Database Develop

[Q] Flashing KitKat on a Moto X with 139.12.35.ghost_row.AmericaMovil.en.PR

Hello!
I'm currently stationed in Singapore and bought a Moto X about a month or so ago from eBay. While I am anxiously waiting for my Moto X to receive the 4.4 update, I realised that the system version (after the previous camera update) is 139.12.35.ghost_row.AmericaMovil.en.PR, which I found to be a Latin America version after some searching on the forums and Googling here and there.
I also found this thread, where OP said that they can be flashed over to either the T-Mobile version. Does this continue to work for the 4.4 updates by T-Mobile or AT&T, and would there be anything else required for flashing? (I saw something about flashing new radios and all, but was quite confused by contradicting explanations and suggestions :/)
Thanks in advance!
// EDIT:
To add on after a bit of searching, I realised that I am allowed to unlock my bootloader, despite claims from the original retailer on eBay that the phone came from AT&T (which is notorious, even here, for their stance on bootloader unlocking). What gives?

I got the same Moto X from a buddy yesterday. I did a lot of searching and also discovered the thread about the phone being flashed to t- mobile.
I fooled the steps on another thread titled " Return to stock 100%" out something like that...
I downloaded the correct Att firmware and with the use of RSDLite, I successfully flashed my Moto X to ATT.... it took less than 10 minutes. And as soon as it booted up, I got hit with the "update available" message ( kit Kat)
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the information!
I've successfully upgraded my phone to the Verizon version (minus all the bloatware that I hastily blasted off), with root and TWRP. So this is what I did, for future reference:
It seems that AmericaMovil versions are not bound by the AT&T's locked bootloader policies, and other Latin America versions are probably free from the restriction too. So I managed to get my hands on the Motorola Fastboot and unlocked my bootloader. TWRP was installed (remember to use 2.6.3.1 and above for 4.4 support), and then flashed the Verizon system dump available here. Root was installed by TWRP.
After getting on the device and setting things up, I rebooted to recovery to remove lots of bloatware (available in /system/app and /system/priv-app). Had to remove some of them through Titanium Backup as the file names were not always indicative that it came from Verizon. I made the extra step of killing the god-awful boot animation that they had by replacing it with this.
And... that concludes my experience with this, I suppose.

I've been looking through a few threads and I am not comfortable enough to flash the T-Mobile rom over my AmericanMovil one yet.
I can't seem to find step by step instructions on how to do this.. Would anyone like to explain it from the ground up?
My understanding
1) unlock bootloader
2) flash a recovery like twrp or cmw
3) flash the rom that is given in the OG post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477180
4) this should now give us the t-mobile version of things and we should be able to do the standard OTA from there?
[Q] So can this all be done without ever having to root the phone?

alternetconcept said:
I've been looking through a few threads and I am not comfortable enough to flash the T-Mobile rom over my AmericanMovil one yet.
I can't seem to find step by step instructions on how to do this.. Would anyone like to explain it from the ground up?
My understanding
1) unlock bootloader
2) flash a recovery like twrp or cmw
3) flash the rom that is given in the OG post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477180
4) this should now give us the t-mobile version of things and we should be able to do the standard OTA from there?
[Q] So can this all be done without ever having to root the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not too sure whether flashing via TWRP/CMW will allow you to get OTA, unfortunately. Which is why I went straight for the Verizon system dump. But yes, you can change firmware without ever having to root the phone. Heck, I think there's a guide on restoring mentioned by @plmiller0905 below that will allow you to do it without unlocking the bootloader, even.

RagnaParadise said:
I'm not too sure whether flashing via TWRP/CMW will allow you to get OTA, unfortunately. Which is why I went straight for the Verizon system dump. But yes, you can change firmware without ever having to root the phone. Heck, I think there's a guide on restoring mentioned by @plmiller0905 below that will allow you to do it without unlocking the bootloader, even.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the bootloader does have to be unlocked in order to flash a different firmware.
Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

RagnaParadise said:
I'm not too sure whether flashing via TWRP/CMW will allow you to get OTA, unfortunately. Which is why I went straight for the Verizon system dump. But yes, you can change firmware without ever having to root the phone. Heck, I think there's a guide on restoring mentioned by @plmiller0905 below that will allow you to do it without unlocking the bootloader, even.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah after doing so more reading.. (at least the way I'm willing to do it) is to just unlock my bootloader and then using RSD Lite (Which i still have no idea what that is / where it is) flash an SBF found here (http://sbf.droid-developers.org/ghost_rcica/list.php)
I guess following this video somewhat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr0JHSAXJDI#t=15
Does that sound right?
Should I flash the TMO_RETAIL_XT1053_4.2.2-13.9.0Q2.X-116-X-17-57_MR1_CFC.xml.zip
Or just jump straight to the 4.4 version TMO_RETAIL_XT1053_4.4-13.11.1Q2.X-69-3_MR2_CFC.xml.zip
??

As far as I know, the use of RSD Lite doesn't require an unlocked bootloader (at least, that's what it shows in the video you showed me anyway), especially since these are images supposedly signed by Motorola themselves. Let me know if you've found something else?
As for your question on which to flash... I'm not sure, but you'd skip a lot of the hassle if you could flash 4.4 straight, so how about trying that?

RagnaParadise said:
As far as I know, the use of RSD Lite doesn't require an unlocked bootloader (at least, that's what it shows in the video you showed me anyway), especially since these are images supposedly signed by Motorola themselves. Let me know if you've found something else?
As for your question on which to flash... I'm not sure, but you'd skip a lot of the hassle if you could flash 4.4 straight, so how about trying that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rsdlite is a shell for a flash boot flash supposedly with an XML doing all the steps together. Just makes it easier.
You need unlocked boot loader only to flash an image that doesn't match your current boot loader. So if you have a. At&t phone you can only flash at&t images by rsdlite. But if you unlock your amerimovil phone you can flash any xt1058 image I think. So amerimovil could take say a rogers or at&t or telcel image. Not sure if T-Mobile image will work on a full rsdlite flash as it is an xt1053 image. I think you can flash most of a T-Mobile image by twrp but not by rsdlite not sure

sleepyguy007 said:
Rsdlite is a shell for a flash boot flash supposedly with an XML doing all the steps together. Just makes it easier.
You need unlocked boot loader only to flash an image that doesn't match your current boot loader. So if you have a. At&t phone you can only flash at&t images by rsdlite. But if you unlock your amerimovil phone you can flash any xt1058 image I think. So amerimovil could take say a rogers or at&t or telcel image. Not sure if T-Mobile image will work on a full rsdlite flash as it is an xt1053 image. I think you can flash most of a T-Mobile image by twrp but not by rsdlite not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I flash the at&t image found here (http://sbf.droid-developers.org/ghost_rcica/list.php), would it come pre-loaded with all the bloatware AT&T has even though I'm not using AT&T network?

alternetconcept said:
So if I flash the at&t image found here (http://sbf.droid-developers.org/ghost_rcica/list.php), would it come pre-loaded with all the bloatware AT&T has even though I'm not using AT&T network?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes of course. think about it like if you took a dell windows 7 install CD , and put it on an HP. all the dell customizations would still be there.
obviously since you have unlocked bootloader, once you do the RSDlite you can always flash twrp, and superuser, and delete all that stuff. but then you wouldn't get updates again. i dont think the at&t image is really THAT bad. though i've heard the rogers one is better (though maybe not 4.4 yet)

sleepyguy007 said:
yes of course. think about it like if you took a dell windows 7 install CD , and put it on an HP. all the dell customizations would still be there.
obviously since you have unlocked bootloader, once you do the RSDlite you can always flash twrp, and superuser, and delete all that stuff. but then you wouldn't get updates again. i dont think the at&t image is really THAT bad. though i've heard the rogers one is better (though maybe not 4.4 yet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah unfortunately that's what I thought. Hence why I would of liked to flash the t-mobile image but I'm going to hold off until someone that is a bit more adb savvy then myself tries it out. I wouldn't know what to do if I ended up soft bricking my phone

Well it didn't take long to try it out myself...
It worked out!
I used this thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2446515
I downloaded the Tmobile 4.4 Image and used RSD.
All you have to do is unlock your BL. (Note: I was completely bone stock with NO root and NO special recovery like CMW or TWRP)
Have all the proper drivers installed, enable USB debugging in developer settings on the phone
Go into Fastboot on the phone
Plug in the phone and just follow the video
I do not take any responsibitliy if you brick your phone. It is fairly easy process and took only a few mins.
Hope this helps!

- deleted because I was sleepy enough not to notice that replies were done on the next page -_- -

alternetconcept said:
I've been looking through a few threads and I am not comfortable enough to flash the T-Mobile rom over my AmericanMovil one yet.
I can't seem to find step by step instructions on how to do this.. Would anyone like to explain it from the ground up?
My understanding
1) unlock bootloader
2) flash a recovery like twrp or cmw
3) flash the rom that is given in the OG post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477180
4) this should now give us the t-mobile version of things and we should be able to do the standard OTA from there?
[Q] So can this all be done without ever having to root the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been doing some research on this since yesterday and I've been hesitant on doing it. I saw in your last post that you successfully flashed the TMO 4.4 ROM on your AmericaMovil phone, so I have a few questions for you before I go ahead and do the same:
1. Can you please confirm that your model is XT1058 and not XT1053?
2. Does the TMO ROM have the TMO boot logo and any TMO bloatware?
3. Does the TMO ROM have the Tethering & portable hotspot option under Settings > More?
4. Does the TMO ROM have the Mass Storage option under Settings > Storage > | > USB computer connection?
5. Have you been having any radio problems since you flashed the TMO ROM?
I wonder if I install the ROM in here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2477180 using RSDLite, would I get the OTA update to 4.4? The reason I want to install this ROM is because it only flashes system and boot.img without flashing bootloader, modem, logo etc... and I know the XT1058 radio is different from the XT1053 radio, so I've been reluctant to flash a full XT1053 ROM on my XT1058 phone.
But what I also would like to know is if an OTA update would flash a full ROM or not. In other words, if I flash the ROM above and then OTA update to 4.4 and the OTA update flashes the full ROM including the radio, I might as well flash the full 4.4 immediately.
What do you or anyone else think?

I'll answer to the best of my ability. heh
mschumacher69 said:
1. Can you please confirm that your model is XT1058 and not XT1053?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was an XT1058, and has been flashed to XT1060. (I didn't notice that T-Mo had a 4.4 ROM on the list, so I went straight for the flashable ZIP for Verizon instead. silly me.)
mschumacher69 said:
2. Does the TMO ROM have the TMO boot logo and any TMO bloatware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least according to this article, the TMO version shouldn't have any bloatware.
mschumacher69 said:
4. Does the TMO ROM have the Mass Storage option under Settings > Storage > | > USB computer connection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no reason why there shouldn't be; I'm seeing it on my Verizon version.
mschumacher69 said:
5. Have you been having any radio problems since you flashed the TMO ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say for sure if you'll face any problems, but I flashed the T-Mo radio provided here with my Verizon ROM, and I had no problems connecting to my network in Singapore.
--
I can't answer the rest unfortunately. Sorry. Hope I've helped.

RagnaParadise said:
I can't answer the rest unfortunately. Sorry. Hope I've helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answers!
Regarding Mass Storage, the reason I'm asking is because I don't have it on my AmericaMovil ROM.

The ROM is basically exactly what you get when you buy the T-Mobile version.
I figured the radios are nearly identical from the AT&T version and the T-Mobile version so my XT1058 is running on the XT1053 radios. There is no bloatware. tethering is there but I'm not sure if t-mobile will allow it. There is NO tmobile logo that comes up on boot. USB connect to computer is there.
As for the radio section again.. I was getting only EDGE in my house before I switched to this ROM (Meaning when I was on the ORIGINAL XT1058 image) and I am still getting only EDGE in my house.. Unfortunately I haven't left my house since yesterday flashing the image but when I'll be back at work in NYC and should see '4G/LTE' over there.
We'll see.

alternetconcept said:
The ROM is basically exactly what you get when you buy the T-Mobile version.
I figured the radios are nearly identical from the AT&T version and the T-Mobile version so my XT1058 is running on the XT1053 radios. There is no bloatware. tethering is there but I'm not sure if t-mobile will allow it. There is NO tmobile logo that comes up on boot. USB connect to computer is there.
As for the radio section again.. I was getting only EDGE in my house before I switched to this ROM (Meaning when I was on the ORIGINAL XT1058 image) and I am still getting only EDGE in my house.. Unfortunately I haven't left my house since yesterday flashing the image but when I'll be back at work in NYC and should see '4G/LTE' over there.
We'll see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for ur reply! Which network are you on right now?

mschumacher69 said:
Thanks for ur reply! Which network are you on right now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always been on T-mobile network. Both when i was on original XT1058 AmericanMovil system version and still on T-mobile when I switched the image to XT1053.
Back on my Nexus 4 though.. I would have HSPA+ in my house.. So I thought it was a bit odd that as soon as I received this phone that I wasn't getting anything other than EDGE..

[Q] Claro chile 4.4.2 update

I just got the 4.4.2 update from claro in chile. But I have not installed it yet. My phone is on 4.2.2 at the moment. The bootloader is unlocked. It is rooted using rockmymoto. What I want to know is what do I need to do to get it ready for the 4.4.2 upgrade? I assume I need to unroot it? Also I have lucky patcher installed and I odexed my system, will this be a problem? Will I be able to get root in 4.4.2?

AGISCI said:
I just got the 4.4.2 update from claro in chile. But I have not installed it yet. My phone is on 4.2.2 at the moment. The bootloader is unlocked. It is rooted using rockmymoto. What I want to know is what do I need to do to get it ready for the 4.4.2 upgrade? I assume I need to unroot it? Also I have lucky patcher installed and I odexed my system, will this be a problem? Will I be able to get root in 4.4.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are threads on this in the general folder as well as this folder.
What I don't understand is why you had to root using rockmymoto if your bootloader is unlocked? Why didn't you just flash a custom recovery like TWRP and install SuperSU to root?
Do you have the 4.2.2 post camera update installed?

Cozume said:
There are threads on this in the general folder as well as this folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read various topics in both of the forums on it. But I wanted to be 100% sure of what path I need to follow to be sure I don't brick my phone. 1 thing that had me worried is that I odexed my system with lucky patcher... does this mean I am going to have to flash my firmware back to stock before I can do this?
Cozume said:
What I don't understand is why you had to root using rockmymoto if your bootloader is unlocked? Why didn't you just flash a custom recovery like TWRP and install SuperSU to root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I rooted it a month before I unlocked the bootloader.
I still currently have stock recovery though.
Cozume said:
Do you have the 4.2.2 post camera update installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as the post camera update, not sure. My camera version is 3.1.41.2.

AGISCI said:
I have read various topics in both of the forums on it. But I wanted to be 100% sure of what path I need to follow to be sure I don't brick my phone. 1 thing that had me worried is that I odexed my system with lucky patcher... does this mean I am going to have to flash my firmware back to stock before I can do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is certainly the safest way to go from all I have read as any system mods could potentially cause a problem. The problem that another poster here had is that the only firmware that is posted for the Claro Chile is the precamera update. He was looking for the postcamera firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2649806
And no one could help him find it. I don't think you can take the OTA if you are on the precamera firmware. Perhaps you can PM the OP in that link and see if he is knowledgeable about Claro chile firmware.

Cozume said:
That is certainly the safest way to go from all I have read as any system mods could potentially cause a problem. The problem that another poster here had is that the only firmware that is posted for the Claro Chile is the precamera update. He was looking for the postcamera firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2649806
And no one could help him find it. I don't think you can take the OTA if you are on the precamera firmware. Perhaps you can PM the OP in that link and see if he is knowledgeable about Claro chile firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I tell if I am on the pre cam or post cam? Also is there a link that talks about what teh pre cam and post cam does or changed?

AGISCI said:
How can I tell if I am on the pre cam or post cam? Also is there a link that talks about what teh pre cam and post cam does or changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Settings->About Phone->System Version. What does it say?

139.12.35.ghost_row.AmericaMovil.en.CL
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

AGISCI said:
139.12.35.ghost_row.AmericaMovil.en.CL
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the version numbers here:
http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0
As best I can tell 139.12.35 is the post camera update. The problem is that no one has a copy of the stock firmware posted anywhere that anyone can find.

If that's the case flashing this firmware will not brick me then correct?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

You say you rooted the phone a month before you unlocked the bootloader. If this is the case then your phone should have been wiped clean as unlocking the bootloader performs a full wipe of the phone.
So something does not add up/make sense.

Steve-x said:
You say you rooted the phone a month before you unlocked the bootloader. If this is the case then your phone should have been wiped clean as unlocking the bootloader performs a full wipe of the phone.
So something does not add up/make sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted it twice actually. After I unlocked the bootloader it was erased just like you said, and I rooted again using the same method from the first time.

AGISCI said:
If that's the case flashing this firmware will not brick me then correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which firmware?
This is from dray_jr on the thread in the Moto X General forum:
the only OTA that can downgrade is 4.4 to 4.2.2 Post Cam
here is what we know right now that might make more sense
4.4 to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick
4.2.2 Post Cam to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick.
4.4.2 to anything will Brick
4.4 to 4.2.2 Post Cam you are ok
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2635366&highlight=brick&page=5

You are in quite a unique situation here actually... since there is no stock image that you can go back to. If there was a 4.4 SBF I would have suggested to flash then take the 4.4.2 update. However, it seems as if there was no 4.4 roll out/update for your carrier at all. So this 4.4.2 carrier update would be more than a simple patch from 4.4 to 4.4.2, it would probably end up removing root since you are going from JB to KK.
Your best bet if you want it now is to do the following...
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS OR BRICKING YOUR DEVICE
1) Did you make a backup before you messed with anything in the system? If you didn't, then you have to go through the manual process of making sure that it is as clean as a normal stock image.
2) Do you have the original recovery? If not, find a recovery file for your carrier and flash that.
3) Attempt to flash the OTA in the standard recovery.
But honestly, the safest thing to do is to wait until your 4.4.2 SBF is released, that way you can flash it in RSD Lite, preventing a brick as much as possible.

mastarifla said:
But honestly, the safest thing to do is to wait until your 4.4.2 SBF is released, that way you can flash it in RSD Lite, preventing a brick as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who releases the sbf? Motorola? Because it looks like the problem is that no one can find the sbf for the 4.2.2 postcamera update for their carrier.

I guess I will have to wait then. I can't afford to brick my phone. I captured the update and pulled it with adb so if anyone needs it I will be able to upload it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Cozume said:
Who releases the sbf? Motorola? Because it looks like the problem is that no one can find the sbf for the 4.2.2 postcamera update for their carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skrilax_CZ maintains the website where the SBF's are stored. Motorola only releases the Developer Edition images to the public, as far as I know. So I believe that this website hosts either his own custom made zips, or he has someone supplying him with insider Moto images (or he works there?).
Personally I think he has a tool to automate this process once he has the firmware loaded onto the phone (if he doesn't have the images already), basically he is adb copying files from the dev partition of his phone and compiling a MD5 hash for each file, then zipping it all up in a nice package to flash with the insider Moto tool RSD Lite (or using manual flash, if you like to live dangerously )

mastarifla said:
Skrilax_CZ maintains the website where the SBF's are stored, as far as I know, Motorola only releases the Dev edition images to the public. So I believe that this website hosts either his own custom made zips, or he has someone supplying him with insider Moto images (or he works there?).
Personally I think he a tool to automate this process once he has the firmware loaded onto the phone (if he doesn't have the images already), basically he is adb copying files from the dev partition of his phone and compiling a MD5 hash for each file, then zipping it all up in a nice package to flash with the insider Moto tool RSD Lite.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! So if you know someone with a stock phone who has never modded or rooted, theoretically you could pull the files from the dev partition of their phone? The trick is getting it into a package that works with RSD Lite?
---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------
mastarifla said:
Motorola only releases the Developer Edition images to the public, as far as I know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So those of us with Dev Eds should stick to flashing the factory images we get from Motorola directly?

Cozume said:
Thanks! So if you know someone with a stock phone who has never modded or rooted, theoretically you could pull the files from the dev partition of their phone? The trick is getting it into a package that works with RSD Lite?
---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------
So those of us with Dev Eds should stick to flashing the factory images we get from Motorola directly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theoretically yes, but in practice it is much harder. Every manufacturer stores their particular data in different partitions on the phone. You have to manually look through the bin files (with a hex editor) in order to determine which are the correct ones. This is even more difficult because most of the information is encrypted. So unless you have insider knowledge or want to compare values in a hex editor, I would strongly suggest you stay away from attempting to make your own files, it can lead to very easy bricks.
I have a XT1053 Unlocked GSM phone (T-Mobile), and the SBF T-Mobile firmwares are the only thing I am going to be flashing, don't flash other regions firmware unless you are certain that it works. IE. let everyone else try it and potentially brick their phone before you end up doing the same thing.
Oh and before I forget, hitting the thanks button works too by the way

mastarifla said:
Theoretically yes, but in practice it is much harder. Every manufacturer stores their particular data in different partitions on the phone. You have to manually look through the bin files (with a hex editor) in order to determine which are the correct ones. This is even more difficult because most of the information is encrypted. So unless you have insider knowledge or want to compare values in a hex editor, I would strongly suggest you stay away from attempting to make your own files, it can lead to very easy bricks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, I would never try it; I am just trying to understand what the differences are between the various ways for me to brick my device, lol!
mastarifla said:
I have a XT1053 Unlocked GSM phone (T-Mobile), and the SBF T-Mobile firmwares are the only thing I am going to be flashing, don't flash other regions firmware unless you are certain that it works. IE. let everyone else try it and potentially brick their phone before you end up doing the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but if I have a Dev Ed, shouldn't I be flashing the factory images I received from Motorola?
mastarifla said:
Oh and before I forget, hitting the thanks button works too by the way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I tried but they limit you to 8 thanks a day and I already used mine up for today! I will come back tomorrow and hit the button, promise. I am very good about that. So good that I use up all my thanks quickly. So odd they do that here, but they do.

Cozume said:
but if I have a Dev Ed, shouldn't I be flashing the factory images I received from Motorola?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you should, however it is widely known that the T-Mobile version and the Developer Edition have the exact same hardware/firmware (XT1053), actually I think they may have the exact same software build as well, though I am not sure on that one... if they receive the same OTA update that the T-Mobile version receives, that leads me to believe its the same ROM.

4.4.2 unlocked downgrade

Hi, tried searching my answer, but still not clear as to the answer for my situation, im about to purchase the unlock code for my non DE verizon moto x , code is from someone from china. If i upgrade to 4.4.2 while unlocked bootloader, any way back to 4.2.2 post camera update. Thanks

ericizzy1 said:
Hi, tried searching my answer, but still not clear as to the answer for my situation, im about to purchase the unlock code for my non DE verizon moto x , code is from someone from china. If i upgrade to 4.4.2 while unlocked bootloader, any way back to 4.2.2 post camera update. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and No
No you can not flash the complete 4.2.2 PCU package it will fail because you can't downgrade the bootloader
Yes because you can flash everything but the bootloader and it will take but if you accidentally take a OTA. you will brick your device.
but if you are able to unlock your bootloader then why would you want to downgrade. with a unlocked bootloader you will be able to root 4.4.2 with no issues

because when I was on 4.4, I had some battery consumption and heating issues also bluetooth was not perfect, I just wanted to make sure I have a way back To 4.2.2
also, not being able to downgrade the bootloader, in which way does this affect me going back to four point 4.2.2?

Your phone will work fine but like i said if you ever take a ota it will brick your phone
Sent from my XT1056 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

dray_jr said:
Your phone will work fine but like i said if you ever take a ota it will brick your phone
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ota will brick, will be able to rsd to 4.4 or 4.4.2 if wanted?

Yup that is correct
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ericizzy1 said:
ota will brick, will be able to rsd to 4.4 or 4.4.2 if wanted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Once you start mixing bootloader versions with system file versions (i.e. 4.4.2 bootloader with 4.2.2 system files), RSD Lite won't work. You will have to use a command line and mfastboot.exe to manually flash each partition.
And I actually tried to run 4.2.2 (post camera update) system files with a 4.4.2 bootloader and it would not boot; however, 4.4 system files do work with a 4.4.2 bootloader.
This has actually been discussed at great length and detail in this forum and A LOT of people were bricking their phones playing around with bootloader versions, just like you are talking about doing. At one point there was a sticky dedicated to it, but its since disappeared from the board for some reason.
To put it simply, please don't start mixing bootloader versions with system files. If you like 4.2.2, don't upgrade to 4.4.2. If you are on 4.4, then you can still downgrade to 4.2.2 (post camera update version). Do that and stay there. But if you upgrade to 4.4.2, don't fool around with it and start trying to downgrade. There is no point, and you will likely end up bricking your phone.
It's your phone, so do what you want, but you have been warned (by someone with personal experience by the way). If you do brick it, please don't start another "OMG! HELP ME!! I BRICKED MY PHONE!!" thread. There's plenty of those already floating around here. :good:

Will my unlock code work after update?

I have the RW version and unlocked with the China man... My question is once I take the OTA will it relock my bootloader?? And if I relock it can I use the same code to unlock it again? And last can I still use the sbf file on this phone or must I manually flash the partitions? Thanks guys
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No it will not relock it it. Once the flags are triped there is no going back to locked. Just relocked
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I've been wondering this too. The last phone I had (Google Galaxy Nexus) was unlocked and rooted running CM 10.1 and then CM 11 so it never received the OTA's. But mine and my wife's Moto X Developer Editions are both unlocked and rooted but running stock 4.4.2.
As I understand it we'll still receive OTA's correct? Once we do there is a chance they will lock back up and we'll lose root correct? The reason I say chance is because both phones are setup through Titanium to "attempt" to keep root and I know it doesn't always work.
I'm assuming the bootloader gets relocked? If it does how do we go about unlocking and rooting them again? Will the codes we got from Motorola work or do we need to go through the entire process of unlocking then rooting?
Sorry for the newb questions. Like I said, every phone I ever unlocked and rooted I put custom ROMs on them so I never got the OTA's.

Yeah I've read about it going to relock if I do it.. But can a ota update relock it.. And if it did.. Will my code still work.
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Yes, you can flash using either RSDLite or fastboot/mFastboot
If you do relock your bootloader, yes the same code will work to unlock it later.
And... already said here -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=51363645&postcount=394
[*]Taking future OTA's will not re-lock your bootloader, however you will need to have stock recovery on your phone, and revert any modified system files, i.e. get back to "stock" or nearly stock, in order to install OTA's, just like those with Developer Edition phones have to do. (this is due to the OTA updates containing a manifest file that lists files and their "check sums" it looks for on your phone before it starts. If they are not on your phone, or the ones on your phone don't match the expected check sum, the OTA install will fail.)
[*]Flashing with RSDLite will not re-lock your bootloader
[*]Only manually re-locking via the relock process (moto has on the Dev Edition web site, it is fastboot oem lock ) will re-lock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So, I'd need to reinstall all the bloatware that came on the phone originally? That's pretty much all I took off the phone was all of Verizon's crap that I'll never use nor have any interest in. The only other thing I did was edit the navigation keys out using the build.prop, but that's easy enough to turn back on. My phone as well as my wife's are stock aside from the removal of the bloatware and taking the nav keys out of my phone.

Thanks kid. I've just read mixed messages about bricking my device from ota updates and sbfs. Thanks again.
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The Tallest said:
So, I'd need to reinstall all the bloatware that came on the phone originally? That's pretty much all I took off the phone was all of Verizon's crap that I'll never use nor have any interest in. The only other thing I did was edit the navigation keys out using the build.prop, but that's easy enough to turn back on. My phone as well as my wife's are stock aside from the removal of the bloatware and taking the nav keys out of my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it comes to taking OTA's, yes.
Inside the OTA is a manifest file. It contains a list of files and their check sums it expects to be on your phone. If the files are missing, or the check sum for a particular file doesn't match (because you've replaced or altered the file), the OTA will fall. Because of this, you must be "stock" (or as close to stock as possible). Any bloat you deleted, needs to be put back. Any files you altered (like build.prop) need to be reverted. Any apps you froze with Titanium Backup or the like, may need to be unfrozen.
Apps disabled via the phone's Settings -> Applications -> [select app] -> [disable] can remain disabled and should not impact the update.
---------- Post added at 06:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 AM ----------
kicker22004 said:
Thanks kid. I've just read mixed messages about bricking my device from ota updates and sbfs. Thanks again.
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Yes, there are some cautions and warnings about bricking... They usually relate to if you've taken 4.4.2 and try to downgrade your rom to 4.4 or lower. Or if you flash only parts of a rom using mFastboot and get into a state when you have "mixed" versions on your phone...
Due to changes in the bootloader included with the 4.4.2 Update, under certain circumstances when trying to downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.4 or lower, you could either brick your phone, or set it up to brick in the future when you take an upgrade. So it is suggested you just stick with what is on your phone once you get on 4.4.2.

KidJoe said:
When it comes to taking OTA's, yes.
Inside the OTA is a manifest file. It contains a list of files and their check sums it expects to be on your phone. If the files are missing, or the check sum for a particular file doesn't match (because you've replaced or altered the file), the OTA will fall. Because of this, you must be "stock" (or as close to stock as possible). Any bloat you deleted, needs to be put back. Any files you altered (like build.prop) need to be reverted. Any apps you froze with Titanium Backup or the like, may need to be unfrozen.
Apps disabled via the phone's Settings -> Applications -> [select app] -> [disable] can remain disabled and should not impact the update.
---------- Post added at 06:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 AM ----------
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Well damn, I'm kind of screwed then as I deleted all those dumbass Verizon apps that I have no use for and didn't bother making backups of any of them. I'll have to check the "Apps" folder and see if the .apk files are still there so that Google Play can redownload them at some point.
I don't even think the backup I made via TWRP has them. Although I think Motorola's website does have the system image so I can probably just reflash that when the next OTA comes out.

The Tallest said:
Well damn, I'm kind of screwed then as I deleted all those dumbass Verizon apps that I have no use for and didn't bother making backups of any of them. I'll have to check the "Apps" folder and see if the .apk files are still there so that Google Play can redownload them at some point.
I don't even think the backup I made via TWRP has them. Although I think Motorola's website does have the system image so I can probably just reflash that when the next OTA comes out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP.. then you have an unlocked bootloader? If so, you do have the option to flash the SBF to revert to stock, or unzip it and just mfastboot flash system.img onto your phone, because you can always re-root later.

KidJoe said:
TWRP.. then you have an unlocked bootloader? If so, you do have the option to flash the SBF to revert to stock, or unzip it and just mfastboot flash system.img onto your phone, because you can always re-root later.
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Yes, my boot loader is unlocked. That's good to know that I can do that, thanks.

Wait... Did I miss read that... You can flash sbf in TWRP?? sorry but I've been on Gnex and haven't had a moto since the droid x... Things have changed a bit.
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kicker22004 said:
Wait... Did I miss read that... You can flash sbf in TWRP?? sorry but I've been on Gnex and haven't had a moto since the droid x... Things have changed a bit.
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Yes, you miss read.. I was saying that he could just flash the SBF (implying RSDLite) or unzip it and mfastboot flash "part"
because being unlocked he could still root afterwards

OK that's what I thought. Thanks again for the info..looks like I'll sit tight with my unlocked bootloader until RW gets 4.4 update.
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[Q] getting off 4.4.2

4.4.2 is a disaster for me on my verizon DE phone....bluetooth keeps disconnecting, calls are breaking up etc. I would like to downgrade to an earlier release that works. My phone is unlocked and rooted.
What can I safely revert to...and how do I do it without bricking the phone?

ghstudio said:
4.4.2 is a disaster for me on my verizon DE phone....bluetooth keeps disconnecting, calls are breaking up etc. I would like to downgrade to an earlier release that works. My phone is unlocked and rooted.
What can I safely revert to...and how do I do it without bricking the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would try a safe boot first. Long press on the power off screen button.

Downgrading is a dangerous affair. Highly NOT recommended.
There are ways, apparently... But most the knowledgeable members will say not to try. Unless its so important and your want outweighs the risk. The worst case scenario being a bricked phone.
Try backing up your data and apps, move the backup to a computer....and try a factory reset. Or flashing the firmware again with mfastboot.
4.4.2 is fine, not sure about your issues...but most are happy with 4.4.2. Your issues are likely app related.
Good luck!

I would recommend downloading the SBF package for your phone and flashing your phone to complete stock and then see how it works if you still want to downgrade after that you'll have to download a 4.4 SPF package and you're not to bypass the bootloader so you wouldn't just installed data system recovery and think that's it but like this previously said if you accidentally hit the OTA to update you could break your phone. sounds like your 4.4.2 install was corrupted. so I would download the 4.4.2 SBF package and do a complete reinstall
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Is this phone different as you can't just flash a 4.4 or 4.3 ROM? Auto downgrade?
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r.storm85 said:
Is this phone different as you can't just flash a 4.4 or 4.3 ROM? Auto downgrade?
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Click to collapse
Downgrading from 4.4.2 can lead to a brick. There's supposedly a very careful way to do it....but anything can go wrong. Not worth the risk IMHO.

r.storm85 said:
Is this phone different as you can't just flash a 4.4 or 4.3 ROM? Auto downgrade?
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Click to collapse
Yes in that the bootloader doesn't allow itself to be flashed with an older version, signed or not. Trying to downgrade the bootloader can result in an unusable device.
You can flash the bootloader with a current or newer version but not an older version....locked or unlocked, it doesn't make a difference.

tcrews said:
Yes in that the bootloader doesn't allow itself to be flashed with an older version, signed or not. Trying to downgrade the bootloader can result in an unusable device.
You can flash the bootloader with a current or newer version but not an older version....locked or unlocked, it doesn't make a difference.
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Click to collapse
So I'm use to an evo4g and I could flash any ROM once I was rooted with s-off and recovery installed. It wouldn't mess with the boot loader at all. So this phone every ROM comes with a certain boot loader??
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r.storm85 said:
So I'm use to an evo4g and I could flash any ROM once I was rooted with s-off and recovery installed. It wouldn't mess with the boot loader at all. So this phone every ROM comes with a certain boot loader??
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Click to collapse
Doesn't matter about ROMs. They have nothing to do with the boot loader. And they don't flash boot loaders. But they made the 4.4.2 boot loader so it can't be downgraded. Why...who knows. But they did. Roms make no difference.

kj2112 said:
Doesn't matter about ROMs. They have nothing to do with the boot loader. And they don't flash boot loaders. But they made the 4.4.2 boot loader so it can't be downgraded. Why...who knows. But they did. Roms make no difference.
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Right so he can't flash a ROM with a 4.4 or 4.3 base? Why would you need to downgrade the boot loader if your rooted and unlocked on 4.4.2 already?
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The OP hasn't returned. So I assume he resolved his issues.
I don't know what happens trying to flash an older android version custom ROM actually. An error i would think....or hope anyway. On a nexus you get an error about the boot loader version...I think. But I've never seen it, cause on a nexus you can manually flash any boot loader you want. Older or newer.
I never flashed "ROMs" on my moto x. Just stock with xposed. Custom ROMs have issues, and no moto features.
The x really isn't a "flashing" phone. Definitely nothing like a nexus.

kj2112 said:
The OP hasn't returned. So I assume he resolved his issues.
I don't know what happens trying to flash an older android version custom ROM actually. An error i would think....or hope anyway. On a nexus you get an error about the boot loader version...I think. But I've never seen it, cause on a nexus you can manually flash any boot loader you want. Older or newer.
I never flashed "ROMs" on my moto x. Just stock with xposed. Custom ROMs have issues, and no moto features.
The x really isn't a "flashing" phone. Definitely nothing like a nexus.
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Click to collapse
Ya I jus remember on my evo I could flash back and forth between a 2.2, 2.3, cm6 whatever was available and it didn't matter. Like instead of taking a ota for 4.4.2 on my nexus 7 from 4.3 I jus found a stock rooted 4.4.2 ROM and flashed it. No need for ota or downgrades. And I have nandroids of 4.3 if I wanted to downgrade. Just trying to get a understanding of the ins and outs if this phone before and if I venture into rooting ya know
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r.storm85 said:
So I'm use to an evo4g and I could flash any ROM once I was rooted with s-off and recovery installed. It wouldn't mess with the boot loader at all. So this phone every ROM comes with a certain boot loader??
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Click to collapse
S-off on the htc's is more "unlocked" than unlocking the boot loader on the X. With s-off, security checks, etc are bypassed.
I've posted the "long version" before, and I don't have time to retype it..so... The 4.4.2 update on the X changed the boot loader, gpt.bin and other things. They can not be downgraded. Attempts to do so will either fail, cause you problems, and will either brick the phone or set it up to brick if updating later.

KidJoe said:
S-off on the htc's is more "unlocked" than unlocking the boot loader on the X. With s-off, security checks, etc are bypassed.
I've posted the "long version" before, and I don't have time to retype it..so... The 4.4.2 update on the X changed the boot loader, gpt.bin and other things. They can not be downgraded. Attempts to do so will either fail, cause you problems, and will either brick the phone or set it up to brick if updating later.
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Click to collapse
Right I understand the boot loader cannot be downgraded. But if you have root and are unlocked with a custom recovery on the x you can't flash any android version ROM you want ?
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r.storm85 said:
Right I understand the boot loader cannot be downgraded. But if you have root and are unlocked with a custom recovery on the x you can't flash any android version ROM you want ?
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Click to collapse
Its been said over and over. No offence.
No. You can't downgrade the os after you've got 4.4.2. Once on 4.4.2....always on 4.4.2.
Well, you may be able to if you research on how some say they have. But you can brick. Its always a strong risk. If you are ready to buy a new phone in case things go bad.....then search on the ways people have done it.
But none of the guys "in the know" here would recommend it, or help anyone do it.
Nothing else really to say.
Good luck!

r.storm85 said:
Right I understand the boot loader cannot be downgraded. But if you have root and are unlocked with a custom recovery on the x you can't flash any android version ROM you want ?
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Click to collapse
first off, I'm on vacation with my family, typing this on my stupid iPad whose autocorrect is driving me batty so if my details seem sparse, sorry, I have typed this info with more details before, search.
if you are talking about custom, 3rd party rooms, maybe... As it depends on what parts they flash, and what their base is.
But if you are talking about moto roms, then NO. Do not, unless you don't mind turning your X into a brick or paper weight.
Again stop thinking about htc s-off and what you were able to do as it doesn't apply to moto. Coming from an Incredible and Thunderbolt with s-off, I know how it's hard to forget. And trying to compare the two will cause many questions,
Due to changes in the bootloader and gpt.bin included with 4.4.2 on the X, under certain circumstances when trying to downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.4 or lower, you could either brick your phone, or set it up to brick in the future when you take an upgrade. So it is suggested you just stick with what is on your phone once you get on 4.4.2. If you have an unlocked boot loader you won't need to downgrade to root.
I've read, (not going to dig up the link right now cause I'm on iPad) of some who had 4.4.2 but successfully mfastboot flashed system.img only, and if they went into app drawer -> setting -> security -> they were kicked back out to settings. This is due to system parts relying on the other components. I'm not sure what other problems were found day to day.
Additionally there were/are many reports asking for help because their device won't boot. The common thread.... They had 4.4.2 and downgraded or tried to downgrade.
I'm not going to go into every possible scenario, what might happen, what causes it, what might be safe, etc. the general consensus is once you have 4.4.2 on your X do not try to downgrade!

kj2112 said:
The OP hasn't returned. So I assume he resolved his issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP has now returned and I have not resolved my issues
The advice here appears to be...don't try it so I will either continue to use the moto-x until hopefully 4.4.3 fixes the bluetooth issues, or I'll use my older galazy nexus until Motorola/Google figures out how to get the moto-x working.

ghstudio said:
The OP has now returned and I have not resolved my issues
The advice here appears to be...don't try it so I will either continue to use the moto-x until hopefully 4.4.3 fixes the bluetooth issues, or I'll use my older galazy nexus until Motorola/Google figures out how to get the moto-x working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you reflashed 4.4.2 stock and had a fresh start? Cause there aren't any/many other reports of this. You may just need a fresh install.
My x has none of those issues anyway on 4.4.2.
---------- Post added at 10:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:03 AM ----------
And have you tried another Bluetooth device. It could be the problem too. Just not compatible with the x.

KidJoe said:
first off, I'm on vacation with my family, typing this on my stupid iPad whose autocorrect is driving me batty so if my details seem sparse, sorry, I have typed this info with more details before, search.
if you are talking about custom, 3rd party rooms, maybe... As it depends on what parts they flash, and what their base is.
But if you are talking about moto roms, then NO. Do not, unless you don't mind turning your X into a brick or paper weight.
Again stop thinking about htc s-off and what you were able to do as it doesn't apply to moto. Coming from an Incredible and Thunderbolt with s-off, I know how it's hard to forget. And trying to compare the two will cause many questions,
Due to changes in the bootloader and gpt.bin included with 4.4.2 on the X, under certain circumstances when trying to downgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.4 or lower, you could either brick your phone, or set it up to brick in the future when you take an upgrade. So it is suggested you just stick with what is on your phone once you get on 4.4.2. If you have an unlocked boot loader you won't need to downgrade to root.
I've read, (not going to dig up the link right now cause I'm on iPad) of some who had 4.4.2 but successfully mfastboot flashed system.img only, and if they went into app drawer -> setting -> security -> they were kicked back out to settings. This is due to system parts relying on the other components. I'm not sure what other problems were found day to day.
Additionally there were/are many reports asking for help because their device won't boot. The common thread.... They had 4.4.2 and downgraded or tried to downgrade.
I'm not going to go into every possible scenario, what might happen, what causes it, what might be safe, etc. the general consensus is once you have 4.4.2 on your X do not try to downgrade!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks for the explanation.
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