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Hi this is a pretty simple question but if someone could expand (if it is possible) by listing what needs to be done that'd be extremely helpful.
I read through the guides in the general section and i read that for at&t 4.4.2 the bootloader is locked and attempting to downgrade will brick my phone. So does this mean that i can't root my phone and flash roms? or can I, and if so what needs to be done before I download a toolkit and proceed? I'm on stock at&t OTA 4.4.2 firmware.
thanks for reading.
Heisenberg420 said:
Hi this is a pretty simple question but if someone could expand (if it is possible) by listing what needs to be done that'd be extremely helpful.
I read through the guides in the general section and i read that for at&t 4.4.2 the bootloader is locked and attempting to downgrade will brick my phone. So does this mean that i can't root my phone and flash roms? or can I, and if so what needs to be done before I download a toolkit and proceed? I'm on stock at&t OTA 4.4.2 firmware.
thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
without an unlocked bootloader, your out of luck. You might be able to "safestrap," but last i heard, that isn't an option on OS 4.4.2.
You will need to unlock your bootloader to flash any roms. Unfortunately there is no official way to unlock your bootloader for an AT&T branded Moto X. Since you are on 4.4.2 safestrap is also not an option. There is currently a root method for 4.4.2, but it doesn't disable write protection. Disabling write protection is required to make any permanent changes to the system. Without that ability any changes will revert back after rebooting. This includes root since that requires modifying the system. There is an unofficial way to unlock your bootloader through a Chinese middleman that has acquired databases with unlock codes. There is no guarantee that this person will have your code and seems to only be able to acquire codes from devices assembled in 2014. The middleman is selling the codes for ~$45. The information is at the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/china-middleman-t2751177
If you want to try rooting you can try the method from the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/orig-development/root-4-4-x-pie-motorola-devices-t2771623
Sent from my Moto X.
Dark9781 said:
You will need to unlock your bootloader to flash any roms. Unfortunately there is no official way to unlock your bootloader for an AT&T branded Moto X. Since you are on 4.4.2 safestrap is also not an option. There is currently a root method for 4.4.2, but it doesn't disable write protection. Disabling write protection is required to make any permanent changes to the system. Without that ability any changes will revert back after rebooting. This includes root since that requires modifying the system. There is an unofficial way to unlock your bootloader through a Chinese middleman that has acquired databases with unlock codes. There is no guarantee that this person will have your code and seems to only be able to acquire codes from devices assembled in 2014. The middleman is selling the codes for ~$45. The information is at the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/china-middleman-t2751177
If you want to try rooting you can try the method from the following link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/orig-development/root-4-4-x-pie-motorola-devices-t2771623
Sent from my Moto X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info.
the main reason i'm trying to flash a ROM is I lost rear camera functionality just randomly. Haven't found anyone else with this issue. Can I download the 4.4.3 OTA and flash it in the stock recovery? Or will I have problems with that?
Heisenberg420 said:
thanks for the info.
the main reason i'm trying to flash a ROM is I lost rear camera functionality just randomly. Haven't found anyone else with this issue. Can I download the 4.4.3 OTA and flash it in the stock recovery? Or will I have problems with that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 4.4.3 is for T-Mobile and unlocked bootloaders. If it is just your rear camera having an issue you could try a factory reset or flashing the stock ROM for AT&T for 4.4.2 using RSDLite. If that doesn't work it may be a hardware problem. You may want to try a warranty exchange.
Sent from my Moto X.
I have a locked BL VZW XT1060 on 4.4.2 stock
It was/is rooted.
It has SuperSU installed but without binaries installed.
A little history:
Originally on 4.2.2 then OTA to 4.4.
Downgraded to 4.2.2 and applied SlapMyMoto.
I believe I took OTA to 4.4 with the intention to sit tight there.
I accidentally took OTA to 4.4.2.
This is where it gets weird.
Root was still intact but write protection was temporary, meaning after reboot, I lose it.
This was fine as it allowed me to temporarily disable write protection and enable the native hotspot.
Then, one day I was updating some apps on my phone, I noticed that I completely lost the ability to disable to write protection. I tried uninstalling all to the app updates to no avail.
What are my options to get WiFi tether/Hotspot back?
Sunshine, unlock the bootloader, and have a fully unlocked device. Anything else and you'll likely run into issues similar to what you have now.
Sent from my Moto X
What the guy above me said.
@slingblade01 what you described is exactly what happens.
The vulnerability which MotoWpNoMo exploited to disable write protection was patched in 4.4.2, so if you have a LOCKED Bootloader, and updated from 4.4 you could keep root, but write protection became enabled with no way to disable it again.
If you don't care about upgrading past 4.4.2, you can search for TowelPieRoot, and gain temp root to.
Otherwise, as @imnuts and @nhizzat say, If you are still on 4.4.2, and have its bootloader, then you can use Sunshine to unlock the bootloader, after witch your phone will be just like a Developer Edition, or other edition with the bootloader unlocked.
In other words, once you unlock using Sunshine, you may root by following -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/instructions-unlocking-rooting-dev-ed-t2649738 Just please be sure to use the latest TWRP fastboot IMG file and Installable ZIP of SuperSU. Once completed, you will have root with write protection disabled.
And it does not matter what Stock ROM or Android version is on your phone (Android 5 has some changes, so stay tuned) , once your bootloader is unlocked, you can always root or re-root it. (You just can't take OTA with custom recovery on there!!).
For Sunshine discussion see -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/request-help-exploit-moto-x-bl-t2828471
and -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2792487
and most importantly....
http://theroot.ninja/
Sunshine will check if its compatible with your phone first, if it is, it will charge you $25 before proceeding to unlock you. Unlike using the bootloader unlock code from Moto or the middleman, using Sunshine to unlock your bootloader is not destructive.
Once your bootloader is unlocked via Sunshine, do NOT attempt to re-lock it. because if you do relock it, you wont be able to unlock it again!! BTW, there is no need to relock anyway. It doesn't impact taking OTAs, etc.
Thank you and last question.
Thanks, that was the answer I was expecting but wanted professional opinions first.
Before I use Sunshine, do I need to do any prep work first, such as disable/remove root (remove SuperSU)?
Thanks again.
slingblade01 said:
Thanks, that was the answer I was expecting but wanted professional opinions first.
Before I use Sunshine, do I need to do any prep work first, such as disable/remove root (remove SuperSU)?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I have a developer edition, I got my bootloader unlock code from moto, and haven't tried Sunshine.
From my brief reading/following of the Sunshine thread, I don't think you have to un-do anything. But I would consider flashing back to stock to remove any traces of SlapMyMoto and the like AFTER you unlock via Sunshine.
Hey,
So as mentioned in the large "How to root" thread, any update after 4.4.3 will essentially make your device unrootable (or unwritable).
I have the xt1058, which is one of the devices with a locked bootloader. This device is also compatible with Android 5.0, so I was wondering if I flash a captured OTA of 5.0 for the xt1058, will that lock out my bootloader and ensure that I can never root again?
Thanks!
5.0 > 4.4.3 so logic would lead me to say yes, you're stuck running stock.
If you are locked, you will not be able to Root on 5.0 for now, or for awhile.... If ever.
---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ----------
Once it comes out of course.
---------- Post added at 10:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 AM ----------
if you really want to Root.... Best to not update, as they may figure out how to Root kit Kat and not Lollipop. Usually how it goes.
themsftcpu said:
Hey,
So as mentioned in the large "How to root" thread, any update after 4.4.3 will essentially make your device unrootable (or unwritable).
I have the xt1058, which is one of the devices with a locked bootloader. This device is also compatible with Android 5.0, so I was wondering if I flash a captured OTA of 5.0 for the xt1058, will that lock out my bootloader and ensure that I can never root again?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean by "flash a captured OTA" but with a locked bootloader all you can flash is a ROM or OTA which is digitally signed by Moto and meant for your phone and its CID value. In other words, you can't capture an OTA zip file, modify, repack it and flash it to include Root, if you have a locked bootloader.
If you want usable root on the X you need two parts 1. Root Exploit, and 2. An Exploit that allows for disabling Write Protection.
If you have a locked bootloader you need someone to find these exploits and create a repeatable process to use them to gain root and disabling write protection. You basically need to find and exploit a flaw or vulnerability in the phone, or its software. i.e. Hack It.
When Write Protection is enabled (the phone's default state with locked bootloader, or the state you are in after you install 4.4.2), any changes made to /system, or the like, (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on.
On a locked bootloader you are relying on someone finding vulnerabilities in the phone or its software to both root and disable write protection. Period. No way around that.
As it stands right now, no one has released info on any vulnerabilities which could gain root on a locked bootloader 2013 X which have been upgraded to 4.4.4. So there is no process for rooting those locked bootloader phones.
While JCASE's Sunshine tool can exploit a vulnerability to unlock the bootloader (disabling write protection), it needs to be able to ROOT, or Temp Root, the phone first, which leaves out phones on 4.4.4 (unless I've missed a change recently). (and before you ask, no, you can NOT safely downgrade from 4.4.4 to 4.4.2 or lower, nor can you get to a state where Sunshine will work once you have 4.4.4 on your phone.)
With further security enhancements as android evolves, its only going to get more difficult finding vulnerabilities to exploit and creating repeatable processes for those with locked bootloaders. In other words while there might be a chance someone comes up with something for locked bootloader 2013 X's on Lollipop, I wouldn't count on it happening, nor would I "bet the farm" that it will ever happen.
KidJoe said:
Not sure what you mean by "flash a captured OTA" but with a locked bootloader all you can flash is a ROM or OTA which is digitally signed by Moto and meant for your phone and its CID value. In other words, you can't capture an OTA zip file, modify, repack it and flash it to include Root, if you have a locked bootloader.
If you want usable root on the X you need two parts 1. Root Exploit, and 2. An Exploit that allows for disabling Write Protection.
If you have a locked bootloader you need someone to find these exploits and create a repeatable process to use them to gain root and disabling write protection. You basically need to find and exploit a flaw or vulnerability in the phone, or its software. i.e. Hack It.
When Write Protection is enabled (the phone's default state with locked bootloader, or the state you are in after you install 4.4.2), any changes made to /system, or the like, (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on.
On a locked bootloader you are relying on someone finding vulnerabilities in the phone or its software to both root and disable write protection. Period. No way around that.
As it stands right now, no one has released info on any vulnerabilities which could gain root on a locked bootloader 2013 X which have been upgraded to 4.4.4. So there is no process for rooting those locked bootloader phones.
While JCASE's Sunshine tool can exploit a vulnerability to unlock the bootloader (disabling write protection), it needs to be able to ROOT, or Temp Root, the phone first, which leaves out phones on 4.4.4 (unless I've missed a change recently). (and before you ask, no, you can NOT safely downgrade from 4.4.4 to 4.4.2 or lower, nor can you get to a state where Sunshine will work once you have 4.4.4 on your phone.)
With further security enhancements as android evolves, its only going to get more difficult finding vulnerabilities to exploit and creating repeatable processes for those with locked bootloaders. In other words while there might be a chance someone comes up with something for locked bootloader 2013 X's on Lollipop, I wouldn't count on it happening, nor would I "bet the farm" that it will ever happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about using safestrap? I also own a locked moto x and am currently running a rooted 4.4.4 ROM via safestrap.
Would this be possible to do with lollipop while retaining root?
frenchie007 said:
What about using safestrap? I also own a locked moto x and am currently running a rooted 4.4.4 ROM via safestrap.
Would this be possible to do with lollipop while retaining root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll likely still need to find a software vulnerability to exploit to gain root. And if Lillipop uses a new Kernel (which is does) it may not be compatible with the current Safestrap. And Hash stopped developing Safestrap.
That being said.. Safe strap requires the host phone/os be rooted with write protection disabled. So if you are running Safestrap on a 2013 X, you likely have Android 4.4 or lower as your host OS and have used something like SlapMyMoto/RockMyMoto along with MotoWpNoMo to root and disable write protection on your host OS. If this is the case, use Sunshine to unlock your bootloader. It will be much easier.
KidJoe said:
You'll likely still need to find a software vulnerability to exploit to gain root. And if Lillipop uses a new Kernel (which is does) it may not be compatible with the current Safestrap. And Hash stopped developing Safestrap.
That being said.. Safe strap requires the host phone/os be rooted with write protection disabled. So if you are running Safestrap on a 2013 X, you likely have Android 4.4 or lower as your host OS and have used something like SlapMyMoto/RockMyMoto along with MotoWpNoMo to root and disable write protection on your host OS. If this is the case, use Sunshine to unlock your bootloader. It will be much easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I was holding out on unlocking with sunshine but seems like its necessary to keep root for lollipop. Thanks!
frenchie007 said:
Yep, I was holding out on unlocking with sunshine but seems like its necessary to keep root for lollipop. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you ever wait to unlock your bootloader if you're able to? You wouldn't have to worry about any of this with an unlocked bootloader.
nhizzat said:
Why would you ever wait to unlock your bootloader if you're able to? You wouldn't have to worry about any of this with an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My only guess would be.... he is still under warranty and isn't in a hurry to void it?
nhizzat said:
Why would you ever wait to unlock your bootloader if you're able to? You wouldn't have to worry about any of this with an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KidJoe said:
My only guess would be.... he is still under warranty and isn't in a hurry to void it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because sunshine costs money and yes, I'm in no hurry to unlock it (until lollipop comes along that is)
frenchie007 said:
Because sunshine costs money and yes, I'm in no hurry to unlock it (until lollipop comes along that is)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just keep in mind.... As soon as you update to 4.4.4 or Lollipop, There's no guarantee you'll ever be able to unlock with Sunshine.
You likely know this... But just checking. ?
Darth said:
Just keep in mind.... As soon as you update to 4.4.4 or Lollipop, There's no guarantee you'll ever be able to unlock with Sunshine.
You likely know this... But just checking. ��
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
using safestrap to flash only parts of 4.4.4 (excluding bootloader if I'm not mistaken) allows me to retain full root even on 4.4.4 even with a locked bootloader. however from what I understand you're right this won't be possible for lollipop :/
frenchie007 said:
using safestrap to flash only parts of 4.4.4 (excluding bootloader if I'm not mistaken) allows me to retain full root even on 4.4.4. however from what I understand you're right this won't be possible for lollipop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it could..... But based on the issues I've seen in the N5 section, likely not. Lollipop probably won't play well with anything kit Kat or earlier.
Pretty hard to test too... Who knows what would happen if you tried. Also, who knows when or if SBF files will turn up.
---------- Post added at 05:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------
Off topic.... But I will feel bad for anyone who has Lollipop complaints and tries downgrading. Could be the end of their device.
Unless moto changes that quirk with their bootloader.
Is there any root method that will work for an at&t moto x running on 4.4.4 and unlock bootloader? Or am i stuck running stock?
Enjoy stock, you're stuck. Unless you find a bootloader unlock code.
Next time search, this question has been answered too many times already.
Always read the stickies... Like this one from the general section,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2826159
?
What the hell.. c'mon man it's been like 10 years... still not a method.
You may have found some threads on here that recommend Sunshine, a $25 app that you can download (link below). The developers say that it may work for some users that are on 4.4.4. Try it. It will confirm for you whether it will unlock before you pay. It successfully worked for me when I was on 4.2.2. Good luck.
Sunshine app: http://theroot.ninja/
marcviado said:
Is there any root method that will work for an at&t moto x running on 4.4.4 and unlock bootloader? Or am i stuck running stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
marcviado said:
Is there any root method that will work for an at&t moto x running on 4.4.4 and unlock bootloader? Or am i stuck running stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
{bold in quote added by me}
Your bootloader is UNlocked? If so, just flash TWRP recovery, reboot-bootloader, go into TWRP and it should prompt you to root. If not, install SuperSU zip from TWRP.
Now, if your bootloader is still LOCKED, then you are stuck. Sunshine has not worked on ATT XT1058 that has 4.4.4 on it. (and before you ask... no, you can't safely/successfully downgrade all parts of the X in order to use Sunshine).
As for how long its been... As android matures, there are less and less bugs and vulnerabilities to exploit/hack to gain root access if you can't unlock the bootloader. The number of people capable of finding them dwindles too.
KidJoe said:
{bold in quote added by me}
Your bootloader is UNlocked? If so, just flash TWRP recovery, reboot-bootloader, go into TWRP and it should prompt you to root. If not, install SuperSU zip from TWRP.
Now, if your bootloader is still LOCKED, then you are stuck. Sunshine has not worked on ATT XT1058 that has 4.4.4 on it. (and before you ask... no, you can't safely/successfully downgrade all parts of the X in order to use Sunshine).
As for how long its been... As android matures, there are less and less bugs and vulnerabilities to exploit/hack to gain root access if you can't unlock the bootloader. The number of people capable of finding them dwindles too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is sad. I tried to use sunshine just now on xt1058. Says I have no root (after attempting temproot).
I haven't seen any root methods listed here for 5.0.
I'm still on 4.4 because I didn't want to lose system write or root. Has anyone been able to successfully root 5.0 with system write ability? What method did you use?
I've seen mentions of using Chain Fire but the articles are usually poorly written, so I don't trust them.
d3athsd00r said:
I haven't seen any root methods listed here for 5.0.
I'm still on 4.4 because I didn't want to lose system write or root. Has anyone been able to successfully root 5.0 with system write ability? What method did you use?
I've seen mentions of using Chain Fire but the articles are usually poorly written, so I don't trust them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Twrp has the option to root.
When you reboot from it.
That's how I rooted twrp
I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.
d3athsd00r said:
I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a locked bootloader you need someone to find a in the phone, or its software. Then a repeatable process must be created to use the exploit to gain root. i.e. Hack It.
Root is only part. There is also Write Protection to worry about.. When Write Protection is enabled (the phone's default state with locked bootloader, any changes made to /system, or the like, (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on. Starting with 4.4.2, on a locked bootloader we can't disable write protection. No Vulnerabilities have been found/posted. However, Unlocking the bootloader disables write protection.
So if you have a locked bootloader, and want to root 5.02, you first need 5.02 to come out, then vulnerability found, tested, and a process created. When 5.1 comes out, it needs to be tested to see if the vulnerability was patched. if it was, the work starts all over again.. Its like playing "whack a mole." And even then you likely will have write protection enabled... so any power off/on or "hard boot" will mean lost changes to your phone.
Since the 2013 X is getting old, and only ATT, Verizon, and Republic wireless can't unlock their bootloader through Motorola's site, Paying $25 to use Sunshine if your phone is still on 4.4.2 or lower, is not a bad deal if you want to be sure you can root and disable write protection no matter what Android version comes to your phone.
NOTE: I am not affiliated with Sunshine... just trying to help you understand... Coming up with a root process for a LOCKED Bootloader isn't "quick and easy"
d3athsd00r said:
I'm on AT&T, so my bootloader is still locked. Unless someone has figured out how to unlock without paying $25.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's literally the only way you are going to have root on lollipop. At least for a while anyways. I don't think many people would be interested in finding and creating exploits after this phone has already be exploited to the point where almost everyone can unlock their bootloader. I started at 4.4, went down to 4.2.2, used RockMyMoto and MotoWPnomo, then used SlapMyMoto when upgrading back to 4.4. After that I installed Safestrap and was able to use the stock (and rooted) ROMs by @Ctrl-Freak all the way up to 4.4.4. But after I heard about Sunshine... That was the holy grail. Unlocked my bootloader, flashed a clean install of stock 4.4 and just upgraded till 4.4.4 again, flashed TWRP, rooted, and that was it.
Thanks guys. I was always wary about Sunshine. Just never sat well with me, but I think I'm going to do it after I move into my new house since I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.
d3athsd00r said:
Thanks guys. I was always wary about Sunshine. Just never sat well with me, but I think I'm going to do it after I move into my new house since I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its true, Sunshine is kind of risky... BUT because of those involved with it, I would consider it as safe as any "hack" can get.
If I didn't have a Dev Edition X, and needed to unlock my bootloader, I would not hesitate to use Sunshine.