Sunshine Unlocked AT&T XT1097... What Next??? - X 2014 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Recently purchased an AT&T XT1097. It was on Android 4.4.4 which I temp rooted with Kingroot and then bootloader unlocked using Sunshine. I'd like to upgrade to 5.1 so I haven't bothered yet with rooting or installing a recovery. Frankly, I'm a wee bit confused by the information I've found in numerous threads on this and other sites simply because it seems the AT&T and Verizon versions of the Moto X 2014 are problematic to work with.
Does having my bootloader unlocked at this point mean that any root method will work on the device? I believe flashing should be a non issue at this point (because the bootloader is unlocked) but will it also allow me to downgrade to 4.4.4 or 5.0.2 if I am not pleased with 5.1? Is using TWRP a good idea or would it be best to manually flash images thru fastboot (which I couldn't do without clear instructions)?

On a related note my device initially reported an available OTA system update but since unlocking via Sunshine I haven't had the notification return. MDM also doesn't see an available update. Is this due to Sunshine or left over vestiges of Kingroot despite having done a FDR?

Further update...
With no replies to my questions I've taken it upon myself to try a few things. Figured out that MDM will not see an available update unless the device can connect with AT&T via wifi at which point it tells me that an update is already in progress because the OTA is downloading to the device. I would prefer to download and flash the full image via MDM but it is refusing to do so. I'm assuming that this may be because the update the phone wants to install is now considered an interim update (5.0.2) and the full image has been pulled from Motorola's or AT&T's servers.
I have been able to successfully root 4.4.4 but have since removed it in the expectation of updating the device shortly. I have also been able to boot a TWRP image in the hopes of doing a backup before making any significant changes but the device becomes unresponsive to touch commands at the write protect warning screen. Any ideas???

Related

Any reason not to accept 4.4.2 on Sprint?

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.

[Q] Stock, flashable update? (VZW Dev edition TWRP)

Hello,
I searched for the answer and didn't find it so... I need to upgrade OS on my phone to the latest OTA.
I have a VZW Dev. ed. MotoX, unlocked, rooted, running TWRP. It is stock, aside from the tethering hack.
Given that I managed to unlock, root and install TWRP, I'm sure I could manage it again, if I have to install a stock recovery again (yuck), but I;m hoping there may be an easier way, perhaps one that involves simply clicking a link on my phone or some such similar. I recall with the GNex, these usually popped up shortly after the OTA became available. Is something similar for the MotoX likely to show up, or is our community just too small?
Is there a 1 click upgrade yet? Is there likely to be one, or do I need to roll up my sleeves with this device and revert to stock, apply OTA, then re-install TWRP and root? What a PITA. What's the easiest way?
Thanks!
vespadaddy said:
Hello,
I searched for the answer and didn't find it so... I need to upgrade OS on my phone to the latest OTA.
I have a VZW Dev. ed. MotoX, unlocked, rooted, running TWRP. It is stock, aside from the tethering hack.
Given that I managed to unlock, root and install TWRP, I'm sure I could manage it again, if I have to install a stock recovery again (yuck), but I;m hoping there may be an easier way, perhaps one that involves simply clicking a link on my phone or some such similar. I recall with the GNex, these usually popped up shortly after the OTA became available. Is something similar for the MotoX likely to show up, or is our community just too small?
Is there a 1 click upgrade yet? Is there likely to be one, or do I need to roll up my sleeves with this device and revert to stock, apply OTA, then re-install TWRP and root? What a PITA. What's the easiest way?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use fastboot to flash stock recovery on your phone, undo the tethering hack, and take the OTA.
Since you have a Dev Edition with unlocked bootloader, Root and Write Protection Disable survive. You can leave stock recovery on there, unless you really need the features of TWRP like backup, etc. Then you just have to do any NEW hacks for tethering (for 4.4.2 its different than 4.4). Or you can use wifi tether for root app instead of hacks.
There was talk about repackaging the OTA to be installed via TWRP or CWM, but I don't recall the thread containing an actual zip, and think they were mostly talking about what needs to be done. Since its easy enough with the Dev Edition to update, its likely not worth the work repacking it, since it wont work for those with LOCKED bootloaders.
vespadaddy said:
Hello,
I searched for the answer and didn't find it so... I need to upgrade OS on my phone to the latest OTA.
I have a VZW Dev. ed. MotoX, unlocked, rooted, running TWRP. It is stock, aside from the tethering hack.
Given that I managed to unlock, root and install TWRP, I'm sure I could manage it again, if I have to install a stock recovery again (yuck), but I;m hoping there may be an easier way, perhaps one that involves simply clicking a link on my phone or some such similar. I recall with the GNex, these usually popped up shortly after the OTA became available. Is something similar for the MotoX likely to show up, or is our community just too small?
Is there a 1 click upgrade yet? Is there likely to be one, or do I need to roll up my sleeves with this device and revert to stock, apply OTA, then re-install TWRP and root? What a PITA. What's the easiest way?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pretty much did what was described below and maintained TWRP and root. Note: you must enter TWRP and exit after the update to reinstall SU.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=50639372&postcount=25
except I chose not to flash the following...
fastboot flash logo logo.bin
fastboot erase customize
fastboot erase clogo
Whether it makes sense or not my goal is to not "upgrade" my bootloader or GPT until absolutely necessary as they can't be downgraded. The risks associated with doing this are hotly debated so understand what you are getting into if you choose to do this to your phone.
Reverted thether hack.
Recovery tool worked for me on moto x dev. flashed stock recovery. Took ota 442. Flashed twrp. kept root and stuff. no need for a computer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2334554

[Q] XT1053 4.4.4 Root?

Hey guys does anyone have step-by-step guide on how i can root this phone? I am not able to find a guide for XT1053 (T-Mobile) on 4.4.4. Specifically I want to install a 5.0 rom because I'm tired of waiting for the update. Any help will be appreciated;
stuntman2128 said:
Hey guys does anyone have step-by-step guide on how i can root this phone? I am not able to find a guide for XT1053 (T-Mobile) on 4.4.4. Specifically I want to install a 5.0 rom because I'm tired of waiting for the update. Any help will be appreciated;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/ref-complete-moto-x-guides-information-t2603358
You'll have to unlock the bootloader. No way around it.
Should I be nervous about unlocking the bootloader?
Didn't my Samsung phone come with it already unlocked?
Should you be nervous? Google the pros and cons then decide for yourself.
No phone nor tablet comes with an unlocked bootloader.
I have an XT1053 and just recently unlocked the bootloader through the Motorola site. I waited until now because my original warranty just expired and knew that unlocking the bootloader would void my warranty. I wanted to unlock the bootloader under 4.4.4 because I didn't know if there would be any problems once Lollipop was offered as an update. The unlock process went very smoothly and took only a few minutes. You probably already know that unlocking wipes your phone, so be prepared to reinstall apps and other files. I have not rooted yet because I'll probably wait to do that after the Lollipop OTA comes around. Even then, I may not root because I'm really pretty happy with the phone as it is. For me, unlocking the bootloader was just of way of preserving the future option to root.
stuntman2128 said:
Hey guys does anyone have step-by-step guide on how i can root this phone? I am not able to find a guide for XT1053 (T-Mobile) on 4.4.4. Specifically I want to install a 5.0 rom because I'm tired of waiting for the update. Any help will be appreciated;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to YouTube and search for qbking77 channel on how to unlock bootloader moto 2013.. Step by step tutorial with video
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
mac1996 said:
Go to YouTube and search for qbking77 channel on how to unlock bootloader moto 2013.. Step by step tutorial with video
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlocking bootloader isn't a problem. I mainly want to know how i can put a custom recovery (prefer CWM because i've had it on previous phone). That way i can straight up install a custom rom that is already rooted without rooting stock. I just really want 5.0 really tired of 4.4.4
stuntman2128 said:
unlocking bootloader isn't a problem. I mainly want to know how i can put a custom recovery (prefer CWM because i've had it on previous phone). That way i can straight up install a custom rom that is already rooted without rooting stock. I just really want 5.0 really tired of 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have fastboot?
if yes, go to your phone bootloader.
Connect to your computer by USB.
Type the following in cmd. (place your recovery img file in fastboot directory)
fastboot flash recovery (your recovery name).img
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Free mobile app
Check the sticky threads. There's only a year and halfs worth of information available to you here and all over the rest of the internet.
stuntman2128 said:
unlocking bootloader isn't a problem. I mainly want to know how i can put a custom recovery (prefer CWM because i've had it on previous phone). That way i can straight up install a custom rom that is already rooted without rooting stock. I just really want 5.0 really tired of 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At any point after unlocking the bootloader... To flash recovery, did you do the following...
Start the phone in Fastboot/Bootloader mode.. then from the PC type...
mfastboot flash recovery YourRecovery.img
mfastboot reboot-bootloader
Follow onscreen directions to use vol down key and highlight recovery, then use vol up to select/enter recovery. Once in recovery you can reboot the phone and proceed with whatever you want.
Failure to reboot-bootloader and entering recovery immediately after flashing recovery (i.e. doing something else first) can result in the recovery not sticking.
4.4.4
a year old post by dray_jr says the following:
4.4 to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick
4.2.2 Post Cam to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick.
4.4.2 to to anything will Brick
4.4 to 4.2.2 Post Cam you are ok
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can someone explain this to me? I got my phone around august 2014, it came with 4.4.3 and right now I'm on 4.4.4.
If I use the motorola website and follow their bootloader unlock steps am I fine? will I have any brick issues stated from the quote above?
Thread
Nevermind guys, found the perfect thread for 4.4.4 root!
Thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/step-step-instructions-unlocking-t2649738
Final question: I don't have to install supersu root if i install CM12 once i get into TWRP recovery am i correct? (since cms come rooted)
Would flashing a JB kernel (and only the kernel) work to root it as described here?: http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/guide-xperia-kitkat-4-4-4-rooting-t3003520
Completely different phone. What works on one does not always apply to another. If it worked on the Moto X, don't you think someone would've tried and documented it s sometime in the last 18 months?
nhizzat said:
Completely different phone. What works on one does not always apply to another. If it worked on the Moto X, don't you think someone would've tried and documented it s sometime in the last 18 months?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course its a different phone, but since the Moto X also came with JB stock, I was just wondering whether the same method would work for the ones who are stuck with 4.4.4 and no root.
And no, I don't think that every method has been tried already. the Razr I JB root with a locked BL for example only happened, cause I asked jcase nicely if he could code an app that uses an exploit. So, many times, without asking nothing will happen...
dagoban said:
Of course its a different phone, but since the Moto X also came with JB stock, I was just wondering whether the same method would work for the ones who are stuck with 4.4.4 and no root.
And no, I don't think that every method has been tried already. the Razr I JB root with a locked BL for example only happened, cause I asked jcase nicely if he could code an app that uses an exploit. So, many times, without asking nothing will happen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't proclaim to know the ins and outs of all things android, but I do know this.. Just because a phone has android 4.4.4 doesn't mean its the same 4.4.4 with the same exact flaws and vulnerabilities, susceptible to the same exact root processes. Its why an exploit to root one phone, often doesn't work to root another.
In the case of the Moto X with a locked bootloader, JCASE has come out with many processes exploiting vulnerabilities for Android and the Apps on the Moto X to not only root it, but disable its write protection. As new OTA's have patched an exploit, he came out with other ways.
Starting wth 4.4.2, the vulnerability in the bootoader to disable write protection has been patched.
Jcase's Sunshine tool works on the X with 4.4.3 and lower, and only SOME with 4.4.4. It needs temp root first, etc. For whatever reason, we don't have a way to even temp root the 2013 X on 4.4.4 enough to allow Sunshine to do its work. And despite being asked many times, Jcase pretty much said in the Sunshine discussion threads that v3.0 wont have Moto X 4.4.4 support (unless he changed his mind and I missed it). Yet sunshine and its root processes, etc work on other phones (HTC) with 4.4.4.
But back to the thread you link...
On the X, due to its security measures, with a locked bootloader, you can only flash the Moto signed ROM for your phone. Nothing else. Because of this, you can't flash a custom recovery. To flash items, we use mFastboot and RSDLite. They need the img files, or bin files. If we make our own, they wont be signed, so they wont flash to a phone with a locked bootloader. And you can't package them into a flashable ZIP because stock recovery looks for the Moto digital signature (which we don't have and can't fake), and you can't install TWRP/CWM/Philz/etc to flash that way. So if you manage to pull the JB kernel out of the Moto SBF file, you wont be able to flash it.
Due to write protection on the 2013 X, any changes made to /System and a few other places, will be lost at power off/on. In other words, if you do manage to flash it (or push via adb), it wont stick due to write protection.
We've seen people try and manipulate their phone by trying to DOWNGRADE their ROM. Well, this doesn't work either. GPT.BIN (partition table), and Motoboot.img (bootloader, TZ, and a few other things) get in the way. Even on an X with an Unlocked bootloader, you can't downgrade these parts. Enough who attempted this have ended up bricking their phone immediately, or with later taking an OTA. Sure you can try to flash just system.img, and while that has less risk for bricking, people who have tried this were still not able to use the older Root Exploits (that worked if you hadn't upgraded already). People have tried flashing everything but GPT.BIN and MotoBoot.img. Again, it didn't help with rooting. Not to mention with a missmatched system.img or other parts, features on the phone may not always work properly (going Settings -> Security comes to mind), and you are at risk of bricking should you take an OTA update.
Since that process exploits a vulnerability, and its out there (so the vulnerability is in the public), I'm sure if it worked or was possible, JCASE, Beaups, or others would have put something together.
Now, back on topic of the XT1053... it has an Unlockable bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader disables write protection, and allows you to flash non-moto stuff. So unlocking the bootloader, flashing TWRP, reboot bootloader, enter TWRP and root, is quick, easy, effective, and doesn't rely on vulnerabilities on the phone to be exploited so patches/updates haven't got in the way. Plus you don't have to wait for someone to find them and create a repeatable process.

[Q] Just unlocked bootloader on XT1028 suggestions?

Hi All,
I have a XT1028 running Android 4.4.2. I unlocked the bootloader with Sunshine and temprooted it with pie, then backed up the phone with nandroid backup to a USB flash stick plugged into an OTG cable with both clockworkmod and TWRP backups.
Question for you all going forward. It seems to me that I have 3 future options here:
1) Run the phone on Android 4.4.2 permanently, and use my rooted apps on it with the pie temproot. I almost never turn off my phone (my job requires it to be on 24x7) This will allow me to take advantage of OTA updates in the future as I assume EVENTUALLY Verizon will release Android 5.x for the Moto G, and EVENTUALLY there will be a root for that which doesn't involve flashing a rom. It's easy enough to disable update notifications and the 4.4.4 OTA update is sitting on the phone right now waiting for the day I let it install. (which may be never)
2) Allow the phone to OTA update itself to Android 4.4.4, then flash SuperSU boot.
3) Say hell with it and flash a custom rom. However, all the instructions I've found out there seem to assume your flashing a custom rom from an SD card, which the Moto G XT1028 does not have. nor does the XT1028's fastboot seem to have the ability to flash from a backup, it seems it can only boot off the recovery partition. So I'm not entirely sure how to do this with an XT1028.
The problem with option 2 & 3 is they break OTA updates. And while there's lots of custom roms for XT1032 and so on - there's very little mention of anyone running them on an XT1028.
I unlocked the bootloder on this phone because I'm looking ahead to the future - Sunshine exists and works right now, there's no guarantee it will 2 years from now - and there's no guarantee that the community will ever find a vulnerability that will allow rooting Android 4.4.3 and later with a locked bootloader. Eventually I'll want to upgrade to 5.x and I may have to flash a custom rom to do it.
Suggestions, catcalls?

[Q] Orange UK OTA update available,safe to apply over root?

I have Orange UK branded razr i phone, finally the ota update to kitkat is available. I have root though,is the ota likely to fail? My concern is that if it does, I can't flash back,since from what I've read here Orange have done something that prevents unlocking of the bootloader (apparently the OEM commands fail).
Edit: I recently did a factory reset and no longer have SuperSU installed, yet apps still seem to have root access. Not sure if that helps or hinders.

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