Database Users

Will custom recovery prevent ota updates?

First let me apologise if this is in the wrong section. I could not decide if this was the best place for it or q a&a. As the title sais. If i flash twrp will it prevent me from receiving ota updates from Google. I have an HTC sensation XE and if i flash a custom recovery i know from past experience that it prevents ota updates. This nexus 7 however is my first "Google" device you could call it and as such i do not know that.
Can any one inform me on this issue. Also if it will an ota cause loss of root on this nexus like it did on my smartphone or will it stay? If it is gone i suppose it will simply be a matter of using chainfires root tool again when it gets updated for it.
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Q&A would be the best place for the post, but I can offer some insight. Any time you flash a custom rom you will forfeit the option of an ota update from your carrier or Google. This doesn't affect your play store apps as they will update when needed. The information that gets sent to your carrier identifies it as being non-official software so only a few custom ROMs that are well maintained will point the ota updates to its own servers. If you wish to receive official ota updates you should perform a nandroid backup of your stock rom to have a restore point for when a new release comes out. Aside from that, you would have to flash everything back to stock (probably stock recovery too) in order to be seen by the carrier as an eligible device.
Sent from my SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Who said anything about flashing a custom rom. I know i didn't. Sorry but that reply is no insight at all. I asked if flashing twrp a custom recovery would prevent ota updates like on my phone. Nothing else. I did not say one word about custom recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Ch3vr0n said:
Who said anything about flashing a custom rom. I know i didn't. Sorry but that reply is no insight at all. I asked if flashing twrp a custom recovery would prevent ota updates like on my phone. Nothing else. I did not say one word about custom recovery.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install a custom recovery like twrp, you wouldn't be able to install an OTA from Google. You need stock recovery for OTAs.

now that's more of an answer i was hoping to get, can some other users confirm this? I suppose i'll lose root aswell but i imagine that would simply be a case of waiting for an updated root tool then. Say i do flash a recovery, does google have a page where you can manually download the update files to flash? But that would probably cause a lose of root as well but the custom recovery would remain intact, correct?

Ch3vr0n said:
now that's more of an answer i was hoping to get, can some other users confirm this? I suppose i'll lose root aswell but i imagine that would simply be a case of waiting for an updated root tool then. Say i do flash a recovery, does google have a page where you can manually download the update files to flash? But that would probably cause a lose of root as well but the custom recovery would remain intact, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has already been brought up many times e.g.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2404833

I thought as much. I'll stick with stock recovery then until i need a custom recovery for some specific reason. For now root access is enough. And if an ota comes out and i lose recovery well I'll just wait for chainfire to update his root tool

i received the jss15j -> jsl36c update on my razorg with twrp recovery installed.
after the update stock recovery was back.
you can boot every recovery or kernel image without flashing it using fastboot:
fastboot boot nameofrecovery.img

I think you can have your cake and eat it too.
Instead of "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" to flash the custom recovery, you can "fastboot boot recovery.img".
Every time you want the custom recovery, use fastboot boot command on the pc. This way you can make nandroid backups and flash superSU to root. But, you will not be replacing the stock recovery.
I did this on my HTC phone, when I wanted to remain stock, rooted, yet able to receive OTA updates.

HowardZ said:
I think you can have your cake and eat it too.
Instead of "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" to flash the custom recovery, you can "fastboot boot recovery.img".
Every time you want the custom recovery, use fastboot boot command on the pc. This way you can make nandroid backups and flash superSU to root. But, you will not be replacing the stock recovery.
I did this on my HTC phone, when I wanted to remain stock, rooted, yet able to receive OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I've taken OTAs using custom recoveries before on any number of devices. If you're not careful you can lose your recovery and have to reflash again, but sometimes you don't even lose that.

Well, there might be complications installing an OTA with custom recovery if it comes with a newer bootloader version/radio. Sometimes it works, but there were also reported problems.

Well i just had an ota update to jss15r and lost root as kinda expected. Now ill just have to find out if rerunning the root tool will be enough. Since it is already OEM unlocked i suppose i can simply modify that bat file and remove that line and run it again?

[Q] Do I have to unroot 4.3 to get the OTA?

I have a rooted (no CWM changed) and unlocked Nexus 4 with JB 4.3.
I did not get the OTA yet and I wondered if it is because the phone is rooted. In addition, I read some problems with people who tried to update to 4.4 with rooted phones and are getting infinite bootloops.
Do I have to unroot my 4.3 for getting the OTA and achieving a successful installation?
Thank you all on advance

gosku26 said:
I have a rooted (no CWM changed) and unlocked Nexus 4 with JB 4.3.
I did not get the OTA yet and I wondered if it is because the phone is rooted. In addition, I read some problems with people who tried to update to 4.4 with rooted phones and are getting infinite bootloops.
Do I have to unroot my 4.3 for getting the OTA and achieving a successful installation?
Thank you all on advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you need OTA update when you can get the stock ROM in flashable zip file? All features are remain the same for stock ROM. Search and download it in the Development sections.

gosku26 said:
I have a rooted (no CWM changed) and unlocked Nexus 4 with JB 4.3.
I did not get the OTA yet and I wondered if it is because the phone is rooted. In addition, I read some problems with people who tried to update to 4.4 with rooted phones and are getting infinite bootloops.
Do I have to unroot my 4.3 for getting the OTA and achieving a successful installation?
Thank you all on advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted and received the OTA notification yesterday. You 'SHOULD' be able to install if ALL you did was root. However, if you applied any mods that made changes to the system, the OTA will fail.
taodan said:
Why do you need OTA update when you can get the stock ROM in flashable zip file? All features are remain the same for stock ROM. Search and download it in the Development sections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is your best bet if you want to run 4.4. You'll need to install a custom recovery to flash the zip files. All the files and instructions are here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2527806

gbarayah said:
I am rooted and received the OTA notification yesterday. You 'SHOULD' be able to install if ALL you did was root. However, if you applied any mods that made changes to the system, the OTA will fail.
This is your best bet if you want to run 4.4. You'll need to install a custom recovery to flash the zip files. All the files and instructions are here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2527806
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will flashing the stock 4.4 wipe my data, or it is like getting the OTA, that I keep my settings...?

gosku26 said:
Will flashing the stock 4.4 wipe my data, or it is like getting the OTA, that I keep my settings...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the linked post?
First step after installing custom recovery is to wipe data/factory reset, so yes, you will lose your settings.

taodan said:
Why do you need OTA update when you can get the stock ROM in flashable zip file? All features are remain the same for stock ROM. Search and download it in the Development sections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to keep my settings if it's possible.

gbarayah said:
Did you read the linked post?
First step after installing custom recovery is to wipe data/factory reset, so yes, you will lose your settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I would like is to update to kitkat without losing my data.
I have the bootloader unlocked and the phone rooted, but when I go to recovery mode I get "No command" screen (is that normal?).
I was thinking of getting the phone unrooted, then update through the OTA, then root it again, just for making sure I don't break anything, but the "No command" screen does not look very good...
On the other hand, Would I lose my data if I "unroot" the phone?

gosku26 said:
What I would like is to update to kitkat without losing my data.
I have the bootloader unlocked and the phone rooted, but when I go to recovery mode I get "No command" screen (is that normal?).
I was thinking of getting the phone unrooted, then update through the OTA, then root it again, just for making sure I don't break anything, but the "No command" screen does not look very good...
On the other hand, Would I lose my data if I "unroot" the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To unroot, all you need to do is go into SuperSu, disable root, uninstall the app and then reboot the phone.
If all you have done is root the phone, and didn't modify anything else, then the OTA update 'SHOULD' install without a problem.
You can go to Android Police and download the OTA files and flash them via ADB, or you can just wait for the OTA to be pushed to your device.
If you decide to do it the manual way, there is one additional step you must take to ensure to keep your data I believe.

gbarayah said:
To unroot, all you need to do is go into SuperSu, disable root, uninstall the app and then reboot the phone.
If all you have done is root the phone, and didn't modify anything else, then the OTA update 'SHOULD' install without a problem.
You can go to Android Police and download the OTA files and flash them via ADB, or you can just wait for the OTA to be pushed to your device.
If you decide to do it the manual way, there is one additional step you must take to ensure to keep your data I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help gbarayah, I really appreciate it.
One last thing: I'm not pretty sure the only thing I modified was the rooting. I did not install any zip to modify my stock version, but there is something weird. I will explain:
At first I had 4.2.2, then I rooted and installed CWM. When 4.3 was released I got the OTA update correctly but I lost the root, so I rooted it again, this time without CWM.
Is the "No command" screen what is supposed to appear when I go to the recovery mode from fastboot menu? Or I would get a default recovery mode program?
If everything is right I will unroot for getting the OTA, but if not, I'm afraid I will have to flash CWM and the stock version, loosing my settings...
EDIT: Ok, I've just realized to get into stock system recovery I have to press VolUp and Power buttons once I'm in the 'No Command' screen, so I'm pretty sure I don't have problems installing the OTA update. Thank You!!!

gosku26 said:
Thank you for your help gbarayah, I really appreciate it.
One last thing: I'm not pretty sure the only thing I modified was the rooting. I did not install any zip to modify my stock version, but there is something weird. I will explain:
At first I had 4.2.2, then I rooted and installed CWM. When 4.3 was released I got the OTA update correctly but I lost the root, so I rooted it again, this time without CWM.
Is the "No command" screen what is supposed to appear when I go to the recovery mode from fastboot menu? Or I would get a default recovery mode program?
If everything is right I will unroot for getting the OTA, but if not, I'm afraid I will have to flash CWM and the stock version, loosing my settings...
EDIT: Ok, I've just realized to get into stock system recovery I have to press VolUp and Power buttons once I'm in the 'No Command' screen, so I'm pretty sure I don't have problems installing the OTA update. Thank You!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could help. In the future, as long as you don't modify the system by flashing any modifications, you should be able to get the OTA update to install. Root doesn't affect this, and if you're worried about it, you can always uninstall it.
I opted to update using the stock zip files that were posted above and it worked just fine for me.

Issue updating to Android 5.0

I get this error while trying to attempt to update to the latest android 5.0 in twrp...
while installing the new zip file it says:
package expects build fingerprint of google/mantaray/manta: 4.4.4/ktu84p/1227136: user/release-keys or google/mantaray/manta:5.0/LRX21P/1570855:user/release-keys; this device has google/mantaray/manta:4.3/JWR66V/737497:user/release-keys
but my nexus 10 is already on 4.4.4

Your build.prop isn't standard, get the original one, or just use the factory image to update.

Rusty! said:
Your build.prop isn't standard, get the original one, or just use the factory image to update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i need to install to correct his to the correct build.prop of 4.4.4?
ps. my last 4.4.4 was updated directly OTA..

Just download the 5.0 factory image, remove -w from the flash-all script and it will update you. Less dicking around that way.

inspiron41 said:
I get this error while trying to attempt to update to the latest android 5.0 in twrp...
while installing the new zip file it says:
package expects build fingerprint of google/mantaray/manta: 4.4.4/ktu84p/1227136: user/release-keys or google/mantaray/manta:5.0/LRX21P/1570855:user/release-keys; this device has google/mantaray/manta:4.3/JWR66V/737497:user/release-keys
but my nexus 10 is already on 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the same here when flashing OTA via TWRP.
The build.prop file hasn't been modified as far as I know.
Where/how to get the file please?

CBers said:
Exactly the same here when flashing OTA via TWRP.
The build.prop file hasn't been modified as far as I know.
Where/how to get the file please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the best way around this is to install the factory nexus 10 lollipop version. It's actually quite easy or even easier than the OTA method. Just make sure you delete the -w from the .bat file to keep all your data. It worked perfectly for me.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

inspiron41 said:
I found the best way around this is to install the factory nexus 10 lollipop version. It's actually quite easy or even easier than the OTA method. Just make sure you delete the -w from the .bat file to keep all your data. It worked perfectly for me.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks inspiron41 - I'll give it a go at the weekend.
Which file is the -w in please?

CBers said:
Thanks inspiron41 - I'll give it a go at the weekend.
Which file is the -w in please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to this website:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...riants-of-nexus-7-2012-and-2013-and-nexus-10/
It has detail instruction and jump down to step 3 regarding to -w
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

I was having the same issue as the OP. So after reading this thread, I've performed the following:
Downloaded Android 5.0 factory image from: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
Followed the instructions at this site, AND MADE SURE TO REMOVE '-w' AS INSTRUCTED, TO PRESERVE DATA: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...riants-of-nexus-7-2012-and-2013-and-nexus-10/
It was pretty easy. I've been waiting about 30 minutes looking at the boot graphic. Hope it turns out OK. But it is easier than playing with the OTA.

After being stuck in a bootloop, I had to factory reset and now all is well.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
After being stuck in a bootloop, I had to factory reset and now all is well.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...i've been having the same issue since the 5.0.0 update.
I even had to perform a total wipe to get 5.0.0 onto my N10, and even after that I still have a bad signature on my tablet. Now the problem is back installing 5.0.2 OTA, and I do not want to wipe everything again. So please where is that build.prop file, and how do I fix it? or rather, what the eff has gone wrong here, why, and who's responsible for unbreaking it?

[Lemmy] said:
...i've been having the same issue since the 5.0.0 update.
I even had to perform a total wipe to get 5.0.0 onto my N10, and even after that I still have a bad signature on my tablet. Now the problem is back installing 5.0.2 OTA, and I do not want to wipe everything again. So please where is that build.prop file, and how do I fix it? or rather, what the eff has gone wrong here, why, and who's responsible for unbreaking it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I flashed the 5.0.1 factory image later. Now, I tried to flash the 5.0.2 OTA and it said it saw a 5.0.1 signature and was expecting 5.0.1, or something of that sort. It's basically the same issue all over again... No issues flashing 5.0.2 to my kids' N7s that are 100% stock.
My N10 is unlocked and rooted. There must be something in the customizations that cause this issue.

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Yea, I flashed the 5.0.1 factory image later. Now, I tried to flash the 5.0.2 OTA and it said it saw a 5.0.1 signature and was expecting 5.0.1, or something of that sort. It's basically the same issue all over again... No issues flashing 5.0.2 to my kids' N7s that are 100% stock.
My N10 is unlocked and rooted. There must be something in the customizations that cause this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and again, trying to flash the 5.1 OTA and it says there is a 4.4.2 signature so it wont install... but I have re-flashed the stock image several times by now. I just do not get it.

[Lemmy] said:
and again, trying to flash the 5.1 OTA and it says there is a 4.4.2 signature so it wont install... but I have re-flashed the stock image several times by now. I just do not get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just update using the 5.1 factory image? I run unlocked stock/rooted on my N10, and that's the method I always use to update. Would also do it this way on my N5 and now N6. Just fastboot flash all the images from the factory image manually (READ: EXCEPT USERDATA). You can also skip flashing the recovery if you run a custom recovery. However, for the sake of completion, I include flashing the stock recovery. Then I let it boot up normally. Then I'll boot back into the bootloader and flash TWRP and flash SuperSU. Updating this way is easier for me since I don't have to worry about the OTA failing due to customizations I may have made to the system (especially now with the new way Android updates after 5.0).

I've already had to upgrade my tablet by flashing stock for the last three upgrades, and every single time I ended up havnig to wipe the tablet clean and install and configure everything from scratch. I'm still hoping that at some point I wouldn't have to do that anymore...
---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------
could this all be because my tablet is rooted and has CWM recovery installed?

[Lemmy] said:
I've already had to upgrade my tablet by flashing stock for the last three upgrades, and every single time I ended up havnig to wipe the tablet clean and install and configure everything from scratch. I'm still hoping that at some point I wouldn't have to do that anymore...
---------- Post added at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------
could this all be because my tablet is rooted and has CWM recovery installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird. I can't remember the last time I had issues using the stock images, and most people seem to be okay doing it. How are you flashing it? I follow Method 2 from this OP: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008. I just skip the command that flashes userdata, and it always works. I always flash the new cache image because when I would just erase it, it would be forever stuck in the bootanimation.
Before 5.0, being rooted didn't affect upgrading via OTA. Now, however, any little modification to the system (including being rooted) will cause the OTA to fail everytime. Also using a custom recovery like CWM will cause it to fail. So if you really want to go the OTA route, the least you would have to do is completely unroot (inside the SuperSU app itself) and flash the stock recovery. If you've uninstalled any system apps, you have to reinstall them or it will also fail.

charesa39 said:
That's weird. I can't remember the last time I had issues using the stock images, and most people seem to be okay doing it. How are you flashing it? I follow Method 2 from this OP: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-flash-factory-images-nexus-6shamu-t2954008. I just skip the command that flashes userdata, and it always works. I always flash the new cache image because when I would just erase it, it would be forever stuck in the bootanimation.
Before 5.0, being rooted didn't affect upgrading via OTA. Now, however, any little modification to the system (including being rooted) will cause the OTA to fail everytime. Also using a custom recovery like CWM will cause it to fail. So if you really want to go the OTA route, the least you would have to do is completely unroot (inside the SuperSU app itself) and flash the stock recovery. If you've uninstalled any system apps, you have to reinstall them or it will also fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My N10 is with stock ROM 5.0.1 and stock recovery but rooted with unlocked bootloader (and custom launcher). I have two questions:
1) I can unroot it through SuperSU. Do I have to switch back to the stock launcher before trying the OTA installation of 5.1?
2) I remember last time I could gain root by simply installing SuperSU. After flashing the 5.1 factory image, can I still get root this same way, or do I have to install, for example, TWRP and then flash SuperSU?
Thanks!

mj56gt said:
My N10 is with stock ROM 5.0.1 and stock recovery but rooted with unlocked bootloader (and custom launcher). I have two questions:
1) I can unroot it through SuperSU. Do I have to switch back to the stock launcher before trying the OTA installation of 5.1?
2) I remember last time I could gain root by simply installing SuperSU. After flashing the 5.1 factory image, can I still get root this same way, or do I have to install, for example, TWRP and then flash SuperSU?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No, you can keep whichever launcher you are using whether it be Trebuchet, Google Now Launcher, Nova, etc. since it's more of just an app and not a system mod.
2) As far as I know (or thought), you've always had to flash SuperSU using a custom recovery unless your ROM already came pre-rooted. In which case, all you would have to do is install SuperSU from the Play Store. But to answer your question, after flashing the factory image, you would have to flash a custom recovery like TWRP and then flash SuperSU using said custom recovery. However, that's not complicated at all. After flashing the factory image, it just takes like another 5 minutes to flash TWRP, boot into it, flash SuperSU, boot into the OS, verify root status, then power off, boot back into the bootloader and flash the stock recovery (if you don't want to keep the custom recovery). While you're at it, after flashing SuperSU, why not flash the Translucent Nav/Status Bar Mod found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2771708 provided by @hanspampel. He's done a great service for us. It's the easiest and best mod for the stock N10 right now that restores the translucent decor that Google decided to disable on our device. I flashed it on my N10 after upgrading to 5.1 and it works flawlessly. But that's just a suggestion.

charesa39 said:
1) No, you can keep whichever launcher you are using whether it be Trebuchet, Google Now Launcher, Nova, etc. since it's more of just an app and not a system mod.
2) As far as I know (or thought), you've always had to flash SuperSU using a custom recovery unless your ROM already came pre-rooted. In which case, all you would have to do is install SuperSU from the Play Store. But to answer your question, after flashing the factory image, you would have to flash a custom recovery like TWRP and then flash SuperSU using said custom recovery. However, that's not complicated at all. After flashing the factory image, it just takes like another 5 minutes to flash TWRP, boot into it, flash SuperSU, boot into the OS, verify root status, then power off, boot back into the bootloader and flash the stock recovery (if you don't want to keep the custom recovery). While you're at it, after flashing SuperSU, why not flash the Translucent Nav/Status Bar Mod found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2771708 provided by @hanspampel. He's done a great service for us. It's the easiest and best mod for the stock N10 right now that restores the translucent decor that Google decided to disable on our device. I flashed it on my N10 after upgrading to 5.1 and it works flawlessly. But that's just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the suggestions! Have a wonderful weekend...

Never mind

[Q] Getting Lollipop on rooted Nexus 4 with custom recovery - guide for fools?

I want Lollipop and my Nexus 4 won't shut up about the OTA update. Naturally, it failed, and i have since tried to find a fool-proof guide to uptade it WITHOUT LOOSING DATA. Not been so lucky. Theres talk about fastbooting (?) and going back to stock, but not much in the way of step-by-step guides. I think most people with nexus 4 and root are like me - did it because it was easy, not knowing a lot about it...
I have rooted with towelroot, installed TWRP custom recovery with flashify, unlocked bootlocker with Bootunlock, installed Xposed framework and SuperSU. Never used ADB or any commands. Can't be the only one in this exact situation
What excactly do i need to do to get Lollipop without loosing any data (like a regular OTA update)?

Maybe user Titanium Backup or some kinda backup software to backup files and stuff then just go for a fresh installation? Most of the basic settings should be saved to your google account.
This post should help you with setting up ADB in your computer and to get you up to speed with using ADB and Fastbooot

KishanW said:
Maybe user Titanium Backup or some kinda backup software to backup files and stuff then just go for a fresh installation? Most of the basic settings should be saved to your google account.
This post should help you with setting up ADB in your computer and to get you up to speed with using ADB and Fastbooot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply! But i was hoping for a solution that DIDN'T wipe my phone. I just wanna undo all the rooting business, so i can do the OTA...

605
tommyhj said:
Thanks for the quick reply! But i was hoping for a solution that DIDN'T wipe my phone. I just wanna undo all the rooting business, so i can do the OTA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be interesting if someone has an answer for your question. I can use it too
Sorry that I couldn't help you.

tommyhj said:
I want Lollipop and my Nexus 4 won't shut up about the OTA update. Naturally, it failed, and i have since tried to find a fool-proof guide to uptade it WITHOUT LOOSING DATA. Not been so lucky. Theres talk about fastbooting (?) and going back to stock, but not much in the way of step-by-step guides. I think most people with nexus 4 and root are like me - did it because it was easy, not knowing a lot about it...
I have rooted with towelroot, installed TWRP custom recovery with flashify, unlocked bootlocker with Bootunlock, installed Xposed framework and SuperSU. Never used ADB or any commands. Can't be the only one in this exact situation
What excactly do i need to do to get Lollipop without loosing any data (like a regular OTA update)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
Follow these instructions http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312.
there are a few things to note:
1. You do not need to unlock the bootloader, you will have done that when you rooted
2. Download the 5.0 image instead of the original stock image when you do this.
3. DO NOT flash userdata.img. That will wipe your data.
Those are the steps I followed to flash over to 5.0 without losing data.
But I would absolutely do a backup anyway, just in case something goes wrong.

gardn227 said:
Hey,
Follow these instructions http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312.
there are a few things to note:
1. You do not need to unlock the bootloader, you will have done that when you rooted
2. Download the 5.0 image instead of the original stock image when you do this.
3. DO NOT flash userdata.img. That will wipe your data.
Those are the steps I followed to flash over to 5.0 without losing data.
But I would absolutely do a backup anyway, just in case something goes wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, cool. So you're saying to towel-root my device, unlock bootloader with bootunlocker app, remove root by installing SuperSU and using the clean-up funtion. And then adb fastboot flash boot/recovery/system from the FACTORY img? Why not sideload the OTA instead? Because it wont work unless i reflash stock 4.4.4 completely?

The Easy Way To Get The "Update"

I take no credit for any of this. Monkey saw, monkey did. MAKE SURE YOU FULLY READ THE ORIGINAL POSTS AS THE MONKEY MAY HAVE OMITTED SOMETHING. If you are clueless, not good at following instructions, or apprehensive you might want to pass. If you managed to already get unlocked and TWRPed, I imagine you are good to go. Still, if you break your phone, it's on you.
1. Do a TWRP backup.
2. Flash one of the choices here (READ THE ENTIRE THREAD) :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/development/rom-marshmallow-6-0-september-2016-t3536120
REBOOT.
I went with the Deodexed one. Check out the Mods too. I added Viper.
3. Get Systemless Root back using using the flash-able Script in Post #8 here (READ ALL 1st):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-style/general/systemless-root-info-t3373864
3a. Direct Link here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3809946&d=1468261256
REBOOT
I was still stock but Rooted with Xposed and I successfully Dirty Flashed. OP still recommends a CLEAN Install. After running the script, the phone came back looking the same. I did lose my custom Boot Animation and Viper so I re-flashed them. I also flashed the latest SU just to be sure i had the latest. Probably makes no difference.
Build now says MPHS24.49-18-8 and security Patch 09/01/2016.
Be sure and thank the OP's for the flash-able Update and the Systemless script.
THANK YOU OP'S,
Monkey

Except people have to understand... this puts you in a potentially precarious position. Your bootloader, radios, and partition table are all from a previous ROM version, but your system and boot/kernel are from the current release. Meaning your stuck on this or other custom ROMs and cannot go back to "pure" stock, at least until there is official full factory firmware release for the September update.
Not saying this isn't a valid way to do it, but it isn't truly getting the update... not completely, so my advice to others is proceed with caution and know the possible consequences, they may or not matter to you.

acejavelin said:
...Meaning your stuck on this or other custom ROMs and cannot go back to "pure" stock, at least until there is official full factory firmware release for the September update.
Not saying this isn't a valid way to do it, but it isn't truly getting the update... not completely, so my advice to others is proceed with caution and know the possible consequences, they may or not matter to you.
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When you say "cannot go back" does something get flagged where a TWRP system wipe and restore of a backup would not work?

G_Man18 said:
When you say "cannot go back" does something get flagged where a TWRP system wipe and restore of a backup would not work?
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No... That's fine. I mean you can't flash the full system image via fastboot.

acejavelin said:
No... That's fine. I mean you can't flash the full system image via fastboot.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick response. I am surprised how many people get in trouble when TWRP backups are easy to do and can get you going when you screw up--which does happen to all of us. I post little but do read quite a bit in these forums; most of my questions have already been answered. You say you will nudge people in the right direction, but from what I have seen, no one on here answers as many questions so meticulously as you. Thanks!

acejavelin said:
Except people have to understand... this puts you in a potentially precarious position. Your bootloader, radios, and partition table are all from a previous ROM version, but your system and boot/kernel are from the current release. Meaning your stuck on this or other custom ROMs and cannot go back to "pure" stock, at least until there is official full factory firmware release for the September update.
Not saying this isn't a valid way to do it, but it isn't truly getting the update... not completely, so my advice to others is proceed with caution and know the possible consequences, they may or not matter to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received the notification for this update, is it okay to take it, or is it going to cause issues. I am unlocked and rooted currently running MPHS24.49-18-4. I would restore back to a non-rooted TWRP backup of the same build, then flash back the original recovery image, clear cache and dalvik, and finally flash the update.
Will this work and is It okay to update to this build? Thanks.

robn30 said:
I just received the notification for this update, is it okay to take it, or is it going to cause issues. I am unlocked and rooted currently running MPHS24.49-18-4. I would restore back to a non-rooted TWRP backup of the same build, then flash back the original recovery image, clear cache and dalvik, and finally flash the update.
Will this work and is It okay to update to this build? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you return to stock, meaning the /system and /boot partitions and recovery is stock, it should work... how you get there isn't as important. But you can't just "flash" the OTA zip file, not directly... and I am not positive if the stock recovery supports sideloading official ZIPs or not, but you should be able to accept it and let it apply itself. The lock or unlock state of the bootloader isn't relevant.
So most likely it would work fine... but backup first, just in case something goes wrong.

acejavelin said:
If you return to stock, meaning the /system and /boot partitions and recovery is stock, it should work... how you get there isn't as important. But you can't just "flash" the OTA zip file, not directly... and I am not positive if the stock recovery supports sideloading official ZIPs or not, but you should be able to accept it and let it apply itself. The lock or unlock state of the bootloader isn't relevant.
So most likely it would work fine... but backup first, just in case something goes wrong.
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Click to collapse
Backup is running right now, so that will be good to go. With systemless root can I perform a full unroot using SuperSU or is it better to restore the unrooted TWRP backup? Thanks.

robn30 said:
Backup is running right now, so that will be good to go. With systemless root can I perform a full unroot using SuperSU or is it better to restore the unrooted TWRP backup? Thanks.
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If you are rooted, it means you did something with root, right? So unless you are going to undo everything root and then unroot, better to restore the pre-root backup

acejavelin said:
If you are rooted, it means you did something with root, right? So unless you are going to undo everything root and then unroot, better to restore the pre-root backup
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Very good, thanks for the advice. Good thing I made an unrooted backup when I updated to the May Security update. I knew that would come in handy eventually.

robn30 said:
Very good, thanks for the advice. Good thing I made an unrooted backup when I updated to the May Security update. I knew that would come in handy eventually.
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Click to collapse
Update went perfectly smooth by restoring back to an unrooted 24.221.4 TWRP backup, then flashing stock recovery, and finally taking the update to 24.221.8. I did perform a wipe off cache and dalvik at least twice during the process.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

robn30 said:
Update went perfectly smooth by restoring back to an unrooted 24.221.4 TWRP backup, then flashing stock recovery, and finally taking the update to 24.221.8. I did perform a wipe off cache and dalvik at least twice during the process.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
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Just to be sure. I ran TWRP from Fastboot in ADB as soon as Unlocked and turned the phone on. So you have confirmed I can then flash Stock recovery and take the "full" Update. Mind providing the link to Stock recovery?
Thanks.

schneid said:
Just to be sure. I ran TWRP from Fastboot in ADB as soon as Unlocked and turned the phone on. So you have confirmed I can then flash Stock recovery and take the "full" Update. Mind providing the link to Stock recovery?
Thanks.
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Pretty sure there is a post in here somewhere that has a link to the 24.221.4 recovery, but I just used the one in this full firmware download. Just extracted the recovery.img file only and flash it using fastboot. Here is the link.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=69103575&postcount=243