unlock

Aug

HTC Details Upcoming Bootloader Unlocking Process For New And Select Existing Devices Via A Web-Based Tool

Posted by Abhiroop Basu in Android OS, EVO 3D (Shooter), HTC, News, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid)

Earlier this month HTC released details about their roll-out plans for its bootloader unlock process and the devices that would be supported. Today, in answer to some of the questions posed by HTC’s Facebook fans, HTC released an update on how the bootloader unlocking process will actually work and why HTC’s newest phones are still shipping with a locked bootloader.

As mentioned in their earlier post, HTC is continuing to make every effort to release OTA software updates within the month to enable unlocking of the HTC Sensation followed soon by the HTC Sensation 4G and the HTC EVO 3D.

Jul

Revolutionary From Unrevoked And AlphaRev Offers S-Off And NAND Write Access To Most Modern HTC Phones Including EVO 3D And Sensation

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Aria (Liberty), Desire (Bravo/BravoC), Desire 2 (Saga), EVO 3D (Shooter), Flyer, Incredible S (Vivo), News, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid), Wildfire (Buzz)

We've been waiting all day for a new project called Revolutionary from AlphaRev and Unrevoked to go live, and that moment is now upon is. This new tool allows S-Off and NAND write access to a whole slew of modern HTC phones, including some devices that have yet to receive a permanent unlock solution:

HTC Desire (bravo) 0.93.0001
HTC Desire CDMA (bravoc) 1.06.0000
HTC Wildfire (buzz) 1.01.0001
HTC Aria (liberty) 1.02.0000
HTC Incredible S (vivo) 1.09.0000 and 1.13.0000
HTC Droid Incredible 2 (vivow) 0.97.0000
HTC Desire S (saga) 0.98.0000 and 0.98.0002
HTC View (express) 1.09.0000 and 1.13.0000
HTC Flyer (flyer) 1.10.0000
HTC Sensation (pyramid) 1.17.0006, .0008, .0011 and .0012
HTC Evo 3D (shooter) 1.30.0000 and 1.40.0000

The most notable of the bunch is the EVO 3D and the Sensation -- two devices that were previously without a permanent root solution (only perma-temp).

Jul

HTC: EVO 3D, Sensation 4G (And Global) Bootloader Unlock Will Roll Out In August - Sort Of

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Dev, EVO 3D (Shooter), HTC, News, Sensation / Sensation 4G (Pyramid)

HTC has finally laid out a timetable for the release of software updates on phones that will allow the unlocking of device bootloaders. It sounds like HTC will be utilizing a system similar to Sony - which uses a web-based tool as part of the unlock process. Why? HTC states that while the OTA software update allowing unlocking will start rolling out in August, the actually ability to unlock phones won't be ready until early September. So, at the earliest, your EVO 3D or Sensation 4G will be unlockable in about 2 months.

Unfortunately, there's another caveat: HTC hasn't exactly made it 100% clear that August is the date for the release of said software update for the EVO 3D and Sensation 4G.

Jun

HTC Is "Diligently Working" On That EVO 3D Bootloader Unlock, In Case You Were Wondering

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, EVO 3D (Shooter), HTC, News

EVO 3D owners across the US have been patiently waiting a whole 3 days (I know, it's an eternity) for HTC to make good on its promise to unlock the phone's bootloader. HTC has now issued a statement on the matter in response to a wall post on its Facebook page, which is overrun with complaints from EVO 3D owners (or people who just like to whine) criticizing what they perceive to be the slowness of the company's efforts to issue a bootloader unlock solution.

While HTC never made promises about a time frame, there's still no shortage of angry EVO 3D customers to be found on the company's Facebook wall.

Jun

No Need To Wait For Gingerbread: The Atrix Bootloader Has Been Unlocked

Posted by Matt Demers in Atrix 4G (Olympus), Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, Motorola, News

Even though we reported yesterday that the Motorola Atrix would be receiving the option to unlock its bootloader, a group of dedicated developers on XDA have found a way to do, even on Froyo. The update involves flashing a specifically-coded SBF, and then running commands from the fastboot menu of the phone. If all goes well, you'll get the fabled "device is now unlocked" message, and you will be one step closer to killing that damned Motoblur.

^{XDA user XLR88 reports his success}

However, there are some limitations. The phone has to either be running the AT&T or OLYFR version of the phone; certain versions, like the French or Bell Canada Atrix have been reported to have less than optimal results (an error which stops the process, but no reports of bricking).

Jun

[Video] DROID Incredible 2 Bootloader Unlocked [S-OFF] By AlphaRev Team

Posted by David Ruddock in HTC, Incredible 2 (Vivow), Mods, News, Videos

Well, that was pretty fast, actually. The DROID Incredible 2 has successfully been unlocked by AlphaRev - that means 100% rooted and (soon) ROM-ready. Instructions and a download will follow soon - so hold tight, we'll keep you updated on this one.

YouTube

May

Victory Is Ours! HTC: "We've Listened, Will No Longer Be Locking The Bootloaders On Our Devices"

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in HTC, Mods, News

Ladies and gentlemen, minutes ago HTC announced that they have been listening to us all along and will reverse their stance on locking bootloaders! The statement comes directly from the CEO Peter Chou and reads:

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

Devices with locked bootloaders can still be rooted and usually partially unlocked. They could even enjoy custom ROMs (see the Droid X ROM community), but because the system kernel cannot be replaced, these ROMs cannot be considered complete - they can change things on the surface but not under the hood.

May

HTC "Reviewing" Its Bootloader Policy - We'll Believe It When We See It

Posted by Nate Kimmey in HTC, News

Last Updated: June 1st, 2011

Update: If you've somehow ended up on this page, please note: HTC has since changed its bootloader policy - all future phones will be unlocked.

Once a great example of how open Android phone manufacturers could be, HTC has taken a lot of heat from its fan base over recent decisions to lock its devices' bootloaders (such as with the Sensation and EVO 3D), endangering the possibility that these devices will be able to support custom ROMs. Fortunately, there is a chance that could be changing, as HTC announced on its Facebook page that the company is reviewing its bootloader policy:

Thanks so much for providing feedback, we hear your concerns.

May

[Weekend Poll] How Important Will Customization Be In Determining Your Next Android Purchase?

Posted by David Ruddock in Android OS, Polls

Last Updated: September 3rd, 2011

It's that time of the week again folks - time to hit the polls. This week's question is one that'll allow you to express what you think an Android handset should let you do in terms of customization, modification, and other various tinkering (think rooting, custom ROMs, kernels, etc). Basically, we want to know how important it is for you, as a consumer, that your next phone be easy to customize. Or if that really isn't important at all.

Let us know in the comments what ROMs, rooted apps, and other goodies only available to the rooted/unlocked users among us that you just can't live without.

Apr

[Instructions] How To Root The Verizon Samsung Droid Charge

Posted by Justin Case in Droid Charge / i510, Mods, News, Samsung, Tutorials, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: May 7th, 2011

Neither z4root nor SuperOneClick is currently working on the Charge (though I'm sure someone will come up with a one-click method soon enough), but guess what - Gingerbreak sure does. Follow these instructions, and you should have root and full /system unlock on your Droid Charge in a few minutes. Credit goes to the Exploid Crew and unnamed testers.

No custom recovery, such as ClockworkMod or RA, is available yet, but it is surely going to arrive very soon.

Pros

Permanent root
Read/write access to /system
The bootloader is factory unlocked, so no additional fiddling is required
All Droid Charges survived testing
No data wipe is needed

Cons

Voids warranty
Could brick your phone if you aren't careful

Android Police and Team AndIRC disclaim all liability for any harm that may befall your device, including, but not limited to: bricked phones, voided manufacturer warranties, exploding batteries, etc.