51 replies to this topic

[GoBears]

Almost every bootloader is locked from the manufacturer, even the Nexus ships locked. It's not that it's locked, it's that it's encrypted. I'm sure they could unlock it if they wanted to.

GoBears and FU Apple

[tucstwo]

I think it's more complicated than that. You're probably right about WHY they're locked. Moto made a major deal with Verizon for the Droid campaign. Who knows how many years that agreement was for. Why they aren't unlocking them, from what I understand, is HOW they are locked, like burning out a fuse. Once it's gone, it's gone. It's not just a software fix to unlock at that point. That would explain why only certain phones are unlockable. Maybe someone with better info can shed more light on it all.

Youre only part right, it has nothing to do with a multi-year, multi-device deal because the Droid 1 was unlock-able (read unencrypted). The reason phones like the Razr are forever locked down is because the lockdown was hard encoded into the device's CPU. It's not a software lock, it's a hardware lock. It's built into the silicon. So unless you intend to change out your actual CPU, it's never, ever gonna happen. That's how efuse works.

[fixxxer2012]

i still say theres hope for us to be added to the unlock method. i bet $$ the hd will be unlockable as well.

[tucstwo]

i still say theres hope for us to be added to the unlock method. i bet $$ the hd will be unlockable as well.

So long as their hardware allows it, see my above post. If Moto/Google were smart they would include an unlock able bootloader/CPU into the Razr HD to separate it from the existing Razrs to create buzz and initiative for smart phone buyers to upgrade. Unlockable Razr HD=Completely New Device ENTIRELY.

[fixxxer2012]

So long as their hardware allows it, see my above post. If Moto/Google were smart they would include an unlock able bootloader/CPU into the Razr HD to separate it from the existing Razrs to create buzz and initiative for smart phone buyers to upgrade.

maybe but tbh im not thrilled about the hd coming already. i sort of think moto screwed the razr up. instead of releasing 3 phones they should of released just one with the hd's lcd & the maxx's battery. ill probably get the hd though sometime this winter, i switch phones alot.

[eraursls84]

Is this were true, why was the Droid 1 unlock-able?

Because they didn't know how big the Android community was until the Droid.

[MahoVader]

Youre only part right, it has nothing to do with a multi-year, multi-device deal because the Droid 1 was unlock-able (read unencrypted). The reason phones like the Razr are forever locked down is because the lockdown was hard encoded into the device's CPU. It's not a software lock, it's a hardware lock. It's built into the silicon. So unless you intend to change out your actual CPU, it's never, ever gonna happen. That's how efuse works.

Thanks for reminding me about the efuse. That's exactly what I was referring to. As far as the deal with Moto and Verizon, I remember reading in the old Droid forums that it had been leaked that there was indeed a multi year giant secret agreement between the two. It doesn't matter that the D1 didn't have the efuse lock. That wasn't available yet. The Droid label and marketing still exist, and based on its heavy marketing over other brands, obviously it is still in effect. Verizon calls the shots, or Moto doesn't sell. I just hope Google will flex some muscle and put Verizon in its place. Maybe that's what's going on behind the scenes... but we've yet to see an unlockable Moto device on Verizon.

[cardidark09]

they skiped the regular razr and razr maxx and know the razr m de4veloper edition and the razr hd developer edition can be unlocked. so basicly if u buy from verizon no go got to buy devoleper edition straig from moto whole lot of bs in the game

[n00dle]

That's OK! Need to buy an un- subsidized phone to keep unlimited data anyway!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Brad92]

What does unlocking the bootloader do?

Allows you to flash custom krrnels

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[eraursls84]

Allows you to flash custom krrnels

And radios. It also allows easier recovery wgen you mess up because it doesn't require bootstrap/safestrap.