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[Q] Can you OTA update a Nexus 5 and keep root?

Ok so I just recently got my hands on a Nexus 5 which I rooted with CF Auto Root and relocked the bootloader with Bootunlocker for security (I'm guessing I should unlock before the update). I see reports surfacing of a possible 4.4.3 update in the near future. So before that happens I want to figure out the best practice for updating a N5 with CF Auto Root. It stands to reason I'll do a full backup so that's a given.
I'm not new to rooting. Done it a few times. Just haven't had a device that gets regular OTAs in my country so it hasn't come up.
Is there a way to update so that root is preserved? Obviously I'd like to keep the process as simple as possible but if I have to work from scratch it's not the end of the world.
As I understand it, you can do normal OTA as long as it's stock but you lose root. In that case, does the OTA relock the bootloader or will it stay unlocked? Which then basically means a new root which wipes the device.
Or perhaps it's better to ask what the best procedure for updating a stock Nexus 5 with CF Auto Root.

Everything that you have ever wanted to know about OTA can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217

Ah thanks. Appreciate it.

generally no, after ota you lose root. but there are apps that will save your root so that you keep root after an update.

I've been looking at Survival Mode in Super SU and RootKeeper but there seems to be some question as to their success.

Reaper1242 said:
I've been looking at Survival Mode in Super SU and RootKeeper but there seems to be some question as to their success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive never used any since i dont ota, i update my custom rom as soon as its updated, but ive heard of success with rootkeeper. but it doesnt matter, it literally takes 3 minutes to root a nexus the right way(via fastboot).

Yea, I should use fastboot in future.

Reaper1242 said:
As I understand it, you can do normal OTA as long as it's stock but you lose root. In that case, does the OTA relock the bootloader or will it stay unlocked? Which then basically means a new root which wipes the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock Android OS update will not relock the bootloader. So, once you apply the OTA.zip file in recovery, all you will need to do is reflash the SuperSU, and you are done.
(Note that depending on your system status, you may not be able to apply the OTA.zip directly - for instance, if you have updated/deleted system files etc, in which case, you will first need to go back to stock - refer to the link that @mistahseller provided for details about how to go back to stock)

jj14 said:
The stock Android OS update will not relock the bootloader. So, once you apply the OTA.zip file in recovery, all you will need to do is reflash the SuperSU, and you are done.
(Note that depending on your system status, you may not be able to apply the OTA.zip directly - for instance, if you have updated/deleted system files etc, in which case, you will first need to go back to stock - refer to the link that @mistahseller provided for details about how to go back to stock)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you would need to flash a custom recovery first, then supersu in your custom recovery.

Thanks everyone for the responses.You've made everything much clearer.

simms22 said:
you would need to flash a custom recovery first, then supersu in your custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I assumed that op had installed a custom recovery when he rooted, but that is not always the case.

Ok so I'm going to sideload myself. Been a while so I just want to confirm the process so I don't screw up.
I'm using TWRP
Obviously I'll do a NANdroid and probably Titanium as well.
1) Unlock bootloader with Bootunlocker
2) Connect device to PC
3) Boot into TWRP recovery and go to Advanced > ADB Sideload
4) type adb sideload update.zip (or whatever I call the file)
5) reboot device and check if it's working
6) reboot to recovery and reflash superuser.zip
I think that's it. Is there anything else I need to be aware of? If I'm right it should then be updated, rooted and in the same state before I updated.

I am in the same situation. I am currently rooted with a unlocked boot loader. When 4.4.3 comes along I plan to upgrade it. I have only rooted and have CWM no custom ROM. I know o cannot perform a OTA update. So do I copy the update zip (4.4.3) and just flash in CWM? Is this correct, and if so do I lose root/ boot loader. Thanks. I have read the thread above but do not understand
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

dec1153 said:
I am in the same situation. I am currently rooted with a unlocked boot loader. When 4.4.3 comes along I plan to upgrade it. I have only rooted and have CWM no custom ROM. I know o cannot perform a OTA update. So do I copy the update zip (4.4.3) and just flash in CWM? Is this correct, and if so do I lose root/ boot loader. Thanks. I have read the thread above but do not understand
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash stock system.img and flash recovery.img and then do the update.zip from the stock recovery..
If you don't want to flash, then make sure you have removed all the modifications you have done to system apps. If you don't remember then I would certainly recommend flashing stock images...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

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] Error message while installing android lollipop on Nexus 5

Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!

eatcyanide said:
Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a custom recovery or flashed a kernel? You must be 100% stock
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

I'm on stock android. The only thing I have changed is rooting it and unlocking it
Sent from my Nexus 5

eatcyanide said:
I'm on stock android. The only thing I have changed is rooting it and unlocking it
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am stuck in the same situation. Tried it twice with no luck.
I too rooted my phone with towelroot and unrooted it with superSu.
Did you find any solution? Please do share. Thanks.

eatcyanide said:
Im trying to install Android Lollipop on my Nexus 5, but once it downloads I try to install it and it gets about halfway through the install before an error message appears and my phone restarts. My phone is unlocked and has been rooted before, but it isn't at the moment. Any help would be great, Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rahul9five said:
I am stuck in the same situation. Tried it twice with no luck.
I too rooted my phone with towelroot and unrooted it with superSu.
Did you find any solution? Please do share. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You either have a modified system file or a file left over from being rooted. The easiest and fastest solution would be to fastboot flash the system image. You could of course flash the factory image.

wantabe said:
You either have a modified system file or a file left over from being rooted. The easiest and fastest solution would be to fastboot flash the system image. You could of course flash the factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well now i remember changing the mixer_path.xml ... Will i have to unlock my bootloader to flash the factory image as i had rooted my phone with towelroot so i didnt have to do it earlier..
Also is it possible to replace the mixer path file with the original one from the internet

rahul9five said:
Well now i remember changing the mixer_path.xml ... Will i have to unlock my bootloader to flash the factory image as i had rooted my phone with towelroot so i didnt have to do it earlier..
Also is it possible to replace the mixer path file with the original one from the internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks! ; ) I've always used the sdk so I don't know a whole lot about towelroot. Your bootloader will have to be unlocked to flash the factory image. If you can reroot you could then use the app BootUnlocker.
I just looked and I don't have the stock mixer_paths.xml anymore or I would link to it.

wantabe said:
That sucks! ; ) I've always used the sdk so I don't know a whole lot about towelroot. Your bootloader will have to be unlocked to flash the factory image. If you can reroot you could then use the app BootUnlocker.
I just looked and I don't have the stock mixer_paths.xml anymore or I would link to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou for your efforts and advise. I guess i will just rerrot with towelroot, unclock the bootloader with the app you suggestee and flash factory image..
Btw. Will flashing the factory image unroot my phone and lock the bootloader or is there some procedure that needs to be done to do that?

rahul9five said:
Thankyou for your efforts and advise. I guess i will just rerrot with towelroot, unclock the bootloader with the app you suggestee and flash factory image..
Btw. Will flashing the factory image unroot my phone and lock the bootloader or is there some procedure that needs to be done to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the factory image or a system image will always unroot your device. Lock the bootloader using the sdk. The command is fastboot oem lock.

Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?

beekay201 said:
Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, you can't flash the ota through a custom recovery anymore
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

beekay201 said:
Is there a reason why OP needs locked bootloader? Just leave it unlocked, unless you have a really strong reason to. It will spare you hassles in the future.
That said, after unlocking bootloader, you can (at least, we could in the past) flash the update file through twrp (you just need to fastboot boot twrp.img and then flash the update), that will tell you exactly what file(s) doesn't match. Those are the ones you need to replace back to stock.
Edit: read also http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2949987. Maybe new selinux stuff is playing funny?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou.. I am more of a soft modder. Like playing with rooted apps and xposed mainly. I dont see myself flashing a custom rom. Love the stock on my nexus 5. So i dont see the need to leave the bootloader unlocked.

rahul9five said:
Thankyou.. I am more of a soft modder. Like playing with rooted apps and xposed mainly. I dont see myself flashing a custom rom. Love the stock on my nexus 5. So i dont see the need to leave the bootloader unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Err... I didn't suggest that you flash a custom ROM. Read what I said.

Xspoed framework not working ?

This is my first ever post in xda so I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. So I have a HTC one m8 Verizon running the latest os. It is rooted using weaksauce 2. The boot loader is not unlocked and it has s on unfortunately. So here is the problem I go to install framework work then I reboot and I get an error
app_process version "58" has been installed preciously but version "47" was found now. if you didn't expect an old file to be restored.
A lot have people have said to flash it via recovery. Which I would do but here is we're I get confused. I don't have a custom recovery. Don't I need one to flash xsposed ? Or can I flash it via stock recovery ? Thanks for the help.

Arrowfan15 said:
This is my first ever post in xda so I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. So I have a HTC one m8 Verizon running the latest os. It is rooted using weaksauce 2. The boot loader is not unlocked and it has s on unfortunately. So here is the problem I go to install framework work then I reboot and I get an error
app_process version "58" has been installed preciously but version "47" was found now. if you didn't expect an old file to be restored.
A lot have people have said to flash it via recovery. Which I would do but here is we're I get confused. I don't have a custom recovery. Don't I need one to flash xsposed ? Or can I flash it via stock recovery ? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way to get a custom recovery is to unlock the bootloader, which you didn't do. Once you figure that out and get a custom recovery installed, then you can flash whatever you wish (including Xposed). I'm new to this phone, but I'm pretty sure that the way you rooted it with WS 2 is not permanent, and probably reverted itself after a reboot.
The only current way to permanently root this phone with the latest OS is to use Sunshine, which will cost you $25. But I hear that it does work.
p.s. Oh, and next time, please post questions in the Q & A forum.

Okay thanks. Sorry for posting in the wrong place.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using XDA Free mobile app

[Q&A] Shield Tablet OTA 2.2 Update

Q&A for Shield Tablet OTA 2.2 Update
Some developers prefer that questions remain separate from their main development thread to help keep things organized. Placing your question within this thread will increase its chances of being answered by a member of the community or by the developer.
Before posting, please use the forum search and read through the discussion thread for Shield Tablet OTA 2.2 Update. If you can't find an answer, post it here, being sure to give as much information as possible (firmware version, steps to reproduce, logcat if available) so that you can get help.
Thanks for understanding and for helping to keep XDA neat and tidy!

Wipes
There is no need to do any wipe before flash?

Anyone know if this will break my ROOT?
Thanks!

Mat11095 said:
There is no need to do any wipe before flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to wipe unless you're a purist.
Atticus21 said:
Anyone know if this will break my ROOT?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will break root, but if you have an unlocked bootloader, you can easily reinstall cwm,philz, or twrp (if you have to) and reinstall the latest supersu.zip. Also redownload or restore the supersu app.
Then, you'll have root again.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using Tapatalk

Tried it update from lollipop 5.0.1
I have the OTA update before this one, and i unlocked boot loader and root the device. IT has a custom recovery.img flashed to install the root.
When i try to install this update, it pops into the update then immediately back to the recovery saying "invalid argument."
I assume its because the device has a custom recovery.img partition. My guess to fix this problem is put back the original recovery image?
Question is, how can i do this without wiping the device? Or if its necessary... how?
Thanks

Fishcake21 said:
I have the OTA update before this one, and i unlocked boot loader and root the device. IT has a custom recovery.img flashed to install the root.
When i try to install this update, it pops into the update then immediately back to the recovery saying "invalid argument."
I assume its because the device has a custom recovery.img partition. My guess to fix this problem is put back the original recovery image?
Question is, how can i do this without wiping the device? Or if its necessary... how?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't use the OTA that comes directly ota from Nvidia's servers because you've altered the recovery and system positions. It well fail.
Instead flash the "full" ota. The links to the full OTA are everywhere on xda since the release. The file is about 725mb . If link to one but I'm using tapatalk right now.
Remember that you have to flash supersu afterward to retain root.
Also, depending on your recovery, you may have to flash that as well.

Fishcake21 said:
I have the OTA update before this one, and i unlocked boot loader and root the device. IT has a custom recovery.img flashed to install the root.
When i try to install this update, it pops into the update then immediately back to the recovery saying "invalid argument."
I assume its because the device has a custom recovery.img partition. My guess to fix this problem is put back the original recovery image?
Question is, how can i do this without wiping the device? Or if its necessary... how?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another user, on another thread, said that if you are rooted, flashing the original recovery wont work because the Shield is modified (rooted)
With the custom recovery, you need to flash a full 2.2 ota (is around here somewhere) and wipe cache & dalvik; then flash supersu and your custom recovery*
*Optional: some said they needed to flash the custom rec, some said they didn't flash it and kept their cust. recovery. Personally I'd flash it again.