Engadget says bootloader is locked?

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Hunt3r.j2

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Jun 6, 2011
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http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/24/samsung-galaxy-s-4-review/

Simply put: if you enjoyed the firmware on the GS3, your experience with its successor will be just as rapturous, if not more so. If you're hoping to run custom ROMs in place of TouchWiz, you may have to wait for a little while since Samsung has confirmed to us that the bootloader is locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

That is what they say on the GS4 review. I have talked to another reviewer and he can confirm that there is a "Write Protection: Enabled" entry on his Sprint review unit.

Sprint has never locked bootloaders, and it is company policy that they do not deny warranty for root/custom ROM reasons. Can anyone confirm that this entry is disabled/bootloader is not locked on international/unlocked models?

Edit: NEW INFO! Write Protection is universal to all i9505. It does not determine bootloader lock status. So far it appears that it only is write protection on bootloader (probably to prevent bricking). Only confirmed models with bootloader lock are the Verizon and AT&T GS4.
 
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musclehead84

musclehead84

Senior Member
Nov 3, 2010
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Falling Waters, WV
This isn't good. I can't believe that Sammy is gonna start pulling this crap. Looks like custom roms and kernels will be a while. I'm curious about international version as well.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
 
H

Hunt3r.j2

Senior Member
Jun 6, 2011
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I just want someone with an international GS4 to please post a photo of their download mode, a photo like this:

image.jpg


If there is a Write Protection: Enabled entry, we're in for some rough times ahead.
 
T

tuxonhtc

Senior Member
Oct 20, 2009
931
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Samsung is really trying hard to get us to hate them. Seriously, I don't mind that you can't employ some decent designer to get your **** sorted out as far as touchwiz is concerned, now you lock the bootloader too? Seriously Samsung?

Could someone with international S4 confirm if theirs have write protection enabled too?
 
K

krabman

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2008
3,164
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I'm going to cancel mine Monday morning if this proves out. Locked bootloader = no sale. Does seem odd that both sprint and AT&T owners are now saying that they have root and have accessed the bootloader...
 
H

Hunt3r.j2

Senior Member
Jun 6, 2011
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krabman said:
I'm going to cancel mine Monday morning if this proves out. Locked bootloader = no sale. Does seem odd that both sprint and AT&T owners are now saying that they have root and have accessed the bootloader...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

AT&T and Verizon are definitely, 100% guaranteed to be locked. I remember from the VZW GS3 days that root was very easy, the problem was custom kernels for sure, and possibly custom ROMs. My memory is a bit fuzzy because I never had to read too deeply about the issue, none of my friends ever got a VZW GS3.
 
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krabman

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2008
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There are already several AT&T folks who are saying they have successfully rooted their phone. If this is correct it seems almost a slam dunk that the international unlocked versions will not be a problem. Guess its something we just have to see going forward as they get into peoples hands.
 
H

Hunt3r.j2

Senior Member
Jun 6, 2011
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krabman said:
There are already several AT&T folks who are saying they have successfully rooted their phone. If this is correct it seems almost a slam dunk that the international unlocked versions will not be a problem. Guess its something we just have to see going forward as they get into peoples hands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Worst case scenario, I think kexec was what people used to sidestep issues with bootloader locks. Kludgy, but it worked.
 
djwilliams100

djwilliams100

Senior Member
May 17, 2010
345
75
Portsmouth
Think mines standard unlocked samsung firmware and not Three's

Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
 

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skivnit

Senior Member
May 21, 2012
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bouzoubaa said:
I have the international i9500 version and there is no write protection enabled on the download screen. Guess the international one is not locked.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
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Cool. So how is it? The phone itself

Are you from Morocco? Ur name sounds from there :)

Swyped from another galaxy
 
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B

bouzoubaa

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2008
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djwilliams100 said:
Mine is enabled on my international i9505

Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Weird. No protection enabled here. If only I could take a screenshot for you to see but don't have a second phone to take the picture and screens hot obviously doesn't work on the download mode :)

Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app
 
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  • 31
    D
    djrbliss
    How to actually check if your bootloader is locked

    There's a lot of misinformation in this thread about the status of the bootloader on the Galaxy S4. I examined the bootloader on the AT&T model myself to get a sense of what's going on.

    First of all, if you're using the international, Exynos-based version (GT-I9500), your bootloader is unlocked. End of story.

    If you're using the Qualcomm-based version, the status of your bootloader depends on your carrier. The "Write Protection Enabled" indicator DOES NOT mean you have a locked bootloader. To my knowledge, every Galaxy S4 will display this indicator.

    Edit: this was premature. The download mode screen doesn't provide enough information to know whether your device is unlocked or not. The fact that it says "Write Protection Enabled" does not necessarily mean you're locked. Whether or not your bootloader will allow you to boot unsigned kernels and recoveries is dependent on a totally different flag whose status is not printed in the download mode screen.
    View
    21
    jcase
    jcase
    Bagbug said:
    and what was disrespectful ? My honesty ?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Dan is adding based on what he gather from disassembling the bootloader. He is one a small group here with the background and experience to tackle bootloader projects. You were not trying to be honest, you were attempting to stir the pot. We will not have this here, end of subject.
    View
    18
    pulser_g2
    pulser_g2
    Cut out the nonsense here.

    There is a big difference between user feedback saying things, compared to the results of actual disassembly of the bootloader.

    If you don't think posts by some of the best developers, who are the ones that will look into these kinds of things going forward, are important, just go on, post again like that, and enjoy you expenses paid vacation.

    This applies to anyone else wanting to troll developers or mods that are doing their jobs.

    This thread is about the bootloader and locks... if developers are posting in it, then show a bit of respect.

    No more warnings here, someone needs to go calm down and stop arguing with mods, as it's just showing yourself up as someone who doesn't understand the technical intricacies of what's going on.
    View
    18
    jcase
    jcase
    Bagbug said:
    you add no information to this thread btw...
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Be a bit more respectful.
    View
    6
    U
    Ussy
    Let me get this straight...

    The I9500 will have limited custom rom support due to Samsung not releasing Exynos source code so they left the bootloader unlocked.

    The I9505 would have had good custom rom support due to Qualcomm being developer friendly so Samsung put a stop to that by locking the bootloader?

    What a **** move there Samsung...

    Sent from my C6603 using xda premium
    View

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