[Q] What are the major differences between the Developer Edition vs Regular Razr M? - Droid RAZR M Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

UPDATED: MODs could you please move this to the Q/A section if it is in the wrong section? Sorry for the confusion.
What are the major differences between the Razr M: Developer Edition vs Regular besides the bootloader being officially unlocked?
Is it possible to take the phone and activate it on a non-Verizon CDMA/LTE network? Anyone care to try and bring it to a non-Verizon network and see what the non-Verizon customer service reps do or say?

There are three ways to purchase the RAZR M (at least in the US) - Links will take you to the order pages:
1) Subsidized on contract for $99 from Verizon
2) Off contract from Verizon for $549
3) Developer edition from Motorola direct for $549
Options 1 and 2 are the RETAIL version of the RAZR M. This means that unless the dev community finds a way to "break" the boot loader and/or root the device, it will remain as-is and will only get updates from Motorola.
The Dev Edition's (option 3) boot loader can be unlocked.
The Moto page to unlock the boot loader is here: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a
There is no time limit as to when you can get the unlock code, but I would imagine Motorola reserves the right to change that policy at any time... meaning at some point it is possible they could shut down the site, but I do not see that happening any time soon.
You could generate the unlock code so you have it, but that does not mean you have to unlock your bootloader immediately. The unlock code is keyed to your device ID so it will not change even if Motorola upgrades the SW in the future. So, just to be safe you could generate the unlock code then use it in 6 months or 6 years from now.
That being said, as soon as you go through with the steps to obtain an unlock code, your device effectively goes on a "black list" with Motorola. You warranty is void EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED THE UNLOCK CODE. If you have issues with your device it would be Motorola's discretion whether to offer free service, fee-based service, or no service at all if you have a problem.
I have verified with Motorola that even if you have unlocked your boot loader, you will still get Motorola's OTA SW updates, but there is no guarantee they will work, especially if you have rooted and/or modified the core operating system in any way.
ETA:
I also verified with Verizon that all the RAZR M phones (regardless of retail, subsidized, or dev edition) are unlocked for all International GSM carriers out of the gate. While they will not work with US GSM carriers (AT&T and T-Mobile) anywhere else in the world should be ok. Please note though, LTE will not work outside of Verizon's reach.
I hope that helps.

Related

Verizon Droid 3 Subsidy Locked

Hi I have an opportunity of buying one of these and understand from elsewhere that: 'All Motorola phones locked to Verizon Wireless (USA) are not supported for unlocking. Do not purchase the unlock service if your DROID 3 is locked to Verzion. '
Which strongly indicates to stay away from it?
The current owner says:
I brought the unlock code but it has already been entered wrong to many times and is now subsidy locked. I have already spent nearly $600 on this phone Is there any way to unlock it?
If there is, can anyone point me to the resource url or give advice thanks vm.
Alistair.
Droid 3s can he unlocked to be used on GSM carriers outside of the US.
In the US it can only be used on CDMA.
Edit: This is the Droid X forum, you may get more answers over in the Droid 3 forum.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Q] SIM / Network Unlock for Razr M ( Use in Non-US country )

Hi,
Apologies for my ignorance ...but would like to a know something basic about Unlock feature & then also needed to ask a specific question:
Basic Doubts:
1) Developer Edition Razr M :
If I buy this Developer Edition from US , can I use only in US only (or is it specifically Verizon) or can I use it any other country as well.
(In other words is it SIM / Network blocked).
2) What is the difference between Unlocked version & rooted device.
Is it that If I unlock the phone , does it mean rooted.
In some other words the related question is --> If I buy the Razr M Dev Edition , then do I need some sort of a password to unlock it or can I use it straight away like a Retail Razr M Phone.(even without unlocking).
3) What is the difference between Razr M Retail without plan & Razr M Developer Edition.
The reason I am asking this Q is because if we go to the Motorola US site for purchasing the Razr M we have 2 options :
one Retail version & one Dev Edition version.
However if in the retail version link we further select buy we are provided with options like (i) With plan - 99 $ & (ii) Without plan - 549 $
Also alternatively if we go to the Dev Edition buying link , we have one option for 549$.
Now the question is --> Are the options of Retail version without plan - 549 $ (as mentioned in (ii) above) & the option of Dev Edition also for 549 $ . really the same .
If not what would be the difference.
Specific question:
4) If I gift this phone to another friend of mine in another country i.e not US (& which has 3G Network & not 4G LTE)
Can he use the Razr M in that other country.
Sorry for this lengthy content ..But would request if you can please guide me with these queries..
Thanks in advance for the same....
Regards,
AT
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your detailed reply...
I actually wanted the Razr M ..due to its Snapdragon S4 processor...over the Intel processor Razr i...
What I can more conclude from your reply ...which seems sense to me is that:
to buy the Razr M (without plan) or the Dev Edition at the 549$ price & gift it to my friend abroad , so that he can use it since it should have the SIM unlocked ...
Just wanted to confirm if my understanding is right for the above...would request if it is possible for you to comment on this...
(BTW his country supports the Network frequency for the phone...GSM 900/1800 )
So I guess he should have no issues in operating the phone...
Thanks again for your assistance...
Regards,
AT.
Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.
freak4dell said:
Like I said, I cannot confirm if it comes SIM unlocked out of the box or not. I believe it is, but I do not own one, and I have not tested it myself, so I cannot confirm.
In this thread, (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31879273) we found that the phone did read SIM cards from other networks. However, since the test was done using a T-Mobile US SIM card, calls couldn't be made, so we don't know for sure if it would work right away with an overseas SIM card. I hope someone that has traveled overseas with this phone will chime in, but so far, nobody has spoken up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
Thanks ..once again for the quick response...also thanks for the link ...
So I guess I shall wait for any response / comment for the overseas usage (i.e. whether the overseas SIM is unblocked from factory for the Razr M)..
But anyways thanks for all your responses...really appreciate..
Regards,
AT.
Yeah I'm using Razr M in sweden sent from USA, and it works well however when everytime i restart the phone it says " your sim card is from an unknown source" . But it works eventually. I think Rarz i is a better solution for oversea using since there can be no Boat-apps from verizon ( super stupid and worthless oversea) .. or at least those apps on razr i are more international usable..
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2
can i buy a verizon phone for 99$ and then unlock it some how???
freak4dell said:
1. I don't know if it is SIM unlocked already, or if you would need to call Verizon or Motorola. I believe it is already SIM unlocked, but like I said, I'm not sure. Verizon isn't very friendly about it, though, so if you do have to call them to get the code, they might not give it to you if you haven't been a customer for 90 days. With my Droid Pro, I just purchased the unlock code online, since I'm not a Verizon customer. The M does have GSM radios, though, so it can be used overseas, as long as it is SIM unlocked.
2. A SIM unlock means that the GSM radios in your phone are unlocked for use on any network with any SIM card. What people are usually referring to when they say they are unlocking the Dev Edition phone is a bootloader unlock. This is completely different from a SIM unlock. Unlocking the bootloader gives access to partitions on the phone that are normally restricted. This allows root access, further customization, etc. Unlocking the bootloader doesn't automatically give you root access, but it's simply a matter of flashing the proper files to get root. This is a lot easier with an unlocked bootloader, because you don't have to go hunting for exploits. However, this doesn't have anything to do with the SIM unlock, and you don't need the bootloader to be unlocked to have a SIM unlock. As for the password, see my answer to #1.
3. The difference between the retail Droid RAZR M and the Developer Edition Droid RAZR M is that the bootloader can be unlocked on the Developer Edition. You will be able to SIM unlock both of them. If you buy it for $99, you are signing a contract with Verizon. Breaking that contract costs $350, and you have to wait 1 month to break it without having to return the phone. You will basically be at the $549 price if you go that route. It's easier to just buy it for the full price without signing the contract. Aside from the ability to unlock the bootloader, the $549 retail option and the $549 Developer Edition option are the exact same (the Dev one says Developer Edition the back of the phone, too).
4. As long as it is SIM unlocked, yes, he will be able to use it (provided whatever country he is in uses the frequency bands that are supported by the phone...there are a handful of countries that use the 1700MHz frequency, which the M does not support).
To be absolutely honest, the most headache free way to get this phone to use overseas is probably to just buy the RAZR i. It's the same phone, but with an Intel processor. Also, the RAZR M will be sold in Australia in November, and that is the exact same phone as the Droid RAZR M, minus the CDMA radios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.
sunilnm09 said:
as u said the cost of the razr m is 549$ without the contract and there is certainly a large difference in 99$ and 549$.
i would like to know if i purchase a phone with contract and then since the carrier network does not work in my country, i can get a unlockmotorola websites etc. for the unlock codes???
let me know if itz actually possible this way because sparing another 40$ for the unlock codes is way better than buying a 549$ phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't need unlock codes.
But, I already explained how buying it for $99 and then breaking the contract isn't cost effective. Also, how are you going to buy a contract phone from a country you don't live in in the first place?
I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??
yy2013 said:
I have searched many of the SIM unlocking service companies offered, but they do not sell any sim unlock codes for razr m (let it be XT905, XT907 or XT902).
Can anybody help??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1984265&page=19
Hi
Thanks
Do you get 3G and 4g

Verizon Moto E LTE XT1528 Bootloader Unlock Petition

I wanted to make this petition for all the people who bought the Verizon Moto E LTE that wanted to install root, custom ROMs, and custom recoveries . I bought this device because it 1. was GSM unlocked, 2. had support from the people on XDA. I tried Motorola's bootloader unlock portal, and sadly... It didn't work. So, here I am posting a petition for something that shouldn't have happened in the first place. Everyone at XDA who dearly loves their freedom of customization in Android, please sign this petition.
Petition Link​
This petition isn't going anywhere, so I'm afraid I have to close it. Verizon and Motorola can refuse to the petition.
I will be closing this thread soon, so all Verizon Moto E users might just have to give up until jcase/sunshine team finds a way to unlock the bootloader. That means you have to pay twenty-five dollars. It's sad that Motorola and Verizon cannot unlock bootloaders. This is outrageous because we as a consumer have a right to modifying OUR devices. It doesn't belong to Verizon or Motorola because we paid upfront 40 bucks for it (at least in BestBuy). It is a prepaid device on Verizon and we should have the right to modify it. Now are you with me!?
Verizon mandates that the bootloaders be locked - the Verizon prepaid devices are subsidized and they don't want you to be able to easily modify them to use on other networks. This petition will have no effect.
Thread closed... pointless?

Moto Z Force.... GSM Unlocked?

I read the post where someone asked about an unlocked Moto Z Force, and I met with the Moto rep at Verizon today who again said that it would be a Verizon exclusive, but I think we might have something with the thought that eventually, there will be a "Force Pure" (for lack of a real term of what it would be called) being sold directly through Moto, like the 2015 Pure was. I have AT&T and want to stay with them AND get a "Force Pure" model that will allow me to easily unlock the bootloader and use one of the many root options already available. I know the regular Z model will get an unlocked version for GSM carriers in September, but Verizon can't truly hold the Force model all to themselves forever..... right?
We also have people like this claiming to sell "unlocked GSM Moto Z Force" phones on eBay, when they probably just mean carrier unlocked, which isn't nearly as hard as bootloader unlocked.
And speaking of not knowing what we're talking about when we mean "unlocked," can we all learn the difference between the developer option to allow the bootloader to be unlocked and the NEXT step required to actually unlock it? With the Moto X Pure, you must start by selecting that option, go on Moto's website, give them your phone's info, and THEN the phone can be bootloader unlocked - the Verizon locked phones will never get that unless devs find the hack around it. If you are confused on any of what I said, then learn how it's done on the Moto X Pure here, which is a whole lot longer than just flipping the switch on the developer option.... Lots of people here seem to think that's how it works, so I'm addressing it here before someone incorrectly says that it is already available - which it isn't and won't be on Verizon....
Unlocked bootloader .....never gonna happen but sim unlocked for GSM? It already has
thyrellik said:
Unlocked bootloader .....never gonna happen but sim unlocked for GSM? It already has
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read my actual question again before even bringing up SIM unlocking.... what makes you so sure that the upcoming GSM-only model sold directly by Moto won't ever be able to be bootloader unlocked? Or are you just speculating based on the current Verizon offerings?
The Verizon moto z and z force is carrier unlock, free to use on any gsm. I'm using a z force on cricket. And there is no way to unlock bootloader for these phone.
Only the moto z gsm version coming in September can have bootloader unlock.

my phone is Droid Turbo 2 xt 1585 android 6.0.1

how to root him the boot loader cannot be unlocked
badreddine noble said:
my phone is Droid Turbo 2 xt 1585 android 6.0.1
how to root him the boot loader cannot be unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are out of luck. Bootloader has to be unlocked on this Motorola phone to get permanent root. You should have gotten a Moto X Force, the Kinzie with the free bootloader unlock from Motorola. Instead you bought the crappy Verizon version with the locked down bootloader.
I assume you are not a Verizon customer and therefore do not actually need a Verizon phone?
ChazzMatt said:
You are out of luck. Bootloader has to be unlocked on this Motorola phone to get permanent root. You should have gotten a Moto X Force, the Kinzie with the free bootloader unlock from Motorola. Instead you bought the crappy Verizon version with the locked down bootloader.
I assume you are not a Verizon customer and therefore do not actually need a Verizon phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, but what if it's a Verizon phone that has been subsequently carrier unlocked? (Allowed to work with other carriers) Will the bootloader be able to be unlocked then? I wonder if anyone has tried this.
wjphillips said:
Ah, but what if it's a[b[ Verizon phone that has been subsequently carrier unlocked?[/b] (Allowed to work with other carriers) Will the bootloader be able to be unlocked then? I wonder if anyone has tried this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You question has a false premise. That Verizon phones are carrier locked...
All Verizon postpaid phones since 2012 - especially the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 and the 2014 Droid Turbo -- are already carrier unlocked. By order of the FCC, for Verizon to acquire more LTE bandwidth they had to agree to that.
No, using a Verizon phone on another carrier doesn't let you unlock the bootloader.
This year Verizon said they were going to start temporarily carrier locking their phones for 90 days, to prevent theft. But that's being appealed since it violates the 2012 FCC agreement. I haven't kept up with the outcome of this 2018 development because I'll never buy a Verizon branded phone for myself. But the DROID TURBO 2 was carrier unlocked from day 1.
ChazzMatt said:
You question has a false premise. That Verizon phones are carrier locked...
All Verizon postpaid phones since 2012 - especially the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 and the 2014 Droid Turbo -- are already carrier unlocked. By order of the FCC, for Verizon to acquire more LTE bandwidth they had to agree to that.
No, using a Verizon phone on another carrier doesn't let you unlock the bootloader.
This year Verizon said they were going to start temporarily carrier locking their phones for 90 days, to prevent theft. But that's being appealed since it violates the 2012 FCC agreement. I haven't kept up with the outcome of this 2018 development because I'll never buy a Verizon branded phone for myself. But the DROID TURBO 2 was carrier unlocked from day 1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not asking about *ALL* Verizon phones just the Droid Turbo 2. So no false premise.
I'm not your typical XDA user. However, I was under the impression that if I could carrier unlock the phone that that could allow me to also unlock the bootloader (on some phones). You are saying this is not the case with the Droid Turbo 2?
wjphillips said:
I was not asking about *ALL* Verizon phones just the Droid Turbo 2. So no false premise.
I'm not your typical XDA user. However, I was under the impression that if I could carrier unlock the phone that that could allow me to also unlock the bootloader (on some phones). You are saying this is not the case with the Droid Turbo 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not the case, ever, for Verizon Motorola phones.
The false premise was assuming Verizon postpaid phones are carrier locked. They are not, have not been for 6 years.
Verizon postpaid phones (since 2012) are already carrier unlocked.
Verizon demands the bootloader be locked down on all their phones, even Google Pixel phones. You can't unlock any Verizon bootloaders except through some exploit. For the 2014 Droid Turbo (Quark), Sunshine team found an exploit. For the 2015 Droid Turbo 2 (Kinzie) no exploit was ever found.
Sent via open market LG US998 V30/V30+

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