Odd situation

[Freido28]

Ok, so I've never rooted before and after quite a bit of research I'm just about ready to make a go at it. However, I've noticed something. After the last OTA update to 4.04, my bootscreen shows the little unlocked lock at the bottom. I was under the assumption that that only shows when you've unlocked your bootloader already. However, I've never made any such alteration to my phone. It's been stock since I bought it on the day of release. Is this an odd glitch, or is my phone unlocked and ready to be rooted already? Thanks a ton for any help.

 

[dmmarck]

Ok, so I've never rooted before and after quite a bit of research I'm just about ready to make a go at it. However, I've noticed something. After the last OTA update to 4.04, my bootscreen shows the little unlocked lock at the bottom. I was under the assumption that that only shows when you've unlocked your bootloader already. However, I've never made any such alteration to my phone. It's been stock since I bought it on the day of release. Is this an odd glitch, or is my phone unlocked and ready to be rooted already? Thanks a ton for any help.

Power down your phone. Then, hold down power and both volumes (up and down) simultaneously.

What does it say at the bottom of the script on the screen?

 

[Freido28]

Fastboot Mode
PN - Tuna
Variant - Toro 32gb
Version - 9
BL Version - PRIMELA03
Baseband Version - I515.FC05
Carrier info - None
SN
Signing - production
Lock State - Unlocked


Based on this I'm guessing I'm unlocked. But not sure how that's possible. My gf and I both got our 4.0.4 OTA updates the same day and hers isnt showing unlocked.

 

[dmmarck]

Fastboot Mode
PN - Tuna
Variant - Toro 32gb
Version - 9
BL Version - PRIMELA03
Baseband Version - I515.FC05
Carrier info - None
SN
Signing - production
Lock State - Unlocked


Based on this I'm guessing I'm unlocked. But not sure how that's possible. My gf and I both got our 4.0.4 OTA updates the same day and hers isnt showing unlocked.

Did you get a warranty/insurance replacement? I know you said you had it from the day of release, so I presume the answer is negative to this.

Other than that or you doing it, there's no reason why it should be unlocked. That's actually a somewhat terrifying bug, but honestly, it frees you up to do some flashing .

 

[Freido28]

Nope, never replaced. Still the original. Not quite sure how that happened but I guess I'll take it! Follow-up question would be, since its already unlocked, and unlocking the bootloader is what normally wipes all the phone data, will I be able to root the phone now without losing all my apps/data/etc? I've been trying to find ways to save all my apps/data, but most require you to already be rooted.

 

[dmmarck]

Nope, never replaced. Still the original. Not quite sure how that happened but I guess I'll take it! Follow-up question would be, since its already unlocked, and unlocking the bootloader is what normally wipes all the phone data, will I be able to root the phone now without losing all my apps/data/etc? I've been trying to find ways to save all my apps/data, but most require you to already be rooted.

Rooting does not wipe the phone. Rooting is essentially two things--a binary and an application--that give you root access/permission.

Unlocking does wipe the phone, but since that's already done for you, you are "free to go," sotospeak .

 

[Freido28]

Thanks a ton for all the help, and VERY quick help too!!! Looks like that odd glitched saved me a ton of sweat!

 

[dmmarck]

Thanks a ton for all the help, and VERY quick help too!!! Looks like that odd glitched saved me a ton of sweat!

No problem, it's my pleasure.

Hopefully that glitch is truthful and you're all set. Honestly, that's a glitch I would love to have every time I purchase a phone .

 

[Freido28]

Yeah agreed! I'm just worried that it's a glitch in the sense that it says unlocked but actually isn't. Though that should become fairly obviously, fairly quickly once I try to root or flash.

 

[dmmarck]

Yeah agreed! I'm just worried that it's a glitch in the sense that it says unlocked but actually isn't. Though that should become fairly obviously, fairly quickly once I try to root or flash.

lol you'll know soon enough .

 

[yodatom10]

Did u buy it at a Verizon store. What your describing was in an article a couple months back.

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/replacement-galaxy-nexus-shipped-unlocked-bootloaders-2012049/
Sent from my Jellybean powered GalaxyNexus

 

[Freido28]

Things for the heads up. Good to see I'm not alone. I'm wondering if it was cuz I bought from an authorized reseller and not right from Verizon. Eight months in and no make issues though, so hopefully I'm clear of any security issues. But we'll see I guess

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums