Bought Zenfone 2 Z00AD from AmazonUK... but OTA doesn't work - ZenFone 2 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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

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

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

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

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

Related

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.

Re-Flash Stock Rom on Verizon Note 4

So I followed a tutorial to unlock bootloader and root the Note 4 from Verizon (SM-N910V). First off I am gong to say that it was definitely challenging and time consuming. Mainly due to the inconsistencies in the tutorials. You got a few that claim it's unstable or that something wasn't mentioned or left out... Which is true. I not only encountered the lags and freezing, but also the "reboot cycle", that occured after the first round of unlocking bootloader. Now I am not trying to claim that I am better or that the authors are dumb, because as difficult as this "hobby", everyone has their own an unique style...
I was able to unlock bootloader and flash TWRP recovery, but was unable to flash any CF-AutoRoot, SuperUser, or any custom Rom. Along with that any "Stock" firmware I downloaded and tried to flash via ODIN or through TWRP was unsuccessful. Thankfully to persistence and a lot of research I was able to find a workable set of Firmware files on none other than an XDA_Forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/not...mware-firmware-kernel-modem-recovery-t2942937
The above link contains the necessary files required for any unfortunates that may occur while unlocking/rooting note 4. I used ODIN to flash files in this order. Recovery image, kernel image, and then Firmware image... I did download Modem file but was not needed as the Firmware image already contained it. NONE!!! I repeat... NONE of this was done through TWRP, once you flash the recovery image TWRP recovery is over-written and the familiar Android Factory Recovery System is now in place. Also I would like to note that I onriginally started with 5.1.1, the image/tar files I flashed are 6.0.1. I know for a fact that just like any upgrade, while you do have some bugs and fixes... it is doable and actually lesser of a headache than one might guess.
Ayways I hope that the information I have provided was helpful and beneficial to SOMEONE out there in the world... GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

[Tool][HTC 10][S-On]Firmware Updater

Krassermensch's Firmware Update Tool
My situation:
I'm too young to buy the Sunshine App to set my device S-Off but I want to update my device's firmware every time a firmware update's available. Since I compile ROMs and cannot do that via OTA updates the only acceptable way for me is to install signed firmwares in a locked bootloader. After doing that manually I thought I should write a tool that installs the right firmware for your device automatically. As I'm already running the latest firmware on my device after doing the procedure manually I cannot test if the flash part works correctly. Anyway, I achieved to read out the CID as well as the current firmware version and my tool reports that I'm running the latest firmware version I integrated for my device what's correct. So this part works well.
How the tool works:
The tool asks you if you've already installed the HTC USB drivers on your computer. If you haven't you can install it easily using my tool. After that the tool explains you how to set up your phone to be detected by the computer. Then it checks which device you have and checks which firmware's currently installed on it. Right after that the tool installs all the firmwares newer than the one that's currently installed on your phone one after another until the latest firmware my tool is shiped with runs on your device. The procedure doesn't wipe your data since signed firmware-updates are installed.
Requirements:
- An HTC 10
- A computer running windows
- An internet connection
- An unlocked bootloader
- An installed TWRP
Who is this tool for?
All the people who can't or don't want to set their device S-Off while running a non-stock ROM.
Why should I use this tool?
- It updates your firmware to the latest one available for your device automatically
- It doesn't wipe your storage
- You don't need to be S-Off
Download
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=745425885120704223
When the file is downloaded just extract it on your Windows computer and run the batch file. Everything else will be explained.
Important to know
Your boot and recovery partitions will be replaced by the stock ones so after successfully updating your firmware you need to reflash TWRP as well as your Boot partition.
This process is performed automatically now. No need to do that manually.
Tools using ADB just like mine may interfere with other tools that also use ADB. Make sure all these tools are disabled.
Now I need your feedback to be able to optimize the tool! I'll add new firmwares from time to time. I'm looking forward to your reviews
GitLab
https://gitlab.com/Feulner/Firmware-Update-Tool-HTC10
If you like my work consider a donation to support me in financing computer-components which are meant to replace the defect ones in my broken PC.
If you donate you'll donate to my father who will gimme the money. Thank you really much!
This works with unsigned firmware?
Good job, though irrelevant to me
xunholyx said:
This works with unsigned firmware?
Good job, though irrelevant to me
I would guess that you would have to have matching CID and MID of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No no, not unsigned firmware. I'll explain it more detailed tomorrow or so. The tool just checks your device's CID as well as your device's current firmware version and updates it to the most current firmware version I integrated in my tool. If your firmware is very old the tool also updates again and again until you have the lässt firmware automatically.But it uses signed firmware packages. The biggest advantage is that it should work fully automatic. Try it out and let me know what you think. I go to bed now...
krassermensch said:
No no, not unsigned firmware. I'll explain it more detailed tomorrow or so. The tool just checks your device's CID as well as your device's current firmware version and updates it to the most current firmware version I integrated in my tool. If your firmware is very old the tool also updates again and again until you have the lässt firmware automatically.But it uses signed firmware packages. The biggest advantage is that it should work fully automatic. Try it out and let me know what you think. I go to bed now...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm s-off since the day after I got my phone, so.......
It sounds like a great idea. I'm sure lot of people will appreciate this. If it does work like you say, WAY better than going back to stock.
xunholyx said:
I'm s-off since the day after I got my phone, so.......
It sounds like a great idea. I'm sure lot of people will appreciate this. If it does work like you say, WAY better than going back to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since when do you have to go back to stock to "fastboot flash zip some_firmware.zip" (as this tool does)?
--beaups
Hm sounds good, but i wont use it until we have some more information what it actually does.
As far as i know, theres no way to just update your firmware with signed zips without partly wiping your device. I had to reflash Viper10 (or restore a nandroid backup) the last time i updated my firmware, cause boot and recovery partitions got replaced. Not completely sure if this affects stock devices, it may work there, but not for devices which are modified with a custom ROM. For this you need a NoWipe firmware from sneakyghosts thread, but these cant be flashed while s-on.
So please explain in more details what your tool does, of course when youve got your sleep .
It most likely flashes firmware zips from OTA updates since those do not wipe the device. He already said it does that, he said if you're on a very old firmware it will keep updating your firmware progressively until you're on the latest version. So if you've never updated before, and there have been three updates since then, the tool will flash the firmware zip of each OTA one after the other.
Updated the main post, hopefully everything's clear now. I need your reviews now. I'm also thinking about an automatic bootloader lock with backup solution so you don't need to lock your bootloader manually and also don't lose your data partition.
Why it doesn't work with unlocked bootloader?
CroCop18 said:
Why it doesn't work with unlocked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't try but normally your HTC 10 would block the installation if the bootloader is unlocked. Could you try it out and report. It's a bit hard to try it out by myself currently... It will most probably report that your new firmware's flashed but it actually will not be flashed after that if your bootloader's unlocked. If it's flashed anyway it'd be perfect since I'd not have to make a backup solution in that case. But I guess that the 10 isn't different to the M9 for example when it comes to firmware flashing. I read that you can have an unlocked bootloader if your device is S-Off but those are things I haven't been able to try out so far...
krassermensch said:
I didn't try but normally your HTC 10 would block the installation if the bootloader is unlocked. Could you try it out and report. It's a bit hard to try it out by myself currently... It will most probably report that your new firmware's flashed but it actually will not be flashed after that if your bootloader's unlocked. If it's flashed anyway it'd be perfect since I'd not have to make a backup solution in that case. But I guess that the 10 isn't different to the M9 for example when it comes to firmware flashing. I read that you can have an unlocked bootloader if your device is S-Off but those are things I haven't been able to try out so far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? You don't know how to unlock your bootloader? You don't need S-Off for it.
This answers the question I had wondered about. How does this install OTAs with a custom recovery? It doesn't, correct?
You need to be stock for this. The first thing you do after unlocking the bootloader (which pretty much anyone here has done) is to flash a custom recovery.
This tool will only work for users who are still completely on stock.
IO would test myself, but I'm already S-Off/unlocked bootloader/custom recovery/modified firmware/custom ROM|, and I don't want to take the time to go back to stock and incrementally update the steps to see what won't work. I think as soon as you flash custom recovery, you can't use this method.
If you want to unlock your bootloader, HTC provides the method and instructions at htcdev.com
xunholyx said:
Really? You don't know how to unlock your bootloader? You don't need S-Off for it.
This answers the question I had wondered about. How does this install OTAs with a custom recovery? It doesn't, correct?
You need to be stock for this. The first thing you do after unlocking the bootloader (which pretty much anyone here has done) is to flash a custom recovery.
This tool will only work for users who are still completely on stock.
IO would test myself, but I'm already S-Off/unlocked bootloader/custom recovery/modified firmware/custom ROM|, and I don't want to take the time to go back to stock and incrementally update the steps to see what won't work. I think as soon as you flash custom recovery, you can't use this method.
If you want to unlock your bootloader, HTC provides the method and instructions at htcdev.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I know how to unlock a boitloader. If you watch my profile you can see I'm a ROM maintainer. I have to use custom recoveries to do that. People interpret my posts wrongly sometimes. I dunno why. Anyway, I use TWRP but after flashing a recovery or any other image file I lock my bootloader again for safety reasons. You just need to have a locked bootloader to use my tool currently... And no, u don't need to be stock. This tool just requires a locked or relocked bootloader. U can use whatever ROM u like. U just need to have a locked bootloader and my tool installs the latest firmware I integrated for your HTC 10 model. I know what I do. You should just read my posts a bit more carefully to prevent yourself from contending wrong things...
krassermensch said:
Sure I know how to unlock a boitloader. If you watch my profile you can see I'm a ROM maintainer. I have to use custom recoveries to do that. People interpret my posts wrongly sometimes. I dunno why. Anyway, I use TWRP but after flashing a recovery or any other image file I lock my bootloader again for safety reasons. You just need to have a locked bootloader to use my tool currently...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
" I read that you can have an unlocked bootloader if your device is S-Off" quote from you
I did read it wrong. I was thinking that you meant you needed soff to unlock bootloader.\
And yes, now that I understand what you meant, with S-Off you shouldn't need to re-lock your bootloader.
xunholyx said:
" I read that you can have an unlocked bootloader if your device is S-Off" quote from you
I did read it wrong. I was thinking that you meant you needed soff to unlock bootloader.\
And yes, now that I understand what you meant, with S-Off you shouldn't need to re-lock your bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, dude, I think I wouldn't be able to write a batch tool with fastboot and adb if I didn't know the whole stuff. My broken Nexus 4 has teached me a lot over the last 3½ years
Just to confirm... and thanks for the tool
I have a HTC 10 and nothing has been done to it since I bought it (Stock everything) will this tool keep it that way but give me the latest OTA?
Milamber said:
Just to confirm... and thanks for the tool
I have a HTC 10 and nothing has been done to it since I bought it (Stock everything) will this tool keep it that way but give me the latest OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need this tool if you are Stock everything, unless you unlocked your bootloader.
Milamber said:
Just to confirm... and thanks for the tool
I have a HTC 10 and nothing has been done to it since I bought it (Stock everything) will this tool keep it that way but give me the latest OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I could write a tool for manual OTA flashing, too, but I don't want to do that since OTAs are for stock devices which are notified about OTA updates automatically. If you want to flash OTAs quicker: there's a thread here on xda where OTA zips are shared with an explaination how to flash it manually... This tool can be used by stock device's owners but it wouldn't be necessary...
krassermensch said:
I didn't try but normally your HTC 10 would block the installation if the bootloader is unlocked. Could you try it out and report. It's a bit hard to try it out by myself currently... It will most probably report that your new firmware's flashed but it actually will not be flashed after that if your bootloader's unlocked. If it's flashed anyway it'd be perfect since I'd not have to make a backup solution in that case. But I guess that the 10 isn't different to the M9 for example when it comes to firmware flashing. I read that you can have an unlocked bootloader if your device is S-Off but those are things I haven't been able to try out so far...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your explanations, now i understand your tool a bit more.
But if it only works with a locked/relocked bootloader i cant use it. Really no offense and i dont want to sound rude (!), but isnt it already a design problem? You said the tool is designed for people with non-stock ROMS, but that does imply that you have an unlocked bootloader to flash and keep your ROM and recovery up to date. To use your tool you have to relock the bootloader after flashing the ROM. But to update the ROM to a newer version you have to unlock the bootloader again via HTCDev (and loosing your data while doing this)? Sounds a bit weird to me...or did i miss something?
So which adb commands are you using? Didnt have the time to check your script yet (sorry!). Because im S-On with my bootloader unlocked an i COULD flash a signed firmware.zip i extracted from an official OTA via ADB. This wiped my boot and recovery partitions, but not data. Just had to restore the two partitions to get everything working again.
-Vulture- said:
Thanks for your explanations, now i understand your tool a bit more.
But if it only works with a locked/relocked bootloader i cant use it. Really no offense and i dont want to sound rude (!), but isnt it already a design problem? You said the tool is designed for people with non-stock ROMS, but that does imply that you have an unlocked bootloader to flash and keep your ROM and recovery up to date. To use your tool you have to relock the bootloader after flashing the ROM. But to update the ROM to a newer version you have to unlock the bootloader again via HTCDev (and loosing your data while doing this)? Sounds a bit weird to me...or did i miss something?
So which adb commands are you using? Didnt have the time to check your script yet (sorry!). Because im S-On with my bootloader unlocked an i COULD flash a signed firmware.zip i extracted from an official OTA via ADB. This wiped my boot and recovery partitions, but not data. Just had to restore the two partitions to get everything working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you could flash the firmware-update.zip from the OTA without relocking your bootloader?
And it was really updated after that?
krassermensch said:
So you could flash the firmware-update.zip from the OTA without relocking your bootloader?
And it was really updated after that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what i did, bootloader was unlocked and flash successfully. I extracted the firmware.zip from an official OTA (TMOB-101) for my device and flashed it via ADB from my PC. Since the firmware.zip is signed, it can be flashed. Doesnt work with modified zips however, like the ones from sneakyghosts thread. He removed unnecessary stuff like the flash command for boot and recovery which my broke my phone initially. Thats why you need TWRP to restore them later.
As you already said with your tool, its also important here to get the right file to flash and not to skip a firmware update in between. You have to go from very old -> old -> current without skipping old.
I used the step-by-step instructions from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-10/how-to/2016-05-27-fastboot-flashing-firmware-t3387520

Unlocking the Bootloader, Flashing a custom ROM w/ Anti Roll-back??

Got myself a Redmi Note 5 Global version and want to update MIUI and possibly try a custom ROM. Just came here to make sure i'm not falling for any common mistakes before i do anything especially after reading a lot of folks that have bricked these devices due to Anti Roll-back so thats the last thing i want to do. The device came boxed with MIUI 9.5.6.0(OEIMIFA) and i've just ignored the update notification up to now so i presume i've avoided ARB and i would like to keep it that way.
So just to confirm are these the correct steps.
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP or the equivalent)
3. Update MIUI / Flash custom rom package without ARB and flash through TWRP
Is there anything i'm missing or anything i need to specifically avoid other than ARB?
drkdeath5000 said:
Got myself a Redmi Note 5 Global version and want to update MIUI and possibly try a custom ROM. Just came here to make sure i'm not falling for any common mistakes before i do anything especially after reading a lot of folks that have bricked these devices due to Anti Roll-back so thats the last thing i want to do. The device came boxed with MIUI 9.5.6.0(OEIMIFA) and i've just ignored the update notification up to now so i presume i've avoided ARB and i would like to keep it that way.
So just to confirm are these the correct steps.
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash a custom recovery (TWRP or the equivalent)
3. Update MIUI / Flash custom rom package without ARB and flash through TWRP
Is there anything i'm missing or anything i need to specifically avoid other than ARB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just don't update your firmware (or update it with a ARB-less firmware), that's what will trigger ARB. Most of the customs rom don't contain firmware, only LOS advises you to flash a specific version, but MIUI roms do.
So you either steer away from those and flash fw-less roms, or you just delete the firmware-files folder from the rom and flash it without them.
This is my advice, before flashing anything, open the zip and check for the firmware folder. If it has it, delete it (unless is specified by the dev to flash that along the rom, in that case, just avoid it, there's a plethora of custom roms to choose from).
Ok thanks so i'll just stay clear of any roms containing the firmware folder for now. I do like LOS but if theres any risk associated i'll just give it a miss for now.
I also assume its easy to recover from a bad flash following the no firmware folder rule since theres no real risk associated with flashing just a ROM(no firmware)?
Finally, what about kernels and bootloader updates is there anything specific i need to watch out for there? I only ask because my previous device included a sneaky OTA update which locked the bootloader and i'd obviously like to avoid anything like that here.
Sorry for all the questions i'm just a bit behind on the flashing front, my previous device was a Motorola Razr HD and flashing seems to have changed quite a bit since then.
drkdeath5000 said:
Ok thanks so i'll just stay clear of any roms containing the firmware folder for now. I do like LOS but if theres any risk associated i'll just give it a miss for now.
I also assume its easy to recover from a bad flash following the no firmware folder rule since theres no real risk associated with flashing just a ROM(no firmware)?
Finally, what about kernels and bootloader updates is there anything specific i need to watch out for there? I only ask because my previous device included a sneaky OTA update which locked the bootloader and i'd obviously like to avoid anything like that here.
Sorry for all the questions i'm just a bit behind on the flashing front, my previous device was a Motorola Razr HD and flashing seems to have changed quite a bit since then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problems, happy to help if I can.
And yes, no risk if you don't flash firmware. Worst case scenario, you'll have to reflash a miui rom with MiFlash, which means losing your data, but imo it's better than bricking the device.
As for kernels and bootloader, you're good to go. Nothing will relock your bootloader (except flashing with MiFlash and selecting that specific option) and a kernel in the worst case will just give you a bootloop. Use backups. ?
And as far as LOS goes, you can flash it without the specified firmware (even tho I'm pretty sure it's an ARB3 firmware) but I guess there might be some small issues.
Good luck with unlocking the bootloader, that thing takes from 720 to 1440 hours, just got my rn5p in a week now i have to wait a month before rooting...

Question Steps to root

I have a WW version of ROG Phone 6. I have had it since mid-July.
Previously, I had ROG 2 but it died on me unexpectedly and I switched to Pixel 6, which was very underwhelming. I pre-ordered ROG 6 as soon as it became available.
I have not seen a concise guide to rooting ROG 6. I think it should be the same as ROG 2 but just in case, I read guide to rooting ROG 5.
Are the steps to rooting ROG 6 the same as ROG 5?
Asus ROG phone 5: unlock bootloader and root guide
Asus rog phone 5 guide note: you follow this guide on your own responsibility. also You should note that unlocking via the official Asus app will void warranty and blacklist the device for future otas. bootloader unlock: ! note that unlocking...
forum.xda-developers.com
Thank you!
I sure hope so. . . I cant find much material online but I'm going to try to just run this tool from asus https://rog.asus.com/phones/rog-phone-6-model/helpdesk_download/ and then flash magisk via recovery.
Sorry extract boot.img move it to phone, patch it with magisk and then run
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
and that should do it. Although you may want/need to flash the official files first by running the flashall_AFT.cmd file.
Found this all on https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...e-6-can-be-used-for-cn-ww-converting.4474383/ and https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...-guide-you-should-read.4474241/#post-87255303
It worked for me without even needing to flash the full firmware (you'd have to, to switch versions though) let me know if you need help. the guides I linked might be overkill.
Just
1.) Fully update on phone.
2.) Install apk to unlock bootloader from my first link
3.) reboot to fastboot and run the command I gave above. (after extracting the boot.img from payload.bin and patching it, although the last link includes one prepatched that may work)
leathan said:
It worked for me without even needing to flash the full firmware (you'd have to, to switch versions though) let me know if you need help. the guides I linked might be overkill.
Just
1.) Fully update on phone.
2.) Install apk to unlock bootloader from my first link
3.) reboot to fastboot and run the command I gave above. (after extracting the boot.img from payload.bin and patching it, although the last link includes one prepatched that may work)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for replying.
I read the guide about "flashall_AFT". I think the guy needed to do that because he was converting CN to WW. So, I think you are right in that the guide might be overkill since my phone is WW.
Thank you for taking time to outline the steps. The steps you outlined seems the same as for ROG 5. Glad to know that ASUS is consistent on this.
ROG 6 is the first phone that I ever pre-ordered. Usually, I buy phones when there are already guides on rooting. So, I am a bit nervous on rooting ROG 6 since there is not dedicated and concise guide yet.
ausaras said:
Thank you for replying.
I read the guide about "flashall_AFT". I think the guy needed to do that because he was converting CN to WW. So, I think you are right in that the guide might be overkill since my phone is WW.
Thank you for taking time to outline the steps. The steps you outlined seems the same as for ROG 5. Glad to know that ASUS is consistent on this.
ROG 6 is the first phone that I ever pre-ordered. Usually, I buy phones when there are already guides on rooting. So, I am a bit nervous on rooting ROG 6 since there is not dedicated and concise guide yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your good, just proceed as normal, I already got LSPosed, Zygisk+safteynet and all the goodies running. I see why you preordered this thing, its an absolute beast!! I am in love with it.
I wasn't even aware these phones existed but when I saw them and saw ASUS releases bootloader unlock publicly I instantly bought one as in general that's the main thing needed for rooting.
If you need any help It only took me about 15 minutes to root everything without using the guides at all as like you said it was pretty standard process. Like I said I extracted and patched the boot myself but just to potentially save time as I'm almost positive the patched image in the last link will work, and if it does not you can just reflash the one from the OTA.zip.
Good luck! (if you decide to root it will work fine)
leathan said:
Your good, just proceed as normal, I already got LSPosed, Zygisk+safteynet and all the goodies running. I see why you preordered this thing, its an absolute beast!! I am in love with it.
I wasn't even aware these phones existed but when I saw them and saw ASUS releases bootloader unlock publicly I instantly bought one as in general that's the main thing needed for rooting.
If you need any help It only took me about 15 minutes to root everything without using the guides at all as like you said it was pretty standard process. Like I said I extracted and patched the boot myself but just to potentially save time as I'm almost positive the patched image in the last link will work, and if it does not you can just reflash the one from the OTA.zip.
Good luck! (if you decide to root it will work fine)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my phone over the weekend. It went well.
Now, I am wondering how to update firmware. I know I need to download the full firmware from ASUS website and then place it in the root directory.
Should I flash back the stock boot.img and then update firmware?
Or, just simply flash the firmware update and then go through the whole extract boot.img from firmware, patch in Magisk, and then flash patched boot.img in fastboot?
ausaras said:
I rooted my phone over the weekend. It went well.
Now, I am wondering how to update firmware. I know I need to download the full firmware from ASUS website and then place it in the root directory.
Should I flash back the stock boot.img and then update firmware?
Or, just simply flash the firmware update and then go through the whole extract boot.img from firmware, patch in Magisk, and then flash patched boot.img in fastboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be done. I just fully updated and then rooted and set up my phone.
The firmware flash would have been to swap over to CN or WW. If you do that then yes you would re-factory reset + re flash stock boot.img. Then afterwards repeat the boot.img patch to obtain root + repeat setting up your safteynetfix + any other magisk modules.
ausaras said:
I rooted my phone over the weekend. It went well.
Now, I am wondering how to update firmware. I know I need to download the full firmware from ASUS website and then place it in the root directory.
Should I flash back the stock boot.img and then update firmware?
Or, just simply flash the firmware update and then go through the whole extract boot.img from firmware, patch in Magisk, and then flash patched boot.img in fastboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am sorry the last answer I gave you was just wrong. I totally forgot when we root we wont get automatic OTA updates. Which for me is a really good thing anyway. But to get the OTA updates we need to download the firmware files from ASUS website. The same place we downloaded the unlock app but its under firmware. Download every WW firmware and put them one by one in order from oldest to newest on the /sdcard and boot up and it will detect an update. I'm pretty sure we cannot just skip to the latest update like we can with custom rom otas so I am going in order.
I left root, and when done updating will again patch the boot.img and flash it over.
Over the weekend I helped a guy root and set up safteynet and if it helps others I might just write up a tutorial.
Cheers!
Hi! Thank you very much for sharing and helping. I have Tencent edition, from CN to WW, but a couple of things don't work properly:
- Android Auto does not communicate with my car (phone detected and bluetooth connected) bit app stops.
- Gboard voice dictation does not work (google assistant yes)
Country is WW. Safetynet passed. Play certified.
..I followed your guide.
I flashed the posted xda raw throuh fastboot and the the Magisk patched .img
When I tried TO apply latest updates (160) the Same message error appeared.
There is spmething strage (or are least I think It strage):
When I start in "fastboot" (black screen with capital text single line) my device isn'r recognized by PC. Then I switch to "recovery" and then to "fastboot" and a menu (several lines) with title "fastbootd" appears and the phone is recognized by PC (fastboot devices). If I choose bootloader the first screen appears.
I tried to reflash the raw but either the phone isn't recognized or a message appears on the cmd window showing "not rog 6" (more or less) and stops. But the phone is recognized everywhere as rog6...
I miss my broken rog2, it was much easier to root
Do you have any idea what's going on? Or when the twrp boot will be released so that I can brutally flash any zip?
i need fastboot driver for win 64
Anyone know if I root my phone following these instructions, will it factory reset or wipe my data partition? Sorry it's been a while since I rooted any phone, and I am excited about going this route
can anyone provide the patched boot image to have root? Tried looking and asking in other areas but no luck. Or is there a way to patch a bot image that contains root already?

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