Bootloader Finally Unlocked (XDA link)

[racedog]

It doesn't really. If you just want to be rooted stock, then there's no reason to unlock. If you're using any of the kexec roms, you'll want to be unlocked since the rom developers will be shifting to "unlocked" roms.

Even more than that is that without an unlocked bootloader you cannot load new kernels. Rooting a phone is only one part of the ROM'ing equation. To fully customize a phone you need to not just put on a new rom, you must also use a custom kernel to maximize the potential of the custom rom and the phone hardware.

One other thing to note in response to a few comments earlier in this thread. Adam Outler and the other devs are not taking credit for unlocking the bootloader. They are merely the "recipients' of the new aboot.img which is unlocked. It seems fairly likely that they were given this by an insider who (for obvious reasons) wishes to remain as anonymous as possible. I'm not knocking their contributions, they are definitely some mighty devs but credit for this new aboot.img seems to belong somewhere else.

In any case, this opens up a ton of new and great possibilities for this phone. I bought one but returned it in three days when it was discovered that the bootloader was locked. I didn't want to be stuck with a phone that I didn't have full control over. Now, I am considering buying one again.

I have been amazed at the lack of comment about this development on these forums. It seems that people don't fully understand the ramifications of a fully unlocked bootloader as opposed to just being able to root a phone. Within 12 hours of the announcement of the new unlock there were ten pages of comments at Rootzwiki but only a few comments here.

 

[recDNA]

Oh, well that's a big difference. I do want to be able to flash any rom I choose.

 

[Suntan]

Oh, well that's a big difference. I do want to be able to flash any rom I choose.

Doesn't really know what it means, but he knows he wants it... Gotta love the electronic gadget community.

-Suntan

 

[PJnc284]

Doesn't really know what it means, but he knows he wants it... Gotta love the electronic gadget community.

-Suntan

No one likes being locked down and told what and when to do it whether they're actually going to use it or not. We'd just become one apple sheep if we wanted that.

 

[Suntan]

No one likes being locked down and told what and when to do it whether they're actually going to use it or not. We'd just become one apple sheep if we wanted that.

A little theatrical don't you think? Or do you mash the accelerator pedal up to 100 MPH every time you see a 55 MPH speed limit sign "locking you down?"

-Suntan

 

[jbomb11]

What is the difference between rooting and unlocking the bootloader?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Srambo217]

Sorry for noob question but how does unlocking the bootloader improve a rooted phone?

Short answer: no.
Long answer: yeah, if you plan on flashing a custom kernel.

Sent from my unlocked/modded Samsung Galaxy SIII using Android Central Forums

 

[Srambo217]

What is the difference between rooting and unlocking the bootloader?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

For one, you have to be rooted to unlock your bootloader.

Two, rooting gives you superuser access. For a lack of better words, it let's you 'get up in them guts,' and you can manipulate things that a rookie youngin' shouldn't touch.

Having an unlocked bootloader means you can flash kernels; in other words we'll probably have fully operable builds of Jellybean & Keylime Pie months before Verizon says we can.

Sent from my unlocked/modded Samsung Galaxy SIII using Android Central Forums

 

[recDNA]

Will more developers come now?

 

[Srambo217]

Will more developers come now?

Where there's smoke, there's fire.

Sent from my unlocked/modded Samsung Galaxy SIII using Android Central Forums

 

[Ricky Babalu]

Is it me or does it seem like the recent news about the S3 Bootloader being unlocked did not garner that much attention or excitement? It seems to have never gained any momentum, just fizzled and sputtered (at least on AC). The news of it being Locked on Verizon got people worked up into a frenzy, yet the news of it being unlocked did not?

 

[blade22222]

Hey I'm syked about it!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Android Central Forums

 

[taylorz_412]

Is it me or does it seem like the recent news about the S3 Bootloader being unlocked did not garner that much attention or excitement? It seems to have never gained any momentum, just fizzled and sputtered (at least on AC). The news of it being Locked on Verizon got people worked up into a frenzy, yet the news of it being unlocked did not?

Alot of ppl are ecstatic about it over at rootzwiki and xda but it really didn't get that much news coverage, I'm happy about it

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ncc1701p]

Because of THIS i finally upgraded my OGDroid to the S3. Interesting fact about the box I got. It had a little sticker on the outside of it that said 'updated'. While that made me a bit nervous buying the phone. Luckily once I got it to my office, it was Root, then unlock. Success.. Very pleased.
Unlocking it was the deal changer for me. I wouldve bought the one from Samsung but they were slow. Besides talking to other folks it was agreeable to stick w/ vzw for insurance purposes.

Once again.. u can never keep the determined down.

 

[g1toevo678]

Is it me or does it seem like the recent news about the S3 Bootloader being unlocked did not garner that much attention or excitement? It seems to have never gained any momentum, just fizzled and sputtered (at least on AC). The news of it being Locked on Verizon got people worked up into a frenzy, yet the news of it being unlocked did not?

I think a lot of people are just trained to moan about certain things with regards to android phones. When people heard locked bootloader, the alarm went off saying Im suppose to complain about this. Plus, I think AC attracts a more diverse group of android users compared to sites like rootz or xda. Many (maybe even most) here are just here to learn about their phones and integrate it into their existing lives rather than the phone being their lives (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Plus, the S3 is pretty solid stock. There's no pressing need to tweak it. As android and android phone manufacturers perfect the formula, I think rooting/roming will become less and less popular imo, except with the hardcore users who see it as an expression of individuality and rebellion, and with hobbyists.



Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Crispy]

I think a lot of people are just trained to moan about certain things with regards to android phones. When people heard locked bootloader, the alarm went off saying Im suppose to complain about this. Plus, I think AC attracts a more diverse group of android users compared to sites like rootz or xda. Many (maybe even most) here are just here to learn about their phones and integrate it into their existing lives rather than the phone being their lives (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Plus, the S3 is pretty solid stock. There's no pressing need to tweak it. As android and android phone manufacturers perfect the formula, I think rooting/roming will become less and less popular imo, except with the hardcore users who see it as an expression of individuality and rebellion, and with hobbyists.

Totally disagree with this part. Rooting is absolutely essential if you want your phone to last and function properly for the duration of its contract. US carriers want you to pay ETF's and upgrade phones every year, they will never offer updates and add as much bloatware as possible.

Custom rom's are an entirely different matter, and I agree not everyone needs latest beta roms and tweaks. But everyone can benefit from the latest Android updates and phones that run faster.

Again, this is only a US thing. People in other countries have the freedom to change carriers/plans, get timely updates and don't have to deal with carriers beyond buying a sim card. And they pay less.

 

[Ricky Babalu]

The S3 is one of top phones in sales and hardware for 2012. Also, the fact that it is on a major carrier known for locking down their phones.............. That this would be big news. We sort of had a "Wikileak" of sorts for the mobile phone industry. I do not think this has happened before?