yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
1. Unlock with sunshine

2. Flash the entire stock sbf (follow the instructions in return to stock thread) - this will remove the exploits you used previously...

3. If any otas are available, install them

4. Flash twrp and root

5. Done...
[Moto X General] eyc:
Thanks very much samwathegreat. Quick follow-up questions. Can I use the Moto X Toolkit v.1.4.3 to accomplish Step 2 (i.e., flash back to stock), as well as Step 3 (i.e., flash twrp and root)? As for for Step 3, I'm a bit confused. Are you saying I need to flash TWRP, and then later root the phone?
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Toolkit should work for return to stock. Depending on which version you flash there may be an ota available.

Once on full stock, yes you need to flash twrp. Then boot into it and it will offer to root for you.

Flash twrp and root AFTER you have updated to the latest version. Otas will not install with twrp on the device.
[Moto X General] ikarios:
Does flashing system.img wipe data or settings if I was already on a (modified by older exploits?) stock system before?
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Not just flashing system, but if you use rsd lite or run fastboot erase userdata, it will be erased.

It is highly recommended to erase userdata if you had used a previous exploit.... Otherwise you might experience issues.
[Moto X General] eyc:
So sorry. I have to ask yet another annoying noob question. What do you mean by "erase userdata"? If I'm using the Toolkit to flash back to stock, then taking OTA, then flashing TWRP (using the Toolkit), then do I need to "erase userdata" so as to avoid the potential issues you speak of?
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
I'm not familiar with the toolkit. Either just use rsd lite, or find the option in the toolkit that includes erasing user data or not retaining data.
[Moto X General] theascended:
If you don't mind a manual process, you can get everything done without a system wipe. You don't actually need to get rid of all the exploits, you just need to restore the boot, recovery and partition table images using the stock images.

Have a look over here: http://xdaforums.com/moto-x/moto-x-qa/error-flashing-stock-recovery-t2714524

After restoring boot, recovery and gpt I was effectively at a rooted 4.4 for months with OTA disabled.

My upgrade process to get to 4.4.4 after that:

1.) Unlock bootloader

2.) Uninstall xposed modules and framework (titanium backup saves the settings which can easily be restored later)

3.) Defrost Motorola OTA

4.) Accept 4.4.2

5.) Accept 4.4.4

6.) Enjoy rooted 4.4.4 (the root binaries and SuperSU survive both updates)

Caveat emptor. It is most definitely safer to use the SBF and RSDLite to get back to stock. If you have removed or frozen certain system applications that the update requires, you could get into an awkward half updated state and need to RSD the 4.4.4 SBF. I haven't seen anyone hardbrick (i.e. unable to get into the bootloader to flash an SBF) with missing apps or other weird states but that might also be a risk.

Edit: my link was far less helpful than I thought.

You'll need to get the 4.4 SBF for your device: http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=0

Extract boot.img, recovery.img and recovery.bin

In fastboot while connected using the ADB kit (I'm assuming you know how to use it too), run the following:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

fastboot flash partition gpt.bin

This will remove the hacks that allowed slapmymoto to temporarily disable write protect. BTW, if you didn't, I recommend you permanently disable write protect using WpNoMore before getting rid of the slapmymoto hacks just to make sure your root doesn't get lost somehow and xposed (assuming you use it) can be removed.
[Moto X General] trentonmc24:
All that was very helpful, however I'm a little lost in the last paragraph about losing root. I thought with the bootloader unlocked you could always have root if you want?
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
I find that post very confusing personally. I'm also not understanding the reasoning for using MotoWpNoMo.....?? Assuming you DID lose root by using his method, you could simply flash twrp and re-root.

By far your best best is to unlock, then use RSD Lite to do a full restore. Then OTA to the latest version, THEN flash twrp and root. It's not complicated....

Retaining userdata is a bad idea. It can cause issues for you. Can you retain userdata? Sure..... But I wouldn't...not worth the risk.

My instructions should take less than 15 minutes from start to finish and you'll be **100%** Stock, and rooted.
[Moto X General] seba9087:
Ok I think the best strategy for updating os in the most clean way is:

* Unlock bootloader with Sunshine

* Backup all you don't want to lose from your phone

* Flash 4.2.2 SBF or whatever version you actually have in your phone so you get a clean installation of your stock rom (This will / should erase all personal data in the phone according on how do you flash sbf)

* Start like a new phone and take all OTAs one after another

* After reaching 4.4.4, flash TWRP recovery

* Install SuperSu from Play Store, or from recovery.

* Restore all your personal data.

Done, you should have 4.4.4 rooted with recovery.
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Haha thanks, but probably unnecessary. Since Dan has found a vulnerability we can exploit to unlock our Bootloaders, this is really a moot-point.

The moment a tool is released that exploits the vulnerability and unlocks us, I'm shutting this whole experiment down....

Thanks for the submission nonetheless :)
[Moto X General] roweboat56:
aw nutz! I do what I can!!
[Moto X General] chrisp6825:
Don't hatch your chickens before they're eggs. It's pretty likely we'll get to use this method, but it's not guaranteed, yet ;P

tapa'd on my moto x
[Moto X General] Verttex:
He did unlock a device on stage using this method.

He's just teasing us? lol
[Moto X General] :
If att pushes a ota, will it auto update?
[Moto X General] Jersey846:
For anyone wondering how to stop the update or the notifications for it, all I did was use TowelRoot to gain root access then I froze "MotorolaOTA 1.0" in Titanium Backup and haven't gotten a notification to update since. Still on 4.4.2.

Sent from my Moto X
[Moto X General] sivarticus85:
I know in the past kernel build dates were a good reference point to see if exploits were patched... That said, the recent VZW update is kernel build date June 25. Also, someone metioned in a Droid Life article comment that the recent OTA did NOT have the TZ update to the best of their knowledge.

http://www.droid-life.com/2014/08/07/moto-x-bootloader-unlock-qualcomm/
[Moto X General] KidJoe:
I had posted in another thread....

If I understand correctly, TZ is part of motoboot.img. While I know GPT.BIN changed between 4.4.2 and 4.4.4, I can't remember if Motoboot.img did.

I'm at work right now, and don't have the SBF files to unzip and FC in order to check.

My thought was, that motoboot.img didn't.
[Moto X General] sivarticus85:
Oh right... I remember you saying that before with the folks trying to downgrade. I don't remember you mentioning motoboot.img, so I think you might be right. I'm excited to see what happens in the coming weeks.
[Moto X General] super65man:
From what I read it was a buffer overflow exploit, those are very easy to patch, luckily I have an ATT moto x with 4.4.2 and likely won't get an update till 5.0 comes out, and with it being semi-rooted I can just freeze the OTA. Having a phone with the last one to get any updates has paid off for once. :laugh:
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
...The AT&T 4.4.4 soak test is getting ready to start any moment now. The soak testers have already been signed up.

I would recommend holding off though (as you plan to). Yes, it is VERY easy to patch with one simple OTA.
[Moto X General] csytracy:
I have a stupid question.

If OTA will patch this, then we unlock the bootloader first and then get the OTA. Will the bootloader be locked again?

If yes, are we still able to upgrade our phone without losing the unlock bootloader. Maybe it is a flashable zip modified based on OTA but without the bootloader?
[Moto X General] miketoasty:
Once you are unlocked there is no way Motorola is going to relock it. Even taking any OTAs.
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Already answered this in another thread, but might as well here too:
[Moto X General] KidJoe:
never mind
[Moto X General] superp32:
When he released pie root he said he was done with moto x and if he wrote the report on July 1st which is rite around the time he released pie root doesn't seem to me like he will release any bootloader unlock tool but I've been wrong b4 lol
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
LOL that's jcase, not Dan Rosenberg. You are confusing two totally different people my friend...
[Moto X General] superp32:
Lol good first time I'm happy to be an idiot
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
Dan Rosenberg,

Request: Would You Please share a client/tutorial of the exlpoit for the Moto X and/or Ultra with us?

Thank You.

[MENTION=4229979]djrbliss[/MENTION]
[Moto X General] skulldreamz:
I think he's pretty aware that there are some moto x owners that would like to use his binarys :P
[Moto X General] ks73417:
My Old Motomaker X ( I bought a Dev edition in March) was still on 4.4.2, rooted and xposed installed. Unlocked using Sunshine in a minute :D

Now, what do I do with the VZW Dev edition?:confused:
[Moto X General] :
Start by reading the stickies. Everything you need to know is at the top of the general and q&a sections. Everything. ;)

I'd start with recovery and root...yes? :)
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
Why not, after Sunshine,

Use this for an X http://xdaforums.com/moto-x/general...-4-4-4-pre-t2883126/post55585844#post55585844

Or this for an Ultra. http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=55574625&postcount=1

If you have issues because you kept data, make a nandroid backup.

Then wipe data. You can restore that data as needed.

BTW the issues with keeping data have nothing to do with data/media (internal SD).
[Moto X General] ks73417:
I don't know if you understood, I have two unlocked VZW Moto X now, I can only have use for one, what do I do with the other one?
[Moto X General] k_t_b:
Sell one->Order new Moto X (2014)
[Moto X General] :
Sell it? :)
[Moto X General] BADDINOROX99:
sell+trade to a member on these forums?
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Click the "RULES" link in my sig, and read # 7.

I'd suggest swappa (owned by XDA).
[Moto X General] HardBoiledGregg:
I for mine unlocked,custom recovery, custom ROM, custom kernal, and root! Good job [MENTION=2376614]jcase[/MENTION] and [MENTION=711482]beaups[/MENTION]!
[Moto X General] balla48801:
I would just like to say thank you to Jcase and F*** you to Verizon. Suckers!!!!
[Moto X General] Flexia32:
Just for clarification. This method won't work if on 4.4.4?
[Moto X General] ikarios:
jcase stated that some users on "4.4.4" might be able to update. I put those in quotes because according to him, some people who have applied the previously released exploits are in a half-updated state where their phone tells them they're on 4.4.4 but their files are not identical to stock 4.4.4. It's worth a shot, doesn't cost anything if it doesn't work on your phone.
[Moto X General] bradg24:
Be nice and sell it to one of us on 4.4.4 at a "good price". ;)
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
Are not those the ones who did summer.cat's Russian thing?

---------- Post added at 08:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

http://xdaforums.com/droid-ultra/general/how-to-gain-android-4-4-4-fw-su4-21-t2841588
[Moto X General] theascended:
Sorry, as a software engineering, I'm good a building things and solving problems, not very good at tutorials/non-technical stuff.

With the bootloader unlocked and twrp, you obviously get to install root any time you want. However, your scenario started with a 4.4 rooted with slapmymoto and a locked bootloader. If you wanted to simply accept the OTAs to not have to do a system wipe, you would first need to undo the hacks that slapmymoto put in place. You could start with unlocking the bootloader and then there is no risk of losing root. I absent mindedly went down the path of keeping root via slapmymoto, undoing the boot/recovery/gpt hacks and then unlocking. My apologies for the confusion, totally my fault. If you don't do the SBF method, you will very likely need to restore the stock boot, recovery and gpt images to avoid problems with the OTAs.

Retaining user data between different ROMs is a bad idea and can cause problems. The OTAs are designed to keep user data and not cause problems. Please don't try to shove other ideas to the side with FUD. I stated it was safer to undo slapmymoto via SBF, that is the only risk he's really presented with. Also, it takes considerable time to restore backed up application data (usually takes me ~1 hour every time I wipe) that your *easy* method will take people who do retain data much more time.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but I do appreciate intellectual honesty.
[Moto X General] samwathegreat:
Though you may indeed be a software engineer, your post count does not indicate that you have helped a substantial number of people recover from issues of all sorts. I can say without a doubt, that a good deal of the issues I've assisted with were only resolved by erasing userdata. Notice that I have a great deal of experience, and quite possibly the absolute highest success rate helping Moto X users resolve issues of every variety. I've pretty much "seen it all" as far as the Moto X is concerned.

I'll make a deal with you. All of the people that DO have issues (of any kind) after having retained userdata -- we will send them all to you for support.

Did I not state that you can indeed retain userdata? And that my opinion is that you shouldn't? Explain how I have been "intellectually dishonest", please.

My opinion remains. Much safer and less risky to "start from scratch". For the vast majority of users, an hour to restore userdata is unimaginable....

Those who wish to avoid possible future issues will follow my advice. The rest, I will send to our local software engineer for assistance.

You still haven't explained why one might re-run "MotoWpNoMo" after having unlocked their BL (thereby permanently disabling write protection)...

All that being said..... So....can you retain userdata? Sure! Of course! Will you have issues? Probably not, but you might. Why risk it? You *finally* got unlocked. Why not do things 100% right and have a guaranteed completely stock fully functional device?

All my humble opinion.
[Moto X General] theascended:
Actually, I did. As I replied to trentonmc24, I quite haphazardly went down the road of undoing slapmymoto before unlocking the bootloader.

As for the rest of your condescending drivel... fine by me. If people have issues with certain applications after accepting an OTA because they preferred to not reconfigure everything they use on a daily basis, my advice still won't be to wipe their entire phone. Nearly every problem I've had as a result of upgrading a ROM, changing a ROM, or taking an OTA has been fixed by deleting the data of the specific application (and possibly the frameworks associated with the application). It takes some thought, something you're clearly not willing to use much of, but wiping data doesn't need to be the goto solution for people for most problems... it just happens to be easy and allows people who don't really know what is going on to placate the masses. Now, if we're done picking at eachother, I'll go back in my hole and allow you to bark at everyone else.
[Moto X General] mtcrew:
Sorry for the confusion I was continuing from my post earlier not being able to unlock 4.2.2. Now I'm on 4.4.4 though [emoji3]
[Moto X General] fakieskr8333:
Looks like it might be time to unsub from this thread. Thanks [MENTION=2509024]samwathegreat[/MENTION] fire starting this up and keeping us updated on the situation. Best of luck to all those unlocking.
[Moto X General] dubyajaysmith:
Just used Sunshine on VZW X 4.4.2. Been awhile since I've used fastboot flash so I'll be reading through the thread before I experiment too much. Thanks to jcase & team.
[Moto X General] Flexia32:
See my problem is I have a unlocked bl through the middle man but it having issues with the charging port. And I have a feeling the warranty one will be on 444 with no luck of ever unlocking.
[Moto X General] mawells787:
You do realize with an unofficially unlocked bl. your warranty is void. Moto most likely won't accept your return.
[Moto X General] bradg24:
http://m.flipsy.com/blog/14/08/Motorola-Moto-X-Charging-Port-Repair-Guide

Is looks pretty easy to fix.
[Moto X General] ThaSik1:
False. I had a middle-man unlocked VZW Moto X and they still took mine. I even told the rep the "hypothetical" situation of me having an unlocked model and they still sent me an advanced replacement model for my device. I think they go by the Spiderman rule: "Everybody gets one" in regards to advanced replacement.
[Moto X General] murso74:
Hit thanks by accident.

Sent my old x back that I unlocked through the middle man with a cracked screen and they send me a new phone no questions asked
[Moto X General] mschumacher69:
I'm sure they would have done the same even if u had unlocked officially thru moto's website...
[Moto X General] _litz:
The clarification on whether 4.4.4 works is pretty simple :

If you are bone stock, and your phone either came with 4.4.4, you used RSD-Lite to apply the full update to 4.4.4, or you took the OTA for 4.4.4, then your entire system (including the bootloader) upgraded to 4.4.4.

In this case, it's not likely the exploit will work for you.

On the other hand, if you did any kind of partial upgrade to 4.4.4, and your bootloader is not 4.4.4's bootloader, then you have a shot.

For instance, let's say you gained root at some point in the past, and are running a 4.4.4 system via SafeStrap.

You're a 4.4.4 system. But your bootloader is 4.2.2. Sunshine will unlock this no problem.
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
Well...I've been on official software of my xt1080 Maxx ever since I got the phone...especially with 444, which I used survival mode in supersu to keep root...which I got from square 1 using MotoRoot(?), then SlapMyMoto. I dabbled with it, and had to restore from a stock backup in Safestrap one or twice. May have used RSD once, but can't be sure. Sooooo.....why did Sunshine work for me?
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
RSD worked for you?

Details? Did you do the full XML for 444?
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
RSD'd about 6 months ago, if at all, just to restore stock. Had nothing to do with the new unlock exploit.
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
6 months ago was not 444.:)

---------- Post added at 09:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:57 AM ----------

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=54119311&postcount=1

July
[Moto X General] jasoraso:
Warranty laws vary from state to state, but many (most?) states' warranty laws have a provision that a blanket voiding of a warranty, due to an action that does not directly touch upon the issue subject to warranty, is not valid.

Bottom line? Voiding warranty for a charging port that has gone bad because of an unrelated bootloader unlock, probably not valid. Voiding the warranty for a processor or memory chip that has gone bad after a warranty unlock > probably valid. Of course, Motorola may still attempt to not honor the warranty in a the case of a bootloader unlock with a bad charging port, and you may have to sue them in court to enforce your rights :)

But it sounds like Motorola is generally not too concerned about the state of the bootloader unlock for most warranty issues, charging port or otherwise. I had to send in a "middleman unlocked" Moto X after the vibration motor quit working. I did follow the steps to relock (hint: it is a series of 5 or 6 commands in fastboot before the X will relock). Replacement device wasn't in the database :( I got the replacement device from Verizon.
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
I didn't say I RSD'd into 444, I only said that I did it, maybe, in the past.
[Moto X General] josuearisty:
Now, this is not a thread for speaking about unlocking your bootloaders, this threads have become something for speaking about everything.
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
So you were never really on 444, that is why it worked.
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
Well, any ideas on why I was able to participate in the soak for 444, with only SuperSu protecting my 'Slapped' root if I wasn't on a clean install? Didn't even RSD in prep, just did survival mode. Lost WP off, going into 444, though.
[Moto X General] mh0520:
Sounds like you maybe RSD'ed back when you were in another android version, probably 4.4.2 if you did, to get back to stock and have since updated to stock 4.4.4.

Not sure why sunshine worked but would like to know. :)
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
Could be a remnant of rooting, or the write protection exploits left behind a small crack in which sunshine could enter. I did have to revert back to dalvik runtime, though. Sunshine caught that right off the bat.
[Moto X General] scottshebs:
Question. Do I need to update to 4.4.4 in order to flash 4.4.4 romz?
[Moto X General] :
No
[Moto X General] scottshebs:
Thx
[Moto X General] mbkintner:
Not completely off topic.....

There is a lot of speculation about a future version of Sunshine possibly working consistently on 4.4.4. That has me wondering if I should buy a 2014 Moto X to put aside before they start shipping with something other than 4.4.4.
[Moto X General] sivarticus85:
It's likely the software on the new X has updated security patches that aren't on the last gen X. If you've got money to blow on a new one I say go for it, since you can always sell it later if you change your mind.
[Moto X General] bradg24:
Oh I hope this is true about a new sunshine version.
[Moto X General] aviwdoowks:
Seems He can release an adb version that would not need root

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=55626392&postcount=925
[Moto X General] lmalinofsky@gmail.com:
Is Twitter the best place to get fast recent updates on sunshine? Anybody know the Twitter address?
[Moto X General] smartazz69:
https://twitter.com/TheRootNinja
[Moto X General] jcase:
That's not what I said and isn't accurate, it needs to gain root
[Moto X General] roemicha:
Does root look possible on 4.4.4? Hopefully you are just waiting on the new Moto X to checkb that everything works.

Sent from my XT1058
[Moto X General] Jersey846:
Read.

Sent from my Moto X
[Moto X General] 250 or Point 65:
I think this is important and this information is very difficult to find.

1) Once I use Sunshine, do I have a Dev Ed phone? Can I do everything the DE can do? Can I only flash DE roms? (this is for Verizon)

2) Does this process provide me with a unlock code? Am I able to relock if I need to for whatever reason?

3) Can I just take OTAs after unlocking without fear of ending up with a locked bootloader and losing root?

4) Can I use this on a Verizon 16g version?
[Moto X General] Topsnake:
Read.
[Moto X General] Einsteindks:
1) essentially yes, but not technically. Flashing ROMs with different kernels can have serious repercussions, so I'd stay on stock based ones.

2) no. It's feasible, but why would you want to?

3) OTA is still possible, but you need a stock rom and stock recovery, and both can be done while unlocked. Verizon can't lock your bootloader again.

4) some folks on 444 have had difficulty unlocking, everyone else has unlocked as far as I know. The entire ultra line is eligible.

Others may have more to add, but you're probably on the right track. You need to do some more research, though.
[Moto X General] Topsnake:
Incorrect 4.4.4 is nearly always a no go for us. Remember the X and Maxx are essentially the same except for the battery and screen size.
[Moto X General] josuearisty:
Now back to topic:

Is there anything new about 4.4.4 and sunshine?
[Moto X General] Wansanta:
You will have a Moto X with an unlocked bootloader and a voided warranty.

Yes you are able to relock but the bootloader status will say relocked (status code 2) but not locked (status code 0).

The amount of storage on the device has nothing at all to do with unlocking the bootloader.