Database Develop

[Q] Verizon DE Software Upgrade Q

If I have the Verizon DE Moto X, do I need to be stock (no root) and re-locked bootloader to get software updates? Or just one or the other? Neither?
Thanks,
Mike

Mike7143 said:
If I have the Verizon DE Moto X, do I need to be stock (no root) and re-locked bootloader to get software updates? Or just one or the other? Neither?
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need stock /system partition and stock recovery. It doesn't matter whether the bootloader is locked or unlocked.

Mike7143 said:
If I have the Verizon DE Moto X, do I need to be stock (no root) and re-locked bootloader to get software updates? Or just one or the other? Neither?
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To install? or to be notified and receive the update?
To receive the update you'll need to be running the "stock" Verizon firmware, rooted/unrooted and bootloader locked/unlocked doesn't matter.
For it to install successfully, to expand on what kbluhm posted...
Keep in mind that usually OTA updates will look for certain files to be present on your phone and verify their size and check sums (MD5 or the like) before the OTA update will install. If files are missing or changed, the ota update will fail. That is why "stock /system" is required.
And "stock recovery" is needed because when the phone reboots to install the update, it tries to boot to stock recovery and run the install script. The 3rd party recoveries don't seem to work, or have errors, when installing the OTA update zips.
If you've rooted with SlapMyMoto, RockMyMoto, or thel like, you may have other issues to deal with in order to take any OTA updates since those processes can touch other files/partitions on the phone which will cause problems with the OTA Updates.

So in order to install the update I need to re-flash the stock recovery over TWRP, correct? How do I go about doing this?

Ah okay, thanks guys. What a hassle. I'm unlocked and using TWRP, flashed a new boot logo, and am rooted. Probably just easiest to just SBF back to stock and re-do everything.
Thanks!

You could grab the factory image from Motorola and flash only system and recovery using fastboot. That is my plan. You can find the zip file on Motorola's site or there is a topic here on XDA.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

guitarbedlam said:
So in order to install the update I need to re-flash the stock recovery over TWRP, correct? How do I go about doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mike7143 said:
Ah okay, thanks guys. What a hassle. I'm unlocked and using TWRP, flashed a new boot logo, and am rooted. Probably just easiest to just SBF back to stock and re-do everything.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several threads about using Fastboot to flash recovery or parts of the rom rather than having to use RSDLite and flash the SBF of everything..
Example: see option 2 in -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2536735

KidJoe said:
There are several threads about using Fastboot to flash recovery or parts of the rom rather than having to use RSDLite and flash the SBF of everything..
Example: see option 2 in -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2536735
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thus, all I'd have to flash (I'm stock unlocked rooted) is the recovery and I'd be good to install the update. Then install the custom recovery and install the superuser zip. and BAM. But first I need the whole 4.4.2 update thing...

guitarbedlam said:
Thus, all I'd have to flash (I'm stock unlocked rooted) is the recovery and I'd be good to install the update. Then install the custom recovery and install the superuser zip. and BAM. But first I need the whole 4.4.2 update thing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, we need the 4.4.2 update.
And as long as you didn't delete any stock apps/apk's, freeze them with Titanium Backup or something similar, or rename them manually (and forgot to rename them back)... then yes.. just flash stock recovery, take update, flash TWRP and use SuperSU to re-root.

KidJoe said:
Sure, we need the 4.4.2 update.
And as long as you didn't delete any stock apps/apk's, freeze them with Titanium Backup or something similar, or rename them manually (and forgot to rename them back)... then yes.. just flash stock recovery, take update, flash TWRP and use SuperSU to re-root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can freeze them all you want and leave them frozen. They are still there, untouched, waiting to be checked/verified against and patched/updated. Once you obtain root again and grant it to Titanium Backup it will be re-frozen.
You just can't delete, rename or swap out.....frozen apps are still right there as normal.

tcrews said:
You can freeze them all you want and leave them frozen. They are still there, untouched, waiting to be checked/verified against and patched/updated. Once you obtain root again and grant it to Titanium Backup it will be re-frozen.
You just can't delete, rename or swap out.....frozen apps are still right there as normal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. One of the issues reported with the Kit Kat update was the OTA failing due to apps frozen with Titanium Backup. I only "disable" via the stock app manager, so I haven't had a problem.

Most likely those with failures had modified/deleted/renamed something else that was causing the issues and blaming it on the frozen apps. I have updated every device I've had with frozen apps. Freezing, at least in Titanium Backup, tells the OS the app is not available. In recovery, the OS is not loaded and knows nothing about frozen apps. Titanium doesn't touch the actual files so they are still present to be patched by the OTA.
Sent from my Nexus 10

[Q] [Q} AT&T Moto After Sunshine

I haven't don it yet getting all the info I need before hand.
1) After I unlock the bootloader will I be able to flash the most recent update for 4.4.4 or will I just be able to unfreeze the OTA and still keep root?
2) If I loose root since I now have an unlocked bootloader I'm just a SuperSU flash away from root, right?
3) Since I'm still on 4.4.2 will I have any issues if I need to flash back to it?
Anything else I might have missed that is important either from mistakes or just general knowledge I missed would be appreciated. Thanks and Good Night everybody!

Icon000 said:
I haven't don it yet getting all the info I need before hand.
1) After I unlock the bootloader will I be able to flash the most recent update for 4.4.4 or will I just be able to unfreeze the OTA and still keep root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you unlock the bootloader, treat your device like a developer edition. I would just flash the full 4.4.4 image files for your device to bring it up to the latest version without worry of it failing because of modifications you may have made to the system (root, etc..).
2) If I loose root since I now have an unlocked bootloader I'm just a SuperSU flash away from root, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With an unlocked bootloader you can flash an alternate recovery like CWM or TWRP. These recoveries will allow you to flash SuperSU to gain root.
3) Since I'm still on 4.4.2 will I have any issues if I need to flash back to it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like every other Motorola device (developer or not), you can not flash backwards. If you move to 4.4.4 you can NOT go back to 4.4.2.

tcrews said:
After you unlock the bootloader, treat your device like a developer edition. I would just flash the full 4.4.4 image files for your device to bring it up to the latest version without worry of it failing because of modifications you may have made to the system (root, etc..).
With an unlocked bootloader you can flash an alternate recovery like CWM or TWRP. These recoveries will allow you to flash SuperSU to gain root.
Just like every other Motorola device (developer or not), you can not flash backwards. If you move to 4.4.4 you can NOT go back to 4.4.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great explanation! :good:

tcrews said:
After you unlock the bootloader, treat your device like a developer edition. I would just flash the full 4.4.4 image files for your device to bring it up to the latest version without worry of it failing because of modifications you may have made to the system (root, etc..).
With an unlocked bootloader you can flash an alternate recovery like CWM or TWRP. These recoveries will allow you to flash SuperSU to gain root.
Just like every other Motorola device (developer or not), you can not flash backwards. If you move to 4.4.4 you can NOT go back to 4.4.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you recommend flashing 4.4.4 over accepting the OTA? I still want to be able to use the additions originally provided by Motorola. I didn't seen a rom built on Moto Stock. Did I miss it?

Flash the stock 4.4.4 ROM that is for your device.
What's better...4.4.2 with patches to make it 4.4.4 (via an OTA) or just the full 4.4.4 (via the full 4.4.4 install) without the need for patching to make it 4.4.4?
Oh well...it looks like there isn't a FULL 4.4.4 for AT&T Moto X released yet....just 4.4.2. Flash the full 4.4.2 then take the OTA update to 4.4.4 and then flash TWRP to get root.
AT&T 4.4.2
http://sbf.droid-developers.org/download.php?device=0&file=849
You can just flash the system.img from the download with mfastboot to revert any changes you did (root, etc..) so that the OTA can be installed successfully. You'll just want to get fully updated before flashing an alternative recovery like TWRP.

How to root UK moto x (xt1052)

Hi there, I have a UK moto x model xt1052. I am looking to root and flash custom ROMs onto my device, but am concerned that I will brick the device by using a method intended for a different model of moto x.
The UK moto x was shipped with android 4.4.2, later updated to 4.4.4 so there are no earlier builds of android to downgrade to.
Any help will be appreciated.
Timsteels

Figure out if you can, and want to unlock your bootloader.... Then go to the One Stop Shop root thread sticky at the top of the general section. It has all your options.
---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------
And root methods have nothing to do with your model. It mostly has to do with locked or unlocked bootloader state.

timsteels said:
Hi there, I have a UK moto x model xt1052. I am looking to root and flash custom ROMs onto my device, but am concerned that I will brick the device by using a method intended for a different model of moto x.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Process to root the X is the same whether you have an XT1052, XT1053, XT1056, XT1060, etc. As KJ said, with 4.4.4 its all about can you unlock your bootloader or not. (and do you mind voiding your warranty doing so since you don't have a Developer Edition X).
See the One Stop Shop thread, in particular this post -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...-confusion-t2826159/post54671918#post54671918
timsteels said:
The UK moto x was shipped with android 4.4.2, later updated to 4.4.4 so there are no earlier builds of android to downgrade to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you do NOT WANT TO DOWNGRADE!!!!! Doing so you will risk bricking your phone now, or when you later take an OTA. There are many warnings posted in the forums to not downgrade, and many threads started by those who have ignored the warnings and tried to downgrade and have bricked their phones!!!
Besides that, two key parts, GPT.Bin (partition table), and Motoboot.img (contains bootloader, TZ and a few other parts) will NOT downgrade successfully once on 4.4.2, 4.4.3 or 4.4.4. so any past exploits requiring the older roms wont work anyway.

So unlocking the boot loader is the same process as the us variants of the moto x? I just don't want to turn my phone into a paperweight! I'm not too worried about the warranty, as I am usually careful with my phones.

Unlocking and recovery and ROOT is all the same on any X. What matters is Android version (cause locked 4.4.4 guys can't root in any way), locked or unlocked bootloader and that's about it.
An unlocked X is the same no matter a Dev Edition or any other. All the same.
As far as bricking... The only time that's a giant threat is trying to downgrade. Not saying an X has never been bricked another way, cause everything we do has some risk to it. But most issues are curable.

Ok thanks for the info! And in terms of custom roms, do I need to install one built for the xt1052, or will other ones also work?

That is not something I know about. Never flashed one. Just stock and gravity box.
Read the opening post of rom threads, should have what devices it's for. ?

Ok thanks again! Is there much point in installing the exposed framework or anything similar?

I think many rooted X members here use Gravity Box while on stock rom... So they can customize some things. ?

Ok cool. I will have a look and decide if I want to go ahead. Thanks for all the assistance

timsteels said:
Ok thanks again! Is there much point in installing the exposed framework or anything similar?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many root, install Xposed and some modules to customize their phone rather than running any Custom Roms because the custom roms often lose the Moto features like the notifications and such.

Ok and if I root, unlock bootloader and install xposed, will my phone still receive the ota updates? Or is it a case of reversing the procedure to get the ota updates?

timsteels said:
Ok and if I root, unlock bootloader and install xposed, will my phone still receive the ota updates? Or is it a case of reversing the procedure to get the ota updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you can't install an OTA with a custom recovery (like TWRP, CWM, Philz) on the phone. You'll get stuck in a boot loop.
Next, in every OTA there is a "pre-validation check" (a manifest file which contains a list of items to be checked and a SHA type hash code for a type of check sum verification of each part/file its looking at.)
Anything that alters your phone from what the Pre-Validation check is looking for will cause the OTA to fail. So if you modify or remove and system files, have the wrong recovery, etc., those parts would not pass the pre-validation check so the OTA would fail.
Xposed also needs to be disabled, or it will cause the OTA's pre-validation checks to fail.
So it really comes down to what you do after you root.
If you flash TWRP, Root, install Xposed and a few modules, and nothing else, then to take an OTA, you'll need to disable Xposed (there is a flashable zip on your /SDcard to do this), then flash stock recovery.img back on your phone, then you can take the OTA. Once the OTA is successfully installed, you can re-flash custom recovery, re-root if necessary, and re-enable Xposed.
If you rename/delete/modify files from /system (like some do to get rid of bloat), you'll need to un-do that.
If you're like me, I just unlocked, rooted, and installed apps that use root (like Root Explorer, Greenify, Wifi Tether for root), so all I do is flash stock recovery on, take the OTA, and if I lost root, flash TWRP and re-root.
For more see -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/MotoX-OTA.html

Ok that's good to know. I'll have a think about it. I may wait until lollipop comes out for the moto x.

[Q] Android L with custom recovery.

So, i have a motox (xt1058) with stock rom and twrp recovery. If i receive the lolipop via OTA, can i install it? or do i have to flash the original firmware?
Thanks in advance

You will have to flash stock recovery. Uninstall any xposed modules and unfreeze/restore any system apps.

PedroAlba said:
So, i have a motox (xt1058) with stock rom and twrp recovery. If i receive the lolipop via OTA, can i install it? or do i have to flash the original firmware?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is asked every time an new OTA comes out, and we get many threads started covering it.
To date...
For the Motorola X 2013, the OTA's are incremental updates. You must be on a specific previous ROM, and "step up." To put it another way... to take the 4.4.2 OTA, your phone needs to be on 4.4. To take the 4.4 OTA, your phone needs to be on the 4.2.2 w/camera fix version. To take the 4.2.2 w/camera fix OTA, your phone needs to be on the initial shipping ROM version.
None of the OTA's will install if you have TWRP recovery on your phone. Instead you get stuck in a bootloop. (mfastboot erase cache will get you out of the bootloop). You need to have stock recovery on your phone. NOTE: I don't recall what happens when using Philz or CWM as recovery.
Each OTA so far has included a "Pre-Install Verification Check", a manifest of files and their checksum/hashes which the update compares against your phone. If expected files are missing, or the wrong hash, the OTA will fail to install. - So any removed or modified "bloat", system files, etc. need to be in place. Any apps like Xposed which change /system need to be disabled/removed. In some cases Freezing apps using Titanium Backup cause the OTA to fail, and the apps need to be unfrozen. However, some have not had to unfreeze. Using the phone's app manager to disable an app (Settings -> Apps -> open app listing -> DISABLE) does not have to be undone.
If you have version mismatch between GPT.BIN or Motoboot.img and the ROM on your phone, taking an OTA WILL brick the phone. - Grab the FULL SBF for the Stock Moto ROM which matches the bootloader version on your phone, or a newer SBF (i.e. if you have the bootloader version that corresponds to 4.4.2, grab the 4.4.2 SBF or 4.4.4 SBF), and flash it via mfastboot. You may need some extra steps to flash GPT.BIN and Motoboot.img.
If you've used hacks to root/disable write protection because you have a locked bootloader, you may lose root, and wont be able to re-root until a new exploit is found. Those hacks might also get in the way of the OTA's pre-install validation checks.
If you have unlocked your bootloader via mfastboot oem unlock UNIQUECODE or Sunshine, the bootloader will not re-lock.
There have been some posts (twitter and G+) about how Lollipop poses new security features which are a challenge to rooting, even with an unlocked bootloader. Since I don't know the technical ins and outs, all I can say is.. Even with an unlocked bootloader, I wont jump on Lollipop as soon as its available, until I know if I can still root my X.
(I have a little bit more detail posted here -> http://mark.cdmaforums.com/MotoX-OTA.html)

lowvolt1 said:
You will have to flash stock recovery. Uninstall any xposed modules and unfreeze/restore any system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what it's worth, you don't need to uninstall the modules. Just use the Xposed Disabler zip in your SD card, then install the framework again once you've flashed /system and taken the update.
When I did updated to 4.4.4 I disabled the modules in the Xposed UI (not sure if that was necessary or not), but did not actually uninstall any of the APKs for the modules. When I reinstalled Xposed after updating, all I just turned all my modules back on and rebooted.

Call me paranoid, but whenever there is an update, I always flash back to 100% stock and then do the OTA update. Then, I'll re-root using philz recovery and restore my desktop with a backup of Nova. I'm always worried that taking an OTA update with and previous tinkering will lead to a gummed up phone.
That is just me, though.

mtpease said:
Call me paranoid, but whenever there is an update, I always flash back to 100% stock and then do the OTA update. Then, I'll re-root using philz recovery and restore my desktop with a backup of Nova. I'm always worried that taking an OTA update with and previous tinkering will lead to a gummed up phone.
That is just me, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really a bad practice either way, if you clear stuff out now and again. If you try to take an OTA with a modified /system partition, it usually just fails during the hash checks and never installs/modifies anything.

You started your thread title with a [q].... Perhaps the Q&A section would be the section to ask your question? ?

[Q] Jellybean to Lollipop

I've searched and found variations on these questions in other posts, but I didn't come across any pertaining quite to my situation, so I wanted advice before I do something wrong and brick my phone.
I have a Sprint Moto X, unlocked & rooted, running 4.2.2 (I think pre-camera update). I'd like to upgrade to stock Sprint Lollipop (when it comes out) & stay unlocked & rooted.
My understanding of the steps that need to be taken:
1. Unroot my device
2. Re-lock my device
3. Flash TWRP and boot to recovery
4. Flash stock Sprint Lollipop
5. Unlock, then re-root device
Is any of this extraneous, or am I leaving anything out? Do I need to upgrade to KitKat before going to Lollipop?
I also have Xposed installed and I have tweaked the PRL on my device ... this shouldn't complicate the upgrade, right?

Relocking is useless, and unless you know what you're doing, flashing stock updates in custom recovery shouldn't be done. You don't necessarily need to unroot either, just make sure all stock system files are still in place.
Sent from my Moto X

imnuts said:
Relocking is useless, and unless you know what you're doing, flashing stock updates in custom recovery shouldn't be done. You don't necessarily need to unroot either, just make sure all stock system files are still in place.
Sent from my Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have a sprint X and if i am going to update this is how i have allways done it with no issues at all.
you can leave your bootloader unlocked that is no a issue. but i always take OTA's and you cant take a OTA with a modded system. so i allways just flash my stock firmware package. that way it removes my custom recovery. Root, and all Xposed changes. Then i take the OTA and just reinstall TWRP, then SuperSU then what ever else you want.
this is the safest way i have found to update, the nice thing about Unlocked Sprint phones is we can easily Root are phones via TWRP and SuperSu.
just my .02 you can do it how ever you like but this is how i am going to do it when the OTA finally comes out if it ever does.