Rooted Electrify user here that REALLY WANTS ICS - Motorola Photon 4G

So I finally rooted my Electrify(photon), I have insurance and **** and i've taken my phone scuba diving so I really dont care if I brick it at this point(just a reason for me to get a new phone).
Basically my question is, How can i go about getting an aftermarket ICS on it? I can use cynagon right? Someone link me please...? Can I use this? If so, What exactly is unlocking the bootloader?
Im still new at all the terminology, it's been forever since i've been in the Android dev scene....
Thanks a ton XDA!
-Chris

To flash CM9, or any unlocked ROM you need to install a custom recovery, usually clockworkmod. Idr about the electrify, but for the photon you need to flash the pudding unlocked file and run a few CMD lines in order to unlock the bootloader(kills 4g btw) and then you can install a custom recovery and be ready to flash unlocked ROMS. (same general process for electrifiy but iirc different files)IF you are on Android 2.3.5 your SOL.. For the time being atleast as you can't unlock its bootloader. QBKing has a few videos about the Photon on how to unlock, install CWM, and flash ROMS. There REALLY useful for beginners and people who need to be refreshed on what exactly to do. Don't quote me on the exact steps as I have a Photon and never looked too in depth about the electrify, wait for someone else to chime in to verify or search around.

You were a lot of help so far, and yes I am running stock 2.3.5...I installed cwm, but I have yet to unlock the boot loader, and as you stated, I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon. But what exactly does unlocking the bootloader do...?
Sent from my Motorola Electrify using XDA

My understanding is this...
Photon and Electrify 2.3.4 can unlock the bootloader.
Photon 2.3.5 can run something called bootstrap. (There is no legit Photon 2.3.5 from Sprint, but some bleeding-edge MoPho's have flashed 2.3.5 anyway and found themselves in a world of pain.)
Electrify 2.3.5 can do neither. I asked about it here and as of now 143 people have looked at it but haven't replied... Then again, it's the weekend, but I also asked in a topic about the bootstrap a week ago, and nobody there knew either.
So I think with Electrify 2.3.5 rooting is all you can do.
And that's fine, Electrify is beast anyway.
We're supposed to get official ICS in Q2 2012 (or was it Q3?). I don't know fiscal quarters, but Q1 starts in Spring, I think, so I guess summer or late summer?
I don't care about ICS and I don't see why I should. I change launchers weekly and I'm always rotating software on my phone. I'm more interested in getting the bootloader unlocked, but I don't think Motorola has any plans for that.

While it's true you can't unlock the bootloader on 2.3.5 yet, that means that you can't flash kernels and some roms. There are some that work with a locked bootloader. Loki has an Imperium version. Rocko has some versions for locked phones. And there is this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1575259 from loki. It will strip the bloat and blur from your phone, and give it some tweaks. This with the launcher of your choice makes for a great phone.

Exactly what post above said. I'll just add on saying that without an unlocked bootloader there is no way to get ICS. Use locked roms and try different launchers and you can still have a sweet phone until official ics or we unlock 2.3.5
Sent from my MB855 using XDA

What is blur and bloat?? And what ROM is best..? As far as locked boot loaders go...
Sent from my Motorola Electrify using XDA

Crispy, Blur is Motorola's enhancement suite for Android. It contains Motorola Home, and all the Motorola apps like the gallery, music player, and widgets. And the stupid lock screen. (I hate Motorola's lock screen. A lot.) HTC's is called Sense and Samsung's is called TouchWiz. They all have one. Very few Android phones are straight-up Android.
Bloat is anything on top of AOSP (Android Open Source Project) and the Google apps. This includes Blur/Sense/TouchWiz, technically, though most don't consider those bloat. If you have US Cellular, City ID is the epitome of bloat. It doesn't work as advertised, it's always there, and it will nag you to pay for it sometimes. Bloat on US Cellular phones also includes Tone Room Deluxe, Your Navigator Deluxe, My Contacts Backup, and the QuickOffice demo. Sprint has a whole other set of bloat apps.
Bricky -- So I don't need bootstrap? Or I do?
Crispy again: On your home screen, hit Menu, Settings, and then About Phone. Near the bottom look for "Android version". If it says 2.3.4 below, you can unlock your bootloader. If it says 2.3.5, you cannot.

I know ha, and I'm on 2.3.5 just like youuu:/ but it appears that there are like someee rom's that can be used without unlocking the bootloader...
Sent from my Motorola Electrify using XDA

Yes you need bootstrap. Root your phone, install bootstrap, make nandroid backup in bootstrap , install rom = profit
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

bricky23 said:
Yes you need bootstrap. Root your phone, install bootstrap, make nandroid backup in bootstrap , install rom = profit
Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER to install a ROM my friend....There are a few decent ROM's that dont require an UL loader, but to get a really nice ROM an unlocked bootloader appears to be greatly needed. I really wish Moto wasn't such a giant douche.

TheCrispytoast said:
You were a lot of help so far, and yes I am running stock 2.3.5...I installed cwm, but I have yet to unlock the boot loader, and as you stated, I don't think I'll be doing that anytime soon. But what exactly does unlocking the bootloader do...?
Sent from my Motorola Electrify using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have cwm installed on a 2.3.5 Electrify with a locked bl??

phince1 said:
You have cwm installed on a 2.3.5 Electrify with a locked bl??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sure he's meaning bootstrap in that post.. you can't install custom recovery while locked..

w0lf215 said:
Im sure he's meaning bootstrap in that post.. you can't install custom recovery while locked..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I ment bootstrap.
Also, how does nandroid backups work? Does it backup EVERYTHING? whats the difference in outcome with Titanium backup VS recovery nandroid backups...?

i really want ics on my electrify.. but i ve a electgrify 2.3.5 with locked bootloader..
is it possible to do it?

I run AOKP build 38 on my mopho, it's a little buggy. My advice is to run one of the slimmed down stock ROMS mentioned previously. Wait for the official build, then there will be a bunch of devs making perfectly tuned apps.

Universal DeBlur-DeBloat Live ROM Conversion is the only ROM that requires root ONLY. It was written to help those that can't even run bootstrap. Think of it as Imperium Initiative without the theme change and custom kernel.

moneymakes said:
I run AOKP build 38 on my mopho, it's a little buggy. My advice is to run one of the slimmed down stock ROMS mentioned previously. Wait for the official build, then there will be a bunch of devs making perfectly tuned apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ICS is official announcied from motorola to moto electrify?

No, only Photon.
Swyped from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk

Dark Reality said:
No, only Photon.
Swyped from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it s a bad notice :S
developers are working to unlock the BL of lectrify

Related

[Q] Motorola Atrix Re-lock Bootloader

I may have to return my ATRIX due to Let'sTalk horrible customer service, but I was wondering if there is anyway to re-lock the Bootloader, or to hide the fact that it says, Unlocked. Thank you in advanced
Also, I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section, as this is urgent to me and I have yet to see any otherpost relating this topic.
There is another topic like this.
No you can't re-lock and no you can't "hide" the unlock wording. Sorry.
Sent from my AWESOME Atrix
Assume you installed 2.3 using CWM, if that is the case, you can flash the stock 1.8.3. Because the bootloader is not compatible with the unlocked phones, it won't show the "unlocked" text when you turn on the phone. I have tried it when I was trying to get rid if the unlocked text.
The down side is, you won't be able to flash custom ROM until you flash a compatible bootloader.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G MB860 using XDA App
But downgrading will hard brick the phone.be very very carefully.
Reflash To Stock
Unfortunately, there is no way to relock a bootloader. Hence all of the warnings when you committed
but, if you use 4.5.91 the software at the address below should reinstall the newest stock software...
direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/motosupport/source/SoftwareUpdateSelect.asp?country=USA&language=ENS
be careful because Im not sure how motorola update will react to an unlocked bootloader. Ask around...do so at your own risk.
If you want to try a harder, albeit, safer method, and you are sure that you do not have a phone running 4.1.5.91, you can restore your phone to a factory SBF with this process:
briefmobile.com/motorola-atrix-4g-system-boot-file-sbf-leaked
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TRY TO RESTORE A 4.5.91 system to stock with RSD LITE.
To go to any of the blue webaddresses above, copy-paste them into your browser. Sorry, but I am not allowed to post links yet.
I wonder why nobody has created a CWM downgrade for US Atrixes. NFHimself made one for Bell or international users to go to 2.2.2 Bell and it works really well. Pretty much every partition is replaced. Great for masking that your boot loader is unlocked. Someone should probably do that for ATT to make downgrading less risky than flashing an sbf again...
drpratik said:
But downgrading will hard brick the phone.be very very carefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The downgrading and hard brick problem stems from using the OTA update, so you won't hard brick if for example you upgraded with KP's 4.5.91.
You also should be able to flash the 4.5.91 SBF. You just can't downgrade. There are other threads about this.
Sent from my Alienated Atrix
maledyris said:
I wonder why nobody has created a CWM downgrade for US Atrixes. NFHimself made one for Bell or international users to go to 2.2.2 Bell and it works really well. Pretty much every partition is replaced. Great for masking that your boot loader is unlocked. Someone should probably do that for ATT to make downgrading less risky than flashing an sbf again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason the fruitcakes were created and deemed safe by the devs were because it didn't touch the BL, which people believe to be the culprit behind the hard bricks. NFhimself was brave enough to testing flashing the BL via cwm in his gobstopper on international phones, but I don't think any other devs are willing to risk hard bricking their phones by testing that theory on US phones.
There also isn't enough "reward" for doing so because if people want to downgrade they can use a fruitcake. The only gain is to get rid of the "unlock" text. But if you were really that concerned about it despite reading all the warnings of this will void you warranty, you shouldn't have unlocked in the first place.
maledyris said:
I wonder why nobody has created a CWM downgrade for US Atrixes. NFHimself made one for Bell or international users to go to 2.2.2 Bell and it works really well. Pretty much every partition is replaced. Great for masking that your boot loader is unlocked. Someone should probably do that for ATT to make downgrading less risky than flashing an sbf again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
One of the reasons I did up a default CWM of 2.2.2 is to have a means of doing a reset after trying all ATT/ORANGE/TELSTRA/MOVIESTAR/etc firmwares out there which may have side effects or accumulated side effects. Hence the inclusion of the stock bootloader and radio and a write of the extra partitions to clean up whatever mix and match leftovers are in there from the various carriers. The other big one is just to be able to get a Bell OTA applied when it comes out, it will probably be similar to the leak, but best to be safe.
This is more of a Bell/Intl issue as ATT folks tend to run just ATT firmware or flash just boot and system via CWM/fastboot and don't have the same issues as flashing a sbf file.
Both the stock 2.2.2 and leaked ap20 OTA bootloaders from Bell are safe to flash after IHOP, this is not the case with ATT bootloaders and may be the case for any included in a sbf file. Finding out the hard way is not an option.
Cheers!
ken218 said:
Assume you installed 2.3 using CWM, if that is the case, you can flash the stock 1.8.3. Because the bootloader is not compatible with the unlocked phones, it won't show the "unlocked" text when you turn on the phone. I have tried it when I was trying to get rid if the unlocked text.
The down side is, you won't be able to flash custom ROM until you flash a compatible bootloader.
Sent from my Motorola Atrix 4G MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Say I unlocked it at 1.8.3 should I go down to 1.5.7? Is that safe?
moto helper update relocked mine flashed it to 4.5.91 and i had to reunlock and root agin i thought i was getting a driver update not ota.I was on rom homebase + extras but my win 7 64 bit wasent seeing my phone so i reinstalled drivers and updated drivers and updated moto helper and in the process flashed my phone to stock that pissed me off had to start over..I rebooted the phone several times and never seen unlocked on boot tried to fastboot into android recovery and got the triangle im all good now back on homebase ext4 just thought id share that you realy can relock at least it dont say unlocked i beleve its locked
defnow said:
and no you can't "hide" the unlock wording. Sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Err...............yes you can!
care to share how?
Scolis said:
care to share how?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the thread from the start. It's already been said!
CaelanT said:
Read the thread from the start. It's already been said!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying this today. Seems like my vibrator motor quit working. Phone is 6 months old I should be under the year warranty or so right?
leperkuan said:
Trying this today. Seems like my vibrator motor quit working. Phone is 6 months old I should be under the year warranty or so right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I was at school 6 months < 1 year so yes!
This is where you need to look:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163009
CaelanT said:
When I was at school 6 months < 1 year so yes!
This is where you need to look:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163009
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol well I wasn't sure it had a one year warranty. Found out my vibrator does work. Just sometimes doesn't on cm7. Weird. Well I may try this anyways. Tired of custom Roms.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
leperkuan said:
Found out my vibrator does work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Think you should go to another site other than XDA with this. Something in the XXX domain should work for you. Too much information for me! LOL................
assuming it is still in warranty
hard brick the phone and return it
just tell them you was doing a software update and your kid unplugged the phone while doing so

[Q]Help me decide, to Unlock or not to?

Hey!
Today I recieved my new t-mobile uk Atrix, sent to me from England.
Before I got it I had a HTC Desire, rooted, CWM installed and running custom AOSP roms with 2.3. I really liked that setup, minimalistic and no useless bloatware.
I've tried to read up on the matter, but it's a jungle..
This is how I understand it:
If I update to stock 2.3, it will be harder to unlock it and install custom roms in the future. This is wrong, it would in fact be much easier.
There probably won't be any AOSP roms, because the Atrix is quite different from the other phone, with the webtop and fingerprint reader (which i probably wont even use)
If it wasn't for all the red warning text, it would already be unlocked and romed. So what to do? Unlock and search through the masses for a bugg free deblurred 2.3 rom, or just update with the stock update and run with Zeam launcher instead? Can you install a stock rom on a unlocked bootloader?
Any ideas? Other suggestions?
Thanks for your help!
lovfors said:
Hey!
Today I recieved my new t-mobile uk Atrix, sent to me from England.
Before I got it I had a HTC Desire, rooted, CWM installed and running custom AOSP roms with 2.3. I really liked that setup, minimalistic and no useless bloatware.
I've tried to read up on the matter, but it's a jungle..
This is how I understand it:
If I update to stock 2.3, it will be harder to unlock it and install custom roms in the future
There probably won't be any AOSP roms, because the Atrix is quite different from the other phone, with the webtop and fingerprint reader (which i probably wont even use)
If it wasn't for all the red warning text, it would already be unlocked and romed. So what to do? Unlock and search through the masses for a bugg free deblurred 2.3 rom, or just update with the stock update and run with Zeam launcher instead? Can you install a stock rom on a unlocked bootloader?
Any ideas? Other suggestions?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'd say go for it, just do your research beforehand. it's a pretty simple process, just flash the corresponding pudding .sbf and run the 'fastboot oem unlock' command while in fastboot mode.
then you can proceed to flash a copy of CWM Recovery and install CM7, which is as AOSP as it gets! it doesn't have Fingerprint Scanner or Webtop yet, but Top Men are working on it so expect it all up and working before too long!
Thank you for the respons!
so I basically do what this thread (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1196747) says?
Also, I saw a video where the person warned not to run RSD if you weren't on the newest, non gingerbread, release of stock. I assume that applies to t-mobile users aswell?
lovfors said:
If it wasn't for all the red warning text, it would already be unlocked and romed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You and me both. I've had mine for a while (March) and have yet to take that leap. So far, running 2.3.4 O.T.A. w/root I am pretty satisfied. While I am certain that the experience would be greatly enhanced by flashing a different rom. I am simply too much of a chicken to take that leap. I've messed with a few other Android devices and was never too worried when flashing roms. But geez, all of those brick stories around here...
Whichever way that you decide to go, I am sure that you will be fine. The best of luck to ya.
Can anyone just confirm that I need to stuff in this order:
Root it.
Unlock bootloader using this method
Install a CWM, (probably gonna go with RomRacers)
Install a ROM.
ok i did the ota to 2.3 eventually used the autoscripter in general to root/unlock and aosp roms are starting with the cm7 beta once they have finished product its open game so far on cm7 beta myself totally worth it
JdgM3NT4L said:
You and me both. I've had mine for a while (March) and have yet to take that leap. So far, running 2.3.4 O.T.A. w/root I am pretty satisfied. While I am certain that the experience would be greatly enhanced by flashing a different rom. I am simply too much of a chicken to take that leap. I've messed with a few other Android devices and was never too worried when flashing roms. But geez, all of those brick stories around here...
Whichever way that you decide to go, I am sure that you will be fine. The best of luck to ya.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im in the same exact boat. I've rooted other phones easily, but this one scares me for some reason.
Sent from my Atrix

Correct flashing path?

Im coming over to the photon from E4GT, tired of Samsung.
Anyway, Im confused about the most optimal route for flashing. I see bootstrap, unlocked bootloader stuff. I see a couple kernals, a couple roms....but then there is the OTA thing that will probably occur when I power on the phone. How will affect my rom set up? Why does flashing an ext 4 kernal break the wifi functionality? Why would anyone use bootstrapped method when the bootloader is now unlocked?
Idk, Im just a little photon newb, and I will probably told to go do more reading. But honestly I have such a headache from researching these phones (new sprint customer), dealing with my E4GT probalems....so if anyone feels like typing and introducing me to photon best practices, I will "thank" them.
Thanks guys
Root, Unlock with Pudding, Flash CWM, flash away.
What about that latest OTA? Will my phone alrdy have it?
Root, unlock, flash cwm 5, flash homebase 2.1 with 4.2 update. My phone has been flawless.
Unlock = loose 4g
Even if you get the latest ota the pudding flash takes you back, then whatever the ROM you flash its based on
Sent from one focused MoPho
And welcome to the photon btw!
Sent from one focused MoPho
Why use pudding instead of bootstrap?
boolboo said:
Why use pudding instead of bootstrap?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootstrap is a waste of time.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium
Just wondering, what problems did you have with your epic touch?
Sent from my MB855 using XDA Premium App
Flashing issues with bootstrap, possible bricking, only really good for backups... My path for flashing was pudding unlock, root with one click root from shabby, fastboot clockwork onto your phone, then place the ROM of your choice on your phone via cwm... I'm running homebase 2.1 Deblur with update 4.2, and so far not a single problem. Just make sure you know what you are doing and read read read before doing anything. Any questions feel free to pm me or one of the other members and we can help you through everything!
Sent from one focused MoPho

Quick question about 2.3.5

Sorry guys, my google and xda-fu do not seem to be up to snuff today. So here is my question(s):
I have a photon, rooted, unlocked and running the KDDI radio which works on tmobile and sprint, but i still have it on 2.3.4. Is there a way to update it to 2.3.5? I keep reading 2.3.5 will kill unlocking, but root still seems possible. Also does anyone have a thread where either the OTA or the ROM can be found (not the locked bootstrap version)
Update on 2.3.5. change log: http://mrlarge.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/sprint-motorola-photon-4g-receives-ota-update-2-3-5/
Lastly, does 2.3.5 add anything worthwhile? still have not found a change log on that either.
Like i said guys, my google-fu is low on chi today. Thanks in advance though :highfive:
scoobdude said:
Sorry guys, my google and xda-fu do not seem to be up to snuff today. So here is my question(s):
I have a photon, rooted, unlocked and running the KDDI radio which works on tmobile and sprint, but i still have it on 2.3.4. Is there a way to update it to 2.3.5? I keep reading 2.3.5 will kill unlocking, but root still seems possible. Also does anyone have a thread where either the OTA or the ROM can be found (not the locked bootstrap version)
Update on 2.3.5. change log: http://mrlarge.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/sprint-motorola-photon-4g-receives-ota-update-2-3-5/
Lastly, does 2.3.5 add anything worthwhile? still have not found a change log on that either.
Like i said guys, my google-fu is low on chi today. Thanks in advance though :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMHO, Motorola put out 2.3.5 for the sole purpose of locking the bootloader. There is nothing in 2.3.5 to make it worth "upgrading" from 2.3.4.
I recommend staying on 2.3.4.
Although the bootloader is locked, you can root 2.3.5.
If you flash mof's 2.3.5ish locked rom you will have all of the benefits of 2.3.5 without permalocking your bootloader. It's the most recent of the locked rom and IMHO the best option for locked people.
If you don't have 4G wimax anywhere nearby I would recommend unlocking that bootloader and trying one of the jb roms that th3bill has been cranking out
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
bullfrog527 said:
If you flash mof's 2.3.5ish locked rom you will have all of the benefits of 2.3.5 without permalocking your bootloader. It's the most recent of the locked rom and IMHO the best option for locked people.
If you don't have 4G wimax anywhere nearby I would recommend unlocking that bootloader and trying one of the jb roms that th3bill has been cranking out
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you do that on 2.3.5?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Slender Troll said:
Can you do that on 2.3.5?
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, you can. Just root your phone and install bootstrap. The only thing the 2.3.5 update locked down is the bootloader so you should be good to go
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
once the MOF has been installed, would it be possible to use this? http://www.ibtimes.com/how-install-...oton-4g-using-custom-firmware-tutorial-939294
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Slender Troll said:
once the MOF has been installed, would it be possible to use this? http://www.ibtimes.com/how-install-...oton-4g-using-custom-firmware-tutorial-939294
Outdated yet young Motorola Photon 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a unlocked bootloader to install clockworkmod-recovery.
Sent from my MB855 using xda premium

[Q] Need helping finishing my Photon 2.3.5... I'm really lost....

Okay. I have a Motorola Photon on the sprint service. luckily l was able to successfully root it, but since my version is 2.3.5 (I'm guessing that's the problem) is there NO way to downgrade /unlock bootloader/ install a custom rom? I've googled and read all the guides and I don't really understand if I'm screwed or what.... some clarification would be helpful!
P'S: I've included a screen shot of my phone info
Yes at 2.3.5, u cannot unlock the bootloader. It is tightly shut by motorola. U either can flash safestrap or wait for kexec development to finish. Apparently this phone is collecting dust as i am following the kexec thread. I have japanese photon though. Isw11m
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Well, I downloaded and installed a bootstrap program on this phone. (Called System Recovery ) and it gives me access to a CWM recovery screen.
does that mean I can finally install roms or will it brick my phone if I attempt?
Be carefull, only flash rooms for locked bootloader.
Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk 2
Alright. thank you for the help. =]

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