Is Root access without recovery possible? - Moto X Q&A

I found that my moto xt1052 has bootloader unlocking available and im very excited. I like to know if its compulsory to flash recovery to make device rooted. I don't want to install new roms or firmware. Im rooting to control running apps and use some root apps.
I like my phn to be receptive for ota, which isn't possible if i flash custom recovery.
So i want to know if recovery is compulsory to have root status and manage permissions or if i can enjoy root privileged with just unlocking the bootloader.
Thankyou.
Sent from my moto XT1052 using XDA Free mobile app

After unlocking the bootloader, flash TWRP, root, then flash stock recovery back on the phone and run that way.

KidJoe said:
After unlocking the bootloader, flash TWRP, root, then flash stock recovery back on the phone and run that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi KidJoe,
how back to stock recovery ?
is it enough to flashing file "recovery.img" by RSD Lite ?

I know rsd lite is made to be more user friendly but I still prefer flashing via fastboot.
Fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Moto-x said:
hi KidJoe,
how back to stock recovery ?
is it enough to flashing file "recovery.img" by RSD Lite ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RSDLite is overkill to flash just recovery.
Do as @cntryby429 said... use mfastboot to flash recovery. You can use it to flash either TWRP (when rooting) and/or Stock recovery.

Related

[Q] What to do after unlocking bootloader

After unlocking the bootloader, how would I flash ClockworkMod Recovery using ROM Manager. I was looking at Cyanogenmod wiki and it says that i would need root access to do it the easy method. Does this mean I need to root it before flashing the recovery or what?
If you haven't unlocked the bootloader, I would use a tool to root like SuperOneClick or rageagainstthecage, then just install ROM Manager (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager&feature=search_result) and have it install the recovery.
If you HAVE unlocked the bootloader already, you just need to find a recovery image (like clockworkmod - http://www.koushikdutta.com/2010/02/clockwork-recovery-image.html) and flash it in fastboot using the fastboot flash command.
So after flashing the recovery image, I could use the rom manager to update the recovery image if there is such a update correct?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
ephung23 said:
So after flashing the recovery image, I could use the rom manager to update the recovery image if there is such a update correct?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash a recovery image, the next step after that is installing a custom ROM. What I was stating was just that there is a way to flash a recovery image without unlocking the bootloader.
Of course, I completely get what you're saying. I already unlocked the bootloader, but after flashing the custom recovery image, would my phone be rooted with superuser and etc?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Superuser is an application. You gain root accesses to the filesystem by unlocking the bootloader.
So by unlocking the bootloader, I have root then?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash unofficial (custom) images. You can flash recovery, system, boot images, etc. Unlocking the bootloader does NOT give you root access to the phone. You need to either root your stock image, or since your bootloader is unlocked, you can flash a pre-rooted custom ROM.
You can also flash a custom recovery via fastboot, and use that to install a custom ROM. Note, however, that the stock ROM will restore the stock recovery on re-boot, so you will need to go into recovery immediately after installing, then flash your custom ROM. Custom ROMs don't restore the custom recovery...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
No. You just have a unlocked bootloader.
If you are looking at Cyans wiki I assume you want to install CM. So basically just get the recovery image you want to flash along with the ROM and the gapps. Put the ROM and gapps in the root of the sd card. Put the recovery image in the sdk folder with fastboot. I believe its still in the tools folder. Flash the recovery and reboot into recovery. If you boot the phone normally the stock ROM will replace the custom recovery you just flashed. So once your in the custom recovery you can install the CM ROM and gapps. Before you do that though do a nandroid back up. This way you can always just restore your system to its current state.
Oh! I get it! Thank you for the clarification. So how would I root the stock image?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8532790#post8532790
Thank you for the link and for sol the help.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
So after rooting the phone and installing the recovery image. Would I have to install the radio in order to flash cyanogenmod 7? Is it completely necessary?
If you have radio 4.06 or higher, you should be OK...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
sorry for beringing it up but I have question:
I unlocked bootloader but I do not want to install custom rom (at least yet) ... any guide or simple explanation how to install and have operating superuser app with root access on unlocked stock (GB) rom? (but to be able to OTA update in future?)
How about reading the Wiki, section "Root", guide for unlocked bootloader?
Or searching the forum for answer to one of the most asked questions?

[Q] Root Nexus One 2.3.4 (stock)

Anyone know how to root Nexus One 2.3.4? I've done a few search but I can't find a full guide for that.
Thank you. Peace.
Since Gingerbreak doesn't work with 2.3.4(IIRC), what you can do is:
1.
- Downgrade to 2.3.3.
- Use gingerbreak to get root, flash custom recovery.
(If you downgraded to froyo, you can root it with z4root or SuperOneClick)
- Get ChainsDD's Superuser in flash-able .zip file. Copy it to SD card.
- Get 2.3.4 OTA update patch, copy it to SD card. If you don't want to lose custom recovery, open zip file with any archive utility, delete /recovery from zip. It will prevent stock recovery from restoring.
(If you downgraded to froyo and rooted, you need to get all OTA patches for upgrading to 2.3.3 and 2.3.4)
- Boot to recovery, flash (modified) OTA update patch. Don't reboot the device yet.
- Flash Superuser.
If you can use any application that requires root permission, you're done.
2. Unlock bootloader, push custom recovery and Superuser.
3. This requires Android Kitchen.
- Downgrade to 2.3.3 and root, flash custom recovery, same as 1.
- Get 2.3.4 system dump here.
- Use Android Kitchen to make rooted stock 2.3.4 package. When it's done, copy it to SD card.
- Backup all your data before proceed.
- Reboot to recovery, flash the package you made.
- Reboot and check. If nothing's wrong, you will have rooted stock with custom recovery.
Or when you're on 2.3.4, go to fastboot, flash a custom recovery, flash the superuser.zip
illuminarias said:
Or when you're on 2.3.4, go to fastboot, flash a custom recovery, flash the superuser.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock bootloader to do that.
LFact said:
You need to unlock bootloader to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlock bootloader will wipe all data on device.
Hi guys, thank you for the tips.
So the best way is tho unlock the bootloader? I have no issue to do that since my warranty is finished. Doesn't matter whether it wipes out my data. I have few questions:
1. After I unlocked my bootloader, can I update any upcoming firmware OTA in the future? Or I have to flash it via sdcards.
2. I've heard about rebooting will unroot the phone. Is it true?
3. How do I unlock my bootloader?
4. Is changing rom will reset the phone to factory setting? Will my phone get unrooted?
Sorry I'm quite a noob here. Peace! Appreciate any helps.
1. With unlocked bootloader you do what you want.
2. No.
3. Read the wiki or a another guide. Mainly get the needed software onto a computer and run fastboot oem unlock when the phone is in the bootloader.
4. Flashing/updating to any rom that does not have root included you will loose root. With unlocked bootloader that is no issue. Flash custom recovery then flash su = root.
Great! Thanks!! I will search for a guide and unlock my bootloader soon!
I just picked up a nexus one unlocked with 2.3.4 stock. I want to downgrade to 2.2.2 or 2.2.1, root it with super one click, then after I get root go to rom manager and get my recovery and then flash a cyanogenmod rom. Saying all that what is the easiest way to downgrade to 2.2.1 or 2.2.2 ???
Thanks
vinnyjr said:
I just picked up a nexus one unlocked with 2.3.4 stock. I want to downgrade to 2.2.2 or 2.2.1, root it with super one click, then after I get root go to rom manager and get my recovery and then flash a cyanogenmod rom. Saying all that what is the easiest way to downgrade to 2.2.1 or 2.2.2 ???
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use passimg.zip. However, if it has really unlocked bootloader, all you have to do is use fastboot to flash custom recovery and any custom rom you want without doing so.
I have locked bootloader and have stock 2.3.4 on my nexus one... How to downgrade it to 2.3.3?
william31518 said:
I have locked bootloader and have stock 2.3.4 on my nexus one... How to downgrade it to 2.3.3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use passimg.zip, though it depends on your main version saved in bootloader. If you can get FRG33 or FRG83 passimg.zip(though I wonder if you can find it...), use that, then (manually) update them until you reach 2.3.3.
Hey peeps I've unlocked my bootloader and rooted it. So far so good. Thanks for all the helps.
cjoshua said:
Hey peeps I've unlocked my bootloader and rooted it. So far so good. Thanks for all the helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel daft; I have unlocked the bootloader but cannot root, how ridiculous is that.. Am on 2.3.4 build GRJ22.
I'm trying to install "Root" (point V) on http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=636795 but cannot enter the recovery, getting "triangled" for ever & ever.
Please help guys..
(P.S. It is 06:30 here and I've just worked the whole night, that doesn't make anything any easier..)
Not sure what the guide says, but:
Download and place this zip on your SD.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6408470/su-releases/su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip
When connected in fastboot, type:
fastboot flash recovery name-of-recovery.img
fastboot boot name-of-recovery.img
Then flash the su zip - DONE!
Note:
name-of-recovery.img should be replaced with the actual name of the recovery image you have.
The recovery image needs to be located in the same folder on your PC as fastboot.
If your using mac or linux, fastboot may need to be substituted for fastboot-mac or fastboot-linux, etc.
danger-rat said:
Not sure what the guide says, but:
Download and place this zip on your SD.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6408470/su-releases/su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip
When connected in fastboot, type:
fastboot flash recovery name-of-recovery.img
fastboot boot name-of-recovery.img
Then flash the su zip - DONE!
Note:
name-of-recovery.img should be replaced with the actual name of the recovery image you have.
The recovery image needs to be located in the same folder on your PC as fastboot.
If your using mac or linux, fastboot may need to be substituted for fastboot-mac or fastboot-linux, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!
I think the problem is in that the "recovery-RA-passion-v2.2.1" isn't supporting build GRJ22 yet. Doing the above correctly (I think) but cannot boot into recovery.
You think wrong. Do it EXACTLY as danger said.
albundy2010 said:
You think wrong. Do it EXACTLY as danger said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woa, easy mate.. Found the problem, I think. There's no SD card in the phone. Would that explain it?
(Need to wait a while now until I can use the girlfriend's..)
SD isn't required to install recovery, but you will need it for the su zip.
What sort of message are you getting when you flash recovery?
danger-rat said:
SD isn't required to install recovery, but you will need it for the su zip.
What sort of message are you getting when you flash recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get OKAY on both "sending" & on "writing" the recovery in fastboot. I just cannot boot into recovery. It gets stuck on the triangle and I have to pull the battery

[Q] Unlocked bootloader / Custom Recovery

I'm thinking about unlocking the bootloader of my Moto X and I have a few questions. I hope you guys can help me.
1. At the moment I'm using PwnMyMoto, which means I dont have the stock recovery. Will this be a problem to unlock the bootloader using 'Motorola website' method? i.e. is this method stock recovery dependent? Do I have to go back stock using RSDlite first?
2. After unlocking the bootloader I will probably install a custom recovery (maybe TWRP). As far as I know, when using a custom recovery we should not install OTA, right? It will bootloop. Can anyone confirm this?
3. When using TWRP, is it possible to flash a ROM using RSDlite and keep the custom recovery? i.e. only flash system. This way I could backup my actual ROM before I flash the new one, and if anything goes wrong I can restore it.
Thank you all!
xitake said:
I'm thinking about unlocking the bootloader of my Moto X and I have a few questions. I hope you guys can help me.
1. At the moment I'm using PwnMyMoto, which means I dont have the stock recovery. Will this be a problem to unlock the bootloader using 'Motorola website' method? i.e. is this method stock recovery dependent? Do I have to go back stock using RSDlite first?
2. After unlocking the bootloader I will probably install a custom recovery (maybe TWRP). As far as I know, when using a custom recovery we should not install OTA, right? It will bootloop. Can anyone confirm this?
3. When using TWRP, is it possible to flash a ROM using RSDlite and keep the custom recovery? i.e. only flash system. This way I could backup my actual ROM before I flash the new one, and if anything goes wrong I can restore it.
Thank you all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Fastboot the stock recovery. You will likely have problems unlocking as it performs a factory reset.
2. Don't take OTAs with a custom recovery. You will bootloop. Wait for a flashable zip or fastboot back to stock to get the OTA.
3. You flash ROMs in recovery. You shouldn't need to use fastboot (or rsdlite) unless you want to return to stock or you run into serious phone issues.
Sent from my Moto X.

[Q] Just a couple questions.....

I have vzw dev ed, rooted with twrp recovery, stock everything else, I want to take the OTA and know i cant as is, i plan on using moto x toolkit to flash back to stock, here are my questions, once im back to stock and take the OTA, will i still be rooted, if not can i re root 4.4.2, do they have twrp custom recovery for 4.4.2, or should i just freeze the update and leave my phone as is?
jaysdroid2 said:
I have vzw dev ed, rooted with twrp recovery, stock everything else, I want to take the OTA and know i cant as is, i plan on using moto x toolkit to flash back to stock, here are my questions, once im back to stock and take the OTA, will i still be rooted, if not can i re root 4.4.2, do they have twrp custom recovery for 4.4.2, or should i just freeze the update and leave my phone as is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have a unlocked bootloader so you can root any version of android just grab the SBF file for 4.4 and flash it with RSD Lite and then take the OTA update
after the update reflash your custom recovery via the command promote command then install the SuperSU flashable zip in your recovery and enjoy your rooted 4.4.2
dray_jr said:
you have a unlocked bootloader so you can root any version of android just grab the SBF file for 4.4 and flash it with RSD Lite and then take the OTA update
after the update reflash your custom recovery via the command promote command then install the SuperSU flashable zip in your recovery and enjoy your rooted 4.4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome, thank you, so the twrp version i used while on 4.4 will work with 4.4.2, there is not a different version for the new OS? basically once i revert back to stock and accept the OTA i just do exactly what i did the first time with the same files and i'll be where i was prior?
Yes, you can use the same TWRP version on 4.4.2, and you reinstall it the same way. However, you don't need to use RSD lite to flash an entire SBF file in order to return to stock to accept the update - you can, but it will wipe all of your apps and settings. You can fastboot the stock recovery.img and system.img to return to stock, accept the OTA, re-flash TWRP, reboot directly into TWRP, let TWRP install SU, and you're good to go.
Sent from my XT1060 Dev Edition
Interesting, where would i find just those two img. files and how would i go about flashing just those two files, sorry if i need it dumbed down, fist moto phone and first time having to use a cmd prompt screen to do anyhting, had a galaxy nexus prior and everyhting was completely.....different/simpler.
pkomarnicki said:
Yes, you can use the same TWRP version on 4.4.2, and you reinstall it the same way. However, you don't need to use RSD lite to flash an entire SBF file in order to return to stock to accept the update - you can, but it will wipe all of your apps and settings. You can fastboot the stock recovery.img and system.img to return to stock, accept the OTA, re-flash TWRP, reboot directly into TWRP, let TWRP install SU, and you're good to go.
Sent from my XT1060 Dev Edition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is tru but i rather just have them use the whole file instead of flashing just parts of it because there is less chance of messing there phone up.
so it is your call either way you have to download the SBF file. then you can either flash the whole file via RSD Lite or you can unzip the recover or system images and flash them via CMD and fastboot and mfastboot.
you can find the SBF files at the link below just make sure you download the correct file for your phone
http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0
here is a link to my guide should give you all the info you need to get back to stock to take the OTA
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/general/ref-how-to-root-4-4-links-guides-t2603358
Thank you all for the input, im prolly just going to revert completely to stock, i have no problem letting my apps re download and its less of a chance i fubar something, although if i do rest assured my next post will be how to un-fubar my phone
pkomarnicki said:
Yes, you can use the same TWRP version on 4.4.2, and you reinstall it the same way. However, you don't need to use RSD lite to flash an entire SBF file in order to return to stock to accept the update - you can, but it will wipe all of your apps and settings. You can fastboot the stock recovery.img and system.img to return to stock, accept the OTA, re-flash TWRP, reboot directly into TWRP, let TWRP install SU, and you're good to go.
Sent from my XT1060 Dev Edition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. No reason to flash back to completely stock.
jaysdroid2 said:
Interesting, where would i find just those two img. files and how would i go about flashing just those two files, sorry if i need it dumbed down, fist moto phone and first time having to use a cmd prompt screen to do anyhting, had a galaxy nexus prior and everyhting was completely.....different/simpler.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 2 files can be found inside the sbf file.
To flash them:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash system system.img
jaysdroid2 said:
Thank you all for the input, im prolly just going to revert completely to stock, i have no problem letting my apps re download and its less of a chance i fubar something, although if i do rest assured my next post will be how to un-fubar my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take this opportunity to learn something. If flashing back to stock isn't an issue for you, what's the worst that can happen? You own a dev edition, learn to take full advantage of it. It's not difficult at all..
And please, don't use a toolkit until you've learned the basics of fastboot and adb. If the toolkit fails, you'll end up having to learn it all anyways.

what happens if you upgrade a rooted htc one t lollipop

so say i upgrade my rooted htc one once the ota update becomes ready.. what happens? i dont want to end up with a bricked phone.. would it harm my phone in any way?
thaaaanxxx
monrokhoury said:
so say i upgrade my rooted htc one once the ota update becomes ready.. what happens? i dont want to end up with a bricked phone.. would it harm my phone in any way?
thaaaanxxx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An OTA update will not work on a rooted phone! For the OTA to work it needs stock recovery, stock rom and all of the files that it is attempting to update. If anything is missing then it will error out and return to your present setup.
and to complete what majmoz already said, if your rom is 100% stock, and you have flashed back your stock recovery, the phone will update fine but you will loose root. You'll need to flash a custom recovery after the OTA to re-root the rom.
Guys you're very helpful and i must thank you for that. i am on the official 4.4.3 rom so i just need to restore the stock recovery? how to do that? and will the current rooting method work on lollipop (and should i follow the same steps to install clockwork recovery)? Will the ota update relock the bootloader?
i'm sorry if i'm asking too many questions but i don't trust any other forum.
monrokhoury said:
Guys you're very helpful and i must thank you for that. i am on the official 4.4.3 rom so i just need to restore the stock recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have not modified anything to your rom (Kernel is stock and always was, you have not deleted any /system files and you still have or restored all the content in /data/preload (wiped during bootloader unlock), so yes all you need to do is to flash back the stock recovery that match your version.
how to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The same way you did to flash a custom recovery:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery name_of_file.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot reboot
and will the current rooting method work on lollipop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the latest supersu from a custom recovery. Version 2.37 and above should work on lollipop
and should i follow the same steps to install clockwork recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You always flash the recovery using the same commands, stock or custom, on all versions its always:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery name_of_file.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot reboot
Will the ota update relock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA updates will never affect the bootloader status (S-ON/S-OFF, LOCKED/UNLOCKED/RELOCKED)
If you have not modified anything to your rom (Kernel is stock and always was, you have not deleted any /system files and you still have or restored all the content in /data/preload (wiped during bootloader unlock), so yes all you need to do is to flash back the stock recovery that match your version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if I did flash a custom kernel, and did uninstall system programs (but didn't flash a custom Rom), what are my options if I'd like to upgrade to lollipop?
Thanks!
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app

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