2012 Phones with Locked Bootloaders
2012 Devices with Locked Bootloaders
While dealing with Android based devices you’ve probably heard about such a thing as “bootloader”. In case you plan to root your smart-phone and flash it with a custom ROM – this is something you will have to deal with. Though, there is no need to panic and start biting nails. Bootloader is not a monster that breathes fire and sneezes poison. Bootloader is a lot like Bios on your PC – it is the first thing that starts up when a phone is turned on. One of the main reasons why manufacturer lock it is to prevent you from getting too far because in the hands of a person who knows nothing about programming this may turn into a powerful weapon of smart-phone’s self destruction (sort of). Also, it is used to check and verify the software running on your phone before it loads. If there is something wrong with the software, the bootloader would detect that and refuse to install or launch it on the device.
It is also important to mention that no matter the manufacturer, every smart-phone comes with a locked bootloader but what we actually refer to as a locked bootloader is not what it means. There is “locked” and “encrypted” bootloader. Locked means that you can unlock it with the help of additional software pretty easy while encrypted means that you will have to try really hard to get things done. So, usually when we say “locked” we refer to those devices that come with encrypted bootloaders. Motorola, HTC and Sony lock and encrypt bootloaders on nearly all their phones which means that it will take a while to unlock or partially unlock them. But not only manufacturers can lock bootloaders and carriers all over the world might become a part of this amazing encrypting activity. For example, one of the biggest mobile carriers in the USA aka Verizon locks pretty much every device that becomes a part of their family. The reason for this extra protection is doubtful: on the one hand – this is my smart-phone and I would like to do with it whatever I want. On the other hand – the less I know, the safer I am.
Of course, no one makes you to unload your bootloader – this is a very personal and very individual decision. If you are OK with your phone and its possibilities suit you well – good for you! But if you want to get rid of those useless apps that come preinstall and speed up your device to make it work better and faster or simply to upgrade your gadget with the newest Android OS that won’t be officially released for your model – you will need to spend some time figuring out how to get through the security system called “bootloader.”
Well, I guess it is the highest time to take a closer look at those device and manufacturers that lock and encrypt their smart-phones and tablets to prevent you from getting into trouble (at least, that’s the way they explain it). Probably, the most popular and well known “encrypter” is Taiwanese manufacturer HTC. All their smart-phones come with a locked bootloader and it will take a while to unlock it. But, thanks to HTC fans all over the world and reasonable explanations, you can unlock bootloader via HTC’s official HTCDev.com site. One by one they add smart-phones to the list of supported ones but you shouldn’t expect to find those released long-long time ago. Also, the newest HTC models might not be a part of the system too. In the list below you will find those HTC devices that have been released with a locked (encrypted) bootloader in 2012:
HTC One X AT&T
HTC One S
HTC One V
HTC One X
HTC EVO 4G LTE
HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE
HTC Desire C
HTC Desire V
HTC One V CDMA
HTC One X+
HTC One X+ LTE
Less popular but not less responsible in locking bootloaders is Motorola. Motorola devices are said to be the hardest to deal with. Not impossible, of course, as far as there is nothing that can stop a man from doing what he wants but usually with additional “help” from Verizon (on the US market) it turns out to be quite a challenge to unlock the bootloader. But, as well as HTC, yon can visit Motorola’s site for a little help and guidance on unlocking their devices. Though, the number of officially supported gadgets is pretty poor. In the list below you will find Motorola devices released with locked bootloader in 2012.
Motorola MOTOLUXE
Motorola DEFY MINI
Motorola DROID 4
Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
Motorola i867
Motorola RAZR MAXX
Motorola ATRIX HD
Motorola DEFY PRO
Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE
Motorola ELECTRIFY 2
Motorola DEFY XT
Motorola DROID RAZR M
Motorola DROID RAZR HD
Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD
Motorola RAZR i
Motorola ELECTRIFY M
As it was mentioned before, Sony is also a part of a locking bootloader business. Luckily, they are not as tough as HTC and Motorola and unlocking their bootloaders is a lot easier. They also have a site dedicated to this activity but devices that are officially allowed to be unlocked are not from the latest shipping package. But, if you gadget is still branded as Sony Ericsson and not just Sony – you might wanna take a look. Also, in the list below you will find Sony smart-phones of 2012 that keep their bootloader hearts closed for someone special.
Sony Xperia S
Sony Xperia ion
Sony Xperia U
Sony Xperia P
Sony Xperia sola
Sony Xperia neo L
Sony Xperia advance
Sony Xperia acro S
Sony Xperia miro
Sony Xperia tipo
Sony Xperia tipo dual
Sony Xperia SL
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia TX
Sony Xperia J
Sony Xperia TL
From time to time even those manufacturers, companies or carriers that are not interested in locking bootloaders, do that from time to time. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 2 or Galaxy S III Verizon version, come with encrypted bootloaders. Also, the “gigest” smart-phone Galaxy Nexus has a locked bootloader as well even despite the fact that it is oriented on people who are going to turn it apart (in a good sense, of course). But with the help of proper guidance and some inspiration you can always practice computer magic and free your smart-phone. Good luck and remember – there is no such thing as being “too careful”
