Database Info

[Q] Root issues after 4.4.2 update

I manually sideloaded 4.4.2 onto my nexus 5 all was good and root appeared to be working as nova,lightflow,adblock all asked for permission upon reauthentication. However when i went into supersu it prompted for a updated. Which I continued as normal but it fails. Even after reboot.
I've even tried using cf-autoroot again to no luck.
Whats the best solution for me.
Nexus 5 - 4.4.2 KOT49H from 4.4 KRT16M
Root : Supersu by chainfire using cf-autoroot.
Nova launcher seems to be able to use root as does lightflow and root explorer.
Adblock asks but cannot change the files it needs.
Any extra information needed I will gladly produce

Try flashing su zip? - https://mega.co.nz/#!xk92nAZI!t2-Mhj_BbBMlYVj6OLC6xT2ycAMixnETqnUdqFXkr9w
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Ben36 said:
Try flashing su zip?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a custom recovery and sideloading this fails.

brichardson1991 said:
I don't have a custom recovery and sideloading this fails.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use fastboot to flash a custom recovery?
basic stuff man.

Zepius said:
use fastboot to flash a custom recovery?
basic stuff man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought not having a custom recovery was the way to ensure OTA updates?
But if I'm not going to be getting OTA then I'll go for it.
Whats the best one for Nexus 5, as i used to use Clockworkmod on Galaxy S2 but i've read TWRP is better ?

brichardson1991 said:
I thought not having a custom recovery was the way to ensure OTA updates?
But if I'm not going to be getting OTA then I'll go for it.
Whats the best one for Nexus 5, as i used to use Clockworkmod on Galaxy S2 but i've read TWRP is better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
custom recoveries in themselves do not stop a OTA. what stops a OTA is the fact that people do system mods and that breaks the OTA.
as for which is best, that falls under best rom/kernel type stuff. pick one.

brichardson1991 said:
I thought not having a custom recovery was the way to ensure OTA updates?
But if I'm not going to be getting OTA then I'll go for it.
Whats the best one for Nexus 5, as i used to use Clockworkmod on Galaxy S2 but i've read TWRP is better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA only check the system partiiton, custom recovery won't spoil OTA.
and stock recovery = no recovery

I prefer TWRP.
If you currently have root access, download teh TWRP app from the Play Store and it'll install itself

brichardson1991 said:
I thought not having a custom recovery was the way to ensure OTA updates?
But if I'm not going to be getting OTA then I'll go for it.
Whats the best one for Nexus 5, as i used to use Clockworkmod on Galaxy S2 but i've read TWRP is better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't have ANY modification. Recovery, Kernel, Binaries(Xposed), factory apps all have to be in tact for the official OTA to work. You'll need to find to flashable version, or flash clean back to absolute stock.

Decimation said:
You can't have ANY modification. Recovery, Kernel, Binaries(Xposed), factory apps all have to be in tact for the official OTA to work. You'll need to find to flashable version, or flash clean back to absolute stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I flashed TWRP using the app.
and now supersu is up to date.
So in future all OTA updates won't work and i will just have to sideload them like i did with these 2 ?
If that's the case I'm fine with that.

For future OTA you can flash the OTA after the download is provided here, then flash SuperSU immediately after. Also just double check if SuperSU is updated so you have the most recent version.
Thats what I did for the 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 OTAs and I never lost root. All done via TWRP

Thanks all. I've sorted it out. Can close this topic now.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Stock Recovery] Use 4 OTA

Here is the stock recovery that was pulled from the newest ota.
http://www.megafileupload.com/en/file/520717/stockrecovery-img.html
This can be flashed with fastboot and the latest ota can be installed as normal. You can then flash TWRP or CLOCKWORKMOD recovery back when finished.
Paulb787

Tried this - didn't work....

MARKREIF said:
Tried this - didn't work....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works I just did it. Flash stock recovery reboot the phone a download the update. what happened?
YOU MUST BE ON STOCK ROM

I THINK THIS IS WHAT I NEED!
Someone help please! Lol.
I'm currently S-OFF and rooted on stock rom. I want to remove S-OFF and root if possible and update to the latest OTA. I am also using TWRP as custom recovery. Can I flash this and then update via the OTA and accomplish what I want?!

bracketslash said:
I THINK THIS IS WHAT I NEED!
Someone help please! Lol.
I'm currently S-OFF and rooted on stock rom. I want to remove S-OFF and root if possible and update to the latest OTA. I am also using TWRP as custom recovery. Can I flash this and then update via the OTA and accomplish what I want?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Leave S-Off, the OTA neither affects or is affected by the S-Off.
You just need the stock recovery to flash.

Yes.. u don't need to take it back to s-on.
Get back to stock Rom (may be on it now if you haven't flashed any roms)
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery "name of file".img
reboot and flash the ota from settings menu
bracketslash said:
I THINK THIS IS WHAT I NEED!
Someone help please! Lol.
I'm currently S-OFF and rooted on stock rom. I want to remove S-OFF and root if possible and update to the latest OTA. I am also using TWRP as custom recovery. Can I flash this and then update via the OTA and accomplish what I want?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Does this affect root? Or if I flash the stock recovery will I be able to get the OTA update with root?

dadams312 said:
Does this affect root? Or if I flash the stock recovery will I be able to get the OTA update with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pleade take the trouble to look two posts above yours.

hgoldner said:
Pleade take the trouble to look two posts above yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but that said something about S-Off...is that not different than root?

dadams312 said:
Does this affect root? Or if I flash the stock recovery will I be able to get the OTA update with root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read this thread, or any of the other threads here regarding this, you'd have your answer. I'm not doing your reading for you.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW

Don't ever take any OTA upgrades. Live by this rule, never lose root.

nabbed said:
Don't ever take any OTA upgrades. Live by this rule, never lose root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have S-off, this OTA (nor any OTA I have ever heard of) won't take away your ability to root it again.

You will not loose root or s-off. It has been verified! this OTA is safe and was finished before we even had s-off. I do agree not to take an ota until the developers look at it to make sure you wont loose the ability to s-off or root. It is not the case here. If you are on the stock rom you will be fine.

nabbed said:
Don't ever take any OTA upgrades. Live by this rule, never lose root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MultiDev said:
If you have S-off, this OTA (nor any OTA I have ever heard of) will take away your ability to root it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it can be confusing for new users when seeing conflicting posts. nabbed is correct, though. from my reading it's confirmed by those who bring us s-off
never want to take OTA.. it can be pulled and flashed.. no reason to risk losing s-off permanently. and yes it is very possible from an OTA

andybones said:
it can be confusing for new users when seeing conflicting posts. nabbed is correct, though. from my reading it's confirmed by those who bring us s-off
never want to take OTA.. it can be pulled and flashed.. no reason to risk losing s-off permanently. and yes it is very possible from an OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a theoretical perspectives its possible for OTA remove S-off. However, as I said, this OTA will not take away S-Off. Keep in mind there are legit S-Off phones out there that would be ruined by such an OTA.
Also, I have never heard of that ever happening, i.e. an OTA S-on'ing a device. If you know this has happened before, please link me to a source.
As far as I know, no OTA has ever caused an S-On. Losing root yes, but that can be easily fixed if you have S-off.

MultiDev said:
From a theoretical perspectives its possible for OTA remove S-off. However, as I said, this OTA will not take away S-Off. Keep in mind there are legit S-Off phones out there that would be ruined by such an OTA.
Also, I have never heard of that ever happening, i.e. an OTA S-on'ing a device. If you know this has happened before, please link me to a source.
As far as I know, no OTA has ever caused an S-On. Losing root yes, but that can be easily fixed if you have S-off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't trying to call you out or anything, just pointing out conflicting information. As the majority are in the do not flash OTA group.
I will ask someone who works on S-OFF to confirm that this is actually something to worry about.

andybones said:
Wasn't trying to call you out or anything, just pointing out conflicting information. As the majority are in the do not flash OTA group.
I will ask someone who works on S-OFF to confirm that this is actually something to worry about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. Didn't meant to sound mean or anything. I have heard the same thing. "Never flash an OTA, ever." ...And if you are S-on, that is true as the OTA could remove root and/or make it more difficult to root/S-off. However, I have never heard of an OTA turning an S-Off device back to S-off.
My question is a genuine one. Has anyone actually shown that at some point an OTA has S-on'ed a device?

After installing the OTA then flashing twrp again I lost root. No biggy just had to flash super su again. Im not one to contribute to placebo but the speed of this build is very noticeable. Just see how much quicker the multitasking button works.
Only thing I'm noticing is my gestures aren't working anymore hmmm....

NoFanboy said:
After installing the OTA then flashing twrp again I lost root. No biggy just had to flash super su again. Im not one to contribute to placebo but the speed of this build is very noticeable. Just see how much quicker the multitasking button works.
Only thing I'm noticing is my gestures aren't working anymore hmmm....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Failed for me :-| All I've done is installed the EPS mod and power saver mod...I flashed for permanent root (installs to system directory). Is there any way for me to get it to work?

Thanks much for the stock image. Worked like a champ, flashed, reboot and update, reflash TWRP. All good to go.

Rooting + Ota updates

Hey guys I will get my phone this week and I was wondering what these OTA updates are?
When I press update in the options of oneplus, is that it?
I wanna root my phone but I heard OTA updates might not be available.
So, are they available or not? Should I root the phone? I really need it but I don't wanna miss any oficial updates.
I hope I don't lose my root later or something!

OTA updates are Over The Air Updates, and usually they include bug fixes, new functionalities or even a new version of android.
I red in this forum that rooting the OPO does not void the warranty and the phone continues to perform the OTA updates.
Can anyone confirm?

If you change the recovery you may lose the ability to receive the ota updates. But, you're in luck, you can boot into a custom recovery and flash the zip file to gain root access without installing the recovery on the phone itself.
---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------
A couple tutorials floating around and I believe stickied explain this.

cyldman said:
Hey guys I will get my phone this week and I was wondering what these OTA updates are?
When I press update in the options of oneplus, is that it?
I wanna root my phone but I heard OTA updates might not be available.
So, are they available or not? Should I root the phone? I really need it but I don't wanna miss any oficial updates.
I hope I don't lose my root later or something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you root the phone you can flash the updated file or any file for that matter. So to not root your phone to update it to the latest rom to then root your phone and put something completely different on it makes no sense.
Now if you are rooting just to keep stock and root - again you can root and flash stock rom from this forum.. Win Win for you

playya said:
if you root the phone you can flash the updated file or any file for that matter. So to not root your phone to update it to the latest rom to then root your phone and put something completely different on it makes no sense.
Now if you are rooting just to keep stock and root - again you can root and flash stock rom from this forum.. Win Win for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I want some clarity on how OTA is tied with recovery ? If I put TWRP recovery will I loose the ability for OTA?
Thanks

zaibrockstar said:
Hi,
I want some clarity on how OTA is tied with recovery ? If I put TWRP recovery will I loose the ability for OTA?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my understanding not with 1+1 but OTA's are generally flashed via stock recovery and not custom ones. Question - what was your other android phone?

playya said:
From my understanding not with 1+1 but OTA's are generally flashed via stock recovery and not custom ones. Question - what was your other android phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had Nexus 4, Now I am using Nexus 5. I bought OPO to gift to my Dad and wanted to use adfree or adaway and give the phone as it is. But for them to work I need to root access. My understanding is once you put a unlock boot loader and have TWRP, then root it. I will loose OTA. I will not be able to flash the phone every time there is an update as he lives in a different country and I cant travel quite often.
Thanks

zaibrockstar said:
I had Nexus 4, Now I am using Nexus 5. I bought OPO to gift to my Dad and wanted to use adfree or adaway and give the phone as it is. But for them to work I need to root access. My understanding is once you put a unlock boot loader and have TWRP, then root it. I will loose OTA. I will not be able to flash the phone every time there is an update as he lives in a different country and I cant travel quite often.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I would go to the thread in general that shows you how to root your phone without unlocking bootloader and use that method . http://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/help/root-unlocking-bootloader-t2820628

playya said:
Then I would go to the thread in general that shows you how to root your phone without unlocking bootloader and use that method . http://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/help/root-unlocking-bootloader-t2820628
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I had read this, but was not clear.
Instead just run "fastboot boot recovery.img" and flash the supersu zip from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I have understood is we are just booting into default recovery and flashing the su binary. Is that correct ?
I have one risk in such case. I will not have an Nandriod Backup with default recovery.
Thanks

zaibrockstar said:
Thanks for the info. I had read this, but was not clear.
What I have understood is we are just booting into default recovery and flashing the su binary. Is that correct ?
I have one risk in such case. I will not have an Nandriod Backup with default recovery.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock recovery can always be reflashed and you follow the directions as posted to the tee and yes you boot into recovery flash su binary and thats it. To my understanding you will be flashing twrp but instead of it sticking it just flashes for that session so that you can flash the su binary.
I would go to that thread and ask in there directly for those that have done it or google it. This is of course if that is the route you would like to take

I have received the ota & updated on twrp.No problems
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

cyldman said:
Hey guys I will get my phone this week and I was wondering what these OTA updates are?
When I press update in the options of oneplus, is that it?
I wanna root my phone but I heard OTA updates might not be available.
So, are they available or not? Should I root the phone? I really need it but I don't wanna miss any oficial updates.
I hope I don't lose my root later or something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this to root without unlocking. http://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/help/root-unlocking-bootloader-t2820628/page4
:good:

[Q] Restoring my recovery, but not wiping

Hi all,
I have searched the web, but haven't found an exact answer to my question.
I have a Nexus 5, currently on 4.4.2 (KOT49H). I am unlocked, rooted + Xposed and have TWRP. I want to update to 4.4.4 preferably OTA, officially. I would like to be able to use OTA updates from now on if possible.
Currently, if I disable Xposed, and use Suvival Mode in SuperSU and try to install the OTA update, TWRP intervenes and doesn't let me.
I would like to replace TWRP with the stock recovery so I can update OTA in the future. I don't want to wipe the phone to achieve this if possible. If this isn't possible, could someone step through how to update to 4.4.4 with TWRP installed — I'm on a mac also.

Flash the stock recovery image in fastboot
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jd1639 said:
Flash the stock recovery image in fastboot
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I find the stock recovery? Is that this: *w*w*w*.developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

providedbike said:
Where can I find the stock recovery? Is that this: *w*w*w*.developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, extract the image and then the zip file
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

OTA is the least compatible and hardest way to update. Why do you want to use this method? It's the worst option available to you.

rootSU said:
OTA is the least compatible and hardest way to update. Why do you want to use this method? It's the worst option available to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it would seem easier for me—AFAIK. Although this didn't work, this workflow sounds appealing to me every time an update comes out:
- Disable Xposed
- Enable Survival Mode in SuperSU
- Install OTA update
- Re-enable Xposed, done.
No USB, no computer, no terminal.
Is there another way to achieve this?

providedbike said:
Because it would seem easier for me—AFAIK. Although this didn't work, this workflow sounds appealing to me every time an update comes out:
- Disable Xposed
- Enable Survival Mode in SuperSU
- Install OTA update
- Re-enable Xposed, done.
No USB, no computer, no terminal.
Is there another way to achieve this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running a rooting rom without a custom recovery is dangerous IMHO.
Without having to lose custom recovery
1) Download latest rooted stock ROM
2) Flash
3) Enable Xposed

rootSU said:
Running a rooting rom without a custom recovery is dangerous IMHO.
Without having to lose custom recovery
1) Download latest rooted stock ROM
2) Flash
3) Enable Xposed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this apply for the stock rom? I'm rooted, but still stock...

providedbike said:
Does this apply for the stock rom? I'm rooted, but still stock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, whenever there is a new stock ROM, someone makes a rooted stock flashable zip of it. Also if you make any small changes to system, sometimes like adblocking, OTA will fail but flashable zip of rom will just override all that bs.
latest 4.4.4 rooted stock rom is in a thread which you can find i the resources section of the sticky-roll-up thread. You can get there via my signature.
That way, you can take a nandroid backup so if anything goes wrong after the update, you can do a full restore, where as with OTA you will not be able to with stock recovery.

rootSU said:
Yes, whenever there is a new stock ROM, someone makes a rooted stock flashable zip of it. Also if you make any small changes to system, sometimes like adblocking, OTA will fail but flashable zip of rom will just override all that bs.
latest 4.4.4 rooted stock rom is in a thread which you can find i the resources section of the sticky-roll-up thread. You can get there via my signature.
That way, you can take a nandroid backup so if anything goes wrong after the update, you can do a full restore, where as with OTA you will not be able to with stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great that's very helpful, thanks!

providedbike said:
Ok great that's very helpful, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
I just think that way is easier....I wouldn't want you putting extra work in, if you dont have to. It also gives you more freedom to work with mods in the future too, or kernels etc

rootSU said:
No problem.
I just think that way is easier....I wouldn't want you putting extra work in, if you dont have to. It also gives you more freedom to work with mods in the future too, or kernels etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep it's all good. For some reason, I had this little fear of the fact it's an official stock rom, that's been "toyed" with. But of course that makes no sense really, considering I'm willing to install many third party apps and processes that could easily alter/mess my phone up.
Do the rooted stock roms get released fairly rapidly after the official one is released?

providedbike said:
Yep it's all good. For some reason, I had this little fear of the fact it's an official stock rom, that's been "toyed" with. But of course that makes no sense really, considering I'm willing to install many third party apps and processes that could easily alter/mess my phone up.
Do the rooted stock roms get released fairly rapidly after the official one is released?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. as soon as the factory image is released. Maybe a day or two. Which is before 99% of people even receive the OTA notification

rootSU said:
Yeah. as soon as the factory image is released. Maybe a day or two. Which is before 99% of people even receive the OTA notification
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect, thanks for clearing things up for me.
Just checking, I'll make a backup before I flash, but technically, will all my data still be there if all goes to plan?

providedbike said:
Perfect, thanks for clearing things up for me.
Just checking, I'll make a backup before I flash, but technically, will all my data still be there if all goes to plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. the /data partition is not touched. Just /system and /boot (ROM and Kernel)

rootSU said:
Yep. the /data partition is not touched. Just /system and /boot (ROM and Kernel)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great I'll do it tonight

Some Android newbie questions

Will be an apple to android convert when my zenfone comes. Been reading around to educate myself but have some questions that could use some insight.
1. Once you unlock the bootloader and root your phone, can you still get monthly/yearly or new android version updates in system updates in settings and update from there? If not, do you have to pretty much reset everything to factory defaults and then update it like that? And root all over again? Or is there any other way?
2. Will the phone be pretty much be "stock" after the factory reset?Working OTA updates and all? (Minus the unlocked bootloader)
3 Which up to date rooting method seems best? There's 2 methods that I can see but I can't tell which one is better.
a) https://forum.xda-developers.com/ze...uide-how-to-root-asus-zenfone-6-twrp-t3940168
b) https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone-6-2019/how-to/simple-guide-to-root-device-twrp-t3956784
4. Is TWRP needed?
Thanks!

midnight3ow said:
Will be an apple to android convert when my zenfone comes. Been reading around to educate myself but have some questions that could use some insight.
1. Once you unlock the bootloader and root your phone, can you still get monthly/yearly or new android version updates in system updates in settings and update from there? If not, do you have to pretty much reset everything to factory defaults and then update it like that? And root all over again? Or is there any other way?
2. Will the phone be pretty much be "stock" after the factory reset?Working OTA updates and all? (Minus the unlocked bootloader)
3 Which up to date rooting method seems best? There's 2 methods that I can see but I can't tell which one is better.
a) https://forum.xda-developers.com/ze...uide-how-to-root-asus-zenfone-6-twrp-t3940168
b) https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone-6-2019/how-to/simple-guide-to-root-device-twrp-t3956784
4. Is TWRP needed?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No, once unlocked, no more OTAS. You can flash the update manually, no wipe needed, but you also need to flash Root and custom recovery again (2 minutes extra, no big deal).
2) Stock, no OTAS
3) They are pretty much the same, but the easiest (and safest) way is just to get a custom recovery and then flash the Magisk Zip
4) For normal method yes, for the ones you posted in 3), no.

papete said:
1) No, once unlocked, no more OTAS. You can flash the update manually, no wipe needed, but you also need to flash Root and custom recovery again (2 minutes extra, no big deal).
2) Stock, no OTAS
3) They are pretty much the same, but the easiest (and safest) way is just to get a custom recovery and then flash the Magisk Zip
4) For normal method yes, for the ones you posted in 3), no.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply, but I need some clarification on a couple things.
1. I suppose I'll figure out once I get the phone but I'm anxious and don't know when the phone will arrive but how do you flash the update manually? I understand having to flashing root again but what do you mean flashing custom recovery again?
2. Where do you get a hold of the update for the phone? Is updating manually pretty much the same as resetting your phone to factory settings?
3. I can't seem to find the method you mention that is the easiest and safest way to root. Could you kindly lead me to that guide??

midnight3ow said:
Thank you for your reply, but I need some clarification on a couple things.
1. I suppose I'll figure out once I get the phone but I'm anxious and don't know when the phone will arrive but how do you flash the update manually? I understand having to flashing root again but what do you mean flashing custom recovery again?
2. Where do you get a hold of the update for the phone? Is updating manually pretty much the same as resetting your phone to factory settings?
3. I can't seem to find the method you mention that is the easiest and safest way to root. Could you kindly lead me to that guide??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) To flash manually you download the firmware from the Asus site, and use a recovery (stock or custom) to flash it. If you want root, you need a custom recovery to flash it, as stock recovery only flashes Asus Firmware. Whenever you flash a stock firmware, it "overwrites" the custom recovery with the stock recovery, so if you want/need a custom recovery, you need to flash it again. The same with root, stock flashed boot partition again, so you need to flash Magisk zip again so it can make the patch to boot to make root work.
2) I personally don't update that much, but you can check every once in a while https://www.asus.com/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/HelpDesk_Download/
You can update without factory reset, just flash the new firmware (+root if needed) and you are done, it is just like an OTA but done by yourself.
3) Follow this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ze...covery-unofficial-twrp-recovery-asus-t3937844

papete said:
1) To flash manually you download the firmware from the Asus site, and use a recovery (stock or custom) to flash it. If you want root, you need a custom recovery to flash it, as stock recovery only flashes Asus Firmware. Whenever you flash a stock firmware, it "overwrites" the custom recovery with the stock recovery, so if you want/need a custom recovery, you need to flash it again. The same with root, stock flashed boot partition again, so you need to flash Magisk zip again so it can make the patch to boot to make root work.
2) I personally don't update that much, but you can check every once in a while https://www.asus.com/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/HelpDesk_Download/
You can update without factory reset, just flash the new firmware (+root if needed) and you are done, it is just like an OTA but done by yourself.
3) Follow this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/ze...covery-unofficial-twrp-recovery-asus-t3937844
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm grateful for all your thoughtful and clear responses.
When do you normally decide to update?
Do you lose any data from updating security update/firmware or rooting and installing custom recovery?
Also, I've been looking through that link you posted, and also seen another thread about another newer "official" TWRP version? What's the difference?Which one should I use?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/ze...nt/tool-utility-twrp-3-3-1-0-teamwin-t3963876

midnight3ow said:
Will be an apple to android convert when my zenfone comes.
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So ZF6 will be your first Android phone ever?

_jis_ said:
So ZF6 will be your first Android phone ever?
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Yes it will be! Excited and anxious at the same time.

midnight3ow said:
Yes it will be! Excited and anxious at the same time.
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Then please do yourself a favor and forgot about unlocking the bootloader and rooting your new phone.
Just learn how to use nearly stock Android with lightweight Android skin in its user-friendly and widely configurable form called ZenUI.
Trust me, there is no need for tinkering with root as an Android newbie when using ZF6.

_jis_ said:
Then please do yourself a favor and forgot about unlocking the bootloader and rooting your new phone.
Just learn how to use nearly stock Android with lightweight Android skin in its user-friendly and widely configurable form called ZenUI.
Trust me, there is no need for tinkering with root as an Android newbie when using ZF6.
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Click to collapse
I agree with this, unless you want to achieve something specific that can only be done rooted, stay completely stock.

papete said:
unless you want to achieve something specific that can only be done rooted
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But this hypothetical condition is impossible because Android newbie cannot even achieve basic Android tasks which doesn't require root at all so why complicate his upcoming long journey of gaining experience and knowledge yet by the rooting his device from the very beginning?