Database Users

Unlock + Custom Recovery + Root + Update :)

Hello,
I have a ZTE Axon 7. I have not received the OTA update to Android 7.1. Just now, I am on 6.0.1 (ZTE A2017GV1.0.0B08). My device has only the stock features (I have no unlocked anything).
So, my question is, which is the ordered and simplest steps to have a phone with a stock ROM (updated to 7.1) and with Bootloader, TWRP, and root?
I would like to maintain the stock ROM in order to use Google Daydream and Maintain an acceptable quality on Camera and Audio. I heard that LOS have some issues on these aspects.
Thanks,
youngz89

https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/how-to/guide-install-twrp-unlock-bl-flash-t3517379
follow this guide until B
then, reflash stock recovery, upgrade your phone with ota.
after that, reenter edl mode, and flash twrp 3.1
look that the first twrp you flash is only to unlock, its signed and dont work. so dont keep it.
I use aosp extended, works really good, no manual camera unless you flash stock, sound works good

youngz89 said:
Hello,
I have a ZTE Axon 7. I have not received the OTA update to Android 7.1. Just now, I am on 6.0.1 (ZTE A2017GV1.0.0B08). My device has only the stock features (I have no unlocked anything).
So, my question is, which is the ordered and simplest steps to have a phone with a stock ROM (updated to 7.1) and with Bootloader, TWRP, and root?
I would like to maintain the stock ROM in order to use Google Daydream and Maintain an acceptable quality on Camera and Audio. I heard that LOS have some issues on these aspects.
Thanks,
youngz89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or you can just use my toolkit which does it all for you https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/tool-axon7toolkit-t3573108

Bkroes, using your tool, you suggest to update at nougat and, after the update, unlock the bootloader and root the device?
I have not received the OTA update, so I am thinking to update with FOTA.

youngz89 said:
Bkroes, using your tool, you suggest to update at nougat and, after the update, unlock the bootloader and root the device?
I have not received the OTA update, so I am thinking to update with FOTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the 7.1.1 zip and put it in the sd, then go to updates

Yes, but can I unlock the bootloader and root the device after the update? Or I have to unlock the bootloader before the update?

Where you able to do it?

How can I update to 6.0? I'm Rooted w/ TWRP

Hello guys,
I'm currently on Stock 5.0.1 rooted w/ TWRP.
Can someone explain to me hoy can I update to Marshmallow? When I look for updates in the phone nothing happens.
I've tried some threads but I can't get my head around this.
Thanks a lot

zuperpailon said:
I'm currently on Stock 5.0.1 rooted w/ TWRP.
Can someone explain to me hoy can I update to Marshmallow? When I look for updates in the phone nothing happens.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, absynte's guide is unlikely to work.
Have a look at your own past thread from October last year about the same query, which was answered & seemed to have been solved?
How to update to 6.0?
If not, follow erayrafet's advice there. Let us know if you need help to follow it.
Please don't keep opening a fresh thread for the same query - post in one thread from now on: either that one or this one (not both). Thanks.

absynte said:
Look at this post ,listen to the senior members
https://www.howtogeek.com/192402/why-androids-ota-updates-remove-root-and-how-to-keep-it/
Flash fire: Title:What to Do if Flashing the OTA Doesn’t Work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, FlashFire doesn't work well with Huawei phones. After posting this exact same suggestion in that previous thread, I tried it on my P6 despite the prior warning (see below), & true enough it didn't work. Thankfully, I easily managed to fix the resulting 'soft' brick by restoring a nandroid backup.
"- Added warning for Huawei users about brickability" (from the main FlashFire thread Changelogs post)
--------------------------------------
So zuperpailon, whatever you do or try, please make sure to create a prior nandroid backup with TWRP & transfer a copy of the backup to a computer or similar for safekeeping.
How to Back Up and Restore Your Android Phone with TWRP
How to Copy TWRP Android Backups to Your PC for Safe Keeping

Confused Noob+H990DS - Unlock/Root+TWRP Official Custom ROM possible (W/ 2. Screen)?

hi folks!
I am pretty confused now. I am looking to get the V20 H990DS, but i am more confused now after reading here. My questions:
1. Is Bootloader unlock possible?
2. Can i install TWRP?
3. Can i root?
4. There is LOS official i know, but is the problem with 2. screen now fixed / going to be fixed?
Seems so good of a device, but i am insecure about it now after reading here. My old Mi4/Cancro is one of the best supported phones out there, so i dont expect it to be the same with V20, but i need working LOS with Root and working 2. screen (or the outlook on it working in the future) to be confident in buying it.
I hope you forgive me my nood questions,
Greetings

With sadly no replys, let me add what i know now:
1. + 2. + 3. Still no easy way in sight AFAIK. EDIT: To be clear: There IS a way, Dirty Santa, but the instructions are somewhat too complicated to be confident with trying. Have had rooted Phones with custom ROMs since over 5 years and never again a stock device, but i dont dare it. The 300€ i payed are much to much to have spend it on a bricked device. Will try to find more dirty Santa noob friendly explanations and post them here. EDIT2: For those who DO dare it, here the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/dirtysanta-h990-t3624296
4. Second screen still a problem, nothing new heard for quite a long time.
Anyone with knowledge to add or correct, please help! Stock ROM is not as bad as i thought, but without Root, Android is not fully usable for me.

thank you pro for this thread
very useful for me.

Stele88 said:
With sadly no replys, let me add what i know now:
1. + 2. + 3. Still no easy way in sight AFAIK. EDIT: To be clear: There IS a way, Dirty Santa, but the instructions are somewhat too complicated to be confident with trying. Have had rooted Phones with custom ROMs since over 5 years and never again a stock device, but i dont dare it. The 300€ i payed are much to much to have spend it on a bricked device. Will try to find more dirty Santa noob friendly explanations and post them here. EDIT2: For those who DO dare it, here the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/dirtysanta-h990-t3624296
4. Second screen still a problem, nothing new heard for quite a long time.
Anyone with knowledge to add or correct, please help! Stock ROM is not as bad as i thought, but without Root, Android is not fully usable for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont get about your complain. you said already using phone with root for 5 years so i guess you've been here on xda for a while. if you really want a phone which support custom rom go with phone which support unlock bootloader like HTC, Oneplus, or even xiaomy. its not that hard finding them on XDA. 300euro for briked devices? well, if you read v20 section carefully you knew most people here bought this devices for the camera, audio, and other things like removable battery, etc. i never found someone who bricked their devices while rooting here, even if they do we already had flasher tools like LG up which already tested fully working by some members. and whats the problem with second screen? its working for whatever it made for. are you expecting to watch movie on those 2.1 inch display? i had lg v20 h990ds rooted with magisk and had no problem so far. bought some apps like grenify and titanium backup for debloated and my phone rocking solid for abouth 2 month. if you cant wait for LOS just bought lenovo zuk2 or oneplus 3t on the same price range.

No problem doing 1+2+3 with DirtySanta exploit/procedure. It's not as complicated or dangerous as it might seem from the instructions. I thought I had soft-bricked my phone twice after rebooting normally with the old kernel instead of straight to TWRP to update the kernel first, but it was easy to re-flash the 10d factory firmware file I had and start over again without any issues both times.
Basic summary of procedure:
1. Flash factory firmware version earlier than 31 December 2016 (only needed if installed firmware version is after 1 January 2017).
2. Do DirtySanta exploit to unlock bootloader and install TWRP and root.
3. Use kdzwriter to update phone's system/modem/cust partitions to latest firmware version without overwriting unlocked bootloader/TWRP, reinstall root (SuperSU or Magisk) from TWRP.
4. Disable automatic OTA updates so that any future firmwares won't automatically install and overwrite bootloader/recovery and remove root and set ARB 1. If that ever happens then TWRP/root will probably be gone forever.

provided you follow the instructions carefully, it's safe to root with DirtySanta.

xoose said:
No problem doing 1+2+3 with DirtySanta exploit/procedure. It's not as complicated or dangerous as it might seem from the instructions. I thought I had soft-bricked my phone twice after rebooting normally with the old kernel instead of straight to TWRP to update the kernel first, but it was easy to re-flash the 10d factory firmware file I had and start over again without any issues both times.
Basic summary of procedure:
1. Flash factory firmware version earlier than 31 December 2016 (only needed if installed firmware version is after 1 January 2017).
2. Do DirtySanta exploit to unlock bootloader and install TWRP and root.
3. Use kdzwriter to update phone's system/modem/cust partitions to latest firmware version without overwriting unlocked bootloader/TWRP, reinstall root (SuperSU or Magisk) from TWRP.
4. Disable automatic OTA updates so that any future firmwares won't automatically install and overwrite bootloader/recovery and remove root and set ARB 1. If that ever happens then TWRP/root will probably be gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using the steps on #3, would it be safe to say that we can update the device to oreo and still keep root?

nurse_chuck said:
Using the steps on #3, would it be safe to say that we can update the device to oreo and still keep root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, right now if you update you'll lose root as the engineering aboot isn't compatible with Oreo and you have possibly non working data, invalid sim issues etc
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

cnjax said:
No, right now if you update you'll lose root as the engineering aboot isn't compatible with Oreo and you have possibly non working data, invalid sim issues etc
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too bad. Your earlier post actually got me excited. Hehe. Anyway, hopefully someones starts working on rooting the oreo firmware.

The short answer? @Stele88
Yes. To all of it.
The long answer starts with the Dirty Santa root process. Believe me, I was daunted by it as well, but as long as you follow it (or the noob version of the guide you can find by searching around the same section the original guide is in) and take your time, you'll be okay. It's what I did and I'm now where I am today.
I'll address a couple things since I have the same device as you. If you want to get your device working properly on LineageOS/ResurrectionRemix (LOS with more customisation) then it's a long process.
1. Start by following the bootloader unlock process for Dirty Santa. Depending on what firmware your device gets shipped with, you may need to downgrade to (in the case of the H990DS) the v10c firmware. Once done, then you can Dirty Santa the bootloader and get it unlocked.
2. Once that's done and you're rooted with the initial TWRP from the thread installed, you'll want to look into KDZWriter. It's a program by the same emdroidle who did the Dirty Santa process for us that allows you to update your STOCK system software to newer versions and keep root. You can use it for example with the H990DS firmware KDZ files and go from rooted 10c -> rooted 10f -> rooted 10xx -> etc. until you're on the latest available 7.0 KDZ for the H990DS. This will be the longest part of your process, but it ensures that everything is up to date before going to AOSP/Lineage/Resurrection, specifically the modem partition. I recommend using the TWN region of firmwares if you're just going to convert to a custom ROM anyway, but any region will work fine (the only real difference is that, for example, the Australia region of firmwares comes with more bloat than the TWN region).
2b. You can also use KDZWriter from an updated TWRP you can get in the thread by Phoenix591, his latest TWRP versions have KDZWriter built-in so you don't have to run it off the computer, you can do it all with the kdz files in recovery.
3. Yes, you can root using the Dirty Santa method on v10c kdz firmware. I recommend Magisk for root over SuperSU.
4. There's no official LineageOS that is as up to date as the unofficial ones, and there's no official ones with second screen enabled full stop. That being said, the unoffcial LineageOS 15.1 by x86cpu has been my rock solid daily driver for about 2 months now and I've never had any issues that stop me from using it. The same can be said for ResurrectionRemix 6.2 by Blaises. To use either of these, you will need the updated TWRP from Phoenix591.
4. Second-screen enabled builds of LineageOS and ResurrectionRemix do exist, and in this case ResurrectionRemix is (as of this post) more up-to-date than the LineageOS 15.1 second screen version. If you find yourself needing additional features that aren't in the stock kernels for those ROMs (such as KCAL configuration to help with burn in, among other things), then I maintain the second-screen version of the Gamma Kernel by Omar-Avelar. People are successfully using this with second-screen ROMs and have full functionality. You can purchase the app BoredSigns from the play-store to add additional functions to the second-screen.
As I said at the start, it is a long process, but a very worthwhile one. The jump from stock to custom-ROMs is absolutely incredible. Again, in short, yes. You can get everything you want.
Just do your searching around the forums for the processes I outlined above, ask any questions you have, pre-download your kdz firmwares from HERE and any software you need, and just take your time. It's maybe a couple hours to get setup with a rooted stock system that's up-to-date, and maybe another hour or so to go from stock to Lineage/Resurrection.
P.S: If all goes well with the Dirty Santa process, but you get screen distortion after rebooting when flashing the TWRP from Dirty Santa, just pull the battery instead of rebooting.
Good luck, good searching, and remember to not be afraid to ask questions in the relevant threads.
---------- Post added at 04:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:49 AM ----------
nurse_chuck said:
Too bad. Your earlier post actually got me excited. Hehe. Anyway, hopefully someones starts working on rooting the oreo firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's highly doubtful this will happen, but one can hope. Right now the best way to get Oreo is through a custom ROM, purely because of how security is implemented by LG in the stock Oreo ROMs.

iDefalt said:
It's highly doubtful this will happen, but one can hope. Right now the best way to get Oreo is through a custom ROM, purely because of how security is implemented by LG in the stock Oreo ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is possible runningnak3d has already said awhile ago he has a process to root stock oreo he's just not releasing it yet so LG can't patch it before the Oreo roll out is complete
Sent from my LG-H910 using XDA Labs

Moto g5 plus stock ROM

I'm having Moto g5 plus Indian variant xt1686. I have installed a custom ROM Resurrection remix and I'm currently running it.I want to get back to stock rom. I went through many existing threads only to get myself confused. I want you guys to help me get back to stock ROM so that I can get OTA updates.
1. I have working volte and IMEI till now. I didn't take back-up of persist or efs as I was lacking knowledge. Can I take back-up of those now for going back to stock. If yes then suggest how?
2. I don't remember my build number from which I unlocked my bootloader. Should I lock the bootloader again to get OTA? If not then please suggest any way to get back to stock whether Oreo or nougat (get updates to Oreo then).

kash664 said:
I'm having Moto g5 plus Indian variant xt1686. I have installed a custom ROM Resurrection remix and I'm currently running it.I want to get back to stock rom. I went through many existing threads only to get myself confused. I want you guys to help me get back to stock ROM so that I can get OTA updates.
1. I have working volte and IMEI till now. I didn't take back-up of persist or efs as I was lacking knowledge. Can I take back-up of those now for going back to stock. If yes then suggest how?
2. I don't remember my build number from which I unlocked my bootloader. Should I lock the bootloader again to get OTA? If not then please suggest any way to get back to stock whether Oreo or nougat (get updates to Oreo then).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I believe, you should definitely backup your EFS and Persist right now while it's all good.
If you don't remember your last stock build number, it is safe to use the latest build for your region.
Once you flash a fastboot ROM and everything's good to go, there's absolutely no need to relock bootloader as the script in the OTA only checks for system modifications and if it finds any on your phone, the OTA will not be applied and the update will eventually fail. To ensure that you are able to apply OTAs without any hassle, I recommend you don't do ANY system modifications like root or camera mods or similar. Stick with the core OS and you'll be good to go.
You can alternatively use TWRP flashable ROMs by @NZedPred, they're like a newbie-proof solution to getting to stock ROM from virtually any ROM without losing any functionality as they only flash the OS part of the ROM and rarely do any changes to the HW functionality of the ROM like Radios and Sensors. If all else fails, you can always flash a TWRP flashable stock and be ready to go.
Or
You could simply download the Oreo fastboot ROM with the August security patch which is available at the moment but isn't the latest one as the latest October security patch rolled out to RETIN devices just a few days ago so I doubt that the full fastboot ROM would be available this early. But then again, if you flash the Oreo August patch, you can take the OTA to October patch and be just fine.
Note:
But a bit of advice, if you're planning to go back to Nougat using a Nougat fastboot ROM, I'd highly recommend the TWRP flashable as one can mess stuff up while trying to downgrade using a fastboot ROM as Moto phones have problems downgrading. It's all about these two partitions called "gpt" and "bootloader" which when not paying attention to while flashing can cause a hard-brick.
A safer approach would be to skip these two partitions while using a fastboot ROM to downgrade but I'd be honest and would suggest you to wait to be sure this would work as I myself haven't tried this while downgrading from one Android version to another as Oreo bought with itself some Modem and a few other changes in partitions as compared to Nougat.
If I were you, I would wait for some to confirm the part in the "Note" just to be absolutely sure that it'd work.

Thanks for the response
Thanks for your response.
I'll be going with your suggestion and flash the twrp flashable oreo.

psychopac said:
From what I believe, you should definitely backup your EFS and Persist right now while it's all good.
If you don't remember your last stock build number, it is safe to use the latest build for your region.
Once you flash a fastboot ROM and everything's good to go, there's absolutely no need to relock bootloader as the script in the OTA only checks for system modifications and if it finds any on your phone, the OTA will not be applied and the update will eventually fail. To ensure that you are able to apply OTAs without any hassle, I recommend you don't do ANY system modifications like root or camera mods or similar. Stick with the core OS and you'll be good to go.
You can alternatively use TWRP flashable ROMs by @NZedPred, they're like a newbie-proof solution to getting to stock ROM from virtually any ROM without losing any functionality as they only flash the OS part of the ROM and rarely do any changes to the HW functionality of the ROM like Radios and Sensors. If all else fails, you can always flash a TWRP flashable stock and be ready to go.
Or
You could simply download the Oreo fastboot ROM with the August security patch which is available at the moment but isn't the latest one as the latest October security patch rolled out to RETIN devices just a few days ago so I doubt that the full fastboot ROM would be available this early. But then again, if you flash the Oreo August patch, you can take the OTA to October patch and be just fine.
Note:
But a bit of advice, if you're planning to go back to Nougat using a Nougat fastboot ROM, I'd highly recommend the TWRP flashable as one can mess stuff up while trying to downgrade using a fastboot ROM as Moto phones have problems downgrading. It's all about these two partitions called "gpt" and "bootloader" which when not paying attention to while flashing can cause a hard-brick.
A safer approach would be to skip these two partitions while using a fastboot ROM to downgrade but I'd be honest and would suggest you to wait to be sure this would work as I myself haven't tried this while downgrading from one Android version to another as Oreo bought with itself some Modem and a few other changes in partitions as compared to Nougat.
If I were you, I would wait for some to confirm the part in the "Note" just to be absolutely sure that it'd work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response.
I'll be going with your suggestion and flash the twrp flashable oreo.

kash664 said:
Thanks for your response.
I'll be going with your suggestion and flash the twrp flashable oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure to follow the flashing instructions mentioned by the thread OP properly

psychopac said:
Make sure to follow the flashing instructions mentioned by the thread OP properly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Hope everything turns out fine

kash664 said:
I'm having Moto g5 plus Indian variant xt1686. I have installed a custom ROM Resurrection remix and I'm currently running it.I want to get back to stock rom. I went through many existing threads only to get myself confused. I want you guys to help me get back to stock ROM so that I can get OTA updates.
1. I have working volte and IMEI till now. I didn't take back-up of persist or efs as I was lacking knowledge. Can I take back-up of those now for going back to stock. If yes then suggest how?
2. I don't remember my build number from which I unlocked my bootloader. Should I lock the bootloader again to get OTA? If not then please suggest any way to get back to stock whether Oreo or nougat (get updates to Oreo then).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope i can help !!

vishalrickz said:
I hope i can help !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure sir

Update from 8.1.0 and unroot

Hello guys, some time after i bought the phone i rooted It and i keep updating It for like a year but since it must be a manual procedure after a while i just stopped. Now i need to install a bank app who require to have the phone unrooted. I know there's a thread about how to unroot the phone but i'm in an old OS, Oreo 8.1.0, oxygen 5.1.1.. What i suppose to do?Should i update it first to the last oxygen first? Should i do that step by step, and if yes where can i find all the files? Or maybe should i just unroot now and then the download the ota? I have no clue, and i'm very rusty on modding, i need some help :crying: