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Avoid losing root if ATT forces 2.20 OTA update

I have an AT&T HOX. Came stock with 1.85.
I rooted it using the "redbend" method described here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1709296)
(More or less, the pulling SIM card business wasn't part of the steps when I used it, but the root was successful).
I am using SuperSU to manage root access by apps.
I have not done anything beyond that.
Now, I understand, at some point, AT&T is going to force a 2.20 update on me.
My primary concern is to avoid losing root.
(I have enabled the "preserve root across OTA" in SuperSU, but not sure if its effective or not)
I've looked at the howto's for SuperCID, unlocking the bootloader, etc, and I'm not sure which I NEED, and which are optional, and/or what the pros/cons are of each...
I'd like to stay as close to "stock" as possible, but I want to ensure that I can keep root.
I'm still within my AT&T contract, and would really prefer to avoid bricking the phone.
I'm wondering what the recommendations are as to the minimum steps I should take to keep root in the event the OTA is forced on me?
Can I pre-empty the OTA by installing this? ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812459 )
If so, what is the safest method for installing it?
FWIW, I am a linux user, and I am comfortable with adb as well as the command line on the phone itself.
I have no windows systems, so any special tools I'd need other than adb I'd have to find a linux version.
I don't need "one click" methods, in fact I'd prefer to see/perform the individual steps and understand what they are doing.

unlock your bootloader using this method http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1672284 if you don't you wont get root again afterwards.

Dont have to unlock to flash roms?
This document,
http://onexroot.com/one-x-root/root-any-htc-one-x-windowsmaclinuxattinternationalone-click-method/
Near the very bottom, suggests:
For AT&T HTC One XL and alike, if you want to install custom ROMs, you don’t have to unlock your bootloader but simply flash custom recovery in fastboot.
Is this accurate?
My ATT HOX is currently rooted, and I now have SuperCID. I assumed I would need to unlock my bootloader, but I havent done that yet.
Can I install this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.s0up.goomanager
and then use it to install the "Stock Rooted AT&T 2.20.502.7" here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812459
And if I do that, will this avoid AT&T OTA'ing me?
On a relatated note, would the SuperCID survive the OTA, allowing me to unlock the bootloader afterward, even if I hadnt done so already?

Megadave123 said:
This document,
http://onexroot.com/one-x-root/root-any-htc-one-x-windowsmaclinuxattinternationalone-click-method/
Near the very bottom, suggests:
For AT&T HTC One XL and alike, if you want to install custom ROMs, you don’t have to unlock your bootloader but simply flash custom recovery in fastboot.
Is this accurate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely false. You cannot install custom recovery without unlocked bootloader. For the safety of your device, I'd suggest sticking with XDA, and not Googling random websites. That website obviously has incorrect information.
Megadave123 said:
and then use it to install the "Stock Rooted AT&T 2.20.502.7" here?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812459
And if I do that, will this avoid AT&T OTA'ing me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T isn't going to "OTA" you by force. You have to accept the download, then accept the installation. Cancelling either of those will prevent the OTA from being installed.
If you want to update to the stock 2.20 firmware without running the OTA or RUU (and therefore keep the ability to flash kernels and radios), than yes, the ROM you linked is the method I would suggest. But you would need to unlock the bootloader, then install TWRP before you can flash the rooted 2.20. Also keep in mind there are newer (than 2.20) firmwares already posted in Development (2.23, 2.29, etc.) in similar pre-rooted form. Not to mention custom ROMs based on 2.20 or newer.
Megadave123 said:
On a relatated note, would the SuperCID survive the OTA, allowing me to unlock the bootloader afterward, even if I hadnt done so already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SuperCID survives OTA. But the 2.20 OTA has a new hboot, which fixes the hole by which kernels and radios can be flashed from recovery, so my recommendation would be not to install the OTA.

redpoint73 said:
Completely false. You cannot install custom recovery without unlocked bootloader. For the safety of your device, I'd suggest sticking with XDA, and not Googling random websites. That website obviously has incorrect information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, I didnt google that site. It was linked to from an XDA post. I't didnt seem right to me, which is why I asked here
AT&T isn't going to "OTA" you by force. You have to accept the download, then accept the installation. Cancelling either of those will prevent the OTA from being installed.
If you want to update to the stock 2.20 firmware without running the OTA or RUU (and therefore keep the ability to flash kernels and radios), than yes, the ROM you linked is the method I would suggest. But you would need to unlock the bootloader, then install TWRP before you can flash the rooted 2.20. Also keep in mind there are newer (than 2.20) firmwares already posted in Development (2.23, 2.29, etc.) in similar pre-rooted form. Not to mention custom ROMs based on 2.20 or newer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that is VERY good to hear.
BTW, thank you very much. I read somewhere that ATT could/might force the OTA, and I've been worried about losing root ever since, but not quite ready to (presumably) completely void my warranty with a bootloader unlock.

Megadave123 said:
BTW, thank you very much. I read somewhere that ATT could/might force the OTA, and I've been worried about losing root ever since, but not quite ready to (presumably) completely void my warranty with a bootloader unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think bypassing the user acceptance dialogues for the OTA install would be a violation of how Android fundamentally works. It would be a serious security issue, as it might allow rogue software to be installed on your device without your interaction. I seriously doubt AT&T would institute such a thing.
The user confirmation of the OTA might be a liability thing, too. If the performance of the device is adversely affected by the OTA (happens to some people) and the OTA was forced by AT&T without the owner having a choice, it would seem to me that AT&T has to accept the responsibility. People can claim its AT&T's fault, and demand a replacement device (since AT&T technically installed the software remotely). By making you confirm the OTA installation (and giving you the chance to opt out), you pretty much are volunteering to install the software and accept the consequences.
In theory, unlocking the bootloader voids you warranty. But more than a few folks on here have gotten warranty replacements from AT&T (after unlocking the bootloader), without issue. Sometimes in-store (within the first 30 days) without them even checking for the bootloader unlock. No guarantee that this will always be the case. But just throwing it out there. Its still up to you whether unlocking the BL is worth the risk in your own case.

I dont remember but isnt hoxl supported by goomanager? As long as your rooted you can install a recovery from it with a locked bootloader. I always reccomend unlocking but im pretty sure its not a total necessity to get twrp recovery

18th.abn said:
I dont remember but isnt hoxl supported by goomanager? As long as your rooted you can install a recovery from it with a locked bootloader. I always reccomend unlocking but im pretty sure its not a total necessity to get twrp recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The hoxl is officially supported by twrp and can be downloaded from goomanager. I do not know if you can install a custom recovery without an unlocked bootloader. I would be interested to know if this can be done as well.
Sent from my Nocturnalized One XL using Forum Runner

when you try to push a recovery via fastboot with a locked bootloader it will fail due to invalid signature I don't see how goomanager would be any different.

Is there any harm in trying it?
If I install "goo manager", and let it do its thing, and the locked bootloader prevents it from doing so, there wont be any other side effects, will there?
If I come off as a complete noob at this - its because I am..
This is my first Android phone, and I *really* want to avoid bricking it, so I want to make sure I understand as much as possible before I go
trying to do anything to it.
Also I'm still wary of unlocking, mainly because of the whole "will erase your phone" bit.
I'm not yet fully comfortable that I know how/what to fully backup all of "my" data on the phone so as to facilitate easily putting it all back.

I'll answer some q's here.
1.) you cannot flash a custom recovery from hboot with a locked bootloader
2.) you CAN dd a custom recovery with a locked bootloader. However your device will be soft-bricked.
3.) you CAN install custom ROM's via dd right from android. This is how we did it back "in the day".
4.) you "might" be able to get away with dd'ing a custom kernel with locked BL, not not sure. In fact, I'd bet it will softbrick now that I think about it.
Anyways, the SAFEST way to do it is via unlocking the bootloader and installing your roms from custom recovery.

gunnyman said:
when you try to push a recovery via fastboot with a locked bootloader it will fail due to invalid signature I don't see how goomanager would be any different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beaups pretty much already answered it. But this guy tried installing TWRP thru goomanager with a locked bootloader, and confirmed it doesn't work: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31220704#post31220704

[Q] Is it possible to unroot or un-unlock the device?

From what I have read, the answer is no but I have some more questions so I guess Id ask anyway.
Transformer was very expensive and I have more than a year of warranty left. On the other hand I would very much like some of the features that require root. What action is possible to roll back? Unlocking, rooting or flashing a custom rom? I need to unlock the device before I can root it right?
I would use a number of features that rooting allows, but my main desire is to be able to use keyboard dock and mouse or even a gamepad as game controllers. Only program that can do that (joy2touch) requires root. But if I had root I guess I would try Cyanogenmod too because I can only see people praising it for how greatly it improves experience.
Also, there is lots of information around here but its still not dumb enough for someone who just wants to root a device but has no idea where to start (its pretty confusing). So sorry in advance for possibly asking obvious questions.

3DeX said:
From what I have read, the answer is no but I have some more questions so I guess Id ask anyway.
Transformer was very expensive and I have more than a year of warranty left. On the other hand I would very much like some of the features that require root. What action is possible to roll back? Unlocking, rooting or flashing a custom rom? I need to unlock the device before I can root it right?
I would use a number of features that rooting allows, but my main desire is to be able to use keyboard dock and mouse or even a gamepad as game controllers. Only program that can do that (joy2touch) requires root. But if I had root I guess I would try Cyanogenmod too because I can only see people praising it for how greatly it improves experience.
Also, there is lots of information around here but its still not dumb enough for someone who just wants to root a device but has no idea where to start (its pretty confusing). So sorry in advance for possibly asking obvious questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just want root to use joy2touch, then your warranty is still good. If you unlock your device, then your warranty is voided... you can find more information about unlock and root here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833212
Good luck..:fingers-crossed:

Yes but, there is rooting for either unlocked devices or devices running ICS or lower. And whatever rooting for JB I found (im running newest OTA) is only for unlocked devices as well. As I understand it, rooting does not void the warranty but unlocking does? Does that mean im screwed? I dont even know the difference between unlocking and rooting...

3DeX said:
Yes but, there is rooting for either unlocked devices or devices running ICS or lower. And whatever rooting for JB I found (im running newest OTA) is only for unlocked devices as well. As I understand it, rooting does not void the warranty but unlocking does? Does that mean im screwed? I dont even know the difference between unlocking and rooting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A rooting is allowed you to access your system files so you can modify them as will. A unlocking is allowed you to install custom rom and recovery. Someone else may have a better explaination for you.
No, you still can root your device if you have a bootloader .8 or earlier. If you have the latest bootloader, you can downgrade and root it..

LetMeKnow said:
No, you still can root your device if you have a bootloader .8 or earlier. If you have the latest bootloader, you can downgrade and root it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting exploits a bug in the kernel, not in the bootloader, so it's the ROM/kernel build 10.6.1.14.8, not the bootloader build. But it's always the same on locked devices anyway.

Uhm... you are confusing me even more. So is there a rooting guide that doesnt involve unlocking, can be reverted or doesnt void warranty, and works with newest stock OTA?
To my knowledge I dont have any kind of bootloader.

_that said:
Rooting exploits a bug in the kernel, not in the bootloader, so it's the ROM/kernel build 10.6.1.14.8, not the bootloader build. But it's always the same on locked devices anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks _that. What I meant is the latest firmware from Asus.
@3DeX
1. Download the Asus firmware 10.6.1.14.8
2. Backup your personal data and everything that you like to keep to your computer or your external SD.
3. Make sure that your battery is full so it is not shutdown during the installing process..
4. Unzip it once because there is another zip file insde it.
5. Copy the second zip file to the root directory of your internal SD.
6. Reboot your tablet.
7. After reboot, you will see the downgrade notification in the lower right corner.
8. Click on the downgrade notification and follow the instructions.
9. During the installing process, Do not try to turn it off. It will reboot by itself when the installation is completed. It may take 2 to 3 minutes..
10. Use motochopper to root your device.
Good luck..

Guide for former HTC Owners?

So I'm a long time HTC owner and my sister just got an S5 I plan to root tonight.
I'm also thinking of returning my M8 for an S5 after I check out my sisters. But I'm not sure I want to give up the M8 speakers.
Anyway I'm curious for others with experience from both sides about some terminology HTC vs Samsung.
1) Do "leaked" RUU's exist. These are official "Kits" that will basically put a phone back to factory (Firmware, Root Status, Recovery) etc.
It will do everything except remove S-OFF (see below). They are handy to have for warranty work and you botched something.
Often cleanly built ROM's are built from a base RUU rather than a "Dump".
2) Does anything like S-OFF exist. HTC phones can be typically exploited such that you have "S-OFF". This basically means you can install any firmware (radio etc.) beyond Android, Recovery.
3) Once rooted, will you get OTA updates? Will and OTA remove root? Could you loose root access through an OTA update?
With S-OFF none of this matters.
4) Without S-OFF it can be awkward to update the Kernels sometimes. Can the Kernels be easily updated with "Just" Root.
5) Does the phone display "Tampered" or "Unlocked" once rooted. If so how easy is it to remove that and get it back to factory after being rooted.

mswlogo said:
So I'm a long time HTC owner and my sister just got an S5 I plan to root tonight.
I'm also thinking of returning my M8 for an S5 after I check out my sisters. But I'm not sure I want to give up the M8 speakers.
Anyway I'm curious for others with experience from both sides about some terminology HTC vs Samsung.
1) Do "leaked" RUU's exist. These are official "Kits" that will basically put a phone back to factory (Firmware, Root Status, Recovery) etc.
It will do everything except remove S-OFF (see below). They are handy to have for warranty work and you botched something.
Often cleanly built ROM's are built from a base RUU rather than a "Dump".
2) Does anything like S-OFF exist. HTC phones can be typically exploited such that you have "S-OFF". This basically means you can install any firmware (radio etc.) beyond Android, Recovery.
3) Once rooted, will you get OTA updates? Will and OTA remove root? Could you loose root access through an OTA update?
With S-OFF none of this matters.
4) Without S-OFF it can be awkward to update the Kernels sometimes. Can the Kernels be easily updated with "Just" Root.
5) Does the phone display "Tampered" or "Unlocked" once rooted. If so how easy is it to remove that and get it back to factory after being rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will do my best....
1) Yes. Leaked do exist but are minimal for this phone at the moment. Samsung makes the current available for download right from them or is available in this forum. Just flash via Odin and will restore it to factory stock.
2) If I'm not mistaken the Sprint S5 bootloader is not locked. Therefore all you need to do is root and can flash away.
3) If you take an OTA while rooted you will lose root. However, it will not be possible to take the OTA successfully with a custom recovery installed. Best bet is to wait until someone modifies the OTA and re-packages for root users. Usually only takes a few days after official OTA is dropped.
4) Yes. Just a quick flash.
5) Yes. Status will change and cannot go back at this time once it is tripped. Can still go back to factory with stock recovery but status will still not be "Official".
Anyone please someone chime in and correct me on any of these if I am mistaken.

CCallahan said:
I will do my best....
1) Yes. Leaked do exist but are minimal for this phone at the moment. Samsung makes the current available for download right from them or is available in this forum. Just flash via Odin and will restore it to factory stock.
2) If I'm not mistaken the Sprint S5 bootloader is not locked. Therefore all you need to do is root and can flash away.
3) If you take an OTA while rooted you will lose root. However, it will not be possible to take the OTA successfully with a custom recovery installed. Best bet is to wait until someone modifies the OTA and re-packages for root users. Usually only takes a few days after official OTA is dropped.
4) Yes. Just a quick flash.
5) Yes. Status will change and cannot go back at this time once it is tripped. Can still go back to factory with stock recovery but status will still not be "Official".
Anyone please someone chime in and correct me on any of these if I am mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Status will be official (in settings "About Phone"). Just when you boot into download mode, knox counter tripped will be shown (0x1).

lol i remember asking all these questions exactly in reverse when i went from the s3 to the one...thanks goodness i came for the s4

On a more superficial note, you can also get a more htc vibe by installing the blinkfeed app thats been ported over by gakugaku. More info here ->
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2735764
Coming over to samsung after 6years with Htc was a little jarring, but this kinda softened the transition.

Thanks guys that was exactly what I needed. My sisters phone rooted just fine.
I did compare her phone to mine briefly and posted here about it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2749699
To sway me to the S5, I really wanted to like the S5 camera (at least as much), the Cell Reception and live with the speakers.
But that is proving really difficult.
The M8 has me very nervous of failing again especially when I keep seeing reports of owners having the same issue I did (lost 3G).

I think I'm trading my m8 to a guy straight across for the s5. I never had any problems with my s3 and the m8 has been a headache, but not for everyone. I know how you feel mswlogo.

[Q] XT926 4.4.2 Questions.

what information do we have on rooting after the 4.4.2 ota update? Also is there any information on unlocking the bootloader? I'm trying to see what other people have tried before I keep going at the same things that have failed. Also is there any information on changing the imei/flashing this? My end goal is cyanogenmod on Virgin Mobile. I've done this with other phones and I just got my hands on this one but there doesn't seem to be as much into on this as others.
Tldr version
Root after 4.4.2 ota?
Unlock Boot loader after ota?
Is it flashable to virgin mobile?

Kin Kira said:
what information do we have on rooting after the 4.4.2 ota update? Also is there any information on unlocking the bootloader? I'm trying to see what other people have tried before I keep going at the same things that have failed. Also is there any information on changing the imei/flashing this? My end goal is cyanogenmod on Virgin Mobile. I've done this with other phones and I just got my hands on this one but there doesn't seem to be as much into on this as others.
Tldr version
Root after 4.4.2 ota?
Unlock Boot loader after ota?
Is it flashable to virgin mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root after 4.4.2 ota? no not yet unless your unlocked.
Unlock Boot loader after ota? no probably never.
Is it flashable to virgin mobile? maybe, not 100% sure but check out this thread by @dragonhart6505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2389740

billycar11 said:
Root after 4.4.2 ota? no not yet unless your unlocked.
Unlock Boot loader after ota? no probably never.
Is it flashable to virgin mobile? maybe, not 100% sure but check out this thread by @dragonhart6505 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2389740
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****. So I'm holding an unrootable piece of crap? What information do we have on methods of root attempted and such. Maybe I can contribute to this I've got nothing but time.
Edit: your thread unlocks gsm support. VM would probably need me to reprovision everything and change my IMei to match a donor phone.

I've been attempting various root methods for 4.4.2 and for the RAZR in general. I've had no luck. Is there a collective of people working on this cause I'd love to contribute however I can.

root xt926 4.4.2 Solved with towelroot apk
Kin Kira said:
I've been attempting various root methods for 4.4.2 and for the RAZR in general. I've had no luck. Is there a collective of people working on this cause I'd love to contribute however I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google towelroot apk click on upsidedown y to download apk and install apk on phone run it and your in business. :good::good::good::good:

juliolopez76 said:
google towelroot apk click on upsidedown y to download apk and install apk on phone run it and your in business. :good::good::good::good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as an FYI, that is called "lambda" which is a greek symbol.
Also, this works on 183.46.10 (the current KK ota that came out a few months back), but it does NOT work with the latest soak test (183.46.14), so you need to stay on 183.46.10, root with towelroot and then unlock your bootloader. If you do not do this AND if you take the soak test, you will be unable to root as a root exploit for 183.46.14 does not exist.
I don't want to say it won't ever be rooted, but as more and more exploits are patched up, it becomes harder and harder to root this phone, so your best bet is to root and unlock the bootloader on 183.46.10. Don't take the chance on whether a root exploit will be found or not. You'll save yourself, and the rest of us, a lot of headaches.
If you have already applied the 183.46.14 before rooting and unlocking your bootloader, you are SOL. There is NO way to go back to the previous version and root and unlock, so please do NOT ask how to revert back from the current soak test (183.46.14) and root and unlock your bootloader because you can't. You just can't, so don't ask.
I repeated what I just said because people always ask "well, if you flash back to 183.46.10". The problem is, the exploit that allowed unlocking of the bootloader is in a protected area that even unlocked bootloaders cannot write to without the proper encrytion keys. Once that area has been patched via the latest soak test, you have no way to write over it again because you would need the proper encryption key inside the image to flash in order for it to work. Unless Motorola becomes nice and gives you the key, it won't work. And the previous OTA's key is now invalid, so again, flashing the previous FXZ (183.46.10) will not work. It will just skip writing the protect area.
Clear as mud? Hopefully.

thats lambda....but you knew that

New S5 user looking for root support

Hello all I recently got a sprint S5 activated on boost mobile and so far I am really enjoying it and I was wondering what it takes to unlock this device for root capabilities. Such as how to unlock the bootloader and S-Off and how to install TWRP.

Go here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737724

wc4r said:
Go here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737724
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet thanks for the link now is there an RUU method or in other words, returning the phone to complete factory stock?

Familiarize yourself with Odin. It's a PC program used to flash things like the stock tar file, which is similar to HTC's ruu.

metalfan78 said:
Familiarize yourself with Odin. It's a PC program used to flash things like the stock tar file, which is similar to HTC's ruu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright thanks you I should have enough information now to root my phone and restore it back in case I want to restore it back to normal. Now does the bootloader need to be unlocked and do Galaxys have the S-Off option. (I came from an HTC phone which is why I am using HTC terms lol. This is also my first Galaxy Phone)

I've had HTC phones before as well, so I totally understand. There is no s-off needed. The only locked bootloaders are on Verizon and AT&T. The only concern on samsung phones is tripping the Knox counter, which only affects warranty claims (and not always).

metalfan78 said:
I've had HTC phones before as well, so I totally understand. There is no s-off needed. The only locked bootloaders are on Verizon and AT&T. The only concern on samsung phones is tripping the Knox counter, which only affects warranty claims (and not always).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh alright thank you i just wish every android phone had the same way of rooting so i don't have to learn new terms and install new drivers lol. Well ok time to go root and install cyanogenmod on this phone ?