Cat s31 oem (bootloader) unlock - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

first of i apologise if i have bad english
ok so i had this device for some time and decited to root it (my first time rooting a phone). And i need to unlock bootloader to flash stuff and i have all necessary things on my pc (platform tools,drivers,) everything seems to be working but as soon as i get into bootloader the only command that works is "fastboot devices" Any other commands dont work. I tried everything online and this is my only other thing left to do. I've been researching for 2 days at this point and i am almost certain that the commands are disabled by the company itself (like huawei) did anybody else ever root/unlock bootloader for this device because i didnt find any actual root guide for the particular device (besides from the auto generated ones like https://rootguia.com/how-to-flash-caterpillar-cat-s31/ https://mobilewithdrivers.com/unlock-bootloader/cat-s31-16gb-2gb-ram )
The exact error is:
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
(and this error is for every single command that uses fastboot besides from fastboot devices. Adb works just fine)
I tried:
reinstalling drivers
installing drivers that are "prepared" for the cat s31
changing cable
changing port to usb 2.0
reinstalling platform tools (from official google site)
checking device manager for the device (it shows up as android bootloader interface)
trying alternative oem unlock commands (fastboot oem unlock, fastboot flashing unlock and 2 other commands that i cant remember rn)
having oem unlocking and usb debugging enabled from the developer options
in my opinion the only explanation is the commands being disabled by default and even if it was it wouldnt be known if it was since most people dont root or purchase this device
please help me out here

fastboot flashing unlock
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
or
command finished but unlocking not allowed?
you can try to dump ROM, maybe it's possible to unlock bootloader on devinfo partition
https://github.com/bkerler/edl

aIecxs said:
fastboot flashing unlock
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
or
command finished but unlocking not allowed?
you can try to dump ROM, maybe it's possible to unlock bootloader on devinfo partition
https://github.com/bkerler/edl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry i forgot to mention im running android 8.1 oreo on this device and devinfo partition method will not work according to what i read

Never mind. anyway, if you dump phone in edl mode (or download stock ROM somewhere else) you can search aboot for device specific fastboot oem commands
How to Discover Hidden Fastboot Commands
There are many hidden fastboot commands on your device. In order to find them, we will need to dump the bootloader and examine the contents!
www.xda-developers.com

aIecxs said:
Never mind. anyway, if you dump phone in edl mode (or download stock ROM somewhere else) you can search aboot for device specific fastboot oem commands
How to Discover Hidden Fastboot Commands
There are many hidden fastboot commands on your device. In order to find them, we will need to dump the bootloader and examine the contents!
www.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean by dump phone into edl mode do i download one of these https://ministryofsolutions.com/2022/01/cat-s31-edl-firmware-android-8-1-official-rom.html and install it from recovery mode and try to get it in edl mode and will it not work if i dont dump

just extract that ROM you found

aIecxs said:
just extract that ROM you found
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and do what. im new to the rooting stuff

find the file aboot.mbn (or similar) and analyze for fastboot commands

aIecxs said:
find the file aboot.mbn (or similar) and analyze for fastboot command
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i downloaded the file and these are the things in the firmware file (attachement)
i cant find a file that looks or resambles aboot.mbn

it's emmc_appsboot.mbn so download strings for windows (see link post #4) and try to find fastboot commands, maybe you are lucky and find the proper command to unlock bootloader.
edit: not sure about Windows 10/11 comes with strings binary (powershell?)

aIecxs said:
it's emmc_appsboot.mbn so download strings for windows (see link post #4) and try to find fastboot commands, maybe you are lucky and find the proper command to unlock bootloader.
edit: not sure about Windows 10/11 comes with strings binary (powershell?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sooo turns out win11 strings commands are kinda different or broken (probably not im just dumb) i just used notepad with ctrl+f and couldnt find anything besides the text that says are you sure you want to unlock bootloader but that is probably not related since i didnt find any commands or anything. So im actually going to attach the emmc_appsboot.mbn i know it looks sketchy you dont have to download it its totally understandable but if you do please do give it a check and respond. I want to get this done one way or another its 1 am i want to sleep ;(

could it be true that they made a truly un unlockable unrootable device

I had a look but there are no fastboot commands in it. However "oem unlock" is mentioned, so the usual fastboot oem unlock should work.
maybe there is more in secondary bootloader sbl1.mbn

aIecxs said:
I had a look but there are no fastboot commands in it. However "oem unlock" is mentioned, so the usual fastboot oem unlock should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
trust me i have tried many many many many times and only got a
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
edit: the only place oem unlock is mentioned is a text that says oem unlock not allowed which might be default text by android or whatever but cat devs somehow messed it up somehow??

aIecxs said:
I had a look but there are no fastboot commands in it. However "oem unlock" is mentioned, so the usual fastboot oem unlock should work.
maybe there is more in secondary bootloader sbl1.mbn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just saw the edit i will check now

nope nothing related no oem unlock no fastboot no flashing no flash nothing is mentioned ill attach it if you want to look

oem unlock not allowed is standard text if one forgot to enable oem unlocking in developer options in android settings.
maybe flash this ROM maybe it is unlockable?

aIecxs said:
oem unlock not allowed is standard text if one forgot to enable oem unlocking in developer options in android settings.
maybe flash this ROM maybe it is unlockable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from recovery using the flash firmware with adb option??
edit: i meant apply update from adb
edit2: what if i hard reset from recovery would that reset the firmware?

edl firmware cannot flashed from recovery. power off phone, press both volume keys and plug in usb-cable. check VID/PID from windows device manager. if you see device ID (05c6:9008) the phone is in EDL mode. you can now use EDL tool (post #2) and backup current ROM. then you can flash other ROM.

aIecxs said:
It's edl firmware cannot flashed from recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what do i download that can be flashed from recovery

Related

[GUIDE] How to unlock the bootloader of Nokia 2.1 and 2.1V

The overall procedure is too simple, let me tell you how.
UPDATE: Looks like it's also applicable on Nokia 2.1 V by analyzing aboot. So previous NB1-Collision reserved as reference of EDL method, in case HMD may block it soon.
Please let me know if it doesn't work on your current firmware version. I'm working on make the overall procedure much more stable.
UPDATE: Looks like NB1-Collision is the only way to unlock the bootloader. Please read this topic to acquire the tool and attempt to unlock it: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=79825293
If Android 9 firmware installed, phone disassembly and wire trick required.
So we recommend users unlock the phone immediately once bought.
Following procedure is archived.
Step 1: Download firmware which consists the service bootloader file
You can download it from https://fih-firmware.hikaricalyx.com/hmd_en.html#e2m
Please download E2M-0390-0-00WW-B02 one in this case. If you're using Android 9, download E2M-108C-0-00WW-B01.
Then, extract E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.zip to get service bootloader file, and the extract password is "WLBGFIH123".
Step 2: Boot your phone to Download mode (Fastboot mode)
You can execute following command then connect your phone when powered off, or use any other method you're familiar with:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
Step 3: Flash service bootloader
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
Surprised huh? This command is still usable on Nokia 2.1, even on Android 9 basis, not sure why.
For example, if your Serial Number is E2MGAHIKARICALYX, the md5 checksum is 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412, then command will be:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412
You can simply Google a website to calculate md5 checksum of a string.
And flash service bootloader:
Code:
fastboot flash aboot /path/to/E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.mbn
fastboot reboot-bootloader
Step 4: Unlock the bootloader
Your phone will reboot to service bootloader. Then grant unlock permission with following commands:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
Then unlock the bootloader:
Code:
fastboot oem flashing unlock_critical
When your phone is erasing userdata, then:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
(wait for triggering to download mode)
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
fastboot oem unlock-go
All done. Your phone has unlocked bootloader.
Then reboot your phone to Download mode again and restore deviceinfo:
That wraps up the overall unlock procedure.
In case HMD will block this method, you can use EDL method to downgrade aboot partition from this article: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-2-1/how-to/nb1-collision-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t3938072/
Many thanks,,
I think it would be too much to ask right now for Nokia 8.1 , but as 8.1 is very popular Nokia device right now and it's launched in many countries too,,,is it possible that we would see smthng like this for Nokia 8.1 tooo
I'm stuck on a locked bootloader on my 6.1 plus
Would this work on a Nokia 2?
Hey... How to I unlock NOKIA 2 Bootloader?... TA-1029
so i manually rebooted my nokia 2.1 to download mode but fastboot commands not working cuz my windows does not detect my phone i tried installing drivers manually but after fastboot commant it's stuck at <waiting for device> ,plz help guys
souhail sboui said:
so i manually rebooted my nokia 2.1 to download mode but fastboot commands not working cuz my windows does not detect my phone i tried installing drivers manually but after fastboot commant it's stuck at <waiting for device> ,plz help guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, I don't know what's up
scaryguadian said:
Me too, I don't know what's up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when device is ON ,adb detect it and adb commands works but when on download mode fastboot commands not working it have to be a driver issue but i tried a lot but no hope
souhail sboui said:
when device is ON ,adb detect it and adb commands works but when on download mode fastboot commands not working it have to be a driver issue but i tried a lot but no hope
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can someone suggest a driver we can use or a link to the WORKING nokia 2.1 drivers
souhail sboui said:
when device is ON ,adb detect it and adb commands works but when on download mode fastboot commands not working it have to be a driver issue but i tried a lot but no hope
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, its already working for me, just disable signature driver if you are on window 8, 8.1 or 10 and reinstall the drivers thats all.
---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 PM ----------
hikari_calyx said:
The overall procedure is too simple, let me tell you how.
UPDATE: Looks like it's also applicable on Nokia 2.1 V by analyzing aboot. So previous NB1-Collision reserved as reference of EDL method, in case HMD may block it soon.
Please let me know if it doesn't work on your current firmware version. I'm working on make the overall procedure much more stable.
Step 1: Download firmware which consists the service bootloader file
You can download it from https://fih-firmware.hikaricalyx.com/hmd_en.html#e2m
Please download E2M-0390-0-00WW-B02 one in this case. If you're using Android 9, download E2M-108C-0-00WW-B01.
Then, extract E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.zip to get service bootloader file, and the extract password is "WLBGFIH123".
Step 2: Boot your phone to Download mode (Fastboot mode)
You can execute following command then connect your phone when powered off, or use any other method you're familiar with:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
Step 3: Flash service bootloader
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
Surprised huh? This command is still usable on Nokia 2.1, even on Android 9 basis, not sure why.
For example, if your Serial Number is E2MGAHIKARICALYX, the md5 checksum is 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412, then command will be:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412
You can simply Google a website to calculate md5 checksum of a string.
And flash service bootloader:
Code:
fastboot flash aboot /path/to/E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.mbn
fastboot reboot-bootloader
Step 4: Unlock the bootloader
Your phone will reboot to service bootloader. Then grant unlock permission with following commands:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
Then unlock the bootloader:
Code:
fastboot oem flashing unlock_critical
When your phone is erasing userdata, then:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
(wait for triggering to download mode)
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
fastboot oem unlock-go
All done. Your phone has unlocked bootloader.
Then reboot your phone to Download mode again and restore deviceinfo:
That wraps up the overall unlock procedure.
In case HMD will block this method, you can use EDL method to downgrade aboot partition from this article: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-2-1/how-to/nb1-collision-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t3938072/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot. I have followed the above instructions, but when I tried the second command, I got an error, here is my log
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot devices
E2MBA81107001697 fastboot
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem alive
...
OKAY [ 0.005s]
finished. total time: 0.006s
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem dm-verity 6e4b6d5
21a65f379bd4ebf94d462005e
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.036s
scaryguadian said:
oh, its already working for me, just disable signature driver if you are on window 8, 8.1 or 10 and reinstall the drivers thats all.
---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 PM ----------
thanks a lot. I have followed the above instructions, but when I tried the second command, I got an error, here is my log
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot devices
E2MBA81107001697 fastboot
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem alive
...
OKAY [ 0.005s]
finished. total time: 0.006s
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem dm-verity 6e4b6d5
21a65f379bd4ebf94d462005e
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.036s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thnx but it didn't work i still can't make the fastboot commands detect the device and am sure the drivers are right
scaryguadian said:
oh, its already working for me, just disable signature driver if you are on window 8, 8.1 or 10 and reinstall the drivers thats all.
---------- Post added at 05:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 PM ----------
thanks a lot. I have followed the above instructions, but when I tried the second command, I got an error, here is my log
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot devices
E2MBA81107001697 fastboot
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem alive
...
OKAY [ 0.005s]
finished. total time: 0.006s
C:\Users\HP620\Documents\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot oem dm-verity 6e4b6d5
21a65f379bd4ebf94d462005e
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.036s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't work. Only very old bootloaders supported dm-verity.
Sent from my Nokia 8.1
singhnsk said:
It won't work. Only very old bootloaders supported dm-verity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, what do you suggest I do??
scaryguadian said:
So, what do you suggest I do??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The unlock can only be done via any of the two:
1. Disassemble > Trigger EDL mode.
2. The paid remote unlock service.
Sent from my Nokia 8.1
thnx for the guide man keep it up
some one posted the same problem : after the "fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)" command it shows "FAILED (remote: unknown command)" ,any solution so i can continue unlocking my device ??
im also getting "FAILED (remote: unknown command)"
EDM not working either
singhnsk said:
It won't work. Only very old bootloaders supported dm-verity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i downgrade then?
anyone who had the "FAILED (remote: unknown command)"
try typing your serial number in uppercase, that worked for me, but now im stuck on "fastboot oem fih on" i get the remote error
singhnsk said:
It won't work. Only very old bootloaders supported dm-verity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can i downgrade then?
---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:41 AM ----------
Shmegma said:
anyone who had the "FAILED (remote: unknown command)"
try typing your serial number in uppercase, that worked for me, but now im stuck on "fastboot oem fih on" i get the remote error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still doesn't work, what update are you running
hikari_calyx said:
The overall procedure is too simple, let me tell you how.
UPDATE: Looks like it's also applicable on Nokia 2.1 V by analyzing aboot. So previous NB1-Collision reserved as reference of EDL method, in case HMD may block it soon.
Please let me know if it doesn't work on your current firmware version. I'm working on make the overall procedure much more stable.
UPDATE: Looks like NB1-Collision is the only way to unlock the bootloader. Please read this topic to acquire the tool and attempt to unlock it: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=79825293
If Android 9 firmware installed, phone disassembly and wire trick required.
So we recommend users unlock the phone immediately once bought.
Following procedure is archived.
Step 1: Download firmware which consists the service bootloader file
You can download it from https://fih-firmware.hikaricalyx.com/hmd_en.html#e2m
Please download E2M-0390-0-00WW-B02 one in this case. If you're using Android 9, download E2M-108C-0-00WW-B01.
Then, extract E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.zip to get service bootloader file, and the extract password is "WLBGFIH123".
Step 2: Boot your phone to Download mode (Fastboot mode)
You can execute following command then connect your phone when powered off, or use any other method you're familiar with:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
Step 3: Flash service bootloader
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
Surprised huh? This command is still usable on Nokia 2.1, even on Android 9 basis, not sure why.
For example, if your Serial Number is E2MGAHIKARICALYX, the md5 checksum is 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412, then command will be:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity 0ab1b1e9f3aacc85849341cd5fb21412
You can simply Google a website to calculate md5 checksum of a string.
And flash service bootloader:
Code:
fastboot flash aboot /path/to/E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.mbn
fastboot reboot-bootloader
Step 4: Unlock the bootloader
Your phone will reboot to service bootloader. Then grant unlock permission with following commands:
Code:
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
Then unlock the bootloader:
Code:
fastboot oem flashing unlock_critical
When your phone is erasing userdata, then:
Code:
fastboot oem alive
(wait for triggering to download mode)
fastboot oem dm-verity (md5_of_serial_number)
fastboot oem fih on
fastboot oem devlock allow_unlock
fastboot oem unlock-go
All done. Your phone has unlocked bootloader.
Then reboot your phone to Download mode again and restore deviceinfo:
That wraps up the overall unlock procedure.
In case HMD will block this method, you can use EDL method to downgrade aboot partition from this article: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-2-1/how-to/nb1-collision-how-to-unlock-bootloader-t3938072/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, what am I doing wrong?
Code:
C:\adb>fastboot oem dm-verity ca5943eaee14c601267c58d289f50dd2
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
C:\adb>fastboot flash aboot E2M-0-0390-00WW-1-2-emmc_appsboot_service.mbn
Sending 'aboot' (954 KB) OKAY [ 0.032s]
Writing 'aboot' FAILED (remote: 'Critical partition flashing is not allowed')
fastboot: error: Command failed

Need help rooting Alcatel 1c (5003D)

Hi,
I've now spent quite a few frustrating hours trying to root my Alcatel 1c (model 5003D, running Android 8.1 Go) and nothing seems to work. A short overview of some of the rabbit holes I've gone down:
Root tools
Started with the obvious: root tools. In short, none that I ran work. There's a couple I haven't tried because the instructions were mostly in Russian and some googling turned up quite a few mentions of them containing malware, but other than that I've pretty much tried all the major ones.
Flashing images via fastboot
Naturally, the next place I turned was the awesome resource that is this forum. This thread gave me plenty of hope, but I was soon flummoxed by my device's fastboot mode for which a bunch of the normal features are either broken or are simply not implemented. Some examples of things that should work (and indeed work on other Alcatel phones, notably, it seems, ones that are not based on Spreadtrum) but didn't:
Code:
~/D/platform-tools > ./fastboot oem unlock
FAILED (remote: 'unknown cmd.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
Code:
~/D/platform-tools > ./fastboot oem unlock-go
FAILED (remote: 'unknown cmd.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
Code:
~/D/platform-tools > ./fastboot oem unlock-go --wipe
FAILED (remote: 'unknown cmd.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
Code:
~/D/platform-tools > ./fastboot flashing unlock
FAILED (remote: 'Not implemet.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
(note the spelling error in the error message...)
Code:
~/D/platform-tools > ./fastboot flash recovery ../recovery.img
Sending 'recovery' (28266 KB) OKAY [ 1.582s]
Writing 'recovery' FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Lock Flag is locked. Please unlock it first!')
fastboot: error: Command failed
That last one was particularly intriguing, as it suggests there is a Flashing Lock Flag that can be unlocked. I tried all of the fastboot commands that seemed relevant but couldn't find any way of setting that flag or even figuring out if it actually exists. I even rand the boot.img through strings to see if I could find something interesting, but didn't turn up anything.
Just to be clear, before doing all this I set the phone to Developer Mode and checked the "OEM unlocking" feature.
Flashing tools
I tried various tools with which it's possible to flash phones. A lot of them use fastboot under the covers which doesn't work (see above). Some of them don't but didn't work on my phone all the same, for various reasons:
SPD flash tool - After yet more Googling I stumbled upon the SPD flash tool,built specifically to flash Spreadtrum-based devices. I downloaded the latest version, installed all of the necessary USB drivers and tried to flash the phone with the stock ROM. No dice. The tool fails to connect to the device via the USB2Serial thing that it uses to communicate. No idea what's going on or why it won't work, and haven't yet mustered the courage to dive into the source code. Of course, if I do get it to work, then I have to figure out how to actually root the device using this tool. I'm guessing it will involve unpacking the ROM (a PAC file), modifying the recovery.img to a TWRP (or similar), repacking it and flashing the result. I've only managed the unpacking so far, no clue as to the other 2 steps. BTW, the SPD flash tool site als has a "factory" and a "research" tool, besides the "upgrade" tool that I tried. Unless I'm missing something, all three seem to be exactly the same (save for the color scheme).
Alcatel Mobile Upgrade S - Installs just fine and then allows you to choose your phone out of a dropdown... that doesn't include my model.
Sugar MTK/QCT - Installed it and the necessary drivers but it can't find my phone, no matter what I try. Also, I keep reading that it needs login credentials (wut?)
Conclusion: argh!
So, nothing so far. Since it's a Spreadtrum phone it has an engineering mode that can be explored with an APK I found in this thread. Nothing in the settings it reveals appears to be of any help though. I also contacted the makers of the AIO Alcatel toolkit to see if they had any ideas, but after I explained the situation one of them concluded "Hmmm. New one on me". Needless to say I also tried searching this forum for more tips, but googling 'site:forum.xda-developers.com "5003D"' returns no hits.
For now, I'm forced to conclude that there is a lot of really awesome tooling out there created by some very talented people, but none of it works on my phone. As of yet the 5003D appears pretty unrootable. If anyone has any tips to help me along or point me in the right direction, I would be very appreciative.
bump
bump
Then type the command to show the device
fastboot -i 0x1bbb devices
Execute the next command which will show device info including bootloader status (e.g. locked).
fastboot -i 0x1bbb oem device-info
This command is to unlock the bootloader on Alcatel device
fastboot -i 0x1bbb oem unlock
Repeat Step and you should see “Device unlocked: true”
To reboot normally type:
fastboot -i 0x1bbb reboot
Done
This command is to unlock the bootloader on Alcatel device
fastboot -i 0x1bbb oem unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried that a bunch of times in an bunch of different ways, and unfortunately that doesn't work for this particular phone.
lotus118 said:
I've tried that a bunch of times in an bunch of different ways, and unfortunately that doesn't work for this particular phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting your phone's Android does NOT require you fiddle around with its boot-loader. Forget trying to make use of Fastboot.
So how would I go about this without using fastboot?
lotus118 said:
So how would I go about this without using fastboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Open Windows command prompt and input the following comand
Code:
adb devices
2. Start the ADB sideload in your phone's recovery
3. Then input the following command in the Windows command prompt
Code:
adb sideload <filename.Zip>
where <filename.zip> must of course be the real full filepathname of ZIP to get flashed

A permission issue?

Hi
I recently upgraded a Honor 5c to Nougat(which works)NRD90M test keys build. I did this through Flashfire to try and preserve root. It failed(what a surprise).
The device is recognised now with 'fastboot devices', by running ADB using root in Linux.
I can get into bootloader screen using fastboot and have unlocked the phone AGAIN to be sure. BUT, cannot flash TWRP which is vital. The error now is:
Sending 'boot.img' (24464 KB) OKAY [ 0.869s]
Booting FAILED (remote: 'Command not allowed') fastboot: error: Command failed
This suggests the phone is locked which is absurd. I think this is a permission problem within Android, it that possible?
It doesn't matter how I'm going to root, if I can't communicate the whole thing is usesless.
The same issue continues with ADB in Win10
Any thoughts hear, because I've trawled Google.
thanks
To clarify things: ADB and Fastboot are 2 completly different things. Fastboot deals with device's bootloader, whereas ADB deals with device's Android OS.
Run this command sequence
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot getvar all 2>%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt
fastboot reboot
type "%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt" | more
which will get you a list of various variables on the phone with model and such useful things.
jwoegerbauer said:
To clarify things: ADB and Fastboot are 2 completly different things. Fastboot deals with device's bootloader, whereas ADB deals with device's Android OS.
Run this command sequence
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot getvar all 2>%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt
fastboot reboot
type "%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt" | more
which will get you a list of various variables on the phone with model and such useful things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excuse if this format is incorrect
Thanks for that.
ADB and Fastboot are 2 completly different things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure
fastboot devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MQH4C17330000094 fastboot
fastboot getvar all 2>%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Returns to prompt
fastboot reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works
type "%TEMP%\phoneinfo.txt" | more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
getvar:all FAILED (remote: 'Command not allowed')
Finished. Total time: 0.005s
Same thing again
Cliff
cliffhanger54 said:
getvar:all FAILED (remote: 'Command not allowed')
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That a Fastboot cmd does not work ( e.g. error Command not allowed ) is not unusual because Fastboot is different from version to version and also depends on how OEM/Carrier implemented it.
Again:
Bootloader and Android OS are different things, as this is same on PC where UEFI/BIOS and Windows OS are different things, too. A device's bootloader doesn't depend on any permissions granted within device's OS. A bootloader is a kind of software that runs as soon as you start up your phone. It tells the phone which programs are loading in order to make your phone run smoothly. This software packages all the instructions that are supposed to boot the Android OS, and initializes hardware and serves as security checkpoint.
Don't mix things up.
BTW:
Whether device's bootloader is unlockable / is already unlocked or not is stored in system file named build.prop.
Code:
adb devices
adb shell "getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported"
If returned value is 1, then unlocking bootloader is supported otherwise it's not.
or
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot oem device-info
If "Device unlocked: true" is shown then bootloader is unlockedd.
jwoegerbauer said:
That a Fastboot cmd does not work ( e.g. error Command not allowed ) is not unusual because Fastboot is different from version to version and also depends on how OEM/Carrier implemented it.
Again:
Bootloader and Android OS are different things, as this is same on PC where UEFI/BIOS and Windows OS are different things, too. A device's bootloader doesn't depend on any permissions granted within device's OS. A bootloader is a kind of software that runs as soon as you start up your phone. It tells the phone which programs are loading in order to make your phone run smoothly. This software packages all the instructions that are supposed to boot the Android OS, and initializes hardware and serves as security checkpoint.
Don't mix things up.
BTW:
Whether device's bootloader is unlockable / is already unlocked or not is stored in system file named build.prop.
Code:
adb devices
adb shell "getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported"
If returned value is 1, then unlocking bootloader is supported otherwise it's not.
or
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot oem device-info
If "Device unlocked: true" is shown then bootloader is unlockedd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for answering. I understand what you say. I've used Linux for 20 years and understand the differences. But where does this leave us/me. I should be able to flash TWRP into the recovery partition surely? Or are we dependent on software versions here as you say? It would be relatively easy in Linux and of course Android is based on it.
cliffhanger54 said:
I should be able to flash TWRP into the recovery partition surely?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP completely removes device's default /recovery partition if it exists ( exists only on A-only Android devices), TWRP creates its own in device's /boot partition.
To flash TWRP on A-only ( or on current active boot slot if it's an A/B ) device
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot flash boot <PATH_ON_PC_TO_YOUR_TWRP_IMAGE_HERE>
jwoegerbauer said:
TWRP completely removes device's default /recovery partition if it exists ( exists only on A-only Android devices), TWRP creates its own in device's /boot partition.
To flash TWRP on A-only ( or on current active boot slot if it's an A/B ) device
Code:
fastboot devices
fastboot flash boot <PATH_ON_PC_TO_YOUR_TWRP_IMAGE_HERE>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I think I've tried this one. I do get a different response though:
'fastboot: error: cannot get boot partition size'
I've seen suggestions that formating the boot partition is required - sounds extreme.
Why not simply re-flash device's Stock ROM to restore it to its original state ?
:good:
Sukrus said:
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes wouldn't that be great. Have tried that from the beginning when I couldn't flash TWRP.
Put the Update.app on the SDcard, reboot the phone, hold down the buttons(tried them all), Bingo, it always takes me to eRecovery and how useless that is.
I have backups of Marshmallow with TWRP and Flashfire, which is why I took the flash TWRP route.
Wish I'd never upgaded now, although was forced to because of banking.
thanks
@cliffhanger54
I have noticed that current thread basically is a duplicate of this thread you started on XDA some days ago, too.
jwoegerbauer said:
@cliffhanger54
I have noticed that current thread basically is a duplicate of this thread you started on XDA some days ago, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, couldn't really get anyone to answer, needed more info. Apologies. Will cease other question
Cliff
cliffhanger54 said:
Yes, couldn't really get anyone to answer, needed more info. Apologies. Will cease other question
Cliff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. After many attempts at other things I became convinced this was a locked bootloader problem despite the phone saying it was unlocked. Anyway have persisted in unlocking the phone several times and am now at a screen saying 'Your device is unlocked' but it also says 'you device is booting now'. But that's as far as it goes. If I turn the phone off it comes back to this screen and holding the power button+-volume also comes back to this screen, i.e I can't turn it off. How do I get back to the bootloader/fastboot mode or is this a genuine brick?
thanks
Cliff
cliffhanger54 said:
Right. After many attempts at other things I became convinced this was a locked bootloader problem despite the phone saying it was unlocked. Anyway have persisted in unlocking the phone several times and am now at a screen saying 'Your device is unlocked' but it also says 'you device is booting now'. But that's as far as it goes. If I turn the phone off it comes back to this screen and holding the power button+-volume also comes back to this screen, i.e I can't turn it off. How do I get back to the bootloader/fastboot mode or is this a genuine brick?
thanks
Cliff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay finally solved it. Let the battery run down as all I was getting was a bootloop. I was then able to get into fastboot mode with the necessary keys. From here i flashed TWRP but this required numerous attempts with different versions, finally got '3.1.1 venus' to load and the rest was straight forward!
thanks to everyone

Can I make my own "unlock.img" file if I have the stock firmware?

EDIT: I was able to unlock my bootloader by just trying to use the fastboot "unlock bootloader" command several times. Thanks a lot SubwayChamp for helping me through this, I was also able to root my phone. Wasn't able to install a custom recovery, though.
I have a Multilaser H phone. It is a phone from a national brand, "Multilaser" here in Brazil.
For some reason, Multilaser does not want to provide the bootloader "unlock.img" file.
For context, the Multilaser H is just a white label of the Lenovo Z6 Lite/Lenovo K10 Note.
I downloaded the Z6 Lite unlock bootloader file and it has an "unlock_bootloader.img". I tried running the Z6 Bootloader Unlocker on the Multilaser H but it just didn't work. I really want to flash a custom ROM on my phone and I've tried all sorts of things, even trying to sideload another ROM but with the locked bootloader it's impossible. And no, I can't just buy a new phone, unfortunately. This one is more than capable of running Android 10 or even 11 but Multilaser just does not release it so I'm stuck on 9.
Is there any way to make that "unlock_bootloader.img" file that the Z6 Lite tool uses to unlock the phone for MY phone? Like, generate it? Because apparently the company doesn't want to provide it for us. The stock ROM I have here does have the "recovery.img" file.
Can I unlock my bootloader or somehow make a file similar to unlock_bootloader.img that allows me to do that? I have no idea how it works exactly but I'm assuming the "unlock.bootloader.img" is specific for the Z6 Lite and allows it to unlock the bootloader.
Here's how the Z6 Lite Tools folder looks like by the way
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
AlNexus said:
I have a Multilaser H phone. It is a phone from a national brand, "Multilaser" here in Brazil.
For some reason, Multilaser does not want to provide the bootloader "unlock.img" file.
For context, the Multilaser H is just a white label of the Lenovo Z6 Lite/Lenovo K10 Note.
I downloaded the Z6 Lite unlock bootloader file and it has an "unlock_bootloader.img". I tried running the Z6 Bootloader Unlocker on the Multilaser H but it just didn't work. I really want to flash a custom ROM on my phone and I've tried all sorts of things, even trying to sideload another ROM but with the locked bootloader it's impossible. And no, I can't just buy a new phone, unfortunately. This one is more than capable of running Android 10 or even 11 but Multilaser just does not release it so I'm stuck on 9.
Is there any way to make that "unlock_bootloader.img" file that the Z6 Lite tool uses to unlock the phone for MY phone? Like, generate it? Because apparently the company doesn't want to provide it for us. The stock ROM I have here does have the "recovery.img" file.
Can I unlock my bootloader or somehow make a file similar to unlock_bootloader.img that allows me to do that? I have no idea how it works exactly but I'm assuming the "unlock.bootloader.img" is specific for the Z6 Lite and allows it to unlock the bootloader.
Here's how the Z6 Lite Tools folder looks like by the way
View attachment 5457515
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mean you tried something like this? https://www.gizdev.com/twrp-root-lenovo-z6-youth/ running the bootloader_unlock.bat? What does unlock_bootloader.img do?
Try with these commands apart to know the bootloader status
fastboot oem device-infoor fastboot getvar unlocked
Maybe you can try with simple commands to unlock it, in case you are wrong and the OEM doesn't care bootloader being unlocked:
fastboot oem unlock or fastboot oem unlock-go or
fastboot flashing unlock You should enable USB debugging and OEM unlock toggle must be available under this section, otherwise neither of those will work.
And if this device totattly rebranded from the Z6 Lite, or it has a MediaTek processor?
SubwayChamp said:
Do you mean you tried something like this? https://www.gizdev.com/twrp-root-lenovo-z6-youth/ running the bootloader_unlock.bat? What does unlock_bootloader.img do?
Try with these commands apart to know the bootloader status
fastboot oem device-infoor fastboot getvar unlocked
Maybe you can try with simple commands to unlock it, in case you are wrong and the OEM doesn't care bootloader being unlocked:
fastboot oem unlock or fastboot oem unlock-go or
fastboot flashing unlock You should enable USB debugging and OEM unlock toggle must be available under this section, otherwise neither of those will work.
And if this device totattly rebranded from the Z6 Lite, or it has a MediaTek processor?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I try those commands it just says "Waiting for device..." and there's nothing on my phone. The FastBoot screen is identical to the Z6 Lite one. And the device is totally rebranded apparently, maybe something there and here, but it has the same CPU, RAM and storage.
AlNexus said:
When I try those commands it just says "Waiting for device..." and there's nothing on my phone. The FastBoot screen is identical to the Z6 Lite one. And the device is totally rebranded apparently, maybe something there and here, but it has the same CPU, RAM and storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, we're just trying to figure it out if your device can be really unlocked or not, so you need to walk through these steps to be sure.
"Waiting for device..." means that your device is not being detected, you need to install properly the fastboot drivers for Lenovo otherwise you can´t do what you need, the first step is this. With your device on, enable USB debugging in developer options, and unlock OEM toggle, when you enabled USB debugging you will see a pop-up message asking for "allow always", then tap on it.
As per to know if the model is identical you should download an app from Google Play, something like Device Info and see the specs, if this device has MediaTek instead of Qualcomm there could be a workaround.
SubwayChamp said:
OK, we're just trying to figure it out if your device can be really unlocked or not, so you need to walk through these steps to be sure.
"Waiting for device..." means that your device is not being detected, you need to install properly the fastboot drivers for Lenovo otherwise you can´t do what you need, the first step is this. With your device on, enable USB debugging in developer options, and unlock OEM toggle, when you enabled USB debugging you will see a pop-up message asking for "allow always", then tap on it.
As per to know if the model is identical you should download an app from Google Play, something like Device Info and see the specs, if this device has MediaTek instead of Qualcomm there could be a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the drivers. Here is the output of the 3 commands:
Code:
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot oem unlock
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.001s
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot oem unlock-go
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.002s
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot flashing unlock
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.001s
It says "unlocked: no". Also it is Qualcomm, SDM710.
EDIT: Yeah it's probably impossible to unlock. Damn it, why do companies do this? Lock us in this crappy system and we can't even install another OS? I bought the phone, let me do whatever I want with it.
AlNexus said:
I installed the drivers. Here is the output of the 3 commands:
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot oem unlock
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.001s
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot oem unlock-go
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.002s
PS C:\Users\alnexus> fastboot flashing unlock
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.001s
It says "unlocked: no". Also it is Qualcomm, SDM710.
EDIT: Yeah it's probably impossible to unlock. Damn it, why do companies do this? Lock us in this crappy system and we can't even install another OS? I bought the phone, let me do whatever I want with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And is there an OEM unlock toggle? If not or even being one, if OEM doesn't want to be unlocked there’s not much to do.
And what happen running the unlock.bat from the Z6 lite now that you installed properly the fastboot drivers?
Also check what is in the unlock.bat script, open it with Notepad++ and see which command is executed.
SubwayChamp said:
And is there an OEM unlock toggle? If not or even being one, if OEM doesn't want to be unlocked there’s not much to do.
And what happen running the unlock.bat from the Z6 lite now that you installed properly the fastboot drivers?
Also check what is in the unlock.bat script, open it with Notepad++ and see which command is executed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there is an OEM unlock toggle. I enabled it.
Great idea, I'll try that, but my hopes are absolutely 0.
Here's the UNLOCK BOOTLOADER.bat (unlock.bat) script content:
Code:
@echo off
TITLE Bootloader Unlocker
color 3f
CLS
ECHO. ============================================================================
echo.
echo. Press any key
echo.
echo. ============================================================================
pause >nul
CLS
adb devices
echo.
echo Reboot mode bootloader
echo.
adb reboot bootloader
CLS
echo.
echo Firmware bootloader...
echo.
echo.
fastboot flash unlock unlock_bootloader.img
pause
CLS
echo.
echo Unlocking bootloader...
echo.
echo.
fastboot oem unlock-go
pause
CLS
echo.
echo Unlock complete, wait for reboot
echo.
fastboot %* reboot
pause
Yeah, didn't work ):
AlNexus said:
Yeah, didn't work ):
View attachment 5458091
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WHAT
I TRIED USING THE UNLOCK BOOTLOADER COMMANDQ MULTIPLE TIMES AND IH AVE UNLOCKED THE BOOTLOADER
I hope it doesn't brick my phone now lol. Sorry, I couldn't contain my excitement...
AlNexus said:
WHAT
I TRIED USING THE UNLOCK BOOTLOADER COMMANDQ MULTIPLE TIMES AND IH AVE UNLOCKED THE BOOTLOADER
I hope it doesn't brick my phone now lol. Sorry, I couldn't contain my excitement...View attachment 5458109
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I try using that it just hangs on "downloading 'boot.img"...
Should I wait?
When I tried fastboot flash recovery twrp.img it said sending 'recovery' and said FAILED (remote: Requested download size is more than max allowed)
AlNexus said:
View attachment 5458111
When I try using that it just hangs on "downloading 'boot.img"...
Should I wait?
When I tried fastboot flash recovery twrp.img it said sending 'recovery' and said FAILED (remote: Requested download size is more than max allowed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it seems that sometimes when I try using "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" it just "restarts" the phone. The phone goes to a splash screen and it says in the top corner "press any key to shutdown" and disconnects from the computer. "fastboot boot" just hangs on downloading 'boot.img'.
Oops, that just happened with fastboot boot too.
and it showed the splash screen with "press any key to shutdown" in the corner
AlNexus said:
it seems that sometimes when I try using "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" it just "restarts" the phone. The phone goes to a splash screen and it says in the top corner "press any key to shutdown" and disconnects from the computer. "fastboot boot" just hangs on downloading 'boot.img'.
Oops, that just happened with fastboot boot too.
View attachment 5458129 and it showed the splash screen with "press any key to shutdown" in the corner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You also could try fastboot flashing unlock_critical
First, be sure to get the firmware at hands, in case something goes wrong.
Regards the TWRP version, are you sure it is for your device?
Maybe you need to port from the Z6 Lite, making minimal changes.
In a different approach, you could patch your boot image with Magisk and flash it to the boot partition.
"Too many links..." error is probably that you have attached to your PC more than one Android device/emulator/USB hub or something, check that, end the process with adb kill-server and restart again with adb start-server or go straight to the command, ADB will start automatically.
SubwayChamp said:
You also could try fastboot flashing unlock_critical
First, be sure to get the firmware at hands, in case something goes wrong.
Regards the TWRP version, are you sure it is for your device?
Maybe you need to port from the Z6 Lite, making minimal changes.
In a different approach, you could patch your boot image with Magisk and flash it to the boot partition.
"Too many links..." error is probably that you have attached to your PC more than one Android device/emulator/USB hub or something, check that, end the process with adb kill-server and restart again with adb start-server or go straight to the command, ADB will start automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try that. I don't know how to port but I don't think it should be too hard. Thanks for the tips, I'll also try to patch my boot image.
AlNexus said:
I'll try that. I don't know how to port but I don't think it should be too hard. Thanks for the tips, I'll also try to patch my boot image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Patching the boot image doesn't work either. Stuck on "sending 'recovery' forever. I had also gotten
Code:
fastboot flash recovery magisk_patched.img
Sending 'recovery' (65536 KB) FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
before. I'll try with another USB cable. Wonder if it could be the drivers; I have already installed the device drivers from Google and Lenovo.
I had a different output on Linux, but Magisk App doesn't say "Installed".
EDIT: I tried to flash "twrp.img" (I know it's dangerous without a backup) and it said the same thing, except the phone doesn't seem to have TWRP installed.
It says finished but nothing actually happens or changes in the phone.
EDIT 2: When I try fastboot boot recovery.img it says FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
AlNexus said:
View attachment 5458349
Patching the boot image doesn't work either. Stuck on "sending 'recovery' forever. I had also gotten
Code:
fastboot flash recovery magisk_patched.img
Sending 'recovery' (65536 KB) FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
before. I'll try with another USB cable. Wonder if it could be the drivers; I have already installed the device drivers from Google and Lenovo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you patched it the boot image from your stock ROM, then it is to flash it to the boot partition, not to the recovery partition, the usage would be fastboot flash boot patchedboot.img this is to achieve root, if rooted you could do more things.
I'm assuming that you opened the fastboot commands from within the directory where there are the images files.
SubwayChamp said:
I guess you patched it the boot image from your stock ROM, then it is to flash it to the boot partition, not to the recovery partition, the usage would be fastboot flash boot patchedboot.img this is to achieve root, if rooted you could do more things.
I'm assuming that you opened the fastboot commands from within the directory where there are the images files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I did.
You saved my day. Thanks a lot, I got it rooted by using fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img. Having root is infinitely better than having nothing.
I should mark the whole topic as "solved" now. Thanks so much
AlNexus said:
Yes, I did.
You saved my day. Thanks a lot, I got it rooted by using fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img. Having root is infinitely better than having nothing.
I should mark the whole topic as "solved" now. Thanks so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear that.
Now you can follow with searching these topics:
- How to back up android partitions. (to get the complete images -firmware- so you can restore it if something goes wrong). This is just an example: https://github.com/for2ando/dump-android-partitions
- How to port TWRP recovery for my device, from the Z6 Lite can be used as base. Something like this: https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-26277.html
And lastly, to change for a different featured ROM:
- How to flash a GSI.

Barebones Fastboot on my device...?

I'm currently trying to unlock the bootloader on my Tecno Spark 8C, model KG5K. A fairly new phone brand, so documents regarding this is really shallow.
So I opted for ways that are supported on a variety of Android phones instead. I've used every way possible that I can find. ADB, Magisk, TWRP,... but none has worked, because of one sole reason: the Fastboot. So, essentially what is happening to the Fastboot is that it's seems to be missing a LOT of typical features in a Fastboot, like flashing unlock and OEM unlock.
I tried turning on OEM unlock in settings and made sure USB debugging is enabled, disabled all of the security features and even checked if my phone is ALWAYS transferring files to my laptop, but nothing is phasing the Fastboot unknown command and unlock bootloader failed error messages.
The only imaginative option that I can think of now, is whether if I can update/replace the original Fastboot that came with my phone, but I can't explain it in technical terms, or even know if such a method existed.
I would appreciate all the help I can, thanks to all of you in advance.
mayberandomparable said:
I'm currently trying to unlock the bootloader on my Tecno Spark 8C, model KG5K. A fairly new phone brand, so documents regarding this is really shallow.
So I opted for ways that are supported on a variety of Android phones instead. I've used every way possible that I can find. ADB, Magisk, TWRP,... but none has worked, because of one sole reason: the Fastboot. So, essentially what is happening to the Fastboot is that it's seems to be missing a LOT of typical features in a Fastboot, like flashing unlock and OEM unlock.
I tried turning on OEM unlock in settings and made sure USB debugging is enabled, disabled all of the security features and even checked if my phone is ALWAYS transferring files to my laptop, but nothing is phasing the Fastboot unknown command and unlock bootloader failed error messages.
The only imaginative option that I can think of now, is whether if I can update/replace the original Fastboot that came with my phone, but I can't explain it in technical terms, or even know if such a method existed.
I would appreciate all the help I can, thanks to all of you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fastboot mode, is your phone recognised with a random string of numbers or alpha-numeric characters? If not, you may lack the fastboot drivers which are distinct from adb drivers. Please install the Platform Tools from this link and try.
TNSMANI said:
In fastboot mode, is your phone recognised with a random string of numbers or alpha-numeric characters? If not, you may lack the fastboot drivers which are distinct from adb drivers. Please install the Platform Tools from this link and try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
080293723C004560
Does this qualifies as having distinct drivers? I'm not too sure.
mayberandomparable said:
080293723C004560
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is the response to the 'Fastboot devices' command and the same is shown when you issue the 'adb devices' command (while in adb mode) then you have no driver issue. What about the Platform Tools that you use (you said that several commands were missing), did you try the one I linked?
Further, the bootloader unlock command varies between devices and what works for one model may not work for another. You have to search for the proper command for your device.
Code:
C:\>fastboot devices
C:\>fastboot getvar version
C:\>fastboot getvar all
TNSMANI said:
If that is the response to the 'Fastboot devices' command and the same is shown when you issue the 'adb devices' command (while in adb mode) then you have no driver issue. What about the Platform Tools that you use (you said that several commands were missing), did you try the one I linked?
Further, the bootloader unlock command varies between devices and what works for one model may not work for another. You have to search for the proper command for your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the commands, but one stood out because of the output it given. Fastboot getvar all returned nothing for all. And I did try the official Android platform-tools, but it's still the same results, I'm afraid.
Beside that, getvar version given a 1.0 version. Checked the device ID on both modes, they're the same.
Also, I did extensively search for any sliver of documentation on the fastboot of this device, but I basically got nothing, since this device is still fairly new.
Fastboot is a bit of a weird animal.
The desktop executable knows valid commands and will not even attempt something that it doesn't know.
Code:
C:\>fastboot fishheads
fastboot: usage: unknown command fishheads
C:\>fastboot oem fishheads
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
C:\>fastboot erase fishheads
Erasing 'fishheads' FAILED (remote: 'Check device console.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
The first error is local, the second one is remote because the desktop knows "oem" is good and doesn't care after that.
The third fails on no partition called "fishheads", but it tried. Try that and these:
Code:
C:\>fastboot getvar product
C:\>fastboot getvar serial
C:\>fastboot getvar unlocked
C:\>fastboot getvar variant
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot_a
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot_b
Renate said:
Fastboot is a bit of a weird animal.
The desktop executable knows valid commands and will not even attempt something that it doesn't know.
Code:
C:\>fastboot fishheads
fastboot: usage: unknown command fishheads
C:\>fastboot oem fishheads
FAILED (remote: 'unknown command')
fastboot: error: Command failed
C:\>fastboot erase fishheads
Erasing 'fishheads' FAILED (remote: 'Check device console.')
fastboot: error: Command failed
The first error is local, the second one is remote because the desktop knows "oem" is good and doesn't care after that.
The third fails on no partition called "fishheads", but it tried. Try that and these:
Code:
C:\>fastboot getvar product
C:\>fastboot getvar serial
C:\>fastboot getvar unlocked
C:\>fastboot getvar variant
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot_a
C:\>fastboot getvar partition-size:boot_b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might picking up what you're putting down here.
The first 3 getvar(s) returned empty, partition-size:boot returned a failure, but boot_a and boot_b returned the same 0x4000000
@mayberandomparable
Did you try 'fastboot flashing unlock' command or 'fastboot oem unlock' command? If all such commands fail, you may need a special unlock zip file which seems to be available for the 8 Pro model but not for yours (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/twrp-for-tecno-spark-8-pro-kg8-root-other-guide.4477425/).
Did you try fastboot erase fishheads
It could tell you that your device is locked.
Renate said:
Did you try fastboot erase fishheads
It could tell you that your device is locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got the "Flashing Lock Flag is locked. Please unlock it first!", chief.
TNSMANI said:
@mayberandomparable
Did you try 'fastboot flashing unlock' command or 'fastboot oem unlock' command? If all such commands fail, you may need a special unlock zip file which seems to be available for the 8 Pro model but not for yours (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/twrp-for-tecno-spark-8-pro-kg8-root-other-guide.4477425/).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got stuck.
(ignore me listening to PATD, forgot for a moment)
The "special unlock zip file" is just a script that requires that fastboot flashing unlock works.
You made me watch that video of PATD. It's kind of violent, eh?
Renate said:
The "special unlock zip file" is just a script that requires that fastboot flashing unlock works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh shoot, yeah it is.
Well, we're going in circles now.
mayberandomparable said:
Got the "Flashing Lock Flag is locked. Please unlock it first!", chief.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, is this operation possible?
It could be that the OEM unlocking in Android Settings is broken/ineffective.
It could be that the fastboot needs some oem command.
Like (hypothetically) fastboot oem secret-unlocking-command pwd12345
Now, if you had a copy of abl we could reverse engineer it.
Have you tried to see if you can reach fastbootd? That's the user space fastboot that's in some Android.
Check if there is a difference between adb reboot bootloader and adb reboot fastboot
Is this a Qualcomm thing? Have you tried EDL? adb reboot edl
Renate said:
It could be that the OEM unlocking in Android Settings is broken/ineffective.
It could be that the fastboot needs some oem command.
Like (hypothetically) fastboot oem secret-unlocking-command pwd12345
Now, if you had a copy of abl we could reverse engineer it.
Have you tried to see if you can reach fastbootd? That's the user space fastboot that's in some Android.
Check if there is a difference between adb reboot bootloader and adb reboot fastboot
Is this a Qualcomm thing? Have you tried EDL? adb reboot edl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hardly a Qualcomm thing, since this is using UNISOC.
Also, yes, it does have a fastbootd mode. Found on a whim!
Edit: Just tried EDL, sent straight back to the regular reboot command.
So... Does this other fastboot react at all differently?
Renate said:
So... Does this other fastboot react at all differently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I got something! The flashing unlock didn't work, guessing the manufacturer changed it. But OEM works flawlessly!
The last time I tried to do anything on fastbootd, platform-tools didn't even recognized the device, but now it works!
mayberandomparable said:
... but now it works!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, can you fastboot erase fishheads
Renate said:
So, can you fastboot erase fishheads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oop- still got a locked error, unfortunately.

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