OTA Update while rooted but still STOCK - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey Guys,
I've done reading about this issue but I did not find an answer specifically to the Nexus 7 device.
I bought my mother-in-law the Nexus 7 and she loves it. However, she will be going back home (which is far) and I was wondering if an OTA update comes, will she be able to update? Will it mess with the system itself if updated over?
Do I have to unroot first, then OTA update, then reroot?
I will not install any custom rom. I will just have it rooted that is it.
Thank you

I unlocked my bootloader and manually rooted [superuser zip in CWM], then I installed the system update that updated it to 4.1.1 [JRO03D], and I still had root, so I'm pretty sure the updates on the N7 will keep the root.
However, you can always try "OTA root keeper" in the play store, it's supposed to restore root, in the event that an OTA update unroots it.
I downloaded it before updating because I thought I'd lose root with the update, but I didn't have to use it at all.
But I'm no longer on the stock rom, I switched to the ParanoidAndroid rom, it's excellent.

I see. Do I need to unlock the bootloader in order to root? Is it true that unlocking the bootloader is only needed if I want to install custom ROMs right? Can I just have root?
Thanks again!

You have to unlock the bootloader in order to root.

keplenk said:
I see. Do I need to unlock the bootloader in order to root? Is it true that unlocking the bootloader is only needed if I want to install custom ROMs right? Can I just have root?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately no, because there is no known exploit for loading an insecure boot image, in which case you could use 'adb' to push Superuser to /system/.. But unlocking the bootloader isn't a big deal, except for the fact it erases all the data. There are ways to back it up via adb, and I think the N7 Toolkit has backup & restore options.

Related

OTA updating a rooted nexus 7

Hi, I am new to the android scene and have a few questions.
Just wondering about the procedure for updating a rooted device, specifically the nexus 7. After I receive my nexus 7, I am planning on unlocking the bootloader, flashing CWM, and then rooting the device. I am not planning on using any custom roms. I am just going to be using stock JB.
If in the future I want to do an OTA update, what is the procedure for this?
From my understanding, it seems this is the procedure for doing an OTA update for rooted nexus 7:
1. unroot the device? (how do you unroot the device?). is this necessary?
2. use cwm to flash the stock recovery, because you won't be able to get the OTA with a custom recovery such as CWM. Is that correct?(also, where do you get the stock recovery??)
3. apply the OTA update. root will be gone.
4. flash CWM and re-root the device
And once I have succesfully OTA updated the nexus 7, re-flashed CWM, and re-rooted back the device, will I have to start from scratch (lose all data, settings, apps, etc?). I know unlocking the bootloader will wipe the device, but will the OTA update process require me to start over?
If I am missing any steps or have some things mixed up, please let me know. Also, if I were to use an OTA root keeper, what would the procedure be like or how would it change the procedure I listed above?
Thanks.
Haven't got my Nexus 7 yet but it looks pretty simple according to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1764794
Basically just need to have OTA RootKeeper installed beforehand, then disable signature verification in CWM and patch the OTA update. Then OTA Rootkeeper can restore root.
HTH

Noob Question, how to get OTA updates with root?

Hey guys, I'm new to Android and have been using iOS for the last 4-5 years. I've been reading up on the basics and I'll be rooting with Wugfresh's toolkit soon.
First, I'm wondering if I can get OTA updates while rooted but on stock rom. If I can, then what options do I select on wugfresh's toolkit to maintain stock rom? If I cannot, what I do to get OTA updates in the future?
I use Wug's toolkit too and have never had to mess with any settings or run into any trouble. Also, it will run stock ROM until you deliberately load up another one, so unless you start playing with others, you shouldn't need to worry about having any trouble getting OTAs. If you do go with another ROM, devs are usually pretty quick about incorporating updates into them.
Root alone has zero effect on ota for nexus devices. Neither does unlocking the bootloader.
You will receive them. If you're root and WITH stock recovery it will install no different then a completely untouched device.
With a custom recovery it will fail to install AUTOMATICALLY but will install just fine with a manual flash of the ota zip. Toggle the signature check in custom recovery may be needed and it flashes
just leave recovery stock, and download ota rootkeeper to backup your root.

[Q] Is root persistent through OTA update?

I'm looking to root my phone but I don't want to flash any new bootloader or custom roms. I'm under the impression that I'll still be able to get OTA updates if I do this. My question is if I download and install an OTA update will I still have root on the phone or will it remove root? Thanks!
psyphris said:
I'm looking to root my phone but I don't want to flash any new bootloader or custom roms. I'm under the impression that I'll still be able to get OTA updates if I do this. My question is if I download and install an OTA update will I still have root on the phone or will it remove root? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was still able to receive and apply the OTA after rooting, but the OTA did cause me to lose root. But re-rooting was pretty painless.
Its sure than rooting phone you receive OTA and can install it?? If yes, I want to root my phone, only root, i dont want to change anything more for receiving OTAs.
How can I do? just only root, any link to the safest way?
Is the same way when I receive an OTA and i have to root again?
many thanks.
1. You can use an app called OTA Rootkeeper. Use it to hide root before you accept an OTA, then use it to restore root after.
2. Yes, you can use adb commands (possibly the Nexus 4 toolkit as well) to temporarily flash clockwork recovery and obtain root. You will need to unlock the bootloader though, and that will factory reset your device.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1993331
Nospin said:
1. You can use an app called OTA Rootkeeper. Use it to hide root before you accept an OTA, then use it to restore root after.
2. Yes, you can use adb commands (possibly the Nexus 4 toolkit as well) to temporarily flash clockwork recovery and obtain root. You will need to unlock the bootloader though, and that will factory reset your device.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1993331
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice for OTA Rootkeeper! If I head down this path I'll make sure to use that. I'm still looking around for the best way to root without unlocking the bootloader or factory reseting.
Superuser contains a built in 'try and preserve root' function which worked well when I updated to 4.2.1

Does updating OTA require you to unlock again? Root again?

Does updating OTA require you to unlock again? Root again?
I can't remember, and I'm trying to help a friend. I want to make sure they won't have to unlock again and lose all their current data and settings. Thanks
My friend was rooted unlocked with CWM on stock and got the OTA. When it went into recovery, it asked him if he wanted to keep root, etc and he said yes. OTA went through, he kept root and didn't lose out on anything.

20s update?

I'm on 19s, with an unlocked bl and rooted. I see that the 20s update is available. If I update, will I lose root and unlocked bl? Thanks!
destrorox said:
I'm on 19s, with an unlocked bl and rooted. I see that the 20s update is available. If I update, will I lose root and unlocked bl? Thanks!
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Click to collapse
I bought the phone it came with stock rom 5.8.018S. I installed TWRP and flash rom 5.9.020S (T.A.R.S by Steve/Grosshop/Google Edittion), all these rom come with pre-rooted.
Once you installed TWRP and backup your system, you can flash any rom really I haven't had any issue.
Root is easy anyway, just flash Supersu via TWRP from what I read for this phone.
Moon75 said:
I bought the phone it came with stock rom 5.8.018S. I installed TWRP and flash rom 5.9.020S (T.A.R.S by Steve/Grosshop/Google Edittion), all these rom come with pre-rooted.
Once you installed TWRP and backup your system, you can flash any rom really I haven't had any issue.
Root is easy anyway, just flash Supersu via TWRP from what I read for this phone.
Click to expand...
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Thanks for your response but it doesn't answer my question about accepting the upgrade to 20s and what will or won't happen. I also have twrp installed and am rooted on 19s. Ideally, I'd prefer to upgrade without having to re-root and unlock my bl again but if that's the case, so be it. Just wanted to know beforehand.
destrorox said:
Thanks for your response but it doesn't answer my question about accepting the upgrade to 20s and what will or won't happen. I also have twrp installed and am rooted on 19s. Ideally, I'd prefer to upgrade without having to re-root and unlock my bl again but if that's the case, so be it. Just wanted to know beforehand.
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Click to collapse
Sorry I was not sure it's OTA update by the system or flash it by yourself when you mentioned about the update.
Why would you accept the update when you can flash all the rom available, the update can only mess up/complicate things on your phone in my opinion.
You will get same stuff as in the 20s roms.
Based on what I have read I am pretty sure you will need to re-root and unlock the BL again (because you will need to revert these changes to actually apply the OTA, it will fail otherwise). I ended up flashing a Cydras ROM because I didn't want to deal with unrooting, etc, to receive the OTA (since I already had a rooted device and it would fail OTA).
If you want to do the OTA, then you should do it before doing any root/unlock bl. I would then do the BL unlock, install TWRP, and take a backup of the system image.
Today I Gott the OTA Update for the Lex720 for s20
slgooding said:
Based on what I have read I am pretty sure you will need to re-root and unlock the BL again (because you will need to revert these changes to actually apply the OTA, it will fail otherwise). I ended up flashing a Cydras ROM because I didn't want to deal with unrooting, etc, to receive the OTA (since I already had a rooted device and it would fail OTA).
If you want to do the OTA, then you should do it before doing any root/unlock bl. I would then do the BL unlock, install TWRP, and take a backup of the system image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was afraid of. Might as well give some of the custom roms a shot if I'm going to end up wiping, etc. Thanks!

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