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How to unlock the bootloader on your Nexus One
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#1 User is offline   PaulOBrien 

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Posted 03 January 2010 - 08:44 PM



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So we rooted the Nexus One. Before it was out. Without a device. Neat, but many knowledgeable commentators in the Android community noted that the root was only possible due to the engineering bootloader shipped on the devices distributed by Google, and that retail devices would likely have locked bootloaders. We told them not to worry... and here's why.

Retail devices DO have locked bootloaders.

But you can unlock them.


You see, in the bootloader of the Nexus One there is a secret command. A command that, when issued via fastboot, gives you the warning you see here, after which you can merrily unlock your bootloader and flash anything you want onto your device (including our superboot rooting image).

Nice eh?

It's easy too! Google WANTS you to be able to do whatever you please on your Nexus One, but they also want you to be aware of the consequences.

To unlock your Nexus One's bootloader simply...

- Install the Android SDK
- Power on the device whilst holding the trackball to enter bootloader mode and connect your phone to the computer
- Download and extract fastboot from here (Windows, Linux and Mac included)
- Windows: from the sdk tools folder, copy "adb.exe", "AdbWinApi.dll" and "ddms.bat" to the fastboot folder
- Run a command prompt / terminal at the fastboot directory you just extracted
- Type 'fastboot-windows oem unlock' or './fastboot-mac oem unlock' or './fastboot-linux oem unlock' (as appropriate)
- Proceed on your merry bootloader unlocked way (note: you device will be wiped)

Enjoy! :) Big nod to packetlss for the heads up!

P

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#2 User is offline   Drizzy 

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Posted 03 January 2010 - 08:56 PM

thanks Paul, as always you still have the magic touch! :)


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#3 User is offline   RTSP 

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Posted 03 January 2010 - 09:22 PM

After reading this post. I realize that I can't wait for official release. Just want it asap :) ;) B)

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#4 User is offline   Vtecbros 

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Posted 03 January 2010 - 09:24 PM

Awesome cant wait to get it for T-mobile USA to root it!

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#5 User is offline   minty1978 

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Posted 03 January 2010 - 09:50 PM

wowsers, google have listened!!! well done paul for finding this and bringing it to the masses :)

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#6 User is offline   roy_drage 

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Posted 04 January 2010 - 02:59 PM

Nexus one isn't even out yet and it's been rooted!

Us Milestone users are still waiting :)

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#7 User is offline   igotnexusone 

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Posted 05 January 2010 - 09:33 PM

Hi Paul et al,

Managed to get into bootloader mode and have flashed the bootloader ( several times now ).
Having a problem when device reboots where I can no longer get to the application drawer.
Have tried resetting completely. Cleared all user data etc.
Would like to try putting the stock bootloader img back.

Do you know where I can get a copy?

Any other ideas appreciated.

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#8 User is offline   Taranfx 

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Posted 05 January 2010 - 09:50 PM

The attachment zip aint there.

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#9 User is offline   PaulOBrien 

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Posted 05 January 2010 - 10:18 PM

Yes it is, works for me!

P

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#10 User is offline   PaulOBrien 

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Posted 05 January 2010 - 10:19 PM

Stock boot image can be found here...

http://android.modaco.com/content/google-n...ip-build-22607/

P

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#11 User is offline   igotnexusone 

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Posted 06 January 2010 - 01:58 AM

Thanks for the images Paul - saved me tons of trouble

ended up flashing the system image and wiping clean and all was well

dang thing had gotten into a very weird state where my application drawer wouldn't open and wifi radio wouldn't turn on either

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#12 User is offline   mattyboy247 

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Posted 06 January 2010 - 12:41 PM

Never mind... different computer worked! Thanks!

This post has been edited by mattyboy247: 06 January 2010 - 07:03 PM

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#13 User is offline   aron7awol 

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Posted 07 January 2010 - 04:33 AM

Has anyone tried re-flashing the stock image after unlocking to see if it locks the device again?

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#14 User is offline   rjgii 

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Posted 07 January 2010 - 04:54 PM

Neither of my machines have been able to preform this. I get the "Waiting for device" message, but it hangs here.

I've tried running this from Windows, and Linux, and both do the same thing.

Has anyone else run into this issue?

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#15 User is offline   Kermee 

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Posted 08 January 2010 - 07:08 AM

View Postrjgii, on Jan 7 2010, 08:54, said:

Neither of my machines have been able to preform this. I get the "Waiting for device" message, but it hangs here.

I've tried running this from Windows, and Linux, and both do the same thing.

Has anyone else run into this issue?


You're probably missing the proper USB drivers. If you have the Android SDK, make sure you update it; they just released the USB drivers for the Nexus One in the last USB package.

If you don't have the Android SDK, there's a ZIP file floating around that has the USB drivers you need to support the Nexus One.

Cheers,
Kermee

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#16 User is offline   jdxx76 

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Posted 08 January 2010 - 04:40 PM

so, besides what has been explained up there about the BootLoader...Does it also UNLOCK the phone...to use on other GSM carriers?

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#17 User is offline   joners 

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Posted 09 January 2010 - 11:01 AM

View Postjdxx76, on Jan 8 2010, 16:40, said:

so, besides what has been explained up there about the BootLoader...Does it also UNLOCK the phone...to use on other GSM carriers?


Nope this is something else.

Nexus one can be bought sim free unlocked.

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#18 User is offline   HoOnZ 

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 04:47 PM

View PostKermee, on Jan 8 2010, 07:08, said:

You're probably missing the proper USB drivers. If you have the Android SDK, make sure you update it; they just released the USB drivers for the Nexus One in the last USB package.

If you don't have the Android SDK, there's a ZIP file floating around that has the USB drivers you need to support the Nexus One.

Cheers,
Kermee


I am also having the same issues and I'm using the latest USB drivers that's floating around. Fastboot just hangs in the < waiting for device > message.

I have the following files in my fastboot folder;

adb.exe
AdbWinApi.dll
ddms.bat
fastboot-windows.exe

Am I missing something?

I also tried it on a Mac which gives me the same result.

Thanks in advance!

- JOhn

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#19 User is offline   HoOnZ 

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Posted 10 January 2010 - 05:12 PM

View PostHoOnZ, on Jan 10 2010, 16:47, said:

I am also having the same issues and I'm using the latest USB drivers that's floating around. Fastboot just hangs in the < waiting for device > message.

I have the following files in my fastboot folder;

adb.exe
AdbWinApi.dll
ddms.bat
fastboot-windows.exe

Am I missing something?

I also tried it on a Mac which gives me the same result.

Thanks in advance!

- JOhn


I just figured it out. :)

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#20 User is offline   GuerillaZhou 

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Posted 11 January 2010 - 05:43 AM

got it, thanks

This post has been edited by GuerillaZhou: 12 January 2010 - 05:08 AM

Google Nexus One-Cyanogen Rom 5.0.5.3
RA_Amon Recovery 1.7.0
4.04.00.03_2

FIGHTING ILLINI
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