Database Users

Rooting and OTA updates

I am looking into rooting my Nexus S so I can install an ICS ROM. This is my first time rooting so got a question.
How will OTA updates work for me? Will the ICS update just work or will I have to in root to get the official OTA update?
Sry if this has been asked before couldn't find a clear answer.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Don't do OTAs. Any update released by Google or your manufacturer will be released here, rooted, within hours.
If you take an OTA you will lose root and could even find your phone locked again (as unlikely as that is with the NS, better safe than sorry. Ask the EVO users who took the GB OTA )
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Rooting requires flashing custom recovery
OTA requires stock recovery to work properly
So if your phone has custom recovery the OTA will not work.

Alright, thanks alot for the quick responses guys.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Once the ota is downloaded.....
* Put the zip on sdcard
* Reboot into custom recovery
* Manually flash it
* Directly after that, in the same recovery session, flash latest superuser zip
* Wipe cache
* Reboot

I run stock, so i'll add my two cents into this conversations. A few key points:
OTA's will NOT lock the boot loader
OTA's will work with CWM installed (The OTA will however remove CWM and needs to be manually applied)
OTA's will remove root access (the permissions on the binary get changed)
I have never seen an OTA on XDA that was pre-rooted. i have seen ROM packages that incorporate the OTA that are pre-rooted (installing these usually means a wipe of the device is needed)
if you replace the ROM on the phone, you will not get OTA updated. you must remain mostly stock to obtain them.
Custom kernels or custom google apps on stock roms will cause the OTA update to fail, however you will notified that the update is available.
I hope this answers your questions.

Good points.
What i do in order to maintain the full software (removing system apps, any system changes) is change the permissions of whatever i dont want to "000"
This will allow the verifying of OTA to flash.

snandlal said:
Good points.
What i do in order to maintain the full software (removing system apps, any system changes) is change the permissions of whatever i dont want to "000"
This will allow the verifying of OTA to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This does not always work, such as installing the "Black" version of gmail over top the original, the world-wide version of navigation or using market enabler to change the prop.build file. any of these changes will cause the OTA signature to fail.
Though if you are simply removing a system app, then yes, that would work well.
Also to be noted and this just occurred to me, if the OTA is a full ROM version, then the signature won't matter and it will just install. For ICS, this is what i'm expecting.

I'm on the fence about rooting. I know there are advantages like custom ROMs and added features, but I'm somewhat of a newb at this. While the instructions (for the Mac) seem simple enough, I always feel like something inevitably goes wrong or there's some variable I've either overlooked or don't understand that screws things up.
I definitely don't want to brick my phone.
I don't even know what I'm asking in my post, but I guess... what are some advantages of rooting? And if I root, is it fully reversible?
I'm also confused by some of the terminology. What is clockwork recovery? Is that a sort of ROM? I keep seeing that phrase every time I read instructions. Likewise, what's a bootloader? What's fastboot? Also, what's a kernel?
And after I root (as you can see, I am really tempted to), what happens next? How do I choose which ROM works for me? Is it a matter of flashing them and trying each of them out?
I'm afraid of entering the world of root, but I want to. Advice? Does it matter what baseband, or kernel or build number I have?
I'm on Android 2.3.6

Matridom said:
I run stock, so i'll add my two cents into this conversations. A few key points:
OTA's will NOT lock the boot loader
I hope this answers your questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1145056
I know it's not likely, particularly with this phone, but it can happen. I maintain that if you're going to go through the process of unlocking your phone and putting a rooted ROM on it that you might as well wait for a modified OTA ROM to get posted by a trusted dev before just installing what the carrier hands out to you.
I guess maybe I should have said "re-lock"?

onthecouchagain said:
I'm on the fence about rooting. I know there are advantages like custom ROMs and added features, but I'm somewhat of a newb at this. While the instructions (for the Mac) seem simple enough, I always feel like something inevitably goes wrong or there's some variable I've either overlooked or don't understand that screws things up.
I definitely don't want to brick my phone.
I don't even know what I'm asking in my post, but I guess... what are some advantages of rooting? And if I root, is it fully reversible?
I'm also confused by some of the terminology. What is clockwork recovery? Is that a sort of ROM? I keep seeing that phrase every time I read instructions. Likewise, what's a bootloader? What's fastboot? Also, what's a kernel?
And after I root (as you can see, I am really tempted to), what happens next? How do I choose which ROM works for me? Is it a matter of flashing them and trying each of them out?
I'm afraid of entering the world of root, but I want to. Advice? Does it matter what baseband, or kernel or build number I have?
I'm on Android 2.3.6
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, let's clear a few things up here.
CWM or ClockWorkMod is a custom recover that can be installed on the phones. This step is needed because the default recovery on the nexus does not allow for updates to be installed that are unsigned. CWM does, so it's a necessary step to installing the SU binary (aka root your phone) or installing custom ROMs
The bootloader is the basic system on your phone that reacts to the power on and hands over operations to Android. The equivalent in the PC world would be a BIOS.
fastboot is a utility that is provided by google that allows you to send commands to the bootloader and direct it's operations. It's needed to unlock the bootloader (so you can replace parts of it.. like recovery with CWM)
Interestingly enough, you can boot your phone to a custom recovery WITHOUT replacing your existing stock recovery by using fastboot.
Rooting your phone is simply installing and providing the proper rights to the SU binary to allow you to have full administrative rights to the phone, the superuser application is almost always bundled with it as it allows for a form of control as to what applications can use root access. Rooting your phone allows you to install some very interesting application, most popular are titanium backup (let's you back up app data and restore them after a reset) and removing advertising (adfree/adaway or it's like) Root can also be used by some applications that allow you to "cheat" at games.
rooting your phone is reversable, though not always the easiest to do. With the stock ROMS, it's fairly easy, you just re-apply the latest OTA and it will kill Root access on your device.
When it comes to custom ROMs the vast majority come pre-rooted to save you the hassel of doing it yourself.
On other phones where the bootloader remains locked, you have to use an exploit to gain root access, this then allows you to modify the OS and install custom roms and CWM while keeping the bootloader locked. Since the Nexus line can be unlocked, it's not needed.
Please note, root access is NOT required to install a custom ROM.
---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------
MaxCarnage said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1145056
I know it's not likely, particularly with this phone, but it can happen. I maintain that if you're going to go through the process of unlocking your phone and putting a rooted ROM on it that you might as well wait for a modified OTA ROM to get posted by a trusted dev before just installing what the carrier hands out to you.
I guess maybe I should have said "re-lock"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a link to a non-nexus phone. The question here is in regards to the nexus device and i believe my statement stands 100% true. Since it's a self proclaimed "newby" asking questions, i don't want to confuse the post with un-needed and non-relevant information.

Matridom, wow thanks. That clarifies a few things.
So, you say root access isn't required to flash custom ROMs? Let's say for example, I want to flash an ICS ROM, or even a ROM that allows me to have Backlight Notifications?
I don't need root? If I don't need root, how do I flash those ROMs?

Matridom said:
That's a link to a non-nexus phone. The question here is in regards to the nexus device and i believe my statement stands 100% true. Since it's a self proclaimed "newby" asking questions, i don't want to confuse the post with un-needed and non-relevant information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure why it's so invalid to advise that he wait for someone to post an OTA that has been vetted for those of us who have unlocked our phones; I respect your opinion (even if you clearly don't mine), but your statement that I am providing "un-needed" and "non-relevant" information is a bit harsh.
The fact of the matter is that Sprint has had at least one OTA released (for the EVO 4G) that re-locked bootloaders and caused a lot of consternation for people who took the OTA on their unlocked phones and found themselves waiting months for a new exploit to be found. Those who waited had a rooted version of the OTA available on the forums very quickly, so if those who took the OTA had just waited they wouldn't have been stuck.
tl;dr: If you went to the trouble of unlocking your phone in the first place I don't see why you would rush to take an un-vetted update OTA.

MaxCarnage said:
I'm not sure why it's so invalid to advise that he wait for someone to post an OTA that has been vetted for those of us who have unlocked our phones; I respect your opinion (even if you clearly don't mine), but your statement that I am providing "un-needed" and "non-relevant" information is a bit harsh.
The fact of the matter is that Sprint has had at least one OTA released (for the EVO 4G) that re-locked bootloaders and caused a lot of consternation for people who took the OTA on their unlocked phones and found themselves waiting months for a new exploit to be found. Those who waited had a rooted version of the OTA available on the forums very quickly, so if those who took the OTA had just waited they wouldn't have been stuck.
tl;dr: If you went to the trouble of unlocking your phone in the first place I don't see why you would rush to take an un-vetted update OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The key here is that SPRINT released an OTA for a SPRINT branded device. This has zero relevance to updates provided by Google for Nexus devices.

MaxCarnage said:
I'm not sure why it's so invalid to advise that he wait for someone to post an OTA that has been vetted for those of us who have unlocked our phones; I respect your opinion (even if you clearly don't mine), but your statement that I am providing "un-needed" and "non-relevant" information is a bit harsh.
The fact of the matter is that Sprint has had at least OTA released (for the EVO 4G) that re-locked bootloaders and caused a lot of consternation for people who took the OTA on their unlocked phones and found themselves waiting months for a new exploit to be found. Those who waited had a rooted version of the OTA available on the forums very quickly, so if those who took the OTA had just waited they wouldn't have been stuck.
tl;dr: If you went to the trouble of unlocking your phone in the first place I don't see why you would rush to take an un-vetted update OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue at heart here is that fact that the OTA for the nexus line of phones comes straight from google and are not "tweaked" in any way by the carriers. (exception nexus 4g has additional applications required for CDMA support)
One of the selling features of the nexus phones is the fact that unlocking the bootloader is officially supported.
In regards to other phones getting their bootloader locked, I've experienced first hand the pains of that, having a galaxy S and the 2.3 installing a new bootloader and really screwing things up for me. In those cases, i agree with you whole heartily and to wait for pre-cracked roms that can be installed.
My question to you would be to please show an example of a nexus S getting it's booloader locked due to an OTA update as that is the phone we are discussing.
---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:47 PM ----------
onthecouchagain said:
Matridom, wow thanks. That clarifies a few things.
So, you say root access isn't required to flash custom ROMs? Let's say for example, I want to flash an ICS ROM, or even a ROM that allows me to have Backlight Notifications?
I don't need root? If I don't need root, how do I flash those ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you would need to do is to unlock the bootloader, install CWM, then apply the .zip associated with the ROM you wish to install. I would however carefully read the installation instructions for the rom as in some cases, it might be a multi-step process (such as going from a 2.2 rom to a 2.3).
Many ROMS also do not come with the google apps and secondary zip file needs to be applied to get those running (cyanogenMod does this)
I wanted to add, that the process of unlocking your bootloader will erase EVERYTHING on the phone, including the SDcard partition. So make sure you back up anything of importance.

Matridom said:
My question to you would be to please show an example of a nexus S getting it's booloader locked due to an OTA update as that is the phone we are discussing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't provide an example because, as I have already stated, this was a precautionary suggestion only.
I'm not going to get into a debate with you over this; I've made my point and you've made yours. Thanks.

Matridom said:
This does not always work, such as installing the "Black" version of gmail over top the original, the world-wide version of navigation or using market enabler to change the prop.build file. any of these changes will cause the OTA signature to fail.
Though if you are simply removing a system app, then yes, that would work well.
Also to be noted and this just occurred to me, if the OTA is a full ROM version, then the signature won't matter and it will just install. For ICS, this is what i'm expecting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point again but the trick is to put your apps in /system/framework
Along with framework-res.apk.
This will add a dex file to /data/dalvik-cache, which is needed for saving upon reboot

Does flashing another radio that's different from your original radio impact the ability to apply an OTA?

suksit said:
Rooting requires flashing custom recovery
OTA requires stock recovery to work properly
So if your phone has custom recovery the OTA will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't require flashing custom recovery.

iboj007 said:
Does flashing another radio that's different from your original radio impact the ability to apply an OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It doesnt

VZW Software Update inside

Here is the Droid Razr HD software update. I have not tested it as I use CM 10.1 and have no interest in going back to stock. I found it on www.droidrzr.com in a forum post then shared it on my dropbox account.
I posted it on my Dropbox account so not sure how long it will last until the link is gone:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2x9vutel4vnqmm/Blur_Version.9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US.zip
It does "fix" the bootloader unlock exploit though
http://www.droid-life.com/2013/07/1...the-kernel-exploit-for-unlocking-bootloaders/

scoobaspeaz said:
Here is the Droid Razr HD software update. I have not tested it as I use CM 10.1 and have no interest in going back to stock. I found it on www.droidrzr.com in a forum post then shared it on my dropbox account.
I posted it on my Dropbox account so not sure how long it will last until the link is gone:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2x9vutel4vnqmm/Blur_Version.9.16.6.XT926.Verizon.en.US.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, stock recovery to install this?

I would assume you would need to be 100% stock, including the recovery, to install this.

scoobaspeaz said:
I would assume you would need to be 100% stock, including the recovery, to install this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm put it on my internal storage and its not found, I think stock recovery wants to see it on a sdcard.

If your boot loader is unlocked before the update, it should stay unlocked. You just will not be able to unlock with methods out there now.
Sent from my Razr HD using xda app-developers app

I received the OTA today on my Max HD. It was build 9.18.79.
Sent using xda premium

A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!

LifeAsADroid said:
A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are 2 different versions, depends on what System version you have of 4.1.2 on the XT926 only. The 9.18.79 version would indicate that your Systems version is 9.16.6 if this is not correct DO NOT FLASH. I am Rooted/Unlocked, if you take the plunge you must OTA Rootkeeper/SuperSU backup SU, as the update breaks Root> IF there is no backup of SU with the latest binaries. If you lose Root, there are a couple of ways to Downgrade. A common problem for those of us Root/Unlocked the Update FAILs at the end. Most of the Update goes through, however the new Radio does not go through, as of right now if you Update and your Baseband is VANQUISH_BP_100730.081.64.09P then you have the OLD radio, the new Radio is VANQUISH_BP_100730.160.64.15P.
Between the 2 OTA's these should match-up as either 9.16.6 = 9.18.79 or 9.16.9 = 9.20.1

Thanks for the reply! A few more questions if you don't mind (would hate to do something wrong... like I did last time... luckily I was able to revert back to an original version and fix the install... sigh...):
4) With protecting root, I need the SuperSU Pro version, yes? To be able to use the survival mode, yes? Will Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper do the same thing? Is it possible to use both "to be sure"?
5) I have everything backed up with Titanium Backup. Should I bother getting the pro version and backing everything up using the cloud backup and hypershell? Or won't this matter since if root doesn't keep I won't be able to use Titanium Backup?
6) I also have performed the VZW Wireless Hotspot hack using SQLite. Am I going to have to undo the hack in order for the OTA update to work?
Thanks again for all your help!

Update - I decided to attempt the update and hope for the best. System update 9.18.79.xx updating from 9.16.6.xx.
I purchased the SuperSU Pro from the Play Store, and used the survival mode in SuperSU. I also used the Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper and protected root. I figured if one didn't work the other might... Voodoo worked to protect and re-install root access (not sure about SuperSU as I tried Voodoo first to restore root after the install).
I am unsure if the bootloader is still unlocked, but from what people have said there doesn't seem to be a reason to believe it is re-locked. I haven't tested it out to know for sure though.
It appears that the entire update installed correctly. No errors, and the baseband version was updated to the new radio (xxx.15P).
I did not undo the VZW Wireless Hotspot hack prior to installing the update.
Hopefully this post helps others out there.
My final question... what does updating the radio/baseband do exactly?

i need help! i tried installing the update but i forgot i had TWRP.. so the update did not got installed, i rebooted the phone, but the OS tried to install the update again and inmediatly reboot the phone in recovery again .. then from recovery i flashed liquid smooth rom but i got stuck in the boot animation... my big issue is that my power button is broken! now i cant reset the phone to enter in fastboot mode.. i cant do anything... now my battery is totally drained and i cant turn on the phone (my power button does not work).. i can plug the usb cable and the led turns green. but i dont see any more options

rodmc123 said:
i need help! i tried installing the update but i forgot i had TWRP.. so the update did not got installed, i rebooted the phone, but the OS tried to install the update again and inmediatly reboot the phone in recovery again .. then from recovery i flashed liquid smooth rom but i got stuck in the boot animation... my big issue is that my power button is broken! now i cant reset the phone to enter in fastboot mode.. i cant do anything... now my battery is totally drained and i cant turn on the phone (my power button does not work).. i can plug the usb cable and the led turns green. but i dont see any more options
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny

KachowPow said:
There are 2 different versions, depends on what System version you have of 4.1.2 on the XT926 only. The 9.18.79 version would indicate that your Systems version is 9.16.6 if this is not correct DO NOT FLASH. I am Rooted/Unlocked, if you take the plunge you must OTA Rootkeeper/SuperSU backup SU, as the update breaks Root> IF there is no backup of SU with the latest binaries. If you lose Root, there are a couple of ways to Downgrade. A common problem for those of us Root/Unlocked the Update FAILs at the end. Most of the Update goes through, however the new Radio does not go through, as of right now if you Update and your Baseband is VANQUISH_BP_100730.081.64.09P then you have the OLD radio, the new Radio is VANQUISH_BP_100730.160.64.15P.
Between the 2 OTA's these should match-up as either 9.16.6 = 9.18.79 or 9.16.9 = 9.20.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So any idea how one might fix this?

LifeAsADroid said:
A few questions I haven't been able to find answers to (many threads have been started on this new update topic and I haven't found the answers I'm looking for yet):
1) I've heard that there are two versions of this update, 9.20.xx and 9.18.xx... Anyone know the differences yet? Is one version for phones that have been unlocked and the other for phones that are still locked? Is one version for XT925 and the other for XT926? I received the 9.18 version, I am rooted, unlocked, and have a XT926 phone.
2) Anyone with an already unlocked bootloader try and take the update? Do you remember which version of the update you took? Did it install correctly? Are you still unlocked?
3) Anyone that is rooted and unlocked try to take the update? Did it install correctly? Are you still rooted and unlocked after the update? Did you have to protect the root with either SuperSU or Voodoo OTA Root Keeper? If so, do you mind posting step-by-step instructions for protecting the root so the phone is still rooted after the update?
Thanks to all who can shed light on these questions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to take the 9.18.79 update I protected the root (I'm not unlocked) before I did so I also temporarily un-rooted (I've always been told to do this before and update) Now I an no longer rooted and it can't find any SU binary codes. Gonna have to flash back to 9.6.16 and try it again I guess or stay on 9.6.16 in order to maintain root for now. If you find a solution please share.

IDroidThere4Iam said:
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with Lenny. This same thing happened to me when I tried to take the liquid smooth ROM. Follow his instructions above. You'll lose all your pics, vids, files, etc. But at least you'll have a working phone again.

Went smoothly here
All my devices except this one are rooted and some are rom'd. I thought long and hard about whether to void this warranty but decided one day it would be out of updates from VZW and I would want to flash something. I have been denying the OTA for the last day so I figured now or never.
Here are the simple steps:
Download and install Moto device manager (for the USB drivers) here
Enable USB debugging in developer options on the phone
run motochopper here
run motoapocolypse here
install voodooOTA root keeper from Play and backup root
apply OTA
It went error free. The phone has the 15P radio update, unlocked BL and root.

larsdennert said:
It went error free. The phone has the 15P radio update, unlocked BL and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to confirm something, you unlocked the bootloader and then took the OTA and the bootloader remain unlocked (and stayed rooted due to root keeper)?
So the benefit to all this would be to get the new radio update?

bananapeapod said:
I want to confirm something, you unlocked the bootloader and then took the OTA and the bootloader remain unlocked (and stayed rooted due to root keeper)?
So the benefit to all this would be to get the new radio update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the bootloader won't get locked again after it is unlocked. Moto would be shooting themselves having to reinstate warranties if they did that. Yes I wanted the option of flashing later becuase the ota will install sooner or later. I also want to stay on the upgrade path for now to have current radios.
I still have an Eris lying around that is long out of support but i have gb on it.

IDroidThere4Iam said:
My suggestion, let your phone charge a bit.
Once charged up, turn it on and get it into Fastboot. From there you can use the DROID RAZR HD UTILITY 1.21 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307439). In that utility option 1 will bring you back to complete stock ROM, option 2 will bring you back to a stock recovery. This will completely erase your phone.
This should at least give you a fresh functioning phone. If you want to try to keep your data or personal files, I'm not sure what you could load via fastboot to get yourself a functioning phone again (maybe just a kernel?).
As a side note, I used TWRP to load the update and my phone updated except the radios it seems. It sounds like the same thing happens with the stock recovery.
Lenny
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's what i want to do, but i cant because my power button is broken! so i cant enter to fastboot mode without the power button.. i will have to open my phone and try to fix the power button myself.

Just to make a point and to clear up any confusion, this Update will not lock the Bootloader. If you have an Unlocked Bootloader then you will have an Unlocked Bootloader after the update, regardless if it fully works or not, and even if you lose Root, the Bootloader will still be Unlocked. If Root is lost with an Unlocked Bootloader, I suggest downgrading through an FXZ of either 9.16.6 or 9.16.9 and restore Root.

XT1575 Need advice - Relock bootloader, failure

Ok, I unlocked bootloader and rooted. No issues at all.
Now, I was curious on relocking the bootloader & load stock rom.
The method that I used to flashed the firmware was the Autoflash, something like that.
Now what I did was extracted all the files within that folder. And click the autoflash, mijiggy. Lol
But I believe the most current firmware was MPH24.49-18
BUT I had MPHS24.49-16 - from what I can recall.
Pretty sure that was the latest on the site.
After flashing the phone, it successfully with any issues. The root is no longer present.
But no matter how many times that I add "fastboot oem lock" which does say okay - finished.
I still get that bootloader is unlocked, after it told me it was finished, no errors....
The other issue is upgrading the software OTA, failed!
As far as the radio part, I hope it still works. I don't have an extra Sprint sim card. But I'm pretty sure it will be ok.
Appreciate your help and time to read my crazy thread..lol
Sent from my Portable

PassatSport15 said:
Ok, I unlocked bootloader and rooted. No issues at all.
Now, I was curious on relocking the bootloader & load stock rom.
The method that I used to flashed the firmware was the Autoflash, something like that.
Now what I did was extracted all the files within that folder. And click the autoflash, mijiggy. Lol
But I believe the most current firmware was MPH24.49-18
BUT I had MPHS24.49-16 - from what I can recall.
Pretty sure that was the latest on the site.
After flashing the phone, it successfully with any issues. The root is no longer present.
But no matter how many times that I add "fastboot oem lock" which does say okay - finished.
I still get that bootloader is unlocked, after it told me it was finished, no errors....
The other issue is upgrading the software OTA, failed!
As far as the radio part, I hope it still works. I don't have an extra Sprint sim card. But I'm pretty sure it will be ok.
Appreciate your help and time to read my crazy thread..lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A few problems here... First off, you likely had MPHS24.49-18-16 not just 16 (I don't think there is such a version) and the one your using MPHS24.49-18 is really old, it's the original MM firmware from Moto's website (the one on Moto's site is very old and dated incorrectly). We don't have the 18-16 image yet, so you cannot relock or even effectively fix this.
Also, you used a tool to flash, so when pieces failed to flash, you didn't even know it... And now you are in a mixed state with a ROM that is partially -18 and part 18-16, which is why an OTA won't take.
When you relock a Moto device, you don't just enter "fastboot oem lock" like a Nexus device, there is a process where you start with "fastboot oem lock begin" then flash a complete, signed factory image, wipe, and end with "fastboot oem lock" in one process.
Many parts to this process went wrong... Right now you are just kind of stuck.
BTW, relocking the bootloader has no effective gains except security... You will still be able to see in a glance it was unlocked from the bootloader screen or a fastboot command and the unlocked bootloader warning screen will still be there (you have to flash a custom logo to make it go away).

Did you make a backup of your stock ROM with TWRP prior to rooting? Restoring the backup with TWRP along with stock recovery is usually going to be the simplest and easiest way to go back to full stock.
As acejavelin stated, there really is no benefit to relocking the bootloader except from a security standpoint. As long as the stock ROM and recovery are restored to preroot condition with no system mods, you can take OTAs regardless of bootloader status.

acejavelin said:
First off, you likely had MPHS24.49-18-16 not just 16 (I don't think there is such a version) and the one your using MPHS24.49-18 is really old
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My apologies for giving the incorrect info.
When I had purchased the phone about 3 weeks ago.
I upgraded the latest software update via Sprint OTA.
acejavelin said:
And now you are in a mixed state with a ROM that is partially -18 and part 18-16, which is why an OTA won't take.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What would be the best route for me to learn.?
The phone is not going anywhere. It is a backup phone, current have a Note 5. So I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
Being that I'm mixed with 16 - 18 firmware, should I get the latest MM? Or am I just Fubarred..lol
Now what is the latest MM that I can download? Only because I would like to do an OTA when Nougat comes out.
I guess my goal is to start fresh again which seems impossible for now..
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again!
Sent from my Portable

PassatSport15 said:
My apologies for giving the incorrect info.
When I had purchased the phone about 3 weeks ago.
I upgraded the latest software update via Sprint OTA.
What would be the best route for me to learn.?
The phone is not going anywhere. It is a backup phone, current have a Note 5. So I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
Being that I'm mixed with 16 - 18 firmware, should I get the latest MM? Or am I just Fubarred..lol
Now what is the latest MM that I can download? Only because I would like to do an OTA when Nougat comes out.
I guess my goal is to start fresh again which seems impossible for now..
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think 18-12 is the latest we have so far, but trying to flash it would not help... Your best bet at this point is either custom ROM or wait until we can get the image for 18-16. The problem here is Moto's don't support downgrading, it can be done but it often leaves you in a mixed state.
You could try flashing the latest version we have available manually (don't use a tool) and it might be close enough to able to OTA from there. You have some though, rumor has it initial surveys for an upgrade on the Pure just went out to MFN users this week, assuming it is the Nougat upgrade trial then once it starts you have 4-6 weeks barring any problems they encounter before public release. Assuming of course that history repeats itself and Lenovo follows the same path as Moto has previously.
So basically I'm saying have patience... We don't know when (or really if) we will get the current firmware image, sometimes it's quick and sometimes it takes months.

Update on my xt1575, that I could not take an OTA, it gave me an error - unsuccessful.
My original software was MPHS24.49-18-16, December update, latest software.
Well, I went ahead unlocked the bootloader, installed TWRP, then rooted....
Days later I had decided to unroot, so I would be able to take the OTA.
While I unrooted my device, it was successful, but could not take the updates at all.
Now I reflashed again, in this order below.
Autoflash Script with MPHS24.49-18-8.
Reboot the phone, checked if it was unrooted (No root)
Now I went to software update, and the phone did it's upgrade, like last time. Did the update, device rebooted and it was SUCCESSFUL!
I am finally back to the original software MPHS24.49-18-16
Which was December 2016 update.
Sent from my Portable

[ZE552KL] I cannot unlock my bootloader.

I've been reading numerous threads in this forum in regards to rooting but I cannot unlock the bootloader.
Been trying to follow snowwolf's unofficial method to the letter but to no avail. Tried both .bat and manually doing fastboot .raw. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=69001601&postcount=2.
Currently at the latest update as of today and have NOT rooted or unlocked bootloader prior to this.
USB debugging is also set to on.
I have uploaded screenshots of the error messages and information of the phone.
https://imgur.com/a/XPSDP
Any suggestions/opinions are welcome.

It's possible the unofficial unlock method was blocked in the newer firmware (bootloader) that you have installed. Try flashing the Marshmallow firmware, but you'll probably need to remove the checks in the updater script (first 7 lines or so). I'm not sure it'll work though, but worth a shot. If you can't downgrade though, then the only option is to use the official unlock method.

Yep, that seems to be the case. The official unlock method still works on the latest one and successfully rooted. Thank you for your help.

Sorry for the foolish question but what is the proper way to do a total clean "hard" reset to the latest version when its rooted? Just been messing with a lot of things and wanted to start anew since I'm relatively new to android from iOS.

droidoogle said:
Sorry for the foolish question but what is the proper way to do a total clean "hard" reset to the latest version when its rooted? Just been messing with a lot of things and wanted to start anew since I'm relatively new to android from iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset through settings or in recovery mode

droidoogle said:
Yep, that seems to be the case. The official unlock method still works on the latest one and successfully rooted. Thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this work on version WW_14.2020.1703.28_20170410? Latest version of nougat. Even if its for marshmallow only? Thanks

Bootloader unlock without unlock code from Huawei

Is it possible to unlock the bootloader without the unlock code coming from Huawei itself?
I want to unlock the bootloader. Many pages on the web (and on this forum as well) say I need to get the unlock code from huawei, but... it seems that huawei is not collaborative any more: Honor/Huawei’s bootloader unlock page disappears with no explanation
Can I work it out without the code?

Actually, what I really want to do is...
Actually, what I really want to do is...: install a different firmware.
I'm a real noob in the world of modding & custom rom.
As far as I understand, unlocking bootloader is required in order to install a different ROM: is it right? or can I install it somehow even with bootloader locked? Also, can I root the P8 without unlocking the bootloader?
My P8 is on the latest firmware I recently received OTR from Huawei: GRA-L09C02B405. The phone is starting to have some problems: hight battery drenage, UI freezing and rebooting from time to time.
I'd like to install a previous version of Huawei official firmware, or different a custom ROM (I read about some of them in this forum: any suggestion?). But as far a I understand, unlocking bootloader is required, and it seems that without the code from Huawei I'm blocked

Ik zit met de zelfde vraag, ook mijn P8 kan ik niet unlocken website van Huawei met deze optie is verdwenen.
I have the same question, also my P8 I can't unlock Huawei's website with this option is gone.

You now have to contact Huawei and request it, providing IMEI, SN, Product Code, Model, and reason why you wish to unlock it.
Here is a link to contact the UK (most people say this is more successful than others) :- https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/contact-us/

Thanks @Sparkrite, I will try that way.
Can you help me also with my second post in this thread? I mean, do I have to unlock the bootloader in order to flash a custom rom and / or to root the phone?

ModNoob33 said:
Thanks @Sparkrite, I will try that way.
Can you help me also with my second post in this thread? I mean, do I have to unlock the bootloader in order to flash a custom rom and / or to root the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For both, yes, you need to unlock your phone. For rooting, you have to flash a new boot.img, and for a custom ROM you have to flash the system.img too.
Without the unlocked bootloader you are unable to flash the images /partitions

ModNoob33 said:
Thanks @Sparkrite, I will try that way.
Can you help me also with my second post in this thread? I mean, do I have to unlock the bootloader in order to flash a custom rom and / or to root the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For both NO, however it tends to be a bit easier if the bootloader is unlocked. Some third party rooting apps may or may not work, depending on what version OS you have installed, without changing the recovery partition.
However it is usually easier to root by flashing with TWRP etc. which necessitates an unlocked bootloader to allow you to flash the said recovery.img and then flashing SU.zip for example.
The same goes for flashing a system.img ( does not need an unlocked bootloader ) eg. use fastboot mode and an ADB shell or even DLOAD if it has the correct signatures. The caveat is that most if not all custom ROMs use a proprietary boot.img so an unlocked BL will be required in this case.
Hope that clears it up for you.

Sparkrite said:
For both NO, however it tends to be a bit easier if the bootloader is unlocked. Some third party rooting apps may or may not work, depending on what version OS you have installed, without changing the recovery partition.
However it is usually easier to root by flashing with TWRP etc. which necessitates an unlocked bootloader to allow you to flash the said recovery.img and then flashing SU.zip for example.
The same goes for flashing a system.img ( does not need an unlocked bootloader ) eg. use fastboot mode and an ADB shell or even DLOAD if it has the correct signatures. The caveat is that most if not all custom ROMs use a proprietary boot.img so an unlocked BL will be required in this case.
Hope that clears it up for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't it? Oh, damn, all time I thought it necessary to do this. Sorry

Sparkrite said:
For both NO, however it tends to be a bit easier if the bootloader is unlocked. Some third party rooting apps may or may not work, depending on what version OS you have installed, without changing the recovery partition.
However it is usually easier to root by flashing with TWRP etc. which necessitates an unlocked bootloader to allow you to flash the said recovery.img and then flashing SU.zip for example.
The same goes for flashing a system.img ( does not need an unlocked bootloader ) eg. use fastboot mode and an ADB shell or even DLOAD if it has the correct signatures. The caveat is that most if not all custom ROMs use a proprietary boot.img so an unlocked BL will be required in this case.
Hope that clears it up for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked Huawei for the code, now I'm waiting for reply.
So, if I understand correctly, even without unlocking bootloader I should be able to flash a previous version of an official firmware, ain't it? I can consider that option if I don't get the code from Huawei
Thanks a lot, you are being really helpful

Bootloader unlocking is not needed for upgrading official firmware, unfortunately, normally it is a completely different matter when trying to downgrade .

Sparkrite said:
Bootloader unlocking is not needed for upgrading official firmware, unfortunately, normally it is a completely different matter when trying to downgrade .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, it seems that I really need Huawei help to do something more or less useful for me. They made something such a "unhackable" phone which can be hacked only with their support. And more or less every other vendor I assume.
Quite weird I think.

AFAIK Huawei are/were the only vendors that made it so easy to unlock the BL, esp. when their code generator was online.
Have you heard back from them yet, some people report getting the code within 12 hours ?

Sparkrite said:
AFAIK Huawei are/were the only vendors that made it so easy to unlock the BL, esp. when their code generator was online.
Have you heard back from them yet, some people report getting the code within 12 hours ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a first mail the day after I wrote, with them asking to add the reason for the code request.
This morning I answered them them that I wanted to play with root rights & custom rom, and that I was aware of the risks implied.
now (6 hours later) they sent me the code.
Quite a good support I'd say

ModNoob33 said:
I got a first mail the day after I wrote, with them asking to add the reason for the code request.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes indeed, the reason why, as I said in my first post, wonder why they're interested ?
Sparkrite said:
You now have to contact Huawei and request it, providing IMEI, SN, Product Code, Model, and reason why you wish to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any way you have it now, I assume it worked OK.

The product id in a custom firmware is the same as de original firmware?
i use this method to see product id *#*#1357946#*#* but in a custom firmware,because i lost the code but only want to save it,try the unlock page but i dont get code only errors.

Cientista2018 said:
The product id in a custom firmware is the same as de original firmware?
i use this method to see product id *#*#1357946#*#* but in a custom firmware,because i lost the code but only want to save it,try the unlock page but i dont get code only errors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try here for your product code :- www.imei24.com

well they dont give anymore codes for bootloader... my huawei p8 lite RIP

djokagg said:
well they dont give anymore codes for bootloader... my huawei p8 lite RIP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u sure there's absolutely no way?

AcidCat said:
u sure there's absolutely no way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm struggling with the same issue. UK support doesn't want to give me the unlock code even if my P8Max is blocked on all google related stuff. I can't even get Google services
after the last OTA update ( DAV-703LC233B226 ) installed anymore. But still they persist that I should send back the unit ...

You can unlock your bootloaders by using DC Unlocker.