I just got notified of the of a update to 4.4.2 for my Sprint Moto X. Is there any reason not to accept it? What are the benefits?
Thanks.
Puzzlegal said:
I just got notified of the of a update to 4.4.2 for my Sprint Moto X. Is there any reason not to accept it? What are the benefits?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note: i have a vzw DE. If i recall correctly Sprints Bootloaders can be unlocked, have you done this?
Benefits include mostly under the hood stuff, supposedly fixed some battery drain issues that were in 4.4. I took it on my DE and am happy with it.
Keep in mind:
1. It is impossible to downgrade the bootloader after the 4.4.2 OTA, thus making it difficult to return to a full stock 4.4.
(you can downgrade flash the system from 4.4, but if you are on system 4.4 and bootloader 4.4.2 any future OTA will fail unless you first flash back to system 4.4.2)
2. If your bootloader is locked and you have rooted with the exploit provided by Jcase (slapMyMoto + MotoWPNoMo) the 4.4.2 ota will re-enable WriteProtect, meaning you cannot change the system files. This makes much of Root access pointless, though users report that Xposed modules will survive a "soft-reboot". If your Bootloader is unlocked, you may disregard this. Unlocked BL devices can be rooted at any time with a custom recovery, and unlocking the Bootloader will disable WriteProtection.
Before taking the OTA be sure to undo any changes to system (tether hacks, systemUI changes, disable xposed) or even flash the stock 4.4 system before taking the OTA to be safe (flashing system only will not erase your data or apps, though if you want to be 100% sure, just SBF back to stock 4.4 first).
Thanks.
I have not unlocked my boot loader. Sprint gadgets can be unlocked, but it voids the warranty. I may do that after the warranty expires, but don't plan to do so until then. So I haven't rooted, either. I assume that I can still do both, at the expense of listing the warranty, after updating.
Sounds like I'd probably get more benefit than not from upgrading.
I just unlocked my bootloader via the "chinese" unlock code...How to I get back to 100% stock after having been rooted via SlapMyMoto?
As I understand, the slapmymoto method replaces the recovery. Can I just flash the stock recovery back over it? Should I SFB back to 4.2.2 post camera then OTA back to 4.4?
JJHunterx said:
I just unlocked my bootloader via the "chinese" unlock code...How to I get back to 100% stock after having been rooted via SlapMyMoto?
As I understand, the slapmymoto method replaces the recovery. Can I just flash the stock recovery back over it? Should I SFB back to 4.2.2 post camera then OTA back to 4.4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full restore to stock would be to SBF back to appropriate version.
To just flash a recovery, simply download one, move it to ADB folder then run
Code:
fastboot flash recovery nameofyourfile.zip
asuhoops8628 said:
Full restore to stock would be to SBF back to appropriate version.
To just flash a recovery, simply download one, move it to ADB folder then run
Code:
fastboot flash recovery nameofyourfile.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I SBF back to 4.2.2 will that flash the stock recovery and allow me to OTA to 4.4 no problem?
JJHunterx said:
If I SBF back to 4.2.2 will that flash the stock recovery and allow me to OTA to 4.4 no problem?
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Click to collapse
Yes, if you use RSDLite to flash a SBF you are flashing the full stock rom, recovery, boot, etc.
If you want to be on stock 4.4, why not just use RSDLite to flash the 4.4. SBF?
KidJoe said:
Yes, if you use RSDLite to flash a SBF you are flashing the full stock rom, recovery, boot, etc.
If you want to be on stock 4.4, why not just use RSDLite to flash the 4.4. SBF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For some reason, I didn't think 4.4 had a SBF...Found it. Thanks.
I am rooted 4.4 and got an unlock code.
Seems like the most straightforward method to get to fully rooted (with r/w) on 4.4.2 would be to SBF 4.4 to return to full stock. Take the OTA to 4.4.2, then unlock.
Is there a way to root without a custom recovery? I was under the impression that it was much more simple with an unlocked bootloader. The guides I've seen for installing TWRP are certainly much more simple than the SlapMyMoto process, but I thought it was as simple as just installing SuperSU or putting the APK in /system or something. I guess I was mistaken on that part.
Thanks!
fury683 said:
I am rooted 4.4 and got an unlock code.
Seems like the most straightforward method to get to fully rooted (with r/w) on 4.4.2 would be to SBF 4.4 to return to full stock. Take the OTA to 4.4.2, then unlock.
Is there a way to root without a custom recovery? I was under the impression that it was much more simple with an unlocked bootloader. The guides I've seen for installing TWRP are certainly much more simple than the SlapMyMoto process, but I thought it was as simple as just installing SuperSU or putting the APK in /system or something. I guess I was mistaken on that part.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can unlock your BL regardless of what version of android you are on. I just wanted to get back to stock so slapmymoto was no longer active (which is kinda a workaround for root imho, but it works and does its job.)
To root with an unlocked bootloader, all you have to do is download the TWRP img file and the supersu.zip file. Push the supersu.zip to your SD card. Use fastboot to flash TWRP img file. Boot into the recovery you just flashed and install the supersu.zip file. Bam you're rooted.
fury683 said:
I am rooted 4.4 and got an unlock code.
Seems like the most straightforward method to get to fully rooted (with r/w) on 4.4.2 would be to SBF 4.4 to return to full stock. Take the OTA to 4.4.2, then unlock.
Is there a way to root without a custom recovery? I was under the impression that it was much more simple with an unlocked bootloader. The guides I've seen for installing TWRP are certainly much more simple than the SlapMyMoto process, but I thought it was as simple as just installing SuperSU or putting the APK in /system or something. I guess I was mistaken on that part.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you can unlock your bootloader at any time once you have the unlock code. The Android version on your phone doesn't matter.
Flashing TWRP, booting to it and installing SuperSU is how you root with an unlocked bootloader. (for full details see -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/instructions-unlocking-rooting-dev-ed-t2649738 which makes it seem like a longer process than it is.) That process is as easy as it gets, and works no matter what ROM you are on.
If you want to be on 4.4.2, and going to use RSDLite to flash an SBF anyway, the most straight forward way would be to flash the 4.4.2 SBF, then Root by flashing TWRP, booting to it, and installing SuperSU.
KidJoe said:
Well, you can unlock your bootloader at any time once you have the unlock code. The Android version on your phone doesn't matter.
Flashing TWRP, booting to it and installing SuperSU is how you root with an unlocked bootloader. (for full details see -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/instructions-unlocking-rooting-dev-ed-t2649738 which makes it seem like a longer process than it is.) That process is as easy as it gets, and works no matter what ROM you are on.
If you want to be on 4.4.2, and going to use RSDLite to flash an SBF anyway, the most straight forward way would be to flash the 4.4.2 SBF, then Root by flashing TWRP, booting to it, and installing SuperSU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Can I SBF with 4.4.2 even thought I'm still on 4.4? Or do I need to do 4.4 SBF, OTA to 4.4.2 then unlock and do TWRP/root?
Thanks again.
fury683 said:
Thanks. Can I SBF with 4.4.2 even thought I'm still on 4.4? Or do I need to do 4.4 SBF, OTA to 4.4.2 then unlock and do TWRP/root?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No matter what rom is on your phone right now, if you have the bootloader unlock code, you can unlock. You don't have to be on a special version to unlock your phone's bootloader once you have the code.
The OTA's are incremental updates. They require pre-requisites be in place or they fail. You must be on a specific previous ROM, and "step up." They check for specific files/version/check sums to be on your phone before they install. If your phone doesn't match the version the OTA is looking for, or a particular file on your phone doesn't match what the OTA is looking for, the OTA will fail. 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.
SBF's are complete roms containing every file/partition/modem for that version. You can flash the 4.4.2 SBF directly over any other ROM version. It wont stop you.
Just remember when flashing an SBF, there is a line in the XML that RSDLite uses that controls whether it wipes your data or not when flashing. (The thread about returning to stock using RSDlite explains it.) BUT since the process of unlocking your bootloader will factory reset your phone which wipes the data anyway...RSDLite erasing your data isn't a problem if you do it right before or right after you unlock your bootloader.
KidJoe said:
No matter what rom is on your phone right now, if you have the bootloader unlock code, you can unlock. You don't have to be on a special version to unlock your phone's bootloader once you have the code.
The OTA's are incremental updates. They require pre-requisites be in place or they fail. You must be on a specific previous ROM, and "step up." They check for specific files/version/check sums to be on your phone before they install. If your phone doesn't match the version the OTA is looking for, or a particular file on your phone doesn't match what the OTA is looking for, the OTA will fail. 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.
SBF's are complete roms containing every file/partition/modem for that version. You can flash the 4.4.2 SBF directly over any other ROM version. It wont stop you.
Just remember when flashing an SBF, there is a line in the XML that RSDLite uses that controls whether it wipes your data or not when flashing. (The thread about returning to stock using RSDlite explains it.) BUT since the process of unlocking your bootloader will factory reset your phone which wipes the data anyway...RSDLite erasing your data isn't a problem if you do it right before or right after you unlock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After unlocking though, flashing the system.img from an SBF file and a custom recovery brings you basically back to "stock" (excluding the custom recovery) so you don't have to use RSDLite, correct?
EvanVanVan said:
After unlocking though, flashing the system.img from an SBF file and a custom recovery brings you basically back to "stock" (excluding the custom recovery) so you don't have to use RSDLite, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the most part, you can use mfastboot to flash just system.img and recovery.img, this will get those two parts back to stock, which is often enough to allow you to take an OTA update, however, if you've touched any other part, your phone wont be 100% stock. And then, how long does it take for the OTA to install and reboot? Now, in fury683's case, the phone is on 4.4 and he wants to go to 4.4.2. But if the phone was on say either of the 4.2.2 versions and he wanted to go to 4.4.2, then you'd also have multiple OTA's to install.
Using the full SBF and RSDlite will flash all parts, gets you to 100% stock, and immediately on the version you want. I don't know everything that SlapMyMoto and MotoWpNoMo touch, so I can't say for sure if flashing system and recovery are enough to totally remove them, or just remove enough to allow you to take an OTA.
System.img takes the longest to flash via either mFastboot or RSDLite, the rest are really quick, so the time spent using RSDLite to flash everything isn't that much more than manually flashing just system.img and recovery.img via mfastboot.
So considering that the mfastboot oem unlock does a factory reset anyway (so data is going to be lost), and flashing with RSDlite flashes all parts as 1 batched operation (i.e. you don't have to individually execute mfastboot lines...) using RSDLite can get you to the final destination, and ensure 100% stock, more easily.
I did mine last night from 4.4. I unlocked, got a clean 4.4 , took ota, flash twrp, install su. If you do in the right order shouldn't take more than 30 mins to be up and running again. If you use Titanium backup be sure to pull your files to computer before doing the bootloader unlock.
KidJoe said:
No matter what rom is on your phone right now, if you have the bootloader unlock code, you can unlock. You don't have to be on a special version to unlock your phone's bootloader once you have the code.
The OTA's are incremental updates. They require pre-requisites be in place or they fail. You must be on a specific previous ROM, and "step up." They check for specific files/version/check sums to be on your phone before they install. If your phone doesn't match the version the OTA is looking for, or a particular file on your phone doesn't match what the OTA is looking for, the OTA will fail. 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.
SBF's are complete roms containing every file/partition/modem for that version. You can flash the 4.4.2 SBF directly over any other ROM version. It wont stop you.
Just remember when flashing an SBF, there is a line in the XML that RSDLite uses that controls whether it wipes your data or not when flashing. (The thread about returning to stock using RSDlite explains it.) BUT since the process of unlocking your bootloader will factory reset your phone which wipes the data anyway...RSDLite erasing your data isn't a problem if you do it right before or right after you unlock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. The process was much less painful than I expected. Aside from downloading the SBF file, whole process to SBF, unlock, flash TWRP and root took about 20 minutes.
Working great now!
Thanks again
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?
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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.
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.
I got my MotoX about a year ago, non-dev edition on VZW. I installed Hashcode's SafeStrap custom recovery and flashed Kryptonite's "stock" 4.4.2 rom to the stock slot. That satisfied me for the time being and I lost track of current development on the Moto X.
I've been itching for a change though and a software update is just the fix. Since I haven't kept up thoug, I really don't know how to go about it. I've been reading about the options but I don't know where my phone stands. Can I go the CM11-> CM12 route with Safestrap even though my bootloader is locked? Or do I need to use SunShine to unlock my bootloader and install a different custom recovery? And do I need to revert to stock to stock at any point? I'm pretty comfortable with all of this, I just need some nudging in the right direction.
llsmith said:
I got my MotoX about a year ago, non-dev edition on VZW. I installed Hashcode's SafeStrap custom recovery and flashed Kryptonite's "stock" 4.4.2 rom to the stock slot. That satisfied me for the time being and I lost track of current development on the Moto X.
I've been itching for a change though and a software update is just the fix. Since I haven't kept up thoug, I really don't know how to go about it. I've been reading about the options but I don't know where my phone stands. Can I go the CM11-> CM12 route with Safestrap even though my bootloader is locked? Or do I need to use SunShine to unlock my bootloader and install a different custom recovery? And do I need to revert to stock to stock at any point? I'm pretty comfortable with all of this, I just need some nudging in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you NEVER took the 4.4.4 OTA you might want to consider unlocking your bootloader via "Sunshine" Then you can flash CM or anything you want with a real recovery and not safestrap. Just know that unlocking your bootloaer on a reatail device will void your warranty.
Travisdroidx2 said:
If you NEVER took the 4.4.4 OTA you might want to consider unlocking your bootloader via "Sunshine" Then you can flash CM or anything you want with a real recovery and not safestrap. Just know that unlocking your bootloaer on a reatail device will void your warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, my phone has never seen 4.4.4. So I'm going to go ahead and use Sunshine to unlock my boot loader as the first step. The warranty I'm not too concerned about.
I guess the next question is how do I go about replacing safestrap with TWRP? Is it the same as installing TWRP from stock?
llsmith said:
Right, my phone has never seen 4.4.4. So I'm going to go ahead and use Sunshine to unlock my boot loader as the first step. The warranty I'm not too concerned about.
I guess the next question is how do I go about replacing safestrap with TWRP? Is it the same as installing TWRP from stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be familiar with flashing a custom recovery via adb if you have used TWRP on other devices. Once you have the bootloader unlocked you would need the correct recovery image of TWRP for the Moto X and then in bootloader mode use the command "fastboot flash recovery 'recovery.img'" where 'recovery.img' is the exact name of the file. If it flashed and it works properly then you could flash CM12 and Safestrap should be gone if you followed the flashing directions exactly. Don't forget to make a Nandroid of your current setup before you begin! Factory Resetting the device would be crucial if jumping from one ROM to another so it kind of takes care of itself.