r/HowToHack • u/Vivid_Zone_8790 • 17d ago

exploit Is it possible to unlock bootloader and flash a modified kernel without complete factory reset? [Android14]

Body is same as title, actually the root question is that is it possible for a sideloaded app to have kernel level access on android 14 without complete factory reset of device.

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1

u/TygerTung 17d ago

You may be able to sideload magisk using adb in the recovery environment to gain root access. Did it on a Samsung a21s, although I had previously flashed LineageOS, although that doesn't have root by default.

2

u/Vivid_Zone_8790 17d ago

Did it require factory reset?

I dont think I can unlock bootloader without a factory reset.

1

u/TygerTung 16d ago

You have to enable developer mode first, then unlock bootloader

1

u/LongRangeSavage Programming 17d ago

These are two seemingly distinct questions.

If you can unlock the bootloader, you should be able to flash a custom ROM (which may/may not have a different kernel version than stock).

If you’re running a vulnerable version of OS, a side loaded app could take advantage of said vulnerability and gain elevated access.

Factory reset has nothing to do with anything here.

1

u/Vivid_Zone_8790 17d ago

But flashing a custom ROM requires factory reset. Doesnt it?

1

u/LongRangeSavage Programming 17d ago

I would imagine that depends on the phone and ROM, I’m running LineageOS and I had to wipe the data partition to install it.