[Q] Android OS updates and OEM OTA's - Thunderbolt Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been searching and searching and can't find anything where this question is really touched on, at least not from Google.
Basically the thing I'm looking at is this. I come from a Droid X which had and still has a locked bootloader. I was always under the impression that this means two things:
1) MUST use signed updates
2) Cannot use custom kernels
And based on those two things my understanding was that you can theme and modify some small framework and /system stuff, but could never truly update the phone like you could with an unlocked bootloader.
This is where I'm confused. So we have unlocked bootloaders on our Thunderbolts which allows us to flash unsigned zips. Cool. But how does this affect future versions of Android? Like our current Gingerbread roms, aren't they based off of a leaked RUU? What would happen if let's say, Gingerbread is the final OS Upgrade we get from Verizon. How will the next major update to Android be loaded to us?
Do the developers have the ability to port new versions of Android without these leaked OTA's? Or do we rely on the OTA's that include new Android OS versions to progress? Thanks

When Verizon sends out updates our Devs can take them and edit them to work with rooted users. Thats why you will see things come from (I think his name is football) who gives us the updates from Verizon and then our Devs modify them to keep our root privileges. If you are rooted on a custom ROM tho you wont receive OTA.

Thank you for the response. I understand that part, but really what I'm trying to find out is:
Thunderbolt is on Froyo -> Verizon WILL update us to Gingerbread via OTA
Had Verizon NOT updated us to Gingerbread, would devs be able to take us there thanks to an unlocked bootloader? Or would the phone forever be doomed to use Froyo?
Take that principle and apply it to whatever comes after Gingerbread, because I'm pretty sure 2.3 will be the last major OS update this phone gets officially.

i cant give you a sure answer but BAMF has made sense 3.0 work on our phones and that is never releasing as an OTA i would assume if the next version of android comes to any 1ghz phones or well any htc phones someone will find a way just allot more work and more time.

Well thats basically all I needed to know. As long as we have an unlocked bootloader and a dev community willing to work on it, people can basically port any new versions of the OS even from other phone updates.
I just fear the idea of EOL and no more future OS updates.

Good way to answer your question is to take a look at the d1 and even the eris. They are both eol yet i know for sure the d1 has gingerbread, and i believe the eris does also.
sent from my bolt

Related

[Q] Question hasn't been well answered - What will prevent official updates?

I have never seen a clear answer on this question. What exactly will prevent us from running an official update on our phones. When LG releases the official gingerbread update, what will prevent us from doing that?
1) Rooting.
2) OCing/tweaking/hardware acceleration.
3) Installing custom roms.
If we have only rooted can we update, or would we somehow need to flash our phones back to stock settings? I suppose the development community will take the official LG gingerbread rom, tweak it a bit, and release it for us to use with our rooted and OC'd phones, so maybe it's not a big deal?
Any advice?
I think this is a good thread to sticky so people know this info, since i've never seen it posted anywhere else, for any other phones.
Nothing will prevent you to update. It's your choice.
Don't see the point to stick this.
Cheers
Zecanilis said:
Nothing will prevent you to update. It's your choice.
Don't see the point to stick this.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I have my LG Optimus T rooted, and have a rom installed like cyanogenmod, I can then just download and installed the official 2.3 upgrade from LG/Tmobile?
Yes.
Cheers
Ok then cheers!
how on earth were you able to put CyanogenMod on your phone?
I just thinking about same!
I've never tried to install a stock rom, and with the HTC magic I had read people talking about not being able to install the stock rogers rom without a lot of trouble.
I also heard some issues with certain phones having OTA updates and conflicting with rooted phones.
I just wanted to make sure this was ok. I have cyanogenmod on my HTC magic, sorry for the confusion, so I just used that name for a generic rom. I just meant in general if you can update a hacked/rooted phone without it locking up.
Jailbroken ipod touches and phones cannot be updated using the stock updates that are released over itunes, you have to do a factory reset before going and installing the official updates.
thesmoth said:
I've never tried to install a stock rom, and with the HTC magic I had read people talking about not being able to install the stock rogers rom without a lot of trouble.
I also heard some issues with certain phones having OTA updates and conflicting with rooted phones.
I just wanted to make sure this was ok. I have cyanogenmod on my HTC magic, sorry for the confusion, so I just used that name for a generic rom. I just meant in general if you can update a hacked/rooted phone without it locking up.
Jailbroken ipod touches and phones cannot be updated using the stock updates that are released over itunes, you have to do a factory reset before going and installing the official updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In this case - Custom ROMs - HTC now sucks. HTC still trying disable for their users installation of custom ROMs even if many people just love this possibilities.
LG (for now) doesn't do that.
The_ERROR said:
In this case - Custom ROMs - HTC now sucks. HTC still trying disable for their users installation of custom ROMs even if many people just love this possibilities.
LG (for now) doesn't do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk where you got this from... especially when hTC is one of the few companies still posting info on how to fix your phone after you root it, also if you are friends with them on facebook they make posts about leaked roms and they say they dont recommend installing but they still show you where its at. Motorola did try to make it impossible to root the droid 2/x/pro but ppl found a way around that, i believe it was koush.
I don't believe any manufacturer spends a great deal of time trying to prevent root, now carriers like sprint and verizon, yes. They don't want you doing wireless tether and things like that.
I have this from root.cz but it is in czech language.
They talking about problems of rooting and updating of system on new HTCs phones, like for example Tatoo. They have HW lock on their NAND ROM, so getting of root is not as simple as was before and so on.

[Q] To root or not to root

I have an opinion question
These are my wants
I want the ability to disable Sense UI should I get tired of it.
I want to be able to use wireless tethering
I want to stay mostly stock otherwise and maintain absolute stability
I'm not new to flashing I have an at*t captivate that I've flashed hundreds of times
but this device just doesn't seem to need it as badly.
My main question is this, based on the current root method is their a possibility of the upcoming gingerbread update killing the root method? and bootloader unlock. I'm somewhat inclined to wait until gingerbread comes out before rooting the phone since it's coming soon, but I don't want to wait to long and lose the ability to root / install custom roms if I want.
do it and get it over with...there's no downside. everything you want can be attained with root..
when gingerbread comes ota it will be available for root users the same day anyhow.
movielover76 said:
I have an opinion question
These are my wants
I want the ability to disable Sense UI should I get tired of it.
I want to be able to use wireless tethering
I want to stay mostly stock otherwise and maintain absolute stability
I'm not new to flashing I have an at*t captivate that I've flashed hundreds of times
but this device just doesn't seem to need it as badly.
My main question is this, based on the current root method is their a possibility of the upcoming gingerbread update killing the root method? and bootloader unlock. I'm somewhat inclined to wait until gingerbread comes out before rooting the phone since it's coming soon, but I don't want to wait to long and lose the ability to root / install custom roms if I want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say go ahead and root. The biggest benefit to me is uninstalling Verizon's bloatware. Plus, CM7 will be rolling out for the TB eventually. In the meantime, Das Bamf can fill in; there's a de-Sense script if you get tired of Sense. Anyways, I don't think the GB update will really make a huge difference; at least not if it's masked by Sense anyway. (Sorry, my bias against the HTC "People" app is shining through —the number one thing I have against Sense.)
+1 for root now
Sent from my Perfect Storm 1.2 Tbolt
"People" app is the worst but google gesture search has eliminated my need for it. at least i never have to see it now.
Rooted
Don't know why I even asked lol
I knew I'd do it eventually , rooted and installed the basic debloat rom
phone almost feels lighter, and I'm conforted seeing clockwork recovery flash a rom
lol
def root!
i see you've already done the deed, but most likely tbolt gingerbread will be available here for rooted users before it goes ota
If you root using the Permroot Bootloader guide in the development thread can you then use the unroot guide here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1009423
to remove the permRoot? Just curious because I am going was thinking of Perm rooting a coworkers phone but since it is a business paid phone I need to be able to unroot it if it ever had to be sent in for repair or an upgrade.
I rooted my phone for the first time and i saw an immediate increase in battery life when using the undervolted kernels so
+1 for rooting.

[Q] OTA and rooteed but bootloader locked?

On my note 2 I accepted the OTA update and some how I rooted it with the OTA Root keeper. Evertything works fine but I cannot install custom recovery. What woould be the best way to unlock the bootloader and install custom recovery now.
I also have galaxy s3 and droid bionic both are rooted and custom roms installed and working great.
I have been with Verizon 16 years and it's abuot time to change but I think there all the same anymore $$$
If you took the ota then you can not unlock your bootloader as of this time.
why on earth are folks so hell bent on ota's???? fyi when you buy a device that came locked but was unlocked by devs at xda, YOU NEVER EXCEPT ANY OTA! It has been posted all over this forum...please research before you do anything!!
Totally agree! I won't even update an app until I know what the changes are, and even then I usually wait to see if any issues arise with the update.
Doesn't matter how many times you warn people no to install an OTA because it has a bootloader, someone won't listen.
I would never consider taking a ota until after our devs have a chance to check it out. Besides if you run a custom rom your developer will most likely be updating to the new build and you know you can safely flash it.
Besides I know verizon is more worried about blocking crap than they are on their real updates.
Forget the security update and give us official 4.1.2 screw verizon! Verizon ota usually means bad things.
Travisdroidx2 said:
I would never consider taking a ota until after our devs have a chance to check it out. Besides if you run a custom rom your developer will most likely be updating to the new build and you know you can safely flash it.
Besides I know verizon is more worried about blocking crap than they are on their real updates.
Forget the security update and give us official 4.1.2 screw verizon! Verizon ota usually means bad things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4.1.2 has very little to offer us.
adrynalyne said:
4.1.2 has very little to offer us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with that. However my point was instead of Verizon spending their time improving their devices they would rather spend their money and time trying to figure out how to screw us. I know 4.1.2 brings little to the table but maybe if they were not working on locking the bootloader they could improve on the builds instead. I would still rather have 4.1.1 over 4.2.1 any day.

[Q] Looking for info/advice on what to do next

I got my GS4 back in the summer and I promptly rooted and I believe I even was able to unlock the bootloader. I then flashed Eclipse S4 TW edition (based on MDK) and its been so rock solid I haven't had a reason to touch is since. I'm been staring at my android 4.2.2 version and have been thinking no reason to upgrade. If it isn't broke don't fix it right? Well I'm starting to feel the flashing itch so I decided to jump back on XDA and see whats out there.
I'm trying to get a grasp on what all has changes since the last time I flashed my phone. It looks like there has been a few new builds to drop since I flashed. I'm confused on the details though. With my current state can I flash anything I want using the custom recovery or are there restrictions that I must follow. I have seen posts about using SafeStrap for flashing. I remember SafeStrap from my Razr days as a solution for phones with locked bootloaders. Does one of the OTA's relock the bootloader and make it impossible to unlock or are the SafeStrap posts for people that got the phones after me which already came with a locked bootloader?
Any reason why not to upgrade to the newest builds? I can't find any details on what is different between the builds but I have to imagine there is some new stuff that I might want to play with.
Lastly, can anyone suggest a good solid ROM to similar to Eclipse TW that is based on a newer build?
I appreciate any help you guys can give me. Being away this long and coming back is slightly overwhelming and who has time to navigate through every page of every thread for the past 6 months or so.
I would suggest to read some of the threads....custom Roms for 4.3 and 4.4 are a bit slow in coming. If you are mdk...no need for safestrap....you can still keep your phone rooted and loki'd..and move to 4.3 base
powered by hashcode safestrap hyperdrive 10.2
trevoryour said:
I got my GS4 back in the summer and I promptly rooted and I believe I even was able to unlock the bootloader. I then flashed Eclipse S4 TW edition (based on MDK) and its been so rock solid I haven't had a reason to touch is since. I'm been staring at my android 4.2.2 version and have been thinking no reason to upgrade. If it isn't broke don't fix it right? Well I'm starting to feel the flashing itch so I decided to jump back on XDA and see whats out there.
I'm trying to get a grasp on what all has changes since the last time I flashed my phone. It looks like there has been a few new builds to drop since I flashed. I'm confused on the details though. With my current state can I flash anything I want using the custom recovery or are there restrictions that I must follow. I have seen posts about using SafeStrap for flashing. I remember SafeStrap from my Razr days as a solution for phones with locked bootloaders. Does one of the OTA's relock the bootloader and make it impossible to unlock or are the SafeStrap posts for people that got the phones after me which already came with a locked bootloader?
Any reason why not to upgrade to the newest builds? I can't find any details on what is different between the builds but I have to imagine there is some new stuff that I might want to play with.
Lastly, can anyone suggest a good solid ROM to similar to Eclipse TW that is based on a newer build?
I appreciate any help you guys can give me. Being away this long and coming back is slightly overwhelming and who has time to navigate through every page of every thread for the past 6 months or so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, So heres what you missed. After the MDK release they(Verizon/Samsung) patched the loki bootloader hack so thats why anybody whos not on the MDK release has an locked bootloader. That is where safestrap comes in. Safestrap is a custom recovery that was developed by Hascode, in order to provide those with a locked bootloader a way to get in on the rom action, while keeping there stock rom untouched.
Now that said i would advise you to update but not through the stock "Check Update" tab (as that will lock your phones bootloader). Instead you should just flash a rom that is built with the new update as the base (E.X. Hyperdrive 11). This will allow you to get the new update without locking your bootloader.
Now for roms, i believe there is an updated Eclipse TW Rom & Eclipse AOSP ROM on the Dev's site ( dont know the link but will post it once i find it).

[Q] Hey Developers

I speak for the people on versions 3.2.7 3.2.8 4.1.x and 4.5.x my question is will there be any way in the foreseeable future of uniting the people below 3.2.7 with those that are higher and only seem to have access to nexus 4.2.2 safestrap edition 1.0.1 pretty much all versions of both tablets (except Saturn) have been rooted but they are unable to do much due to the bootloader incompatibilities. Wish auto update was not a feature.
I am hoping for the longest and most prospererous future for our device. I am very sorry if this is spam or irrelevant.
What can we expect to see coming in the future for new bootloader devices?
No one knows.
it would be nice though
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
LittleGreenSony said:
darn i wish i could develop roms but i dont have the time (college)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, it's not just about someone creating a compatible ROM or unlock. Otherwise, we would've already seen some development for the newer firmware versions. The sole reason for why these things are possible in the first place lies in exploits. No one has been able to discover any holes in the system yet that make these devices vulnerable enough for "attacks" like allowing you to replace the stock recovery or kernel.
I'm kinda bored with nexus safestrap.
Is there anything that can be done with fastboot, can we use that to unlock the bootloader similar to how Sony Xperias get unlocked?
No, completely different devices and software and everything else. Only similar thing is the base of Android, and even then, both Amazon and Sony modified the base(Amazon more so)

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