Rooting the M7 but keeping the system - One (M7) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, I was searching the internet for an answer to this, but I found nothing.
I would like to root my phone, but I love it as it is - I just want to be able to use apps like Jbed, which are functional only with a rooted phone.
Is there a way to root the phone, but keep the original system, which is being updated from time to time as it is now, or is it necessary to use a Custom ROM? I rooted several phones, but it was always to have a better or a different OS. This time I want to keep the same one.
If it's impossible to stay with the original system (rooted), would you kindly suggest a custom rom that is identical to the official OS?
Thank you very much.

Matt.Murdock said:
Hello, I was searching the internet for an answer to this, but I found nothing.
I would like to root my phone, but I love it as it is - I just want to be able to use apps like Jbed, which are functional only with a rooted phone.
Is there a way to root the phone, but keep the original system, which is being updated from time to time as it is now, or is it necessary to use a Custom ROM? I rooted several phones, but it was always to have a better or a different OS. This time I want to keep the same one.
If it's impossible to stay with the original system (rooted), would you kindly suggest a custom rom that is identical to the official OS?
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlock the bootloader, flash a custom recovery and flash latest supersu from chainfire.

It's important to say that you will loose your preload folder when you root your phone. That means few apps will be deleted from your phone and you won't be able to take official updates unless you restore preload folder after rooting. It's easy to restore it though

donkeykong1: do you mean official updates of the apps or the system?
alray: that didn't really answer my question, but thanks

Matt.Murdock said:
donkeykong1: do you mean official updates of the apps or the system?
alray: that didn't really answer my question, but thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said - official updates aka OTAs. Alray gave you the simplest answer on rooting your phone and keeping your ROM

yes, you said official updates. I have asked whether you're talking about apps, because it is not clear whether you're talking about the apps, or about the system. Alray told me what to do, but I was asking if it's possible to keep the original ROM so please, don't try to score me off. Thanks for your..help though.

Matt.Murdock said:
yes, you said official updates. I have asked whether you're talking about apps, because it is not clear whether you're talking about the apps, or about the system. Alray told me what to do, but I was asking if it's possible to keep the original ROM so please, don't try to score me off. Thanks for your..help though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry if my reply seemed harsh. I really didn't mean to be an ass. What I ment was - when you root your phone, you will loose few apps which are in preload folder in system and that means you won't be able to take OTAs. Since HTC moved most of their apps to play store, you can get updates. I'm running stock ROM on rooted phone, and I got HTC updates without a problem. Alray probably just wanted to say that you can keep your system partition with his method and get your phone rooted

Now I see. I was probably tired, because I didn't understand what you were saying.
Thank you, guys.

Related

[Q] Installing TWRP will stop me from getting OTA updates?

Hello
I bought the Note 4 from T-mobile and i'm running stock rom.
I just root the device with chainfire tool and I'm thinking to change the recovery from stock to TWRP.
I'm wondering if by doing that i will lose the ability to get OTA updates from Samsung / T-mobile.
I did a search on the forum for this question, most of the threads are a year old so i just want to make sure that the answer is the same for our new device.
Please answer just if you know for sure, Thanks
re: twrp
NirAndroid said:
Hello
I bought the Note 4 from T-mobile and i'm running stock rom.
I just root the device with chainfire tool and I'm thinking to change the recovery from stock to TWRP.
I'm wondering if by doing that i will lose the ability to get OTA updates from Samsung / T-mobile.
I did a search on the forum for this question, most of the threads are a year old so i just want to make sure that the answer is the same for our new device.
Please answer just if you know for sure, Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You already lost the ability to receive OTA updates by rooting
the phone. If you want to get OTA updates the phone cannot be
rooted or have custom recovery like twrp.
The whole and main idea behind having twrp custom recovery
is to be able to flash custom zip file roms and mods.
With stock rooted firmware you will not be able to successfully
flash any custom roms or mods.
If you do flash any custom zip file roms using twrp
you will also loose the ability to have OTA updates.
Good luck!
First, thank you for the quick reply,
Second, are you sure about it? every place I looked people saying that root doesn't have anything to do with OTA updates.
It also say that I can put TWRP or CWM and still getting the OTA updates, all I have to do for this to happen is to be with stock rom (which is what i'm currently using)
Misterjunky said:
You already lost the ability to receive OTA updates by rooting
the phone. If you want to get OTA updates the phone cannot be
rooted or have custom recovery like twrp.
The whole and main idea behind having twrp custom recovery
is to be able to flash custom zip file roms and mods.
With stock rooted firmware you will not be able to successfully
flash any custom roms or mods.
If you do flash any custom zip file roms using twrp
you will also loose the ability to have OTA updates too.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NirAndroid said:
First, thank you for the quick reply,
Second, are you sure about it? every place I looked people saying that root doesn't have anything to do with OTA updates.
It also say that I can put TWRP or CWM and still getting the OTA updates, all I have to do for this to happen is to be with stock rom (which is what i'm currently using)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you check the OTA option and find an update, the updater
will tell you that it cannot install the update due to an unofficial
operating system or something to that effect, I forgot the exact
wording of the message. (if you're rooted)
There is a way to unroot the phone but in my opinion it's just not worth the
hassle to re-root it because as I said being rooted and having twrp recovery
will not help you much at all since you will not be able to flash any custom
roms or mods with out loosing your official stock status which needs to
remain intact in order to be able to get future ota updates.
Good luck!
NirAndroid said:
First, thank you for the quick reply,
Second, are you sure about it? every place I looked people saying that root doesn't have anything to do with OTA updates.
It also say that I can put TWRP or CWM and still getting the OTA updates, all I have to do for this to happen is to be with stock rom (which is what i'm currently using)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mr. Junky is correct. But why would you even want an OTA update? Even if you could it would unroot your device. If there is/was a software update it will be on here or SamMobile about the same time & you can install it manually.
NirAndroid said:
First, thank you for the quick reply,
Second, are you sure about it? every place I looked people saying that root doesn't have anything to do with OTA updates.
It also say that I can put TWRP or CWM and still getting the OTA updates, all I have to do for this to happen is to be with stock rom (which is what i'm currently using)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have only 2 posts on XDA and you are second guessing our replies on your question? Either believe what we answer or stick to google and don't waste our time.
NirAndroid said:
Hello
I bought the Note 4 from T-mobile and i'm running stock rom.
I just root the device with chainfire tool and I'm thinking to change the recovery from stock to TWRP.
I'm wondering if by doing that i will lose the ability to get OTA updates from Samsung / T-mobile.
I did a search on the forum for this question, most of the threads are a year old so i just want to make sure that the answer is the same for our new device.
Please answer just if you know for sure, Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well OTA is out of the question. But I was successful with the last update by using Kies 3.
I just had to root again afterwards using the same method.
Brava27 said:
You have only 2 posts on XDA and you are second guessing our replies on your question? Either believe what we answer or stick to google and don't waste our time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No body asked you to spend your time in my thread, you are more then welcome to move a long because its clearly that you have nothing smart to say beside rasing your post counter.
For all the others, thank you for your help.
The reason that i would like to keep the OTA updates is because i love the stock rom and i dont want to check every timr on the internet if a new build has came out.
its much more easier with OTA too keep being update. But i guess my needs to be root are biger and i will need to flash the updates manually.
Once again, thank you.
I get Ota updates on mine rooted.Only thing u can't install if u have twrp will put u in a boot loop it needs the stock android recovery.You have to wait for a rom with the update
...........As long as I can remember, you root a device you lose carrier OTA updates. ..why is this so difficult for people to comprehend o_0 every new device every year it's the same questions. .......you have the capacity to root......yet you question if you'll lose OTA -_-, & most root methods have disclaimers saying you lose this x we are not responsible for brick etc. ........
Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

Stock recovery and upgrading Lollipop with future OTAs after rooting

Hello everyone,
I'm back to a nexus 6 after a very short stint with a 6+.
A little background for my questions: This is the very first time that I rooted a phone. I'm rooting to only install these 3 apps:
adaway
titanium backup
greenify
I do not plan on using any custom ROMs or kernels.
I see from all the guides and tutorials that people also create a custom recovery whenever they root. I haven't done that yet and wasn't sure if I had to. I would like to maintain the stock recovery that I have currently so that I can go back to stock if I unRoot. My questions are:
1. Am I wrong in thinking that I can still use the stock recovery if I unRoot?
2. When a new OTA comes out and I flash it (since I'm rooted an no longer can install them automatically), will that also upgrade my still stock recovery properly?
3. Following up on the previous question, when I upgrade manually because I'm rooted, would that be a fresh install where I have to go in and configure things the way I like them again (system settings, apps and their settings, root the phone again, etc)?
Thanks in advance!
LordGrahf said:
Hello everyone,
I'm back to a nexus 6 after a very short stint with a 6+.
A little background for my questions: This is the very first time that I rooted a phone. I'm rooting to only install these 3 apps:
adaway
titanium backup
greenify
I do not plan on using any custom ROMs or kernels.
I see from all the guides and tutorials that people also create a custom recovery whenever they root. I haven't done that yet and wasn't sure if I had to. I would like to maintain the stock recovery that I have currently so that I can go back to stock if I unRoot. My questions are:
1. Am I wrong in thinking that I can still use the stock recovery if I unRoot?
2. When a new OTA comes out and I flash it (since I'm rooted an no longer can install them automatically), will that also upgrade my still stock recovery properly?
3. Following up on the previous question, when I upgrade manually because I'm rooted, would that be a fresh install where I have to go in and configure things the way I like them again (system settings, apps and their settings, root the phone again, etc)?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No, you're not wrong. Recovery will stay stock and can be used normally
2. You can't simply flash the new OTA. This will not work manually nor automatically.
3. All you need to do is not flash the user data image and you will not loose your data, settings etc. You will loose root however. See bellow.
Google posts android stock images for each device typically before OTA hits your phone. That's what you want to grab and use for the update. Just make sure you don't run the automatic scripts that come with those images because you need to avoid flashing user data image.
OTA zip file does you no good unless you get your system back to unmodified stock.
Thank you sir!
obsanity said:
1. No, you're not wrong. Recovery will stay stock and can be used normally
2. You can't simply flash the new OTA. This will not work manually nor automatically.
3. All you need to do is not flash the user data image and you will not loose your data, settings etc. You will loose root however. See bellow.
Google posts android stock images for each device typically before OTA hits your phone. That's what you want to grab and use for the update. Just make sure you don't run the automatic scripts that come with those images because you need to avoid flashing user data image.
OTA zip file does you no good unless you get your system back to unmodified stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on the OP, it sounds like he has only rooted. Thus, the OTA will work fine. No need to flash image files.
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.
I'm kinda curious myself. I had no idea root killed OTA's. Maybe I wouldn't have done that if I knew that. I'm very new to the Nexus device. It's my 1st. I unlocked the bootloader and rooted already.
Sent from Mark's Nexus 6
crowbarman said:
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty scary. So you can unroot and GI back to stock and still can't update in anyway?
I have always side-loaded OTAs, I have never flashed anything.
After installing an OTA, on the next reboot, Android takes some time to optimize all your apps. Does this also happen after flashing a new system image? Thanks!
LordGrahf said:
This is pretty scary. So you can unroot and GI back to stock and still can't update in anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure what you mean by GI, but according to some others, after uninstalling root via SuperSU an OTA will still not install. This should not be the case unless the boot or recovery images are modified. Easily fixed by following the procedures above to fastboot the stock images on your phone.
kjnangre said:
I have always side-loaded OTAs, I have never flashed anything.
After installing an OTA, on the next reboot, Android takes some time to optimize all your apps. Does this also happen after flashing a new system image? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it behaves exactly the same.
crowbarman said:
Based on the OP, it sounds like he has only rooted. Thus, the OTA will work fine. No need to flash image files.
Edit: I see that at least one other member has stated that an unroot still did not allow OTAs to function. That's a bit strange and unique. Not sure what root is modifying to prevent the OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root on Lollipop is not what it used to be. There are files that need to be modified in order to allow root. That's why this time OTA will fail if you are rooted.
Un-rooting however, will allow OTA as long as it is done properly and all traces are covered up and returned to stock. If it does fail after you have un-rooted, go back to the developer of that un-root method and let the know they missed something.
Here is the best way to un-root. Flash all of the old stock images besides user data image.
obsanity said:
Root on Lollipop is not what it used to be. There are files that need to be modified in order to allow root. That's why this time OTA will fail if you are rooted.
Un-rooting however, will allow OTA as long as it is done properly and all traces are covered up and returned to stock. If it does fail after you have un-rooted, go back to the developer of that un-root method and let the know they missed something.
Here is the best way to un-root. Flash all of the old stock images besides user data image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense. Is there a manual root procedure or list of required modifications for root out there? I did some precursors searches but Came up empty. Can't tell what's missing in SuperSU unroot without those details.
crowbarman said:
That makes sense. Is there a manual root procedure or list of required modifications for root out there? I did some precursors searches but Came up empty. Can't tell what's missing in SuperSU unroot without those details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explanation from Chainfire:
https://plus.google.com/113517319477420052449/posts/S5zoKTzKUW1
obsanity said:
Explanation from Chainfire:
https://plus.google.com/113517319477420052449/posts/S5zoKTzKUW1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?
crowbarman said:
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem with Chainfire's work... he does not release source.
Again, best un-root method is to flash original images less user data.
obsanity said:
That's the problem with Chainfire's work... he does not release source.
Again, best un-root method is to flash original images less user data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing this info. Its a bit concerning tbh. Is there a cleaner way to root other than using superSU?
LordGrahf said:
Thanks for sharing this info. Its a bit concerning tbh. Is there a cleaner way to root other than using superSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid not but Chainfire's is probably the cleanest possible. Koush was the one with an open source solution but he hasn't updated his to 5.0 yet.
obsanity said:
I'm afraid not but Chainfire's is probably the cleanest possible. Koush was the one with an open source solution but he hasn't updated his to 5.0 yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an argument that publishing the method would allow Google to close it that much quicker, I suppose.
crowbarman said:
Thanks for this. A good read, but I'm surprised nobody has demanded more details than 'patched the policies in SELinux'. Not that I don't trust Chain fire (I do) , but who really knows what has been done to our phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The base changes and reasoning for those changes are actually documented on my website. Specific policy adjustments are present in plain text in the supolicy executable, as any hex editor will show you. Those who really wanted to know rather than whine about OSS, know.
By far most policy adjustments just drop audit log output for contexts that are already permissive, though.
All that information is still completely useless unless you understand SELinux in detail and how it's implemented on Android, though.
I assume that the encryption doesn't get in the way of being able to flash the images?
When I went from 5.0 to 5.0.1 on my old Nexus 5 all I did was flash the two new 5.0.1 images I extracted from the full factory image, then re-rooted. This is far cleaner than reverting back to the previous image then doing an OTA. I've not had to update my N6 yet so I don't know if my method will work still, but I hope it does.
Chainfire said:
The base changes and reasoning for those changes are actually documented on my website. Specific policy adjustments are present in plain text in the supolicy executable, as any hex editor will show you. Those who really wanted to know rather than whine about OSS, know.
By far most policy adjustments just drop audit log output for contexts that are already permissive, though.
All that information is still completely useless unless you understand SELinux in detail and how it's implemented on Android, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the additional information.
I did spend a fair amount of time reading your documentation but failed to utilize a hex editor. I am not 'whining' about the lack of open source, rather, simply mildly surprised, but your website aptly describes the challenges with 5.0. Many are used to various root methods being available.
Your solution is fine with me.. I love your work.
Edit: I thought I'd add that the discussion has devolved from the OP, which was whether an OTA can be applied after uninstalling root. The answer was no, due to the unknowns about what still might be modified following the uninstall via SuperSU.

sm-G900A towelroot help

looking around i can not find anywhere that exactly states what versions of android and on what devices towelroot supports. My question specifically being for the S5 SM-G900A att phone. I am right now on lollipop and i realise i have to downgrade, but I only want to downgrade as little as possible to get towelroot to work. (the end goal being root access of course)
On another note I have two other questions i will ask here so as to not clutter the forum.
1. is there anyway to downgrade my android version without wiping all my data?
if not, any advice on backing up all my data before it gets wiped? mainly my photos, apps, and appdata.
2. I see the only custom recovery i can use is safestrap, i have read is some places that it can not backup your user data (videos, photos, etc.) and nowhere mention it does. question being if this is true and if so how can i back up all my data? i really like the idea of just doing weekly rom backups and being able to restore all my apps and all my data with very little lost (less then a week is good enough for me).
brazblue said:
looking around i can not find anywhere that exactly states what versions of android and on what devices towelroot supports. My question specifically being for the S5 SM-G900A att phone. I am right now on lollipop and i realise i have to downgrade, but I only want to downgrade as little as possible to get towelroot to work. (the end goal being root access of course)
On another note I have two other questions i will ask here so as to not clutter the forum.
1. is there anyway to downgrade my android version without wiping all my data?
if not, any advice on backing up all my data before it gets wiped? mainly my photos, apps, and appdata.
2. I see the only custom recovery i can use is safestrap, i have read is some places that it can not backup your user data (videos, photos, etc.) and nowhere mention it does. question being if this is true and if so how can i back up all my data? i really like the idea of just doing weekly rom backups and being able to restore all my apps and all my data with very little lost (less then a week is good enough for me).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you took the OTA update to 5.0 their is currently no way to safely downgrade and root.
Towel root only worked on 4.4.2 kernel.
Safestrap no longer works in 5.0 either.
Just have to hang tight till someone figures out root for stock 5.0.
Thank you for the help, i did not realize it was for 4.4.2 only. (why no list of working versions) as well you say no safe way to downgrade.....are there options or is it impossible? I just got the phone recently and I wasn't the one to update it, I got it second hand and well i can't control what has happened to it before me. sadly it was updated to 5.0
I may attempt a unsafe downgrade if possible, it really depends on what risk levels and if it's risk of doing something wrong and bricking or if there is a risk out of your hands and it may or may not work. else i will just wait and not update my phone in the time being.
nutt_case said:
If you took the OTA update to 5.0 their is currently no way to safely downgrade and root.
Towel root only worked on 4.4.2 kernel.
Safestrap no longer works in 5.0 either.
Just have to hang tight till someone figures out root for stock 5.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brazblue said:
Thank you for the help, i did not realize it was for 4.4.2 only. (why no list of working versions) as well you say no safe way to downgrade.....are there options or is it impossible? I just got the phone recently and I wasn't the one to update it, I got it second hand and well i can't control what has happened to it before me. sadly it was updated to 5.0
I may attempt a unsafe downgrade if possible, it really depends on what risk levels and if it's risk of doing something wrong and bricking or if there is a risk out of your hands and it may or may not work. else i will just wait and not update my phone in the time being.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3077652
The above post is the unbrick/downgrade thread for the g900a.
You'll notice it says not to attempt if you've taken the OC4 ota...I'd read through their first. At this point it looks pretty risky.
Good luck either way you go!

Just picked up this device, any tips?

So I've been out of the Android Phone loop for a while and was just wondering if there were any general tips or things to know about the Z3C? Any essential apps or features?
I've not updated to Marshmallow yet (running 5.1.1) and I don't really feel the need to, If I'm not mistaken it makes the root process a bit more fiddly, though the non-removable notification is somewhat annoying. Can it be turned off?
Quick question on root too, which I assume can only be achieved through unlocking the bootloader. Will it void my warranty with Sony? Given the issues with cracked screens and phones not really being waterproof, I'm not sure if it's actually worth doing.
I've got the Phone through Vodafone, is there anyway to remove the SIM lock myself?
I've been through the Stickies and whilst they contain useful information that'll surely come in handy later, the FAQ section is pretty limited, so I figured I'd ask here
Thanks in advance
UndisputedGuy said:
So I've been out of the Android Phone loop for a while and was just wondering if there were any general tips or things to know about the Z3C? Any essential apps or features?
I've not updated to Marshmallow yet (running 5.1.1) and I don't really feel the need to, If I'm not mistaken it makes the root process a bit more fiddly, though the non-removable notification is somewhat annoying. Can it be turned off?
Quick question on root too, which I assume can only be achieved through unlocking the bootloader. Will it void my warranty with Sony? Given the issues with cracked screens and phones not really being waterproof, I'm not sure if it's actually worth doing.
I've got the Phone through Vodafone, is there anyway to remove the SIM lock myself?
I've been through the Stickies and whilst they contain useful information that'll surely come in handy later, the FAQ section is pretty limited, so I figured I'd ask here
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to unlock the bootloader to be able to root your phone. A good place to start is the thread on how to back up your TA partition and rooting (don't be tempted by Kingroot)
Unless you want a custom CM rom I wouldn't bother trying to unlock your bootloader, it disables features on the phone, starting with breaking the camera.
This thread about going from a rooted phone back to stock is interesting. I'd say you don't need to root your phone, but it gets a lot more interesting when you do.
The top app for if you get root is Titanium Backup, it lets you control individual apps, 'freezing' them so they stop working, but not actually uninstalling them. Great for getting rid of all the bloatware that comes with phone providers (like Sim Lock), or even manufacturers. It also lets you back up an app and all the associated data that goes with it, so if you wipe you phone to change the rom, you can put all the apps back and the state they were in at the touch of a button. There's lots of other cool root apps, but TA is my favourite.
As long as you stick to stock then you can't go wrong, don't be afraid to play, there's plenty of people on the thread here to give you a hand.
SLIM 5 is a good stock 5.1.1 rom with lots of cool tweeks and doesn't mean you have to unlock your bootloader.
Edit: Rooting your phone doesn't void your warranty. But if you face any problems with your phone that means it's going back to the service centre, just put a stock build back on (no root) and do a factory reset. That way they cannot complain about the software config. They will do a factory reset anyway, before they send it back, along with an update to the latest rom. So be prepared and take everything off your phone beforehand.
Man, that's pretty much all the information I need in one post. Thanks a bunch man, I'll read through the links in some more detail.
I did see that Rooting guide earlier, but given how it mentioned using Flashtool and DRM Keys, I thought it'd surely void my warranty so didn't have a proper look.
SLIM also seems like a good shout, though I'm assuming I'd lose access to Sony's OTA updates if I were to flash it and there doesn't seem to be a Marshmallow version yet. Actually, that said, would I even have access to OTA updates if I stay stock but rooted?
Thanks again
UndisputedGuy said:
Man, that's pretty much all the information I need in one post. Thanks a bunch man, I'll read through the links in some more detail.
I did see that Rooting guide earlier, but given how it mentioned using Flashtool and DRM Keys, I thought it'd surely void my warranty so didn't have a proper look.
SLIM also seems like a good shout, though I'm assuming I'd lose access to Sony's OTA updates if I were to flash it and there doesn't seem to be a Marshmallow version yet. Actually, that said, would I even have access to OTA updates if I stay stock but rooted?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Marshmallow has only been out a few weeks, so it's still full of bugs and problems at the moment. I would stick to 5.1.1. for at least another month, or until 6.1 reaches the Z3c.
No, if you install a custom rom then you wont get Sony OTA updates, but most rom developers base their builds on the latest firmware releases anyway, usually adopting a new release within one or two weeks.
Slim 5 is possibly the best stock Lollipop build there is and there will be no more updates for Lollopop now. There is a Slim MM build, but even though Wajk has been working his magic, it still has several bugs that need to be ironed out. If you are going down the MM route, don't be tempted by Concept or Beta, that need you to unlock your bootloader to root. Stick with a pre-rooted stock or a customised stock with root built in.
Appreciate the assistance, going to go ahead and root now and then perhaps try out SLIM 5. Some of the MEGA links seemed to be down so I just grabbed a Global FTF, couldn't seem to find an unbranded UK one.
I shouldn't have updated immediately once I got the phone
UndisputedGuy said:
Appreciate the assistance, going to go ahead and root now and then perhaps try out SLIM 5. Some of the MEGA links seemed to be down so I just grabbed a Global FTF, couldn't seem to find an unbranded UK one.
I shouldn't have updated immediately once I got the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the purposes of downgrading so you can root, it really doesn't matter which build you choose.
Didgesteve said:
For the purposes of downgrading so you can root, it really doesn't matter which build you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a quick question, at Step 26 could I just use SLIM 5? Seems much more convenient if that's the case.
Oh, and using OTA updates is going to lose me my root now, right?
UndisputedGuy said:
Just a quick question, at Step 26 could I just use SLIM 5? Seems much more convenient if that's the case.
Oh, and using OTA updates is going to lose me my root now, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, once you have recovery you can download Slim onto your phone and flash that. Don't forget to update SuperSU from the playstore.
No, you wont get any OTA updates with a custom stock, but Slim is up to date with the most recent Lollipop build.
Sony PC Companion will not update your phone either once you have a custom rom on. If you flash stock and then connect it, it will push MM onto it. But you will loose root and there's no easy way to get it working.
Stick with 5.1.1. for another month, wait for 6.1 to come out, and then possibly a couple of weeks after that Wajik will have made an incredible MM rom to flash, that will be as up to date as they come, then just flash that in exactly the same way.
Edit: Once you start to follow a developers thread, they announce updates to roms almost as quick as the Sony release, so don't worry that it will get out of date, just make sure to subscribe to the thread where your rom comes from. Slim 5 for example releases an OTA update, to move from 4.9 to 5, it's a lot smaller than the entire rom and only has updates, but flashes the same way.
Can only thank you again, successfully rooted and got recovery. Not sure how much I'm really fond of SLIM, just had a very brief mess around but something felt a bit off about the Launcher and the icons even after messing with the settings. It was only very brief though, perhaps there's more useful stuff there.
Might go simply stock/rooted but given there isn't a simple .zip for it it's a bit long winded
Thanks for all your help here, this is pretty much the ideal state I wanted my phone to be in upon receiving it, had no idea unlocking the bootloader wouldn't be necessary. Guys like you help make this site in my opinion, I half just expected a couple of snide answers telling me to just read the forum
Think I will be moving back to stock, just a question on the front though
Am I going to have to build my own pre rooted image (steps 27-32) each time there's an OTA update and I want rooted stock?
Sorry, hopefully that's the last thing from me
Sent from my D5803 using XDA-Developers mobile app
UndisputedGuy said:
Think I will be moving back to stock, just a question on the front though
Am I going to have to build my own pre rooted image (steps 27-32) each time there's an OTA update and I want rooted stock?
Sorry, hopefully that's the last thing from me
Sent from my D5803 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several 'stock' options, that are flashable zips
Pre-Rooted Firmwares-Recovery-SuperSU, although you need to click on 'older files'
Or another stock thread here
But by now you should be able to start finding these threads on your own
Yeah, I've time to have a proper look through now so will do that. I saw the thread earlier, but didn't seem to notice a pre rooted .zip for the latest 5.1.1 firmware in the OP. There was one in the comments though, thanks once again

Unroot/Relock/revert to stock

Hey everyone,
I'm over rooting. Had an issue today where a backup refused to restore and in trying to fix it, I've deleted my OS. Yes, I'm bad at this. No big deal, I have backups of all my photos and other important stuff.
I don't really want to do the rooting/flashing thing anymore and just want to get my phone back to normal/out of the box as possible so that it will receive regular OTA updates etc. I just want to simplify things.
TWRP is installed. Is it as simple as flashing the latest official update? Or do I need to relock the phone somehow too?
I was going to follow: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/guide-to-revert-oneplus-3t-to-stock-t3676210 but wanted to be sure that it would work even though I don't currently have an OS installed.
Thanks!
Southrncomfortjm said:
I'm over rooting. Had an issue today where a backup refused to restore and in trying to fix it, I've deleted my OS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That isn't root. That is your lack of knowledge of the functions of custom recovery, and what the results will be. Better learning and knowledge, and a little more care could have easily prevented it from happening. You wiped the selections in the "Advanced" wipe section of TWRP. And the fact it's called "Advanced" should have been a good clue to not mess with it, unless you know exactly what you are doing.
It's also an easy condition to recover from.
Southrncomfortjm said:
I don't really want to do the rooting/flashing thing anymore and just want to get my phone back to normal/out of the box as possible so that it will receive regular OTA updates etc. I just want to simplify things.
TWRP is installed. Is it as simple as flashing the latest official update? Or do I need to relock the phone somehow too?
I was going to follow: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/guide-to-revert-oneplus-3t-to-stock-t3676210 but wanted to be sure that it would work even though I don't currently have an OS installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That guide is needlessly complicated. Just download the flash the "full" update zip using TWRP, from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/official-oxygenos-5-0-1-android-8-0-t3728119
Make sure you are using a version of TWRP which supports Oreo (if you were on Oreo when you wiped OS, it should be okay). And that is all there is to it. You will be fully restored to stock, and after rebooting, stock recovery will replace TWRP.
You don't need to lock the bootloader to do this, and you don't need it for future OTAs. But a locked bootloader is arguably more secure, if you really don't need custom recovery or root.
On the other hand, if you still want to give root/phone mods a shot; the way to restore, and still have root is the same (flash full update zip). But just flash Magisk or SuperSU before rebooting, and you will be rooted, and still have TWRP.

Categories

Resources