Develop Bugs

[Q] Which root method?

I had my WF S S-OFF today and now I am looking forward for rooting it. But I am a bit confused about something: I read a tut about rooting WF S 2.3.3 Gingerbread with Gingerbreak apk and I also found this rooting tut on this site : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1195275
I didn't tried before being sure to not mess up with my device. So does both methods work or which one is preferred?
Thanks a lot !

My bad, wrong post... linked to the same thread
Good luck dude!

Run gingerbreak, device will restart. You are then rooted.

so you say I don't have to install custom recovery and other stuff to root it ? Just gingerbreak will be okay?

Yes unless you want to have custom roms, then you will need to install a custom recovery which can be found in the development section.

Do I have a chance to restore back the original recovery in case of visiting service if phone gets messed up?
I am wondering if it's possible to use gingerbreak, then install nandroid get everything backed up (not sure if it backups the original recovery in the phone) then un apply gingerbreak and then install custom recovery.
So this way I can restore the backup with original rom and original recovery. Is something like that possible?
Edit :
Is it a good idea / practice to install Clockword Rom Manager as it will replace the recovery menu that I have to install for rooting the device? I am not planning to checkout roms for now, but was just wondering

Nandroid backup is in the custom recovery. You can remove everything if you just install a RUU. Also you cannot backup the original recovery as you need a custom recovery to backup your ROM.

So best practice is using tut on xda, then install Clockword Rom Manager to install nandroid also and take full backup and then play with the phone?
So did i get it correct ?

Yeah, but make sure you install the CWM from the development here or else it won't work. It's very simple to install it. As your phone is S-off you can install the recovery and then backup the original unrooted rom and keep that as a backup.

So
1-) I follow this tut : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1195275
2-) Then install this CWM : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1213229
3-) Then with using nandroid (I think it's included with CWM? I read something like that on a site) I will take backup of my whole phone (I still wonder how it will backup unrooted version of rom eventho it's rooted)
4-) Remove unnecessary branded stuff (I don't know how to do that, any app for that?)
5-) Then just mess with the phone.
So my last questions is : When I install RUU, it will get back to stock recovery, and when i install the unrooted backup it will be like a legal phone right ? (Of course i will turn S-OFF back)
Sorry for asking noob questions, It's my first time using android phone and it's been only few days since i bought it

You got it all right, except if you have never updated the phone, as there was an update which blocked gingerbreak you don't need to do most of it.
Also when you flash the RUU it will all go stock. S-off will remain as it can't be turned on. Not to my knowledge anyway.

I think I wont use gingerbreak method, I checked for updates when I bought it and it said no updates. So probably that fix is already included in the WF S :/
I didn't managed to find RUU for WF S somehow but i guess for now I don't need it.
Today the guy at service shop (for breaking S-OFF) said that there is way for user to set S-OFF back, but he said he doesn't know the exact way. I thought hard reset will fix it
Thanks a lot for your help !

No problem, also you could just run gingerbreak first just to see if it does work without following the other steps.

[HOW-TO]OTA Update your Stock Rooted GSIII without wiping phone (ODIN TWRP 2.2.2.0)

I am putting together a quick guide on how to update your Stock ROM, Rooted, custom recovery T-Mo GSIII without having to wipe your phone.
You will need:
- Kies (If your phone has not prompted you to install the OTA yet, Kies will download and attempt to install it for you) (http://org.downloadcenter.samsung.c.../20120809103126135/Kies_2.3.2.12074_13_13.exe)
- ODIN 3.7 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1270006&stc=1&d=1345396888)
- STOCK T-Mo GSIII recovery.img (I extracted this from the stock ODIN image for T-Mo) (http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1269983&stc=1&d=1345396186)
- TWRP or CWM ODIN Flash-able recovery (CWM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1269979&stc=1&d=1345396186 , TWRP - http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1269980&stc=1&d=1345396186)
- Recovery flashable SuperSU root package (http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1269984&stc=1&d=1345396186)
SO, place your phone in download mode (Vol Down + Home + Power), and via ODIN, flash the "Stock-Recovery-Image(Working T-Mobile T999).tar" image. ( This is putting the stock recovery back on your phone so the update can install).
When it reboots, either select yes to allow the OTA update to install (if your phone is already aware there is an update) on your phone, OR plug you phone into your PC and allow Kies to prompt you to update your firmware. Select yes and allow the OTA to install.
Once completed, your phone is updated without having to wipe, but you have lost root and customer recovery, so.....
Again, in Download mode, Flash either of the provided ODIN flash-able custom recoveries (TWRP, or CWM) I prefer TWRP
Once that is complete, you can reboot your phone into the new recovery (Vol UP + Home + Power)
Once in recovery, flash the SuperSU.zip package and Voila, all done, Triangle away and you in cool runnings.
Let me know if I need to clarify anything here. It makes sense to me, but then again, I fumbled through it to figure it out and extract the right recoveries and set permissions etc.....
Please hit the thanks button if this helped you in any way
Hans

Nice instructions, but I'm going to wait a few days. I'm want to see if the dev that did the flash and root without tripping the flash counter will do the same for the new firmware. I'm still not too keen on custom recoveries yet even though I backed up my IMEI, so I just want to be rooted. If not, I'll use your guide.:good:

Wildchld already released it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1838101
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

DocHoliday77 said:
Wildchld already released it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1838101
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But with Wildchild's it's a complete ROM (650-700MB), correct? Are you not wiping when you flash his?

Actually I'm not 100% that you need to do a full wipe, but I'm guessing you probably should. Depends on what's different. You can always nabdroid and give it a shot. I will later if I have time.
Anyway, I was more responding to the post above mine about stock with root than to the op. Sorry if shoulda been a little more clear on that.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

i might wait. finally got google now and google wallet working and i dont want to mess it up lol

RotaryXperiment7 said:
i might wait. finally got google now and google wallet working and i dont want to mess it up lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you have to modify to get them working? Like I said before, I made this little method so you did not have to wipe your phone to get the OTA installed.
The only thing I could see that would cause the OTA to break wallet, or Google now would be that if you have to modify pieces in the /system/ directory that would be overwritten. The only thing I had to do after updating was re-flash my little installer for international boot image, re-remove Carrier IQ as it was added back, and revert the googlesearch.apk to the earlier backed up version (functioning unified search) with titanium. Outside of that I run a pretty tight ship as far as system modifications go outside of root and root privileged programs.

had to edit build pro for wallet

Thanks op, this worked great for me! Updated and rooted again...
Sent from my rooted T-Mo SGS3

I tried several times but couldent unroot my phone. I even tried through the root kit by mskip. I think the problem may be that I got my phone unlocked, not using an unlock code but some other method (all I know about this method is that my phone says"restricted access" for a few seconds upon restarting.)
Any suggestions on how to unroot? Also, if I unroot, will I loose the unlock?

pappuhathi said:
I tried several times but couldent unroot my phone. I even tried through the root kit by mskip. I think the problem may be that I got my phone unlocked, not using an unlock code but some other method (all I know about this method is that my phone says"restricted access" for a few seconds upon restarting.)
Any suggestions on how to unroot? Also, if I unroot, will I loose the unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best method to unroot your phone will be to ODIN it back to the stock T-Mobile image. (Overwrites EVERYTHING, probably your unlock as well).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1737855
Above is the link to the stock image.
Apologies, in general, but I feel you may have the wrong thread if your looking to unroot your phone. That is off topic on what is being discussed here.

has anyone tried this and kept google wallet and google now working? Any troubles?
I'm wanting to update but I'm rooted withthose two apps finally up and running.

arts711 said:
has anyone tried this and kept google wallet and google now working? Any troubles?
I'm wanting to update but I'm rooted withthose two apps finally up and running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume the build.prop file will be overwritten. So its possible you would need to modify after updating. May not be any way around it.
If you want to test for others, make nandroid backup , upgrade and test. If it works, update us. If not, update us

cybrnook said:
I would assume the build.prop file will be overwritten. So its possible you would need to modify after updating. May not be any way around it.
If you want to test for others, make nandroid backup , upgrade and test. If it works, update us. If not, update us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So (in case this all doesn't work out) to restore via nandroid, just root and apply right?

cybrnook said:
I would assume the build.prop file will be overwritten. So its possible you would need to modify after updating. May not be any way around it.
If you want to test for others, make nandroid backup , upgrade and test. If it works, update us. If not, update us
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct about build.prop being overwritten.
Sent from my rooted T-Mo SGS3.
If I've helped you, be sure to use the thanks button!

arts711 said:
So (in case this all doesn't work out) to restore via nandroid, just root and apply right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if it doesn't work (Which I think it won't), you don't need to worry about restoring root. You just need to flash a custom recovery to revert your nandroid backup. Your root and customization will come back with that.
But with some of the added features that come with the update, I would say don't look back. Upgrade to the latest, then reapply your customization to get wallet and all working again.
IF you have to revert your nandroid back, make sure to do a factory wipe before you revert to your backup.

thanks! i'll give it a shot this weekend once i get more time.

I've used two different versions of Odin and two different T-Mobile stock recoveries (other one is here), and I can't get stock recovery to replace CWM on my GS3. Odin reports that the flash is successful, but when it reboots, ROM Manager still shows me as having latest CWM Touch, and the T-Mo update fails. I'm attempting the update via Kies right now, but I anticipate failure due to CWM still being installed as recovery.
-- I have Cerberus anti-theft installed, but I don't see anything about protecting recovery.
-- I have Busybox installed, but that shouldn't affect recovery.
Any ideas?
EDIT: Interestingly enough, where the OTA update failed, the Kies update went smooth as silk. Now to re-root and remove bloatware!

RaymondPJR said:
Nice instructions, but I'm going to wait a few days. I'm want to see if the dev that did the flash and root without tripping the flash counter will do the same for the new firmware. I'm still not too keen on custom recoveries yet even though I backed up my IMEI, so I just want to be rooted. If not, I'll use your guide.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you referring to MrRobinson's rooting method? I'm waiting for it too.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using XDA Premium App

Im unable to update. I used Odin to flash the stock recovery, then downloaded the update via settings-> about device-> software update. Installing reboots the phone but then fails and reverts to current state. I can't update through kies also bc it just says "connecting", no errors. I tried uninstalling/reinstalling drivers but kies never completes connecting. Any help?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
EDIT: I uninstalled all my samsung drivers and Kies from "Programs and Features" in win7, deleted Samsung folders from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Reinstalled Kies and connected my phone to install the drivers. Kies was stuck in the connecting loop still, so I unmounted my sd card, turned on USB debugging and Kies finally connected and asked to upgrade. Upgrading at this moment.

[Q] just unlocked my phone have some questions please

i am on my way to root it now guys, need help with few questions to remove my confusion. this forum has benn the most helpful for me, i hope i get further answers as well:laugh:
1. what if i root it and dont do anything else , what are its benefits, and will i still get ota
2. if i install a custom ROM , WILL i get ota. and where will be my stock rom and how i can get it back.
3. ehy do ineed to install a custom recovery while rooting.. will it effect my ota and how can i go back to my original recovery. i hope somebody sheds light on all these, as my phone is unlocked and i am waiting for answers to further proceed, thanx
i used jubakuba method to install sdk and pdanet to install driver, it didnot work, it didnot work so i went to samsung website to get latest driver,
what does flashing , reflashing recovery means

1. You'll be able to modify system files and have SuperUser permissions.
2. Assuming you only root and install a custom recovery you will be able to OTA. Your stock ROM gone, you can flash a factory image if you need it back.
3. You need a custom recovery so you can flash custom ROMs.
To be honest I don't think you have any business rooting your phone. You obviously have no need to and lack the drive to research on your own. OTA's also appear important to you so that's another reason to just stick to stock.

063_XOBX said:
1. You'll be able to modify system files and have SuperUser permissions.
2. Assuming you only root and install a custom recovery you will be able to OTA. Your stock ROM gone, you can flash a factory image if you need it back.
3. You need a custom recovery so you can flash custom ROMs.
To be honest I don't think you have any business rooting your phone. You obviously have no need to and lack the drive to research on your own. OTA's also appear important to you so that's another reason to just stick to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you so mcuh for all these answers, actually i am searching the net quite thoroughly, but some of these basics i needed to learn.

Advice on rooting, creating backup, and installing custom ROM

Hi, guys...I just unrooted, factory restored, and used flashtool to fully restore my sprint lgls990 following some connectivity issues. My phone is currently on android 4.4.2.
I am seeking some advice/help on basically end-to-end help. Initially, I used stump to root my phone and then installed xposed and a few other items.
What I want to do now is run the easiest root possible, create a backup, and then install a custom rom. Specifically, I'd like to use CM10 CM11: Royal Blue Cobalt from the Play Store.
I have a strong concern about rom stability, though. I want/need lte data, wifi, phone, playstore, maps, and the like, but don't want to sprint bloatware crap. Is that what a custom ROM does, keep the essentials and dump the carrier crap?
So:
I think using stump will be the easiest root process.
I have read lots about twrp, but haven't found very good instructions for a noob like me, can anyone point me to "the" thread for installing and using twrp?
Where do I find the rom so I can use the theme I have noted above?
Basically, I'm looking for a roadmap for the threads I'll need to accomplish this.
Thanks in advance for helping this noob...

Bump for a little help, please...
Is there a one-stop shop for rooting, backing up, and installing a custom ROM?

Ok - re-used stump root to re-root my phone. Dl'd root checker to confirm and it confirmed rooted. Though root checker says to dl supersu to verify root, I didn't initially. Subsequently, dl'd supersu, granted root checker access, and confirmed root.
Now I wonder if I back up now or if I should have backed up before root? Answer: Seems that I cannot make a nandroid backup without recovery and to have recovery my boot loader needs to be unlocked, er rooted, right?
Edit:
Seems unlocking the boot loader is different than rooting the phone.
I suppose I can just use TWRP to back up the device?
Edit 2:
Okay, using this site - http://lg-g3.wonderhowto.com/how-to/unlock-bootloader-install-custom-recovery-lg-g3-0157830/ - I dl'd flashify, dl'd my ls990 img to the phone via the guide and will install next.
Edit 3:
Successfully installed the lg ls990 .img via Flashify; re-booted into twrp; and successfully created a backup. Then I connected the g3 to my pc and moved the very large backup file to my pc.
Edit 4:
I didn't include EFS in the back up...problem? No problem, just did another backup and chose all options available.
Now on to installing a cm rom...
Edit 5:
Looking for a CM 11 rom for my ls990...found one but the bluetooth doesn't work - http://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-lg-g3/orig-development/rom-cyanogenmod-11-ls990-t2941164? Dafuq?
Edit 6:
Done for the night...no custom ROM. I thought most of the CM 11s would be sorted out by now, but alas, not so.
I'd really like to get a fully customized theme on this phone and thought going to CM 11 would get me there...

HTC 816G downgrade from lolipop to kitkat

hi
i had to root my htc 816g after the lollipop update cuz the small internal memory size and i couldn't even update the soft apps
i used TWRP
i just want to downgrade it to kitkat with the right steps and the right stock
i want to be able to apply the official updates too so can i or i will never be able to since i rooted it before ?!
i don't have enough info about rooting or backing up so pls try to explain

ShakeItBaby said:
hi
i had to root my htc 816g after the lollipop update cuz the small internal memory size and i couldn't even update the soft apps
i used TWRP
i just want to downgrade it to kitkat with the right steps and the right stock
i want to be able to apply the official updates too so can i or i will never be able to since i rooted it before ?!
i don't have enough info about rooting or backing up so pls try to explain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 816 a5_chl single SIM version but let me try to help you because I'd like to. First I believe the rooting methods for your device is a bit different then the one for mine so bear with me here. First I would advise against going backwards to kit Kat from lollipop. Lollipop returned the write permissions to the external SD card for apps that were taken away with kitkat and that's just for starters. Lollipop has battery and performance improvements as well. As for doing stock updates you would need to find and reflash your stock recovery back as well as remove any root exploits from your firmware before any signed stock updates could be performed. What was the root method you used on your model ? Mine was to unlock boatloader thru HTC, flash TWRP recovery and from that recovery flash SuperSU zip file from internal storage of phone.
As for backing up you would first run a backup from TWRP to your ext SD card called a full nandroid backup which is basically a snapshot of your whole phone as it is before you flash any other firmware. Enable compression and leave the MD5 check enabled then name your backup and select micro SD card as the location then swipe to run. Titanium Backup app is used to back up apps and data along with texts and call logs. Google's own backups can be setup from your phone settings and back up your contacts and phone numbers mainly. Super Backup app can also back up your calender as well as texts, call logs, etc.... I use all 3 myself plus the TWRP backup that you can restore if something gets messed up and it often can.

thoctor said:
I have the 816 a5_chl single SIM version but let me try to help you because I'd like to. First I believe the rooting methods for your device is a bit different then the one for mine so bear with me here. First I would advise against going backwards to kit Kat from lollipop. Lollipop returned the write permissions to the external SD card for apps that were taken away with kitkat and that's just for starters. Lollipop has battery and performance improvements as well. As for doing stock updates you would need to find and reflash your stock recovery back as well as remove any root exploits from your firmware before any signed stock updates could be performed. What was the root method you used on your model ? Mine was to unlock boatloader thru HTC, flash TWRP recovery and from that recovery flash SuperSU zip file from internal storage of phone.
As for backing up you would first run a backup from TWRP to your ext SD card called a full nandroid backup which is basically a snapshot of your whole phone as it is before you flash any other firmware. Enable compression and leave the MD5 check enabled then name your backup and select micro SD card as the location then swipe to run. Titanium Backup app is used to back up apps and data along with texts and call logs. Google's own backups can be setup from your phone settings and back up your contacts and phone numbers mainly. Super Backup app can also back up your calender as well as texts, call logs, etc.... I use all 3 myself plus the TWRP backup that you can restore if something gets messed up and it often can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first thx for reply
so if i just wanna stay with lolipop and just unroot it what should i do
i used TWRP and i backed up my rooted system days ago
i tried many times to unroot using the unroot option in supersu but nothing happened
so could u pls tell me the steps
like what stock i should download and how to install it ?!

ShakeItBaby said:
first thx for reply
so if i just wanna stay with lolipop and just unroot it what should i do
i used TWRP and i backed up my rooted system days ago
i tried many times to unroot using the unroot option in supersu but nothing happened
so could u pls tell me the steps
like what stock i should download and how to install it ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your welcome. Ok, you did good by doing a TWRP backup first. You'd be surprised how many people don't so kudos for that. Second you shouldn't need to find a stock zip firmware file to download as long as your system is pure stock and you've reflashed your stock recovery for your model phone. Those are usually found either here in XDA linked or you just have to try to enter your model found listed in your hboot or in settings under about phone. Once you've verified the correct stock recovery zip file you download it to your P.C.s ADB/fastboot folder and flash it over TWRP then relock your boatloader. Some say they can flash stock updates with it unlocked but most recommend you relock it for it to work. From there assuming the unroot method has worked you should be able to do stock updates from your phone or over a computer using HTCsync assuming nothing else was altered in your firmware system from stock.
You say that unrooting thru SuperSU hadn't worked. How do you know that? Have you used a root checker from the play store to verify? It should work because he wrote that into his app specifically to unroot for stock updates or to use someone else's superuser app.
Also what was your rooting method? I believe your phone is the Mediatek version and the Snapdragon processor in my version had a different root exploit or an extra step from my exploit to get a foothold in your system as the processor is different from mine. You would need too remove that exploit as well I believe as it probably altered some system files to allow SuperSU to use it's exploit to gain root permissions.
Found this link below on the web but can't vouch for whether it works or not.Also search here in XDA forums for unroot method as this link says it compiled the info from XDA. Remember you'll still need your stock recovery reflashed before your can do a stock update as this refers to just unrooting.
http://android-unroot-guide.xyz/htc-desire-816g-dual-sim/