Unlocking Bootloader and Warranty Return - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Just out of interest, has anyone unlocked their bootloader and then successfully had their device repaired under warranty?

Read this forum. It appears that people have better luck with a warranty repair instead of exchanging the device when the bootloader is unlocked.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=681723

I'm waiting to see how this works out for me. I sent my bootloader-unlocked Nexus in because I had dust under the screen. Also... I'm kinda sick of the unlocked padlock appearing on the screen every time I turn my phone on. I hope they relock it as I can root it without unlocking it anyway now. I'll let you guys know how it works out for me.

I opted for the swap when my Nexus One was acting up and my bootloader was unlocked and everything. After they received my old unit, I checked the status site and it shows: "Service is complete. Please visit HTC Customer Survey if you would like to take a quick survey regarding your experience contacting HTC.". They also took the hold off my credit card as well so I think everything is all good!

I sent mine in for repair with an unlocked bootloader and no problems.

Just got mine back today with an unlocked bootloader that was rooted and running a custom recovery with FRF93. No charge whatsoever! An HTC rep told me that they run the phone through a software test that is supposed to determine whether you unlocking/rooting the phone caused the issue. If they deem that you weren't at fault EVEN IF you did unlock/root then they repair the phone free of charge. Otherwise you're at fault and they will charge you.

rickytenzer said:
Just got mine back today with an unlocked bootloader that was rooted and running a custom recovery with FRF93. No charge whatsoever! An HTC rep told me that they run the phone through a software test that is supposed to determine whether you unlocking/rooting the phone caused the issue. If they deem that you weren't at fault EVEN IF you did unlock/root then they repair the phone free of charge. Otherwise you're at fault and they will charge you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Ricky was your bootloader still unlocked when you got your phone back?

Nope. Came back locked.

Just got my Nexus One back from HTC. It was bootloader unlocked, but I had installed ERD79 and had everything in the condition in which I originally received it. It came back with a locked bootloader and ERE27 (The 1st official OTA update.) I have now rooted it without unlocking the bootloader and am running CM6 RC1.

Would there be anyway to replace it, then get a fresh and new device?

whats getting me is the fact you guys are missing something here.. you have unlocked the bootloader and get it back locked! so either they jus switch the mobo on the n1 and flashed the original first release rom( seems to be the simple and most likely option)
OR there is an actual way to relock the bootloader that has not been found, to think if there is the way to do this, this will actually save lots of ppl that did software damage and still want to get warranty with you getting charged or getting denied!

ilostchild said:
whats getting me is the fact you guys are missing something here.. you have unlocked the bootloader and get it back locked! so either they jus switch the mobo on the n1 and flashed the original first release rom( seems to be the simple and most likely option)
OR there is an actual way to relock the bootloader that has not been found, to think if there is the way to do this, this will actually save lots of ppl that did software damage and still want to get warranty with you getting charged or getting denied!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking the 2nd one.

Related

What is the Nexus One Warranty worth?

I am an Android Developer, but so far I've avoided rooting my phone or trying custom kernels, but lately I get the feeling I could learn so much more by really getting behind the curtain so to speak. I keep reading that if you root the phone you may void your warranty and no longer get over the air updates.
I'm on AT&T an paid full price for my Nexus One. I also got the phone engraved so I'm wondering what value if any the warranty actually has. Is it worth mucking around with custom kernels on the Nexus one, or should I get a cheaper dev phone like the G1 ?
Looking forward to hearing advice from other developers and what you've learned versus the risks involved.
Oh, Do you still get OTA updates as well?
I'm interested in hearing from people who decided the warranty was or was not work the risk. Looks pretty easy from what I can see.
Thanks all.
Just root it without unlocking the bootloader and you're good to go
J.L.C. said:
Just root it without unlocking the bootloader and you're good to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^this
root is fun and even better you can keep your warranty
Does using the technique of not unlocking the bootloader also mean you can run custom ROMs and/or recoveries? Or just gain root access to the stock ROM?
flybyme said:
^this
root is fun and even better you can keep your warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You CAN root your Nexus One without losing your warrenty.
I had my bootloader Unlocked, then i got a issue with mounting SD cards.
I sent the phone to HTC Repair center and just got it back today with the issues gone and Bootloader locked
Unlocking your Nexus One bootloader does void your warrenty with HTC, but if you experience hardware issues, they dont care if you unlocked your bootloader !!
By unlocking your Bootloader you can put whatever ROM on your phone you like, doesn't have to be stock
About the OTA's.
Yes you will get them if you run Stock ROM's.
You will not be able to install them however since you are not using a stock recovery image.
Wow, didn't know they didn't care about unlocked bootloader as long as your problem is in hardware. My GPS doesn't work at all and I'd like to send in my phone for repairs but the bootloader is unlocked.How long did it take for you to get your phone back?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
WebghostDK said:
You CAN root your Nexus One without losing your warrenty.
I had my bootloader Unlocked, then i got a issue with mounting SD cards.
I sent the phone to HTC Repair center and just got it back today with the issues gone and Bootloader locked
Unlocking your Nexus One bootloader does void your warrenty with HTC, but if you experience hardware issues, they dont care if you unlocked your bootloader !!
By unlocking your Bootloader you can put whatever ROM on your phone you like, doesn't have to be stock
About the OTA's.
Yes you will get them if you run Stock ROM's.
You will not be able to install them however since you are not using a stock recovery image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=718141
they arent always so nice haha
cmcm said:
Wow, didn't know they didn't care about unlocked bootloader as long as your problem is in hardware. My GPS doesn't work at all and I'd like to send in my phone for repairs but the bootloader is unlocked.How long did it take for you to get your phone back?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sent my phone from Denmark to UK, it took 1½ week quite fast
Can you point me to a link with instructions on how to do this?
I've found a few videos and articles that say this can be done, but reading to the end they all say seem to be closed or say not to do it.
Is it still possible to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader? I've searched google, but keep coming up with dead ends.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=710842

[Q] Bell HTC Raider LTE - Not recognizing Sim

About a week ago I received notification to update to ICS. After downloading the file and the phone upgrading it get locked into a boot loop, then after about 14 hours it finally escapes form the loop and starts up only to have the SIM not get recognized, I tried restoring to factory default but it didn't work... I then sent the phone to Bell to get repaired but now they are asking for $200 to fix the phone as apparently the bootloader was unlocked and voided warranty.
As you can guess I'm saying "screw you" to that and trying to fix myself... I'm not experienced with android and when I originally upgraded I didn't back up my original software so i have nothing to restore... So basically right now I am wondering what I should do... the phone is being returned to me not repaired and I want to fix this but don't have the knowledge how to... I'm not dumb when it comes to unlocking phones as I used to unlock old Nokia's and jailbreak iPhones but I have no idea when it comes to Androids.
I'm guessing I will need to try and find an official ROM for this but Bell canada isn't the most open with their OEM software so I was wondering if anyone could help in this area by providing a ROM I could use... secondly I guess I will need to S-off my device in order to install the software?
I have searched the forum to find somethings that may be relevant to what I'm trying to do... but I'm getting confused as to what i should do (The curse of being a Noob)
Any info would be great... thanks
Read through this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1668259
Quick summary: you have to be totally stock (relocked bootloader, unrooted, S-ON) to run the update to ICS via Bell.
Thanks... will give it a look through and see if I can recover this way.

[Q] Bootloader and Warranty

Most prob been asked a million times but I want to root my One but heard bad things about HTC and unlocking bootloaders. Does it 'fully' void my warranty for good and is there a way to root without touching the bootloader? (HTC site says 'May' but I've read fully by some people)
Also if I unlock my bootloader and then lock it (so it says relocked) does that still count as void?
recklesslife85 said:
Most prob been asked a million times but I want to root my One but heard bad things about HTC and unlocking bootloaders. Does it 'fully' void my warranty for good and is there a way to root without touching the bootloader? (HTC site says 'May' but I've read fully by some people)
Also if I unlock my bootloader and then lock it (so it says relocked) does that still count as void?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you'll lose DRM keys. I'll try to look for an exploit on this device once I get it. Will try to find a way to root without unlocking the bootloader.
I would advice against unlocking the bootloader,
A few months back i unlocked my HTC One X
Only done this i the phone was branded by the provider and i can't stand that.
Was not overclocking the cpu or any thing like that just wanted stock unbranded rom's
Any how unlocked it worked well for months then the screen came unresponsive just a thin strip half way down,
Phone still worked very well just need to turn it on its side to text.
Contacted HTC about this told them i unlocked the bootloader,
The minuet i said that you could tell i was not going to get any help,
Pointed out that the Dev site says
It is our responsibility to caution you that not all claims resulting or caused by or from the unlocking of the bootloader may be covered under warranty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asked if they could confirm what claims would be covered,
Was advised non.
Asked why the dev site said "not all claims" yet when trying to claim you get told "no claim"
Got told to take it up with the dev site.
Few emails later i am still waiting for an answer or for them to update the site.
Asked HTC how much it would cost to repair the phone and was told "you don't want to know"
So got a new HTC One and want to unlock it but no need now as this one is not branded so i am happy with it locked.
Steven_belfast said:
I would advice against unlocking the bootloader,
A few months back i unlocked my HTC One X
Only done this i the phone was branded by the provider and i can't stand that.
Was not overclocking the cpu or any thing like that just wanted stock unbranded rom's
Any how unlocked it worked well for months then the screen came unresponsive just a thin strip half way down,
Phone still worked very well just need to turn it on its side to text.
Contacted HTC about this told them i unlocked the bootloader,
The minuet i said that you could tell i was not going to get any help,
Pointed out that the Dev site says
Asked if they could confirm what claims would be covered,
Was advised non.
Asked why the dev site said "not all claims" yet when trying to claim you get told "no claim"
Got told to take it up with the dev site.
Few emails later i am still waiting for an answer or for them to update the site.
Asked HTC how much it would cost to repair the phone and was told "you don't want to know"
So got a new HTC One and want to unlock it but no need now as this one is not branded so i am happy with it locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
eg1122 said:
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely if it says relocked then they know?
Sent from my HTC One using xda app-developers app
eg1122 said:
First mistake = you told them u unlocked it.
Second mistake or lack of information available to you = you can easily relock and ruu your phone to get it back to stock software. Even if you s off there are ways to put it back to s on. Therefore they will not be able to tell if you have or have not unlocked the bootloader before.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you can relock it but if you check the Hboot it says "Relocked" and so they can tell if it has been unlocked before.
At least for the evo once you relock it says relock, but once you ruu it goes back to lock. Also on the evo forums we have a tool that customizes the hboot and u can make it say whatever u want. My phone is s off and unlocked yet it says locked and s on. So something like this can also work in case the ruu does not remove the relocked string. But I'm 100% positive it will. Furthermore simply locking and taking a ota will still display relocked.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Why would you tell them you unlocked the bootloader LOL?!?!?
Seriously? HTC WILL repair hardware issues covered that don't involve software. Many, many people have used their warranty despite being bl unlocked.
And as some1 above pointed out, there are ways to relock so HTC wont even know you touched the phone.

Relocking bootloader

I received warranty replacement phone from Motorola because my original one have some issues with screen and earpiece. Now I need to send my defective phone back to Motorola and I decided that it would be safer if I relock my bootloader. So I did flash stock SU4TL-44 from TheSt33v thread and did "fastboot oem lock". Bootloader status shows "LOCKED" and status code 2 but there is still this unlocked bootloader warning startup screen showed when phone powers up. Is there anything else that I could do to get rid of that screen (beside flashing fixed logo)? I know that I can't change status code and it will always show history of bootloader unlocking but I would like just to make it less obvious
SotYPL said:
I received warranty replacement phone from Motorola because my original one have some issues with screen and earpiece. Now I need to send my defective phone back to Motorola and I decided that it would be safer if I relock my bootloader. So I did flash stock SU4TL-44 from TheSt33v thread and did "fastboot oem lock". Bootloader status shows "LOCKED" and status code 2 but there is still this unlocked bootloader warning startup screen showed when phone powers up. Is there anything else that I could do to get rid of that screen (beside flashing fixed logo)? I know that I can't change status code and it will always show history of bootloader unlocking but I would like just to make it less obvious
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Click to collapse
I doubt that you will be able to flash much of anything now that the bootloader is re-locked. Luckily for you, I don't think Moto cares about the modification status.
TheSt33v said:
I doubt that you will be able to flash much of anything now that the bootloader is re-locked. Luckily for you, I don't think Moto cares about the modification status.
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Click to collapse
I can flash logofixed.bin just fine with locked bootloader. So I guess it's all I can do and hope they really don't care about that if phone is not physically damaged. And my phone looks like brand new and actually better than refurbished replacement that I received (it has small scratch on the bezel).
SotYPL said:
I can flash logofixed.bin just fine with locked bootloader. So I guess it's all I can do and hope they really don't care about that if phone is not physically damaged. And my phone looks like brand new and actually better than refurbished replacement that I received (it has small scratch on the bezel).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Good to know
The razrm did not require boot loader unlock for the logo as well.
Sent from my DROID Turbo using XDA-Developers mobile app
Just quick update. So I returned my phone with re-locked bootloader and flashed fixed logo with no problems. I was only charged $24 for advanced exchange and they didn't care about modified status I guess.

Relocking bootloader and warranty.

I got my H9L 2 months back and had rooted it (and unlockedd bootloader). Im having a big battery issue battery drains too fast. I want to get it to service centre as waranty is not over.
I've read posts saying if I relock bootloader I'll get waranty back but some says I won't get back warranty even if I relock bootloader.
Can someone sort this out please
IF you've unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device you have no warranty in the eyes of the manufacturer, it states this in the terms and conditions when you get your bootloader code from them.
See when you unlock the bootloader you get a warning screen upon booting the device and relocking the bootloader will not get rid of that warning.
However have you tried to see if the battery issue is intact an software issue. I.e have you wiped caches, checked if an app such as Google assistant WhatsApp Facebook is running in the background. Do you have the same issue when booting android into safe mode????
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk
hacktrix2006 said:
IF you've unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device you have no warranty in the eyes of the manufacturer, it states this in the terms and conditions when you get your bootloader code from them.
See when you unlock the bootloader you get a warning screen upon booting the device and relocking the bootloader will not get rid of that warning.
However have you tried to see if the battery issue is intact an software issue. I.e have you wiped caches, checked if an app such as Google assistant WhatsApp Facebook is running in the background. Do you have the same issue when booting android into safe mode????
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet K1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's strange. I've relocked it today after flashing compete stock using HuRupdater tool.
I'm not having the warning screen I had earlier when my bootloader was unlocked.
So does that mean I'll be able to claim my waranty now?
And I've tried different ROMs the issue persists.
If they ask if I've unlocked the bootloader(since I've given my product number they might know) I'll just tell that I took the unlock code just in case, as they were shutting it down and that I haven't used it. Well at least that's the plan
So will they know that I've unlocked it earlier if there is no warning screen? As I've told I have complete stock firmware including kernal and recovery like @Fredin_ told.
Please reply fast.
If your no longer showing that Warning message after going back to stock then you can try and claim warranty if you wish, however they might have other ways to finding out if the bootloader has been unlocked.
So put your claim in and see what they do, they will either honor the Warranty or not Honor the Warranty and give you a quote for the work.
Personally if i unlock my bootloader and root it i'd just put up with the issue as i fully knew that the warranty went when i unlocked the device.
But i will leave it upto you how you go about it.

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