Unlocking the Nexus 7 (2013) Bootloader

[ferjovi]

Update an update

Hello this is the first time that I write in a post, I want to know if I already update my nexus 7 to marshmellow, but through the pc, I don't know the method, I downloaded the fabric version of the os and I followed some steps and then flash all on a .bat file. I had it rooted, but now i saw that it's not rooted any more, and thats ok, I don't wanted rooted. I still see the opened padlock when it turns on. It means that the bootloader is still unlocked I think. Now my tablet works fine but i got a message telling me to update to a newer version (that's only 2 mb) I think that its for some minor corrections. But I've read in another post that if I update my tablet in that via (I think it's called OTA) It might be bricked. Is it True? I want to know if I can do the updates that de OS shows me. I think that for doing that I have to lock the bootloader again. Am I right?

Thank you so much.

 

[trhacker01]

Hello this is the first time that I write in a post, I want to know if I already update my nexus 7 to marshmellow, but through the pc, I don't know the method, I downloaded the fabric version of the os and I followed some steps and then flash all on a .bat file. I had it rooted, but now i saw that it's not rooted any more, and thats ok, I don't wanted rooted. I still see the opened padlock when it turns on. It means that the bootloader is still unlocked I think. Now my tablet works fine but i got a message telling me to update to a newer version (that's only 2 mb) I think that its for some minor corrections. But I've read in another post that if I update my tablet in that via (I think it's called OTA) It might be bricked. Is it True? I want to know if I can do the updates that de OS shows me. I think that for doing that I have to lock the bootloader again. Am I right?

Thank you so much.

I don't have a complete answer, but I know that if its rooted the ota update will fail, but not cause bootloop or anything. Not sure if bootloader unlocked by itself will cause a problem. If u don't want to be rooted anymore, just relock the bootloader then no worries. Btw, yes the update is just bug fixes.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[ferjovi]

I don't have a complete answer, but I know that if its rooted the ota update will fail, but not cause bootloop or anything. Not sure if bootloader unlocked by itself will cause a problem. If u don't want to be rooted anymore, just relock the bootloader then no worries. Btw, yes the update is just bug fixes.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app

Thank you so you sugest that i can relock the bootleader and then I can do the OTA updates again? thank you and sorry for been so noob hehe

 

[yosmokinman]

You don't need to relock the bootloader, and relocking it will not remove root. So if the systems not stock an ota won't work anyway.

You said you've already flashed a factory image so just do that again with the latest version and forget the ota.

I don't know about the ota bricking thing, but otas can cause problems. Imo it's best to just flash the boot and system.img when a new version is released (and bootloader if it changes). You won't lose any data.

If you wan't to take otas a good idea would be to run fastboot boot twrp.img and make a backup before the update. It won't interfere with otas and if there is a problem you can boot it again and restore the backup.

 

[mikhailitsky]

Is it possible to unlock bootloader without factory resetting the device?

 

[beachfl]

Is it possible to unlock bootloader without factory resetting the device?

No, by design. Security.

 

[k23m]

Unlock bootloader without factory reset

Is it possible to unlock bootloader without factory resetting the device?

No, by design. Security.

True but there is work-around. Just set the byte at offset 0x4FFC00 to "2" on the aboot/mmcblk0p12 partition. This can be done in the following ways:

• on rooted devices run this app
• on devices with OS older than mid-2014 use Towelroot and then run the above app
• on devices with bootloader released before August 5, 2014, run fastboot boot twrp.img and use dd to patch the offset
• use JTAG to patch eMMC memory
• use hardware programmer to patch removed eMMC chip

You can probably ignore the last two methods

 

[beachfl]

True but there is work-around....

Cool :good:

 

[mikhailitsky]

Thanks for the list.

on rooted devices run this app

This raises the same question - is it possible to root without factory resetting the device? My tablet is running Android 6.0.1, build number MOB30X.

 

[k23m]

is it possible to root without factory resetting the device? My tablet is running Android 6.0.1, build number MOB30X.

Of course it is, as long as you find a root exploit for MOB30X, or something like Towelroot for the vintage 2014 Android.
:highfive:

 

[Battler154]

Is there a way to open the bootloader without having developer options and usb debugging enabled? Or is there a way to do this via adb command?

 

[P.Kosunen]

Is there a way to open the bootloader without having developer options and usb debugging enabled? Or is there a way to do this via adb command?

http://www.android.gs/how-to-enter-google-nexus-7-fastboot-mode/

You can enter fastboot mode with holding buttons, no need for usb debugging.

 

[vartanarsen]

Hello i updated drivers, but windows command screen still says ADB not available or somehting like thar

 

[ludemon]

Not able to erase userdata

I have a Nexus 7 (2013) that starts only in locked bootloader mode.
Selecting :
'recovery' returns back to bootloader.
'start' goes to white Google logo, but stays there until a button is pressed, then returns to bootloader.

On cmd terminal fastboot oem unlock brings up the yes/no selection screen on the device, but stays there for ever if yes is selected. On the command prompt terminal 'erasing userdata.....' is displayed for ever.
Similarly command fastboot erase userdata or fastboot format userdata ends with 'erasing userdata.....' but no further action.
All other erase commands like fastboot erase cache work okay without error, only erase userdata freezes.

I obviously need to unlock the bootloader to be able to proceed with returning the tablet to normal working condition, but not being able to erase userdata is preventing that.
I have seen many references to this problem on the internet but so far not found a solution that works, so I'm hoping that someone here can help.

 

[killeriq]

Yeah same problem here "erasing userdata..." stays forever, i did unlock many N7 before, never faced this issue...
Any clue what to do?

 

[k23m]

Yeah same problem here "erasing userdata..." stays forever, i did unlock many N7 before, never faced this issue...
Any clue what to do?

Look, mate, I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but your hardware is permanently broken, unfortunately...

https://xdaforums.com/t/fix-emmc-nexus-7-2013-bricked-dead-frozen-or-stuck.3310608/