How to unroot a Mediatek Android phone in order to successfully install an OTA update
It does feel good to see an Over The Air (OTA) update from your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), especially when its a leap from one major version of Android to another. In a haste to update, some device users end up encountering errors or even bricking their phones while trying to install OTA updates on rooted devices; causing the phones in question to always boot straight into recovery mode. In such a situation, a factory reset doesn’t help in any way. We did provide a fix for this at https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-5517.html but today’s guide is focused on prevention.
Why do I need to unroot before I can install an OTA update?
OTA updates are signed. This means the Android system checks the integrity of core partitions before proceeding with installation of the OTA zip file. What this means is that if you have somehow altered these core partitions, you will likely encounter an error or end up with a bricked Android phone.
What exactly am I trying to achieve by unrooting?
You are simply trying to return your boot, recovery and system partitions to their original states so they can pass the System test (Root Integrity check).
How do I perform a Root Integrity check?
- Boot into Stock recovery mode (see https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-479.html)
- In Stock recovery, select Root Integrity check and wait for the result
Why isn’t the unroot option in my SuperSU or Kinguser the best option for me?
We’ve had a number of bricked phones due to opting for this method of unrooting. Your /system partition has already been modified / patched so you’re still exposed to the possibility of an incompatibility with the OTA zip file since the Super User unroot option does not completely cover its trail.
How do I unroot an MTK phone before flashing an OTA update?
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You will be reverting the boot, recovery and system partitions because they are core and are commonly altered in order to root or after rooting. To unroot your MTK Android phone ahead of an OTA update:
- Download the firmware for your phone model from https://forum.hovatek.com/forum-89.html
- Extract the content into a folder using any zip / rar file manager of your choice (e.g 7zip, Winrar, B1 Archiver etc)
- Install VCOM drivers on your PC using https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-440.html
- Flash only recovery, boot and system (Android) using SP flash tool at https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-159.html . Untick the rest and ensure to use the Download only option
- If you wish to flash the entire firmware then use the Firmware upgrade option or Infinix Flash tool at https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-9224.html
- Wait till flashing is complete and you get a green OK prompt (Do not interrupt SP flash tool or Infinix flash tool while flashing )
- Disconnect the phone then boot it up
Will I lose my data after unrooting using this method?
If you flash only recovery, boot and system (Android) then your data will not be affected. If -on the other hand- you flash the entire firmware then you will lose your data. To backup your important contacts, SMS etc, follow the guide at https://journal.hovatek.com/backup-your-android-apps-sms-contacts-call-logs-calendars-and-bookmarks-using-super-backup/
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Thanks for this tutorial. Which option should I select on sp flash tool for system I can see BOOTIMG which I assume is for image and also RECOVERY which I assume is the option to select to flash the recover image so which one should I select for system.
For system.img, it’s Android.
Untick all others except these 3
please how do i port a “custom recovery” on my infinix x530 race max Q..
or make my kernel support a “swap file”
or better still,,,how do i port or flash any thing custom on my phone…..
really need u guyz help…plz.
You’ll need to ask this at the Hovatek Forum
I want my touchscreen working properly after I flash my phone, so far I press my touchscreen and it does not respond properly, any tips? I have a THL, I have the stock ROM scatter file, it all has an address I have tried just download that does not work, I am trying firmware upgrade and I only see a red LED on my mobile phone, I will try download and Format all too, I tried it before but not really much success.
Any tips how to bring it back to normal.
https://androidmtk.com/download-thl-stock-rom-models I got it from here
I want my touchscreen working properly after I flash my phone, so far I press my touchscreen and it does not respond properly, any tips? I have a THL, I have the stock ROM scatter file, it all has an address I have tried just download that does not work, I am trying firmware upgrade and I only see a red LED on my mobile phone, I will try download and Format all too, I tried it before but not really much success.
Any tips how to bring it back to normal.
https://androidmtk.com/download-thl-stock-rom-models I got it from here
Sorry I pressed space when I wanted to check the receive email for response, is there a more recent or better ROM I can download ???
Harry
Was flashing successful with the green OK sign?
Please I flash d recovery and d system… Still my phone is still rooted please held me
See https://blog.hovatek.com/how-to-unroot-a-mediatek-android-phone-in-order-to-successfully-install-an-ota-update
Please i need GIONEEE m5mini stock firmware or the custom recovery
We’ll list the stock rom @ https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-389.html once available
first off all I thnkfull to u for your kind guidness .sir am using win8 and I do same method as u guid us but I still a problum with my sp tool .it not detect mtk device. can u help me??+923116446751 is my whatsapp number plz give me ur answer
Try using a Wibdows 7 PC instead
Good day. Please I can see UBOOT and BOOTIMG. Which of it is the Boot I am a supposed to tick.
Just load the scatter file. You don’t need to manually tick or load any item
Good morning am having issues unrooting my infinix x600 LTE 2gig ram. All the stock roms I downloaded failed to xtract properly therefore I can’t flash recovery, boot and system Pls hovateck can u help me to a link where I can download d selected items Cam I have wasted to much data thanks in anticipation.
You’re lucky youv haven’t flashed the wrong firmware. You would’ve been regretting by now. What’s your phone’s build number?
Thanks for responding my build number is X600-H533-A1-M-20160317. I have downloaded d rom twice but when unzipping it writes one error or d other. I considered downloading d flashfire app n then downloading the XOS update to do a manual updated. But I realize am not so good with all d computer thing so I just want to unroot my phone and wait for the ota to popup. Thanks for ur asisstance n time.
What error do you get when unzipping and which software are you using to unzip
I used 7zips to unzip and the error is with d system image.
The problem is from your download. Are you downloading using a phone or PC?
See https://forum.hovatek.com/thread-11899.html
My phone. I downloaded from this link [http://www.romkingz.net/2015/12/download-infinix-x600-stock-rom.html?m=1] when I couldn’t access your own link.
Try using a PC instead
I used 7zips to unzip and the error is with d system image.
CRC failed in ‘system.img’. File is broken.
Your download is corrupt. What device are you downloading with?
I downloaded using my phone.
Try using a PC instead
Boss can I get a trusted link for my build from u
I already gave you the link to check
Boss the thread is closed should I post like that
you’re supposed to create a new thread, not comment under that one
OK boss any info for me on flashfire usage cause I saw that on ur bbm channel
You’ll need to post this at the Hovatek Forum
Sir pls where did u post the link so I can download it.
check my previous reply