Database Users

Open letter to our XT925 developers / users

My phone, the Motorola Razr HD LTE is out already since November 2012, with not as much development options as other phones.
Compare to SG3 or the Nexus 4 (newly released), it leave us with very little options when it comes to custom ROMS or functional improvements.
Some of the uncertainty is coming from the lack of communication, between the developers and the community of users, on ongoing technical issues with no solution insight (example: the Rogers issue versions 492002 vs. 49003)
The best available custom ROM is currently uncompleted, and again no communication or reassurance on the work progression.
The truth to matter is that we are lagging behind other phones when it comes to development & improvements.

Figure out a way to unlock the bootloader and you will probably see more development on this phone.
You are not your iPhone 5
#tylerdurden

I agree. I holding back doing anything because of losing the warranty.
I have to say though my XT925 is one of the first Android phones that came to me stock without the bloat I've found on Sony, LG and Samsung devices. I'm still very happy with my stock Razr HD.

SFG said:
Figure out a way to unlock the bootloader and you will probably see more development on this phone.
You are not your iPhone 5
#tylerdurden
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Click to collapse
There already is a bootloader unlock. You can use the motorola bootloader unlock tool. I don't have a developer edition and it worked perfect for me. Other users in the forum also have their bootloaders unlocked.

itzik_man said:
My phone, the Motorola Razr HD LTE is out already since November 2012, with not as much development options as other phones.
Compare to SG3 or the Nexus 4 (newly released), it leave us with very little options when it comes to custom ROMS or functional improvements.
Some of the uncertainty is coming from the lack of communication, between the developers and the community of users, on ongoing technical issues with no solution insight (example: the Rogers issue versions 492002 vs. 49003)
The best available custom ROM is currently uncompleted, and again no communication or reassurance on the work progression.
The truth to matter is that we are lagging behind other phones when it comes to development & improvements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand how frustrated you are itzak_man because of the lack of official Rogers firmware and that you almost felt lied to by the whole XDA community over the Rogers firmware scandal. Please remember, this is a risk that you take by modifying your phone outside of the manufacturers intended usage. This its the reason why this its the first phone that I haven't modified.
That being said, I am working directly with the firmware team to try to procure an official version of the Rogers firmware. There are some server issues with the fastboot servers, so please give us a couple more weeks. I want official firmware for everyone here as well, and the ability to modify my phone in the future with the ability to return to official stock.
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2

alexv305 said:
There already is a bootloader unlock. You can use the motorola bootloader unlock tool. I don't have a developer edition and it worked perfect for me. Other users in the forum also have their bootloaders unlocked.
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Click to collapse
I think that the bootloader unlock that SFG is referring to is a non-Motorola warranty-voiding unlock. It's nice the Motorola supports the unlocking but it really means that they control who gets unlocked and removes any future warranty claims.

waiting for your update. Thanks for checking with the firmware team.
---------- Post added at 12:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------
danifunker said:
I understand how frustrated you are itzak_man because of the lack of official Rogers firmware and that you almost felt lied to by the whole XDA community over the Rogers firmware scandal. Please remember, this is a risk that you take by modifying your phone outside of the manufacturers intended usage. This its the reason why this its the first phone that I haven't modified.
That being said, I am working directly with the firmware team to try to procure an official version of the Rogers firmware. There are some server issues with the fastboot servers, so please give us a couple more weeks. I want official firmware for everyone here as well, and the ability to modify my phone in the future with the ability to return to official stock.
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
waiting for your update. Thanks for checking with the firmware team.

I think that the bootloader unlock that SFG is referring to is a non-Motorola warranty-voiding unlock. It's nice the Motorola supports the unlocking but it really means that they control who gets unlocked and removes any future warranty claims.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reporting after a long talk to Motorola Canada services:
The JB upgrade (which is controlled by Motorola) checks your IMEI, android version & the country code.
When I mentioned the 2 versions (492002 & 49003) no body had a clue what I am talking about !
If you bootloader is unlock by Motorola, regardless which version you got, your phone becomes an orphan; No more upgradable !
When I said that there message on line is misleading: Losing the warranty only but nothing about losing any upgrade privileges !
They agree it's wrong & "promise" to fix the worming message (after the fact).
Now I am not sure that there is or was a second version (the 49003) in Motorola arsenal. My guess is that the Boot loader unlock process does more to the phone then just unlock. Possible changing the version system...?
So,our only option is waiting & hopping that we get a full JB version upgradable by RDS.

itzik_man said:
Reporting after a long talk to Motorola Canada services:
The JB upgrade (which is controlled by Motorola) checks your IMEI, android version & the country code.
When I mentioned the 2 versions (492002 & 49003) no body had a clue what I am talking about !
If you bootloader is unlock by Motorola, regardless which version you got, your phone becomes an orphan; No more upgradable !
When I said that there message on line is misleading: Losing the warranty only but nothing about losing any upgrade privileges !
They agree it's wrong & "promise" to fix the worming message (after the fact).
Now I am not sure that there is or was a second version (the 49003) in Motorola arsenal. My guess is that the Boot loader unlock process does more to the phone then just unlock. Possible changing the version system...?
So,our only option is waiting & hopping that we get a full JB version upgradable by RDS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a feeling they don't know what they are talking about. There are reports of a number of users who were rooted but still got the upgrade. I've reached out to a couple of them and hopefully we will get a full JB XML restore soon.
Don't forget the date and version differences between 49003 and 492002.
Unlocking the bootloader changes some of the encryption keys used, but definitely not the system version.
Sent from my XT925 using Tapatalk 2

I can understand your frustration but development takes time and requires opportunity. With a locked bootloader & lack of kexec, there simply isn't much developers can do right now. With time, good things may eventually come. But Motorola development will never match that of other popular phones.

I have a feeling they don't know what they are talking about. There are reports of a number of users who were rooted but still got the upgrade. I've reached out to a couple of them and hopefully we will get a full JB XML restore soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooted will get you the OTA, not bootloader unlocked. Once you unlock using your IMEI, your phone info is deleted from Motorola databank.

We need to consolidate the information & comments on the Rogers ICS to JB upgrade to one topic & one location.
The subject is all over in this forum & it creates a great deal of difficulty to trace & follow the objective which is; how to fix the issue of compatibility of versions..

danifunker said:
That being said, I am working directly with the firmware team to try to procure an official version of the Rogers firmware. There are some server issues with the fastboot servers, so please give us a couple more weeks. I want official firmware for everyone here as well, and the ability to modify my phone in the future with the ability to return to official stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi danifunker, for your efforts, thank you.
Out of curiosity:
- what causes the "delay" in you getting official firmware from rogers?
- which version(s) are you planning to get: 2002 and/or JB?
thanks!

I have uploaded Rogers ICS firmware for RAZR HD back in November: http://sbf.droid-developers.org/vanquish_u/list.php
There is no JB for it right now as I'm aware.

Skrilax_CZ said:
I have uploaded Rogers ICS firmware for RAZR HD back in November: http://sbf.droid-developers.org/vanquish_u/list.php
There is no JB for it right now as I'm aware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The version available doesn't allow for OTA update to JB it's the wrong version
Sent from my XT925

[Q] Buy Developer Edition or not?

Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!

roleary said:
Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung has a bad track record of keeping their developer editions up to date. I have a Motorola X developer edition, but Motorola does a better job keeping that version up to date.
I just bought an S5 at full price, I choose to not go for the developer's edition.

If you intend to root and custom rom go with Developer Edition as boot loader is unlocked.

roleary said:
Hey everyone. So, in order to keep my plan, I'm stuck paying full price for an S5 either way. Question I have for this esteemed audience is, given I'm spending 100s of $$ either way, should I get the Developer edition? Or just get a retail edition?
I'm a bit unclear on if there's any disadvantage to the Developer Edition.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned, if you want to root and flash a custom recovery and ROM then go with the Dev Edition. I had an S4 Dev Edition before my S5 Dev Edition. Samsung never released an update or recovery files for the Dev Edition and will probably follow the same policy for the S5. I don't know what their logic is but it really doesn't matter. Our Dev community does a great job taking the latest firmware, tweakng it and releasing ROMs that are updated.. The key to a Dev Edition is the unlocked bootloader, as long as you keep your Dev Edition bootloader you can flash just about anything you want. The alternative is a retail version of the S5, rooted with Safestrap, but then you can only flash Touch Wiz based ROMs. I love my S5 Dev Edition and having an unlocked bootloader makes it so simple to flash a custom recovery, root and flash ROMs..

I have the Developer Edition because I don't buy subsidized phones, and I like to flash any ROM I want (I came from the Galaxy Nexus).
Can I flash ANY Verizon S5 ROM, including the ones that are intended to be installed with SafeStrap? (most are).
Thanks in advance.

vfnewman said:
I have the Developer Edition because I don't buy subsidized phones, and I like to flash any ROM I want (I came from the Galaxy Nexus).
Can I flash ANY Verizon S5 ROM, including the ones that are intended to be installed with SafeStrap? (most are).
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure you can. The Developer in his OP should address any special instructions for SafeStrap users and Dev owners. If there is a restriction on who can flash the ROM, it is probably more restrictive for the Safestrap users vice the Dev owners.

Fix S5 Dev Edition and or root new S5 on Mac

Hello fellow Android community. Recently I ended up bricking my Verizon S5 Dev Edition using Safestrap. I went out and bought a new consumer S5 it's running Kit Kat 4.4.4 NK2. I already know Towelroot doesnt work to root it. I'm using a Mac with Hemidall 1.4.0 installed and can't access Windows XP in Virtual Box no longer as it won't install properly. Is there any way I can fix my Verizon Dev Edition and or root this new Verizon S5 without having access to an actual PC using ODIN? Last summer I flashed the wrong file on my Dev Edition and it locked the bootloader making it a consumer version. Currently Verizon S5 Dev Editions from Samsung are on backorder. I'm setup to be emailed when they are in stock and it will take 4 weeks for them to get the product according to their site. Thanks for the help. This has been cross posted in another forum pertaining to root but less extensive in detail.
I have already towlroot installed on my current S5 and files to downgrade even though im already on NK2 stock.

Droid9684 said:
Hello fellow Android community. Recently I ended up bricking my Verizon S5 Dev Edition using Safestrap. I went out and bought a new consumer S5 it's running Kit Kat 4.4.4 NK2. I already know Towelroot doesnt work to root it. I'm using a Mac with Hemidall 1.4.0 installed and can't access Windows XP in Virtual Box no longer as it won't install properly. Is there any way I can fix my Verizon Dev Edition and or root this new Verizon S5 without having access to an actual PC using ODIN? Last summer I flashed the wrong file on my Dev Edition and it locked the bootloader making it a consumer version. Currently Verizon S5 Dev Editions from Samsung are on backorder. I'm setup to be emailed when they are in stock and it will take 4 weeks for them to get the product according to their site. Thanks for the help. This has been cross posted in another forum pertaining to root but less extensive in detail.
I have already towlroot installed on my current S5 and files to downgrade even though im already on NK2 stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make a backup of your aboot partition from the Developer Edition? The second you get a new Developer Edition, don't do anything and PM me. I'll walk you through how to backup your Developer Edition bootloader for safekeeping in case you need to unlock your device again. It's very important to make a backup first thing.

UPDATE
ryanbg said:
Did you make a backup of your aboot partition from the Developer Edition? The second you get a new Developer Edition, don't do anything and PM me. I'll walk you through how to backup your Developer Edition bootloader for safekeeping in case you need to unlock your device again. It's very important to make a backup first thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Ryan thanks for writing me back on my issues with the S5. Ok well yesterday I got Virtual Box to work as I updated the version and installed Windows XP on my Mac. I had used it previously and successfully had used Odin before. However this time I cant get it to recognize any USB devices even after ejecting them from the Mac part. I called Samsung support of the broken Dev S5 and after lengthy talks they refuse to fix it as it's in the system already as "Beyond Economical Repair" from last summer. Another person I reached out to from Brickedmyphone.com got back to me and said he thinks my devices via USB isnt recognized because of emmc failure. When I went to recover my Dev S5 I thought i had a backup in Safestrap but it turned out I didn't. So I did a factory reset thru that then backed out and had it in download mode in which it stayed on. Pulled the battery power on and it stays on Android boot screen now. I never did backup the bootloader of my Dev S5 because no one ever had told me to do so. Never would have thought about doing such a crucial thing. My biggest worry with another Dev S5 is will they be available again as they are on current backorder? And will they still ship out of box with version 4.4.2? When I had the S5 it wouldn't system update at all so my guess is that's the only version it will have unlike the regular S5 that now has 4.4.4? I guess with the Dev Edition weather I flash anything on it or not is that the warranty after 30 days is void. I figured if I didn't flash a custom recovery on that phone I would have been ok but thats not the case. I've had TWRP on my past two Droids and rarely do I run into problems.
As far as the regular S5 from Verizon i plan to return it for majority of my money back by the 17th. But what do you recommend I do for a phone in the mean time? Unless I can get my bricked S5 up and running again. It has a broken Sd card reader anyhow so eventually would have to be replaced.

Note 4 Dev Edition
I'm considering getting Note 4 Dev Edition even if the S5 Dev is available in weeks to come from now. I read someone posted a custom rooted deoxedized without knox rom for it. Otherwise your not able to root it? I plan to try a Note 4 from the store once i return this here consumer S5 to Verizon next week Friday. @ryanbg

Droid9684 said:
I'm considering getting Note 4 Dev Edition even if the S5 Dev is available in weeks to come from now. I read someone posted a custom rooted deoxedized without knox rom for it. Otherwise your not able to root it? I plan to try a Note 4 from the store once i return this here consumer S5 to Verizon next week Friday. @ryanbg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can most definitely root any Dev edition regardless of ROM. Send me a message when you have the phone in hand and I'll give you a hand. I'll help you back up your bootloader too.

ryanbg said:
You can most definitely root any Dev edition regardless of ROM. Send me a message when you have the phone in hand and I'll give you a hand. I'll help you back up your bootloader too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply although very late. I ended up going with a rooted Samsung Galaxy S5 off ebay which is new running 4.4.2. By the time I purchased this phone the Note 4 and S5 Dev editions where still on backorder and I needed a phone quickly. I do like the Note 4 and can't wait for the Note 5 this fall to see what it will be like. I also have an inetrest in the LG G4 heard good things about the specs on it.

Alcatel One Touch IDOL 3 (5.5) 4G LTE w/ 16GB Memory: $150 + FS @ Best Buy

Alcatel One Touch IDOL 3 (5.5) 4G LTE w/ 16GB Memory: $150 + FS @ Best Buy
*No link provided so as to comply with XDA rules.

famewolf said:
Alcatel One Touch IDOL 3 (5.5) 4G LTE w/ 16GB Memory: $150 + FS @ Best Buy
*No link provided so as to comply with XDA rules.
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Click to collapse
Amazon is selling the unlocked 6045I for $99 new right now, kinda upset I just bought a used one on Craig's list for 75$ without the JBL earbuds + no warranty, oh well should have checked first lol

kal250 said:
Amazon is selling the unlocked 6045I for $99 new right now, kinda upset I just bought a used one on Craig's list for 75$ without the JBL earbuds + no warranty, oh well should have checked first lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah and apparently cricket has it for $49.99 with an unlock code from ebay running around $5. With the poor support from alcatel it's not a phone I'd recommend to anyone anymore. I've moved onto a new device as have several others although I keep hoping alcatel might surprise me.
I get better performance with my $50 at&t go phone zte zmax2 (z958) which doesn't even have a root method.

famewolf said:
Yeah and apparently cricket has it for $49.99 with an unlock code from ebay running around $5. With the poor support from alcatel it's not a phone I'd recommend to anyone anymore. I've moved onto a new device as have several others although I keep hoping alcatel might surprise me.
I get better performance with my $50 at&t go phone zte zmax2 (z958) which doesn't even have a root method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You seem much more knowledgeable with the Idol 3 than me, I purchased the phone used from Craigslist, apparently the previous owner had an older version of TWRP on the phone and thought he was rooted but still on LP, anyhow after getting phone home there were some weird issues and random force close of system apps, so I factory reset it, and it bootlooped on me, I used mobil upgrade Q and it updated it to MM, its now running pretty good with no issues, but now im stuck with no fastboot or access to unlock bootloader, install TWRP and root. I know I can use the Panasonic Eluga Switch method to downgrade. My question is,if anything goes wrong or I manage to screw up something, will the Eluga Switch software change anything on the phone that will prevent me from running mobil upgrade Q again and installing factory firmware?? I'm just worried that if the Eluga Switch changes anything that will prevent the mobil upgrade software from recognizing the phone, and leaving me with a brick :crying:

kal250 said:
You seem much more knowledgeable with the Idol 3 than me, I purchased the phone used from Craigslist, apparently the previous owner had an older version of TWRP on the phone and thought he was rooted but still on LP, anyhow after getting phone home there were some weird issues and random force close of system apps, so I factory reset it, and it bootlooped on me, I used mobil upgrade Q and it updated it to MM, its now running pretty good with no issues, but now im stuck with no fastboot or access to unlock bootloader, install TWRP and root. I know I can use the Panasonic Eluga Switch method to downgrade. My question is,if anything goes wrong or I manage to screw up something, will the Eluga Switch software change anything on the phone that will prevent me from running mobil upgrade Q again and installing factory firmware?? I'm just worried that if the Eluga Switch changes anything that will prevent the mobil upgrade software from recognizing the phone, and leaving me with a brick :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should asks your questions in the Q&A forum rather than here but as a quick answer...nothing you do should stop mobile q from working. You'd only be on the eluga software long enough to re-install twrp...once you upgrade to marshmallow via @The Marionette's marshmallow rom you can then use @Unjustified Dev's instructions to re-enable fastboot by flashing the package he put together from twrp.

famewolf said:
You should asks your questions in the Q&A forum rather than here but as a quick answer...nothing you do should stop mobile q from working. You'd only be on the eluga software long enough to re-install twrp...once you upgrade to marshmallow via @The Marionette's marshmallow rom you can then use @Unjustified Dev's instructions to re-enable fastboot by flashing the package he put together from twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for the answer, I was hoping that was the case, sorry for asking in the wrong place. I just wanted to be absolutely certain before I took the chance. Been reading up for past couple of days and knew the available options, just needed the confirmation that mobil update could save me from myself :laugh: , again thanks for the help!!

Does this thing use the developer edition ROMs after unlock?

Looks pretty empty on the ROM front on this phone since 2015 is that because
this phone having been unlocked and turned "into" a developer edition can use
the ROMs for another similar model of phone?
If so what can I use?
Any replies are much appreciated.