When unlocked & rooted, what about updates? - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi .........
Just bought the Nexus 7, so, I'm now selling my almost new Sony S tablet, the N7 is far superior.
Just unlocked bootloader and gained root access, what I'd like to know is, how do we know, there is an update, and, do we somehow unroot the device, get the update, then re-root afterwards?
I'm new to all this, and don't know......................

Horse Trader said:
Hi .........
Just bought the Nexus 7, so, I'm now selling my almost new Sony S tablet, the N7 is far superior.
Just unlocked bootloader and gained root access, what I'd like to know is, how do we know, there is an update, and, do we somehow unroot the device, get the update, then re-root afterwards?
I'm new to all this, and don't know......................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what ROM you are running. In my experience Stock rooted devices will receive OTA's, but if you are running a custom ROM its possible that it won't. If you did the stock root method you should be alright, however the wonderful folks at XDA are very good at staying on top of release and keeping your rooted device up-to-date.

Hopefully one of the developers here would put up a stock rooted rom from any update. It may take a day or so but usually someone does it.

Related

usb drive support and rooting

I read that USB support for jumps drives is not supported out of the box, but if you root the nexus 7 tablet and download a file manager it is.
2 questions,
1- is this accurate info and 2
2- if i root the tablet, does that mean that any updates google pushes in the next weeks or months wont alow me to update?
sorry if i dont actually know the terms and associations with rooting... i never did it for my phones as all how too's and info are not really put together well
Rooting won't stop updates.
loueber said:
if i root the tablet, does that mean that any updates google pushes in the next weeks or months wont alow me to update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can re-lock your bootloader once you've rooted, though if you need to unlock it for any reason again, it will wipe the device.
In order to root, you need to unlock the bootloader. If the bootloader is unlocked, you do not receive official OTA's from Google and you have to rely on custom roms to get the latest update. Keep in mind, this is not a problem as this is a Nexus device and typically developers are very fast to integrate a new update from Google into their rom.
Nexcellent said:
You can re-lock your bootloader once you've rooted, though if you need to unlock it for any reason again, it will wipe the device.
In order to root, you need to unlock the bootloader. If the bootloader is unlocked, you do not receive official OTA's from Google and you have to rely on custom roms to get the latest update. Keep in mind, this is not a problem as this is a Nexus device and typically developers are very fast to integrate a new update from Google into their rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, what? Are you serious? This is the first I heard of this. How difficult would it be to re-lock the boot loader? I definitely want USB OTG support (curse you Google for not making this work out of the box!), that means I'm easily going to opt in favor of rooting to get that functionality... after I use it for a while of course to make sure everything works fine :laugh:. I would LIKE to have Google OTA updates, though, so re-locking the boot loader interests me somewhat, but certainly not the wiping if I unlock it again... *facepalm*
That said, with the last line you said, are you saying that a rooted/custom flashed N7... on say... CM9... would simply get their updates from CM9 devs instead?
And with that, if I root my Nexus 7, but don't ever lock the boot loader to receive OTA like you mention, then I'll.... never be updated. Right?
JaSauders said:
Wait, what? Are you serious? This is the first I heard of this. How difficult would it be to re-lock the boot loader? I definitely want USB OTG support (curse you Google for not making this work out of the box!), that means I'm easily going to opt in favor of rooting to get that functionality... after I use it for a while of course to make sure everything works fine :laugh:. I would LIKE to have Google OTA updates, though, so re-locking the boot loader interests me somewhat, but certainly not the wiping if I unlock it again... *facepalm*
That said, with the last line you said, are you saying that a rooted/custom flashed N7... on say... CM9... would simply get their updates from CM9 devs instead?
And with that, if I root my Nexus 7, but don't ever lock the boot loader to receive OTA like you mention, then I'll.... never be updated. Right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not difficult to relock to the bootloader, just a simple fastboot command via ADB. I see no benefit however in relocking the bootloader once you've rooted.
Forget about OTA's. The beauty of rooting and flashing custom roms is that you don't have to wait for an OTA's. CM team is going be producing nightlies for CM10 soon, hopefully the guys at AOKP will add the Nexus 7 to their new JB builds. I'm currently running MoDaCo 4.1.1, Paul did a great job with this rom. You won't get OTA's on custom roms, you have to update them manually, which is not a pain at all.
Nexcellent said:
You can re-lock your bootloader once you've rooted, though if you need to unlock it for any reason again, it will wipe the device.
In order to root, you need to unlock the bootloader. If the bootloader is unlocked, you do not receive official OTA's from Google and you have to rely on custom roms to get the latest update. Keep in mind, this is not a problem as this is a Nexus device and typically developers are very fast to integrate a new update from Google into their rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH BOY...see the main reason im getting the device is to send it to mother in law in MX. and it would be nice to send a USB chip with videos, or photos or other things if need be,
Since i wont have the device, installing custom roms is not really an option.
the whole point of the nexus device for me was the support and timely updates from google VS manufacturer branded versions that take forever to fix any issues.

[POLL] Have you unlocked your bootloader?

I was interested, after reading the thread "are you satisfied with your TF300?" to see just the proportion of owners that unlocked their bootloader, as this could have implications with the speed of development. I also noticed how many users said they were not satisfied when their tablet was stock, but became more satisfied when it was running a custom ROM. It seems to me that some people are unsatisfied with the stock ROM, but don't wish to unlock the bootloader and void the warranty meaning they wont be able to send it back should there be a problem, or sell it on for maximum retail value.
Please choose one of the options above, thanks! (It would also be interesting to post your thoughts on how this affected your satisfaction with the tablet)
RolloJarvis said:
I was interested, after reading the thread "are you satisfied with your TF300?" to see just the proportion of owners that unlocked their bootloader, as this could have implications with the speed of development. I also noticed how many users said they were not satisfied when their tablet was stock, but became more satisfied when it was running a custom ROM. It seems to me that some people are unsatisfied with the stock ROM, but don't wish to unlock the bootloader and void the warranty meaning they wont be able to send it back should there be a problem, or sell it on for maximum retail value.
Please choose one of the options above, thanks! (It would also be interesting to post your thoughts on how this affected your satisfaction with the tablet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cant use a device w/o root... Same day they released the unlock bootloader I unlocked my device! All my android phones are rooted and or unlocked the day I got it.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app
I did not unlock. I figured I will leave it stock until jellybean comes out and see how that goes. I did root though. Gotta have that.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
I'm rooted atm. Gonna wait until my warranty is done before I consider unlocking.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using XDA Premium HD app
I have unlocked and installed the Hydro ROM (see the development section) . It is smoother for sure, no browserlag any more.
First I made sure to have root, so that I could backup my current applications and their settings with Titanium backup. Then I installed TWRM, the modern equivalent of Clock Work Mod, to backup the stock ROM. By taking these precautions the riscs of creating a mess are fairly reduced.
I also used the stock ROM for approximately 6 weeks, to be sure that the hardware was alright and that the chances of needing Asus support in the coming year were small.
Unlocked and rooted the day I got the tablet. Been happily running Hydro since its release.
Still locked bootloader here but rooted off course. I'm waiting for official jellybean
If you are completely satisfied with your device, then don't tinker with it by rooting and unlocking. However, if you unlock the device and install a custom recovery, then it becomes very difficult to brick the tf300. You can almost always come back to a working stock official rom with a custom recovery by simply flashing the software directly downloaded from the ASUS website. I have no regrets about unlocking my bootloader.
Unlocked and rooted
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
still on latest stock rom. since there will be an update to 4.1.1 i will not root or unlock (the bootloader) of the device. my girlfriend uses the tablet more intensively than me. rooting the device might cause a drop the WAF.
but i am planning to unlock/root as soon as asus stops developing for 300T.
eddyfr said:
Still locked bootloader here but rooted off course. I'm waiting for official jellybean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will rooting change otherstuff such as OTA updates, recovery or etc? Possible to unroot easily?
Sent from my Galaxy Note or from my Transformer TF300T
i didn't unlock , but rooted.
Locked & rooted. Keeping warranty.
Still Charged Up
I am unlocked and have used clean rom, hydro 4.3, cm9, skank for ics, aokp for ics, aokp for jb, cm10 and am currently running skank for jb. For me personally, my tab has run the fastest & smoothest with the custom roms w/ little, if any lag at all. With the new TWRP doing /boot backups as well as external sd support, it is so easy now to try all the roms and find one you like.
I'm not unlocked. Like some, I'm waiting for the 4.1 update to see what I think of it. I find it runs slower than my phone for some functions like updating apps, so I'm leaning to unlocking for a faster rom.
Mine is unlocked & rooted. And yet, I didn't found a rom that would satisfy me - just the stock one But maybe I will try the Clean ROM.
Yes! Is the best that I do
Unlocked, rooted. Btw, rooting doesn't affect otas.
Oh, and I'm waiting for warranty to be almost up, then get it fixed. I have a dead pixel. Lol in know, finicky but still lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Not unlocked or rooted. Waiting on JB. The stock ROM may have issues but custom ROMs just introduce others.
I have unlocked my TF300G bootloader using ASUS Unlocker V.7 and also root it with CWM as my recovery. I'm still on TW .40 official ROM but I have tweaked the build.prop a little bit.

[Q] OTA Root on ATT? (Or Downgrade?)

So I got my first smartphone, and being naive, I downloaded and installed the OTA update from AT&T because I wanted to be able to store my apps on my 64GB SD card instead of the limited 16gb already on my phone. A few days later, I looked into rooting, only to find out that update breaks it. (at least as far as I know).
So my question is, is there a way to root this update, or are the devs working on one? Or will they wait for 4.3 to be released? I'm not sure how this process goes, I have been jailbreaking iPods and iPads for the last 5 years, but I presume it is similar, seeing as they both gain root.
Also, is there a way to uninstall the OTA update so I can then root? I am new to all this, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
HeDsh0t said:
So I got my first smartphone, and being naive, I downloaded and installed the OTA update from AT&T because I wanted to be able to store my apps on my 64GB SD card instead of the limited 16gb already on my phone. A few days later, I looked into rooting, only to find out that update breaks it. (at least as far as I know).
So my question is, is there a way to root this update, or are the devs working on one? Or will they wait for 4.3 to be released? I'm not sure how this process goes, I have been jailbreaking iPods and iPads for the last 5 years, but I presume it is similar, seeing as they both gain root.
Also, is there a way to uninstall the OTA update so I can then root? I am new to all this, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quick answer... You are stuck. No rollback or root for now. There are always people working on rooting and not waiting for.
4.3. Maybe someone will figure out how to restore old rom. Who knows.
All your questions have been answered in other threads.
Well a lot of people can't upgrade to MF3 so I say first thing first....what version are you on? MDL? or MF3? If you're MDL any of the rooting options should work. If you upgraded to MF3 like the previous person said you're stuck. Since you're used to iOS...think of it as upgrading to new firmware and CRAPPLE no longer signing the previous OS, and Android doesn't store your BLOBS and you can't use Tiny umbrella.
HeDsh0t said:
So I got my first smartphone, and being naive, I downloaded and installed the OTA update from AT&T because I wanted to be able to store my apps on my 64GB SD card instead of the limited 16gb already on my phone. A few days later, I looked into rooting, only to find out that update breaks it. (at least as far as I know).
So my question is, is there a way to root this update, or are the devs working on one? Or will they wait for 4.3 to be released? I'm not sure how this process goes, I have been jailbreaking iPods and iPads for the last 5 years, but I presume it is similar, seeing as they both gain root.
Also, is there a way to uninstall the OTA update so I can then root? I am new to all this, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Confirm you are on MF3 and not MDL (settings/more/about device/last 3 letters in your build version). MDB is oldest, MDL is what you want to keep rooting, MF3 is the newest and unrootable for the time being.
2) You cannot root MF3. If you are on MDL and use Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper before updating to MF3, you might be able to preserve your root.
3) You can bet there are people trying to exploit this new build. Same as when a new version of ios comes out, you have to wait until someone jailbreaks it. We're waiting for someone to root MF3.
4) When 4.3 comes out they will try to root that one too...or hope that whatever root method we currently use, at that time, still works.
5) They used something called a QFUSE in the MF3 update that prevents us from downgrading once we're on MF3. Until (if) someone finds a way to exploit that, you're stuck on MF3.

[Q] Is it worth it?

Hey all I have the Note 3 Verizon and as far as I know the bootloader hasn't been unlocked. Is it even worth it to root at this point? I'm just wondering if I should wait until it is unlocked, if it ever gets unlocked.
I have rooted every device I have ever owned, but they have all had unlocked BL's. Just looking for some thoughts.
dead batteries said:
Hey all I have the Note 3 Verizon and as far as I know the bootloader hasn't been unlocked. Is it even worth it to root at this point? I'm just wondering if I should wait until it is unlocked, if it ever gets unlocked.
I have rooted every device I have ever owned, but they have all had unlocked BL's. Just looking for some thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've rooted every device I've ever had and unlocked the BL except the Note 3 and my Samsung Note 10.1. But, back to the N3...yes, it sucks that we can't slap CM or custom kernels on it, but once she was rooted, I just modded the hell out of her with Xposed and Wanam. yes, I'd love to crack the BL and I'm looking for an unlock almost daily, but for right now, this is an awesome device and you can mod it to your liking without the BL being unlocked.
tdetroit said:
I've rooted every device I've ever had and unlocked the BL except the Note 3 and my Samsung Note 10.1. But, back to the N3...yes, it sucks that we can't slap CM or custom kernels on it, but once she was rooted, I just modded the hell out of her with Xposed and Wanam. yes, I'd love to crack the BL and I'm looking for an unlock almost daily, but for right now, this is an awesome device and you can mod it to your liking without the BL being unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which root method did you use?
dead batteries said:
Which root method did you use?
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Click to collapse
I took the lazy way and used Kingo Root (after which I downloaded my own Superuser App), and then installed Safestrap right after so I could use some of the few Custom Roms available.
tdetroit said:
I took the lazy way and used Kingo Root (after which I downloaded my own Superuser App), and then installed Safestrap right after so I could use some of the few Custom Roms available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are your thoughts on this method?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466423
dead batteries said:
What are your thoughts on this method?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466423
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't answer on that because I've not used it. It looks more involved.
tdetroit said:
I can't answer on that because I've not used it. It looks more involved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah never mind that method won't work for our devices anyway. I'll check out Kingo now...
dead batteries said:
Hey all I have the Note 3 Verizon and as far as I know the bootloader hasn't been unlocked. Is it even worth it to root at this point? I'm just wondering if I should wait until it is unlocked, if it ever gets unlocked.
I have rooted every device I have ever owned, but they have all had unlocked BL's. Just looking for some thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The key benefits of the unlocked bootloader would be custom kernels, over/under volting and clocking the CPU, and custom ROMs that take advantage of said custom kernels like AOKP/CM/PA
Rooting and unlocked bootloader are not correlated when making the decision on whether or not to root IMO.
So when thinking if you should root, have you ever owned/experienced a rooted device to feel the benefits between battery saving, features, and performance? It's really a no brainer that the answer if you should root is yes, unless you're concerned with warranty and/or don't want to encounter minor bugs/issues if you decide to go custom ROM
lmike6453 said:
The key benefits of the unlocked bootloader would be custom kernels, over/under volting and clocking the CPU, and custom ROMs that take advantage of said custom kernels like AOKP/CM/PA
Rooting and unlocked bootloader are not correlated when making the decision on whether or not to root IMO.
So when thinking if you should root, have you ever owned/experienced a rooted device to feel the benefits between battery saving, features, and performance? It's really a no brainer that the answer if you should root is yes, unless you're concerned with warranty and/or don't want to encounter minor bugs/issues if you decide to go custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah I don't so much care about warranty. If I brick, I'll just buy a new one. I know not everyone is in that position. To update my situation I have rooted using Kingo and I'm running BeansRom. It's nice I had it on my Note 2. I guess it's just been so long since I've rooted I have really forgotten about the difference between rooting and BL being unlocked. Thanks for the info!
I would root even if I didnt install a custom rom, I use apps like tasker which I need root access for. But personally I like using safestrap better than unloking bootloader and flashing over stock, yea I lose a little bit of memory space but at least if i get a bad rom or it crashes in the middle of the day I have the stock side to fall back on.

Disappointed

Got my new Note 4 on my doorstep. From a technical standpoint, the phone is nice. Pretty fast, nice screen. But I feel let down. I really hate the stock ROM. Running Nova helps. It makes it bearable. I really thought I would like the bigger screen. But the problem is everything is just enlarged. You don't actually have more screen real estate. I have had my GS4 running Cyanogen for quite a while now and I like it. On my new Note 4 I feel very disappointed. If there isn't a root in the next few days I may return it to the store and stick with my GS4.
There won't be a way to root for a long time or ever for that matter....sorry to burst your bubble. I would suggest doing your homework before buying a device for modding. The latest is no longer the greatest from that standpoint. That being said if you want root and do not care about future updates or warranty, the Developer Edition N4 will be out soon . the downfall is you must purchase it outright and there will not be much support for it. However it is unlocked and rootable.
I thought I could get used to it. After all TouchWiz has come a long way. Many people like it. The root for all the other carriers is out. And the talk is that once the stock recoveries are posted Chainfire will be able to get it part of CF-Auto-Root.
ericstephani said:
I thought I could get used to it. After all TouchWiz has come a long way. Many people like it. The root for all the other carriers is out. And the talk is that once the stock recoveries are posted Chainfire will be able to get it part of CF-Auto-Root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That "talk" is wrong. cf-root works by flashing a modded recovery and installing supersu via custom scripts made by chainfire for his own personal stuff. since you guys have a locked bootloader that means you wont be flashing any recovery/boot partitions.
plus factor in L's new security and if you guys dont get root before the ota rolls out you may never get it.
shabbypenguin said:
That "talk" is wrong. cf-root works by flashing a modded recovery and installing supersu via custom scripts made by chainfire for his own personal stuff. since you guys have a locked bootloader that means you wont be flashing any recovery/boot partitions.
plus factor in L's new security and if you guys dont get root before the ota rolls out you may never get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn...guess I have no choice but to sell my note 4 and get the DevEd.
Anyone tried towelroot by @geohot ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783157 That's what's working for the VZW GS5
shabbypenguin said:
plus factor in L's new security and if you guys dont get root before the ota rolls out you may never get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats "L's" because the N4 is KK if that refers to Lollipop.
i cant tell you how many times i have had a phone that gets the dreaded "you wont see root for a long time if ever" and then within weeks (tops) we have root.
i would be willing to wager that before Dec and probably earlier there will be root for this N4
fletch33 said:
whats "L's" because the N4 is KK if that refers to Lollipop.
i cant tell you how many times i have had a phone that gets the dreaded "you wont see root for a long time if ever" and then within weeks (tops) we have root.
i would be willing to wager that before Dec and probably earlier there will be root for this N4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really hoping you're right...
fletch33 said:
whats "L's" because the N4 is KK if that refers to Lollipop.
i cant tell you how many times i have had a phone that gets the dreaded "you wont see root for a long time if ever" and then within weeks (tops) we have root.
i would be willing to wager that before Dec and probably earlier there will be root for this N4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didnt say you wouldnt ever get root, just that when it finally gets updated to L you can kiss all chances of getting root then goodbye. i imagine someone has an exploit they are waiting to drop and see if its patched in 5.0 whether or not it becomes public is entirely up to them at that point. as it stands that is your best shot at a 4.4 root.
i dont know what OP is talking about i have 100s of apps on this thing and still flying like butta!!!
pmterp said:
Anyone tried towelroot by @geohot ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783157 That's what's working for the VZW GS5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me how that goes!
Towel root will not work. The app itself says the note 4 isnt a capable device. Maybe geohot just has to include it, but i wouldnt get your hopes up
There well be a root method within the next week or so. The bootloader will never be unlocked on this phone. Hashtag was the safestrap guru. If someone picked up the reins from him, then we'll likely get a way to flash roms and recovery. Personally, all I want is root to take some of this crap off the phone. I'm done with flashing ROMs.
pmterp said:
Anyone tried towelroot by @geohot ? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783157 That's what's working for the VZW GS5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it, no go. Luckily it tells you that the phone isn't supported instead of just screwing it up.
I'm going to take the 12 days I have left to pray for root if not I'm going to see what I can do with a Bluetooth stylus and a nexus 6. I'm upgrading from a note 2 running Aosp Roms. I had the phone for less then an hour before it was rooted and unlocked I ran beans Roms at first but my need to be on the newest version of Android and dislike of touchwiz I found aosp Roms with apps like GMD spen control great. Currently with the N4 I miss the custom gestures to open evernote and ime switch
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
alprazolam said:
There well be a root method within the next week or so. The bootloader will never be unlocked on this phone. Hashtag was the safestrap guru. If someone picked up the reins from him, then we'll likely get a way to flash roms and recovery. Personally, all I want is root to take some of this crap off the phone. I'm done with flashing ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like your optimism, but look at what happened to the S5 when it arrived. Took a lot more than the 2 week return window to achieve root. I'm still hedging between this phone and the Xperia, but seems like either way root will not be there quickly.
tsachi said:
I like your optimism, but look at what happened to the S5 when it arrived. Took a lot more than the 2 week return window to achieve root. I'm still hedging between this phone and the Xperia, but seems like either way root will not be there quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although the S5 root method doesn't work for the N4, it gives devs a head start.
Surprisingly, I am liking TouchWiz and so far haven't replaced the launcher yet. First time I am not running nova on a phone.
le0.br4zuc4 said:
Surprisingly, I am liking TouchWiz and so far haven't replaced the launcher yet. First time I am not running nova on a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, it's not terrible and not nearly as laggy as early phones were. I still use Apex so I can use icon and theme packs and make better use of screen size. All in all, if root never came, I'd be content enough to deal... it would be nice for Adaway, Titanium and Xposed though. I'll put my money down soon and see. I'm betting we get root sooner than later.
If root, or more importantly, flashing roms is that important to the OP, then why don't you go with t-mobile? Their Note 4 has an unlocked bootloader. Like another said, do your homework beforehand.

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