Develop Bugs

How to make a full backup before installing roms?

Hello,
I would like to create a full stock backup, I do not care for applications or settings, the only thing I want is full non-rooter, current Gingerbread with ability to install possible upcoming OTA updates.
The reason for this is simple, I want to try out different ICS roms just for fun and then go back to original, HTC Sense 2.1 powered rom.
The question is: How do I do that? I know I can handle rooting the device and installing various things but how do I get back?
Thanks!
PS A link with instructions on how to do that would be nice, I tried searching the forums and Google but nothing legit came out.

If you have already rooted your phone and installed a recovery such as ClockworkMod or 4EXT, reboot into recovery and go to the "Backup" menu and make a full backup.
In the event of problems, you can do a full wipe or factory reset, and then go to the same backup/restore menu to restore your backup from the SD card.

But if the phone is Gingerbread (it is) I have to downgrade first, correct? To Froyo 2.2. So Basically that leaves me with a copy of 2.2 while my phone came with Gingerbread in the first place.
It basically shows that I've changed (downgraded) the software, doesn't it?

stranded.eu said:
But if the phone is Gingerbread (it is) I have to downgrade first, correct? To Froyo 2.2. So Basically that leaves me with a copy of 2.2 while my phone came with Gingerbread in the first place.
It basically shows that I've changed (downgraded) the software, doesn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have ALREADY rooted it, then there is no need to be downgrading back to an exploitable firmware when you've already exploited the phone. If all you're doing is installing a custom rom on an already rooted/unlocked phone then you need only flash the roms via recovery.
You would only have to downgrade the firmware if you for some reason decided to flash the original stock firmware, hboot, etc onto the phone.
But that's least as far as the backups go.
In terms of how to get the phone back to non-root/locked state there's a sticky/wiki for that, though I would find it to be a pain in the butt to have the phone rooted and unlocked and then have to go thru the process of locking it back up only to possibly risk bricking it. The more times you mess with the firmware/radio/hboot the more likely you are to brick it.

Just to make it all clear my phone is kinda new, was never rooted, that's why I'm asking. I still can't believe that HTC doesn't have an app like Xperia has, SEUS to be exact, you can fix any phone with one click. By saying fix I mean install the latest, official rom.
That's too bad there is no other way to root Desire Z.

stranded.eu said:
Just to make it all clear my phone is kinda new, was never rooted, that's why I'm asking. I still can't believe that HTC doesn't have an app like Xperia has, SEUS to be exact, you can fix any phone with one click. By saying fix I mean install the latest, official rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If never rooted there's not much of a way to make a full backup first (since most backup tools like Titanium Backup requires root).
That's too bad there is no other way to root Desire Z.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there is the HTCDev unlocker from HTC themselves, but you actually have better luck following something like cyanogenmod's wiki entry.
Something like this works quite well : http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Vision
You just need to make sure to triple-check all the numbers and messages, someone accidentally skipping 2 or 3 steps multiple times is just asking for problems.
But once rooted (like for my G2 I followed the cyanogenmod steps, and then went another step by upgrading my radio to the latest, I just went with a different rom after being rooted) it's usually best to keep it that way even if you decide to just flash the stock rom (i.e.: still rooted and unlocked, but simply using the original software they provide you, which can be rooted simply by having the su binary and superuser app).
The voiding of warranty usually applies to software, i.e.: you bricked the phone as a result of flashing the wrong hboot. Where as if the screen or eMMC dies, it's a hardware failure and shouldn't be voided simply because the phone was rooted (unless of course they determined you fried your CPU by running the phone at 1.9Ghz constantly).

You could just download a full version of the G2 gingerbread rom from shipped-roms.com and flash that if you ever want/need to go back to stock gingerbread.
-Nipqer

Troubleshooting Guide & FAQ: Updating stock ROM

Hi guys,
I saw many threads popping up in the Q & A section about applying updates on a stock rooted ROM. So i though it would be helpul if i shared my experiences and also clear some misconceptions.
This Thread mainly applies for those looking to upgrade from 2.09 to the recent 2.22/2.24 ! It may or may not work for any previous updates.
Q) My phone is rooted, Bootloader unlocked and CWM installed. How do i update to 2.22?
Ans.)
1) Backup your root using Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper.
2) Flash the stock recovery for your area using the All in one kit (or you can use the command line if you're familiar).
3) Download the update, click install, sit back and enjoy !
ITS that simple.
Q) What do i do if i cant find stock recovery for my latest version?
Ans) The recovery does not seem to have changed from version 1.56 to 2.09. You can flash the older recovery provided, you've checked your region is correct.
Q) Do i need to re-lock my bootloader for the update to take place?
Ans) NO! You don't need to re-lock anything. It updates perfectly fine with unlocked bootloader. Just flash Stock recovery !
Q) Do i lose my apps/settings/cache?
Ans) Since its an OTA from HTC, you retain everyhting!
Q) Will i lose my root if i update?
Ans) You will! Thats exactly why you're advised to backup your root.
Q) My updates fails with a red triangle and exclamation mark, what did i do wrong?
Ans) You need to understand that during the update, several stock apps are patched. If any of these STOCK APPS ( the ones that came with ya new phone) are uninstalled/frozen/meddled with, an error will pop up.
Q) How do i identify the cause of the error?
Ans) When the red triangle pops up, press the Volume UP, Volume DOWN and LOCK keys at the same time for a second and release. You should see the cause of your error. Try to restore/unfreeze the app thats causing the error. If that is not possible, try posting your error here to see if experts here can help.
All the stock recoveries can be found on this forum. If however u've a doubt, i'd be happy to help.
This guide is not perfect and may contain errors ( i've tried to make it complete to the best of my knowledge). I'm open to suggestions and questions

shubhamsizzles said:
Hi guys,
I saw many threads popping up in the Q & A section about applying updates on a stock rooted ROM. So i though it would be helpul if i shared my experiences and also clear some misconceptions.
This Thread mainly applies for those looking to upgrade from 2.09 to the recent 2.22/2.24 ! It may or may not work for any previous updates.
Q) My phone is rooted, Bootloader unlocked and CWM installed. How do i update to 2.22?
Ans.)
1) Backup your root using Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper.
2) Flash the stock recovery for your area using the All in one kit (or you can use the command line if you're familiar).
3) Download the update, click install, sit back and enjoy !
ITS that simple.
Q) What do i do if i cant find stock recovery for my latest version?
Ans) The recovery does not seem to have changed from version 1.56 to 2.09. You can flash the older recovery provided, you've checked your region is correct.
Q) Do i need to re-lock my bootloader for the update to take place?
Ans) NO! You don't need to re-lock anything. It updates perfectly fine with unlocked bootloader. Just flash Stock recovery !
Q) Do i lose my apps/settings/cache?
Ans) Since its an OTA from HTC, you retain everyhting!
Q) Will i lose my root if i update?
Ans) You will! Thats exactly why you're advised to backup your root.
Q) My updates fails with a red triangle and exclamation mark, what did i do wrong?
Ans) You need to understand that during the update, several stock apps are patched. If any of these STOCK APPS ( the ones that came with ya new phone) are uninstalled/frozen/meddled with, an error will pop up.
Q) How do i identify the cause of the error?
Ans) When the red triangle pops up, press the Volume UP, Volume DOWN and LOCK keys at the same time for a second and release. You should see the cause of your error. Try to restore/unfreeze the app thats causing the error. If that is not possible, try posting your error here to see if experts here can help.
All the stock recoveries can be found on this forum. If however u've a doubt, i'd be happy to help.
This guide is not perfect and may contain errors ( i've tried to make it complete to the best of my knowledge). I'm open to suggestions and questions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the super explanations - last two really helped me - at least I found the reason why my phone does not want to Updates.
I send thanks to your instructions displayed mistake - I phone from T-Mobile Czech and the application of course I deleted it - it is useless.
Do you know if this can be downloaded somewhere, possibly where I got all this ROM mentioned in the error? I deleted more applications, so it probably will want to install these
I watched a lot of the internet, but I found none.
Sorry for my English ...

Well, if you made a backup if the current Rom/apps, then just extract and install the apps. Or else, I think you can extract the app from ruu if your version. You'll have to do it for each of the apps you uninstalled. That's gonna be a hell of a job, if u ask me.
I think its better you stick to the current software, or of you really wanna update, reset your phone via ruu. And then update.
Sent from my HTC One V using xda app-developers app

Rooted M8 + Stock recovery

Ok, I rooted and S-offed my phone to install adaway and to remove some google blotware from my stock ROM. Then i put back stock recovery to have option of OTA update.
Question is, how can I know that OTA is working? When I had custom recovery I have tried search for updates to see is there any difference noticable. It searched for updates, the same it is searching now with stock. But, there is no any updates atm.
So, once when they actually come, how will I know is my phone seeing them?

cyberlord86 said:
Ok, I rooted and S-offed my phone to install adaway and to remove some google blotware from my stock ROM. Then i put back stock recovery to have option of OTA update.
Question is, how can I know that OTA is working? When I had custom recovery I have tried search for updates to see is there any difference noticable. It searched for updates, the same it is searching now with stock. But, there is no any updates atm.
So, once when they actually come, how will I know is my phone seeing them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question and I've been wondering the same myself. I welcome corrections on this but from my understanding, your bootloader must be relocked (tampered flag is OK AFAIK), and I don't think S-Off or On will matter (but likely will be returned to S-ON after OTA), and the recovery must be flashed to stock. Additionally, your Software/OS number should match the most recent update provided by your carrier which can be found on their support page (unable to link because <10 posts hehe).
Being rooted itself shouldn't be a problem as well from what I understand.
After doing something like the Dev bootloader unlock, the calculator and flashlight apps are removed - I wonder if the removal of those apps will cause OTA update issues or if it's just any alterations to the \system folder that is cause for concern?

Damn, you brought even more questions to the table. Bootloader relocked? I found on forums that only that stock recovery is important. Plus, now when you said, I checked fir calculator and flaslight. Both gone...
Plus, I had one small 2-3 sec long photo of my carrier during boot. It is gone to.
You said about OS number... it should match cause my ROM is stock.
And I have to update my phone asap when available cuz my carrier is having this well known bug with my phone: data connection is dcing with download arrow next to H letter that stops to light.

You don't need to relock bootloader to get OTA. Stock recovery and all the system apps should be present and you shouldn't be rooted.

uronfire said:
You don't need to relock bootloader to get OTA. Stock recovery and all the system apps should be present and you shouldn't be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if those system apps are: google kiosk, for example?
And, will I see those OTAs when they come without being able to install OR i will not be able to see them at all?

If you have a stock ROM and haven't messed with the CID or MID, you will get the notification.
To install the OTA, you need an unmodified ROM and stock boot loader.

BenPope said:
If you have a stock ROM and haven't messed with the CID or MID, you will get the notification.
To install the OTA, you need an unmodified ROM and stock boot loader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woops, I guess I was mostly wrong! Good to know. This means I also need to replace the flashlight and calculator apps as well?

Ok, prerequisites for OTA on rooted stock rom
1, it is fine to be rooted
2, it is fine to be s off
3, you must have stock recovery
4, you must have stock firmware
5, you must have completely stock rom (see above its fine to still be rooted) i.e no system apps removed, the rom must be as it was out of the box with all bloatware etc.
if you meet the above conditions, you should be able to get OTAs:good:
Only issue maybe that the ota breaks root i beleive, but once that's installed, you can reflash custom recovery and su binaries

exocetdj said:
Ok, prerequisites for OTA on rooted stock rom
1, it is fine to be rooted
2, it is fine to be s off
3, you must have stock recovery
4, you must have stock firmware
5, you must have completely stock rom (see above its fine to still be rooted) i.e no system apps removed, the rom must be as it was out of the box with all bloatware etc.
if you meet the above conditions, you should be able to get OTAs:good:
Only issue maybe that the ota breaks root i beleive, but once that's installed, you can reflash custom recovery and su binaries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Few aps like calculator and flashlight gone away with the root, I was not the one who deleted them. I did not even know they will be deleted so I didn't backup them.
My only question is, since all other conditions are met, will my phone at least "see" that OTA update? And when that happens, I can do Factory reset in stock recovery (which i have) and with some luck deleted aps will be installed again.

cyberlord86 said:
Few aps like calculator and flashlight gone away with the root, I was not the one who deleted them. I did not even know they will be deleted so I didn't backup them.
My only question is, since all other conditions are met, will my phone at least "see" that OTA update? And when that happens, I can do Factory reset in stock recovery (which i have) and with some luck deleted aps will be installed again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have a stock backup??
if so just retsore that with a CUSTOM recovery, then flash your stock recovery and that should be all you need if the other conditions are satisfied. By restoring a stock backup you will have these missing apps. if you don't have a backup, check HERE
you will need the matching backup to your firmware (in fastboot type "fastboot getvar mainver" and it will let you know if you are unsure of your firmware number.
Oh and thank @Mr Hofs for his lovely backup collection

Bought Zenfone 2 Z00AD from AmazonUK... but OTA doesn't work

Right... so, I think I traced down why OTA doesn't work.
Namely, whenever I click on system update to search for update, it searches, but nothing happens.
Online I found that this is likely because a WW custom ROM was flashed... and so OTA doesn't work.
My phone is brand new (got it today actually), but 'stuck' on Android 5.0 (ugh).
So... I would like to ask for the recommended course of action so I can get either latest OTA, or just install a stable and up to date clean Android ROM (without all the Zen bloatware) that works.
Also, I'm relatively new with flashing this phone and there's tons of info on rooting, different CWM and TWRP's, etc.
Problem is, which ones to use?
How to determine if you're using the right one and avoid bricking the phone in the process?
My phone arrived with SuperSU... which would indicate it's been rooted (and I was able to install AdAway).
So bearing that in mind... what would you recommend?

Your phone should not be rooted when bought in a store. So it seems to be used before, and not correctly refurbished.
Anders
As there is no possibility to get evidence that you did not do that yourself, you can only hope to get a replacement from the vendor,or any warranty.
On the other side: the device is already rooted, so you can flash a 6.01 rom yourself.
Depending on the way the phone was rooted in the first place, OTA will not always work.
I did see an original rom surface recently. With that you can go original, Unrooted and locked, so the vendor will not be able to void your warranty claims.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn ASUS_Z00A met Tapatalk

Sorry for the late reply.
Was busy.
The phone was bought off Amazon UK, and no modifications to the device were done by me apart from installing my apps.
Trouble is, I don't know how to flash a new ROM onto this thing.
The forums are overflowing with information which is all over the place and it is extremely confusing.
Yes, I tried the search function and found some info, but it is all over the place.
I have to be able to figure out the original firmware apparently if I want to flash the CWM or TWRP... and in some cases, flashing TWRP can break the device it would seem (what's up with that?), and I cannot figure out the original firmware because the mobile was not delivered with one (a custom WW ROM was apparently flashed on top of I don't know which version), and I really do not know where to look for this.
So, I'm very confused.
There's too many threads to sift through and each seems to be giving its own unique information and a list of no no's which appear to contradict each other.
I could use some help in sorting through this 'mess' (well, 'mess' for me) so I could try at least flashing the original ROM and get OTA (for which I require concise instructions).
Also, something else seems to be happening... Asus Zentalk forums appear to refuse to load on my laptop for whatever reason.

Settings>About - will show you what rom you have.
I would recommend unlocking bootloader 1st as this seems to have helped me. If you have any recovery but stock or have a white splashscreen then this has already happened... I used the unofficial unlock tool to do this and thus my imei numbers stays off the "no warranty" list..
If you go to the pre-rooted rom thread you can download the newer stock roms. These also have the recovery, boot and droidboot.img files included with the .rar file of a system.img (unrar it of course)...
I believe it may also contain the flashtools, if not look at the CN to WW thread...
Using fastboot you can flash these onto your phone using commands -
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash fastboot droidboot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
Make sure, if do this the commands are correct. Copy and paste can be your enemy because if you use the same command and just overwrite your boot/droidboot or recovery every time you flash, it may result in a brick...
Good luck and happy flashing...
I seem to get OTA's pushed now..

Tnx.
Now that I look back, it doesn't seem too complicated.
My bootloader seems to already be unlocked though.
One other thing... about flashing that system.img
I think I stumbled upon similar instructions before, however, I couldn't find system.img file (everything else was accounted for).
Also, does the the procedure for flashing new ROM's or possibly just OTA's require repetition of ALL those commands, or just some?
Oh and I was able to access the stock recovery (which the seller said he used to flash the custom WW rom). Could I use it to update OTA's manually? And would I need to first unroot the mobile?

Getting back to stock/MobileIron

I've rooted and flashed custom roms many times during the years on many devices, but this is the first time I've needed to go back to stock and it didn't really go as planned.
The reason is I planned to use my old retired One X as work phone and use my work phone for other purposes and our company is using MobileIron which requires an unrooted phone and also adds several other limitations to the phone (requires a five digit pin, doesn't allow stuff on the lock screen etc.).
I was previously running a Resurrection Remix (Android 5.1) on it with the new layout, but I installed an old Philz recovery, reformatted the sd card, flashed this rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1546970, that was supposed to be completely stock, not rooted, no busybox etc. and then also installed the stock recovery after the rom. After that I was able to take an official OTA update to fix the heartbleed bug (4.18.401.4) and I thought everything was fine.
I then registered and installed MobileIron and also that looked fine and I got a nice green checkbox that all was ok, but when I did the final step to try to connect to the corporate Exchange ActiveSync that failed and I got a mail telling me something like "Critical. Your mobile device has been detected as compromized (jailbreaked or rooted). All access to corporate information has been blocked/removed from the device.".
Does anybody know what MobileIron is looking for and if there is any way to be more stock than I currently am? I don't suppose it will check for an unlocked bootloader? I do have an old RUU lying around "RUU_ENDEAVOR_U_JB_45_S_HTC_Europe_3.14.401.31_R_Radio_5.1204.162.29_release_302015_signed". But it feels wrong to use a RUU to downgrade the phone (if that's even possible on a S-ON phone?), and even if I did would I be able to upgrade to the current version using OTA's in that case? If it matters my CID is HTC__Y13.