Database Develop

Help with network branded firmware

Yesterday I received my one from T-Mobile UK with 1.28.61.7 on board. I am not quite a noob but I have always had devices with WWE un-branded firmwares. There is no bloatware on the device but I guess that, until s-off, I am dependant on T-Mobile to provide updates.
I am not particularly bothered about custom roms and, in the past I have usually gone with stock rooted roms so that I can go add-free and remove anything that I do not require.
Last night I lied awake thinking about the implications about what I have and I really need some informed advice about it.
If I root my device, how can I return it to stock in the future so that I can receive any ota updates that T-Mobile may eventually offer without a RUU which appear to be quite scarce?
Am I able to install custom firmwares based on higher firmwares ie. 1.29.401.12 and, if yes, will I be able to return my device back to stock without an RUU as backup?
I am most confused about the scenario which I have. I love the device apart from the 3 dot menu bar which is doing my head in and am confident in my ability to remove it but am worried about my safety net if something goes wrong. Please somebody enlighten me as to what I am and are not able to do. Thanks in advance.

bobsie41 said:
Yesterday I received my one from T-Mobile UK with 1.28.61.7 on board. I am not quite a noob but I have always had devices with WWE un-branded firmwares. There is no bloatware on the device but I guess that, until s-off, I am dependant on T-Mobile to provide updates.
I am not particularly bothered about custom roms and, in the past I have usually gone with stock rooted roms so that I can go add-free and remove anything that I do not require.
Last night I lied awake thinking about the implications about what I have and I really need some informed advice about it.
If I root my device, how can I return it to stock in the future so that I can receive any ota updates that T-Mobile may eventually offer without a RUU which appear to be quite scarce?
Am I able to install custom firmwares based on higher firmwares ie. 1.29.401.12 and, if yes, will I be able to return my device back to stock without an RUU as backup?
I am most confused about the scenario which I have. I love the device apart from the 3 dot menu bar which is doing my head in and am confident in my ability to remove it but am worried about my safety net if something goes wrong. Please somebody enlighten me as to what I am and are not able to do. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have options. Firstly S-Off is not likely to come soon if at all. HTC made it such a pig to crack, the entire year I had my One X it was never (to my knowledge) posted here how to do it. But it's not really that necessary. S-Off just adds convenience for flashing kernels in recovery at the same time as a ROM. With S-on you just have to accept that a bit more faff is required using fastboot to change a kernel.
(Side note: I have not had my device arrive yet so I am staying out of the development threads. I heard a rumour you can have a flashable kernel for this phone with S-On. Anyone know if this is true?)
Once a custom recovery is on, take a backup of your stock ROM. That way if you ever really wanted to go back for an official OTA update, you could restore the backup, flash back the stock recovery and relock the bootloader. Not sure why you'd want to go this route though.
Being on XDA and knowing how to do this stuff means you can get all the features an official update will bring you, usually months before any carrier will be providing it. You'll just be going through all this extra work to get an update that has been in the custom ROMs for ages.

wnp_79 said:
You have options. Firstly S-Off is not likely to come soon if at all. HTC made it such a pig to crack, the entire year I had my One X it was never (to my knowledge) posted here how to do it. But it's not really that necessary. S-Off just adds convenience for flashing kernels in recovery at the same time as a ROM. With S-on you just have to accept that a bit more faff is required using fastboot to change a kernel.
(Side note: I have not had my device arrive yet so I am staying out of the development threads. I heard a rumour you can have a flashable kernel for this phone with S-On. Anyone know if this is true?)
Once a custom recovery is on, take a backup of your stock ROM. That way if you ever really wanted to go back for an official OTA update, you could restore the backup, flash back the stock recovery and relock the bootloader. Not sure why you'd want to go this route though.
Being on XDA and knowing how to do this stuff means you can get all the features an official update will bring you, usually months before any carrier will be providing it. You'll just be going through all this extra work to get an update that has been in the custom ROMs for ages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer. As I said, I am not quite a noob :silly:. The reason I am looking to go back to stock at a later date is that I believe (rightly or wrongly you tell me) that to update firmware in it's entirety, it is necessary to use an official update from the provider.
If I back up my official stock rom after I root, are you absolutely sure that when restoring this backup, I will be able to receive official ota updates? It is not that I don't believe you, just want to be 100% sure.
Edit Perhaps we are more likely to get s-off now that we are on Quallcom not Tegra?
S-off together with super cid would give us the ability to use any RUU for this device which gives us an excellent safety net.

bobsie41 said:
Thanks for your answer. As I said, I am not quite a noob :silly:. The reason I am looking to go back to stock at a later date is that I believe (rightly or wrongly you tell me) that to update firmware in it's entirety, it is necessary to use an official update from the provider.
If I back up my official stock rom after I root, are you absolutely sure that when restoring this backup, I will be able to receive official ota updates? It is not that I don't believe you, just want to be 100% sure.
Edit Perhaps we are more likely to get s-off now that we are on Quallcom not Tegra?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok. It's always best to be sure before attempting something!
You will not loose out on anything by not using an official update. All it will be is the stock firmware with T-Mobile's add touches. More often than improvements to the stock firmware, carries tend to restrict the features of a ROM and add bloatware (like game demos you can't uninstall) because they have made a deal with a game developer to make some money forcing them upon you.
Even without a nandroid backup you'll still be able to download and flash the stock firmware somewhere here. Basically anything you do to your phone you will be able to undo if you so choose. The only exception to this is that if you re-lock your bootloader, HTC will still be able to tell that it was at some point unlocked if you wanted a warranty return.

Yeah, as long as the stock bootloader is available, you just need to flash it after restoring the backup, and the updates should arrive.
The firmware might be flashable without the RUU or OTA, it was on the One X, but it was necessary to relock the bootloader.
I say go for it, mike1986 has the stock ROM in the dev section as well as his stock like improved ROM.

need help to return to stock to take OTA on M8...

hey, wats up?
I'm a bit new to the XDA site but i know my way around the Android OS to some extent.
I recently unlocked my bootloader, s-off (Sunshine app method) and flashed TWRP (with root) on my HTC M8 (international version).
phone is working fine, no probs...but, I recently received a notification of and update to 4.4.3
I did do a back up right after i installed TWRP, but, TWRP came with the root feature so even if i restore I'll basically have the same as before; a rooted stock OS.
Can u assist me in getting a stock recovery so i can receive the OTA update? or if its not too much can you guide me on how to?
I am seeing a lot of info around but i'm a bit confused.
This is my CID:
CID-HTC __332
I am more than happy to provide you with any further info in order to get me back to bare stock so i can take the OTA.
many thanks in advance..

ronald_halbal said:
hey, wats up?
I'm a bit new to the XDA site but i know my way around the Android OS to some extent.
I recently unlocked my bootloader, s-off (Sunshine app method) and flashed TWRP (with root) on my HTC M8 (international version).
phone is working fine, no probs...but, I recently received a notification of and update to 4.4.3
I did do a back up right after i installed TWRP, but, TWRP came with the root feature so even if i restore I'll basically have the same as before; a rooted stock OS.
Can u assist me in getting a stock recovery so i can receive the OTA update? or if its not too much can you guide me on how to?
I am seeing a lot of info around but i'm a bit confused.
This is my CID:
CID-HTC __332
I am more than happy to provide you with any further info in order to get me back to bare stock so i can take the OTA.
many thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the HTC One M8 forums

EU XT1052 OTA, some guidance please?

Hi there, I have a stock retail EU Moto X (XT1052) and this morning I got the notification that there was a system update.
My phone is 100% factory so my bootloader is locked and I am not rooted, but I know how to unlock and root
My question is if I unlock and root would the OTA be useful to devs here? if so where and how to I capture the update and considering how may other users have reported issues with battery life etc what is the best method to return back to 4.4.2?
Thanks guys

dr_strangetrick said:
Hi there, I have a stock retail EU Moto X (XT1052) and this morning I got the notification that there was a system update.
My phone is 100% factory so my bootloader is locked and I am not rooted, but I know how to unlock and root
My question is if I unlock and root would the OTA be useful to devs here? if so where and how to I capture the update and considering how may other users have reported issues with battery life etc what is the best method to return back to 4.4.2?
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, first this is already being discussed here (as well as some info regarding the changes / battery life in the new update):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/moto-x-g-e-4-4-4-kitkat-rollout-t2805645
You can feel free to read through that thread, and address any questions, concerns, and/or comments there.
Second, other users have already been kind enough to share all of the OTA files, so that would be unnecessary. A kind offer, however. :good:

OK, thanks
I must admit I did not see anything about the EU 1052 OTA but I suppose after waiting so long I could have missed it
Cheers

If you have the OTA file to share (you can only pull it off your phone if you are rooted), it wont hurt, even if someone else has shared it.
Just make sure you say exactly what phone it is for (carrier and model).
If you do unlock your bootloader and root to get the file, just remember you'll need to flash stock recovery back on your phone to take the OTA (please use the stock recovery from the ROM currently on your phone... If you don't have it, visit http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0 download the SBF that matches what is on your phone, and unzip it. the stock Recovery.IMG is inside it)

OK, I've got the Blur_Version.161.44.16.ghost_row.Retail.en.GB.zip
I have taken a quick look around but I can't see anything, is there a specific OTA thread I can add to? if not which is the best section to add to?
Thanks

dr_strangetrick said:
OK, I've got the Blur_Version.161.44.16.ghost_row.Retail.en.GB.zip
I have taken a quick look around but I can't see anything, is there a specific OTA thread I can add to? if not which is the best section to add to?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link I posted for you in Post # 2 would be the best place for it. That is where the 4.4.4 roll-out discussion is taking place, and it is also where all of the other OTAs have been posted. That one IS already in there, though.

How to root UK moto x (xt1052)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Q] Jellybean to Lollipop

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

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

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