Can we just start referring to Dan Rosenberg (@djrbliss) as Mr. Root? The man that seems to have rooted every single Motorola device over the last couple of years has done it again, only this time with the original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX running the latest OTA update of Jelly Bean (Android 4.1.2). That would be the update that was mistakenly pushed to your device on X-mas Eve.

For those of you who lost root during the update and have been waiting patiently for a new exploit to be found, your time has come.  At this point, the method only works from a Windows PC, but it’s as simple as can be. At the source link, you’ll find a .zip file with a .bat file inside that needs to be run with your phone attached to your Windows machine with USB Debugging on.

Go have some fun. Be sure to donate to the cause if you can, and thank Mr. Root.

Via:  DroidRzr

Cheers @P3Droid!

Original DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Jelly Bean Update has Been Rooted is a post from: Droid Life

See that little “qe 1/1″ listed on the screenshot above of my DROID RAZR booted into recovery? According to @P3Droid and a variety of testers, this is a root checker of sorts that Motorola has built into the boot and recovery .img files of their current crop of devices, including the RAZR, RAZR MAXX and DROID 4. If you see “qe 0/0″ you are running a device that has never been rooted. If you see “qe 0/1″ you are running a device that was at one time rooted, but currently is not. If you see “qe 1/1″ like in the picture above, you are running a device that is currently rooted. 

At this point, it’s tough to tell if this is a big deal or not. In theory, it could mean that if you return your phone because of a warranty concern, that Motorola or Verizon could simply boot into recovery and check this to see if you are or have been rooted, and then potentially deny you of a replacement phone. We don’t know that they will actually do that, but you have to wonder what else their motives for including a root checker would be.

P3 is also under the impression that when the Bionic is updated to Ice Cream Sandwich, it will also receive this new root checker. At this time, there is no way to trick or reset it.

I’m sure you have some colorful comments in response to this news and we would love to have it down in the comments.

Cheers Brandon and @P3Droid!

Motorola Included a Root Check in the RAZR, RAZR MAXX, and DROID4 With Ice Cream Sandwich is a post from: Droid Life

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX owners, full custom ROMs will soon be in your future, thanks to @dhacker29, @hashcodeof, and @therealjonpry. Using the kexec method that has become famous on older Motorola phones and now the Galaxy S3, custom kernels are now an option. Well, once they are built by the ever-growing RAZR dev-community. This also means that you will see full and official CyanogenMod builds, something that should excite many of you.

As of today, it doesn’t appear as if there is a public way for you to test custom kernels or find ROMs that have them, but it likely won’t be long.

Via:  Twitter

Cheers Jeremy and Brandon!

Custom Kernels Make Their Way to the DROID RAZR Thanks to Kexec is a post from: Droid Life

With fastboot files, you are able to relieve your Motorola phone from a variety of sticky situations. Using a program called RSDLite, you can flash these and recover your phone should you soft brick it or find yourself in some sort of a bootloop after tinkering too much. Basically, what I’m saying is that if you own a DROID RAZR or RAZR MAXX, you need to download the new files that were released last night that can get you to stock 4.0.4, which is the OTA update you all received last month. It’s also a decent way to start fresh on a clean 4.0.4 if you have been running leaks or other ROMs.

Hit up the links below to download. You want the 6.7.2-180 build file.

Via:  Download [Mirror] (813MB) | DroidRzr

Cheers SnakeMan!

Fastboot Files Released for DROID RAZR Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 Build 6.7.2-180 is a post from: Droid Life

We may still be waiting for the official launch of the update to Ice Cream Sandwich here stateside for the DROID RAZR, but when it does get here rooting it should not be a problem. XDA user hacker812c has posted a myriad of ways for users to root their RAZRs, and it seems to be working on many different builds from many different countries. Whether or not you like using the one-click exploit methods that have become popular these days or you want to get your hands dirty in some adb lines, the thread at XDA has full explanations for you. As a reminder, this is for Android 4.0 on the RAZR which means you’re running a leaked build of some kind. Hit the link below if you’re feeling adventerous.

Via: XDA

Cheers JON!

RAZR Ice Cream Sandwich Builds Rooted Before Official Release is a post from: Droid Life

A “kexec” bootloader bypass method was discovered back in mid-March for the GSM RAZR, giving hope to the growing community of DROID RAZR owners who want nothing more than to run fully stock Android. This method in theory, allows you to flash custom kernels and full custom ROMs, something that most Moto devices are incapable of thanks to Moto’s ridiculously anal approach to device security. After hours of work from developers kholk and [mbm] on the project, this kexec bypass is now public and available for you to try.

There are a couple of things you need to know though. First, after bypassing the bootloader, only 1 of the 2 cores in the processor is firing (they are working on a fix). Second, with some CDMA RAZRs, the bootloader bypass itself is simply not working (they are attempting to fix these issues as well).

RAZR owners, time to spend your weekend tinkering. Full details and instructions can be found at the source links below.

Via:  Eternity Project | XDA

Cheers [TSON]!

DROID RAZR Bootloader Bypass Released in Semi-working Form, A New World Awaits is a post from: Droid Life

The DROID RAZR has started to receive a bit more developer love lately, so we knew it was time to showcase some of the newest work we could find. What we have today is called, Black Widow ICS. It uses AOKP as a starting point, so you know it is going to be filled with options and customizable goodies for your eyes and fingers to play with. 

The ROM itself is made to be extremely dark and almost sort of evil looking. But with a name like Black Widow, we would sort of hope for this. You can flash an alternate Google Apps zip file that will turn all of your system apps a very dark color and it will match up with the overall look very well. If you want to give it a go, follow our directions down below.

Instructions for installation:

1. Download Widow zip file and place in sdcard-ext.
2. Reboot into Recovery.
3. Create a Nandroid backup immediately.
4. Wipe Data/Factory Reset  - mandatory.
5. Wipe Cache partition.
6. Wipe Dalvik cache.
7. Format System.
8. Install Widow zip.
9. Flash ROM
10. Reboot system

If you run into any problems or have any questions, let us know down below and we’ll try to point you in the right direction.

Via: DROIDRZR

Custom ROM Friday: Black Widow ICS for the DROID RAZR is a post from: Droid Life

After yesterday’s news that Ice Cream Sandwich would be released next week for the DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX, a soak test invite for Motorola Feedback Network members was quickly sent out which seemingly confirmed that the update was upon us. This morning, a leaked Android 4.0.3 (version 6.14.75) build briefly became available from the crew over at DroidRzr.com, however, it was then pulled as the normal methods for flashing were not working as expected.

From what we know though, thanks to a couple of successful flashes, a new webtop software is included, obviously a new ICS UI, new radios, and version 4.0.3 of Android. What we aren’t sure about yet is if this is the official build that could be pushed to devices in the coming days.

If you are interested in potentially flashing, you will want to keep an eye on this DroidRzr thread.

Cheers Patrick, Johnny, and Mal_Eskrito!

Ice Cream Sandwich Build 6.14.75 Leaks for the DROID RAZR is a post from: Droid Life

In the never ending battle with bootloaders of Motorola devices, developer kholk thinks he may have found a way to bypass that of the GSM RAZR and maybe even the LTE DROID RAZR here in the States. He is said to be using the kexec method that was last used on the original DROID X, but so far other details have not been made public. Over the last couple of weeks, he has popped into this XDA thread to give a status report on his findings. As of Sunday, he seems convinced that his method works on the GSM and LTE RAZRs, but so far, only 1-core of the dual-core OMAP4430 is functioning. Once he can get the 2nd core fired up, he plans to make everything public.

From my understanding of kexec, this method won’t unlock the bootloader of the device, but it will allow you to flash a custom kernel. This would be a major happening in the land of the RAZR should kholk succeed. I wouldn’t recommend holding your breath on this one as someone seems to get “close” with each new Motorola release and then eventually gives up. Feel free to cross a couple of toes though.

Cheers Trevor!

Motorola RAZR GSM Bootloader Bypass Discovered, Could Work on LTE RAZR is a post from: Droid Life

Owners of Motorola devices who might want to flash some vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich with no Blur attached now have additional options when looking to do so. There have been ICS ROMs available already, but there was a bug involved that hindered the camera from working properly in some of them. And for some, a non-working camera is a complete no-go. 

Below we have a few ROMs that have working cameras and little to no bugs beyond that. If you want to flash any of these, know that you must be rooted and we hope you have a basic understanding of how flashing custom ROMs to your device works.

DROID Bionic | DROID RAZR | DROID 3

Via: Hash of Codes, Droid Modder X 

Cheers David and Jeff!

Camera Finally Working in Bionic, RAZR and DROID 3 Ice Cream Sandwich ROMS is a post from: Droid Life

Fastboot files for the latest DROID Bionic build were released on Friday from daywalker04 which had us hoping that he would drop the new DROID RAZR 6.12.173 as well. He did just that. So for those of you interesting in rooting your RAZR, flashing ROMs, or hacking on it in general, you will want to grab this file before it is gone. This is your ticket back to safety should you soft-brick your device at some point.

Download Link

Via:  XDA

DROID RAZR 6.12.173 Fastboot Files Released is a post from: Droid Life

Accepted the latest OTA updates for the DROID Bionic and RAZR and have been frustrated with the lack of root access? According to a couple of readers who were willing to take the dive, you should be able to use the method that was released for the DROID 4 over the weekend by @djrbliss. This is for those of you that have yet to get accustomed to using OTA RootKeeper before accepting these updates, of course.

Download the Windows root tool here. If you want to donate to charity in the name of this root exploit, you can do that here.

Cheers Mark!

DROID Bionic and RAZR OTA Updates Can Be Rooted Using Latest DROID 4 Method is a post from: Droid Life

Root tools are all the rage these days. It lets the Android devs put together a package to help people root and modify their phone who otherwise may not be able to go through and do all the adb commands or coding. The latest that we have come across is a utility tool for the DROID RAZR. Released on XDA and only working on Windows for now, this tool allows you to do almost anything you can think of with your RAZR.

Restoring a stock system image, installing the rootkepper app, and even rooting can all be done through this nifty little script. Head on over to XDA and download it if you are interested. This only works on Windows so far so be warned, and please make a backup before you do anything to your precious phone.

Via: XDA

DROID RAZR Root Tool Released, Helps You Do Whatever You Want With Your RAZR is a post from: Droid Life

Another leaked build has been released for the DROID RAZR. Do know, that after flashing this you will not be able to return to the official OTA and this might take you off the correct update path Motorola and Verizon has planned for consumers. You flash these at your own risk. In order to return back to stock, you will need to use RSD and fastboot. If you don’t know these terms, then we suggest going no further. 

So now that we have the scary stuff out of the way, this is build version 6.12.174.xt912. According to the source, this could just be a small ‘emergency update’ to fix a force close bug when hitting the hard search key while in the app drawer. The radio has also received a minor update, but no word on what the update actually contains. After flashing this, you will still be running 2.3.6 and everything else should remain the same.

Instructions (simple version):

*You do not need to be rooted to flash this file.
*You need to be running 6.12.173.XT912. That is mandatory.

1.  Download this file to your SD card (not internal storage).

*You want the file located in /mnt/sdcard-ext

2.  Power down your phone.
3.  Reboot into recovery by holding both Volume Up and Down and Power at the same time.
4.  When the first menu appears, choose “recovery.”

*Scroll using Volume Down. Select “recovery” with Volume Up.

5.  When the exclamation and Android logo appear, press both volumes at the same time.
6.  Select “apply update from sdcard.”  Scroll with Volume Down, select with Power switch.
7.  Select the file “Blur_Version.6.12.173.XT912.Verizon.en.US(Update%20to%206.12.174).zip” to flash.
8.  Watch your phone update itself! And trust me, it could take a while.
9.  When it finishes, choose “reboot system now.”
10.  Enjoy your updated phone!

Via: DroidRzr

Newer DROID RAZR 6.12.174 Update Pulled and Available for Use, Fixes Search Key Force Close is a post from: Droid Life

During the filming of our RAZR MAXX unboxing, we noticed that the device appeared to be running the exact same version of Blur that was introduced to the original RAZR through the last OTA update. We found this odd as we have seen re-hashes of products in the past that while very similar, will still cary slightly different software versions. The problem with manufacturers doing that (and it could be for hardware reasons), is that they need to develop separate OTA updates for each specific device. And when they have to work on two different updates, that usually means it will take longer for end users to receive them.

Well what if that isn’t the case with the RAZR MAXX? By all accounts, the MAXX is identical on the hardware front to the RAZR aside from a bigger battery, and now that we can see that they run the same software, in theory they should be able to run each other’s ROMs and OTA updates.  

Take a look at the two About screens for the devices below:

As you can see, they run the same kernel, Webtop software, Blur build, version of Android, and were built on the same date. It’s the same software, folks.

Our brave friends over at the Android Source ran with our discovery and actually flashed a ROM and the leaked OTA update that we posted earlier in the week with success. Now, you need be very careful in doing something along these lines, but the early signs point to everything being interchangeable that has been done on these two phones. That may be a first.

Cheers Timothy!

DROID RAZR and RAZR MAXX Run Identical Software – ROMs and Updates Could Work With Both is a post from: Droid Life