Lockable/Unlockable Bootloader - Motorola Droid Bionic

Motorola has listened to the voice of it's consumers!
They stated they were going to implement lockable/unlockable bootloaders into their phones. Basically the same technology that's in the Xoom.
That could be one of the reasons the Bionic has been delayed til this Summer. If that's what it is, then the Bionic will be the "IT" phone for Verizon. That's going to set the benchmark pretty high. Motorola won't be on my **** list anymore lol

Source?
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

its a cop out....theyre saying its up to the carriers if the phone is unlocked...and no carrier (save maybe tmo) would agree to that voluntarily
this phone will be locked and worthless

nitsuj17 said:
its a cop out....theyre saying its up to the carriers if the phone is unlocked...and no carrier (save maybe tmo) would agree to that voluntarily
this phone will be locked and worthless
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honestly Sprint seems to be the only carrier that honestly DOESNT care what you do with your phone...

heldunder said:
honestly Sprint seems to be the only carrier that honestly DOESNT care what you do with your phone...
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Pretty sure you mean "Tmobile." They gave Cyanogen a g2x, and gtab if I remember correctly to see what he could do with them...

nitsuj17 said:
its a cop out....theyre saying its up to the carriers if the phone is unlocked...and no carrier (save maybe tmo) would agree to that voluntarily
this phone will be locked and worthless
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Click to collapse
Honestly I couldn't care less if its locked or not. I agree, lock the thing it makes carriers feel good about themselves. Just don't encrypt it or make it so it can't be unlocked.
Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

I know Sprint doesn't care because I turned my EVO 4G for a 150 dollar credit towards the EVO 3D and my phone was rooted, custom ROM installed and custom kernel and they said nothing.. I rooted and installed a custom ROM on a Droid X for a friend and they returned it because they didn't like it and Verizon would not take it. Sprint is cool with their customers doing what they want with their phones, I have no idea how t-mobile feels...
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App

Locked up
If the D3 is any indicator, it will be locked just as the D3 is.

they always lock the phone

yeap it is locked... at least it is rooted..

Meeehh... I just traded in my Charge rooted, and everything. Custom ROM, custom kernel. Not even a peep. Hell, the dude who took the phone had his Charge in his hand when he took it.
Verizon took my first Incredible with a cracked screen, and bricked with no insurance. Only thing they asked was "Do you have a phone you can switch to in the process? No? We'll overnight your new one. Have a good day."
It just depends on who takes it, and their mood.

Related

Why AT&T users should boycott this device

1. The number one smartphone maker, Samsung, provides AT&T users with the ability to flash custom roms. Not HTC. And the VIVID is locked does tight on AT&T.
2. "There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, May 26, 2011 - http://www.facebook.com/HTC/posts/10150307320018084
3. #2 was a boldfaced LIE on the part of Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. Since then, HTC has selectively unlocked bootloaders - blaming carriers when their competitors are providing devices that are pretty much wide open. This same device on another carrier is unlockable. That promise has clearly been broken.
4. The common denominator is HTC, not AT&T. Either HTC is gutless or lying, either way, it's THEIR devices that are not unlocked and not the #1 Android supplier.
Don't buy these devices if you want a typical Android experience where you have a choice of firmwares to run. Even if you chose to stay stock with an unlockable bootloader, that choice would be YOURS. Do you really want to give it up?
Join me in boycotting this device. If you already bought one, bring it back to AT&T (You can still choose something else) and tell them WHY.
Personally, I am done buying ANY HTC devices until this policy changes. This BS is getting OLD.
Hey attn1, thats not the only reason I would bring it back. I'm having horrible data connections if any at all.
I didnt like the sgs2, so would you recommend the motorola atrix 2?
I cannot believe I traded my Galaxy S2 for this phone.
SysAdmNj said:
Hey attn1, thats not the only reason I would bring it back. I'm having horrible data connections if any at all.
I didnt like the sgs2, so would you recommend the motorola atrix 2?
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Right now, I think only Samsung and LG are getting it right.
CEaton said:
I cannot believe I traded my Galaxy S2 for this phone.
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attn1 said:
Right now, I think only Samsung and LG are getting it right.
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Click to collapse
I would try the samsung galaxy skyrocket but they are having the same lte data connection issues for non lte areas apparently.
attn1 said:
1. The number one smartphone maker, Samsung, provides AT&T users with the ability to flash custom roms. Not HTC. And the VIVID is locked does tight on AT&T.
2. "There has been overwhelmingly customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience," Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, May 26, 2011 - http://www.facebook.com/HTC/posts/10150307320018084
3. #2 was a boldfaced LIE on the part of Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. Since then, HTC has selectively unlocked bootloaders - blaming carriers when their competitors are providing devices that are pretty much wide open. This same device on another carrier is unlockable. That promise has clearly been broken.
4. The common denominator is HTC, not AT&T. Either HTC is gutless or lying, either way, it's THEIR devices that are not unlocked and not the #1 Android supplier.
Don't buy these devices if you want a typical Android experience where you have a choice of firmwares to run. Even if you chose to stay stock with an unlockable bootloader, that choice would be YOURS. Do you really want to give it up?
Join me in boycotting this device. If you already bought one, bring it back to AT&T (You can still choose something else) and tell them WHY.
Personally, I am done buying ANY HTC devices until this policy changes. This BS is getting OLD.
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Click to collapse
What??? Why is the HTC Raider's bootloader unlockable on the htcdev site then?
edit: You're a smart guy and I'm sure you can understand the inherent risks of allowing an unlocked bootloader and custom roms (would you download a version of Windows from some torrent site and just trust it). That said HTC is merely making you accept responsibility if you do unlock that bootloader. It seems to me as if ATT is the one not allowing that since The HTC Holiday on Rogers (Raider) is able to be unlocked via their tool, but ATT's (Vivid) isn't.
I will join you in this boycott.
I currently have an unlocked i9100 I'm using, and I was SERIOUSLY considering picking up one of these because a) I want to get on an unlimited LTE plan asap as I assume ATT being the douche-nozzles they are will surely take it away soon and b) for use as an LTE modem essentially since I have such a hard time getting data service in downtown chicago. Not anymore! (unfortunately, I also can't justify buying the skyrocket when I already have the gsII, would have been fun to have something different to play with)
I agree, this bootloader locking is BS. Samsung has phones on every carrier, none of them with locked bootloaders. Even my mom's Charge on Verizon (gag) is unlocked.
Well crap! This isn't what I'd like to have seen from you attn1, but at the same time, I'm sure you're tired of holding ppl's hand to try and root/s-off their phones w/your tool.
Le sigh, I was lookin forward to this and hopefully using another fine piece of attn1 software.
rquinn19 said:
What??? Why is the HTC Raider's bootloader unlockable on the htcdev site then?
edit: You're a smart guy and I'm sure you can understand the inherent risks of allowing an unlocked bootloader and custom roms (would you download a version of Windows from some torrent site and just trust it). That said HTC is merely making you accept responsibility if you do unlock that bootloader. It seems to me as if ATT is the one not allowing that since The HTC Holiday on Rogers (Raider) is able to be unlocked via their tool, but ATT's (Vivid) isn't.
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No, Samsung and LG devices are open on AT&T. HTC and Motorola are not. There is no option "to accept responsibility" - which would be fine by me. Please go back and re-read the OP. HTC is not delivering what they can - or what they promised.
SysAdmNj said:
I would try the samsung galaxy skyrocket but they are having the same lte data connection issues for non lte areas apparently.
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I would not use LTE until it is more fully deployed anyway.
SysAdmNj said:
I would try the samsung galaxy skyrocket but they are having the same lte data connection issues for non lte areas apparently.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure what connection issues you are referring to. This is the first I've heard anyone mention that.
I live in an LTE area but work in an HSPA area. No connection issues anywhere, regardless of LTE or not.
I have the SkyRocket though.
attn1 said:
No, Samsung and LG devices are open on AT&T. HTC and Motorola are not. There is no option "to accept responsibility" - which would be fine by me. Please go back and re-read the OP. HTC is not delivering what they can - or what they promised.
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I read your post. I understand what you're saying. Apparently you don't understand what I'm saying. I know what HTC promised and realize they haven't lived up to that promise. They are offering a means to unlocking it though. Carriers have to agree though and you have to accept some agreement as well.
HTC's Bootloader Unlock Site
This site works for the Raider, not for our Vivid. Gives a CID (carrier) error.
rquinn19 said:
I read your post. I understand what you're saying. Apparently you don't understand what I'm saying. I know what HTC promised and realize they haven't lived up to that promise. They are offering a means to unlocking it though. Carriers have to agree though and you have to accept some agreement as well.
HTC's Bootloader Unlock Site
This site works for the Raider, not for our Vivid. Gives a CID (carrier) error.
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Click to collapse
No, carriers do NOT have to agree, as evidenced by current offerings from Samsung, LG and Sony. HTC is using carriers as a excuse to do what they want anyway. Their competition is not. Regardless of who's issue it is, not buying such a device is the best course of action, and if sales are down significantly, will drive change. Even if it doesn't, anyone lurking around on XDA developers would be infinitely better off with a more open device.
I agree somewhat with you, however things to keep in mind.
1. Accessing the bootloader voids the warranty, so why should AT&T care?
2. Have you contacted HTC as of yet? I have and they said Bootloader shouldn't be locked and if it is ALL devices get an unlock code. I tried to Unlock, and given the device launched on Sunday I am not surprised.
3. HTC is not the only one locking bootloaders, Motorola is FAR WORSE.
Personally I like the phone. I do place custom roms on my devices. As a previous owner of the Droid X and Atrix, I have experienced locked bootloaders.
This phone for me is better than the SGS2. Quirks of the SGS2 Rom with Touch Wiz and not a fully functioning CM yet it wasn't good.
I'l just start off by saying I am not a developer and don't know much about bootloaders and such.. going from a Captivate to the Vivid, I already see a difference in support of development. Is it really this bad?
I'm loving the Vivid as it is, and I HATE stock ROMs, all of them. I just hope that things may change for current Vivid owners.. after all, it's only been two days.
I'm really disappointed with what I'm reading. The Vivid is my first Android device that I've purchased on AT&T, and so far it seems like a great phone. But if devs are saying the device should be boycotted, that doesn't seem like a good sign for future development support.
I don't see what's bad about this device. I'm still going to get this device regardless of what a Dev says .
Edit: And this phone JUST CAME OUT. I do not expect anything within the first week or two. But if it remains like this, i may have to jump on this boycott with you. And i sure as hell don't want to buy another Samsung device
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
I had a Vibrant, and when I switched to AT&T, the Infuse was the only good phone on AT&T (I mainly did not want to give up SAMOLED).
I do not want to get another samsung phone, but if I have to get the skyrocket because of HTC's lies, I will.
Sent from my phone. :3
trell959 said:
I don't see what's bad about this device. I'm still going to get this device regardless of what a Dev says .
Edit: And this phone JUST CAME OUT. I do not expect anything within the first week or two. But if it remains like this, i may have to jump on this boycott with you. And i sure as hell don't want to buy another Samsung device
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
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Yeah. I mean so what if they may have been hypocritical in promising things they have yet to follow up on. At least give it some time. Something is better than nothing.
Ok for 1 I know for a FACT not ALL LG Devices have Unlocked bootloader's considering I Have one so don't go saying that unless you can 100% back that up. Second, I am more than willing to bet AT&T forced HTC to lock the bootloader and I would not be in the least suprised that the new Samsung would be locked down as well considering they are the 1st LTE Devices to be available on AT&T. Regardless though like people said this thing has only been out for less than a freaking week. I am also willing to bet given a month or so HTC will have an Unlock for this device regardless as to what AT&T wants to do.
Big Dawg 23 said:
1. Accessing the bootloader voids the warranty, so why should AT&T care?
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Not true - it may or may not void the warranty, depending on the nature of the problem. That gray area is what HTC fears will cost money. I didn't say AT&T would care about warranty. I said HTC would.
malickie said:
Ok for 1 I know for a FACT not ALL LG Devices have Unlocked bootloader's considering I Have one so don't go saying that unless you can 100% back that up. Second, I am more than willing to bet AT&T forced HTC to lock the bootloader and I would not be in the least suprised that the new Samsung would be locked down as well considering they are the 1st LTE Devices to be available on AT&T. Regardless though like people said this thing has only been out for less than a freaking week. I am also willing to bet given a month or so HTC will have an Unlock for this device regardless as to what AT&T wants to do.
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Recent phones from LG like the Thrill and the 2GS have been unlockable.
All the recent Samsungs are easily unlockable.
HTC already has an unlock for this device - (on Rogers) and excluded AT&T - one of their largest markets.

Forum is Dead?

Im a first time andriod phone buyer and am starting to wonder if I bought the wrong one....
Is it just me or is this forum dead compared to the Skyrocket. Will there be an unlock for the boot loader?
Needless to say, I like the phone just wish we had more support...or will that come with time?
With a locked bootloader we are in habit of a jam however HTC had stated they will release the unlock, hopfuly Revolutionary and the likes are looking into exploits to get soff and boot
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
drewdatrip said:
With a locked bootloader we are in habit of a jam however HTC had stated they will release the unlock, hopfuly Revolutionary and the likes are looking into exploits to get soff and boot
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Can you post a link to where HTC has said they will release an unlock?
just google around the fourm, Except AT&T all HTC Vivid variations are already supporting unlocked bootloader (Through htcdev.com)
If you are AT&T , bootloader is locked at the request of AT&T and I know you can call AT&T and complain because in USA google pushed for a law that would make all device unlocked on the new 700Mhz spectrum.
akcooper9 said:
Can you post a link to where HTC has said they will release an unlock?
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zombie.raised said:
just google around the fourm, Except AT&T all HTC Vivid variations are already supporting unlocked bootloader (Through htcdev.com)
http://www.androidcentral.com/htc-announced-new-bootloader-policy
"There has been overwhelmingly [sic] customer feedback that people want access to open bootloaders on HTC phones. I want you to know that we've listened. Today, I'm confirming we will no longer be locking the bootloaders on our devices. Thanks for your passion, support and patience."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are AT&T , bootloader is locked at the request of AT&T and I know you can call AT&T and complain because in USA google pushed for a law that would make all device unlocked on the new 700Mhz spectrum.
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HTC internal tech told me that ATT has not requested a lock nor do they have the authority to enfoce it. Then again their site says bootloader locks vary on devices based on their partners, not really sure there other then shiofting blame maybe
Drew
The only reason I can think of that an Internal Tech would say AT&T did not request the Lock is to cover their asses from a stupid lawsuit from AT&T considering how much money they have and how many different manufacturers exist. Other than that everything is pointing to it actually being AT&T who wants the phone locked considering the Rogers variation is unlocked. Also if you look at what phones are on that website that say can be unlocked None of the AT&T phones are on there even though they can be unlocked.
malickie said:
The only reason I can think of that an Internal Tech would say AT&T did not request the Lock is to cover their asses from a stupid lawsuit from AT&T considering how much money they have and how many different manufacturers exist. Other than that everything is pointing to it actually being AT&T who wants the phone locked considering the Rogers variation is unlocked. Also if you look at what phones are on that website that say can be unlocked None of the AT&T phones are on there even though they can be unlocked.
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Its very confusing beacuse both ATT and HTC have stated that neither of them have requested a bootloader lock and that it would be released "later"
I could see ATT requesting lockes however everyother device that is currently available LG, Samsung and ZTE all have unlocked bootloaders. So its very confusing that they would request locks on only 1 of their 10 Android devices.
TBH i have no idea, both both companies are saying the bootloader will be unlocked "later"
Drew
Something inside of me thinks that everyone will come out of the woodwork when perma root is achieved. Is that wishful think or...?
slapshot30 said:
Something inside of me thinks that everyone will come out of the woodwork when perma root is achieved. Is that wishful think or...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Permanent root will likely come from boot loader unlock.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
I think the forum is slow for a couple of reasons:
1. Like others have stated, there is only so much you can do without permanent root.
2. The phone just WORKS! I purchased $50 worth of apps on my old Atrix just to get it to do what Sense and HTC's implementation of Gingerbread does.
... Also, the phone is new and few accessories.
sent from my HTC Vivid using XDA app premium
willgill said:
I think the forum is slow for a couple of reasons:
1. Like others have stated, there is only so much you can do without permanent root.
2. The phone just WORKS! I purchased $50 worth of apps on my old Atrix just to get it to do what Sense and HTC's implementation of Gingerbread does.
... Also, the phone is new and few accessories.
sent from my HTC Vivid using XDA app premium
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Click to collapse
I totally agree, I unlocked the bootloader and got the temp root but now I don't know why I would need either of that. The only thing I did was removed some bloatware from system (not that I needed to do it). Everything till now seems to be perfect just works flawlessly or is broken that rooting won't fix.
I don't think there is is any ROM with sense 3.5 and 2.3.5 which can ported etc....I would rather wait for ICS and I don't think any one would work on porting it for this device yet any ways ,,,
the only things I am looking to get out of root (other than some custom ROMs) are getting mobile hotspot working and to a lesser extent TiBu.
argolfermd said:
the only things I am looking to get out of root (other than some custom ROMs) are getting mobile hotspot working and to a lesser extent TiBu.
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+1
At the end of the day, I blame ATT and HTC haha!
argolfermd said:
the only things I am looking to get out of root (other than some custom ROMs) are getting mobile hotspot working and to a lesser extent TiBu.
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Mobile hot spot works great if you have the proper plan, just fyi.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using xda premium
drewdatrip said:
mobile hot spot works great if you have the proper plan, just fyi.
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lol lol lol

S5 Bootloader locked?

I hear the S5 has a locked bootloader on AT&T. Is this rumor valid or a ton of baloney? I dont really want to go through all the safestrap crap again as I did with the S4
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
I hear the S5 has a locked bootloader on AT&T. Is this rumor valid or a ton of baloney? I dont really want to go through all the safestrap crap again as I did with the S4
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Click to collapse
I dont believe anyone has the AT&T variant in hand, but if history has taught us anything its that AT&T will have it locked down.
AT&T will 99.99% lock the bootloader on the S5. They stated they will lock the bootloaders: "To ensure a safe and consistent experience on your wireless device, we do not support unlocked bootloaders."
I just wish T-Mobile would improve in my area because they are doings things right. Like selling the 32GB S5.
MattMJB0188 said:
AT&T will 99.99% lock the bootloader on the S5. They stated they will lock the bootloaders: "To ensure a safe and consistent experience on your wireless device, we do not support unlocked bootloaders."
I just wish T-Mobile would improve in my area because they are doings things right. Like selling the 32GB S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Doubt we will have anything like lokidoki this time around also. Which is why I sold my s4 and got a nexus 5
Might pick up a HTC one m8 unlocked variant though if it supports LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Jonnyredcorn said:
Doubt we will have anything like lokidoki this time around also. Which is why I sold my s4 and got a nexus 5
Might pick up a HTC one m8 unlocked variant though if it supports LTE.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
LokiDoki was bad ass lol. I had kept it on my s4 all the way to the end. Everyone kept saying there would be another exploit, but there never was. The AT&T S4 doesn't see much development nowadays. Safestrap is good, but not the same. Maybe there will be a developer who can actually UNLOCK the bootloader instead of finding a way around it. These devices have become so hard to root, flash, and restore to stock with these locked bootloaders. Glad T-Mobile is getting in for the fun. It's almost sickening how much they publicly hate AT&T and Verizon, then they go and lock the S5 bootloader just like them.
Walter.White said:
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im guessing T-mobile started because people were buying their devices for use on AT&T because of the unlocked bootloader. They dont make money on the devices they make it on the service and locked bootloaders will discourage this practice. My theory, not fact.
Walter.White said:
This time around it looks like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile will have S5 with locked bootloader
AT&T started with S4 and continued the tradition there after (G2, N3 etc.)
T-Mobile started with LG G Flex and looks like it will continue the tradition with S5. (Source: https://twitter.com/Anthony_J_Fox/status/446759896017420288)
Verizon started who knows when ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry but I put 0 credibility behind the "SOURCE" for this statement that TMOBILE will have a locked bootloader - I have not even been able to confirm that the LG is locked - it may be that I am looking at the world thru rose colored glasses but I need to see something more than converstationwith an unknown person who may or may not know what they are talking about. The odds are that the S5 will be unlocked on TMOBILE - as an ATT customer using a TMOBILE NOTE 3 - I sure hope that is the case as I plan to buy the S5 when it comes out - if it is locked, I guess I will return it - but until I see more definitive proof - I don't believe it will be
mocsab said:
I am sorry but I put 0 credibility behind the "SOURCE" for this statement that TMOBILE will have a locked bootloader - I have not even been able to confirm that the LG is locked - it may be that I am looking at the world thru rose colored glasses but I need to see something more than converstationwith an unknown person who may or may not know what they are talking about. The odds are that the S5 will be unlocked on TMOBILE - as an ATT customer using a TMOBILE NOTE 3 - I sure hope that is the case as I plan to buy the S5 when it comes out - if it is locked, I guess I will return it - but until I see more definitive proof - I don't believe it will be
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Click to collapse
So the actual tmobile response clearly stating the lg bootloader is locked isnt enough to convince you that the lg bootloader is locked?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using XDA Premium HD app
cloudraker said:
So the actual tmobile response clearly stating the lg bootloader is locked isnt enough to convince you that the lg bootloader is locked?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T217A using XDA Premium HD app
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Click to collapse
If you are talking about the excerpt of the chat session the insurance guy posted online - then no, that is not enough to convince me. Do you have something more official from TMOBILE that says it is locked? I would love to see it if you do - I don't know who that person was at TOMOBILE - if it was a customer care person from the web site - I give them no credibility at all - you wouldn't believe the number of things they have said that have turned out to be totally untrue -
or are you talking about some sort of official notice that I have not seen?
mocsab said:
If you are talking about the excerpt of the chat session the insurance guy posted online - then no, that is not enough to convince me. Do you have something more official from TMOBILE that says it is locked? I would love to see it if you do - I don't know who that person was at TOMOBILE - if it was a customer care person from the web site - I give them no credibility at all - you wouldn't believe the number of things they have said that have turned out to be totally untrue -
or are you talking about some sort of official notice that I have not seen?
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Click to collapse
Wasn't that T-Mobile's official twitter account? Anyway, I hope it is unlocked because everyone has the right to do what they want with their phone, as they own it. As an AT&T customer who used the T-Mobile Note 3, I can tell you that I will not be doing that again in the future. T-Mobile's Note 3 fully supported all of AT&T's bands, but I found LTE reception to be very bad. It was awful in places with low signal, and often would sit on HSPA+.
But my flashing days are over with. I pay for my devices at full price, and I won't risk bricking it with these very hard rooting/flashing procedures. Its just too risky nowadays. Maybe I got spoiled with the easy rooting/flashing methods we had before.
Back to the bootloader... I can see them locking it for the reason that many bought their device for use on AT&T. If the S5 bootloader is locked on T-Mobile then that's a shame. Looks like the "uncarrier" just made a selfish "carrier" move.
MattMJB0188 said:
Wasn't that T-Mobile's official twitter account? Anyway, I hope it is unlocked because everyone has the right to do what they want with their phone, as they own it. As an AT&T customer who used the T-Mobile Note 3, I can tell you that I will not be doing that again in the future. T-Mobile's Note 3 fully supported all of AT&T's bands, but I found LTE reception to be very bad. It was awful in places with low signal, and often would sit on HSPA+.
But my flashing days are over with. I pay for my devices at full price, and I won't risk bricking it with these very hard rooting/flashing procedures. Its just too risky nowadays. Maybe I got spoiled with the easy rooting/flashing methods we had before.
Back to the bootloader... I can see them locking it for the reason that many bought their device for use on AT&T. If the S5 bootloader is locked on T-Mobile then that's a shame. Looks like the "uncarrier" just made a selfish "carrier" move.
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Click to collapse
I honestly don't know if that was an Official Tmobile Tweet or not - I guess I do wear rose colored glasses - always half full and all of that. I purchased a preorder of the S 5 so I will find out soon enough - if it is locked I will probably return it.
One reason I can think of that t mobile has decided to lock bootloader (if they have) is to cut down on the amount of returns they get from people who brick their device and then return it for a new replacement, hiding the fact that they were rooted or whatever. We may have become o our own worst enemy. I don't knnow how many hundreds - maybe thouhsands of phones have been returned at one time or another from someone claiming the phone was broken when in reality it was bricked because they tried something they shoulnd't have - or flashed a bad file or whatever. If you consider their side of things - you can understand why they might want to plug that hole....
regardless - I am a flashaholic - it is a disease - I need help desperately - lol - but seriously - I do hope we find that these are just rumours and that Tmobile has taken the high road and kept our phones open and "flashable"
mocsab said:
I honestly don't know if that was an Official Tmobile Tweet or not - I guess I do wear rose colored glasses - always half full and all of that. I purchased a preorder of the S 5 so I will find out soon enough - if it is locked I will probably return it.
One reason I can think of that t mobile has decided to lock bootloader (if they have) is to cut down on the amount of returns they get from people who brick their device and then return it for a new replacement, hiding the fact that they were rooted or whatever. We may have become o our own worst enemy. I don't knnow how many hundreds - maybe thouhsands of phones have been returned at one time or another from someone claiming the phone was broken when in reality it was bricked because they tried something they shoulnd't have - or flashed a bad file or whatever. If you consider their side of things - you can understand why they might want to plug that hole....
regardless - I am a flashaholic - it is a disease - I need help desperately - lol - but seriously - I do hope we find that these are just rumours and that Tmobile has taken the high road and kept our phones open and "flashable"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was official and VERIFIED TMobile's twitter account. Click on their twitter handle and you will see what I happen.
Will they sell develper editions of the S5? Like the S4? I havent seen any for sale yet. I really dont want to shell out $600 for a phone just so i can customize it.. Might as well wait on the Nexus 6:crying: or maybe i will jump ship to the New one m8 google edition (even tho imo its ugly and still costs alot of $$)
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
Will they sell develper editions of the S5? Like the S4? I havent seen any for sale yet. I really dont want to shell out $600 for a phone just so i can customize it.. Might as well wait on the Nexus 6:crying: or maybe i will jump ship to the New one m8 google edition (even tho imo its ugly and still costs alot of $$)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The standard AT&T HTC m8 version has been confirmed to have an unlockable bootloader via the htc dev tool if you are concerned about having to buy off contract.
This is why I'm only buying Google edition phones now.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Enough said
Sent from my Nexus 5
Walter.White said:
It was official and VERIFIED TMobile's twitter account. Click on their twitter handle and you will see what I happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't stop laughing at your sig
XxSHaDoWxSLaYeRxX said:
Can't stop laughing at your sig
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that dude wasn't even drunk.
mircury said:
The standard AT&T HTC m8 version has been confirmed to have an unlockable bootloader via the htc dev tool if you are concerned about having to buy off contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And an S-OFF tool has been released...the phone can now be fully and completely unlocked.
Combine that with a microSD slot and I'm hitting AT&T tomorrow like a fat kid through a cookie store.
Get em while you can!

[Q] How many people are buying the T-Mobile model to get the unlocked bootloader?

Subject says (asks) it all. I'm wondering how many of you are actually going for the T-Mobile variant just to get the unlocked bootloader. History tells me there will probably be some kind of root exploit for the AT&T model in the not-so-distant future, but I also only have about 12 days to return mine to AT&T and I'm not fond of how locked down it is currently.
Also, those of you who actually bought one from T-Mobile: How did you do it? I can't seem to do it online without adding a month of service and I'm wondering if they'll even sell me one in a store if I don't have an account with them.
I got one, went into a store and bought it outright, used cellunlocker.net to sim unlock, then rooted, recovery, custom rom.
No thanks -- I'll keep my AT&T model. I don't care about custom roms, only want root...which will happen soon enough. I used to wait anywhere from 3-6 months for an iPhone jailbreak, so this waiting game doesn't phase me. Besides, you can do much more than the iPhone even without root, so I'm a happy camper.
djkinetic said:
I got one, went into a store and bought it outright, used cellunlocker.net to sim unlock, then rooted, recovery, custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And they didn't give you any pushback at all about buying the device without service?
karmuh said:
No thanks -- I'll keep my AT&T model. I don't care about custom roms, only want root...which will happen soon enough. I used to wait anywhere from 3-6 months for an iPhone jailbreak, so this waiting game doesn't phase me. Besides, you can do much more than the iPhone even without root, so I'm a happy camper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I just want to root to block ads and tether. I don't care about custom roms, but the way this thing is locked down, it seems like root will be a long time coming, if at all.
To answer the OP question. I am waiting for the T-Mobile 32Gb S5. If they do get it then I have another choice to decide, stay with ATT or make the move fully to T-Mobile. I am DONE buying ATT locked bootloader phones.
I love HAVING A CHOICE of Roms, flashing kernels flashing modems, making and flashing themes, or ANYTHING I want to do with MY PHONE
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
RockRatt said:
To answer the OP question. I am waiting for the T-Mobile 32Gb S5. If they do get it then I have another choice to decide, stay with ATT or make the move fully to T-Mobile. I am DONE buying ATT locked bootloader phones.
I love HAVING A CHOICE of Roms, flashing kernels flashing modems, making and flashing themes, or ANYTHING I want to do with MY PHONE
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I may or may not pick up the T-Mobile S5 off contract either tonight or maybe sometime this week. Only thing is the high price. Spending $700+ on a Samsung doesn't sit that well with me for some reason, despite doing it the past without giving it a second thought.
But yea, no more AT&T devices. I'm not supporting their horrible business tactics anymore. Locking phones down like that is horrible. These Samsung phones NEED root and custom roms because they are not great out of the box. PERIOD.
RockRatt said:
To answer the OP question. I am waiting for the T-Mobile 32Gb S5. If they do get it then I have another choice to decide, stay with ATT or make the move fully to T-Mobile. I am DONE buying ATT locked bootloader phones.
I love HAVING A CHOICE of Roms, flashing kernels flashing modems, making and flashing themes, or ANYTHING I want to do with MY PHONE
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat. I have till Thursday to return my ATT S5. I think I'm definitely going to get a TMO device but I can't decide if I can switch to TMO. Looking at their coverage maps they definitely don't have the coverage area AT&T has but they also appear to be a tiny bit cheaper than AT&T even with the corporate discount.
greyhulk said:
And they didn't give you any pushback at all about buying the device without service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope sold it to me outright. No questions asked.
RockRatt said:
To answer the OP question. I am waiting for the T-Mobile 32Gb S5. If they do get it then I have another choice to decide, stay with ATT or make the move fully to T-Mobile. I am DONE buying ATT locked bootloader phones.
I love HAVING A CHOICE of Roms, flashing kernels flashing modems, making and flashing themes, or ANYTHING I want to do with MY PHONE
Sent From My Spiderman,Ironman,Red,Dark Blue,Green, GreyedOut BadAss Themed I337
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might as well do it while you can, because even T-mobile will be locking their bootloaders soon as well. Every major US carrier will have locked bootloaders from now on. It'll be up to the phone manufacturers to provide an unlock or not, similar to what HTC does.
karmuh said:
Might as well do it while you can, because even T-mobile will be locking their bootloaders soon as well. Every major US carrier will have locked bootloaders from now on. It'll be up to the phone manufacturers to provide an unlock or not, similar to what HTC does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This information is based on what?
It's probably not based on anything except history & common sense. Just about all the other carriers are doing it & they're all tired of warrantying phones over rooting & custom Rom's.
enigma99a said:
This information is based on what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just common sense. Every major carrier already locks every devices bootloader. The only exception is T-Mobile, only because they want to grab as many customers as they can. That's also why they kept the download booster, while every other major US carrier disabled it. They're standing out from the crowd looking to scoop up the on-the-fence people...and it's working, for the most part.
It's obvious they'll be forced to step in line with other carriers soon. You can have the wishful thinking they won't...but it'll just be wishful thinking, unfortunately.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
karmuh said:
Just common sense. Every major carrier already locks every devices bootloader. The only exception is T-Mobile, only because they want to grab as many customers as they can. That's also why they kept the download booster, while every other major US carrier disabled it. They're standing out from the crowd looking to scoop up the on-the-fence people...and it's working, for the most part.
It's obvious they'll be forced to step in line with other carriers soon. You can have the wishful thinking they won't...but it'll just be wishful thinking, unfortunately.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint doesn't lock their bootloader either. AT&T and Verizon are the only ones that do.
karmuh said:
Just common sense. Every major carrier already locks every devices bootloader. The only exception is T-Mobile, only because they want to grab as many customers as they can. That's also why they kept the download booster, while every other major US carrier disabled it. They're standing out from the crowd looking to scoop up the on-the-fence people...and it's working, for the most part.
It's obvious they'll be forced to step in line with other carriers soon. You can have the wishful thinking they won't...but it'll just be wishful thinking, unfortunately.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree. In the world, the only two carriers who locked theirs are Verizon and AT&T. AT&T has locked their RAT lock for a while now (not allowing you to change bands/technologies) and I think this is the next evolution of control.
For T-mobile, they have never locked their RAT or their boot loaders. So it's not a ploy to grab customers
Ordered my T-Mobile SM-G900T in black this morning. Yeah, I paid $700 for it on eBay, unlocked, from a reputable seller. Buying outright here in NJ would have been $702 (unless I went to Vineland where it's 3.5% tax it would have been $681) so I just went on eBay and got it.
I bought my AT&T SGS5 outright (through the financing, but it's still considered outright) but hopefully I can sell it and make up part of the loss of needing to "upgrade" to the T-Mobile version.
Well, here's my reasoning: I'm plain unhappy with the SGS5 I have now. I would rather have my SGS3 back. The level of customization and non-touchwiz elements used before actually made both play and practical day to day usage of the phone way better on the SGS3. I can't stand being stuck using the phone as if I'm a n00b who's never seen a smartphone before. I do like the new screen, and it's not that much bigger (I had a beast Body Glove on the S3 so it was pretty much the same size as the S5 with the Spigen Neo Hybrid haha).
So... Considering I was happy with the SGS3 for nearly 2 years, and now would STILL BE HAPPIER WITH THE SGS3 THAN THE SGS5 NOW, I figure it's worth paying a few extra bucks to actually have 2+ years of enjoyable use out of the phone.
My only next obstacle is selling the one I have now.. freakin brand new with skinomi screen protector (best job I ever did putting a wet protector on lol) from day 1. Oh well, totally worth it for me.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I like the phone. Not quite as smooth as my nexus 5, but pretty good, and who knows when we'll get the next Android update.
Really like the gear 2 neo that I bought at the same time, and unless I want to wait for another smart watch and go back to the nexus, then I will stay with this.
Don't want to pay full price for a T-Mobile version, so I might just deal with no root and a locked bootloader.
The screen is absolutely the best phone screen I've ever used, and it would be hard to go back to the nexus after using this just because of the screen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------
And the battery life is so much better as well
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[Q] will vzw nexus 6 have locked bootloader?

With big red's habit of keeping their users from actually customizing their devices, would it be safe to assume that they are going to lock the bootloader on the nexus 6 just like they did with my gorgeous - but bone stock - GS5? (SM-G900V)
Thx!
~illushinz
To be honest, I am scared of Verizons evil deeds, but I can see Google putting up a fight for too much carrier customization. At worst, maybe sim locked and a Verizon logo. Same thing as ATT did, but that's why u get the unlocked version from the Play store, Motorola, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
but that's why u get the unlocked version from the Play store, Motorola, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- TRUE
Of course, I'm on a federal vzw plan at work, which means unlimited data, (which i ain't about to give up) and means vzw retail devices, straight from big red..... Doh!
Bone stock galaxy s5? A bit of an oxymoron.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
illushinz said:
With big red's habit of keeping their users from actually customizing their devices, would it be safe to assume that they are going to lock the bootloader on the nexus 6 just like they did with my gorgeous - but bone stock - GS5? (SM-G900V)
Thx!
~illushinz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. If the bootloader couldn't easily be unlocked, it wouldn't be a Nexus. It would be a Droid Turdo.
illushinz said:
With big red's habit of keeping their users from actually customizing their devices, would it be safe to assume that they are going to lock the bootloader on the nexus 6 just like they did with my gorgeous - but bone stock - GS5? (SM-G900V)
Thx!
~illushinz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But there has been no word that they will really get one...and if so not soon
akellar said:
Bone stock galaxy s5? A bit of an oxymoron.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, quite true
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
I too am beginning to wonder if they are going to even get it.
illushinz said:
With big red's habit of keeping their users from actually customizing their devices, would it be safe to assume that they are going to lock the bootloader on the nexus 6 just like they did with my gorgeous - but bone stock - GS5? (SM-G900V)
Thx!
~illushinz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they most certainly will lock the bootloader
mikaeldalc said:
To be honest, I am scared of Verizons evil deeds, but I can see Google putting up a fight for too much carrier customization. At worst, maybe sim locked and a Verizon logo. Same thing as ATT did, but that's why u get the unlocked version from the Play store, Motorola, Sprint, or T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VZW doesn't SIM lock devices anymore.
They will, however, encrypt bootloaders.
Not a snowball's chance in hell that the bootloader will be locked.
Mark this post and come back and thank it when you see I'm right. I'll donate money to charity if I'm wrong.
aes512 said:
Yes, they most certainly will lock the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it will be unlockable easily.
Ordered from moto. Popped in Sim from Verizon. Unlocked and rooted. F big red
bmwh0r3 said:
Ordered from moto. Popped in Sim from Verizon. Unlocked and rooted. F big red
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got mine from best buy. Same thing - Sim in and away I went.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Man I wish I wasn't locked into big red......
~illushinz
Sent from my SM-G900V, locked, stocked, and pwnd by Verizon
It's hopeless
Mark MY words and come back to it and if I'm wrong I will donate to charity. The Nexus 6 will NOT be coming to Verizon. They will release a very very similar phone all marked up with Verizon labels with some type of "Droid" branding called the super duper turbo that will indeed have a locked bootloader and all sorts of bloat ware crap strung throughout the Motorola skinned app drawer... sorry I'm just a bitter Verizon customer stuck in a harsh reality!
If you can afford it, buy from google or Motorola. Slap in a nano Sim card from Verizon. It works. Got my nexus Thursday and swapped the Sim out of my moto x. Been using it since. Sold my moto x along with my note 3. Downloaded youmail and unsubscribed from Verizon visual voicemail.
I don't see why it would be locked. The Galaxy Nexus wasn't. I'm so glad my Galaxy Nexus SIM card works on the nsix. Lol with a serious trimming down...
illushinz said:
Man I wish I wasn't locked into big red......
~illushinz
Sent from my SM-G900V, locked, stocked, and pwnd by Verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can't buy it on your own from moto or play? i did and dropped my VZW sim from the moto x in it and it works great !
illushinz said:
Man I wish I wasn't locked into big red......
~illushinz
Sent from my SM-G900V, locked, stocked, and pwnd by Verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my N6 directly from Moto and popped in my VZW sim without a hitch.
I'll say this... I used my OnePlus on TMobile for 6 months and their network is TRASH in comparison. This was after a summer of traveling around the U.S., traveling for work, and a few driving getaways. If TMo works in your neighborhood and you never leave it, then more power to you. If not, I'm here to tell you, VZW may be a-holes when it comes to devices but their network is no joke. Don't suffer from "the grass-is-greener" syndrome.

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