Develop Bugs

Seriously need some help. At the end of my patience with trying to update this thing

I'm really frustrated. I've been trying to update this Galaxy S3 for days now with no success. Currently I am running on Slimkat 7.0. It's sometimes slow and buggy and needs some updating.
For reference, this is the phone at its current state:
- Bootloader: i747ucalh9 (literally taken from the fail message when trying to update to any other bootloader)
- Modem/firmware (?): I747UCLH9
Here's what has happened, greatly summarized (note I'm using CM6.0.4.7 for all of these operations, and when I say "update", I mean "flash"):
- I tried updating to Slimkat 9 but received no signal. I gave up on it entirely for a while
- I tried installing various LP ROMs, including CM12.1.
- I had 12.1 running for a bit, but I had no connectivity. LTE, 3G,H+ nothing.
- I tried installing a newer modem (this thread. Finally at MJB, I could actually get connectivity in some of the newer ROMs (including Slimkat 9)... but it was very erratic. It would just randomly oscillate between LTE and 3G and H+. This also broke CM12.1 entirely.
- Again, the above problem was always present. Most of the LP ROMs would just bootloop me, though. The only one that worked was Cyanide L... which I didn't really like.
- I thought maybe the issue was the bootloader. My bootloader is still i747ucalh9. So I tried updating it to various bootloaders from here, but none of the updates will work. Literally, they give me error 6 or 7 and pretty much essentially tell me that I can't do it.
- So after repeating the cycle of "let me try to update this" several times and having the update fail on me, I'm still stuck at Slimkat 7 as the only thing that worked on LTE (note the past tense). Worse yet, I tried simply downgrading my modem to match my current bootloader version, but that made things worse than better. I am now stuck at 3G... which just recently went back to LTE. Talk about erratic.
- I also tried going full stock by flashing this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2363882 But it expects 5 arguments for format, and got 3... or something. Failed hard.
So, I'm pretty much at the end of my rope here. I really might just go and grab a new phone at this point. I just really don't want to because this thing still works fine.... I guess I got unlucky and am at a version of the bootloader that is difficult to update from. I can't seem to go anywhere with this thing. Anyone have any ideas? Do I need to use a different recovery?
Thanks...

First and foremost, verify your bootloader. Install the Samsung phone info app, or in a terminal app or adb shell enter:
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
If you're on any of the older bootloaders (the ones that do not end in MJB, NE4, or NJ1) there are two ways you can go (you probably will be given the age of your modem). If you're on any of the ones that end in MJB, NE4, or NJ1 you've got to be a lot more careful because downgrading them will hard brick your phone (Odin back to stock is not an option anymore).
Option 1: If you're on the older bootloaders, you can go to sammobile.com, grab the 4.1.1 firmware from there and flash it with Odin. Do not do this if your bootloader ends in MJB, NE4, or NJ1 (can't stress that enough). This will reset your phone completely to stock. You should now start getting OTA updates. They will be incremental updates, you'll have to take at least three or four to get up to date on bootloader and modem and they're big downloads. They will come every 24 hours, but you can cheat that by setting your system time forward 1 day to make them a little more rapid fire. This is a nice, safe way to get your firmware current. Once you're up to NJ1 firmware you can use Odin to flash a custom recovery and get back to custom ROMs; I'd recommend TWRP 2.8.6 if you're going to be flashing newer ROMs as CWM and Philz aren't as up to date and sometimes give problems with newer ROMs.
Option 2: I'm pretty sure your version of CWM is a big part of your problem. If you're going to be flashing lollipop you ought to update your recovery to TWRP 2.8.6; easiest way to get it is just use the Flashify app. I'd get that recovery up to date before messing with bootloaders too. Next get your firmware up to date. If your bootloader version is before MJB, then you have to start with MJB. Then update to NE4. Then update to NJ1. It has to be done incrementally, and the bootloader and modem must match on the newer firmwares, or you'll hard brick. This thread has recovery flashable MJB and NE4 bootloaders/modems; the bootloader and modem are packaged together in the same zip so you can't get out of sync. This thread has recovery flashable NJ1 bootloader/modem. This will get your firmware all up to date, and data should start behaving on newer kitkat and lollipop ROMs. This route is a lot more risky than the OTA route described above because of all the manual steps you have to take, but you could get it done quite a bit faster if you're confident in your abilities. Just read those linked threads very, very carefully and make certain you understand.
Good luck.

jason2678 said:
First and foremost, verify your bootloader. Install the Samsung phone info app, or in a terminal app or adb shell enter:
Code:
getprop ro.bootloader
If you're on any of the older bootloaders (the ones that do not end in MJB, NE4, or NJ1) there are two ways you can go (you probably will be given the age of your modem). If you're on any of the ones that end in MJB, NE4, or NJ1 you've got to be a lot more careful because downgrading them will hard brick your phone (Odin back to stock is not an option anymore).
Option 1: If you're on the older bootloaders, you can go to sammobile.com, grab the 4.1.1 firmware from there and flash it with Odin. Do not do this if your bootloader ends in MJB, NE4, or NJ1 (can't stress that enough). This will reset your phone completely to stock. You should now start getting OTA updates. They will be incremental updates, you'll have to take at least three or four to get up to date on bootloader and modem and they're big downloads. They will come every 24 hours, but you can cheat that by setting your system time forward 1 day to make them a little more rapid fire. This is a nice, safe way to get your firmware current. Once you're up to NJ1 firmware you can use Odin to flash a custom recovery and get back to custom ROMs; I'd recommend TWRP 2.8.6 if you're going to be flashing newer ROMs as CWM and Philz aren't as up to date and sometimes give problems with newer ROMs.
Option 2: I'm pretty sure your version of CWM is a big part of your problem. If you're going to be flashing lollipop you ought to update your recovery to TWRP 2.8.6; easiest way to get it is just use the Flashify app. I'd get that recovery up to date before messing with bootloaders too. Next get your firmware up to date. If your bootloader version is before MJB, then you have to start with MJB. Then update to NE4. Then update to NJ1. It has to be done incrementally, and the bootloader and modem must match on the newer firmwares, or you'll hard brick. This thread has recovery flashable MJB and NE4 bootloaders/modems; the bootloader and modem are packaged together in the same zip so you can't get out of sync. This thread has recovery flashable NJ1 bootloader/modem. This will get your firmware all up to date, and data should start behaving on newer kitkat and lollipop ROMs. This route is a lot more risky than the OTA route described above because of all the manual steps you have to take, but you could get it done quite a bit faster if you're confident in your abilities. Just read those linked threads very, very carefully and make certain you understand.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the help! I actually did/tried a majority of this an hour or two before you posted that, except the latest firmware update link you supplied. I knew it existed and I had seen that thread before, but I couldn't dig up the link again before I had to go to work. Thing is I kind of wanted to avoid Odin for some reason but I finally gave up and used it. And yeah I already knew my bootloader version. The phone told me when it failed to update the bootloader lol.
Here's what happened thus far:
- I used Odin to flash the sammobile 4.1.1. The flashing worked just fine, but booting into it did not. It hung on the Samsung logo. So, OTA updates were out the window.
- I have no idea why, so I just used Odin to flash TWRP onto it afterwards (from here)
- I tried one of the ROMS. Data still didn't work.
- I used the thread you linked to update to MJB bootloader and whatnot. The update went fine.
- Tried another few ROMs. Data worked, but LTE was still erratic.
- Updated to NE4 and then grabbed the deoxed stock ROM.
- The deoxed stock rom failed to boot (stuck at ATT globe logo). For some reason my phone can't use stock ROMs.
- So again used Odin to put TWRP onto the phone
- Installed various LP ROMS. Again the data was erratic and plus the battery life was horrid.
- Tried getting the ktoonsez kernel. My service was murdered.
- Gave up on LP. Tried Slim 9.0. Erratic data.
- Tried Liquidsmooth 4.4.4 instead.
Currently that's kind of where I'm at. The LTE data works fine (takes a bit to get up and running after reboot though) and thus far everything is okay (though that can quickly change considering I haven't done much of anything), so I don't even know if I want to mess with it anymore. It looks like this specific ROM includes a custom kernel. So I'm guessing it's an incompatibility between the kernel and the firmware version on the other ROMs. It seems like most of the LP roms have horrible battery life (back of my phone feels like a furnace on them), so I'm not even sure if I want to do that last firmware update to use them.
It'd be kind of nice to use the OTA but apparently my ability to go stock in any form or fashion is just totally borked.
Thanks for the post though, that's pretty gold. I'm sure someone in a situation like me where they have a super old firmware will find this thread of some use as it has actual instructions and links to what you need to do to get up and running. Before you posted that, I had to go digging around pretty much everywhere figuring out what and where was going wrong.

Glad you've got it mostly working.
You might have been able to get that stock ROM to boot if you had booted into the stock recovery and run a full wipe. Touchwiz ROMs can be tough to get running after being on AOSP. As a general progression try to format internal storage with TWRP (the wipe where you have to type "yes" to confirm), if that doesn't work try a wipe with Philz, and if that doesn't work nothing, not even Odin, is effective as a wipe in the stock recovery.

Thanks for typing all this out I believe it will help me put cm12.1 official on a friends phone.
Are these the steps?
1) verify latest software
2) twrp via Odin
Alt 2) root via apk then use rashr or similar to flash twrp
3)wipe
4)In twrp install official d2att from cm website
5) install current gapps
6) profit
I'm not new to this at all but I've never even touched an att gs3 and I know most devices have their quirks and I don't want to brick.
Also does towel root work on this? I don't mind Odin but I can do this on the fly I think if I can attain root.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Free mobile app

mrkhigh said:
Thanks for typing all this out I believe it will help me put cm12.1 official on a friends phone.
Are these the steps?
1) verify latest software
2) twrp via Odin
Alt 2) root via apk then use rashr or similar to flash twrp
3)wipe
4)In twrp install official d2att from cm website
5) install current gapps
6) profit
I'm not new to this at all but I've never even touched an att gs3 and I know most devices have their quirks and I don't want to brick.
Also does towel root work on this? I don't mind Odin but I can do this on the fly I think if I can attain root.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. You've got it. If you're on the latest and greatest firmware I think the towelroot exploit has been patched, unless geohot has retaken the lead in that arms race.
Easiest way to root on this phone since the bootloaders are unlocked is to just use Odin to flash a custom recovery then use the custom recovery to flash SuperSU. There's just a little trick to it. Store SuperSU.zip somewhere on your phone before flashing the custom recovery. Uncheck everything but f.reset time when you use Odin; don't let it auto reboot. Upon success pull battery. Replace battery and boot straight into recovery with vol up + home + power. If you mess up and boot into unrooted stock ROM with a custom recovery it will get overwritten with a stock recovery and you'll have to Odin custom recovery back onto it and try again.
I would do this to root your stock ROM just to execute this command in a terminal app or adb shell before any more serious flashing:
Code:
su
reboot nvbackup
That fixes a derp and gives you a working efs backup on a few backup partitions built into your phone instead of a blank one. Highly recommended before doing any ROM flashing. This will just look like a pretty normal reboot. You might see a quick flash of tiny blue text if you're watching for it.
Then you're ready to make a nandroid backup (just in case), wipe, and flash away. Take a look at LiquidSmooth if you're looking for a good lollipop ROM.

Nice... So the recovery partition gets rewritten every boot up until a custom ROM is installed and the efs can disappear... This is why you always ask questions.
Thanks for the suggestion on the ROM but I think I'll stick to official cm12.1 it's not my phone and that should be a nice readily updatable bland flavor of lollipop.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Free mobile app

mrkhigh said:
Nice... So the recovery partition gets rewritten every boot up until a custom ROM is installed and the efs can disappear... This is why you always ask questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the Android 4.3 update it was noticed that flashing a custom recovery would be overwritten by the stock recovery on the initial reboot unless following the method Jason described. Another solution was to delete two lib or .so files. On devices still on stock recovery, stock recovery does not overwrite itself.
There is a blank EFS partition on the device intended for a backup. The nvbackup command populates that partition with an image which will rebuild your EFS if it is lost during a modem update or ROM flash. The loss of EFS does happen. I believe wanam, of the xposed module fame, created an EFS backup tool for Samsung devices. I don't believe he updates it any longer because he rolled the functionality into a partition backup tool, the later is in the PlayStore listed under a different creator name, yet it's still him.

So I'm finally going to take the plunge, and update my boot loader/modem.. I never messed with it because all the Roms I used always worked.. I want to try lollipop, but due to old bootloader my phone won't boot with those Roms..
I'm on UCDLK3 bootloader/modem.. I know I have to upgrade to MJB, NE4, then NJ1 in that order in increments..
So my question: can I upgrade from LK3 straight to MJB with out any problems?? Or is there something I need to flash before I can get to MJB?? I think I can go straight to MJB, but better safe then sorry..
I know downgrading after upgrade most likely will brick.. Any information is appreciated... Oh, its an ATT I747..

coolwhipp420 said:
So I'm finally going to take the plunge, and update my boot loader/modem.. I never messed with it because all the Roms I used always worked.. I want to try lollipop, but due to old bootloader my phone won't boot with those Roms..
I'm on UCDLK3 bootloader/modem.. I know I have to upgrade to MJB, NE4, then NJ1 in that order in increments..
So my question: can I upgrade from LK3 straight to MJB with out any problems?? Or is there something I need to flash before I can get to MJB?? I think I can go straight to MJB, but better safe then sorry..
I know downgrading after upgrade most likely will brick.. Any information is appreciated... Oh, its an ATT I747..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are on LK3 you may want to considr applying the free sim/carrier unlock method before upgrading; that is if you are on stock LK3 and you have not previously carrier unlocked your device.
There was an OTA release for the MG2 stock ROM, I believe that was 4.1.2. You may want to go to that before MJB. Did you make the nvbackup suggested by Jason?

Why would I do a carrier unlock, if I'm not switching carriers?? And if I do it, will I be able to use the same carrier?? Just seems like a waisted step for me.. But idk..
Jason's first post, option 2 is how I was planing to update.. And no, I haven't done the nvbackup yet.. How would I apply that backup if things go wrong? Not really sure what a nvbackup is..
Any information is appreciated..

coolwhipp420 said:
Why would I do a carrier unlock, if I'm not switching carriers?? And if I do it, will I be able to use the same carrier?? Just seems like a waisted step for me.. But idk..
Jason's first post, option 2 is how I was planing to update.. And no, I haven't done the nvbackup yet.. How would I apply that backup if things go wrong? Not really sure what a nvbackup is..
Any information is appreciated..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a command to manually trigger the restore routine. I think it's
Code:
reboot nvrestore
but don't hold me to that. I'd never execute that command except if in dire need. The problem with this phone is there is an automatic routine that can be triggered in the event of a bad flash that will overwrite your nvram with the backup, even if the backup is blank. I don't think the backup stores anything modem specific, but I've never been able to confirm that. So I've always done it again after updating modems (only had to once).
Having the phone sim unlocked can be nice if you plan on traveling internationally. Otherwise, potential future carrier hopping or added resale value are the only reasons to do it.

coolwhipp420 said:
Why would I do a carrier unlock, if I'm not switching carriers?? And if I do it, will I be able to use the same carrier?? Just seems like a waisted step for me.. But idk..
Jason's first post, option 2 is how I was planing to update.. And no, I haven't done the nvbackup yet.. How would I apply that backup if things go wrong? Not really sure what a nvbackup is..
Any information is appreciated..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you will never be switching carriers, nor ever sell/give/trade the phone to someone who will switch, then it is an unecessary step to do the carrier unlock.
I see Jason beat me to answering both of your questions.

red triangle while trying to update OTA lollipop while on TWRP...

Hey guys, I was rooted but on my stock 4.4.2 Sense Rom. I wanted to flash the OTA lollipop update. I had TWRP so i could not update the OTA. So i found a video on youtube that said i had to...
1 - Replace custom recovery with stock recovery
2 - Process OTA Update
3 - Replace stock recovery with custom recovery
I was at step 2 and my htc one m8 is tmobile US and was T-MOB010 so i downloaded "stock+recovery+1.12.531.19+recovery" there was two different ones for me to choose from. There was that one and then "2.22.531.5" however i could not find that DL link. I then flashed the stock recovery thru ADB and rebooted my phone, and it started to update but then i got a red triangle. I saw a comment on the youtube video that said i needed to find the OTA update and transfer to my PC and find the "recovery.img" file and then extract that and flash that to my phone. I looked thru the entire zip file however there is a folder i could not access, the last one named "firmware" I try to extract but i get an error message saying "cannot open, file is invalid" The OTA update i found in my internal storage in download folder and it is named "OTA_M8_UL_L50_SENSE60_MR_TMOUS_4.20.531.4-3.32.531.2_release_420432xio08y7xuups2gkl" that's got to be it because that's the only thing that could be the update any help??
youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPPT5J8xG6w
Thread i was going off: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2701376

jfreshh330 said:
Hey guys, I was rooted but on my stock 4.4.2 Sense Rom. I wanted to flash the OTA lollipop update. I had TWRP so i could not update the OTA. So i found a video on youtube that said i had to...
1 - Replace custom recovery with stock recovery
2 - Process OTA Update
3 - Replace stock recovery with custom recovery
I was at step 2 and my htc one m8 is tmobile US and was T-MOB010 so i downloaded "stock+recovery+1.12.531.19+recovery" there was two different ones for me to choose from. There was that one and then "2.22.531.5" however i could not find that DL link. I then flashed the stock recovery thru ADB and rebooted my phone, and it started to update but then i got a red triangle. I saw a comment on the youtube video that said i needed to find the OTA update and transfer to my PC and find the "recovery.img" file and then extract that and flash that to my phone. I looked thru the entire zip file however there is a folder i could not access, the last one named "firmware" I try to extract but i get an error message saying "cannot open, file is invalid" The OTA update i found in my internal storage in download folder and it is named "OTA_M8_UL_L50_SENSE60_MR_TMOUS_4.20.531.4-3.32.531.2_release_420432xio08y7xuups2gkl" that's got to be it because that's the only thing that could be the update any help??
youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPPT5J8xG6w
Thread i was going off: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2701376
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like the stock recovery that you loaded wasn't a new enough version. To update to lollipop you need to install a lollipop or a 4.4.X stock recovery. If you install anything that was released prior to that you will get the red triangle deal.
So try and find one thats a little newer. Perhaps see if someone has posted the lollipop one for your carrier. You can use that one. Should be easy to find as it's the latest. Then the OTA should take just fine. Perhaps the other stock one you mentioned would work. You just need to find it. I'm on Rogers in Canada so I'm not too familiar with the T-Mobile files. As mentioned though, just make sure the stock recovery is from Android 4.4.X or 5.X.X and you will be fine.

flexfulton said:
It sounds like the stock recovery that you loaded wasn't a new enough version. To update to lollipop you need to install a lollipop or a 4.4.X stock recovery. If you install anything that was released prior to that you will get the red triange deal.
So try and find one that a little newer. Perhaps see if someone has posted the lollipop one for your carrier. You can use that one. Should be easy to find as it's the latest. Then the OTA should take just fine. Perhaps the other stock one you mentioned would work. You just need to find it. I'm on Rogers in Canada so I'm not too familiar with the AT&T files. As mentioned though, just make sure the stock recovery in from Android 4.4.X or 5.X.X and you will be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the reply! Is there a chance of bricking by trying to change out the stock recovery? Or would the worst that would happen is I get the red triangle. I mean obviously I'm not going to be flashing stock recoverys from different devices but u know.

jfreshh330 said:
Thank you for the reply! Is there a chance of bricking by trying to change out the stock recovery? Or would the worst that would happen is I get the red triangle. I mean obviously I'm not going to be flashing stock recoverys from different devices but u know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mentioned stripping out the recovery.img from the OTA update. This shouldn't be a problem. Not sure why it wouldn't let you access it. Perhaps you have a bad download?
Look around XDA a little more. You should be able to find the OTA you are looking for.
As for flashing a wrong branded stock recovery, I don't really want to say cause I'm not sure what would happen. Just to be safe I'd stick to your carrier's files but perhaps someone else can speak on that.
---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2714456
That link will be of great help to you. Has the recovery you require (3.32.531.2 - I just downloaded it myself with no issues) and much discussion on the subject of OTA Lollipop updates etc for T-Mobile.
Let me know if you need anything else. If you still can't get it to work, those would be the guys to consult.
Happy flashing!

flexfulton said:
You mentioned stripping out the recovery.img from the OTA update. This shouldn't be a problem. Not sure why it wouldn't let you access it. Perhaps you have a bad download?
Look around XDA a little more. You should be able to find the OTA you are looking for.
As for flashing a wrong branded stock recovery, I don't really want to say cause I'm not sure what would happen. Just to be safe I'd stick to your carrier's files but perhaps someone else can speak on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I was going to try and download the official Rom off the HTC website. I've found the download link for the Rom. 4.16.1540.8 do you really think of I just use the recovery. IMG file it will work?

flexfulton said:
You mentioned stripping out the recovery.img from the OTA update. This shouldn't be a problem. Not sure why it wouldn't let you access it. Perhaps you have a bad download?
Look around XDA a little more. You should be able to find the OTA you are looking for.
As for flashing a wrong branded stock recovery, I don't really want to say cause I'm not sure what would happen. Just to be safe I'd stick to your carrier's files but perhaps someone else can speak on that.
---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2714456
That link will be of great help to you. Has the recovery you require (3.32.531.2 - I just downloaded it myself with no issues) and much discussion on the subject of OTA Lollipop updates etc for T-Mobile.
Let me know if you need anything else. If you still can't get it to work, those would be the guys to consult.
Happy flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks so much!

jfreshh330 said:
So I was going to try and download the official Rom off the HTC website. I've found the download link for the Rom. 4.16.1540.8 do you really think of I just use the recovery. IMG file it will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sideload the latest recovery as found in the thread I linked to above. Reboot and the OTA should take no problems. It was downloading and everything fine for you before but was unable to flash because of an outdated recovery you installed.
So my recommened method to update OTA, is to follow the first route you were taking but with the newest recovery.img file in place of what you used in step 1.
If you already have the OTA downloaded on your phone, you shouldn't have to download it again either. It should see that it's already downloaded ready to be installed.
---------- Post added at 08:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:13 AM ----------
jfreshh330 said:
Awesome thanks so much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Let me know how it turns out for you.

If you don't mind wiping your personal data (you can of course back it up first,and restore later by a variety of methods) and setting up the phone again; it would be much easier to just update by RUU. Relocking the bootloader required if s-on.
The method of returning to stock ROM and recovery will work to update OTA. But its just a lot more potential pitfalls, as you have found (finding the right stock recovery, stock ROM, and even then there is no guarantee your data will be retained, although it should).

redpoint73 said:
If you don't mind wiping your personal data (you can of course back it up first,and restore later by a variety of methods) and setting up the phone again; it would be much easier to just update by RUU. Relocking the bootloader required if s-on.
The method of returning to stock ROM and recovery will work to update OTA. But its just a lot more potential pitfalls, as you have found (finding the right stock recovery, stock ROM, and even then there is no guarantee your data will be retained, although it should).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash the stock recovery and let the OS do the OTA update there will be no issues. Relocking bootloaders etc sounds like a lot more work to me.
He is already on stock ROM and has the instructions to do the stock recovery OTA update so I think that's the best route. I provided him with the correct recovery so there should be no problems now.
Also I don't see how in any case doing an OTA would cause you to lose your data. People would have a S$%t fit if they lost data on OTA updates.

flexfulton said:
If you flash the stock recovery and let the OS do the OTA update there will be no issues. Relocking bootloaders etc sounds like a lot more work to me.
He is already on stock ROM and has the instructions to do the stock recovery OTA update so I think that's the best route. I provided him with the correct recovery so there should be no problems now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a matter of opinion which approach is easier or "best". I just gave it as another option.
Relocking the bootloader is a single fastboot command. Yes, the OP would then need to unlock the bootloader again after the RUU.
On the other hand, the OTA approach requires flashing stock recovery, then installing 3 OTA updates in order to get up to Lollipop (opposed to just a single RUU that would take the OP up to LP).
flexfulton said:
Also I don't see how in any case doing an OTA would cause you to lose your data. People would have a S$%t fit if they lost data on OTA updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not "supposed" to happen. But I have seen it happen to folks, on more than a few occasions. And yes, those folk have a S$%t fit when it happens.
In any case, everyone should backup their data and be prepared to have to restore it (and its all that much easier on a phone that is already rooted). No data is immune from loss, even from day-to-day use, and all the more for a major system change like an OS update.

redpoint73 said:
Its a matter of opinion which approach is easier or "best". I just gave it as another option.
Relocking the bootloader is a single fastboot command. Yes, the OP would then need to unlock the bootloader again after the RUU.
On the other hand, the OTA approach requires flashing stock recovery, then installing 3 OTA updates in order to get up to Lollipop (opposed to just a single RUU that would take the OP up to LP).
Its not "supposed" to happen. But I have seen it happen to folks, on more than a few occasions. And yes, those folk have a S$%t fit when it happens.
In any case, everyone should backup their data and be prepared to have to restore it (and its all that much easier on a phone that is already rooted). No data is immune from loss, even from day-to-day use, and all the more for a major system change like an OS update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed backups are good.
Why 3 OTA updates? Is that a T-Mobile thing? I only had 1 when I made the jump on the Rogers network.

flexfulton said:
That link will be of great help to you. Has the recovery you require (3.32.531.2 - I just downloaded it myself with no issues) and much discussion on the subject of OTA Lollipop updates etc for T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OP is presently on Android 4.4.2, which is software number 1.xx. He will need a recovery corresponding to 1.xx software, as he seems to have already figured out, but its not working.
---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------
flexfulton said:
Agreed backups are good.
Why 3 OTA updates? Is that a T-Mobile thing? I only had 1 when I made the jump on the Rogers network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just a T-Mob thing.
He is on Android 4.4.2 (software 1.x). Unless T-Mob skipped a software version (and I don't think they did) he needs to update in sequence to software 2.x, then 3.x, then finally up to the current 4.x.
OTAs need to be installed in sequence; opposed to RUUs which are complete factory images, so you can skip software numbers.
Not sure about Rogers. But my guess is that you only had to update from 4.4.4 to 5.0; or something to that effect.

redpoint73 said:
The OP is presently on Android 4.4.2, which is software number 1.xx. He will need a recovery corresponding to 1.xx software, as he seems to have already figured out, but its not working.
---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:50 AM ----------
Not just a T-Mob thing.
He is on Android 4.4.2 (software 1.x). Unless T-Mob skipped a software version (and I don't think they did) he needs to update in sequence to software 2.x, then 3.x, then finally up to the current 4.x.
OTAs need to be installed in sequence; opposed to RUUs which are complete factory images, so you can skip software numbers.
Not sure about Rogers. But my guess is that you only had to update from 4.4.4 to 5.0; or something to that effect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense. I only had to go up one level. I figured that the carriers would package all of the older updates in with new one but apparently I'm wrong. I appologize.
I was trying to help out as I had the same issue when I went to update. I installed a recovery that was too old, determined that I needed to flash a recovery from either 4.4.X or lollipop and my OTA update was fine after that. Point being, I could go ahead and flash a newer recovery to get the OTA to download.
Anyway I applogize if I was in error in my help. No one else was helping and based on my own experiences it sounded like the same issue.

flexfulton said:
Makes sense. I only had to go up one level. I figured that the carriers would package all of the older updates in with new one but apparently I'm wrong. I appologize.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTAs will normally only allow you to install from the immediate previous version (you cannot skip a version). Sometimes they are complete packages; but often they are not. Sometimes the OTA just contains what has been changed; basically a "patch". And for that reason, the updates need to be installed sequentially. In fact, I've seen folks brick due to unwittingly installing partial firmware packages from OTAs (with s-off, which bypasses such safety checks).
flexfulton said:
Anyway I applogize if I was in error in my help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no need to apologize. As you are well aware, this is a self-supporting community that flourishes due to the contributions of its members. Your answers may not have been 100% correct. But it was well intended; and you answered to the best of your knowledge. At least you learned something and can pass it along now. I'm just a member who passes along what I've learned here also (don't have any specialized developer knowledge or anything); and I'm certainly not right all the time.

So the recovery 3.32.5312 will not work? And i apologize i am on 4.4.4 not 4.4.2

HELP!! Potentially bricked my m9

Hi Guys,
Not sure if much can be done, so before I flashed a rom for 5.1.1, I decided to flash the required, firmware 2.9.710.x, but before flashing that, I re-locked my bootloader, as I have s-on. Before that, I was trying to get the OTA to work but it didn't as I had mounted system as r/w. So I had stock recovery, s-on and relocked bootloader. After I flashed the firmware, I could not unlock the bootloader as there is some new developer setting that I am required to enable. BUT the I am still on old 5.0 ROM that will not boot anymore and is stuck on the splash screen - I've tried wipe cache and factory reset. I have an RUU for 1.32 which I cannot use because now I have 2.9.710.x firmware. I've also tried to sideload the OTA but that will not work because system was mounted r/w
Is there anything I can do to get it to work? I feel like I've tried all avenues, but if there is something you guys think I can do to make it work again, I'd be over the moon!

anshuashmeet said:
Hi Guys,
Not sure if much can be done, so before I flashed a rom for 5.1.1, I decided to flash the required, firmware 2.9.710.x, but before flashing that, I re-locked my bootloader, as I have s-on. Before that, I was trying to get the OTA to work but it didn't as I had mounted system as r/w. So I had stock recovery, s-on and relocked bootloader. After I flashed the firmware, I could not unlock the bootloader as there is some new developer setting that I am required to enable. BUT the I am still on old 5.0 ROM that will not boot anymore and is stuck on the splash screen - I've tried wipe cache and factory reset. I have an RUU for 1.32 which I cannot use because now I have 2.9.710.x firmware. I've also tried to sideload the OTA but that will not work because system was mounted r/w
Is there anything I can do to get it to work? I feel like I've tried all avenues, but if there is something you guys think I can do to make it work again, I'd be over the moon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never relock if your phone is not 100 % stock. Otherwise it won't boot. Besides there are already numerous post written by people that made the same mistake as you did. Even if your phone could boot you wouldn't be able to enable the OEM Unlock option since it's not implemented in the 1.XX roms and by flashing the firmware you do not update your rom.
I guess the only possibility to recover your phone is using this RUU service.
Just because I'm curious: Why didn't you use one of the backups that are provided here?

Flippy498 said:
Never relock if your phone is not 100 % stock. Otherwise it won't boot. Besides there are already numerous post written by people that made the same mistake as you did. Even if your phone could boot you wouldn't be able to enable the OEM Unlock option since it's not implemented in the 1.XX roms and by flashing the firmware you do not update your rom.
I guess the only possibility to recover your phone is using this RUU service.
Just because I'm curious: Why didn't you use one of the backups that are provided here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply!
I've submitted an enquiry form to them. Didn't know that service existed. Hopefully they have the RUU file that I need.
I did download the stock backup file from that link but I thought before I give it a go, I'll try and get an OTA and get an official update. That failed so I decided to flash the firmware before going to the latest rom. Forgetting I just locked my bootloader with stock recovery, completely unaware of this 5.1 developer option issue. My fault for not doing research, but I didn't know such issue could exist as for the last few years, I haven't had an issue like this. Normally issues occur if I flash a newer ROM without firmware so was trying to avoid that.

Can't get past hands free activation on any rom

Decided to go back to my S-oFF Sprint htc one m8 from over a year ago.
First thing I did was update my firmware only, no recovery no boot, firmware only. I upgraded firmware to 6.20.651.3 using this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2729173
I then updated my twrp from 2.8.50 to 3.0.2-0.
after I try any rom, even sprint roms, I can't get passed the hands free activation and prl update screen. It will reboot before the phone boots up. I have tried a few gpe roms and it wont get past the boot screen.
I tried loading up a nandroid i made over a year ago and its a lollipop rom that works, but still wants to go through handsfree activation. I am able to turn it off there, but want to get back to marshmallow and newer roms. I called sprint support and they said it shows as fully activated on their end.
What else should I try? Should i upgrade firmware, recovery and boot?

I hate bumping, but im out of options here. Any advice?

memekmek said:
I hate bumping, but im out of options here. Any advice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've gone through countless threads like these: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2716834
my situation seams to be unique, where my phone will actually reboot right after hands free activation, thus rendering it useless. I've been able to mount the system in twrp and delete the htc service apk, but on the marshmallow roms, i can't get LTE to work.
Im stumped. :crying:

So I've managed to read through threads and turn off hands free activation by:
1. Using wifi at initial setup (this helps get passed the initial hands free activation)
2. Mounting system in twrp, then deleting htcservice apk in twrp (this helps getting past the initial setup if its a problem)
3. freezing vdm client in titanium backup to avoid having the hands free activation keep popping up.
However, even though I made sure to upgrade my firmware in steps I am not sure if i properly have the latest firmware installed correctly. Is there a way to check? I have LTE on 5.0 roms, but cannot get LTE to work on 6.0 roms. Even 3g data toggles on and off on 6.0 roms.
Any help on the LTE and firmware issues would be very much appreciated!

memekmek said:
However, even though I made sure to upgrade my firmware in steps I am not sure if i properly have the latest firmware installed correctly. Is there a way to check? I have LTE on 5.0 roms, but cannot get LTE to work on 6.0 roms. Even 3g data toggles on and off on 6.0 roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the bootloader screen, the OS number indicates the firmware version. Alternately, if you do fastboot getvar all, the firmware number is shown as "version-main". So you will want to see 6.20.651.3 there for Marshmallow firmware (6.20.654.3 for HK Edition).
Additionally, if the OS number is red on the bootloader screen, or a 2nd number is shown in parenthesis (usually in red) it means there is an issue with the firmware not properly installed (partially installed).

redpoint73 said:
On the bootloader screen, the OS number indicates the firmware version. Alternately, if you do fastboot getvar all, the firmware number is shown as "version-main". So you will want to see 6.20.651.3 there for Marshmallow firmware (6.20.654.3 for HK Edition).
Additionally, if the OS number is red on the bootloader screen, or a 2nd number is shown in parenthesis (usually in red) it means there is an issue with the firmware not properly installed (partially installed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I appear to be stuck as to why data does not work on my 6.0 roms. I am a Sprint user, tested the stock rooted rom from OMJ's thread, tried insert coin rom, viper rom. None of the 6.0 roms have data working properly.

memekmek said:
Then I appear to be stuck as to why data does not work on my 6.0 roms. I am a Sprint user, tested the stock rooted rom from OMJ's thread, tried insert coin rom, viper rom. None of the 6.0 roms have data working properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only thing I can think of, is do full RUU (will wipe the phone) instead of just the firmware, and see if that helps.

redpoint73 said:
Only thing I can think of, is do full RUU (will wipe the phone) instead of just the firmware, and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the bootloader need to be relocked? if not, can i rename the ruu as 0P6BIMG.zip and update through fastbook in the bootloader?

memekmek said:
Does the bootloader need to be relocked? if not, can i rename the ruu as 0P6BIMG.zip and update through fastbook in the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are s-off, you do not need to relock the bootloader to RUU.
Yes, you can use the SD card method (rename RUU to 0P6BIMG.zip, put on SD card, and reboot into bootloader).

redpoint73 said:
Since you are s-off, you do not need to relock the bootloader to RUU.
Yes, you can use the SD card method (rename RUU to 0P6BIMG.zip, put on SD card, and reboot into bootloader).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, did the RUU last night. It changed nothing, and did nothing for me other than making it a pain to reinstall twrp and get my nandroid back up. booo
lte and data is still spotty on 6.0 roms. The only other possible reason i think this could be happening is because i tried to carrier unlock this phone a few months ago, but i downloaded sim card info app, and it all appears to be ok.

Lost Verizon stock backup. Gonna attempt to port and compile from kernel source.

Hey there Xda.
So basis what happened was I wanted to try and test "SlimDesire" and flashed I'm TWRP before realizing it wasn't boot able yet. But when I return to TWRP all of my backup partitions were gone except /data. So I thought flashing the unlocked version would at least get it blogging. So I Flashed the system.img and boot.img. It took forever to boot but mobile network said service unavailable. The device wouldn't stop randomly rebooting.
So very noobly decided to SUPERCID and change my MID to the T-Mobile variant and flashed the entire RUU in windows. It changed everything. Now my Model is an A16ul instead of A16wl. It also installed the HBOOT and everything else. Mobile network still not there. Still random reboots.
So I know there is absolutely no stock software that is available. So I was thinking of compiling from the HTC Kernel Source available. But I've never done it. Can you guys help me get everything installed and ready to go? I'll post a stock ROM thread when I can get started.