Unlocking and rooting shortly - looking for assurance - Nexus 5X Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello all,
I've read through just about every thread on modifying the Nexus 5x, all the guides, etc. Some of what I'd like to do will combine elements of those, so I want to create a repeatable process for myself that will allow the flexibility and stability I'm looking for, and wanted to run it past some of the good minds here.
Basic info: My Nexus 5x has its bootloader locked and is unrooted. I have very basic adb knowledge, enough to download and sideload the OTAs, and am on the latest build.
What I'm looking for: To unlock the bootloader, apply systemless root, continue to remain on a stock ROM with a custom kernel (likely ElementalX to apply one of the profiles in the megathread on this forum), system wide ad blocking, and keep Android Pay (if all of these things are possible, together).
Here's what I believe I need to do:
Execute the OEM unlock (I know this will clear data on my device)
Use something like Nexus Root Toolkit to root.
Use NRT to flash a custom recovery through fastboot, then flash the custom kernel through that.
Install TiBu, EX Kernel Manager, etc.
Install AdAway (is Xposed needed, thus meaning I have to give up Android Pay?)
When the new binaries come out at the monthly security updates:
Use fastboot to flash all (eliminating the -w to not wipe all data), re-root using NRT, flash the ElementalX kernel again to stay on latest Stock build with the custom kernel.
I just want to make sure I do nothing stupid to brick my device, and if I'm following multiple "guides" at once I just want some eyes to take a look at this and let me know if I'm on the right track. Thank you in advance!

Adaway has a systemless mode. You can find it here at xda.
You can install OTA's with chainfire's flashfire.

Does Flashfire re-root or must that all be done manually?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA-Developers mobile app

Moonboots said:
Does Flashfire re-root or must that all be done manually?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It reroots for you when it updates the OTA.
I don't run stock so im not sure the procedure.
Google or another user maybe able to help you when the time comes.

IMO you really don't need NRT to root, i would take the time to learn adb/fastboot and use those instead of tool kits. It's super easy to use.
-Install proper ADB/Fastboot drivers
-open command prompt, type adb devices to ensure your phone can be seen
-if it does, then type adb reboot bootloader
-in bootloader type fastboot oem unlock (it will wipe your device)
If you want to stay stock but rooted, just flash the factory image, then flash a custom recovery, find the latest superuser app here in XDA and push it to a folder on your phone and flash it via recovery and you now have root
the problem with tool kits is you don't know where in the process it goes wrong if something does go wrong. I like manually flashing so i can tell where in the process if fails if needed.

Related

[How-To][tutorial] Bootloader Unlock, Custom Recovery Razr M

So if anybody's been reading the news, you may know that the bootloader for the Razr M has finally been unlocked!
So here's a how-to on unlocking and flashing a custom recovery.
A couple notes:
This essentially makes the phone behave like an unlocked dev edition. You can flash any firmware, recovery, etc that you want. Be careful, don't flash stuff for other devices, etc etc...
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS...
Future OTAs may (will) disable this exploit. Do it while it can be done! Also, beware OTAs! They could disable this, or do bad things... Don't update unless you know it won't disable the bootloader exploit
You need to be rooted, have the motorola drivers installed (link here - sorry, it's device manager, but they do have all the drivers in a nice package...)
First, root if you haven't already...
Next, download Motopocalypse.zip by Dan Rosenberg from here: http://vulnfactory.org/blog/2013/04/08/motorola-bootloader-unlocking/
extract the zip and run
Run through the entire process, until it tells you you have a bootloader unlock.
Make sure that AP Fastboot indicates "Unlocked, status code 3"
Also, when you reboot, you will get a warning screen about an unlocked bootloader.
Next, choose your recovery. There are 2 options, TWRP (Touch Win Recovery Project) and CWM (ClockworkMod)
either works, and each has benefits and downsides, choose whichever one you want.
Follow the instructions for your flavor of recovery:
CWM:
Download the .img file here: http://goo.im/devs/Hashcode/scorpion_mini/cwm-recovery--scorpion_mini.img
Move it to the same place you extracted the .zip above.
Open a command prompt/terminal/command interpreter at that location (Windows short-cut: shift-right click, command window here)
type the following (filename is the name of the file you downloaded, probably "cwm-recovery--scorpion_mini.img" unless you renamed it): fastboot flash recovery filename
and press Enter. Let it flash, then reboot.
The first time you use CWM, it will ask you if you want to disable something that would cause CWM to stop working. You do want to, so say "yes". Othewise, you'll have to reflash CWM every time you want to use it
TWRP:
Download the .img file here: http://d-h.st/QGe
Move it to the same place you extracted the .zip above.
Open a command prompt/terminal/command interpreter at that location (Windows short-cut: shift-right click, command window here)
type the following (filename is the name of the file you downloaded, probably "twrp2.4-recovery-scorpion_mini.img" unless you renamed it):
fastboot flash recovery filename
and press Enter. Let it flash, then reboot.
Now, you need to disable the automatic re-flashing of stock recovery.
Reboot directly into recovery, and allow TWRP to disable the re-flashing.
Now, you have TWRP running on your Razr M
Please consider donating to Dan Rosenberg here for all the work he's done for our phones!
Congrats! You now have a custom recovery on your Razr M
Reboot into recovery, and you're done!
----IMPORTANT NOTE:----
IF you are on the latest OTA and have NOT unlocked, it is impossible at this time to unlock. It may be possible in the future if someone finds another exploit, but not likely. Basically, if you updated without researching (that's why you shouldn't do that) or got a new one after the OTA, you're SOL for right npw
sloosecannon said:
So if anybody's been reading the news, you may know that the bootloader for the Razr M has finally been unlocked!
So here's a how-to on unlocking and flashing a custom recovery.
A couple notes:
This essentially makes the phone behave like an unlocked dev edition. You can flash any firmware, recovery, etc that you want. Be careful, don't flash stuff for other devices, etc etc...
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS...
Future OTAs may (will) disable this exploit. Do it while it can be done! Also, beware OTAs! They could disable this, or do bad things... Don't update unless you know it won't disable the bootloader exploit
You need to be rooted, have the motorola drivers installed (link here - sorry, it's device manager, but they do have all the drivers in a nice package...)
First, root if you haven't already...
Next, download Motopocalypse.zip by Dan Rosenberg from here: http://vulnfactory.org/blog/2013/04/08/motorola-bootloader-unlocking/
extract the zip and run
Run through the entire process, until it tells you you have a bootloader unlock.
Make sure that AP Fastboot indicates "Unlocked, status code 3"
Also, when you reboot, you will get a warning screen about an unlocked bootloader.
Next, choose your recovery. There are 2 options, TWRP (Touch Win Recovery Project) and CWM (ClockworkMod)
either works, and each has benefits and downsides, choose whichever one you want.
Follow the instructions for your flavor of recovery:
CWM:
Download the .img file here: http://goo.im/devs/Hashcode/scorpion_mini/cwm-recovery--scorpion_mini.img
Move it to the same place you extracted the .zip above.
Open a command prompt/terminal/command interpreter at that location (Windows short-cut: shift-right click, command window here)
type the following (filename is the name of the file you downloaded, probably "cwm-recovery--scorpion_mini.img" unless you renamed it): fastboot flash recovery filename
and press Enter. Let it flash, then reboot.
The first time you use CWM, it will ask you if you want to disable something that would cause CWM to stop working. You do want to, so say "yes". Othewise, you'll have to reflash CWM every time you want to use it
TWRP:
Download the .img file here: http://goo.im/devs/Hashcode/scorpion_mini/twrp2.4-recovery-scorpion_mini.img
Move it to the same place you extracted the .zip above.
Open a command prompt/terminal/command interpreter at that location (Windows short-cut: shift-right click, command window here)
type the following (filename is the name of the file you downloaded, probably "twrp2.4-recovery-scorpion_mini.img" unless you renamed it):
fastboot flash recovery filename
and press Enter. Let it flash, then reboot.
Now, you need to disable the automatic re-flashing of stock recovery.
Run adb shell from the same info and run the following commands (you can copy-paste and press enter):
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
mv /system/etc/install-recovery.sh /system/etc/install-recovery.sh.bak
mount -o remount,ro /system
Now, you have TWRP running on your Razr M
Please consider donating to Dan Rosenberg here for all the work he's done for our phones!
Congrats! You now have a custom recovery on your Razr M
Reboot into recovery, and you're done!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the instructions, ran the .bat, but my Razr M is still being shown as locked 1. Am on 4.1.1 stock rom. Do I need to uninstall SafeStrap?
Edit- Found my answer, the phone needed to be unlocked so it could ask me for SU permissions. Hope this helps someone else so I don't feel like the only idiot.
As long as we do this first, future OTAs can't relock our bootloaders, can they?
Awesome!!!! Hopefully this will spark up some dev activity. I know this is huge I just hope its not too little too late.
BoredKender said:
I followed the instructions, ran the .bat, but my Razr M is still being shown as locked 1. Am on 4.1.1 stock rom. Do I need to uninstall SafeStrap?
Edit- Found my answer, the phone needed to be unlocked so it could ask me for SU permissions. Hope this helps someone else so I don't feel like the only idiot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, don't need to uninstall safestrap, and yep, you do need SU.
sujaanj said:
As long as we do this first, future OTAs can't relock our bootloaders, can they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really not known... advise you steer clear of OTAs for the time being... until we can determine if it will actually relock or not...
sloosecannon said:
That's really not known... advise you steer clear of OTAs for the time being... until we can determine if it will actually relock or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, from what I read from Dan's explanation on his website, we are essentially blowing a fuse that can not be reset. So I'm leaning towards rejecting OTAs from now on but according to my limited understanding, we will be safe.
trouble installing recovery
Thanks! I successfully unlocked the bootloader following the awesome instructions AP Fastboot indicated "Unlocked, status code 3"
I then let the device reboot.
I'm trying to install CWM following the instructions and I get <waiting for device>
This makes me think i need to not have the phone booted into the OS
What am I doing wrong.
Please excuse my newbness
Regards,
Darryl
dnoren said:
Thanks! I successfully unlocked the bootloader following the awesome instructions AP Fastboot indicated "Unlocked, status code 3"
I then let the device reboot.
I'm trying to install CWM following the instructions and I get <waiting for device>
This makes me think i need to not have the phone booted into the OS
What am I doing wrong.
Please excuse my newbness
Regards,
Darryl
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to be in fast boot mode for it to flash recovery.
Turn off your device, hold Power + Vol Up + Vol down then select fast boot and plug your phone into your computer.
Sent from my XT907 using xda premium
new roms
Thanks for the write up, worked flawlessly. So I did this with safestrap installed, can I just wipe the phone and install a rom made for safestrap like you normally would with CWM?
CaptainElwood said:
Thanks for the write up, worked flawlessly. So I did this with safestrap installed, can I just wipe the phone and install a rom made for safestrap like you normally would with CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as long as you mount your /system first. Found that out the hard way too...
Does this wipe our phone
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
Nope
ifrankie10 said:
Does this wipe our phone
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, everything is the same except I get a warning every boot that my phones bootloader is unlocked
Has anyone flashed a dev edition rom yet? If so what one, I wanted to try but the cm10 thread has broken links. Can I get that somewhere else?
Also say my screen cracks and I call Motorola and they say send it out and they see that it is unlocked does that mean they will not repair it
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 03:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:07 AM ----------
and can we rsd back to stock if we can't get into the recovery but into fastboot
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
I'm trying to help unlock my friends razr m, but his device was updated to 4.1.1 in the Verizon store by one of the sales associates. Does the root method (required for bootloader unlock) work on 4.1.1?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
mindflayyer said:
I'm trying to help unlock my friends razr m, but his device was updated to 4.1.1 in the Verizon store by one of the sales associates. Does the root method (required for bootloader unlock) work on 4.1.1?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I recall correctly, 4.1.1 is fine, just use the JB root method. 4.1.2 is an issue, but that has not been pushed yet (on Verizon that is).
Floundering with recovery
I've tried both methods cwm and twrp it says writing recovery, okay, and finished but when i try to go into recovery I just get the Green robot
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
Thanks
Cant get this to work and I can't get safestrap off my phone
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk HD
Hmm..
Also say my screen cracks and I call Motorola and they say send it out and they see that it is unlocked does that mean they will not repair it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they are able to discover that the phones system files have been tampered with in anyway, including unlocking, rooting, installing custom recoveries, roms, modems etc.. most likely they will not fix your phone. Quoted off the Motorola website "Unlocking your DEVELOPER EDITION's bootloader voids all warranties" (Naturally this goes for retail edition even more so). I have however hear of people getting unlocked phones repaired under warranty, just make sure that you RSD back to stock, unrooted before you send it.
pjf626 said:
Cant get this to work and I can't get safestrap off my phone
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gonna need a tad more detail.. Are you sure that you're rooted? If not, that would cause both of your problems. You also need to uninstall safestrap through the safestap app, and then remove the app.
sujaanj said:
Well, from what I read from Dan's explanation on his website, we are essentially blowing a fuse that can not be reset. So I'm leaning towards rejecting OTAs from now on but according to my limited understanding, we will be safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes unlocking is blowing a fuse but that's beside the point, there is a separate piece of software that looks at that fuse and decides whether to allow the system to boot an unsigned system or not. If the OTA changes this piece of software to use another fuse instead (there might be many of them) then your device will be locked again and we will be back at square one, no fuse need to actually be reset for this to happen.

[ROM] Nvidia Factory Stock ROOTED ROMs

Nvidia makes pre-rooted stock ROMs available via their website. You'll have to register for access, but it makes life lots easier this way. I don't know if this factory pre-rooted ROM supports OTAs, and if it does accept an OTA if it will cause loss of Root, but if you have access to the Developer site, you can always flash another pre-rooted ROM version as they become available.
https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-developer-os-images
For those who prefer a more stock system, but want some measure of control, I wanted to pass along that I was able to install Xposed, Xprivacy, TiBu and ES File Explorer to this ROM. I had to download and reapply SuperSU and allow it to relaunch/install via TWRP, but all's well.
I did this by flashing Zulu's full Android ROM first, installing some utilities, then flashing the Nvidia OEM system partition on top of it. Some apps appear on the SATV screen (ES, Xprivacy) others do not (TiBu, Xposed installer) but I'm sure there's a way to get the icons to appear.
In any event, for those who prefer the stock Nvidia look & feel, along with their installed apps, this is at least one way to get it done.
Hi there,
my shield is on stock now with several apps on it.
How can I flash without losing my data? Is it enough to NOT flash the userdata?
THX
Chaos
Hi there,
gonna answer myself.
As my bootloader was not unlocked the system got wiped anyways while unlocking it.
After that I installed the system as suggested by nvidia and restored my backup.
Concerning the root: From what I could see it is rooted for adb only. So apps don't gain root.
I ended up installing root via twrp, no imho no real advantage using the developer image.
THX
Chaos
BillTheCat said:
Nvidia makes pre-rooted stock ROMs available via their website. You'll have to register for access, but it makes life lots easier this way. I don't know if this factory pre-rooted ROM supports OTAs, and if it does accept an OTA if it will cause loss of Root, but if you have access to the Developer site, you can always flash another pre-rooted ROM version as they become available.
https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-open-source
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a question, where do you find pre-root load in below link?
I only find Open source and recovery image.
you mean to modify Open source and build pre-root load?
https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-open-source
https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-developer-os-images
BillTheCat said:
https://developer.nvidia.com/shield-developer-os-images
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks
hardwarechaos said:
Hi there,
gonna answer myself.
As my bootloader was not unlocked the system got wiped anyways while unlocking it.
After that I installed the system as suggested by nvidia and restored my backup.
Concerning the root: From what I could see it is rooted for adb only. So apps don't gain root.
I ended up installing root via twrp, no imho no real advantage using the developer image.
THX
Chaos
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you installed SuperSu and tested it with various apps?
Im debating installing this image instead of starting all over to root the "real" way.
hardwarechaos said:
As my bootloader was not unlocked the system got wiped anyways while unlocking it.
Concerning the root: From what I could see it is rooted for adb only. So apps don't gain root.
I ended up installing root via twrp, no imho no real advantage using the developer image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto here. Now that you've posted, it confirms what I experienced. At first, I thought I had made a mistake.
Tyler27 said:
Have you installed SuperSu and tested it with various apps?
Im debating installing this image instead of starting all over to root the "real" way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's what I did.
Unlock bootloader (fastboot oem unlock - easy enough!)
Flash the Nvidia 2.1 ROM to ensure stock condition (I used the 'rooted' Dev edition, but I doubt it matters)
Reboot bootloader
Flash TWRP
Reboot bootloader (to reinitialize partitions)
Flash SuperSU, Xposed
Reboot into system, sideload ES File Explorer, Xprivacy, TiBu
Hi
Tyler27 said:
Have you installed SuperSu and tested it with various apps?
Im debating installing this image instead of starting all over to root the "real" way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After I saw that the developer image was root for adb only, I flashed twrp recovery and installed SuperSU via twrp.
So right now I don't see any benefit over the "standard image with root".
IMHO if you have adb root there should be a way to install it via adb too, but I could not find one and didn't want to mess around with installing the SuperSU files manually.
THX
Chaos
hardwarechaos said:
After I saw that the developer image was root for adb only, I flashed twrp recovery and installed SuperSU via twrp.
So right now I don't see any benefit over the "standard image with root".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed - turns out the Dev images are no real benefit. I found that installing TWRP, rebooting the bootloader, entering recovery and then flashing SuperSU works like a champ.
Anyone else having trouble flashing system and userdata? Keeps saying FAILED (Remote: data too large)
BillTheCat said:
For those who prefer a more stock system, but want some measure of control, I wanted to pass along that I was able to install Xposed, Xprivacy, TiBu and ES File Explorer to this ROM. I had to download and reapply SuperSU and allow it to relaunch/install via TWRP, but all's well.
I did this by flashing Zulu's full Android ROM first, installing some utilities, then flashing the Nvidia OEM system partition on top of it. Some apps appear on the SATV screen (ES, Xprivacy) others do not (TiBu, Xposed installer) but I'm sure there's a way to get the icons to appear.
In any event, for those who prefer the stock Nvidia look & feel, along with their installed apps, this is at least one way to get it done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Zulu full with Amazon video working. Any idea if I go to stock rooted will that knock out the Amazon video?
jweaks said:
I'm on Zulu full with Amazon video working. Any idea if I go to stock rooted will that knock out the Amazon video?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will kill amazon video.
BillTheCat said:
Ditto here. Now that you've posted, it confirms what I experienced. At first, I thought I had made a mistake.
Here's what I did.
Unlock bootloader (fastboot oem unlock - easy enough!)
Flash the Nvidia 2.1 ROM to ensure stock condition (I used the 'rooted' Dev edition, but I doubt it matters)
Reboot bootloader
Flash TWRP
Reboot bootloader (to reinitialize partitions)
Flash SuperSU, Xposed
Reboot into system, sideload ES File Explorer, Xprivacy, TiBu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you flash TWRP to Nvidia through adb?? or through recovery on the Nvidia.....been reading to much can't comprehend...thanks dill
dillfever said:
how did you flash TWRP to Nvidia through adb?? or through recovery on the Nvidia.....been reading to much can't comprehend...thanks dill
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can close this got er all done.......dill
hardwarechaos said:
Concerning the root: From what I could see it is rooted for adb only. So apps don't gain root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Same result for me.
I've just received my Shield, I've followed the instructions given on the developers web page. I have an up-to-date 3.0.0 version, but applications don't have the root authorisations (tested with ES File Explorer).
I think I'll use the TWRP method...
i download 3.0 rooted version it came a zip with all files on it on nvidia shield.com tutorial said just ento bootloader and type comand flash-all.bat and gualahhh! but try like 1000 times and always said null error message and force close adb
can some one tell what im doing wrong please and thanks people!
bye the way gamestop its selling shield tv for 100bucks so for those who want another its the right time to get one
Not trying to start drama here at all, but what steps would I need to go through in order to get off of Zulu's full Android 5.1 and on to this? I see he's gone through and deleted all of the posts detailing the process of how to install his ROMs so now I don't even know the steps that I took back in August to install that ROM in the first place. My Shield is having a very strange problem where it stutters hard every 60 seconds or so and I want to go back to stock or something vaguely stock just in case I have to RMA this thing.
dismissthesky said:
Not trying to start drama here at all, but what steps would I need to go through in order to get off of Zulu's full Android 5.1 and on to this? I see he's gone through and deleted all of the posts detailing the process of how to install his ROMs so now I don't even know the steps that I took back in August to install that ROM in the first place. My Shield is having a very strange problem where it stutters hard every 60 seconds or so and I want to go back to stock or something vaguely stock just in case I have to RMA this thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to remove zulu rom this is easy.
just go to nvidia site and get the complete factory images for your shield.
it will come with a guide on how to flash your shield with them.
it will delete everything in your shield and it will be stock like brand new.
then you can root it if you want or install a different rom.

[HELP!] Systemless Rooting on 6.0.1 Build MMB29P

Hi! So I'm looking to root my Nexus 5x following this guide. However, I can't find the modified boot.img for my build MMB29P. I have a brand new phone out of the box (my mic stopped working so this is a replacement) so I'd like to get this done in the next little while the phone has no data and I can wipe anything I need to without worry and use the restore afterwards. I also heard something about SuperSU being able to use stock boot.img or something of that nature, could someone clue me in? Thanks!
[GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for Nexus 5X - Heisenberg's How-To Guide For Beginners
take a look at section 6
as an alternative there are some toolkits that may be more convenient to you (on-screen instructions and detailed faq/guides)
The latest version of SuperSU (v. 2.66 I believe) is automated for systems root. I actually used the SuperSU beta v. 2.62 to root. I just unlocked bootloader, flashed TWRP, and then flashed that version of SuperSU.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Sweet! Officially, unlocked, TWRP'd, rooted, and supersu'd So as far as upgrading? I grab the file from google officially and flash it via TWRP?
jkingaround said:
Sweet! Officially, unlocked, TWRP'd, rooted, and supersu'd So as far as upgrading? I grab the file from google officially and flash it via TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, an official image cannot be flashed like that. If you fastboot flash an image you will lose recovery and root. Update officially with a factory image and root afterwards or flash a custom rom plus vendor.img.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=43558
k.s.deviate said:
No, an official image cannot be flashed like that. If you fastboot flash an image you will lose recovery and root. Update officially with a factory image and root afterwards or flash a custom rom plus vendor.img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even with systemless root?
When it comes to upgrading, there are a couple of routes you can take. Both involve downloading the official factory image ZIP first. Extract the contents, reboot into bootloader, and then you have option:
1. Edit the flash-all script (.bat for windows and .sh for Linux/Mac) by removing the -w option. Removing this option will prevent the upgrade from wiping user data. Once the option is removed, simply run the script to upgrade.
2. Flash the images individually. Sometimes certain things don't change like bootloader.img or radio.img. You should always flash boot.img, system.img, and vendor.img when updating. This is the route I take.
After flashing the images, you will need to reboot into Recovery mode and flash SuperSU. Then wipe cache and dalvik and reboot into system. If you use a custom kernel, you will need to reflash that as well after updating.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Ah makes sense. So I just need to reroot. Where do you get the "official" factory image? Have a link handy so I can bookmark it? Thanks!
Also anyway to remove the "warning" about unlocked bootloader that comes up on boot? I heard you need a custom kernel but I don't know the point of installing what (aka the benefits). Sorry for noob questions, but all the info is so scattered and hard to figure out.
jkingaround said:
Ah makes sense. So I just need to reroot. Where do you get the "official" factory image? Have a link handy so I can bookmark it? Thanks!
Also anyway to remove the "warning" about unlocked bootloader that comes up on boot? I heard you need a custom kernel but I don't know the point of installing what (aka the benefits). Sorry for noob questions, but all the info is so scattered and hard to figure out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google posts the official factory images on the developer site. Here is the link: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
AFAIK the boot warning can't be removed, but I may be wrong. It's nothing to worry about though.
Having a custom kernel is not necessary, but there are benefits to using one. Custom kernels typically provide better battery life with same or improved performance. They can also make your device run cooler and use less memory. Custom kernels also allow for various tweaks such as change vibration intensty, screen DPI, headphone/speaker gain, etc. I personally use ElementalX with the Interactive Governor tweaks from the thread in the general forum, but I've read that Franco Kernel is very good as well and will probably try that out in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
jkingaround said:
Sweet! Officially, unlocked, TWRP'd, rooted, and supersu'd So as far as upgrading? I grab the file from google officially and flash it via TWRP?
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Click to collapse
Just pick a custom rom to try and follow OP instructions. Cataclysm seems to be a hit...

Using Flashfire?

I downloaded Chainfire's Flashfire app now that it is live on the Play Store. I had been updating firmware as separate files (system.img, vendor.img, boot.img all separately) using fastboot and may continue to do so at the monthly updates, but I wanted to check and see if anyone reported any problems or successes using the app.
My N5X is unlocked and rooted, running stock firmware with the exception of a custom recovery (TWRP) and custom kernel (ElementalX).
Here is my question: Would the process of updating via FlashFire be to let it install the new firmware once binaries are released, keep root, and just flash the kernel and other zips (like AdAway, Viper4Android) once it's done?
Just trying to get some advice on whether FlashFire is that much more convenient than just using fastboot and flashing firmware manually. Any experiential responses would be appreciated.
When an update comes out just sideload the ota in recovery. Twrp works as well as stock. You'll get the latest firmware and you don't lose data. Download the ota from the same site as the factory image are, https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app
Flashfire is safe to use. But it is advised to update the bootloader via fastboot since it is much more secure, but I have updated it with Flashfire once and had no issues. As long you know what you are flashing, you won't have any problem. I've not used FF to flash OTA since I was always on a custom ROM, but what you describe sounds like something Flashfire was meant to do. You'll find more information in Chainfire's thread.
roofrider said:
Flashfire is safe to use. But it is advised to update the bootloader via fastboot since it is much more secure, but I have updated it with Flashfire once and had no issues. As long you know what you are flashing, you won't have any problem. I've not used FF to flash OTA since I was always on a custom ROM, but what you describe sounds like something Flashfire was meant to do. You'll find more information in Chainfire's thread.
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I see that you've flashed the bootloader with FlashFire on your Nexus 5X and had no issues. Did you use bootloader IMG file from Bullhead Official Images? Could you elaborate a little more about what specifically did you do to flash the bootloader with FlashFire?
I've a 5X with a dead USB port, so I'm highly interested on knowing the details
mishamosher said:
I see that you've flashed the bootloader with FlashFire on your Nexus 5X and had no issues. Did you use bootloader IMG file from Bullhead Official Images? Could you elaborate a little more about what specifically did you do to flash the bootloader with FlashFire?
I've a 5X with a dead USB port, so I'm highly interested on knowing the details
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I've not used FlashFire lately, but it was pretty straightforward. Yes I used the bootloader IMG file, but probably downloaded from Flash's or Bean's file host. Just enable Bootloader flashing in FF's settings, add the Firmware package (bootloader image), select the partition, and Flash. Though it works, it's not the safest way to flash bootloaders. I would suggest checking FF's thread just to make sure the app supports the latest bootloader update and whatnot. It being Chainfire's app there should be no reason to worry, but always a good idea to read/search the official thread in such cases.

Where can I find an easy guide to root the pixel C?

This is my first pure Google device. I've owned several Samsung devices and I'm familiar with using Odin to flash the device with recovery and then whatever you want from there.
I keep seeing references to fastboot. I'm really not familiar with how you flash or root your Google device using this.
Is there an all-inclusive guide on how to flash this device? I understand you have to unlock the bootloader first.
Thanks.
Sent from my Pixel C using XDA-Developers mobile app
DrKaotica said:
This is my first pure Google device. I've owned several Samsung devices and I'm familiar with using Odin to flash the device with recovery and then whatever you want from there.
I keep seeing references to fastboot. I'm really not familiar with how you flash or root your Google device using this.
Is there an all-inclusive guide on how to flash this device? I understand you have to unlock the bootloader first.
Thanks.
Sent from my Pixel C using XDA-Developers mobile app
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I've not rooted my Pixel C, but this http://www.wugfresh.com/nrt/ works seamlessly on my Nexus 7 2013. Page suggests that it supports Pixel C.
Yes, you have to unlock the bootloader-- I found a posting here on doing it-- it's pretty straight forward.
After that all you basically need to do is boot into TWRP to install supersu. I had the bootloop issues actually flashing TWRP for whatever reason however I found another posting here noting that you don't actually HAVE to *flash* TWRP, you just need to boot into it.
First get a version of SuperSU-- I *may* have used UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip that I got from here somewhere-- not sure now exactly-- probably just get the latest one.
Push that to the pixel via something like "adb push UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip /sdcard/" from your Mac, Linux or Windows box.
So I've got a stock bootloader now ( I had to revert the whole thing to make it usable again) and to boot into TWRP I first put the pixel into fastboot mode (boot up and hold down power and volume down, then select fastboot), then go:
fastboot boot recovery.img
..where recovery.img is one of the files like TWRP-3.0.2-0.recovery.img or twrp-3.0.0-0-dragon-ryu-02112016-1.img
After you are booted into TWRP you then select (I believe, from memory) "INSTALL" and select the supersu zip file you put on the device earlier. After it installs that reboot and you are root.
DrKaotica said:
This is my first pure Google device. I've owned several Samsung devices and I'm familiar with using Odin to flash the device with recovery and then whatever you want from there.
I keep seeing references to fastboot. I'm really not familiar with how you flash or root your Google device using this.
Is there an all-inclusive guide on how to flash this device? I understand you have to unlock the bootloader first.
Thanks.
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