What disadvantages are there to unlocking bootloader but not rooting? Just bought the 3a XL. Have rooted every phone since my og HTC Incredible. Don't really need to root now, but don't think I would want to later if I would have to unlock bootloader later and wipe my phone in the process. If I unlock now, that gives me the option of rooting later a little less painlessly, I would think.
So, any major disadvantages? I'm really a noob at all this. Older guy, over 50, don't know much technical stuff about all this, but follow directions pretty well.
Thanks!
fjm568 said:
What disadvantages are there to unlocking bootloader but not rooting? Just bought the 3a XL. Have rooted every phone since my og HTC Incredible. Don't really need to root now, but don't think I would want to later if I would have to unlock bootloader later and wipe my phone in the process. If I unlock now, that gives me the option of rooting later a little less painlessly, I would think.
So, any major disadvantages? I'm really a noob at all this. Older guy, over 50, don't know much technical stuff about all this, but follow directions pretty well.
Thanks!
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Well, pretty much the only disadvantages are the same disadvantages if you were to unlock and root.
If someone physically got the device they'd easily be able to flash third party firmware to it.
That's all I can really think of off the top of my head.
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
Well, if you unlock the bootloader, many apps will flag your phone as rooted/tampered and may not work. Google Pay and Pokemon Go for example. There's actually no advantage to unlocking the bootloader without rooting and using Magisk Hide. I mean, you wouldn't have to wipe your phone later when you would decide to unlock the BL.... this may be a plus.
I think you'll create more hassle on yourself by unlocking the BL without also rooting it. Either go all in and do both, or leave it locked.
DriveEuro said:
Well, if you unlock the bootloader, many apps will flag your phone as rooted/tampered and may not work. Google Pay and Pokemon Go for example. There's actually no advantage to unlocking the bootloader without rooting and using Magisk Hide. I mean, you wouldn't have to wipe your phone later when you would decide to unlock the BL.... this may be a plus.
I think you'll create more hassle on yourself by unlocking the BL without also rooting it. Either go all in and do both, or leave it locked.
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But also a word of caution unlock your bootloader b efore it is patched happened on the Verizon pixel XL og
All the downside of rooting, but none of the benefits.
What is your reasoning for wanting to do this? So that you could root later or reload the OS if the phone becomes inoperable? Then just set the OEM Unlocking slider to on, but don't actually perform the unlock, and then you can can unlock at any time it might become necessary. Remember, unlocking a Pixel is a far simpler thing than unlocking most other devices, as long as OEM unlocking is turned on, it's a simple fastboot command.
acejavelin said:
What is your reasoning for wanting to do this? So that you could root later or reload the OS if the phone becomes inoperable? Then just set the OEM Unlocking slider to on, but don't actually perform the unlock, and then you can can unlock at any time it might become necessary. Remember, unlocking a Pixel is a far simpler thing than unlocking most other devices, as long as OEM unlocking is turned on, it's a simple fastboot command.
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He doesn't want to have to wipe later on though, which is fair enough imo.
That's the main reason I unlock and root as soon as I get new phones.
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
Skittles9823 said:
He doesn't want to have to wipe later on though, which is fair enough imo.
That's the main reason I unlock and root as soon as I get new phones.
Sent from my Google Pixel 3a XL using XDA Labs
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This.
It's the wipe by unlocking later that I want to avoid.
Actually, my only reason for rooting is Titanium Backup. I like being able to backup and restore certain apps data and being able to freeze certain apps. Which actually bit me in the ass on my unlocked and (formerly)rooted Pixel 2. I had a forced OTA happen to me recently, which unrooted my phone and I now can't retrieve some apps data and unfreeze some apps without re-rooting. I don't know how the OTA went through since I was rooted with Magisk and TWRP.
So, being that there are ways to do backups of the 2 apps data that I used TiBU to do without being rooted, I would think that unlocking the bootloader so that I could reload the OS easier later would be the thing to do. I don't use Google Pay or the other similar apps, so the unlocked bootloader shouldn't hurt me.
What other apps would be flagged and not work with an unlocked bootloader?
Related
http://www.unlockroot.com/index.htm
It mentions galaxy nexus. I didn't unlock my phone right away and now I regret it. I don't want to lose my app data and since I don't have root I can't use TB to back up my apps.
So will this be a good alternative, or should I avoid it?
Is there a down side to using this method instead of doing it the old fashioned way?
if this is useless, any recommendations on how I can safely back up my app data before unlocking the bootloader?
Thank you for the help.
never seen or used this. you can, but i prefer doing it manually. not really that hard.,
and theres a thread somewhere in general that tells you how to back up your stuff without root or unlocked bootloader.
something involving ADB commands. might be just better off starting again from fresh
zephiK said:
never seen or used this. you can, but i prefer doing it manually. not really that hard.,
and theres a thread somewhere in general that tells you how to back up your stuff without root or unlocked bootloader.
something involving ADB commands. might be just better off starting again from fresh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocked / rooted mine right after I got it. Wipes it (the unlocking part), but it was easy, but I'm pretty good with adb and fastboot. Give it a try, there seems to be a bunch of one click tools out now.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
this method seems to implement security vulnerability in android to escalate user privileges and install super user.
So this method is not an automatic version of the regular (boot unlock using fastboot), meaning it skips the whole wipe after unlock requirement.
anyway, I am gonna try it when I get home and report results.
I am new to the nexus 7.
Can I root without unlocking the broader?
What is the side effect of unlocking the boot loader?
Is there existing method to root without installing customer recovery?
Thanks
macaumen said:
I am new to the nexus 7.
Can I root without unlocking the broader?
What is the side effect of unlocking the boot loader?
Is there existing method to root without installing customer recovery?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is currently no known way to root without unlocking the bootloader and using a custom recovery.
Unlocking the bootloader allows you more control over the tablet. Specifically to install custom recovery, ROMs, etc. Most of the benefits from an unlocked bootloader are things you do from a custom recovery, not through the bootloader itself. The only real negative 'side effects' are that you lose some of the safety benefits, since you can do dangerous things if you don't know what you are doing, and that it may void your warranty.
So, if want to root, I must unlock bootloader?
Well I still get ota with bootloader unlocked?
macaumen said:
So, if want to root, I must unlock bootloader?
Well I still get ota with bootloader unlocked?
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Click to collapse
1. Yes
2. Technically you can, but not recommend; just wait for the rooted stock and flash that.
teh roxxorz said:
1. Yes
2. Technically you can, but not recommend; just wait for the rooted stock and flash that.
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Regarding your #2, there is no reason not to unlock the bootloader to get OTA updates. The only thing that breaks OTA is custom recovery.
phonic said:
Regarding your #2, there is no reason not to unlock the bootloader to get OTA updates. The only thing that breaks OTA is custom recovery.
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Completely correct. I just said not to do it, cause he seems less experienced, and from my experience, they get freaked out afterwards trying to put it back on. So trying to save him a headache, lol.
I recommend staying stock unless you absolutely need a specific root required app.
Right now there isn't a reason for root access except titanium backup.
I do recommend, however, to go ahead and unlock. It will wipe your device including personal data, so might as well get that out of the way now before you risk losing something important.
You can easily flash a custom recovery and root anytime after that, but I would wait until knowledgeable devs figure out the device a little more first.
Sent from Nexus 7 FHD from XDA Premium HD
player911 said:
I recommend staying stock unless you absolutely need a specific root required app.
Right now there isn't a reason for root access except titanium backup.
I do recommend, however, to go ahead and unlock. It will wipe your device including personal data, so might as well get that out of the way now before you risk losing something important.
You can easily flash a custom recovery and root anytime after that, but I would wait until knowledgeable devs figure out the device a little more first.
Sent from Nexus 7 FHD from XDA Premium HD
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I'm not sure why you would suggest people not to root now. You mentioned a very good reason to do so - Titanium Backup. Not only is it useful for backups in general, but it's also a lifesaver for copying apps and their data from one device, like someone's old N7, to their new N7.
While I would certainly agree that people should wait before flashing custom ROMs, kernels, hacks, etc., nothing is going to change with rooting your N7 today versus a week or month from now. All the pros and cons will still be the same.
phonic said:
I'm not sure why you would suggest people not to root now.
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They guy doesn't need root. He also doesn't understand root. So his chances of softbricking are good, and then, instead of us trying to talk him out of rooting, we now have to talk him through how to fix it.... .. Can we count on you to provide this support since your are so OK with him rooting now?
tweaked said:
They guy doesn't need root. He also doesn't understand root. So his chances of softbricking are good, and then, instead of us trying to talk him out of rooting, we now have to talk him through how to fix it.... .. Can we count on your to provide this support since your are so OK with him rooting now?
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Neither you nor I have any idea what he needs or doesn't. He hasn't said anything other than asking some basic questions about the process. There are numerous guides on here that walk people through rooting step by step. There are also a handful of people who have soft bricked their device and asked for and received help. And yes, I have assisted people with similar issues in the past. Everyone on this board has at one point in their lives screwed something up - that's how we learn.
In any case, my point was that there is no clear reason for him not to do it if he wants to. The device is pretty forgiving unless he kills the bootloader.
Hey everyone,
I've tried to google around and search the forums on XDA but there is no straight up answer to some questions I have. This is the first HTC device I own and although I have been rooting/unlocking devices since the Nexus 4, I am afraid to go ahead with this one. I just wanted the answers to the following questions, if anyone here knows them please:
1. Unlocking the bootloader seems straight-forward and supported by HTC. I'm in the UK which means no Uh-Oh protection. If something was to happen to the device and I sent it back under warranty, would I be ****ed or would HTC replace/repair it? HTC UK's call center was worse than useless and HTC US' policy doesn't apply to us so I thought I should ask here.
2. Does unlocking the bootloader and rooting mean I will lose access to the fingerprint scanner, camera quality or anything 'stock'? I know Android Pay won't work but at the moment I am not too bothered either way because it's a hit and miss thing with it.
3. Finally, is there a way to completely revert unlocking the phone/s-off and going back to S-ON/Locked without any signs of having messed around with the device? I ask in relation to question 1. If unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty for UK users, is there a way to go back to stock and make the phone as though NOTHING was done to it?
Thank you to anyone who helps answer even 1 of these questions :victory:. I want to root and get xposed onto my new device but not at the cost of losing features on a brand new phone or losing warranty on it either :silly:
1. I can't comment on this simply because I don't know and don't want to spread false information.
2. You will not lose any features at all. In fact, I'm running a bootloader unlocked and rooted setup and Android Pay still seems to work fine for me. It let me add a debit card but I haven't yet been able to actually try to purchase something.
3. Yes, if you are S-Off you can completely revert back to a locked bootloader with S-On if you want to.
I'd recommend both unlocking and S-Off so you can revert back to stock in the future for a warranty claim just to be safe.
jaredkzr said:
1. I can't comment on this simply because I don't know and don't want to spread false information.
2. You will not lose any features at all. In fact, I'm running a bootloader unlocked and rooted setup and Android Pay still seems to work fine for me. It let me add a debit card but I haven't yet been able to actually try to purchase something.
3. Yes, if you are S-Off you can completely revert back to a locked bootloader with S-On if you want to.
I'd recommend both unlocking and S-Off so you can revert back to stock in the future for a warranty claim just to be safe.
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Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the reply! Only just saw this, not sure why it didn't notify me.
Right no worries about point one seeing as point 3 makes it irrelevant if I can revert back and save my warranty anyway. Just to be sure on points 2 and 3, I can definitely 100% go back to Locked/S-On status and the system won't show I have messed around at all? As for Android Pay, that's cool! Did you set it up before or after rooting? And does your fingerprint scanner work? Can you make payments on google play by authorising with your fingerprint?
Thank you again for your help!
Devzz said:
Hey, thanks for the reply! Only just saw this, not sure why it didn't notify me.
Right no worries about point one seeing as point 3 makes it irrelevant if I can revert back and save my warranty anyway. Just to be sure on points 2 and 3, I can definitely 100% go back to Locked/S-On status and the system won't show I have messed around at all? As for Android Pay, that's cool! Did you set it up before or after rooting? And does your fingerprint scanner work? Can you make payments on google play by authorising with your fingerprint?
Thank you again for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you can definitely 100% go back to Locked/S-On state assuming you were previously S-Off. There will be no signs that the device was messed with.
For Android Pay, I had initially set it up prior to rooting but the rooting process wiped my phone. I had no issues setting it up again on a freshly rooted install.
Google Play and every other app that uses it still fully supports authorization via fingerprint. From what I can tell, I have lost absolutely no features by rooting. There really is nothing to lose once you get past the initial phone wipe that occurs when you unlock the bootloader.
jaredkzr said:
Yep, you can definitely 100% go back to Locked/S-On state assuming you were previously S-Off. There will be no signs that the device was messed with.
For Android Pay, I had initially set it up prior to rooting but the rooting process wiped my phone. I had no issues setting it up again on a freshly rooted install.
Google Play and every other app that uses it still fully supports authorization via fingerprint. From what I can tell, I have lost absolutely no features by rooting. There really is nothing to lose once you get past the initial phone wipe that occurs when you unlock the bootloader.
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Ah that's great! Would've thought HTC would implement some kind of security thing where rooting may cause the fingerprint scanner to not work like Samsung/Sony have. Good on HTC :highfive: I'm gonna start reading up now and unlock/s-off/root the phone in the next few hours! :fingers-crossed:
Devzz said:
Ah that's great! Would've thought HTC would implement some kind of security thing where rooting may cause the fingerprint scanner to not work like Samsung/Sony have. Good on HTC :highfive: I'm gonna start reading up now and unlock/s-off/root the phone in the next few hours! :fingers-crossed:
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Click to collapse
Yeah, it really is a great thing they've done! HTC is being really friendly to developers and power users. If you have questions or need some help with the unlocking or rooting feel free to drop me a PM!
I'm new to the Pixel 2 XL and wanted to know if unlocking the bootloader alone will cause Google Pay to become non-functional? I am not rooted, just bootloader unlocked.
I have seen other threads where folks have clearly rooted their device and are using Magisk and other stuff to make it work. Is that what I will need to do?
Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
robn30 said:
I'm new to the Pixel 2 XL and wanted to know if unlocking the bootloader alone will cause Google Pay to become non-functional? I am not rooted, just bootloader unlocked.
I have seen other threads where folks have clearly rooted their device and are using Magisk and other stuff to make it work. Is that what I will need to do?
Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
If you unlock bootloader without rooting with Magisk then yes google pay will not work
krolla03 said:
If you unlock bootloader without rooting with Magisk then yes google pay will not work
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I did a bit more research online and saw that unlocking alone killed Google Pay. So with Magisk do you just go in and set Google Pay to ignore root like I did in my Moto X Pure? Was super simple with that phone.
Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
it's a lot more complicated and involved with a unlocked bootloader and Pixel 2.....
but, if you're willing, you can achieve it by reading through this thread ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/magisk-google-pay-gms-17-1-22-pie-t3929950 ) -- I highly suggest using the method via the magisk module that does most/all the editing, which you can find the OP (in terms of the magisk module) on Post #176 -- and, for what it's worth and what it seems, you only need to do it once as it seems to survive updating even with the Full Factory image...!
Good luck and hope this helps!
simplepinoi177 said:
it's a lot more complicated and involved with a unlocked bootloader and Pixel 2.....
but, if you're willing, you can achieve it by reading through this thread ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/magisk-google-pay-gms-17-1-22-pie-t3929950 ) -- I highly suggest using the method via the magisk module that does most/all the editing, which you can find the OP (in terms of the magisk module) on Post #176 -- and, for what it's worth and what it seems, you only need to do it once as it seems to survive updating even with the Full Factory image...!
Good luck and hope this helps!
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Click to collapse
Definitely way more involved then what was required on my Moto X Pure. All you had to do there was turn off GPay in Magisk and root was bypassed for GPay. I am shocked that this sticks through fastboot reimaging. I think I'm just going to rock on with no root for now. I have no desire to tweak the P2XL, I love stock Android the way the Pixel does it. The only value I get with root is Titanium Backup for all my data. Sucks that Android still doesn't have a way to backup your entire device to PC like Apple does. IMO it's the single biggest issue with Android overall. It forces you into root to do it as many app developers don't allow ADB backup via developer options.
Without boring everyone with the details... I made a huge mistake a few months ago. I own a Google Pixel 3XL phone and when I purchased it, the first thing I did was root it. It was working great.
However, I stupidly clicked 'Yes' to a question about updating the phone. It is now running Android 10, but is no longer rooted. The documents I have found about rooting all suggest that the first step is to back up the entire phone as data is wiped during the process. Losing data makes me nervous...
So, question: Can you please point me to a detailed outline of re-rooting a Pixel 3XL that can be done without losing the phone's data?
Thank you.
Read the guide again. Rooting does nothing to your data. You should consider wiping the phone once in awhile anyway if you want it to run well.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
lafester - Thanks for the reply, but... This document, https://www.online-tech-tips.com/smartphones/how-to-root-a-pixel-xl-2-2xl-3-3xl/, entitled "Root a Pixel XL" says near the top "...please keep in mind these will erase all the data on your device." This document, https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-unlock-bootloader-root-magisk/, says "Unlocking the bootloader will wipe all the data from your device." As such, I do not understand your reply...
Now, it is possible that I an confusing rooting with unlocking the bootloader, but don't I need to unlock first? Since I have already rooted the phone, is the bootloader still unlocked? How can I check for this?
groston said:
lafester - Thanks for the reply, but... This document, https://www.online-tech-tips.com/smartphones/how-to-root-a-pixel-xl-2-2xl-3-3xl/, entitled "Root a Pixel XL" says near the top "...please keep in mind these will erase all the data on your device." This document, https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3-unlock-bootloader-root-magisk/, says "Unlocking the bootloader will wipe all the data from your device." As such, I do not understand your reply...
Now, it is possible that I an confusing rooting with unlocking the bootloader, but don't I need to unlock first? Since I have already rooted the phone, is the bootloader still unlocked? How can I check for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons until you see Start. If the bootloader is unlocked it will read unlocked. Your bootloader must be unlocked to root.
Take a look at #3 Unlock bootloader in this Guide
Thanks for the links - it seems that my phone is still unlocked.