question about bootloaders - Acer Iconia A500

hey everyone. i dont come here much but this is kind of a general question. about how many encrypted and or locked bootloaders have been cracked and unlocked in the past? i guess im asking what are the chances that us a500 users will see recovery and roms? i know its up to whoever will figure it out in the end. but im just asking based on past devices. can it be done? has it been done before?
also as a side note. this is just my opinion. i can understand locking the bootloader on a phone so people dont abuse there unlimited data and such. but on a wifi only tablet? its like buying a laptop with a bios password set by the manufacture and the admin account locked out. it just doesn't make any sense to me. they should not be allowed to do this. thoughts?
(please dont take this as a rant. ive been driving myself crazy the past few days and watching the dev forum 24/7)

I don't know how likely it is to happen, but I agree with you it's a ****ty thing to do. It'd be fair in my eyes if we have to register the device, put in our serial number, then request an unlock code that invalidates the warranty to unlock the bootloader. That seems reasonable to me, but just straight up locking me out of my device is ****.
I'm hoping this isn't a trend we're going to have to start accepting. I'd rather the openness of the PC slip into tablets and phones, not the other way around.

Well hopefully that doesn't limit us. They (the community) were able to get around the droid x/2 bootloader to install custom roms, at least in some form. I am hoping this device catches on amongst enthusiasts, together, and by that I mean everyone but me, can work hard on modding this tab...jk.

Thanks for the feedback I'm really glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way

Unfortunately the same reason Apple products are so successful is that people are very "accepting" , The manufacturers dont count on people hacking there products , its a relatively small amount of people who (even) root Android phones , sure they get the press , but how many "moms and pops" own an Android phone unrooted? The majority of owners dont mess with it , they just buy apps and do what the company tells them!
Look how many people in here whine about updates , obviously if they were rooting there phones the updates wouldnt be a big deal!

Related

Why do they put perfect SPLs?

What's up with these guys, HTC and the phone companies? What does it benefit them if they put perfect SPLs or things we can't root? They won't lose the non-techies as customers if they put out non-perfect SPLs. These guys don't care. Yet, they gain the business of the techies if they don't have perfect SPLs.
So what do they gain?Why do they do it?
2 things I think...
First, they fix bug's... The root might be considered a bug so they just fixed it...
Second... They deliver a product made by them, others companies made they're own version of android (gui, apps, etc)... So, having a perfect spl is the way to sell their own product without other people porting them up to other devices...
Well, thats just my thoughts
:No-Frost: said:
2 things I think...
First, they fix bug's... The root might be considered a bug so they just fixed it...
Second... They deliver a product made by them, others companies made they're own version of android (gui, apps, etc)... So, having a perfect spl is the way to sell their own product without other people porting them up to other devices...
Well, thats just my thoughts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, yep that's about it.
I would suggest it is mostly the carriers demanding this, especially when flashing firmware can leave you with a expensive brick. If it is too easy lots of semi-skilled users will try it and screw up their phone. Which they will then take back to the store and claim "it just died, I did not do anything"... leaving the store to either eat the cost or tell the user that they screwed up and bricked their phone and too bad, so sad, pissing off the customer.
Plus many/most/all (?) carriers are control freaks and the idea of users being allowed to load whatever apps and features on to their own equipment freaks them right out. They are ever so slowly coming kicking and screaming into the reality that smartphones are really portable computers and that this makes them commodity bit pipes but they certainly don't like the idea. This is why so many carriers are in love with the IPhone and its very rigidly controlled app store and lack of easy alternate methods of loading apps.

S-off and rooting software, can it be trusted

Hi, I just wondered if all the people who use the software made by complete strangers to root there phones are concerned about the safety of the programs they use.
As most phones being rooted are Android, which I think is based on linux, can it not also install some kind of unwanted code to infect you phones software. I read somewhere that some custom roms contained viruses etc.
I would like to know what you think and learn more about how the software works and if this is actually true, thanks.
Ive flashed every rom here in the last few weeks
Still have my google account and My phone
Also nothing important on my phone - if you run a multinational company? maybe think twice
If someone has hacked me ,i make sure they have hacked the most boring person on the planet.
So i feel completely safe flashing
I cant control or guess at your level of paranoia though - so you will or you wont flash random roms to your phone
Not my paranioa, just read some things about phones that run android and that some custom roms can contain viruses, it was more like they were blaming these roms for all the viruses that infect android phones.
Thanks for your reply.
ricky20 said:
Hi, I just wondered if all the people who use the software made by complete strangers to root there phones are concerned about the safety of the programs they use.
As most phones being rooted are Android, which I think is based on linux, can it not also install some kind of unwanted code to infect you phones software. I read somewhere that some custom roms contained viruses etc.
I would like to know what you think and learn more about how the software works and if this is actually true, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do u mean by that. This kind of thread is already created. This is not a debatable thing.
There are great developers here who sacrifice their free time and work to bring awesome things to us. And it is up to u whether to trust them or not. I completely trust them. The ones u adressed complete strangers are really great great people here.
And i believe xda and market are completely genuine things. I never worry about that. Even if some non-functional thing is introduced here, it will be removed immediately ASAP. And lastly, it is up to u.
[IMO, android phone without xda and market = nothing]
morbosity said:
If someone has hacked me ,i make sure they have hacked the most boring person on the planet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL....
Answering to the OP: you should be much more worried about what manufacturer did to your phone and its software. Manufacturer knows both of these very well and would probably plant something hard to detect, if it were to happen. Of course, the software would have much more power over the device than any virus produced by third party, like being able to brick the device.
As for your concern of lack of trustworthiness - these people are doing the hacks for long time. They are hackers, not crackers. Hackers create and mod, crackers destroy and vandalize. Do not confuse the terms, they mean opposite things. Hackers are the people who power this forum, crackers would get kicked out as soon as detected. No reason for concern. Just stick to open source ROMs and you will be safe.
One more thing if u cant believe developers then i think u must not use any cellphones as blaming developers or hackers here is equal to blaming a manufacturer who have complete control over their device. They can steal your information without informing you and send it to server of their own.
I too 100% trust developers here. It depends on u to trust or not. Android is an open source software or OS. So, u can too build your own ROM and try it. Make sure u've knowledge on this else u'll surely brick ur phone forever. So, the last option is to trust developers here!
I am not referring to any developers on this site and apologize for any offence caused, I am new to this and have just bought my first smart phone. I read an article about viruses being spread on the android market and it continued to explain how this happens but also mentioned that people using custom roms were also at risk.
I feel you've answered my question from your replies, I was always going to try custom roms but HTC's update installed a new locked boot loader. I was just curious what people thought about the methods used to gain root control, I was just trying to learn more about the whole issue. I think the people who do this sort of thing are very clever and intelligent people and admire there dedication and hard work.
Obviously you very passionate about this kind of thing and I agree entirely that manufacturers and carriers can put far worse things on my phone, thanks for your replies.
No one can say what happens when u download something from unknown xyzxyzxyzxyz.com
Only thing I can say is go with the trusted sites, where even if the so called viruses are introduced, they will be removed ASAP. That's all from my side.
Custom ROM viruses are only potentially possible and as far as I know, Cyanogenmod already fixed this. It had something to do with the encryption keys used incorrectly if I remember right.

ZTE Blade X Max Z983 Request

Hi, all!
I bought the Blade X Max from Cricket, as it's got 32GB internal storage, a bigger screen, and seems a very hip machine.
Since Cricket seems to have instructed the various vendors, LG, Alcatel, and now ZTE to not only just make it difficult to root, but near-impossible, at least for someone without extensive knowledge as an Android dev, it's an annoyance...
There are legit, non-bootleg apps for which I spent good money (Titanium, Apps2SD Pro, FlashFire and others), which require root... Unlocking codes tend to be expensive, and the sites that offer them seem more spam-generators than anything else, and the Dr.Fone Root tool doesn't seem to even know the device exists, and, it's as yet not on their supported list, that I can see.
The device was released a month ago, so I'm not expecting immediate miracles, but wondering if anyone else owns the device, and if anyone with the dev chops would be interested in exploring the possibility.
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
I own the ZTE Blade X Max as well, I havent tried root or anything else yet, I was a little surprised though when searching through XDA and this thread was all I found in relation to the ZTE Blade X Max.
XperianceIT said:
I own the ZTE Blade X Max as well, I havent tried root or anything else yet, I was a little surprised though when searching through XDA and this thread was all I found in relation to the ZTE Blade X Max.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, since the device has only been around a few months, it's understandable that not a lot of the devs have access to one, but, yeah... All over the web, it's referred to as a carrier-branded phone, and people seem to not want to fiddle with it...
I don't need a custom ROM, but there are legit apps that I bought from the Play Store, and they require root...
I blame Cricket for being paranoid that someone would dare to customize her/his phone and tweak it... Times past, Cricket made it difficult to root a phone, but the LG G-Stylo was pretty much unrootable... I have a few paperweights of that model in my storage... The Idol 3 was able to be rooted, the 6055U Idol 4, not so much... and now this one... It seems that Cricket is trying to have the various manufacturers leave some things out of their flavors of Android, so that even someone who reasonably is willing to take the risk is sh!t out of luck... <sigh>
Yeah Cricket has been making it real hard to root any of their phones. I also have the Stylo 2, and they had lg remove the entire bootloader and stock recovery, how the hell that was possible is beyond me. Get used to this trend in Android, it's not just Cricket, allot of flagships are doing what they can to get rid of the ability to root, cause if we root we have control not them, and the manufacturers are making way to much in terms of ad revenue to allow us to have total control. My Blade X Max will sometimes randomly download apps and games without my permission, that's how they ( manufacturers ) make the money they do, we are basically walking billboards for them. So unless enough people get together and complain about the blatent abuse of the GPL Linux has laid out, it will never change, open source my ass, try getting the real source code for this phone, won't happen. I downloaded the source for the max x 2 and dug into the files, wasn't even the full code, and had junk files from dead devices. The Android world is not what it's supposed to be, get used to it.
zMILWAUKEE said:
Yeah Cricket has been making it real hard to root any of their phones. I also have the Stylo 2, and they had lg remove the entire bootloader and stock recovery, how the hell that was possible is beyond me. Get used to this trend in Android, it's not just Cricket, allot of flagships are doing what they can to get rid of the ability to root, cause if we root we have control not them, and the manufacturers are making way to much in terms of ad revenue to allow us to have total control. My Blade X Max will sometimes randomly download apps and games without my permission, that's how they ( manufacturers ) make the money they do, we are basically walking billboards for them. So unless enough people get together and complain about the blatent abuse of the GPL Linux has laid out, it will never change, open source my ass, try getting the real source code for this phone, won't happen. I downloaded the source for the max x 2 and dug into the files, wasn't even the full code, and had junk files from dead devices. The Android world is not what it's supposed to be, get used to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed...
Next time around, going to buy a pre-unlocked device (hell, even our local Walmart Super-aircraft hangar sells 'em), and just have the device ported over... if the vendor (Cricket, Metro, whomever) won't do it, they don't need my business... I'm a write-off from years back with Verizon, and, although my credit rating is much better these days, I worked for a Sprint call-center, and they sucketh verily and forsooth, and I don't know much about AT&T proper, or many other vendors...
But there are some vendors that are generally pretty hip, if a bit expensive, and I'm looking into seeing if, even if this is a vendor-branded device, there's a way, or just a straight-up trade for a device I can work with... Cricket's Android Nougat flavor is buggy as hell, and this is just kinda silly.
<sigh>
What the hell...
"Oh, Brave new world that hath such people in it.."
Wow are you serious? No root method? I'm going to have to sell this phone? WTF I just liked it.
Sent from my Z983 using Tapatalk
justlovejoy said:
Wow are you serious? No root method? I'm going to have to sell this phone? WTF I just liked it.
Sent from my Z983 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, apparently the bootloader's crippled, as Cricket seems to have insisted things be removed from ZTE's source code...
But, I'm wondering (though I might just be talking out my butt), if the code module could be extracted from ZMax Pro, as that's apparently its non-Cricket branded twin...
My coding chops are limited to old XBASE and a bit of Delphi/FPC, so I'm not the guy to do it, but am I in the ballpark with my idea?
Never really messed with the bootloader. I've always been developing from code tho. Haven't tinkled too much in about a year but need a laptop power cord before I can try anything. Bootloader isn't always a root blocker. It's more of a custom rom blocker if memory hasn't been affected by times changing
Sent from my Z983 using Tapatalk
justlovejoy said:
Never really messed with the bootloader. I've always been developing from code tho. Haven't tinkled too much in about a year but need a laptop power cord before I can try anything. Bootloader isn't always a root blocker. It's more of a custom rom blocker if memory hasn't been affected by times changing
Sent from my Z983 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, again, my chops are decades old, and tend to involve xBASE and Delphi coding, and I know very little about C/C++ and Java, and plead ignorance of what Cricket has insisted on having crippled in the source, and I lean on the expertise of devs here and elsewhere for that reason...
Just that it's one helluva device, or would be if it could be at least rooted.... I just don't know how... :laugh:
pauljulian said:
Well, again, my chops are decades old, and tend to involve xBASE and Delphi coding, and I know very little about C/C++ and Java, and plead ignorance of what Cricket has insisted on having crippled in the source, and I lean on the expertise of devs here and elsewhere for that reason...
Just that it's one helluva device, or would be if it could be at least rooted.... I just don't know how... [emoji23]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facts!
That's what the kids say today, lol. It's a beauty. Had to get mine swapped out for another due to the fingerprint reader and camera being intermittent between reboots. Not much I can say wrong about this device. Waiting on the key to the mailbox for my laptop charger still. Can't promise anything yet but I'm hopeful that our resources will get us started, even if it's just a long list of what doesn't work. Lmfao
Sent from my Z983 using Tapatalk
Is there anything we can do to this phone? Any thing
Sent from my Z983 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Yes I have z982 and would like a forums section
Bootloader and recovery
zMILWAUKEE said:
Yeah Cricket has been making it real hard to root any of their phones. I also have the Stylo 2, and they had lg remove the entire bootloader and stock recovery, how the hell that was possible is beyond me. Get used to this trend in Android, it's not just Cricket, allot of flagships are doing what they can to get rid of the ability to root, cause if we root we have control not them, and the manufacturers are making way to much in terms of ad revenue to allow us to have total control. My Blade X Max will sometimes randomly download apps and games without my permission, that's how they ( manufacturers ) make the money they do, we are basically walking billboards for them. So unless enough people get together and complain about the blatent abuse of the GPL Linux has laid out, it will never change, open source my ass, try getting the real source code for this phone, won't happen. I downloaded the source for the max x 2 and dug into the files, wasn't even the full code, and had junk files from dead devices. The Android world is not what it's supposed to be, get used to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off they can't remove the bootloader as android WON'T boot without it, and recovery is needed for factory resets. Cricket has never been helpful about supporting their phones, but of you do a search you can find out how to get into the recovery. (And it's the ZTE Blade ZMax, not X Max, X Max is just crickets version of the Blade ZMax)
To get into recovery you can go to this link for instructions
http://www.hardreset.info/devices/zte/zte-blade-x-max-z983/recovery-mode/
revjamescarver said:
First off they can't remove the bootloader as android WON'T boot without it, and recovery is needed for factory resets. Cricket has never been helpful about supporting their phones, but of you do a search you can find out how to get into the recovery. (And it's the ZTE Blade ZMax, not X Max, X Max is just crickets version of the Blade ZMax)
To get into recovery you can go to this link for instructions
http://www.hardreset.info/devices/zte/zte-blade-x-max-z983/recovery-mode/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have always been able to get into the stock recovery, and the download mode... those are not the issues, friend....
Whatever Cricket specified be done to their stock ROM by ZTE, we're blocked from doing those things that would enable us to actually use legit apps that we paid real money for.
I don't care about any sort of custom ROM, as these days, I really don't have the time to **** with it... But I've been an Android user for years... I've no problem rooting a device, given a workable method, and at least nutshell instructions, and doing a few things, as a user... As long as there is a way to get back to Square 1, should I screw up, I'm not afraid to explore, and, again, I believe in supporting good developers... If an app does what I want it to, I buy it, as long as it doesn't break the bank... in that case, I uninstall and find something better or cheaper...
But Cricket, in their either paranoia, or control freak attitude has been progressively making their devices less and less possible to do what we bought them for, unless we happen to be Cricket employees, sworn to secrecy regarding those codes beneath and behind the *# ones that really don't do much, at least not the ones we need to use, such as the menu option for "unlock" which doesn't without other input...
pauljulian said:
Have always been able to get into the stock recovery, and the download mode... those are not the issues, friend....
Whatever Cricket specified be done to their stock ROM by ZTE, we're blocked from doing those things that would enable us to actually use legit apps that we paid real money for.
I don't care about any sort of custom ROM, as these days, I really don't have the time to **** with it... But I've been an Android user for years... I've no problem rooting a device, given a workable method, and at least nutshell instructions, and doing a few things, as a user... As long as there is a way to get back to Square 1, should I screw up, I'm not afraid to explore, and, again, I believe in supporting good developers... If an app does what I want it to, I buy it, as long as it doesn't break the bank... in that case, I uninstall and find something better or cheaper...
But Cricket, in their either paranoia, or control freak attitude has been progressively making their devices less and less possible to do what we bought them for, unless we happen to be Cricket employees, sworn to secrecy regarding those codes beneath and behind the *# ones that really don't do much, at least not the ones we need to use, such as the menu option for "unlock" which doesn't without other input...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... and just to say that I know that "unlock" and "root" are two different things... was just an example.
pauljulian said:
Have always been able to get into the stock recovery, and the download mode... those are not the issues, friend....
Whatever Cricket specified be done to their stock ROM by ZTE, we're blocked from doing those things that would enable us to actually use legit apps that we paid real money for.
I don't care about any sort of custom ROM, as these days, I really don't have the time to **** with it... But I've been an Android user for years... I've no problem rooting a device, given a workable method, and at least nutshell instructions, and doing a few things, as a user... As long as there is a way to get back to Square 1, should I screw up, I'm not afraid to explore, and, again, I believe in supporting good developers... If an app does what I want it to, I buy it, as long as it doesn't break the bank... in that case, I uninstall and find something better or cheaper...
But Cricket, in their either paranoia, or control freak attitude has been progressively making their devices less and less possible to do what we bought them for, unless we happen to be Cricket employees, sworn to secrecy regarding those codes beneath and behind the *# ones that really don't do much without other input...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure how you would root that particular phone, but I'm sure there is a way, or will be once the phone is out there longer, being without root access is a pain in the a**
revjamescarver said:
I'm not sure how you would root that particular phone, but I'm sure there is a way, or will be once the phone is out there longer, being without root access is a pain in the a**
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I originally started the thread, yep... I know the thing's not been out long... like since May (and I know crap all about the "Z" model used by other vendors... Obviously there's a drastic difference in the firmware, though...)...
Given time, I'm certain someone will work it out... There's a gentleman on another thread that seems to be working on it, and I'm going under the thing of "no news is good news" :laugh:
I've no doubt there's a way... I did a short stint at a call-center for Sprint, and there are always ways... It's a matter of having the right set of input codes, to get to the means to do the real deal...
I really dig the phone, although Cricket's flavor of Nougat isn't the most stable in the world... but, with the legal and legit apps I bought and continue to support, that's less of an issue.
It's frustrating when a company knows what a pain in the ass it is without allowing the user to administer it as really needs be... and they still refuse to permit it... I get that turning it into a paperweight can get tedious, but, given the means to get it back to factory standard in a reasonably simple way without sending it in, or buying another is just what I would see as normal... It's my own fault if I haven't backed up my data, but, if I somehow hose the firmware, just give me a means to get back to the start... It worked with their edition of the the Alcatel Idol 3... the Idol 4 (6055U)... I just gave the hell up.
pauljulian said:
When I originally started the thread, yep... I know the thing's not been out long... like since May (and I know crap all about the "Z" model used by other vendors... Obviously there's a drastic difference in the firmware, though...)...
Given time, I'm certain someone will work it out... There's a gentleman on another thread that seems to be working on it, and I'm going under the thing of "no news is good news" :laugh:
I've no doubt there's a way... I did a short stint at a call-center for Sprint, and there are always ways... It's a matter of having the right set of input codes, to get to the means to do the real deal...
I really dig the phone, although Cricket's flavor of Nougat isn't the most stable in the world... but, with the legal and legit apps I bought and continue to support, that's less of an issue.
It's frustrating when a company knows what a pain in the ass it is without allowing the user to administer it as really needs be... and they still refuse to permit it... I get that turning it into a paperweight can get tedious, but, given the means to get it back to factory standard in a reasonably simple way without sending it in, or buying another is just what I would see as normal... It's my own fault if I haven't backed up my data, but, if I somehow hose the firmware, just give me a means to get back to the start... It worked with their edition of the the Alcatel Idol 3... the Idol 4 (6055U)... I just gave the hell up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mean to freak out anyone that "Holy Cr*p! Someone's doing something"
.... But I'm just wondering if anyone's doing something.... ?
It's not going to happen my best advice to you is get another phone. I have the z982 the z981,982,983 all of them are unrootable ZTE had a bad hack a few years back that almost shut them down root was giving full access to those phones through apps. I hate this phone and can't wait to get a new one. Never again will I buy ZTE
adambomb_13 said:
It's not going to happen my best advice to you is get another phone. I have the z982 the z981,982,983 all of them are unrootable ZTE had a bad hack a few years back that almost shut them down root was giving full access to those phones through apps. I hate this phone and can't wait to get a new one. Never again will I buy ZTE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, for damned sure I'm sick of Cricket's control freak practice...
But it seems there are too many vendors that undercut legitimate developers whose products require root access...
I don't really need a custom ROM, but I bought Apps2SD Pro, Titanium and some others because I found them to be well-written, well-designed, and they did what I needed them for... But, since I can't root this otherwise pretty cool device, I've basically wasted my $$... I'll get another device at some time, preferably from a vendor that is less paranoid about users actually using their devices to their potential, but for right now?
This is one of the most stupid situations I've found myself... A device that is capable of being a laptop replacement, but the vendor only insists on our using them as they dictate...
So, is disgust an applicable word?
... mind you, not at those among us who were suckered into buying a hip but crippled device.
(although I've the idea that those who actually work for Cricket but are sworn to secrecy by potential lawsuits and loss of employment actually have an idea as to whatever *# commands actually go deep enough to do what's needed)
But I have no issues with those such as I that found a really hip little machine, yet have found ourselves locked away from its potential...
My issues are with the control-freak assholes that set the policies for the companies we pay entirely too much to remain in necessary communication.

Pixel 2: To root is moot...?

I've been reading posts on this forum for some weeks now and have a question/discussion of sorts I'm hoping relevant users can reason out for me.
A substantial segment of Google Nexus/Pixel users are people who hate bloatware and OEM skins. That's fair enough. What I don't quite understand however, is why some/many of these users seek to root the Google products and install custom mods.
By that standard, what exactly is wrong with using any random OEM phone if the things that are so undesirable can be removed via root anyway? For example if one criticizes Samsung for TouchWiz/Samsung Experience, why not remove it with a custom rom? It's like the real problem is the name Samsung itself.
I'm not opening this line of inquiry to try and insult anyone for reference, rather I'd like to understand the thinking behind (my) confusion. At face value however, it kind of seems like there are people who absolutely must have a Google device because Google "made" it, not because they actually want Google's Android experience.
TokyoGuy said:
I've been reading posts on this forum for some weeks now and have a question/discussion of sorts I'm hoping relevant users can reason out for me.
A substantial segment of Google Nexus/Pixel users are people who hate bloatware and OEM skins. That's fair enough. What I don't quite understand however, is why some/many of these users seek to root the Google products and install custom mods.
By that standard, what exactly is wrong with using any random OEM phone if the things that are so undesirable can be removed via root anyway? For example if one criticizes Samsung for TouchWiz/Samsung Experience, why not remove it with a custom rom? It's like the real problem is the name Samsung itself.
I'm not opening this line of inquiry to try and insult anyone for reference, rather I'd like to understand the thinking behind (my) confusion. At face value however, it kind of seems like there are people who absolutely must have a Google device because Google "made" it, not because they actually want Google's Android experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easier to root a pixel/Google device over a Samsung device. If you get the SD variant and root it you lose Sammy pay permanently, not to mention battery is capped at 80%. Most phone companies deny warranty for root, Google doesn't. (Think one plus doesn't either). Another bonus is if one day I'm tired of rooting my 2 xl I can just get the latest Android version. That's not the same with most other phones after a year.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Another thing is the custom ROM support. Google actually releases sources that are able to be used by developers to make custom ROMs, where as Samsung doesn't release/release the most up-todate sources. Leaves developers with nothing to work with.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I can only speak for myself but my routine with every new phone includes these and others I'm forgetting in no particular order...
Root, TWRP, custom kernel, custom Rom, theme, viper, titanium backup, change to default Wi-Fi calling. Lux, others.
Some of the features i desire:
Full strength vibration
Unlock phone with fingerprint after reboot
Kill wakelocks
Center clock
Complete nandroid backups
Backing up apps with data in TBU
Removing camera sound (available stock now)
Advanced reboot menu
Color profiles
I definitely see rooting as a necessity for me.
Viper4android is a must for me so I root.
ADDS!....ADDS!....ADDS!
Fonts
TiBu
KCAL
V4A
Kernel control
Wake locks
Just because I can
Oh....and ADDS!
That's why I root :good:
I use Root for many of the above! It's a XDA addiction!!
Most us phones now come locked tighter than a virgin. The bootloaders use to be unlockable with most carriers unfortunately that is not the case anymore. I will never buy another Samsung phone as long as I live because of the bootloaders being locked. Google phones are easily unlockable as they are geared towards developers and it makes things easier for them having root.
I've been away from Samsung for a few years now. I guess Safe-strap is no more?? Man there was some mad skills on the S5 verizon forum. Lol
CyberpodS2 said:
I've been away from Samsung for a few years now. I guess Safe-strap is no more?? Man there was some mad skills on the S5 verizon forum. Lol
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Safe-Strap was flippin awesome on the S5! I still have mine as a backup with all kinds of good stuff on that bad boy. Thanks for the memory! :good:
TokyoGuy said:
I've been reading posts on this forum for some weeks now and have a question/discussion of sorts I'm hoping relevant users can reason out for me.
A substantial segment of Google Nexus/Pixel users are people who hate bloatware and OEM skins. That's fair enough. What I don't quite understand however, is why some/many of these users seek to root the Google products and install custom mods.
By that standard, what exactly is wrong with using any random OEM phone if the things that are so undesirable can be removed via root anyway? For example if one criticizes Samsung for TouchWiz/Samsung Experience, why not remove it with a custom rom? It's like the real problem is the name Samsung itself.
I'm not opening this line of inquiry to try and insult anyone for reference, rather I'd like to understand the thinking behind (my) confusion. At face value however, it kind of seems like there are people who absolutely must have a Google device because Google "made" it, not because they actually want Google's Android experience.
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Rooting a google device does not void the warranty.
TokyoGuy said:
I've been reading posts on this forum for some weeks now and have a question/discussion of sorts I'm hoping relevant users can reason out for me.
A substantial segment of Google Nexus/Pixel users are people who hate bloatware and OEM skins. That's fair enough. What I don't quite understand however, is why some/many of these users seek to root the Google products and install custom mods.
By that standard, what exactly is wrong with using any random OEM phone if the things that are so undesirable can be removed via root anyway? For example if one criticizes Samsung for TouchWiz/Samsung Experience, why not remove it with a custom rom? It's like the real problem is the name Samsung itself.
I'm not opening this line of inquiry to try and insult anyone for reference, rather I'd like to understand the thinking behind (my) confusion. At face value however, it kind of seems like there are people who absolutely must have a Google device because Google "made" it, not because they actually want Google's Android experience.
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Because I don't want to have to fight with questionable hacks to unlock the bootloader, and I don't want to have to depend on someone else (who probably doesn't know what they're doing) to help out with writing the software that isn't being provided as AOSP needed to make the device fully functional.
I want a no-hacks UNLOCKED device that is PROPERLY supported by AOSP. No 2-bit mickey mouse code that crashes and randomly reboots.
Who the hell wants to pay for a device to have it come loaded with crap you never asked for or wanted??? Not me. Who wants to run these heavily modified launchers with extensive frameworks that slow down your device??? If you pay for something shouldn't you have full control of said item??? The bloatware over the years has become unbearable and the storage usage keeps increasing year by year it's insane that you cannot uninstall Facebook without root on 95% of these devices. I don't care 1 single bit about Facebook and most of the other crapware they attempt to push upon us. Google gives you options for a pure AOSP experience. I am glad I stuck with the pixel I almost passed it up because of poor customer service from Google but this device is everything I want and need. Fastboot is essential to me. I went from the s6 edge with an unlocked bootloader to the S7 edge and that absolutely sucked. The only option was package disabler or using the engineer bootloader to obtain root. It sucked so bad the kernel would chew right through the battery in no time flat I had no choice but to roll back to stock and disable things. I cannot imagine going back to that it was terrible. The thing that burns my bridge is the US variants only came without an unlock method the international variants we're easily unlockable. I will never buy another Samsung phone ever they suck.

(Disc) Possible Road to Root US models

It has been a very long time since I have worked on a phone project, mostly been working on switch and ps4 exploits. I'm not up to date on all the latest phone stuff.
My last exploit and the only one I released publicly, was for the Grand Prime (Cricket variant). Just like last time (I hope) I can get access to the diagnostic flash files and used them to create a modified boot. Also just like last time, I will not release the diag files to the general public if I get them because they can be used for nefarious deeds (They can be used to fully remove frp from a device among other things) and they are proprietary. Not to mention someone could really screw their phone up messing with things. The only thing it doesnt do is unlock the bootloader.
My question is, since im so far out of date and only started doing research, is it even feasible since (at this time) it cannot be used to unlock the BL?
Yes - PAID though
Follow https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...sac23-note-20-ultra-n986u-custom-rom-t4164875
I already did that just waiting for something to come along, what ever happened to this being a place where people go to look at new ideas and discuss. Sure there's only a paid way right now, but might not always be that way....because people work together and come up with other ways. If the world gave up like you did Trump would be president in the USA.....oh wait
And the phone i rooted was deemed impossible by many because how locked down cricket keeps their phones and how locked down samsung keeps their devices.
But you also missed the point, I'm not looking to unlock the bootloader, I'm looking for exploits to allow root without unlocking the bootloader. And before you say it can't be done, your wrong. The impossible is only impossible until it becomes possible.
Yeah good luck with that lol.
Since samsung started Knox stuff for US models
Has been harder and harder to root these phones.
You might have to wait two years if not more to get even half baked root
Glad I paid the money and get my unlocked ultra rooted and bootloader unlocked
For someone like me it's worth it since I'm always flashing and experiencing..
Sure xda users love free stuff but nothing in life is free.
That unlock guy is risking his job.
Who knows one day we won't even have that service because he could get caught.
TheUndertaker21 said:
Yeah good luck with that lol.
Since samsung started Knox stuff for US models
Has been harder and harder to root these phones.
You might have to wait two years if not more to get even half baked root
Glad I paid the money and get my unlocked ultra rooted and bootloader unlocked
For someone like me it's worth it since I'm always flashing and experiencing..
Sure xda users love free stuff but nothing in life is free.
That unlock guy is risking his job.
Who knows one day we won't even have that service because he could get caught.
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Click to collapse
How much was it? An where did you do it?
LRiley said:
How much was it? An where did you do it?[/QUOTE
There's one guy on here who does it. Search around and you will find him (look up). I costs about 100-150 depending on model. I have the N986U1 it was 125.
That unlock guy is risking his job.
Who knows one day we won't even have that service because he could get caught.[/QUOTE said:
I doubt that. There are many public tools you can use like z3x to gain full access to a device and write the required token, they just cost money for the hardware and software. They also require hardware keys that need to be renewed every 6 or 12 months and live in the grey area of the law. I know of one vendor who let's you use a VPN to appear in their service region (hk only) just because of covid, but once the lockdowns end they say the VPN access will also go away...odds are thats when he won't be able to do them anymore
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