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Unlocking bootloaders
- Thread starter By_design
- Start date
It's typically the manufacturers that create the locked bootloaders at the behest and/or direction of the carriers.
Verizon has historically been reluctant to sell devices that have been unlockable (there have been some, though).
The "easiness" of unlocking depends on the device. For example, devices created for/by Google (Moto Xoom, all of the Nexus devices) are easily unlockable via a "fastboot oem unlock" command.
Many HTC devices can be unlocked (see http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader - for details and a specific list).
Some Motorola devices can be unlocked: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a.
Sony's page: Unlockbootloader - Developer World
I don't see "official" (manufacturer) unlocking pages for LG or Samsung, but they may exist, too, but certainly also do not cover 100% of their devices.
There are exploits that have been found that have allowed devices that are not officially unlockable to be unlocked, but you'd have to Google the specific details for each device. You'll learn the most by reading though the various threads that discuss them.
Best of luck!
Verizon has historically been reluctant to sell devices that have been unlockable (there have been some, though).
The "easiness" of unlocking depends on the device. For example, devices created for/by Google (Moto Xoom, all of the Nexus devices) are easily unlockable via a "fastboot oem unlock" command.
Many HTC devices can be unlocked (see http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader - for details and a specific list).
Some Motorola devices can be unlocked: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a.
Sony's page: Unlockbootloader - Developer World
I don't see "official" (manufacturer) unlocking pages for LG or Samsung, but they may exist, too, but certainly also do not cover 100% of their devices.
There are exploits that have been found that have allowed devices that are not officially unlockable to be unlocked, but you'd have to Google the specific details for each device. You'll learn the most by reading though the various threads that discuss them.
Best of luck!