I have an N1 that I unlocked and rooted and was running CM7 RC1 when I decided to try the stock Gingerbread. This switch went perfectly, but now I don't think I want to stay on the stock GB but I can't seem to get ROM Manager to boot into recovery to allow me to flash another ROM. Do I have to do something differently now? BTW, I do not have root on the 'new' GB.
Thanks.
Unless you flashed a pre-rooted version of Gingerbread, you will have lost root and your custom recovery...
If this is the case, you have two options:
1 - Flash a custom recovery through an unlocked bootloader.
2 - passimg back to an older version of Android and root again...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
tsprks said:
BTW, I do not have root on the 'new' GB.
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This is your problem. ROM Manager installs a custom recovery, but only when your phone is rooted. You need to re-root GB.
Can I ask them how people flash custom recoveries without having root? I see threads all over the place that say that you don't have to root your phone to run these custom ROM's.
tsprks said:
Can I ask them how people flash custom recoveries without having root? I see threads all over the place that say that you don't have to root your phone to run these custom ROM's.
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You have to root, but you don't have to unlock your bootloader.
You have to do one of the things:
1) Root.
2) Unlock the bootloader.
Rooting allows you to bypass security mechanisms from within the OS, and flash the custom recovery from there.
Unlocking the bootloader turns off the security mechanisms, and you can flash whatever you want directly from bootloader.
Both achieve the same thing, but in different ways.
Root privileges in OS are lost upon official upgrades.
Unlocked bootloader is never lost.
Unlocked bootloader allows for an easy way to gain root in the first place, regardless of the ROM.
How does an unlocked bootloader allow me to flash whatever ROM I want? ROM Manager won't run without root? Am I missing something? I've read the wiki's and threads about rooting an N1 and they all just seem to stop at unlocking the bootloader, well, my bootloader is unlocked but I can't get it to boot into CWM so that I can select another ROM. Is there another way to do this?
ROM Manager is only one, and not the most successful nor most powerful, way to flash ROMs or recovery. ROM Manager was made for non-understanding people to make the process look and feel easier. The most powerful way is directly from bootloader - which needs to be unlocked to allow it.
If you read all the threads, you'll see that unlocking the bootloader is just a first step - you can look carefully at "installing custom ROM" guide in Wiki. Or, for example, here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636795
Read the Wiki, look for recovery installation instructions using unlocked bootloader, execute. I suggest Amon_Ra's.
Title pretty much sums it all. I've an XT1058 with unlocked bootloader running stock rooted Kitkat 4.4. I want to update to stock 4.4.2 to try and use the new screen mirroring feature with my Chromecast (AFAIK, I need to be at least on 4.4.1, right?). Is there a way not to lose the unlocked bootloader and/or the root when I flash the update?
Similar question: Do I have to go back to stock (i.e., unrooted, locked) before I flash 4.4.2, or can I flash it over my current stock ROM?
Thank you all in advance.
Deivid85 said:
Title pretty much sums it all. I've an XT1058 with unlocked bootloader running stock rooted Kitkat 4.4. I want to update to stock 4.4.2 to try and use the new screen mirroring feature with my Chromecast (AFAIK, I need to be at least on 4.4.1, right?). Is there a way not to lose the unlocked bootloader and/or the root when I flash the update?
Similar question: Do I have to go back to stock (i.e., unrooted, locked) before I flash 4.4.2, or can I flash it over my current stock ROM?
Thank you all in advance.
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If you have unlocked the bootloader, there is no fear of "losing" it. Bootloader unlocking is permanent, so even if root is lost, you can simply re-flash TWRP and re-root. Disclaimer: I'm sure you do know the difference between unlocking the bootloader (permanent), and using one of the write-protect-disable exploits (like MotoWpNoMo - which is NOT permanent and would be lost if upgraded to 4.4.2), but I wanted to point this out just in case. If you are indeed bootloader-unlocked, you will have a "WARNING BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED" screen appear upon boot. Again, I apologize if this is redundant...
If you want to take the OTA to 4.4.2, you would need to flash back stock recovery, un-do any mods you have made to /system, and disable Xposed (if installed). This could be complicated if you aren't sure what mods you may or may not have made...
There is no 4.4.1 for the Moto X - we skipped straight from 4.4 to 4.4.2. I'm not sure which version was the first to support Chromecast, however.
It would be easiest to "go back to stock" rather than trying to figure out how to un-do any modifications you may or may not have made. Additionally, it is preferable to flash the entire stock 4.4.2 SBF (which will erase ALL of your data - backup anything you need first), rather than trying to retain the userdata and just flash /system. Issues can arise if you try to retain your userdata.
My advice (for what its worth) is to follow the instructions in the Return to Stock thread to flash the ENTIRE STOCK 4.4.2 SBF for YOUR carrier. This will return you to 100% stock with no root. You WILL retain your unlocked bootloader so afterwards, you can simply flash TWRP, and re-root your phone.
By going this route, you minimize any potential problems that might arise by trying to take the OTA, or by flashing the SBF without erasing userdata.
If you have any questions or need clarification, let me know.
Good Luck
samwathegreat said:
If you have unlocked the bootloader, there is no fear of "losing" it. Bootloader unlocking is permanent, so even if root is lost, you can simply re-flash TWRP and re-root. Disclaimer: I'm sure you do know the difference between unlocking the bootloader (permanent), and using one of the write-protect-disable exploits (like MotoWpNoMo - which is NOT permanent and would be lost if upgraded to 4.4.2), but I wanted to point this out just in case. If you are indeed bootloader-unlocked, you will have a "WARNING BOOTLOADER UNLOCKED" screen appear upon boot. Again, I apologize if this is redundant...
If you want to take the OTA to 4.4.2, you would need to flash back stock recovery, un-do any mods you have made to /system, and disable Xposed (if installed). This could be complicated if you aren't sure what mods you may or may not have made...
There is no 4.4.1 for the Moto X - we skipped straight from 4.4 to 4.4.2. I'm not sure which version was the first to support Chromecast, however.
It would be easiest to "go back to stock" rather than trying to figure out how to un-do any modifications you may or may not have made. Additionally, it is preferable to flash the entire stock 4.4.2 SBF (which will erase ALL of your data - backup anything you need first), rather than trying to retain the userdata and just flash /system. Issues can arise if you try to retain your userdata.
My advice (for what its worth) is to follow the instructions in the Return to Stock thread to flash the ENTIRE STOCK 4.4.2 SBF for YOUR carrier. This will return you to 100% stock with no root. You WILL retain your unlocked bootloader so afterwards, you can simply flash TWRP, and re-root your phone.
By going this route, you minimize any potential problems that might arise by trying to take the OTA, or by flashing the SBF without erasing userdata.
If you have any questions or need clarification, let me know.
Good Luck
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Thank you very much for the thorough and detalied reply! I'll follow your advice and report back.
Also, as a follow up question (actually, more like checking I got your reply right): Given that I do have the bootloader permanently unlocked, all I need to root 4.4.2 is flashing back TWRP and hit the root option? (I know you said exactly that, but I got lost after reading al the PIE tethered root threads, so just wanted to make sure that is for locked bootloaders, and not my case).
Thanks again!
Deivid85 said:
Thank you very much for the thorough and detalied reply! I'll follow your advice and report back.
Also, as a follow up question (actually, more like checking I got your reply right): Given that I do have the bootloader permanently unlocked, all I need to root 4.4.2 is flashing back TWRP and hit the root option? (I know you said exactly that, but I got lost after reading al the PIE tethered root threads, so just wanted to make sure that is for locked bootloaders, and not my case).
Thanks again!
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You are correct. Nothing in the PIE thread is relevant to us with unlocked bootloaders.
Worked like a charm!
I actually in the same situations as the OP, EXCEPT my bootloader is locked and I used a couple of jcase's methods to get my root, so no TWRP. Would the same instructions still apply? What would be the best way to backup things?
NameLessThugZero said:
I actually in the same situations as the OP, EXCEPT my bootloader is locked and I used a couple of jcase's methods to get my root, so no TWRP. Would the same instructions still apply? What would be the best way to backup things?
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Actually, nothing about your situation is similar to the OPs since you don't have unlocked bootloader....or do you mean the situation is similar in that you want to be able to use chromecast?
Regardless, nothing in this thread is relevant to you. The 4.4.2 bootloader is impervious to any known write-protect-disable exploits, so if you DO update to 4.4.2 you will PERMANENTLY lose write-protect. The only option once on 4.4.2+ is to use tethered root such as PIE, which does not disable write protect, does not allow writing to /system, and any and all changes are lost upon reboot. You must then re-connect to PC, and re-run the exploit to gain root again.....not very pretty....
The ONLY option for you (besides bootloader unlock) if you want to retain write-protect-disable and persistent Root, is to follow the advice in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/upgrade-4-4-root-t2822191
And heed the warnings!!! One simple / innocent mistake will result in either a brick, or PERMANENT loss of write-protect-disable. Take extreme caution.
Good Luck
samwathegreat said:
Actually, nothing about your situation is similar to the OPs since you don't have unlocked bootloader....or do you mean the situation is similar in that you want to be able to use chromecast?
Regardless, nothing in this thread is relevant to you. The 4.4.2 bootloader is impervious to any known write-protect-disable exploits, so if you DO update to 4.4.2 you will PERMANENTLY lose write-protect. The only option once on 4.4.2+ is to use tethered root such as PIE, which does not disable write protect, does not allow writing to /system, and any and all changes are lost upon reboot. You must then re-connect to PC, and re-run the exploit to gain root again.....not very pretty....
The ONLY option for you (besides bootloader unlock) if you want to retain write-protect-disable and persistent Root, is to follow the advice in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/upgrade-4-4-root-t2822191
And heed the warnings!!! One simple / innocent mistake will result in either a brick, or PERMANENT loss of write-protect-disable. Take extreme caution.
Good Luck
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Click to collapse
I guess I was trying to be too concise, sorry. I know I dont want to go the safestrap route because of time and complexity, nor do I want to do anything with chromecast(which I forgot was mentioned, my bad). I did however plan to use PIE as soon as I heard about it. The route I was simply going to take was just to flash stock 4.4.2 SBF, then apply PIE( which I know isnt permanent after a hard reboot) since I knew that would be to safest way to get root without screwing up stuff. That said, cant this method work just as well? And sure I have to worry about getting SuperUser Xposed up and running again, which I believe has been posted about already, in the comments. But i think that would be all unless Im missing something else.
NameLessThugZero said:
I guess I was trying to be too concise, sorry. I know I dont want to go the safestrap route because of time and complexity, nor do I want to do anything with chromecast(which I forgot was mentioned, my bad). I did however plan to use PIE as soon as I heard about it. The route I was simply going to take was just to flash stock 4.4.2 SBF, then apply PIE( which I know isnt permanent after a hard reboot) since I knew that would be to safest way to get root without screwing up stuff. That said, cant this method work just as well? And sure I have to worry about getting SuperUser Xposed up and running again, which I believe has been posted about already, in the comments. But i think that would be all unless Im missing something else.
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Click to collapse
Sure! If you don't mind losing write-protect-disable forever, and having to re-root each time you reboot, go for it! I highly suggest you follow the instructions in the "Return to Stock" thread (in general sub-forum) to flash the entire 4.4.2 SBF for YOUR carrier. This will give you bone-stock 4.4.2, and will erase everything. Back up anything important first. Then you can follow the instructions in the PIE thread.
The suggested method is highlighted in red in your post above. You CANNOT use the method listed in THIS thread, because you cannot flash custom recovery unless you have unlocked bootloader.
I -think- PIE will work with Titanium Backup (confirm that first), so you can probably back-up anything that you can't just re-install from the play store and restore it afterwards. Copy everything you want to keep from the internal storage (pictures, etc.), because they will be erased as well.
That's pretty much it. I don't think you've missed anything, but keep in mind that bootloader unlock (and the 4.4 exploits) are both far superior to PIE as far as usability and persistence. You'll have to try and reboot as seldom as possible.
Good Luck!!! :good:
EDIT: Keep in mind also that once you update to 4.4.4, PIE will NOT WORK, and you will LOSE ROOT FOREVER (unless another exploit is released, which is unlikely at best).
samwathegreat said:
Sure! If you don't mind losing write-protect-disable forever, and having to re-root each time you reboot, go for it! I highly suggest you follow the instructions in the "Return to Stock" thread (in general sub-forum) to flash the entire 4.4.2 SBF for YOUR carrier. This will give you bone-stock 4.4.2, and will erase everything. Back up anything important first. Then you can follow the instructions in the PIE thread.
The suggested method is highlighted in red in your post above. You CANNOT use the method listed in THIS thread, because you cannot flash custom recovery unless you have unlocked bootloader.
I -think- PIE will work with Titanium Backup (confirm that first), so you can probably back-up anything that you can't just re-install from the play store and restore it afterwards. Copy everything you want to keep from the internal storage (pictures, etc.), because they will be erased as well.
That's pretty much it. I don't think you've missed anything, but keep in mind that bootloader unlock (and the 4.4 exploits) are both far superior to PIE as far as usability and persistence. You'll have to try and reboot as seldom as possible.
Good Luck!!! :good:
EDIT: Keep in mind also that once you update to 4.4.4, PIE will NOT WORK, and you will LOSE ROOT FOREVER (unless another exploit is released, which is unlikely at best).
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Sweet, thanks for your help. Ill check on the TB thing. Ill update if I need any other help.
NameLessThugZero said:
I guess I was trying to be too concise, sorry. I know I dont want to go the safestrap route because of time and complexity, nor do I want to do anything with chromecast(which I forgot was mentioned, my bad). I did however plan to use PIE as soon as I heard about it. The route I was simply going to take was just to flash stock 4.4.2 SBF, then apply PIE( which I know isnt permanent after a hard reboot) since I knew that would be to safest way to get root without screwing up stuff. That said, cant this method work just as well? And sure I have to worry about getting SuperUser Xposed up and running again, which I believe has been posted about already, in the comments. But i think that would be all unless Im missing something else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind, that PIE itself isn't as good of root as using SlapMyMoto & MotoWpNoMo together.
On the X there are two parts needed for effective Root. 1. Root Exploit, and 2. Write Protection Dis-abler.
PIE is a root Exploit. It exploits a vulnerability to grant root access. It does not address Write Protection.
Write Protection on the X prevents proper access to /system or the like. Some apps wont be able to create new files in the protected folders, and any changes made to existing files (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on. This is also why PIE root is lost at power off/on.
In the past (4.4 and below days) SlapMyMoto was the Root Exploit, and MotoWpNoMo was the write protection dis-abler. Once thought to be permanent, the exploit used by MotoWpNoMo was plugged in 4.4.2 making it not work. Write protection becomes re-enabled, and there is no new exploit to disable it.
Why do I mention this? In reading the various threads, especially the Pie thread, there appear to be special instructions to install XPosed when write protection is enabled that you'll need to keep in mind, as well as info on how to re-root and get Xposed working again if you do power off/on. Because write protection is enabled, there are some apps and hacks that may not work. Some of the Tethering tricks for example.
Unlocking the bootloader gets around this. Once you unlock the bootloader, you can always install a custom recovery (like TWRP) and root from there. In the process, write protection becomes disabled. There is no need to wait on a vulnerability in the code to be exploited to gain root and disable write protection.
Hi, I was just wondering what the steps were to keep stock software and root so I can still install OTA updates. I saw the guide here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265618 but I wasn't quite sure under 'Rooting Stock ROM', whether this meant I had to have an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery, just an unlocked bootloader or whether I could flash this through the stock recovery.
Thanks!
leo.sutton said:
Hi, I was just wondering what the steps were to keep stock software and root so I can still install OTA updates. I saw the guide here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265618 but I wasn't quite sure under 'Rooting Stock ROM', whether this meant I had to have an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery, just an unlocked bootloader or whether I could flash this through the stock recovery.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Step require to root is to first unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery like TWRP, then root using TWRP.
When you unlock the bootloader, the process will wipe /data partition. This include the /data/preload folder were HTC preloaded apps are (flashlight, calculator, soundhound and much more). In alsmost each ota updates, some of these apps are patched but because they were wiped, the ota installation will fail. So in order to still receive ota, you must restore the entire content of that folder after unlocking bootloader. This can be done using someone's backup, guru reset rom, or a RUU.
You'll also need to restore stock recovery for your version which is needed to install ota updates.
You will probably need to re-root after each ota, which is not a really hard thing to do.
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
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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'm on the OOS version before the new year's Nougat update. The device is completly untouched: stock rom, stock recovery, bootloader locked.
I'm both interested in updating to nougat (got the OTA notification) and also possibly having root in the future. Now, if I'm understanding this correctly, I need to unlock the bootloader to flash TWRP; and I need TWRP to create nandroid backups.
So how would I backup my current system, so that I'd be able to come back to the current state after unlocking the bootloader? I've only found out about the unlock process wiping the user data after already personalizing all system settings/permissions and apps to my needs... Don't really want to spend days re-doing all of that.
I've heard it's possible to boot into TWRP via fastboot without actually flashing it, would that be an option, or does it also require an unlocked bootloader? Are there maybe exploits to (ab)use in order to get root without unlocking the bootloader, so that I could backup stuff that way, or even flash a custom recovery from within the system, like I did on my old Samsung ages ago? (e.g. Dirty Cow, would that trigger dm-verity and soft-brick my phone to the point where I had to wipe it?)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.