[Q] Unlocked bootloader / Custom Recovery - Moto X Q&A

I'm thinking about unlocking the bootloader of my Moto X and I have a few questions. I hope you guys can help me.
1. At the moment I'm using PwnMyMoto, which means I dont have the stock recovery. Will this be a problem to unlock the bootloader using 'Motorola website' method? i.e. is this method stock recovery dependent? Do I have to go back stock using RSDlite first?
2. After unlocking the bootloader I will probably install a custom recovery (maybe TWRP). As far as I know, when using a custom recovery we should not install OTA, right? It will bootloop. Can anyone confirm this?
3. When using TWRP, is it possible to flash a ROM using RSDlite and keep the custom recovery? i.e. only flash system. This way I could backup my actual ROM before I flash the new one, and if anything goes wrong I can restore it.
Thank you all!

xitake said:
I'm thinking about unlocking the bootloader of my Moto X and I have a few questions. I hope you guys can help me.
1. At the moment I'm using PwnMyMoto, which means I dont have the stock recovery. Will this be a problem to unlock the bootloader using 'Motorola website' method? i.e. is this method stock recovery dependent? Do I have to go back stock using RSDlite first?
2. After unlocking the bootloader I will probably install a custom recovery (maybe TWRP). As far as I know, when using a custom recovery we should not install OTA, right? It will bootloop. Can anyone confirm this?
3. When using TWRP, is it possible to flash a ROM using RSDlite and keep the custom recovery? i.e. only flash system. This way I could backup my actual ROM before I flash the new one, and if anything goes wrong I can restore it.
Thank you all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Fastboot the stock recovery. You will likely have problems unlocking as it performs a factory reset.
2. Don't take OTAs with a custom recovery. You will bootloop. Wait for a flashable zip or fastboot back to stock to get the OTA.
3. You flash ROMs in recovery. You shouldn't need to use fastboot (or rsdlite) unless you want to return to stock or you run into serious phone issues.
Sent from my Moto X.

Related

[Q] What to do after unlocking bootloader

After unlocking the bootloader, how would I flash ClockworkMod Recovery using ROM Manager. I was looking at Cyanogenmod wiki and it says that i would need root access to do it the easy method. Does this mean I need to root it before flashing the recovery or what?
If you haven't unlocked the bootloader, I would use a tool to root like SuperOneClick or rageagainstthecage, then just install ROM Manager (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager&feature=search_result) and have it install the recovery.
If you HAVE unlocked the bootloader already, you just need to find a recovery image (like clockworkmod - http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/02/clockwork-recovery-image.html) and flash it in fastboot using the fastboot flash command.
So after flashing the recovery image, I could use the rom manager to update the recovery image if there is such a update correct?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
ephung23 said:
So after flashing the recovery image, I could use the rom manager to update the recovery image if there is such a update correct?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash a recovery image, the next step after that is installing a custom ROM. What I was stating was just that there is a way to flash a recovery image without unlocking the bootloader.
Of course, I completely get what you're saying. I already unlocked the bootloader, but after flashing the custom recovery image, would my phone be rooted with superuser and etc?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Superuser is an application. You gain root accesses to the filesystem by unlocking the bootloader.
So by unlocking the bootloader, I have root then?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash unofficial (custom) images. You can flash recovery, system, boot images, etc. Unlocking the bootloader does NOT give you root access to the phone. You need to either root your stock image, or since your bootloader is unlocked, you can flash a pre-rooted custom ROM.
You can also flash a custom recovery via fastboot, and use that to install a custom ROM. Note, however, that the stock ROM will restore the stock recovery on re-boot, so you will need to go into recovery immediately after installing, then flash your custom ROM. Custom ROMs don't restore the custom recovery...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
No. You just have a unlocked bootloader.
If you are looking at Cyans wiki I assume you want to install CM. So basically just get the recovery image you want to flash along with the ROM and the gapps. Put the ROM and gapps in the root of the sd card. Put the recovery image in the sdk folder with fastboot. I believe its still in the tools folder. Flash the recovery and reboot into recovery. If you boot the phone normally the stock ROM will replace the custom recovery you just flashed. So once your in the custom recovery you can install the CM ROM and gapps. Before you do that though do a nandroid back up. This way you can always just restore your system to its current state.
Oh! I get it! Thank you for the clarification. So how would I root the stock image?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8532790#post8532790
Thank you for the link and for sol the help.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
So after rooting the phone and installing the recovery image. Would I have to install the radio in order to flash cyanogenmod 7? Is it completely necessary?
If you have radio 4.06 or higher, you should be OK...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
sorry for beringing it up but I have question:
I unlocked bootloader but I do not want to install custom rom (at least yet) ... any guide or simple explanation how to install and have operating superuser app with root access on unlocked stock (GB) rom? (but to be able to OTA update in future?)
How about reading the Wiki, section "Root", guide for unlocked bootloader?
Or searching the forum for answer to one of the most asked questions?

[Q] Do I need root to flash recovery if I have unlocked bootloader?

Basically exactly what it says in the title.
But I'll repeat:
I have my bootloader unlocked but do not have root access at the moment. I am now running the stock recovery after updating to 2.3.6. Do I need to root before I can flash a custom recovery or not? Also I wouldn't mind a bit help either rooting or flashing recovery as guides seem quite limited since 2.3.6.
Thanks in advance,
Addam.
Use fastboot to install a custom recovery, either cwm or amon ra. Now you can boot into custom rscovery and flash
rom.
Check the wiki
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
You don't need root.
The guide for unlocked bootloader remains the same since a day before Nexus One was released.

[Q] Will OTA from Sense 4.3 to 4.4 unroot and wipe my custom recovery?

Hello,
I have a Developer Edition (unlocked) with Stock 4.3 at the moment, is rooted and with TWRP 2.6.3.0 custom recovery, my phone is asking me to upgrade to 4.4. My questions are:
- What would be the results of the upgrade?
- It will flash over my custom recovery without problems?
I guess I will loose root and custom recovery but I can flash them again, my main concern is that the OTA will not flash correctly for being rooted and with custom recovery. Thanks a lot for those that know the answer and want to help me.
gustavorod said:
Hello,
I have a Developer Edition (unlocked) with Stock 4.3 at the moment, is rooted and with TWRP 2.6.3.0 custom recovery, my phone is asking me to upgrade to 4.4. My questions are:
- What would be the results of the upgrade?
- It will flash over my custom recovery without problems?
I guess I will loose root and custom recovery but I can flash them again, my main concern is that the OTA will not flash correctly for being rooted and with custom recovery. Thanks a lot for those that know the answer and want to help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess you cant flash official OTA through custom recovery..u need stock recovery to do this
gustavorod said:
Hello,
I have a Developer Edition (unlocked) with Stock 4.3 at the moment, is rooted and with TWRP 2.6.3.0 custom recovery, my phone is asking me to upgrade to 4.4. My questions are:
- What would be the results of the upgrade?
- It will flash over my custom recovery without problems?
I guess I will loose root and custom recovery but I can flash them again, my main concern is that the OTA will not flash correctly for being rooted and with custom recovery. Thanks a lot for those that know the answer and want to help me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you won't be able to do an OTA update when you've a custom recovery (you shouldn't even get it in the first place, sometimes it comes through), if you try to apply the OTA, you'll boot back to the TWRP recovery.
So, you should either go full stock (recovery & ROM), then do an OTA. Or flash some 4.4 Custom ROM.
By itself the phone alerted me that the OTA download is available and wants to download and flash itself as it did when it upgraded from 4.2.2 to 4.3 so I am not planning to flash through TWRP...
gustavorod said:
By itself the phone alerted me that the OTA download is available and wants to download and flash itself as it did when it upgraded from 4.2.2 to 4.3 so I am not planning to flash through TWRP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will download OK, but when it reboots to start installing, you'll just see the TWRP screen and nothing is gonna happen; because the OTA expects stock recovery.
Thanks!!!!
I guess I better flash another 4.3 or 4.4 by myself, I just thought the OTA would be better first to upgrade to the latest firmware...
gustavorod said:
I guess I better flash another 4.3 or 4.4 by myself, I just thought the OTA would be better first to upgrade to the latest firmware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can do two things:
1- get s-off and flash any firmware you want
2- "download & install later" the OTA, once downloaded pull it to your PC, the OTA file will contain a "firmware.zip" which is signed and can be flashed in fastboot ruu mode (you have to issue the flash command twice!!!), which would upgrade your firmware (including hboot, kernal and recovery), but will leave your rom intact
----- because it flashes recovery, you need to reflash custom recovery
----- and, kernel (boot.img) you'll need to reflash the custom one (or dirty install the ROM), otherwise the ROM won't boot up
nkk71 said:
you can do two things:
1- get s-off and flash any firmware you want
2- "download & install later" the OTA, once downloaded pull it to your PC, the OTA file will contain a "firmware.zip" which is signed and can be flashed in fastboot ruu mode (you have to issue the flash command twice!!!), which would upgrade your firmware (including hboot, kernal and recovery), but will leave your rom intact
----- because it flashes recovery, you need to reflash custom recovery
----- and, kernel (boot.img) you'll need to reflash the custom one (or dirty install the ROM), otherwise the ROM won't boot up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've looked around for a CWM compatible version of the Dev Edition + Root, but I'm not finding one. Is anyone aware of a CWM-packaged version that I can flash using CWM on a rooted device? Reverting to stock to pick up the OTA seems like a long way to go

Is Root access without recovery possible?

I found that my moto xt1052 has bootloader unlocking available and im very excited. I like to know if its compulsory to flash recovery to make device rooted. I don't want to install new roms or firmware. Im rooting to control running apps and use some root apps.
I like my phn to be receptive for ota, which isn't possible if i flash custom recovery.
So i want to know if recovery is compulsory to have root status and manage permissions or if i can enjoy root privileged with just unlocking the bootloader.
Thankyou.
Sent from my moto XT1052 using XDA Free mobile app
After unlocking the bootloader, flash TWRP, root, then flash stock recovery back on the phone and run that way.
KidJoe said:
After unlocking the bootloader, flash TWRP, root, then flash stock recovery back on the phone and run that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi KidJoe,
how back to stock recovery ?
is it enough to flashing file "recovery.img" by RSD Lite ?
I know rsd lite is made to be more user friendly but I still prefer flashing via fastboot.
Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Moto-x said:
hi KidJoe,
how back to stock recovery ?
is it enough to flashing file "recovery.img" by RSD Lite ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RSDLite is overkill to flash just recovery.
Do as @cntryby429 said... use mfastboot to flash recovery. You can use it to flash either TWRP (when rooting) and/or Stock recovery.

How to install stock recovery/rom/unroot/relock bootloader?

Guys , I have to sell my phone, so, I decided to do all the necessary to have it stock..
So, the question is, how can I do this? I need the phone like when I bought it
You can do most of this via SRK Tool. If you can't relock bootloader then you can flash your stock update.app via stock recovery and that will relock your bootloader and get rid of root.
Please don't follow this for when you have Nougat beta installed though.
I currently have TWRP recovery.. How can I put stock recovery?
Is better to put 1st the rom and for 2nd the recovery or contrary?
Anyway thanks for answering me!
1. Backup (as always)
2. Flash stock recovery with flashify for example
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=529152257862669572
3. Flash stock Rom b182 with dload-method
http://download-c.huawei.com/download/downloadCenter?downloadId=91783&version=358257&siteCode=de
Now your Bootloader is relocked and everything is stock again (I hope so)

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