I have a VZW Moto X 4.4.4 with an unlocked bootloader from the Chinese Middleman code. It is currently rooted and has Xposed + GravityBox installed.
I understand I need to flash back to stock before taking the OTA.
After upgrading to 5.1, will I still be able to root the phone and install Xposed + GravityBox on 5.1's ART? I know there are some threads about this, but it's hard keeping track of what applies to my situation.
Thank you.
jamesino said:
I have a VZW Moto X 4.4.4 with an unlocked bootloader from the Chinese Middleman code. It is currently rooted and has Xposed + GravityBox installed.
I understand I need to flash back to stock before taking the OTA.
After upgrading to 5.1, will I still be able to root the phone and install Xposed + GravityBox on 5.1's ART? I know there are some threads about this, but it's hard keeping track of what applies to my situation.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your bootloader will remain unlocked. After OTA just flash recovery again and root. As far as Xposed I am not sure. I do not use Xposed or gravity box.
There is xposed for lollipop but i think its a little buggy.
Don't open a new thread if there's a related one already, or even a Q&A one in its respective section.
Related
Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Once upgraded to the locked bootloaders, there is no going back to loki. You can downgrade from 5.0.1 to 4.4.2, but you can only use safestrap recovery, and only touchwiz based firmware. Also, safestrap doesn't work on 5.0.1 yet. From what I have read, with 5.0.1 you'll have to wait and see what the developers come up with. If you care to learn more about the history of bootloaders, there is lots of info in these forums.
Engitheneer said:
Hello all,
I recently installed 5.0.1 rooted on galaxy s4 I337 using muniz's method and had some questions?
The main reason I rooted was to try to get xposed so I can edit the ui, I understand that it is not working on samsung devices right now, but when it does work, I understand the only way to install it is using a custom recovery.
Since I have a locked bootloader and am on 5.0.1 I don't think there is a way to get a custom recovery on here, correct me if I'm wrong.
How would I install the xposed framework? Will flashfire be able to load it?
Also, if I were to revert back to the stock NB1 build, can I re-root and install clockworkmod (would LOKI work then?) on it and then go to a custom rom like cynogenmod or are there problems with this because I already have updated all the way to 5.0.1? (I've done this rollback through ODIN before and it's not too bad.)
I'm new to android modding so this has been a learning experience.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If xposed ever is updated to support Lollipop Touchwiz, you'll be able to flash it using Flashfire or using the Safestrap workaround (flash 4.4 kernel so you can get into safestrap, flash files, then flash 5.0 kernel). There's no way to go back to CWM or TWRP past the old MF3 4.2.2 update, which has long come and gone now.
I know with the Z3 i was able to flash an older firmware without unlocking the bootloader or doing any changes in order to be on a easily rootable version. Is it the same way with the X Compact?
There are some DirtyCow-tools to root phones, but I don't know if root is persistent or if it even works on the XCs ROMs. You can just download the earliest ROM you can find and try it youself. There are some ressources around, although not in this forum.
So yes, you should be able to downgrade and root, but so far nobody has posted any first person reports wether it works with the X Compact.
Thanks. I installed the firmware listed by Androplus in his advanced stock kernel 34.1.A.1.198 and worked from there. I guess in time there will be a way to root without unlocking bootloader but for now i'm happy. Now just waiting for a way to mirror the screen with the unlocked bootloader.
Been off this thread for awhile (you know how life gets in the way) and was wondering if there are any meaningful upgrades to an S4 with 1545VRUGOF1 rooted via Flashfire. with stock.
C
If you want marshmallow, then custom ROMs are the only way to get it.
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
audit13 said:
Which s4 do you have? Isn't flash fire for the i337?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SCH-1545
Android 5.0.1
I545VRUGOF1
At the time, Flashfire was the only path to root
Look here for a possible answer: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-verizon
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
wedmiston said:
Any guidance? I have the VRUGOF1 Bootloader and consequently was only able to root with Flashfire. Not sure if there has been any development to allow Marshmallow to be put on this device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
Look in the Verizon forum. This forum is for the international version of the s4.
Pwnycorn said:
Yes, there are ROMs for that device. But you can only flash with a custom recovery so you'll have to find one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
wedmiston said:
Maybe I'm not being clear, but I was uder the impression if you have the OF1 Build you can only root with Flashfire, and, you cannot install CWM or TWRP as it will brick your device. I am not looking to add another ROM, I am fine with stock. My goal is to see if there is a way to go from Lollipop to Marshmallow safely given my specific device parameters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
The Verizon OF1 bootloader is locked and not exploitable. Only the MDK bootloader had that luxury. You also cannot downgrade to it. If you want to flash a ROM other that stock head to the Verizon Galaxy S4 development forum and read up on SafeStrap and ROMs that can be installed with it. A custom recovery such as TWRP is not able to be installed on your device. Because of that ROMs such as CM, JDC custom ROMs, etc. are out of reach for you.
Pwnycorn said:
If you can't install any custom recovery, then there isn't any way you can.
There is no official TouchWiz Marshmallow ROM for the S4, as such, the only way to get marshmallow is through a custom ROM.
A custom ROM can only be flashed via custom recovery.
Ergo, if you can't flash a custom recovery, there is no way to get marshmallow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
wedmiston said:
Thanks
So to summarize, since I am on the OF1 build and could only root via Flashfire, the bootloader remains locked...consequently I still cannot flash TWRP or CWM, and as you put it, out of luck to get Marshmallow.
However, has anyone successfully used Flashfire and Xposed? I saw it on another thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/406o9w/verizon_galaxy_s4_unlocked_bootlaoder/
but there was no definitive conclusion that it was successful. Anyone have any direct experience with this? Since Safestrap and Flashfire are both custom recoveries installed alongside of your locked bootloader, do either work to get to Marshmallow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are a little confused. SafeStrap is not a custom recovery so to speak, TWRP is. SafeStrap allows the installation of some mods, etc. on devices with a locked BL. A quick look in the Verizon S4 Android Development forum does not show a MM build that can be installed via SS, only LP builds.
The issue with a locked BL and SS is you cannot install a different kernel which limited what could be installed.
I saw a set of OF1 instructions out on Stang5litre's OP for his ROM. Has this been validated as a stable rom for those of us on OF1?
I'd really like Xposed, which means downgrading to Marshmallow. I just purchased the device and unfortunately it was Android 7.0 out of the box.
So can I downgrade to Marshmallow safely? Looks like I'd need to downgrade to "PE1".
What if I can't get to MM? What's the preferred route for root on Nougat? The "U" firmware?
Thanks all!
TMan459 said:
I'd really like Xposed, which means downgrading to Marshmallow. I just purchased the device and unfortunately it was Android 7.0 out of the box.
So can I downgrade to Marshmallow safely? Looks like I'd need to downgrade to "PE1".
What if I can't get to MM? What's the preferred route for root on Nougat? The "U" firmware?
Thanks all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd need to downgrade to PL6 via Odin.
Root on marshmallow is a little unstable and I'm not sure it is worth the downgrade. What do you need root/ xposed for? Some modules put the phone in a boot loop because of the root method we have.
lvpre said:
Root on marshmallow is a little unstable and I'm not sure it is worth the downgrade. What do you need root/ xposed for? Some modules put the phone in a boot loop because of the root method we have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What root method are you using? I've been running a rooted MM s7 for about 8 months with very few issues (with occasional flashing of other firmwares in an attempt to root them). It's rock solid, and very few modules are incompatible, and that's due to the nature of our rom, not our root method. (Android N-Ify builds past v 0.2.0 for example).
I am on 6.0 Marshmallow due to Moto X Pure not being updated. I am running stock. I really want to be able to see the emojis that my friends send me. If i root and flash Nougat Emojis? will that prevent me from getting the Nougat update via OTA?
driver969 said:
I am on 6.0 Marshmallow due to Moto X Pure not being updated. I am running stock. I really want to be able to see the emojis that my friends send me. If i root and flash Nougat Emojis? will that prevent me from getting the Nougat update via OTA?
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Click to collapse
Don't get your hopes up for nougat ota anyways...? But jokes aside you can root with magisk and still be able to take an OTA, but I dont know if it's risky, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but i was looking at this thread.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/ota-updates-magisk-t3476091/page1
Since magisk is systemless, you can get the ota, and from what I get you can flash it with flashfure, but that's over my head, you'll have to do your own reading on that I don't know if you use any apps which use safety net right now(pokemon go, Android pay, Netflix, etc...) But if you head over to the magisk forums the latest stable version is v12 but it doesn't pass safety net. If safety net is necessary for your needs you'll have to flash the latest beta, and then flash away with the nougat emojis!!!
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions, and I think after taking an ota you'd have to reflash magisk to gain root again but you'd still have the emojis without root anyways.
Edit : as I wrote that last line it occurred to me...you only need an unclocked bootloader and a custom recovery like TWRP to flash zips! Check some guides on how to unlock the bootloader and flash twrp. So you wouldn't even need root as you don't need to touch the system partition. I hope the above info is useful info anyways, but for the emojis, head over to the TWRP site and check the Downloads for Clark, flash twrp, and then flash the emojis!