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[Q]clockworkmod flash and zips

Just to confirm one thing before i go smoke my NS's warranty away. If i nand backup the current stock rom and then flash the custom roms...i can always easily flash back to stock rom no?

Yes it is pretty easy to restore to your current build from a backup
Also, there are threads with stock images for the different models of the Nexus S here on XDA detailing how to go back to stock if that's something you choose to do so later

jackslim said:
Yes it is pretty easy to restore to your current build from a backup
Also, there are threads with stock images for the different models of the Nexus S here on XDA detailing how to go back to stock if that's something you choose to do so later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but wouldn't just recovering to backup takes to stock rom? and i believe the root can be deleted right? so that if i plan to send back the phone, i can do that...i'm only flashing roms over the weekend so that i can see if the wifi problem is fixed with different kernels...
I can't get my router to be shown in the network list and other networks have poor wifi signals :/ i'm really worried...

Yes recovering from your backup will return you to a rooted stock, and you can remove root by deleting su from /system/xbin/

can you direct me to clockworkmod apk? since i don't want to flash the .img

The recovery image isn't an .apk file, you are going to have to flash the .img from fastboot to get clockwork recovery installed.

jackslim said:
The recovery image isn't an .apk file, you are going to have to flash the .img from fastboot to get clockwork recovery installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i know it's not an apk but i believe, clockwork can be installed as apk and then rebooted into the clockwork recovery through the application as my motorola defy...
i don't want to flash the .img file or i won't be able to remove it if i had to...

You can flash a recovery image from ROM Manger which will install a custom reocovery
**However**
ROM Manager needs root access to install a recovery image, so therefor you need to install root permission, which in turn requires a custom recovery to flash the zip file to install the necessary file.
So... flashing the recovery image from fastboot is a necessary step in rooting on this phone

so apps like z4root and universal root don't work for nexus s?

I'm honestly not sure what exploits work with the Nexus S personally, feel free to browse through the guides that are stickied
In my opinion if you already had the intention of unlocking the bootloader, then you'll already have fastboot setup and you will already be in the bootloader so it's just one additional command to type to get your recovery image installed, pretty easy
Since the Nexus S comes with a bootloader that can be unlocked I don't think anyone would look for an expoit that works specifically for this phone because, but exploits that were built for other phones may work on this one, again you would have to browse around to see, I'm not sure about this

my main purpose is to have an option to revert back the phone to its orignal state...unlocking bootloader would be permanent no? also if i flash clockwork, that would be permanent or is there an easy way (excluding ADB) to delete clockwork ?

shad0wboss said:
so apps like z4root and universal root don't work for nexus s?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This phone has an unlockable bootloader. You don't need exploits like that. Just follow the directions on this forum for your specific model and you will be fine. Everything you will do can be reversed. So don't worry.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

Rem3Dy said:
This phone has an unlockable bootloader. You don't need exploits like that. Just follow the directions on this forum for your specific model and you will be fine. Everything you will do can be reversed. So don't worry.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read my previous post...unlocking bootloader will be permanent thus messing up with my warranty.

You can lock the bootloader on this phone, just use the following command in fastboot
fastboot oem lock
You would have to flash over the original recovery image from fastboot before relocking the bootloader
This phone can be returned to complete stock fairly easily, if you were to find all stock images for your particular model of the Nexus S you could completely return it to stock from fastboot with a few easy commands
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot oem lock
Just look through root/unroot guides and find the images for your model, you will need to do this to at least get the recovery image for when you decide to return to stock

jackslim said:
You can lock the bootloader on this phone, just use the following command in fastboot
fastboot oem lock
You would have to flash over the original recovery image from fastboot before relocking the bootloader
This phone can be returned to complete stock fairly easily, if you were to find all stock images for your particular model of the Nexus S you could completely return it to stock from fastboot with a few easy commands
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot oem lock
Just look through root/unroot guides and find the images for your model, you will need to do this to at least get the recovery image for when you decide to return to stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry i'm not with you here...so you're suggesting me to unlock my bootloader, flash rom? so for these purposes i won't have to install root? so how can i backup my current rom?
haha also i can't install ADB drivers :/ although i can access the phone memory lol

Yes, if you want to install custom ROM's then you should unlock your bootloader and install a custom recovery, these are both reversible.
To help getting adb/fastboot drivers you can get PDAnet from:
http://junefabrics.com/android/index.php
Setting up PDAnet usually fixes the driver problem, you can uninstall it once it's done
I think you should read through an root/unroot guide pertaining to your model, sounds like that would answer a lot of concerns and doubts
But mainly since you are concerned about your warranty, unlocking the bootloader and rooting your phone is completely reversible.

shad0wboss said:
read my previous post...unlocking bootloader will be permanent thus messing up with my warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you get it. Nexus S is a development phone and comes with a factory built-in unlocker. This means you do NOT void your warranty when unlocking or rooting.
It is however recommended that you return to stock and lock the bootloader before returning the phone for any warranty needs because most idiots at sprint stores or service centers don't know any better even though the rules clearly tell them they must service the Nexus S even if rooted.
Now, to answer your question, when you restore back to stock and close bootloader the phone is indistinguishable from factory settings and data. So no, the bootloader unlocking is NOT permanent.
On a side note, you will have to use the Samsung exe to restore your phone to factory settings along with locking the bootloader if you want the original recovery. But I think there is an img of the original available somewhere.
Also, to replace the recovery you MUST use adb. There is a one click to do that but all it does is do all the steps you would do manually and still needs all drivers installed.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G

obsanity said:
I don't think you get it. Nexus S is a development phone and comes with a factory built-in unlocker. This means you do NOT void your warranty when unlocking or rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It clearly states while unlocking your bootloader that by doing so your warranty is voided.
While Sprint's policy is to in fact service unlocked/rooted phones this is not the case for all carrier's.
Returning or attempting to return a phone that is unlocked can very well have you turned away since your warranty is voided in many cases, especially depending on the carrier of the phone.

jackslim said:
It clearly states while unlocking your bootloader that by doing so your warranty is voided.
While Sprint's policy is to in fact service unlocked/rooted phones this is not the case for all carrier's.
Returning or attempting to return a phone that is unlocked can very well have you turned away since your warranty is voided in many cases, especially depending on the carrier of the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I unlocked my phone the first time I had NO such disclaimer. This was something added later with an update. Therefore I did not void my warranty and anyone else can argue the same.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G

obsanity said:
When I unlocked my phone the first time I had NO such disclaimer. This was something added later with an update. Therefore I did not void my warranty and anyone else can argue the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that the screen has always had the warranty information on it after you type "fastboot oem unlock" in fastboot and then you have to acknowledge the unlock on the phone. It was part of the original Nexus One unlock screen and I'm sure part of the unlock on Nexus S. Especially if you're on the NS4G which came out months after the original NS. I know I had to acknowledge it when I unlocked mine. It only makes sense that if you willingly unlock your device and flash something you shouldn't in example a radio for a different model and brick your device the manufacturer isn't responsible for your mistake.

[Q] What is the best option for my situation?

So I have a ns4g that I attempted to root but got hung up and am now stuck with a unlocked bootloader but no super user. So as I see it I have 3 options (if you see others PLEASE TELL ME)
1. somehow get my bootloader locked again and go back to stock (unroot)
2. keep unlocked bootloader and eventually accept ics ota (will this be ok or will having an unlocked bootloader much things up with the ota?)
3. figure out a way to finish the root process I'm sort of in the middle of (aka get super user)
If it matters I am running 2.3.7 and using a macbook running 10.7.2
What would you guys suggest?

jmelick07 said:
So I have a ns4g that I attempted to root but got hung up and am now stuck with a unlocked bootloader but no super user. So as I see it I have 3 options (if you see others PLEASE TELL ME)
1. somehow get my bootloader locked again and go back to stock (unroot)
2. keep unlocked bootloader and eventually accept ics ota (will this be ok or will having an unlocked bootloader much things up with the ota?)
3. figure out a way to finish the root process I'm sort of in the middle of (aka get super user)
If it matters I am running 2.3.7 and using a macbook running 10.7.2
What would you guys suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash a custom recovery(cwm or twrp) via fastboot, then flash a custom rom(and gapps). thats all you need. all the custom roms out there have root. you dont have to flash superuser.

How do I flash cwm? I think when I did this before I had the wrong version as it didn't allow for me to mount after I unlocked the bootloader

Use http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1250583 to root! It will recognize that your bootloader is already unlocked and skips to flashing CMW and giving you root! There's a youtube video showing it in action if you get stuck by qbking!

Will this work with osx?

jmelick07 said:
How do I flash cwm? I think when I did this before I had the wrong version as it didn't allow for me to mount after I unlocked the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres the latest version of cwm recovery for the nexus s(not ns4G) http://download.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img
heres where all the cwm recoveries can be found, including the ns4g http://clockworkmod.com/rommanager

Ok, now how do I get that img on my phone?
The cwm for ns4g that I just downloaded that is

I'm fairly content just waiting for the google ics ota... when that comes will it mess my phone up because of my unlocked bootloader?

or even better can someone write me instructions to lock my bootloader?
I found this forum http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=875630
But obviously there are steps before this to have the terminal put these commands towards the phone.

jmelick07 said:
Ok, now how do I get that img on my phone?
The cwm for ns4g that I just downloaded that is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look at part 3 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007782
only you dont need superuser, any custom rom has root.

Ok, I think I just want to relock my phone and wait for the ota...
I've tried just going into terminal and typing "fastboot oem lock" and it says that the command is not found... what did I do wrong?

You don't need to lock bootoader to get ota.

I've read before that accepting an ota with an unlocked bootloader will brick your phone... Can anyone else confirm that it's ok to accept the eventual ota with an unlocked bootloader?

[Q] [SOLVED] Help I Might've Bricked My Phone

I have no ROM installed, Clock Work Recovery is gone and to make it worse my bootloader is re-locked. Is there NO way to save my phone?

Use the unlock_code.bin token htcdev emailed you to unlock it, then flash a recovery or you can run a ruu and that will get you back up n running with a clean slate. Anytime you relock the bootloader this will happen. Easy fix and your far from bricked so dont worry. Hope this helps, let me know if u have anymore questions

18th.abn said:
Use the unlock_code.bin token htcdev emailed you to unlock it, then flash a recovery or you can run a ruu and that will get you back up n running with a clean slate. Anytime you relock the bootloader this will happen. Easy fix and your far from bricked so dont worry. Hope this helps, let me know if u have anymore questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I unlocked my bootloader how do I flash my recovery since the method I used before doesn't work.
EDIT I flashed the older version CWM which doesnt allow me to mount USB storage, which I need to do so I can get my ROM on my phone to install. How do I flash the new version (which remedies this problem) since the instructions here didnt help http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/99

xChurchx said:
I unlocked my bootloader how do I flash my recovery since the method I used before doesn't work.
EDIT I flashed the older version CWM which doesnt allow me to mount USB storage, which I need to do so I can get my ROM on my phone to install. How do I flash the new version (which remedies this problem) since the instructions here didnt help http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/99
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the image file, then run:
fastboot flash recovery <filename.img>
While your phone is in fast boot mode while connected to your PC

It seems to hang when I try to do that
EDIT
I changed USB ports all is good. Thank you all for the help.

[Q] Procedure following bootloader unlock?

Hi,
I recently unlocked my bootloader follow this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952038
It looks like I did it successfully, but my phone seems to have been restored. During the process the phone automatically made two backups, and I was wondering if it is possible to restore those, or if I just have to re-download everything.
Also now that my bootloader is unlocked, does that mean I'm rooted? What other steps do I need to do to get superuser or be actually rooted.
Thanks!

the backups are for you to remove the supercid. you need to hold onto those two backups[assuming they are mmcblk0p4MOD and mmcblk0p4ORIG] and your Unlock_code.bin you need to keep those 3 files. you will probably only ever use Unlock_code.bin if you need to run ruu at anytime. in order to restore the other two files you do this process [2.20 Firmware] Remove Pesky root.
what you actually need to do now is "fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.3.1.0-evita.img" from TWRP 2.3 - HTC One X (ATT/evita) then flash this [29.08.2012] SuperSU v0.96 that will flash your twrp recovery and give you root. once you do that you can make modifications to your stock rom or ability to flash custom roms.
Remember to NEVER factory reset in bootloader or your will corrupt your sdcard.

DvineLord said:
the backups are for you to remove the supercid. you need to hold onto those two backups[assuming they are mmcblk0p4MOD and mmcblk0p4ORIG] and your Unlock_code.bin you need to keep those 3 files. you will probably only ever use Unlock_code.bin if you need to run ruu at anytime. in order to restore the other two files you do this process [2.20 Firmware] Remove Pesky root.
what you actually need to do now is "fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.3.1.0-evita.img" from TWRP 2.3 - HTC One X (ATT/evita) then flash this [29.08.2012] SuperSU v0.96 that will flash your twrp recovery and give you root. once you do that you can make modifications to your stock rom or ability to flash custom roms.
Remember to NEVER factory reset in bootloader or your will corrupt your sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the "fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.3.1.0-evita.img" using this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952076
but I don't notice any changes on the phone. Also, I'm unaware what the 'flashing' terminology is. Is there any way I can pay you a bit to show me how on teamviewer? I'm very unacknowledged with this topic and don't want to ruin a second HTC One X. :/
And also, is there no way to get my files back while keeping my bootloader unlocked? Or should I re-add all my songs and apps?

therealbzb said:
I did the "fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.3.1.0-evita.img" using this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1952076
but I don't notice any changes on the phone. Also, I'm unaware what the 'flashing' terminology is. Is there any way I can pay you a bit to show me how on teamviewer? I'm very unacknowledged with this topic and don't want to ruin a second HTC One X. :/
And also, is there no way to get my files back while keeping my bootloader unlocked? Or should I re-add all my songs and apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll help you out. PM your teamviewer stuff
Free of charge - your money's no good here.

you cant recover you data from unlock or wipe

Root without unlocking bootloader?

Is there any way to root the Oneplus without unlocking the bootloader and wiping the device?

Just unlock the bootloader and root. You're making it too difficult for yourself, the whole point of the bootloader being locked is to prevent changes being made to the system.
Its like saying, you're going to break your windows to get into your house when you can just unlock the door.
Just unlock the bootloader and flash supersu for root.

stone1269 said:
Is there any way to root the Oneplus without unlocking the bootloader and wiping the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, just run fastboot boot recovery.img and flash the superuser zip there. dont listen to people that say "just unlock bootloader!" because you dont need to and it sets a tamper flag which can be used against you if you try to warranty.
---------- Post added at 05:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:23 PM ----------
zephiK said:
Its like saying, you're going to break your windows to get into your house when you can just unlock the door.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats a terrible analogy. thats like saying "ill bulldoze this whole wall and then ill never need to unlock my door!"

zephiK said:
Just unlock the bootloader and root. You're making it too difficult for yourself, the whole point of the bootloader being locked is to prevent changes being made to the system.
Its like saying, you're going to break your windows to get into your house when you can just unlock the door.
Just unlock the bootloader and flash supersu for root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to avoid unlocking the bootloader simply because I have everything set up on the phone the way I like, and do not want to wipe it. I know I should have rooted it before installing anything, but nothing I can do about that now....

The Jack of Clubs said:
yes, just run fastboot boot recovery.img and flash the superuser zip there. dont listen to people that say "just unlock bootloader!" because you dont need to and it sets a tamper flag which can be used against you if you try to warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
---------- Post added at 05:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:23 PM ----------
Thanks for the suggestion! I will give it a try.

The Jack of Clubs said:
yes, just run fastboot boot recovery.img and flash the superuser zip there. dont listen to people that say "just unlock bootloader!" because you dont need to and it sets a tamper flag which can be used against you if you try to warranty."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a bit lost here....
To root the phone with locked bootloader, man has to have an "exploit"...which is not discovered (yet) for OPO.
And now you are saying that the exploit and hence an unlocked bootloader is not needed and we can just push SuperSU into system via adb....
Please elaborate how it's possible?????

RalphLauren said:
I'm a bit lost here....
To root the phone with locked bootloader, man has to have an "exploit"...which is not discovered (yet) for OPO.
And now you are saying that the exploit and hence an unlocked bootloader is not needed and we can just push SuperSU into system via adb....
Please elaborate how it's possible?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said. The OPO does not need a "exploit" to root the phone with a locked bootloader because you can unlock it simply by typing a command.
You can't flash SuperSU without having access to a custom recovery such as TWRP/CWR which requires a unlocked bootloader.

zephiK said:
What he said. The OPO does not need a "exploit" to root the phone with a locked bootloader because you can unlock it simply by typing a command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you mixing the things up.... I'm NOT talking that a man needs to have an exploit in order to unlock bootloader.
I'm wondering if OPO system (or better to say CM) designed in a such way that it can be indeed rooted without exploit and with still locked bootloader by simply pushing SuperSU.
That what I want to hear from @The Jack of Clubs.
zephiK said:
You can't flash SuperSU without having access to a custom recovery such as TWRP/CWR which requires a unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you can by simply booting into whatever recovery in adb. I do not need a custom recovery and never install it.

RalphLauren said:
I think you mixing the things up.... I'm NOT talking that a man needs to have an exploit in order to unlock bootloader.
I'm wondering if OPO system (or better to say CM) designed in a such way that it can be indeed rooted without exploit and with still locked bootloader by simply pushing SuperSU.
That what I want to hear from @The Jack of Clubs.
Of course you can by simply booting into whatever recovery in adb. I do not need a custom recovery and never install it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you cannot root the phone without a exploit with a locked bootloader. If that was the case, then the OPO would not be Google certified for Google Apps.
Still need a unlocked bootloader.

zephiK said:
No you cannot root the phone without a exploit with a locked bootloader. If that was the case, then the OPO would not be Google certified for Google Apps.
Still need a unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I was reading and thinking for years.
But somehow, @The Jack of Clubs got probably a different idea (referring to his post #3 : "yes, just run fastboot boot recovery.img and flash the superuser zip there. dont listen to people that say "just unlock bootloader!" because you dont need to and it sets a tamper flag which can be used against you if you try to warranty.")
That's why I got so exited and anxious to hear some explanation and elaboration from him!

You do not need to unlock the bootloader to root. The locked bootloader only protects the kernel and recovery partitions. Do not run "fastboot oem unlock" and do not run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img". Instead just run "fastboot boot recovery.img" and flash the supersu zip from there. I've done this already. I know because I'm writing this on my rooted and bootloader locked oneplus.
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

The Jack of Clubs said:
You do not need to unlock the bootloader to root. The locked bootloader only protects the kernel and recovery partitions. Do not run "fastboot oem unlock" and do not run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img". Instead just run "fastboot boot recovery.img" and flash the supersu zip from there. I've done this already. I know because I'm writing this on my rooted and bootloader locked oneplus.
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for some enlightening
I know about the recovery trick, always was doing this way and never bother with the custom one.
But the information about the rooting in a such way comes to the big surprise!
Well in this case I just hope it's not a flaw in CM build and it will stay this way and won't be fixed in next OTAs

The Jack of Clubs said:
You do not need to unlock the bootloader to root. The locked bootloader only protects the kernel and recovery partitions. Do not run "fastboot oem unlock" and do not run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img". Instead just run "fastboot boot recovery.img" and flash the supersu zip from there. I've done this already. I know because I'm writing this on my rooted and bootloader locked oneplus.
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did this... It works. Installed SuperSU using this method, I"m running Titanium Backup Pro, which requires root.

having read and write access in an alternate environment and being able to load a kernel in untrusted space kind of negates the point of the locked bootloader. which is why on something like a nexus 5, you have to unlock to root. its a security measure to block alternative access and destroying data when tampered. the international/cyanogenmod version of the phone may be running a different version of the bootloader that is on the chinese/coloros phone. you do see a cyanogenmod logo when booting into fastboot. so cyanogen may have an alternative fastboot that gives you access like this so you can mod you phone.
as far as root goes, theres two parts, the su binary which has to be copied to the system partition, and the app that gives root permissions to apps (a sudo app). you can install supersu from the playstore https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.supersu&hl=en but it doesnt do anything without the su binary. so when you are in recovery, which gives you full write access to the system partition, you flash the superuser zip, which copies the su binary to the system partition.

The Jack of Clubs said:
yes, just run fastboot boot recovery.img and flash the superuser zip there. dont listen to people that say "just unlock bootloader!" because you dont need to and it sets a tamper flag which can be used against you if you try to warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that this method definitely works. My Oneplus is rooted, I never had to unlock the bootloader and my data is safe. Thank you!

I really think that this thread has to go to the General from Q&A and has become sticky.
Also these findings has to be communicated to @Chromium in order to enhance his Guide

This method works, I can confirm also.
Fastboot boot recovery.img
then install the su.zip file
MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP WHILE YOU ARE IN TWRP!!

The Jack of Clubs said:
You do not need to unlock the bootloader to root. The locked bootloader only protects the kernel and recovery partitions. Do not run "fastboot oem unlock" and do not run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img". Instead just run "fastboot boot recovery.img" and flash the supersu zip from there. I've done this already. I know because I'm writing this on my rooted and bootloader locked oneplus.
Sent from my One using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works perfectly. Thanks!

Can you explain little more for a dummie @The Jack of Clubs
Thanks

Isn't that we are able to lock the bootloader on OPO after we unlocked it ?