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Root Xperia Z and still get OTA?

Hi. New to Xperia phone, coming from S3. So far loving it! just wondering if I can root and still have the option to get OTA from Sony? Don't want to loose bravia engine 2 (yet) so only need root to remove som bloatwares and install some apps. Also, if that is possible to get OTA with root, will updating the phone remove root?
Thanks!
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UnLucky12 said:
Hi. New to Xperia phone, coming from S3. So far loving it! just wondering if I can root and still have the option to get OTA from Sony? Don't want to loose bravia engine 2 (yet) so only need root to remove som bloatwares and install some apps. Also, if that is possible to get OTA with root, will updating the phone remove root?
Thanks!
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use pro features of SuperSU or OTA Rootkeeper to protect your root, then when you OTA update you should be fine. Try not to modify anything in the System partition otherwise OTA will probably fail (is my understanding), or if you do (i.e. renaming various apks/odex files to .bak), make sure you put them back before OTA updating, in case they need to be patched.

Thanks for the reply! I was only thinking of installing adaway, also the whitecontroll mod to the Xperia. How do I then remove them like the whitecontroll app witch is intergrated in to the system?
If it removes root, I can always reroot the device
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

UnLucky12 said:
Thanks for the reply! I was only thinking of installing adaway, also the whitecontroll mod to the Xperia. How do I then remove them like the whitecontroll app witch is intergrated in to the system?
If it removes root, I can always reroot the device
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about the WB control, I imagine that would likely prevent OTA due to libs inserted in to /system, perhaps if you were to perform the installation manually, take note of all files inserted, and backup any (if any) files it overwrites you could restore it before OTA.
As for AdAway, it only changes your host file, which shouldn't affect OTA, since I doubt Sony will make any changes to it OTA, but AdAway can be "undone" from within the app, so you can do that easily anyway.
It's hard to say really and depends on the OTA, but generally, from my experience, if the OTA contains a patch for a particular file, it will MD5 it, and if that fails, OTA will fail, if you have modified files that aren't patched as part of the OTA you shouldn't have a problem.
That said, I have little experience with Sony OTA files, and without looking at the script for any particular OTA you can never tell what they might check or change.
The only recommendation I can give really, is that if you want to OTA, change as LITTLE as possible in the /system partition, and make sure to revert any changes before attempting to apply an OTA.
If that is too much effort, and all you're really concerned about is you data, use Titanium Backup to keep everything safe, modify anything you want in system, then flash a stock ROM before you OTA update. You could also just flash a stock system partition, perhaps from a nandroid? before you OTA, and that should also solve the problem.

As you don't unlock your bootloader you're safe.
But OTA doesn't always works even in locked bootloader, tried yesterday to OTA update my locked bootloader Xperia T to .140 fw but it failed because of root, even after unroot with superSU option it failed.
Backup everything, update with SUS or PCC and reroot with binary tool using goroh_kun exploit included in the tool..

alias_neo said:
I'm not sure about the WB control, I imagine that would likely prevent OTA due to libs inserted in to /system, perhaps if you were to perform the installation manually, take note of all files inserted, and backup any (if any) files it overwrites you could restore it before OTA.
As for AdAway, it only changes your host file, which shouldn't affect OTA, since I doubt Sony will make any changes to it OTA, but AdAway can be "undone" from within the app, so you can do that easily anyway.
It's hard to say really and depends on the OTA, but generally, from my experience, if the OTA contains a patch for a particular file, it will MD5 it, and if that fails, OTA will fail, if you have modified files that aren't patched as part of the OTA you shouldn't have a problem.
That said, I have little experience with Sony OTA files, and without looking at the script for any particular OTA you can never tell what they might check or change.
The only recommendation I can give really, is that if you want to OTA, change as LITTLE as possible in the /system partition, and make sure to revert any changes before attempting to apply an OTA.
If that is too much effort, and all you're really concerned about is you data, use Titanium Backup to keep everything safe, modify anything you want in system, then flash a stock ROM before you OTA update. You could also just flash a stock system partition, perhaps from a nandroid? before you OTA, and that should also solve the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I can make a nandroid backup with only root? Using Rom Manager app. Or do I need to unlock the bootlocker? If I can, then I can just recover from nandroid that are stock, update then backup again, change systemlibs etc?
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babylonbwoy said:
As you don't unlock your bootloader you're safe.
But OTA doesn't always works even in locked bootloader, tried yesterday to OTA update my locked bootloader Xperia T to .140 fw but it failed because of root, even after unroot with superSU option it failed.
Backup everything, update with SUS or PCC and reroot with binary tool using goroh_kun exploit included in the tool..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see! Hmmm. But SUS?
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UnLucky12 said:
I see! Hmmm. But SUS?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe SUS is Sony Update Service.
Technically, you should be able to nandroid with recovery for locked bootloader then restore system before OTA, but if Sony OTA checks somehow prevent it because of an md5 on the entire partition or some such, you will have to re flash a totally stock System, perhaps a custom FTF(?), update then root again.
Next time we get an OTA I'll test the process myself, but until then I can only speculate. Hopefully someone else has more concrete information.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

alias_neo said:
I believe SUS is Sony Update Service.
Technically, you should be able to nandroid with recovery for locked bootloader then restore system before OTA, but if Sony OTA checks somehow prevent it because of an md5 on the entire partition or some such, you will have to re flash a totally stock System, perhaps a custom FTF(?), update then root again.
Next time we get an OTA I'll test the process myself, but until then I can only speculate. Hopefully someone else has more concrete information.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man! But Stock rom for the XZ. How or where can I download it? Supposed to use SUS or PCC? What is best?
Sorry for being such a noob. Don't want to totally destroy my phone hehe.
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UnLucky12 said:
Thanks man! But Stock rom for the XZ. How or where can I download it? Supposed to use SUS or PCC? What is best?
Sorry for being such a noob. Don't want to totally destroy my phone hehe.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I, and I imagine others prefer to answer questions from cautious users than those all gung-ho, brick their devices then come crying for help. Ask first, flash later
As for which tool, I hope someone else can comment, I've always been a Samsung man until now so I've never used either tool yet.
As for stock firmwares, there are loads in the Dev section. Just pick the right one and flash it however they recommend.
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alias_neo said:
No problem, I, and I imagine others prefer to answer questions from cautious users than those all gung-ho, brick their devices then come crying for help. Ask first, flash later
As for which tool, I hope someone else can comment, I've always been a Samsung man until now so I've never used either tool yet.
As for stock firmwares, there are loads in the Dev section. Just pick the right one and flash it however they recommend.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, and thanks for the help Hope your answers will also help other that also wonders about the same thing
Arent there a program or website to download the official firmwares? Or using SUS automatically update it to stock?
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UnLucky12 said:
Yeah, and thanks for the help Hope your answers will also help other that also wonders about the same thing
Arent there a program or website to download the official firmwares? Or using SUS automatically update it to stock?
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe so. Buy don't quote me on that, like I said, never used it.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

It's the same if you use Sony Update Service or PC Compagnon, PCC contain other tool, while SUS only update. Also you can use Flashtool by Androxyde (here on XDA) to flash firmware converted in ftf format. Sony also relased it's own tool named flashtool to flash unlocked bootloader mobile because you can't use SUS/PCC when it's unlocked.
Read this thread "All the info you need before you begin" http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153167

[Q] CWM for Xperia Z

I've rooted my phone and downloaded ROM manager off the Google Play store. I'm assuming I need that to flash ROM's and such. I don't want a custom ROM like cyanogen or anything like that. I'm just interested in a few mods to enhance my display. Do I need clockworkmod in order to install them or can I just install zip files?
I'm still fresh as a newborn when it comes to stuff like this, despite being on my third Xperia device and being on here for a good few years. I can never feel confident enough to just 'try' and this phone cost me a fortune so I'd rather not mess it up.
Any help greatly appreciated.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2275632

Doesn't really help to just throw a url at me. I read through those posts but it didn't mention anything I'm looking for. Thanks though.
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Nifnodge said:
I read through those posts but it didn't mention anything I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then you've not read enough.

Is it this bit - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606
And specifically the windows installer part. I've already rooted and I have a locked bootloader so I just want to be able to flash bits and bobs so would the windows installer bit be what I want?
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium

Nifnodge said:
Anyone else with some actual insight into my question, thanks...
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your just too lazy...its literally on the first post of his link. hope u dont go through life expecting people to hold ur hands and point you to things
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606
---------- Post added at 01:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 AM ----------
or this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167381

Nifnodge said:
so I just want to be able to flash bits and bobs so would the windows installer bit be what I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or use the app, it's up to you.

I've rooted .434 and removed quite a bit of bloatware. Will that matter if I use the installer?
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium

Nifnodge said:
I've rooted .434 and removed quite a bit of bloatware. Will that matter if I use the installer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Just play about, if you screw up reflash and start again.

XperienceD said:
No. Just play about, if you screw up reflash and start again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so I used the app from here:- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2187363
Installed and tested it while booting. No problems there. So now, do I just download any mods and roms and then open CMW while booting to install them?
I installed ROM manager from the G-Play store. Is that ok to use?
Edit 1
Decided to do a small test. Tried to install this:- http://www.mediafire.com/download/61y6tfgf4g6n4rq/Xperia_Z_Reboot_253_ODEX.zip
Which is a restart option added to the power button menu. Went to CMW and installed zip from SD, backed up beforehand and then said success but got stuck in bootloop so restored backup.
Now I'm kinda worried about what I can and can't install, lol..
Edit 2
Recovery won't even start now. I hammer the volume keys but it just boots up.

Nifnodge said:
OK so I used the app from here:- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2187363
Installed and tested it while booting. No problems there. So now, do I just download any mods and roms and then open CMW while booting to install them?
I installed ROM manager from the G-Play store. Is that ok to use?
Edit 1
Decided to do a small test. Tried to install this:- http://www.mediafire.com/download/61y6tfgf4g6n4rq/Xperia_Z_Reboot_253_ODEX.zip
Which is a restart option added to the power button menu. Went to CMW and installed zip from SD, backed up beforehand and then said success but got stuck in bootloop so restored backup.
Now I'm kinda worried about what I can and can't install, lol..
Edit 2
Recovery won't even start now. I hammer the volume keys but it just boots up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...use flashtool to flash a ftf to fix, you softbrick ur phone.

Everything works. It just won't open cwm.
Sent from my Xperia Z using xda premium

TWRP problem with flashing.

I downloaded TWRP from google play and it installed ok but when I try to install I swipe but it just reboots the phone.
Any suggestions?
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

List everything you've done to your Phone right up to installing it.

XperienceD said:
List everything you've done to your Phone right up to installing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my phone and tried to install CWM on locked bootloader but it doesnt install but I can flash zips when trying to install from pc.The phone reboots into CWM recovery and I can flash this way. I do this each time I want to flash.
I installed TWRP manager from playstore and tried to flash but everytime I swipe the phone just turns off.
Sent from my C6603 using xda app-developers app

TWRP Manager requires that you have TWRP installed already. It is just an interface to use functions of the recovery that you already flashed. It does not install TWRP for you. It uses openrecovery scripts that are not compatible with CWM recovery, so that's why nothing happens when you try to install zips via the manager.
I don't mean this in a bad way at all, but by seeing some of the threads you have created in this forum, perhaps it's best that you go back to stock and don't mess with your phone in this way. It seems that you are unable or unwilling to research what you're doing before jumping in with both feet and just run here afterwards expecting to get your problems resolved by people that do bother to read up on these things.
This is just meant as a friendly piece of advice before you manage to permanently brick your expensive phone
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

kingvortex said:
TWRP Manager requires that you have TWRP installed already. It is just an interface to use functions of the recovery that you already flashed. It does not install TWRP for you. It uses openrecovery scripts that are not compatible with CWM recovery, so that's why nothing happens when you try to install zips via the manager.
I don't mean this in a bad way at all, but by seeing some of the threads you have created in this forum, perhaps it's best that you go back to stock and don't mess with your phone in this way. It seems that you are unable or unwilling to research what you're doing before jumping in with both feet and just run here afterwards expecting to get your problems resolved by people that do bother to read up on these things.
This is just meant as a friendly piece of advice before you manage to permanently brick your expensive phone
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
I have searched and read up but asking questions and getting a reply helps a lot when I am unsure on certain things.
I have rooted my phone without any problems and it was easy and have many apps running which are only available on root.

Hardly without problems!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2372435
Don't forget that anyone can look at your post history
Anyway, my point is that you should research more thoroughly before proceeding with modding your expensive device. It is possible that you could do something that will cause an unrecoverable brick.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

kingvortex said:
Hardly without problems!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2372435
Don't forget that anyone can look at your post history
Anyway, my point is that you should research more thoroughly before proceeding with modding your expensive device. It is possible that you could do something that will cause an unrecoverable brick.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my own error and using a pc which has a mind of it's own, used my new one and it was resolved instantly.
I do jump in without reading, I will not do so anymore.

What are my options?

I have a VZW 16GB Moto X currently rooted and safestrap installed, I keep defering the update since I don't want to lose root and am pretty sure it will fail since stock recovery is gone.
What are my options to either get the OTA with root or disabling the update notification?
I am not 100% sure i want to dive into an SS ROM nor is there really anything out there.
Just trying to figure out what I should do / what everyone else is doing.

DiGi91 said:
I have a VZW 16GB Moto X currently rooted and safestrap installed, I keep defering the update since I don't want to lose root and am pretty sure it will fail since stock recovery is gone.
What are my options to either get the OTA with root or disabling the update notification?
I am not 100% sure i want to dive into an SS ROM nor is there really anything out there.
Just trying to figure out what I should do / what everyone else is doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would get the OTA with root. The camera and phone call difference really do show in my opinion.
To keep your root I would rsd back to stock. Download pwnmymoto and install it BUT don't run it. Just have it installed. Then update. After the update you can run pwnmymoto and you'll have root with the OTA. Jcase said this is the correct way to do it.
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

ruben8448 said:
I would get the OTA with root. The camera and phone call difference really do show in my opinion.
To keep your root I would rsd back to stock. Download pwnmymoto and install it BUT don't run it. Just have it installed. Then update. After the update you can run pwnmymoto and you'll have root with the OTA. Jcase said this is the correct way to do it.
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will consider doing that, it's just a giant PITA since I will have start from scratch.. Coming from the S III and flashing a new ROM every day this is so different to me lol. There is nothing wrong with the stock ROM just regretting not waiting for the dev edition to be honest.. I still use my S III as a media player and lately have been thinking of switching back, just hoping we get 4.4 soon or something to make it a bit better.
I know safe strap is another option but haven't heard great things about it and back in the droid 3 days remembered using it.

Just backup your apps and restore after you're rooted again. No starting from scratch necessary. I used titanium backup and didn't have any issues.
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app

pyro6128 said:
Just backup your apps and restore after you're rooted again. No starting from scratch necessary. I used titanium backup and didn't have any issues.
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you use the new FXZ to return to OTA'd stock if necessary down the road?

pyro6128 said:
Just backup your apps and restore after you're rooted again. No starting from scratch necessary. I used titanium backup and didn't have any issues.
Sent from my XT1060 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I might do that, I just don't have the time right now. I heard the OTA is a big improvement though. I wish I could be rooted with write access and no need for workarounds lol wishful thinking..
EDIT: Besides using safestrap

anotherfiz said:
Can you use the new FXZ to return to OTA'd stock if necessary down the road?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, stock OTA, but you can't go back to a previous version

DiGi91 said:
Yeah I might do that, I just don't have the time right now. I heard the OTA is a big improvement though. I wish I could be rooted with write access and no need for workarounds lol wishful thinking..
EDIT: Besides using safestrap
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fyi. if you are on vzw then SS is an easy fix for you. The "not great things" you heard were just posts from when SS was having some problems. I have SS up and running with the new rom for vzw in a rom slot and flashed the new radios and everything is working perfectly. No problems for me at all. Also, tibu is really easy to use and will restore system data, your launcher and anything you want. Very minor things that you will need to screw with after using it. Takes about an hour and a half if you need to do things to your system after you start using the new rom. If you don't need to make any of those edits then it really only takes about 30 mins from installing SS to having the new rom running with all your settings and apps.

jayboyyyy said:
fyi. if you are on vzw then SS is an easy fix for you. The "not great things" you heard were just posts from when SS was having some problems. I have SS up and running with the new rom for vzw in a rom slot and flashed the new radios and everything is working perfectly. No problems for me at all. Also, tibu is really easy to use and will restore system data, your launcher and anything you want. Very minor things that you will need to screw with after using it. Takes about an hour and a half if you need to do things to your system after you start using the new rom. If you don't need to make any of those edits then it really only takes about 30 mins from installing SS to having the new rom running with all your settings and apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about the limited space that is available when using SS?
Also idk If I want to RSD back to get the OTA seeing as "eventually" we will get 4.4 not sure what to do right now lol
I was thinking of trying out the SS OTA ROM but I really don't know also how did you flash the radios.. RSD?

http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/t...-x-ss-rom-139151-update-10-31-13/#entry370601
Ota stock ROM never take ota's

DiGi91 said:
What about the limited space that is available when using SS?
Also idk If I want to RSD back to get the OTA seeing as "eventually" we will get 4.4 not sure what to do right now lol
I was thinking of trying out the SS OTA ROM but I really don't know also how did you flash the radios.. RSD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are worried about space then just flash it to the stock rom. I have plenty of space. with 500 photos on it. I don't use music though. You don't have to rsd to get the ota. You can just flash the recovery.img if you didn't touch the system or flash the system.img as well if you need to using fastboot. Take some time to learn what fastboot and adb are and how to use them and you will be happy you did. Doesn't take much time at all. They are kind of the same thing, how they work at least.
Use fastboot when in fastboot mode. Use adb when the phone is just on normally. Then run appropriate commands. "adb reboot" "fastboot reboot"
here is a link on how to use adb and if you go through it and understand everything then you will also understand fastboot and fastboot will already be installed as well). Then you can take the ota without losing data and having to use RSD.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=872128
As for the new radios, you will need to use fastboot. you flash the non-hlos.bin then erase modemst1 and modemst2 then flash the fsg.mbn. if you want help with it just send me a pm

shane1 said:
http://www.droidrzr.com/index.php/t...-x-ss-rom-139151-update-10-31-13/#entry370601
Ota stock ROM never take ota's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like WiFi isn't working on that ROM!?
Also could I restore my stock ROM to a ROM Slot on SS and then flash the OTA ROM over it?
This would not require TiBu or anything like that..
Just trying to figure the best and easiest way to do this.

Not sure bit if your on a slot it shouldn't hurt to try. I'd make a backup and put it on PC or the cloud to be safe.

shane1 said:
Not sure bit if your on a slot it shouldn't hurt to try. I'd make a backup and put it on PC or the cloud to be safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So boot into SS, backup my stock ROM - save on my pc, then make a ROM slot in SS and restore the backup to the slot? Can you even do that lol
Then if all is well flash the SS OTA ROM on top and I SHOULD be okay..
Might give it a shot likely need to update SS idk what the latest version is

DiGi91 said:
Looks like WiFi isn't working on that ROM!?
Also could I restore my stock ROM to a ROM Slot on SS and then flash the OTA ROM over it?
This would not require TiBu or anything like that..
Just trying to figure the best and easiest way to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed it over my stock backup and it worked but doesn't fix wifi

shane1 said:
I just flashed it over my stock backup and it worked but doesn't fix wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a big issue, I need WiFi working...

I finally got around to messing with SS and the OTA ROM and did a backup of my stock slot and flashed the ROM to it. everything was working but no WiFi and I can't deal with that =/
Ended up restoring my stock slot backup.
I did however manage to update the baseband, super easy!
EDIT: Flashed the ROM on XDA and now I have working WiFi, looks like the one on droidrzr didn't work for me.

Help doing Ota updating on rooted device!

Got a problem here... Wanted to ota to 4.4 in my rooted, s-off on stock rom.
Flashed stock recovery and downloaded the Ota but it turns to red triangle as its installing.
My question is would this be happening due to having Xposed framework and having Flashed some zips for ad blocking and such? Any feedback is much appreciated!

Also, if that is the issue, would flashing an old backup work if that was prior to using Xposed and such?
Please help! Thanks!

irtrueno said:
Also, if that is the issue, would flashing an old backup work if that was prior to using Xposed and such?
Please help! Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to take the ota you have to be on a stock rom
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

luigi311 said:
In order to take the ota you have to be on a stock rom
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes I am on stock rom. Would having xposed cause issues? Or anything that edits the system?

irtrueno said:
yes I am on stock rom. Would having xposed cause issues? Or anything that edits the system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe. The ota might check what's in the system partitions such as apps and such and if there's anything that usually isn't there when the phone is stock it might not update. I asked on the Verizon forum if it's possible to update after deleting some system apps and they said no but I've never tried it.
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

luigi311 said:
Maybe. The ota might check what's in the system partitions such as apps and such and if there's anything that usually isn't there when the phone is stock it might not update. I asked on the Verizon forum if it's possible to update after deleting some system apps and they said no but I've never tried it.
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I eventually was able to update. I restored a backup I did before root, right after unlocking bootloader.
also, I used an old stock recovery. I found the most recent stock recovery and used that and it worked. so still unsure what exactly caused my problems but using the latest stock recovery and using unmodified stock rooted rom worked.
thanks for the response though, much appreciated. definitely soft bricked my phone few times before getting it done. phew...