Database Develop

Locked BL Consequences

Could someone please explain the consequences of having a locked BL? Especially wrt to the Moto X? Also, what is this SS that everyone keeps talking about?
TIA

I've been in your situation before and couldn't find help or answers, phone makers sign there software with a signature when it boots so when the phone loads it looks for that signature and won't load unless the os had that signature. When your boatloader is locked it means you can't install custom roms or fully root your phone, people have to find an exploit to root it, like case's rockmymoto exploit. SS is safe strap and it is a workaround for installing custom roms on a locked boatloader phone.
Sent from my XT1055 using xda app-developers app

charlie-n said:
I've been in your situation before and couldn't find help or answers, phone makers sign there software with a signature when it boots so when the phone loads it looks for that signature and won't load unless the os had that signature. When your boatloader is locked it means you can't install custom roms or fully root your phone, people have to find an exploit to root it, like case's rockmymoto exploit. SS is safe strap and it is a workaround for installing custom roms on a locked boatloader phone.
Sent from my XT1055 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically then, something like the AT&T moto x can be rooted by using the rockmymoto exploit, but custom ROMs have to be made specifically to support SS?
Seeing as how I dont think development for the Moto X isnt going to take off on a major scale (like, say the Nexus), it would make no difference having a locked or unlocked BL, am I right?

anirudh412 said:
So basically then, something like the AT&T moto x can be rooted by using the rockmymoto exploit, but custom ROMs have to be made specifically to support SS?
Seeing as how I dont think development for the Moto X isnt going to take off on a major scale (like, say the Nexus), it would make no difference having a locked or unlocked BL, am I right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well there are several roms out there for unlocked BL currently. The reason to have a unlocked BL: if you want to flash roms a lot, if you want to make sure that you always can have root (sometimes exploits for a FW won't come out), and if you want complete control over your phone.
Much less dev will be done for SS roms because people are finding it difficult to build them I believe. I only use SS to keep root and take newer otas, or run roms like eclipse that are based off of stock FW, then just trimmed down with added features and lots more.
If you have the money, having an unlocked BL is nice because you don't need exploits for roots and other things. I would go with one if money wasn't an issue purely for that fact. Not sure how they are getting OTAs right now, but sometimes unlocked BLs also get OTAs quicker than locked BLs. And they can always flash the OTA if there is a leak. You can also always downgrade your device to a different FW if you want with an unlocked BL.

jayboyyyy said:
well there are several roms out there for unlocked BL currently. The reason to have a unlocked BL: if you want to flash roms a lot, if you want to make sure that you always can have root (sometimes exploits for a FW won't come out), and if you want complete control over your phone.
Much less dev will be done for SS roms because people are finding it difficult to build them I believe. I only use SS to keep root and take newer otas, or run roms like eclipse that are based off of stock FW, then just trimmed down with added features and lots more.
If you have the money, having an unlocked BL is nice because you don't need exploits for roots and other things. I would go with one if money wasn't an issue purely for that fact. Not sure how they are getting OTAs right now, but sometimes unlocked BLs also get OTAs quicker than locked BLs. And they can always flash the OTA if there is a leak. You can also always downgrade your device to a different FW if you want with an unlocked BL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Money isnt the issue here. The thing is the Moto X isnt available in my country, but someone is selling their AT&T moto on local ebay. I jumped ship from using android for so many years to an iPhone 5 (my current phone) because I just wanted a phone I could use. Kinda grew tired of flashing ROMS and kernels all the time. The Moto X hits the sweet spot with the perfect size and stutter free operation. To me, this is the perfect android phone. All I need is root and a custom launcher. That is available for the AT&T phones I believe? And as you said, ECLIPSE is available for me to flash if I feel like.
Other than that, apps like lightflow and others dont differentiate b/w locked and unlocked BLs, do they?

anirudh412 said:
Could someone please explain the consequences of having a locked BL? Especially wrt to the Moto X? Also, what is this SS that everyone keeps talking about?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Straight from the man himself in regards to SafeStrap.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/104161-recovery-locked-safestrap-recovery-v365-2013-11-13/

Any locked BL users care to give their 0.02 about life with a locked BL? :silly:

anirudh412 said:
Money isnt the issue here. The thing is the Moto X isnt available in my country, but someone is selling their AT&T moto on local ebay. I jumped ship from using android for so many years to an iPhone 5 (my current phone) because I just wanted a phone I could use. Kinda grew tired of flashing ROMS and kernels all the time. The Moto X hits the sweet spot with the perfect size and stutter free operation. To me, this is the perfect android phone. All I need is root and a custom launcher. That is available for the AT&T phones I believe? And as you said, ECLIPSE is available for me to flash if I feel like.
Other than that, apps like lightflow and others dont differentiate b/w locked and unlocked BLs, do they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
before you pull the trigger make sure the phone will work in your area. IDK about all of the other country phone stuff, but I have seen people posting about what lte bands and radios each different model of the moto x can support. Also, some models you can flash other carriers FW on them, some you can't. And if you buy some models with for some carriers, you can unlock the BL then move it to ATT or whatever service you are using. Like i said, IDK about all of that so that will take some reading and investigating on your part.
I also don't know about lightflow, but basically once you have root, all rooted apps should be able to do what they do. I personally know of nothing that requires an unlocked BL to work (besides flashing roms, kernals, radios, or other stuff). Just root. I'm assuming lightflow is like any other app that requires root. Don't believe any app should ever be changing anything to your bootloader (besides exploits that come in the form of an app).
Im on a lock BL fyi. Had the money for the dev but once root came out for the phone, I decided to go with subsidized. All I wanted was root. And it seems kitkat will have a root exploit made by jcase so im not worried about the future either.

jayboyyyy said:
before you pull the trigger make sure the phone will work in your area. IDK about all of the other country phone stuff, but I have seen people posting about what lte bands and radios each different model of the moto x can support. Also, some models you can flash other carriers FW on them, some you can't. And if you buy some models with for some carriers, you can unlock the BL then move it to ATT or whatever service you are using. Like i said, IDK about all of that so that will take some reading and investigating on your part.
I also don't know about lightflow, but basically once you have root, all rooted apps should be able to do what they do. I personally know of nothing that requires an unlocked BL to work (besides flashing roms, kernals, radios, or other stuff). Just root. I'm assuming lightflow is like any other app that requires root. Don't believe any app should ever be changing anything to your bootloader (besides exploits that come in the form of an app).
I'm on a lock BL fyi. Had the money for the dev but once root came out for the phone, I decided to go with subsidized. All I wanted was root. And it seems kitkat will have a root exploit made by jcase so im not worried about the future either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, it just occurred to me I wouldn't need lightflow on the MotoX, it doesn't have a notification light
Either way, even if I do have an unlocked BL, flashing AOSP is out of the question as I wouldnt want to miss out on Active Notifs and always listening G Now. Stock ROM with a few tweaks is all I need.
Under ideal situations (read global release of perhaps the best android phone to date), I wouldn't be in this predicament.

jayboyyyy said:
Im on a lock BL fyi. Had the money for the dev but once root came out for the phone, I decided to go with subsidized. All I wanted was root. And it seems kitkat will have a root exploit made by jcase so im not worried about the future either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May I take the liberty of asking which phones have you used before? I have read a few threads and the general consensus is that this phone is smoother than the 'so-called' flagships like the GS4 and the One. Would you happen to agree? As I said before, I just need a phone that works without lag. I am not a heavy user by any means. Texting, whatsapp and a few occasional games like the Clash of Clans. The GPU is quite capable from what I have heard

anirudh412 said:
May I take the liberty of asking which phones have you used before? I have read a few threads and the general consensus is that this phone is smoother than the 'so-called' flagships like the GS4 and the One. Would you happen to agree? As I said before, I just need a phone that works without lag. I am not a heavy user by any means. Texting, whatsapp and a few occasional games like the Clash of Clans. The GPU is quite capable from what I have heard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya the phone is just as quick if not quicker than those flagship phones. while its hardware is not "superior" the code behind everything and the processors set up how they are make it just as snappy as those other phones. I never owned either of the two you described but I have played with them all for enough time. You won't be disappointed with the phone at all. A lot of people think it is the best android phone generally that has been released. I;'m in that boat. Closes equivalent to an apple product (flow , feel, etc) that I have used. Those other phones are great as well. Id go htc one over sg4. I was about to buy those phones but then held out to see when/if the moto x was going to be released. Glad I did. went with this phone over those. The size of the phone is perfect for me. I don't like huge screens that barely fit in my pcoket. Battery life is solid (i dont use this things for 6 hours a day like others, not sure how they generate an income ha). the features are amazing and change how you use your phone. Truely the first phone I have seen that released some cool features that were extremely useful and not just eye candy. Google backing moto is a big plus too, you know that if anyone is going to get good treatment, it will at least have to be moto. take the plunge, no chance you will regret it.

jayboyyyy said:
ya the phone is just as quick if not quicker than those flagship phones. while its hardware is not "superior" the code behind everything and the processors set up how they are make it just as snappy as those other phones. I never owned either of the two you described but I have played with them all for enough time. You won't be disappointed with the phone at all. A lot of people think it is the best android phone generally that has been released. I;'m in that boat. Closes equivalent to an apple product (flow , feel, etc) that I have used. Those other phones are great as well. Id go htc one over sg4. I was about to buy those phones but then held out to see when/if the moto x was going to be released. Glad I did. went with this phone over those. The size of the phone is perfect for me. I don't like huge screens that barely fit in my pcoket. Battery life is solid (i dont use this things for 6 hours a day like others, not sure how they generate an income ha). the features are amazing and change how you use your phone. Truely the first phone I have seen that released some cool features that were extremely useful and not just eye candy. Google backing moto is a big plus too, you know that if anyone is going to get good treatment, it will at least have to be moto. take the plunge, no chance you will regret it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out. Moto X, here I come :highfive:

[Q] Feasibility of root + wireless tether

I just took advantage of the cyber monday promo code and ordered a new Verizon Moto X. I still have a grandfathered unlimited data plan and use wireless tether on my rooted (and ancient) HTC Thunderbolt heavily. I'm a bit concerned that this may not be very straightforward on the Moto X. First, I am a bit confused about root.
Is it possible to attain root on my stock phone without unlocking the bootloader?
Is there any advantage to unlocking the bootloader, outside of loading custom roms?
How limited is my ability to accept OTA updates once rooted?
Also, how well does wireless tether for root work with the Moto X once rooted?
What's the point?
I really was about to buy an S4, but this deal was too good to pass up, and I really like what I've read about this phone. I'm hoping it wasn't a mistake, since I know I can definitely accomplish these things fairly easily with the S4. But I'd rather not have that cheap plastic construction. Having come from an HTC, I like the more robustly constructed phones.
Don't bother answering that last question, it's probably beyond the scope of this board.

1. Did you try searching or reading at all?
2. Forget about the bootloader unless you purchased the developer edition.
3. You don't unless you unroot.
4. Just as well as any other Android phone.
5. You tell us. Everyone has different needs and desires.
6. If rooting the Moto X seems difficult, what makes you sure you can easily do it with the S4?

ggtsu said:
I just took advantage of the cyber monday promo code and ordered a new Verizon Moto X. I still have a grandfathered unlimited data plan and use wireless tether on my rooted (and ancient) HTC Thunderbolt heavily. I'm a bit concerned that this may not be very straightforward on the Moto X. First, I am a bit confused about root.
Is it possible to attain root on my stock phone without unlocking the bootloader?
Is there any advantage to unlocking the bootloader, outside of loading custom roms?
How limited is my ability to accept OTA updates once rooted?
Also, how well does wireless tether for root work with the Moto X once rooted?
What's the point?
I really was about to buy an S4, but this deal was too good to pass up, and I really like what I've read about this phone. I'm hoping it wasn't a mistake, since I know I can definitely accomplish these things fairly easily with the S4. But I'd rather not have that cheap plastic construction. Having come from an HTC, I like the more robustly constructed phones.
Don't bother answering that last question, it's probably beyond the scope of this board.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get root w/o unlock?
Yeah there are root methods that work, but you have to do it from 4.2.2 which ships with the phone before you take the 4.4 OTA update.
Advantage to unlocking?
Easier to root. Even if you lose root from a potential OTA update later you're OK and can easily redo it.
I'm unable to comment on most the rest since I actually got the T-Mobile variant and use it with AT&T and tether without root. The T-mobile variant only does the T-Mobile entitlement check.

In fact I HAVE been reading about it, but I could not find a non-ambiguious answer to my ?'s hence my post. I happened to find plenty of clear answers to my questions on the S4, and have extensively rooted, rommed, and modified my Tbolt over the last few years. So yes, I did think I would be able to easily root the S4.
But thanks for being a bit of a **** about it. :good:
nhizzat said:
1. Did you try searching or reading at all?
2. Forget about the bootloader unless you purchased the developer edition.
3. You don't.
4. Just as well as any other Android phone.
5. You tell us. Everyone has different needs and desires.
6. If rooting the Moto X seems difficult, what makes you sure you can easily do it with the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

superm1 said:
Get root w/o unlock?
Yeah there are root methods that work, but you have to do it from 4.2.2 which ships with the phone before you take the 4.4 OTA update.
Advantage to unlocking?
Easier to root. Even if you lose root from a potential OTA update later you're OK and can easily redo it.
I'm unable to comment on most the rest since I actually got the T-Mobile variant and use it with AT&T and tether without root. The T-mobile variant only does the T-Mobile entitlement check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that there is a way of unlocking the bootloader via motorola's site. Is this something that is limited to the dev editions, or do you know if it works with the non-dev versions as well?

Can only unlock boot loader on Dev editions. And to the original poster it is clearly posted with step by step instructions on how to root in the original android development section
Sent from my XT1056 using xda app-developers app

charlie-n said:
Can only unlock boot loader on Dev editions. And to the original poster it is clearly posted with step by step instructions on how to root in the original android development section
Sent from my XT1056 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I did not see those. I has assumed that section contained out of date info or something.

ggtsu said:
In fact I HAVE been reading about it, but I could not find a non-ambiguious answer to my ?'s hence my post. I happened to find plenty of clear answers to my questions on the S4, and have extensively rooted, rommed, and modified my Tbolt over the last few years. So yes, I did think I would be able to easily root the S4.
But thanks for being a bit of a **** about it. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have extensively rooted, rommed, and modified your Tbolt, rooting the VZW Moto X shouldn't be the least bit difficult at all. Just use SlapMyMoto because our phones (those purchased with the Cyber Monday deals) shipped with 4.2.2 and the camera update.
Since you feel that I was being a **** for not spoon-feeding you, sorry I'm not sorry. You've been around awhile so I assume you're aware of how Motorola phones on VZW work in terms of their bootloader, especially since you're active in the rooting/romming/modding scene.

ggtsu said:
Thanks, I did not see those. I has assumed that section contained out of date info or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well you know what they say about assuming...

ggtsu said:
I saw that there is a way of unlocking the bootloader via motorola's site. Is this something that is limited to the dev editions, or do you know if it works with the non-dev versions as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This only works for specific carriers that Moto chooses to offer the unlock services to... and by doing so, they record your device ID, I believe, so your warranty is 100% voided at their end. Nothing comes for free.
If you want a scot-free unlockable bootloader, you can only get that with a Dev Edition MotoX.
Look up SlapMyMoto (at v0.5c) for the skinny on gaining root access to the locked MotoX and being able to OTA to 4.4 here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48555826
Regarding Wifi Tether, there are two methods that seem to work. This is what I'm using for now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48520965&postcount=42
There is also discussion about the Entitlement override .apk here, but I haven't tried this one yet: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2443562
Good luck.

scootle74 said:
This only works for specific carriers that Moto chooses to offer the unlock services to... and by doing so, they record your device ID, I believe, so your warranty is 100% voided at their end. Nothing comes for free.
If you want a scot-free unlockable bootloader, you can only get that with a Dev Edition MotoX.
Look up SlapMyMoto (at v0.5c) for the skinny on gaining root access to the locked MotoX and being able to OTA to 4.4 here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48555826
Regarding Wifi Tether, there are two methods that seem to work. This is what I'm using for now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=48520965&postcount=42
There is also discussion about the Entitlement override .apk here, but I haven't tried this one yet: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2443562
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, this is a helpful list. I saw the wifi tether method you posted there before, but I am interested in giving the Entitlement override a try. I just received my phone today and noticed I'm already at 4.4. Will the SlapMyMoto technique work for me, or is that only for people that are starting from 4.2? It's not totally clear in that thread.

ggtsu said:
Thanks a lot, this is a helpful list. I saw the wifi tether method you posted there before, but I am interested in giving the Entitlement override a try. I just received my phone today and noticed I'm already at 4.4. Will the SlapMyMoto technique work for me, or is that only for people that are starting from 4.2? It's not totally clear in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
80 pages makes a thread hard to read, the main post is also somewhat sparse on details.
You should be able to revert back to 4.2.2 using RSD Lite.
This thread points out most of the other useful threads (including one on how to flash back to 4.2.2 using RSD Lite)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2556400
The site linked to get the 4.2.2 rom is down, you can get it here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2568334

ggtsu said:
Thanks a lot, this is a helpful list. I saw the wifi tether method you posted there before, but I am interested in giving the Entitlement override a try. I just received my phone today and noticed I'm already at 4.4. Will the SlapMyMoto technique work for me, or is that only for people that are starting from 4.2? It's not totally clear in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will use RSDLite, as mentioned, to revert to OEM 4.2.2 with the camera-patched image that you'd use for SlapMyMoto in the first place. See this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2446515
Roll back your phone (which pretty much wipes it) to 4.2.2 and start the SlapMyMoto process from there. I made the same mistake of accepting the 4.4 OTA before realizing my mistake.
Good luck!

Ran into an issue with connecting to adb, unfortunately pretty early on. Posted it in the appropriate thread, if anyone would like to chime in.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48614126#post48614126
Thanks!

Is rooting G900A officially dead?

My original GS5 had a broken gyroscope and I had it replaced a few weeks ago. I didn't expect or realize that Asurian, the company that does At&t's insurance, would send me one running Lollipop, still in original packaging no less. After trying and failing to downgrade to 4.4.2 for hours, I found out that it's not possible.
So, with no exploits to work with, a locked and encrypted bootloader, and some Xposed Modules no longer working from the looks of some forum posts, is GS5 rooting officially dead? Is there some other option that hasn't been considered to acquire root? Since I'm out of warranty, I don't care about tripping KNOX.
Is it possible to completely remove all the software on the phone and replace it with rooted software? I know it may sound idiotic, but I'm no developer, just a guy who likes tinkering with tech, so go easy on me please. I only ask this because I was thinking of getting some outside help to possibly decrypt the bootloader. I've read on other forums that trying to decrypt a phone bootloader is a worthless endeavour but it didn't stop me from looking. As it turns out, even with an extensive Google search, there is no explaination of the subject of bootloader decryption, no software to use, no experts in the field explaining their experience or anything at all helpful.
I'm very much pissed that my first dive into the Android (customizable) experience with the GS5 was first stilted by At&t and now killed. I have not seen any updates indicating any progress on rooting and I'm hoping it's only because I missed it. Considering the time elapsed and the bounty for decrypting the software never being claimed, shall I lose hope and wait out this crappy device until I can buy a new one? Or, is root still of some concern?

Hey, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of root. As far as I know it's dead for now unless someone comes up with something. Not sure if anyone has tried flashing a boot loader from another carrier or not but, that might work. Only thing is, if it doesn't you lost your phone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Yeah, that will brick the phone. Can't flash bootloaders from other carriers to a locked bootloader.

chadderbox said:
Yeah, that will brick the phone. Can't flash bootloaders from other carriers to a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?

fleece said:
Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or just not buy phones from carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

If I could find a SM-G800M at a decent price, I would! It's the only mini model with all four of the same LTE and LTE-A bands that AT&T operates.

unixasaurusrex said:
Or just not buy phones from carriers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be following that advice in the future!
Furious over the forced 5.0 FOTA upgrade with ATT's bootloader and no way to flash 4.4.2. or a custom rom...
---------- Post added at 21:53 ---------- Previous post was at 21:49 ----------
fleece said:
Guess we may need to raise another $18,000 for developing a root. Is there no other geobot out there talented enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll donate large sums to this cause just on principle.
ATT hasn't completely locked down their Galaxy Notes (it can be flashed back to their 4.4.2 stock rom from 5.0.1)... Just primarily their S5...

Maybe a dev can look into this for a possible root...
http://www.networkworld.com/article...-a-simple-mms-message-or-multimedia-file.html
There is a part of the article that mentions root access is possible, now if it could be a permanent root is the real question.

johnkirchner said:
Maybe a dev can look into this for a possible root...
http://www.networkworld.com/article...-a-simple-mms-message-or-multimedia-file.html
There is a part of the article that mentions root access is possible, now if it could be a permanent root is the real question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posed the same question, whether the devs thought stagefright could be used to facilitate rooting the ATT Note 4 and @graydiggy was awesome at explaining the exploit may only work on phones without write protection (the Nexus line).
Wonder if Joshua Drake (who discovered the flaw) would be willing to assist xdaers with this ATT S5 root issue should a proper bounty be offered. Seems Google paid him only about $1500 for reporting the problem and for the patches he created and sent (to Google)...
Currently, @Kingxteam gets mad respect for developing a tool to root otherwise unrootable phones. They have yet to add ATT's galaxy S5 (SM-900A) to their list of supported phones but I suspect they're working on it. Maybe PM them?

Hope is good thing... maybe the best of things.
Cave Canem said:
...Currently, @Kingxteam gets mad respect for developing a tool to root otherwise unrootable phones. They have yet to add ATT's galaxy S5 (SM-900A) to their list of supported phones but I suspect they're working on it. ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Kingxteam !!! All glory and honor and praise to you all -- especially if you can "tame this wild horse" with a root. :victory:

I'm new to all this rooting and don't understand any of the language yet but would like to start rooting. Unfortunately the phone I have seems to be unrootable. Anyone know if I can root my memo pad 7 on AT&T don't know model number but I do know it's running kk4.4

Just got this phone a week ago and returning/exchanging isn't an option for me. I really hope there are still some ambitious devs out there looking for a solution to rooting the lollipop OC4 version, although I fear the majority have moved on. :crying:

WARNING: PingPong Root Users Do NOT Update to 5.1.1

I have gotten a few private messages plus some people have posted on the threads with the updates.
Do NOT update to 5.1.1 if you want to maintain root.
After days of tinkering, here are your possible outcomes (none of which are what you want):
A. Continuous soft reboot after upgrading via FlashFire updates.
B. Use ODIN to flash the system/boot partitions or properly done FlashFire update... Hoorah! You're on 5.1.1, but your fingerprint sensor and LTE are dead - plus no root.
C. You try to downgrade after B, and you no longer have signal under any circumstance.
Personally, I am now just going to flash the OI2 ODIN files in full and be done with it until a new root method is available. Sorry guys, I have tried everything that I can think of. As you can see above that something in the 5.1.1 kernel/system images require the latest bootloader which is what allows us to downgrade and get root from OE2 using PingPong.
There is a possibility of a new solution soon enough... see progress here for other models of S6: UniKernel

Yeah I ended up tripping knox in my attempts at working something out. Fortunately I was able to revert but thats only because I didn't dare try and flash the bootloader or modem. Man this is like a sick mind-game. I wish I would have had more experience with Samsung and AT&T before I bought this damn phone. This is my first phone on AT&T and my first Samsung. It was the perfect **** storm... I never anticipated this bull****, after this long... And I can't even get rid of the damn thing. Nobody wants it.

wesgarner said:
I have gotten a few private messages plus some people have posted on the threads with the updates.
Do NOT update to 5.1.1 if you want to maintain root.
After days of tinkering, here are your possible outcomes (none of which are what you want):
A. Continuous soft reboot after upgrading via FlashFire updates.
B. Use ODIN to flash the system/boot partitions or properly done FlashFire update... Hoorah! You're on 5.1.1, but your fingerprint sensor and LTE are dead - plus no root.
C. You try to downgrade after B, and you no longer have signal under any circumstance.
Personally, I am now just going to flash the OI2 ODIN files in full and be done with it until a new root method is available. Sorry guys, I have tried everything that I can think of. As you can see above that something in the 5.1.1 kernel/system images require the latest bootloader which is what allows us to downgrade and get root from OE2 using PingPong.
There is a possibility of a new solution soon enough... see progress here for other models of S6: UniKernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive my ignorance here...I've not kept close track of the progress of unikernel. But it was my impression that without a custom recovery option, we are entirely SOL regarding custom kernels. Am I misunderstanding things, or did something change? I didn't see anything in the recent posts there that got my hopes up...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

Well technically you can flash the kernel using FlashFire however a screen will stop you from booting.. Says something about at&t detecting modified software on your device please take to repair center blah blah

timde9 said:
Well technically you can flash the kernel using FlashFire however a screen will stop you from booting.. Says something about at&t detecting modified software on your device please take to repair center blah blah
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Well not bootable is not useful! ?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

Gah! I don't even use custom roms. Stupid Textra App has this ****ty ghost notification that does not work on 5.0.x android. I would go to 5.1 unrooted but I just can't stand the thought of not being able to get rid of annoying notifications (wifi, etc). Plus all the custom easy hacks. So lame. Never going AT&T again. Why do they make it so difficult anyways? Tmobile doesn't.

They make the majority of their money from enterprise customers. These customers desire the locked bootloader as to avoid security risks. Since this is AT&T's main source of profit this is their main consideration. In short this phone and its software was not designed with our consumer use cases in mind. We are merely an after thought. I have waited too long I am jumping ship, just ordered a Moto X Pure and as soon as it gets here I am leaving this phone behind. Had it since launch and haven't been able to accomplish my original intention since then. Never buying from AT&T and also I am staying far away from anything with an Exynos chipset. Touch Wiz is a lag fest nightmare. For this to be pretty much the most powerful chip in the mobile space and to experience such a lag on it is truly unnerving. Samsung is all too eager to jump the Android band wagon all together and probably intend to do so as soon as they feel their tizen offerings stack up. And I sincerely hope they fail miserably. They are a good hardware company but they should just give up on software. They just don't get it at all.

timde9 said:
Yeah I ended up tripping knox in my attempts at working something out. Fortunately I was able to revert but thats only because I didn't dare try and flash the bootloader or modem. Man this is like a sick mind-game. I wish I would have had more experience with Samsung and AT&T before I bought this damn phone. This is my first phone on AT&T and my first Samsung. It was the perfect **** storm... I never anticipated this bull****, after this long... And I can't even get rid of the damn thing. Nobody wants it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amen. Well said. Bravo.... I feel your pain. My first real SmartPhone was the Fire Phone with AT&T, exactly a year ago, and I took its enema for 10+ months before I finally decided to just add payments for the S6 and finally have a good phone I could root. So now I'm paying for both, and the more I search for help and answers on here, the more I feel like my kind aren't welcome. Not by the community, but by ATT and Samsung. Gee thanks.
Well, at least I have a new phone... I'm totally down to build and burn a 5.1.1 effigy with you, if you want.

Well I have already given up on this phone. See my post above. My sister has already agreed to take over the line and the phone payment and I just bought a Moto X Pure outright yesterday. Just waiting for it to arrive now.

I've been thinking of just doing an Odin back to stock (unrooted) and OTA update up to the newest 5.1.1 on my 925a for a week or so now. For anyone that is already on OI2, how is it working out for you? Is the phone still slow at times? Does the memory issues still exist?
I recall seeing an app a little while ago that is able to freeze/disable apps without root. What was that app? Has anyone tried doing something like this? How did it work out?

sirdizzle415 said:
I've been thinking of just doing an Odin back to stock (unrooted) and OTA update up to the newest 5.1.1 on my 925a for a week or so now. For anyone that is already on OI2, how is it working out for you? Is the phone still slow at times? Does the memory issues still exist?
I recall seeing an app a little while ago that is able to freeze/disable apps without root. What was that app? Has anyone tried doing something like this? How did it work out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Package disabler. Works like a charm.

anneoneamouse said:
Package disabler. Works like a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Is it the "for Samsung" one? or do you have another one in mind?
How is OI2 working out for you?

Don't have oi2, I have an s6 active, no update yet.

Well...

Appears this is where we come to an end with development and rooting. All other g4s have been Rooted on Android m. We just don't have any love for this device. Appears we all messed up when we chose sprint as our carrier. Argh!

Wat, who are you? What makes you think you can make that call? There are people that spent countless hours making ROMs and Developing for the Sprint LG G4 and you think you have the final say?
Quoting what you said just in case you edit you post: "Appears this is where we come to an end with development and rooting. All other g4s have been Rooted on Android m. We just don't have any love for this device. Appears we all messed up when we chose sprint as our carrier. Argh!" with screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/DxsEmvG.png
Not the right way to think, just wait. Have you contributed in anyway to the Sprint LG G4 here on XDA? I sure have with my free hotspot bug (patched on Android M).

I highly doubt Verizon G4 is rooted on m.
In fact I don't think they even have Marshmallow update yet.

what is so appealing in Marshmallow to make one want to upgrade urgently? If you have stable L with root and xposed, why not staying with it. I do not think there is Xposed for M anyways yet, which is the main reason to root this phone.

I am with you. This phone is the most disappointing tech purchase in all my years of existence. I love the camera and removable battery but this phone is just crap and doesn't get much dev love. I beat if the bootloader got unlocked and I can load a true rom on it this phone would be great. I think most of the problems is LG's crappy modifications to android. Every time it get slow, unresponsive, the touch screen lags behind, or a stupid Sprint notification advertisement pops up I want to chuck it against a wall and then jump off a cliff.
I am just using this as a rude awakening to the future. This will most likely be one of the last phones that isn't sealed tight. Guess I need to carry around a clunky battery pack with cable dangling from my pockets instead of a small quick batter swap. Rooting and unlocking the bootloader will become ever more difficult with upcoming phones. The glory days are over I feel

centran said:
I am with you. This phone is the most disappointing tech purchase in all my years of existence. I love the camera and removable battery but this phone is just crap and doesn't get much dev love. I beat if the bootloader got unlocked and I can load a true rom on it this phone would be great. I think most of the problems is LG's crappy modifications to android. Every time it get slow, unresponsive, the touch screen lags behind, or a stupid Sprint notification advertisement pops up I want to chuck it against a wall and then jump off a cliff.
I am just using this as a rude awakening to the future. This will most likely be one of the last phones that isn't sealed tight. Guess I need to carry around a clunky battery pack with cable dangling from my pockets instead of a small quick batter swap. Rooting and unlocking the bootloader will become ever more difficult with upcoming phones. The glory days are over I feel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled and uninstalled everything I could with sprint software. Haven't had any of their pop ups in months. It seems you bought a phone in one of the bad batches with your lagging screen.
I hate their UI though...

One of the best phones I've had in terms of specs etc. Would be something if I could run CM13 on this one day..
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

I don't have Android M on my phone yet....
...so maybe I can keep my hopes up. Sprint didn't give me Marshmallow on my phone. I'm not begging for it either. From what I'm gathering here, you're all good if you're on Lollipop (5.1) Right?

EmSeeMAC said:
I disabled and uninstalled everything I could with sprint software. Haven't had any of their pop ups in months. It seems you bought a phone in one of the bad batches with your lagging screen.
I hate their UI though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I had a bad batch phone and it was before Sprint admitted the problem so I sent it to LG. LG fixed my phone but did not replace it. That is probably the big problem. Now I have a phone that is only having lagging problems and since that is subjective and random so not easily repeatable I am screwed.

SeeLaH said:
...so maybe I can keep my hopes up. Sprint didn't give me Marshmallow on my phone. I'm not begging for it either. From what I'm gathering here, you're all good if you're on Lollipop (5.1) Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We do have Marshmallow, but the OTA is taking reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally long.

I just got the notification a few minutes ago for the update. I'm from Michigan and figured I was one of the last places to get it but I guess not. Newho, I've read that there's gonna be more dev work on our g4 but they were waiting for Android m to come out before they focused their energy to cracking the bootloader. Stay patient as the carriers are getting wise to what our devs have been doing and they try to seal up the phone to keep us out. But when there's a will there's a way and it will happen eventually.

Well I'm hoping for ultrapop marshmallow, lol. The phone stock was fine and ultrapop was perfect for me. Would be nice to have cm in this phone but ultrapop was all I really need.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

esloudan said:
Well I'm hoping for ultrapop marshmallow, lol. The phone stock was fine and ultrapop was perfect for me. Would be nice to have cm in this phone but ultrapop was all I really need.
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think that's gonna happen, as MM security is the reason we don't even have systemless root yet. UltraPop relies on changing the system partition, which the Lollipop boot sequence isn't as strong. in MM as soon as the system partition is changed, it causes hashes and whatnot to change, the boot sequence detects the changes and doesn't allow the phone to boot. I think we'll need an unlocked bootloader for UP-type "pseudo-roms"

natator99 said:
Don't think that's gonna happen, as MM security is the reason we don't even have systemless root yet. UltraPop relies on changing the system partition, which the Lollipop boot sequence isn't as strong. in MM as soon as the system partition is changed, it causes hashes and whatnot to change, the boot sequence detects the changes and doesn't allow the phone to boot. I think we'll need an unlocked bootloader for UP-type "pseudo-roms"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I was able to work-around the system partition in ZV6 because LG security only checked for certain files were present. In ZV8, there is LG security checksum for the whole system partition. Since we have a locked bootloader, we can't modify Kernel without tripping the boot security. I am still going to try to get a modified stock ROM working, or maybe mix of ZV6/ZV8, but have not had much time lately.

Roms for our phone? please tell me where roms are at for our phone. i only see 1. that is still stock. ultrapop

Go to the Sprint Fun and Games app and hit the menu button, then settings, then deselect the box Atuomatically install Zone / Fun & Game updates and the notifications boxes. Super disappointed in Sprint for having this.

centran said:
I am with you. This phone is the most disappointing tech purchase in all my years of existence. I love the camera and removable battery but this phone is just crap and doesn't get much dev love. I beat if the bootloader got unlocked and I can load a true rom on it this phone would be great. I think most of the problems is LG's crappy modifications to android. Every time it get slow, unresponsive, the touch screen lags behind, or a stupid Sprint notification advertisement pops up I want to chuck it against a wall and then jump off a cliff.
I am just using this as a rude awakening to the future. This will most likely be one of the last phones that isn't sealed tight. Guess I need to carry around a clunky battery pack with cable dangling from my pockets instead of a small quick batter swap. Rooting and unlocking the bootloader will become ever more difficult with upcoming phones. The glory days are over I feel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This phone has plenty of "dev love". Some of the best developers are trying their hand at it. There's a huge bounty for unlocking the bootloader, and plenty of people trying to earn it.
The problem is, until one of them (or the part timers like me) stumble across something that works, we're in a holding pattern. We have something stable that works in Android L with root and xposed framework, and until the bootloader issue is solved, that will have to do.
Be patient, OR hit the general Android development section and LEARN. Do it yourself. Grab the bounty. There's plenty of us doing what we can, even as far as hard bricking our devices and getting them replaced by trying methods that work for other devices. I myself am on my second LS991 from trying a method that worked on the kindle fire where you get into fastboot by nuking laf and still haven't had any luck getting a patched bootloader to stick.
So cool off and have some patience. Some people haven't even had the official OTA roll out to their area yet and you're crying that you don't have rooted M? Grow up.

+1
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
agentfusion said:
This phone has plenty of "dev love". Some of the best developers are trying their hand at it. There's a huge bounty for unlocking the bootloader, and plenty of people trying to earn it.
The problem is, until one of them (or the part timers like me) stumble across something that works, we're in a holding pattern. We have something stable that works in Android L with root and xposed framework, and until the bootloader issue is solved, that will have to do.
Be patient, OR hit the general Android development section and LEARN. Do it yourself. Grab the bounty. There's plenty of us doing what we can, even as far as hard bricking our devices and getting them replaced by trying methods that work for other devices. I myself am on my second LS991 from trying a method that worked on the kindle fire where you get into fastboot by nuking laf and still haven't had any luck getting a patched bootloader to stick.
So cool off and have some patience. Some people haven't even had the official OTA roll out to their area yet and you're crying that you don't have rooted M? Grow up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

LG will not be unlocking any other G4's except the Euro H815.
Hello,
Thank you for your interest in LG mobile devices.
Currently, you can only unlock bootloader for LG G4 for the European market with model number H815.
And we have no plan to support bootloader unlocking for H815T.
If there are any changes to the supported devices, we will let you know via our website.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

DaemeonZane said:
LG will not be unlocking any other G4's except the Euro H815.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And? That doesn't mean they can't be unlocked by other means. It just means LG will not be providing the binary file for oem-unlock via fastboot. Some of us have already gotten limited fastboot access by willingly destroying the laf partition and using a serial USB connection. Right now I'm working on trying to figure out how to get access to other fastboot commands not available in this limited mode, then it's just a matter of creating a reliable semi-automated process so it's accessible to less technical users, and if no one beats me to it; collecting the bounty on a reliable bootloader unlock and ability to flash recovery and make it stick. (Which, to be absolutely honest ... Though I'm not working with anyone else, I would not have gotten *anywhere* without ideas others have bounced around on these forums that helped me make progress when stuck, so I will contact each of them privately to divide half of the bounty between them if I am first to be able to collect it)