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[Q] Why Root?

I rooted mine and my wife's Captivate and the only advantage I saw was getting rid of ATT programs. I was going to send my phone back (becasue I could not OTA update) But since used Kies to do so. My wifes remains rooted . I am back to stock JH7.
I read you can tell the phone where to install programs when rooted but I did not find a way to do that. What are the other advantages of rooting the phone.
We have one Captivate rooted and the other stock.
Came over from unbranded n97 running Symbian. This is all new to me and I hated the 2 weeks with an iPhone. So far I like this Andriod OS but I have a lot to learn. I have read it is virtually impossible to brick this phone with the propoer tools and knowledge that is readily available........true?

Apparently it is not as unbrickable as people think. Some people were seeing stock phones bricking by trying to update the recent OTA. I myself was rooted and had no troubles.
Rooting allows you to play God on your phone. But be careful and backup everything if you do decide to. Best advice, as I was new to Android as well, is to read as much as you can before trying anything.
Most people here are good about answering questions, if you post in the right forum.
Good luck and welcome!

I guess it really depends on what you want to do with your phone. The only reason I rooted was to remove bloatware. Thats pretty much where the benefit ends unless you are interested in loading different ROMs and kernels.
Also, a word of caution: Be careful what apps you load on a rooted device. Root access gives you, and applications read/write/execute access to everything on your phone.

I also have a question on this topic. Since the original poster said, he can't do OTA updates after rooting is this correct?
Can you root the phone, take the bloatware off, then unroot the phone? Will the OTA now update?
Or do you have to update the original stock rom with OTA, then root the phone?
Can you root the phone, remove bloatware, then unroot the phone?
Thanks

Ihad no problem updating with my rooted phone. All I've done is root and lagfix.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

dynastyice said:
I also have a question on this topic. Since the original poster said, he can't do OTA updates after rooting is this correct?
Can you root the phone, take the bloatware off, then unroot the phone? Will the OTA now update?
Or do you have to update the original stock rom with OTA, then root the phone?
Can you root the phone, remove bloatware, then unroot the phone?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my phone......removed all bloat tirf to do the update and failed...Odin back to stock.....failed even after speaking with Samsung and ATT. Of course Samsung said it was not a hardware issue (as if that is all they should be concerned with.)
the Odin process could only be doe ONE way for me and I cut and pasted the method that worked and keep it and a lot of other tips in a Samsung folder on my Notebook. Seems everything but rooting was a hassle until you get GOOD information. That is the hardest think to glean. One has to read ENTIRE threads before they find the solution and not go jumping into the experiments....LOL
A few OPs do update their initial posts with the correct "process revisions"
I likely will root after the maybe someday Froyo 2.2 update. I want to get my wife's phone stock again..........
I finally after ATT decided to replace the phone......download Kies and installed the update that was and all went well. Kies is hit and miss with this phone though, Sometimes it sees it, others it does not.
Funny thing now on my USB selections it doesn't say "Samsung Kies" It says "Samsung Kies (firmware update)" Strange.
Anyway I am a complete noob but I like to learn about the OS as I did Symbian and mess with things now and then. I Am not the type that worries about scratches though. My phones look like war toys. But I usually don't resell them after a a couple generations. I give the previous phones away and keep the current phones as back up for the NEXT phones. The N95s will be given away if we keep these past Oct 20 drop day....

The biggest advantage you gain after rooting your phone is being able to use Titanium to back up all your apps, and Clockwork ROM manager to do an entire backup your phone.
These are nice tools to have, but both require rooting and super user privileges.

if you ask that question, then you probably shouldn't. rooting is for those who constantly not satisfied with status quo of their phones, for those who like different looks and improve on system and have no patience for OTA.
Example:
I bought MyTouch 3G as 1.5 Cupcake.
Upgraded to CM 1.6
Changed back and forth between Sense 1.5 and Donut 1.6.
Upgraded to CM 1.6 with bits of 2.0
Upgraded to CM 2.0
Upgraded to CM 2.1
Upgraded to CM 2.2
My Captivate will eventually get CM 6.0 I hope soon. Who knows, perhaps Sense 2.X will be ported too.
Oh, and lag-fix, overclocking and future color fix are other pluses.

Yeah you,re right. I switched both caps back to stock. I may want something more after Iget to know Android more and find areal need rather than.
do something just because it can be done
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

[Q] I have a rooted 4.1.1 device...

I have a VZW GS3 - the I535 model - which I rooted well over a year ago and flashed with a fairly stock-like 4.1.1-based ROM. I would like to wipe the device and put on a fresh ROM (also preferably somewhat stock-ish, as I use the Google apps a lot), for a few reasons:
1. Every 5 days, I get a prompt to install a Verizon security update. Obviously, this is pretty annoying after over 1 1/2 years.
2. The phone has generally slowed down quite a bit, eats up more battery than ever, etc.
I have tried to navigate the sticky threads and figure out my best option. Obviously not opposed to going to a 4.2.x, 4.3.x, or 4.4.x-based ROM as long as it's possible without bricking the phone. So... where do I start? Where do I finish? I'm not an idiot, but I rooted the first time using the very easy-to-follow instructions in this thread and never really learned the nuts and bolts of it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439
Thanks!

ncscotts said:
I have a VZW GS3 - the I535 model - which I rooted well over a year ago and flashed with a fairly stock-like 4.1.1-based ROM. I would like to wipe the device and put on a fresh ROM (also preferably somewhat stock-ish, as I use the Google apps a lot), for a few reasons:
1. Every 5 days, I get a prompt to install a Verizon security update. Obviously, this is pretty annoying after over 1 1/2 years.
2. The phone has generally slowed down quite a bit, eats up more battery than ever, etc.
I have tried to navigate the sticky threads and figure out my best option. Obviously not opposed to going to a 4.2.x, 4.3.x, or 4.4.x-based ROM as long as it's possible without bricking the phone. So... where do I start? Where do I finish? I'm not an idiot, but I rooted the first time using the very easy-to-follow instructions in this thread and never really learned the nuts and bolts of it: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your already rooted? You can first of all disable that stupid notification for the update crap. It's a matter of going into the system files and removing or renaming two different files.
As far as roms as long as you follow the instructions you won't brick your phone, however ignoring one step will cause major issues, feel free to ask away
From my CM11 S3

Thank you. It was indeed easier than I thought. Ultimately, all I had to do was copy the zip file(s) to my SD card and flash them via TWRP (already installed on my phone, as it was already rooted). Now, I figured this out after multiple hours trying to will the "adb" command into submission and unnecessarily installing Google Android development tools on my PC... then wondering why the gapps zip kept failing.
So, anyway, my phone is running smooth as silk on CyanogenMod 10.2 now with the CORRECT associated version of gapps. I only wasted one evening in figuring it out.

ncscotts said:
Thank you. It was indeed easier than I thought. Ultimately, all I had to do was copy the zip file(s) to my SD card and flash them via TWRP (already installed on my phone, as it was already rooted). Now, I figured this out after multiple hours trying to will the "adb" command into submission and unnecessarily installing Google Android development tools on my PC... then wondering why the gapps zip kept failing.
So, anyway, my phone is running smooth as silk on CyanogenMod 10.2 now with the CORRECT associated version of gapps. I only wasted one evening in figuring it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you havent already i would back up your IMEI. guide on how to do it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255

[Q] Need help flashing custom ROM

Hi Everyone,
As this if my first post just wanted to say that I'm relatively new to customizing my Verizon HTC One M8 and really tried to search around here as well as other places to find answers but I really just wound up getting confused and bogged up in all the different scenarios and things that worked in this version but don't know etc. so apologies if I'm asking a bunch of newbie questions I after a lot of hours I really just couldn't find an up to date comprehensive guide.
So basically I have a Verizon HTC One M8 running Android 4.4.4. and I want to install a custom ROM most likely the DigitalHigh GPE or Skydragon not sure which but regardless I just read a bunch of different guides and started getting frustrated when they didn't work (like going the HTCDev route to realize that that route isn't supported by Verizon or whatever). Currently I have Sunshine installed and am waiting to verify that I can move forward before paying for it.
My question is after I pay for and run sunshine whats the exact route I take to get to where I want to go? I've searched around and found guides but I don't want to be stuck with outdated information that might not work. Thanks a lot for any help you guys can give.

sturdly said:
Hi Everyone,
As this if my first post just wanted to say that I'm relatively new to customizing my Verizon HTC One M8 and really tried to search around here as well as other places to find answers but I really just wound up getting confused and bogged up in all the different scenarios and things that worked in this version but don't know etc. so apologies if I'm asking a bunch of newbie questions I after a lot of hours I really just couldn't find an up to date comprehensive guide.
So basically I have a Verizon HTC One M8 running Android 4.4.4. and I want to install a custom ROM most likely the DigitalHigh GPE or Skydragon not sure which but regardless I just read a bunch of different guides and started getting frustrated when they didn't work (like going the HTCDev route to realize that that route isn't supported by Verizon or whatever). Currently I have Sunshine installed and am waiting to verify that I can move forward before paying for it.
My question is after I pay for and run sunshine whats the exact route I take to get to where I want to go? I've searched around and found guides but I don't want to be stuck with outdated information that might not work. Thanks a lot for any help you guys can give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are on 4.4.4 you first have to figure out if Sunshine will work on your phone, it's more recommended for users on 4.4.3 but you can still try as some people have had success. If it doesn't work, it will not charge so you don't have to worry. about paying and it not working.

sturdly said:
Hi Everyone,
As this if my first post just wanted to say that I'm relatively new to customizing my Verizon HTC One M8 and really tried to search around here as well as other places to find answers but I really just wound up getting confused and bogged up in all the different scenarios and things that worked in this version but don't know etc. so apologies if I'm asking a bunch of newbie questions I after a lot of hours I really just couldn't find an up to date comprehensive guide.
So basically I have a Verizon HTC One M8 running Android 4.4.4. and I want to install a custom ROM most likely the DigitalHigh GPE or Skydragon not sure which but regardless I just read a bunch of different guides and started getting frustrated when they didn't work (like going the HTCDev route to realize that that route isn't supported by Verizon or whatever). Currently I have Sunshine installed and am waiting to verify that I can move forward before paying for it.
My question is after I pay for and run sunshine whats the exact route I take to get to where I want to go? I've searched around and found guides but I don't want to be stuck with outdated information that might not work. Thanks a lot for any help you guys can give.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bud, we'll get you where you need to be. First off, unless it's the 4.4.4 under the Verizon forums, don't flash Skydragon as it is for the GSM version. I would recommend going with DHs, but beware *some* people have issues with data with that ROM. Here's the easiest way to get you where you need to be.
1. Go ahead and get S-off with sunshine. With S-off, you can flash RUUs.
2. Download this RUU and place it on your sd card, or use the executable method, both work flawlessly. Note that this will reset your phone, but you're flashing a ROM anyways. This is rooted. http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ent/ruu-m8vzw-4-4-4-s-off-onlynewest-t2914914
3. Confirm root and download flashify from the playstore.
4. Flash the recovery of your choice (most, myself included, prefer TWRP)
Now you are rooted with a custom recovery and good to go. If you flash DHs GPE, you will need to update to the 5.0 firmware first for best results. To do this, just place it (https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95832962473400175) on your sd card and boot into hboot by turning off your device, then hold volume down and the power button until it boots into a white screen with multi-colored text. This is hboot. From there, the device should auto detect the firmware on your sd card and press volume up to flash it. Volume up once more to confirm it. To confirm that you are on the new firmware, go back into hboot and check the opendsp number, it should something other than 46.2.2. Delete the firmware from your sd card so hboot doen't keep prompting you to run it every time you boot into hboot. From here, you should be all good to flash DHs ROM. If there is anything else I can help with or you get stuck at any point, let me know and we'll figure it out.

bjoostema said:
Hey bud, we'll get you where you need to be. First off, unless it's the 4.4.4 under the Verizon forums, don't flash Skydragon as it is for the GSM version. I would recommend going with DHs, but beware *some* people have issues with data with that ROM. Here's the easiest way to get you where you need to be.
1. Go ahead and get S-off with sunshine. With S-off, you can flash RUUs.
2. Download this RUU and place it on your sd card, or use the executable method, both work flawlessly. Note that this will reset your phone, but you're flashing a ROM anyways. This is rooted. http://forum.xda-developers.com/ver...ent/ruu-m8vzw-4-4-4-s-off-onlynewest-t2914914
3. Confirm root and download flashify from the playstore.
4. Flash the recovery of your choice (most, myself included, prefer TWRP)
Now you are rooted with a custom recovery and good to go. If you flash DHs GPE, you will need to update to the 5.0 firmware first for best results. To do this, just place it (https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95832962473400175) on your sd card and boot into hboot by turning off your device, then hold volume down and the power button until it boots into a white screen with multi-colored text. This is hboot. From there, the device should auto detect the firmware on your sd card and press volume up to flash it. Volume up once more to confirm it. To confirm that you are on the new firmware, go back into hboot and check the opendsp number, it should something other than 46.2.2. Delete the firmware from your sd card so hboot doen't keep prompting you to run it every time you boot into hboot. From here, you should be all good to flash DHs ROM. If there is anything else I can help with or you get stuck at any point, let me know and we'll figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the detailed explanation! I suppose its worth mentioning that my end goal is to run a ROM that's close to stock Android 5. Certainly don't mind resetting my phone, I have my contacts and whatnot backed up and being my first android phone I have tons of crap I don't need on it anyway. That being said, would you recommend DH's ROM or another one for my needs? Also in step 2, to clarify, once I apply the RUU that will root my phone or will I have to do that with a separate method?
Also @The Stig 04 thanks for the heads up, I ran the test they have and it told me it would work with 4.4.4, certainly reassuring that they'll refund if it doesn't work so appreciate that

sturdly said:
Thanks so much for the detailed explanation! I suppose its worth mentioning that my end goal is to run a ROM that's close to stock Android 5. Certainly don't mind resetting my phone, I have my contacts and whatnot backed up and being my first android phone I have tons of crap I don't need on it anyway. That being said, would you recommend DH's ROM or another one for my needs? Also in step 2, to clarify, once I apply the RUU that will root my phone or will I have to do that with a separate method?
Also @The Stig 04 thanks for the heads up, I ran the test they have and it told me it would work with 4.4.4, certainly reassuring that they'll refund if it doesn't work so appreciate that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem buddy! DHs is GPE, so it'll be the closest to stock android that you can get right now, well Google's take on Android anyways. There are a few AOSP roms running around, but I personally have never had an AOSP ROM run in the past year that wasn't ridden with bugs. Plus DHs ROM has an almost completely working Sense camera, which I personally found as a plus since the quality of the 4 ultra pixels on AOSP is almost painful haha. I think another good rom that is actually Sense based but looks and functions a lot like stock Lollipop is Unsense. So step two where you run the RUU will actually redownload and install the same version of OS you have now but it will come rooted and no other further action will be needed to have root access. I found this to be the easiest way to go about it without having to use ADB to install TWRP and flash SU. It takes a few minutes longer since it has to reinstall the OS but is less steps than the ADB route and far easier to explain. Either one will provide the same result, I just prefer the simplicity of running the RUU

bjoostema said:
No problem buddy! DHs is GPE, so it'll be the closest to stock android that you can get right now, well Google's take on Android anyways. There are a few AOSP roms running around, but I personally have never had an AOSP ROM run in the past year that wasn't ridden with bugs. Plus DHs ROM has an almost completely working Sense camera, which I personally found as a plus since the quality of the 4 ultra pixels on AOSP is almost painful haha. I think another good rom that is actually Sense based but looks and functions a lot like stock Lollipop is Unsense. So step two where you run the RUU will actually redownload and install the same version of OS you have now but it will come rooted and no other further action will be needed to have root access. I found this to be the easiest way to go about it without having to use ADB to install TWRP and flash SU. It takes a few minutes longer since it has to reinstall the OS but is less steps than the ADB route and far easier to explain. Either one will provide the same result, I just prefer the simplicity of running the RUU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on, I'll probably stick with DH's ROM. Thanks again, I'm about to hunker down and start this process, lol I'm glad I made the switch but am mildly missing the days where I could just click a few buttons and have a Jailbroken iPhone.

sturdly said:
Right on, I'll probably stick with DH's ROM. Thanks again, I'm about to hunker down and start this process, lol I'm glad I made the switch but am mildly missing the days where I could just click a few buttons and have a Jailbroken iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an Ipone for about 3 months and never had the guts to modify to because I didn't know how to fix it if I broke it haha. There are a lot of individual steps but the process as a whole should go smoothly. Just follow the threads and you will be fine and if you get snagged on anything or need clarification, just let me know man!

bjoostema said:
I had an Ipone for about 3 months and never had the guts to modify to because I didn't know how to fix it if I broke it haha. There are a lot of individual steps but the process as a whole should go smoothly. Just follow the threads and you will be fine and if you get snagged on anything or need clarification, just let me know man!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey just wanted to let you know I just finished up and it worked like a charm. Love my new phone! Thanks again!

sturdly said:
Hey just wanted to let you know I just finished up and it worked like a charm. Love my new phone! Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome man! I'm stoked for you, enjoy and no problem!

Need a little guidance

Hey everyone. I was wondering if some here with a HTC One can point me in the right direction. I am looking to finally take the plunge and permanently root, flash a custom recovery, backup my stock, and install a new custom rom on my Verizon M8.
This is my first HTC device playing with, I have always had Motorola stuff and am pretty familiar with the process on those, but this HTC stuff is still a little blurry. S-on/off, CID, MID, RUUs????
I have been reading these forums for quite a bit and still a little unsure about what the steps would have to be. I am currently on the latest stock VZW temp rooted with the new weeksauce basically just to have tethering via a 3rd party app (Wifi tether router). I actually really, really like the stock Sense 6.0 UI and this phone is pretty much perfect all around.
What I want to do is, permanently root, install TWRP as that's what i've used on Moto and my Sammy Tab, backup my stock system so I can go back, and then install a custom ROM. Can TWRP on this do more than one ROM slot and run dual roms? What if everything gets jacked up and I have to go back to complete out of the box stock? How is that done with HTC? I think with Moto it was like an .FXZ file or something like that and you boot the phone into download mode and just flash that file from the computer and you're back to 100% stock. Same with Samsung using ODIN.
I'm also not sure what ROM I want to try, so I am open to suggestions there too. I would like to maybe try a pretty clean Lollipop ROM with good battery life and very stable. Would that be the GPE?
Thanks for reading and for any help.

baune7 said:
Hey everyone. I was wondering if some here with a HTC One can point me in the right direction. I am looking to finally take the plunge and permanently root, flash a custom recovery, backup my stock, and install a new custom rom on my Verizon M8.
This is my first HTC device playing with, I have always had Motorola stuff and am pretty familiar with the process on those, but this HTC stuff is still a little blurry. S-on/off, CID, MID, RUUs????
I have been reading these forums for quite a bit and still a little unsure about what the steps would have to be. I am currently on the latest stock VZW temp rooted with the new weeksauce basically just to have tethering via a 3rd party app (Wifi tether router). I actually really, really like the stock Sense 6.0 UI and this phone is pretty much perfect all around.
What I want to do is, permanently root, install TWRP as that's what i've used on Moto and my Sammy Tab, backup my stock system so I can go back, and then install a custom ROM. Can TWRP on this do more than one ROM slot and run dual roms? What if everything gets jacked up and I have to go back to complete out of the box stock? How is that done with HTC? I think with Moto it was like an .FXZ file or something like that and you boot the phone into download mode and just flash that file from the computer and you're back to 100% stock. Same with Samsung using ODIN.
I'm also not sure what ROM I want to try, so I am open to suggestions there too. I would like to maybe try a pretty clean Lollipop ROM with good battery life and very stable. Would that be the GPE?
Thanks for reading and for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you need s-off/unlocked boot loader to perma root..also there is multi ROM support for this device. An if you want to return to pure stock cause something got messed up then you download the ruu an use fast boot via pc to flash your ruu.zip it will wipe your whole phone an return you to out of the box. if your looking for a sense Lollipop from. Santod has a nice ROM an you can also check out the ROM by andybones is also runs very nice an has themes an mod support. If you like GPE then there is one of those also for our device.

Thanks for the info. So in my reading up on doing this, is the "firewater" method of achieving S-off and root no longer working on this phone with 4.4.4? And also, as I understand it, the Sunshine method of achieving the two may or may not work on 4.4.4 either, kind of a 50/50 shot??? So I guess at this time it might just be worth it to wait until either the new sunshine is released or Verizon pushed the 5.0 update out and see what that is like.

baune7 said:
Thanks for the info. So in my reading up on doing this, is the "firewater" method of achieving S-off and root no longer working on this phone with 4.4.4? And also, as I understand it, the Sunshine method of achieving the two may or may not work on 4.4.4 either, kind of a 50/50 shot??? So I guess at this time it might just be worth it to wait until either the new sunshine is released or Verizon pushed the 5.0 update out and see what that is like.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firewater is dead....sunshine might work you can download the app for free an run it to see if it will work with your device is free too. Then if you want to run sunshine that's when you pay the 25...so I would advice against taking anymore ota till you r able to s-off.

Giving this phone away...

Hi everyone,
I am giving this phone to my mom since I don't need it anymore (bought Samsung S6 few months ago)! Phone is currently on Android 4.4.4 kangkat 5.1 and is customised pretty nicely( no Ads, working fast , no FC ,pretty snappy).
Should I update to Marshmallow before I give it to her or should I just leave it the way it is? She is just the regular user and will not use anything more that dialer, sms, browser, weather, calendar, calculator, camera, etc.. So just basic apps and I will strip this phone to bare minimum but was just wondering should I get her Android 6 on this (at least battery live maybe inproved?)
Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated.

If you have the knowledge to do it, then yes, it's probably worth installing MM as stock and leaving it like that - no custom recovery, no root. That way she can get the regular security updates with the minimum of fuss. The uninterested user doesn't need the hassle of a rooted device. And easier for you in not having to strip the phone - a new installation will do that for you anyway, and will allow her to sign in as herself and properly own the phone.

dahawthorne said:
If you have the knowledge to do it, then yes, it's probably worth installing MM as stock and leaving it like that - no custom recovery, no root. That way she can get the regular security updates with the minimum of fuss. The uninterested user doesn't need the hassle of a rooted device. And easier for you in not having to strip the phone - a new installation will do that for you anyway, and will allow her to sign in as herself and properly own the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do have knowledge (well maybe I might remind myself a little using Google). I am running Xposed on this build and like I've said phone is super stable with this build but also pretty simple to use for basic /regular user. Future updates are just going to confuse her.. The only thing I would like for her is maybe improved battery live and that's why I would go to MM. I was also thinking to maybe get new battery on this one(don't know how hard is to change it?). Anyway thanks for responding ,

Flash latest 6.0.1 MM on it and lock bootloader... give it to her barebones and let her enjoy it...
just did that with my oldest brother who lost his phone to a muggin.... and its the easiest way for them to stay up to date on latest security patches, etc

"maybe get new battery on this one(don't know how hard is to change it?)"
It's actually pretty simple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGNUrpwIno
Though there's another thread that I read just today that shows there's a certain risk: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/nexus-doesnt-boot-fastboot-t3282033

chaco81 said:
Flash latest 6.0.1 MM on it and lock bootloader... give it to her barebones and let her enjoy it...
just did that with my oldest brother who lost his phone to a muggin.... and its the easiest way for them to stay up to date on latest security patches, etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually never gone back to stock so I don't know how hard is it and how time consuming is it? I am on TW recovery v2.7.0.0. should I just flash nandroid or do I have to flash factory image first and than lock bootloader?

dahawthorne said:
"maybe get new battery on this one(don't know how hard is to change it?)"
It's actually pretty simple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGNUrpwIno
Though there's another thread that I read just today that shows there's a certain risk: http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/help/nexus-doesnt-boot-fastboot-t3282033
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right , I am not going to mess with battery replacement. The old one should be OK for some time ...

I would also not bother relocking the bootloader. How many threads in these forums contain wails from people who have cacked their devices and there is no way to recover because the bootloader is locked?
This thread actually refers to the Nexus 6, but since Nexus devices are so similar in many ways it's probably still relevant, and should put you off taking this unnecessary step: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-safely-lock-bootloader-android-5-1-t3067302
Stock is extremely simple. Download the factory image (Google "factory image"), unzip and run flash-all - obviously after you've got all your drivers set up to communicate with the device. If you haven't yet, I'll bore you again with recommending Wugfresh's Nexus Root Toolkit, which has a really helpful button to walk you through the driver setup. If the flash-all script doesn't work (it doesn't for some people), you can unzip all the components, put them in your ADB/fastboot directory and flash each component separately.

dahawthorne said:
I would also not bother relocking the bootloader. How many threads in these forums contain wails from people who have cacked their devices and there is no way to recover because the bootloader is locked?
This thread actually refers to the Nexus 6, but since Nexus devices are so similar in many ways it's probably still relevant, and should put you off taking this unnecessary step: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/guide-safely-lock-bootloader-android-5-1-t3067302
Stock is extremely simple. Download the factory image (Google "factory image"), unzip and run flash-all - obviously after you've got all your drivers set up to communicate with the device. If you haven't yet, I'll bore you again with recommending Wugfresh's Nexus Root Toolkit, which has a really helpful button to walk you through the driver setup. If the flash-all script doesn't work (it doesn't for some people), you can unzip all the components, put them in your ADB/fastboot directory and flash each component separately.
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I just updated Wugfresh Nexus Root Toolkit since I had old version on my laptop. Should I use RESTORE/UPGRADE/DOWNGRADE option and than FLASH STOCK + UNROOT?
P.S. DONE.. Running MM now on it.
Thank you all

roundel.... easy to do
make sure u have latest ADB installed on your PC.... so open SDKManager and run it so it updates...
download the latest Factory Image
extract the image, place it on the platform tools folder of your SDK and double click the flash.all.bat file... let the magic happen
google returning back to stock, there are tons of tutorials out there showing how to do this.

chaco81 said:
roundel.... easy to do
make sure u have latest ADB installed on your PC.... so open SDKManager and run it so it updates...
download the latest Factory Image
extract the image, place it on the platform tools folder of your SDK and double click the flash.all.bat file... let the magic happen
google returning back to stock, there are tons of tutorials out there showing how to do this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it and phone is running MM now. I am amazed with battery life now, it is crazy good comparing to KK!
So I am now back to stock unrooted but I left bootloader unlocked. Will she (my mom) get any updates if this Nexus get OTA updates?

A stock unrooted rom with stock recovery is all that is needed for ota updates. The bootloader can remain unlocked for ota updates.

Update it now and give her. I was doing the same stuff with my mom and she denied which then later made me try this phone out. Overall it's good but battery sucks.