I have a Moto X Developer Edition rooted on Verizon with TWRP 2.6.3.1 and stock Android 4.4 on it. I have been trying to upgrade to 4.4.2 without doing the OTA, and without having to reflash TWRP.
So far, I have been unsuccessful.
I have tried Blur_Version.140.45.5.ghost_verizon.Verizon.en.US.zip (approximate file size 150MB) from multiple sources as all the posts I read keep saying that is what works. I have also tried a ~650MB version I found somewhere. In addition, I tried the upgrade located here: sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0 which is called VZW_XT1060_4.4.2-KXA20.16-1.25.2_CFC_1FF.xml.zip (It's the 4.4.2 upgrade listed under Verizon US).
All of these fail. In TWRP, about 2-3 steps after it verified md5, it simply says "Failed" with no explanation as to why.
Here is my question:
How can I upgrade to 4.4.2 without a data wipe, and without having to reflash TWRP?
I have no interest in going to a ROM, I want to stay stock, and if I must, I will reflash the recovery if I have to, but I *really* don't want to.
Flash stock recovery, take the OTA, flash TWRP again.
It's so simple, so painless, so quick and it will not wipe your data.
tcrews said:
Flash stock recovery, take the OTA, flash TWRP again.
It's so simple, so painless, so quick and it will not wipe your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping to avoid that (Yep, I really am that lazy...) but that's what I was going to do tonight if I couldn't get my hands on a .zip to flash.
Ironically, I bought the Dev Edition specifically so things like this would be easy.
It is easy.....just need to do it.
I support my sister, her husband and my wife (as well as my own) who all have Moto X's. 2 seconds to flash recovery, however long it takes for the OTA to install and reboot and then 2 seconds to flash TWRP again. Heck...I'd just leave the stock recovery in place since it's not needed if you don't plan on flashing any ROMs. The OTA doesn't even remove root.
tcrews said:
It is easy.....just need to do it.
I support my sister, her husband and my wife (as well as my own) who all have Moto X's. 2 seconds to flash recovery, however long it takes for the OTA to install and reboot and then 2 seconds to flash TWRP again. Heck...I'd just leave the stock recovery in place since it's not needed if you don't plan on flashing any ROMs. The OTA doesn't even remove root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, that last bit is good to know! Well, I think even if it did remove root, getting it back is easy on the DE.
I think you're right though, I probably won't install TWRP again, I specifically got the Moto X because I was tired of messing around with stuff when I all I want is a rooted, stock Android experience.
So, after several hours of messing with this, and thinking the stock recovery had gotten messed up because the instructions I had for getting in to it were wrong, I finally got the OTA installing...
and it fails.
I don't know why, I haven't seen the error (I'm not looking at the phone when it fails).
So... Awesome.
Taegost said:
So, after several hours of messing with this, and thinking the stock recovery had gotten messed up because the instructions I had for getting in to it were wrong, I finally got the OTA installing...
and it fails.
I don't know why, I haven't seen the error (I'm not looking at the phone when it fails).
So... Awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are there files out so you can just flash 4.4.2 with mfastboot? Would be easiest.
kj2112 said:
Are there files out so you can just flash 4.4.2 with mfastboot? Would be easiest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume so, but I haven't found any instructions specifically saying how to do that, except for the ones that tell you how to return to stock without using RSD Lite.
Unfortunately, I don't know enough about how all this stuff works to be able to figure out which bits and pieces to put together to get upgraded without wiping my data.
What really pisses me off is that I specifically bought this phone so I wouldn't have issues like this, and here I am...
BTW: The only thing the error says is "Error". That's it, nothing else.
Taegost said:
I assume so, but I haven't found any instructions specifically saying how to do that, except for the ones that tell you how to return to stock without using RSD Lite.
Unfortunately, I don't know enough about how all this stuff works to be able to figure out which bits and pieces to put together to get upgraded without wiping my data.
What really pisses me off is that I specifically bought this phone so I wouldn't have issues like this, and here I am...
BTW: The only thing the error says is "Error". That's it, nothing else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guide has a return to stock section. It will tell you how to flash the stock firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2603358
Unfortunately the moto x is not a simple phone for tinkering with, like say a nexus, even the dev edition.
It can be easier once you do fully understand everything. Just gotta know what applies to you...meaning mostly the locked versus unlocked methods for everything.
After owning an s2, a moto x and now an n5 (n7 too...but I don't tinker with it really....its a family device) I've come to the mind set that for flashers and rooters.....nothing at all beats owning a nexus. Every other device has some limitations that a nexus won't have.
kj2112 said:
This guide has a return to stock section. It will tell you how to flash the stock firmware.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2603358
Unfortunately the moto x is not a simple phone for tinkering with, like say a nexus, even the dev edition.
It can be easier once you do fully understand everything. Just gotta know what applies to you...meaning mostly the locked versus unlocked methods for everything.
After owning an s2, a moto x and now an n5 (n7 too...but I don't tinker with it really....its a family device) I've come to the mind set that for flashers and rooters.....nothing at all beats owning a nexus. Every other device has some limitations that a nexus won't have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's the page I was talking about when I said I found the full instructions...
I specifically bought this phone because I didn't want to mess around with it like this, I just wanted to root it so I could use Titantium Backup and be done with it... and now I'm stuck at a halfway point.... Again...
I'll probably end up just doing the full wipe and manually flash to 4.4.2 (RSD Lite doesn't see my device... yay), since I have gone from my mute button not working (with 4.2.2), to a really bad echo for whomever I'm talking to when it's on speakerphone (Even when speakerphone is muted... THAT made for a fun conference call...).
Taegost said:
Yeah, that's the page I was talking about when I said I found the full instructions...
I specifically bought this phone because I didn't want to mess around with it like this, I just wanted to root it so I could use Titantium Backup and be done with it... and now I'm stuck at a halfway point.... Again...
I'll probably end up just doing the full wipe and manually flash to 4.4.2 (RSD Lite doesn't see my device... yay), since I have gone from my mute button not working (with 4.2.2), to a really bad echo for whomever I'm talking to when it's on speakerphone (Even when speakerphone is muted... THAT made for a fun conference call...).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing stock and rooting on an unlocked Moto x is basically the same as a nexus. It really is simple, once you are familiar with fastboot.
I guess there are toolkits that automate everything....like Samsung's Odin, and there's a few for nexus....but it really doesn't help anyone learn. And that's kinda what this hobby is all about.
But, I am sorry you're having trouble. Not sure what else to add. The guides are there, and they work. Usually. I can't think of anything to add to whats already been said.
Hope it works out for you!
kj2112 said:
Flashing stock and rooting on an unlocked Moto x is basically the same as a nexus. It really is simple, once you are familiar with fastboot.
I guess there are toolkits that automate everything....like Samsung's Odin, and there's a few for nexus....but it really doesn't help anyone learn. And that's kinda what this hobby is all about.
But, I am sorry you're having trouble. Not sure what else to add. The guides are there, and they work. Usually. I can't think of anything to add to whats already been said.
Hope it works out for you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I'm articulating my issue properly. I understand how to do everything in the guides you mentioned, they're a piece of cake. That doesn't solve my problem.
My problem is that I want to get to 4.4.2 WITHOUT wiping my data, but can't do the update via OTA or flashing in recovery. RSD Lite doesn't work either.
The ONLY option I have available to me is to manually push the update with fastboot, which I can definitely do with the instructions provided... But those instructions require me to wipe my data.
I know it's possible to apply the update with fastboot without requiring me to wipe my data, but I don't know enough about the inner workings to know which steps to skip, and which need to be modified, in order to make that happen.
Taegost said:
I don't think I'm articulating my issue properly. I understand how to do everything in the guides you mentioned, they're a piece of cake. That doesn't solve my problem.
My problem is that I want to get to 4.4.2 WITHOUT wiping my data, but can't do the update via OTA or flashing in recovery. RSD Lite doesn't work either.
The ONLY option I have available to me is to manually push the update with fastboot, which I can definitely do with the instructions provided... But those instructions require me to wipe my data.
I know it's possible to apply the update with fastboot without requiring me to wipe my data, but I don't know enough about the inner workings to know which steps to skip, and which need to be modified, in order to make that happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It says right at the bottom of the return to stock section in the guide I linked too.....you can skip
Fastboot erase user data
fastboot erase cache
Though if you have any problems after, you might have to do it again and do erase those, before spending time trying to figure out what's wrong.
kj2112 said:
It says right at the bottom of the return to stock section in the guide I linked too.....you can skip
Fastboot erase user data
fastboot erase cache
Though if you have any problems after, you might have to do it again and do erase those, before spending time trying to figure out what's wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow... Attention to detail -5
Sorry about that, when I looked through that article, I skimmed through and saw that the "Return to Stock" section was (almost) identical to the other instructions I was reading...But I missed that last paragraph when I looked at the link you provided, the directions I was using referenced that article but did not include that last bit...
Thank you for your patients, I feel like a dumbass now *sheepish grin*
Taegost said:
Wow... Attention to detail -5
Sorry about that, when I looked through that article, I skimmed through and saw that the "Return to Stock" section was (almost) identical to the other instructions I was reading...But I missed that last paragraph when I looked at the link you provided, the directions I was using referenced that article but did not include that last bit...
Thank you for your patients, I feel like a dumbass now *sheepish grin*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries!! .
And sorry, its userdata. My keyboard split the words up.
---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------
And, you may very well have issues doing that way. But its worth a shot first. If you do have issues, then you can erase those and repeat the process.
if using fastboot/mfastboot, I would still erase cache, as it doesn't touch your data/apps/config.
Another tip, use this mfastboot -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/X-STUFF/Mfastboot-4.4.zip
or you can use RSDlite to flash the SBF, but there is a corresponding line for "erase data"
Two helpful links that will help explain what you saw...
Taking the OTA -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/MotoX-OTA.html
various ways to Return to stock -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/MotoX-ReturnToStock.html
kj2112 said:
No worries!! .
And sorry, its userdata. My keyboard split the words up.
---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------
And, you may very well have issues doing that way. But its worth a shot first. If you do have issues, then you can erase those and repeat the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alrighty, well I was able to successfully flash to 4.4.2 using the Fastboot instructions. Flashed TWRP afterwards and got root right back. Now that I know, this won't be a trial in the future (fingers crossed!)
Thanks for your help and patience
Related
I'm gonna just cut to the chase here, I've already looked at the forums and searched and all that.
Phone has been fine for about 3 weeks, since I got it, and all of a sudden it froze up on me and gave me the error "Process System Isn't responding" and of course with the 'wait' and 'ok' options. Phone does work fine except for the active display will not work and every time I unlock the phone it tells me that it crashed. I get random app crashes at random times as well. And my wifi is stuck in a permanent 'turning wifi on...' phase so I'm forced to use my 4g. I have tried all the suggestions that are possbile for the model of the Moto X that I have but nothing will work. Multiple factory resets, cahce wipes, everything. I've even tried flashing a stock rom to the phone via fastboot, didn't think it would work as I am on 4.4.2 AT&T version of the Moto X, and of course it didn't. Has anyone had the same problem, or found a workaround that actually works?
Well....it seems you're only option is flashing the 4.4.2 files for your phone. And if they aren't available....you probably have to play the waiting game unfortunately.
Are you rooted?? I would say if you're rooted, xposed or something that has changed system files is the culprit. But if you're not rooted....then who knows.
Good luck!!
P.s. never try to downgrade. You're lucky you got an error.....cause sometimes you get a brick.
---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:58 PM ----------
I thought at&t files were out now?????
kj2112 said:
Well....it seems you're only option is flashing the 4.4.2 files for your phone. And if they aren't available....you probably have to play the waiting game unfortunately.
Are you rooted?? I would say if you're rooted, xposed or something that has changed system files is the culprit. But if you're not rooted....then who knows.
Good luck!!
P.s. never try to downgrade. You're lucky you got an error.....cause sometimes you get a brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not rooted, everything is completely stock, I did try flashing the 4.4.2 files to my phone, but can't get system.img to write, tried just flashing the update as a zip but wouldn't work because of something like the update-version wasnt found in the zip file... If only I had root, this would be a lot easier...
Edit: Would you be able to point me to the AT&T files? I did find firmware but that won't flash for some reason.
xVesica said:
Not rooted, everything is completely stock, I did try flashing the 4.4.2 files to my phone, but can't get system.img to write, tried just flashing the update as a zip but wouldn't work because of something like the update-version wasnt found in the zip file... If only I had root, this would be a lot easier...
Edit: Would you be able to point me to the AT&T files? I did find firmware but that won't flash for some reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure where to get at&t files...there's a site that has them all...but I can't think of it.
And this guide has a return to stock section. Make sure you did it right. You do need to use mfastboot. Fastboot won't work on the bigger files.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2558785
kj2112 said:
I'm not sure where to get at&t files...there's a site that has them all...but I can't think of it.
And this guide has a return to stock section. Make sure you did it right. You do need to use mfastboot. Fastboot won't work on the bigger files.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2558785
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the help, hopefully everything works.
Edit: Used the toolkit to flash the 4.4.2 update. I guess it just didn't like the way I was trying to do it before. Everything works again though, and hopefully it stays that way.
Now I get to go through the process of restoring all of my files.
This is NOT a how-to or anything. Don't try to follow in my footsteps of stupidity and brick your phone.
That being said...
XT 1060 (Verizon)
I have been running 4.4.4 for quite a while now. Right after JCase released sunshine for our phones. (I have an unlocked bootloader.)
I had it rooted, and tried out the 5.0 ROMs a while ago. Flashed back to stock to wait for the update when we heard it was coming "very soon". But tonight I got impatient and decided I was going to re-root and switch back to CM12. So, I opened Moto X Toolkit (love that tool) and installed TWRP. When I manually rebooted I forgot to boot into recovery. Don't know if that had anything to do with the ensuing problems or not, but after that, I couldn't get it to boot into recovery.
So, I flashed back to stock 4.4.4 again. Tried rebooting into stock recovery... no joy.
So off I go again... one more attempt to flash stock 4.4.4. This time, when it asked me if I wanted to reboot into bootloader or android, I tried to boot into android. Sadly I missed the "a" and typed "ndroid". The toolkit began doing something... looks like it was running the flash all over again. I let it do its thing, then very carefully typed "android" so I wouldnt screw it up again.
It rebooted perfectly, but once it was up and running, I noticed all of my icons were blue. I quickly jumped into the "about phone section and noticed it said "4.2.2".
This is not supposed to be possible, so at this point I was half panicking and half curious... so I decided to do an even more stupid thing and accept the updates.
I am now updated completely to 4.4.4. Zero issues... recovery works fine, radio is fine, wifi and BT are fine.
This leads me to two questions (Directed to developers)...
1) Is there a possibility this is repeatable?
2) My curiosity is about to get me into trouble... I have two more Moto X's that are 4.4.4. Locked BL. I would like to know what the worst case scenario is. I know there is a possibility of "bricking", but that term has not, for a long time, meant what it originally did. How badly "bricked" might it be? Bootloops? Chance of recovering by flashing stock firmware or RSD? Or truly bricked?
You are lucky you didn't bricked it by installing ota
updates. Whatever you do please don't install any ota updates. Simple wait for the sbf and manually flash it with rsd. Don't even even attempt to downgraded
I know I got lucky, but that didn't answer either of my questions.
I wouldn't try to repeated it if I were you. Go to moto x bricked phones thread and read the comments. That will satisfy and answer your questions http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/how-to-resurrecting-bricked-moto-x-t2629057
Fadelight said:
This leads me to two questions (Directed to developers)...
1) Is there a possibility this is repeatable?
2) My curiosity is about to get me into trouble... I have two more Moto X's that are 4.4.4. Locked BL. I would like to know what the worst case scenario is. I know there is a possibility of "bricking", but that term has not, for a long time, meant what it originally did. How badly "bricked" might it be? Bootloops? Chance of recovering by flashing stock firmware or RSD? Or truly bricked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I would NOT try to repeat it. You are lucky.
What likely happened is the toolkit flashed 4.2.2 via mFastboot, errored on GPT.BIN and Motoboot.img, and continued flashing the rest. Taking an OTA in this state USUALLY bricks the phone, however we have seen a few, like yourself, who reported it didn't brick.
Due to the sheer number of people and threads from those who have bricked doing this, the warnings have been... do NOT try it unless you don't mind if you turn your phone into a paper weight!
To be safe at this point, I would consider downloading the Verizon 4.4.4 SBF, and re-flashing it using Option 5 (and its pre-reqs) at -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/MotoX-ReturnToStock.html to make sure everything is back to stock/consistent. Its your choice if you don't want to.
2) Worst case is you turn your phone into a paperweight.
Some have screwed it up very badly but have been able to recover following these instructions -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/how-to-resurrecting-bricked-moto-x-t2629057 It is the last resort. You'll also see many in that thread who followed those instructions and were unsuccessful, leaving their phone unusable.
We've also seen a few who were able to reflash the latest rom (currently 4.4.4) via mFastboot, with a few "extra" commands and have been able to recover, but that is a very small number compared to those who have bricked.
That's the odd thing... it DIDN'T error on anything. I would've thought the same thing... error on motoboot and gpt.
I don't mind screwing up a phone and taking a day or two to get it back to operable. As long as there is a way to fix it, I'm good. I just don't want to completely brick the phone. That's why I asked if people meant truly bricked or the new standardized "bricked" which usually means nothing more than having to RSD.
Fadelight said:
That's the odd thing... it DIDN'T error on anything. I would've thought the same thing... error on motoboot and gpt.
I don't mind screwing up a phone and taking a day or two to get it back to operable. As long as there is a way to fix it, I'm good. I just don't want to completely brick the phone. That's why I asked if people meant truly bricked or the new standardized "bricked" which usually means nothing more than having to RSD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used that tool kit. I do everything manually. So I don't know exactly what processes it runs, or what steps it takes when flashing. IF while flashing it does try to flash all parts, it should have given an error on GPT.BIN if it tried to downgrade, but at the same respect, if its a batch file that just runs the fastboot commands one after the other, if fastboot errors, it will just go to the next line in the bat file, so unless you are paying attention and watching it from start to finish, you could have missed the error.
Another possibility would be if you, or someone who had your phone, upgraded to 4.4.4 by flashing only system.img, and the older bootloader and partition table remained on your phone, then attempting to "downgrade" would not have failed (depending on the bootloader/gpt.bin on your phone).
As said... there are enough that have NOT been able to recover their phones, even after following the instructions in -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/how-to-resurrecting-bricked-moto-x-t2629057 which are usually the last resort.
Yeah, the second it started running again after I typed "ndroid" by accident, I was in full-on panic mode, so my eyes were glued to the phone and the computer. I saw them flash.
As far as upgrading, I was on 4.4.0 until Sunshine was released... at which point I unlocked my BL and took all of the OTA updates. So it was on full 4.4.4.
This is the oddest thing I have seen in a long time. I was tempted to send a DM to JCase and ask him, but I figured that would probably go over like a fart in church.
Project Fi Nexus 6 rooted here on 5.1.1 LVY48E
I keep getting a notice that a system update has been downloaded (29.1) megs..a tad annoying
Would like to run the update, but can't because of TWRP... Also would like to try 6.0 if it is out, just don't want to lose root, and or have to have my phone reset...
I have Wug's nexus root toolkit too
How do I update to the latest L and or/ M???
Looking for some friendly advice....
Thanks!
Forgot to mention that I have tried flashing the update manually to no avail..
Drumrjoe
You can't update your rooted phone with Ota update, only way is to flash the factory image, download latest Nexus 6 factory image from Google and flash it with the tool kit, if you don't know how to flash a factory image, you should see the main thread
And I believe , given the need for a modified boot when rooting Marshmallow, you lose the OTA anyway, no?
aiiee said:
And I believe , given the need for a modified boot when rooting Marshmallow, you lose the OTA anyway, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help! Been using the toolkit to try and flash stock + unroot...
It doesn't seem to be working for me... First tried to update to last version of lollipop.. runs the batch updater after downloading the factory image and extracting.. batch window closes after awhile I wait after no change to phone or toolkit and nothing has changed on phone... tried this with marshmallow too... same thing....
At a loss..
drumrjoe said:
Thanks for the help! Been using the toolkit to try and flash stock + unroot...
It doesn't seem to be working for me... First tried to update to last version of lollipop.. runs the batch updater after downloading the factory image and extracting.. batch window closes after awhile I wait after no change to phone or toolkit and nothing has changed on phone... tried this with marshmallow too... same thing....
At a loss..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do it manually using fastboot. Or since you have TWRP, find a pre-rooted rom.zip you can flash from there.
Lately half the threads are about a toolkit not working. There should be a sticky about this: Don't use toolkits on Nexus phones! Those who don't feel secure enough to enter three lines in a command line/terminal really shouldn't use toolkits either. It gives a feeling of false security for a price of being totally at loss if anything goes wrong. And things do go wrong.
istperson said:
Lately half the threads are about a toolkit not working. There should be a sticky about this: Don't use toolkits on Nexus phones! Those who don't feel secure enough to enter three lines in a command line/terminal really shouldn't use toolkits either. It gives a feeling of false security for a price of being totally at loss if anything goes wrong. And things do go wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We try to advise people not to use rootkits or kits of any kind. It does nothing but hinder their efforts if something goes wrong. In the end it is people being lazy and then bricks happen and they have no idea what to do.
zelendel said:
We try to advise people not to use rootkits or kits of any kind. It does nothing but hinder their efforts if something goes wrong. In the end it is people being lazy and then bricks happen and they have no idea what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think many of us here agree with that. To avoid bashing, we have to say "use them if you like, but learn to use fastboot manually first". But all the work we collectively put in to that as a majority is easily undone when just one person replies "use a toolkit". It almost always ends up in a debate that is so long that when it reaches it's conclusion, the OP ended up using a toolkit anyway.,
danarama said:
I think many of us here agree with that. To avoid bashing, we have to say "use them if you like, but learn to use fastboot manually first". But all the work we collectively put in to that as a majority is easily undone when just one person replies "use a toolkit". It almost always ends up in a debate that is so long that when it reaches it's conclusion, the OP ended up using a toolkit anyway.,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know. All we can do is advise and the lazy will still be lazy and then end up with issues. This is why you will see people post about issues and then the min they mention they have used a root kit all replies stop. There are many of us that refuse to help people that have used a root kit. It shows they should not be messing around with their devices if they dont have the time to learn to do things properly.
Duly noted -
But seriously, thanks for the info.. will be figuring this out!
Best all
DJ
Update-
Sincere thanks to all that replied.. Did not know that the toolkit's were a nono-
I did use the command line to manually update and all is well. I am on LVY48I now and rooted.. Next is to reinstall the latest xposed for 5.1.1.
Also, tried finding a stock pre-rooted marshmallow, but didn't really have any luck with that... any pointers or links?
TIA
drumrjoe said:
Update-
Sincere thanks to all that replied.. Did not know that the toolkit's were a nono-
I did use the command line to manually update and all is well. I am on LVY48I now and rooted.. Next is to reinstall the latest xposed for 5.1.1.
Also, tried finding a stock pre-rooted marshmallow, but didn't really have any luck with that... any pointers or links?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not 100% sure of this but I believe that Marshmallow will not achieve root without some modification. At least I couldn't
Using this guy's guide for the Nexus 5 I had no issues, bought a N6 today and was giddy to flash on Cataclysm for N6 and figured might as well use same person's guide for next phone up.
http://www.androidrootz.com/2014/12/how-to-root-nexus-6-windowsmaclinuxubun.html
Was able to unlock bootloader, then installed TWRP but now am getting the 'corrupt phone' message, however unlike others like I have read on XDA, am unable to boot up by just letting it sit. Screen turns off and that's that. Before beginning entire process I enabled "enable/allow oem unlocking". I'm assuming that when the phone factory resets after the bootloader unlock I need to go back in and recheck 'allow oem unlock' in dev options, but I didn't as I assume/ed that it wasn't necessary and the guide doesn't tell you to.
Tried relocking the bootloader to maybe get phone to open up, but terminal tells me that I need to have 'allow oem unlock' checked. Nice Catch-22 http://puu.sh/moOUf/d0f8fa9050.png
Tried formatting data from within TWRP and factory resetting/wiping everything but it tells me that it is unable to mount '/data'
Have since tried WugsToolkit and flashing to stock with 'softbricked' option enabled the shamu-mmb29k-fact....tgz image that I downloaded and imported myself into Wugs (was taking 10 minutes to dl 1%). That seemed to work and told me it was a success, however when I then went back to re-enable the bootloader via wugs it fails and reboots with the lock sign still open and boots again onto 'corruption' screen that then flashes off and turns phone off, left it for 30 minutes at one point and didn't boot so don't think I'm lucky enough to be able to sit if through like others who had that issue
Where to go from here? Really hoping I didn't brick this phone less that 3 hours after getting it. I can still boot and see the Google screen and can get onto the bootloader and used to be able to get into recovery (since wugs have been getting the android with red triangle)
Been rooting/rom'ing since day one that I've had androids. Had a Samsung Apollo with CM on it, same for the Nexus S, then the Galaxy Nexus, then the N5 and looks like my chain of no issues ended tonight
Anything you can do for guys would be greatly appreciated. No clue where to go from here....
So from what I gathered, I think you are in luck. It sounds like your bootloader is unlocked. This is a very good thing. Under no circumstances do you want to try to re lock it right now or do you ever when stuck not being able to boot or any issues like that. If you lock it while stuck, thats when you are soft bricked. If I remember correctly, I got myself in the same situation , although maybe with out a custom recovery installed. None of that matters though. The way to fix this is to reflash the the factory image. Here are the guides for that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_m6bYNKrXQ
This is the video I used the first time. A bit rough but, It did the job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hao_Yf-gaw
Here is a bit of a nicer one. I used it the second time around.
and lastly here is an xda post http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008
I would recommend reading and watching all of these and maybe doing more research so you really knows whats going on. The flash-all script is not going to work from what I've read and I've always done it manual so go with that. It may also be a good idea to keep the custom recovery, so look into to keeping that. Maybe it is as simple as not erasing the recovery partition and not flashing the recovery image. This is what should save your nexus.
Now, I am fairly new to the Rooting and ROMming, really only started 2 months ago, so I would really appreciate if any of the more experienced guys on XDA can confirm what I said. Please don't try any of this without confirmation from another member here, I do not want to be responsible for sending your device past the point of no return. I recently had to order a new Nexus 6 as the screen is dead, so I know it's frustrating to have that loss. In your case, as long as that boot loader is unlocked, you should be safe. Best of luck to you.
DO NOT RELOCK THE BOOTLOADER!!!!! I cannot emphasize how critical it is that you do not relock the bootloader, given the position you are in. If you somehow manage to relock the bootloader and "enable OEM unlock" is toggled off and Android will not boot (even after attempting a factory reset), then you are 100% bricked with no way to fix your phone. Personally, I leave my bootloader unlocked 100% of the time so that I can fix anything that may go wrong with my phone. Additionally, I (as well as many other users on here) will always advise against using Wug's or any other toolkit in order to do stuff to your phone. While they do provide a nice GUI as well as an easy way to install the necessary drivers, using the regular platform-tools command line method isn't all that hard to figure out, and it allows you to know exactly what you have done to your phone. With Wug's and the like, you never really know what commands that they are running and exactly at what point in the process a flash may fail. Right now, I would advise you to read up on using the platform-tools method to flash stock images. After you have all of the necessary drivers, platform-tools, etc. working properly on your computer, I would strongly advise that you download MMB29S (the latest official update) from the Google Developer page and flash it using the platform-tools method, NOT with Wug's. And whatever you do, I repeat, DO NOT LOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER!
---------- Post added at 07:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:51 AM ----------
triguyrn said:
So from what I gathered, I think you are in luck. It sounds like your bootloader is unlocked. This is a very good thing. Under no circumstances do you want to try to re lock it right now or do you ever when stuck not being able to boot or any issues like that. If you lock it while stuck, thats when you are soft bricked. If I remember correctly, I got myself in the same situation , although maybe with out a custom recovery installed. None of that matters though. The way to fix this is to reflash the the factory image. Here are the guides for that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_m6bYNKrXQ
This is the video I used the first time. A bit rough but, It did the job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hao_Yf-gaw
Here is a bit of a nicer one. I used it the second time around.
and lastly here is an xda post http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008
I would recommend reading and watching all of these and maybe doing more research so you really knows whats going on. The flash-all script is not going to work from what I've read and I've always done it manual so go with that. It may also be a good idea to keep the custom recovery, so look into to keeping that. Maybe it is as simple as not erasing the recovery partition and not flashing the recovery image. This is what should save your nexus.
Now, I am fairly new to the Rooting and ROMming, really only started 2 months ago, so I would really appreciate if any of the more experienced guys on XDA can confirm what I said. Please don't try any of this without confirmation from another member here, I do not want to be responsible for sending your device past the point of no return. I recently had to order a new Nexus 6 as the screen is dead, so I know it's frustrating to have that loss. In your case, as long as that boot loader is unlocked, you should be safe. Best of luck to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the flash-all script, my friend and I just used the script included with MMB29S and it worked fine. In addition, I was able to use the one with MMB29K, MRA58K and MRA58R, all of which worked fine. I'm not sure if these scripts always work for some users and never work for others, but I always recommend that people who are new to flashing simply try them, as they are quite convenient when they work. In addition, I have only been in the rooting and ROMing scene for about a month or two as well, but I would consider myself pretty seasoned by now considering all the different ROMs, rooting methods, etc. that I have tried. All the advice that you gave to the OP is excellent and I agree with it all.
matthew2926 said:
Regarding the flash-all script, my friend and I just used the script included with MMB29S and it worked fine. In addition, I was able to use the one with MMB29K, MRA58K and MRA58R, all of which worked fine. I'm not sure if these scripts always work for some users and never work for others, but I always recommend that people who are new to flashing simply try them, as they are quite convenient when they work. In addition, I have only been in the rooting and ROMing scene for about a month or two as well, but I would consider myself pretty seasoned by now considering all the different ROMs, rooting methods, etc. that I have tried. All the advice that you gave to the OP is excellent and I agree with it all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I always wanted to try the flash-all script but, I ahve read a few places it wouldn't work and haven't had the chance to give it a try lately. When my new device arrives in a day or two, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the confirmation, makes me feel good knowing I'm starting to get the hang of this stuff
triguyrn said:
Thank you. I always wanted to try the flash-all script but, I ahve read a few places it wouldn't work and haven't had the chance to give it a try lately. When my new device arrives in a day or two, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the confirmation, makes me feel good knowing I'm starting to get the hang of this stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! It's too bad to hear about your device but at least you got a new one on the way. There is really no harm to at least trying the flash-all script. It will either work and save you time or fail halfway through and force you to flash everything manually.
triguyrn said:
Thank you. I always wanted to try the flash-all script but, I ahve read a few places it wouldn't work and haven't had the chance to give it a try lately. When my new device arrives in a day or two, I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the confirmation, makes me feel good knowing I'm starting to get the hang of this stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash-all script is still broken, flash the img files individualy in fastboot.
gee2012 said:
Flash-all script is still broken, flash the img files individualy in fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You guys are life savers, thank you so much
Got it to work after I was getting ready to phone it in and bring it to a repair shop and eat whatever the charge might've been
(originally posted in the flashfire threads, but it was suggested I post here)
My apologies if this has already been covered (I could not find an answer in searching)
I appreciate that it can be dangerous to use flashfire to flash the bootloader partition and that one should use fastboot. My question is:
If I download a FW package and the bootloader has changed, what happens if I flash to the kernel, system, cache, vendor etc... and do not flash to bootloader and radio? Will the flash fail; will the phone soft brick; will nothing happen and I can go merrily along?
The question derives from this: If the phone can become unusable with a mismatched bootload and radio to the rest of the images, it would require to unpack the package and check for a version prior to flashing other partitions (so I assume). If I go that far, would it not be easier to not use flashfire and simply manually flash the required files when updates are available?
Thanks
N6, unlocked and rooted (previously always updating latest patches and rerooting myself (using TWRP), but wishing to try flashire)
RLBL said:
(originally posted in the flashfire threads, but it was suggested I post here)
My apologies if this has already been covered (I could not find an answer in searching)
I appreciate that it can be dangerous to use flashfire to flash the bootloader partition and that one should use fastboot. My question is:
If I download a FW package and the bootloader has changed, what happens if I flash to the kernel, system, cache, vendor etc... and do not flash to bootloader and radio? Will the flash fail; will the phone soft brick; will nothing happen and I can go merrily along?
The question derives from this: If the phone can become unusable with a mismatched bootload and radio to the rest of the images, it would require to unpack the package and check for a version prior to flashing other partitions (so I assume). If I go that far, would it not be easier to not use flashfire and simply manually flash the required files when updates are available?
Thanks
N6, unlocked and rooted (previously always updating latest patches and rerooting myself (using TWRP), but wishing to try flashire)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is really rare that a bootloader flash is required, and a radio update is never required. if you dont flash them, then you just dont flash them, thats all.
I'd add that going to a major update you'll want to pay close attention. The bootloader probably will need updating. e.g. lollipop to MM, the bootloader had to be updated.
The radio is optional and often with trial and error, you'll find a particular one that for your hardware, in your area, you get the best signal. There is a thread with N6 flashable radios here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3066052.
Had you posted that you had an N6 in your original post, I'd have helped you, because that's what I use
ktmom said:
I'd add that going to a major update you'll want to pay close attention. The bootloader probably will need updating. e.g. lollipop to MM, the bootloader had to be updated.
The radio is optional and often with trial and error, you'll find a particular one that for your hardware, in your area, you get the best signal. There is a thread with N6 flashable radios.
Had you posted that you had an N6 in your original post, I'd have helped you, because that's what I use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
both mm a lollipop, i never updated my bootloader. i did update it after mm though.
ktmom said:
I'd add that going to a major update you'll want to pay close attention. The bootloader probably will need updating. e.g. lollipop to MM, the bootloader had to be updated.
The radio is optional and often with trial and error, you'll find a particular one that for your hardware, in your area, you get the best signal. There is a thread with N6 flashable radios here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3066052.
Had you posted that you had an N6 in your original post, I'd have helped you, because that's what I use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh That looks interesting. My Cellular signal sucks even though I am supposedly close to some towers. I am going to try using flashfire with these (hope I don't brick myself lol)
So I assume that when N comes out officially and I need to change bootloaders, I would do so via fasboot, then afterwards I can the the updates via fashfire.
RLBL said:
Oh That looks interesting. My Cellular signal sucks even though I am supposedly close to some towers. I am going to try using flashfire with these (hope I don't brick myself lol)
So I assume that when N comes out officially and I need to change bootloaders, I would do so via fasboot, then afterwards I can the the updates via fashfire.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all the radios, and bootloaders, are available in flashable zip for here on xda as well. to flash via twrp recovery
simms22 said:
all the radios, and bootloaders, are available in flashable zip for here on xda as well. to flash via twrp recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool... But I only used TWRP to flash the SU binaries to root. Now that I am rooted, I figured I could simply go back to stock recovery* and use flashfire going forward.
* I figured that because I had no other use for for a custom recovery presently, I may as well stay completely stock and rooted. Furthermore, from my understanding (which can be wrong) I no longer need a custom recovery to flash/install anything, as flashfire can do it all. Of course that brings one to ask "why am I rooted if I am staying stock?". I root my device so I can simulate a power button press without cancelling smart lock operations (either through tasker shell keyevent, gravity screen, or nova prime swipe gesture). I like not having to use the buttons on my phone
Why get rid of custom recovery? Just leave it and keep a backup on hand, then when there is an issue with basically anything you can just restore your backup instead of freaking out and running here using caps and exclamation marks asking how to fix.
scryan said:
Why get rid of custom recovery? Just leave it and keep a backup on hand, then when there is an issue with basically anything you can just restore your backup instead of freaking out and running here using caps and exclamation marks asking how to fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - why use a custom recovery if I do not need to (serious question, not being confrontational - see below)
2 - I totally know how to flash to whatever I want without using any toolkits (and ofc using a custom recovery)
3 - Why would one assume that one panics? (just because I have a low post count and admittedly an Android noob - N6 1st phone - does not mean I am an idiot)
4 - Considering I am not using custom ROMs and staying stock, I would think the likelihood of things going wrong is low (could be totally wrong there lol but I have done everything myself manually since the get go (never even taken an OTA for my upgrades), and never had 1 issue as of yet. This post was a general question in nature. It was not posted because I needed something to be fixed)
If I do not need it, why have it: I am experimenting to see if I can use FF completely stock (and rooted). Please provide some rationale as to why I should keep a custom recovery so I can evaluate (you may be 100% right). The point is: from my understanding one can use FF without a custom recovery so why not try... so far, so good.
On backups: be aware (not that you should care, but you did comment)... I have nothing on my phone that requires backing up at that... I can completely wipe the phone and it only takes time to do a google restore and I am back to where I am (been there, done that. Annoying for time though lol but I have no data on the phone safe from tasker profiles which are on my google drive and easily restored).
And what happens when you flash a bootloader and something screws up? You can't fix it from the stock recovery menu, now can you. So what not have something useful on the recovery partition for that 1 and 1000 chance something goes wrong.... Just my opinion, being I've been flashing phones since the first Android device was released on T-Mobile. The g1 (still have and still flash Roms
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
RLBL said:
1 - why use a custom recovery if I do not need to (serious question, not being confrontational - see below)
2 - I totally know how to flash to whatever I want without using any toolkits (and ofc using a custom recovery)
3 - Why would one assume that one panics? (just because I have a low post count and admittedly an Android noob - N6 1st phone - does not mean I am an idiot)
4 - Considering I am not using custom ROMs and staying stock, I would think the likelihood of things going wrong is low (could be totally wrong there lol but I have done everything myself manually since the get go (never even taken an OTA for my upgrades), and never had 1 issue as of yet. This post was a general question in nature. It was not posted because I needed something to be fixed)
If I do not need it, why have it: I am experimenting to see if I can use FF completely stock (and rooted). Please provide some rationale as to why I should keep a custom recovery so I can evaluate (you may be 100% right). The point is: from my understanding one can use FF without a custom recovery so why not try... so far, so good.
On backups: be aware (not that you should care, but you did comment)... I have nothing on my phone that requires backing up at that... I can completely wipe the phone and it only takes time to do a google restore and I am back to where I am (been there, done that. Annoying for time though lol but I have no data on the phone safe from tasker profiles which are on my google drive and easily restored).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. the only one important thing about having twrp installed.. backups and restores. before dlashing or changing anything, i akways create a backup in twrp. if something doesnt work out, you can always restore your backup, as ive done many many times. its a quicky fix it.
31ken31 said:
And what happens when you flash a bootloader and something screws up? You can't fix it from the stock recovery menu, now can you. So what not have something useful on the recovery partition for that 1 and 1000 chance something goes wrong.... Just my opinion, being I've been flashing phones since the first Android device was released on T-Mobile. The g1 (still have and still flash Roms
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was the whole point of my post was it not? What happens if you DON'T flash a bootloader while using FF (but in the case where it did change)? And like I said, in the 1/1000 chance that something does go wrong and I did not have a backup: Flash the complete package via adb? Like I said, I have nothing to backup, thus nothing to recover. Not saying I shouldn't, just saying I don't. I only used TWRP to gain root access, nothing more (no custom ROMs, kernels, optimizations, anything on my phone...not even local app data saves - I am one of those old farts who uses their phone as a PDA with phone capabilities and that is it. All "data" is cloud based for calendar info etc.)
It was a relatively simple (general) question around some experimentation I am doing to see if it would work if one was completely stock (safe from root); did not think it would turn in an philosophical argument on whether or not one should use a stock recovery (which I have been using a custom up until yesterday, but was thinking about putting it back on this evening anyways, just because)
Anyways, got my answer... thx
simms22 said:
1. the only one important thing about having twrp installed.. backups and restores. before dlashing or changing anything, i akways create a backup in twrp. if something doesnt work out, you can always restore your backup, as ive done many many times. its a quicky fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!... Obviously when I do venture into more with the phone I will do that. Currently it is a work and personal device so the only thing I do is flash Google stock builds instead of waiting for OTAs. Not saying I should not have a backup, but I don't. Only once after the 1st flash I re-locked the bootloader (as per instructions). What I waste of time; but it did show me that in a non-efficient disaster recovery, I can get everything back to where I was.
A restore would have been efficient, but I have found that I really have nothing to back up.. yet.
I guess a (off-topic) question I have for you is: What and Why did things not work out? In my case where I am only flashing stock loads (not waiting for OTAs), what could one anticipate going wrong that a re-flash could not recover from, but a restore could? Example a write corruption of a partition and the only thing I can do is boot into recovery as my PC cannot see the phone via adb? Can something like that happen?
Backing up system is what saves your a**
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
31ken31 said:
Backing up system is what saves your a**
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool... but... what if you are stock? Save my ass from what? Will a (re)flash of stock binaries not suffice?
Look I appreciate I am sounding argumentative, but I am curious to understand what can happen and why. I can understand the "need" to do it if customizing a device etc... but I am very curious as to why if you are stock:
example:
A stock user unlocks his bootloader so they can flash files straight from google be it OTAs or the complete package. It is not listed anywhere to have a custom recovery in their instructions which would lead one to believe it is not required if flashing said files... I assume something could go wrong of course and the most efficient way is to do a restore from backup... but I also assume one could simply re-flash and start over.
I am not devaluating the merits of a custom recovery; I was just curious if one could use (easily) flash fire without one - and one can. The purpose of the question was two-fold:
- because I was flashing stock, then reflashing twrp to get root I found the process longer than it needed to be so I thought I could use flashfire and have it do it for me.
- then I realized that flashing re-roots as well so I did not need to flash the custom recovery to obtain root. I thought "hey what if I accidentally checked "recovery" and accidentally went back to stock. No harm done as I can move on and still be rooted.
Not sure my butt needs saving to ask. You may be doing something that having backups is a good and safe idea... what if you are not? No harm in still using a custom of course, but it was just a question (I ask such questions so I know in advance why something happened and what to do so I do not come running to forums in all caps as someone else said lol)
off topic: If one has nothing to backup, what is there to restore?
RLBL said:
cool... but... what if you are stock? Save my ass from what? Will a (re)flash of stock binaries not suffice?
Look I appreciate I am sounding argumentative, but I am curious to understand what can happen and why. I can understand the "need" to do it if customizing a device etc... but I am very curious as to why if you are stock:
example:
A stock user unlocks his bootloader so they can flash files straight from google be it OTAs or the complete package. It is not listed anywhere to have a custom recovery in their instructions which would lead one to believe it is not required if flashing said files... I assume something could go wrong of course and the most efficient way is to do a restore from backup... but I also assume one could simply re-flash and start over.
I am not devaluating the merits of a custom recovery; I was just curious if one could use (easily) flash fire without one - and one can. The purpose of the question was two-fold:
- because I was flashing stock, then reflashing twrp to get root I found the process longer than it needed to be so I thought I could use flashfire and have it do it for me.
- then I realized that flashing re-roots as well so I did not need to flash the custom recovery to obtain root. I thought "hey what if I accidentally checked "recovery" and accidentally went back to stock. No harm done as I can move on and still be rooted.
Not sure my butt needs saving to ask. You may be doing something that having backups is a good and safe idea... what if you are not? No harm in still using a custom of course, but it was just a question (I ask such questions so I know in advance why something happened and what to do so I do not come running to forums in all caps as someone else said lol)
off topic: If one has nothing to backup, what is there to restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its all a matter of choice, period.
flashing stock, you dont need to do anything. flashing different mods, custom roms, gapps, or supersu, you need to use twrp recovery. you can even flash twrp to be permenant or flash twrp for a one time use. if you are flashing custom roms/mods regularly, its convieniant to have twrp, if your not it doesnt matter. but the one thing twrp is great for is backing up, in case. and you dont need many back ups, just one recent backup. so you can back up, then get rid of twrp until needed again. anyways, its all a personal choice, and thats all it is. for me, flashing twrp then leaving it makes sense, since ill never ever do anything stock. for you, you have your own needs and wants.
simms22 said:
its all a matter of choice, period.
flashing stock, you dont need to do anything. flashing different mods, custom roms, gapps, or supersu, you need to use twrp recovery. you can even flash twrp to be permenant or flash twrp for a one time use. if you are flashing custom roms/mods regularly, its convieniant to have twrp, if your not it doesnt matter. but the one thing twrp is great for is backing up, in case. and you dont need many back ups, just one recent backup. so you can back up, then get rid of twrp until needed again. anyways, its all a personal choice, and thats all it is. for me, flashing twrp then leaving it makes sense, since ill never ever do anything stock. for you, you have your own needs and wants.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for answering the question.
I figure when this phone (or whichever phone) is not my daily driver and no longer linked to sensitive stuff I will start venturing into the domain of custom ROMs and Kernels.
RLBL said:
Thank you for answering the question.
I figure when this phone (or whichever phone) is not my daily driver and no longer linked to sensitive stuff I will start venturing into the domain of custom ROMs and Kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
custom recoveries just make things easier for you, overall, to do stuff. but kernels, that could be the bomb. but you will need to learn about how to use governors/schedulers to make any kind of headways. for example, i use a completely different governor/scheduler(ondemand/deadline) than any other nexus kernel, and i feel that my way makes my phone much better/faster than any other setup. and thats whats important to me
Update: test passed (I knew it would)
With a stock recovery, I was able to use flashfire and upgrade to the latest update and re-root.