[Q] To Root or not to Root? - Moto X Q&A

Hi All,
My Moto X (1st Gen) is about 4 months old. I'm contemplating on rooting the phone. Is it worth the effort or should I patiently wait for the Lollipop update to come in (whenever that is!). I used a lot of custom roms in my old Nexus 4, so missing the excitement of a new rom. just a bit indecisive at the moment. Would love your opinions on this.

arjun2058 said:
Hi All,
My Moto X (1st Gen) is about 4 months old. I'm contemplating on rooting the phone. Is it worth the effort or should I patiently wait for the Lollipop update to come in (whenever that is!). I used a lot of custom roms in my old Nexus 4, so missing the excitement of a new rom. just a bit indecisive at the moment. Would love your opinions on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using the Moto X for nealry 9 months now. Never thought of rooting it as I didnt find any bloat here like the Touchwiz

I am honestly very tempted by the ROMs out there. And I don't know why but I'm definitely noticing some performance lag. Tried everything but not seeing a lot of improvement.
Sent from my Moto X using XDA Free mobile app

Before you go contemplating this question, figure out if you'll be able to root your phone in the first place.
Then instead of asking this question, ask whether or not you should unlock the bootloader. It's the only way to maintain root since 4.4.4 patched the vulnerabilities used to attain root.

There are reasons why I would root like Tasker(full functionality),a custom kernel or UI changes

I rooted my X so I can play with gravity box and other stuff. Unrooting and relocking the bootloader isn't hard to do and that's what I'll do once Lollipop comes out for my phone. (Already factory reset my phone once from custom Rom).

TheBoiledDogs said:
I rooted my X so I can play with gravity box and other stuff. Unrooting and relocking the bootloader isn't hard to do and that's what I'll do once Lollipop comes out for my phone. (Already factory reset my phone once from custom Rom).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are going to re lock your bootloader to take Lollipop?

Travisdroidx2 said:
You are going to re lock your bootloader to take Lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant to say return to stock recovery. I read somewhere that you can't get OTA with a custom recovery, Rom and rooted.

TheBoiledDogs said:
I meant to say return to stock recovery. I read somewhere that you can't get OTA with a custom recovery, Rom and rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha, that is true. Stock recovery and stock system and you are good to go.

I personally root all my devices for better control. However, I personally don't use Roms because I want a stock experience and that includes boot animation and themes. The only Roms I have ever kept on my phones were ARHD and Paranoid Android. If neither are available, I go with Xposed.

Related

[Q] Android L Developer Preview on Moto X via Safestrap

I apologize if I'm asking my question at the wrong place, please move it wherever is appropriate. thank you.
Is it safe to try to run "Android L Developer Preview" on my Moto X (w/ write protection) via safestrap ROM-Slot-1? _AND_ switch between Stock-ROM whenever?
a1exus said:
I apologize if I'm asking my question at the wrong place, please move it wherever is appropriate. thank you.
Is it safe to try to run "Android L Developer Preview" on my Moto X (w/ write protection) via safestrap ROM-Slot-1? _AND_ switch between Stock-ROM whenever?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The developer preview is only for the Nexus 5 and 2013 Nexus 7. Your device and the image would not play nice and bad things would probably happen. Not even worth the risk of trying.
You'd likely brick your device. Right dead. If it even flashed.
Never flash anything made for another device... Ever. ?
I guess I don't really understand how safestrap works. I thought it's like chroot and it's 'safe' to try different rom)
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
No. You can only flash roms made for your device, or absolutely confirmed working on your device other roms... Which is very rare.
a1exus said:
I guess I don't really understand how safestrap works. I thought it's like chroot and it's 'safe' to try different rom)
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Safestrap is essentially just a workaround for phones with unlockable bootloaders. It provides the means to install custom ROMs in a secondary 'slot', though they still rely heavily on the main stock ROM; hence why @KJ says that the ROMs have to be made for your device and confirmed to work with safestrap. It also means no custom kernels or anything like that. Unfortunately it isn't like chroot, and treating it as such would be catastrophic. I'm antsy to get my hands on Android 5.0 as well, we just have to be patient. I think it'll come quickly enough for the X.

ROM Request: Barebones Stock 4.4.4

Is there a bare bones ROM available for 4.4.4? I recall some being available for previous devices and those seem to have to have the best performance and most popular. Basically just the stock ROM debloated and flashable via TWRP. And if so, would this have working touchless control/active display?
thanks!
The reason it probably isn't there is that most people just root and delete the 10-20 apks manually. Takes pretty much the same amount of time for the same end result.
Sent from my Moto X
Here you go. http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/development/rom-krypton-v1-2-v1-3b1-6-9-2014-t2716657 You can always remove more.
I'm using Epsilon Project ROM on my XT1060 Verizon Dev edition running AT&T Sim card. It's very minimalist, has working active display and touchless control, and reduces battery consumption considerably compared to stock (DU Battery Saver estimated battery time jumped from 18 hours to 28 hours from full).
Here's the link to the ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/development/rom-epsilon-project-v1-0-09-03-clean-t2866450
thanks for the feedback y'all, looks like I've got some reading/research to do.
IMNUTS - agreed, but from my experience, I think it's best to start with a clean slate rather than trying to debloat various apps - as those could have left other files on the system that could hinder performance.
Make sure to look into Krypton(blur/stock based), Eclipse(same):good:. Honestly I've only ran Krypton but I went back to stock rooted... + xposed etc... had some lag here and there in Krypton, stock is noticiably snappier for me:/ *shrugs
bothgoodandbad said:
Make sure to look into Krypton(blur/stock based), Eclipse(same):good:. Honestly I've only ran Krypton but I went back to stock rooted... + xposed etc... had some lag here and there in Krypton, stock is noticiably snappier for me:/ *shrugs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Went with krypton. Will report later this week.
Sent from my XT1060 using XDA Free mobile app
Do you guys (or anyone) know if I would be able to downgrade to a stock 4.4.2 after upgrading to 4.4.4 on Krypton (or any custom ROM, for that matter)? I know there's been a lot of talk about how you shouldn't downgrade... I've always been a little unclear as to whether that applies to stock ROMs only or both stock and custom.
Also, what happens if the install doesn't work? Can I flash a downgraded ROM? I tried installing the latest CM11 for my phone, but it failed, and I reinstalled a stock 4.2.2, and just reading through the forums... I feel like that was a big freakin' no-no.
Travisdroidx2 said:
Here you go. http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/development/rom-krypton-v1-2-v1-3b1-6-9-2014-t2716657 You can always remove more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheBoiledDogs said:
I'm using Epsilon Project ROM on my XT1060 Verizon Dev edition running AT&T Sim card. It's very minimalist, has working active display and touchless control, and reduces battery consumption considerably compared to stock (DU Battery Saver estimated battery time jumped from 18 hours to 28 hours from full).
Here's the link to the ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/development/rom-epsilon-project-v1-0-09-03-clean-t2866450
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cxwong1 said:
Do you guys (or anyone) know if I would be able to downgrade to a stock 4.4.2 after upgrading to 4.4.4 on Krypton (or any custom ROM, for that matter)? I know there's been a lot of talk about how you shouldn't downgrade... I've always been a little unclear as to whether that applies to stock ROMs only or both stock and custom.
Also, what happens if the install doesn't work? Can I flash a downgraded ROM? I tried installing the latest CM11 for my phone, but it failed, and I reinstalled a stock 4.2.2, and just reading through the forums... I feel like that was a big freakin' no-no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Roms don't flash bootloader and other certain things, so... The rule is really, don't downgrade official firmware, ever. Once you flash 4.4.2 or higher, you cannot downgrade. Roms are not included, as they don't touch the bootloader. So yes, if you were on official 4.4.2 firmware, flashed a 4.4.4 custom rom, and want to flash 4.4.2 official firmware again.... That's fine.
But if you flash 4.4.4 firmware with fastboot or RSDLite, that's it.... No going back to 4.4.2.
Now, my disclaimer.... You SHOULD be OK. There's no guarantees in life, especially on phone flashing.... Anything can go horribly wrong anytime and doing anything. So do all this at your own peril. ?
Thanks!
Darth said:
Roms don't flash bootloader and other certain things, so... The rule is really, don't downgrade official firmware, ever. Once you flash 4.4.2 or higher, you cannot downgrade. Roms are not included, as they don't touch the bootloader. So yes, if you were on official 4.4.2 firmware, flashed a 4.4.4 custom rom, and want to flash 4.4.2 official firmware again.... That's fine. But if you flash 4.4.4 firmware with fastboot or RSDLite, that's it.... No going back to 4.4.2. Now, my disclaimer.... You SHOULD be OK. There's no guarantees in life, especially on phone flashing.... Anything can go horribly wrong anytime and doing anything. So do all this at your own peril. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Questions about Verizon Nexus 6

I just bought my N6 yesterday from Verizon and I spent some time last night reading up on things but I would like some further confirmation from some experienced users. So I've read a few posts where some have bricked their devices by flashing cm12 while on 5.1. The Verizon N6 came with 5.1 already so is it advisable to not flash cm12? And while we're on that topic, is there anything else you should not do while on 5.1? I was looking through all the roms/kernels and some are not updated yet. So if I'm on 5.1, is it ok to flash a rom/kernel that is not 5.1? And the encryption stuff is confusing as well. I'm sure the device will be a little faster with encryption disabled but is it really that big of a difference? I apologize for being a total noob when it comes to Nexus devices. I've never owned one, I've always had HTC or Samsung. I haven't ran cm since I had my HTC Rezound lol so I'm anxious to run it again. So if someone could please tell me what roms I can and cannot flash and just give me some general advice about this phone I would greatly appreciate it.
highdro said:
I just bought my N6 yesterday from Verizon and I spent some time last night reading up on things but I would like some further confirmation from some experienced users. So I've read a few posts where some have bricked their devices by flashing cm12 while on 5.1. The Verizon N6 came with 5.1 already so is it advisable to not flash cm12? And while we're on that topic, is there anything else you should not do while on 5.1? I was looking through all the roms/kernels and some are not updated yet. So if I'm on 5.1, is it ok to flash a rom/kernel that is not 5.1? And the encryption stuff is confusing as well. I'm sure the device will be a little faster with encryption disabled but is it really that big of a difference? I apologize for being a total noob when it comes to Nexus devices. I've never owned one, I've always had HTC or Samsung. I haven't ran cm since I had my HTC Rezound lol so I'm anxious to run it again. So if someone could please tell me what roms I can and cannot flash and just give me some general advice about this phone I would greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is NOT ok to flash a rom for any other version than what youre on. so dont flash any 5.0.2 roms or kernels if youre on 5.1. (exception being the radio. i believe that can be swapped without incident, but youll have to do some extensive reading in the General and Development sections)
personally im on 5.0.2 for now until chroma gets realllll shiny and polished
i havent been encrypted since my first bootup, but my understanding any lag associated with that has basically been resolved
shelooga said:
it is NOT ok to flash a rom for any other version than what youre on. so dont flash any 5.0.2 roms or kernels if youre on 5.1. (exception being the radio. i believe that can be swapped without incident, but youll have to do some extensive reading in the General and Development sections)
personally im on 5.0.2 for now until chroma gets realllll shiny and polished
i havent been encrypted since my first bootup, but my understanding any lag associated with that has basically been resolved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that could be why people are messing their phones up? By flashing cm12 while on 5.1? I thought I read somewhere that cm hasn't updated to 5.1 yet. Thanks for the info. I didn't think I could flash anything other than 5.1 but this is not a familiar device to me so it could've been different.
shelooga said:
it is NOT ok to flash a rom for any other version than what youre on. so dont flash any 5.0.2 roms or kernels if youre on 5.1. (exception being the radio. i believe that can be swapped without incident, but youll have to do some extensive reading in the General and Development sections)
personally im on 5.0.2 for now until chroma gets realllll shiny and polished
i havent been encrypted since my first bootup, but my understanding any lag associated with that has basically been resolved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply inaccurate. You can run 5.0.2 roms after updating to 5.1 without issue. Just don't touch the bootloader. You cannot downgrade the bootloader from 5.1.
highdro said:
So that could be why people are messing their phones up? By flashing cm12 while on 5.1? I thought I read somewhere that cm hasn't updated to 5.1 yet. Thanks for the info. I didn't think I could flash anything other than 5.1 but this is not a familiar device to me so it could've been different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue with CM was that they had a brute force bootloader flashing script built in. This has been removed.
akellar said:
Simply inaccurate. You can run 5.0.2 roms after updating to 5.1 without issue. Just don't touch the bootloader. You cannot downgrade the bootloader from 5.1.
The issue with CM was that they had a brute force bootloader flashing script built in. This has been removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the only ROM that had the bootloader included was cm? So I can flash anything I want now? Thanks for clearing things up man.
highdro said:
So the only ROM that had the bootloader included was cm? So I can flash anything I want now? Thanks for clearing things up man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I'm aware of, yes
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
highdro said:
So the only ROM that had the bootloader included was cm? So I can flash anything I want now? Thanks for clearing things up man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything that is 5.1 yes, I would stick to ROMs based on the "E" build of 5.1, since that's what you're phone came on. Most ROMs are in process of updating to E.
akellar said:
Simply inaccurate. You can run 5.0.2 roms after updating to 5.1 without issue. Just don't touch the bootloader. You cannot downgrade the bootloader from 5.1.
The issue with CM was that they had a brute force bootloader flashing script built in. This has been removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my bad

How far can i go on my phone?

I have a non dev Moto X from Verizon (XT1060, first gen). It is currently running 4.4.4. What is the most I can do with it? Reading several threads, I am unable to find a conclusive answer regarding this. Looks like sunshine doesn't work nor do most one click tools. My goal is to flash a debloated ROM at the very least if possible.
You won't be able to flash any custom rom without an unlocked bootloader and that's that really. At most you could root(when possible) and manually uninstall bloatwares from the stock rom. I'm glad I had troubles upgrading my phone initially and was able to read about sunshine app on time.
Sent from my XT1060
to the moon and back at least, of course try krypton, or maybe even the modded 5.1 for the 1060, I prefer krypton but the modded 5.1 came a long way quickly I just wasn't feeling the change from simplicity (less options but works perfect for me) of Moto Assist, to the more complex options in LP :/ Check out the respect threads for each rom!
Safestrap only works for 4.4.2 no?

Wanting a Nexus 6, have a couple questions

.
I haven't flashed anything in over a year because I've been using a Verizon S5 which has little available for it. I'm wanting to buy a new Verizon Nexus 6 from eBay and have a couple questions -
Is the phone easily unlocked and rooted?
Can I flash any of the ROMs in the development section? http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/development
I just want to be sure I'm not buying another useless phone as my S5 is.
.
o-o said:
.
I haven't flashed anything in over a year because I've been using a Verizon S5 which has little available for it. I'm wanting to buy a new Verizon Nexus 6 from eBay and have a couple questions -
Is the phone easily unlocked and rooted?
Can I flash any of the ROMs in the development section? http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/development
I just want to be sure I'm not buying another useless phone as my S5 is.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes. The "gotcha" now here appears to be SafetyNet is tripped with an unlocked bootloader (means if you use something like Android Pay, it won't work).
2. Yes. Obviously you cannot flash a 6.0 kernel on a 7.0 ROM and vice versa.
I myself own a Verizon Nexus 6 and it's easily been my favorite phone. It is easily unlocked and easy to root. I've flashed plenty of ROMs since I've had it. I've flashed Dirty Unicorns, Pure Nexus, Chroma, and a few others. Obviously, just do your research before flashing a ROM. As long as you know your way around, you'll not have any issues.
Thanks guys, I'm glad its all easily possible. I used to crack flash like crazy back when I had my Fascinate, Galaxy Nexus, and S4 with the unlocked mdk bootloader, but not with this locked down S5.
I don't use android pay and would be happy with a rock solid LP or MM ROM. Id like to try OctOs also, its been one of my favorites.
o-o said:
.
I haven't flashed anything in over a year is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=59561445/
This links to a prerooted stock rom.
Very fast updated monthly.
o-o said:
Thanks guys, I'm glad its all easily possible. I used to crack flash like crazy back when I had my Fascinate, Galaxy Nexus, and S4 with the unlocked mdk bootloader, but not with this locked down S5.
I don't use android pay and would be happy with a rock solid LP or MM ROM. Id like to try OctOs also, its been one of my favorites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome back!
wtherrell said:
Welcome back!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I've been out of the game for so long I feel like I know nothing, it will take some getting used to.
You will love the Nexus 6 after being locked down on that other phone. I have 2 one straight from Moto the other straight from google.
Easy to unlock boot loader - command line simple
Easy to Root
Power to do anything with this phone.
I love them and with all the xposed tweaks, Roms, and apps that can make the N6 do somuch more.

Categories

Resources