Hi all,
let me first start by thanking the good people of xda community for your kind help and contribution. It would not be possible for people like me with extremely limited rooting knowledge to even have the courage to attempt a root if it wasn't for the good people like you here.
I just got my Axon 7 and is trying to work up the courage to attempt a root following tenfar's instruction (I'm extremely scared of bricking my new phone) I also hope that I can continue to play Pokemon Go after I root it, but unfortunately with the latest update, it seems impossible until I discovered Magisk. My question may seem fairly simple but it is extremely confusing to me. In Magisk's instruction it says that in order to install Magisk, one must remove any kind of root and systemless Xposed. Since my phone is not rooted, I do not have to go through the step of removing root and xposed? However, it says that I have to download Magisk and flash it. My confusion rests on the concept on how I can flash Magisk if my phone is not rooted? I thought one can only flash a rom etc after the phone is rooted? So should I follow tenfar's root first and root my axon 7 then try to flash Magisk? or the other way around? Any advice /tips/precautions/high level guides regarding both rooting using the tenfar method and flashing Magisk is greatly appreciate! I may suck at rooting and etc, but what I can do is follow all instructions carefully. Thank you everyone, you are the best!
To flash something (a ROM or an app, like Magisk) you need to have a custom recovery installed (such as TWRP, you boot into the custom recovery to flash the .zip file that contains whatever you want to flash) which generally means having an unlocked boot-loader, neither of those has anything to do with root (other than that they make rooting the phone considerably easier) they don't require it and they don't do it by themselves.
@Nameless One is right, you need a custom recovery (TWRP) to be able to flash Magisk. There is a thread about this in the forums.
However I would advise you to wait until next week when a new update is expected and perhaps some changes to the bootloader unlock policy and hopefully stock ROMs, which will make it much easier to solve any problems.
If you insist on going through with this now, you should take backup images of various partitions so that you can restore your phone to stock to receive the OTA.
How does it work if you have uninstall any kind of root? I would think root would be a requirement.
KyJelly69 said:
How does it work if you have uninstall any kind of root? I would think root would be a requirement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It right on the top of their post
"This mod requires boot image modification, so unlocked bootloaders are required!"
What it does is implement it's own system-less root management module that will not be detected like other root methods. But will conflict with other root methods hence you have to be unrooted
Unlocked bootloader let's you flash custom recovery. That in turn let's you flash anything else including root modifications. In essence tenfar's boot image is modified to allow root. This will do something similar but you have to have the BL unlocked since patching boot image will change the signature.
iirc magisk alters the bootimage, so you need a unlocked Bootloader go get it to work.
And no, root is not a preq, you can use magisk to /aquire/ root though.
What u need:
- unlocked bootloader
- custom recovery
- a somewhat clean and not already modified system
Thank you all for the helpful replies, I greatly appreciate them.
I'm running out of the box ZTE Axon 7 A2017U with 6.0.1 Android. My goal is to install Magisk then eventually root so I can play Pokemon Go on the phone. Please advise on the next step? What are some of the safety precautions I should take? Thank you all very much!
I'm also planning on waiting until the next update [email protected]'s advice. Can anyone please explain to me the reasoning behind mh127's safety precautions? Thanks!
projectseahorse said:
Thank you all for the helpful replies, I greatly appreciate them.
I'm running out of the box ZTE Axon 7 A2017U with 6.0.1 Android. My goal is to install Magisk then eventually root so I can play Pokemon Go on the phone. Please advise on the next step? What are some of the safety precautions I should take? Thank you all very much!
I'm also planning on waiting until the next update [email protected]'s advice. Can anyone please explain to me the reasoning behind mh127's safety precautions? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have copies of the stock images you will probably be able to fix your phone if something goes wrong and you want to go back to stock.
Not having these copies is like jumping out of a plane without a parachute and hoping you'll hit a haystack, without the pitchfork in it...
There are never any guarantees, every phone is different and as you are playing with important partitions there is a chance, generally through users fault, to brick your device...
Hello all,
Do we know if the "stock rom" @mh127 was talking about is available? Am I safe to proceed with the the magisk/root installation? Thanks!
projectseahorse said:
Hello all,
Do we know if the "stock rom" @mh127 was talking about is available? Am I safe to proceed with the the magisk/root installation? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the stock images have not been released for the B27 update, which would make it much easier to recover if something goes wrong. However, unofficial images are available (look around the forums). So at this point it is your call, just be careful.
Related
Is it possible to just root my phone?
if so how do i do it?
All the posts I have seen go into unlocking and then rooting
gjjh25 said:
Is it possible to just root my phone?
if so how do i do it?
All the posts I have seen go into unlocking and then rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will need to unlock to flash custom zip, but u can relock after
gjjh25 said:
Is it possible to just root my phone?
if so how do i do it?
All the posts I have seen go into unlocking and then rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question - why? What do you want to root your phone for if not to use the wonderful tools of root. Why do you think fully rooting your phone will harm something. Locked or unlocked bootloader is not going to affect your phone. Rooted stock rom with recovery will not make it act funny.... Sorry not putting you out there but just asking why? Feel free to ignore me if you must...
Edit: Sorry to answer your question like the post above said you can root and then lock it right back up if that is your preference
playya said:
Question - why? What do you want to root your phone for if not to use the wonderful tools of root. Why do you think fully rooting your phone will harm something. Locked or unlocked bootloader is not going to affect your phone. Rooted stock rom with recovery will not make it act funny.... Sorry not putting you out there but just asking why? Feel free to ignore me if you must...
Edit: Sorry to answer your question like the post above said you can root and then lock it right back up if that is your preference
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have come from an HTC Desire, which I rooted and had a custom rom (Cyganonmod) on and was very happy with it.
I am still not sure of what I would gain by doing the same with my Nexus 4 ?
any advice is much appreciated.
Is this new Cyganonmod installer the best way to go?
gjjh25 said:
I have come from an HTC Desire, which I rooted and had a custom rom (Cyganonmod) on and was very happy with it.
I am still not sure of what I would gain by doing the same with my Nexus 4 ?
any advice is much appreciated.
Is this new Cyganonmod installer the best way to go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This phone is built for rooting and modding. You wont know what benefit you have until you either read up and see if the mods are ones you want or actually flash a rom. Sure try the CM installer but if you dont toolkits or just basic knowledge of android can get this phone roooted in minutes.
the CM rom on your HTC will give you the same benefits on your Nexus 4
playya said:
This phone is built for rooting and modding. You wont know what benefit you have until you either read up and see if the mods are ones you want or actually flash a rom. Sure try the CM installer but if you dont toolkits or just basic knowledge of android can get this phone roooted in minutes.
the CM rom on your HTC will give you the same benefits on your Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, what do you recommend for the easiest way to unlock and root then?
gjjh25 said:
Thanks, what do you recommend for the easiest way to unlock and root then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a toolkit but honestly you can unlock manually by just booting into bootloader mode. Go into development and try Wugs Toolkit.... Rooting the phone is easy and all methods are relatively the same.
I do not see anything wrong with giving CM a try as well
gjjh25 said:
Is it possible to just root my phone?
if so how do i do it?
All the posts I have seen go into unlocking and then rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend you to stick to your original plan, its your phone, do what you like, you don't need to flash custom roms if you don't want to. I am using stock kernel and stock KitKat right now and the performance is excellent.
Follow these instructions to unlock bootloader, install latest kitkat factory image, install custom TWRP recovery, and root. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2010312
The links to fastboot package and driver required is in my signature.
Link to download factory image: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
Link for latest TWRP: TWRP recovery
Link for latest SuperSU package: SuperSU package
After you do all that, in bootloader menu, you can flash back the stock recovery (recovery.img), which is location in the "image-occam-******.zip" of the factory image. (fastboot flash recovery recovery.img)
Then lock your bootloader by "fastboot oem lock". You can also use BootUnlocker to lock and unlock your bootloader on the fly while in the phone, without losing your data, since everytime you do fastboot oem unlock, it will wipe the entire device.
By using stock rom, stock recovery, stock kernel and temporarily unroot (SuperSU) or hide root (SuperSU paid version), it allows you to receive future OTA updates from Google. If you want to modify your phones more while staying with stock, read up on Xposed Framework and its module Gravity Box, which is not yet compatible with Android 4.4 but will be eventually.
Just remember if you don't have custom recovery, once something goes wrong and your phone can't boot, its very hard to save the data inside. Once you have custom recovery like TWRP, you can make a backup of your stock image (which also backup your stock kernel) and try out other custom roms and easily go back to stock, then you can flash stock recovery again to receive OTA updates.
Thanks for advice everyone.
I rooted and unlocked with Wugfresh over the weekend. A lot easier than I thought it would be
Just like the title says, I'm requesting a stock 4.4.2 rooted backup from someone who has an unlocked bootloader, and as much as I read the forums I know that's several of you. Please help us achieve root on locked bootloaders still running 9.30.1... We'd all like to have the option of upgrading with root, so please give back to the community a little bit... Don't forget I was the first to post links to the KitKat OTAS for you all. This is highly frustrating for someone like me who used to be unlocked and then had to receive a replacement locked device. All you have to do is install safe strap and make a backup of your system for us... Safestrap will not replace your custom recovery but work alongside it. Also if anyone can post a kernel for us, that would be great as well. You can make a twrp backup of your rooted system and pull the kernel from that, but unfortunately safe strap doesn't back up the kernel so we would need both the kernel and the safestrap backup separately. We can get the baseband later on when the FXZ is released. I know the RAZR M baseband for 4.4.2 runs just fine on 9.30.1 so I'm I'm assuming we can run the old baseband with no issues. I've posted several requests for a safestrap backup on several threads the past couple of days to no avail. Please someone step up and get us that backup and that kernel. Here is a link to the safe strap APK. http://hosting.crackflasher.com/get...f/vanquish/safestrap/Safestrap-XT926-3.60.apk
zachariahpope said:
Just like the title says, I'm requesting a stock 4.4.2 rooted backup from someone who has an unlocked bootloader, and as much as I read the forums I know that's several of you. Please help us achieve root on locked bootloaders still running 9.30.1... We'd all like to have the option of upgrading with root, so please give back to the community a little bit... Don't forget I was the first to post links to the KitKat OTAS for you all. This is highly frustrating for someone like me who used to be unlocked and then had to receive a replacement locked device. All you have to do is install safe strap and make a backup of your system for us... Safestrap will not replace your custom recovery but work alongside it. Also if anyone can post a kernel for us, that would be great as well. You can make a twrp backup of your rooted system and pull the kernel from that, but unfortunately safe strap doesn't back up the kernel so we would need both the kernel and the safestrap backup separately. We can get the baseband later on when the FXZ is released. I know the RAZR M baseband for 4.4.2 runs just fine on 9.30.1 so I'm I'm assuming we can run the old baseband with no issues. I've posted several requests for a safestrap backup on several threads the past couple of days to no avail. Please someone step up and get us that backup and that kernel. Here is a link to the safe strap APK. http://hosting.crackflasher.com/get...f/vanquish/safestrap/Safestrap-XT926-3.60.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should provide a "how-to" for those people who want to help with this issue, something like
"Step 1: Make sure you are on stock OTA or reflash FXZ"
"Step 2: Root your phone with the method described (link to the root method for unlocked xt926)"
"Step 3: Install Safestrap (link to Safestrap)"
"Step 4: Reboot into Safestrap recovery and make back up of a /system"
And please, all of the above is just an EXAMPLE, DO NOT FOLLOW THESE STEPS, wait for someone who is really respectable in the rooting scene, like SamuriHL or the OP, someone who knows what he needs from unlocked rooted stock and what he can do with that.
All I am saying, just provide a user-friendly how-to-do and you might have more dumps than you need ^^
Flayzor said:
I think you should provide a "how-to" for those people who want to help with this issue, something like
"Step 1: Make sure you are on stock OTA or reflash FXZ"
"Step 2: Root your phone with the method described (link to the root method for unlocked xt926)"
"Step 3: Install Safestrap (link to Safestrap)"
"Step 4: Reboot into Safestrap recovery and make back up of a /system"
And please, all of the above is just an EXAMPLE, DO NOT FOLLOW THESE STEPS, wait for someone who is really respectable in the rooting scene, like SamuriHL or the OP, someone who knows what he needs from unlocked rooted stock and what he can do with that.
All I am saying, just provide a user-friendly how-to-do and you might have more dumps than you need ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, First of all you do realize I AM the OP that you quoted... but you may have a point nonetheless.
1. Make sure your boot loader is unlocked and you're running a stock rooted 4.4.2 system.
2. Install the safestrap APK provided above.
3. Open the APK. Press Install Recovery. Reboot phone.
4. After boot logo, you should see a safe strap splash screen. Press the bottom left button to enter recovery.
5. Once in recovery, backup your current system to either internal or external storage. It will be placed in a TWRP/Backups folder
6. Upload the backup here to XDA for myself or Sammy @SamuriHL to disect & perform experiments on.
zachariahpope said:
Just like the title says, I'm requesting a stock 4.4.2 rooted backup from someone who has an unlocked bootloader, and as much as I read the forums I know that's several of you. Please help us achieve root on locked bootloaders still running 9.30.1... We'd all like to have the option of upgrading with root, so please give back to the community a little bit... Don't forget I was the first to post links to the KitKat OTAS for you all. This is highly frustrating for someone like me who used to be unlocked and then had to receive a replacement locked device. All you have to do is install safe strap and make a backup of your system for us... Safestrap will not replace your custom recovery but work alongside it. Also if anyone can post a kernel for us, that would be great as well. You can make a twrp backup of your rooted system and pull the kernel from that, but unfortunately safe strap doesn't back up the kernel so we would need both the kernel and the safestrap backup separately. We can get the baseband later on when the FXZ is released. I know the RAZR M baseband for 4.4.2 runs just fine on 9.30.1 so I'm I'm assuming we can run the old baseband with no issues. I've posted several requests for a safestrap backup on several threads the past couple of days to no avail. Please someone step up and get us that backup and that kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Zach will you be the one working on getting the locked bootloader rooted, or are you just requesting the files that would help someone get the root working? If you will be working on it, "I'll be watching you with great interest"
There being no root for 4.4.2 is the only thing holding me back from upgrading. Thanks and good luck!!!
Safestrap is not working on 4.4.2, at least not on my HD
HarleyDood said:
Safestrap is not working on 4.4.2, at least not on my HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I was going to say, has it even been updated? I haven't tried it yet but I wouldn't expect it to work either.
HarleyDood said:
Safestrap is not working on 4.4.2, at least not on my HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought I had stated this before, or maybe I was just thinking it? That's why I didn't respond, but now someone has definitely verified it and that's what I was thinking.
Safestrap, like CWM and TWRP, was compiled to run against the JB kernel, so I felt if CWM and TWRP didn't run, why would Safestrap?
And, I don't know if anyone is working on updating Safestrap since that dev community is very small compared to the dev community for unlocked bootloaders for the XT926.
i confirmed ss not working yesterday but didnt post it, sorry.
we are exploring other options now and will post progress, if any, as it becomes available.
I was perusing the Droid Razr HD area because I have a Razr HD with an unlocked bootloader I plan to put up for sell.
Before that though, what can I do to help you out?
I forget what Version of software it's running.
It does have TWRP flashed so I know it'can't take the OTA unless I remove the custom recovery and go back to stock.
Anyway, if there is something I can do PM me.
tech_head said:
I was perusing the Droid Razr HD area because I have a Razr HD with an unlocked bootloader I plan to put up for sell.
Before that though, what can I do to help you out?
I forget what Version of software it's running.
It does have TWRP flashed so I know it'can't take the OTA unless I remove the custom recovery and go back to stock.
Anyway, if there is something I can do PM me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enviado desde mi HTC Explorer A310e mediante Tapatalk
For the longest time while installing a new ROM or working in TWRP, I have been asked if I want TWRP to go ahead and install SuperSU for me even if sometimes the device is already rooted. Every guide and advice ever, has always said to ignore this completely. This remains true with Heisenberg's guide.
Heisenberg said:
Do not flash the version of SuperSU that TWRP offers to flash for you in order to give you root, it is not compatible and will cause problems. When you attempt to reboot out of TWRP it will tell you that it's detecting that you don't have root and it will offer to root for you, skip past this.[/b]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heisenberg mentions it is not compatible. My question is why is this true? I flashed a 6P specific version of TWRP.
Also, are there specific circumstances where one would want TWRP to install SuperSU? To me it just seems like a handy time saver especially if you forgot to download it or something.
tsuttie99 said:
For the longest time while installing a new ROM or working in TWRP, I have been asked if I want TWRP to go ahead and install SuperSU for me even if sometimes the device is already rooted. Every guide and advice ever, has always said to ignore this completely. This remains true with Heisenberg's guide.
Heisenberg mentions it is not compatible. My question is why is this true? I flashed a 6P specific version of TWRP.
Also, are there specific circumstances where one would want TWRP to install SuperSU? To me it just seems like a handy time saver especially if you forgot to download it or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root with marshmallow is different to all previous Android versions, it requires a modified boot.img. The most recent versions of the beta branch of SuperSU patches the boot.img for you, and you get working root. The version that TWRP offers to install is outdated and doesn't perform thief modification of the boot.img, flashing it will result in a boot loop. For the above reasons there are no circumstances where you'd want TWRP to install it for you.
PS. You could have just asked this question in the guide thread.
Heisenberg said:
Root with marshmallow is different to all previous Android versions, it requires a modified boot.img. The most recent versions of the beta branch of SuperSU patches the boot.img for you, and you get working root. The version that TWRP offers to install is outdated and doesn't perform thief modification of the boot.img, flashing it will result in a boot loop. For the above reasons there are no circumstances where you'd want TWRP to install it for you.
PS. You could have just asked this question in the guide thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the clear explanation. I suppose you are correct about that, my apologies. I think I was getting it confused for a different thread which was closed. In case you can't tell, I'm new here. Lol
tsuttie99 said:
Thank you for the clear explanation. I suppose you are correct about that, my apologies. I think I was getting it confused for a different thread which was closed. In case you can't tell, I'm new here. Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, welcome to XDA then! Here's the thread in case you need it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
Recently I rooted my G5 plus and it worked really well for me. I didn't use SuperSU, instead, have Magisk installed. Unfortunately, now my phone isn't updating. What should I do to unroot it without much problem and without losing any data on my phone? And will it update if I unroot it?
It's a little more complicated than that... to bad there isn't a guide to doing it here somewhere... Hmmm....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/how-to/guide-complex-ota-update-magisk-rooted-t3688175
acejavelin said:
It's a little more complicated than that... to bad there isn't a guide to doing it here somewhere... Hmmm....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/how-to/guide-complex-ota-update-magisk-rooted-t3688175
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So like can't I simply unroot my phone and install the updates? Isn't there any easy way of uprooting?
dt.dragonborn said:
So like can't I simply unroot my phone and install the updates? Isn't there any easy way of uprooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is only part of the problem, TWRP is another big one.
OTA updates can only be installed on a purely stock device, the install script will check multiple things to verify the device is unmodified and in the correct state before applying, then it applies changes to specific files or partitions, they must be at a known starting condition before changes can be applied.
So, can you simply "unroot and install updates"? No, you must undo all changes to the device that are system related... Return the recovery, boot, and system partitions to their original state or any update will fail. Unrooting does not undo any changes, adds, or deletions you performed with root access, those actions are permanent.
Isn't there an easy way of unrooting? Sure, Magisk and SuperSU both have methods of removal, but that doesn't gain you what is needed to apply an OTA update.
I provided a link previously, that is what you need to do.
dt.dragonborn said:
Recently I rooted my G5 plus and it worked really well for me. I didn't use SuperSU, instead, have Magisk installed. Unfortunately, now my phone isn't updating. What should I do to unroot it without much problem and without losing any data on my phone? And will it update if I unroot it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which OTA(s) isn't installing?
Sent from my Moto G Plus (5th Gen) using XDA Labs
cdysthe said:
Which OTA(s) isn't installing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not much of a tech guy but the update says
New Version-NPN25.1 37-67
Improved audio in Video Capture
Data traffic improvements
acejavelin said:
Root is only part of the problem, TWRP is another big one.
OTA updates can only be installed on a purely stock device, the install script will check multiple things to verify the device is unmodified and in the correct state before applying, then it applies changes to specific files or partitions, they must be at a known starting condition before changes can be applied.
So, can you simply "unroot and install updates"? No, you must undo all changes to the device that are system related... Return the recovery, boot, and system partitions to their original state or any update will fail. Unrooting does not undo any changes, adds, or deletions you performed with root access, those actions are permanent.
Isn't there an easy way of unrooting? Sure, Magisk and SuperSU both have methods of removal, but that doesn't gain you what is needed to apply an OTA update.
I provided a link previously, that is what you need to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this. I unlocked the bootloader, and installed TWRP and Magisk to gain root. This worked fine. However, I decided I wanted to go back to complete stock yesterday. So I uninstalled Magisk and flashed stock firmware using ADB. My phone is now unrooted, has a locked bootloader, and is running stock firmware which is what I wanted. Once I get the phone to boot, almost everything functions normally. However, it seems as though I now do not have any recovery whatsoever (and I assume that's because I did not specifically replace TWRP with stock recovery). So when I boot my phone, it goes to the bootloader and stops. If I then hit "start" on the bootloader, the ROM loads up normally after that. f that were the only issue, I could live with it. But not being able to get to recovery is concerning. And I am not able to get OTAs at the moment.
So, I'll check the other thread you mentioned. I assume I will need to flash stock recovery in order to get where I need to be.
Thank you for the post!
So I just got my new 9T. I am wondering what to do with it.
I figure I might as well keep using MIUI for a bit before starting with the customs. I do, however, have all my backups done with Titanium, which needs root.
So I'm asking 2 things. Would you say I should definitely switch to customs faster or should I continue using it the way it came for a while.
And second, which steps would I take to get it rooted and install customs if I wanted to? From what I've been able to gather I need to first unlock the boot loader using a Xaomi app. This takes a week. Then to install Magisk, I would need to download official firmware and have Magisk alter the boot loader and write that back (I have never used Magisk before). Using which app for the writing? I have used ODIN so far on my Samsungs. I don't know what to use for Xaomi.
I likely could also install TWRP onto the recovery at that point.
At which point I would be prepared for customs if I wanted to. I think.
So, what are my first steps here? Thanks!
Orionos said:
So I just got my new 9T. I am wondering what to do with it.
I figure I might as well keep using MIUI for a bit before starting with the customs. I do, however, have all my backups done with Titanium, which needs root.
So I'm asking 2 things. Would you say I should definitely switch to customs faster or should I continue using it the way it came for a while.
And second, which steps would I take to get it rooted and install customs if I wanted to? From what I've been able to gather I need to first unlock the boot loader using a Xaomi app. This takes a week. Then to install Magisk, I would need to download official firmware and have Magisk alter the boot loader and write that back (I have never used Magisk before). Using which app for the writing? I have used ODIN so far on my Samsungs. I don't know what to use for Xaomi.
I likely could also install TWRP onto the recovery at that point.
At which point I would be prepared for customs if I wanted to. I think.
So, what are my first steps here? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need Magisk/root to install custom ROMs and rooting custom ROM (if you want) should follow the custom ROM installation
For custom ROMs you will need TWRP or Orange Fox.
Magisk can be installed with or without custom Recovery
Hence apply to unlock Bootloader and decide yourself do you want to root MIUI or to go for custom ROM(s)
In the HowTo section find general guides about unlocking Bootloader, rooting and (independent of) installing custom ROMs