OTA after unlock, recovery, root - Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Questions & Answers

HI, do the OTA updates still work after unlocking bootloader, installing TWRP and rooting?
I've ordered one and was thinking about doing the about doing the above right out of the box.

Yes, will work

pratikp16 said:
HI, do the OTA updates still work after unlocking bootloader, installing TWRP and rooting?
I've ordered one and was thinking about doing the about doing the above right out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA AFTER
Unlocking bootloader - Yes
Installing TWRP - probably yes, but it might replace TWRP with default recovery during update
Rooting - idk

Hey guys
I would like to bring this topic up again because I want to be super sure.
I unlocked BL, installed twrp and rooted with supersu, stable Rom.
Now I got ota update notice. Is it save to update or will it brick?

No, you probably will end with an unbootable device or defective operating system (but it could work too, it's unpredictable without trying).
You will end flashing a fastboot image via MiFlash, so better not OTA updating and flashing directly a full ROM image when you're ready to update.
If you want to try the OTA update, backup your data before because it could become inaccessible after.

BubuXP said:
No, you probably will end with an unbootable device or defective operating system (but it could work too, it's unpredictable without trying).
You will end flashing a fastboot image via MiFlash, so better not OTA updating and flashing directly a full ROM image when you're ready to update.
If you want to try the OTA update, backup your data before because it could become inaccessible after.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, will loose settings and App data when flashing the (updated) full stock image?

edwardenglish said:
OK, will loose settings and App data when flashing the (updated) full stock image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I remember well, there should be an option to retain settings and apps data (it depends on what .bat file you choose to flash), but I advise against preserving this data, as it will probably cause many problems afterward.

BubuXP said:
If I remember well, there should be an option to retain settings and apps data (it depends on what .bat file you choose to flash), but I advise against preserving this data, as it will probably cause many problems afterward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's what I thought so too.
So to sum it up correctly with unlocked BL and root one should only update via flashing whole image and do a clean flash loosing all data and settings.

Related

[Q] Removing Root to do OTA Lolipop?

As per the title, I read something somewhere to the effect that from here on out, OTA updates will fail on most phones if they have been rooted, and this seems to be true for the Z Ultra GPE. So, what changed when I rooted my phone, and how do I undo it so that I can do the OTA update? I have looked through the forum, but nobody seems to answer it. I am rooted with Supersu using the Towelroot method. I am hoping to not have to unlock the bootloader or anything, just want to do this the official way. (I did backup my TA partition though).
jeraldjunkmail said:
As per the title, I read something somewhere to the effect that from here on out, OTA updates will fail on most phones if they have been rooted, and this seems to be true for the Z Ultra GPE. So, what changed when I rooted my phone, and how do I undo it so that I can do the OTA update? I have looked through the forum, but nobody seems to answer it. I am rooted with Supersu using the Towelroot method. I am hoping to not have to unlock the bootloader or anything, just want to do this the official way. (I did backup my TA partition though).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your GPe is rooted only, the OTA should install just fine. If you made any system changes, you'll need to revert those though. I ran the OTA while I was rooted and didn't have any problems.
Visa Declined said:
If your GPe is rooted only, the OTA should install just fine. If you made any system changes, you'll need to revert those though. I ran the OTA while I was rooted and didn't have any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so. See:
http://bgr.com/2014/11/14/android-5-0-lollipop-updates-and-root/
As mine is rooted, no dice, the OTA fails. So, how to unroot it so that the update takes?
jeraldjunkmail said:
Not so. See:
http://bgr.com/2014/11/14/android-5-0-lollipop-updates-and-root/
As mine is rooted, no dice, the OTA fails. So, how to unroot it so that the update takes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well at the moment that doesn't effect the GPe, and may never. There will have to be a system image flashed to put the block device in a known state before the new way could ever be used, and if there is a system.img we can always flash that to get the OTA to work... no big deal I don't think.
jeraldjunkmail said:
Not so. See:
http://bgr.com/2014/11/14/android-5-0-lollipop-updates-and-root/
As mine is rooted, no dice, the OTA fails. So, how to unroot it so that the update takes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, BGR is a garbage site, and I wouldn't believe anything they say, ever. Second, that article is talking about avoiding root AFTER Lollipop is installed.
Having root will not cause the OTA to fail. If your OTA is failing, it's because you made a system change on your device.
*edit
If you were using Xposed, then that is more than likely why your OTA is failing.
What is Xposed? How would I check to see if it has affected my device? Only thing I did was Towelroot and running SuperSU. I may have done something to allow writing to the external SD card, but forget how I did that. I was intentionally trying to keep this phone basically stock so that it would easily update to Lolipop. I did a Titanium backup to the externalSD card and reset it to factory and the OTA update still fails though. I assume this was due to the fact that I rooted it. The bootloader is still unmodified, secureboot is still green - yes, lock state is locked. Only other thing I can think of is I installed an app that allowed me to set permissions by app (turn off location settings by app, etc) Sorry I can't give any more details than that...
jeraldjunkmail said:
I may have done something to allow writing to the external SD card, but forget how I did that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jeraldjunkmail said:
Only other thing I can think of is I installed an app that allowed me to set permissions by app (turn off location settings by app, etc) Sorry I can't give any more details than that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can't figure out what system change you made to your phone, just factory reset it, and run the OTA again. There was multiple people(me included) that took the OTA successfully, our phones were rooted and SuperSU was installed.
Visa Declined said:
If you can't figure out what system change you made to your phone, just factory reset it, and run the OTA again. There was multiple people(me included) that took the OTA successfully, our phones were rooted and SuperSU was installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned before, I factory reset this and wiped the cache from the stock recovery mode. Update won't take, stops shortly after it fails with "system update error". Since my last reset (been done a few times) it won't prompt me to get the OTA update, after my last reset last night. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
{Damn thing won't work... (*&^&%^$$#}
jeraldjunkmail said:
As mentioned before, I factory reset this and wiped the cache from the stock recovery mode. Update won't take, stops shortly after it fails with "system update error". Since my last reset (been done a few times) it won't prompt me to get the OTA update, after my last reset last night. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
{Damn thing won't work... (*&^&%^$$#}
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only fail-safe way I can see is to:
root
back up TA
unlock BL
hotboot custom kernel with recovery
flash 4.4.2
OTA to 4.4.3
OTA to 4.4.4
root and restore TA if you want a working camera
OTA to 5.0
blueether said:
The only fail-safe way I can see is to:
root
back up TA
unlock BL
hotboot custom kernel with recovery
flash 4.4.2
OTA to 4.4.3
OTA to 4.4.4
root and restore TA if you want a working camera
OTA to 5.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As often happens, I sometimes see a solution I don't care to implement and begin to procrastinate. So, haven't looked at this problem for a while. I may have found the solution to my problems, but want to know if anyone has experience with it before proceeding. I re-installed superSU and went through the options. Buried in the options list is a box that offers "Full unroot, Cleanup for permanent unroot". What happens when I do this? does it just remove superSU or does it restore the phone back to factory status, before it was rooted? Thanks!
PS: @ blueether the solution is fine and I am sure it would work (I was going to go ahead with it until I saw that option in superSU), but have been hesitant to unlock the bootloader, etc, due to my unfamiliarity with hacking Sony products, and only want to do it as a last, final, no other option solution. Thanks for your help!
jeraldjunkmail said:
As often happens, I sometimes see a solution I don't care to implement and begin to procrastinate. So, haven't looked at this problem for a while. I may have found the solution to my problems, but want to know if anyone has experience with it before proceeding. I re-installed superSU and went through the options. Buried in the options list is a box that offers "Full unroot, Cleanup for permanent unroot". What happens when I do this? does it just remove superSU or does it restore the phone back to factory status, before it was rooted? Thanks!
PS: @ blueether the solution is fine and I am sure it would work (I was going to go ahead with it until I saw that option in superSU), but have been hesitant to unlock the bootloader, etc, due to my unfamiliarity with hacking Sony products, and only want to do it as a last, final, no other option solution. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's fine and I take no offence at you not wanting to unlock the BL.
I haven't tried the full unroot option in supersu so I'm not sure what the outcome is. One of the other GPe users care to comment?
Well, turns out that the solution to unrooting the phone is to install superSU and than look inthe settings. It will offer you an option to completely uninstall root. It did what it says, and than you can check it with a check root app from the market. It reports that the phone is not rooted. Now the question is, will it pick up the OTA update... No luck with that after a clean factory reset, so not sure what to do next.
2 questions: If I unrooted my phone, and it says it is unrooted, is this true, in the fullest extent? Does towelroot do anything more than adding some permissions ans the superuser file?
If the phone won't pick up the OTA update, why? What went wrong?
Thanks!
jeraldjunkmail said:
Well, turns out that the solution to unrooting the phone is to install superSU and than look inthe settings. It will offer you an option to completely uninstall root. It did what it says, and than you can check it with a check root app from the market. It reports that the phone is not rooted. Now the question is, will it pick up the OTA update... No luck with that after a clean factory reset, so not sure what to do next.
2 questions: If I unrooted my phone, and it says it is unrooted, is this true, in the fullest extent? Does towelroot do anything more than adding some permissions ans the superuser file?
If the phone won't pick up the OTA update, why? What went wrong?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like the OTA is not being pushed at the moment/anymore. You could copy it to there the recovery can see it and manually install it
blueether said:
It sounds like the OTA is not being pushed at the moment/anymore. You could copy it to there the recovery can see it and manually install it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you point me inthe right direction for instructions on this process? Thanks!
Visa Declined said:
First of all, BGR is a garbage site, and I wouldn't believe anything they say, ever. Second, that article is talking about avoiding root AFTER Lollipop is installed.
Having root will not cause the OTA to fail. If your OTA is failing, it's because you made a system change on your device.
*edit
If you were using Xposed, then that is more than likely why your OTA is failing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your post is two years ago but i think you can help me,there is a new update for my phone and i am rooted i also have xposed installed so this mean i cannot update my sytem? Do i need to uninstall xposed? Im on stock rom and with TWRP recovery it would be a big help if you reply thanks.

I want to unroot my phone without losing data. Is this possible?

Also, since it was previously rooted, can I immediately get to installing the OTA updates/most recent At&t updates for my device? Will they even be there? If not, can anyone leave me a link and explain how to do so after I finish the unrooting process? Thank you.
Also, I just found the rom page on HTC, and I think this is correct. I'm still on 4.4.2 anyways That, or 4.2.2 Not quite sure. Is it possible for me to just download this from the website? If that's the case, then I won't unroot it. My only gripe is that I can't uninstall anything on my phone even though it's rooted. When I restart, the app still remains. This is only with stock apps, of course. Anyways, with the HTC rom, if I have to flash this or something, etc., I'd need this to be explained.
Edit: I did find a youtube video in which I can get OTA updates on my phone, but it says that I need to have a twrp custom recovery. All I really did was root my phone and I have the super su app.
You need to relock the boot loader and then select unroot in super su options. You will also need to flash stock recovery if you want to receive OTAs.
This shouldn't delete any data.
I would recommend going s-off and flashing dev edition Rom. Quicker updates and no bloatware to deal with. Worked great for me.
Before doing so, just copy your contacts and messages to ext SD card. Reinstalling your apps isn't too much of an inconvenience considering you get out from under AT&T restrictions.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 in a van down by the river.
chevyjohn01 said:
You need to relock the boot loader and then select unroot in super su options. You will also need to flash stock recovery if you want to receive OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Relocking the bootloader typically wipes data and renders the phone unbootable (expect the RUU).
Also, it seems like you are suggesting the method or return to stock for OTAs. In that case, relocking the bootloader is not necessary. Relocking the bootloader is only required to RUU (not for OTA).
---------- Post added at 02:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:50 PM ----------
Tiffianie said:
Also, since it was previously rooted, can I immediately get to installing the OTA updates/most recent At&t updates for my device? Will they even be there? If not, can anyone leave me a link and explain how to do so after I finish the unrooting process? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For OTA, you need stock ROM (nothing modified in system partition - but from your subsequent statement it sounds like you were never able to, anyway) and stock recovery.
From there, and also as long as you are on AT&T's network, you should be able to get OTA updates. Root is okay (does not prevent OTA updates in itself). Unlocked bootloader is also ok.
You should be able to return to stock and OTA update without losing your data. However, you should always be backing up your data (and be able to restore it accordingly), if its that important to you. Your data is never guaranteed to be safe, even with normal day to day usage (much less OTA updates or rooting) and you should backup to avoid regret.
Tiffianie said:
My only gripe is that I can't uninstall anything on my phone even though it's rooted. When I restart, the app still remains. This is only with stock apps, of course. Anyways, with the HTC rom, if I have to flash this or something, etc., I'd need this to be explained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could have easily searched these forums for that answer. System partition (where the stock apps are stored) on this phone is write protected. Even with root, you need to install a kernel mod to disable write protection.
Tiffianie said:
Edit: I did find a youtube video in which I can get OTA updates on my phone, but it says that I need to have a twrp custom recovery. All I really did was root my phone and I have the super su app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you didn't install custom recovery, how did you root?
chevyjohn01 said:
You will also need to flash stock recovery if you want to receive OTAs.
This shouldn't delete any data.
I would recommend going s-off and flashing dev edition Rom. Quicker updates and no bloatware to deal with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I probably won't unroot if I can try to get ota updates. How can I check what recovery I have installed? I downloaded flashify and backed up the current kernel through my drop box, so I'm not sure if that did a damned thing.

Unrooted my Xperia Z2 but still can't update via OTA.

Guestn/a posts Thanks: 0
So.. The Android 5.1.1 version is here and I've unrooted my phone for the update, but it still shows "Could not verify." Are there any files that cause the verifying process to know that I had rooted my device? If yes, can I delete it or what? Or are there any other ways to update without flashing a ftf file? (1. Because that ftf file is very big and my Internet speed couldn't afford it. 2. Because I don't want to wipe my apps and data) Any help would be appreciated!
@OP, If I understand right, it's the custom recovery you might have that prevents the OTA update from completing successfully. Which, in a way, is a good thing.
Step 1: reroot your phone while you still can.
Step 2: download any of a number of flashable, pre-rooted 5.1.1 ROMs with recovery (*.zip) floating around now and flash it with your current recovery, wiping only cache and Dalvik upon exit. This is what I've done to keep all my date and settings and still be rooted and have recovery on 5.1.1.
wicozani said:
@OP, If I understand right, it's the custom recovery you might have that prevents the OTA update from completing successfully. Which, in a way, is a good thing.
Step 1: reroot your phone while you still can.
Step 2: download any of a number of flashable, pre-rooted 5.1.1 ROMs with recovery (*.zip) floating around now and flash it with your current recovery, wiping only cache and Dalvik upon exit. This is what I've done to keep all my date and settings and still be rooted and have recovery on 5.1.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After I flash this, can my phone update OTA or the same problem will happen?
As far as we know, custom recoveries will always prevent OTA updates to our Xperia devices. Why are OTA updates seemingly so important to you? With your custom recovery installed, you can always simply flash the new update when it becomes available; often before the OTA update is released.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
wicozani said:
As far as we know, custom recoveries will always prevent OTA updates to our Xperia devices. Why are OTA updates seemingly so important to you? With your custom recovery installed, you can always simply flash the new update when it becomes available; often before the OTA update is released.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm okay thankyou
wicozani said:
As far as we know, custom recoveries will always prevent OTA updates to our Xperia devices. Why are OTA updates seemingly so important to you? With your custom recovery installed, you can always simply flash the new update when it becomes available; often before the OTA update is released.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me a link for the official ROM? Thanks!
Can I use the AOSPA ROM? Does it need to unlock my bootloader to flash it?
Some consideration about this thread.
1) Not never the OTA updade overwrite the ROOT, example I passed from .627 to .28 through OTA update without lose the root and recovery. This depend of kind of update.
2) I think that to install a pre-rooted rom is not a good thing, because the baseband is almost always different an this can create issue related the WI-fi and carrier signal (3G, 4G).
3) I always installed the root, recovery and mod as well. But now I have understand that is not really necessary to install this. At least the stock Z2 have a good/beautiful OS and good hardware and there is no need to change some colors or icons to improve it.
I'm boring to flash and restore my data every new firmware or new mod. (now a new firmware is already certified and will be ready soon).
Maybe I will think to change the room when my phone will be obsolete
Regards
giancaleone said:
Some consideration about this thread.
1) Not never the OTA updade overwrite the ROOT, example I passed from .627 to .28 through OTA update without lose the root and recovery. This depend of kind of update.
2) I think that to install a pre-rooted rom is not a good thing, because the baseband is almost always different an this can create issue related the WI-fi and carrier signal (3G, 4G).
3) I always installed the root, recovery and mod as well. But now I have understand that is not really necessary to install this. At least the stock Z2 have a good/beautiful OS and good hardware and there is no need to change some colors or icons to improve it.
I'm boring to flash and restore my data every new firmware or new mod. (now a new firmware is already certified and will be ready soon).
Maybe I will think to change the room when my phone will be obsolete
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally understand, thankyou, so I just flash the original ROM from AOSPA and without root is enough right?
Wayhome said:
Totally understand, thankyou, so I just flash the original ROM from AOSPA and without root is enough right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do not have an unlocked bootloader, you cannot flash anything but a pre-rooted stock 5.1.1 ROM with recovery. There are several types available in the General Z2 column.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
I have a crazy thought flashed across my mind haha, that file that I downloaded via OTA SYSTEM UPDATE is still there, can I make it as a zip file and flash it?
Wayhome said:
I have a crazy thought flashed across my mind haha, that file that I downloaded via OTA SYSTEM UPDATE is still there, can I make it as a zip file and flash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you do that? You wouldn't have root and you wouldn't have a recovery; you'd be stuck, unable to root and install a recovery. Do what I said and you'll be fine.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Can you help me to find one? That doesn't need to unlock bootloader to flash.

Quick question about root, functions and updates.

I have an unlocked 5X with TWRP installed (but have not yet modified system.)
I'm about to flash SuperSu but have 2 questions.
1) Will I lose functions such as the fingerprint reader if the device is rooted?
2) Is there a risk of getting in a bootloop if a firmware update is downloaded?
harryspar said:
I have an unlocked 5X with TWRP installed (but have not yet modified system.)
I'm about to flash SuperSu but have 2 questions.
1) Will I lose functions such as the fingerprint reader if the device is rooted?
2) Is there a risk of getting in a bootloop if a firmware update is downloaded?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Will I lose functions such as the fingerprint reader if the device is rooted?
if you install the stock rom you will keep this functionality otherwise you need to wait concerning CM13 build
2) Is there a risk of getting in a bootloop if a firmware update is downloaded?
there is always a risk but minor
harryspar said:
2) Is there a risk of getting in a bootloop if a firmware update is downloaded?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will not be able to flash ota with a custom recovery. When a new update arrives you will have to wait for a twrp compatible zip or return to complete stock to flash the update
wickedesires said:
You will not be able to flash ota with a custom recovery. When a new update arrives you will have to wait for a twrp compatible zip or return to complete stock to flash the update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I remember this happening with other devices, as the OTA uses a recovery script.
I wonder if there will be nag screens for OTA's. This rendered my wife's S4 so annoying to use, with a persistent notification, until I found a block method (disallowing notifications didn't work since I'd have had to disable notifications for the entire Android System UI...)
harryspar said:
I wonder if there will be nag screens for OTA's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went about 5 days before I installed the b140 update and I don't recall any annoying notifications. I know exactly what you mean though my s5 active did the same thing because I didn't want to update and lose root. I finally found a way to disable it but like you said it was very irritating.

Can I update normally with oem unlock /w custom recovery?

I recently installed a custom recovery on my exynos s9+ on stock pie. I actually thought unlocking oem and installing a custom recovery + root would trip Knox and prevent me from getting any updates but it didn't. Was roaming on my phone today and somehow found myself in the phone update menu. I tapped on check for updates and low and behold I could download an update. My problem is now that I'm on a custom recovery how would any update i download even manage to install? And even if it does is there a possibility that it might cause troubles like re-enabling dm-verity lock and bricking my phone? I wanna know what might happen if I proceed to download and install that OTA update.
drickles said:
I recently installed a custom recovery on my exynos s9+ on stock pie. I actually thought unlocking oem and installing a custom recovery + root would trip Knox and prevent me from getting any updates but it didn't. Was roaming on my phone today and somehow found myself in the phone update menu. I tapped on check for updates and low and behold I could download an update. My problem is now that I'm on a custom recovery how would any update i download even manage to install? And even if it does is there a possibility that it might cause troubles like re-enabling dm-verity lock and bricking my phone? I wanna know what might happen if I proceed to download and install that OTA update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I would not do the OTA as it may not update properly (if even at all). Every phone I have rooted before this was one of the cautions usually posted... I would double check in what ever tutorial, thread, utility faq you used to make sure.
I would suggest you wait for an update to be made that is flashable with your custom recovery. If your custom recovery has the feature (like TWRP) make a backup of what you have installed, flash the update and if things don't work you can restore your backup.
I miss having that kind of backup/restore ability via custom recovery on my phone.. sure comes in handy when things go sideways
Nothing happens. According to my experience and contents in the OTA zip, twrp will simply just spit it out. No dm-verity re-lock or bricking too.
You can always download one of the custom systems which are regularly updated.
Example would be Soldier ROM.
I recommend find your new firmware and flash it. You will lose all of your file and root-recovery you can have them all back

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