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[Q]how can i fully exploit root features & receiving OTA updates?

Hello XDA,
Im quite sure this has already been asked on the forum but i couldn't find an answer.
I need some advise about my recently rooted Nexus 6. I want to fully enjoy from a custom recovery but i dont want to lose the option of receiving OTA updates to my phone.
What do you guys do so your nexus keeps getting the lastest of Android?
Can i use WugFresh's root toolkit to sideload OTA updates even when i have a custom recovery?
What other ways can i use to update Android?
Thanks,

No but you could use the tool kit to reload recovery and stock then take your OTA then reroot and reload TWRP.
And you can side load but it is important you understand exactly what you're doing. the kit does nothing more than you can from the command line it just tries to save you from yourself. it can be a help or hindrance. If you don't understand what's going on it will be the latter
Sent from my Benzo'd Google N6 on VZ

If you've got root and/or custom recovery, since Lollipop you can forget about OTA. And if you're gonna go through the hassle of flashing stock recovery and unrooting to get the OTA, you might as well just flash the latest factory image straight away. Just remember to leave out userdata.img so you can keep your data...

Didgeridoohan said:
If you've got root and/or custom recovery, since Lollipop you can forget about OTA. And if you're gonna go through the hassle of flashing stock recovery and unrooting to get the OTA, you might as well just flash the latest factory image straight away. Just remember to leave out userdata.img so you can keep your data...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. OTA is overrated. If I was on T-Mobile or the factory image was not available. I would grab the radio and load what I wanted.
Now I am running the E radio and the i build on VZ
Sent from my Benzo'd Google N6 on VZ

Didgeridoohan said:
you might as well just flash the latest factory image straight away. Just remember to leave out userdata.img so you can keep your data...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean flashing directly?
Can i use Simple recovery switcher to eaisly switch to stock recovery without unrooting and get the OTA update?

torecdude said:
what do you mean flashing directly?
Can i use Simple recovery switcher to eaisly switch to stock recovery without unrooting and get the OTA update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click the link in my signature for more information on OTA updates. No modifications of any kind to system can be made for an OTA to flash successfully.

Didgeridoohan said:
If you've got root and/or custom recovery, since Lollipop you can forget about OTA. And if you're gonna go through the hassle of flashing stock recovery and unrooting to get the OTA, you might as well just flash the latest factory image straight away. Just remember to leave out userdata.img so you can keep your data...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Evolution_Freak said:
Click the link in my signature for more information on OTA updates. No modifications of any kind to system can be made for an OTA to flash successfully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, your thread as helped me alot. But i didnt understand why did you posted OTA files that are flashable with TWRP altough we cant update lollipop with rooted devices?
Guess im going to have to unroot and flash stock recovery to OTA update directly from google or use a pure shamu rom.

Updating via OTA on a Nexus is an undesirable method IMO. As mentioned previously, if you download and flash the factory images, you avoid the potential update failures in an OTA from modified stock parameters. As for recovery, you don't need to flash a custom recovery, you can simply boot a custom recovery from the PC using fastboot and having the recovery image of choice in your platform tools.
fastboot boot name_of_recovery_image_here.img
I don't flash from the device any more. Keeps me out of trouble. Being connected to the PC helps remind me to move a copy of my backup to the PC before flashing.

torecdude said:
Thank you, your thread as helped me alot. But i didnt understand why did you posted OTA files that are flashable with TWRP altough we cant update lollipop with rooted devices?
Guess im going to have to unroot and flash stock recovery to OTA update directly from google or use a pure shamu rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put the link to that thread in mine as a quick way for people who are rooted/unlocked and running a custom recovery to find. Those are not the "official" way of updating. They work because someone here put the time in to make them work for unlocked/rooted users. No, you can't use an "official" OTA process if you've altered your device but that method uses TWRP to flash just like you were flashing a custom ROM.
I'm glad my thread has helped you! Since I'm not a developer yet, it is my sole purpose here to help users with anything I can. So a comment like that is very reassuring that I'm on the right path.

3 Questions about root

I have a Nexus 6 as of 2 days ago and I have several questions about root.
Will I loose encryption?
Will I loose the ability to update my phone with new firmware through the handset > settings?
Can the phone be un-rooted in the event there is a warranty claim?

No, Yes, Yes

Thanks and can i root my nexus 6 and keep encryption? I heard that unlocking bootloader will wipe the device?

Milamber said:
I have a Nexus 6 as of 2 days ago and I have several questions about root.
Will I loose encryption?
Will I loose the ability to update my phone with new firmware through the handset > settings?
Can the phone be un-rooted in the event there is a warranty claim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No
2. Yes
3. Yes
Unlocking the boot loader will wipe the device. You can have root and encryption.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 6 met Tapatalk

I had a question about Nexus 6
I rooted it a few days ago with magisk seamless root I think it was and I went and changed the Rom from unholy 7.1 to pure Nexus and i reinstalled supersu ect and it says it's not rooted! Root checker even says it's not. Any ideals on how it could have happened. "I didn't do a factory reset at all by the way"

[email protected] said:
I had a question about Nexus 6
I rooted it a few days ago with magisk seamless root I think it was and I went and changed the Rom from unholy 7.1 to pure Nexus and i reinstalled supersu ect and it says it's not rooted! Root checker even says it's not. Any ideals on how it could have happened. "I didn't do a factory reset at all by the way"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install a new rom, it depends on the rom whether it is rooted; it doesn't preserve your old rooting.
Most roms come unrooted. Just flash the root of your choice from recovery (twrp). Note that Magisk and SuperSu are different rooting solutions; you need to select only one - most people prefer Magisk.

If you're using SuperSU, you must use the last beta release (2.82SR5). Also please understand that SuperSU, while the proper version should work for the last Pure Nexus release, it is not supported and development had ended.
The boot.img is what gets modified by root (either Magisk or SuperSU). If you attempt to install one, then the other, you must dirty flash the ROM in between. A failed installation of either will prevent the installation of the other one.
Not factory resetting is fine, but after changing ROMs, you must always clean flash - wipe system, data, dalvik and cache BEFORE flashing the new ROM.
When flashing the same ROM, you can dirty flash - wipe at least dalvik and cache.
Between different root methods, your dirty flash should include wiping system as well before reflashing (dirty flashing) the ROM. This is because there is an addon.d script that gets installed to system to help root survive ROM updates. This script will interfere with the installation of a different root package.
The addon.d script could also be removed from system instead, but that requires root, or adb with root access.
As long as data is not wiped, your user apps and settings will survive ( that's why it's a dirty flash).
Always clean flash between different ROM installations, such as unholy to Pure Nexus.
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini

When it comes to updating your device through the system/settings. A.) Nexus 6 will no longer get official updates. B.) Root will not interfere with official custom ROM updates i.e Lineage OS ota packages. C.) The only way to flash updates on a custom. ROM usually is through TWRP.

Rondeau79 said:
When it comes to updating your device through the system/settings. A.) Nexus 6 will no longer get official updates. B.) Root will not interfere with official custom ROM updates i.e Lineage OS ota packages. C.) The only way to flash updates on a custom. ROM usually is through TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it wouldn't update or anything. I ended up flashing it all stock and sold it lol I did the exact same thing to my Nexus 6p smh got a DU rom that is 8.1 like my nexus and got gapps 8.1 but went with nano. Could that be a issue or nah? Lineage os works fine but I don't care for the setup lol

[email protected] said:
Yeah it wouldn't update or anything. I ended up flashing it all stock and sold it lol I did the exact same thing to my Nexus 6p smh got a DU rom that is 8.1 like my nexus and got gapps 8.1 but went with nano. Could that be a issue or nah? Lineage os works fine but I don't care for the setup lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gapps have nothing to do with firmware updates and root. If you want stock updates on a device then move on to another handset. The Nexus line is done and will no longer be supported by Google. The Android OS as a whole will largely be discontinued eventually as well. Magisk is the only supported root function now as well. Move on to what works for you.

Rondeau79 said:
Gapps have nothing to do with firmware updates and root. If you want stock updates on a device then move on to another handset. The Nexus line is done and will no longer be supported by Google. The Android OS as a whole will largely be discontinued eventually as well. Magisk is the only supported root function now as well. Move on to what works for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which phone would you suggest? I have thought about getting a different phone. Seen two pixel 2 on eBay that I'm about to buy. One has a broken screen supposedly and the other has a bad logic board
---------- Post added at 03:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 AM ----------
runekock said:
When you install a new rom, it depends on the rom whether it is rooted; it doesn't preserve your old rooting.
Most roms come unrooted. Just flash the root of your choice from recovery (twrp). Note that Magisk and SuperSu are different rooting solutions; you need to select only one - most people prefer Magisk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear where ur coming from...how can I tell the difference in a rooted and unrooted Rom? Sorry I'm really new to rooting phones and what not.
I know it worked in my Nexus 6 just fine and I rooted the phone before I installed

[email protected] said:
Which phone would you suggest? I have thought about getting a different phone. Seen two pixel 2 on eBay that I'm about to buy. One has a broken screen supposedly and the other has a bad logic board
---------- Post added at 03:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 AM ----------
I hear where ur coming from...how can I tell the difference in a rooted and unrooted Rom? Sorry I'm really new to rooting phones and what not.
I know it worked in my Nexus 6 just fine and I rooted the phone before I installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not looked into a new device for a while. I would suggest a one plus 5 or a mid range Moto device. Look into something easy to modify, ie. Unlocking the bootloader, root, and custom recovery. Browse XDA forums on different devices for development support and so forth.
As far as checking root. Google play store has various root check apps that you download and simply check for root. It will say rooted or not.

Can you switch from LMY48W to LMY48T in order to upgrade to 6.0?

Hi, I have an unlocked Nexus 6 bought direct from Google. Somehow it became the AT&T version of 5.1.1 (LMY48W). This means that there is currently no OTA upgrade to Android 6.0 Marshmallow for LMY48W.
However, as there is an upgrade to 6.0 from LMY48T, it is possible to either:
Edit the build.prop to trick the update –*and would this cause any problems?
Change my Nexus 6 to LMY48T some other official way?

1 - I wouldn't.
2 - Yes, by flashing a factory image, but in that case you might as well just move straight to Marshmallow. If you don't want to wipe your phone, just skip flashing the userdata image.
(There's a bunch of guides for this, search or check the stickies.)

1. Even if it did download an update, it wouldn't do anything but cause problems for you as the file verification would fail.
2. Why don't you just download the official factory image for Marshmallow and flash it via fastboot?

imnuts said:
1. Even if it did download an update, it wouldn't do anything but cause problems for you as the file verification would fail.
2. Why don't you just download the official factory image for Marshmallow and flash it via fastboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im on cm12.1 can i just flash the factory image using wugs toolkit?

Thanks, flashing all except userdata.img worked.
Thanks!
"Recordar es vivir"

reyscott1968 said:
im on cm12.1 can i just flash the factory image using wugs toolkit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't take much to do it manually. Learn to do things without a toolkit and you'll be much better off.
Sent from my Nexus 6

imnuts said:
It doesn't take much to do it manually. Learn to do things without a toolkit and you'll be much better off.
Sent from my Nexus 6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
adb and fastfoot will become your bestfriends:good:

Nexus 6 NEWB help installing Marshmallow

Hello All,
A few months ago I got a Nexus 6 as a replacement for a Moto 2014. I love Nexus devices and used to flash roms back in the day and now I am a little lost. I followed some instructions when I first got the device on how to set up Root using WUGFresh Root Tool Kit: http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/ I also installed TWRP recovery. I can't remember how I actually got here because I did it a while back. I rooted and set up a custom recovery.
I am on 5.1.1 at the moment.
Kernel Version: 3.10.40-gc16a3c6
[email protected] #1
Tue Jul 28 17:58:25 UTC 2015
Build Number:
LMY48W
Im on AT&T
I can't remember how I actually got here because I did it a while back. I rooted and set up a custom recovery (I think) and I basically started from scratch and had to reinstall everything. I want to update to Marshmallow and I have a few questions.
1.) If I do update it to the Marshmallow 6.0.1 will I lose all my data and installed programs?
2.) Where can I get the closest to stock Marshmallow 6.0.1 or 6.0 for the Nexus 6?
3.) Whats the best way to install it?
4.) If I get an OTA should I install it? What will happen if I do?
Sorry for all the NEWB questions. I got so lost in all the documentation, references, XDA developers, multiple versions of custom recoveries I can't figure out what I did anymore and I can't figure out what to do!
TLDR: I have a Nexus 6 on 5.11 LMY48W, phone is rooted, I have TWRP, how can I get step by step instructions to install the best and most up to date Marshmallow for Nexus 6?

First and foremost: Please, don't use rootkits and toolkits, the Marshmallow updates come fast, toolkit developers will always be a step behind. Not to mention, that if something goes sideways (and wirh Marshmallow it probably will), you won't have the knowledge to fix it.
So:
4) You're rooted, you won't get an OTA
1) Since you won't get an OTA, you must flash by hand, and you should always do a clean install when doing a version upgrade
3) Now you can decide if you do a full factory setup, with flashall, or you can choose to learn how to flash images one by one, then if you don't flash userdata, and you do the factory reset from a custom recovery, you'll have all your files intact. But the stock recovery deletes everything when doing factory reset.
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#instructions
2) https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#shamu
Scroll down to the most recent one: 6.0.1 (MMB29K)

istperson said:
First and foremost: Please, don't use rootkits and toolkits, the Marshmallow updates come fast, toolkit developers will always be a step behind. Not to mention, that if something goes sideways (and wirh Marshmallow it probably will), you won't have the knowledge to fix it.
So:
4) You're rooted, you won't get an OTA
1) Since you won't get an OTA, you must flash by hand, and you should always do a clean install when doing a version upgrade
3) Now you can decide if you do a full factory setup, with flashall, or you can choose to learn how to flash images one by one, then if you don't flash userdata, and you do the factory reset from a custom recovery, you'll have all your files intact. But the stock recovery deletes everything when doing factory reset.
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#instructions
2) https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#shamu
Scroll down to the most recent one: 6.0.1 (MMB29K)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Since I am using the Nexus 6 do you recommend that I set it back to factory settings to get the OTA updates? If so what is a good link for instructions to do that? Thanks!

As long as you are going from stock to stock, you can skip the factory reset - I've done that all this time, and have never had an issue. Just flash using fastboot (don't use flash-all), and skip the step to flash userdata.

shibed said:
Thanks. Since I am using the Nexus 6 do you recommend that I set it back to factory settings to get the OTA updates? If so what is a good link for instructions to do that? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind I saw your link. I should have read that a little closer. Thanks! I will try the factory image.

istperson said:
First and foremost: Please, don't use rootkits and toolkits, the Marshmallow updates come fast, toolkit developers will always be a step behind. Not to mention, that if something goes sideways (and wirh Marshmallow it probably will), you won't have the knowledge to fix it.
So:
4) You're rooted, you won't get an OTA
1) Since you won't get an OTA, you must flash by hand, and you should always do a clean install when doing a version upgrade
3) Now you can decide if you do a full factory setup, with flashall, or you can choose to learn how to flash images one by one, then if you don't flash userdata, and you do the factory reset from a custom recovery, you'll have all your files intact. But the stock recovery deletes everything when doing factory reset.
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#instructions
2) https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en#shamu
Scroll down to the most recent one: 6.0.1 (MMB29K)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude! Just as an FYI I want to thank you and let you know I was able to successfully sort out my issues using your guidance.

shibed said:
Dude! Just as an FYI I want to thank you and let you know I was able to successfully sort out my issues using your guidance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad I could help.

Nexus 6 Nougat Root with SuperSU

I can't seem to find the answer to this.
I've just flashed the Nougat Factory image for Nexus 6 and want root. Can anyone confirm is the latest SuperSU is compatible? I've flashed TWRP and downloaded the latest SuperSU but just a little hesitant to flash it in case of issues.
Thanks a lot.

Yep I rooted just fine. works ok.

Nucleotide said:
I can't seem to find the answer to this.
I've just flashed the Nougat Factory image for Nexus 6 and want root. Can anyone confirm is the latest SuperSU is compatible? I've flashed TWRP and downloaded the latest SuperSU but just a little hesitant to flash it in case of issues.
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no problems with the latest version, which I installed last night (downloaded factory image, extracted to PC and fastboot flashed through bootloader, rebooted to recovery and flashed SuperSU 2.78-SR1).

yudumcan said:
Yep I rooted just fine. works ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pkgnex said:
I had no problems with the latest version, which I installed last night (downloaded factory image, extracted to PC and fastboot flashed through bootloader, rebooted to recovery and flashed SuperSU 2.78-SR1).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect. Flashed and working great. Thank you! :good:

If you enjoy having an unknown organization having absolute godlike control over your phone, then sure, use stupidsu.
But if you like to have auditable and sane control over your own device, I would very VERY much suggest that you instead use https://github.com/seSuperuser/AOSP-SU-PATCH

Nucleotide said:
I can't seem to find the answer to this.
I've just flashed the Nougat Factory image for Nexus 6 and want root. Can anyone confirm is the latest SuperSU is compatible? I've flashed TWRP and downloaded the latest SuperSU but just a little hesitant to flash it in case of issues.
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed factory image today and went to Nexus Root Toolkit to root and flash recovery. It went well.

new to Nexus 6, just got Nougat OTA, whats the best way to root and have double tap to wake (will it drain battery big time?) and notification led? pls help, tia
btw I use Mac

Isn't the nexus 6 supposed to be 100% stock Android and with that being able to be rooted by any root method? I know I've read many times that if you want to get into root and hacking to pick up a nexus device as they were easily recoverable and weren't root blocked by any means
Sent from my Z988 using Tapatalk

gabe.ulrickson said:
Isn't the nexus 6 supposed to be 100% stock Android and with that being able to be rooted by any root method? I know I've read many times that if you want to get into root and hacking to pick up a nexus device as they were easily recoverable and weren't root blocked by any means
Sent from my Z988 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what exactly you're asking but the Nexus 6 is easily rooted when using the proper methods. Unlock the bootloader, fastboot flash TWRP recovery and then flash SuperSU or Magisk in TWRP.