[INFO/WARNING]The Risks of Downgrading, and the impacts of GPT.BIN and MOTOBOOT.IMG

[Yoru9102]

Question

I had this firmware: AMERICAMOVIL-MX_4.4.4_KXB21.14-L1.40_38_cid12_CFC_1FF
I flashed this: XT1058_RETAIL-BR_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_52_cid12_CFC_1FF

I didn't flash motoboot and gpt

Can I take OTA (Lollipop) when released?

 

[KidJoe]

Question

I had this firmware: AMERICAMOVIL-MX_4.4.4_KXB21.14-L1.40_38_cid12_CFC_1FF
I flashed this: XT1058_RETAIL-BR_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_52_cid12_CFC_1FF

I didn't flash motoboot and gpt

Can I take OTA (Lollipop) when released?

So you flashed an older build (i.e. downgraded) and skipped the GPT/Motoboot when doing so, and want to know if you can take the OTA?

If you understand you are more likely to brick in that state, and that doesn't bother you, sure take the OTA.

But if you want to be sure you wont brick, then wait until a full SBF leaks.

(again, this is based on HISTORY, when people have done the exact same thing as you in the past)

 

[Sabissimo]

Hi
Thanks for the useful info!

I have couple of questions though, couldn't find answers in the post.
I'm currently on 4.4.4 AT&T. As far as I understand, downgrading, rooting and then taking OTA at any time in the future = brick.

My question is - is it possible to do this:
1. Flash 4.4.2 without gpt and motoboot
2. Root it
3. Use sunshine and unlock BL
4. SBF back to 4.4.4 (it doesn't count as OTA, right?)

Thanks in advance And sorry if the question is stupid or answered before

 

[Nicolae-Daniel]

Hi
Thanks for the useful info!

I have couple of questions though, couldn't find answers in the post.
I'm currently on 4.4.4 AT&T. As far as I understand, downgrading, rooting and then taking OTA at any time in the future = brick.

My question is - is it possible to do this:
1. Flash 4.4.2 without gpt and motoboot
2. Root it
3. Use sunshine and unlock BL
4. SBF back to 4.4.4 (it doesn't count as OTA, right?)

Thanks in advance And sorry if the question is stupid or answered before

Downgrading android version doesn't downgrade bootloader.

 

[Sabissimo]

As far as I know, the main problem that there is right now with Sunshine not working on 4.4.4 is that there is no root method for it, not that bootloader has changed. So not downgrading BL should not be a problem in my list, theoretically

 

[KidJoe]

Hi
Thanks for the useful info!

I have couple of questions though, couldn't find answers in the post.
I'm currently on 4.4.4 AT&T. As far as I understand, downgrading, rooting and then taking OTA at any time in the future = brick.

My question is - is it possible to do this:
1. Flash 4.4.2 without gpt and motoboot
2. Root it
3. Use sunshine and unlock BL
4. SBF back to 4.4.4 (it doesn't count as OTA, right?)

Thanks in advance And sorry if the question is stupid or answered before

For #1... It has been addressed several times. Please see point #2 in the OP, the discussion in posts 20 through 23.

But as for your overall question... Is it ok to 4.4.4 -> downgrade to 4.4.2, if it survives use Sunshine to unlock the bootloader, then flash SBF to return to 4.4.4...

As evidenced by the many posts of 2013 X owners with 4.4.4 HERE and HERE, this scenario does NOT allow Sunshine to work for those who are already on 4.4.4. Once you are on 4.4.4, if Sunshine reports it wont work, there is nothing you can do.

Even JCASE (responsible for Sunshine) says Not with ATT 4.4.4 -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59613772&postcount=2896

 

[Sabissimo]

For #1... It has been addressed several times. Please see point #2 in the OP, the discussion in posts 20 through 23.

But as for your overall question... Is it ok to 4.4.4 -> downgrade to 4.4.2, if it survives use Sunshine to unlock the bootloader, then flash SBF to return to 4.4.4...

As evidenced by the many posts of 2013 X owners with 4.4.4 HERE and HERE, this scenario does NOT allow Sunshine to work for those who are already on 4.4.4. Once you are on 4.4.4, if Sunshine reports it wont work, there is nothing you can do.

Even JCASE (responsible for Sunshine) says Not with ATT 4.4.4 -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=59613772&postcount=2896

Well, Sunshine gives me error, cause it can't gain TempRoot to check compatibility. I was thinking it's more of root problem, then incompatibility problem. And even Jcase's comments on that matter were implying that no root on 4.4.4 = no unlock. Maybe I was wrong Thanks anyway!

 

[KidJoe]

Well, Sunshine gives me error, cause it can't gain TempRoot to check compatibility. I was thinking it's more of root problem, then incompatibility problem. And even Jcase's comments on that matter were implying that no root on 4.4.4 = no unlock. Maybe I was wrong Thanks anyway!

Right or wrong, it was asked about many times, and downgrading to 4.4.2 was never given as an option.

I'm sure if downgrading allowed Sunshine to work, Jcase and/or Beaups would have said so since it has been asked about many times. I mean his SlapMyMoto and other processes for rooting older roms did involve downgrading, flashing, etc. plus he would stand to make a few more $$ off the tool if it was possible.

I'm sure if you read through the thread by Jcase/Beaups, you'll probably find a more specific answer.

 

[Kustaa]

Excellent post. So I've some questions. I'm on 30.B7 (stock XT1058_MOVISTAR-CL_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_63_cid12_CFC_1FF) and unlocked bootloader. When you talk about cross flashing, how do I recognize a newer or an older build respect from mine? (For example this retail XT1058_RETAIL-BR_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_52_cid12_CFC_1FF)

And a 2nd one, Should I ever flash latin american firmwares? Does having the unlocked bootloader make any difference? Just for knowing if I should wait an eventually Lollipop OTA or if I can just flash a retail firm from another country/region when its ready.

Thank you!

 

[anilrawal]

Likely Radio Corrupt

My Bootloader is 30.b7, with unlocked bootloader, motox retail version xt1053. I am having issues connecting to carriers networks, lilely my radio is corrupt. I installed TWRP recovery and have tried installing lolipop cm based roms, and my device always goes in loop. I always have to restore from the nand backup.

Can I flash MOTO X, GSM Dev Edition: KK-4.4.4-KXA21.12-L1.29.1-2 (Retail) MR4 image and does this umage will upgrade the bootloader.

 

[Liam0o]

My Bootloader is 30.b7, with unlocked bootloader, motox retail version xt1053. I am having issues connecting to carriers networks, lilely my radio is corrupt. I installed TWRP recovery and have tried installing lolipop cm based roms, and my device always goes in loop. I always have to restore from the nand backup.

Can I flash MOTO X, GSM Dev Edition: KK-4.4.4-KXA21.12-L1.29.1-2 (Retail) MR4 image and does this umage will upgrade the bootloader.

You can flash a radio without flashing a whole system image, also, are you following CM installation instructions properly? Flashing CM 12 without flashing CM11 first will result in a bootloop

.b7 is the latest 4.4.4 bootloader and that image is the latest one for your device so it should work fine

 

[anilrawal]

Thanks

I followed the instruction, but di not see I have to flash CM11 first, I will try again. Thanks

You can flash a radio without flashing a whole system image, also, are you following CM installation instructions properly? Flashing CM 12 without flashing CM11 first will result in a bootloop

.b7 is the latest 4.4.4 bootloader and that image is the latest one for your device so it should work fine

 

[vikramkhalsa]

Hey guys, thanks for this helpful thread!

I wanted to get some advice for my situation:
I was part of the official Lollipop Soak Test for the xt1053 (DE). Sometime after taking the update, I flashed TWRP and rooted with SU. Now moto has pushed an additional update in the soak test and I cant install it ( I think because I don't have stock recovery and my system is modified. ) How can I get my system back to stock 5.0.1 to accept the update? Do I have to wait for an SFB? Unfortunately i don't think I made a twrp backup before installing xposed and I don't see a simple way of disabling it or changing system back to stock. Perhaps I could use a system and recovery from someone else who may have backed it up?
Is 4.4 and 5+ android recovery the same?

I made a twrp backup on 4.4 before upgrading to lollipop, but flashing that would be downgrading and risking brick, right?

Thanks

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------

@KidJoe question for you. I received the soak teat invite for my 1053, long story short, after I upgraded I started seeing this funny message (low ram space I think). Said I needed 250mb free ram blah blah blah. I used the factory image for my unlocked 1053 from moto (4.4.4) was able to flash all files manually and the phone didn't die. Lucky me. My issue now is I'm pretty much wipes clean on my phone as I start restoring data I begin seeing that error again. I even tried installing xposed but the minute I flashed the zip file necessary I saw the error. Could be the something wrong with my partitions?

Did you backup before installing xposed by any chance? Can you do a system backup?

Thanks

 

[Jason.DROID]

My Bootloader is 30.b7, with unlocked bootloader, motox retail version xt1053. I am having issues connecting to carriers networks, lilely my radio is corrupt. I installed TWRP recovery and have tried installing lolipop cm based roms, and my device always goes in loop. I always have to restore from the nand backup.

Can I flash MOTO X, GSM Dev Edition: KK-4.4.4-KXA21.12-L1.29.1-2 (Retail) MR4 image and does this umage will upgrade the bootloader.

30.B7 is the same as the 4.4.4 image you referenced, so it's safe to flash everything.

BTW, why isn't this thread stickied?

 

[r_diaz13]

Hey guys, thanks for this helpful thread!

I wanted to get some advice for my situation:
I was part of the official Lollipop Soak Test for the xt1053 (DE). Sometime after taking the update, I flashed TWRP and rooted with SU. Now moto has pushed an additional update in the soak test and I cant install it ( I think because I don't have stock recovery and my system is modified. ) How can I get my system back to stock 5.0.1 to accept the update? Do I have to wait for an SFB? Unfortunately i don't think I made a twrp backup before installing xposed and I don't see a simple way of disabling it or changing system back to stock. Perhaps I could use a system and recovery from someone else who may have backed it up?
Is 4.4 and 5+ android recovery the same?

I made a twrp backup on 4.4 before upgrading to lollipop, but flashing that would be downgrading and risking brick, right?

Thanks

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------



Did you backup before installing xposed by any chance? Can you do a system backup?

Thanks

That's what I did.. I kept a back up before I made any changes.

 

[vikramkhalsa]

That's what I did.. I kept a back up before I made any changes.

Do you think you could share your back up with me? I didn't make one and I need to get back to stock.

Thank you!!!

 

[rskyline]

Sticky please!

Enviado desde mi XT1060 mediante Tapatalk

 

[rskyline]

JTAG could unbrick?

Enviado desde mi XT1060 mediante Tapatalk

 

[KidJoe]

Excellent post. So I've some questions. I'm on 30.B7 (stock XT1058_MOVISTAR-CL_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_63_cid12_CFC_1FF) and unlocked bootloader. When you talk about cross flashing, how do I recognize a newer or an older build respect from mine? (For example this retail XT1058_RETAIL-BR_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_52_cid12_CFC_1FF)

And a 2nd one, Should I ever flash latin american firmwares? Does having the unlocked bootloader make any difference? Just for knowing if I should wait an eventually Lollipop OTA or if I can just flash a retail firm from another country/region when its ready.

Thank you!

Sorry for taking so long to respond...

How do you tell the difference between newer vs older? See what is highlighted in RED...

XT1058_MOVISTAR-CL_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_63_cid12_CFC_1FF
XT1058_RETAIL-BR_4.4.4_KXA21.12-L1.26_52_cid12_CFC_1FF

So the XT1058 Retail is slightly different/older.

Your 2nd one is really several..

To be honest, the safest thing to do is only flash firmwares/roms/sbf's meant for your carrier and model.

Having an unlocked bootloader does allow you to flash roms meant for other models, even if they wont work, or might cause issues. (so having an unlocked bootloader XT1060, you could flash an XT1058 sbf, BUT it might not work, and the phone might not boot.

Unless there is some major, compelling reason, that makes it worth the risks flashing the ROM/SBF not meant for your phone, with an unlocked bootloader, I recommend you stick with what you have, root it, use Titanium Backup to freeze bloat, xposed to tweak.

But again, it is your phone. IF you understand the risks, and are ok with the possible outcomes, they by all means, make your decision, and do what you want.

 

[KidJoe]

My Bootloader is 30.b7, with unlocked bootloader, motox retail version xt1053. I am having issues connecting to carriers networks, lilely my radio is corrupt. I installed TWRP recovery and have tried installing lolipop cm based roms, and my device always goes in loop. I always have to restore from the nand backup.

Can I flash MOTO X, GSM Dev Edition: KK-4.4.4-KXA21.12-L1.29.1-2 (Retail) MR4 image and does this umage will upgrade the bootloader.

All XT1053 devices use the exact same ROMs/SBFs. i..e the XT1053 was sold via Moto Maker as the "GSM Unlocked (ships with T-Mobile SIM)" as well as the "GSM Unlocked (ships with Net10 SIM)" and the GSM Developer Edition. They all use the same SBF.

If you have 30.B7 on your phone, its consistent with 4.4.4 roms. So flashing a 4.4.4 SBF wont impact bootloader. And as long as you've only had the stock XT1053, and CM based roms on there, you wont have to worry about GPT.BIN and Motoboot.img.