Rooting, OTA updates, and Superuser...questions

[TheCleaner]

OK, so 2 quick questions:

1. I am getting mixed answers...does rooting the phone still allow for OTA updates with the stock ROM? The instructions to root talk say "Enjoy being rooted with a temporary recovery." Does this mean that CWM isn't permanent? All I want to know is if I follow the instructions over on DroidLife will I still be getting the OTA updates? (from here: How to: Root the Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE, Flash a Custom Recovery and Make a Backup [Verizon] – Droid Life)

2. Do I still need the "superuser" app that was with my OG droid?


It's been so long since I've messed with this stuff...it's all new again.

Thanks!

[dezymond]

1. you will still be able to receive OTA updates with Stock ROM. As for CWM, there is a guide to make it permanent recovery replacement. Check this thread out: [ROM] Android Revolution HD (LTE)
2. Yes, otherwise those apps that require root won't work.

[TheCleaner]

Thanks...so if I'm hearing you right Dezymond, if I follow the instructions but don't make CWM permanent, then the Nexus will be rooted but still able to receive the OTA update. Would the next OTA update unroot the phone?

OR, better asked: For rooted Nexus users, what are our options for getting the latest updates from Google if we choose not to go the custom ROM route.

[therock]

To the OP,

I still see an unanswered question here?

How did you come out? Can we do the permanent recovery thing and still receive the OTA's?
Or do we need to leave it a temporary?
Why is there a temp and a permanent version in the 1st place?

Thanks

[nateccnn]

Temporary Recovery just means that the recovery system will be restored to the stock recovery that came with the phone the next time you reboot the phone. You will still have root access and superuser and busybox on the phone (assuming you installed those after gaining root access). But installing custom roms will be difficult since you would need to push them through fastboot or adb. RomManager won't work properly. But you will be rooted for all intense and purpose.

The Stock OTA updates will need the stock recovery in order to install them. If you accept that OTA update you will lose root. Not that you can't get it back, of course. It may take developers a day or two after it updates to come up with a method to root. Although I think with the Nexus phones it is relatively simple and fast for them to come up with root methods.

Nate

[sbenson]

Thanks...so if I'm hearing you right Dezymond, if I follow the instructions but don't make CWM permanent, then the Nexus will be rooted but still able to receive the OTA update. Would the next OTA update unroot the phone?

OR, better asked: For rooted Nexus users, what are our options for getting the latest updates from Google if we choose not to go the custom ROM route.

Installing CWM, temp or permanent, will have zero affect on receiving official OTA's. No matter what you do, you will still receive the OTA. However, if you flash a custom ROM, you may not receive the OTA unless you flash back to a stock build. There's no reason you should leave it temporary - just lock it in.

Yes, receiving an OTA will most definitely unroot your phone. That's why most people who root and rom, don't accept OTA's. If you wait, someone will package up the OTA into a flashable file that you can flash through clockwork and still be able to retain root.

To answer your last question: For rooted Nexus users, your only option is to accept the OTA and then re-root after it installs. Otherwise, reject the OTA and then flash the OTA once a developer packages it up into a flashable file.

[therock]

Installing CWM, temp or permanent, will have zero affect on receiving official OTA's. No matter what you do, you will still receive the OTA. However, if you flash a custom ROM, you may not receive the OTA unless you flash back to a stock build. There's no reason you should leave it temporary - just lock it in.

Yes, receiving an OTA will most definitely unroot your phone. That's why most people who root and rom, don't accept OTA's. If you wait, someone will package up the OTA into a flashable file that you can flash through clockwork and still be able to retain root.

To answer your last question: For rooted Nexus users, your only option is to accept the OTA and then re-root after it installs. Otherwise, reject the OTA and then flash the OTA once a developer packages it up into a flashable file.

Thank You! Very Nice!

• Now for another noober question.
• So I root with no custom ROMs or Kernels. I just wanted to run Apps that require root.
• I allow an OTA and loose root.
  
  • What will I suffer.
  • Will all be the same but for my apps that required root?
  • What can I expect from a OTA on a rooted device with stock ROM and kernel?

Thanks!

[sbenson]

Thank You! Very Nice!

• Now for another noober question.
• So I root with no custom ROMs or Kernels. I just wanted to run Apps that require root.
• I allow an OTA and loose root.
  
  • What will I suffer.
  • Will all be the same but for my apps that required root?
  • What can I expect from a OTA on a rooted device with stock ROM and kernel?

Thanks!

- What will I suffer? You'll get a nice shiny new update, but you'll lose all root privileges.
- Will all be the same? Everything will be the same or similar, but your root apps will not work. An OTA might wipe your data, so you may have to re-install everything.
- What can I expect from an OTA? Visually - nothing will change. Software wise - anything that Google changed or updated will be different. Most likely, you won't notice much, just performance enhancements (battery life, signal, etc).

[therock]

Great!

OK, I manually unlocked with SDK & adb last night before seeing this post. All is well.
Now looking to root I am and glad to be here. I tell you this is the best and most comprehensive post yet.

So. I speak with a few of my noob nexus owners and we all have the same questions and curiosities and I hope my posts and your answers serve others well in a search. Believe me a Webb search for unlocking and rooting the GN is gruelingly all over the place.
This is why I am numbering my questions so a search by others will be easy to get with eh?


After unlocking and getting wiped I reset my phone up with apps and accounts and such. Yes, I had a backup.

1. Will Root wipe me like the unlock did?
2. During my unlock I did not do the PdaNet thing. I was following instructions from another site = DL. It went well. I have PdaNet on the phone now. I take it I'll not need to put it on the PC now to root?

Thanks.

[sbenson]

Great!

OK, I manually unlocked with SDK & adb last night before seeing this post. All is well.
Now looking to root I am and glad to be here. I tell you this is the best and most comprehensive post yet.

So. I speak with a few of my noob nexus owners and we all have the same questions and curiosities and I hope my posts and your answers serve others well in a search. Believe me a Webb search for unlocking and rooting the GN is gruelingly all over the place.
This is why I am numbering my questions so a search by others will be easy to get with eh?


After unlocking and getting wiped I reset my phone up with apps and accounts and such. Yes, I had a backup.

1. Will Root wipe me like the unlock did?
2. During my unlock I did not do the PdaNet thing. I was following instructions from another site = DL. It went well. I have PdaNet on the phone now. I take it I'll not need to put it on the PC now to root?

Thanks.

1. No.

2. You'll only need pdanet on your computer if you have issues with the drivers. If the current drivers work, and your device is correctly detected when you're in the bootloader, then you're good to go - Superboot away.