The creation of a developer edition in Europe was the most efficient way to deliver an unlockable device.
We are continuing to explore the possibility of offering additional devices with unlockable bootloaders in the future, in other markets across the globe, as allowed by our carrier and regulatory obligations.
Delivery terms are determined by our distribution partner, and the device is only available for order by EU-based consumers. Additional information on terms and conditions can be found at the Motorola Shop.
Please visit http://developer.motorola.com/products/software/ for a list of supported Motorola XOOM™ devices and associated software images.
The Motorola RAZR™ Developer Edition is now available in Europe through the Motorola Shop. For additional launches, keep an eye on the MOTODEV blog.
The bootloader is responsible for performing basic hardware initialization, verifying the integrity of the operating system, and starting the operating system, and it provides a method to update device software. This validation is important to verify that the software loaded on the device will not damage sensitive components (radios, processors, etc.) or violate regulatory or carrier requirements. Google provides a base bootloader as part of the Android operating system, and most device manufacturers optimize this for their specific devices.
This means that the user has gained root or administrative privileges on the device. In general this allows the user to make modifications that would not normally be possible to a consumer or developer. With such privileges comes both risk and additional capability - it is best left to the very technically savvy. It is possible to make changes to the device that will permanently damage it or break it or render it entirely inoperable.
Unlocking the bootloader is the first step towards allowing the end user to gain root privileges and make modifications to the device. Such modifications could involve changing some of the pre-loaded software, or could even include replacing the entire operating system. Some developers and enthusiasts unlock and root in order to experiment with applications or with custom builds of Android.
No, this does not disable a carrier subsidy lock if one exists. Some subscriptions are tied to a specific wireless operator and the phone cannot be used on another operator’s network. A “locked bootloader” and “carrier subsidy lock” are thus two entirely different topics. Do not unlock the bootloader if you are seeking to disable the carrier subsidy lock.
No, unlocking does not make it possible to replace the Motorola bootloader itself or the modem software (that controls the radios for the wireless operator’s network). The modem software must remain protected to ensure regulatory compliance (the FCC in the U.S.).
Motorola strongly recommends against altering a product's operating system, which includes the rooting of a device, unlocking the bootloader or running any operating software other than the approved versions issued by Motorola and its partners. Certain functions in your phone might cease to work. You may also damage your phone permanently. Unlocking the bootloader may cause your device to be unsafe and/or cause it to malfunction resulting in physical injuries or significant damage. Developer editions sold with an unlockable bootloader are sold "as is" with no warranty. Any other device which has had its bootloader unlocked, or whose operating system has been altered, including any failed attempts to unlock the bootloader or alter such operating system, are not covered by Motorola's warranty. Please read more about the risks associated with unlocking the bootloader.
IMPORTANT FCC INFORMATION: YOU MUST NOT MAKE OR ENABLE ANY CHANGES TO THE PRODUCT THAT WILL IMPACT ITS FCC GRANT OF EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION. The FCC grant is based on the product’s emission, modulation, and transmission characteristics, including: power levels, operating frequencies and bandwidths, SAR levels, duty-cycle, transmission modes (e.g., CDMA, GSM), and intended method of using the product (e.g., how the product is held or used in proximity to the body). A change to any of these factors will invalidate the FCC grant. IT IS ILLEGAL TO OPERATE A TRANSMITTING PRODUCT WITHOUT A VALID GRANT.
This depends on a few factors. First is whether the device ships with a bootloader that is capable of being unlocked or re-locked. Second is whether the wireless carrier that sells the device allows the bootloader to be unlocked, as each of our operator partners has their own policy. Currently the Motorola RAZR™ Developer Edition and Motorola XOOM™ are available with an unlockable bootloader in certain regions. As new devices are released, please check the bootloader introduction page. If your model has an unlockable bootloader enabled, it will be listed on this site, with a link to the original image to use when re-locking.
No. All user data on the internal partition is erased when you unlock the bootloader, so you may need to move data back to your device, set up user accounts, etc. This is like a factory reset, but data or applications on a removable SD card will not be deleted. However, any apps that depend upon user data on the internal partition will not be able to access this data. Encrypted data on a removable SD card will also be inaccessible as the encryption keys are removed when unlocked.
Yes, using the same account, with the caveat that anything that relied on DRM-protected content and/or encrypted data will not work if the bootloader is unlocked.
Content that requires Digital Rights Management (DRM) will not be available if the device is unlocked. This content is only enabled when the bootloader is in a locked state and when the device is running the original software as shipped by Motorola. When the device is re-locked and running the original software image, these capabilities will become available again.
Certain applications rely on functionality that's only available to a device with a locked bootloader and OEM approved software; thus, once the bootloader is unlocked, they will no longer function properly.
Unfortunately, no. Due to the ever expanding list of new and revised Android apps and developers, it would be difficult to maintain such a list accurately.
See the Instructions for Unlocking the Bootloader page for details.
Fastboot is the protocol to update the flash file system in Android devices and supports the commands to unlock or lock the device. Fastboot is included in the Android SDK. See the Google developer site for more details.
Press and hold the volume down button and then press and release the power button. Alternatively, issue the command “adb reboot bootloader” from a terminal window using the Android SDK when connected to the device via USB cable.
Yes, by re-loading an original Motorola software image and re-locking the bootloader. Find the correct image on the MOTODEV Device Software page, download it to a computer, and using the Android SDK, follow the instructions listed on the page to flash and re-lock your device. Re-locking your device does not change the warranty status or legal agreement under which the product was sold.
Not necessarily; it will depend on what modifications you have done to the software. You can however get the original software released for the device from the MOTODEV Device Software page, download it to a computer, and using the Android SDK, follow the instructions listed on the page to flash or update your device.
The Motorola RAZR™ Developer Edition is available in the EU with Gingerbread.
There are no other differences between the Motorola RAZR™ and the Motorola RAZR™ Developer Edition other than the unlockable bootloader.
We will share updates as they become available on the MOTODEV blog.
See the Instructions for Unlocking the Bootloader page. Motorola and peer-to-peer support for bootloader issues can be found on the MOTODEV Bootloader Forum.
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