[GUIDE][HOW TO] Downgrade 5.0.2 Lollipop to 4.4.4 KitKat XT1053

[tazlooney89]

(The method I tried it myself and it works perfectly and does not cause any problems, however I am not responsible of damage to your phone)​

* REQUIREMENTS:

-Unlocked Bootloader
-Firmware T-Mobile 4.4.4 download
-RSD Lite
-ADB & Fastboot drivers
-Notepad++

*INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Download firmware T-Mobile 4.4.4 and extract all zip files.

2. Open the file RETAIL-US_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.29.1_2_cid9_CFC_1FF.xml with Notepad++ (preferably) or editor text.

3. Delete lines:

<step operation="getvar" var="max-download-size" />
<step operation="flash" partition="partition" filename="gpt.bin" MD5="76e5f85606012c083d46f37425c441b1" />
<step operation="flash" partition="motoboot" filename="motoboot.img" MD5="2b664024c8a421245b814e3b7c4c5077" />

4. Save the file and open RSD Lite and upload the edited file in RSD Lite.

5. Turn off the phone and put it into fastboot mode and connect to PC. When RSD Lite recognizes the device and indicate that you are connected press START to realize the downgrade.

6. Wait until the phone reboots and have Android 4.4.4 KitKat back. :good:

attached the modified xml file, just change the extension .txt to .xml

IMPORTANT: Do not try to reinstall soak test lollipop, otherwise it may cause brick your phone.​

 

[athulele]

Isn't this dangerous to do so?
You're skipping the gpt.bin and motoboot which may cause issues with KitKat and skipping these and later upgrading by any OTA has resulted in some bricked devices.
I don't think this is a good idea.

Sent from my Moto X using XDA Free mobile app

 

[hbenz2008]

I believe there are enough warnings about this. This procedure is just ok if for whatever reason somebody wants to have all 4.4.4 but gpt and motoboot.
For any other upgrade or downgrade, anybody interested need to look really hard into it before flashing any isht.
So all good.

 

[KidJoe]

I believe there are enough warnings about this. This procedure is just ok if for whatever reason somebody wants to have all 4.4.4 but gpt and motoboot.
For any other upgrade or downgrade, anybody interested need to look really hard into it before flashing any isht.

Since people STILL do it, even though it has the very real potential to BRICK phones, and/or cause other issues, I would say we STILL don't have enough warnings...

And we still have threads popping up like this -> http://xdaforums.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/screwed-t3059954

In my opinion, EVERY post/thread advising people its "OK" or "Safe" to downgrade, should at least include warnings that bricking is possible, before any instructions are presented.


And we have seen threads suggesting to downgrade get locked/deleted

 

[640k]

(The method I tried it myself and it works perfectly and does not cause any problems, however I am not responsible of damage to your phone)​

* REQUIREMENTS:

-Unlocked Bootloader
-Firmware T-Mobile 4.4.4 download
-RSD Lite
-ADB & Fastboot drivers
-Notepad++

*INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Download firmware T-Mobile 4.4.4 and extract all zip files.

2. Open the file RETAIL-US_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.29.1_2_cid9_CFC_1FF.xml with Notepad++ (preferably) or editor text.

3. Delete lines:

<step operation="getvar" var="max-download-size" />
<step operation="flash" partition="partition" filename="gpt.bin" MD5="76e5f85606012c083d46f37425c441b1" />
<step operation="flash" partition="motoboot" filename="motoboot.img" MD5="2b664024c8a421245b814e3b7c4c5077" />

4. Save the file and open RSD Lite and upload the edited file in RSD Lite.

5. Turn off the phone and put it into fastboot mode and connect to PC. When RSD Lite recognizes the device and indicate that you are connected press START to realize the downgrade.

6. Wait until the phone reboots and have Android 4.4.4 KitKat back. :good:

attached the modified xml file, just change the extension .txt to .xml

IMPORTANT: Do not try to reinstall soak test lollipop, otherwise it may cause brick your phone.​

OP, please don't color your text. this is what your post looks like to me:

also, this is what it looks like when i quote your text:

 

[demifalcon]

If you downgrade back to 4.4.4, will it be safe to upgrade once the official 5.0.2 comes out?

 

[scryan]

OP, please don't color your text. this is what your post looks like to me:

also, this is what it looks like when i quote your text:

Errr, I'm not sure that everyone is going to re-style their posts to work optimally with your browser themes and modifications. It works fine with the standard browsers I checked... Problems on your end.



Kinda misleading to say this "causes no problems" when it will most likely brick any phone that gets an OTA after its done?
I get pretty annoyed how much we refuse to discuss downgrading and associated issues out of fear that people will be educated JUST enough to be dangerous... I'd still rather not rely on safety through ignorance and abstinence... But man it seems like your little red disclaimer should at least mention they have a good chance to ruin their phone if they take an OTA. (Still don't get why everyone here with unlocked bootloaders is so obsessed with OTAs, I have never had a modded phone where people would even consider taking OTAs... Always just wait for a safe flashable version, but apparently the moto x community is different *shrug*)

 

[ken1645]

Isn't this dangerous to do so?
You're skipping the gpt.bin and motoboot which may cause issues with KitKat and skipping these and later upgrading by any OTA has resulted in some bricked devices.
I don't think this is a good idea.

Sent from my Moto X using XDA Free mobile app

I tried flashing with the gpt.bin and motoboot still in the XML file but get a "downgrade security detected" and it stops due to trying to downgrade. Is there a better way to flash back to 4.4.4 from 5.0.2?

Getting this when trying to flash gpt.bin: http://i.imgur.com/zkes3kJ.png

edit: I tried only removing the gpt.bin and getvar line and leaving the motoboot line in. Seems to be flashing and working.
I had a strange bug that the battery was stuck at 1% when I removed the motoboot command.
edit2: still having the 1% battery problem. Can't do anything

edit3: Trying a bold strategy... I replaced the gpt.bin file with the 5.0.2 version of it and flashed the rest of the 4.4.4 files. We'll see what that does. I'm perfectly fine with bricking my phone.
edit4: still getting 1% battery issue. Going to try making it die then fully charging.. Hopefully that will fix it..

Edit5: worked! Killing the battery made it figure out the %and now I'm back on soak test ghost .38. The OTA seemed to work fine both times it updated to 5.0.2 then to the updated soak test.

 

[athulele]

I tried flashing with the gpt.bin and motoboot still in the XML file but get a "downgrade security detected" and it stops due to trying to downgrade. Is there a better way to flash back to 4.4.4 from 5.0.2?

Getting this when trying to flash gpt.bin: http://i.imgur.com/zkes3kJ.png

edit: I tried only removing the gpt.bin and getvar line and leaving the motoboot line in. Seems to be flashing and working.
I had a strange bug that the battery was stuck at 1% when I removed the motoboot command.
edit2: still having the 1% battery problem. Can't do anything

edit3: Trying a bold strategy... I replaced the gpt.bin file with the 5.0.2 version of it and flashed the rest of the 4.4.4 files. We'll see what that does. I'm perfectly fine with bricking my phone.
edit4: still getting 1% battery issue. Going to try making it die then fully charging.. Hopefully that will fix it..

In this case, if you take an OTA, you'll most likely brick. But if you're fine with it,no problem. Although I don't advise you to do that.

Sent from my Moto X using XDA Free mobile app

 

[shavo21]

if I have the soak test 5.0.2 retail US, I can do downgrade directly to retail brazil 4.4.4?

 

[hbenz2008]

you can downgrade by skipping gpt and motoboot, but DONT EVER take OTA, you will need to wait for full lolipop sbf to update manually.

if I have the soak test 5.0.2 retail US, I can do downgrade directly to retail brazil 4.4.4?

 

[demifalcon]

So what would happen if u followed this guide but made a TWRP backup of 5.0.2 and then tried to restore to 5.0.2 through TWRP?