Database Users

[Q]Can you downgrade from Android 2.3?

Has anyone been able to downgrade Android 2.3 back to 2.2?
People are trying to downgrade their phones back to 2.2 and use one of the rooting methods, because none of them will work an Android 2.3.
I've heard that some, but very few people, have been able to do it by running an RUU back to stock. There has to be a reason why some have been able to downgrade, but not others. It seems that if the phone has never been rooted, then it cannot be done (downgraded or rooted). That may be because the bootloader is S-ON.
My question is, if the phone was previously rooted, then unrooted, then updated to Android 2.3, if the phone is somehow downgraded using an RUU, is it only because the phone is still S-OFF, or some other reason?
I already know how to root it if the phone is still S-OFF and was updated to 2.3. The question is still, if the phone is successfully downgraded using an RUU back to Android 2.2 stock (with hopes of rerooting), is it because the bootloader is still S-OFF?
These questions are really more to help others than they are for me because too many people are trying unsuccessfully to downgrade their phone in the hopes of rerooting. If there are no good answers, then obviously downgrading will not be the route to take.
(AND YES, MOST OF THEM SHOULD NOT HAVE UNROOTED, but everyone makes mistakes.)

shortydoggg said:
Has anyone been able to downgrade Android 2.3 back to 2.2?
People are trying to downgrade their phones back to 2.2 and use one of the rooting methods, because none of them will work an Android 2.3.
I've heard that some, but very few people, have been able to do it by running an RUU back to stock. There has to be a reason why some have been able to downgrade, but not others. It seems that if the phone has never been rooted, then it cannot be done (downgraded or rooted). That may be because the bootloader is S-ON.
My question is, if the phone was previously rooted, then unrooted, then updated to Android 2.3, if the phone is somehow downgraded using an RUU, is it only because the phone is still S-OFF, or some other reason?
I already know how to root it if the phone is still S-OFF and was updated to 2.3. The question is still, if the phone is successfully downgraded using an RUU back to Android 2.2 stock (with hopes of rerooting), is it because the bootloader is still S-OFF?
These questions are really more to help others than they are for me because too many people are trying unsuccessfully to downgrade their phone in the hopes of rerooting. If there are no good answers, then obviously downgrading will not be the route to take.
(AND YES, MOST OF THEM SHOULD NOT HAVE UNROOTED, but everyone makes mistakes.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question but its posted like a million times with no definitive answer. And yes alooooooot of people have made mistakes...lol
Sent from my EVO rocking Evervolv Gingerbread

Yes, they are only able to downgrade because their phone is already unlocked with s-off.
Its really a waste of time tbh, all you have to do is flash a recovery and you're done.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

How would I flash the recovery?

kleintools said:
How would I flash the recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look on the dev forum for RA recovery or clockwork recovery. Both of them include a way to flash them via bootloader menu on the evo.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

fenixjn said:
Look on the dev forum for RA recovery or clockwork recovery. Both of them include a way to flash them via bootloader menu on the evo.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if its S off
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

HBOOT Driver Installation

I am trying to get to the drivers installed and I am doing what the instructions say, "Turn off your phone, then boot it into the HBOOT menu by holding power and volume down.", but all it does is boot normal, but really fast. Am I doing something wrong, other than being a noob?
I am not rooted
htc EVO 4g
v2.3.3 ota

you need to pull out the battery first. or disable fastboot in the settings.

civicboy1791 said:
I am trying to get to the drivers installed and I am doing what the instructions say, "Turn off your phone, then boot it into the HBOOT menu by holding power and volume down.", but all it does is boot normal, but really fast. Am I doing something wrong, other than being a noob?
I am not rooted
htc EVO 4g
v2.3.3 ota
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, you have fastboot mode enabled, which you can turn off in menu>settings>power management, or something to that nature. What exactly are you trying to install the hboot drivers for? I only ask, because if it is so you can use Unrevoked, I just wanted to give you a heads up that it won't be working for you, and I'd avoid trying it. Unrevoked won't work for the 2.3.3 OTA. If it is for other reasons, then carry on!

k2buckley said:
Yea, you have fastboot mode enabled, which you can turn off in menu>settings>power management, or something to that nature. What exactly are you trying to install the hboot drivers for? I only ask, because if it is so you can use Unrevoked, I just wanted to give you a heads up that it won't be working for you, and I'd avoid trying it. Unrevoked won't work for the 2.3.3 OTA. If it is for other reasons, then carry on!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I was trying to get one step ahead by getting ready to root when Unrevoked gets it figured out. On their site it says to install the drivers for windows users. I guess it is safe to say I am completely wrong about this one?

civicboy1791 said:
Well I was trying to get one step ahead by getting ready to root when Unrevoked gets it figured out. On their site it says to install the drivers for windows users. I guess it is safe to say I am completely wrong about this one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you DO need to have the hboot drivers installed for Unrevoked to work, if you're using windows. The problem is that Unrevoked is not yet updated to work with the 2.3.3 OTA. There is currently no root method for ya. The only hope you'd have for right now, is if your phone had been rooted prior to you having it, and your bootloader is still S-off. Other than that, you're going to need to wait until unrevoked gets updated to work with the OTA. I also wouldn't be surprised if when there is an Updated method to work with the new hboot 2.16, that there is a different set of modified hboot drivers that will need to be used (speculation, but wouldn't be surprised). That would mean you'd just need to install them again.
I would just sit tight and wait for the updated Unrevoked to drop, and see if there is anything that changes with their instructions or downloads.

k2buckley said:
Well, you DO need to have the hboot drivers installed for Unrevoked to work, if you're using windows. The problem is that Unrevoked is not yet updated to work with the 2.3.3 OTA. There is currently no root method for ya. The only hope you'd have for right now, is if your phone had been rooted prior to you having it, and your bootloader is still S-off. Other than that, you're going to need to wait until unrevoked gets updated to work with the OTA. I also wouldn't be surprised if when there is an Updated method to work with the new hboot 2.16, that there is a different set of modified hboot drivers that will need to be used (speculation, but wouldn't be surprised). That would mean you'd just need to install them again.
I would just sit tight and wait for the updated Unrevoked to drop, and see if there is anything that changes with their instructions or downloads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like I am sitting tight... Thank you for all the input!

civicboy1791 said:
Looks like I am sitting tight... Thank you for all the input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I always feel bad for the owner of an unrooted evo, hopefully you won't need to wait too long! If I were you, I'd probably be looking all over craigslist, hoping to get lucky and find one that's still on Froyo, and try to trade up!

k2buckley said:
You're welcome. I always feel bad for the owner of an unrooted evo, hopefully you won't need to wait too long! If I were you, I'd probably be looking all over craigslist, hoping to get lucky and find one that's still on Froyo, and try to trade up!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was considering doing the root before the ota 2.3.3 but wasn't comfortable with it yet, now i pretty much have the procedure memorized, but somehow missed the part about not doing the ota's. Lesson learned. And i didn't even think about Craigslist, going there now...

civicboy1791 said:
I am trying to get to the drivers installed and I am doing what the instructions say, "Turn off your phone, then boot it into the HBOOT menu by holding power and volume down.", but all it does is boot normal, but really fast. Am I doing something wrong, other than being a noob?
I am not rooted
htc EVO 4g
v2.3.3 ota
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be rooted first
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

fnkyscotty said:
You have to be rooted first
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
como?
The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

civicboy1791 said:
I was considering doing the root before the ota 2.3.3 but wasn't comfortable with it yet, now i pretty much have the procedure memorized, but somehow missed the part about not doing the ota's. Lesson learned. And i didn't even think about Craigslist, going there now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, I have no idea how true it is...but I've heard a couple people report that they had success in going to a Sprint store, and convincing one of the techs there to downgrade the phone back to Froyo. Again, that's just hearsay, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sprint had the capabilities to downgrade the system (we currently can't downgrade). If that is at all true, and you were able to get them to downgrade ya, then you could root using unrevoked.

k2buckley said:
como?
The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.
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HA! nice lol

k2buckley said:
Also, I have no idea how true it is...but I've heard a couple people report that they had success in going to a Sprint store, and convincing one of the techs there to downgrade the phone back to Froyo. Again, that's just hearsay, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sprint had the capabilities to downgrade the system (we currently can't downgrade). If that is at all true, and you were able to get them to downgrade ya, then you could root using unrevoked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Calling now, let you know what they say

negative - they say it is not possible...

civicboy1791 said:
negative - they say it is not possible...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn, that's too bad. I wonder if it is actually possible, but they're instructed to not do it....either that or the person who reported it before was full of it! He did say it took some convincing though, and he gave a few reasons as to why he wanted to do it (ie. with the GB OTA netflix didnt work, it borked wireless N wifi, the compass no longer worked, phantom voicemail icons, etc) he complained of all those valid things, and got the guy to do it. At least that's what he said.

k2buckley said:
Damn, that's too bad. I wonder if it is actually possible, but they're instructed to not do it....either that or the person who reported it before was full of it! He did say it took some convincing though, and he gave a few reasons as to why he wanted to do it (ie. with the GB OTA netflix didnt work, it borked wireless N wifi, the compass no longer worked, phantom voicemail icons, etc) he complained of all those valid things, and got the guy to do it. At least that's what he said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I just got my netflix working
Sent from my htc EVO

Rooting With The 2.3 O.T.A. Update

For everyone who's been wondering and asking,
As of right now there is NO WAY to root your phone if you accepted the 2.3 Gingerbread OTA update and there is no way to revert back to 2.2.
For all the people who have accepted it, you are stuck with a non-rootable phone until a dev can produce a new root method.
With that being said, temp-root is also NOT available.
Also, flashing anything like a different ROM or a new kernel is NOT possible at this time.
If you accidentally updated or just got the phone from Sprint, you are out of luck for now.

thanks for the info. i have been waiting to update because i suspected as much. For all those that updated to 2.3, is it awesome????
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

How long did it take for 2.2 to be rooted? Hopefully 2.3 should take the same amount of time/less time.
-CM7 ADR6300

Caiaphas said:
there is no way to revert back to 2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The old official RUUs don't work on the phone?

x99percent said:
The old official RUUs don't work on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, they don't.

Lancerz said:
Nope, they don't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any more of an explanation than that? ...like the error message you get?
People had to RUU back to an older version of Froyo when the latest update plugged up what was the latest root exploit, and that old RUU always worked without a problem. It would be a shame if HTC/Sprint didn't "allow" people to revert back to the older OS.

I think the error code was error 170 when running the RUU, but I have tried all the ways just like everyone else and none of them work.

dpwhitty11 said:
How long did it take for 2.2 to be rooted? Hopefully 2.3 should take the same amount of time/less time.
-CM7 ADR6300
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FOREVER!!!! At least it felt that way. More people should have the phone now so shouldn't be too long.

Lancerz said:
I think the error code was error 170 when running the RUU, but I have tried all the ways just like everyone else and none of them work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would guess that booting into the bootloader to load the old Froyo RUU would still work. I always thought the RUU was looking for the proper phone, regardless of its firmware/OS versions.

Nope, in order for a ruu to run, the phone has to have the same or older hboot
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

I wish it was that easy because I forgot how much the GPS sucks on sense roms. Got a trip out of town coming up this weekend also, grrrr.

Lancerz said:
I wish it was that easy because I forgot how much the GPS sucks on sense roms. Got a trip out of town coming up this weekend also, grrrr.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I always thought Sense was great, but AOSP roms sucked at GPS.

Just used the gps in the 2.3 rom and it worked out great. It was a short distance though so might need more testing fyi

I think the GPS on sense (stock at least) tends to take a little longer to lock on, that's all.
Hopefully this gets rooted soon since I've got to send my current phone back in a couple of days, and it wouldn't surprise me if the new one has the update already

danaff37 said:
Nope, in order for a ruu to run, the phone has to have the same or older hboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is this "170" error seen in the RUU program or on the phone itself?
Forgive me if I'm way behind the ball on this: The Froyo RUU contains a "rom.zip" that looks like it could simply be renamed to PG06IMG.zip and flashed from the bootloader.

x99percent said:
So is this "170" error seen in the RUU program or on the phone itself?
Forgive me if I'm way behind the ball on this: The Froyo RUU contains a "rom.zip" that looks like it could simply be renamed to PG06IMG.zip and flashed from the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know bout that error but when I tried twice to ruu my wife's phoneI think the error was 104 bootloader not new enuff something like that.

Well when you run the RUU it goes through all the motions like its going to be successful. Then it reboots into the bootloader and you get the all black HTC screen on your phone while its updating. The RUU on your pc screen is at the part where it says updating your rom image may take 10 minutes etc. Then you get the error [140] Bootloader version error. "The rom update utility cannot update your Android phone, please get the correct ROM update utility and try again."The error [170] is when it doesnt find your phone connected to the usb.

This should be done uploading in about 3 minutes. Rename to PG06IMG.zip, place it in the root of your SD card, and boot up in the bootloader. If it doesn't work, I'll have another to try tomorrow.
BACK UP YOUR DATA/APPS/CONTACTS FIRST (I recommend using Titanium Backup, SMS Backup & Restore, and Call Logs Backup & Restore... and you should be syncing your contacts to a google account)
http://www.4shared.com/file/ADnrxUXB/Stock-Froyo-ROM-1176511.html

I'll give it a try now
Edit: Nope, that doesn't work.

great.
i guess i am stuck with this buggy 2.3 rom until a root solution is found and i can get this crappy rom off my phone. i am tired of the apps not working. locking up & same with the OS.
do the world a favor and steer clear of the RUU 2.3 rom. dont be stuck like the rest of us with a rom we cant do anything with.

[Q] Help with Mytouch 4G with Gingerbread 2.3.4

Hello everyone,
Any help you guys can give will be much appreciated.
I have a MyTouch 4G previously running Froyo, rooted and S=Off. Against better judgment, I decided to put this release of Gingerbread 2.3.4 on it:
PD15IMG_Glacier_Gingerbread_S_TMOUS_2.19.531.1_Radio_12.58.60.25_26.11.04.03_M_release_200756_signed.zip
Though everything seems to work fine, I lost root. Contrary to most other accounts from other people who flashed the same file, S=Off remained on my phone.
I would really like to get root back so I can use some of my apps again.
Visionary stops at a black screen.
Gingerbreak runs forever with no success.
What other means can I use to get root back or am I SOL for now until someone figures out how to root 2.3.4 on the MT4G?
Thanks again.
N

From what I could find in the forums, you are kinda stuck till someone comes up with another exploit in order to gain root and s-off
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

I am stuck in the same situation, except that I updated first to the official gingerbread rom for mytouch 4g and then tried to root my phone, i.e. the phone was not rooted at all.

I'm quite confident an exploit will be (re)written - just a matter of time. It's just that I couldn't use some of my paid apps.

normandelli said:
I'm quite confident an exploit will be (re)written - just a matter of time. It's just that I couldn't use some of my paid apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Im just itching to use bloat freezer. I'm doing a warrant exchange if nothing happens in a week or two. Got dust under the screen anyways.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

You can go back to 2.2.1 from 2.3.4
I had the same issue then i found this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1178912 follow the G2 method, when you get to the part where you put this in # /data/local/tmp/misc_version -s 1.19.531.1 make sure you put the version you want like 1.17.531.2 not 1.19.531.1 worked for me just did it about 1/2hr ago

If you still have S-off, why not just wipe and flash another ROM?

GazaIan said:
If you still have S-off, why not just wipe and flash another ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ota kills root and makes S= ON
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

GazaIan said:
If you still have S-off, why not just wipe and flash another ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried flashing a similar 2.3.4 release that is rooted. Renamed it to PD15IMG.zip and tried applying it - At "parsing", it stops and just goes back to the HBOOT menu.

normandelli said:
I tried flashing a similar 2.3.4 release that is rooted. Renamed it to PD15IMG.zip and tried applying it - At "parsing", it stops and just goes back to the HBOOT menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are mixing up roms and official update zips. You can't just flash a rom thorough hboot. That's not how it works.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

I managed to flash 2.2.1 back on to it and re-rooted. Problem solved. Thanks!

normandelli said:
I managed to flash 2.2.1 back on to it and re-rooted. Problem solved. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me how you managed to do that please?

superNES64 said:
Can you tell me how you managed to do that please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lOOK AT WOLF26915's post use the G2 instructions to temp root using the fre3vo exploit in adb then change your version number to 1.17.531.2, then your bootloader will allow you to use the 2.2.1 PD15IMG update to get back to stock and root.

normandelli said:
I tried flashing a similar 2.3.4 release that is rooted. Renamed it to PD15IMG.zip and tried applying it - At "parsing", it stops and just goes back to the HBOOT menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the problem with n00bs. You wanna jump head first into something you have absolutely no understanding of then beg for help over and over in here when you finally brick your phone.
Stupid. You FAIL!
So sick of new users of Android trying to jump before looking. You're the same kind of people who would jump off a cliff before checking to see how deep the water is. Then want help after you break your neck.

CBConsultation said:
This is the problem with n00bs. You wanna jump head first into something you have absolutely no understanding of then beg for help over and over in here when you finally brick your phone.
Stupid. You FAIL!
So sick of new users of Android trying to jump before looking. You're the same kind of people who would jump off a cliff before checking to see how deep the water is. Then want help after you break your neck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just remember you was new at this at one time to

WOLF26915 said:
Just remember you was new at this at one time to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was 20 years ago. And yet, even then, when I wanted to know something; I searched and searched and searched, and searched again. Then I read and read and re-read over and over and over again. And after all that if I still didn't know then I would ask. But I would also ask in a proficient manner.
Too many young kids jumping in on the Android bandwagon and wanting to root and flash Rom's right out of the box without learning first.
I stand by my first statement.

If you had Radio S-OFF, you should be able to flash an unsigned PD15IMG.zip even though you lost root.
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

WOLF26915 said:
I had the same issue then i found this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1178912 follow the G2 method, when you get to the part where you put this in # /data/local/tmp/misc_version -s 1.19.531.1 make sure you put the version you want like 1.17.531.2 not 1.19.531.1 worked for me just did it about 1/2hr ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot dude for showing me to put that.. i can confirm it worked perfectly fine. i will hit the thanks button for sure. i was stuck on that damn gingerbread leak build lol

Interesting. msm_rotator is I believe the exploit used in Fre3vo.
I wonder if this would work to downgrade the HTC Panache from Mobilicity to an MT4G ROM?

I also downgraded back to 2.2.1 then updated to the rooted 2.3.4 and it works

[WIP]Temp-root Gingerbread EVOs

my evo is rooted already and i havent paid much atention since i got my 3d but was there an HBOOT update in the GB OTA as compared to the last Froyo 3.70?
If there wasnt, anyone should be able to a simple downgrade with a previous RUU and then use any of the working root methods for froyo.
just a thought i had while being bored.

Nope, new bootloader is locked. Cant downgrade.

EVOlvedAndroid said:
Nope, new bootloader is locked. Cant downgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so there was a bootloader update?

I really don't even know what to say anymore. I give up. Someone else can do it.

github said:
I really don't even know what to say anymore. I give up. Someone else can do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 thats all i have to say about that

what about replacing the system.img in in the latest pc36img with one from the last froyo? if the bootloader stays intact it should flash the froyo sys image and then you could at lease have temp root

t3project said:
what about replacing the system.img in in the latest pc36img with one from the last froyo? if the bootloader stays intact it should flash the froyo sys image and then you could at lease have temp root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The short version is there is no way around or tricking the bootloader. Pretty much every way imaginable to do this has been tried a bunch of times. We need to find a new exploit to get in. Several devs are working on it and itay happen soon. Seems to be more problematic than any one expected.

firket2000 said:
The short version is there is no way around or tricking the bootloader. Pretty much every way imaginable to do this has been tried a bunch of times. We need to find a new exploit to get in. Several devs are working on it and itay happen soon. Seems to be more problematic than any one expected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but you're not tricking the bootloader. the bootloader remains the same. the sys image is all you are changing and the signatures should remain intact if it is pulled out of a froyo ruu. for that matter even try placing a rooted OTA sys image in it. this would not gain s-off but you could run a shell root and su if it would work.

t3project said:
what about replacing the system.img in in the latest pc36img with one from the last froyo? if the bootloader stays intact it should flash the froyo sys image and then you could at lease have temp root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I understand, the new bootloader won't allow for downgrading or flashing anything that doesn't match HTCs signature....so modifying files is out of the question....
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

t3project said:
what about replacing the system.img in in the latest pc36img with one from the last froyo? if the bootloader stays intact it should flash the froyo sys image and then you could at lease have temp root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't do that, it would break HTC's signature and the bootloader would not accept it

I need to save this response in a text file so I can just copy and paste it every day.
You can't modify the contents of a RUU provided by HTC on an S-ON HBOOT. The zip is signed by HTC with their private key. The HBOOT has the public key. Changing just 1 bit on the zip will invalidate the private key and HBOOT won't allow it to flash. This is the reason for wanting S-OFF, so you can flash anything via HBOOT (Recovery, for example) without any signature checks.
You also can't downgrade the HBOOT, as it will give you an error about an earlier version.
All the obvious ideas have been tried, over and over again over the past few months since the new update hit.
If you are still confused, please see this article on Wikipedia about Public Key Cryptography.

Don't forget to add that goldcards and battery pull microsd swaps do not work either.

Well, eff. I switched back to Sprint and back to the EVO today after a (very unpleasant) experience with T-MO and the G2X, only to find out my brand new EVO is already on Gingerbread and can't be rooted, ruling out the best part about owning an EVO... all the awesome custom ROMs. Lovely.

There's been all types of shenanigans occurring trying to root this thing. Including physically planting in the ground. No root from that either. Appreciate where you're coming from and trying to help and all though

jjones1983 said:
Well, eff. I switched back to Sprint and back to the EVO today after a (very unpleasant) experience with T-MO and the G2X, only to find out my brand new EVO is already on Gingerbread and can't be rooted, ruling out the best part about owning an EVO... all the awesome custom ROMs. Lovely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its being worked on right now so no worries
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I'm rooted but jw is there any news on when that source will be out?
My stupid friends at work wouldn't let me root their froyo and now want to pay me to root their gb I don't even want $ .
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App