It’s certainly been a great past week for those who like modding their devices. Two separate rooting methods have allowed boatloads of Samsung and Motorola devices running Gingerbread to be rooted using the same simple methods, and now, those running almost any HTC Android device can unlock their bootloader without jeopardizing that all-important warranty.
Unlocking the bootloader by going the HTC Dev route voids your warranty, but luckily for those interested, the method released a few days ago for the HTC Wildfire S seems to be compatible with any HTC device. As always, the reliable members of the XDA Developers forums have been testing the solution – created by simonsimons34 – and it seems now anybody with an HTC device can unlock their bootloader without surrendering their warranty.
As with HTC Dev’s method, this way doesn’t offer full S-OFF – but it does serve as a good solution for those who don’t yet require Universal S-OFF. The method hasn’t been confirmed as working on all HTC devices, however, it needs testers, so anybody willing to try it out will be helping the cause move onwards and upwards.
Developer simonsimons34 said of the method:
I have been able to create a method of unlocking ANY unlockable hboot, on any device (as far as I can tell). The method works on S-on, stock recovery devices.
There are a variety of reasons why you may want to unlock the bootloader of your device. Primarily, you need to unlock the bootloader to gain lower-level access for tasks such as mounting the system partition in read/write mode for installing programs. It differs from the process of rooting in that it removes the restrictions needed to gain that lower-level access, whereas rooting allows you to run other, unrestricted programs under the "root" hood of Android.
If you fancy unlocking your bootloader, but have been put off somewhat by the cries of voided warranty, then this method should – without doubt – be the avenue you opt to go down.
For all queries and FAQs – as well as download links and info – check out the official thread over at the XDA Developers Forum.
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