Unlocked Bootloader but No TWRP/CM - Nougat risks? - ZTE Axon 7 Questions & Answers

I unlocked my bootloader but am otherwise stock - did not install TWRP or any ROM. I see the Nougat OTA, and would like to test it out before probably moving on to CM14.1, but I am trying to be cautious.
For anyone who knows well enough or has tried it in my situation:
Does it seem likely that if I apply the stock Nougat OTA I will (a) break something since my BL is unlocked, or, if I succeed (b) have difficulties moving to CM14.1 later?
A little concerned about (a) but think I was told it shouldn't affect OTAs. And for (b), I read in the CM 14.1 thread various concerns about modifying boot partitions when moving to Nougat on CM, so I'm not sure if there's trouble going between CM and stock,

I haven't gotten the ota yet but I've heard that as far as it is about the unlocked bootloader you should be fine.

ScaryBugThing said:
I unlocked my bootloader but am otherwise stock - did not install TWRP or any ROM. I see the Nougat OTA, and would like to test it out before probably moving on to CM14.1, but I am trying to be cautious.
For anyone who knows well enough or has tried it in my situation:
Does it seem likely that if I apply the stock Nougat OTA I will (a) break something since my BL is unlocked, or, if I succeed (b) have difficulties moving to CM14.1 later?
A little concerned about (a) but think I was told it shouldn't affect OTAs. And for (b), I read in the CM 14.1 thread various concerns about modifying boot partitions when moving to Nougat on CM, so I'm not sure if there's trouble going between CM and stock,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are unlocked you can go ahead and flash ota if you want, it won't break anything.

i have my A7 with the BL unlocked and could install the OTA without issues.

I unlocked my bootloader (not rooted/no TWRP) and updated successfully last night.

Related

had to give back note 7 so im resurrecting my note 3 thats still on mje/4.3

I was wondering if someone could give me a direct answer because i cant seem to find one sifting through the forums.
I originally rooted with root master back when i got the phone. it is still on mje/4.3 stock build. things look a little more complicated then i remember, since my phone hasn't seen an update in over 3 years. I originally froze the verizon ota updates with tibackup, along with all the other bloatware.
My main questions are:
1. I would like to get a 6.0 Rom that looks like the note 7 did, can i do it all with odin and just flash a bunch of files?
2. Do I need a custom recovery like twrp or cwm?
3. I've read about an activation lock but can't find it in my menus, did it not exist yet on 4.3?
If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it, I really dont wanna brick my phone.
I'm still on MJE firmware, but using an older CM13 (temasek) ROM. So it's marshmallow but no Touchwiz or other Samsung add-ons.
Here are the MJE-specific issues:
1) You can't boot N* or O* stock kernels because of differences in the way that DTB (device tree blobs) are packed into the boot image. I've played with re-packing the boot images, but the kernels seem to run off into the weeds after a few tens of seconds.
2) TowelRoot works on MI9 through NC2(leak) but I think not thereafter - if you wanted to avoid a bootloader firmware upgrade but re-flash via Odin the MJE firmware for "starting from scratch" purposes, you have a means to re-root that does not require a PC.
3) If you retain the MJE bootloader, use the TWRP (hltevzw) -4.3 recovery; the -4.4 recovery will not boot, presumably due to issues similar to (1) above.
4) Not specific to MJE - but important - is the fact that if you want to boot either a custom kernel or custom recovery, you need to unlock your bootloader first. You can unlock your bootloader from any rooted ROM, but be aware that flashing stock firmware with Odin thereafter will re-lock the bootloader.
If you were to "start from scratch" but upgrade to more recent stock software before rooting, be aware that there is no publicly available root for NC4 or NK1; you would need to install stock OB6 or OF1, and follow that by using those "yemen" rooting tools. (Are they safe to use? I don't know frankly)
I am assuming that the N* and O* series bootloaders are backwards compatible with regard to device tree booting issues (see #1 above), because the temasek CM13 roms (having a custom kernel) boot on both OF1- and (my) MJE- bootloader phone. I guess that means it uses a "4.3" DTB packing in the boot image.
You are probably going to want to use TiBu to make important backups, and also copy everything off the phone that is important to you. You should assume that if anything goes wrong, an Odin re-install and factory reset are in the device's future.
Having said all this, I'm not sure there is such a thing as a ROM which "looks like Note7" - this is an old phone with almost no ROM developers left. There might have been more, but the bootloader unlock was achieved 2+ years after the phone's release, and most of the active developers moved on to new phones before that happened.
good luck

XT-1644 Official Nougat Update?

My Phone Info:
Single sim 2gb ram + 16gb rom
Hello folks I've been searching for a nougat update for XT-1644, but unable to find over the xda if anyone of you havs upgraded your xt-1644 then kindly tell the procedure here, Thanks.
Here is my About Phone Info.
http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/589c8f61b2eab/Screenshot_20170209-203359.png
http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/589c8f48b01b2/Screenshot_20170209-203401.png
You mean a method like this? https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/xt1644-stock-marshmallow-to-nougat-t3540022
If you download the 93-14 Nougat firmware, that's the latest version. Nougat OTAs currently only exist for the 93-11 firmware.
echo92 said:
You mean a method like this? https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/xt1644-stock-marshmallow-to-nougat-t3540022
If you download the 93-14 Nougat firmware, that's the latest version. Nougat OTAs currently only exist for the 93-11 firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry didn't find that,
One more question i have unlocked my bootloader will it work? I mean will i be able to flash this 7.0?
waseemmayaa said:
Sorry didn't find that,
One more question i have unlocked my bootloader will it work? I mean will i be able to flash this 7.0?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your bootloader status won't matter - as long as that's all you've done. As I understand it, the update via stock recovery only cares if the rest of your phone has been modified - if you've still got a stock bootloader, stock recovery and stock kernel (from MM, provided it's up to date), it should work and you should be eligible for future OTAs.
The only hurdle I could see happening is that the build of Marshmallow expected by the OTA and your phone's current OS build do not match, in which case it won't install. Thus, you may have to consult one of the fastboot Nougat 93-11 or 93-14 threads to install, which you'll have to do if your system is modified past the bootloader.
Here are a couple for your perusal:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/moto-g4-plus-xt1640-43-athene-npj25-93-t3549369
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/android-7-0-install-nougat-official-t3531612
echo92 said:
Yes, your bootloader status won't matter - as long as that's all you've done. As I understand it, the update via stock recovery only cares if the rest of your phone has been modified - if you've still got a stock bootloader, stock recovery and stock kernel (from MM, provided it's up to date), it should work and you should be eligible for future OTAs.
The only hurdle I could see happening is that the build of Marshmallow expected by the OTA and your phone's current OS build do not match, in which case it won't install. Thus, you may have to consult one of the fastboot Nougat 93-11 or 93-14 threads to install, which you'll have to do if your system is modified past the bootloader.
Here are a couple for your perusal:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/moto-g4-plus-xt1640-43-athene-npj25-93-t3549369
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/android-7-0-install-nougat-official-t3531612
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the brief info, it means i have to flash it via fastboot and if that works fine then I'll be able to get OTA, but for your info, I've unlocked bootloader and installed Official TWRP but if i flash any of the firmware (given above) will i face bootloop kinda stuffs? I am scared if something goes wrong then i will even not able to restore nandroid backup. Hope you gotta help me.
Thanks.
waseemmayaa said:
Thanks for the brief info, it means i have to flash it via fastboot and if that works fine then I'll be able to get OTA, but for your info, I've unlocked bootloader and installed Official TWRP but if i flash any of the firmware (given above) will i face bootloop kinda stuffs? I am scared if something goes wrong then i will even not able to restore nandroid backup. Hope you gotta help me.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see you've received a response in the other thread regarding if XT1644 will accept the update; given you've flashed TWRP, if you wish to be very safe, I would suggest re-installing your Marshmallow ROM so you have a stock install before proceeding to Nougat. There's nothing stopping you from directly flashing Nougat, and the fastboot method for either Nougat build may correctly overwrite the relevant files, the only way is to try the procedure. Don't use the TWRP backup images of Nougat - they don't contain updates to your baseband modem and other core parts of your device - they are only meant to be used once your entire phone is updated to Nougat.
If you wish to restore back to stock MM before flashing Nougat, here's links to stock firmware for XT1644: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/xt1644-firmware-t3454980
But either way, read all the instructions first, ensure you've got all the firmware and tools you need installed/downloaded, your phone has at least 50 % battery and plenty of time, and you should be okay.

[Q] Downgrade to MM from official N

Hi!
I have got two G4, one with Marshmallow and one with Nougat.
The one on N (offical N, updated by OTA and did a full wipe) has lots of problems with BT, and I want to downgrade it to MM.
I have read lots of posts, here and everywhere else, and saw some vids about the procedure. But I still have some doubts about the proccess:
* Most of the procedures I have read relate to downgrade from N leak to MM in order to upgrade to official N. I have seen someone ask if the same procedure could be used to downgrade from offical N, but no answer. Can I use the same procedure to downgrade from official N?
* Some say you have to unlock the bootloader, others make no mention of it. Some say you should not write gpt.bin and bootloader from the MM ROM as N udated them and it is not possible to downgrade them. Do I have to unlock the bootloader before using fastboot to write the MM ROM? Should I avoid writing gpt.bin and bootloader?
I don't mind voiding the phone warranty, and I don't mind not being able to OTA update future versions.
Thank you very much.
Regards.
If you have bootloader locked, you can't overwritte nothing including system, boot, bootloader and gpt. I tried with my Moto G4 and i can't go back from official N to official MM through fastboot
Thank you.
So I understand I have to unlock the bootloader.
Now I just need to make sure if I should overwrite gpt and bootloader with MM versions (coming from stock N) or not.
Regards.
CalvinH said:
Thank you.
So I understand I have to unlock the bootloader.
Now I just need to make sure if I should overwrite gpt and bootloader with MM versions (coming from stock N) or not.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple of weeks ago, I read something about it. I think you should not overwrite the bootloader and recovery but I do not remember very well.
But if you have your bootloader unlocked just flash (or boot into) a custom recovery and make a backup of everything and after play along a while
lerg96 said:
A couple of weeks ago, I read something about it. I think you should not overwrite the bootloader and recovery but I do not remember very well.
But if you have your bootloader unlocked just flash (or boot into) a custom recovery and make a backup of everything and after play along a while
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
Based on the overwhelming popularity of this thread (thanks lerg96!) I have decided to come back and tell how it went.
I had a Moto G4 with official Nougat. I wanted to downgrade it to MM.
The first problem is that I didn't find the .63 ROM (last MM one) for my device (XT1622). I found the 23.5 version (previous one), and the .63 version for the XT1624. Since 22 and 24 differ on LTE bands and so, I decided to use the older but right ROM.
First attempt: downgrade without unlocking bootloader... NO WAY.
Second attempt: unlock bootloader + downgrade without overwriting bootloader and gpt.bin. :good::good:
I got the boot warning message, but everything went ok and my BT problems are gone. I got the .63 OTA notification, but didn't installed it as I read scary histories about doing it.
Regards!
now that your bootloader is unlocked, install TWRP and make a backup of your system. I used TWRP to restore my OS. I went from Nougat back to MM, I am sure you can go the other way around too.
also, the fastboot method for reload the os seems to work well on phones with unlocked bootloaders.

Custom ROMs and future updates. What do I have to bear in mind?

So, we all know Motorola will eventually (aka never) release Oreo for the G5 Plus.
I am way too anxious so I am going to flash a Custom ROM until they deliver it. However I am quite afraid about something.
I plan to use Lineage 15.1 until Oreo comes out for the G5 Plus. However, I am kind of afraid that I may screw things up when the OTA comes out.
I have recently hard bricked my Moto G 2014 because of OTAs and Bootloader.
So, Oreo releases...
Will it be fine to install the OTA (through normal System Update check) having the latest Stock ROM Firmware for my region installed? (I would erase Lineage 15 and use fastboot to flash Stock again)
Or will I instead need to wait for someone to post the system images and flash it through fastboot instead? (I assume I would need to install the OTA through normal methods because of bootloader changes but still...)
I just don't want this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/g5-plus/help/moto-g5-plus-hard-bricked-t3694119
To happen.
You won't get system updates when you are on a custom ROM like Lineage OS or any other custom ROM. The only system updates you might get are ROM updates if the ROM maintainer has that feature built in.
If official Oreo comes out and you are on the correct stock firmware for your model and region, everything should work fine.
Before flashing custom roms you should backup your efs partition using twrp else you could lose your imei(recoverable) / volte(not recoverable till now) when flashing fastboot firmwire.
You need to flash fastboot firmwire to receive oreo ota.
If you want to avoid hard bricking, then you must flash the same stock ROM or newer onto your device when you revert back to stock firmware.
I imagine your Moto G 2014 got bricked when you took an OTA update? That could have occurred if firmware older than what was present on your device was flashed (bootloaders cannot be downgraded), and like in that thread you linked, attempting to use OTA updates would corrupt your newer bootloader with the older OTA patches, leading to a hard brick.
As mentioned above, if you revert to the correct build for your region and matching your current build at least, you should be okay to receive OTA updates (should also include up to Oreo). Alternatively, you could wait for the Oreo fastboot ROM to be safe, or the Oreo TWRP flashable for a near stock ROM experience (since TWRP flashables shouldn't care about your bootloader or GPT partitions, do it'd be difficult to brick your device. However, TWRP flashable stock ROMs aren't OTA compatible).
Before you unlock your bootloader and flash TWRP/custom ROMs, make a note of your current build version and see if you can find a stock ROM leaked of that build, so you can be sure that you're reverting to the right build for your device.
Just do not flash older stock Motorola firmware to your device or if you do, do not use OTA updates.
Yeah, I did some research and now I understand what happened. Thanks for the comments.

[mini-GUIDE] BRICKED / DOWNGRADE / SAME / UPGRADE - also ALTERNATIVE to RSDlite

I am not responsible for your bricked phone or pigeon poo on your toupe. Do at your own risk.
Many thanks to @SupahCookie for idea and motivation!
INTENTIONALLY DOES --NOT-- LOCK BOOTLOADER!!!
Get factory images here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...ock-images-t3736767/post75236696#post75236696
THIS GUIDE IS FOR FACTORY/STOCK ROMs - NOT YOUR AVERAGE CUSTOM ROM which may not have bootloaders!!! (thanks!!!!! @echo92 )
FIX:
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET TO FASTBOOT THIS SHOULD WORK.
IF YOU HAVE 8.x bootloaders AND ARE DOWNGRADING TO 7, use "Alternative to RSDlite" below.
1 boot to win - 7 or 10 works fine.
2 boot phone to fastboot, and connect phone to computer.
3 start RSDlite
pick a ROM. I believe I used a 7.1.1 rom
3Nov9-ADDISON_NPNS26.118-22-2-8_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip
RSDlite installed it and fixed the problem.
- -
I was then able to use RSDlite to install @rafikowy 's signed 8.0 . - going up from 7 to 8.
- -
- -
If you are on 8.x bootloaders and want to go to 7.x bootloaders, use this (RSDlite throws an error and stops):
ALTERNATIVE TO RSDlite:
1 I used 7zip to extract that 7.1.1 zip (or any ROM zip) into a folder x,
2 add all the adb and fastboot junk to folder x,
3 add the attached file (rename it to flash.bat) to folder x.
4 boot phone to fastboot and connect to computer.
5 click on flash.bat - it throws a lot of "slot" errors but works just fine.
6 reboot your phone if it hasn't already and go through the 7.x install stuffs.
7 you will not show an IMEI if you are coming from an 8.x bootloader. However, it IS there.
NOTE: you may need to add a line to the flash.bat if there are more/less sparsechunk's in your FACTORY/STOCK ROM...
THIS IS NOT FOR CUSTOM ROMs!!!!!!!
EDIT: 3-8-19: I just did this myself to go back very briefly to 7.1 - be sure you don't flash TWRP to it if your going to take OTAs - it will brick it. boot to TWRP if you need TWRP briefly: fastboot boot twrpimg.img
----------
If you can boot to fastboot screen, you can do anything.
Never OTA a ROM if you have modified recovery (TWRP, etc) or if magisk is present.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...p-flashing-t3813498/post77011495#post77011495
I changed the attached file to add pause and reboot and exit to make it slightly more automated.
I have successfully used this many times going back and forth. If you can boot to fastboot screen, you can save your phone and flash anything you want.
You may wish to advise users that if they downgrade to Nougat not to use Nougat OTA updates. The reason being that a downgraded stock Oreo device may still have the Oreo bootloader on it. Thus, attempting to use Nougat OTA updates may hard brick their device (as the bootloader is likely corrupted, meaning no fastboot).
Users could either use the Feb 2018 NPN26.118-22-2-17 firmware from your link https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/addison/official/RETAIL/ as that was the last Nougat firmware (and thus no Nougat OTA updates) or avoid using OTA updates whilst downgraded.
echo92 said:
You may wish to advise users that if they downgrade to Nougat not to use Nougat OTA updates. The reason being that a downgraded stock Oreo device may still have the Oreo bootloader on it. Thus, attempting to use Nougat OTA updates may hard brick their device (as the bootloader is likely corrupted, meaning no fastboot).
Users could either use the Feb 2018 NPN26.118-22-2-17 firmware from your link https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/addison/official/RETAIL/ as that was the last Nougat firmware (and thus no Nougat OTA updates) or avoid using OTA updates whilst downgraded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I used the above GUIDE to go up and down a number of times on my phone (about 20 total) , installing and running on both 7 and 8, and then went down to a Nov 7.1.1 and let it ota all the way up to 8.0 and that is what I am using now. I found that when i used a factory zip, and the above procedure, it corrected the bootloaders to the appropriate version that i was flashing - either RSDlite or the more manual path which ignores the errors worked for me.
Using the above procedure , you get the correct bootloaders, which are in the zip.
Please correct me if i am wrong!
KrisM22 said:
Interesting. I used the above GUIDE to go up and down a number of times on my phone (about 20 total) , installing and running on both 7 and 8, and then went down to a Nov 7.1.1 and let it ota all the way up to 8.0 and that is what I am using now. I found that when i used a factory zip, and the above procedure, it corrected the bootloaders to the appropriate version that i was flashing - either RSDlite or the more manual path which ignores the errors worked for me.
Using the above procedure , you get the correct bootloaders, which are in the zip.
Please correct me if i am wrong!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device (hence the number of users asking for a blankflash, as fastboot no longer works). I don't know if these users hard bricked by downgrading their firmware too far and then flashed an OTA radically different to their previous firmware, or whether it's a risk that's taken by any downgrading of firmware.
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?
echo92 said:
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device (hence the number of users asking for a blankflash, as fastboot no longer works). I don't know if these users hard bricked by downgrading their firmware too far and then flashed an OTA radically different to their previous firmware, or whether it's a risk that's taken by any downgrading of firmware.
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES - that's why I wrote these 3 guides - before, it was quite possible to wind up with a bootloader mix - esp depending on the zip you use! - factory/stock only!!!
I added a line to the guide saying that it is only intended to be used for the factory/stock zips as these have (I believe) the bootloaders appropriate to the ROM.
Many thanks for pursuing this! - I wonder if we'll have to exclude certain ROMs that are in the factory lists?????
echo92 said:
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have TWRP (or I assume any custom recovery) present when you try to ota, it can download just fine and then reboot to the update. I had TWRP and wound up in a situation where my phone would only boot to twrp no matter what I flashed or restored. I booted phone to fastboot, RSDlite'ed that 11-09-17 factory zip and all was well. In that particular case I did not fully install 7.x but immediately RSDlite'ed rafikowy's 8.0 signed stock and went on with my testing. Since then I always boot to TWRP rather than intalling it and do my thing. (thanks @jceballos )
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry - since it throws a million errors I never look at it if it works.
The particular build I am on at the moment - is BL: C1.82
This one started from that Nov '17 build and ota'ed all the way to 8.0 Apr.
I root and unroot as needed per rafikowy's method but using a boot to TWRP - never an install TWRP.
I'll put up a new guide ref ota and recovery and brick.
KrisM22 said:
If you have TWRP (or I assume any custom recovery) present when you try to ota, it can download just fine and then reboot to the update. I had TWRP and wound up in a situation where my phone would only boot to twrp no matter what I flashed or restored. I booted phone to fastboot, RSDlite'ed that 11-09-17 factory zip and all was well. In that particular case I did not fully install 7.x but immediately RSDlite'ed rafikowy's 8.0 signed stock and went on with my testing. Since then I always boot to TWRP rather than intalling it and do my thing. (thanks @jceballos )
Sorry - since it throws a million errors I never look at it if it works.
The particular build I am on at the moment - is BL: C1.82
This one started from that Nov '17 build and ota'ed all the way to 8.0 Apr.
I root and unroot as needed per rafikowy's method but using a boot to TWRP - never an install TWRP.
I'll put up a new guide ref ota and recovery and brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) If you have TWRP, then using an OTA will fail - as you've not got stock recovery (and likely other modifications, including possibly a system partition set to read-write status). As you noted, having TWRP seems to cause a bootloop when rebooting - I'm not sure if the OTA sets a boot flag to stay in recovery until the update is completed. For the G4/Plus, there's a possible solution by wiping the misc partition but I don't know if there's a similar partition for Z Play devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325
The only other solution I've seen is a clean flash of the stock ROM to get your device booting properly.
Booting to TWRP rather than flashing would mean your stock recovery is still present on your device. The only downside is if you need to make modifications, you'd need your computer to boot to TWRP.
2)BL C1.82 seems to be the bootloader provided by the Oreo April 2018 security patch update, so your device looks to be on the right bootloader. It's still curious that the Nov 2017 firmware worked whereas countless other 'factory' stock ROMs caused hard bricks when downgraded to and then OTA updates were installed.
As you mentioned, custom ROMs don't have bootloaders and thus don't care about your bootloader version usually (though I've seen some ROMs require a certain bootloader). However, stock ROMs and stock OTA updates do have bootloaders, which is why downgrading can be risky.
echo92 said:
1) If you have TWRP, then using an OTA will fail - as you've not got stock recovery (and likely other modifications, including possibly a system partition set to read-write status). As you noted, having TWRP seems to cause a bootloop when rebooting - I'm not sure if the OTA sets a boot flag to stay in recovery until the update is completed. For the G4/Plus, there's a possible solution by wiping the misc partition but I don't know if there's a similar partition for Z Play devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325
The only other solution I've seen is a clean flash of the stock ROM to get your device booting properly.
Booting to TWRP rather than flashing would mean your stock recovery is still present on your device. The only downside is if you need to make modifications, you'd need your computer to boot to TWRP.
2)BL C1.82 seems to be the bootloader provided by the Oreo April 2018 security patch update, so your device looks to be on the right bootloader. It's still curious that the Nov 2017 firmware worked whereas countless other 'factory' stock ROMs caused hard bricks when downgraded to and then OTA updates were installed.
As you mentioned, custom ROMs don't have bootloaders and thus don't care about your bootloader version usually (though I've seen some ROMs require a certain bootloader). However, stock ROMs and stock OTA updates do have bootloaders, which is why downgrading can be risky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downgrading is a piece of cake if you don't use RSDlite - it throws an error and stops. Using the bat file it can happily throw all the errors it wants and all I care is at the end I have what I want.
It does indeed change the entire environment when you bat file the zip contents. You can bat file to get from 8 to 7 and then use RSDlite to flash a different 7 OR 8 zip file. There is no resulting difference in whether you RSDlite it or bat file it - the bat file simply comes from the .xml file that is within the zip. There is very little or no difference between that among addison factory/stock zips. Other zips are different (custom ROMs.)
Grab any factory/stock zip for addison and expand it and you will see modems, bootloaders, indeed absolutely everything you would find on that phone if you went to a store and bought it. SupahCookie simply added a couple lock command lines because it was intended for folks who somehow thought that if phone was locked they could take it back to the store and get their money back. Or some such. I found that ATT folk didn't care if you were on CM or whatever if you just needed to swap SIMs or whatever.
I DON'T want to lock the phone as it prevents me from modifying forever. Oh yeah that reminds me I was going to post the obligatory guide (again) about how to flash a white boot logo so you don't get that message - it's still there LOL but since the font is in white, you can't see it.
I have a Moto Z2 Play and used this to get out of a rather sticky situation.. My IEMI shows 0 now and I'm curious if there's a way to fix this? Also, You say you've done OTA updates? My phone is telling my I have some, is it safe to try?
Necrowr said:
I have a Moto Z2 Play and used this to get out of a rather sticky situation.. My IEMI shows 0 now and I'm curious if there's a way to fix this? Also, You say you've done OTA updates? My phone is telling my I have some, is it safe to try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for feedback and great on success.
IMEI will show zero if using oreo, It will show again if using N. Remember that if you go from O to N you need to use the "Alternative to RSD" as RSD will simply throw an error and stop.
If you have TWRP and/or Magisk you must get rid of them before ota - if twrp present you will soft brick and have to do alternative again - flash a stock recovery. Simply uninstalling/flash magisk will probably not be enough - it will likely d/l but error part way through update. If you are sitting on rafikowy's stock oreo, and haven't modified it, you should be fine. I know Apr and June are out there. I flashed his stock 8.0 and took June fine. Z2 should be no different though of course I can't guarantee it
If you have success, let us know what you have done so others looking in will know. Thanks!
KrisM22 said:
Thanks for feedback and great on success.
IMEI will show zero if using oreo, It will show again if using N. Remember that if you go from O to N you need to use the "Alternative to RSD" as RSD will simply throw an error and stop.
If you have TWRP and/or Magisk you must get rid of them before ota - if twrp present you will soft brick and have to do alternative again - flash a stock recovery. Simply uninstalling/flash magisk will probably not be enough - it will likely d/l but error part way through update. If you are sitting on rafikowy's stock oreo, and haven't modified it, you should be fine. I know Apr and June are out there. I flashed his stock 8.0 and took June fine. Z2 should be no different though of course I can't guarantee it
If you have success, let us know what you have done so others looking in will know. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually flashed to this: ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPS26.118-24_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip Which is a 7.1.1 variant and it is showing 0 when I check settings and when I dial *#06#. However upon connecting to the computer and running mfastboot getvar imei it returned a value. I only did the steps above which would mean I don't have TWRP or Magisk (when I fastboot and click recovery I get "no command")
****** Additional information *********
XT1710-01 Duel Sim Variant
I started your steps, only being able to access fastboot. The device would throw an error (I don't recall exactly but it ended up showing me them in the bootloader logs) whenever I tried to start it, or go to recovery. #DefinitelyThoughtItWasDead
Necrowr said:
I actually flashed to this: ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPS26.118-24_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip Which is a 7.1.1 variant and it is showing 0 when I check settings and when I dial *#06#. However upon connecting to the computer and running mfastboot getvar imei it returned a value. I only did the steps above which would mean I don't have TWRP or Magisk (when I fastboot and click recovery I get "no command")
****** Additional information *********
XT1710-01 Duel Sim Variant
I started your steps, only being able to access fastboot. The device would throw an error (I don't recall exactly but it ended up showing me them in the bootloader logs) whenever I tried to start it, or go to recovery. #DefinitelyThoughtItWasDead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What rom was on phone when you got it and what have you done to it? Has it ever run 8.x?
original country of phone?
The bat file will always throw a lot of slot errors.
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETUS/
or
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETAIL/
might have some stock ROMs of interest...
KrisM22 said:
What rom was on phone when you got it and what have you done to it? Has it ever run 8.x?
original country of phone?
The bat file will always throw a lot of slot errors.
might have some stock ROMs of interest...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD
Necrowr said:
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs won't usually update the bootloader (even if they are newer) as stock ROMs typically only have the bootloader firmware.
You could look into flashing the stock Oreo albus 8.0 ROM https://forum.xda-developers.com/z2-play/how-to/fastboot-rom-oreo-retail-via-fastboot-t3786153 or the 8.0 June 2018 firmware https://forum.xda-developers.com/z2-play/how-to/fastboot-rom-albusretail8-0-0opss27-76-t3822195 but please check that firmware has been released for your device variant.
I don't know if updating your baseband to stock Oreo formally may fix your IMEI issue.
Necrowr said:
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"BL: C0.CD" even right after flashing that albus 7.1.1 using "alternative" above?
What happens if you flash one of the oreo roms from the links I gave you above?
Yeah, RR wouldn't change bootloaders... so you upgraded bootloaders independendently?- that could easily lead to a soft brick... -
I read RR on Z2 and it says nothing about bootloaders even though it says 8.1 based, so i wonder if it needs 7.x bootloaders? I did not read entire thread...
In a reverse, I would wonder if you put an 8 on there if you wouldn't see your IMEI. (On the Z if you flash 8 You won't see the IMEI until you return to 7.)(wondering if z2 is reversed)
KrisM22 said:
"BL: C0.CD" even right after flashing that albus 7.1.1 using "alternative" above?
What happens if you flash one of the oreo roms from the links I gave you above?
Yeah, RR wouldn't change bootloaders... so you upgraded bootloaders independendently?- that could easily lead to a soft brick... -
I read RR on Z2 and it says nothing about bootloaders even though it says 8.1 based, so i wonder if it needs 7.x bootloaders? I did not read entire thread...
In a reverse, I would wonder if you put an 8 on there if you wouldn't see your IMEI. (On the Z if you flash 8 You won't see the IMEI until you return to 7.)(wondering if z2 is reversed)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, right after flashing that is the BL that fastboot is showing me. I don't recall updating the bootloader so to speak, however RR did require an updated variant of twrp which I flashed 3.2.2 I believe to get (unsure if that would have changed the bootloader or not). I also tried flashing a stock Oreo (which you've stated stock Roms usually only have the bootloaders so maybe somewhere during this process I updated it?). I wish I had all the notes for what I did to give more precise information, but I'm in a position where I really need my phone so I kinda just panicked and started flashing things when my service wouldn't work.
I'm highly considering trying to run an OTA (though very afraid of bricking). - On a side note though, it wouldn't even tell me I had OTA's until I did the steps in the original post here (doing the different 7.1.1. and 8.0 flashes, it wouldn't ever tell me I had updates, and now it does).
*** Edit ***
Looks like I'm able to enter stock recovery, which makes me believe everything is stock at the moment.
Necrowr said:
Yes, right after flashing that is the BL that fastboot is showing me. I don't recall updating the bootloader so to speak, however RR did require an updated variant of twrp which I flashed 3.2.2 I believe to get (unsure if that would have changed the bootloader or not). I also tried flashing a stock Oreo (which you've stated stock Roms usually only have the bootloaders so maybe somewhere during this process I updated it?). I wish I had all the notes for what I did to give more precise information, but I'm in a position where I really need my phone so I kinda just panicked and started flashing things when my service wouldn't work.
I'm highly considering trying to run an OTA (though very afraid of bricking). - On a side note though, it wouldn't even tell me I had OTA's until I did the steps in the original post here (doing the different 7.1.1. and 8.0 flashes, it wouldn't ever tell me I had updates, and now it does).
*** Edit ***
Looks like I'm able to enter stock recovery, which makes me believe everything is stock at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flashed a stock O that would have changed bl to O, but doing the above with the stock 7.1.1 would have changed them back to N. No matter (other than academic) that you don't remember the path - flashing a stock anything reverts it to that point in time. However, IMEI may have been moved - don't know. It will likely show on EITHER 7.x or 8.x stock - just don't know which.
If you flash a stock 8.x from those links I gave you above, it should offer you ota, ASSUMING there are any at this point in time(Z has 2). Adding Magisk at any point seems to hose you for receiving any more ota's - don't understand why, even with magisk uninstall, so that would mean going back to the latest stock and losing what you have (which is why I try to take a TBPro and copy that backup to PC (because re-flashing 8.x stock will likely reset internal storage.).
yes, if you enter stock recovery, you are likely at stock, though you could reflash the latest 7 or 8 stock to be sure, depending on which you want to use as base. Since 8 is having security fixes released, I choose 8 and will likely have no more interest (no time!) in 7.
So, ran the OTA and it was fine running the update and staying on N. I also downloaded the OTA for Oreo, when trying to update the recovery error'd out. It looked like the error said "Error in modem unexpected results" or something similar.
Necrowr said:
So, ran the OTA and it was fine running the update and staying on N. I also downloaded the OTA for Oreo, when trying to update the recovery error'd out. It looked like the error said "Error in modem unexpected results" or something similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did it offer to let you d/l it again? you could try that.
However, there exist O stock zips in those links I gave you so you could just flash the latest...

Categories

Resources