locked and unlocked Bootloader???

[cheech4]

Sorry for the newbie question here, but can someone explain the difference between a locked and unlocked Bootloader in android devices. i here some devices are locked and some or unlocked what does that mean.

 

[ardchoille]

Sorry for the newbie question here, but can someone explain the difference between a locked and unlocked Bootloader in android devices. i here some devices are locked and some or unlocked what does that mean.

From what I understand all android phones ship with locked bootloaders. An unlocked bootloader is one that has been altered to allow 3rd party ROMs. Even the Nexus bootloaders are locked - though they can be unlocked with a single command. The issue that has a lot of android users up in arms is when a manufacturer cryptographically signs a bootloader so it cannot be unlocked. This is an attempt by the manufacturer to disallow root and that means no custom ROMs.

novox77 posted an explanation here.

 

[novox77]

In addition to the link ardchoille posted, Please see this thread for a concise explanation of the various states of boodloader security. Feel free to follow up here if you have questions about anything I wrote.

http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/342046-encrypted-bootloader-properly-defined.html

 

[cheech4]

ok i got it. i pretty much know the answer to this but i will ask anyways. is there a way except for rooting the device to delete bloatware on the Droid XPRT/PRO?

 

[dan330]

not that i know of...

you must have root access (rooted)
in order to get permission to get to the folders..
and then to delete the files.

 

[ardchoille]

dab330 is correct, without root access you simply see empty folders.

 

[DroidDroan]

AT&T is horrible for bloatware and the apps are either not useful or you have to ay a fee to use them! wtf AT&T i have very little internal ram on my phone as it is and then you load it up wit a bunch of pointless apps! is anyone else annoyed by this?