[FAQ] Jan 2014 Bionic handbook

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kitcostantino

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2011
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Mayberry
OnePlus 6T
OnePlus 8
yeah, man. i killed my last .905 bionic. updated to newest. it is running stock, now, though. i let my kid have it. he loves the lapdock (jb). i played around with the old lapdock build long enough to realize it just isnt there. (what i envisioned). i liked it when i had it on the sd card waay better. oh well. maybe moto will realize lapdock with todays phones would be a better user experience. ;)
 

DroidisLINUX

Senior Member
May 28, 2013
494
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The razor has a new safestrap same as ours but they have a new ROM and an install script that installs the first boot ROM onto the old webtop, and preinstall partitions to make it run faster, might be something to look into

Sent from my Z970 using XDA Free mobile app
 

jbbr135

New member
Aug 3, 2015
1
0
Install ROM over STOCK slot Saftstrap 3.75

Hello,

I'm running CM 12.1 Nightlies on my Bionic and am very happy with it. In trying to squeeze every drop of performance out of this old phone (my daily driver) I would like to remove the stock JB ROM to free up space on my internal storage.

As I understand I need Safestrap v.3.75 because of a locked bootloader, so if another recovery is not possible I am curious if it is possible (worth the risk) to install CM 12.1 over my stock ROM.

Does anybody have experience with this?
 

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  • 13
    I've noticed that some new people are still trickling in to the Bionic scene, and stumble over old/outdated guides, ROMs, root methods, etc. So I figured I'd post up a refresher on the current state of things. Hopefully this is more helpful than spamful.
    (this is the first time I'm writing one of these posts, so please judge hard ;)

    TLDR tips:
    • HDMI can only be used on Stock based ROMs, or alternatively in AOSP ROMs by installing the JBX-kernel.
    • You must use Linux, or a Virtual Machine running Linux (easy method) to root JB (though there is apparently one other way using safe root).
    • ROMs that predate the JB update won't boot on JB firmware.
    • Bootstrap will (soft) brick a Bionic on JB firmware.
    • The Bionic is locked, we use "SafeStrap" as our recovery to install ROMs, flash zips, etc.
    • Downgrading below JB is not (yet) possible. Maybe one day, but I don't cross fingers.
    • House of Moto is your (soft) brick buster, RSD alternative for clean wipes, upgrade tool to JB from ICS/GB.


    Firmwares / Moto updates / Android Versions
    There have been just a few official updates from Moto for the Bionic, and none have been reversible (excluding some ICS leaks). The current most updated official version is moto-98.72.22 on android-4.1.2 or Jelly Bean. Updating to JB will cause removal of any previous root access.
    A much easier way to update is to use the House of Moto; it'll perform a FDR and optionally wipe your SD card, but it is the easier/more thorough/recommended update path.
    Current official update : cdma_targa_9.8.2O-72_VZW-22_cfc.xml.zip
    md5sum : 1481ac6035682b732f76a621a36a9153

    Info about other firmwares/updates/OTAs (.905, .2233, .232, .246 FXZs)

    The Bionic has had a number of updates, some official and some leaked. There was a security change during its course of history, and because of it we are not able to downgrade the firmware after a certain point.
    You may find some threads lingering around about old updates and OTAs. Here is a bit of info about them, in chronological order (or at least to the best of my knowledge).

    GB
    Blur_Version.5.9.902.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ
    Blur_Version.5.9.905.XT875.Verizon.en.US.zip OTA

    ICS leaks
    232
    235
    238
    6.7.242
    6.7.244

    ICS
    Blur_Version.6.7.246.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ

    JB
    Blur_Version.98.72.22.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ

    twinkyz1979 outlines which versions can downgrade back to 905 and below here.
    Basically, there was a change in some security code between the leaked firmwares .232 and .235. Before this change, the Bionic was able to jump back and forth from 902 to 232 and between. Once the Bionic is updated to 235, it is not able to go back down any more, and can only go up on each firmware.




    Root
    As of this post, there is only one root method for Bionics on the official JB firmware. The method requires a Linux installation, and uses a samba share exploit. There is NO way to get around this requirement, though it is possible to run a Virtual Machine on top of Windows to achieve this.
    An alternative way to root may be to use "safe root". I am unfamiliar to this method and haven't tried it myself. A youtube video shows the process. I haven't come across any threads detailing any further (feel free to tip me if you find any).


    Recovery / Safestrap
    You can get it from Hashcode's website.
    We used to have a tool around called Bootstrap, but it does not work with the current JB update so please do not try it on JB. It will cause a (soft) brick and other messes.
    Safestrap is a work around for our locked bootloaders. Once you install it, you have the option to make up to 4 "safe" slots to flash ROMs to. It's comparable to dual-booting. Although it is possible to flash ROMs over your stock/"unsafe" slot, it's unnecessary and dangerous (in my opinion, of course).
    The slots reside on your internal-SD, and can each have your choice of 2/3/4 GB in size of a Data partition (for app installs).


    ROMs
    This section can sort of be divided into 2 subsections; Blur/stock based ROMs and Kexec/AOSP ROMs
    • Kexec ROMs do not (yet)can now support HDMI (not docks?) with the help from a kernel. Webtop is not found on these ROMs.
    • Kexec ROMs can be more or less stable than Stock ROMs, but usually contain more experimental and reversed code.
    • As far as loading pre JB Kexec ROMs onto a JB Bionic, I've never wondered about that until this moment. If anyone knows, please let me know.
    -----
    • Stock ROMs cannot be updated/based on a version of android that Moto has not updated us to (nothing greater than 4.1.2 JB as of this post).
    • Stock ROMs are pretty likely to be your stable ROMs, being mostly based on moto's code and not so much including experimental code.
    • There are still some GB/ICS stock ROMs that are floating around, and these cannot be loaded onto a Bionic that is updated to JB.
    • Stock ROMs can use the HDMI port and docks.

    Kernels
    A third-party kernel can be loaded with some AOSP ROMs to add/change features. A project called JBX-kernel is being developed by dtrail1 for 4.4 ROMs and is aimed primarily at low power consumption, while having options for performance as well.


    House of Moto
    A guide written by bigv5150 (Windows/Linux/Mac)
    It is posted in the droid ultra forums, but can apply to the Bionic. The root method (if still included) will not work on JB Bionic.
    A very handy tool, put together by SamuriHL. If you find yourself stuck with a non-booting Bionic, this is your next step. It is also handy for completely wiping your Bionic (think FDR but for all partitions in the phone) (this wipe will erase root).
    If you need to use this tool, you're expected to read all the instruction before downloading, reading the instruction again before launching it, and reading the instruction while using it just in case. You can mess some things up using this tool, and you can clean some big messes with it as well. Pretty much every question about using it has been asked and answered already. Tread carefully my friend :p


    Verizon alternatives
    I haven't played in this area yet, but I may be soon.
    So far I've seen people use their Bionics on pageplus, cricket, T-mobile, and I've seen efforts for getting on Boost mobile and at&t. But I don't know much about this.
    Some helpful links :

    Thanks to bedwa for the tip


    If any thread or download links become dead, let me know. I have found many alternates, made copies, and have backed up and stored most Bionic related material I've come across, except for most ROMs.
    3
    CM11 NavDock DOES work

    ...
    1) Only stock based ROMs have dock support... ANY dock support. That includes HD dock, Nav Dock, clock/desk dock, etc.

    HashCode said NavDock was on the todo list for CM10 for MONTHS... until Bionic fell off the scope. So I guess that's our "last best hope". :D

    You can work around the Nav Dock by having in-car bluetooth autorun the car mode app. Not as convenient, but tolerable.
    ...

    There was a commit back around 04/08/2014 that enabled USB analog dock audio for OMAP4; there was another dock-related OMAP4 commit on 04/06/2014 as well. Since the 04/09/2014 nightly build on CM11, my Moto NavDock works - the phone automatically recognizes NavDock insertion and opens my chosen car mode app (I use IBolt as my dock screen software), and closes out from it upon removal. Audio via the dock's split USB cable functions as well. The phone successfully recognizes and sets car mode (seen in notifications), but you need a program installed to handle car mode, as otherwise it does nothing.
    1
    I thought I'd list some ROMs here, divided by their status (Stock vs Kexec). These are (semi) current, and you should be able to find these and load them up on any Bionic updated to stock JB :

    Stock based
    • RAGING BIONIC
    • Blurry
    • Call of Droid
    • FlyingJelly
    • Gameblur
    • Revolution-Unleashed

    Kexec
    • Cyanogenmod
    • Cool Blu
    • Eclipse v5
    • LiquidSmooth
    • CyanFox
    • Avatar
    • PACman
    • CarbonRom
    • Mokee OpenSource
    • Gummy
    • AOKP

    Thanks to KenanAlcorn for the tips

    Basically, if you see "Stock / moto / no gapps needed" then its a Stock based ROM. (webtop, docks, hdmi)
    If you see "Gapps / CM / AOSP / AOKP / Kexec " or an android version number > 4.1.2 then it's a Kexec ROM. (no webtop, docks, hdmi).

    I'd be happy to add links, if they would be helpful to any one. Though I don't want to upset anybody. Some ROMs are released exclusively on some forums, in order to keep a hold on issue tracking and other such things. If you see this, I'd be glad to link to any ROMs with permissions.
    1
    Thanks for this, I'm sure it will help out a lot of bionic beginners. A few KEXEC ROMs you could add to that list are Mokee OpenSource, Gummy, and AOKP.
    1
    Verizon alternatives
    I haven't played in this area yet, but I may be soon.
    So far I've seen people use their Bionics on pageplus, cricket, T-mobile, and I've seen efforts for getting on Boost mobile and at&t. But I don't know much about this.

    As long as things are done right, running it on AT&T is no issues whatsoever.

    You follow the instructions in the Q&A section (Root, NV edit and Prop Edits) I have been using CM 11 with no issues, tethering the whole 9 yards.

    I Flash this zip Here. This Zip is GOLD.