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Love my Z1 so far but..
Wondering about 3 things at the moment,
1. Will Sony ever fix the camera issue for the bootloader?
2. If so, Will there be a great amount of ROM development like for example the Galaxy series.
3. Are we gonna see some nice updates from Sony in the near future? ( Camera fix, 4.3/4.4?)
zippy1990 said:
Love my Z1 so far but..
Wondering about 3 things at the moment,
1. Will Sony ever fix the camera issue for the bootloader?
2. If so, Will there be a great amount of ROM development like for example the Galaxy series.
3. Are we gonna see some nice updates from Sony in the near future? ( Camera fix, 4.3/4.4?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony will definitely sort the camera issue out with regards to the bootloader.
We have two fantastic devs already, krabappel2548 & DooMLoRD, more will come if they think the Z1 is worth developing for.
Updates will come when and where Sony sees fit to release them but we all hope for 4.4
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I only miss lack of working recovery for 534!
I have unlocked bootloader of my old Z and after some time it brick's (nothing to do with unlocking) fortunately they exchanged it under warranty, but now i prefer not to unlock bootloader and only root (which is must!). Original ROM is very good
I'm really not missing having custom rom's because after rooting I'm using Xposed - have about 25 modules installed and my phone may as well have a custom rom on it because all the features I usually look for are there! With "Auto Hide Soft Keys" installed I've got the full screen size back and I'm really very very happy overall.
Normally I'd have installed a 'slim' or 'AOSP' type rom just for speed reasons, but the damn Snapdragon 800 is so fast it really doesn't matter that Sony preloaded a little bit of bloatware - and its not as pervasive & space consuming as Samsungs bloat.
The only features I'm missing are the kernel level features (Touch-to-wake please DooMLoRD!), but there's only one custom kernel for now and it requires a UB, so I'm waiting on that till they fix the TA partition stuff (though I know you can just restore the TA partition to fix the camera I don't feel the need to yet).
And to answer the questions:
1) Yes
2) Wait and see
3) Yes or they'll be abandoning their flagship phone to word of mouth and stale OS - not going to happen.
Uvaavu said:
3) Yes or they'll be abandoning their flagship phone to word of mouth and stale OS - not going to happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony and S/E HAVE done this before, look at the history...
Here is my answers to the 3 questions:
1. Proberbly not, it is a way to keep people from custom roms.
This way Sony can still claim "open bootloader" and "dev friendly", but Sony have done it this way for a reason...
2. Wait and see...
Without sources, the camera will proberbly not ever work on custom roms...
The way this phone is made, sony can in fact release sources as they have to, and leave out the sources for the camera...
3. Look at the Sony and S/E history... Android v4.3 is most certainly all you can expect, as they have to release 4.3 to meet Googles demands...
You will get bugfixes thoug...
I would have written "Sony is NOT stupid!" in the end of all 3 answers, but that looked a little angry...
- the fact is that Sony have NEVER done anything by mistake...!
Dear devs and community,
Now that the xperia z has been out for a while, you might all be aware that there is the famous distinction between xperia z's with
(a) the non-unlockable bootloader
(b) the unlockable bootloader
Now the advantages on the latter one are that you could install custom firmware and benefit from the work of the xda community. To date I am not aware that there is any method to unlock the non-unlockable bootloader in any manner. I would really like to know if we could really do something for that portion of z users that would like to benefit from their phones completely.
Unlocking the bootloader does void the warranty but to this day and age, it's like as if phones are leased to the user and it is ridiculous that s/he does not own the phone completely. So please do not post anything like "it cannot be done etc etc".
What we require is some pointers in order to start from somewhere in the hope of removing this plague completely off the xperia's with locked bootloader. Hopefully this would be a thread that provides insight to other z models on how to resolve this issue.
The bloatware on the phones is incredible! A quick look through adb shell will instantly tell you what I mean. The only way of being safe is not to have a data / wifi connection on the phone. That is why custom firmware is a far better choice than official firmware.
I hope that something could be done. Thank you in advance.
Al
Here's some threads that might provide you with a better insight into the problem:
[DEV] Reloading kernel without rebooting - http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-u/general/dev-reloading-kernel-rebooting-t2053466
[DEV][LB]ramdiskHijack - CM for locked bootloaders? - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2653896
[Bounty]Funding an xperia T/TL bootloader unlock - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287897
[DEV] Kexec for locked bootloaders - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2648430
Other potentially helpful threads:
[dev][kernel][kexec] - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2495152
[PATCH][TX][DEV]kexec hardboot port - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2747215
None of them have succeded fully at loading a custom kernel on a non-unlockable device, or unlocking the device's bootloader.
An alternative would be hijacking ramdisk and loading a non-stock-based ROM on a stock kernel, as they did on the Xperia SP:
XperiaSP Locked Bootloader (LBL) Cyanogenmod 11.0 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735975
I've tried porting the solution they used on the Xperia SP, but I have nowhere near the amount of knowledge to get something like that working. Though, if some experienced dev would look into this solutions, maybe we would have some results
Even if Z's bootloader is unlockable, i think you can still flash custom roms with it. there are custom roms which support locked bootloaders, but of course they use stock kernel. hehe
Thing is we have to look further. There must be a solution. Nothing is impossible to this community. Thing is even as has been posted above. Only stock kernel can be flashed. Rooting is cumbersome as well which is mandatory on such a phone. At least as of the kitkat update u got to play about a lot to root it. Wondering why there was no rooting exploit lile cfroot for z out yet.
Rooting the z is simple, even on kk with locked boot loader - see here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783863
Making permanently locked bootloader unlockable is a different story. The devs with the know how would have little incentive to pursue such a task. They would have bought z's with an unlockable bootloader, and unlocked it almost immediately.
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium
shoey63 said:
Rooting the z is simple, even on kk with locked boot loader - see here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783863
Making permanently locked bootloader unlockable is a different story. The devs with the know how would have little incentive to pursue such a task. They would have bought z's with an unlockable bootloader, and unlocked it almost immediately.
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. I was hoping that the Xperia T bounty thread (I mentioned it above) would be of some motivation to devs, and help us fix the problem. But it seems that even 400$ wasn't a big enough motivation (or it's just impossible to do)
baga255 said:
True. I was hoping that the Xperia T bounty thread (I mentioned it above) would be of some motivation to devs, and help us fix the problem. But it seems that even 400$ wasn't a big enough motivation (or it's just impossible to do)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing is impossible for this community. There are many people out there who could not buy an unlockable z and hopefully we could make such hardware more usable.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Alcatrazx said:
Nothing is impossible for this community. There are many people out there who could not buy an unlockable z and hopefully we could make such hardware more usable.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOTHING is 100% IMPOSSIBLE anywhere. The creator of the universe COULD be a flying spaghetti monster, and Santa Claus MIGHT be real. LOL.
But some things are just VERY improbable.
Never mind sacharine images of "community". What we have is LOTS of people who want things but can't do them themselves, and relatively few people who can actually do those things.
A company developed an unlock for One M8 and NOBODY else can figure it out. They bricked FIVE M8's getting it working. They charge $20 and get LOTS of grief from people whining that it should be cheaper, or free.
BL locks these days are often VERY hard to crack. Each time crackers attacked in the last few years, the OEMs got smarter and put in more safeguards. Gone are the days when ANYTHING could be unlocked.
In the grand scheme of things, $400 is almost nothing to a high caliber cracker, and pledges are often MUCH bigger than real life payouts. A good SW engineer can make $100k per year in the first world, $400 might pay for 4 hours, once all sorts of common sense deductions are made.
I made SURE to buy my Z, Z1 and Z2 tab from non-carrier sources that leave BL unlockable. Others should do the same, or at least learn for next phone.
Remember the time...!
Guys,
I owned a Xperia x8 ho, this old phone has its glory, rip x8...
I tought there was an unnoficial way to unlock it's BL, by the Windows console,
Why not look in there and see if something can be done for the Z?
With the x8 we only had to verify the volttage/date (correct me if I'm wrong)
to see if the exploit was possible, why not try to do the same on the Z?
X10 Bypass > X8 Idea > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1018652
X8 Bypass Idea > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1042018
General Research on the x8 forum > http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php?searchid=304696191
I can't find back the original thread but I can assure you that my X8 is UB unfortunately it dates:S
I think our best bet is to try and get CM (or AOSP/PA) working on a locked bootloader, using the ramdisk hijack method. It's been done before on the Xperia SP (and open-sourced), so I think it should be possible for the Xperia Z too (just my personal opinion, I'm in no way sure that that would actually work but considering the similarities of Sony products, it might be highly possible).
I'm just too unexperienced to do it myself atm, but I'll still try when I find the time.
This should be of interest.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
Any news on this? Any dev willing to give this a shot?
Sent from my eXposed C6603
I have just received my device, upgraded from a Z3. Can I root without losing DRM keys / Camera quality? If so whats the best method currently.
Thanks
At this point, no. There's currently no method to backup the DRM keys, although there is some slow development going on.
And since you're coming from the Z3, which I also previously owned and have rooted, you should be aware that with newer generation of Xperias, it's no longer an issue of losing special camera features without the DRM keys, you actually lose the ability to use the camera completely.
So, general advice is to NOT root unless you understand the risks and am willing to accept the trade-off for whatever root functions you're seeking.
that's unfortunate - used to have a Z1C and will only use a compact phone, but Sony's antics have kept me from purchasing the XZ1C and XZ2C until bootloader unlocking and root is available
mhaha said:
At this point, no. There's currently no method to backup the DRM keys, although there is some slow development going on.
And since you're coming from the Z3, which I also previously owned and have rooted, you should be aware that with newer generation of Xperias, it's no longer an issue of losing special camera features without the DRM keys, you actually lose the ability to use the camera completely.
So, general advice is to NOT root unless you understand the risks and am willing to accept the trade-off for whatever root functions you're seeking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wyt18 said:
that's unfortunate - used to have a Z1C and will only use a compact phone, but Sony's antics have kept me from purchasing the XZ1C and XZ2C until bootloader unlocking and root is available
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, unless you purchased from a channel that deliberately locks the bootloader (usually carrier devices), it's actually super easy to unlock the bootloader. They have a dedicated website for that, with a list of unlockable models.
Getting root access after the bootloader has been unlocked is pretty much trivial. So, your assumption is technically incorrect. Unlocked bootloaders and root have always been available for a huge chunk of their lineup.
The problem lies with the way they treat an unlocked device. They designed some of their proprietary software features to be DRM-reliant, and purposely wipes the DRM keys when you unlock the bootloader, possibly to "protect" their IP/assets. That was not such big of an issue in the past when you'd only lose things like enhanced low light picture taking ability or enhanced image reproduction (X-Reality), but recently, they've opted to be a **** and intentionally cripple core functions like the camera. That's the price you have to pay to root your XZ1C.
Fortunately, there now exists workarounds to that problem thanks to devs here on xda, so that you'd regain those lost functions after root with mods and hacks, namely a DRM-fix patch that tricks the OS into thinking the DRM keys are still there. Bad news is, this patch is no longer free, you have to pay for it. Also, you're pretty much at the mercy of the dev for any compatibility with future firmware updates. IMO, it's not worth it.
Alternatively, you can choose to build and flash AOSP, which Sony actually makes available on their developer website. From what I remember, someone reported that the stock camera does function, but is very basic. Basically, it takes ****ty pictures. Plus, the ROM probably not as stable since it's not meant for mainstream usage, I doubt they have people fixing bugs or whatnot.
But, the point I wanted to make is, the XZ1C is fully rootable, not completely locked down as you thought. With compromises though.
thanks. i'm aware it is rootable, but sacrificing camera functionality to achieve it (one of Sony's few strong suits among other oems) is a tradeoff few will be willing to take. either way, just feels like Sony keeps stabbing themselves in the foot with their mobile business
i wasn't aware of the (paid) DRM patch though, thanks for pointing that out. is this the one you are referring to? https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...ny-xz1-compact-16-january-2018-t3736068/page4
mhaha said:
Well, unless you purchased from a channel that deliberately locks the bootloader (usually carrier devices), it's actually super easy to unlock the bootloader. They have a dedicated website for that, with a list of unlockable models.
Getting root access after the bootloader has been unlocked is pretty much trivial. So, your assumption is technically incorrect. Unlocked bootloaders and root have always been available for a huge chunk of their lineup.
The problem lies with the way they treat an unlocked device. They designed some of their proprietary software features to be DRM-reliant, and purposely wipes the DRM keys when you unlock the bootloader, possibly to "protect" their IP/assets. That was not such big of an issue in the past when you'd only lose things like enhanced low light picture taking ability or enhanced image reproduction (X-Reality), but recently, they've opted to be a **** and intentionally cripple core functions like the camera. That's the price you have to pay to root your XZ1C.
Fortunately, there now exists workarounds to that problem thanks to devs here on xda, so that you'd regain those lost functions after root with mods and hacks, namely a DRM-fix patch that tricks the OS into thinking the DRM keys are still there. Bad news is, this patch is no longer free, you have to pay for it. Also, you're pretty much at the mercy of the dev for any compatibility with future firmware updates. IMO, it's not worth it.
Alternatively, you can choose to build and flash AOSP, which Sony actually makes available on their developer website. From what I remember, someone reported that the stock camera does function, but is very basic. Basically, it takes ****ty pictures. Plus, the ROM probably not as stable since it's not meant for mainstream usage, I doubt they have people fixing bugs or whatnot.
But, the point I wanted to make is, the XZ1C is fully rootable, not completely locked down as you thought. With compromises though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wyt18 said:
thanks. i'm aware it is rootable, but sacrificing camera functionality to achieve it (one of Sony's few strong suits among other oems) is a tradeoff few will be willing to take. either way, just feels like Sony keeps stabbing themselves in the foot with their mobile business
i wasn't aware of the (paid) DRM patch though, thanks for pointing that out. is this the one you are referring to? https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...ny-xz1-compact-16-january-2018-t3736068/page4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
janjan's kernel has the DRM fix built into it as well as some other mods. It's not the orgininal DRM fix made by sToRm// and started on his Sony Xperia XZ Premium TWRP + KERNEL + ROOT + DRM fix/restore thread
You can purchase his updated patcher from his website
The advantage of Xperiafix is that everything is bundled in one app which you run from your PC, as long as you have the right drivers it'll do everything for you. Compare this to janjan's kernel method which looks pretty fiddly.
Edit: I used sToRm//'s patcher to root my XZ1 compact, so I can verify it works perfectly and camera is as stock, no loss of quality.
wyt18 said:
thanks. i'm aware it is rootable, but sacrificing camera functionality to achieve it (one of Sony's few strong suits among other oems) is a tradeoff few will be willing to take. either way, just feels like Sony keeps stabbing themselves in the foot with their mobile business
i wasn't aware of the (paid) DRM patch though, thanks for pointing that out. is this the one you are referring to? https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...ny-xz1-compact-16-january-2018-t3736068/page4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's this one: https://forum.xda-developers.com/xz...hack-mod-sony-xperia-xz-premium-twrp-t3695171
EDIT: Ninja'd by Didgesteve lol, spent too much time searching for the thread
mhaha said:
Well, unless you purchased from a channel that deliberately locks the bootloader (usually carrier devices), it's actually super easy to unlock the bootloader. They have a dedicated website for that, with a list of unlockable models.
Getting root access after the bootloader has been unlocked is pretty much trivial. So, your assumption is technically incorrect. Unlocked bootloaders and root have always been available for a huge chunk of their lineup.
The problem lies with the way they treat an unlocked device. They designed some of their proprietary software features to be DRM-reliant, and purposely wipes the DRM keys when you unlock the bootloader, possibly to "protect" their IP/assets. That was not such big of an issue in the past when you'd only lose things like enhanced low light picture taking ability or enhanced image reproduction (X-Reality), but recently, they've opted to be a **** and intentionally cripple core functions like the camera. That's the price you have to pay to root your XZ1C.
Fortunately, there now exists workarounds to that problem thanks to devs here on xda, so that you'd regain those lost functions after root with mods and hacks, namely a DRM-fix patch that tricks the OS into thinking the DRM keys are still there. Bad news is, this patch is no longer free, you have to pay for it. Also, you're pretty much at the mercy of the dev for any compatibility with future firmware updates. IMO, it's not worth it.
Alternatively, you can choose to build and flash AOSP, which Sony actually makes available on their developer website. From what I remember, someone reported that the stock camera does function, but is very basic. Basically, it takes ****ty pictures. Plus, the ROM probably not as stable since it's not meant for mainstream usage, I doubt they have people fixing bugs or whatnot.
But, the point I wanted to make is, the XZ1C is fully rootable, not completely locked down as you thought. With compromises though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully someone finds an exploit soon
I remember there was some rom development for the moto z play when I had it. There seems to be no interest for this 3rd generation model. Is there something like an uncrackable, locked bootloader that's stopping developers in their tracks or just no interest in kernels and tweaked roms?
Perhaps some, but from what I've seen, (and I've owned Moto X, Z, Z2play and now this one) there's not a whole lot of development. Some, but not much. Probably because the OS is very vanilla and smooth, for one. And two, unfortunately, they are just not very popular devices.
On the Moto X, most seemed to want to just root and use xposed, and stay stock. Otherwise cool proprietary Moto apps and functions were lost. Not available on custom roms.
The fact that downgrading is near impossible without bricking doesn't help either.
Warranty is void when you unlock bootloader on Moto's site and that probably deters many from messing with the device too.
But this phone is very new still, hopefully some development starts up. Just may take more time, cause it's not that popular and not as many own it. Developers may not be buying it cause it's the 3rd generation now and they've seen that it's not that popular in the past. Time will tell.
Oh, and if mod use is affected by custom roms, that would be a huge roadblock too. For many folks anyways.
When do you think root will be available for this phone? That is what I am waiting for before I buy it.
G.I. Jew said:
When do you think root will be available for this phone? That is what I am waiting for before I buy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not until a developer or two get this device and work on it.
Problem is, it's 3rd generation, and developers know that development is quiet on the Z's. Many Moto's really. So they choose a more popular device in many cases.
Hopefully we see some action soon though! Or learn to do for ourselves.
...delete me
Just bought this phone and will see about development, I want to get back into it, the only thing I built before was a kernel for Surnia , development is very different nowadays so if it's not to hard count me in.
Hopefully we can get twrp/root. Viper would be awesome on this phone! Thinking about this phone but I AM NOT GOING TO THROW AWAY HARDWARE WARRENTY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER. Oneplus 6 looks better but sucks with no fm radio/duel stereo speakers/sd card.
input?? opionion??
vq8acsxht said:
Hopefully we can get twrp/root. Viper would be awesome on this phone! Thinking about this phone but I AM NOT GOING TO THROW AWAY HARDWARE WARRENTY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER. Oneplus 6 looks better but sucks with no fm radio/duel stereo speakers/sd card.
input?? opionion??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't have root then on this device, if it becomes an option. Have to unlock bootloader, which kills your warranty.
Darth said:
You won't have root then on this device, if it becomes an option. Have to unlock bootloader, which kills your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder about this, has there been a case where a manufacturer refused to repair a phone because of warranty root wise?
That is what I am wondering, also. I do not mind them killing the software support. Besides, sounds fony bolony that a person rooting can mess up software that factory reset can't fix. On the other hand, TWRP can brick a phone by flashing things. But if GPS/screen dies, that is not because of TWRP/flashing things, that is because chips have failed aka. hardware failure. What can cause hardware/cpu's failure is bring cpu's up to 100% and leaving there or overclocking them but who would do that? I think a custom ROM is easier on the processors because of all the stock crapware that continues digging for hours on hours for private information making the phone hot. The facebook app is the one that made my phone warm and when I killed it with a root uninstaller, the phone cooled back down.
vq8acsxht said:
That is what I am wondering, also. I do not mind them killing the software support. Besides, sounds fony bolony that a person rooting can mess up software that factory reset can't fix. On the other hand, TWRP can brick a phone by flashing things. But if GPS/screen dies, that is not because of TWRP/flashing things, that is because chips have failed aka. hardware failure. What can cause hardware/cpu's failure is bring cpu's up to 100% and leaving there or overclocking them but who would do that? I think a custom ROM is easier on the processors because of all the stock crapware that continues digging for hours on hours for private information making the phone hot. The facebook app is the one that made my phone warm and when I killed it with a root uninstaller, the phone cooled back down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually recent Motos are easy to brick if you do things wrong. Particularly trying to downgrade firmware. Check Out other moto sections, lots of "help I bricked my phone" threads. Many can be fixed by us, but how many don't even try and send it in under warranty?
So that's one definite reason to deny warranty. Though its not directly related to rooting.
I agree. I think they panic and need the phone to work. I like Samsung or Alcatel way of restore the phone to stock. Samsung especially. Turn phone off and plug it into the computer and send firmware to phone. I just wonder why newbies do not read and understand how to restore phone to stock BEFORE touching the phone. They do not ask themselves, "Do I have ALL OF THE TOOLS" to restore phone to factory settings/firmware and "Do I have the firmware". They just want to know how to do mods to phone to see what other tricks the phone can do. Roll over, but DO NOT PLAY DEAD! Crap, "My phone just died". Warranty, where's the warranty card and phone number, now?
vq8acsxht said:
Hopefully we can get twrp/root. Viper would be awesome on this phone! Thinking about this phone but I AM NOT GOING TO THROW AWAY HARDWARE WARRENTY TO UNLOCK BOOTLOADER. Oneplus 6 looks better but sucks with no fm radio/duel stereo speakers/sd card.
input?? opionion??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you a time-traveler who just appeared here naked in the streets, behind a dumpster, with only memories of 2010 in your head?
(Just checking...)
"Viper would be AWESOME on this phone!"
Lolololol-plop.
+ And "TWRP"??
What year *did* the EVO 3D come out anyway?
yourbrotherrex said:
Are you a time-traveler who just appeared here naked in the streets, behind a dumpster, with only memories of 2010 in your head?
(Just checking...)
"Viper would be AWESOME on this phone!"
Lolololol-plop.
+ And "TWRP"??
What year *did* the EVO 3D come out anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Darth. If you can translate what the crack pot is saying, thank you. I do not speak pot head, sorry. Not unless he/she/it is infering that he/she/it has just rooted/twrp with viperfx installed?
First off, yes i have searched thru the forums for an answer but none of those that I found are direct to my questions...
I just placed an order for S21 Ultra Exynos. Should be arriving within the next 2 days or so..
My questions are: (this will be my first Samsung phone)
1) Is one UI good enough? or is it worth it to flash a custom from (previously I used to flash custom from for better battery life and also advance customization.
2) If I unlock the bootloader, will I still receive firmware updates?
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life, camera, and performance.
And also because Samsung promised 3-4 years for firmware updates. I believe this phone will last for at least 3 years.
And I'm thinking of unlocking the bootloader on day 1 itself before even setting up anything. That way I would save my time from losing stuff by resetting after unlocking BL.
3) and also, did anyone get the Samsung care+ extended warranty? Is it worth it?
I have never broken a phone before in my life thus far. But since this is gonna be the most expensive phone I have ever bought, I would prefer to secure my investment. (another reason why I'm considering not to unlock bootloader/root as of yet).
Thank you soo much.
Have not done rooting for a long time. Lost touch will all this stuff.
Hence the noobie questions.
1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.
enigmaamit said:
1. One UI is quite good. There aren't a ton of custom ROMs out there for this phone. Even the most popular ones that exist are still based on one UI.
2. and 3. contradict each other. If you're bothered about warranty AT ALL, don't unlock your bootloader. You can never return to 100% stock on Samsung. Knox will remain tripped so bye bye warranty. Unless of course your country has laws allowing this and you can fight Samsung. They tend to deny warranty if you've modified your phone software. YMMV. I don't have Samsung Care so I don't know about that.
Since you asked for suggestions, mine would be not to be hasty and play around with the device to see if you need to unlock/root/flash etc.
Rooting on day 1 just so you can avoid having to set up phone again is pretty lazy and dangerous. Especially since you've been out of the game for a while.
Baby steps buddy. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI
RSGI said:
Isn´t it sad, that we spent more than 1000 bucks on a device, that in the end, we will never truly own?
I´ve been thinking about this issue since i got my Note 9 (3 years ago)...
The balance between, what we want the device to do for, and what we are allowed to do in the device, without losing support in case of hardware failure...
I, mainly, used to root for 3 reasons: 1 - Ads removal from software; 2 - Control/modification of the system files and 3 - Easy backup and restore with TWRP
And as we all are aware, a few changes in a system file, can avoid the installation of a third party software (e.g. Call Recording) so it seems to be more efficient to root... but then come the brands claming that we can´t do it because that would ruin the user experience that they planned for the device...
The Knox feature as been buffed up to a point that is increasingly harder to install a custom recovery. Something that a few years ago was a solution for a big number of users, now its just a work for those "geeks" that live for the challenge... The risks of brincking a VERY EXPENSIVE device are becaming bigger than the advantages that we would get with root... I guess we are playing into brands plans...
To be fair, brands also understood that they would have to give what users wanted if they wanted to avoid software alterations (except maybe Apple, who just gives what Apple consideres users should have)...
Customizations and bigger control of the software are trends that are growing up in Android skins (like OneUi).
I got my S21 Ultra a few weeks ago, and normally it would rooted and with a custom recovery by now, but the problems i faced with that in my Note 9, are still present in my mind... and i don´t want to face them again...
I manage to get my basic needs with some non-root software, and with GoodLock and Bixby Routines and can do almost everything i would do with the root... Still can´t avoid to have to install a third party software to record calls, something that could be done better with the native system, but that´s it...
In the end, you do you...
Just keep in mind the risks, and be ready to take responsability when something goes wrong... and the possibility of that happen is getting bigger every time they launch a new device...
RSGI
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Agree. The trend for Android devices aping the Apple philosophy is disturbing. But for lack of good alternatives, we are left without too many choices. OnePlus seemed to be doing well on this front but lately they've also gone rogue. So we have to live with what we have, whether we like it or not...
guyderam said:
I'm basically buying this particular phone for its excellent battery life
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Okay so who's gonna tell him?
To be perfectly honest, the battery life is the only gripe I have with this phone. It's quite mediocre for a 5000mAh battery. Of course everyone's usage is different, but I expected better battery life. If you're not a "heavy" user you should be fine though!!
As for bootloader unlocking: I've had 2 S21 Ultras. I had the first one unlocked for a dumb reason, wanted to flash some magisk module to enable all lenses in Google Camera ports basically. Which is kinda funny because now with OneUI 4.0 all the lenses are available in GCam
back to the actual topic, now that I have my second S21U, I don't see a reason to unlock the bootloader. From what I've seen there's only one or two Exynos custom ROMs that are regularly updated. That's the first thing. The 2nd thing is, I just don't wanna trip Knox again and void my warranty.
For me unlocking the BL is not worth it (at the moment). You should consider the pros and the cons of unlocking and hopefully it'll be easier to decide then.
With that being said, enjoy your S21 Ultra, man.
jericho246 said:
Okay so who's gonna tell him?
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Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....
guyderam said:
Thank you so much for the feedback guys.... got my questions answered. Doubt ill be doing anything for now. Gonna use it as it is and see how it goes.
Sadly yes, androids used to be fully customizable and this was the main reason people used to buy them. Unfortunately, phone companies seem to be making it harder and harder for us to do anything to our phones anymore these days.
Oh well....
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Click to collapse
But really, what do you want to do with your phone that's not already in-built. I was thinking the same but over the years Android (and it's custom OEMs) have gotten a lot better with companies baking a lot of the magisk modules (their versions) into their ROMs...I didn't root my OnePlus 7Pro, neither the S21U..don't see the need to (at least for the time being)...
A few things, updates are forfeited after root and also be aware Android 12, One UI 4.0 is far from stable. If it hasn't been preinstalled you should consider ignoring the update until the numerous bugs are addressed. I've had a number of S Series devices, only the S8+ was a Exynos variant, all others had the Snapdragon SoC's and never had a warranty issue. I wouldn't buy the Samsung Care+ but it's like any other insurance, you hate paying for it but happy you did if you ever need it. Unless you're a power user battery life shouldn't be an issue but if it is you can review numerous posts for corrective solutions. Based on what you've shared it's probably best you hold off on unlocking the bootloader, to me there aren't many compelling reasons when one considers all the consequences. I think you'll be OK with the stock device.
I consider myself as a relatively advanced user and was always playing rooted with all of the S devices I had. There were always workarounds for root detection by apps and samsung itself BUT now things have changed and I regret having rooted my S21.
As samsung is enforcing its restrictions against root, I find myself (while being rooted) unable to connect my GW4, unable to use latest Samsung Health app, unable to use Samsung Pay and lately even the samsung account keeps disconnecting for "security reasons" several times a day... What a mess !
As previously said, returning to stock with locked bootloader won't give a 100% functional device as the tripped Knox will still be there preventing you from using some samsung apps and features !
If it gets more complicated, I only have 2 choices : get a "virgin" S21 or say goodbye to Samsung.
With that said, you now know where you're going if you choose to go that way