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[Verizon] Bootloader unlocked vs locked root question

darkcyber

Android Expert
Are the main things we gain by having an unlocked bootloader is access to the custom kernels and being able to overclock and underclock?
 
Are the main things we gain by having an unlocked bootloader is access to the custom kernels and being able to overclock and underclock?

That and deleting any Verizon Bloatware...i know there wasn't much, but you can now...

You can also install custom ROM's to make your phone an entirely new phone..basically ;)
 
Are the main things we gain by having an unlocked bootloader is access to the custom kernels and being able to overclock and underclock?

Not necessarily.

With an unlocked bootloader, you now have the ability to root your phone. Once you've rooted your phone, then you have access to kernels and overclocking, roms, etc...
 
Are the main things we gain by having an unlocked bootloader is access to the custom kernels and being able to overclock and underclock?

Unlocking allows the install of a custom recovery which then allows for the flashing of roms, kernels etc.
 
Once your phone is rooted, you can install / flash custom recoveries and kernels, etc. and does not require that your bootloader be unlocked (just that your device be rooted).

Having an unlocked bootloader is not a requirement for performing those flashes, since the flashes are actually accomplished via the flash_image utility (which requires root).

Unlocking the bootloader allows the use of the fastboot utility's flash and boot command (among many others). Those commands allow you to easily root your phone by flashing or softbooting a custom recovery as well as more flexibility and options for recovery, restoring back to factory, etc.

By the way, there's been at least two methods for rooting the GNex without unlocking the bootloader: the mempodroid method and the adb restore of a fake backup method. Both methods are Android version-specific whose exploits have been closed-off in recent updates.

Cheers!
 
I flashed road, kernels, and recoveries with a locked bootloader. I had no issues until it randomly locked up my phone completely...pseudo bricked so to speak. I had to flash back to stock and wipe everything to fix it...
 
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