Stock Recovery Needed For ZTE Avail 2 (Z992 - AT&T) - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a ZTE Avail 2 which I recently managed to root with Cydia Impactor. Afterwards I managed to screw it up by removing too many stock apps with Titanium. I did it carefully, one by one, and for a few days everything seemed to work fine. But then apps started force-closing, '<name of app here> has stopped working', etc. Factory reset doesnt help, it just restores me to the same screwed up state I'm in now. I already know why, it's because I removed some of the stock apps, which I now realize it needs. I'm currently stuck on the AT&T logo when powering on, it never gets any further. But even while it was messed up it was still halfway-operable, and now this. This device's subforum on Android Forums is all but non-existent, and XDA doesnt seem to have anything for it.
What I need is a 100% stock ROM (pre-rooted if possible) that I can flash, along with instructions on how to flash it. I have some experience flashing ASUS devices and Samsung devices, mainly the Transformer pad, and the Note 2, but have also rooted miscellaneous other devices in the past without alot of issues. But I have no experience with ZTE. I've already checked the manaufacturer's website for some kind of recovery software I can use to restore it, there doesnt seem to be anything.
Thanks for any help!

Stephen Wayne Hamilton said:
I have a ZTE Avail 2 which I recently managed to root with Cydia Impactor. Afterwards I managed to screw it up by removing too many stock apps with Titanium. I did it carefully, one by one, and for a few days everything seemed to work fine. But then apps started force-closing, '<name of app here> has stopped working', etc. Factory reset doesnt help, it just restores me to the same screwed up state I'm in now. I already know why, it's because I removed some of the stock apps, which I now realize it needs. I'm currently stuck on the AT&T logo when powering on, it never gets any further. But even while it was messed up it was still halfway-operable, and now this. This device's subforum on Android Forums is all but non-existent, and XDA doesnt seem to have anything for it.
What I need is a 100% stock ROM (pre-rooted if possible) that I can flash, along with instructions on how to flash it. I have some experience flashing ASUS devices and Samsung devices, mainly the Transformer pad, and the Note 2, but have also rooted miscellaneous other devices in the past without alot of issues. But I have no experience with ZTE. I've already checked the manaufacturer's website for some kind of recovery software I can use to restore it, there doesnt seem to be anything.
Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just out of curiosity you ever figure out a solution? I have the AIO branded version of it.

drago10029 said:
Just out of curiosity you ever figure out a solution? I have the AIO branded version of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If needed, I could back up my /system folder and send it to you.

Simba.7 said:
If needed, I could back up my /system folder and send it to you.
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Click to collapse
it's alright man. someone on android forums has already made a custom ROM. so the ball is rolling on out weak old device :laugh:

build.prop?
Simba.7 said:
If needed, I could back up my /system folder and send it to you.
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Click to collapse
did you ever get around to doing this? there is supposedly a stock image on androidforums but when I opened the Zip, all it had was the stock apps, no build.prop, which I think I blew away with xblast (xposed plugin). now I hang on the boot screen image. there is a stock Rom for the z993 our there, which I suppose I could use, because they are supposed to be the same phone, just different carriers... but then I need to get the at&t apn's and it is just a PITA. so if you could post /system backup or just a stock build.prop, that would be great!
(I'd post links to these rooms but I guess I'm too new of a member... I can provide them if needed.)

I'm way late on this, but just thought I'd post to say that I no longer have the device, and I was never able to fix it.In any case, I hope the rest of you guys get it fixed. It seemed to be a halfway decent phone, although a bit sluggish at times. But beyond that, with all the bloat removed, I'd say it ran pretty well for the duration of time that I had it (less than a month). I currently have a GNote 3 (T-Mobile) and a GNote Pro 12.2" now and it's just awesome, I'm really loving them.

Sorry, accidental double-post (can't figure out how to delete this post, the "Edit/Delete" button doesnt appear to have any option to entirely delete a post).

Just like "AnonVendetta83" messed up using Titanium.
Now desperately looking for Stock ROM or any working custom ROM to bring phone back to life.:crying:

alirezayami said:
Just like "AnonVendetta83" messed up using Titanium.
Now desperately looking for Stock ROM or any working custom ROM to bring phone back to life.:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a working custom Rom for the z993 (identical hardware, different customized software for AIO, another cell provider). All you will need to do is change/update the data provider stuff so you can still use 3g and mms's. Plenty of info on this online on what needs to be changed.
You can get this Rom over at androidforums.com
http://androidforums.com/prelude-all-things-root/792279-zte-prelude-z993-stock-unrooted-rom-aio.html
There is also a cwm recovery there that works on this phone, and a partial /system backup by someone else for the z992... it is just apps and what not.
If they aren't available anymore, let me know and ill see if I still have them saved somewhere for you.
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk

AlexZap said:
There is a working custom Rom for the z993 (identical hardware, different customized software for AIO, another cell provider). All you will need to do is change/update the data provider stuff so you can still use 3g and mms's. Plenty of info on this online on what needs to be changed.
You can get this Rom over at androidforums.com
http://androidforums.com/prelude-all-things-root/792279-zte-prelude-z993-stock-unrooted-rom-aio.html
There is also a cwm recovery there that works on this phone, and a partial /system backup by someone else for the z992... it is just apps and what not.
If they aren't available anymore, let me know and ill see if I still have them saved somewhere for you.
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so very much Alex
I was wondering if I can just simply place the rom zip on the root of your sdcard and continue without doing "Install CWM - ZTE Prelude (Z993) Root&Recovery" step???
Honestly I have absolutely no idea how to do CWM steps as they come so complicated to me.

alirezayami said:
Thank you so very much Alex
I was wondering if I can just simply place the rom zip on the root of your sdcard and continue without doing "Install CWM - ZTE Prelude (Z993) Root&Recovery" step???
Honestly I have absolutely no idea how to do CWM steps as they come so complicated to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to install the custom recovery... It is the only way to install the zip file. If you just have the zip and go into the stock recovery I don't think you can select which zip to install
Sent from my N9002 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AlexZap said:
There is a working custom Rom for the z993 (identical hardware, different customized software for AIO, another cell provider). All you will need to do is change/update the data provider stuff so you can still use 3g and mms's. Plenty of info on this online on what needs to be changed.
You can get this Rom over at androidforums.com
http://androidforums.com/prelude-all-things-root/792279-zte-prelude-z993-stock-unrooted-rom-aio.html
There is also a cwm recovery there that works on this phone, and a partial /system backup by someone else for the z992... it is just apps and what not.
If they aren't available anymore, let me know and ill see if I still have them saved somewhere for you.
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AlexZap said:
You need to install the custom recovery... It is the only way to install the zip file. If you just have the zip and go into the stock recovery I don't think you can select which zip to install
Sent from my N9002 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx Alex
I would highly appreciate if anyone tell me what ADB Driver I should use for ZTE Z992. I almost understood all the procedure in the links but now the problem is despite I tried different ADB Drivers, but still ADB reboot-bootloader boots phone again in Normal bootloader.
Also Fastboot devices command does not see the phone, while ADB Devices command see it.
Seems bootloader is locked. Right? What should I do?

This is the method I used when I rooted my avail2 :
http://androidforums.com/zte-avail-2-zte-prelude/821217-how-root-zte-avail-2-z992-guide.html
The author (and I) just used the included drivers from zte that come with the phone. From what I remember, fastboot worked fine. Just hold the volume down button then turn the phone on. It will seem to lock on the start screen, but this is the bootloader. Then connect your cable and try your fastboot commands.
If you are already rooted, you can just download the package here
http://androidforums.com/prelude-all-things-root/797487-cwm-recovery-installer-zte-prelude.html
And skip the middle section, using the impactor to root (13 and 14).
Depending on what's wrong with your phone, you could also try just using the stock recovery and doing a system reset there. It will wipe any bad custom settings, but if the rom is still viable it might get you up and running again. It got me out of a bootloop without re-romming the whole thing. And with titanium backup or system app mover you can reinstall anything you need in the system partition.
*edit - Damn kindle auto correct
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A bit to much fiddling resulted in disaster
Hello XDA forum users,
I'm about ready to toss this phone in the trash. I have an AT&T Avail 2 with model number z992, which is apparently manufactured by a company called ZTE. First I think it would be helpful to explain what I've done to the phone and perhaps others out there can tell me if I've destroyed the phone or if it can be fixed.
A friend of mine sold me the phone for 10 bucks, its in great condition which is why its such a shame that it seems perma-bricked. I have no need for the phone aspect of the device, I simply wanted to "convert" it to a handheld media/application player, like an ipod or tablet for example. The phone comes with several bundled software applications that I find completely useless and wanted them removed, EX. AT&T Navigator and other AT&T software, plus a bunch of google applications.
The first thing I did when I decided to try and customize it was to use Kango's root tool which worked and rooted the phone. I was all excited that it worked and continued by installing the Super User application which allowed me to gain full control over the device. (I should have stopped there.) After the successful phone root I then installed a 3rd party app called NoBloat and used its uninstall options to remove a lot of stuff. I couldn't tell you exactly what all was removed but looking back, it must have been more important than I realized at the time. I know I took out all the AT&T software, then all the Google stuff to, which destroyed the play store. I didn't take out anything that seemed like a system file but apparently the Google stuff is the system files. The phone still worked in this state but it was erratic and things like Contacts would crash even if it was not running. So I considered that a failed attempt and commenced to do a factory reset using the recovery menu (Vol Up + Menu Key + Power button) but the factory reset didn't work, well not like it was supposed to. I had used the restore option before and it made the phone work like it was brand new. Now when the phone is powered on it will boot to the initial setup and ask me to choose a language, then it will get as far as the wireless connection screen (sometime not even that far) and the phone reports that "Unfortunately, Setup Wizard has stopped." and then I tap OK and the setup wizard restarts at the language screen. This is the state it is in now and I do not know how to fix it, I'm beginning to think there currently is no method to fix this.
Things I've tried so far include installing minimal ADB-Fastboot to try and sideload various ROM images, the ones I found here and other places. The phone is not recognized by Windows 7 though and the ADB does not work like it did on a motorola phone I did this to before. I've also purchased an inexpensive 8GB microSD chip with an adapter so I could put the ROM info on that and tried the "Update from external storage option" and that seems like it would work but none of the ROM's I've used will install. I guess because there is some kind of security feature built into the phones hardware which checks the data files for specific tags/sizes and therefore won't accept any of the ROMS I've tried.
There is no means to access the old file system anymore like most guides show, I do not have any CWM's installed nor any backup data whatsoever. It's been reset and now it seems the data it used to restore itself is, while not completely missing, damaged and will not reload anymore. All the guides I've read or watched usually show the user in the operating system or using software on a PC to type out commands. None of that works on this phone though, the phone as I just described it is basically bricked. Is there anything that can fix this, or is the phone a paper weight now? A functional ROM image from AT&T seems unlikely as they have absolutely no relevant information about this on the commercial website and the help and support seems like it's setup for old people who don't understand technology at all. If anyone out there has experience with issues like this then by all means let me know. If more information is necessary then I will be glad to provide it if available.

Alright I did manage to figure out how to make the computer see the phone as an ADB device and the minimal ADB interface shows the device now when I type ADB devices at the command prompt. Though this ADB thing seems irrelevant considering I can do the same thing by using the SD card adapter. So I don't know if this was useful or not. The ADB prompt shows a device number of P752A15.
Before I was unable to make the device show up at all in the ADB list. The problem now is how to make the phone accept a ROM, at this point I don't even care if the ROM is the default factory ROM or some random ROM made by a devoted user. The issue I encounter each time is that the built in recovery option to restore from an SD card will not accept the ROM's I've tried so far, and my research on this seems to indicate that I need a custom recovery option. This is apparently called the ClockWorkMod but as to how I install that without a functional operating system on the device is a mystery still. I've tried using a file called recovery.zip and but it does not show up when I view the contents of the SD card when the card is in the phone.
I feel like an idiot because I've done this to other phones for my family and friends, you know jailbreaking an iPhone, and rooted a Galaxy S3 once but this phone seems like its not going to be as easy as those others. I guess AT&T made sure that if you alter it, it breaks the phone. I'll check back later and see if anyone has dropped a line or two here in response to my inquiry.
Thank you and have good day.

Britton Burton said:
Alright I did manage to figure out how to make the computer see the phone as an ADB device and the minimal ADB interface shows the device now when I type ADB devices at the command prompt. Though this ADB thing seems irrelevant considering I can do the same thing by using the SD card adapter. So I don't know if this was useful or not. The ADB prompt shows a device number of P752A15.
Before I was unable to make the device show up at all in the ADB list. The problem now is how to make the phone accept a ROM, at this point I don't even care if the ROM is the default factory ROM or some random ROM made by a devoted user. The issue I encounter each time is that the built in recovery option to restore from an SD card will not accept the ROM's I've tried so far, and my research on this seems to indicate that I need a custom recovery option. This is apparently called the ClockWorkMod but as to how I install that without a functional operating system on the device is a mystery still. I've tried using a file called recovery.zip and but it does not show up when I view the contents of the SD card when the card is in the phone.
I feel like an idiot because I've done this to other phones for my family and friends, you know jailbreaking an iPhone, and rooted a Galaxy S3 once but this phone seems like its not going to be as easy as those others. I guess AT&T made sure that if you alter it, it breaks the phone. I'll check back later and see if anyone has dropped a line or two here in response to my inquiry.
Thank you and have good day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, been a while since I've used this phone, but hopefully this will help. I assume you have the kaw202_recoveryflasher.zip file. Once you extract it, look for the .img file. Try running these adb commands
adb.exe push cwm-z993.img /cache
adb.exe shell "su -c 'dd if=/cache/cwm-z993.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p17'
This should flash cwm if your phone is rooted and adb shell is working.
Sent from my KFTHWI using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AlexZap said:
Ok, been a while since I've used this phone, but hopefully this will help. I assume you have the kaw202_recoveryflasher.zip file. Once you extract it, look for the .img file. Try running these adb commandsp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not come across that particular file yet, I did try to google it and the only results it had were two and one of those was this post. Would you mind telling me where I might find a copy of the kaw202_recoverflasher.zip?

I managed to find the zip you were talking about and have downloaded it, for anyone else looking for it. I am unable to post links but I would have linked to the files you mentioned. For others looking for the same zip file search for "CWM Recovery Installer ZTE PRELUDE". That's the title of the thread I found the file on that Alex mentioned above. The instructions on the page don't seem like they apply to the situation I'm stuck in but I'll give it a whirl anyway and see if the files work.
If this forum is like the others I've read through so far then there is no real answer to the issue. The phone seems kind of new and not many of the power users on these forums use rinky dink phones like this one. You guys all have the 600 dollar models I guess. What bugs me about this this phone and the state I managed to put it in, is that the damn thing was programmed the first time when it was made. So it seems to me like there should be a way to reprogram the phone the same way the factory did it. Think about it, when they make the phones they don't have any information on the phone at all. It's completely empty, so there must be a way to load the software for the phone even if the phone has no data at all in the main storage. If the files in the recovery flasher.zip file work then I'll post back the results but if it's like the other files I've messed around with (which didn't do anything) then I'm throwing it in the trash can.
Anyway thanks for your response and for pointing me in a different direction Alex
---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------
HELL YEAH!!! It worked thank you Alex, ​
I would have never figured this out without your help! The phone now has a version of CWM on it and the recovery menu is different. I just tried to install a ROM and it said successful. After the phone rebooted went back to the setup screen from ZTE but it still did the same thing. However this is progress and I should be able to "wander in the dark" and figure out a way to use the CWM to install a completely new rom. Any recommendations on a ROM to use for the z992?

Good news, I was able to fix it using the information Alex guided me to find. Since there doesn't appear to be a stock AT&T version of the ROM I ended up using the Azazel ROM. Which at first failed even though it was installed, this I determined was due to the old ROM image still being partially active on the system partition. So I formatted the system partition to and tried again. This time it worked and the phone seems fully functional again, and best of all the annoying bloatware is not present and the apps are not crashing. I consider this issue resolved. Thank you again Alex I will be sure to leave a thanks on your post.

Britton Burton said:
Good news, I was able to fix it using the information Alex guided me to find. Since there doesn't appear to be a stock AT&T version of the ROM I ended up using the Azazel ROM. Which at first failed even though it was installed, this I determined was due to the old ROM image still being partially active on the system partition. So I formatted the system partition to and tried again. This time it worked and the phone seems fully functional again, and best of all the annoying bloatware is not present and the apps are not crashing. I consider this issue resolved. Thank you again Alex I will be sure to leave a thanks on your post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ze
Glad I could help, but none of the work was done by me, the guys over at android central did all the heavy lifting, I just pointed you in the right direction. I have a stock system e m image around here somewhere if you need it, tho installation will be a bit more complicated. If azazels rom ever gives you issues, ill dig it up and try and help you install it.
Sent from my KFTHWI using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Related

Help! Phone crashed, reset my PIN!

So, got out of the car this morning, entered my lock screen PIN and as soon as I hit OK it crashed. Went right to the Samsung splash and rebooted. Now it won't accept my PIN - WTF!?!?!? I tried chatting with Verizon, who only offered two default PINs(1111 & 9392) and then said I need to hard reset. I don't want to hard-reset because I will have to start from scratch. When I got home, I called a local store, who said they don't have a service center there and transferred me to Technical Support. Because I had chatted earlier in the day, I quickly moved to a Tier 2 tech. She was going to have me do a hard reset, to which I told her I didn't want to risk losing my data. She said to plug it into my computer - well she forgot the fact that the phone won't allow access to the files when it's locked! She said everything should automatically save to the SD card - she obviously didn't know that the S4 doesn't come with one in the package - thus it doesn't save to the SD card by default! She was trying to research more for an alternative, but somehow they disconnected me - arrggh!!!!
So here I am - locked out and with no help from Verizon. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone out there that can help me or point me in the right direction?
No wipe factory images from the dev section. Itll restore your phone to stock but youll keep your downloaded apps and associated data. If you have never used odin there is a guide explaining the process. Its pretty simple.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Imho i'd just do a factory reset... Then if you're rooted, after you factory reset your phone, just restore from a nandroid. I just dont know if that'll delete your nandroids too....
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Me too, if it was me i'll do a factory reset so my head wouldn't ache too much. hahaha. Soooooo many problems. Errr. A factory reset is one great solution. But if it was me only. okay? It's up to you
Here is what I have tried so far:
1) No-wipe factory image - loaded fine using ODIN and booted, but didn't remove the screen lock/PIN:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2301259
2) Try to access files to modify/delete the lockscreen/lock_pattern/gesture files to remove he screen lock/PIN working through Recovery
a) ADB SHELL- I have debugging turned on, but shell access is dendied due to the phone being locked with the PIN and having updated to ME7, which now requires confirmation via the phone to fully connect and gain access.​b) Load non-factory Recovery/File Manager - Aroma & Philz
i)SD card - will load, but fail as not certified
ii) ADB - sideload and push, including sideload through Recovery, will load them, but fail as not certified
iii) FASTBOOT - can't get fastboot to see the phone and the phone won't take commands
iv) ODIN - will load them, but fail as not certified​
3) Google Play - No option comes up on the screen to log in via Google Play. I do have an account active, I even saw the 'M' mail symbol even pop up in the header once when an email came through. I can also install apps and tried installing a few screen unlock apps by logging into Google play from a computer to install on my phone, as it still connects to wifi and is set to automatically install updates.
Similar thread, but I am not rooted like the two people there, so can't push through with the methods mentioned(like I tried in #2 above):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153308
I would ask for direct help in the Philz thread, but I can't because its a developer thread and I have less that 10 posts. One person who posted on page 5 or 6 said they were able to load Philz without being rooted.
Any other suggestions, ideas, placed too look, things to consider? Please remember, I don't want to factory reset and lose all my photos/videos saved on the device.
Use the odin image that wipes everything. Also in the dev section.
Edit
Forgot you didnt want to lose yout apps and stuff. Ill do some researching and see if I cant find anything. Can you access your phone at all after a reboot or does it go straight to lockscreen?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Can you adb pull from recovery or Odin mode?
On my GNex I had something catastrophic happen and I was able to adb pull everything off internal SD from the bootloader screen. Took awhile as I had 20GB of stuff on there. Then wiped everything completely, restored everything to stock, pushed everything back to my phone, and started from scratch. Had my nandroid and TiBu, so as soon as I installed recovery it was as simple as restoring it.
This was back when android went from 4.1.2 to 4.2, and there were all these leaked images to flash, and I just had to try one. I forget all the commands, but if I had to do it again I'm sure it's not hard to Google "adb pull"
Would this be possible with the S4?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
No dice in either mode. Trying to do a pull ends in errors like the other commands due to blocked access by the bootloader. I tried going to a store today and they offered no additional help. The trained sales monkeys had the nerve to tell me that THEY were technicians and that the only solution is to wipe the phone. I know this isn't true, I just need to breach the lower levels to get to someone who actually knows the platform instead of what they read in their customer service training manual. The problem is that Verizon had built so many levels now that they have basically phased out high-level tech services from their stores and out-sourced most of it and service work. I know this is fixable, but just have to find a resource or way to access the files to do it. It's not like my phone is a brick. It works perfectly fine except I just can't unlock the screen to use it. When it comes down to it, it's just one corrupt file causing me some much frustration.
And you're on stock? So stock recovery too? I think some of the custom recoveries are adb friendly, but I don't know if you can flash a custom recovery.... I wonder if you can root, odin a recovery like clockwork mod or TWRP, and do an adb pull without unlocking the screen... are you on ME7 update or MDK or whatever.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Thanks for all your help and suggestions.
ME7, stock rom, stock recovery, not rooted. The current root for ME7 must be done from the phone using a script. Since I'm locked out, I can't do that. I don't know about Clockwork, but TWRP requires that you be rooted. Aroma, CWM and Philz do not, but the stock recovery blocks their installation - including from SD card, ADB SIDELOAD and ODIN modes - that includes as ZIPs, images and TAR files. If I could get any recovery loaded, I would be able to go delete the password file and set the option to null and and ADB PULL wouldn't be needed. So what I need is one of four ways to work:
1) Gain access through ADB or some other manner to get my pictures/videos off so I can just wipe
2) Gain access through ADB to delete files using ADB SHELL to navigate
3) Manage to get some sort of file manager or custom recovery loaded, then go delete the files
4) A modified no-wipe rom that would replace the files and not touch my pictures/videos?
Well, you can't flash anything while on ME7. I guess they really did make it more secure with that update.
My guess is you SOL. You can wait and see if they're able to get a way to put a recovery on ME7 and hope there's a way to do it without having to boot system.
Or do a hard reset.
What data are you trying to preserve? Have you popped out your micro SD and checked to see if it saved on there?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Nothing was saved on the SD card. Verizon and Samsung couldn't get that either - they don't sell this phone with one, so by default it saves to the phone. I never changed the settings because I used my SD card only for music.
Well, looks like I am SOL until a work-around is found. I spent another hour on the phone with Verizon today. The girl was helpful, but I didn't get to nay higher of a tech level. She said Verizon can't remote in to the phone and sending it in would only get it flashed(hard reset). She conference called with Samsung, who also said they couldn't remote in to phone and could only have me do a hard-reset. The Verizon lady then tried a local store who said that as of last year, they no longer can access customer phones to pull pictures, etc. For now, it appears I have hit the tech support ceiling. I told both the Verizon and Samsung that I find it highly unlikely that both would manufacture a proprietary version of the Android OS to run on that phone for that service company that didn't have some way to access it - it they are the ones that secure it, then some level of support somewhere has the ability to access around it. I may try emailing support/customer service for those two and Google development to see where I can get. I may try PM-ing a few developers for help in the mean-time. This is such a crock of sh*t!!!!
I have no idea if any of this would work....I didn't even read the whole article but maybe something in here will help you out. http://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/ho...u-bypass-android-pattern-lock-screen-0138807/
A lot of this is about pattern unlock but maybe pin unlock has the same features?
Looks like the apps are for 4.0 and below, so that won't help. I also read that someone wiped cache in stock recovery and for some reason was then able to see his files while connected to the computer.....probably a fluke.
I dont get it. All the time used with flashing snd research you could have judt entered every number from 0000 thru 9999 if it's a 4 digit pin?
Am I wrong? Or is there something that stops you from doing this?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
That's 10,000 different numbers. It locks you out for 5 minutes when you get it incorrect too many times.
http://www.datagenetics.com/blog/september32012/
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
ADB won't connect, even though I do have debugging on, because the ME7 update forces confirmation from the phone to connect for debugging. But yes, that will be the method to try to clear the pin code - it would be the password.key file instead of gesture.key. The first day I did try installing some other lockscreen-disabling apps compatible with 4.2 remotely through Google Play, but they don't automatically start so it wasn't any help.
Even if I were to try 10,000 PINs, I don't think it would work. I believe the file is just corrupt and would never unlock with any number. I may try a few combinations I haven't yet to be sure though.
Do you happen to have cerberus installed? You can remote unlock
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
No, but I have Avast. However, I would think that the lock/unlock of Cerberus would be the same as Avast in that the program itself sets lock and it is separate from the lock screen PIN. I did try locking/unlocking the phone through Avast online without success. Good idea though and I appreciate any helpful suggestions such as this.
It wasn't available until just recently, but Avast offers a Backup add-on that would have saved my pictures for free and if you get paid version it will also do videos and other data. I tried adding it through Google Play, but you have to set up the picture backup from the phone - arrrggghhhhh!!!!
I PM'd one person with a little Verizon inside info that said to ask a store if they have a Cellebrite machine which could possibly download the photos/vids. I may try calling a local Verizon store again and possibly some stores that cell used ones or do repair. Now that I know what to ask for, maybe I can get somewhere.
I haven't had a chance to try and flash with Odin yet in the stock ME7 OTA... If you could flash an Odin stock restore, then this would be perfect:
http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23032113221600748
I thought you could flash with Odin on the ME7 OTA as long as it was a stock-unrooted tar.md5.. But I guess I heard wrong.
Just a point of interest (something else to maybe look into), the stock recovery will let you flash an "update.zip" I believe. Off the top of my head I cannot recall the details for creating an update.zip that the stock-unrooted recovery will take... But it's definitely something worth looking into.
If you've been without the phone for a few weeks already, you probably wouldn't mind sending it off to get fixed.
Get in touch with me via Google Talk/Hangouts and we can figure out what I could possibly do with my resources here. I am going to look into my JTAG and see about possibly saving your data.
My email address for Google Talk/Hangouts is:
[email protected]
-h311sdr0id
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
And update us! I'd love to hear if this works.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4

[Q] Prompted daily for same OTA update?

I have a stock rom evo 4g LTE, rooted, with Android 4.0.3 on it.
I forget the root app I used, some one click thingy, I guess my bootloader is unlocked
because I get a boot menu every time I reboot, on that screen that says **TAMPERED**.
Anyway, I ignored the notification icon in my taskbar for OTA updates, for a very long time.
Since the day I bought it over a year ago.
Finally I decided "eh, screw it, why not." ...I'm sure I'll regret that.
I told it to do the OTA update, and it downloaded (I think??) and rebooted.
The icon went away. Seemed to be a done deal.
But once per day since then, my phone rings, and I see a prompt saying
there's an OTA update, and would I like to install it now?
I think it's the same OTA update being prompted repeatdly,
because the filesize is always the same (~42 megs).
What should I do? I can choose install, reboot, and be fine for the rest of the day,
or choose cancel, reboot, and be fine for the rest of the day.
Doesn't seem to matter. But would be nice to fix it for good.
Well, considering that you are about 4-5 OTAs behind the rest of the community, I would say that the notification is probably correct. HOWEVER, of you are not using the stock recovery, then the OTA did not flash. Yes, the phone rebooted, but that's because it is installed entirely through recovery, and the phone has to reboot to get into recovery mode in the first place.
Now, for the more important question at hand....why exactly are you still using ICS? Furthermore, if you are still using ICS, then why are you rooted? As far as I'm concerned, the OTAs are actually necessary updates for the phone. I'm sure that you will love Jelly Bean if you have never used it before.
And please, for the sake of us all who are cringing at the sight of the first sentence....PLEASE UPDATE your phone! If you have a good reason not to, please share.
Hi, thanks for the reply... Maybe they were all different updates after all.
I haven't been prompted to update again since my post.
Maybe I grabbed the 3 or 4 OTA updates that I needed to catch up on.
I do think I'd like Jelly Bean too, seeing some of the features is what prompted me to finally catch up.
Can you explain this part to me? I'm not familiar with this stuff.
HOWEVER, of you are not using the stock recovery, then the OTA did not flash.
Yes, the phone rebooted, but that's because it is installed entirely through recovery,
and the phone has to reboot to get into recovery mode in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, there's more than one recovery mode, the stock one, and ...whatever else you can install?
When I see the white screen that says **TAMPERED** (looks basically like this screen)...
should I have chosen Recovery instead of the usual reboot option?
If I no longer see the notification, does that mean the updates worked? My Android version still shows 4.0.3.
why exactly are you still using ICS? Furthermore, if you are still using ICS, then why are you rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I had no compelling reason to upgrade. I still don't really, the phone does what I want,
I just saw some of the features in the next version and thought "huh, that sounds pretty cool".
I'm rooted for all the usual reasons... I want to be able to browse, copy, move, rename files (including system files)
without incident... use nandroid for backups... wifi tether (still can't get that to work actually)... install unapproved apps...
tweak the OS, and so on.
Ok, my friend...let me educate you. Instead of giving you the simplest, fastest solution, I will actually try to answer all of your questions, since you did ask.
I do think I'd like Jelly Bean too, seeing some of the features is what prompted me to finally catch up.
Can you explain this part to me? I'm not familiar with this stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To give a very superficial explanation of Jelly Bean, it is everything that ICS does, and more. It just does it smoother. It also brings Google Now, which was – and still is – the selling point of Jelly Bean. The Sense launcher got a few changes, too, but you will have to explore those changes on your own (mainly because I don’t remember them off hand, and this post is beginning to become lengthy).
Maybe I grabbed the 3 or 4 OTA updates that I needed to catch up on.
If I no longer see the notification, does that mean the updates worked? My Android version still shows 4.0.3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the first update didn’t update properly, then the phone is simply downloading and trying to install the same update over and over. When you boot back into Android after a successful update, you will be greeted by a welcome message congratulating you for installing the new version.
If you are rooted, odds are, you are using a custom recovery, such as TWRP or CWM. OTAs are only installed through the stock recovery & a locked bootloader. The stock recovery doesn’t make nandroids, or do anything of the sort. To install the stock recovery, go here:
http://downloadandroidrom.com/file/HTCEvo4GLTE/rooting/Evo4GLTERoot2.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock recovery is located somewhere within the zip file.
So, there's more than one recovery mode, the stock one, and ...whatever else you can install?
When I see the white screen that says **TAMPERED** (looks basically like this screen)...
should I have chosen Recovery instead of the usual reboot option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash install the stock recovery by using fastboot commands from the bootloader (which is the screen that shows the TAMPERED status on the top), or you can use Flash Image GUI. It is a paid app on the Play Store, or you can get it from XDA (the dev let XDA users download it for free…Google it).
Lastly, there are a few things that I suggest that you do. First, obtain S-Off (Google, Google, Google...very simple), so you can install the new firmwares directly, instead of using OTAs. Otherwise, if you accept the OTA, you will lose root, and you will have to root your phone again and again. Installing the firmware, then the new rom is the same as accepting the OTA, then rooting.
Another alternative is to get S-Off, then accept the OTA (after installing the stock recovery). Your bootloader does not need to be locked, and there are recovery zips floating around here that can be installed through the bootloader (therefore, you will not be stuck rooting the phone the hard way, just boot into recovery and flash SuperSU). I highly suggest achieving S-Off.
If you want to jump straight to the latest version (Android 4.3, Sense 5.0) by installing the RUU located somewhere in this forum. I actually suggest that you try Sense 4 with Jelly Bean first, but that is completely up to you. Keep in mind that using the RUU will wipe your internal memory, so back up what needs to be backed up. This doesn’t require you to be rooted, and the state of the bootloader does not matter. It will lock the bootloader, load the stock recovery, and you will lose root. You won’t be able to downgrade without S-Off.
Other Notes:
When using the 4.3 RUU, make sure that Android USB Debugging is enabled.
Bookmarking for later but I wanted to say thanks for the thorough reply!
I can confirm the update never worked, because I never got the confirmation message
and I got prompted again a few hours after I posted.
Are you willing to answer just a few more things?
Based on what I've read, it sounds like this is what I ought to do:
- Back up anything I need to. Just to confirm, updating firmware and flashing a new rom wipes out everything in the phone's internal memory, but not external SDcard? Or both?
Are apps considered "on the cloud" and I can reinstall by just redownloading, without paying again?
Except sideloaded apps? Or will I need to find all those APK files and save them somewhere else?
Is it safe to say they're all in \data\app and \system\app? Or would system\app be unwanted since it's what came with the old phone OS?
- Get my phone into S-OFF status.
- Update firmware (this is a separate process from updating the rom? Where do I get this firmware? Google google google?)
- Install a new ROM (stock or otherwise) which will have these updates built in, so I won't need to regain root.
- Not sure what my bootloader is, maybe TWRP, does it matter? Do the above steps affect it? Should I change it to stock anyway?
- You suggested trying Sense 4 rather than Sense 5 first... any special reason?
Are you willing to answer just a few more things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As always, I'm open for questions. Not to sound egotistic, but I enjoy sharing my opinion.
Based on what I've read, it sounds like this is what I ought to do:
- Back up anything I need to. Just to confirm, updating firmware and flashing a new rom wipes out everything in the phone's internal memory, but not external SDcard? Or both?
Updating to the 4.3 firmware wipes your internal memory, not your sd card (although, that may be a very unfortunate circumstance, so it should be backed up as well). The other firmware updates do not affect your memory.
Are apps considered "on the cloud" and I can reinstall by just redownloading, without paying again?
Technically, yes they are "on the cloud." The fact that you paid is saved somewhere within your main Google account that you downloaded the app with. It is possible to pay for apps with your secondary gmail account, which can be switched within the Play Store app.
Except sideloaded apps? Or will I need to find all those APK files and save them somewhere else?
Use Titanium Backup if you can't find the apks. I do save my apks that I download, and I also upload them to Google Drive, since I have multiple Android devices, and I also have a faulty micro sd card that I am yet to replace. I can lose my data at any given moment, but everything is backed up, so I'm not worried.
Is it safe to say they're all in \data\app and \system\app? Or would system\app be unwanted since it's what came with the old phone OS?
Everything within the /system folder is wiped when you flash new roms. That data is NOT backed up while flashing between roms. Also, since it is from an older Android version, it's best to leave them alone. You may back up the data if you like, but I would refrain from restoring the apks along with the data.
The /data directory may be wiped, depending on the dev who built the rom zip. If they added the superwipe script, then /data will be wiped as well. Most devs do not include this, since many people "dirty flash," which is flashing new roms or updates of the current rom without wiping /data first.
- Get my phone into S-OFF status.
You will save yourself a LOT of headaches in the future. It was my S-Off status that allowed me to reflash my firmware when I lost the function of my data/voice antennas while carelessly flashing a port of a phone on a different carrier. Also, if you feel curious to try AOSP roms, then you do not need to do any extra steps to flash them.
- Update firmware (this is a separate process from updating the rom? Where do I get this firmware? Google google google?)
Yes, the firmware handles manages how the hardware of the phone operates. Updating the rom changes how the software looks and behaves. The kernel is sort of a bridge between the firmware and the software, since it manages the firmware (like battery life, processor speed, antennas, etc.), but the kernel is dependent on the software version. The firmware is not dependent on the software version, just as the software version is not dependent on the firmware version.
The only exception of the firmware/software independence is the 4.3 update, which requires a complete update of the firmware, and the older software cannot run on the new firmware without being modded by a dev.
- Install a new ROM (stock or otherwise) which will have these updates built in, so I won't need to regain root.
- Not sure what my bootloader is, maybe TWRP, does it matter? Do the above steps affect it? Should I change it to stock anyway?
Your bootloader is the white screen that shows the TAMPERED status on the top, and little Androids on skateboards on the bottom. With the exception of the firmware information in the top left corner, this screen does not change...ever.
TWRP is your recovery image, which is accessible through the RECOVERY option in your bootloader, or you can boot directly into it through different apps in Android - Titanium Backup is one of them (yes, that's one of the options, even for the free version).
The only reason to return your recovery to stock is to accept OTAs, and also to bring your phone back to the complete factory settings, just as the day when it was first purchased (for the sake of selling the phone, or returning back to Sprint for service}. Otherwise, don't bother with it. You may want to update your version of TWRP, though. If you update to 4.3, you will have to update it. I'm not going to take the time to get into that right now. I've given you enough homework.
- You suggested trying Sense 4 rather than Sense 5 first... any special reason?
I am a very patient person. To me, exploring Android takes time. I enjoy reading before I test, and testing before I settle (which I'm yet to "settle"). All of that being said, I suggested Sense 4 before Sense 5 because I wanted you to experience the both of them. They are truly two different versions of Sense, which one might not realize, as their version numbers are differentiated by one integer (in other words, 4 to 5). Sense 3 was a small step above Sense 2, and Sense 4 was a bigger step from Sense 3. Sense 5 is a complete overhaul of the Sense UI, save the flip clock.
I just feel that skipping from 4.0 to 4.3 is missing out on a great experience, but that is mainly if you actually want to try out different roms. Until the Sense 5 RUU, I still visiting ICS on occassion, but I usually didn't last more than 3 hours before I jumped back to JB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whew...you're making me work. But I like it. Anymore questions? Feel free to ask.
OK I've been working on this all afternoon and I'm at an impasse.
You've been a huge help so far and I hope you can guide me through this part.
I want to S-OFF and am following a tutorial: http://www.thefortressofnerditude.com/s-off-your-sprint-htc-evo-4g-lte/
Step 3 says root and install recovery. So I decide I need TWRP.
Already have nandroid and titanium backups both completed.
And I copied the whole SDcard to my computer after.
Annoyingly, TWRP's install page suggests that I need to be in S-OFF.
TWRP says I need S-OFF. S-OFF guide seems to suggest I need TWRP working.
I installed "TWRP Manager". Realize that might not be the same thing as TWRP.
Googled and found it on the TeamWin page.
The page asks first to input my device. I choose Evo 4G LTE (Jewel).
That brings me to this page: http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/98
They suggest I do the android app install method. I follow the first link (Market Link)
and install GooManager, and follow their steps.
Install the app and open it. Tap menu then hit Install OpenRecoveryScript. Tap Yes. Verify that the filename displays your device's code name and hit Yes. The file will download and your device will reboot and install the recovery automatically.
This all goes smoothly, but here's my issue.
It doesn't reboot automatically, or install anything automatically.
I see in the comments a recommendation to reboot into recovery mode.
I choose that in GooManager's menu, and after rebooting I get my bootloader screen with 4 menu options:
Bootloader
Reboot
Reboot Bootloader
Power Down
The only one that sounds sensible to me is bootloader so I pick that.
Now I get some new options:
Fastboot
Recovery
Factory Reset
Clear Storage
Simlock
Image CRC
Show Barcode
So, the only one that makes sense is Recovery. I choose it. The phone reboots.
Now I'm back at the first menu. So I'm in a loop.
Nothing I do in this loop seems to install anything.
So I just rebooted the phone normally and I'm back to my OS.
Where to go from here?
CreeDo said:
OK I've been working on this all afternoon and I'm at an impasse.
You've been a huge help so far and I hope you can guide me through this part.
I want to S-OFF and am following a tutorial: http://www.thefortressofnerditude.com/s-off-your-sprint-htc-evo-4g-lte/
Step 3 says root and install recovery. So I decide I need TWRP.
Already have nandroid and titanium backups both completed.
And I copied the whole SDcard to my computer after.
Annoyingly, TWRP's install page suggests that I need to be in S-OFF.
TWRP says I need S-OFF. S-OFF guide seems to suggest I need TWRP working.
I installed "TWRP Manager". Realize that might not be the same thing as TWRP.
Googled and found it on the TeamWin page.
The page asks first to input my device. I choose Evo 4G LTE (Jewel).
That brings me to this page: http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/98
They suggest I do the android app install method. I follow the first link (Market Link)
and install GooManager, and follow their steps.
Install the app and open it. Tap menu then hit Install OpenRecoveryScript. Tap Yes. Verify that the filename displays your device's code name and hit Yes. The file will download and your device will reboot and install the recovery automatically.
This all goes smoothly, but here's my issue.
It doesn't reboot automatically, or install anything automatically.
I see in the comments a recommendation to reboot into recovery mode.
I choose that in GooManager's menu, and after rebooting I get my bootloader screen with 4 menu options:
Bootloader
Reboot
Reboot Bootloader
Power Down
The only one that sounds sensible to me is bootloader so I pick that.
Now I get some new options:
Fastboot
Recovery
Factory Reset
Clear Storage
Simlock
Image CRC
Show Barcode
So, the only one that makes sense is Recovery. I choose it. The phone reboots.
Now I'm back at the first menu. So I'm in a loop.
Nothing I do in this loop seems to install anything.
So I just rebooted the phone normally and I'm back to my OS.
Where to go from here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you unlock your boot loader first? You don't need to be S-off to install a custom recovery. Unlock your bootloader at htcdev.com then install twrp.
Read here for more info:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2420916
Also, I suggest learning how to use fastboot commands. Install twrp using fastboot.
Sent from my EVO using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
OK, so I'm semi-bricked but not panicking yet.
Here's where I'm at.
• Unlocked boot loader successfully
• Installed TWRP using fastboot.
• Followed instructions as closely as I could on moonshine.io to get S-OFF working.
Several times during the process I got "installing device driver software" in my win7 system tray.
Not sure if that's normal. But the drivers seemed to install fine. At first.
But then, during this part of the process:
Moonshining .................(1)
Windows prompted me that it was installing some drivers again, But it failed to install the MTP driver.
After ten tries with the "Moonshining" step, I got "ERROR: don't drink and moonshine!" or something like that.
So, it seems like I need to get this MTP driver going. First I tried solutions on the computer:
• Uninstalled all HTC software, unplugged phone, rebooted,
installed HTC Sync Manager (setup name setup_3.0.52.0_htc.exe), then uninstalled it...
because a tutorial said this would keep the drivers but remove the software. Still no luck on the MTP driver though.
• Found "Mass Storage Device" (my phone) under device manager, removed it, unplugged, rebooted, replugged.
• Plugged cord into back of PC, so I'm using USB 2.0 rather than USB 3.0.
• One suggestion said a certain registry section might have an upperfilter key that shouldn't be there.
But I don't have that upperfilter key so that's not the issue.
Some fixes require getting into my phone (one guy suggests turning off USB debugging)...
but I no longer have a working OS. I can get into my bootloader, I tried Factory Reset.
But after choosing this I go into TWRP and I have no TWRP backups that I can restore.
So my next guess is, I need to get a recovery ZIP (is that basically a ROM?) that TWRP can install.
If that's correct, what ZIP should I get? I was on Android 4.0.3 Sense 4.0, can I download jellybean with Sense 5.0,
and install it via TWRP?
That was my goal all along, but I'm determined to get S-OFF working, so if doing that means my phone gets wiped again,
I guess I just want whatever ROM/recovery/whatever that allows me to change this USB debugging setting,
and try other phone-related fixes to the MTP driver issue.
First of all, flash an ICS rom. I'm assuming that you are still using the same ICS firmware, and you will want to have your phone operational (to enable USB debugging). The link for MeanRom ICS still works. http://old.androidfilehost.com/main/EVO_3D_Developers/mikeyxda/LTEvo/MeanROM-ICS-v65-jewel-ltevo.zip
Ok....since you are on the old HBoot, I think that you need to use the older S-Off methods (LazyPanda or DirtyRacun), if I'm not mistaken. You can not download and flash Sense 5.0 through TWRP as of yet, because you need to be using the new firmware to do so. You may want to pay http://unlimited.io/jewel.htm a visit. Also, to use LazyPanda or DirtyRacun, you need to be using Ubuntu. Another option that you have is to use the regular RUU and update directly to Sense 5.0. You will be stock, unrooted, but you can easily use the latest S-Off method.
Lastly, for your rooting/S-Off needs, you can also use a handy-dandy toolkit from @WindyCityRockr that can handle everything that you need to do. I usually encourage manual labor, but there are some exceptions. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2436217
Thanks again for jumping in.
I'm getting somewhere, but still so many difficulties.
Fix one thing, break two more.
I finally have a new working rom, but almost against my will it ended up
being CyanogenMod.
The short version:
- unlocked bootloader, got TWRP going, finally got ADB working (don't think it's the right driver,
but whatever, ADB commands work fine), wiped everything... factory reset, Dalvik, external storage.
- Didn't wipe Internal storage, I wiped only /data/ per some post's recommendation.
- I used ADB PUSH to get a few possible roms onto /sdcard/
PJ75IMG_1.13.651.1.zip (failed with "unable to open zip")
(ROM)_Stock_Rooted_OTA_(3.16.651.3)V2.zip (failed with "unable to execute updater binary in zip")
cm-10.2.0-jewel.zip (cyanogenmod) - success!
So, the phone works. It appears to be at least based on android 4.3... and I'm guessing CM, which updates
frequently, has all those OTA updates bundled into it. Any downsides to CyanogenMod?
I could just proceed from here to reinstall my old apps etc.
I'm still not "S-OFF" which annoys me, but I read a post suggesting it's not really that necessary.
The way they put it is, s-off allows you to access partitions so they can be modded,
but nobody is developing anything interesting for those partitions. Like nobody's doing custom radios and such.
Should I still pursue S-OFF anyway?
If so, is there a way to do it with CyanogenMod?
That awesome app (Windroid Universal Toolkit) doesn't recognize the phone.
Last question, how should I go about restoring everything?
I had titanium and nandroid backups copied to my computer.
Can it restore to such a wildly different version of the OS?
Can I get back not just apps, but stuff like my keyboard preferences, texting history, etc.?
Should I still pursue S-OFF anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes! Being S-On is a complete pain in the BUTT when switching AOSP roms. Have you tried to flash the rom that I posted, MeanRom ICS? I'm really trying to get you to stay on Sense, because S-Off and other different tools work so much better while using Sense. AOSP is better after S-Off. But that's up to you.
If so, is there a way to do it with CyanogenMod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure. You can try if you have the time. I suggest making a nandroid of your CM rom, and try to flash a Sense ICS rom, not JB...yet.
That awesome app (Windroid Universal Toolkit) doesn't recognize the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM might be the issue here, as well as it might not.
Last question, how should I go about restoring everything?
I had titanium and nandroid backups copied to my computer.
Can it restore to such a wildly different version of the OS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, TB will still work. There are some apps that might cause the restoration process to freeze, so I suggest killing TB and skipping over the app that froze the process when you return.
Can I get back not just apps, but stuff like my keyboard preferences, texting history, etc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your keyboard preferences was not backed up, then no. If you were using the stock Sense keyboard, then that is a no as well. As long as your texting history was backed up, it can be restored. Texts are not like apps...their data is typically stored in XML files which are readable through any version of Android (2.3+).
I'm still soliciting my help if you need it.
I'm for sure going to need it, so thanks very much for the ongoing support!
I got discouraged after all the failures but I'll download Meanrom now.
The thing is... now that Cyanogen mod works, I hesitate to wipe it and try a new one.
Especially since several other roms I tried mysteriously failed to install.
I like that it's jellybean and don't wanna move backwards to ICS.
And I like their goal of cutting out the fluff.
I still want S-OFF, will I end up having to wipe everything again to get it?
Also, I really don't feel confident I have the right drivers for my windows machine.
I can transfer files in USB mode, go into USB debugging, and do the usual ADB commands.
But the phone shows up as a nexus in device manager, but it's definitely evo 4G lte.
I tried installing an executable RUU and it failed after a bit saying it can't detect the device.
And there's that issue where Windroid doesn't detect it.
So I have the feeling that without the right USB drivers, tools like Moonshine will still fail.
I specifically got errors every time when anything tried to install MTP usb drivers. Do I really need them?
You think LazyPanda or DirtyRacun's tools will work even if I never get the MTP thing installed?
CreeDo said:
I'm for sure going to need it, so thanks very much for the ongoing support!
I got discouraged after all the failures but I'll download Meanrom now.
The thing is... now that Cyanogen mod works, I hesitate to wipe it and try a new one.
Especially since several other roms I tried mysteriously failed to install.
I like that it's jellybean and don't wanna move backwards to ICS.
And I like their goal of cutting out the fluff.
I still want S-OFF, will I end up having to wipe everything again to get it?
Also, I really don't feel confident I have the right drivers for my windows machine.
I can transfer files in USB mode, go into USB debugging, and do the usual ADB commands.
But the phone shows up as a nexus in device manager, but it's definitely evo 4G lte.
I tried installing an executable RUU and it failed after a bit saying it can't detect the device.
And there's that issue where Windroid doesn't detect it.
So I have the feeling that without the right USB drivers, tools like Moonshine will still fail.
I specifically got errors every time when anything tried to install MTP usb drivers. Do I really need them?
You think LazyPanda or DirtyRacun's tools will work even if I never get the MTP thing installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel free to try the facepalm S-off method as well. Works on devices with older software and is super easy. Look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2163013
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Evolution_Freak said:
Feel free to try the facepalm S-off method as well. Works on devices with older software and is super easy. Look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2163013
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers, it does look pretty straightforward.
Of course that's what I thought hours ago when I tried moonshine haha.
I'll give it a go.
To be clear, does this method wipe anything?
They don't actually say.
CreeDo said:
Cheers, it does look pretty straightforward.
Of course that's what I thought hours ago when I tried moonshine haha.
I'll give it a go.
To be clear, does this method wipe anything?
They don't actually say.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't remember if it wipes or not. Best thing to do is make a backup with TWRP and keep the backup on your external SD card. If it wipes you can always restore your backup.
Sent from my HTC device
Thanks for the help so far guys. I am currently really enjoying Cyanogenmod. I suspect it's eating battery more,
but then against I am on the phone for hours redoing everything that got changed/removed.
Does anyone know if there's a simple way (or even a difficult way) to restore my texts?
Because the app is totally different, and the old text app was the one that came
with the stock rom, I cannot restore it in titanium. But if I could extract even the raw text that'd be helpful.
Get back to Sense, or get someone with Sense to restore it for you, and save it using a different app. Or maybe try using SMS Backup & Restore from the Play Store. I'm not sure if it can read the backups saved through Sense, but it's worth a try. You just have to navigate to the location of the old backup.
It looks like I can import an XML in this messaging app so maybe if sense offers an export to XML option, I'll be set.
Sense is sort of an OS on top of the OS, right?
Can sense be loaded without flashing a new rom? or is it too integrated with the OS?

Bricked Fire HDX 8.9 ; Need Stock Launcher?

Hello everyone,
Here is the sad tale:
I recently got my Kindle Fire HDX and immediately started fiddling with it. Got it rooted and installed GApps using KindleFree. I then decided to buy KindleFree Pro to tweak even more. I fiddled around with the custom launcher option and basically bricked the device all within the same day that I got it! I'm not sure what that option changed exactly behind the scenes but I was able to ADB in and noticed that Launcher-release-signed_82046410.apk has a size of 0kb... that can't be right so I figured I'd start there...
First, I'd like for someone to confirm the size of theirs, if it isn't 0kb (which I doubt it will be) then can someone kindly upload that APK so I can load it up and hopefully get this thing working again?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest a way to simply reflash the stock rom via ADB somehow? I never installed safestrap and I don't think it can be installed via ADB. At least not that I've seen.
Thanks!
ok sorry
mkid89 said:
Hello everyone,
Here is the sad tale:
I recently got my Kindle Fire HDX and immediately started fiddling with it. Got it rooted and installed GApps using KindleFree. I then decided to buy KindleFree Pro to tweak even more. I fiddled around with the custom launcher option and basically bricked the device all within the same day that I got it! I'm not sure what that option changed exactly behind the scenes but I was able to ADB in and noticed that Launcher-release-signed_82046410.apk has a size of 0kb... that can't be right so I figured I'd start there...
First, I'd like for someone to confirm the size of theirs, if it isn't 0kb (which I doubt it will be) then can someone kindly upload that APK so I can load it up and hopefully get this thing working again?
Alternatively, can anyone suggest a way to simply reflash the stock rom via ADB somehow? I never installed safestrap and I don't think it can be installed via ADB. At least not that I've seen.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786190 and that's why we have safestrap so you don't modify your stock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6fPF5UZsWw
There are a few Devs still working on a way to flash something from fast boot no ETA means no promises seems the only fix for you may be to call Amazon . And maybe someone will chime in with a way to sideload an app I'm not sure. Good luck
I should have listened to the warnings when people said it was easy to brick! I've been modifying devices since the windows mobile days before android and never once have felt this hopeless! Safestrap will be the first thing I do once I get this running again.
The good news is I still have SU root access in ADB without needing a Fastboot cable. I'm thinking everything else but the launcher loads so it is pretty much fully functional but with no gui. It sometimes will even boots to the lock screen but unlocks to a black screen.
I think I should be able to sideload the launcher if someone can get me the apk.
well
mkid89 said:
I should have listened to the warnings when people said it was easy to brick! I've been modifying devices since the windows mobile days before android and never once have felt this hopeless! Safestrap will be the first thing I do once I get this running again.
The good news is I still have SU root access in ADB without needing a Fastboot cable. I'm thinking everything else but the launcher loads so it is pretty much fully functional but with no gui. It sometimes will even boots to the lock screen but unlocks to a black screen.
I think I should be able to sideload the launcher if someone can get me the apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your patient somebody savvy enough will come by. and actually I know that I have read that someplace here I couldn't tell you where sorry. And if you're hoping for somebody to drop off the apk for you probably should let them know which firmware you are. Or you could always download the Bin file of your current firmware and exract it. Downloaded to an android rename it .zip and extract
That's a good idea but I don't know where to get the bin file or how to confirm I have the correct one. I had just updated so I believe it was the latest version. I'm thinking it's v13.3.2.1 or maybe v13.3.2.4 it said there were no more updates available so it should be the latest.
It's an 8.9. Don't think I mentioned that.
well
mkid89 said:
That's a good idea but I don't know where to get the bin file or how to confirm I have the correct one. I had just updated so I believe it was the latest version. I'm thinking it's v13.3.2.1 or maybe v13.3.2.4 it said there were no more updates available so it should be the latest.
It's an 8.9. Don't think I mentioned that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
8.9 is 14.3.2.4 https://s3.amazonaws.com/kindle-fire-updates/update-kindle-14.3.2.4_user_324002120.bin
Thank you for your help! I actually got it working shortly after my last post but got right into installing safestrap. ?
I'll post a write up tomorrow on what needed to be done in case anyone else has the issue. It's late where I'm at so I need to get some rest before trying to write it all up!
Ok! Now that I have a fresh mind I can document the steps I took to correct this issue.
How did this happen to begin with? I think that when I tried to set a custom launcher as default using KindleFree Pro, the launcher I selected was unable to load properly or something interrupted the process. Either way, it either would only load to the lock screen or just sit on the boot animation. I'm thinking the way that KindleFree works is that it replaces the default launcher apk with a link that points to the launcher you want to replace it with (hence the 0kb size). Either that or something got corrupted during the process of changing the launcher. I'm not sure what KindleFree does behind the scenes so this is all just speculation.
Anyways, on to the good stuff. Once I noticed the launcher was 0kb, thats where I decided to direct my troubleshooting efforts. I posted this thread hoping someone would upload the stock launcher for me to replace it with but jimyv gave me the idea to just grab it from the bin. I ended up finding the bin file here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201357190 before he replied with the direct link. The "Download Software Update" link is a direct link to the .bin file. I changed the extension, opened it up and found the launcher apk per jimyv's suggestion.
Once I had the file, I needed to get it onto the HDX. I more or less followed the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588608
Instead of replacing the odex files, I replaced the launcher apk under /system/app/ As soon as it had finished copying over, the device went from the boot splash screen to the lock screen in what can only be described as a magical moment.
Interesting to note: Most people say that if you perform a factory reset from the stock recovery, your hopes of using ADB and having root are gone unless you get a factory/fastboot cable. I actually did perform a factory reset but for some reason was still able to use ADB and did not lose root access. I had used TowelRoot to root the device so I'm wondering if that is a more permanent means of rooting compared to other methods? Either way, I'm glad I didn't lose root. Otherwise I would have needed to wait for a factory cable to be shipped and to root it via ADB.
Fyi that Chinese root method which is posted early on in the rollback thread it will root with ADB only.. And the factory reset thing has not really been consistent throughout each user.. But more or less we have been advising people not to because the chances are greater that you will lose the superuser binaries and you definitely will lose safestrap if installed. What is hard to get through to people is when they are in a boot loop they get in a hurry and start factory resetting and that is not always the best option. Depending on exactly what is going on. Most of the time it is people losing their ADB access and cannot figure out how to uninstall the MTP drivers first then install the ADB drivers..
Good job getting your device back online and thank you very much for the closing write up .
mkid89 said:
Ok! Now that I have a fresh mind I can document the steps I took to correct this issue.
How did this happen to begin with? I think that when I tried to set a custom launcher as default using KindleFree Pro, the launcher I selected was unable to load properly or something interrupted the process. Either way, it either would only load to the lock screen or just sit on the boot animation. I'm thinking the way that KindleFree works is that it replaces the default launcher apk with a link that points to the launcher you want to replace it with (hence the 0kb size). Either that or something got corrupted during the process of changing the launcher. I'm not sure what KindleFree does behind the scenes so this is all just speculation.
Anyways, on to the good stuff. Once I noticed the launcher was 0kb, thats where I decided to direct my troubleshooting efforts. I posted this thread hoping someone would upload the stock launcher for me to replace it with but jimyv gave me the idea to just grab it from the bin. I ended up finding the bin file here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201357190 before he replied with the direct link. The "Download Software Update" link is a direct link to the .bin file. I changed the extension, opened it up and found the launcher apk per jimyv's suggestion.
Once I had the file, I needed to get it onto the HDX. I more or less followed the instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588608
Instead of replacing the odex files, I replaced the launcher apk under /system/app/ As soon as it had finished copying over, the device went from the boot splash screen to the lock screen in what can only be described as a magical moment.
Interesting to note: Most people say that if you perform a factory reset from the stock recovery, your hopes of using ADB and having root are gone unless you get a factory/fastboot cable. I actually did perform a factory reset but for some reason was still able to use ADB and did not lose root access. I had used TowelRoot to root the device so I'm wondering if that is a more permanent means of rooting compared to other methods? Either way, I'm glad I didn't lose root. Otherwise I would have needed to wait for a factory cable to be shipped and to root it via ADB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could i use this way to fix my fault at this link bro?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/kin...p-kindle-fire-hdx-8-9-doesnt-able-to-t2816663
I took a look. That's a totally different issue than my issue. Mine wasn't getting stuck on the recovery screen. Sorry.

Help Needed Fixing Asus Transformer Prime (TF201)

Alright XDA Community. I need some help. Desperately. So I had plans on rooting my tablet (TF201) to install a custom ROM. Being that I have version 4.1.1 installed I would looking for something a little newer and modern. That did not go as planned from the beginning. Since the first step was rooting it, I looked for a ROM. So I searched the web, including XDA and found KingRoot to root my device. Either KingRoot was a terrible choice or something did not go right with the process. Now when I turn on my device I get random pop ups for for stupid garbage that I don't want installed like What's App and UC News. Everything functions as it should but I get random messages that Settings stopped working. I get random apps being installed on a regular basis. I could be in an app and I get a blank / black box on top of something trying to open or install. This very frustrating and I am completely over my head now. So here is what I would love help with;
1. I would like to UNROOT my device to ALL stock settings and firmware. Completed
2. I would like to ROOT my device PROPERLY. Completed
3. I would like to install a custom ROM with Android 6.x or 7.x (Something plain and vanilla)
4. I would LOVE this help if at all possible in plain English Step by Step with pictures if possible. I would like it dummy proof.
Thank you very much for any and all help. It will be very much appreciated.
PS. I do not need to back anything up. It was a fresh reset recently and I do not have anything to backup.
Step 1 is complete. I used Kingo Root to UNROOT my device.
Step 2 is complete. I used Kingo Root to ROOT my device.
Have you unlocked the bootloader using the Asus supplied software?
NP
No. I downloaded it and installed it but when I go to run the APP it asks for my Google Credentials but it does not accept them. I use the credentials every day so I know my username and password but it does not work.
Delete you google account then run the bootloader unlocker again.
NP
Nektopoli said:
Delete you google account then run the bootloader unlocker again.
NP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much. That did the trick. Here is the problem though. I think I am way over my head on this. I did a Davlik Wipe and a Factory Reset but there is something still not right. I did both a Dalvik wipe and Factory reset last night before bed. I did not touch it once complete but on a regular basis I get pop ups about Android System stopped working or UC News. I cannot get rid of either of these on my tablet.
Any idea what I can do?
Now that you have the BOOTLOADER unlocked next step is to ROOT the TF201, I used MOTOCHOPPER. Check out this thread;
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2230763
NP
That worked. I was able to Root my device without issue. Actually that was a great tool. Nice and easy to work with.
So here is my next stop. What ROM do I pick? I was looking at 6.x or 7. It looks like KatKiss is pretty good but I am not sure.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/transformer-prime/development/rom-katkiss-nougat-t3459313
No reason not to go straight to 7.1.2 just make sure you flash the correct TWRP.
NP
And this is the part I don't understand. I have downloaded TWRP and ROM Manager from ClockWork. I have copied the ZIP folder to my SD card and placed it in my TF201. From here I don't know what to do.
I follow the instruction from 5.1 here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/transformer-prime/development/rom-katkiss-5-1-tf201-22-t3080892
using the 7.1 files from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/transformer-prime/development/rom-katkiss-nougat-t3459313
NP
Yeah. So now the tablet is stuck at the Asus Splash Screen. Been for the last 48 hours or so. I completely drained the battery but when I filled it back up, no difference.
Can you get into the TWRP recovery console?
NP
Nope. I can't do anything with it. I have power cycled it many times over holding different buttons but no difference.

Question Moto G Pure - XT2163-4 vs XT2163-2 - LTE bands

New here. Didn't see a forum for the Moto G Pure XT2163. Mods - I am sorry. Please move wherever's best.
Discovered that the version Verizon is selling (notably the slickdeals thread on the one from Visible) is different. It's -2 vs. -4.
Looks like VZW disabled most of the bands that T-Mobile/Sprint use - 25, 41, 71, for example.
Looking to see if it's possible to enable those bands. One report on SD thread says they bricked their device trying RETUS version but IDK if the bootloader needs to be unlocked first, or if it would even help. Probably more work to unlock these bands if it's even possible.
Downloads look available here https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/ellis/official/
Haven't messed with flashing a phone in years. May be able to try later but hoping anyone else here can look into this.
I'm going to guess as is the case with most other Android devices branded by Verizon that the bootloader will be restricted from being unlocked. There is really no way around this as it's an OEM based policy. If you want to play with custom ROMs or root based modding, I would highly recommend ditching the Verizon or any other carrier branded variant with the exception of T-Mobile/Metro and Google Fi (there are others) that actually allow OEM unlock. Not only that, but if you're looking for certain connectivity bands, you don't want to settle for a carrier device variant designed to use a particular set of bands which don't include the ones you need. No sense getting a Verizon variant to run on T-Mobile/Sprint bands when you can, you know, get the T-Mobile variant in the first place. Get the global unlocked variant model if you can and start from there. Far easier than the headaches you'll get trying to transform VZW to TMUS.
Cross-flashing is not going to unlock bands, you need to change modem configuration. Throw your SoC(Mediatek) followed by "unlock bands" into Google and see if you have any luck.
I also didn't see a forum for the Moto G Pure and was wondering if anyone knows of a custom bootloader like TWRP or CWM for it? I think I have enough understanding of how to sideload the app, I just need something to send the phone. I tried using a random TWRP mod on it but it fails, invalid signature. I haven't tried doing the phone rooting thing in years now, but I have this Moto G Pure phone without any service on it that I'm willing to experiment on. It can be used as a test bed or data extraction device to put code from it on the internet if someone needs it to help custom rom makers for example by testing stuff on it. Perhaps that's why no one has a custom recovery for it yet.
I don't know exactly how to extract the phones current ROM data so all I've done so far is unlock the bootloader. The phone's carrier based on the unactivated sim card shows it's a T-Mobile branded device, but the T-Mobile and other carrier software is inactive other than the few Moto apps. An article on XDA say's the phone's suck, but that's just not true at least not to me. It's a fine phone like it is, but if I can format it's SSD and only install what I want it to have on it that would be great. It's just a spare sim locked phone that I can't use my active sim card in. So with that it's now a project phone. I would like to mainly just unbloat it and free up all that used space occupied by the recovery partition. I don't necessarily need a whole new ROM, just want to root it. That's the only way to erase those factory files that I know of.
For me unlocking the bootloader wasn't to hard to do. You have to make sure the drivers from Motorola are installed and have a current version of ADB available on a computer. I still had a version of ADB tools that was almost a decade old now so I had to update that for the fastboot oem_unlock_unlockcode (automated code from Motorola support) command to work. To find out if it can be unlocked or not go here:
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone%2Fbootloader%2Funlock-your-device-b
At the Moto site they will guide you on how to generate the code they want you to send them. You have to sign in to their site to use that function though. After I finally figured out what to type in the CMD window it generated that code and I edited it down to one long line of numbers and give it to the page. In seconds I had an email with the unlock code inside.
Unlocking it seems to help with uninstalling some of the built in stuff, before I could only disable most of the apps that come with it. The apps are still probably on there I just have to factory reset it and they'll come back. Now however the removed apps don't show as using any internal storage, all the apps info numbers go to 0 bytes, but still even doing that it's still over 10GB of unmovable data. When it should really be more like 2-3 GB for the entire system. I hate how Google just inserts itself in your life even when you don't want it at all.
I anyone passing by reading this post needs more details please let me know and I'll try to get the information or even data files from the phone. Would a copy of it's stock firmware be of any help? If so let me know how I would go about saving a copy of it. I'll keep looking for answers but it seems this phone is not high on the priority list or is new or something. So there is only scam guides trying to tell you "How to unlock your phone" or "Install TWRP on Motorola devices" and other clearly click bait sites. I can't even find the stock rom for it on Motorola's site, just outdated versions from 2016, with different build numbers, that can't be right.
All I know is unlocking the bootloader was the first step on all the guides and I've done that. Got a warranty voided notice and everything. There currently isn't a custom recovery mod for this model as far I can tell. If I can ever find that then I can try Linage or just debloat Android 11 which is probably the safer and easier option provided I can find that Custom Covery'.
When it boots up now, it has to tell me it's unlocked and all the dangers it poses. Dangerous if you cared about what was on it I suppose. There is nothing on it I can't just copy back over to it, other than the stock operating system.
Oh yeah, it's model number and other side of the box information is:
Model Name: Moto G PURE
SKU: MO-XT21634-AJB (MOXT21634AJB)
Software Version RRH31.Q3-46-20
Production date was 12/15/2021
I'm not sure what other information to include.
BrittonCBurton said:
I also didn't see a forum for the Moto G Pure and was wondering if anyone knows of a custom bootloader like TWRP or CWM for it? I think I have enough understanding of how to sideload the app, I just need something to send the phone. I tried using a random TWRP mod on it but it fails, invalid signature. I haven't tried doing the phone rooting thing in years now, but I have this Moto G Pure phone without any service on it that I'm willing to experiment on. It can be used as a test bed or data extraction device to put code from it on the internet if someone needs it to help custom rom makers for example by testing stuff on it. Perhaps that's why no one has a custom recovery for it yet.
I don't know exactly how to extract the phones current ROM data so all I've done so far is unlock the bootloader. The phone's carrier based on the unactivated sim card shows it's a T-Mobile branded device, but the T-Mobile and other carrier software is inactive other than the few Moto apps. An article on XDA say's the phone's suck, but that's just not true at least not to me. It's a fine phone like it is, but if I can format it's SSD and only install what I want it to have on it that would be great. It's just a spare sim locked phone that I can't use my active sim card in. So with that it's now a project phone. I would like to mainly just unbloat it and free up all that used space occupied by the recovery partition. I don't necessarily need a whole new ROM, just want to root it. That's the only way to erase those factory files that I know of.
For me unlocking the bootloader wasn't to hard to do. You have to make sure the drivers from Motorola are installed and have a current version of ADB available on a computer. I still had a version of ADB tools that was almost a decade old now so I had to update that for the fastboot oem_unlock_unlockcode (automated code from Motorola support) command to work. To find out if it can be unlocked or not go here:
https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone%2Fbootloader%2Funlock-your-device-b
At the Moto site they will guide you on how to generate the code they want you to send them. You have to sign in to their site to use that function though. After I finally figured out what to type in the CMD window it generated that code and I edited it down to one long line of numbers and give it to the page. In seconds I had an email with the unlock code inside.
Unlocking it seems to help with uninstalling some of the built in stuff, before I could only disable most of the apps that come with it. The apps are still probably on there I just have to factory reset it and they'll come back. Now however the removed apps don't show as using any internal storage, all the apps info numbers go to 0 bytes, but still even doing that it's still over 10GB of unmovable data. When it should really be more like 2-3 GB for the entire system. I hate how Google just inserts itself in your life even when you don't want it at all.
I anyone passing by reading this post needs more details please let me know and I'll try to get the information or even data files from the phone. Would a copy of it's stock firmware be of any help? If so let me know how I would go about saving a copy of it. I'll keep looking for answers but it seems this phone is not high on the priority list or is new or something. So there is only scam guides trying to tell you "How to unlock your phone" or "Install TWRP on Motorola devices" and other clearly click bait sites. I can't even find the stock rom for it on Motorola's site, just outdated versions from 2016, with different build numbers, that can't be right.
All I know is unlocking the bootloader was the first step on all the guides and I've done that. Got a warranty voided notice and everything. There currently isn't a custom recovery mod for this model as far I can tell. If I can ever find that then I can try Linage or just debloat Android 11 which is probably the safer and easier option provided I can find that Custom Covery'.
When it boots up now, it has to tell me it's unlocked and all the dangers it poses. Dangerous if you cared about what was on it I suppose. There is nothing on it I can't just copy back over to it, other than the stock operating system.
Oh yeah, it's model number and other side of the box information is:
Model Name: Moto G PURE
SKU: MO-XT21634-AJB (MOXT21634AJB)
Software Version RRH31.Q3-46-20
Production date was 12/15/2021
I'm not sure what other information to include.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey i just came up on one of these today, nice phone considering... Any luck with trying to find a custom recovery? I have been looking as well but development seems pretty sparse right now. I am in the same boat as you, unlocked bootloader, locked everything else lol. I cant even find a way to root it without TWRP! I am curious if one of the other moto G series phones would have the same TWRP? Also check this out. It sounds legit but IDK...https://www.getdroidtips.com/root-motorola-g-pure-xt2163/
Agent_Orange1488 said:
hey i just came up on one of these today, nice phone considering... Any luck with trying to find a custom recovery? I have been looking as well but development seems pretty sparse right now. I am in the same boat as you, unlocked bootloader, locked everything else lol. I cant even find a way to root it without TWRP! I am curious if one of the other moto G series phones would have the same TWRP? Also check this out. It sounds legit but IDK...https://www.getdroidtips.com/root-motorola-g-pure-xt2163/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I was able to use Magisk to "root" it with the patched boot file trick, but still that's not the same thing as I did before with a Samsung phone and the CWM recovery deal. That gave the user all the control they wanted. Even though the phone claims I have root access, I'm not sure what to do with Magisk's root trick. I still don't see a way to backup or install a different operating system or just a blank Android 11 OS. My knowledge there is limited and there isn't a custom recovery for this model as far as I can tell.
So I still can't wipe the drive or remove the OEM partition that contains the installers for the bundled stuff. I'd still need some form of interface that has more features than the stock Fastboot and Bootloader modes offer I guess, or I just don't know how to use the software tools correctly. It's still locked even with root as far as I can tell but if there is something more I'm missing or an additional app to install for example, like SU. Is that still a thing? If I'm on the right track let me know.
BrittonCBurton said:
Well I was able to use Magisk to "root" it with the patched boot file trick, but still that's not the same thing as I did before with a Samsung phone and the CWM recovery deal. That gave the user all the control they wanted. Even though the phone claims I have root access, I'm not sure what to do with Magisk's root trick. I still don't see a way to backup or install a different operating system or just a blank Android 11 OS. My knowledge there is limited and there isn't a custom recovery for this model as far as I can tell.
So I still can't wipe the drive or remove the OEM partition that contains the installers for the bundled stuff. I'd still need some form of interface that has more features than the stock Fastboot and Bootloader modes offer I guess, or I just don't know how to use the software tools correctly. It's still locked even with root as far as I can tell but if there is something more I'm missing or an additional app to install for example, like SU. Is that still a thing? If I'm on the right track let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply!!! I am speaking from a place of semi-ignorance here but I would thing that you could install SuperSU from inside the system, right? As long as the root binary is there...idk though and from what I hear, chainfire is not responsible for SuperSU anymore so it has become somewhat sketchy. I saw a post (about this phone, I think) that mentioned having to install terminal emulator and running root command from there to achieve legit root after flashing the patched boot.img. I will see if I can find the post again and update you. Is there anyway you could post the boot.img? Or give me a link for it?
Agent_Orange1488 said:
Thanks for the reply!!! I am speaking from a place of semi-ignorance here but I would thing that you could install SuperSU from inside the system, right? As long as the root binary is there...idk though and from what I hear, chainfire is not responsible for SuperSU anymore so it has become somewhat sketchy. I saw a post (about this phone, I think) that mentioned having to install terminal emulator and running root command from there to achieve legit root after flashing the patched boot.img. I will see if I can find the post again and update you. Is there anyway you could post the boot.img? Or give me a link for it?
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Well I can try and learn how to extract the phones information to my computer. I don't know how to do that exactly. The way I was able to get a hold of the phones stock firmware data was by using Lenovo's Smart Rescue and Recovery software.
You have to enable usb debugging mode, attach the phone to the computer with the software running and make sure that you didn't disable/delete Device Help. That app is what makes the Lenovo software work, otherwise the Recovery software fails to see the phone. If it sees the phone correctly then you can see the preselected target firmware it wants you to download under the Rescue tab along the top.
So I did that and grabbed the files it created without actually applying them to the device. The whole thing is a little over 2GB and difficult to host but I put the stock boot.img file here for anyone who needs it. If anyone wants all the files I can try to upload the whole thing one file at at time. That's the way it was sent to me, an uncompressed folder. If I zip it all up and try to upload it most sites will say file size exceeded. Anyway here's the link...
boot
MediaFire is a simple to use free service that lets you put all your photos, documents, music, and video in a single place so you can access them anywhere and share them everywhere.
www.mediafire.com
Thanks I was able to patch it with Magisk and achieve root. It looks like Magisk is an SU manager anyway. I have never used it before so this is a first for me. The root and bootloader unlock seem a little pointless without any recovery or ROM though....I guess it's time to learn how to compile one lol
I just picked up the Moto G Pure (XT2163-4) Android 11 aka Red Velvet Cake *sounds yummy lol*....I've been searching around and not seen any info about any rooting method for this device....besides the "Root All Motorola Phones" crap...and I don't feel like risking making a paper weight with it. Even on here it doesn't show up in the...add device list....was going to add to my profile...but can't.
Agent_Orange1488 said:
Thanks I was able to patch it with Magisk and achieve root. It looks like Magisk is an SU manager anyway. I have never used it before so this is a first for me. The root and bootloader unlock seem a little pointless without any recovery or ROM though....I guess it's time to learn how to compile one lol
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Yeah now we're on the same page then. I thought the same thing, not much use to have an unlocked boot loader and root access without software to make use of it. I gave the phone to my nieces to play with for now, but it's with in arms reach if I need it for instructions yet to be defined. I should receive updates to this post if anyone else responds.
Gamekeeper408 said:
I just picked up the Moto G Pure (XT2163-4) Android 11 aka Red Velvet Cake *sounds yummy lol*....I've been searching around and not seen any info about any rooting method for this device....besides the "Root All Motorola Phones" crap...and I don't feel like risking making a paper weight with it. Even on here it doesn't show up in the...add device list....was going to add to my profile...but can't.
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Yeah appears it was produced in late 2021 or sold at that time so it's new and no one has made any custom firmware's or recoveries for it as far as I know. I don't know how to do that, requires computer programming skills. I don't have any of those.
Gamekeeper408 said:
I just picked up the Moto G Pure (XT2163-4) Android 11 aka Red Velvet Cake *sounds yummy lol*....I've been searching around and not seen any info about any rooting method for this device....besides the "Root All Motorola Phones" crap...and I don't feel like risking making a paper weight with it. Even on here it doesn't show up in the...add device list....was going to add to my profile...but can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel your pain! Had mine a few days and of course came to XDA immediately to find the DL on this joint but no luck... Ya I definitely don't recommend one click root method for this. If you want, I can post/link the patched boot.img i made with magisk. Mine boots with it and have confirmed root.
BrittonCBurton said:
Yeah now we're on the same page then. I thought the same thing, not much use to have an unlocked boot loader and root access without software to make use of it. I gave the phone to my nieces to play with for now, but it's with in arms reach if I need it for instructions yet to be defined. I should receive updates to this post if anyone else responds.
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Excellent, it's nice to be caught up with everyone else haha!! I am going to do some digging and posting and whatnot to try to find some info on porting a recovery for this model. I feel like it can't be too different from at least one or two of the other G series phones. I will see updates as well so please post if you come up with anything!!
BTW does anyone know the process of creating a device page for this joint?! I think this phone is definitely worth some development...
Agent_Orange1488 said:
Excellent, it's nice to be caught up with everyone else haha!! I am going to do some digging and posting and whatnot to try to find some info on porting a recovery for this model. I feel like it can't be too different from at least one or two of the other G series phones. I will see updates as well so please post if you come up with anything!!
BTW does anyone know the process of creating a device page for this joint?! I think this phone is definitely worth some development...
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Good luck finding anything that will load onto the phone. Seems like it would be possible to install LineageOS on it if nothing else. You'd think by now installing a phone's operating system would be similar to how operating systems are installed on other computers. All I get is invalid signature, way to much security (for them) on phone OS'es. With phones and PDA's apparently you can't just find the OS you want to use and install it. Where's the generic and bloat free Andriod 11 stock OS/firmware at? No such thing? It's either "Gaggles" way or nothing apparently. (It's ok if you don't know either, maybe someone else has more information about that.)
BrittonCBurton said:
Good luck finding anything that will load onto the phone. Seems like it would be possible to install LineageOS on it if nothing else. You'd think by now installing a phone's operating system would be similar to how operating systems are installed on other computers. All I get is invalid signature, way to much security (for them) on phone OS'es. With phones and PDA's apparently you can't just find the OS you want to use and install it. Where's the generic and bloat free Andriod 11 stock OS/firmware at? No such thing? It's either "Gaggles" way or nothing apparently. (It's ok if you don't know either, maybe someone else has more information about that.)
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Ya I'm definitely not going to try anything on the actual device, (ESPECIALLY if I am trying to put it together myself) but I am pretty sure you can test that stuff on a virtual system. Some kind of android emulator or whatever. As for a stock/debloated/de-odexed ROM, I haven't seen one but that couldn't be all that difficult to put together, right? I mean as long as the patched boot.img is included anyway. I feel like a recovery would be a higher priority though...? BTW, I have never used Lineage before, how is it?
Agent_Orange1488 said:
I feel your pain! Had mine a few days and of course came to XDA immediately to find the DL on this joint but no luck... Ya I definitely don't recommend one click root method for this. If you want, I can post/link the patched boot.img i made with magisk. Mine boots with it and have confirmed root.
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Click to collapse
That would be great if you could share that patched boot.img......it is for the XT2163-4 MOTO G PURE correct?
Gamekeeper408 said:
That would be great if you could share that patched boot.img......it is for the XT2163-4 MOTO G PURE correct?
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Click to collapse
Agent_Orange1488 said:
I feel your pain! Had mine a few days and of course came to XDA immediately to find the DL on this joint but no luck... Ya I definitely don't recommend one click root method for this. If you want, I can post/link the patched boot.img i made with magisk. Mine boots with it and have confirmed root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also like the patched boot.img if it is for the XT2163-4. Thanks
Hey boys I actually got rid of the moto g pure...for now at least lol! GREAT phone and I would be willing to get it back once there is some dev work done on it...will definitely be watching the threads on it. Good luck boys!!!
Hi
I read the above posts, and it seems like even if I am able to root it using Magisk, I won't be able to flash it with custom rom?
Thank you Agent_Orange1488 for the posts.

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