Database Users

Galaxy S 5 Active, which build no can I buy to root and upgrade the easiest?

This is really confusing. Most of the threads are written such that 'how to root while updating to OF2/OF3'...it doesn't tell me which versions allow rooting in the first place? Any help. Coming from the GS3

As far as I know, the S5 Active is only available as an AT&T phone, which means it will have a locked bootloader and any somewhat newer firmwares will be unrootable. Pre-lollipop builds (Anything below OF2) are rootable but still have a locked bootloader.
Just a word from the wise, don't get an S5 Active, and DEFINITELY don't get an AT&T phone. a GS5 (regular) with a thin case (Spigen slim armor or neo-hybrid/ otterbox commuter) will be WAY more durable anyway, plus it's still waterproof/dustproof.
Get yourself a G900T (T-Mobile variant), or a G900AZ (Cricket wireless variant --Cricket is a subsidiary of at&t--), or even a G900F. Those all have unlocked bootloaders and will allow you to root, install custom recovery, custom roms, whatever you want forever. I personally have a G900T using it on AT&T with no issues, as the G900T supports all the same frequencies (and an extra one!) as the G900A (AT&T model). The G900F doesn't support every single band AT&T uses, so I would pick one of the other two if you want 100% compatibility.
MAKE SURE if you buy a G900T or G900AZ that it is UNLOCKED or you won't be able to use it. And after you get it, you'll have to call AT&T support and give them the new phone's IMEI number in order for LTE to work.
Hope what I said makes sense..
FYI The best place to buy a phone is always (XDA's own..) Swappa!
https://swappa.com/

Sean89us said:
As far as I know, the S5 Active is only available as an AT&T phone, which means it will have a locked bootloader and any somewhat newer firmwares will be unrootable. Pre-lollipop builds (Anything below OF2) are rootable but still have a locked bootloader.
Just a word from the wise, don't get an S5 Active, and DEFINITELY don't get an AT&T phone. a GS5 (regular) with a thin case (Spigen slim armor or neo-hybrid/ otterbox commuter) will be WAY more durable anyway, plus it's still waterproof/dustproof.
Get yourself a G900T (T-Mobile variant), or a G900AZ (Cricket wireless variant --Cricket is a subsidiary of at&t--), or even a G900F. Those all have unlocked bootloaders and will allow you to root, install custom recovery, custom roms, whatever you want forever. I personally have a G900T using it on AT&T with no issues, as the G900T supports all the same frequencies (and an extra one!) as the G900A (AT&T model). The G900F doesn't support every single band AT&T uses, so I would pick one of the other two if you want 100% compatibility.
MAKE SURE if you buy a G900T or G900AZ that it is UNLOCKED or you won't be able to use it. And after you get it, you'll have to call AT&T support and give them the new phone's IMEI number in order for LTE to work.
Hope what I said makes sense..
I habve an at&t variant OC5 phone available on Swappa should I get that or not, because I can't find a rooting guide for OC5
Or are you saying buy unlocked so you can use it on AT&T?
Problem is I can't find the SM-G900AZ anywhere used....might just go with the Zenfone 2 . DISSAPOINTING SAMSUNG and ATT I loved the GS3 and was looking forwar to the GS5
Which frequencies does the T mobile version NOT share?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

zetsui said:
I habve an at&t variant OC5 phone available on Swappa should I get that or not, because I can't find a rooting guide for OC5
Or are you saying buy unlocked so you can use it on AT&T?
Problem is I can't find the SM-G900AZ anywhere used....might just go with the Zenfone 2 . DISSAPOINTING SAMSUNG and ATT I loved the GS3 and was looking forwar to the GS5
Which frequencies does the T mobile version NOT share?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile version shares all the same frequencies plus includes an additional frequency which AT&T does not use, so therefore the T-Mobile (G900T) retains 100% compatibility with AT&T. Yes, if you want to use a G900T on any carrier besides T-Mobile it will have to be unlocked. Luckily it's not hard to find an unlocked G900T.
Let me make this clear: If it's AT&T and it's a Samsung phone and it's on lollipop, don't expect to be able to root it. Go with a T-Mobile or factory unlocked phone.

[Q] Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 OK2 locked bootloader options?

The S4 is still a decent phone in 2016 with it's amoled display, pretty good battery life, and decent performance. But it's a shame that AT&T/Samsung offer nothing for unlocking the bootloader. The last time that I searched, the only option for an SGH-I337 OK2 build was to install Safestrap and a Touchwiz rom. Has anything changed? I tend to use apps from FDroid, and I would really like to run a debloated rom such as Cyanogenmod on this thing (no Samsung/Touchwiz, AT&T, Google). What are the best options today?

fitzly said:
The S4 is still a decent phone in 2016 with it's amoled display, pretty good battery life, and decent performance. But it's a shame that AT&T/Samsung offer nothing for unlocking the bootloader. The last time that I searched, the only option for an SGH-I337 OK2 build was to install Safestrap and a Touchwiz rom. Has anything changed? I tend to use apps from FDroid, and I would really like to run a debloated rom such as Cyanogenmod on this thing (no Samsung/Touchwiz, AT&T, Google). What are the best options today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None so far for the locked bootloader, unless you have 2013 bootloader like ADB, MDL.
AT&T intentionally lock the bootloader as such they will not offer any tools or ways to unlock the bootloader. Not just S4 all the AT&T phones has locked bootloader.
With the locked bootloader your option to flash custom rom is via either safestrap ro flashfire.
Regardless of what custom rom you use, you have to flash the AT&T kernel in the end, in order your phone to work.
There might be some AOSP roms flashable with safestrap in Android development section.

sway8966 said:
None so far for the locked bootloader, unless you have 2013 bootloader like ADB, MDL.
AT&T intentionally lock the bootloader as such they will not offer any tools or ways to unlock the bootloader. Not just S4 all the AT&T phones has locked bootloader.
With the locked bootloader your option to flash custom rom is via either safestrap ro flashfire.
Regardless of what custom rom you use, you have to flash the AT&T kernel in the end, in order your phone to work.
There might be some AOSP roms flashable with safestrap in Android development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like it is time to either abandon ship on AT&T, Samsung, or both.
Any recommendations on carriers and devices in the U.S.?
I really like Samsung's amoled displays, and 5.5" is getting too big for portability / everyday use. My HTC One LCD display gives me eyestrain after much use. And it seems to be a problem finding a ~5" amoled device that is both AT&T compatible and allows for unlocking the bootloader.
Ideally, I would like a device that has ~5" amoled display, sd slot, good battery life, removable battery, and can run custom roms on a carrier who doesn't try to be a dictator on what I can run on my own devices.

fitzly said:
It sounds like it is time to either abandon ship on AT&T, Samsung, or both.
Any recommendations on carriers and devices in the U.S.?
I really like Samsung's amoled displays, and 5.5" is getting too big for portability / everyday use. My HTC One LCD display gives me eyestrain after much use. And it seems to be a problem finding a ~5" amoled device that is both AT&T compatible and allows for unlocking the bootloader.
Ideally, I would like a device that has ~5" amoled display, sd slot, good battery life, removable battery, and can run custom roms on a carrier who doesn't try to be a dictator on what I can run on my own devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think all the samsung phones made for america has locked bootloader. You can check on this forum for which phone can be rooted and which are not.
The other way around should be using the international phones. However, on AT&T network, only the phone make for AT&T can get the LTE signal. I tried with the Asus Zenfone 2. The only way I can get LTE signal in Asus Zenfone 2 is on T-mobile network.
I like the idea of removable battery but in order to make the phone thinner, they all have to go with the I-phone route, non-removable battery.

sway8966 said:
None so far for the locked bootloader, unless you have 2013 bootloader like ADB, MDL.
AT&T intentionally lock the bootloader as such they will not offer any tools or ways to unlock the bootloader. Not just S4 all the AT&T phones has locked bootloader.
With the locked bootloader your option to flash custom rom is via either safestrap ro flashfire.
Regardless of what custom rom you use, you have to flash the AT&T kernel in the end, in order your phone to work.
There might be some AOSP roms flashable with safestrap in Android development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a new Android AOSP 7.0 Nougat ROM for Galaxy S4 AT&T, but I don't think I would be able to install it because my bootloader is UCUGOK2?
Link: http://www.cyanogenmods.org/forums/topic/update-galaxy-s4-att-nougat-7-0-aosp-rom/

cookiecorn said:
There is a new Android AOSP 7.0 Nougat ROM for Galaxy S4 AT&T, but I don't think I would be able to install it because my bootloader is UCUGOK2?
Link: http://www.cyanogenmods.org/forums/topic/update-galaxy-s4-att-nougat-7-0-aosp-rom/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they clearly stated that your bootloader has to be exploitable (MDB/MDL). If not that bootloader you can not install custom recovery. Those rom need custom recovery to install on the phone.

sway8966 said:
Yes they clearly stated that your bootloader has to be exploitable (MDB/MDL). If not that bootloader you can not install custom recovery. Those rom need custom recovery to install on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Sway.
Is it possible to unlock bootloader UCUGOK2 and change it to UCUAMDB or UCUAMDL?
If so, do you have a link guide?
Thanks again.

There is no way to flash an unlocked bootloader over a locked bootloader or to unlock a locked bootloader at this time.

cookiecorn said:
Thanks Sway.
Is it possible to unlock bootloader UCUGOK2 and change it to UCUAMDB or UCUAMDL?
If so, do you have a link guide?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the ATT-S4 , the answer is no. There is a JTAG service to unbrick the bricked bootloader but there is no posting saying that re-write the bootloader to MDB/MDL.
So far, only the verizon S4 has a way to unlock the bootloader.

fitzly said:
The S4 is still a decent phone in 2016 with it's amoled display, pretty good battery life, and decent performance. But it's a shame that AT&T/Samsung offer nothing for unlocking the bootloader. The last time that I searched, the only option for an SGH-I337 OK2 build was to install Safestrap and a Touchwiz rom. Has anything changed? I tend to use apps from FDroid, and I would really like to run a debloated rom such as Cyanogenmod on this thing (no Samsung/Touchwiz, AT&T, Google). What are the best options today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not possible to run anything other than tw. There are great tw Roms that are debloated making them very light and fast especially when paired up with a custom kernel and the correct settings. Just a got an old s4 from a friend and I decided to revive it from its misery. Now it's snappy and decent battery life.

sway8966 said:
I think all the samsung phones made for america has locked bootloader. You can check on this forum for which phone can be rooted and which are not.
The other way around should be using the international phones. However, on AT&T network, only the phone make for AT&T can get the LTE signal. I tried with the Asus Zenfone 2. The only way I can get LTE signal in Asus Zenfone 2 is on T-mobile network.
I like the idea of removable battery but in order to make the phone thinner, they all have to go with the I-phone route, non-removable battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not all Samsung phones have locked bootloaders in the U.S. Just Verizon and AT&T, unless t-mobile and sprint jumped on the locked bootloader band wagon.

how do you verify if the BL is Locked? Because I managed to root and change modem to mdb and rom to mk2 from much higher version, sim unlocked my att i337, so i just want to check before I load a new rooted rom, from safstrap

Boot into download and confirm that the model # is sgh-i337. Do you see anything about Knox?
You could also boot into the ROM, install the Samsung Info App, and look at the bootloader version.

audit13 said:
Boot into download and confirm that the model # is sgh-i337. Do you see anything about Knox?
You could also boot into the ROM, install the Samsung Info App, and look at the bootloader version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same unfortunate boat as OP. I downgraded from 5.0.1 / OK2 to 4.4.2 / NB1 and rooted in hopes of installing custom ROMs but now I run into what looks like locked bootloader. When in download mode my details are:
KNOX KERNEL LOCK: 0x0
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x1
what can i get out of this info?

The bootloader is definitely locked and cannot be onlocked. You can use safestrap to flash custom ROMs that are based off a stock TW ROM. You can also root the phone and debloat.

I was really salty about the bootloader being locked when I upgraded from my S3 which I had CM13 rom. Last few months I've been using Thor rom, absolutely solid and I got the Grace UX look on it. I'd recommend it or Lollirom.

ChewyFurrr said:
I'm in the same unfortunate boat as OP. I downgraded from 5.0.1 / OK2 to 4.4.2 / NB1 and rooted in hopes of installing custom ROMs but now I run into what looks like locked bootloader. When in download mode my details are:
KNOX KERNEL LOCK: 0x0
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x1
what can i get out of this info?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this other thread can point you in the right direction. I tried the Xposed framework portion however, but that part wouldn't work with my AT&T Galaxy S4.
Thread: [GUIDE] AT&T Samsung Galaxy S4 SGH-I337 Lollipop 5.0.1 OK2 Root Xposed Etc.
Keeping my eyes open for other options. Good luck.:good:

Here's the round up as far as AT&T Samsung flagship locked bootloader phones go:
Galaxy S - factory unlocked bootloader
Galaxy S2 - factory unlocked bootloader
Galaxy S3 - factory unlocked bootloader
Galaxy S4 - factory locked bootloader - exploit bypass (loki doki) available if on MDB or MDL firmware.
Galaxy S5 - factory locked bootloader
Galaxy S6 and variants (S6 edge) - factory locked bootloader
Galaxy S7, S7+, and S7 edge - factory locked bootloader
Galaxy S8 and S8+ - factory locked bootloader
The only AT&T phones I know of that can be unlocked bootloader wise are HTC devices as HTC offers a developer program which will unlock it for you. I am not sure about LG, Google, or Motorola devices branded by AT&T.

Which LG V20 models have an unlocked boot loader and/or support root?

I currently have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 phone.
I rooted the phone after I got it but a few months ago I had to unroot the photo so I could send it in to Samsung to fix a problem with the screen and while Samsung did fix the screen problem under warranty, they also installed the latest software update which looks down the boot loader and makes rooting very hard (The VZ S5 forum had a way to root the newer software but only if a certain part of the hardware was a certain chipset and mine phone didn't have that).
So now, I'm looking for a new phone that has a microSD Card and the ability to be rooted.
The IR function of the Galaxy S5 would neat too but I don't have to have it.
From what I've read it appears the LG V20 would fit the bill in regards to the microSD Card and an IR Blaster but from looking online and this forum, I can't seem to find out which models of the LG V20 have an unlocked boot loader and/or can be rooted.
Does anyone know which models have an unlock boot loader and/or can be rooted?
Also, they need to be models that are compatible with Verizon as they as the cell service company I use.

as far as i know, only the T-mobile variant and the international variant have unlockable bootloaders. the verizon variant is locked down , i assume some folks are looking for an exploit, but as of now its still a no-go. i have no idea if/when it might happen, but i wouldnt bank on it being soonish.

Hi,
can anyone provide an updated list of V20 variants with unlockable bootloaders and root?
I ask because I really like the phone, but I rely on having Titanium Backup Root to backup and restore my data and settings.
I also want to be sure that whatever I buy can have a life beyond LG's support for running custom ROMs.

speculatrix said:
Hi,
can anyone provide an updated list of V20 variants with unlockable bootloaders and root?
I ask because I really like the phone, but I rely on having Titanium Backup Root to backup and restore my data and settings.
I also want to be sure that whatever I buy can have a life beyond LG's support for running custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here it the information for verizon , Sprint and more about how to unlock boootloader and root as well
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/ls997vs995h910-dirtysanta-bootloader-t3519410

Gabe2014 said:
Here it the information for verizon , Sprint and more about jow to unlock boootloader and root as well
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/ls997vs995h910-dirtysanta-bootloader-t3519410
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks very much.

speculatrix said:
thanks very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go here for tmobile and international https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-recowvery-unlock-v20-root-shell-t3490594

All things root and Bootloader?

Hi Friends,
Hope you're all having a great new year. So last time I was lurking the S7E forums, we had a leaked Engineering Bootloader that was used to acquire root on all US Snapdragon models, albeit, with a lot performance issues and etc.
I came here to glance as well as all other variant forums for the SD model and now we have Root for every model, with even ROMs being baked like the Echo ROM for Verizon, Sprint, AT&T models, usually the toughest to achieve these things on. I'm trying to read through the forums, but I fear I'm missing the details, that will help me pull the trigger for getting the device or not.
Can one of you very experienced, knowledgeable, and kind members educate me on the latest?
1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
Much appreciate your responses, any and all of them in advance! Thanks!

1. No public unlocked Bootloader on any US variant. Flashfire works but no custom recovery
2. Right now with eng Kernel and custom(ish) roms like Echo don't trip Knox since it is still the U firmware of the s7
3. You can root and jump to roms like echo or other stockish roms and return to normal and return to store but no unlocked bootloader
4. Far as I know Xposed works on most if not all (I have mine on and Att variant running Echo) It is installed/Flashed via Flashfire and is a custom version.
Since we still need the leaked Eng Kernel we still have massive performance and battery lose. There are guides to alleviate these issues but its still not as good as stock. Even roms like echo require it for root. So remember that before you jump in

1. Do we have unlocked Bootloader and Root for all US carrier S7Es? How is it done? I use people using Flashfire. So no TWRP?
There is no bootloader unlock for the US carrier variants of the device as of yet, senior forums members are guessing there probably won't be, either. What is being done successfully is rooting via an engineering kernel. Visit the carrier-specific sub-forum for your S7E model to ensure you're using the appropriate method and files when flashing. Flashfire is being used after the fact, for things like xposed. There is no custom recovery option for any of the US models that I'm aware of.​2. Does this process still trip Knox and render Samsung Pay to never be used again on the device?
None of the outlined processes will trip Knox, as they don't modify or replace the bootloader. Samsung Pay should still work fine when rooted, as far as I've read.​3. If I bought the Verizon variant, for example, can I root, unlock Bootloader, and etc, and then return to stock, to return to the store in case I don't like the phone?
The Verizon variant has some of the better documentation and support for root, but AT&T and T-Mo carrier models can also be rooted. I'm currently running the firmware for the T-Mo variant on my AT&T model and loving it. I'm not rooted, as the engineering kernel is absolute crap in terms of performance/battery life balance, but it is a fluid stock experience w/out bloatware.​4. Xposed Framework working for all models?
As far as I know, yes.​

SM-G975U (T-Mobile Galaxy S10+) Rooting, etc

It's been so long since I last rooted my phones, maybe 6 or 7 years now... I don't even know where to start. Is TWRP still the go-to method for rooting these Android devices?
I couldn't find anything specifically for the T-Mobile variants, dunno if that's been done yet.
Thanks,
Nick

Your bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. No root or TWRP available.

StoneyJSG said:
Your bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. No root or TWRP available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

No problem!

Is this device always going to have a locked bootloader? Flashing an unlocked firmware wouldn't change anything? Im new to samsung and have been out of the rom game a long time.

PunkUnity said:
Is this device always going to have a locked bootloader? Flashing an unlocked firmware wouldn't change anything? Im new to samsung and have been out of the rom game a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These devices will always be locked down. The last U.S. Samsung phone to get root was the S9, the S10 line are locked up tight. Flashing unlocked firmware just makes your phone carrier free so you can use it with any carrier, it doesn't unlock the bootloader.

What phones are best for modding these days then? Just came from a Pixel 4 XL and it had a locked bootloader plus tons of hardware issues that ended in me getting this phone

I would say a One Plus phone is probably the most versatile as far as modding goes these days. You could also get an exynos S10 variant which can be rooted and custom recovery installed.