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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
Hi, i just rooted my nexus 7, with custom recovery and unlocked bootloader. Just wanna know will i still recieve ota from google for my tablet? of i would have to relock my bootloader and flashh the stock recovery before i can recieve the ota...?
Since you have flashed a custom recovery, you'll have to flash back the original recovery in order to do a ota.
It doesn't matter if your rooted or if you have a unlocked boot loader.
BTW, You will loose root if you don't use ota keeper from the market.
Sent from my Xperia Arc
mazlano27 said:
Hi, i just rooted my nexus 7, with custom recovery and unlocked bootloader. Just wanna know will i still recieve ota from google for my tablet? of i would have to relock my bootloader and flashh the stock recovery before i can recieve the ota...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First question is why would you care? Its not like there are OTA's happening all the time. there has been basically one OTA since the device first came out and most people got it as soon as they started to use their device.
Second, if you have a custom recovery, that will stop it from working.
IF you put the recovery back, the question of if you will lose Root or not really depends on the OTA type. Most OTA's are incremental, meaning they only contain the changes of the system, not the whole system. If it is an incremental, unless there is something in the OTA that seeks out and removes root, it most likely will not affect it. However, if you have made any real changes to the system (removed system programs) the OTA may fail to run as it assumes everything in a normal system is there.
IF the OTA is a full system update like what the Kindle Fire was doing for a long time, it will flush the complete system area and load a new one, that effectively removes root since when it is done, it is no longer physically there. OTA Root keeper won't help you in those cases since the entire system area get wiped. Getting root back is trivial though as hard as it was originally.
I'd tend to think that the OTA's will be incremental... and I see little need or desire by Google to be hunting down root since it is a Nexus device and it is designed to allow for that. Its not like it is a phone like device where the Wireless operator is having a cow as to whether or not you gained access... its supposed to have that kind of access.
However, it really doesn't matter. When the next OTA comes out, there will be a number of devs which will take it apart and release an update you can use with the recovery you currently have and root and will keep root just fine. these typically get released within hours that someone notices a new OTA in the wild and sometimes you can get it before you actually even have a chance to get the real OTA over the wire.
So not a real big deal. I'd just stay where you are and when one comes out watch to see what gets released to mimic it.
Note changing the state of the bootloader will wipe your device. Unlocking will wipe it and locking it will wipe it. You are best off, unlocking it and just leaving it that way.
The majority of my phones have been HTC so not really sure if unlocking the bootloader is normal procedure for a Motorola phone to obtain root. So i have a couple of questions on rooting this device, I'm happy to stay on a rooted stock so don't really see the point/need of unlocking the bootloader at this time.
1) Do you have to unlock the bootloader to root? or is there a method to root without unlocking the bootloader.
2) If the bootloader does get unlocked can it be relocked at a later date and would it show it had been unlocked?
Thanks in advance.
rnscotch said:
1) Do you have to unlock the bootloader to root? or is there a method to root without unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, at this time there's no way to obtain root without unlocking the bootloader.
rnscotch said:
2) If the bootloader does get unlocked can it be relocked at a later date and would it show it had been unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can be relocked but then it'll be just "re-locked" not "locked", that means it'll have a different status.
Also note that you void the warranty just by obtaining the unlock code from Motorola; it doesn't matter if you've actually applied it to your device
If I unlock the bootloader and root, will I lose OTA updates, right? So, if I do this, how will I update to Marshmallow, when it's available?
LuizHenrique91 said:
If I unlock the bootloader and root, will I lose OTA updates, right? So, if I do this, how will I update to Marshmallow, when it's available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With root you'll lose ota updates if I'm not wrong, but you can always flash the updated full firmware through fastboot or rsd.
If you're rooted, you're free to install any ROM you like. The Devs here at XDA got your back when it comes to updates. Every time the latest Android version came out for my past 2 devices I got it through ROMs from here way quicker than the carriers delivered it. That's not certain for every device, especially older ones, but it's up to you.
I will say since Motorola has kept the Android OS "pure," there may be a chance that this device gets Android M fairly quickly. However in my experience, developers on XDA seem to be able to squash the bugs so much quicker than the carriers.
Good luck in whatever you decide. Myself, I haven't unlocked or rooted since I just got this phone a few days ago. I'm keeping an eye on the forums to see some more ROMs come into play and the tweaking to be more common place with solid procedures. Though, I am itching to root just to get a working LED light. I'm not crazy about this Moto Display that blinks once with a notification and if I missed the blink, I never know something is waiting for me.
eskamhl said:
With root you'll lose ota updates if I'm not wrong, but you can always flash the updated full firmware through fastboot or rsd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if I flash the full firmware with the new version, I'll need to install the recovery and root again or will the phone stay rooted?
---------- Post added at 04:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:28 PM ----------
ooklathemok said:
If you're rooted, you're free to install any ROM you like. The Devs here at XDA got your back when it comes to updates. Every time the latest Android version came out for my past 2 devices I got it through ROMs from here way quicker than the carriers delivered it. That's not certain for every device, especially older ones, but it's up to you.
I will say since Motorola has kept the Android OS "pure," there may be a chance that this device gets Android M fairly quickly. However in my experience, developers on XDA seem to be able to squash the bugs so much quicker than the carriers.
Good luck in whatever you decide. Myself, I haven't unlocked or rooted since I just got this phone a few days ago. I'm keeping an eye on the forums to see some more ROMs come into play and the tweaking to be more common place with solid procedures. Though, I am itching to root just to get a working LED light. I'm not crazy about this Moto Display that blinks once with a notification and if I missed the blink, I never know something is waiting for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.. I'm considering to root mine X Play for be able to change the kernel and get the LED working (and maybe some optimizations). It's not prioritary, but I want. I won't install a custom ROM, because I like Moto Voice to much and I know we lost it.
LuizHenrique91 said:
But if I flash the full firmware with the new version, I'll need to install the recovery and root again or will the phone stay rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course in that case you'll need to install the recovery and root, but as ooklathemok said you'll be able to update through a stock rooted rom simply from recovery
How do I fix this problem
So I fastboot stock firmware for my xt1563 from a rooted rim 6.0 to 5.1
And it all went good until I seen I lost root and recovery
So I re booted to bootloader and flashed
Fastboot flash recovery recovery img
Said okay and installed
I rebooted os
Then rebooted bootloader
Tried to go to recovery mode and the little android dude was there and below him says no command
What am I going wrong
deaksfrost said:
How do I fix this problem
So I fastboot stock firmware for my xt1563 from a rooted rim 6.0 to 5.1
And it all went good until I seen I lost root and recovery
So I re booted to bootloader and flashed
Fastboot flash recovery recovery img
Said okay and installed
I rebooted os
Then rebooted bootloader
Tried to go to recovery mode and the little android dude was there and below him says no command
What am I going wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not reboot to OS after flashing recovery, just reboot to recovery. If you reboot to OS after flashing twrp the stock Rom will over write recovery
Do Custom OS support Active/Moto Display and Moto voice?
yekollu said:
Do Custom OS support Active/Moto Display and Moto voice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, custom Roms do not support moto voice nor will they ever. Active display is all custom Roms provide.
This is my second moto x, I had the original moto x from 2013 and hated moto display.
Should I wait to unlock and root if I want to get Marshmallow or is there a way to get it unlocked and rooted?
I would think as long as you do not stray from the stock software you would still get the OTA update. I do not think unlocking the bootloader and simply rooting the phone would prevent the OTA but I could be wrong.
campbellc1052 said:
I would think as long as you do not stray from the stock software you would still get the OTA update. I do not think unlocking the bootloader and simply rooting the phone would prevent the OTA but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would rooting and then updating break something though? I thought I may have read that somewhere on here.
I just looked into it a little bit more and I think as long as you do not flash a non-stock recovery image you should just be able to disable any system modifications such as xposed and unroot and the update would come through. You can probably find more information on this on google or the moto forums.
Im sure the devs will capture the OTA and make a flashable version, that's usually what happens. It usually doesnt take more than a day after the OTA to do it.
My plan is to wait until after Marshmallow is out before unlocking the bootloader if rooting. Since we have a unlock available we don't have to worry about updates breaking exploits so I am in no rush. The phone is pretty amazing even without root. Once Marsh is out I will test drive a bit and go from there. It could take a week before a dev drops the update or it could take hours... you never know.
Hmmmmm well I'm unlocked and rooted with TWRP..
But there is a Back to Stock zip..
So once Marshmallow comes out ,I'll just go back to Stock and take the OTA...
ttkyles said:
Hmmmmm well I'm unlocked and rooted with TWRP..
But there is a Back to Stock zip..
So once Marshmallow comes out ,I'll just go back to Stock and take the OTA...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, if you have already done it I'm sure someone can assist in getting you the files needed. Even if a dev can walk me through I don't mind pulling it for you. Maybe there will be a back to stock using the marshmallow image then just reroot after installing twrp and you are good to go
campbellc1052 said:
I just looked into it a little bit more and I think as long as you do not flash a non-stock recovery image you should just be able to disable any system modifications such as xposed and unroot and the update would come through. You can probably find more information on this on google or the moto forums.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root breaks the ability to take an OTA, even using the supersu unroot feature the OTA will fail. The only way to take an OTA is to flash a fully stock system and recovery.
BladeRunner said:
Root breaks the ability to take an OTA, even using the supersu unroot feature the OTA will fail. The only way to take an OTA is to flash a fully stock system and recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand it's not so much root that affects the ability to take an OTA it is the bootloader flag and recovery image. Also I think that while a new OTA would completely overwrite the system directory, since we can unlock bootloader, you can just re-flash SuperSU without issue.
I have to say that I'm a bit confused because Motorola have stated that unlocking the bootloader won't affect OTA updates here - https://motorola-global-portal.cust...tail/a_id/91999/p/1449,8620/kw/bootloader OTA
Can anyone clear this up for sure? I'd say a custom recovery would definitely affect them but not just unlocking the bootloader.
skttrbrain said:
I have to say that I'm a bit confused because Motorola have stated that unlocking the bootloader won't affect OTA updates here - https://motorola-global-portal.cust...tail/a_id/91999/p/1449,8620/kw/bootloader OTA
Can anyone clear this up for sure? I'd say a custom recovery would definitely affect them but not just unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right...unlocking the bootloader alone won't stop an OTA. The custom recovery will be the issue. Basically if you're rooted and running TWRP all you have to do is follow the instructions in the Return To Stock thread and you're good to go for an OTA. Its a pretty simple process.
Hey guys.
Really sorry for having to post this again :/
Tried posting my issue in this thread but I think that thread's gone cold.
----
I have a Moto G5 Plus US, Model XT1687
Current ROM Info:
Software channel: retus
Build #: NPN 25.137-33
Security patch: Jan, 1 2017
Baseband: M8953_02.03.07.06R POTTER_NA_CUST
On a whim, unlocked the bootloader. Now id like to lock it back.
I haven't updated my phone / installed any OTA's, phone keeps asking to update to NPNS25.137-33-5, haven't done it.
Does this procedure work for me?
Which ROM should I use?
Id like to relock the bootloader and receive OTA updates as normal on my US variant phone!
Many thanks!
I'm pretty sure Motorola hasn't released stock firmware for the retus version.
Cats_PJs said:
I'm pretty sure Motorola hasn't released stock firmware for the retus version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, there's no way for me to relock my bootloader unless motorola releases it?
Can't I use another firmware that's available here at XDA?
What would you do?
Not update OTA and wait for motorola to release the firmware, or should just leave it unlocked?
Thanks
seed_87 said:
So, there's no way for me to relock my bootloader unless motorola releases it?
Can't I use another firmware that's available here at XDA?
What would you do?
Not update OTA and wait for motorola to release the firmware, or should just leave it unlocked?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's a way to relock the retus version, but maybe I'm wrong.
As far as what I would do. I always run a custom ROM, so I'd flash twrp, make a backup and try a few roms..
seed_87 said:
So, there's no way for me to relock my bootloader unless motorola releases it?
Can't I use another firmware that's available here at XDA?
What would you do?
Not update OTA and wait for motorola to release the firmware, or should just leave it unlocked?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To relock the phone, you must flash a complete factory image that is the same or newer than what you have installed... Only way, not that it gains much except the ability to pass SafetyNet checks on pure stock, which you can do with some root magic anyway, but the bootloader will change to a state of 2 (Relocked), your warranty will still be void, and you will still get the bootloader unlocked warning screen (unless you flash a custom logo).
Cats_PJs said:
I don't think there's a way to relock the retus version, but maybe I'm wrong.
As far as what I would do. I always run a custom ROM, so I'd flash twrp, make a backup and try a few roms..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I originally wanted to just root the stock ROM and install a couple of things like: Adaway, some Xposed modules (Like the Youtube ad remover one), WiFi ADB (which requires root, allows one to wirelessly debug apks)
acejavelin said:
To relock the phone, you must flash a complete factory image that is the same or newer than what you have installed... Only way, not that it gains much except the ability to pass SafetyNet checks on pure stock, which you can do with some root magic anyway, but the bootloader will change to a state of 2 (Relocked), your warranty will still be void, and you will still get the bootloader unlocked warning screen (unless you flash a custom logo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow relocking the BL sounds really useless once you realize what you're getting from it. I really don't care much for SafetyNet as (this model has no NFC). I don't use Android Pay either.
Honestly, I unlocked the BL but finally didn't root mainly because I read some issues when rooting. Please see this post
Thanks for the enlightenment!
seed_87 said:
Well, I originally wanted to just root the stock ROM and install a couple of things like: Adaway, some Xposed modules (Like the Youtube ad remover one), WiFi ADB (which requires root, allows one to wirelessly debug apks)
Wow relocking the BL sounds really useless once you realize what you're getting from it. I really don't care much for SafetyNet as (this model has no NFC). I don't use Android Pay either.
Honestly, I unlocked the BL but finally didn't root mainly because I read some issues when rooting. Please see this post
Thanks for the enlightenment!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do decide to root, I would suggest using magisk instead of SuperSU. I switched a few months ago, and it works perfectly
Safetynet isn't just for nfc, other companies and apps have used it in their software as well ie: Snapchat, and Pokemon go are 2 I can think off the bat.
Installing and/or rooting with magisk is fairly easy and painless, and it will have superSU which will give you root.
How to:
Must have twrp recovery, or some other custom recovery, although these days I would recommend twrp, as it works and is more widely used than say cm recovery is, since cm project was taken over by lineage now. Anyways, flash a custom recovery and use it. (note: I haven't used cm recovery or any other recovery in years, so I do not know it this works with antyhing else, aside from twrp, which I know it works fine with). There are also tutorials all over xda on how to install/flash twrp, as well as youtube videos if you prefer that better.
Go grab magisk.zip, (do a google search or look on xda, it's all over the place just do a search for like magisk zip, you'll find it).
The latest as of right now I think is 14.0 and you will also (if I recall correctly) need magisk manager, (and just like the zip file you can do a quick search it's also all over the place).
Once you have that, reboot into recovery, then flash the magisk.zip file, and reboot, it should give you magisk manager app in your app drawer and you should be rooted. (Note: You may need to update magisk manager.)
To check root grab an app called root checker on the plays store. (it's free)
It's that easy.
Short summary:
1: Install custom recovery (if you haven't already)
2: Boot to recovery, flash magisk.zip
3: reboot to system, and profit from root + safetynet hide.
Quick and painless root method.
I do all my rooting now this way, in fact I recently re-flashed my nexus 5x rom and instead of flashing superSU I flashed the magisk way instead, and it cover 2 things,
1: gives you root
2: it hides root from safetynet and lets you use nfc, pokemon go, snapchat, and other apps that use safetynet as well.
Cats_PJs said:
If you do decide to root, I would suggest using magisk instead of SuperSU. I switched a few months ago, and it works perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, wow, I had the (wrong) idea that the SuperSU method was the better one and superseeded magisk. If that works great then awesome I will root using magisk, thanks @Cats_PJs !
easyrider77 said:
Safetynet isn't just for nfc, other companies and apps have used it in their software as well ie: Snapchat, and Pokemon go are 2 I can think off the bat.
Installing and/or rooting with magisk is fairly easy and painless, and it will have superSU which will give you root.
How to:
Must have twrp recovery, or some other custom recovery, although these days I would recommend twrp, as it works and is more widely used than say cm recovery is, since cm project was taken over by lineage now. Anyways, flash a custom recovery and use it. (note: I haven't used cm recovery or any other recovery in years, so I do not know it this works with antyhing else, aside from twrp, which I know it works fine with). There are also tutorials all over xda on how to install/flash twrp, as well as youtube videos if you prefer that better.
Go grab magisk.zip, (do a google search or look on xda, it's all over the place just do a search for like magisk zip, you'll find it).
The latest as of right now I think is 14.0 and you will also (if I recall correctly) need magisk manager, (and just like the zip file you can do a quick search it's also all over the place).
Once you have that, reboot into recovery, then flash the magisk.zip file, and reboot, it should give you magisk manager app in your app drawer and you should be rooted. (Note: You may need to update magisk manager.)
To check root grab an app called root checker on the plays store. (it's free)
It's that easy.
Short summary:
1: Install custom recovery (if you haven't already)
2: Boot to recovery, flash magisk.zip
3: reboot to system, and profit from root + safetynet hide.
Quick and painless root method.
I do all my rooting now this way, in fact I recently re-flashed my nexus 5x rom and instead of flashing superSU I flashed the magisk way instead, and it cover 2 things,
1: gives you root
2: it hides root from safetynet and lets you use nfc, pokemon go, snapchat, and other apps that use safetynet as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome explanation @easyrider77 I will definitely try to root using magisk. Thanks for the warning, don't play Pokemon go and haven't used Snapchat in years so i'm good! I'll try flashing the latest Magisk (v14.0)
One thing tho:
I think I want to (for now anyways) stay stock-ish (stock rom + stock kernel + twrp + magisk).
If I understand it correctly, flashing a custom recovery renders the phone unable to get OTA's (Not that I'd want to apply an OTA update on a modified rooted phone and risk a brick anyways) So, how would one eventually update Android? (Keeping in mind that Motorola hasn't released any retus firmware) Can I flash other non-retus firmwares? (Which wouldn't flash over twrp I think, I would then just loose root and have to flash magisk again, right?)
Thanks a ton guys :good::good::good:
EDIT:
Short xda search pointed me to this official TWRP link, will follow fastboot method to install TWRP.
I'm not sure what exactly stops ota from coming in. I've heard unlocking the bootloader is what causes it, and I've also heard that flashing a custom recovery is what causes it, and I've also heard a custom rom is what does it.
There are options as far as ota goes though, and work the same way, but you'd jsut have to wait. People release flashable ota files all the time, and can be flashed via twrp.
If you want to keep stock, and root that's fine too, but I personally wouldn't worry much about the ota issue at all, because eventually every phone will not get ota as it will lose support, but you can still get the latest and greatest up to date rom with it's features.
Prime examples would be:
Oneplus One,
Oneplus 3
some of the samsung devices like s4
These are just a few, and although they don't receive support officially, they are sporting the brand new android 8 oreo.
Even the samsung s4 has N for it and it came out in 2013 (that's near 5 yrs ago now) and started on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) and said it was upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), and now here we are running android 7.1.x.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-tmobile/development
(not sure if there were any unlocked variants of that phone at the time as it wasn't a common thing like it is now, that's why I chose the tmobile thread but there are other variants that get it as well)
So when it comes to ota, I personally would not an do not worry about that when I root, that's the last of my worries.
I prefer functionality and customization over ota myself, because most times someone comes out with either an official link to an ota or makes an flashable ota you can flash via twrp, although my semi-educated guess would be if you decide to install the official/stock ota, then it will erase everything you have anyways which can be a pain.
DO keep in mind once you unlock the bootloader, it "officially" voids any warranty and moto does have the option to refuse service if anything goes wrong with the phone, but I have heard some people had no issues and moto took the phone back even when rooted, but that is something you would have to make a choice and live with IF you decided to unlock the bootloader, as there is no way to undo that process.
I have re-locked the bootloader on a moto phone so yes it CAN be re-locked, but........it still gets triggered and moto will know that it's been unlocked even if you re-lock it, because that part is irreversible and cannot be undone, aside from you locking and unlocking it on your side.
As for flashing firmware and all that, make DOUBLY sure you know your phones model number and/or codename, this is key in flashing most anything you do with your phone, because even though a phone may have multiple variants, ie: tmobile, sprint, at&t versions, and even European versions, and the phones are identical in EVERY way hardware wise, you can't just simply pick a rom of choice and use it, it's a matter of knowing what your phones info is.
Example: you cannot take a t-mobile phone rom and flash it's official firmware or it's roms, and updates on a at&t variant, or a metroPCS on a tmobile variant, even though they use the same network, and are the exact same phone and hardware, there are subtle differences and can most likely brick the phone, either hard or soft.
So if I had the US variant of the g5 plus that would be codenamed the same "potter" like the rest, but, the number is different which is XT1687, so I would use that number as my reference, as apposed to the potter name, because there are 3 other variants of that phone which are Amazon Edition and the consumer cellular and of corse the European variants as well, I'm not exactly sure what numbers go with what phones other than the US unlocked variant, but on a quick look the other numbers are XT1684 and XT1685, perhaps someone else with more experience than I have can tell you what those number match up with said phone.
As far as the US variant goes though, I do not want to take a rom or firmware meant for the XT1684 XT1685 and use it on the XT1687 US variant, as it will most likely have bad results, ie: brick of some sort.
That's the main thing you have to worry about, other than that, there isn't much worry. Just do some major research and goggling and read and re-read and read again the directions on the threads at xda as most generally all of them are pretty simple to follow, if you do it step by step.
I recently bought an lg k20 plus phone from metroPCS, have never rooted that phone before and came to xda and followed the rooting thread and rooted it the first time. In a matter of 30 mins I had full root with stock rom (since there are no roms for that phone as of yet) but it is a metroPCS variant, (mp260) and in the case above, this phone is also sold by tmobile, is the exact same phones specs hardware, etc....I could not use the tmobile rom or firmware on this phone.
Hope this helps clear it up some.
Update:
I just bought a 64gb storage/4gb ram US variant of the g5 plus. It brought back some older memories of when I had my other moto, X I think it was, not sure anymore, but I DO remember you can unlock the bootloader as well as re-lock it, but, do keep in mind it still triggers something internally that can't be reveresed, so if moto did decide to check into things, they can tell if it's been bootloader unlocked.
So while you can unlock and lock the bootloader on our side, moto can still tell it's been unlocked, even when re-locked. Just hope if you send it back in they just don't check it and even if they do, hope they don't bother sending it back saying your warranty is void sorry.
Thanks @easyrider77
I used to install custom ROMs on my older phones. Recently though, stock android has gotten pretty good so maybe when this phone loses support I'll try some ROMs. Out of curiosity, what ROM/hacks/kernel do you use?
So, how does this sound:
- Install the OTA my phone's been prompting me to update to (upgrading from NPN25.137-33 to NPNS25.137-33-5 and I think it will then try to update to NPN25.137-83 with an August 1 security patch)
- Install TWRP via fastboot, make a nandroid backup!
- Root with Magisk v14.0
- Looking into maybe changing the boot.img "Your device is not trustworthy" thing
- Adaway! Xposed! Other goodies yay!
- Any other recommendations?
PS: Can Magisk root every firmware released by Motorola for the Moto G5+?
I've used it on my nexus 5x, and a lg k20 plus phone to root. I'm not sure if it has any limits when it comes to phones, but to my knowledge it should work fine.
Be careful with the boot.img file, if its not the correct size it will brick the phone too.
easyrider77 said:
I've used it on my nexus 5x, and a lg k20 plus phone to root. I'm not sure if it has any limits when it comes to phones, but to my knowledge it should work fine.
Be careful with the boot.img file, if its not the correct size it will brick the phone too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WIll do, many thanks for all your help guys!
@easyrider77 @Cats_PJs @acejavelin
:good::good::good:
Every rom I've tried on this phone works well, with only minor bugs. Right now I'm using the Pixel ROM. Elemental x is my kernel of choice because it's stable and has a sound option to increase volume. I use Kernel Adiutor for settings. The viper magisk module by ahrion works great, and ad away is a must. Good luck
Cats_PJs said:
Every rom I've tried on this phone works well, with only minor bugs. Right now I'm using the Pixel ROM. Elemental x is my kernel of choice because it's stable and has a sound option to increase volume. I use Kernel Adiutor for settings. The viper magisk module by ahrion works great, and ad away is a must. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to hear cat.
I'm holding off on rooting just yet, although the temptation is really really great and pulling at me right now ina bad way . I just want to make doubly sure the phone isn't going to have issues, and hardware glitches. Anytime you mass produce a product, inevitably there will always be a bad batch(s) so I am just watching and waiting patiently on stock non-root (yes I said non-root LOL) but it's not as bad of an experience as I thought it would be.
I have to give this phone props, this phone is simply great. I bought the 64gb storage/4gb ram US variant, and have been nothing but happy with it, even on stock.
Camera isn't exactly your top tier phone camera but it certainly stands out as one of the not bad at all cameras. I see many saying the camera sucks, well if your zooming in and expect to get a good picture, good luck with that, simply put as I read in an article, two things 1: just don't use zoom, it's a digital zoom as apposed to an optical zoom, and simply will give you fuzzy and blurry pics a alot 2: if your after a good picture taking experience, for crimeny sake, buy a dang camera, these are phones people, NOT cameras. If they were meant for that, photographers around the world would be using phones, but guess what, news flash, they are using things called "cameras" wow what a concept LOL.
Anyways, if you just use very little zoom (I'd say 1.5 - 2.0x at most) but mostly just get closer to the subject or item you are takeing pics of, you'll have a much more pleasant experience with picture taking, trust me.
Ok of my soap box and tangent, sorry .
I will eventually root this bad boy, as I cannot resist the urge. For now I am just making sure the phone has no hiccups or glitches hardware wise, so glad to know roms are working well.
I did have a question about the sound though. I see people saying low sound volume with this phone, and I personally do not see (or hear in this case) the problems. I watched a few youtube videos last night and honestly I had to turn it down some because it was plenty loud, at least from this side.
Does the sound get lower with roms? (in wich case I can use viper) but I'm just curious.
easyrider77 said:
Nice to hear cat.
I'm holding off on rooting just yet, although the temptation is really really great and pulling at me right now ina bad way . I just want to make doubly sure the phone isn't going to have issues, and hardware glitches. Anytime you mass produce a product, inevitably there will always be a bad batch(s) so I am just watching and waiting patiently on stock non-root (yes I said non-root LOL) but it's not as bad of an experience as I thought it would be.
I have to give this phone props, this phone is simply great. I bought the 64gb storage/4gb ram US variant, and have been nothing but happy with it, even on stock.
Camera isn't exactly your top tier phone camera but it certainly stands out as one of the not bad at all cameras. I see many saying the camera sucks, well if your zooming in and expect to get a good picture, good luck with that, simply put as I read in an article, two things 1: just don't use zoom, it's a digital zoom as apposed to an optical zoom, and simply will give you fuzzy and blurry pics a alot 2: if your after a good picture taking experience, for crimeny sake, buy a dang camera, these are phones people, NOT cameras. If they were meant for that, photographers around the world would be using phones, but guess what, news flash, they are using things called "cameras" wow what a concept LOL.
Anyways, if you just use very little zoom (I'd say 1.5 - 2.0x at most) but mostly just get closer to the subject or item you are takeing pics of, you'll have a much more pleasant experience with picture taking, trust me.
Ok of my soap box and tangent, sorry .
I will eventually root this bad boy, as I cannot resist the urge. For now I am just making sure the phone has no hiccups or glitches hardware wise, so glad to know roms are working well.
I did have a question about the sound though. I see people saying low sound volume with this phone, and I personally do not see (or hear in this case) the problems. I watched a few youtube videos last night and honestly I had to turn it down some because it was plenty loud, at least from this side.
Does the sound get lower with roms? (in wich case I can use viper) but I'm just curious.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't have a problem with the sound volume, except when I plug it into my truck. If there's a good song on, and I really want to crank it up, I run out of volume, so I usually turn up the headphone gain in the kernel settings by 3.
I haven't noticed variance between ROM volumes on this phone, but I know on my old note 3 there was definitely fairly large variance between ROMs.