Database Info

[Q] new to forums.. info required on 4.4.1 pls

hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about

No you dont need to be unrooted to update your android version.
You need to have the stock recovery and rom. The update isnt available for everyone yet
you will get a update notification just wait

ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You technically voided your warranty when you rooted. But no big deal.
You can download the update and sideload on your own, or wait for the OTA to come to you. If all you have is root, stock recovery and no system mods it will update on its own.

ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi do not worry. Those posts really do not apply to you yet. You have a phone that is stock meaning, you bought it and using it. If you keep it like that you never have to worry about update. Google will automatically push the update to your phone by next week. Incidentally the phone is also a developer phone, so people usually play around with it. Root, custom roms, kernels etc. Now for these enthusiasts to get the update, they have to unroot, ,to stock just like your phone. After getting the update they will start messing with it again:laugh: this forum being the developers forum of the Internet is the reason why you are seeing all those posts.
Now you are sitting on a Ferrari phone, using it as a Honda. Some day in the future you will let it run at indy500

ayush88 said:
hi guys,
i read somewhere in this site that you have to unroot to get the 4.4.1 OTA... does this mean that stock android will never get updated?...or is this update not officially launched by google to the masses but just to the developers? pls im new to android and would like to know what the deal is here.
also i have no problem unrooting but i heard that you will stop getting OTA's and will have to side load all new updates everytime and you will also void your warranty...which im in two minds about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean to ask "do you need to root to get the 4.4.1 OTA"?? If not, your question doesn't seem to add up....
You definitely do NOT need to root to get the OTA. You can wait for the update to be pushed out, or, if you are impatient, you can sideload using ADB or install from recovery.
If you are rooted, as the other folks explained, you may need to get back to stock before you can install 4.4.1

To add to this, I only rooted my Nexus 5 so I could use BetterBatteryStats and some other monitoring apps. Is there any way to go back from TWRP to stock recovery without wiping data/losing root?
I'm quite happy with everything stock and don't plan on doing any mods.
Also, I sideloaded 4.4.1, but would I have gotten the OTA with TWRP?

mmmmBACON said:
To add to this, I only rooted my Nexus 5 so I could use BetterBatteryStats and some other monitoring apps. Is there any way to go back from TWRP to stock recovery without wiping data/losing root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, get the recovery.img from the factory image and: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img. That'll put the stock recovery back on your device

donentl are
thnks alot you guys!!
this really helped me out!
i know i am new to android right now and dont know the ins and outs of this os completely... i really liked a reply which said i am sitting on a ferrarri and using it like a honda..lol...i will run it like a veyron in some time but for now my car comes with a "L" sign and a speed limiter on it
thnks again you guys!

Rooting question

Hey there!
I was wondering if rooting via towelroot would affect OTA updates? Someone told me you don't get OTA if the system files, bootloader or kernel have been changed. I am completely on stock now. Will apps like Droidwall, Titanium Backup or Greenify make any changes to the system files, hence rendering my phone not eligible for OTA?
Thanks

Read the OTA helpdesk thread about OTA. Link in my signature. Those apps should be fine but you should root properly and use a custom recovery of you're going to be rooted and forget about OTAs.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I agree! Being rooted without a custom recovery and/or not knowing how to use adb/fastboot is almost asking for trouble.

@rootSU gave you the best info.
You have a Nexus. You can flash stock in minutes when you need to do an ota. Or forget that and flash the update through fastboot. I've never taken an OTA on any device.

Thanks for the replies folks. I just dont feel like unlocking my bootloader at this very moment since there's stuff to backup and I am at the peak of my laziness ( and also very busy to do stuff with my phone)
Edit: Yeah, I sideloaded the 4.4.4 update. Can I sideload any update like this in the future even if I don't receive automatic updates? (i.e doesn't sideload verify that all original files are intact?)

Probably best avoid root in that case then.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Nice. You relax and we'll figure it out? That's not how XDA works my friend. Ask for help, put some effort in after you get answers. That's how it works.
I'd leave the phone as is and call it a day.

The question has been answered and the thread is going the wrong direction, so I'm going to stop it here.
@Moonheart All the info about OTA's are here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217
It outlines what you need to do and how to prepare your phone for updates.
Thread Closed.

[Q] OTA system update 2 days ago?

I'm running KitKat 4.4.2 rooted. Two days ago, Verizon started trying very aggressively to push a system update onto my phone, and they don't say what it is. Does anyone know what they're trying to force into my phone? I do not want to lose root.
Also, is there any way to stop the aggressive update prompts? If I don't manually set a time to be prompted again, it will push the update without my consent. Is there an Xposed Framework module that can help?

permutations said:
I'm running KitKat 4.4.2 rooted. Two days ago, Verizon started trying very aggressively to push a system update onto my phone, and they don't say what it is. Does anyone know what they're trying to force into my phone? I do not want to lose root...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's this (VZW pdf-file). Also see here. Even if you downloaded the OTA, the installation would fail, because your device is rooted.
permutations said:
Also, is there any way to stop the aggressive update prompts? If I don't manually set a time to be prompted again, it will push the update without my consent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See here. Posts # 4 and #8

Please post your questions in the question and answer section
Thread moved

gregbradley said:
Please post your questions in the question and answer section
Thread moved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it in the right place now? I get confused about where to post here, sorry.
I can see why they updated the messaging app. It was completely unusable. Is it still KitKat 4.4.2?
Most importantly, if I were to install it, would I still be able to root using the towelroot app?

Not_A_Dev said:
See here. Posts # 4 and #8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Titanium Backup (Pro), but I don't see the update app anywhere on my phone. I'll post my question in the other thread. Thanks for the link.

permutations said:
Is it in the right place now? I get confused about where to post here, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I moved it to the Q&A section.
As a good rule. If you are asking a QUESTION and you want an ANSWER post it in the QUESTION and ANSWER section.

Clueless
Hi, I have the Droid Razr Maxx HD xt926 as well and have never done anything with android before in terms of software modification. I first learned how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader in June via the towelroot exploit. I've been wandering around this website wondering how to get this ota update without losing root. I've seen some posts regarding flashing an fxz file, but have also had a hard time understanding what it all means. I have not installed a custom ROM (yet), but when I try to take the ota, it fails because I am obviously rooted. What do I do from this point out? Do I still need to flash a stock image file? Should I just not take the update/is it worth it?

axcelgo said:
Hi, I have the Droid Razr Maxx HD xt926 as well and have never done anything with android before in terms of software modification. I first learned how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader in June via the towelroot exploit. I've been wandering around this website wondering how to get this ota update without losing root. I've seen some posts regarding flashing an fxz file, but have also had a hard time understanding what it all means. I have not installed a custom ROM (yet), but when I try to take the ota, it fails because I am obviously rooted. What do I do from this point out? Do I still need to flash a stock image file? Should I just not take the update/is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decide to install a custom ROM, you won't have to waste another minute pondering the OTA. If you decide to stay on stock, and want to get VZWs latest firmware on your device, I strongly suggest that you triple-read and follow the instructions in this thread to the T. You will then not have to worry about another OTA nag, because this is the last Moto/VZW update for the XT926.

Okay thanks. I saw that thread on the general forum, but wasn't to sure if I should proceed. I'm going to follow the directions on the original post as I had been planning to do, but was too worried about any consequences. I will report back if I have any problems, given that I can follow instructions. I'll probably just go ahead and try to install the most recent stable release of CM when done. Fingers crossed.

[Q] Nexus 5 rooted unlocked. Questions on getting to 4.4.4

Before you ask, yes, I have searched. I also went through each page of the "Here are the similar threads we found:" section before posting. That is actually why I am posting. I see too many different answers.
A little background: I know my way around android in general and have been flashing roms since my G1. I used to be the "rom test dummy" for JesusFreak (yeah, im an oldtimer) so I am not afraid of flashing roms. I am currently running on a windows machine, but I have linux available if that is any easier. I am comfortable in either.
My question: I have a Nexus 5 with 4.4.2 (stock) KOT49H and I want to update finally. Each time I have tried the OTA it gave errors, and I eventually found that is because the rom looks for modifications. Out of the posts I have found here, I have seen some say you have to flash all the way back to stock and then start updating. I have also seen posts that say there are tools that will read your device info and decide what to flash. I have seen some that say you can flash a new (stock) rom over the current rom.
I have no problem backing up the device (I have paid premium) if needed. If I can flash without wipe, GREAT. If not, no big deal. My main thing is that I would like a safe route. This is my main phone so I need it to work. I would also prefer one of the shorter (of the safe) methods. I saw a guide a few minutes ago that seemed to say that you should flash 4x during the process. Once to clean the rom, once to downgrade, and 2 more to upgrade. I am hoping I read that one wrong, but that sounds un-needed. Is there a stock 4.4.4 rom that I can just flash on top of my current 4.4.2 and get it all done in one jump?

Darkrift said:
Before you ask, yes, I have searched. I also went through each page of the "Here are the similar threads we found:" section before posting. That is actually why I am posting. I see too many different answers.
A little background: I know my way around android in general and have been flashing roms since my G1. I used to be the "rom test dummy" for JesusFreak (yeah, im an oldtimer) so I am not afraid of flashing roms. I am currently running on a windows machine, but I have linux available if that is any easier. I am comfortable in either.
My question: I have a Nexus 5 with 4.4.2 (stock) KOT49H and I want to update finally. Each time I have tried the OTA it gave errors, and I eventually found that is because the rom looks for modifications. Out of the posts I have found here, I have seen some say you have to flash all the way back to stock and then start updating. I have also seen posts that say there are tools that will read your device info and decide what to flash. I have seen some that say you can flash a new (stock) rom over the current rom.
I have no problem backing up the device (I have paid premium) if needed. If I can flash without wipe, GREAT. If not, no big deal. My main thing is that I would like a safe route. This is my main phone so I need it to work. I would also prefer one of the shorter (of the safe) methods. I saw a guide a few minutes ago that seemed to say that you should flash 4x during the process. Once to clean the rom, once to downgrade, and 2 more to upgrade. I am hoping I read that one wrong, but that sounds un-needed. Is there a stock 4.4.4 rom that I can just flash on top of my current 4.4.2 and get it all done in one jump?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easiest way(if running a custom recovery).. find a rooted stock here in the andtoid development section, and dirty flash(no wiping) it over what you have. you won't lose any data dirty flashing.
if your completely stock, easiest way.. flash the 4.4.4 factory img via fastboot. but you will lose your data.

simms22 said:
easiest way(if running a custom recovery).. find a rooted stock here in the andtoid development section, and dirty flash(no wiping) it over what you have. you won't lose any data dirty flashing.
if your completely stock, easiest way.. flash the 4.4.4 factory img via fastboot. but you will lose your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, but can you point to a 4.4.4 rooted stock? I have been searching through the roms and most seem to be customized, not stock. Ive gone through about 7 pages now in http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development
I havent flashed a rom in a year or 2 since buying Nexus 4/5 devices (hey, they just work) so I am a little out of the loop.
**Edit: I just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...-android-4-4-3-ktu84m-rooted-busybox-t2557523 - Maybe I missed it the first time. I think its because the URL says 4-4-3, so I skipped it.

Darkrift said:
Thanks for the info, but can you point to a 4.4.4 rooted stock? I have been searching through the roms and most seem to be customized, not stock. Ive gone through about 7 pages now in http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/development
I havent flashed a rom in a year or 2 since buying Nexus 4/5 devices (hey, they just work) so I am a little out of the loop.
**Edit: I just found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/goo...-android-4-4-3-ktu84m-rooted-busybox-t2557523 - Maybe I missed it the first time. I think its because the URL says 4-4-3, so I skipped it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats a good one.. if i go with stock, its going to be a @bigxie rom. and i was around as well for jesus freke

Awesome, thanks. I will flash that when I get home after making a backup.

I struggled with this and finally succeeded by flashing first to 4.4.3, THEN to 4.4.4. Now running like a top.

bltzfsck said:
I struggled with this and finally succeeded by flashing first to 4.4.3, THEN to 4.4.4. Now running like a top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome!

I've read a lot, still no clue how to root on 5.1

I've read a lot of guides both on this forum and using google. Some are saying to wipe the phone completely and flash SuperSU through TWRP, some are saying there is a chainfire auto-root method. Why am I like the only one confused? I just received my Nexus 5 (I know I'm late in the game), and updated to 5.1. I would like to root, but don't really know what the best way is. Should I just wait on a new, easier way that is currently in the development process?
Also I am reading I'd have to go back to stock to get any new OTA updates, and I read that can be kind of a PITA. So do you think root is still worth it? Honestly I just want viper4android, Adaway, and Greenify. That's it.
Thanks for the help and sorry for probably a very redundant question.

tuffluck said:
I've read a lot of guides both on this forum and using google. Some are saying to wipe the phone completely and flash SuperSU through TWRP, some are saying there is a chainfire auto-root method. Why am I like the only one confused? I just received my Nexus 5 (I know I'm late in the game), and updated to 5.1. I would like to root, but don't really know what the best way is. Should I just wait on a new, easier way that is currently in the development process?
Also I am reading I'd have to go back to stock to get any new OTA updates, and I read that can be kind of a PITA. So do you think root is still worth it? Honestly I just want viper4android, Adaway, and Greenify. That's it.
Thanks for the help and sorry for probably a very redundant question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you're familiar with adb/fastboot run the following:
Code:
[U]From Bootloader[/U]
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot flash recovery [URL="https://dl.twrp.me/hammerhead/twrp-2.8.6.1-hammerhead.img"]twrp-2.8.6.1-hammerhead.img[/URL]
Boot into recovery....
[U]From Recovery[/U]
adb sideload [URL="https://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip?retrieve_file=1"]UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip[/URL]

tuffluck said:
I've read a lot of guides both on this forum and using google. Some are saying to wipe the phone completely and flash SuperSU through TWRP, some are saying there is a chainfire auto-root method. Why am I like the only one confused? I just received my Nexus 5 (I know I'm late in the game), and updated to 5.1. I would like to root, but don't really know what the best way is. Should I just wait on a new, easier way that is currently in the development process?
Also I am reading I'd have to go back to stock to get any new OTA updates, and I read that can be kind of a PITA. So do you think root is still worth it? Honestly I just want viper4android, Adaway, and Greenify. That's it.
Thanks for the help and sorry for probably a very redundant question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both are right. There is a manual way (flashing SuperSU through TWRP) and there is an "automated" way (the chainfire auto-root). Pick your poison.
The manual way will most likely wipe your device because the "unlock" step does that. I'm honestly not sure about the auto-root method, but I'm going to guess it probably also wipes.
As for OTA, yes, you need a stock recovery to get OTA, because.... well... the OTA uses the stock recovery to update. Most people are of the mind that if you're the type of person who flashes a custom recovery like TWRP, you're also the type of person who doesn't care about OTAs (the .zip is typically posted here within hours of the OTA going live anyway).
There are risks and drawbacks to any kind of hacking of your phone. Risks obviously include bricking, but the drawbacks usually include having to wipe and reinstall things once in a while, and also the lack of OTAs. Pick your poison.

fosser2 said:
As long as you're familiar with adb/fastboot run the following:
Code:
[U]From Bootloader[/U]
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot flash recovery [URL="https://dl.twrp.me/hammerhead/twrp-2.8.6.1-hammerhead.img"]twrp-2.8.6.1-hammerhead.img[/URL]
Boot into recovery....
[U]From Recovery[/U]
adb sideload [URL="https://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip?retrieve_file=1"]UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip[/URL]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being a Nexus device this process is pretty straightforward and does not need all of the utilities to obtain root