Database Users

Confused by the correct order of updates: OTA, Root, Froyo?

I'm sure this is somewhere on the forum but I've made a best effort searching/reading for the past hour, and am now more confused. I rooted my incredible a few weeks ago in order to get the tethering feature to work, and this was before the OTA update from VZN came along. everything works, no complaints.
Since 1) I did not get the OTA update, and 2) I eventually would like Froyo, I have a few questions:
1) Do I need the OTA update?
2) Will I need it in order to get VZN's Froyo update whenever that becomes available?
3) If so, should I wait until that announcement is made?
4) If I unroot and get the OTA, can I simply re-root in order to get the tethering feature back?
5) Would I be able re-root by following the same instructions as when I rooted the first time (unrevoked3)?
6) If I unroot/install OTA update/re-root, how do I get VZN's Froyo when it is released? I assume I would need to un-root again, and then wait for the update?
7) Am I just as well off unrooting/installing OTA update/re-rooting and getting an unofficial version of Froyo? I am in no rush for froyo and do not want to risk messing up the phone for it.
I assume some of these questions are answered on the forums but like I said, the instructions I found on various threads seemed incomplete. Would greatly appreciate answers/links to answers for any of the questions.
Thanks

if your happy with the way the your phone is right now than just wait till the official update comes out.

You'll likely be told the update is available on your phone, but if you want root, you won't want to apply that right away.
Hopefully some magic like Evo update is done for us... the Evo update has already been rooted and pulled apart.

Thanks binny and k_flan... So I'll just wait for VZN. Can I install the VZN update (Froyo) directly or would I have to un-root first? No way to know this I suppose, but will the VZN Froyo allow wireless tether or will I have to pay extra for the feature?

My plan
My plan at this point is to wait for the OTA and then for unrEVOked to see if they can root it. If they can, I will RUU back to a stock rom, and apply the official update. This will guarantee [1] VZW to handle if I brick, and [2] that I am running the real radio and the real 2.2 (instead of the buggy beta which is making the rounds).
If they can't then the decision gets harder. I suspect that my desire for the 2.2 will outweigh my need to still be rooted.
What I know i WONT do is jump through these hoops just to install a beta radio/OS combo. If the radio wasn't at issue, it would be a different story.

np OP. You won't want to install the VZW update, it will likely not work with unrevoked's reflash tool.
I also have to correct what I said earlier, it doesn't appear it is the final build that was rooted for the Evo, but the radio was pulled from the final build and used with a rom.... Either way, it seems they've got the official radio (at least, that's how it looks for now), hopefully that happens for us, and official radio img.

Fair enough. still getting up to speed on terminology.... i assume reflash means un-root - is there any way to reset the phone to be able to get the VZ update/froyo?

To be Root, or not to be......

As an Android user, and all the world on apk's made for android, i'm just curious on a point.
Why is there too many applications that need a rooted android phone out there, considering that all firmware after 2.3.2 is non rootable with an apk like gingerbreak?. I know that gingerbrak just breaked an exploit in android to do that, but at thas time, it seems that they patched very well that exploit, so, gingerbreak doesn't work anymore.
Assuming that for the masses is not possible to root phones "on the fly", why are all those companies making a lot of applications just for rooted phones?.
On the other hand, all people knows that an integrated Service pack in a windows installation DVD is more powerful (clean), that one upgraded to SP(x). What about Android OS?. Does a latest IMG firmware pre rooted is more "clean" than a updated (OTA) firmware?...
Just my thinking....

caqo71 said:
Why is there too many applications that need a rooted android phone out there, considering that all firmware after 2.3.2 is non rootable with an apk like gingerbreak?. I know that gingerbrak just breaked an exploit in android to do that, but at thas time, it seems that they patched very well that exploit, so, gingerbreak doesn't work anymore.
Assuming that for the masses is not possible to root phones "on the fly", why are all those companies making a lot of applications just for rooted phones?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to keep into account that :
1/ It's a question of choice. As long as you can get root access on a phone, it's only logical to have apps that benefit that, seeing as they give you control over the phone you wouldn't normally have...
Besides, apps that require root access are not developed for a specific phone, i.e. Arc. It's not the developer's problem if a phone can be easily rooted or not, they just want to give you apps that take advantage of this change.
2/ Obtaining root access on the Arc is not impossible by any means. You can unlock your bootloader and easily root it no matter which 2.3.x you are using. Again, it's a question of choice.
On the other hand, all people knows that an integrated Service pack in a windows installation DVD is more powerful (clean), that one upgraded to SP(x). What about Android OS?. Does a latest IMG firmware pre rooted is more "clean" than a updated (OTA) firmware?...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FOTAs are more or less branded by your carrier with loads of bloatware, so yes, a generic global ftf or img is cleaner than those.
The cleanest though is CM7, as it's based on vanilla Android.
Hope this makes it clearer.

In anticipation for Sony's Lollipop Update

1. Is it advised to gain root NOW prior to the forthcoming Sony Lollipop OTA?
Point being if I don't root and I update to the latest forthcoming lollipop ROM from Sony then will it become a difficulty to gain root via the current downgrade method of rooting.. Or will downgrading from Sony's lollipop ROM be easily achieved via flashing .93 from flastool for instance.
My idea being can I remain unrooted and update via forthcoming ota from Sony and still achieve root via the current root methods of downgrading.
2. If I gain root now though, and lose ota facility because of root then will i be able to flash the latest official Sony lollipop ROM via flashtool manually and still retain root?
Sorry for any repetition above it's crazy late here. I've been itching to root but have been holding off in anticipation of an imminent Sony lollipop release... After some thought on the questions I post above I'm trying to determine if it's best to root now to prevent a potentially unrootable Sony lollipop rom?
Thanks in advance

1. Will downgrade from lollipop be possible? I have seen both happing with other devices so could go either way. No guarantees because we just don't know yet.
2. There is no downside to rooting now. Once you're rooted you don't want to install any official OTA anyway. You could lose root or even damage the device (we don't know yet). What you want to do is flash Pre - rooted firmware which you can download in the forums here (usually you get updates sooner than through OTA this way)
It's like a whole new world once you familiarised yourself with the possibilities.

Root is recommended you don't have any downside. If you want the ota update so bad you can still decide to flash your current software again. Though this I would not recommend since there is a possibility that you will be stuck in lollipop like clouds5 said (if no downgrade possible) .I don't think this will be happening since Sony until now is not really restricting users to flash official firmware. Hell they even encourage bootloader unlock officially. That said, just root and the enjoy the countless advantages.

As another alternative, and only because it hasn't been pointed out, you could also try to simply remain confused. The challenge in this is in hopefully coming to a point of peace with your circumstance by no longer worrying about it. I've been awake for far too long and have been sleep deprived over the past days, thus having no business making posts like this and accepting ir as innapropriate, but the general philosophy expressed remains solid ?
Since i don't have it in my signature, don't forget to hit "Thanks" ?

[email protected]
I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)

I like your signature ;o)

dillalade said:
[email protected]
I will proceed to root now to prevent an unrootable Sony lollipop OTA ROM - which is incredibly likely given chanfires views on the difficulties of rooting lollipop "specifically devices with locked bootlaoders."
Given we would all like to retain our DRM keys for when reverting to stock based ROMs I think I've come to my conclusion.
Thanks for your thoughts, it has certainly helped to proceed with rooting now (with I've been itching to do) rather than wait patiently for Sony's lollipop OTA (which could become a hindrance, now that I've fully understood the 'potential' for an unrootable lollipop ROM.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jeah it is very unlikely that L will get root since it has already been obtained and the bounty is fulfilled. So there is no real motivation to keep working on it for this device. And also like Clouds5 said you will probably get your hands on rooted stock lollipop sooner here than through the official OTA update. Or 1-2 days later. Enjoy it .

Root now or regret it later.
I'd recommend you root now. The ability to get OTA updates is not a big deal at all. If you root, you can still install stock roms which would be just like the OTA roms. Sometimes the unofficial stock roms come out sooner than the OTAs, if not, then very shortly after. I actually like SONY's stock rom. I'm rooted, and I plan to just use the stock rom with some root enabled modifications.
I'd say that most custom roms are just as good or better than official stock roms from OTA.
With my last phone, I regretted not rooting when I had the chance. Sure, I was okay with it overall, but I wished I had root so I could have my phone exactly the way I wanted. There were some really useful functions that I missed from having a rooted phone, like screen-off music player controls. I missed being able to tether without the carrier knowing.
Some companies are making it harder and harder to root, so I say root now while you can.
If you root now, you're in control. If you wait for OTA, who knows.

Best Options For i337 Going Forward + February OTA

Hello,
Today I received a notice that my phone has an OTA update available. I'm currently rooted on OC4. I can't find anything about this new OTA update, but I'm assuming it's only patching and nothing major. Is it safe to take this OTA update without fear of my root being lost?
Additionally, I'm wondering if anyone can offer some insight into the best options for this device moving forward. The phone is getting old and I would like to give it it's "final update" + a few months use before I replace it. Marshmallow would be nice, but I use Google Wallet/Android Pay frequently and I've heard that they're not compatible with some custom builds and their potential modification of the secure portion of the device those applications rely on. I would also prefer to be able to utilize the xposed framework, though that is not necessary.
What are the most modern, more vanilla, most recent Android custom builds recommended for this device?
Thank you

Given you are on OC4, you can't install a custom rom because of the locked bootloader

UK Fingerprint rom question

If i install the UK fingerprint version here . Will the update still come to my phone? I see they have new updates now and oreo 8 is coming. Will i be able to install those from within the device or will i run into issues?
Also are there any issues using the UK rom over the US rom?
Also are there any better ways to enable the fingerprint sensor without install the UK version?
Does it also void warranty?
Thanks!

I'm in the US & I installed the UK ROM you link to above. It works as advertised. I wondered about receiving the update as well and read through the entire thread. It says you will be able to receive updates and you won't void your warranty since you are flashing official firmware. Of course that is just a post on an internet forum and carries no weight. Other than the warranty does it really matter? You can always update using Flashtool.
Yesterday I updated to 8.0 following this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/x-compact/how-to/stock-8-0-root-recovery-t3747479 and now I have 8.0, my bootloader is unlocked, I have root, adaway, my phone passes safetynet, and most importantly it still works..
There are some subtle differences between N & O that have made it worthwhile. Sorry I can't be of more help, I can only share my positive experience.

rjglenn said:
I'm in the US & I installed the UK ROM you link to above. It works as advertised. I wondered about receiving the update as well and read through the entire thread. It says you will be able to receive updates and you won't void your warranty since you are flashing official firmware. Of course that is just a post on an internet forum and carries no weight. Other than the warranty does it really matter? You can always update using Flashtool.
Yesterday I updated to 8.0 following this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/x-compact/how-to/stock-8-0-root-recovery-t3747479 and now I have 8.0, my bootloader is unlocked, I have root, adaway, my phone passes safetynet, and most importantly it still works..
There are some subtle differences between N & O that have made it worthwhile. Sorry I can't be of more help, I can only share my positive experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you unlocked your bootloader, while you might be if there is an update, you can't just download and apply it from phone. If you're only interested in major android upgrade, this won't be a problem as at most we probably will only got one more android major version update (or none, it will be close to two years after device release).
If you are interested on monthly security update though, this could be a pain to flash manually each month

So if i just install the UK via the xperia flash tool method here (https://forum.xda-developers.com/x-compact/how-to/fingerprint-reader-version-flash-t3470154) , will i get OTA updates for security patches? Or do i have to manually do it every time?

mystycs said:
So if i just install the UK via the xperia flash tool method here (https://forum.xda-developers.com/x-compact/how-to/fingerprint-reader-version-flash-t3470154) , will i get OTA updates for security patches? Or do i have to manually do it every time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will receive updates as long as you do not tamper with the bootloader or recovery. If for some reason it doesn't work you can always use flashtool to apply an update. The convenience of the fingerprint reader working far outweighs the inconvenience of having to update a phone with a computer.