[Q] Lollipop 5.0.2 update root access? - G 2014 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a rooted XT1068 and there is an official OTA update to 5.0.2, should I install it? Do I lose my root access?

egwktm said:
I have a rooted XT1068 and there is an official OTA update to 5.0.2, should I install it? Do I lose my root access?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to "Full unroot" in SuperSU settings and restore the stock recovery. Otherwise OTA will fail. After the OTA is installed, You can easily return to TWRP and flash SuperSU.

okay thanks! also instead of twrp could I use chainfire again?

Unfortunately, i tried to install OTA and now every time i turn on my phone it reboots and tries to install 5.02 only to get an error and it stays at twrp menu. So what can i do now?

lol after many reboots phone decided to tell me that update was unsuccessful so it works again.

more details pls for a beginner
I made the same mistake trying to flash OTA 5.02 over rooted device 4.4.4 . I got out of the loop by moving the download zip from system/cache to external sd...
just wanting to make sure I do all the right things and in order:
so in Super SU I go the FULL UNROOT
how do I then restore stock recovery?
Once I I have restored it what are the steps for the zip and install via stock recovery?
sorry about the boring questions - it's still a bit of a jungle for a beginner

egwktm said:
okay thanks! also instead of twrp could I use chainfire again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. But why? Twrp is superior in every aspect. It's like deliberately crippling your toaster so that only one slice fits.

Will I be able to install ota updates with stock recovery and after unroot if I do changes to /system?

dpdp73 said:
Will I be able to install ota updates with stock recovery and after unroot if I do changes to /system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

doppelhelix said:
Sure. But why? Twrp is superior in every aspect. It's like deliberately crippling your toaster so that only one slice fits.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice imagination.
But why do I often read that TWRP will be overwritten by Lollipop with custom recovery when rebooting the phone? Some people therefore recommend the Chainfire CF-Auto-Root instead.
So after unlocking bootloader can I flash TWRP in fastboot mode and superSU afterwards without those kind of problems?

Wolfcity said:
Nice imagination.
But why do I often read that TWRP will be overwritten by Lollipop with custom recovery when rebooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a "feature" introduced by google for their nexus. I will quote the twrp website:
The stock ROM will automatically replace TWRP with the stock recovery. To prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP, boot TWRP, go to the mount menu and mount system, press the home button, then press Advanced ->File Manager. Browse to /system and select the file named recovery-from-boot.p then choose to rename the file to recovery-from-boot.bak
Or you flash the SuperSU.zip. That will prevent the override too.

doppelhelix said:
It's a "feature" introduced by google for their nexus. I will quote the twrp website:
The stock ROM will automatically replace TWRP with the stock recovery. To prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP, boot TWRP, go to the mount menu and mount system, press the home button, then press Advanced ->File Manager. Browse to /system and select the file named recovery-from-boot.p then choose to rename the file to recovery-from-boot.bak
Or you flash the SuperSU.zip. That will prevent the override too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx a lot for your explantion.
This was one of the things that irritated me right from the start when I was checking out the possibilities of custom recovery/root within 5.0.
I heard about the file-renaming thing but didnĀ“t realize that superSu will do the job too and that it is a Nexus "feature" at all.
Helped me very much!

Related

[Q] Root with Stock ROM and Recovery

Is it possible for me to install the binary su and the superUser apk myself with stock ROM and recovery so I can still get the OTA updates? I have S-OFF with revone currently on android 4.2.
Thanks
leo.sutton said:
Is it possible for me to install the binary su and the superUser apk myself with stock ROM and recovery so I can still get the OTA updates? I have S-OFF with revone currently on android 4.2.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes its possible. In fact, last time I used to install binary and apk on top of stock ROM. I flash it from here:
http://androidsu.com/superuser/
petalyaa said:
Yes its possible. In fact, last time I used to install binary and apk on top of stock ROM. I flash it from here:
http://androidsu.com/superuser/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where do I need to push su and the apk? I thought su needed to be in the system partition which I can't access.
leo.sutton said:
So where do I need to push su and the apk? I thought su needed to be in the system partition which I can't access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need root to install SU afaik
leo.sutton said:
So where do I need to push su and the apk? I thought su needed to be in the system partition which I can't access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow these steps :
1) Download SU binary+APK and put it in the sdcard. The downloaded file is a flashable zip.
2) Unlock bootloader (Can be done using HTCDev)
3) Flash custom recovery
4) Enter recovery then flash the zip file you just put in step 1.
5) Wait till it finish flashing, then reboot, you should be rooted now.
petalyaa said:
Follow these steps :
1) Download SU binary+APK and put it in the sdcard. The downloaded file is a flashable zip.
2) Unlock bootloader (Can be done using HTCDev)
3) Flash custom recovery
4) Enter recovery then flash the zip file you just put in step 1.
5) Wait till it finish flashing, then reboot, you should be rooted now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thanks, but its not possible with stock recovery? I thought your first answer indicated it was.
leo.sutton said:
Is it possible for me to install the binary su and the superUser apk myself with stock ROM and recovery so I can still get the OTA updates? I have S-OFF with revone currently on android 4.2.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, you just have to flash your stock recovery whenever you want to do ota updates. I converted my one to a developers edition a while back and whenever an ota update came out, i would flash my recovery, update, then put twrp back on. It never gave me any trouble because of my root.
an0ther said:
As far as I know, you just have to flash your stock recovery whenever you want to do ota updates. I converted my one to a developers edition a while back and whenever an ota update came out, i would flash my recovery, update, then put twrp back on. It never gave me any trouble because of my root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aaah, sorry for the confusion, i mean on stock ROM and not recovery. I'm not really sure if its possible to flash the superuser zip in stock recovery or not. I think its not possible. If you want official OTA, if im not mistaken, it doesnt really matter which recovery you're on. Just use twrp and flash the superuser zip and you're good to go..
petalyaa said:
Aaah, sorry for the confusion, i mean on stock ROM and not recovery. I'm not really sure if its possible to flash the superuser zip in stock recovery or not. I think its not possible. If you want official OTA, if im not mistaken, it doesnt really matter which recovery you're on. Just use twrp and flash the superuser zip and you're good to go..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to have stock recovery to get a true ota update. That is how it updates. If you download an ota update, first thing it does is go into recovery to flash it. It will end up going into your custom recovery and just sitting there. Your phone firmware and hboot must match the one of the current rom, but it has to have stock recovery to do the actual update. First time it boots after ota, you may loose your su, but just put custom recovery back on and flash it real quick and you should be good to go then you can flash back to stock recovery and twrp should fix your root if it has a problem. I hope this helps. You know you can just download the updates and flash them yourself too. Btw, newest 3.22 rom sucks! It has many problems that are all over the forums. Proximity sensor has gone to hell, and your messages contact pictures disappear every time you get a new text.
an0ther said:
You have to have stock recovery to get a true ota update. That is how it updates. If you download an ota update, first thing it does is go into recovery to flash it. It will end up going into your custom recovery and just sitting there. Your phone firmware and hboot must match the one of the current rom, but it has to have stock recovery to do the actual update. First time it boots after ota, you may loose your su, but just put custom recovery back on and flash it real quick and you should be good to go then you can flash back to stock recovery and twrp should fix your root if it has a problem. I hope this helps. You know you can just download the updates and flash them yourself too. Btw, newest 3.22 rom sucks! It has many problems that are all over the forums. Proximity sensor has gone to hell, and your messages contact pictures disappear every time you get a new text.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thats new for me, never know that we need to be on stock recovery for official update.
That's why I never wait for OTA.. I used ROM in this forum and so far I never have any issue that U mention above..

[Q] 4.4.2->4.4.4 VRZN Rooted

This does work to upgrade from 4.4.2 to 4.4.4 and there was no data/setting loss. I am running Verizon, developer phone, rooted, with xposed. Here are the directions I used:
1. disable Xposed - I just went to the app and uninstalled it
2. boot into bootloader/fastboot - connect your computer to the phone via USB. Then push the down volume and power at the same time. This will take you to the bootloader/fastboot
3. flash stock recovery (fastboot flash recovery yourfilename.img) - to do this (and to flash stock system) you need the motorola fastboot files and you will need to use the command prompt on the PC. for directions and download for the fastboot files check out this link - http://www.addictivetips.com/android/root-moto-x-install-cwm-recovery-complete-guide/ To actually download the stock recovery and stock system files you can download them here (look for 4.4.2 verizon - http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0. I actually pasted the recovery.img/stock.img files into the windows fastboot folder and accessed CMD prompt from there to flash them. I flashed recovery then moved onto stock. I did not reboot until both were done.
4. flash stock system (fastboot flash system yourfilename.img)
5. reboot (stay in the CMD prompt and type - fastboot reboot)
6. update via OTA
7. reboot
You are now stock unrooted 4.4.4, so just re-apply root the same way you did the first time:
1. boot into bootloader/fastboot - you should be able to follow the directions from above to do this now
2. flash custom recovery - you should be able to follow the directions from above to do this now. Note that I tried CWM and it didnt work until I used TWRP. - download the latest version here and stick in the same fastboot folder you were using above - http://teamw.in/project/twrp2
3. boot to recovery - make sure you do this from the bootloader/fastboot screen. To do it, press down until you get to recovery then up to actually select it. I kept pressing power to select which doesnt actually select it.
4. flash SuperSU - this should be on your phone from the first time you rooted. If doing a new root you will need to get it first.
5. reboot
6. re-enable Xposed - i just reinstalled it and all of my settings were back
7. reboot
- BAM you are done!
I'm curious to see if this works the same for unlocked non developer edition Moto X's on VZW too
has anyone tried this to upgrade to 4.4.4? (unlocked BL, rooted 4.4.2 on Verizon)
dhoppy said:
has anyone tried this to upgrade to 4.4.4? (unlocked BL, rooted 4.4.2 on Verizon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Multiple reports all over the forum say YES. (must flash stock recovery back, FIRST -- OR just use the FXZ and don't worry about having to flash stock recovery...)
Also, to the OP: questions belong in Q&A, not General. See the 2nd Sticky post at the top of the General forum....please post in the correct forums in the future...
I have a vzw DE
I took the 4.4.4 FXZ file from the other thread and just flashed it, no prep, didn't disable xposed.I was flashing in fastboot, not recovery, so its not checking for intact files. Then had to twrp/root and re-enable xposed.
But if you want to take the OTA then your procedure would be good.
Ryphez said:
I'm curious to see if this works the same for unlocked non developer edition Moto X's on VZW too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no difference whatsoever between an unlocked dev edition and any other unlocked X. The ONLY difference is the dev edition keeps its warranty when you unlock.
Whats the best twrp for root on 4.4.4
Mickoou said:
Whats the best twrp for root on 4.4.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about the latest version from the official source? Here: http://techerrata.com/browse/twrp2/ghost
It will root for you. Just flash w/fastboot, then "fastboot reboot-bootloader", then VOL DOWN to RECOVERY, and VOL UP to select it. When you go to exit, it will offer to install SuperSU Installer. Once booted, launch SuperSU Installer, and select Play Store method.
dhoppy said:
has anyone tried this to upgrade to 4.4.4? (unlocked BL, rooted 4.4.2 on Verizon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you should be the guinea pig for all of us.
I can confirm that this works. I did it. I did not lose any data. It took about 20 minutes total. I already had everything installed otherwise you are looking at about 45 minutes.
The only reason to flash stock system.img before taking an OTA is if you made so many changes to system files you can't remember them to undo them. i.e. you modified your system so much that flashing system.img is the fastest way back to stock so it passes the validation checks of the OTA.
I thought there is an Xposed disabler (in the xposed thread) that you can run rather than uninstalling?
That being said.. this information has been the same for EVERY OTA Update. You have to flash stock recovery for the OTA to install, and your system can't be modified too much or it will fail the validation checks built into the OTA.zip. (i.e. there is a manifest file that checks for specific files and their check sums before it will flash the ota).
IF you are close enough to stock (like I am... stock, unlocked, rooted, with adfree, wifi tether for root, greenify, Quick boot, and a few other apps that require root), you can just flash stock recovery and take the OTA.
IF you are close enough to stock... you can also use the following... WITHOUT a PC... i.e. you haven't modified system too much, etc.
Place stock recovery.img, the latest TWRP img, the latest SuperSU.zip and the OTA.zip on your phone's DOWNLOAD folder.
Install Rashr.
Use Rashr to to flash stock recovery (select other from storage, and select your stock recovery). When it completes, pick the option to reboot to stock recovery.
From stock recovery, install the update zip and reboot the phone.
After the update install process is complete, use Rashr to flash TWRP (again, other from storage and pick your TWRP). When prompted, reboot into recovery (so twrp sticks). When in TWRP, select reboot to system.
If you lost root, reboot into TWRP recovery and install SuperSU.zip
KidJoe said:
The only reason to flash stock system.img before taking an OTA is if you made so many changes to system files you can't remember them to undo them. i.e. you modified your system so much that flashing system.img is the fastest way back to stock so it passes the validation checks of the OTA.
I thought there is an Xposed disabler (in the xposed thread) that you can run rather than uninstalling?
That being said.. this information has been the same for EVERY OTA Update. You have to flash stock recovery for the OTA to install, and your system can't be modified too much or it will fail the validation checks built into the OTA.zip. (i.e. there is a manifest file that checks for specific files and their check sums before it will flash the ota).
IF you are close enough to stock (like I am... stock, unlocked, rooted, with adfree, wifi tether for root, greenify, Quick boot, and a few other apps that require root), you can just flash stock recovery and take the OTA.
IF you are close enough to stock... you can also use the following... WITHOUT a PC... i.e. you haven't modified system too much, etc.
Place stock recovery.img, the latest TWRP img, the latest SuperSU.zip and the OTA.zip on your phone's DOWNLOAD folder.
Install Rashr.
Use Rashr to to flash stock recovery (select other from storage, and select your stock recovery). When it completes, pick the option to reboot to stock recovery.
From stock recovery, install the update zip and reboot the phone.
After the update install process is complete, use Rashr to flash TWRP (again, other from storage and pick your TWRP). When prompted, reboot into recovery (so twrp sticks). When in TWRP, select reboot to system.
If you lost root, reboot into TWRP recovery and install SuperSU.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip. I believe I did it the way I mentioned because last time gravity box didnt have a wifi tether available so I had to modify the system files. this time I didnt touch them.
Flashing system.img is imo the smartest move to ensure the OTA takes. It's worth it as it only takes a minute and you don't have to even think about what you changed. Plus, it doesn't delete your data.
You are in there flashing stock recovery anyway, might as well.
Sent from my Dev Edition Moto X
Schaweet said:
Flashing system.img is imo the smartest move to ensure the OTA takes. It's worth it as it only takes a minute and you don't have to even think about what you changed. Plus, it doesn't delete your data.
You are in there flashing stock recovery anyway, might as well.
Sent from my Dev Edition Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 :good:
Schaweet said:
Flashing system.img is imo the smartest move to ensure the OTA takes. It's worth it as it only takes a minute and you don't have to even think about what you changed. Plus, it doesn't delete your data.
You are in there flashing stock recovery anyway, might as well.
Sent from my Dev Edition Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting an error while attempting to flash the system.img. I don't remember the exact wording but it was something like "data exceeds download buffer". I flashed the recovery.img without issue. I tried to take the OTA and it gets halfway through and craps out with the red exclamation triangle... Any ideas?
zoid_99 said:
I'm getting an error while attempting to flash the system.img. I don't remember the exact wording but it was something like "data exceeds download buffer". I flashed the recovery.img without issue. I tried to take the OTA and it gets halfway through and craps out with the red exclamation triangle... Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using mfastboot to flash system.img? You can't use regular fastboot. Just search for mfastboot.
Sent from my Dev Edition Moto X
Schaweet said:
Are you using mfastboot to flash system.img? You can't use regular fastboot. Just search for mfastboot.
Sent from my Dev Edition Moto X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Thank you.... That was it.
dhoppy said:
has anyone tried this to upgrade to 4.4.4? (unlocked BL, rooted 4.4.2 on Verizon)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.6 SU was the only issue I had, I got the latest and had no issue
http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu
KidJoe said:
[*]Place stock recovery.img, the latest TWRP img, the latest SuperSU.zip and the OTA.zip on your phone's DOWNLOAD folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do I get the stock recovery.img file?
Thank you!
fede_arg said:
Where do I get the stock recovery.img file?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP tells you in the very first post...

[Q] OTA Updates on Rooted XT1095 (Stock Recovery)

I recently followed this guide to root my XT1095. All I did was unlock my bootloader and boot the image...I did not (intentionally) alter my recovery, nor did I install a custom ROM. Will I still receive OTA update notifications and, if so, are they safe to apply?
Dan Again said:
I recently followed this guide to root my XT1095. All I did was unlock my bootloader and boot the image...I did not (intentionally) alter my recovery, nor did I install a custom ROM. Will I still receive OTA update notifications and, if so, are they safe to apply?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are running a custom recovery TWRP for example, I doubt that you will get OTA updates. I believe you need the stock recovery to be able to install OTA updates.
grneyez said:
If you are running a custom recovery TWRP for example, I doubt that you will get OTA updates. I believe you need the stock recovery to be able to install OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little confused by your response. As I said in my original question, I did not (intentionally) alter my recovery. Did the method that I used achieve root alter my recovery for me?
If you did not install a custom recovery than you should be able to get OTA updates. Check to see what recovery you have.
Dan Again said:
I'm a little confused by your response. As I said in my original question, I did not (intentionally) alter my recovery. Did the method that I used achieve root alter my recovery for me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't make any changes to /system, you *should* be good to go for updates. If you didn't intentionally flash a custom recovery then you still have the stock one.
If you're rooted OTAs won't work. In KitKat and lower they just performed checksums on each file before updating, so the altered root files were left untouched and the update installed. In Lollipop and up (at least for Nexus devices), it does a total checksum and if /system has been altered in any way (including for root) OTA's won't install.
grneyez said:
If you did not install a custom recovery than you should be able to get OTA updates. Check to see what recovery you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I booted into recovery and saw this, so I think my recovery is still stock. One quick question: when I boot into fastboot and select "Recovery", I get a dead Android and a "No Command" prompt - I had to follow these steps to actually get there. Why is that?
I'd like to try out Xposed now that it's available for my device, and I see that requires a custom recovery. If I install a custom recovery (TWRP, for instance) and use it to flash Xposed, can I then revert back to stock recovery and continue to receive OTA updates?
Dan Again said:
Thanks for all the responses, guys. I booted into recovery and saw this, so I think my recovery is still stock. One quick question: when I boot into fastboot and select "Recovery", I get a dead Android and a "No Command" prompt - I had to follow these steps to actually get there. Why is that?
I'd like to try out Xposed now that it's available for my device, and I see that requires a custom recovery. If I install a custom recovery (TWRP, for instance) and use it to flash Xposed, can I then revert back to stock recovery and continue to receive OTA updates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you modified your system with Xposed you won't be able to install OTA updates. Even if you return yo stock recovery.
To install an OTA you need three things. 1. Unaltered system, 2.no root and 3. stock recovery
juliospinoza said:
If you modified your system with Xposed you won't be able to install OTA updates. Even if you return yo stock recovery.
To install an OTA you need three things. 1. Unaltered system, 2.no root and 3. stock recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough. So let's say that I install a custom recovery and then Xposed. Will there be a way that I can manually upgrade to new stock OS versions as they come out for my phone?
Dan Again said:
Fair enough. So let's say that I install a custom recovery and then Xposed. Will there be a way that I can manually upgrade to new stock OS versions as they come out for my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always flash a ROM or custom ROM via fast boot, but you will loss all your settings, apps etc because you are flashing an entire new system... The OTA only patches
The only way back is to flash your stock ROM if you can get a hold of it.
floepie said:
The only way back is to flash your stock ROM if you can get a hold of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, funny story - this weekend I accidentally wiped my OS and had to flash stock ROM to get back up and running. See: here. Good resource for others who might be looking for Moto X 2014 stock Lollipop firmware...definitely saved that on my computer
juliospinoza said:
If you modified your system with Xposed you won't be able to install OTA updates. Even if you return yo stock recovery.
To install an OTA you need three things. 1. Unaltered system, 2.no root and 3. stock recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't there any way to uninstall Xposed, revert back to original recovery and remove root--all in order to install OTA without completely loosing user data and apps installed?
yurkennis said:
Isn't there any way to uninstall Xposed, revert back to original recovery and remove root--all in order to install OTA without completely loosing user data and apps installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes
just flash via fastboot
1. recovery (stock)
2. system
if your phone is 5.0 xt1095 and you didn't flash modems you should be able to receive OTA.
Repeat of Question
I'm not sure I completely understand what I need to do to get updated to 5.1. I have an XT1095 that I only rooted, no custom recovery. I downloaded the OTA for 5.1 last night and tried to update. Got an error and it did not update. A quick google search seems to state, as well as earlier in this thread, that I can not update if I am rooted. I would prefer not completely start over on my phone (wipe) and would like to just apply the update. Can I just "unroot" my phone and apply the update or do I have to go back to the beginning (with a stock recovery) before the update will take?
I know enough about all this to have followed the directions to accomplish the root about 7 months ago. Since then not played with any system files! The only reason I rooted was so I could use the full capabilities of Greenify. Any opinions on that would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
jhworth8 said:
I'm not sure I completely understand what I need to do to get updated to 5.1. I have an XT1095 that I only rooted, no custom recovery. I downloaded the OTA for 5.1 last night and tried to update. Got an error and it did not update. A quick google search seems to state, as well as earlier in this thread, that I can not update if I am rooted. I would prefer not completely start over on my phone (wipe) and would like to just apply the update. Can I just "unroot" my phone and apply the update or do I have to go back to the beginning (with a stock recovery) before the update will take?
I know enough about all this to have followed the directions to accomplish the root about 7 months ago. Since then not played with any system files! The only reason I rooted was so I could use the full capabilities of Greenify. Any opinions on that would be appreciated as well. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try reading, the post literally before yours tells you what to do, lol.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
AGISCI said:
Try reading, the post literally before yours tells you what to do, lol.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it that flashing the recovery and the system.img files to the phone will not erase all the apps, photos, music, etc.?
summit15 said:
I take it that flashing the recovery and the system.img files to the phone will not erase all the apps, photos, music, etc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, it won't erase those things.
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk
so if i am just rooted, and custom recovery, could I unroot (via supersu app) and flash stock recovery and be good to go? or am i missing something?
yamahakid said:
so if i am just rooted, and custom recovery, could I unroot (via supersu app) and flash stock recovery and be good to go? or am i missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more difficult with Lollipop: updates now "look for" a completely stock unmodified unrooted system. So you'll have to flash a stock image of the current build and then take the OTA.

Systemless root (Android 6.0) - Method for easy future OTA updates

I am looking for an easy way to be able to receive OTA updates after rooting with the 'systemless' root method, the steps I mention below assume that the system partition remains untouched after rooting. I have searched and not found a clear answer on this.
Would I be correct in assuming that this procedure should work to receive an OTA update and keep stock recovery after rooting?
Start with completely stock Android 6.0
fastboot boot twrp-recovery.img (boot TWRP, NOT flash, to maintain stock recovery after rooting)
Flash systemless root with TWRP
OTA arrives (Android 6.0.1 for example)
fastboot flash boot boot.img (with stock 6.0 kernel, root lost)
Accept & install OTA update
Success?
So unless I am missing something, this method would leave the system in a stock, unrooted state after the OTA is installed, and could be repeated for future updates. Anybody have any experience with this yet?
Sounds like it will work, but why mess with the ota? More work and risk honestly.
Since you're already using fastboot just flash the newest boot and system.img. Then flash/boot twrp and flash su like you'd need to do anyway. Done. You don't lose anything flashing system.
yosmokinman said:
Sounds like it will work, but why mess with the ota? More work and risk honestly.
Since you're already using fastboot just flash the newest boot and system.img. Then flash/boot twrp and flash su like you'd need to do anyway. Done. You don't lose anything flashing system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is true, kind of just wondering/gathering information. It just seemed like with the new root method, OTA would be possible and less risky than before.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
@quakeaz there is one step missing on your guide. After boot.img you also have to flash stock recovery.img. From Lollipop, Google is also checking installed recovery, and for successful OTA, it has to be stock as well.
Otherwise, your guide should work, I've done same thing with my Nexus 5 and 7 for like last 3 months.
Srandista said:
@quakeaz there is one step missing on your guide. After boot.img you also have to flash stock recovery.img. From Lollipop, Google is also checking installed recovery, and for successful OTA, it has to be stock as well.
Otherwise, your guide should work, I've done same thing with my Nexus 5 and 7 for like last 3 months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, but I intentionally left that step out, due to step 2 in my list. By only booting TWRP, instead of flashing, I assume stock recovery will remain after rooting.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
quakeaz said:
Thanks for your reply, but I intentionally left that step out, due to step 2 in my list. By only booting TWRP, instead of flashing, I assume stock recovery will remain after rooting.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, sorry, I overlooked that.
Since I have flashed TWRP instead of stock recovery, I'm going by same process as you write, just reflash stock recovery. And can confirm, that the process is indeed working (no need to install system.img, as with previous system-based SuperSU).
Sounds good!
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
quakeaz said:
I am looking for an easy way to be able to receive OTA updates after rooting with the 'systemless' root method, the steps I mention below assume that the system partition remains untouched after rooting. I have searched and not found a clear answer on this.
Would I be correct in assuming that this procedure should work to receive an OTA update and keep stock recovery after rooting?
Start with completely stock Android 6.0
fastboot boot twrp-recovery.img (boot TWRP, NOT flash, to maintain stock recovery after rooting)
Flash systemless root with TWRP
OTA arrives (Android 6.0.1 for example)
fastboot flash boot boot.img (with stock 6.0 kernel, root lost)
Accept & install OTA update
Success?
So unless I am missing something, this method would leave the system in a stock, unrooted state after the OTA is installed, and could be repeated for future updates. Anybody have any experience with this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of fastboot flashing boot.img, you can use "Settings --> Full Unroot" in SuperSU. During SuperSU systemless flash, your old boot image is backed up. Among other things, the full unroot option will restore the backup, assuming it hasn't been lost due to a factory reset and whatnot.
On many firmwares, this procedure also restores stock recovery. This requires that both the firmware supports recreating the recovery from the boot image plus a patch file (most do), and that TWRP did not remove said patch file (which some versions do).
That being said, if you're using fastboot anyway, flashing boot, recovery, system and vendor manually is always the safest thing before an OTA.
Thanks for the info. So I take it while using systemless root, installing ota without unrooting is a big nono? The January ota just downloaded and is asking me to install, should I do it manually?
Chainfire said:
Instead of fastboot flashing boot.img, you can use "Settings --> Full Unroot" in SuperSU. During SuperSU systemless flash, your old boot image is backed up. Among other things, the full unroot option will restore the backup, assuming it hasn't been lost due to a factory reset and whatnot.
On many firmwares, this procedure also restores stock recovery. This requires that both the firmware supports recreating the recovery from the boot image plus a patch file (most do), and that TWRP did not remove said patch file (which some versions do).
That being said, if you're using fastboot anyway, flashing boot, recovery, system and vendor manually is always the safest thing before an OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for this thread and the procedure. I tried myself to avoid as much as possible to use a computer for super easy OTA update. But there is always one obligatory step: to root the phone.
Phone systemless rooted (2.66) - TWRP installed - OTA arrives.
In SuperSu app : Fully unroot
Install OTA - success
Fastboot boot (or install) TWRP
Flash superSu 2.66.zip
And that's it!
My question is the following: Does it exist a possibility to load on step 3. something that could flash superSu.zip from within the phone, no computer required?
Maybe FlashFire? I guess not, for it needs root and the point is to flash a rooting zip... You see the loop there...
Would it be theoreticaly possible at all?
Judim said:
Maybe FlashFire? I guess not, for it needs root and the point is to flash a rooting zip... You see the loop there...
Would it be theoreticaly possible at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is one of the use-cases of FlashFire. I just haven't finished updating it to 6.0 yet.
Oh nice!
I didn't know it cause I never had the chance to try out FlashFire.
Thanks so much for everything you do for the Android community!
Cheers!
Srandista said:
Ah, sorry, I overlooked that.
Since I have flashed TWRP instead of stock recovery, I'm going by same process as you write, just reflash stock recovery. And can confirm, that the process is indeed working (no need to install system.img, as with previous system-based SuperSU).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine fail here. i previously got systemless root 2.62, blu spark kernel and twrp. fastboot flash stock boot and recovery. reboot to update and it fail. any idea why?
ShanxRoux said:
mine fail here. i previously got systemless root 2.62, blu spark kernel and twrp. fastboot flash stock boot and recovery. reboot to update and it fail. any idea why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you modify system?
Try flashing system, boot, and recovery.
Then try again.
Hi, I have a Oneplus One and today has been released an OTA, so I tried the method. I have COS13 JK (latest full rom) firmware, with systemless 2.84beta supersu and twrp.
The only apps that have root access are AdAway and Greenify (without mods to system apps). No Busybox installed.
I reverted via fastboot to original JK boot.img and recovery.img, and restored, via Adaway, the original hosts file, then I applied the OTA via stock Cyano Recovery, but update failed ("system partition has unexpected contents" error).
Why?
Thanks.
you have to unroot first from the app.Revert to original boot. and then flash
Sent from my ASUS_Z00LD using Tapatalk
caldent said:
you have to unroot first from the app.Revert to original boot. and then flash
Sent from my ASUS_Z00LD using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried: no way to install OTA, I had to wait for the full rom, and dirty flashed it via TWRP without a problem.
Then I rerooted.
Bye!
ok i seem to be getting the run around on where i need to be to ask my question(s)
i am very interested in systemless root....
that being said i am clueless and all info i am findingis just super confusing me.
if someone could humor a noob to systemless rooting that would be greatly appreciated!!
i recently bought 2 new phone for my household, both are the lg tribute hd (also called lg x style)
one click root and pc method of kingoroot etc dont work... i cant locate a twrp or a cwm for this model easily by searching so i am assuming there isnt one (maybe someone could located or help to build one?)- or maybe im not tech smart enough and i can use any?(i dont think so)
model is lg ls675,android 6.0.1, kernel version 3.10.49, build # MXB48T, software is ls676zv3
main reason at the moment for trying to get root is to remove bloatware and to be able to wifi tether without limitations buy the provider, on ther phone that i have obtained root on i used an app called WIFI Tether Router which works beautifully but requires root...
please help as this is how we use our computer with internet and its beneficial all the way around especially to get rid of bloatware and keep device running smoothly...
thanks again for any help. greatly appreciated.
if im not in the right thread please kindly direct me to the correct one. thanks

Nexus 6 stuck in TWRP after Android N ota update

My Nexus 6 was on Android N. Then I rooted it using twrp to install supersu 2.71. This afternoon, I got a notification for Android N update ota, and I allowed it. It downloaded the software and boot up into twrp. What I am supposed to do next? I tried to reboot, but it always came back to twrp. This is my first rooted phone and I have no idea what is going on. Please help!!!
In twrp, I tried to Restore to the mashmallow back up (MOB30I), but it failed.
SPR10 said:
In twrp, I tried to Restore to the mashmallow back up (MOB30I), but it failed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot to bootloader in TWRP then reboot from there. This will end the loop.
Thank you for your response. I reboot into bootloader , then select :"power off". But when I turn on phone, it came back to twrp. I reboot back to bootloader, then select "start". It boot up to twrp again. Anything else I can try?
I tried again, reboot into bootloader and then select start again. It went through the same process, but it was able to boot again. Now I got notification of system update, like before. I need to unroot it to allow for android N update?
Thank you. You are a life saver.
SPR10 said:
I need to unroot it to allow for android N update?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing a stock N recovery in fastboot should be enough to allow you to take the update. You will likely need to install TWRP and then root again afterward.
Thank you Durgis. Can I have more instruction on how to install stock N recovery in fastboot. I guess have to download file for stock N recovery, boot the phone to bootloader, then use some command to install it.
ok.. you CAN NOT install an ota via twrp recovery. you have to have stock recovery if you want to install an ota, period. next time, search and read.
Could he use flashfire to update to the new N he's being asked to install?
yankeesfan714 said:
Could he use flashfire to update to the new N he's being asked to install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no idea
I know I use it to flash the monthly updates.
twrp cant flash updates, you neef the stock recovery for that. seems as you wiped your phones rom off the phone. so, youre going to have to push a rom to your phone and flash it.
yankeesfan714 said:
Could he use flashfire to update to the new N he's being asked to install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option to flash an OTA in flash fire. I personally used it to flash the n image from mm
chapelfreak said:
There is an option to flash an OTA in flash fire. I personally used it to flash the n image from mm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it to flash full images since my system is modified.
converge12 said:
Reboot to bootloader in TWRP then reboot from there. This will end the loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi converge12, I completed registration in this forum only to say you thank you.
Go to TWRP then select restart as "bootloader" and select start to go into system.

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