Hi,
I have been playing around with Android for quite some time, and each of my devices have been unlocked an rooted, but this time it's different.
I have succesfully persuaded my girlfriend to make the shift from iPhone to an Android device, buying her a HTC One GSM (LTE).
To begin with, she will go with the stock HTC firmware, but to make life a bit easier, I started with unlocking the bootloader, installed the latest ClowkWorkMod (think it is 6.0.3.3 touch) and made a Nandroid backup of the stock firmware in case we ever need to restore.
And now to the question:
To get the OTA update for Android 4.2.2 I then needed to re-lock the bootloader and install stock recovery. But now I would like to have the bootloader unlocked again, so I can install ClockWorkMod again to make yet another Nandroid backup.
Does any method exist that avoids deleting existing data (settings, apps, documents etc.) from the SD card when re-unlocking the bootloader?
I were just about to flash the Unlock_code.bin sent from HTC, but just before confirming, I realized that this method will most likely wipe all data?
Thanks in advance!
PS: I'm sorry if this question should have been posted in the device specific forum section, but I choose to characterize this as a more general Android question.
Related
I am sorry, I am a Noob, but I learn quick. I also have to post in the noobie forums for a while until I can grow some gills so here goes...
The goal - to install Clockwork Mod Recovery on my SGP312 running 4.2.2 (10.31.1.C.0.136)
Where I am at in the process - my tablet is rooted.
From what I have read, I am lead to believe that ROM Manager can't install just CWM because the recovery boot process on Sony tablets is integrated into the kernel. So I think I need to use adb to get into fastboot mode and flash a boot.img that contains CWM. I also believe that you can't flash a kernel with a locked bootloader. Am I correct so far?
At this juncture I only want to get CWM installed, I'm not ready to actually install an entire ROM yet. "One step at a time grasshopper"
Ideally, I would like to get CWM installed before I unlock my bootloader so that I can make a backup and return to a locked bootloader config if I ever have the need to.
So my question is this: Is there a way to get CWM onto my tablet without unlocking the bootloader? If what I would prefer isn't possible is following and using the boot.img in this thread the next best way of proceeding?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2433466
Thanks everyone for a) putting up with such a basic set of questions, b) helping me become less of a Noob and c) helping me accomplish what I need to get done.
dph3055 said:
I am sorry, I am a Noob, but I learn quick. I also have to post in the noobie forums for a while until I can grow some gills so here goes...
The goal - to install Clockwork Mod Recovery on my SGP312 running 4.2.2 (10.31.1.C.0.136)
Where I am at in the process - my tablet is rooted.
From what I have read, I am lead to believe that ROM Manager can't install just CMR because the recovery boot process on Sony tablets is integrated into the kernel. So I think I need to use adb to get into fastboot mode and flash a boot.img that contains CMR. I also believe that you can't flash a kernel with a locked bootloader. Am I correct so far?
At this juncture I only want to get CMR installed, I'm not ready to actually install an entire ROM yet. "One step at a time grasshopper"
Ideally, I would like to get CMR installed before I unlock my bootloader so that I can make a backup and return to a locked bootloader config if I ever have the need to.
So my question is this: Is there a way to get CMR onto my tablet without unlocking the bootloader? If what I would prefer isn't possible is following and using the boot.img in this thread the next best way of proceeding?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2433466
Thanks everyone for a) putting up with such a basic set of questions, b) helping me become less of a Noob and c) helping me accomplish what I need to get done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I can't answer you main question - but I can give a bit of advice:
I you are going to unlock your bootloader make sure to back up the "TA" partition first. This contains information such as DRM keys which are specific to your device and cannot be recovered once lost (unlocking the bootloader will wipe the TA partition). Google "Sony DRM TA partition" for more info.
I don't think you have to do a nandroid type backup via CWM before unlocking the bootloader. As long as you've backed up the TA partition I believe you can get back to locked, stock ROM. There is advice in these forums somewhere.
I would really think hard before unlocking the bootloader - why do you want to do this? The stock Sony ROM is pretty good.
Hope the above is of some use - hopefully someone else will reply (and correct me if I've mis-informed you!)
GretaLewd said:
Sorry, I can't answer you main question - but I can give a bit of advice:
I you are going to unlock your bootloader make sure to back up the "TA" partition first. This contains information such as DRM keys which are specific to your device and cannot be recovered once lost (unlocking the bootloader will wipe the TA partition). Google "Sony DRM TA partition" for more info.
I don't think you have to do a nandroid type backup via CWM before unlocking the bootloader. As long as you've backed up the TA partition I believe you can get back to locked, stock ROM. There is advice in these forums somewhere.
I would really think hard before unlocking the bootloader - why do you want to do this? The stock Sony ROM is pretty good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for the advice. I don't really want to unlock the bootloader at this point in time. I would just like to get CMR installed and am looking for a way to do that without unlocking. I have read about backing up the TA but must admit don't fully understand the process. What does TA stand for and how does one go about backing it up?
Answer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2234627
Got my HTC One M8 from AT&T yesterday. Been reading these forums and all the tutorials and compilation threads have been very useful. What I've done:
Unlocked the bootloader via htc-dev
Flashed the latest Philz
Used Philz to install SuperSU for root
Achieved s-off
Used Titanium backup to freeze the "HTC DM" app and thereby disable OTA updates
Phew! After wiping the sweat from my forehead (kind of new to much of this), I find out that there have been OTA updates that add considerable functionality to the HTC One such as the Extreme Power Saving mode and a radio upgrade.
So... I'm kind of terrified, since I'd like the new features but I know that with an unlocked bootloader and S-OFF I could majorly screw myself. I've also gone to the effort of installing all my apps and configuring my settings - which took several hours to do - and I feel a bit sick at the idea that I might have to lose it all.
Is there a clear guide or tutorial out there for getting these new firmware/OTA features without losing all my work or bricking the phone? Thanks!
[Q] Unlocked bootloader, flashed Philz, rooted, s-off... Now how do I update?
Answer: You don't.
My opinion, official OTAs have no place on modded phones. You went through all the effort to enable your phone to flash custom ROMs. So the last thing you want is to install an OTA. If you want OTA, you need to go back to stock recovery. Its a big step backwards, and completely unnecessary.
The features you mentioned can all be applied without OTA. You can just flash a stock rooted version of the 1.58 ROM; or flash a custom ROM based on 1.58. Better yet, flash a custom ROM based on the (non-AT&T) "international" base as IMO they are much better than the bloated, gimped up junk AT&T gives you. In fact, Extreme Power Savings mode was available on the international ROMs a good while before the AT&T OTA started rolling out.
For a new radio, since you are S-off, just go to the radio thread, and download and flash the new radio.
This is the type of thing you did all this for (unlock the bootloader, root, S-off), is it not?
Everything mentioned above can be found on my Index thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2751432
Also, using Titanium Backup, I don't see how it could have taken "several hours" to setup the phone again. Get the paid key (which enables batch functions) if you haven't already - highly recommended if you will be flashing ROMs with any frequency. Using batch backup and restore, it should take about 5 minutes to restore you apps and app data. Then a little while longer to manually configure settings, home screens, etc. I am up and running after flashing a new ROM in 20-30 minutes. Maybe a bit longer if you have a lot of very specific settings. But we're still talking maybe an hour, tops.
Thank you for the detailed help, rep given! I'll check out the threads for the custom ROMs and follow your advice.
I've had a lot of trouble upgrading to KitKat. After attempting to flash different image files for stock recovery/boot/system, I found it impossible to completely unroot the phone using the instructions posted because the phone kept re-rooting itself. Finally, I S-offed, wrote superCID, used the Telus RUU, applied the OTA downloaded to the phone, changed the CID back to GLOBA001 (my carrier is WindMobile). And finally! I know I relocked and unlocked the bootloader somewhere in the process, but I can't quite remember when.
Now, before I even think of re-rooting the phone or installing a custom recovery, I'd like to create a backup of the stock boot, recovery, and system. I tried running
Code:
fastboot boot openrecovery-twrp-2.7.1.1-zaracl.img
using the special KitKat TWRP. There's a message about boot.img being downloaded successfully but the phone reboots to a black screen.
I know that TWRP 2.7.1.0 downloaded from their website worked fine on my phone before I ran the RUU . So I'm not sure that the new TWRP is incompatible with my phone.
If I wanted to use adb instead, I'd need to root the phone before being able to pull the stock recovery, boot, and system images using adb shell. If I have to resort to rooting, is there any way to do so without flashing a custom recovery first? If there is, I might be able to unroot the phone afterward and make it stick. (Delete the supersu apk and su binary, right?)
I remember that the first time my phone attempted to download and apply the OTA automatically, my phone wiped itself. It was a lot of hard work to get it back to a usable state, but it was my own fault for not having a proper backup. I'd like to avoid making that mistake again, and have a stock backup handy on my computer in case there are carrier updates for my phone in the future.
To re-iterate, possible to back up stock everything without root? If not, possible to root without installing custom recovery?
You can no longer boot into a custom recovery, you have to actually flash it.
As far as having the stock recovery and boot, those are actually inside the OTA so you can pull it from there.
Since you'll have the stock recovery already, you can flash TWRP and use that to backup boot and system.
When you need to go stock, just use TWRP to restore your backup and then manually flash the stock recovery.
Since you made the device S-OFF, I recommend that if you need to lock/unlock the bootloader that you use the commands in this thread versus using the htcdev method as that wipes the /data/preload/ folder (as part of its normal /data wipe) which includes a few stock apps.
I had already re-locked the bootloader using the HTCdev method after the upgrade and before starting the thread. Do you think the potential loss of apps would cause any future OTAs to fail? If so, I don't mind re-doing the RUU (no important data on the phone right now). If not, I'll proceed with flashing TWRP.
Thanks for the tip on the alternate unlock method. I'll use that method the next time I need to re-unlock the bootloader.
EveKnight75 said:
I had already re-locked the bootloader using the HTCdev method after the upgrade and before starting the thread. Do you think the potential loss of apps would cause any future OTAs to fail? If so, I don't mind re-doing the RUU (no important data on the phone right now). If not, I'll proceed with flashing TWRP.
Thanks for the tip on the alternate unlock method. I'll use that method the next time I need to re-unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locking the bootloader won't do anything, it's only unlocking using the htcdev token that causes the data wipe. So if you haven't unlocked using the htcdev method since running the RUU you will still have the 2 - 3 apps.
I don't know if the /data/preload/ folder is a requirement for a successful OTA update or not but I checked inside my OTA zip for my phone and it does include the 3 items stored there for the VM variant.
The unlock was AFTER the RUU. I ran the RUU, then used the OTA to upgrade to KitKat, then unlocked the bootloader again. However, I didn't notice any apps disappearing and the OTA zip for Wind also has a /data/preload folder.
*Shrugs* Seems good enough to me. TWRP, here I come!
needing wind stock stuck with wind awsy amd wont connect
I have an unlocked desire 601 it finds only wind away I'm trying to get a backup of the stock Rom to flash it does anyone k ow if there any around or even a back up I can use to try to get my phone working on wind home
jayjsteez said:
I have an unlocked desire 601 it finds only wind away I'm trying to get a backup of the stock Rom to flash it does anyone k ow if there any around or even a back up I can use to try to get my phone working on wind home
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2804427
needing help for s-off
EveKnight75 said:
I had already re-locked the bootloader using the HTCdev method after the upgrade and before starting the thread. Do you think the potential loss of apps would cause any future OTAs to fail? If so, I don't mind re-doing the RUU (no important data on the phone right now). If not, I'll proceed with flashing TWRP.
Thanks for the tip on the alternate unlock method. I'll use that method the next time I need to re-unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i have unlocked desire 601 but only says wind away and wont connect ive knoticed the wind version is the same as the other versions but im wondering do i need the wind rom in order for it to pick up the wind home i cant seem to find anywhere online the wind rom and everytime i try to s-off it saysfailed and ive followed everything is there any insite you could give me to help me with this issue if its fixable again my phone says wind away but wont connect to it and i need to get it working as its my only device and carrier i use thx
---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------
EveKnight75 said:
I had already re-locked the bootloader using the HTCdev method after the upgrade and before starting the thread. Do you think the potential loss of apps would cause any future OTAs to fail? If so, I don't mind re-doing the RUU (no important data on the phone right now). If not, I'll proceed with flashing TWRP.
Thanks for the tip on the alternate unlock method. I'll use that method the next time I need to re-unlock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i have unlocked desire 601 but only says wind away and wont connect ive knoticed the wind version is the same as the other versions but im wondering do i need the wind rom in order for it to pick up the wind home i cant seem to find anywhere online the wind rom and everytime i try to s-off it saysfailed and ive followed everything is there any insite you could give me to help me with this issue if its fixable again my phone says wind away but wont connect to it and i need to get it working as its my only device and carrier i use thx
-Duir- said:
You can no longer boot into a custom recovery, you have to actually flash it.
As far as having the stock recovery and boot, those are actually inside the OTA so you can pull it from there.
Since you'll have the stock recovery already, you can flash TWRP and use that to backup boot and system.
When you need to go stock, just use TWRP to restore your backup and then manually flash the stock recovery.
Since you made the device S-OFF, I recommend that if you need to lock/unlock the bootloader that you use the commands in this thread versus using the htcdev method as that wipes the /data/preload/ folder (as part of its normal /data wipe) which includes a few stock apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand how you can pull the stock recovery from the OTA. I thought OTA's are immediately installed, instead of stored untill you want to install it? So, how do you backup the stock recovery?
It is saved until you want to install. When it go finishes Downloading, just choose install later. And you will be able to copy it into other storage devices and extract files and what not. I'm not sure if it stores in internal or external I'm 80% sure external sd if you have one.
Sent from my HTC0P4E1 using XDA Free mobile app
I just bought a new at&t HTC One (M8) and I'd like to have a fresh stock backup in case of return/warranty problems. I'd like to make this myself so I can ensure that I'll be able to put the exact software that came with my phone back if need be. Also I'd just like to know how to do this in general. What I've found via search has been for rooted phones or different brands. Is it possible to use ADB or any other tool to do this? I guess I'm confused because I see posts for flashing back to stock. How do devs get these stock roms? If someone could point me to a good guide/tutorial it would be much appreciated.
Not without a rooted device or an unsecure [email protected] backup...there is an ruu posted for the 1.58.502.1, thats as close to being a backup without altering the phone in anyway
As long as you are a current account holder, AT&T does not give a crap what software is on your phone, bootloader unlocked, even a custom ROM installed in regards to warranty service based on many reports on XDA.
If you are still wondering about returning to stock, as mentioned in the above, your version (AT&T) if fortunate enough to have a 1.58 RUU. The ROM Update Utility is a useful means of installing a full stock image (ROM, radio, recovery, etc.) via connection to a PC.
But it can still be determined the bootloader is unlocked, no matter what you do to the phone to return it to stock. Your IMEI is tracked by HTCDev.com when you unlock the bootloader. But again, as long as you go through AT&T for warranty service (highly recommended for this reason) they don't care if the phone is modded.
I believe the stock ROMs you mention are system dumps done after bootloader unlock.
So, I'm trying to restore my cousins phone to pure stock htc rom. Only problem is that the phone is stuck on the splash screen. I flashed a custom rom but it just sits on the splash screen. I am pretty sure her phone was running android 4.4.2. I've been looking around but I could use help in more detail. I'm not use to this device (im on the note 3) last htc phone I owned was the OG evo. Another to mention, first thing I did was to restore a backup...lucky me there wasn't any. All feedback welcome
What ROM did you install? Did you try to flash again?
What recovery and version?
S-on or S-off?
If the intent is to truly restore to a stock condition (no root or anything) than the easiest way is to run the RUU (must relock the bootloader if S-on):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/general/htc-one-m8-ruu-m8ul-4-4-3-t2860423
Bootable version (no PC required): http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/general/att-2-23-502-3-bootable-ruu-pc-required-t2860486
This will also wipe the phone, so backup anything important before RUU. But everything will be stock (including recovery, radio, etc.) and will also restore ability to update by OTA.
Also, just a constructive suggestion: Try to use thread titles that describe your issue, question, etc. Helps to keep the forum organized.