Develop Bugs

Using fastboot to root

I have a new M8 and, for the moment, I want to keep it stock, but rooted. Is it possible to fastboot boot TWRP, flash SuperSU for root, and still be capable of receiving OTA updates, since TWRP isn't actually installed? I'm coming from a N4 and N10 where I didn't care so much about official OTAs, so I've never tried this.
Also, do I still have to unlock the bootloader first in order to use fastboot at all? And does having an unlocked bootloader prevent OTAs?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Free mobile app

No, you can't root with a locked bootloader. That's the whole point (well, mostly) of a locked bootloader.
Also, its my strong opinion that OTAs have no place on a modded/rooted device. It won't work anyway, the OTA will check for root and fail to install. Or even if it did install, it would unroot the phone.
If you want to root, just do the whole deal, unlock bootloader, install custom recovery, etc. You can flash anything you want, including the awesome array of custom ROMs, or stock rooted ROMs for other carrier versions (which usually get released soon after the OTAs anyway).

Totally makes sense. Knowing me, it won't be long before I feel constricted with a locked bootloader (especially if I can't root}, but just wanted to see how "virgin" I can't keep the phone while I break it in. Plus I read a recommendation to use fastboot to boot into TWRP as an alternative to flashing it. But if I have to have an unlocked bootloader to do even that, I suppose I should just install TWRP and be done with it, like I'm used to.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Free mobile app

bruce7373 said:
Plus I read a recommendation to use fastboot to boot into TWRP as an alternative to flashing it. But if I have to have an unlocked bootloader to do even that, I suppose I should just install TWRP and be done with it, like I'm used to.
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Not sure what will happen if you try to boot TWRP with a locked bootloader. Maybe only one way to find out
But that would be purely academic. You can't flash SU or SuperSU, since you need write access to the system partition to do so (and therefore an unlocked bootloader), regardless of whether you can boot TWRP or not.

redpoint73 said:
Not sure what will happen if you try to boot TWRP with a locked bootloader. Maybe only one way to find out
But that would be purely academic. You can't flash SU or SuperSU, since you need write access to the system partition to do so (and therefore an unlocked bootloader), regardless of whether you can boot TWRP or not.
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Great, that's exactly what I needed to know. I'll just wait a week or two, see if I'm happy with the phone and, if I am, just do it all. Thanks a lot.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Free mobile app

root and unlock bootloader

TaintedByte said:
FAQs - Massive Question Round Up Thread for Flo
Q: What is the difference between root and an unlocked bootloader?
A: An unlocked bootloader allows you to write protected partitions such as system or recovery. This lets you flash custom ROMs (un-official non-stock operating systems that have more functionality such as CyanogenMod, AOKP, ParanoidAndroid, etc.). Root does not mess with partitions, instead it grants you complete control over the OS (Android) itself. It will let you write and edit any file you wish. This lets you run apps like Titanium Backup and Adblock that need to either access or edit system files.
[/LIST]​
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i have questions..is it possible to root device without unlock bootloader..or i need to do both of them..and also vice versa..anothing thing,can we flash kernel(example elementalx) with only root..thanks in advance..i'm new with this nexus 7 2013 LTE..sorry for my english
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk​

Rooting your device requires an unlocked bootloader so that you can flash a superuser .zip. You can, however root and relock your bootloader. There is also the wugfesh toolkit which will run root commands automatically when you press a button. It can also relock your bootloader as well. I'm not sure that if you run root without running unlock that it will unlock the bootloader but I believe it will. So I guess try the wugfresh toolkit.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

mugzylol said:
Rooting your device requires an unlocked bootloader so that you can flash a superuser .zip. You can, however root and relock your bootloader. There is also the wugfesh toolkit which will run root commands automatically when you press a button. It can also relock your bootloader as well. I'm not sure that if you run root without running unlock that it will unlock the bootloader but I believe it will. So I guess try the wugfresh toolkit.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Click to collapse
Rooting your device does not require unlocking the bootloader... I rooted with towelroot, flashed custom recovery (twrp), then flashed a custom ROM from recovery, all while the bootloader was still locked...

relock boot loader after rooting?

ok, this is driving me crazy. had every nexus except the 6, got the 5x. unlocked bootloader, ok. flash twrp. cool. install root files, great. set up android pay, denied due to unlocked boot loader. went to lock boot loader... wants to do a factory reset.... ok..... now it just boot loops in twrp formats cache, and phone gives errors about corrupt system, different system, blah blah. so right now im bootloader unlocked, rooted with twrp. how is everyone relocking the boot loader?

You have to be on stock recovery to relock the bootloader. You can hardbrick this phone trying to lock it with TWRP installed. Consider yourself lucky?
Android pay is not working because of root, not the unlocked bootloader. Start reading about systemless root

berndblb said:
You have to be on stock recovery to relock the bootloader. You can hardbrick this phone trying to lock it with TWRP installed. Consider yourself lucky?
Android pay is not working because of root, not the unlocked bootloader. Start reading about systemless root
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yes, i flashed the systemless root on my n5x ( i have a regular nexus 5, twrp, bootloader locked, and android pay works with systemless root) so i do now about this recent development. can it be flashed in stock recovery? i just feel like im missing something?

From the [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for Nexus 5X that you should have read before farting around with the phone:
Important: do not relock your bootloader unless your phone is fully stock. You must flash the factory images first in order to remove root and custom recovery (if you have them), if this precaution isn't taken you may end up with a brick. Please see section 11 of this guide for full instructions on how to return to stock.
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Use the guide I linked to to flash the stock images. Then use the guide again to root the phone with systemless root.

PiousInquisitor said:
From the [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for Nexus 5X that you should have read before farting around with the phone:
Use the guide I linked to to flash the stock images. Then use the guide again to root the phone with systemless root.
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thanks for the link, thats one of the first things i read when i started looking but it doesnt really talk about relocking the bootloader unless going stock. im just trying to keep my systemless root and have locked bootloader. sounds like i should try reflashing stock recov after rooting and then try to relock bootloader?

dwreck420 said:
thanks for the link, thats one of the first things i read when i started looking but it doesnt really talk about relocking the bootloader unless going stock. im just trying to keep my systemless root and have locked bootloader. sounds like i should try reflashing stock recov after rooting and then try to relock bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It plainly says:
mportant: do not relock your bootloader unless your phone is fully stock. You must flash the factory images first in order to remove root and custom recovery (if you have them), if this precaution isn't taken you may end up with a brick. Please see section 11 of this guide for full instructions on how to return to stock.
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Click to collapse
If you have rooted your phone, you are not fully stock. Therefor do not relock the bootloader.

dwreck420 said:
yes, i flashed the systemless root on my n5x ( i have a regular nexus 5, twrp, bootloader locked, and android pay works with systemless root) so i do now about this recent development. can it be flashed in stock recovery? i just feel like im missing something?
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The 5X is my first Nexus so bare with me. Why would you have TWRP installed with a locked bootloader on the OG Nexus 5? What is the benefit of that?

SlimSnoopOS said:
The 5X is my first Nexus so bare with me. Why would you have TWRP installed with a locked bootloader on the OG Nexus 5? What is the benefit of that?
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well there was an app "bootunlocker" which let you unlock it on the fly. also android pay requires a locked bootloader.
so i have locked bootloader, systemless root, and twrp on my OG nexus 5.
just cant seen to relock bootloader and somehow reroot again since NOW nexus 5x required device be WIPED when relocked

PiousInquisitor said:
It plainly says:
If you have rooted your phone, you are not fully stock. Therefor do not relock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does android pay work for you with unlocked bootloaders and systemless root?

dwreck420 said:
well there was an app "bootunlocker" which let you unlock it on the fly. also android pay requires a locked bootloader.
so i have locked bootloader, systemless root, and twrp on my OG nexus 5.
just cant seen to relock bootloader and somehow reroot again since NOW nexus 5x required device be WIPED when relocked
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Oh, that sounds pretty cool actually.
I don't use Android Pay but I know you do not need a locked bootloader to get it working. Which version of SuperSU did you install? Cuz every time I see a 5X user with working Android Pay, they have systemless root and even a custom rom. I am pretty certain that I read that you just need to delete /SU/xbin_bind to get Android Pay working with systemless root.
Edit: I've seen it mentioned in the SuperSU thread I think, but it is explicitly mentioned in this Nexus 6P Android Pay thread

dwreck420 said:
does android pay work for you with unlocked bootloaders and systemless root?
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Click to collapse
Yes. This is common knowledge.
Android Pay looks for changes to the system partition only. It doesn't give a rats ass if the kernel, recovery, or boot image are modified, nor does it give a flying **** if the bootloader is unlocked.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
Yes. This is common knowledge.
Android Pay looks for changes to the system partition only. It doesn't give a rats ass if the kernel, recovery, or boot image are modified, nor does it give a flying **** if the bootloader is unlocked.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
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thanks for the clarification.

dwreck420 said:
thanks for the clarification.
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No problem. Sorry if I came across a bit hostile. I may have been up too late last night.
Android Pay is also working on some ROMs. Cataclysm for one. PureNexus will be comparable next update too.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Never mind
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Is it safe to mod locked device?

As the title says is it possible to root, install modifications to stock ROM and is there a fast way to revert everything is something go wrong? I'm asking because support for 5X has ended, and I can't permanently unlock bootloader. I don't want to hard brick this phone by mistake and also I don't want just look how this device is being wasted.
So here's some probably noob questions that I want to ask:
1. Can I install TWRP on NO RPMB bootloader and boot it without issues? If so, how?
2. What recovery version should I install 4-core or regular 6-core?
3. Can I root device and hide it with magisk?
4. If an security update appear how to install it since stock recovery is replaced with TWRP?
5. If something go wrong like 2nd death loop how to revert everything? Can I simply flash stock system image in TWRP to "fix" device?
Thanks in advance.

You might try the solution the user in this thread suggested, https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/help/rpmb-bootloader-locked-t3481906/page2

So I have to unlock bootloader, then flash TWRP, Super SU, compatible Magisk in one attempt, then I'm ready to go? Will TWRP boot and work like nothing happened?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

I haven't tried it but based on the steps I would think it should work. It won't hurt anything. It also won't stop the bootloader from locking upon a reboot. But as long as you can unlock it prior to flashing any of the partitions as the reddit thread suggests you could be ok.

Locked bootloader won't allow to boot custom kernels that's sure, but will it boot modded stock kernels from this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/modified-boot-imgs-android-n-t3495169 since they're stock kernels

Banan PL said:
Locked bootloader won't allow to boot custom kernels that's sure, but will it boot modded stock kernels from this thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/modified-boot-imgs-android-n-t3495169 since they're stock kernels
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I'm running custom kernels just fine with locked bootloader.

CazeW said:
I'm running custom kernels just fine with locked bootloader.
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Click to collapse
So there's still hope, cool! Are there any side effects (will Jolla's multiboot and drivedroid work)? What if device suddenly stop working? Flashing stock image doesn't count since we have locked bootloader, so what to do if CPU die again? I prefer to have an emergency plan just in cause. You made my day. With locked bootloader we can't boot customs, right, just asking because it was possible on my Xperia J.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

Banan PL said:
So there's still hope, cool! Are there any side effects (will Jolla's multiboot and drivedroid work)? What if device suddenly stop working? Flashing stock image doesn't count since we have locked bootloader, so what to do if CPU die again? I prefer to have an emergency plan just in cause. You made my day. With locked bootloader we can't boot customs, right, just asking because it was possible on my Xperia J.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
As long as TWRP is installed and "stuck" (ie: boot directly into TWRP after flash), you can basically flash anything (custom ROMs/kernels etc.).
The worst thing that can happen is that you brick the ROM without TWRP installed and the ROM is bricked/the oem unlock flag is reset (not tripped). Even then there's a .tot file somewhere here on XDA that can recover the phone.
I'm assuming that an upgrade to O is also possible via stock images (unlock bl, flash stock images, boot into O, trip the OEM unlock flag, unlock BL and follow the steps described).

Banan PL said:
So there's still hope, cool! Are there any side effects (will Jolla's multiboot and drivedroid work)? What if device suddenly stop working? Flashing stock image doesn't count since we have locked bootloader, so what to do if CPU die again? I prefer to have an emergency plan just in cause. You made my day. With locked bootloader we can't boot customs, right, just asking because it was possible on my Xperia J.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs
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Click to collapse
Haven't tried Jolla's multiboot or drivedroid. As long as you can get into fastboot, you can just unlock it again and flash stock (though you will obviously lose everything that's on the device). Haven't tried flashing custom ROMs but as custom kernels are working, I don't see why custom ROMs wouldn't.

negusp said:
As long as TWRP is installed and "stuck" (ie: boot directly into TWRP after flash), you can basically flash anything (custom ROMs/kernels etc.).
The worst thing that can happen is that you brick the ROM without TWRP installed and the ROM is bricked/the oem unlock flag is reset (not tripped). Even then there's a .tot file somewhere here on XDA that can recover the phone.
I'm assuming that an upgrade to O is also possible via stock images (unlock bl, flash stock images, boot into O, trip the OEM unlock flag, unlock BL and follow the steps described).
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In short unlocking bootloader JUST allows to flash system images in fastboot, nothing more nothing less? So if I flash TWRP then Lineage it will boot and work like nothing happened (like on 5X with unlocked bootloader), it's sounds so good that I can't even believe.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

Banan PL said:
In short unlocking bootloader JUST allows to flash system images in fastboot, nothing more nothing less? So if I flash TWRP then Lineage it will boot and work like nothing happened (like on 5X with unlocked bootloader), it's sounds so good that I can't even believe.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs
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I don't own a device without RPMB (I got a fairly new refurb), but I've used TWRP/flashed ROMs and kernels successfully with the bootloader locked and TWRP installed.

Alright I'll flash TWRP take nandroid and hopefully device will boot. Can someone give me link to 4-core TWRP, I can't find it?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

Google 4 core twrp 5x xda. It's in that thread. https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/untested-nexus-5x-bootloop-death-fix-t3641199

Strange I can't flash recovery it's getting replaced by stock. TWRP shows a message, but I'm unable to read it. It appear for a while then device reboot into system.
It says something like "Renamed stock recovery file to /system to prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP" or something like that. Any help?

Banan PL said:
Strange I can't flash recovery it's getting replaced by stock. TWRP shows a message, but I'm unable to read it. It appear for a while then device reboot into system.
It says something like "Renamed stock recovery file to /system to prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP" or something like that. Any help?
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Did you unlock and then without rebooting flash the TWRP?

CazeW said:
Did you unlock and then without rebooting flash the TWRP?
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I've unlocked bootloader then flashed TWRP and rebooted into recovery

Banan PL said:
I've unlocked bootloader then flashed TWRP and rebooted into recovery
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Did you then do a factory reset and flash root? That should make it stick. If not, you can always just use the TWRP app to get into TWRP when needed.
Edit: You also booted to recovery straight from fastboot after flashing, without rebooting the phone?

CazeW said:
Did you then do a factory reset and flash root? That should make it stick. If not, you can always just use the TWRP app to get into TWRP when needed.
Edit: You also booted to recovery straight from fastboot after flashing, without rebooting the phone?
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This is what I've done: unlocked bootloader, format data in fastboot, flashed twrp, rebooted into twrp. Here device keep rebooting into system and replacing twrp with stock recovery.

Banan PL said:
This is what I've done: unlocked bootloader, format data in fastboot, flashed twrp, rebooted into twrp. Here device keep rebooting into system and replacing twrp with stock recovery.
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So you are not actually getting into recovery at all. Try with different TWRP image.

CazeW said:
So you are not actually getting into recovery at all. Try with different TWRP image.
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I tried with regular TWRP 4-core modded TWRP and with Multiboot TWRP. Same result.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

How can I restore device to factory state

So I have small problem. I have to restore device to factory state (flash stock image), but I have TWRP instead stock recovery. If I unlock bootloader while I have TWRP will something bad happened?
Should I flash stock recovery first and then unlock bootloader? Or I can simply do it with TWRP?

It shouldn't matter if you have twrp. But unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device so backup anything you want first. I'm not sure if you mean you want to unlock the bootloader with twrp? That you can't do, use fastboot. But, if you have twrp haven't you already unlocked the bootloader?
Sent from my SM-T820 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

jd1639 said:
It shouldn't matter if you have twrp. But unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device so backup anything you want first. I'm not sure if you mean you want to unlock the bootloader with twrp? That you can't do, use fastboot. But, if you have twrp haven't you already unlocked the bootloader?
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Bootloader will lock itself on next boot, but that's different story.
So nothing bad will happen? I need to get rid of "device is corrupt" if I want to send device to LG for screen replacement.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA Labs

Banan PL said:
Bootloader will lock itself on next boot, but that's different story.
So nothing bad will happen? I need to get rid of "device is corrupt" if I want to send device to LG for screen replacement.
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Click to collapse
Do you mean the "device is corrupt" screen on boot up. I guess I haven't specificaly tried it on my 5x, but I don't believe that will ever go away once you've unlocked the bootloader the first time. Even if you flash the stock firmware and Mick the bootloader with the device. But it's a Google device so LG still do the screen replacement.