Hi, I bought a moto x recently and I really don't know what is the best option to mod my phone. I have android 4.4.2 and standard moto x from Claro, and I'd like to mainly root. I'm not really interested on unlock BL, but aparently in 4.4.2 it is needed to unlock BL. I have read some guides here but I don't get it. What I shall do ? Thanks guys.
Without an unlocked bootloader, this is your only root option on 4.4.2...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2771623
And its only root. Write protection is still enabled, meaning anything you do is undone when you reboot or power off and on.
So it has a lot of limits. I don't think you can write to the system either.
Not ideal.
Yes, I was wondering on downgrading my phone, what about that ?
Nosoyale said:
Yes, I was wondering on downgrading my phone, what about that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will BRICK it if you try. Its well documented here. You can not downgrade safely - even with an unlocked bootloader.
Nosoyale said:
Yes, I was wondering on downgrading my phone, what about that ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just.....no.
Related
Hi, I have a sprint Moto X on 4.4. I haven't unlocked the bootloader or rooted anything because I haven't felt the need to but since 4.4.2 came out it keeps nagging me to update but I don't want to loose my chance to root so I figured now would be a good time to root it. I've looked around the forums but haven't seen a guide specifically for the Sprint Moto X root for 4.4. What is the process to root my phone? Once I do I can just disable the moto ota app and I'll stop getting the notifications to update right?
Thanks
Edit: Also, is it possible (and a good idea) to flash a stock 4.4.2 rom and keep root?
If you unlock your bootloader, rooting is simple by flashing twrp.
If you want to leave your bootloader locked, you need to use safestrap and all that other stuff. Much more work.
Its all in the stickied complete guide to Moto x. Or in the dev threads. Doesn't matter if you are sprint. You want the locked bootloader method, or unlocked method....depending what you decide.
Lots of info in the sticky in general.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
kj2112 said:
If you unlock your bootloader, rooting is simple by flashing twrp.
If you want to leave your bootloader locked, you need to use safestrap and all that other stuff. Much more work.
Its all in the stickied complete guide to Moto x. Or in the dev threads. Doesn't matter if you are sprint. You want the locked bootloader method, or unlocked method....depending what you decide.
Lots of info in the sticky in general.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a warranty on the phone so are their any cons to unlocking the bootloader?
I looked at the complete guide and it seems pretty straightforward.
My last question. Is there a way I can upgrade to stock 4.4.2 after unlocking and rooting? I don't want a rom with a bunch of changes and unneeded features.
Rayz321 said:
I don't have a warranty on the phone so are their any cons to unlocking the bootloader?
I looked at the complete guide and it seems pretty straightforward.
My last question. Is there a way I can upgrade to stock 4.4.2 after unlocking and rooting? I don't want a rom with a bunch of changes and unneeded features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you unlock the bootloader, the only con is warranty. Everything else is a pro.
4.4.2 can be rooted just as simply as any other version, if your bootloader is unlocked. So the easiest thing to do is do the 4.4.2 OTA for your phone, then root after upgrading. Or flash 4.4.2 manually if the files are available yet.
Keep in mind, unlocking the bootloader will completely wipe your phone.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
Rayz321 said:
I don't have a warranty on the phone so are their any cons to unlocking the bootloader?
I looked at the complete guide and it seems pretty straightforward.
My last question. Is there a way I can upgrade to stock 4.4.2 after unlocking and rooting? I don't want a rom with a bunch of changes and unneeded features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is one Con like said and that is the warranty but i could care less because being able to root any version of android is a huge plus side i would really unlock your bootloader
dray_jr said:
there is one Con like said and that is the warranty but i could care less because being able to root any version of android is a huge plus side i would really unlock your bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm unlocking my bootloader now.
Once it's done I just update to 4.4.2 and flash twrp?
Thanks for all the helps guys.
Yup.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
kj2112 said:
Yup.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much, I got everything working!
Is there an way that I can stop the warning bootloader unlocked screen from coming up on every boot?
Rayz321 said:
Thanks so much, I got everything working!
Is there an way that I can stop the warning bootloader unlocked screen from coming up on every boot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome!
Look in themes and apps section. There's a few threads with different boot screens and instructions.
Sent from my N5 cell phone telephone....
Hi everyone
Okay so Im going to ask a couple of noob questions here. I have been doing a lot of searching on and off xda but I still have a few doubts about rooting/flasing/unlocking my moto x.
If these questions have been asked before I apologize.
First off, I know that my motoX is from ATT, so it has a locked bootloader, right?
And also that it is a 16GB version so is definitely not DE.
I came across a source where it said I can still root my X with a locked bootloader and that must enable me to flash custom roms. Is this true? (I am a little hesitant about trusting websites other than xda). Why do we even need to unlock the bootloader then? if flashing custom roms is a go with root.
My phone is currently on 4.2.2. How am i supposed to find out if this is the pre or post camera update?
I would really appreciate your replies here as I am holding back from updating to KitKat (I read bootloader cant be unlocked on 4.4). Thanks a lot!
See this thread...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2826159
And you can not flash roms without a custom recovery. And you can't have a custom recovery without an unlocked bootloader.
Whatever you read on another site sounds plain wrong. So proceed with caution.
You can try the thread in general about the Chinese Middleman and see if you can unlock your bootloader for $45. That's your only hope at the moment.
Good luck!
alimzia said:
Hi everyone
Okay so Im going to ask a couple of noob questions here. I have been doing a lot of searching on and off xda but I still have a few doubts about rooting/flasing/unlocking my moto x.
If these questions have been asked before I apologize.
First off, I know that my motoX is from ATT, so it has a locked bootloader, right?
And also that it is a 16GB version so is definitely not DE.
I came across a source where it said I can still root my X with a locked bootloader and that must enable me to flash custom roms. Is this true? (I am a little hesitant about trusting websites other than xda). Why do we even need to unlock the bootloader then? if flashing custom roms is a go with root.
My phone is currently on 4.2.2. How am i supposed to find out if this is the pre or post camera update?
I would really appreciate your replies here as I am holding back from updating to KitKat (I read bootloader cant be unlocked on 4.4). Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is either a lot of misinformation, or misunderstanding, or both. My guess is a little of both.
What you have read about is using an exploit to root and disable write protection. This is VERY different from actually unlocking the bootloader. These exploits are temporary, and they do not allow you to flash custom roms. They only allow flashing "stock-based, safestrap-compatible" ROMs. While this can be useful, there is no comparison to unlocking the bootloader. Be careful to not confuse the two.
@KJ has pointed you in the right direction. I only wanted to clarify that what you are referring to is "write-protect disable", which again is very different from bootloader unlock. Follow his advice and read up so you can better understand. In the mean-time, don't accept any OTAs until you have decided which option is best for you.
Good Luck :good:
samwathegreat said:
There is either a lot of misinformation, or misunderstanding, or both. My guess is a little of both.
What you have read about is using an exploit to root and disable write protection. This is VERY different from actually unlocking the bootloader. These exploits are temporary, and they do not allow you to flash custom roms. They only allow flashing "stock-based, safestrap-compatible" ROMs. While this can be useful, there is no comparison to unlocking the bootloader. Be careful to not confuse the two.
@KJ has pointed you in the right direction. I only wanted to clarify that what you are referring to is "write-protect disable", which again is very different from bootloader unlock. Follow his advice and read up so you can better understand. In the mean-time, don't accept any OTAs until you have decided which option is best for you.
Good Luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay i just need root for using titanium backup. Just one question though before i go on with it. After rooting my device (currently 4.2.2) can i continue to get OTA updates? If so, till what version (4.4 max)?
Again thankyou for your replies. Appreciate it.
alimzia said:
Okay i just need root for using titanium backup. Just one question though before i go on with it. After rooting my device (currently 4.2.2) can i continue to get OTA updates? If so, till what version (4.4 max)?
Again thankyou for your replies. Appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are now on 4.2.2, you're one of the lucky ones..... You can still use the slapmymoto method and get full root with write protection disabled!!
See that section in the one stop shop thread.
?
But you can't go higher than 4.4 to keep all that.
Hey Sam i know this is Off topic but tell me more about Republic wireless and why you like them im thinking of switching from big red
qweesy said:
Hey Sam i know this is Off topic but tell me more about Republic wireless and why you like them im thinking of switching from big red
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent you a PM.
KJ said:
If you are now on 4.2.2, you're one of the lucky ones..... You can still use the slapmymoto method and get full root with write protection disabled!!
See that section in the one stop shop thread.
?
But you can't go higher than 4.4 to keep all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, after rooting will i be able to receive OTA for 4.4? If so, will it still be write protection disabled?
alimzia said:
Okay, after rooting will i be able to receive OTA for 4.4? If so, will it still be write protection disabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would have to read the slapmymoto thread, but I believe you would flash 4.4 with fastboot . And that's it. If you upgrade to 4.4.2 or higher, you will have write protection enabled again.
KJ said:
You would have to read the slapmymoto thread, but I believe you would flash 4.4 with fastboot . And that's it. If you upgrade to 4.4.2 or higher, you will have write protection enabled again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I read that. It is a long method...
I dont know why write protection is so important, i dont know what it does. All I care about is root. If write protection doesn't matter to me just as much, should i rather just receive the OTA to 4.4 right now and THEN root my device? (I just need root privileges for titanium and xposed)
What would you recommend? Is write disabling write protection that important? Thanks again.
Isnt there a way to root directly from 4.4? (Wont slapmymoto work?)
alimzia said:
Yeah I read that. It is a long method...
I dont know why write protection is so important, i dont know what it does. All I care about is root. If write protection doesn't matter to me just as much, should i rather just receive the OTA to 4.4 right now and THEN root my device? (I just need root privileges for titanium and xposed)
What would you recommend? Is write disabling write protection that important? Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is that important. Without write protect disabled, you have to re-root after every reboot. Titanium backup won't work fully because all changes are reverted upon reboot. You will have a heck of a time getting xposed to word if you even can without it disabled.
Yes you can update to 4.4 but not higher. If you use safestrap, you can flash stock based Roms all the way up to 4.4.4. But your bootloader and partition table will remain on 4.4 - this allows you to keep root and write protect disabled.
Be very careful. If you update the bootloader or partition table past 4.4 there is no going back and you will lose the ability to disable write protect permanently.
Basically, without write protect disabled, anything you change gets reverted back upon reboot. You also lose root and have to re-root after every reboot... Not very useful...
alimzia said:
Yeah I read that. It is a long method...
I dont know why write protection is so important, i dont know what it does. All I care about is root. If write protection doesn't matter to me just as much, should i rather just receive the OTA to 4.4 right now and THEN root my device? (I just need root privileges for titanium and xposed)
What would you recommend? Is write disabling write protection that important? Thanks again.
Isnt there a way to root directly from 4.4? (Wont slapmymoto work?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not a slapmymoto expert, since I never needed it... But I believe you need to start on 4.2.2 with it. Then upgrade. Again... You'd need to read on it.
With write protection disabled you can store to the system then. Definitely needed for Xposed.
Trust me.... There's people with locked bootloaders on 4.4.2 and up that would kill to be able to use slapmymoto. ?
Alright thanks a lot guys. Ive made up my mind, going to go through with it, definitely need xposed!
Oh btw just out of curiosity, does Towel-pie-root work with 4.4?
alimzia said:
Alright thanks a lot guys. Ive made up my mind, going to go through with it, definitely need xposed!
Oh btw just out of curiosity, does Towel-pie-root work with 4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe so.... But people have trouble with Xposed.
---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------
Same thing too.... Even IF you get Xposed to work... All undone on a reboot or power down.
I had a Moto X that I unlocked via the China seller, and it's being replaced because it's bricked. is there a way to put roms on a locked device? or can I unlock the bootloader again for cheap? I paid roughly 40 dollars for it last time.
jcase has a thread for using an exploit to root your phone without unlocking the bootloader. It can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/orig-development/root-write-protection-bypass-motox-t2444957
NOTE: Please read the entire jcase link so you understand the risk/process!
Is there a reason why you want a custom ROM? It's certainly your choice, and respectable but if you're looking for minor tweaks to make it look different you may just want to try the GravityBox module with the Xposed Framework. That way you can just worry about rooting your phone, and then tweaking everything else to your liking after that.
I enjoy PA pie along with halo, PA has the best pie controls in my opinion. So it seems they sent me a moto x on 4.4.2, is my only option pie root than using safestrap? Or what is the best way to go about putting a ROM on this?
ovismos said:
jcase has a thread for using an exploit to root your phone without unlocking the bootloader. It can be found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/orig-development/root-write-protection-bypass-motox-t2444957
NOTE: Please read the entire jcase link so you understand the risk/process!
Is there a reason why you want a custom ROM? It's certainly your choice, and respectable but if you're looking for minor tweaks to make it look different you may just want to try the GravityBox module with the Xposed Framework. That way you can just worry about rooting your phone, and then tweaking everything else to your liking after that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^
scottshebs said:
^^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need a way to get a custom recovery running to install the ROM. TBH, I have a Dev Edition VZW Moto X, so all I do is unlock my bootloader.
Having that being said it looks (from what I read!) like Safestrap allows you to use a custom recovery, in addition of making nandroids and such. From what you're telling me, it pretty much looks like the way to go.
ovismos said:
You'll need a way to get a custom recovery running to install the ROM. TBH, I have a Dev Edition VZW Moto X, so all I do is unlock my bootloader.
Having that being said it looks (from what I read!) like Safestrap allows you to use a custom recovery, in addition of making nandroids and such. From what you're telling me, it pretty much looks like the way to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would the 4.4.2 pie root work? It says it does not disable write protection and it is a tethered root.
Right. And safestrap won't work on 4.4.2.
So no, unless you unlock the bootloader again, you won't be able to flash a custom rom or recovery unfortunately.
scottshebs said:
Would the 4.4.2 pie root work? It says it does not disable write protection and it is a tethered root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't look like it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/att-moto-x-rooting-long-term-effects-t2854742
From KidJoe in that post:
"As for safestrap, I don't use it since I have a Dev Edition and unlocked my bootloader. There are some threads and discussions over on Rootzwiki.com BUT you will need to be rooted with write protection disabled to use SafeStrap... Since you are now on 4.4.2, you can't disable write protection, so safestrap is out. "
So I think customer recovery is out unless you get a bootloader unlocked. And without custom recovery, you wouldn't be able to do a custom ROM.
You can still root the stock ROM though! That's what the PIE method will do. Don't think that will give you custom recovery.
Also, you want TowelPieRoot. Not either individually. That will give you root, but not disabled write protection. So mostly it's only useful for certain apps to be used.
KJ said:
Right. And safestrap won't work on 4.4.2.
So no, unless you unlock the bootloader again, you won't be able to flash a custom rom or recovery unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beat me to it.
ovismos said:
Beat me to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'm basically ****ed. Any possible way to downgrade to 4.4?
KJ said:
Also, you want TowelPieRoot. Not either individually. That will give you root, but not disabled write protection. So mostly it's only useful for certain apps to be used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scottshebs said:
So I'm basically ****ed. Any possible way to downgrade to 4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downgrading is a dangerous thing on the X... It can easily end up in a brick, or other issues... Or a brick later.
No one who knows how this phone works ever recommends downgrading.
So no.... You are out of luck right now.
You can try the Middleman again... Or wait for a Possible exploit maybe being released, sometime.
But most advise not to upgrade either until this exploit that maybe will come out comes out. In vase 4.4.4 is incompatible with it.
It will also cost you money though.
---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:11 PM ----------
BTW, mixing the dangerous on its own downgrading with slapmymoto and safestrap is a definite recipe for disaster.
scottshebs said:
So I'm basically ****ed. Any possible way to downgrade to 4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the parts that matter when it comes to disabling write protection on a locked boot loader phone, and certainly not safely for the rest of the Roms.
Rather than retype...
KidJoe said:
No.
For ALL Developer Editions Moto X, and some carrier editions (Like T-Mobile, Sprint, Rogers and others), Motorola freely gives away the BootLoader Unlock codes when requested On Motorola's Web SIte. In the case of the Non-Developer Editions, it voids their warranty to request the code. However, for some carriers (like ATT, Verizon and republic Wireless in the USA) motorola does not give out the unlock code.
So when you get your X, try to get the unlock code from Moto's web site. Then....
If you can get the code, and unlock the bootloader, you can root and disable write protection no matter what ROM is on your phone.
If you can NOT unlock your bootloader, and you are on 4.4.2 you can use TowelPieRoot to root (but write protection is still enabled).
If you can NOT unlock your bootloader, and your are on 4.4.4 you can not root.
If you can NOT unlock your bootloader, and by some miracle your phone is still on 4.4 (aka 4.4.0) or below, you can look at SlapMyMoto and MotoWpNoMo to root and disable write protection. HOWEVER, once you upgrade you will lose write protection, and be subject to the above conditions on rooting depending on your ROM version
And no, if you are on 4.4.4 you can NOT fully downgrade to 4.4.2 or lower. If you are on 4.4.2 you can NOT fully downgrade to 4.4 (aka 4.4.0) or lower! If you try, you will likely brick your phone or set it up to brick with future OTA's.
EDIT: And if Moto's web site doesn't give out your bootloader unlock code, you MIGHT have a chance using the China Middleman (see the thread in the general section). If its available and you can purchase that way, you can then unlock your bootloader exactly as if you got the code from Moto's own web site and follow any instructions as if you got the code from moto. The only difference is where you got the code, and how much it cost.
If you decide to go the China Middleman route, see -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/china-middleman-t2751177/post52648309
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh and about safestrap, it needs write protection disabled to install. Something that can only be done on 4.4.0 and 4.2.2 with camera fix Roms if you have a locked boot loader
KidJoe said:
Not the parts that matter when it comes to disabling write protection on a locked boot loader phone, and certainly not safely for the rest of the Roms.
Rather than retype...
oh and about safestrap, it needs write protection disabled to install. Something that can only be done on 4.4.0 and 4.2.2 with camera fix Roms if you have a locked boot loader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****
So if I towelpieroot I could use xposed for the time being?
scottshebs said:
****
So if I towelpieroot I could use xposed for the time being?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems people have trouble getting Xposed to work. Read through that thread about it.
Is it possible to downgrade to 4.3 without unlocking the bootloader?
I really need root but I can't unlock the bootloader since I need the warranty too.
Thanks!
Hi, I could be wrong, but I believe even with having an unlocked bootloader, you wont be able to downgrade to 4.3. You should however be able to root once you unlock your bootloader. Sadly, I believe there is no method currently of rooting your tablet without unlocking it. What do you need root for?
royredman said:
Hi, I could be wrong, but I believe even with having an unlocked bootloader, you wont be able to downgrade to 4.3. You should however be able to root once you unlock your bootloader. Sadly, I believe there is no method currently of rooting your tablet without unlocking it. What do you need root for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer, that's what I thought. I did find a guide for downgrading to 4.3, but it seems that it's only working with a unlocked bootloader.
I use root for things like Xposed, Titanium backup etc.
dape16 said:
Thanks for your answer, that's what I thought. I did find a guide for downgrading to 4.3, but it seems that it's only working with a unlocked bootloader.
I use root for things like Xposed, Titanium backup etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, do you mind linking me to that forum that shows you how to downgrade? I am on 4.3, but I am curious about trying 4.4.2 out and want to be able to bail out if I want to
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
royredman said:
Hi, do you mind linking me to that forum that shows you how to downgrade? I am on 4.3, but I am curious about trying 4.4.2 out and want to be able to bail out if I want to
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2516215&page=8
Hello
I recently bought a Moto X (European version) and I would like to have the Xposed framework on it. To do that I need to have root access as I understand it. To gain root access I need to unlock the bootloader, or do I? I have read a couple of threads where an unlocked bootloader wasn't needed to root the phone, there was apparently some sort of exploit to forgo that. I'm wondering if that is possible with the Android 4.4.4 and European version combo?
I appreciate your time and help!
Best regards
ArticHood
Yes you need an unlocked bootloader to Root 4.4.4.
See the one stop shop for Root in the general section, right near the top. ?
ArticHood said:
...To gain root access I need to unlock the bootloader, or do I? I have read a couple of threads where an unlocked bootloader wasn't needed to root the phone, there was apparently some sort of exploit to forgo that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With 4.4.2, the vulnerability/exploit used to disable write protection on the 2013 X was patched and no longer works.
With 4.4.4, the vulnerability/exploit used to root phones with a locked bootloader has been patched.
With 4.4.4, the only way to root and disable write protection is to unlock the bootloader.
Link to Moto X unlocked bootloader?
Darth said:
Yes you need an unlocked bootloader to Root 4.4.4.
See the one stop shop for Root in the general section, right near the top. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to this site and am not sure where this "one stop shop" is. Can someone provide a link? Thanks!
ccnmnm said:
I am new to this site and am not sure where this "one stop shop" is. Can someone provide a link? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/one-stop-shop-how-root-moto-x-confusion-t2826159