Database Users

[Q] Can you Root without Unlocing and receive OTAs?

Hello, I want to root the Sprint S4 without unlocking it and still be able to receive OTA updates. Is this possible? I can do it on an ASUS table I have.

What do you mean without unlocking? And if you are asking if you can root your S4 with your Asus tablet you don't need anything but your phone. Just download Mobile Odin and use it to root.
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

yes you can root and still get ota no problem. just don't install a custom recovery or modify any system apps.
not sure why anyone would want this however.

jj4201998 said:
Hello, I want to root the Sprint S4 without unlocking it and still be able to receive OTA updates. Is this possible? I can do it on an ASUS table I have.
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Click to collapse
The Sprint GS4 doesn't have a locked bootloader, if that's what's you're referring to. No unlocking needed.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium

maxpower7 said:
The Sprint GS4 doesn't have a locked bootloader, if that's what's you're referring to. No unlocking needed.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda premium
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I just want to be able to Root my phone and still receive my OTAs from sprint. Is this possible?

When you say modify system apps are you referring to removing any apps that came with the phone?

lafester said:
yes you can root and still get ota no problem. just don't install a custom recovery or modify any system apps.
not sure why anyone would want this however.
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Click to collapse
When you say modify system apps are you referring to removing any apps that came with the phone?

Basically yes. Also when you take an ota you will need to root again.
Honestly otas are the worst possible way to update your phone.

lafester said:
Basically yes. Also when you take an ota you will need to root again.
Honestly otas are the worst possible way to update your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I am looking into this is because my S3 is 32gb and the S4 is only 16gb. I always like the ability to use the OTAs and then use Voodo to restore root. If I go the full root, what roms do you recommend? I always like to keep it stock with the ability to do whatever I want.

jj4201998 said:
The reason I am looking into this is because my S3 is 32gb and the S4 is only 16gb. I always like the ability to use the OTAs and then use Voodo to restore root. If I go the full root, what roms do you recommend? I always like to keep it stock with the ability to do whatever I want.
Click to expand...
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I run stock as well at least lately.
Just root with cf auto root and then use goo manager to load twrp recovery. When new updates are released someone always posts a rooted version rather quickly. Flash that in recovery and use odin to update modem (and bootloader if necessary).
Custom roms would follow pretty much the same procedure no need to limit yourself to stock if you want to try them out. You can odin back to 100% bone stock unrooted at any time if you want to. I think you are confusing the s3/s4 with the asus transformer where you can't go back once you run custom and unlock. that is not the case here at all.

Wow I can't believe I've never used xposed and gravitybox before!

Seen them about but never wondered what they are just installed OK my moto g and I LOVE IT.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app

Yeah, it's pretty cool. The list of available customizations is always growing, too.
Sent from my XT1034 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Gotta test these. Have heard many good things.

junglebungle said:
Seen them about but never wondered what they are just installed OK my moto g and I LOVE IT.
Sent from my XT1032 using xda app-developers app
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I agree 100%. I just got my daughter a Moto G GPE and since there are no working recoveries out for it yet, I couldn't flash a custom ROM. However, with root and Xsposed/Gravity Box, I can set up everything she (and I) need on her phone. In some ways, it makes custom roms obsolete for casual users.

+1. It is one of the best things that happened on Android lately

Can someone please link me to a root method for KitKat 4.4.2? Thanks

masteriori said:
Can someone please link me to a root method for KitKat 4.4.2? Thanks
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Just install CWM recovery on Moto G and after flash superuser.zip with it. Google for the rest of the information and download.

masteriori said:
Can someone please link me to a root method for KitKat 4.4.2? Thanks
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After trying two other methods that didn't work on Kitkat 4.4.2 I tried COOPTX method and it worked. Do not try to get TWRP recovery because it is buggy.

masteriori said:
Can someone please link me to a root method for KitKat 4.4.2? Thanks
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Click to collapse
Install TWRP, and boot into it. Reboot the phone with TWRP it will ask about root, apply it, boot the phone and run the superuser installer.

I like the looks of Gravitybox but it seems to be messing up the magnet-activated wake-up of the phone when using the flip cover - at least with the settings I am using for this module - so I had to deactivate the module for now until I can find out if there is a solution with different settings ...

Rooting Verizon 4.4.2

I lost root when updating to 4.4.2 on my Verizon moto x. Does anyone know how to get it back?
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app

whatnow275 said:
I lost root when updating to 4.4.2 on my Verizon moto x. Does anyone know how to get it back?
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Click to collapse
There is no way at this time and probably never will be because jcase is not going to try to find a way.
What did you do that you lost root? Others are reporting that they kept root when they updated.

I was stupid and restored 4.4 without checking if I still had root. Had to restore because I uninstalled some bliatware and the update wouldn't take. So I'm stranded without root forever?
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app

whatnow275 said:
I was stupid and restored 4.4 without checking if I still had root. Had to restore because I uninstalled some bliatware and the update wouldn't take. So I'm stranded without root forever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, just so I understand, you did a factory reset to restore to 4.4 and then were unrooted and took the 4.4.2 OTA?
As for forever, well, who knows maybe Jcase can be persuaded to work on it, but he still has to find a way even if he were so inclined. As of now, once you upgrade to the 4.4.2 bootloader, no one has a way to downgrade it to 4.4. And since Slap My Moto relies on downgrading 4.4. to the post camera 4.2.2, there is no way to root 4.4.2 with a locked bootloader.
The sale on the Dev Eds is still on until tomorrow. You can always get root with a Dev Ed. You could sell your current phone to help pay for the Dev Ed.

I had to sbf back to 4.4 because I uninstalled some apps using TiBu. It seems way faster now...battery I'd the main thing I care about. How can I jeep 5+ hours screen on time without root or turning off features?
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app

whatnow275 said:
I had to sbf back to 4.4 because I uninstalled some apps using TiBu. It seems way faster now...battery I'd the main thing I care about. How can I jeep 5+ hours screen on time without root or turning off features?
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Click to collapse
sorry posted wrong.

if you sbf back to 4.4 then go back to 4.2.2 and do the root thing over and just update like normal. thats if you can still sbf to 4.2.2

FeaR_x_KhAoS said:
if you sbf back to 4.4 then go back to 4.2.2 and do the root thing over and just update like normal. thats if you can still sbf to 4.2.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He upgraded to 4.4.2. If he tries to sbf back to 4.4 he will brick his phone.
WARNING
flashallthetime said:
the only OTA that can downgrade is 4.4 to 4.2.2 Post Cam
here is what we know right now that might make more sense
4.4 to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick
4.2.2 Post Cam to 4.2.2 Pre Cam will Brick.
4.4.2 to to anything will Brick
4.4 to 4.2.2 Post Cam you are ok
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Cozume said:
There is no way at this time and probably never will be because jcase is not going to try to find a way.
What did you do that you lost root? Others are reporting that they kept root when they updated.
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Click to collapse
All those that I have seen report keeping root later said that they lost R/W access, which makes having root useless.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

kbluhm said:
All those that I have seen report keeping root later said that they lost R/W access, which makes having root useless.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Users report that xposed will survive a soft reboot, so theres that...

Teksu said:
Users report that xposed will survive a soft reboot, so theres that...
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Right, but it doesn't help with things like AdAway.

kbluhm said:
All those that I have seen report keeping root later said that they lost R/W access, which makes having root useless.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xposed with all its modules including Moto tether + TiBu is useless? I'm using adfree and it seems to work as well. All you have to do is soft reboot and viola!

Mayze23 said:
Xposed with all its modules including Moto tether + TiBu is useless? I'm using adfree and it seems to work as well. All you have to do is soft reboot and viola!
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Click to collapse
I second that, all is well on rooted 442 locked vzw

Teksu said:
Users report that xposed will survive a soft reboot, so theres that...
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Click to collapse
It's hit or miss when it sticks. It's a bummer
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

safestrap ROM of 164.55.2?
So is there any interest in creating a rooted safestrap ROM of 164.55.2 (i.e. similar to the previous 4.4 release: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/108826-romsafestrapxt1060-stock-rooted-vzw-140455-kitkat/ )
Or does 4.4.2 break the ability to do Recovery boot -> R/W system access? (which the current safestrap 4.4 ROM still relies on to write to system)

So if I root now (4.4.0) and take the ota to 4.4.2 , will I be able to keep the root? I don't necessarily need it, I would just like TB and X-Posed. Bit scared of loosing the warranty on this phone though.

TechTinker said:
So if I root now (4.4.0) and take the ota to 4.4.2 , will I be able to keep the root? I don't necessarily need it, I would just like TB and X-Posed. Bit scared of loosing the warranty on this phone though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked for me. The only setback from 4.4 root is that if you hard reboot you'll need to install Xposed framework and soft reboot to get it to stick. So worst case is you have to reboot twice if you do a hard reboot. TiBu works regardless.
If you worried about the warranty then you shouldn't root the non dev edition.

kbluhm said:
All those that I have seen report keeping root later said that they lost R/W access, which makes having root useless.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
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Are you referring only to those that used MotoPwnNoMo? Or does this apply to all rooted users?

nhizzat said:
Are you referring only to those that used MotoPwnNoMo? Or does this apply to all rooted users?
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Not sure, they're not usually specific from what I've seen. I just recall reading "I got lucky, root stuck!" followed later by "ah crap, write protection is enabled".
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

mpkrcl said:
So is there any interest in creating a rooted safestrap ROM of 164.55.2 (i.e. similar to the previous 4.4 release: http://rootzwiki.com/topic/108826-romsafestrapxt1060-stock-rooted-vzw-140455-kitkat/ )
Or does 4.4.2 break the ability to do Recovery boot -> R/W system access? (which the current safestrap 4.4 ROM still relies on to write to system)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would, I think, be the ideal solution.

Is there any reason not to root my new 6p?

Like the title says, is there any reason not to root my new 6p?
Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

Android pay won't work but other than that I love mine rooted
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

funnel71 said:
Android pay won't work but other than that I love mine rooted
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Android Pay works with system-less root.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

That's what I have or so I thought but I can't seem to add any cards to it. It tells me my Android device isn't recognized. Do you know how to get around that
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I tried with systemless root and AP worked fine, but my company dinged me for having email installed and they detected root.
Sucks too because EX kernel plus stock seemed awesome. But having access to corporate email is more a daily must, and I don't want to carry two phones.

jpeg42 said:
I tried with systemless root and AP worked fine, but my company dinged me for having email installed and they detected root.
Sucks too because EX kernel plus stock seemed awesome. But having access to corporate email is more a daily must, and I don't want to carry two phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know what you mean, my company uses good for email access and it will shut down if root is detected. So, I just carry two phones
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

funnel71 said:
I know what you mean, my company uses good for email access and it will shut down if root is detected. So, I just carry two phones
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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I was reading over an Xposed module the other day that can hide root detection. I personally have no experience with this as I have no need to hide root. Have you tried using root masking apps or modules before?
And to the OP, no. I bought this phone specifically because its a nexus.... It was built to be rooted. Some will argue that point saying that android is so well optimized now that root isn't necessary, stock ROMs are no longer better than stock blah blah blah. Root still have amazing advantages. I say root all the way. Heisenberg wrote an amazing guide in the general section that will answer 99% of your questions about this phone when it comes to rooting and flashing. Anything else he and community will answer in the Q&A section.

Pain-N-Panic said:
I was reading over an Xposed module the other day that can hide root detection. I personally have no experience with this as I have no need to hide root. Have you tried using root masking apps or modules before?
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Click to collapse
Some apps *cought* Snapchat *cough* don't work even with the root hiding xposed module. For some reason, I could still use snapchat even with root, but no xposed. On my Note 4, I couldn't use snapchat unless the thing is completely stock.

funnel71 said:
That's what I have or so I thought but I can't seem to add any cards to it. It tells me my Android device isn't recognized. Do you know how to get around that
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you've installed system-less root you have to remove xbin_bin folder in /su/bin if you forgot to do it when installing system-less. You also have to change the permissions of the /su/bin folder to 0751 from 0755. You can change the permissions through terminal on the phone, or with adb on the computer; you can also change the permissions with a file manager such as Root Explorer. I suggest you reboot the phone just as a precaution after making the changes.
Once you've done that you can check with one of the SafetyNet checking apps from the Play Store.
Pain-N-Panic said:
I was reading over an Xposed module the other day that can hide root detection. I personally have no experience with this as I have no need to hide root. Have you tried using root masking apps or modules before?
And to the OP, no. I bought this phone specifically because its a nexus.... It was built to be rooted. Some will argue that point saying that android is so well optimized now that root isn't necessary, stock ROMs are no longer better than stock blah blah blah. Root still have amazing advantages. I say root all the way. Heisenberg wrote an amazing guide in the general section that will answer 99% of your questions about this phone when it comes to rooting and flashing. Anything else he and community will answer in the Q&A section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xposed automatically breaks AP...no way around that.

The two reasons I don't root it are android pay and updates. I know AP is possible but it's a cat and mouse game. Updates seem easier now than in previous versions but not nearly as convenient as they are unrooted.

NCguy said:
The two reasons I don't root it are android pay and updates. I know AP is possible but it's a cat and mouse game. Updates seem easier now than in previous versions but not nearly as convenient as they are unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most custom ROMs are usually updated before you get the official OTA from Google...

slaydog said:
Most custom ROMs are usually updated before you get the official OTA from Google...
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Click to collapse
This. Plus updating via fastboot really isnt very difficult at all. A little time consuming but that's it.

slaydog said:
Most custom ROMs are usually updated before you get the official OTA from Google...
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Click to collapse
The OP said root not ROM.

NCguy said:
The OP said root not ROM.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I was just pointing out that if you don't like to root because it's more difficult to get updates, you may want to try a custom ROM, then you can have the benefits of root and easy updates.
Of course you'll still have the same cat and mouse game with Google in regards to Android Pay, so if you find yourself shopping without your wallet allot, you might just wanna forget the whole thing...

Moto X Pure 7.0 root question

I'm rooted with Xposed installed on my Pure running stock 6.0 and was wondering if I'd lose root or Xposed once the official Nougat update rolls out for us? Will I have any trouble installing it since I'm rooted?

hexbox117 said:
I'm rooted with Xposed installed on my Pure running stock 6.0 and was wondering if I'd lose root or Xposed once the official Nougat update rolls out for us? Will I have any trouble installing it since I'm rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have u done a systemless root ? If yes, u'll get an OTA update, whenever its released. You'll be able to update securely.

MightyRobb said:
Have u done a systemless root ? If yes, u'll get an OTA update, whenever its released. You'll be able to update securely.
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Good to know, thanks!

hexbox117 said:
Good to know, thanks!
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Click to collapse
you can not just update OTA when you are rooted. im sure you are running TWRP and you have an modified partition.
OTA wont install cause it needs stock recovery. There are options to use OTA with Flash Fire.
Look for threads om Chain Fires Flash fire and read it carefully.
Cheers.

The fact is we don't know how root will work on Nougat, or Xposed... It took Xposed a while to get support for Marshmallow when it released (a few months if I recall correctly, they almost said f*ck it and gave up on Xposed completely), could be the same thing with Nougat.
Chainfire will probably have (or has) get root working on Nougat (I really haven't investigated this)... Google has stated that the system is more secure, which they did with Lollipop and Marshmallow, and even then Chainfire stated that Google could, potentially, shut down the ability to root completely by known means quite easily.
You cannot update/upgrade with TWRP installed or when rooted... You must be stock for it to work.

While I do believe Google could shut down root capability, I don't think they will at this time. At least not on the Nexus phones. And I feel that with companies like Motorola giving the ability to unlock bootloader, I doubt it more.

aybarrap1 said:
While I do believe Google could shut down root capability, I don't think they will at this time. At least not on the Nexus phones. And I feel that with companies like Motorola giving the ability to unlock bootloader, I doubt it more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the bootloader to allow 3rd party recovery and roms could still be allowed if rooting stock is impossible, but I agree with your assessment... Xposed on the other hand, is just evil, wouldn't bother me one bit if it disappeared.
Sent from my Motorola XT1575 using XDA Labs