? i will never install any recovery or root but i think by reading the posts, it seems like its a major problem if this is not checked, should i check it just to be safe ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have issues in your current state they will most likely be hardware related and unfixable via software. But even locked you can completely reinstall the OS via sideloading an OTA or using the TOT method.
Enabling OEM unlock disables Factory Reset Protection (FRP). FRP is a security feature that prevents a stolen device from being activated. There is allot of info about it online if you wish to learn more.
So you need to decide if you want FRP or the ability to flash the factory images.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
If you have issues in your current state they will most likely be hardware related and unfixable via software. But even locked you can completely reinstall the OS via sideloading an OTA or using the TOT method.
Enabling OEM unlock disables Factory Reset Protection (FRP). FRP is a security feature that prevents a stolen device from being activated. There is allot of info about it online if you wish to learn more.
So you need to decide if you want FRP or the ability to flash the factory images.
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Click to collapse
ok thx dude for the reply, nah i dont care about the FRP. so flashing factory images is easier right ? rather than sideloading or whatever this TOT method is...., and do most mobiles have a oem locked or unlocked ?

U_Midrar said:
ok thx dude for the reply, nah i dont care about the FRP. so flashing factory images is easier right ? rather than sideloading or whatever this TOT method is...., and do most mobiles have a oem locked or unlocked ?
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Click to collapse
Sure, flashing the factory images is probably slightly easier than the other methods. Note that in your case you would need to actually unlock the bootloader to flash the images. With those added steps it's probably faster to sideload.
The Allow OEM unlock toggle has been around since LP I think. An pretty sure it's in phones that shipped with LP. It didn't automagically mean that the phones bootloader can be unlocked though. It should stop disable FRP though.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Yes, most, I think all OEMs leave the possibility to unlock the bootloader.
By default the bootloader is locked on most OEMs (Sony, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, even Nexus devices).
For Nexus devices it's a simple one liner to unlock/lock the bootloader which will also trigger a data wipe but. On Nexus devices it doesn't void your warranty.
For most other OEMs phones you have to follow some steps and usually get some kind of code in order to unlock the bootloader the first time. This will void your warranty!
If you don't know whether or not you should unlock/lock the bootloader, the answer is: NO!
It seems you're not modifying your phones software (Custom Kernel, Custom Rom, Root etc) and you seem to have no intention doing so. So it's not needed and even less "secure" than with locked bootloader. If you do, you should know that you have to unlock the bootloader in order to change the phones software.
Why would you want to unlock the bootloader when the only reason to do so is to modify the software and you do not plan to do this?
On a stock nexus there is no need to unlock the bootloader, you can even reflash your phone with locked bootloader with the stock software image.

creambyemute said:
Yes, most, I think all OEMs leave the possibility to unlock the bootloader.
By default the bootloader is locked on most OEMs (Sony, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, even Nexus devices).
For Nexus devices it's a simple one liner to unlock/lock the bootloader which will also trigger a data wipe but. On Nexus devices it doesn't void your warranty.
For most other OEMs phones you have to follow some steps and usually get some kind of code in order to unlock the bootloader the first time. This will void your warranty!
If you don't know whether or not you should unlock/lock the bootloader, the answer is: NO!
It seems you're not modifying your phones software (Custom Kernel, Custom Rom, Root etc) and you seem to have no intention doing so. So it's not needed and even less "secure" than with locked bootloader. If you do, you should know that you have to unlock the bootloader in order to change the phones software.
Why would you want to unlock the bootloader when the only reason to do so is to modify the software and you do not plan to do this?
On a stock nexus there is no need to unlock the bootloader, you can even reflash your phone with locked bootloader with the stock software image.
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Click to collapse
yo dude thx for the reply, as i said in my first post, i saw some bricked nexus 5x (they didnt mod anything i think) that couldnt be repaired cause he had the option unchecked about OEM, that is why i was asking for like a safety precaution that if something goes wrong it would be okay cause oem could be unlocked then... what do u say now ? (and yea im not gonna ever mod anything in the phone, learned fom my last phone which i somehow bricked and a man fixed it for for 5$ )

U_Midrar said:
yo dude thx for the reply, as i said in my first post, i saw some bricked nexus 5x (they didnt mod anything i think) that couldnt be repaired cause he had the option unchecked about OEM, that is why i was asking for like a safety precaution that if something goes wrong it would be okay cause oem could be unlocked then... what do u say now ? (and yea im not gonna ever mod anything in the phone, learned fom my last phone which i somehow bricked and a man fixed it for for 5$ )
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Click to collapse
That catch is if if you checked OEM unloking and chose to not perform oem unlock command now.
When something did went wrong afterward, you are able to perform oem unlock but it will wipe your data.
There is no point for doing it.

HebeGuess said:
That catch is if if you checked OEM unloking and chose to not perform oem unlock command now.
When something did went wrong afterward, you are able to perform oem unlock but it will wipe your data.
There is no point for doing it.
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Click to collapse
so i shouldnt do it like just leave it be ?

F IT I DID IT
i just read this site and also got to know a bootloop can occur with OTA update so yea i have done it.
Site: http://android.wonderhowto.com/news...ting-before-modding-anything-android-0167840/

Does XA1 losing some functionality when bootloader is unlocked?

I would like to buy XA1 and root it like I always do on other phones, but i'm curious about what happened of you unlock bootloader on XA1.
Does XA1 lose some functionality when bootloader is unlocked, like Z devices?

Yes. DRM gets wiped out once you unlock bootloader. The Camera loses some functionality.

Oh darn I just found a thread about it and it seems they haven't found root exploit yet

Question Downsides to unlocking bootloader?

Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol

Teet1 said:
Hi all, I just recently purchased a Google pixel 6 pro new for cheap coming from a Galaxy S9. I was wondering if there are any downsides to unlocking the bootloader? Like losing some kind of functionality or DRM or Widevine certification, etc. forever? Switching from a brand that has everything locked down I'm used to losing functionality lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, only rooting will have disadvantages, <ie> Banking and Google Pay. My Bank won't allow rooted phones to use its app.

Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!

roirraW edor ehT said:
Disadvantages to unlocking the bootloader (unlocking the bootloader can be done without rooting after):
It may be possible that some rare banking or other sensitive apps will notice that your bootloader is unlocked and refuse to fully function.
If you're not very careful, you could accidentally either temporarily or permanently brick your device by flashing the wrong thing.
Truthfully, most of the time, having the bootloader unlocked (or at least OEM unlocking enabled) gives you MORE recovery options if something bad happens (such as you flash Android 20 Beta 1 and it bricks your phone).
Having the bootloader unlocked is by its nature less secure, so if your device gets stolen, there may be a greater possibility a hacker can break into your phone and/or get valuable data out of your account or cause greater havoc. I've never had a phone stolen, although I did find someone's stolen Sprint HTC 4G (if I remember the model correctly) one time, which I arranged to return to the owner by calling Sprint. I assume the person who stole the phone gave up on being able to easily use the stolen phone, since Sprint erased and locked down the phone remotely.
Disadvantages to being rooted:
Have to manually update anytime you want the new month's update.
Have to jump through a few hoops to make sure almost all banking/sensitive apps don't realize that you're rooted. The method may change from time to time due to changes in Android, so there's always the possibility any time you flash an update to Android on your device that you'll have to wait for and flash an update to root-hiding methods.
Advantages of being rooted: Well, you know, there are tons.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!

Teet1 said:
Thank you! i've been in the game for a while so I know the pros/cons of rooting and unlocking. I just didnt know if there were any device specific downsides on the pixel 6 pro, but it seems its just the usual stuff. Coming from a locked down brand, this is very liberating!
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Click to collapse
Cool, you're welcome. Yep, I fooled with a Sony phone once. Was extremely disappointing that it gimped the camera on purpose if you unlocked the bootloader using their official means to do so. And for a while with the bootloader unlocked but not rooted, I still received OTA updates just fine, but then suddenly they stopped allowing OTAs to download and install actually over the air - had to use XperiFirm to download and then flash them manually.

It's getting harder to pass various integrity checks for Play, banking apps, and GPay. And now device integrity. You have to consciously maintain all of these.