Database Users

[Q] Any downside to rooting other than warranty/knox?

I am considering rooting my Canadian (Rogers) Note 3 (SM-N900W8) in order to defeat the ludicrous SD-Card crippling brought by the latest Kitkat 4.4.2 software update. I'm aware that by doing so the Knox 0x1 counter will void the warranty. What I'd like to know is whether there are any additional negative results besides this well-known one.
For example I've seen inconsistent reports of the Screen Mirroring function being disabled as soon as the device is rooted. Some claim it is more related to the presence of a custom kernel, recovery or ROM, while others insist that merely rooting with everything stock was enough to disable screen mirroring.
If I do nothing more than use CF-Autoroot as described here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466423
...no custom recovery, kernel or ROM, do I risk any undesirable repercussions other than the warranty and Knox issue? Will screen mirroring or any other functions work worse than they did before?
Thanks for any help...

Rooting won't break any functionality of the phone except the security it was meant for i.e the secure container ( and of course, depending on who you ask, warranty ). Problems you mentioned are probably related to custom roms themselves.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda app-developers app

hey_joe said:
Rooting won't break any functionality of the phone except the security it was meant for i.e the secure container ( and of course, depending on who you ask, warranty ). Problems you mentioned are probably related to custom roms themselves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply... and will it also not interfere with any potential future over-the-air updates that might come along, be it a 4.4.3 update or a more trivial software patch to fix an issue that gets released? I realize that a major enough OTA update might un-root the phone which is fine.. I just wouldn't want to brick or lose access to updates because of root. Would they continue to be accessible, or would I likely have to first un-root manually to enable them?
Thanks again...

Yes you can not OTA update on the rooted phone.
You can unroot and apply the OTA update.
Or use the fake system status option in the Wanam.

vndnguyen said:
Yes you can not OTA update on the rooted phone.
You can unroot and apply the OTA update.
Or use the fake system status option in the Wanam.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks... if memory serves (been a while for me since last rooted device) all that is necessary to unroot is to run the administrative option from within the Superuser app itself, to remove the SU binary completely.. correct? And then to re-root just repeat the previous CF-Autoroot steps and regain SU?

paleozord said:
Thanks for your reply... and will it also not interfere with any potential future over-the-air updates that might come along, be it a 4.4.3 update or a more trivial software patch to fix an issue that gets released? I realize that a major enough OTA update might un-root the phone which is fine.. I just wouldn't want to brick or lose access to updates because of root. Would they continue to be accessible, or would I likely have to first un-root manually to enable them?
Thanks again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don`t need OTA`s mate, just download the new updated rom from Sammobile and flash it with Mobile Odin Pro and you`ll even keep root

gee2012 said:
You don`t need OTA`s mate, just download the new updated rom from Sammobile and flash it with Mobile Odin Pro and you`ll even keep root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So all ROM and software updates are always made available directly from Samsung as flashable downloads, on the same day they're released to devices over-the-air? As a general rule?

paleozord said:
So all ROM and software updates are always made available directly from Samsung as flashable downloads, on the same day they're released to devices over-the-air? As a general rule?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Within a day usualy you can download the full rom from here www.sammobile.com/firmwares/2/ and flash it with Odin or better yet Mobile Odin.

paleozord said:
So all ROM and software updates are always made available directly from Samsung as flashable downloads, on the same day they're released to devices over-the-air? As a general rule?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or you can open the app Phone INFO ★Samsung★, select menu 'Firmware Browser...' to see a list of available stock firmwares for your phone.
Tap to view firmware's details, there is also a download link. You can download it and then flash by Kies or Odin.
(screenshots are attached)

[Q] Stock 4.1.2 JB to KK update and unlock help

Hello all, my Razr M (9.8.1Q-78-1) is still locked and not rooted! I had not been informed of updates on my device (I think) because I have Motorola services disabled. I hope I didn't miss the boat again! I have looked around for up to date news, but I am late and my situation is not common!
The big question: "Is it too late to OTA" through Moto/Verison, and if so, are there any other options? Thanks in advance for any help / pointers!

HeliNut said:
Hello all, my Razr M (9.8.1Q-78-1) is still locked and not rooted! I had not been informed of updates on my device (I think) because I have Motorola services disabled. I hope I didn't miss the boat again! I have looked around for up to date news, but I am late and my situation is not common!
The big question: "Is it too late to OTA" through Moto/Verison, and if so, are there any other options? Thanks in advance for any help / pointers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We answered your question here when you asked why start a new topic.... Yes you can ota to KitKat, root and unlock the bootloader....
Sent from my XT907 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

ezknives said:
We answered your question here when you asked why start a new topic.... Yes you can ota to KitKat, root and unlock the bootloader....
Thank you for responding, I have read that KK can be rooted and unlocked. What concerns me is that the update might have been patched! I may be a nervous noob, but I am sure they are hard at work to slam the door. It is now 12:26 am July 30, and I am running late to the party, again!
I apologize for the new thread, maybe I should have been more patient. I am anxious, I do not know how much time I have left. I missed the boat last year and have had a lot of time to stew on it! I am just being cautious before taking an OTA as I should be, at least I've learned that much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Tiny update 9.30.1.en.US?
Can someone please tell me what this OTA is (9.30.1.en.US), it took only seconds to download? Is this the norm?!
Previous system was 98.16.3.XT907.en.US / 4.1.2 / 9.8.1Q-78-1
Any ideas what this update is? Was this pushed before KK?

HeliNut said:
Can someone please tell me what this OTA is (9.30.1.en.US), it took only seconds to download? Is this the norm?!
Previous system was 98.16.3.XT907.en.US / 4.1.2 / 9.8.1Q-78-1
Any ideas what this update is? Was this pushed before KK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Use RSD Lite to flash the official KK firmware.
2. Use Towel Root to root.
3. Use Motopocalypse to unlock your bootloader.

ATTACK said:
1. Use RSD Lite to flash the official KK firmware.
2. Use Towel Root to root.
3. Use Motopocalypse to unlock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I have been reading about rsd lite (old thread 2013). If I am understanding this right, you can flash stock KK (manually downloaded with PC from the link you posted) with it even though I am unrooted and have a locked bl (because it is an official ROM)? If this is true, I do not need to rush, and do not need to use OTA at all? Downloading latest vers. 5.7 of RSD Lite now. Do I still have to edit xml?
My phone downloaded that update (98.30.1) last night, but I did not install it. If I do a FDR, will it effectively remove the update from whatever semi-hidden cache it downloaded it to? or should I just let it install? If either one is safe, then I can take all the time I want, and take baby steps. I really don't want to brick it, I use it daily for work!

HeliNut said:
1. If I am understanding this right, you can flash stock KK (manually downloaded with PC from the link you posted) with it even though I am unrooted and have a locked bl (because it is an official ROM)?
2. If this is true, I do not need to rush, and do not need to use OTA at all?
3. Do I still have to edit xml?
4. My phone downloaded that update (98.30.1) last night, but I did not install it. If I do a FDR, will it effectively remove the update from whatever semi-hidden cache it downloaded it to?
4.5 ...or should I just let it install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, firmware can be flashed on locked bl's. You just can't downgrade.
2. If you want you can install the 98.30.1 OTA or just flash up to 183.46.10, your choice.
3. Don't touch the xml, there's no need. That's only for downgrading or even re-flashing to stock.
4. A FDR will remove any update data on your device, but you will be asked again to download it.
4.5 Again, your choice.

ASUS cancelled 2.19.40.18 OTA

guys
http://www.asus.com/zentalk/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=14836&pid=107979
asus said they cancelled this update due to unstable update...
1st i dont know what is unstable in this version[same as previous and new bug of call screen animation
2nd lol which update came without new bugs?
3rd they removed after they heard about unlocking bootloader..something fishy right :laugh:

they will probably patch the unlock method with the next update, gonna unlock the bootloader before updating to next update.
Sent from my ASUS_Z008D using Tapatalk

luisoman2000 said:
they will probably patch the unlock method with the next update, gonna unlock the bootloader before updating to next update.
Sent from my ASUS_Z008D using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya same here..but what they will do to unlocked phones/??

ansebovi said:
ya same here..but what they will do to unlocked phones/??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe there just will be a check and it will abort if the BL is unlocked
But it should be easy to adapt these OTA updates to unlocked devices

ansebovi said:
ya same here..but what they will do to unlocked phones/??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing they can do. As long as you don't flash an OTA or full stock build. They may have a way to patch it in their droidboot.

ansebovi said:
guys
3rd they removed after they heard about unlocking bootloader..something fishy right :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my first guess as well

TheSSJ said:
Maybe there just will be a check and it will abort if the BL is unlocked
But it should be easy to adapt these OTA updates to unlocked devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i am asking about bootloader[can they lock it somehow if we flash next ota]
Harfainx said:
Nothing they can do. As long as you don't flash an OTA or full stock build. They may have a way to patch it in their droidboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so how can we update from here after ??? need to modified by someone for flashing ???
jaysus145 said:
That was my first guess as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya my 1st thought too,, haha

ansebovi said:
so how can we update from here after ??? need to modified by someone for flashing ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how it works with all custom work. Once you're off stock, you're going to have to wait for someone to post a safe update/install.
Rushing in and taking an OTA is a very common way of breaking your build. Like what we see with running an OTA while rooted. Any number of problems can come up.
They could patch any number of things that would give you a very bad day.
With the support we have here though, we'll probably have flashable, safe OTA zips within a few hours of an OTA being captured/downloaded.

Harfainx said:
That's how it works with all custom work. Once you're off stock, you're going to have to wait for someone to post a safe update/install.
Rushing in and taking an OTA is a very common way of breaking your build. Like what we see with running an OTA while rooted. Any number of problems can come up.
They could patch any number of things that would give you a very bad day.
With the support we have here though, we'll probably have flashable, safe OTA zips within a few hours of an OTA being captured/downloaded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i am from sony device..they release main update of android..and 1 bug fix,thats all...so we dont care..and no need to worry about relocking issues..
this is the first asus device...man they releasing update for every 10days..i thought we could apply just like that..but since they didnt gave unlocked bootloader tool ,i got these doubt..
and thanks for info..
so i must wait for zips which is modified for unlocked bootloader[if they trying to relock]

I honestly doubt they're going to find a way to relock it with an update, but who knows what voodoo they may come up with.
Either way, we'll grab the updates and get them ready to be flashed quickly. It's a simple process.

I highly doubt he will do anything regarding unlocking/locking bootloader. because:
1. last year they released their official tool to unlock zenfone 4,5,6 bootloader after 3-4 months of release.
2. This year when they launched the zf2 in US they hold contest and developer events via xda. Now xda is a place where no one keeps their bootloader locked. so they knew exactly where they are releasing and advertising the product.
So I dont think they would even bother about this bootloader . Maybe it is an unstable build in terms of their quality test.

Dang, and my 551 (2/16GB) is still in transit.
Was browsing the forum and this thread - has 2.19 been captured and saved somewhere else, or was everyone just downloading off ASUS servers for this OTA (when forced)?
I don't know if I would want 2.19 yet. Maybe to keep on my PC until the right time. That is, if 2.20 comes out and the BL hole is plugged, and those who were on 2.19 (and took advantage of the bootloader unlocking) still got the update successfully - if either of those two outcomes are false, I wouldn't use it.

joel.maxuel said:
Dang, and my 551 (2/16GB) is still in transit.
Was browsing the forum and this thread - has 2.19 been captured and saved somewhere else, or was everyone just downloading off ASUS servers for this OTA (when forced)?
I don't know if I would want 2.19 yet. Maybe to keep on my PC until the right time. That is, if 2.20 comes out and the BL hole is plugged, and those who were on 2.19 (and took advantage of the bootloader unlocking) still got the update successfully - if either of those two outcomes are false, I wouldn't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everthings here http://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/general/ota-links-stock-rom-t3093999

android is open source. and roms are not illegal. so why bother? i don't think asus is interested on ours bootloader plus, other zenfone's are already unlocked

joel.maxuel said:
Dang, and my 551 (2/16GB) is still in transit.
Was browsing the forum and this thread - has 2.19 been captured and saved somewhere else, or was everyone just downloading off ASUS servers for this OTA (when forced)?
I don't know if I would want 2.19 yet. Maybe to keep on my PC until the right time. That is, if 2.20 comes out and the BL hole is plugged, and those who were on 2.19 (and took advantage of the bootloader unlocking) still got the update successfully - if either of those two outcomes are false, I wouldn't use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if your phone gets here on a newer version (it won't), you could always downgrade everything and unlock from there. =)
Shakalaka has backups of everything going back to like version 2.12 or 2.13.

MatteXperiaU said:
android is open source. and roms are not illegal. so why bother? i don't think asus is interested on ours bootloader plus, other zenfone's are already unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is they can't support any ROM that isn't official on the zenfone. They'll pass you off. Like most manufacturers.

These are just official update links from Asus. Not backups. Asus can shut those down at any point. Not saying they will.
See here for pre-rooted ROM backups:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/orig-development/rom-pre-root-img-t3079590

one more doubt..
i think 2.17 is stable build from asus without the android os drinking the battery
now i have unlocked the bootloader ,can i reflash the 2.17[asking since it doesnt have the things which enabled to unlock bootloader] ...or once unlocked,we can do anything like other brands phone?

damian5000 said:
These are just official update links from Asus. Not backups. Asus can shut those down at any point. Not saying they will.
See here for pre-rooted ROM backups:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone2/orig-development/rom-pre-root-img-t3079590
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded the appropriate OTA the other night, so if ASUS pulls the file, I still have it and can share it on Dropbox and/or Copy.
I get the phone today! So hopefully tonight I get the OTA up to 2.18 and then wait to see what upcoming 2.20 has to offer. If we can still unlock the BL with 2.20, I will let that OTA happen. Similarly if we find out that those who unlocked their bootloaders can't take the update (at that point I will cry a little, if there is no official way to unlock BL released with the update ).
If both scenarios above are false, then I will apply my downloaded 2.19, unlock the bootloader, then accept 2.20.
Best one could do eh?
---------- Post added at 07:24 ---------- Previous post was at 07:19 ----------
ansebovi said:
one more doubt..
i think 2.17 is stable build from asus without the android os drinking the battery
now i have unlocked the bootloader ,can i reflash the 2.17[asking since it doesnt have the things which enabled to unlock bootloader] ...or once unlocked,we can do anything like other brands phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot imagine it would re-lock the bootloader. Should be able to downgrade, as long as you use the whole image and not just the OTA zip.
Now you got me wondering....

joel.maxuel said:
I cannot imagine it would re-lock the bootloader. Should be able to downgrade, as long as you use the whole image and not just the OTA zip.
Now you got me wondering....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i didnt mean it will relock,..
but the unlocked needed some file right..it modifies something right? ...and it is not present in old things..so can old fw run on unlocked bootloader? [or would it get bootloop or damage bootloader]

Stagefright updates.

Just read that LG is planning on monthly updates for security reasons....
http://phandroid.com/2015/08/06/lg-...ey-too-will-release-monthly-security-updates/
Wish I didn't unlock? Or are we going to have those patches here available?

They better should enable bootloader unlocking for everyone.
Then each LG user can flash his own ROM and solve security issues very quickly with the community.
Nice announcement, but the stagefrighter hole is gaping and gaping...

*justintime* said:
Just read that LG is planning on monthly updates for security reasons....
http://phandroid.com/2015/08/06/lg-...ey-too-will-release-monthly-security-updates/
Wish I didn't unlock? Or are we going to have those patches here available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have unlocked the bootloader, so you have a custom recovery and could of course install any rom .
Sure at the moment there are not a lot roms available, but the official ones are however posted...
beside that, i don't think that unlocking the bootloader (and rooting the phone) will disable the OTA feature...

alain57 said:
you have unlocked the bootloader, so you have a custom recovery and could of course install any rom .
Sure at the moment there are not a lot roms available, but the official ones are however posted...
beside that, i don't think that unlocking the bootloader (and rooting the phone) will disable the OTA feature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not? On HTC OTA updates were not possible...
Yes those custom roms.... Sigh... I think we will get them if a can choose another phone[emoji3]

Or... Use an app with built in protection for that issue?

*justintime* said:
Just read that LG is planning on monthly updates for security reasons....
http://phandroid.com/2015/08/06/lg-...ey-too-will-release-monthly-security-updates/
Wish I didn't unlock? Or are we going to have those patches here available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I read OTA won't work on a unlocked phone.
But you can get the KDZ and flash this - you will need to root again though...
Greetings
Medzinmann

*justintime* said:
Just read that LG is planning on monthly updates for security reasons....
http://phandroid.com/2015/08/06/lg-...ey-too-will-release-monthly-security-updates/
Wish I didn't unlock? Or are we going to have those patches here available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will still be able to receive the updates, unlocking the bootloader does not stop you receiving OTA updates.

Medizinmann said:
As I read OTA won't work on a unlocked phone.
But you can get the KDZ and flash this - you will need to root again though...
Greetings
Medzinmann
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bootloader itself does not change anything to the OTA process
but changing the recovery may block the OTA from working ... the phone may download the update but the custom recovery may not understand it :silly:
but most of the time, people find a way to create a flashable zip to make an update for custom recovery

alain57 said:
the bootloader itself does not change anything to the OTA process
but changing the recovery may block the OTA from working ... the phone may download the update but the custom recovery may not understand it :silly:
but most of the time, people find a way to create a flashable zip to make an update for custom recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't try it myself, but people in the low effort root thread wrote it didn't work.
They got an error like "update not possible - suspicious root" or something.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62250050
I will try today and see if it works.
I could download the OTA Update, if it works I will try this evening.
Greetings
Medzinmann

Medizinmann said:
I didn't try it myself, but people in the low effort root thread wrote it didn't work.
They got an error like "update not possible - suspicious root" or something.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62250050
I will try today and see if it works.
I could download the OTA Update, if it works I will try this evening.
Greetings
Medzinmann
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah they couldn't OTA as they had rooted, not because they had unlocked their bootloader.
OTA are still made available to people with unlocked bootloaders, just not to people who have rooted. At the end of the day you can just find the KDZ and flash it to update or make an update zip to do it from custom recovery.

IIIIkoolaidIIII said:
Yeah they couldn't OTA as they had rooted, not because they had unlocked their bootloader.
OTA are still made available to people with unlocked bootloaders, just not to people who have rooted. At the end of the day you can just find the KDZ and flash it to update or make an update zip to do it from custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might be right, but as they said a simple unroot wouldn't work.
And BTW what is the point in unlocking the bootloader when you don't want to root?
I mean custom rom maybe but they are usually rooted as well for obvious reasons etc.
Greetings
Medzinmann

Medizinmann said:
That might be right, but as they said a simple unroot wouldn't work.
And BTW what is the point in unlocking the bootloader when you don't want to root?
I mean custom rom maybe but they are usually rooted as well for obvious reasons etc.
Greetings
Medzinmann
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unrooting via flashing a clean image worked fine for me, got OTA and then flashed new root.

IIIIkoolaidIIII said:
Unrooting via flashing a clean image worked fine for me, got OTA and then flashed new root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said one could always get the most recent KDZ and flash this and reroot. A working OTA would make this just a little more convenient...that's all.
Greetings
Medzinmann

Just unroot, uninstall SuperSu and fire up LG Bridge. Install update. Flash root with twrp. Finish. Did that yesterday.
Sent from outer space using telepathy

does the new update fix stagefright?

On t-mobile it did.
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA Free mobile app

Alright so I have a problem with the touch functionality of my phone. I have an LG G4 811 T-mobile variant. The new update is supposed to resolve that but I'm not sure how to update on a rooted device with twrp installed (update stagefrieght). I'm looking for a zip file and i have not managed to find it at all. Could someone help? Also if this is misplaced please devs move it or point me in the right direction to which my question can be answered.
---------- Post added at 02:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:24 AM ----------
fpsq said:
Just unroot, uninstall SuperSu and fire up LG Bridge. Install update. Flash root with twrp. Finish. Did that yesterday.
Sent from outer space using telepathy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and this for sure worked with you?

Yes, it worked perfectly fine for my LG G4 H815 unlocked! Now on V10d-EUR-XX. Stagefright is fixed. ****ing sim issue (com.android.phone crashes, does NOT restart itself) remains. Support is worthless. Found a workaround myself.

LG lied about that updates. They never repaired these bugs and now it has About 50 stagefright etc vurnerabilities.

What updates you say? I'm still on V20D since January LoL LG is a joke.
Στάλθηκε από το LG-H815 μου χρησιμοποιώντας Tapatalk

Updating to lollipop

I have the G900A (Unlocked) but I'm on the T-Mobile Network and I'd like to update from 4.4.4 to lollipop
From what I understand AT&T and T-Mobile have both shipped the lollipop updates but I can't seem to find a way to update my phone.
Going through settings->About->Software Updates tells me there are no updates.
How can I go about updating?
Thanks.

You can look on sammobile for the latest firmwares, but as far as i know the latest for G900A is 4.4.2

In the att s5 section there's threads with the files for it, I think you get the official update and do it through the stock recovery, I've never done it myself so I can't help, sorry :s
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

ozymandius95 said:
I have the G900A (Unlocked) but I'm on the T-Mobile Network and I'd like to update from 4.4.4 to lollipop
From what I understand AT&T and T-Mobile have both shipped the lollipop updates but I can't seem to find a way to update my phone.
Going through settings->About->Software Updates tells me there are no updates.
How can I go about updating?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65234333&postcount=28
But bear in mind, once you are on LP, you can not downgrade to KK again afaik
So things like root might be an issue (Haven't had enough coffee yet to remember 100%) do some reading up first

*Detection* said:
You could try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=65234333&postcount=28
But bear in mind, once you are on LP, you can not downgrade to KK again afaik
So things like root might be an issue (Haven't had enough coffee yet to remember 100%) do some reading up first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes.
I've never cared for rooting before, but I like to keep current on the latest firmware.
So if I understand this correctly I'll be stuck at LP when I get there, even after marshmallow rolls out, yes?

ozymandius95 said:
Yikes.
I've never cared for rooting before, but I like to keep current on the latest firmware.
So if I understand this correctly I'll be stuck at LP when I get there, even after marshmallow rolls out, yes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can upgrade firmwares, so MM will be fine, but from what I remember with that model, and a few other S5s, you can not downgrade due to the bootloader being locked once you update to Lollipop
If you read the whole thread (Link top right) of that link I posted - you'll see me trying to help another G900A member with the same problem