[Q] Unroot without full wiping - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I recently realized that I use no root requiring apps or custom ROMs on my Nexus 7(while I keep my phone rooted for many a reason). Now that I hear the 4.4 update is being pushed, it occurs to me that all keeping a custom recovery and root on my tablet does is complicate updates. So I want to unroot, return my recovery to the stock, and get myself all ready to wait for the update to push out. What would be the best way to do this that does not require me to lose data/game saves/have to reset everything up?

Fastboot flash the stock recovery and don't worry about su because the ota will take care of that.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

hi i am on stock 4.3 & recovery no system apps removed at all, bootloader unlocked, am i safe to take 4.4 OTA?

Yes, should be safe.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

langhaardack said:
Yes, should be safe.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure this has been answered somewhere and I did search the forum before posting but right now i am pretty excited about 4.4 and would like the experts to answer this regarding grouper :-
I got the 4.3 update OTA on a rooted 4.2. I later rooted the 4.3 but did not remove any default apps. I also have frano kernel installed and TWRP recovery. Does the kernel and custom recovery affect the OTA process? Am i safe for 4.4 OTA? or shall i unroot, install stock kernel and also stock recovery?
Thanks

You should be fine if you install the stock recovery before the OTA arrives
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Open the SuperSU app on your device.. Go to the app settings and select the option to unroot/clean up.. Reboot. That is all.
---------- Post added at 10:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------
johnlittle88 said:
I am sure this has been answered somewhere and I did search the forum before posting but right now i am pretty excited about 4.4 and would like the experts to answer this regarding grouper :-
I got the 4.3 update OTA on a rooted 4.2. I later rooted the 4.3 but did not remove any default apps. I also have frano kernel installed and TWRP recovery. Does the kernel and custom recovery affect the OTA process? Am i safe for 4.4 OTA? or shall i unroot, install stock kernel and also stock recovery?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you'll want the stock kernel and stock recovery installed.

On grouper, it can update independent of changes you have made to the system and recovery. This isn't true for all other nexus devices, for example, mako. Doing the 4.4 update will get rid of root for you, but it will flash fine even if you have a custom recovery. You may need to flash stock recovery manually if you don't want custom recovery anymore.

korockinout13 said:
On grouper, it can update independent of changes you have made to the system and recovery. This isn't true for all other nexus devices, for example, mako. Doing the 4.4 update will get rid of root for you, but it will flash fine even if you have a custom recovery. You may need to flash stock recovery manually if you don't want custom recovery anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the past, that has failed for me. I'm still one update behind on 4.3 because it would not install and I was too lazy previously to unroot and get it to install.

langhaardack said:
Fastboot flash the stock recovery and don't worry about su because the ota will take care of that.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know where I can find the recovery itself? Only ones I find in my searching are TWRP and Clockwork.

rougegoat said:
Do you know where I can find the recovery itself? Only ones I find in my searching are TWRP and Clockwork.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever find the stock recovery? I'm looking to unroot without losing my app data..
PS, sorry for bringing this back from the dead, but it is exactly what I am looking for.

Related

Dead Android bot on update install

SO my N7 is rooted through Wugs tool, it has been great so far!
Now though, when I try to install the system update, my little android bot dies with an exclamation mark above him and I have to hard reboot.
Any ideas?
Probably because you now have a custom recovery instead of stock.
Travisdroidx2 said:
Probably because you now have a custom recovery instead of stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what would be the best route to fix this, I am overly tired of getting prompted to install my system update.
Thanks
Freeze the update apk.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
I think he's asking for a way to update it with the custom recovery installed...I could be wrong though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
ExploreMN said:
I think he's asking for a way to update it with the custom recovery installed...I could be wrong though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My goal would be to update my N7, if for no other reason, than to stop getting pop ups every 10mins asking to install the update.
I am running WugFresh's toolkit 1.5.2, My tablet is running Jellybean 4.1.1 RO03C
An OTA update will not install or will not install correctly on a device that has been modified from stock.
But if your device has a custom recovery installed (flashed via Wugs) you can install a custom 4.2 ROM and you will have everything you would get from the OTA. The 4.2 stock rooted rom from scrosler is a good ROM to start with. Or use wugs to return to stock and take the OTA. Then from there you can root/ flash whatever you want to do.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
thanks for this thread,
im in exactly the same position except havent clicked accept update yet and glad i havent lol
asked many times but always get mixed answer's about updating my rooted nexy with twrp recovery, i did use goo manager to update to the latest twrp recovery
so im not sure if i need to un-root to update as the new twrp is supposed to work with 4.2?
ezas said:
An OTA update will not install or will not install correctly on a device that has been modified from stock.
But if your device has a custom recovery installed (flashed via Wugs) you can install a custom 4.2 ROM and you will have everything you would get from the OTA. The 4.2 stock rooted rom from scrosler is a good ROM to start with. Or use wugs to return to stock and take the OTA. Then from there you can root/ flash whatever you want to do.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response, that makes sense, and gave me the info I needed!

Can I OTA update?

Hey I'm new to the forums but been reading them for a while and I just have a question with OTA updates. I have a nexus 4 that's been rooted and have clockwork mod. I have also flashed the .33 baseband on 4.2.2. I have stock rom but Franco kernel however I backed up the stock kernel with his updater app.
I know I can't OTA with the kernel but flashing the stock one is no big deal. Can I OTA with the rest being on there?
Also if I do the lte wifi hotspot fix will that stop the OTA update as well?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
As long you have clockwork mod on the rom you can not OTA...its always going to be manual way of flashing the OTA and that process will remove clockwork mod but using apps like voodoo keeps you rooted so you can easily install clockwork mod again after the update.
No Recovery+Stock ROM+Stock Kernel+Stock Latest Radio= auto OTA update.
I hope that made sense..but i could be wrong but that's what works for me.
Sent From My Beasty Nexus 4 with Awesome Beats.
ROM: Mysterious AOKP 4.2.2
Kernel: Faux 123 latest tbm.
Recovery: TWRP
Helderg1984 said:
Hey I'm new to the forums but been reading them for a while and I just have a question with OTA updates. I have a nexus 4 that's been rooted and have clockwork mod. I have also flashed the .33 baseband on 4.2.2. I have stock rom but Franco kernel however I backed up the stock kernel with his updater app.
I know I can't OTA with the kernel but flashing the stock one is no big deal. Can I OTA with the rest being on there?
Also if I do the lte wifi hotspot fix will that stop the OTA update as well?
Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You CAN ota if you have a custom recovery.
However, the WiFi hotspot fix will kill it.
I made a guide with all the info you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2145848
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
So if anything is modded at all except for basic root I won't be able to apply the update that arrives to my phone directly right? I will have to flash it in cwm? I assume I will have to wipe cache and such before I apply the zip right?
Do I have to revert anything back stock or can I just flash the zip directly over what I have now and just re apply the kernel and baseband?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Sorry one more thing with the latest SU I will stay rooted I think but I will lose cwm and have to re obtain it or will I keep it if survival mode is checked?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Helderg1984 said:
Sorry one more thing with the latest SU I will stay rooted I think but I will lose cwm and have to re obtain it or will I keep it if survival mode is checked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash it from CWM then you will keep CWM and also keep root (if you say yes when it asks you).
Sent from my Nexus 4
Sorry I am a bit confused still, when I get the update.zip and flash it in CWM do I have to wipe or no? and if I don't will everything stay the same? or will I lose my 0.33 baseband and kernel? I'm also wanting to do the lte hotspot fix so would I lose that too?
steviewevie said:
If you flash it from CWM then you will keep CWM and also keep root (if you say yes when it asks you).
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helderg1984 said:
Sorry I am a bit confused still, when I get the update.zip and flash it in CWM do I have to wipe or no? and if I don't will everything stay the same? or will I lose my 0.33 baseband and kernel? I'm also wanting to do the lte hotspot fix so would I lose that too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to wipe.It does not matter if you wipe or not, you will still lose your base band, you'll just have to flash the old baseband again. As for the kernel if the ota comes with a new kernel your old stock kernel will be replaced with the new one in the ota.
You actually can accept a ota update with a custom recovery but you have to be stock everything else, no other mods or anything. The ota will install fine and youll see that it goes through your custom recovery when updating. After the update you will lose root and your custom recovery however unless you recovery someone holds onto it.
As I know, we need to modify something after installing custom recovery. Else, stock recovery will be installed upon reboot. So even after modifying, OTA still works ?
Rizy7 said:
You actually can accept a ota update with a custom recovery but you have to be stock everything else, no other mods or anything. The ota will install fine and youll see that it goes through your custom recovery when updating. After the update you will lose root and your custom recovery however unless you recovery someone holds onto it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from Mako
So bascially no matter what i have on the phone update.zip will go through fine and put on the phone what it contains and it's up to me to put everything back? Also I've heard mixed opinions if I will lose root and CWM, mostly people say it will give me an option to keep it after applyng the update.
heat361 said:
You don't have to wipe.It does not matter if you wipe or not, you will still lose your base band, you'll just have to flash the old baseband again. As for the kernel if the ota comes with a new kernel your old stock kernel will be replaced with the new one in the ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heat361 said:
You don't have to wipe.It does not matter if you wipe or not, you will still lose your base band, you'll just have to flash the old baseband again. As for the kernel if the ota comes with a new kernel your old stock kernel will be replaced with the new one in the ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything about this post is incorrect.
I don't mean to be a jerk but I've seen you post a lot of false info lately. I know you'd like to help, but it only confuses people when they see contradictory info.
Helderg1984 said:
So bascially no matter what i have on the phone update.zip will go through fine and put on the phone what it contains and it's up to me to put everything back? Also I've heard mixed opinions if I will lose root and CWM, mostly people say it will give me an option to keep it after applying the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just read the thread I linked earlier. It has answers to your questions.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
El Daddy said:
Everything about this post is incorrect.
I don't mean to be a jerk but I've seen you post a lot of false info lately. I know you'd like to help, but it only confuses people when they see contradictory info.
Just read the thread I l
Can you tell me what's wrong with what I said? I was assuming he was on stock rooted with a custom recovery. Is it not true that if you get an ota update and it contains a new baseband and new stock kernel it will overwrite the last last stock kernel and baseband.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heat361 said:
El Daddy said:
Everything about this post is incorrect.
I don't mean to be a jerk but I've seen you post a lot of false info lately. I know you'd like to help, but it only confuses people when they see contradictory info.
Just read the thread I l
Can you tell me what's wrong with what I said? I was assuming he was on stock rooted with a custom recovery. Is it not true that if you get an ota update and it contains a new baseband and new stock kernel it will overwrite the last last stock kernel and baseband.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesn't overwrite anything. It just fails.
OTA's contain patches. Not complete files. If the original file isn't there it will abort.
I can see how this can be confusing because it is different from custom roms.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But thats only if he has the lte fix right. So if he just flashes a stock kernel without that patch, the ota could work.
For example the stock boot.img
I'm rooted with cwm, custom kernel and old baseband, stock rom. I mean I can very easily revert my kernel back to stock and flash the newest baseband.
The only thing is there's a bunch of stuff I might want to do more but don't want to make it hard to update since it's important to me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
heat361 said:
But thats only if he has the lte fix right. So if he just flashes a stock kernel without that patch, the ota could work.
For example the stock boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. The phone needs to be 100% stock with the exception of the recovery to complete the OTA. If the files,kernel,radio, etc. are replaced to the original state you'd be good to go.
PS. Sorry if I came off as a jerk this morning. I had a case of the Mondays.
Helderg1984 said:
I'm rooted with cwm, custom kernel and old baseband, stock rom. I mean I can very easily revert my kernel back to stock and flash the newest baseband.
The only thing is there's a bunch of stuff I might want to do more but don't want to make it hard to update since it's important to me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as I wrote above, You can do as many modifications as you want, just make sure you bring the phone back to stock before you flash the OTA.zip, otherwise it will fail.
When the new OTA comes out I will update my OTA Help-Desk thread with all the new requirements.
Helderg1984 said:
So bascially no matter what i have on the phone update.zip will go through fine and put on the phone what it contains and it's up to me to put everything back? Also I've heard mixed opinions if I will lose root and CWM, mostly people say it will give me an option to keep it after applyng the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just watch this its eazy as 1 2 3!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky5miA8ilr0

[Q] Getting updates from Google

Will I get updates from Google. if I root my Nexus 7 and i'm on a custom ROM?
abhilashbaishya said:
Will I get updates from Google. if I root my Nexus 7 and i'm on a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a custom rom No. Rooted running stock you will get updates dont make the same mistake i did when running stock and delte custom apps just freez them
Next time pal post in the q&a for subjects like this and have a search
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium dont forget to hit the thanks button if i helped you
You will successfully get an OTA if...
You're using the stock kernel
You have not renamed/deleted/mangled files in /system
You have not installed garbage like Beats etc which modify libraries
You have not screwed with your framework to bling it
ie: YOUR ROM IS STOCK
You STILL get, and apply an OTA, if you have..
Unlocked your bootloader
Rooted your device
You're using a modern CWM or TWRP
khaytsus said:
You STILL get, and apply an OTA, if you have..
Unlocked your bootloader
Rooted your device
You're using a modern CWM or TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you install a custom recovery you won't be able install the update naturally. You'll have to download the update and install from recovery manually.
Visa Declined said:
If you install a custom recovery you won't be able install the update naturally. You'll have to download the update and install from recovery manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, but it will install just fine. But yes, you have to boot into recovery and flash the OTA zip file.

[Q] Steps to get my phone ready for Android 4.4

Hello!
I recently had Xposed Framework installed. I uninstalled it to get my phone ready for the Android 4.4 OTA.
I have a STOCK ROOTED Nexus 4 with CWM Recovery (Bootloader: Unlocked).
I wanted to download the Android 4.4 OTA once it is released.
Based on what I understand, there are two ways (that I prefer) of receiving this:
1> Unroot the phone and put stock recovery. I had a question with this method:
a: Would I need to lock the bootloader to install the OTA? If yes, on locking would I loose my data?
2> Flashing a binary that would be released on the Google website. I also had a few questions related to this:
a: Would I loose my data if I did so?
b: Do I need to make any changes to my Stock Rooted Nexus 4 with CWM Recovery to follow this method?
Which method would you follow? Or do you have a better method? Please help me out :laugh:
Thank You!
Just go to the ota help desk here on xda and once the ota is being released they will put it in a zip file and you will be able to install it in recovery without losing any data, so just like a normal ota.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Thibaultvw said:
Just go to the ota help desk here on xda and once the ota is being released they will put it in a zip file and you will be able to install it in recovery without losing any data, so just like a normal ota.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great. But what if I want to install the OTA? Wouldn't installing something from the OTA Helpdesk void the warranty?
ak****soota said:
That's great. But what if I want to install the OTA? Wouldn't installing something from the OTA Helpdesk void the warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No................................................................. this isn't a Samsung phone.
Can anyone confirm you need to unroot or not to receive OTA? (I have never bothered with it since flashing roms). Just make sure you're running unrooted stock rom that is odexed, stock kernel and stock recovery, as far as I know.
If you flash the factory firmware from Google it will wipe out everything, including your /sdcard/ partition. You could wait for a 'stock rom' that is flashable by custom recovery, these don't delete your /sdcard while flashing, these (unrooted odexed) roms should still be able to receive OTA (correct me if I'm wrong).
Yes u will have to unroot to receive OTA.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
ak****soota said:
Hello!
I recently had Xposed Framework installed. I uninstalled it to get my phone ready for the Android 4.4 OTA.
I have a STOCK ROOTED Nexus 4 with CWM Recovery (Bootloader: Unlocked).
I wanted to download the Android 4.4 OTA once it is released.
Based on what I understand, there are two ways (that I prefer) of receiving this:
1> Unroot the phone and put stock recovery. I had a question with this method:
a: Would I need to lock the bootloader to install the OTA? If yes, on locking would I loose my data?
2> Flashing a binary that would be released on the Google website. I also had a few questions related to this:
a: Would I loose my data if I did so?
b: Do I need to make any changes to my Stock Rooted Nexus 4 with CWM Recovery to follow this method?
Which method would you follow? Or do you have a better method? Please help me out :laugh:
Thank You!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see so many of these threads and then I see the I bricked my phone going back to stock threads next. Please if you enjoy root and the features it brings you just relax and wait out the update. Your favorite developer will then create a nice new KitKat version with your updates and customizations. Of course do what you like but to unroot and get rid of your custom rom to have stock and then re root to try and get the same effect again just sounds crazy too me.
Patience is a virtue
Edit: but your question is what route to take just so you know there are back to stock threads which would be your best bet to follow if you honestly feel like doing all that to undo it later....

[Q] Root and OTA updates

HI All,
Sorry for this question, tried to serach for the asnwer, but I am still not clear.
mine Nexus 7 2012 WIFI, rooted, custom recovery and superuser installed currently runs on stock 4.4.2 KOT49H, will I get OTA updates for the latest 4.4.3 from googles? many thanks.
play541 said:
HI All,
Sorry for this question, tried to serach for the asnwer, but I am still not clear.
mine Nexus 7 2012 WIFI, rooted, custom recovery and superuser installed currently runs on stock 4.4.2 KOT49H, will I get OTA updates for the latest 4.4.3 from googles? many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, afraid if you've root on your device, more importantly, you have a custom recovery partition in your device, do not accept OTAs. This could permanently brick your Nexus 7. You may be able to temporarily "unroot" the device, removing the custom recovery and flashing back to full stock with stock recovery. Check your device's threads for any available guides.
Sent from my d801 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
tinydynamite00 said:
Hi, afraid if you've root on your device, more importantly, you have a custom recovery partition in your device, do not accept OTAs. This could permanently brick your Nexus 7. You may be able to temporarily "unroot" the device, removing the custom recovery and flashing back to full stock with stock recovery. Check your device's threads for any available guides.
Sent from my d801 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi tinydynamite00,
Much appreciated.
I might try the Nexus tool to get back to full stock.
play541 said:
Hi tinydynamite00,
Much appreciated.
I might try the Nexus tool to get back to full stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't really need to go back to stock. when the ota becomes available, either here on xda or when it's available on your tablet, download it then install it through the recovery on your tablet. you'll lose root but just flash a root package and you're all done. i've done this before and no problems what so ever.
mrbtree98 said:
you don't really need to go back to stock. when the ota becomes available, either here on xda or when it's available on your tablet, download it then install it through the recovery on your tablet. you'll lose root but just flash a root package and you're all done. i've done this before and no problems what so ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi mrbtree98,
Thanks for your reply.
Does this one work for me?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2533035
play541 said:
Hi mrbtree98,
Thanks for your reply.
Does this one work for me?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2533035
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a custom rom or a modified stock rom. no one has got an ota for the 2012 nexus 7 and were the only nexus still to get 4.4.3 through ota. i'm also waiting but it's weird for there to be a gap from the other nexus's
play541 said:
Hi mrbtree98,
Thanks for your reply.
Does this one work for me?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2533035
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrbtree98 said:
that's a custom rom or a modified stock rom. no one has got an ota for the 2012 nexus 7 and were the only nexus still to get 4.4.3 through ota. i'm also waiting but it's weird for there to be a gap from the other nexus's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would recommend that one, as its basically rooted stock which is what you're currently running anyway. You can just wipe cache and dalvik cache in recovery and flash it, no need to wipe data (so your apps/settings/files will all be untouched). If there are any questions in recovery to flash stock recovery or fix root just answer no to both, my root was kept intact without having to reflash superSU. It saves waiting for the OTA (which still isn't here for some reason) and the risk of it failing/losing root/custom recovery for whatever reason.
As always just in case, make a full nandroid backup in recovery, then flash the ROM. You shouldn't have any problems. :good:
mrbtree98 said:
that's a custom rom or a modified stock rom. no one has got an ota for the 2012 nexus 7 and were the only nexus still to get 4.4.3 through ota. i'm also waiting but it's weird for there to be a gap from the other nexus's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Sir!
Okay, correct me if I am wrong:
if OTA updates available, do not proceed to DL (over WIFI) and do not let tablet do the installation, as it might cause problem (brick?).
DL thru XDA install thru recovery instead. ( either in ZIP or .img? format).
play541 said:
Thank you Sir!
Okay, correct me if I am wrong:
if OTA updates available, do not proceed to DL (over WIFI) and do not let tablet do the installation, as it might cause problem (brick?).
DL thru XDA install thru recovery instead. ( either in ZIP or .img? format).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll probaby get a status 7 error and the update won't apply, I would recommend the rooted stock based ROM you linked to above, quick and easy to update rather than waiting for an OTA and trying to update that way.
gsmyth said:
You'll probaby get a status 7 error and the update won't apply, I would recommend the rooted stock based ROM you linked to above, quick and easy to update rather than waiting for an OTA and trying to update that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI gsmyth,
Thanks for your advices,
you guys are very helpfull, much appreciated.

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