Deciding on buying a Droid Mini - Droid Ultra Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi everybody,
I'm planning to buy a use Droid Mini but was wondering if it is actually worth it, considering the posts here about the effort involved in rooting/unlocking the bootloader/custom rom etc.
I'd be much grateful if someone could advice on the below
- If I were to get something on a version less than 4.4.4, then I'm assuming I can root/unlock bootloader. Can install a 5.x based ROM?
- Is the alternate way to achieve root, apart from SunShine? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=45598648
- If the above is done, does it stay that way even if we upgrade to a 5.x ROM (assuming it is possible)?
Thanks much

Related

[Q] Noob Rooting Motorola Cliq - NEED HELP

As the title states, I am a super noob when it comes to rooting, and I've been trying to root my Motorola Cliq. I've been nearly bricked, so I've decided I'd ask around instead of trying to figure it out myself. Before I ask my questions, here's the facts:
SYSTEM VERSION: Blur_Version.1.3.20.MB200.Orange.en.FR
(The thing is, I live in and purchased the phone from T-Mobile in USA. I think I may have loaded a ROM or something that was for the FR version of the phone
It runs too slow, and main reason for rooting is to increase performance speed and whatever other perks come with rooting are certainly welcome.
Questions:
What is the easiest way to root my phone?
How can I check whether or not my phone was successfully rooted?
After rooting, what is the best, most functional, and most stable ROM I can apply to my phone, without losing too many features?
Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!
- dbG33K

[Q] unlock bootloader or downgrading system under 9.18.79.XT926

I have motorola Razr Maxx HD... recently I updated system to 9.18.79. However, today i saw cyanogenmod 10.2 version roll out and I really want to try 4.3 version since I have been stuck on 4.1 for almost a year. Unfortunately, when I try using motopocalypse to unlock bootloader, it keeps failing. Than I was thinking maybe I can downgrading back to the old version than unlock bootloader but on the website it says DO NOT USE THIS UTILITY ON THE LATEST 4.1.2 OTA UPDATE. I guess 9.18.79 is the newest OTA version. Therefore, I was wondering if there is anyway that i can unlock bootloader under 9.18.79 or downgrade whole system to lower version. So I can install cyanogenmod 10.2
Thank you
You're out of luck, sorry. There's no way to unlock after taking the newest OTA.
I believe that the correct answers to your questions about your recently updated Razr Maxx HD are -- NO, at this time there is no way to unlock the bootloader if you've installed the 9.18.79 update, YES, you can still root your phone. YES, you can downgrade your phone to 9.16.6 (but you still won't be able to unlock your bootloader after doing so). I have a Maxx HD with exactly this set of circumstances. The phone was running 9.18.79 when I got it. After having no luck unlocking the bootloader (as expected) I was able to root it using a method I found in this forum, then installed SafeStrap, then installed a couple of older stock kernel-based custom ROMs. It's certainly not as good as before the update but I'm rooted, all my apps run and I'm rid of all the Verizon bloatware. Not perfect but not bad.
lesdense said:
I believe that the correct answers to your questions about your recently updated Razr Maxx HD are -- NO, at this time there is no way to unlock the bootloader if you've installed the 9.18.79 update, YES, you can still root your phone. YES, you can downgrade your phone to 9.16.6 (but you still won't be able to unlock your bootloader after doing so). I have a Maxx HD with exactly this set of circumstances. The phone was running 9.18.79 when I got it. After having no luck unlocking the bootloader (as expected) I was able to root it using a method I found in this forum, then installed SafeStrap, then installed a couple of older stock kernel-based custom ROMs. It's certainly not as good as before the update but I'm rooted, all my apps run and I'm rid of all the Verizon bloatware. Not perfect but not bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply...yeah i am able to root my phone...but performance is still under my expectation...Just really want to try out of 4.3 because it seem to have much better optimize. Thank you for all the information..
jackforever said:
Thank you for the reply...yeah i am able to root my phone...but performance is still under my expectation...Just really want to try out of 4.3 because it seem to have much better optimize. Thank you for all the information..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's why you never take updates without knowing for sure you can still use tools. Lesson learned.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
deeje00 said:
Well that's why you never take updates without knowing for sure you can still use tools. Lesson learned.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same boat, I have one question. Does anyone use the Motorola way to unlock bootloader? I found the website to unlock, wondered why that isn't an option.
It's for developer editions only.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
Thanks for answering these questions. Who and how close are they to unlocking it? Do you see it happening soon?
dudewithspots said:
Thanks for answering these questions. Who and how close are they to unlocking it? Do you see it happening soon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone is working on this. The guy who came up with the exploit to unlock the bootloader in the first place said immediately after releasing it that he isn't touching Motorola devices' bootloaders anymore because they have become so difficult to crack. The update in the 9.16 OTA patched a pretty big security hole in the basic Android framework. That was a good thing because it prevents thieves from hacking your phone (hopefully) but it also took away a lot of our "freedom" with these devices, unfortunately.
Basically the process of finding a way to unlock the bootloaders is extremely difficult and not a rewarding enough venture for anyone to bother with right now. Don't hold your breath for a bootloader unlock anytime soon (likely never). If you've updated to 9.16 (I'm with you here, after replacing a bootloader unlocked, rooted and running CM10.1 phone with a cracked screen through insurance and receiving a replacement with an un-unlockable bootloader out of the box) kiss your ROMing dreams goodbye. The best you can do with the phone now is root it, install SafeStrap and run ROMs based off the stock kernel.
My advice to any and all willing to listen:
Get away from Verizon as fast as you can. They are making sure their phones release now-a-days with un-unlockable bootloaders. The upcoming Droid Ultra, Maxx, and Mini as well as the Moto X will all be locked down with no hope of unlocking their bootloaders on Verizon. The ATT Moto X will also not have an unlockable bootloader.
The best carrier for devs and flash hounds will be T-Mobile from here on out as they are marketing to people with their own devices and not locking down the software the way the big V is.
This really sucks because my favorite thing about my Razr HD Maxx is the battery, and the only thing close to or better as far as battery size/life coming out is the new Droid Maxx. With out being abkle to install a custom ROM, though I feel like I'm using an iPhone. But a good alternative may be an S4 on T-Mobs with an extended battery (thanks to Samsungs removable batteries) or charging case or something like that.
You are a wealth of information, thank you!
Would I be able to install any rom with safestrap? and then I would just be stuck with current kernal? Or does the rom have to be special in some way? I want to get the CyanogenMod 10.3 version. Thoughts? If I can't, what would be the best option as far as stock kernal rom?
swboland said:
I don't think anyone is working on this. The guy who came up with the exploit to unlock the bootloader in the first place said immediately after releasing it that he isn't touching Motorola devices' bootloaders anymore because they have become so difficult to crack. The update in the 9.16 OTA patched a pretty big security hole in the basic Android framework. That was a good thing because it prevents thieves from hacking your phone (hopefully) but it also took away a lot of our "freedom" with these devices, unfortunately.
Basically the process of finding a way to unlock the bootloaders is extremely difficult and not a rewarding enough venture for anyone to bother with right now. Don't hold your breath for a bootloader unlock anytime soon (likely never). If you've updated to 9.16 (I'm with you here, after replacing a bootloader unlocked, rooted and running CM10.1 phone with a cracked screen through insurance and receiving a replacement with an un-unlockable bootloader out of the box) kiss your ROMing dreams goodbye. The best you can do with the phone now is root it, install SafeStrap and run ROMs based off the stock kernel.
My advice to any and all willing to listen:
Get away from Verizon as fast as you can. They are making sure their phones release now-a-days with un-unlockable bootloaders. The upcoming Droid Ultra, Maxx, and Mini as well as the Moto X will all be locked down with no hope of unlocking their bootloaders on Verizon. The ATT Moto X will also not have an unlockable bootloader.
The best carrier for devs and flash hounds will be T-Mobile from here on out as they are marketing to people with their own devices and not locking down the software the way the big V is.
This really sucks because my favorite thing about my Razr HD Maxx is the battery, and the only thing close to or better as far as battery size/life coming out is the new Droid Maxx. With out being abkle to install a custom ROM, though I feel like I'm using an iPhone. But a good alternative may be an S4 on T-Mobs with an extended battery (thanks to Samsungs removable batteries) or charging case or something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man, So I have SafeStrap but I am having a hard time finding roms that will work with safestrap. do you know of any?
dudewithspots said:
You are a wealth of information, thank you!
Would I be able to install any rom with safestrap? and then I would just be stuck with current kernal? Or does the rom have to be special in some way? I want to get the CyanogenMod 10.3 version. Thoughts? If I can't, what would be the best option as far as stock kernal rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of the new roms only roms based on stock. Your gonna have to dig to roms started before April.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
no exciting news about the current version of unlock still?
The new one probably won't be unlocked.
Sent from my PACMAN MATRIX HD MAXX
I unfortunately upgraded to 9.18.79 a while back and now that i'd like to unlock the bootloader, I can't.
However, I do have best buy insurance, assuming my screen is broken, I can get the device replaced with a refurbished unit. What are the odds the refurbished unit has not been updated to a version that cannot be unlocked?
thanks
ajent said:
I unfortunately upgraded to 9.18.79 a while back and now that i'd like to unlock the bootloader, I can't.
However, I do have best buy insurance, assuming my screen is broken, I can get the device replaced with a refurbished unit. What are the odds the refurbished unit has not been updated to a version that cannot be unlocked?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The odds are getting slimmer and slimmer as the days go on, but I have still seen a few people get replacements that have not been updated.

Moto Noob Here - Used To HTC Phones

Hey Guys! So I'm coming from a HTC Incredible, Incredible 2, Rezound, and One and now here I am with a new Droid Maxx and I'm trying to figure out just what I need to do in order to root his badboy and get all this crap that Verizon put on it off. I'm looking around and I'm seeing a few different threads about rooting but not to much about custom roms. What I'd be looking to accomplish is either 4.2 or 4.4, don't care to much which one but I want all this bloat gone as well as the ability to do a WiFi tether without giving Verizon even more money per month like I used to do on my HTC devices. Thanks in advance peeps!
AlmostTactful said:
Hey Guys! So I'm coming from a HTC Incredible, Incredible 2, Rezound, and One and now here I am with a new Droid Maxx and I'm trying to figure out just what I need to do in order to root his badboy and get all this crap that Verizon put on it off. I'm looking around and I'm seeing a few different threads about rooting but not to much about custom roms. What I'd be looking to accomplish is either 4.2 or 4.4, don't care to much which one but I want all this bloat gone as well as the ability to do a WiFi tether without giving Verizon even more money per month like I used to do on my HTC devices. Thanks in advance peeps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rooting depends on whether you are still on JellyBean 4.2.2 or not. If so make sure your system version is 12.15.15 then head on over to the original development section and use RockMyMoto to get root. Check out the SlapMyMoto thread too and use MotoWpNoMo to turn write protection off permanently. If you're already on Kit Kat then you're out of luck for the time being as there is no direct root for KK and no way to downgrade to 4.2.2 to get root.
As for custom ROMs... there aren't any and you'll have to use TiBu to debloat your phone. Other than that welcome to the Maxx.
BladeRunner said:
rooting depends on whether you are still on JellyBean 4.2.2 or not. If so make sure your system version is 12.15.15 then head on over to the original development section and use RockMyMoto to get root. Check out the SlapMyMoto thread too and use MotoWpNoMo to turn write protection off permanently. If you're already on Kit Kat then you're out of luck for the time being as there is no direct root for KK and no way to downgrade to 4.2.2 to get root.
As for custom ROMs... there aren't any and you'll have to use TiBu to debloat your phone. Other than that welcome to the Maxx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the information! I am still on 4.2.2 and I just checked my version and it is in fact 12.15.15. I'll check out those threads and get all this crap off my phone lol. Once I do this, if we get an OTA 4.4 will I still be able to upgrade?
Side question, why the lack of ROMS? Is the phone not mod friendly? I remember having an HTC it seemed like I had a TON of ROM choices.
AlmostTactful said:
Thanks so much for the information! I am still on 4.2.2 and I just checked my version and it is in fact 12.15.15. I'll check out those threads and get all this crap off my phone lol. Once I do this, if we get an OTA 4.4 will I still be able to upgrade?
Side question, why the lack of ROMS? Is the phone not mod friendly? I remember having an HTC it seemed like I had a TON of ROM choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll still be able to upgrade. It just takes jumping through a few hoops to keep root after the upgrade.
Moto kind of pushed the Moto X more than the Maxx/Ultra since it is multi-carrier so more people have the X and hence, more development. The lack of an unlocked bootloader has really hurt the VZW droids.
Awesome, the phone is incredible so I'll be happy with just ditching the bloat...none of the HTCs that I had come close to this as far as battery life is concerned...not even when I put an extended battery on them. Needless to say I'm super happy with the phone
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
BladeRunner said:
You'll still be able to upgrade. It just takes jumping through a few hoops to keep root after the upgrade.
Moto kind of pushed the Moto X more than the Maxx/Ultra since it is multi-carrier so more people have the X and hence, more development. The lack of an unlocked bootloader has really hurt the VZW droids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hijack, but you are answering something right along the lines of what I've been searching for. I've done all OTA updates, and I'm showing Android 4.2.2. I'm then showing 12.15.15.obake_maxx_version for system. I'm guessing then that kitkat was only something a person could forcefully update towards. As in it's not yet available via an OTA?
Hey, so KK was only available for a short time before VZ pulled the update due to issues. You can still get it here by jumping through some hoops, and you can get it while retaining root by jumping through flaming hoops with 3 suicidal midgets strapped to your back. That being said the root process is a bit lengthy, compared to an HTC device, but was super simple with the amount of instruction given by our devs
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Q] Verizon One M8... No S-Off method?

I'd like to thank anyone ahead of time for taking the time to read and answer my question.
I have a Verizon HTC One M8 running Android 5.0.1. After a year of stock, bloated use, I would like to root and install a custom ROM. I learned that I cannot use HTCdev to do it because Verizon blocked it. As of now, it seems that there is absolutely no way to get s-off. I searched and the only option seems to be Sunshine. However, Sunshine does not support android 5.0.x and higher. I have nowhere else to go. I find it very hard to believe that there is not support on how to achieve s-off on a popular phone for the biggest carrier in the US. I am not complaining, rather I attribute this to my inability to find such a thing. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could direct me to a guide or thread that can provide a solution or at least, an answer.
Thanks again for your time,
Phil

[Q] Upgrade while maintaining root

I currently have a xperia z3 running 4.4.4 rooted. I would like to upgrade to 5.0.2 or even try out other roms. My problem is I don't know the do's and dont's when messing with android (previous iPhone user).
I know that the DRM Keys are a big deal and I have those backed up. I just want to know what is safe and how I can ensure that I won't end up bricking my phone.
If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
If you want to upgrade, you have to flash pre-rooted 5.0.2. Its the best and easiest way for you. Just flash it and you are done. Check the guides in general section.

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