Database Users

Need help w/ Samsung G900V Galaxy S5 *bootloader/rooting*

I've been a HTC phone person for a while and thinking of switching to a S5 my only problem is I hear the bootloader is locked on VZW Phones?
Now see I'm buying a NEW unlocked G900V Samsung S5 off ebay and gonna trim my sim from my current phone to fit in it, but before I do this I want to unlock the bootloader and then root.
I dont have the phone yet, but its sold as brand new, and I dont have the model, cid, android version, any sort of info until I have the device in my hands.
I watched a few videos saying its easy to unlock the bootloader and root and most people are using touch philz bootloader, and I've read a lot on there saying there is not bootloader access on this device and only a safestrap recovery option
someone said to use geohots towelroot but then someone said he works for google now and its not supported anymore after june 2014 or some ****?
also I seen this video showing me a pretty quick method to unlock the bootloader/root
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKrFxuA5apg
but noticed the video and site was posted before june so Idk if that method still works or not?
any one in this thread know whats the best method to go for and what to do on what works and what I can do with this device or not?
EDIT: found this saying the bootload has been unlocked http://www.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s5-bootloader-has-been-unlocked/ but still cant find any info on how to do this been searching for 2 hours but also on 2 hours of sleep so idk any help would be obliged

You'll need to find out the CID of the device
Ask the seller to check for you.
If it starts with 11 then you cannot unlock the bootloader. If it starts with 15 then you can unlock it.

Ok I'll try and ask but how do you even find out the CID of the device in case they ask, because I am pretty tech savvy and I don't even know. Samsung phones and CID numbers are all new to me.
I think I read someone where that the CID number changes if u use root on a post somewhere am I wrong ?
anyways if its not a 15 the phones pretty much worthless?

Bump: I asked the sellers to look for me and they always tell me they can not download any apps to the phone...Where do we find this in the settings without downloading anything how can I tell if it's a genuine Samsung chip quickly and easy or not

AFAIK I think the only way is to use an app like EMMC Brickbug or to pull it via adb. There isn't a way to tell otherwise.

quick general flashing question? no zte zmax pro z981 forum?

Sorry i couldnt find a section for my device and i believe the bootloader question kind of depends on the phone.
Last i checked the phone was to new for root support or roms. Just dont have time to investigate every thread i find.
I think all i need to know is if the bootloader is unlockable and if the phone is cloneable . I have a zmaxpro with a broken screen but functions fine. And another matching one that looks new but is frp locked(google activation reset shiz). My plan was just to swap the guts and be done, but my android experience and love for this website makes me think i can just flash partitions from the broken one to the locked one overwriting the frp bs.
Any advice or link in the right direction helps. Thanks for reading

cwtechshiz said:
Sorry i couldnt find a section for my device and i believe the bootloader question kind of depends on the phone.
Last i checked the phone was to new for root support or roms. Just dont have time to investigate every thread i find.
I think all i need to know is if the bootloader is unlockable and if the phone is cloneable . I have a zmaxpro with a broken screen but functions fine. And another matching one that looks new but is frp locked(google activation reset shiz). My plan was just to swap the guts and be done, but my android experience and love for this website makes me think i can just flash partitions from the broken one to the locked one overwriting the frp bs.
Any advice or link in the right direction helps. Thanks for reading
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FRP unlock it it's simple.

[Q] Root AT&T’s S5 Active SM-G870A for use in Germany?!

Hi there,
I would love to buy a S5 Active in the U.S. an use it in Germany. Since it is looked to AT&T which we don't have in Germany, I want to root it.
For the past 2 days I did some research in this forum. It turned out that it's more complicated than I thought.
My English is not that good, so before I actually buy a phone I want to make sure that I understood everything... more or less.
So, if I get my hands on a phone with 4.4. or 5.0 on it, there is no problem to root it because there is no blocked bootloader, right?
I don't know though which ROM I should use in that case? Which one runs best on the S5 Active?
If the phone is running on 5.1. there is the problem with the locked bootloader, right? In that case I use this guide?
If I get a phone that is running on 6.0 or 6.1 I need to downgrade to 5.0 or 5.1 using this guide and the just do one of the two steps above accordingly?
Does that mean it doesn't matter if the phone I buy runs on 4.4, 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, or 6.1? Can I root in anyway?
Thanks heaps for your help!
Cheers Sam

you dont need to root it for international use. If its not bound to a contract with at&t anymore, then youd just need to contact at&t to have them unlock it for international use. if youre worried about the cost to call at&t, just get the textnow app, get a usa phone number and call them via the app over wifi for absolutely no cost. or, if your worried about your english being a barrier, go to idoneapps.com and they can unlock it for you for $35. I unlocked 2 G900P (sprint S5) with them.

Hi, thanks for the quick reply.
Well, I also though about just getting a unlocked one or to unlock a locked one. BUT then I have all those atnt Apps that I can't uninstall.
So I figured, the only way to get rid of them is to root the device right?
Cheers, Sam

unclesamile said:
Hi, thanks for the quick reply.
Well, I also though about just getting a unlocked one or to unlock a locked one. BUT then I have all those atnt Apps that I can't uninstall.
So I figured, the only way to get rid of them is to root the device right?
Cheers, Sam
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
youre correct, those specific apps do require root to remove. Then youd want something like Titanium backup to get that job done

I havent found anything so far that will show me how to root a G870A ACTIVE on 5.0 (OF3) all these links go to methods that show how to do it on a G900 (non active) if anyone can point me in a direction that would work i would much appreciate it.

electric101 said:
I havent found anything so far that will show me how to root a G870A ACTIVE on 5.0 (OF3) all these links go to methods that show how to do it on a G900 (non active) if anyone can point me in a direction that would work i would much appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the bootloader is still locked on that device. Not getting much love from devs either. Not sure there is a solution for this, sorry good sir

Well I received the SM-G780A today. It is not locked to AT&T anymore so I can actually use it without rooting it.
However the preloaded apps are just a pain. So I am thinking about rooting it anyway.
The Android Version is 5.0 and the Kernel Version 3.4.0-4443965. Do I understood it right that the bootloader is not locked in Androit 5.0 yet?
What's the best way to root it and is there any chance to get a rooted Android 6 running on it?
Cheers Sam

Convert Unlocked HTC 10 Verizon, to HTC Nougat Official ?

Hello everyone i need a helping hand i'm totally lost with my new HTC 10, after drowning in coffee my former Oneplus3.
Has anyone successfully, converted an Unlocked HTC 10 Verizon, to HTC 10 Nougat Official? Thanks in advance.

arioro said:
Hello everyone i need a helping hand i'm totally lost with my new HTC 10, after drowning in coffee my former Oneplus3.
Has anyone successfully, converted an Unlocked HTC 10 Verizon, to HTC 10 Nougat Official? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what you're looking to do exactly based on your post.
The only way to "convert" your 10 software is to have s-off first. After that, you can convert a Verizon HTC 10 variant to the Unlocked variant, and vice versa.

Tarima said:
I'm not sure what you're looking to do exactly based on your post.
The only way to "convert" your 10 software is to have s-off first. After that, you can convert a Verizon HTC 10 variant to the Unlocked variant, and vice versa.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
********************
Hi Tarima, Good day thank you for the replay, what i want to do is to erase the Verizon Firmware and Replace with the HTC Original with Nougat 7, One thing that is uncertain,, is that i have read many comments from users trying to do the same thing, but no one has post that he actually was able to do it, even with the S-off first, it would be great to know i'm going to do the Firmware exchange at lest with some certenty, Thank you

arioro said:
********************
Hi Tarima, Good day thank you for the replay, what i want to do is to erase the Verizon Firmware and Replace with the HTC Original with Nougat 7, One thing that is uncertain,, is that i have read many comments from users trying to do the same thing, but no one has post that he actually was able to do it, even with the S-off first, it would be great to know i'm going to do the Firmware exchange at lest with some certenty, Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so when you say firmware, I'm assuming you mean the full phone software.
I have converted my phone from Verizon to Unlocked.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-10/how-to/convert-htc-10-verizon-to-unlock-t3519776
You need s-off first. Steps 10 and beyond are needed if you want to use the phone on verizon.
Also, if you you're currently on Oreo, you'll need an additional step after installing Nougat to get the radio working.

Tarima said:
OK, so when you say firmware, I'm assuming you mean the full phone software.
I have converted my phone from Verizon to Unlocked.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-10/how-to/convert-htc-10-verizon-to-unlock-t3519776
You need s-off first. Steps 10 and beyond are needed if you want to use the phone on verizon.
Also, if you you're currently on Oreo, you'll need an additional step after installing Nougat to get the radio working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
********************************************
1.-I'm very glad you were able to convert your phone to unlocked, i was thinking it was not possible
my HTC 10 has Nougat but i purchsase just 10 days a Go, in Amazon
2.- i receive my HTC with Nougat and i keep that version, never upgrade to Oreo, (Thankfuly)
3.-never plan to use on Verizon again
4.- Yes sorry by Firmware i meant the ROM
5.- i have try already to use S-off but the Phone did Not Unlock the Root, so i desist to avoid brick the phone.
Is any safer way to procede ? Thanks

arioro said:
********************************************
1.-I'm very glad you were able to convert your phone to unlocked, i was thinking it was not possible
my HTC 10 has Nougat but i purchsase just 10 days a Go, in Amazon
2.- i receive my HTC with Nougat and i keep that version, never upgrade to Oreo, (Thankfuly)
3.-never plan to use on Verizon again
4.- Yes sorry by Firmware i meant the ROM
5.- i have try already to use S-off but the Phone did Not Unlock the Root, so i desist to avoid brick the phone.
Is any safer way to procede ? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're on nougat, the only way to S-off your device is to mail it in to the Sunshine team. They're pretty trustworthy, in case you do decide to go down that route. It'll cost you 25$ plus shipping

Tarima said:
If you're on nougat, the only way to S-off your device is to mail it in to the Sunshine team. They're pretty trustworthy, in case you do decide to go down that route. It'll cost you 25$ plus shipping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Tarima, i will try that path, best regards

S8 Snapdrangon bootloader Q's

hi so i have a few things id like to talk about. i was wondering why it is not possible to port aosp roms to s8 snapdragon? givin its the same android version. also when i was messing around when rooting my s8 i saw that the software i had installed in the steps i went into settings and saw that i could enable oem unlock it worked and whenever i go back to that software its still enabled however i could not use any fastboot commands still. also i flashed twrp (not safe strap already have that) and now my base recovery does not show up....

kadenball said:
hi so i have a few things id like to talk about. i was wondering why it is not possible to port aosp roms to s8 snapdragon? givin its the same android version. also when i was messing around when rooting my s8 i saw that the software i had installed in the steps i went into settings and saw that i could enable oem unlock it worked and whenever i go back to that software its still enabled however i could not use any fastboot commands still. also i flashed twrp (not safe strap already have that) and now my base recovery does not show up....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aosp roms requires a custom kernel to work, this requires:
1, unlocked bootloader(not possible on the snapdragon variant)
2, a custom recovery (not possible due to locked bootloader)
Just using the oem unlock option does not unlock the bootloader, more steps are required for most phones in order to unlock the bootloader, if it was that easy it would have been exploited by now, most of the guides on the snapdragon version mention that the bootloader is not unlockable.
You more than likely will need to restore the recovery through odin or something,

sofir786 said:
Aosp roms requires a custom kernel to work, this requires:
1, unlocked bootloader(not possible on the snapdragon variant)
2, a custom recovery (not possible due to locked bootloader)
Just using the oem unlock option does not unlock the bootloader, more steps are required for most phones in order to unlock the bootloader, if it was that easy it would have been exploited by now, most of the guides on the snapdragon version mention that the bootloader is not unlockable.
You more than likely will need to restore the recovery through odin or something,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ya I fixed it! And ya I understand there are additional steps to doing this that's why I mentioned fastboot. If you could guide me in a direction to potentially learn more about the kernals and how they work or what I would need to be good at to exploit download mode or knox whatever is required to potentially exploit the bootloader I would not give up on it im fine with wasting my time. I had recently talked to Sam help chat and they told me someone could unlock the bootloader for me (a phone company near me) I talked to a guy over the phone that said it could be possible bc they have the Samsung tools to do so but he told me to call the next day because the other tech knew more then him, so I called the next day and he said they could do it but they would get in trouble for doing so. My plan is to go in when the guy that doesn't know much is working ? and get him to unlock it. Hopefully then I could upload the software here and free the snapdragon slaves!!! If your interested in the conversations I had with Samsung and this other company I could upload the screen shots thank you for your reply!

kadenball said:
Thanks ya I fixed it! And ya I understand there are additional steps to doing this that's why I mentioned fastboot. If you could guide me in a direction to potentially learn more about the kernals and how they work or what I would need to be good at to exploit download mode or knox whatever is required to potentially exploit the bootloader I would not give up on it im fine with wasting my time. I had recently talked to Sam help chat and they told me someone could unlock the bootloader for me (a phone company near me) I talked to a guy over the phone that said it could be possible bc they have the Samsung tools to do so but he told me to call the next day because the other tech knew more then him, so I called the next day and he said they could do it but they would get in trouble for doing so. My plan is to go in when the guy that doesn't know much is working ? and get him to unlock it. Hopefully then I could upload the software here and free the snapdragon slaves!!! If your interested in the conversations I had with Samsung and this other company I could upload the screen shots thank you for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never dabbled in making kernels or anything so I'm pretty useless with that. The phone has been out for over 3 years now and as of yet there is no software method to unlock the bootloader, android devs would have figured that one out by now if it was possible, if it is possible then maybe there some extra hardware thats required to unlock the bootloader, I honestly don't know enough, I'm experienced enough to know to do certain things but I don't know the ins and out of how bootloader are coded, how the instructions are carried out. But it would defo be interesting to see if they do this for you.

sofir786 said:
I've never dabbled in making kernels or anything so I'm pretty useless with that. The phone has been out for over 3 years now and as of yet there is no software method to unlock the bootloader, android devs would have figured that one out by now if it was possible, if it is possible then maybe there some extra hardware thats required to unlock the bootloader, I honestly don't know enough, I'm experienced enough to know to do certain things but I don't know the ins and out of how bootloader are coded, how the instructions are carried out. But it would defo be interesting to see if they do this for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya thanks man when I talked to the inexperienced tech guy he said I could come in and we could try but I didn't want to drive there and waste my time ? but the experienced dude said I could probably find another repair place that would do it (figured it's another one of their shops he was hinting at as there are a few around me) so I will attempt to do this and hopefully some how it works and I can upload the software here not sure if flashing it would unlock anyone elses bootloaders as I expect it to be some sort of key like the HTC phones used to require and is unique to each device. When I got that oem to appear I was trying anything and everything in adb and fastboot as I suspected if we could glitch the phone in fastboot mode we could unlock it lol at least that's what I hoped for, tried upload mode kernal panic the 3 different download modes and tried to replace the Samsung download mode driver and flash the fastboot Android driver on top of it but my lack of knowledge on these things hindered me from making any progress but I believe there's a exploit in this root software that was copyed from the s9 and simply devs don't want to waste there time because they believe it is impossible. I've seen much hard thing accomplished in this dev sight hopefully the right person can figure it out and Is motivated by this post or point me in the right direction ? thanks if you read all this if I get it unlocked you will def see another post lengthy post ?