Database Develop

Stock recovery and upgrading Lollipop with future OTAs after rooting

Hello everyone,
I'm back to a nexus 6 after a very short stint with a 6+.
A little background for my questions: This is the very first time that I rooted a phone. I'm rooting to only install these 3 apps:
adaway
titanium backup
greenify
I do not plan on using any custom ROMs or kernels.
I see from all the guides and tutorials that people also create a custom recovery whenever they root. I haven't done that yet and wasn't sure if I had to. I would like to maintain the stock recovery that I have currently so that I can go back to stock if I unRoot. My questions are:
1. Am I wrong in thinking that I can still use the stock recovery if I unRoot?
2. When a new OTA comes out and I flash it (since I'm rooted an no longer can install them automatically), will that also upgrade my still stock recovery properly?
3. Following up on the previous question, when I upgrade manually because I'm rooted, would that be a fresh install where I have to go in and configure things the way I like them again (system settings, apps and their settings, root the phone again, etc)?
Thanks in advance!

LordGrahf said:
Hello everyone,
I'm back to a nexus 6 after a very short stint with a 6+.
A little background for my questions: This is the very first time that I rooted a phone. I'm rooting to only install these 3 apps:
adaway
titanium backup
greenify
I do not plan on using any custom ROMs or kernels.
I see from all the guides and tutorials that people also create a custom recovery whenever they root. I haven't done that yet and wasn't sure if I had to. I would like to maintain the stock recovery that I have currently so that I can go back to stock if I unRoot. My questions are:
1. Am I wrong in thinking that I can still use the stock recovery if I unRoot?
2. When a new OTA comes out and I flash it (since I'm rooted an no longer can install them automatically), will that also upgrade my still stock recovery properly?
3. Following up on the previous question, when I upgrade manually because I'm rooted, would that be a fresh install where I have to go in and configure things the way I like them again (system settings, apps and their settings, root the phone again, etc)?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No, you're not wrong. Recovery will stay stock and can be used normally
2. You can't simply flash the new OTA. This will not work manually nor automatically.
3. All you need to do is not flash the user data image and you will not loose your data, settings etc. You will loose root however. See bellow.
Google posts android stock images for each device typically before OTA hits your phone. That's what you want to grab and use for the update. Just make sure you don't run the automatic scripts that come with those images because you need to avoid flashing user data image.
OTA zip file does you no good unless you get your system back to unmodified stock.

Thank you sir!

obsanity said:
1. No, you're not wrong. Recovery will stay stock and can be used normally
2. You can't simply flash the new OTA. This will not work manually nor automatically.
3. All you need to do is not flash the user data image and you will not loose your data, settings etc. You will loose root however. See bellow.
Google posts android stock images for each device typically before OTA hits your phone. That's what you want to grab and use for the update. Just make sure you don't run the automatic scripts that come with those images because you need to avoid flashing user data image.
OTA zip file does you no good unless you get your system back to unmodified stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on the OP, it sounds like he has only rooted. Thus, the OTA will work fine. No need to flash image files.
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.

I'm kinda curious myself. I had no idea root killed OTA's. Maybe I wouldn't have done that if I knew that. I'm very new to the Nexus device. It's my 1st. I unlocked the bootloader and rooted already.
Sent from Mark's Nexus 6

crowbarman said:
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty scary. So you can unroot and GI back to stock and still can't update in anyway?

I have always side-loaded OTAs, I have never flashed anything.
After installing an OTA, on the next reboot, Android takes some time to optimize all your apps. Does this also happen after flashing a new system image? Thanks!

LordGrahf said:
This is pretty scary. So you can unroot and GI back to stock and still can't update in anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure what you mean by GI, but according to some others, after uninstalling root via SuperSU an OTA will still not install. This should not be the case unless the boot or recovery images are modified. Easily fixed by following the procedures above to fastboot the stock images on your phone.
kjnangre said:
I have always side-loaded OTAs, I have never flashed anything.
After installing an OTA, on the next reboot, Android takes some time to optimize all your apps. Does this also happen after flashing a new system image? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it behaves exactly the same.

crowbarman said:
Based on the OP, it sounds like he has only rooted. Thus, the OTA will work fine. No need to flash image files.
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root on Lollipop is not what it used to be. There are files that need to be modified in order to allow root. That's why this time OTA will fail if you are rooted.
Un-rooting however, will allow OTA as long as it is done properly and all traces are covered up and returned to stock. If it does fail after you have un-rooted, go back to the developer of that un-root method and let the know they missed something.
Here is the best way to un-root. Flash all of the old stock images besides user data image.

obsanity said:
Root on Lollipop is not what it used to be. There are files that need to be modified in order to allow root. That's why this time OTA will fail if you are rooted.
Un-rooting however, will allow OTA as long as it is done properly and all traces are covered up and returned to stock. If it does fail after you have un-rooted, go back to the developer of that un-root method and let the know they missed something.
Here is the best way to un-root. Flash all of the old stock images besides user data image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense. Is there a manual root procedure or list of required modifications for root out there? I did some precursors searches but Came up empty. Can't tell what's missing in SuperSU unroot without those details.

crowbarman said:
That makes sense. Is there a manual root procedure or list of required modifications for root out there? I did some precursors searches but Came up empty. Can't tell what's missing in SuperSU unroot without those details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explanation from Chainfire:
https://plus.google.com/113517319477420052449/posts/S5zoKTzKUW1

obsanity said:
Explanation from Chainfire:
https://plus.google.com/113517319477420052449/posts/S5zoKTzKUW1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?

crowbarman said:
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem with Chainfire's work... he does not release source.
Again, best un-root method is to flash original images less user data.

obsanity said:
That's the problem with Chainfire's work... he does not release source.
Again, best un-root method is to flash original images less user data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this info. Its a bit concerning tbh. Is there a cleaner way to root other than using superSU?

LordGrahf said:
Thanks for sharing this info. Its a bit concerning tbh. Is there a cleaner way to root other than using superSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid not but Chainfire's is probably the cleanest possible. Koush was the one with an open source solution but he hasn't updated his to 5.0 yet.

obsanity said:
I'm afraid not but Chainfire's is probably the cleanest possible. Koush was the one with an open source solution but he hasn't updated his to 5.0 yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an argument that publishing the method would allow Google to close it that much quicker, I suppose.

crowbarman said:
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The base changes and reasoning for those changes are actually documented on my website. Specific policy adjustments are present in plain text in the supolicy executable, as any hex editor will show you. Those who really wanted to know rather than whine about OSS, know.
By far most policy adjustments just drop audit log output for contexts that are already permissive, though.
All that information is still completely useless unless you understand SELinux in detail and how it's implemented on Android, though.

I assume that the encryption doesn't get in the way of being able to flash the images?
When I went from 5.0 to 5.0.1 on my old Nexus 5 all I did was flash the two new 5.0.1 images I extracted from the full factory image, then re-rooted. This is far cleaner than reverting back to the previous image then doing an OTA. I've not had to update my N6 yet so I don't know if my method will work still, but I hope it does.

Chainfire said:
The base changes and reasoning for those changes are actually documented on my website. Specific policy adjustments are present in plain text in the supolicy executable, as any hex editor will show you. Those who really wanted to know rather than whine about OSS, know.
By far most policy adjustments just drop audit log output for contexts that are already permissive, though.
All that information is still completely useless unless you understand SELinux in detail and how it's implemented on Android, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the additional information.
I did spend a fair amount of time reading your documentation but failed to utilize a hex editor. I am not 'whining' about the lack of open source, rather, simply mildly surprised, but your website aptly describes the challenges with 5.0. Many are used to various root methods being available.
Your solution is fine with me.. I love your work.
Edit: I thought I'd add that the discussion has devolved from the OP, which was whether an OTA can be applied after uninstalling root. The answer was no, due to the unknowns about what still might be modified following the uninstall via SuperSU.

Rooting the M7 but keeping the system

Hello, I was searching the internet for an answer to this, but I found nothing.
I would like to root my phone, but I love it as it is - I just want to be able to use apps like Jbed, which are functional only with a rooted phone.
Is there a way to root the phone, but keep the original system, which is being updated from time to time as it is now, or is it necessary to use a Custom ROM? I rooted several phones, but it was always to have a better or a different OS. This time I want to keep the same one.
If it's impossible to stay with the original system (rooted), would you kindly suggest a custom rom that is identical to the official OS?
Thank you very much.

Matt.Murdock said:
Hello, I was searching the internet for an answer to this, but I found nothing.
I would like to root my phone, but I love it as it is - I just want to be able to use apps like Jbed, which are functional only with a rooted phone.
Is there a way to root the phone, but keep the original system, which is being updated from time to time as it is now, or is it necessary to use a Custom ROM? I rooted several phones, but it was always to have a better or a different OS. This time I want to keep the same one.
If it's impossible to stay with the original system (rooted), would you kindly suggest a custom rom that is identical to the official OS?
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery and flash latest supersu from chainfire.

It's important to say that you will loose your preload folder when you root your phone. That means few apps will be deleted from your phone and you won't be able to take official updates unless you restore preload folder after rooting. It's easy to restore it though

donkeykong1: do you mean official updates of the apps or the system?
alray: that didn't really answer my question, but thanks

Matt.Murdock said:
donkeykong1: do you mean official updates of the apps or the system?
alray: that didn't really answer my question, but thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said - official updates aka OTAs. Alray gave you the simplest answer on rooting your phone and keeping your ROM

yes, you said official updates. I have asked whether you're talking about apps, because it is not clear whether you're talking about the apps, or about the system. Alray told me what to do, but I was asking if it's possible to keep the original ROM so please, don't try to score me off. Thanks for your..help though.

Matt.Murdock said:
yes, you said official updates. I have asked whether you're talking about apps, because it is not clear whether you're talking about the apps, or about the system. Alray told me what to do, but I was asking if it's possible to keep the original ROM so please, don't try to score me off. Thanks for your..help though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry if my reply seemed harsh. I really didn't mean to be an ass. What I ment was - when you root your phone, you will loose few apps which are in preload folder in system and that means you won't be able to take OTAs. Since HTC moved most of their apps to play store, you can get updates. I'm running stock ROM on rooted phone, and I got HTC updates without a problem. Alray probably just wanted to say that you can keep your system partition with his method and get your phone rooted

Now I see. I was probably tired, because I didn't understand what you were saying.
Thank you, guys.

Root and OTA Updates

I have rooted my phone, but am not doing any custom ROMS or anything. I notice that I have an OTA update, and figure that it may be in my best interest to install it, and it would stop nagging me then too. I know if i un-root, I will loose everything. I use Titanium backup. So if I do a full backup, un-root, install update(s), re-root, I can re-install Titanium (I have the paid version) and recover everything right where I left off correct?

I am assuming that you unlocked the bootloader even though you are just rooting. That is how I roll. If so it would be far easier to download the latest image for your phone and flash it. Just skip flashing the user partition. That will save your apps, data and settings.
It is a 10 minute process and far less prone to errors. TI backups are great but can create lots of little gremlins when you restore them.
And with root there are so many other things you could have changed that might cause the update to fail that it just isn't worth the effort.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Labs

TonikJDK said:
I am assuming that you unlocked the bootloader even though you are just rooting. That is how I roll. If so it would be far easier to download the latest image for your phone and flash it. Just skip flashing the user partition. That will save your apps, data and settings.
It is a 10 minute process and far less prone to errors. TI backups are great but can create lots of little gremlins when you restore them.
And with root there are so many other things you could have changed that might cause the update to fail that it just isn't worth the effort.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Good to know. I know how to use the search function, but what should I search for to find how to do what you've recommended?
Thanks again

therealcrazy8 said:
Awesome! Good to know. I know how to use the search function, but what should I search for to find how to do what you've recommended?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Googling "nexus factory images" will get you where you need to go. But also I'd like to add that on the SuperSU forums there are posts about using the SuperSU app's built in "full unroot" feature with systemless root allows usage of ota's. It works by just restoring a backup of your boot image that the SuperSU.zip takes before rooting with the new systemless root method. The caveat to this is that when you install the zip via TWRP you need to select the "Leave /system read-only" option upon first install and also not mount /system as R/W at any time during your usage of root.
The way I've personally been doing ota's lately is just taking a "system-image" backup in TWRP before modding anything that way when the ota rolls around I just restore the backup, apply the ota update the backup reflash twrp and root. Doesn't really save any time versus using a factory image but 10mb ota vs 2gb image is easier for me with crummy data limited internets

StykerB said:
...The way I've personally been doing ota's lately is just taking a "system-image" backup in TWRP before modding anything that way when the ota rolls around I just restore the backup, apply the ota update the backup reflash twrp and root. Doesn't really save any time versus using a factory image but 10mb ota vs 2gb image is easier for me with crummy data limited internets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. As a rooted user though, why is flashing the entire (new) factory image an option, rather than just cherry-picking the files that you need (i.e boot.img, radio etc if altered)? I mean, I realize that you still have to download the whole image, but there are far fewer steps involved to getting a revised security update on your device than with resurrecting a stock Nandroid, applying the OTA, and then rooting again.

therealcrazy8 said:
Awesome! Good to know. I know how to use the search function, but what should I search for to find how to do what you've recommended?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the top this sub forum is an FAQ that will get you going. Also in the development forum is a thread for Wugfresh NRT toolkit. It will do everything you need.
The option you are looking for in that is the 'no wipe' option to save your data.
But you should do it manually first, so you understand what is what if something goes wrong. And you should TI backup just in case.
If it bootloops or freaks out don't panic. It is fixable, as long as the bootloader is unlocked.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Labs

Not_A_Dev said:
Interesting. As a rooted user though, why is flashing the entire (new) factory image an option, rather than just cherry-picking the files that you need (i.e boot.img, radio etc if altered)? I mean, I realize that you still have to download the whole image, but there are far fewer steps involved to getting a revised security update on your device than with resurrecting a stock Nandroid, applying the OTA, and then rooting again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's only restoring the /system so data and apps remain but the main goal of mine is just saving data by not having to downloading a factory image. Regardless of how you do it you still have a PC in the mix at some point so I might as well save some of my data plan.

Is recommended a rooting

Hello,
I have Samsung J1 mini DUOS , Serial number: SM-J105H, and do you advice to root it? Is it safe? what is pros and cos? Thanks in advanced.

Generally, it is safe. The best/safest way would be to install TWRP or other custom recovery, then use TWRP to install a SuperSU.zip file. I'm definitely a root user so I'm slightly biased... Here are some pros and cons:
Pros-Xposed framework, getting rid of apps you don't use, performance modifications, and customization.
Cons-warranty void, can no longer receive OTA updates, some monetary apps will no longer work (banking apps, samsung pay, etc.)

If i will root it will i get software update? it is Android 5.1.1. when i check software update it says that i have last version. as i know last version is marshmallow. how is possible to install that last one?

I screwerd up my phone badly the other day after flashing supersu through twrp...now my phone wont boot up and i only have stock recovery and bootlogger

RealWelder said:
Generally, it is safe. The best/safest way would be to install TWRP or other custom recovery, then use TWRP to install a SuperSU.zip file. I'm definitely a root user so I'm slightly biased... Here are some pros and cons:
Pros-Xposed framework, getting rid of apps you don't use, performance modifications, and customization.
Cons-warranty void, can no longer receive OTA updates, some monetary apps will no longer work (banking apps, samsung pay, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you help me to root it correctly, please? I have installed a SuperSU and TWRP both. what should i do? Thanks in advanced.

gelapir said:
If i will root it will i get software update? it is Android 5.1.1. when i check software update it says that i have last version. as i know last version is marshmallow. how is possible to install that last one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if you do it manually via ODIN or custom ROM install with TWRP. Once you root it, it will not accept an OTA update. If they release an update and you wanna try it you would have to flash back to stock via Odin. Then it will take the update.
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
zlatan_k said:
I screwerd up my phone badly the other day after flashing supersu through twrp...now my phone wont boot up and i only have stock recovery and bootlogger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What device is it? I'll try to help.

I wanna root it because i will turn some functions which eats my RAM memory. Is that possible after rooting? I am newbie in Android i came from iOS system and i do not know much about Android, any support will appreciated. Thanks.

gelapir said:
I wanna root it because i will turn some functions which eats my RAM memory. Is that possible after rooting? I am newbie in Android i came from iOS system and i do not know much about Android, any support will appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will be able to remove unnecessary apps from the system partition. You can also take advantage of apps like Root Booster, that tweak your kernel configurations to give better performance or battery life.
Xposed framework is another great thing, allowing you to add custom ROM modifications to your stock system as well as control and customize your UI without manually modifying applications.
In my opinion, the open-source nature and endless customization is what makes Android OS better than IOS!

Thanks sir. how to begin a rooting it correctly? can u help me? i need step by step tut because to not distroy my mobile.

RealWelder said:
Yes, you will be able to remove unnecessary apps from the system partition. You can also take advantage of apps like Root Booster, that tweak your kernel configurations to give better performance or battery life.
Xposed framework is another great thing, allowing you to add custom ROM modifications to your stock system as well as control and customize your UI without manually modifying applications.
In my opinion, the open-source nature and endless customization is what makes Android OS better than IOS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks sir. how to begin a rooting it correctly? can u help me? i need step by step tut because to not distroy my mobile.

gelapir said:
Thanks sir. how to begin a rooting it correctly? can u help me? i need step by step tut because to not distroy my mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Send me a PM and I will try to help walk you through it.
Sent from my SM-T210 using Tapatalk

Unroot/Relock/revert to stock

Hey everyone,
I'm over rooting. Had an issue today where a backup refused to restore and in trying to fix it, I've deleted my OS. Yes, I'm bad at this. No big deal, I have backups of all my photos and other important stuff.
I don't really want to do the rooting/flashing thing anymore and just want to get my phone back to normal/out of the box as possible so that it will receive regular OTA updates etc. I just want to simplify things.
TWRP is installed. Is it as simple as flashing the latest official update? Or do I need to relock the phone somehow too?
I was going to follow: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/guide-to-revert-oneplus-3t-to-stock-t3676210 but wanted to be sure that it would work even though I don't currently have an OS installed.
Thanks!

Southrncomfortjm said:
I'm over rooting. Had an issue today where a backup refused to restore and in trying to fix it, I've deleted my OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That isn't root. That is your lack of knowledge of the functions of custom recovery, and what the results will be. Better learning and knowledge, and a little more care could have easily prevented it from happening. You wiped the selections in the "Advanced" wipe section of TWRP. And the fact it's called "Advanced" should have been a good clue to not mess with it, unless you know exactly what you are doing.
It's also an easy condition to recover from.
Southrncomfortjm said:
I don't really want to do the rooting/flashing thing anymore and just want to get my phone back to normal/out of the box as possible so that it will receive regular OTA updates etc. I just want to simplify things.
TWRP is installed. Is it as simple as flashing the latest official update? Or do I need to relock the phone somehow too?
I was going to follow: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/guide-to-revert-oneplus-3t-to-stock-t3676210 but wanted to be sure that it would work even though I don't currently have an OS installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That guide is needlessly complicated. Just download the flash the "full" update zip using TWRP, from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/official-oxygenos-5-0-1-android-8-0-t3728119
Make sure you are using a version of TWRP which supports Oreo (if you were on Oreo when you wiped OS, it should be okay). And that is all there is to it. You will be fully restored to stock, and after rebooting, stock recovery will replace TWRP.
You don't need to lock the bootloader to do this, and you don't need it for future OTAs. But a locked bootloader is arguably more secure, if you really don't need custom recovery or root.
On the other hand, if you still want to give root/phone mods a shot; the way to restore, and still have root is the same (flash full update zip). But just flash Magisk or SuperSU before rebooting, and you will be rooted, and still have TWRP.