Major Update to Windows Phone Internals Tool Unlocks All Lumia Phones

After nearly two years of reverse engineering work, Windows Phone hacker René (“Heathcliff74”) announced a major update to his Windows Phone Internals tool. This new update (2.2) adds a bunch of new features, most interestingly the ability to unlock access to the boot loader on all known Lumia devices.

In a video posted to his blog, René tours the upcoming update and walks through quickly unlocking an unmodified retail device. “The phone is now fully unlocked. It is also interop unlocked, capability unlocked, [and] privilege unlocked.”

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But I know what you’re thinking: Windows Phone is dead. And it’s true. But this release is still important for a couple of reasons.

First, it opens a new, unofficial, channel for continued device and operating system support. That is, enthusiasts can continue using Lumia devices and install the latest Windows updates put together by the community. Or enable previously locked out features previously sold to mobile operators as exclusives. Or even breathe new life into end-of-life hardware for use in side-projects – these devices can run Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps after all. Cliché warning: The possibilities here are endless.

Second, it bootstraps future reverse engineering work on Microsoft upcoming Windows Core OS work, expected to debut sometime around late next year, installed on the company’s upcoming “Andromeda” mobile device.

You can download Windows Phone Internals 2.2 for yourself “in a few days”, promises René, after he runs some final tests. And you can follow his progress via his blog or Twitter.

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Conversation 20 comments

  • mercblue281

    01 December, 2017 - 12:55 pm

    <p>So would this unlocking allow me to take an app that has been 'unpublished' from the store from an older device – and then copy it to another device that was unable to download said app?</p><p>I'm specifically talking about "My Media Center" which was unpublished by Ceton. </p>

    • Rafael Rivera

      Premium Member
      01 December, 2017 - 12:58 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223400"><em>In reply to mercblue281:</em></a></blockquote><p>Absolutely, yes.</p>

      • mercblue281

        01 December, 2017 - 1:10 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#223401"><em>In reply to WithinRafael:</em></a> AWESOME! I can now resume mobile control of another deprecated Microsoft product that still has no replacement!</blockquote><p><br></p>

    • NazmusLabs

      01 December, 2017 - 1:24 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223400"><em>In reply to mercblue281:</em></a></blockquote><p>What is it with people thing bring unpublished means you can no longer download it. I download unpublished apps all the time. If you previously downloaded an app once, it is tied to your account and is accessible via the my library section of the Windows Store. The same is true with iOS.</p>

      • mercblue281

        01 December, 2017 - 1:34 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#223407"><em>In reply to NazmusLabs:</em></a> this app in particular has vanished entirely. even from my historical library. thus I would like to pull it off an older 635 for use on newer devices. </blockquote><p><br></p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    01 December, 2017 - 2:41 pm

    <p>This could open up older phones for modern – as in ongoing – versions? That's freaking awesome. I have a funny feeling that Lumia 950s and HP Elite x3s are going to get pretty cheap on the resale market pretty quick. This could turn them into fun little toys.</p>

    • Rafael Rivera

      Premium Member
      01 December, 2017 - 10:19 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223434"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>At the very least, it makes them very interesting and cheap IoT devices.</p>

    • Sprtfan

      01 December, 2017 - 10:38 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223434"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>As of right now the HP Elite x3s will not work with this. <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Heathcliff74 over on xda forums said that it is probable that it stays that way since he does not have an HP elite X3 or the time to make it work even if he did. </span></p>

    • rmlounsbury

      Premium Member
      02 December, 2017 - 11:40 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223434"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>I've seen x3's going sub-$300 on Swappa. Factory sealed Lumia 950's unlocked for $220. </p><p><br></p><p>Dangit, I might be adding a Lumia to my collection again. </p>

  • wolters

    Premium Member
    01 December, 2017 - 2:46 pm

    <p>This takes me back to my Windows Mobile 6.5 days and flashing the Raphael ROM on my HTC Fuze to keep up with the latest. I actually enjoyed Windows Mobile 6.5…crazy, right? </p>

  • Sprtfan

    01 December, 2017 - 4:28 pm

    <p>I finally got around to selling my Icon on ebay a few weeks ago. Really wish I had kept it now. </p>

  • rameshthanikodi

    01 December, 2017 - 8:12 pm

    <p>wait, if the bootloader is unlocked, does it open the possibility of a non-microsoft OS to be running on Lumia phones?</p>

    • Rafael Rivera

      Premium Member
      01 December, 2017 - 10:20 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223543"><em>In reply to FalseAgent:</em></a></blockquote><p>Like Android, yes.</p>

      • Locust Infested Orchard Inc.

        02 December, 2017 - 4:55 am

        <blockquote><a href="#223575"><em>In reply to WithinRafael:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Android on a Lumia ‽ Heaven forbid such a monstrosity from ever being installed.</p><p><br></p><p>With the possibility of running Windows-on-ARM on traditionally Android phones (hopefully in 2018), this reverse process would be such a heavenly delight.</p>

    • rmlounsbury

      Premium Member
      02 December, 2017 - 11:49 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223543"><em>In reply to FalseAgent:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Which is an interesting thought but the hardware will age out quickly w/Android. At least W10 plays nice with weak or older hardware. </p>

  • AnOldAmigaUser

    Premium Member
    01 December, 2017 - 10:11 pm

    <p>Would this tool allow one to install a new hosts file on a Windows phone?</p><p><br></p>

    • Rafael Rivera

      Premium Member
      01 December, 2017 - 10:19 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#223571"><em>In reply to AnOldAmigaUser:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yes!</p>

      • AnOldAmigaUser

        Premium Member
        04 December, 2017 - 6:12 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#223573"><em>In reply to WithinRafael:</em></a></blockquote><p>Great. The site does not mention the 950/XL, is it supported with the new tool?</p><p><br></p>

  • rmlounsbury

    Premium Member
    02 December, 2017 - 11:47 pm

    <p>Dumb question, does anyone know if W10 Mobile will support PWA's? It should support PWA's added to the store at a minimum I'd think. </p>

  • rajadvamshi

    06 December, 2017 - 1:16 am

    <p>i have a question. can i install the full windows 10 on my Lumia in future as windows on arm is started picking up in the markets</p><p><br></p>

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