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HTC EVO 3D Confirmed to Have Locked Bootloader

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In a bit of sad news for those who were planning or have already pre-ordered the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint, Android Police has confirmed that the device will indeed have the same locked bootloader as the HTC Sensation. This means that those of you looking forward to putting ROMs, kernels and recoveries on your new EVO 3D are unfortunately not going to have an easy time doing so, if it even becomes possible at all.

HTC EVO 3D

It appears that HTC is following in the footsteps of another company notorious for putting locked bootloaders on its phones. Of course, that company is Motorola which is responsible for phones like the Motorola Droid X and the Motorola Droid 2, neither of which have been completely cracked to this day.

This new trend from HTC’s first reared its ugly head when it was confirmed that the upcoming HTC Sensation,  rumored to be arriving June 8th on T-Mobile, had a signed bootloader. And just like the Sensation, the EVO 3D won’t just have a locked bootloader. It will also have secure kernel images and a locked recovery mode as well.

Now, because the bootloader is locked, doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to customize your HTC EVO 3D. There will likely be workarounds created by the Android community. However, that’s a lot easier said than done so it could be a little while before we see any sort of workaround options appear.

It’s unfortunate that the EVO 3D community is already crippled before it even had a chance to start but let’s hope some crafty devs are able to find some nice ways to accommodate EVO 3D owner who want full access to their phone.

Is this going to stop anyone from buying this phone? Anyone going to return a pre-order?

20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. Rugedraw

    05/24/2011 at 6:29 pm

    I canceled my pre-order today during my lunch break. Now I have a $50 Radio Shack gift card that I will be putting on eBay to hopefully get at least $40 back.

    • Cerwinls19

      05/24/2011 at 6:36 pm

      Just buy something from the shack, cheap ass.

      • Fadfs

        05/24/2011 at 8:07 pm

        Everything in “the shack” is ridiculously overpriced

    • Bill

      05/28/2011 at 8:11 pm

      Get your pre-order back. The bootloader is confirmed unlocked by HTC. Give it up to HTC for fully supporting the development community.

  2. Jeffjax99

    05/24/2011 at 6:45 pm

    What’s wrong with this? Seriously I dont know what its talking about. I’m stil getting this phone

    • Andrew

      05/24/2011 at 7:49 pm

      if you don’t know what this article is talking about then it has nothing to do with you…

  3. ER6BUFF

    05/24/2011 at 7:37 pm

    I actually think this is good news. Hopefully the fact that two of the (arguably) best new phones available from HTC are similarly locked down, it increases the amount of developers and hackers attempting to find an exploit. 

  4. CRA1G

    05/24/2011 at 8:46 pm

    I don’t mind. I’ve had my EVO 4G since its launch day and haven’t once been tempted to root it; there’s just not enough annoying about it (IMO) to put up with the hassle and risk of managing a rooted phone.

    • Gst2011

      05/25/2011 at 2:46 am

      There are only endless benefits. Never experienced a “hassle” and I’ve been rooting my phone since the G1 and will continue doing so.

  5. Anonymous

    05/24/2011 at 9:20 pm

    Even if the bootloader is locked the phone seems to have everything needed from day one without the use of custom ROMs.

    • PC487

      05/25/2011 at 12:09 am

      disagree: overclocking and wifi tethering.  I know, tethering is against terms of use, but there are sporadic times when I need it and $40-$50/month for something I may use for 5-10 minutes every 2 months is ridiculous.

  6. Sveilien

    05/24/2011 at 11:23 pm

    One of the best things to come out of rooting my EVO 4G was the significant increase in battery life due to custom kernels and slimmer ROMs. The EVO 4G has terrible stock battery life, which the 15 people I talked in to buying one can attest.  I have rooted many of their phones with Cyanogen and there are amazed at the difference.  

  7. Stoplocking

    05/25/2011 at 5:28 am

    Let the executives know, stop the lock

    [email protected] Chairman

    [email protected] Chief Marketing Officer, HTC Corporation

    [email protected] Senior Public Relations Manager at HTC 425-679-5328

    [email protected] COO of HTC

    [email protected] Board Member of HTC

    [email protected] CEO

    [email protected] Chief Innovation Officer

    Brent Groome, Chief Executive-Customer Operations, at 843-369-8393 or [email protected]  

  8. Gregory Lecki

    05/25/2011 at 4:22 pm

    Dear HTC, My name is ————- and I was one of the many excited people awaiting the arrival of the EVO 3D.  This would be my first purchase of an HTC product, however I just learned that the bootloader will be locked and I feel this is a mistake.  There are countless number of people that enjoy taking their hard earned money, buying a product, and making that product personalized in various ways.  For example, a car manufacturer does not take extra steps to make their vehicles harder to tune and upgrade, this would deter a great deal of consumers from purchasing from that manufacturer.  Sure there are risks to all aftermarket modifications whether it be a car or a phone, but many people take that risk just so they can enjoy a product that suits them.  I feel that it is a persons right to do what they please with their property as long as it does no harm to others.  I cannot see what harm personalizing a phone can do to anyone and therefore feel that you  should really reconsider locking any of your devices.  I hope to be an HTC consumer, but this is an issue that may sway me away from future purchases.  Thank you for your time and consideration, I am sure I speak for a great deal of people. Sincerely,     —————-

    Well, for what its worth I emailed all mentioned above…hope more people do the same.

  9. Gregory Lecki

    05/25/2011 at 4:22 pm

    Dear HTC, My name is ————- and I was one of the many excited people awaiting the arrival of the EVO 3D.  This would be my first purchase of an HTC product, however I just learned that the bootloader will be locked and I feel this is a mistake.  There are countless number of people that enjoy taking their hard earned money, buying a product, and making that product personalized in various ways.  For example, a car manufacturer does not take extra steps to make their vehicles harder to tune and upgrade, this would deter a great deal of consumers from purchasing from that manufacturer.  Sure there are risks to all aftermarket modifications whether it be a car or a phone, but many people take that risk just so they can enjoy a product that suits them.  I feel that it is a persons right to do what they please with their property as long as it does no harm to others.  I cannot see what harm personalizing a phone can do to anyone and therefore feel that you  should really reconsider locking any of your devices.  I hope to be an HTC consumer, but this is an issue that may sway me away from future purchases.  Thank you for your time and consideration, I am sure I speak for a great deal of people. Sincerely,     —————-

    Well, for what its worth I emailed all mentioned above…hope more people do the same.

  10. Bill

    05/28/2011 at 8:07 pm

    Too bad HTC confirmed that the 3D, Sensation, or any other phone they produce will NOT be locked. It may require an unlocker at first, but no HTC phones will be locked. So much for Android Police and their “confirmation.” I’ll take HTC’s word.

  11. Patrick Jay Helms

    05/31/2011 at 11:26 pm

    So this site has “HTC announces bootloader for Evo 3d will be locked” running right beside “HTC announces bootloader for Evo 3d will not be locked”.  Stop writing useless letters people.  They announced days ago that the bootloaders will be unlocked either on arrival or through an OTA update after launch .  Yipeeeee!!!!!

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