How to disable Verizon's OTA updates

[ejdavis72]

I'm sure there are some frustrated Incredible owners here that are upset after the last OTA update and really don't want to go through this again until they know for sure what is in the update, so I did some searching and found out how to disable future updates in your Dinc. I understand that you don't have to run the update but the constant nagging from the update and waiting for the solution to disable it is frustrating so. I found this on CDMA GURUS

Edit: 11/26/11 This new method comes from iowabowtech and so far this has worked. Thank you iowabowtech!

-Open Root Explorer and make sure you're mounted as Read/Write.
-Navigate to /system and long press on build.prop, then select the "Open in text editor" option and look for a similar line that specifically includes the xxxxxx:/user. Edit that line to this:


ro.build.fingerprint=verizon_wwe/inc/inc/inc:2.3.4/GRJ22/222219:user/release-keys


This should make the phone think it's up to date. That said though, I doubt there will be any more updates to this phone.


Alternate method

This method had been known to make the data run constantly so I suggest that you freeze your downloads with a program called "anttek". If you go to download something to your phone, you will have to unfreeze downloads first. This seems to improve battery life also.

To turn OFF future OTA updates, there is a file in the /system/etc/security folder. The file is named "otacerts.zip". Rename it "otacerts.zip.bak", or whatever you want. That will prevent future updates.

You can change that filename using ADB, the root explorer app, or a terminal emulator app of choice right on your DROID. I use root explorer because it is easy and fast. But that's just me...

Using Root Explorer... If you are using Root Explorer to do this and it says "the file system is read only" Just touch the white button at the top that says "mount r/w" and then try it again.

If you are here trying to figure out how to disable the notification for the update you already have (for Froyo) but have not installed yet, then that's in another thread. Here it is... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=836120

 

[heathhandsome]

thanks for the tip! i tried using root explorer like you, but its telling me the .zip (and anything pertaining to security folder for that matter) is read only and denying me access to rename. how'd you get past this?

 

[TNS201]

thanks for the tip! i tried using root explorer like you, but its telling me the .zip (and anything pertaining to security folder for that matter) is read only and denying me access to rename. how'd you get past this?

You have to click the Mount R/W up in the top right

 

[ejdavis72]

thanks for the tip! i tried using root explorer like you, but its telling me the .zip (and anything pertaining to security folder for that matter) is read only and denying me access to rename. how'd you get past this?

Not a problem!

 

[BigEaredMonkey]

Thanks for the tip..quick and easy!

Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

 

[ejdavis72]

Thanks for the tip..quick and easy!

Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

Yep! I haven't had any notifications for an update at all! Just gotta get this in before the update reaches you.

 

[TokedUp]

any other methods to do this? I dont have RE or ADB. Can I use astro? Sorry noob here

Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

 

[ejdavis72]

any other methods to do this? I dont have RE or ADB. Can I use astro? Sorry noob here

Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

If you are new to this, then the easiest way to do this is with Root Explorer. It's only a few bucks and it is WELL WORTH IT!!! You can do so many things with RE.

 

[ejdavis72]

This could come in handy right about now.

 

[keej]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[150kwh]

any other methods to do this? I dont have RE or ADB. Can I use astro? Sorry noob here

Another noob asks: adb is free, right? (or Android Commander for windows) I want to save my precious bucks to donate to ROM authors.

ps. OP is 2010--seems like the 2011 fix is the same. Correct?

 

["Haus"]

ADB is free. Since I can't post links, if you Google "what is adb and how to install it" the first hit should be an addictivetips article that got me started.

As for a free app that will do the job right on the phone, ES File Explorer is free and works well for me.

 

[Gig103]

So this is definitely useful, except there are threads that claim this messes with battery life as the phone will continually download the update, it will fail whatever check otacerts.zip does, and try again.

- http://androidforums.com/droid-all-things-root/60085-otacerts-zip-bak-will-drain-battery-life.html
- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=700577

This says it didn't block a recent OTA on the Thunderbolt:
http://teambamf.net/showthread.php/2571-Does-renaming-otacerts.zip-block-ota


If I keep ignoring for now, will it come to a point where VZW can force the push and mess up my root?

 

[americalexander]

So just for clarification, does this prevent it from downloading the update or just prevent it from notifying you?

 

[ejdavis72]

So just for clarification, does this prevent it from downloading the update or just prevent it from notifying you?

It prevents the download. The post up above says that your phone will try to download the update over and over if you rename the otacerts and I have actually experienced this. I downloaded an app called "anttek" and fixed this issue by freezing downloads. Whenever I go to download something, I have to unfreeze downloads but that is no big deal because I hardly ever download anything to my phone. Also, I have experienced better battery life with the downloads frozen, up time is at 18 hours and I still have 25% battery left on a standard battery.

 

[Div033]

It prevents the download. The post up above says that your phone will try to download the update over and over if you rename the otacerts and I have actually experienced this. I downloaded an app called "anttek" and fixed this issue by freezing downloads. Whenever I go to download something, I have to unfreeze downloads but that is no big deal because I hardly ever download anything to my phone. Also, I have experienced better battery life with the downloads frozen, up time is at 18 hours and I still have 25% battery left on a standard battery.

Surely there is a better solution than this. As it stands I can't use my AOSP rom (inc deck) because of the constant battery drain induced by the constant downloading. I dont find the above solution a compelling one, and considering there's no real way to accept an update on AOSP roms it looks like I'm going back to sense for now.

Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.

 

[ejdavis72]

Surely there is a better solution than this. As it stands I can't use my AOSP rom (inc deck) because of the constant battery drain induced by the constant downloading. I dont find the above solution a compelling one, and considering there's no real way to accept an update on AOSP roms it looks like I'm going back to sense for now.

Sent from my Droid Incredible using the XDA app.

I'm sure there is a better solution, but I don't know it.

 

[iowabowtech]

-Open Root Explorer and make sure you're mounted as Read/Write.
-Navigate to /system and long press on build.prop, then select the "Open in text editor" option and look for a similar line that specifically includes the xxxxxx:/user. Edit that line to this:


ro.build.fingerprint=verizon_wwe/inc/inc/inc:2.3.4/GRJ22/222219:user/release-keys


This should make the phone think it's up to date. That said though, I doubt there will be any more updates to this phone.

 

[mdw_]

thanks! wish I'd read this about 4 days ago!

 

[rampart51]

I am using Redemption ROM 2.3 and changing that line did nothing for me. I still get the nag. I've rebooted twice and dismissed the update at least 10 times.

Anyone?