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[Q] Noob Questioner's

Hey guys. Just got this phone yesterday. Rooted and unlocked the bootloader last night. Love the phone! I wake up this morning to an OTA update request. I haven't installed any recovery yet. I'm on a 926 and the phone is running 4.1.2.... Honestly, I haven't figured out how to install a recovery yet. I don't want to brick this thing on day 2. I've done quite a bit of stuff and I realize now I need to get more educated before I screw something up. Heck I haven't even taken the time to understand the difference between the 925 and 926. So will it hurt anything taking the OTA?

It's not worth it to take it. Better off going with a custom rom.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX

So I guess I need to work on installing a custom recovery.. Just curious, what is wrong with the OTA update?

jeph0r3 said:
So I guess I need to work on installing a custom recovery.. Just curious, what is wrong with the OTA update?
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The OTA disables the hack that allows you to unlock the bootloader, but from everything I read if you have already unlocked the bootloader then you have nothing to worry about. It is still recommended to use a root keeper before taking the OTA update. The big advantage of the OTA is update radio drivers (better GPS, etc.)

OK, so, I'm rooted, unlocked, have rootkeeper installed and enabled, made a backup. If I take the OTA, can I get back to where I am now with my phone. I looked at each of the roms and they look OK.. Kinda happy with stock right now...

jeph0r3 said:
OK, so, I'm rooted, unlocked, have rootkeeper installed and enabled, made a backup. If I take the OTA, can I get back to where I am now with my phone. I looked at each of the roms and they look OK.. Kinda happy with stock right now...
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The stock is surprisingly okay from Motorola (once you freeze the Verizon bloatware), but I really enjoy having 4.2.2 (dashclock widget alone makes it worth the upgrade), customizable lockscreen (I was using WidgetLocker but it's never as smooth as built in), and the phablet UI with the quick settings panel. Have I tempted you enough to try a ROM? Also, stock icons and not the ugly Moto icons!

bananapeapod said:
The stock is surprisingly okay from Motorola (once you freeze the Verizon bloatware), but I really enjoy having 4.2.2 (dashclock widget alone makes it worth the upgrade), customizable lockscreen (I was using WidgetLocker but it's never as smooth as built in), and the phablet UI with the quick settings panel. Have I tempted you enough to try a ROM? Also, stock icons and not the ugly Moto icons!
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care to save me some time and let me know which is your favorite ROM so far? I'll end up trying a few just curious

jeph0r3 said:
care to save me some time and let me know which is your favorite ROM so far? I'll end up trying a few just curious
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I've really only spent time with CM10.1 and have been very happy... a friend of mine has been going through the ROMs and he was excited about AOKP but now he's switching to Liquid can't remember why, some problems. From what I understand the CM ROM is likely to become official and that would be great so you can get the advantages of a fairly large eco system and constant development. Feel free to play around and try a ROM with halo (Pacman, Xenon, and some others seem to have it integrated) it looks really cool, but I'm not sure I would use it all the time.

@jeph0r3
So on Sunday, I made the mistake of "checking" to see if there was software update. There was. I did not want to update the phone, because I knew there was a good chance there was a root and unlock method out there for the current software version and wanted to investigate further. My only option was to "download now" or "download later" 12 hours.
12 hours came and went and I did not have the option to stop it. So I put it in WiFi mode and connected it to one of my WAPs that doesn't have internet access, which put a stop to the download. I did find a root/unlock method and went forward with it. Then the next question, what will happen when the download completes?
After rooting/unlocking the phone, I let the download complete, hoping that I didn't have to apply it. I got the option to postpone it once, but then it basically forced me. BegrudgingIy, I let it go before I could figure out a suitable root-keeper. Let me know what you use if you take the OTA and manage to keep root.
When it came back up after applying the patch, it seems I no longer have root access, but at least I have an unlocked bootloader so I can push ROMs if I want. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before Dan Rosenberg figures out a way around the new OTA patches. He has a reputation around here of being a Android ninja!

Can you get a custom recovery installed? You could flash a super user zip then.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX

erikoink said:
@jeph0r3
So on Sunday, I made the mistake of "checking" to see if there was software update. There was. I did not want to update the phone, because I knew there was a good chance there was a root and unlock method out there for the current software version and wanted to investigate further. My only option was to "download now" or "download later" 12 hours.
12 hours came and went and I did not have the option to stop it. So I put it in WiFi mode and connected it to one of my WAPs that doesn't have internet access, which put a stop to the download. I did find a root/unlock method and went forward with it. Then the next question, what will happen when the download completes?
After rooting/unlocking the phone, I let the download complete, hoping that I didn't have to apply it. I got the option to postpone it once, but then it basically forced me. BegrudgingIy, I let it go before I could figure out a suitable root-keeper. Let me know what you use if you take the OTA and manage to keep root.
When it came back up after applying the patch, it seems I no longer have root access, but at least I have an unlocked bootloader so I can push ROMs if I want. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before Dan Rosenberg figures out a way around the new OTA patches. He has a reputation around here of being a Android ninja!
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If you flash a custom recovery through fastboot, you can then flash a super user zip using the custom recovery. No need to wait for a hack to the ota.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using xda premium

With an unlocked boot loader you have a lot of options, way to get the update from applying!

The craziest thing is that I'm really enjoying stock on the moto. Guys I have run every rom in the business. I've had the OG, the Droid X, NeXuS and a Razr, and now finally the RAZR HD.. I must say, I have had no lag, great connection and I've yet to find anything the phone has let me down on... I'm confused as to why this phone hasn't taken off!.. Have I forgotten to mention tha ti has an unlocked bootloader? Whats the deal?? I have not taken the OTA but I have gotten a message about it every 12 hours.. I know there is a way you can RSD back to the stock if you want it erikoink..
I may take the OTA.. If its better than this Stock Rom.. I'd be crazy not to
How do you like it erikoink????

I took the update without unrooting and used voodoo to restore it. I also had to install superuser then uninstalled it and supersu worked as normal.
No big changes with the update. The messages app doesn't display an incorrect unread message count which is nice.
I was a crack flasher with the gnex. But like you said, the phone just works. The only reason I unlocked my bootloader and rooted was to tinker with display resolution for an atrix lapdock.
I also don't know why the phone hasn't taken off. The lack of cases is irritating but I deal with it.
Been using my phone since March. Only important thing to remember is to restart the phone every few days or it looses some of its snap.
I decided to install "one power guard" but it's not really making that big of a difference. At first I was able to make it 2 days between charges and get almost 7 hours of screen on time. Now I can go a day and a half. I only have used a car charger three times and ALWAYS use the stock charger. Too risky.
This phone basically performs like my galaxy nexus but gets great battery life. I might get the note 3 in September but only if my battery life worsens.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

jeph0r3 said:
I've had the OG, the Droid X, NeXuS and a Razr, and now finally the RAZR HD..
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jfriend33 said:
Been using my phone since March...
I might get the note 3 in September but only if my battery life worsens.
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How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?

bananapeapod said:
How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?
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I actually have been lucky on my upgrades. I had the Original Droid, I flashed sooooo many roms on it that it started getting buggy. Found a Droid X for 200 and snatched it up.. When my contract was up for the Orig Droid, I got the NeXus.. The volume on it was so bad that I couldn't stand it, so I went back to Verizon and traded it in on the Rezound. It was an AWESOME phone.. It has/had some GREAT devs.. I then found a Droid RAZR HD on craigslist because I will not upgrade and lose my unlimited data.. If I lose my unlimited on Verizon, it will be because they make me. I will then go to another provider as I am really pissed with VZW about this...
I freaking love this RAZR HD.. Might be my favorite phone so far.. Not sure why it doesn't have more Developers and ports....

bananapeapod said:
How do you guys afford to upgrade so often?! Do you have family plans and steal upgrades?
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Yes, 2 smartphones with grandfathered unlimited data, and 3 feature phones. Why on earth people with a similar setup would blow an upgrade on a feature phone is beyond me.
I'm sure this won't go on forever though.
My razr maxx hd was purchased at full retail but was then reimbursed because my phone at the time was damaged and did not have a comparable replacement available.
I find it completely hysterical that verizons new upgrade payment plan called edge is only for share everything plans. BS!
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

jfriend33 said:
Yes, 2 smartphones with grandfathered unlimited data, and 3 feature phones. Why on earth people with a similar setup would blow an upgrade on a feature phone is beyond me.
I'm sure this won't go on forever though.
My razr maxx hd was purchased at full retail but was then reimbursed because my phone at the time was damaged and did not have a comparable replacement available.
I find it completely hysterical that verizons new upgrade payment plan called edge is only for share everything plans. BS!
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD
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Verizon loves you.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4 Beta

mentose457 said:
Verizon loves you.
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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It's a love hate relationship. Verizon is very inconsistent with their CS. If I ever have a problem I basically prep myself to make 5 calls.
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

ROOTING A COMPANY PHONE(droid charge): Yes or No?

Just recieved a new company phone for the business i work for. I currently own a droid razr Maxx running Aviator AOKP rom, so I am some what familiar with rooting and flashing. So immediately after the HR girls hands me the phone I start going thru it checking it out. The first thing i wanna do is DEBLOAT. all that verizon crap, and get titanium backup in with all my backups. The root process looks pretty easy for this device but i wanted to get some input before i rooted a company phone and dug myself in a hole. I know if I ever had to part ways i could reverse the root process and uninstall superuser etc.. Are there any unforseen problems I might run into rooting a company verizon phone? would appreciate some input. thanks in advance

One thing against rooting might be company policy, especially if you use the phone to access the company's network for more than email and web access. The roms we have, such Tweaked are more than stable enough to keep any company tech support issues at bay, I'd think.

[Q] Droid Ultra/Maxx - Is there a way to root my device and unlock the bootloader?

Hello all!
I am using the Droid Ultra forum because I can't find or there doesn't seem to be one specifically for the Maxx. I assume they are they same phone but one just has a better battery.
I recently bought my new Droid Maxx using an upgrade. When it arrived, I tried using FoxFi for wifi tethering since LTE is faster than my house internet. I found out it won't work since I have the 4.4. To anybody that is curious, 4.4 came with my phone, I didn't use the OTA update.
After looking around on the internet, I am unable to find a guide that can root my phone. Has anybody made a bootstrap?
I am wondering if there is a way to root my phone with the 4.4 kitkat, whether 4.4 root method is still in development, or people have given up on trying to root it.
Something else. I tried to root my device with two programs, each have failed in the process. Kingo and OneClickRoot.

There is no working root for Android 4.4 on the Ultra/MAXX/Mini, you're stuck like everyone else.
There was "a Chinese guy" doing bootloader unlocks for ~$40 in the recent past few weeks but he/she/it has since stopped doing so (probably unable to access Motorola's database anymore or simply got caught doing it, who knows).
So again, you're stuck with stock 4.4 like everyone else is. The info is all over this subforum...

br0adband said:
There is no working root for Android 4.4 on the Ultra/MAXX/Mini, you're stuck like everyone else.
There was "a Chinese guy" doing bootloader unlocks for ~$40 in the recent past few weeks but he/she/it has since stopped doing so (probably unable to access Motorola's database anymore or simply got caught doing it, who knows).
So again, you're stuck with stock 4.4 like everyone else is. The info is all over this subforum...
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Ah, that is quite unfortunate. I just needed to get caught up in the news. Thanks and I hope to see some root hacks soon.

Garret27 said:
Ah, that is quite unfortunate. I just needed to get caught up in the news. Thanks and I hope to see some root hacks soon.
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You could try easy tether pro

I've been thinking. I was reading the forums quite abit recently. The Chinese guy might of had access to the Motorola database with the IMEI or he might have developed a serial-cracker. I remember using keygens to unlock copies of Microsoft Office along time ago. This guy might have done the same but kept it for himself to make a profit. I am wondering if we might see a keygen that uses a person's IMIE.
Just an idea I had.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

So for the sake of getting a more informed is this piece of crap ultra worth keeping in the hope of a root solution in the near future, or is anybody really even working on one?

It's a good phone that could be great (not as great as the MAXX 'cause of that battery life and no wireless charging) - I would say don't hold your breath for an unlock for the bootloader or even root nowadays, it's getting way too tough to root and bootloaders are pretty much... well, locked up I suppose. I don't know of any devs that are seriously working on the Droid devices anymore, it's kind of a crapshoot if you find one I guess.
IF I had gotten either of them before that "Chinese guy" stopped providing the bootloader unlock codes I may have developed a different opinion, but I missed that window of opportunity and so I decided holding onto those phones wasn't feasible given my requirements.
As I said in another post, I did like the MAXX and Mini when I owned them recently, but the fact that I wanted a bit more capability meaning root access because I use some apps that require it as well as the option of potentially using some customized ROM or doing customization that might require something like the Xposed framework means you're dead in the water with the Ultra/MAXX/Mini.
I sold both, picked up a Samsung Galaxy Express for $80 and it's unlocked (for T-Mobile, did that in 2 minutes), rooted and of course running CyanogenMod 11 aka Android 4.4.2 without a single issue so far except the camera FCs often but that's a well known bug that persists and likely will always be problematic (except on those new CyanogenMod phones I suppose since they're designed to run that OS 100% without problems).
The Ultra, the MAXX, and the Mini are damned nice devices if you like "pure stock" and pretty much zero chance of them ever being anything else - the fact that they're GSM unlocked from the factory is a plus, so is the wireless charging for the MAXX and Mini, but that's about it for me and not enough to keep them for the long haul.
Good luck...

Thank you very much for an honest opinion. Fortunately I just signed on with Verizon and received this phone only a couple of days ago and have the option of retuning it and canceling the service with only a minimal restocking fee to deal with. I guess I will have to exercise that option because root access to the device is critical for use at work.

SOSDD said:
Thank you very much for an honest opinion. Fortunately I just signed on with Verizon and received this phone only a couple of days ago and have the option of retuning it and canceling the service with only a minimal restocking fee to deal with. I guess I will have to exercise that option because root access to the device is critical for use at work.
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Exchange for a gs5. It has root. As does the HTC one m8. The m8 looks well built. And the dot view case is sweet.
Sent from my unlocked consumer edition Motorola Droid Maxx xt1080m.

Thinking of buying a used or new Droid Maxx- is it root able now?

Reading about Sunshine. Will this work on pretty much any Droid Maxx? I was going to buy a new or used device to mess around with. Root/bootloader unlock are very important to me, in that order. Sunshine seems to say it works on any Droid Maxx prior to 4.4.4, and then "some" 4.4.4 phones. Can anyone help me out before I make the purchase?
Free storage from Copy:
https://copy.com?r=cScoov

jackdubl said:
Reading about Sunshine. Will this work on pretty much any Droid Maxx? I was going to buy a new or used device to mess around with. Root/bootloader unlock are very important to me, in that order. Sunshine seems to say it works on any Droid Maxx prior to 4.4.4, and then "some" 4.4.4 phones. Can anyone help me out before I make the purchase?
Free storage from Copy:
https://copy.com?r=cScoov
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Sunshine will not work on 4.4.4.

4.4.4 = no root (still a great phone IMO...I don't even miss root to be honest and I had a serious crack-flash addiction with all previous phones)

It worked on my Maxx 4.4.4. on 21.11.21..see my posts at this other thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-ultra/general/little-help-please-t2869859/page2
Of course to be safe, if the used Maxx you are purchasing is on an older version, even safer bet that Sunshine may work, just keep it as stock as possible when trying Sunshine.

^^ his was already rooted. Obtaining root is the kicker for Sunshine on a Maxx running 4.4.4
Which is exactly the phone I have. Sunshine doesn't work on it, China Middleman didn't have a code for it, so there's currently no way to unlock the bootloader or root it.
I did not do my homework before purchasing. It's a great phone, love the 3-day battery, but miss my unlimited hotspot. Guess you have a decision to make...

Dmaxx.4.2.2 rooted and writable. Is sunshine only way to unlock bootldr?

I love this phone, nothing coming out is exciting. But, I need lollipop now. I'd like to install a recovery, make a backup, flash lollipop based Moto x Rom. If this phone was new, I would pay for sunshine without thinking, but I don't know if I want to invest money in a phone towards the end of its useful life.
So is there any other way to get lollipop?

Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.

br0adband said:
Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.
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Oh I've been doing really good with stock firmware sms xposed. Bought the phone new and still on jb, but phone runs flawlessly compared to what I've been hearing from those that took the updates.
However, I need lollipop now because I have android auto in my car. I'm debating between paying to unlock it out getting a new phone, maybe the nexus.
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.

mistermojorizin said:
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.
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Click to collapse
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.

br0adband said:
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.
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Click to collapse
i bought sunshine. thanks for the advice