How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downloads?

[cyberdeath]

Hello everyone,

I recently joined these forums to lurk around and try to figure out how to root my Thunderbolt. I'm an avid *nix user and wasn't intimidated by the manual root process but ended up going the automated way for lack of time (fellow IT professionals will likely understand). The reason for rooting started for several reasons: 1. I love doing things like this and 2. My phone was constantly rebooting and getting worse...and the 1.70 update was not coming fast enough.

So, after rooting using the automated method a couple days ago, my phone has been working amazingly well. After updating, most of my apps were automatically re-downloaded and I backed up the rest of the important items (such as SMS/MMS messages) using various apps.

**So, here comes the question**
Several times a day or so, I get asked whether I want to update my phone to 1.70 which got rather frustrating having to click "Reject" every time (it also downloads the firmware, too). I did some research and found a couple of "fixes," but neither of them work.

1. I downloaded Titanium Backup Pro and used "Freeze" on Updater 2.2. Still got requests for updates.
2. I downloaded Root Explorer (again, lack of time), and renamed otacerts.zip with .bak at the end.
3. I even tried using the "Freeze" on Upgrade Setup 1.10 (this was an idea of my own).

I have also tried rebooting my phone and pulling the battery...all to no avail. I simply do not want to update to 1.70 and am quite happy with 1.13 at this point (I don't see any major benefit now that my phone isn't rebooting).

Does anyone have any other suggestions or advice on how to get my 'Bolt from requesting an OTA update? I just don't want to have to re-root nor do I want to lose the free Mobile Hotspot app, even if I do rarely use it.

~cyberdeath

 

[Treghc]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

Are you running the stock, rooted ROM? Simply changing to a new ROM should end any update notifications you'd receive.

 

[fatboy97]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

After rooting your phone did you upgrade the Radio? If not you are probably still running the MR1 radio. Might be a really big reason you are getting the OTA notifications.

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

Hi Treghc et. al.,

That's actually what I was thinking but it is not the case. I followed the instructions from the URL below

http://forums.androidcentral.com/th...unroot-windows-updated-5-20-w-mr1-update.html

It worked great and rooted my phone but I still get OTA software update notifications. I am currently running rooted software version number: 1.13.605.7.

That's why I went ahead and tried doing my research and why I attempted other methods of "blocking" OTA updates.

** Note to Mods: It might be more appropriate to change the title of this thread to include the word OTA Update Notifications instead of software update notifications.

~cyberdeath

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

After rooting your phone did you upgrade the Radio? If not you are probably still running the MR1 radio. Might be a really big reason you are getting the OTA notifications.

fatboy97,

That's the problem, I don't want to update to the latest radio since, from what I understand, that will disable Verizon's Mobile Hotspot (yes, I know Barnacle will work, but I actually like the Verizon option) and really provide no "value-add" to the phone from what I've read.

~cyberdeath

 

[fatboy97]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

fatboy97,

That's the problem, I don't want to update to the latest radio since, from what I understand, that will disable Verizon's Mobile Hotspot (yes, I know Barnacle will work, but I actually like the Verizon option) and really provide no "value-add" to the phone from what I've read.

~cyberdeath

Then you should not have unrooted your phone and you should have stayed with all the OTA pushes they want to be on.

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

Then you should not have unrooted your phone and you should have stayed with all the OTA pushes they want to be on.

My phone is currently rooted and I do not want any OTA updates until one comes out that I actually want (and I'll download the rooted version then, not download OTA). I like my rooted 1.13 S/W version.

...or am I misunderstanding?

~cyberdeath

 

[fatboy97]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

My phone is currently rooted and I do not want any OTA updates until one comes out that I actually want (and I'll download the rooted version then, not download OTA). I like my rooted 1.13 S/W version.

...or am I misunderstanding?

~cyberdeath

I'm not sure I understand you... you want to root because you can... in my book that is not enough of a reason to root your device... and considering how old and out of date that radio is there is no reason not to update it.

You really should have read: http://forums.androidcentral.com/thunderbolt-rooting-roms-hacks/103522-faq-should-i-root-my-thunderbolt.html

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

I'm not sure I understand you... you want to root because you can... in my book that is not enough of a reason to root your device... and considering how old and out of date that radio is there is no reason not to update it.

You really should have read: http://forums.androidcentral.com/thunderbolt-rooting-roms-hacks/103522-faq-should-i-root-my-thunderbolt.html

It's not so much that it's "because I can" it is because I love being able to customize and do as I please with my device. I'm a huge fan of open source and the open source community. I love the idea of having 'su' access to my device and the ability to use adb command line options or busybox commands on my device.

With that being said, another large reason that "drove" me to root my phone in the first place was the fact that I have the notorious rebooting 1.13 revision that caused me a great deal of grief (read: rebooting during telephone calls, listening to music, or completely turning off while waiting for an important text message). Of course I could have called and received a refurbished phone, but I don't want a refurbished phone for a software-level problem. The reason I am not simply updating to 1.70 is because I really like Verizon's Mobile Hotspot feature. I have personally found after doing my own speed tests that it is significantly faster than EasyTether or PDANet's offerings (one such test resulted in a 2x speed differential between Mobile Hotspot and EasyTether or PDANet). While I may infrequently use these features, I still want it to work and work fast when I need it to. Therefore, I chose the option of rooting since it gives me access to WiFi, Titanium Backup, and many other programs that I will likely end up loving along with the other reasons stated above. I realize that "rooting" isn't for the faint of heart, but after being around the block with *nix, I didn't see a reason not to root.

However, I still have my initial problem. I wanted to root my phone and put the stock ROM on for now of 1.13 without Verizon pestering me about OTA updates. Is there any way I can get around this? Am I going to have to install CyanogenMod or something of the like before it will stop pestering me? Of course, by doing that it defeats half of my goal, which is to still be able to use Mobile Hotspot.

So, how do I go about getting the radio requests to stop?

 

[fatboy97]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

So, how do I go about getting the radio requests to stop?

We've given you the options... flash a new ROM... flash a newer radio... just because you don't like those options... sorry about that!!! If you want to live with the setup you have then you have to live with the OTA notifications.

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting SW Update Notifications/Firmware Downlo

We've given you the options... flash a new ROM... flash a newer radio... just because you don't like those options... sorry about that!!! If you want to live with the setup you have then you have to live with the OTA notifications.

fatboy97 et. al.,

This is fine. However, I would have thought for sure there is a way around the notifications and updates (with open source there usually is). I am guessing I am just going to have to make a backup of the system and upgrade to MR2 or some variant (which means I have some research to do) and then use barnacle like I'm doing now (since it does not seem to have as much of a speed/performance hit as EasyTether/PDANet. However, if you have any observations or quick suggestions for version upgrade (MR2, MR2.5....etc), I'm open to them, too.

Thanks for taking the time to try and help me.

~cyberdeath

 

[ssethv]

2 of my friend had their phones automatically update with the new version when they were sleeping there's nothing you can do about it, unless you turn your phone completely off at night or keep your eyes on it 24/7

Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

 

[cyberdeath]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

2 of my friend had their phones automatically update with the new version when they were sleeping there's nothing you can do about it, unless you turn your phone completely off at night or keep your eyes on it 24/7

Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

ssethv,

Just as you and fatboy97 alluded to, good old Verizon kept trying to push updates all day. I ended up upgrading to Software Version: 1.70.605.0 with Baseband version: 1.39.00.0627r, 0.01.69.0625r.

I'm guessing the above mentioned versions are the 'latest and greatest' for the Thunderbolt. Please DO correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for everyone's help. Seems like a great community here.

~cyberdeath

 

[Cyber Warrior]

If you go to.. Menu.. Settings.. About Phone.. Software Updates.. Uncheck the box for scheduled updates.
I'm not sure if Verizon can still push it to the phone or not but it should help with the phone checking for the update on its own.

 

[sullydroid]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

Hi Cyberdeath,

I have found myself in the exact same situation as you I'm a rooted user but I really like my verizon mobile hot spot. My brother helped me root my thunderbolt and I absolutely love it. I swear the battery life doubled and I love how I can customize it. and get rid of the bloatware. I'll never go back! I'm worried about the OTA update though, and what it could do to my phone. My brother is over seas working for a few months so he can't help me out here.

In order to avoid the update, so far I've renamed the otacerts.zip to "otacerts.zip.bak" and the PG05IMG.zip file as well (I didn't want to just delete it). I keep getting the annoying notifications, but so far it hasn't been able to push the update by itself.

Should I update to a custom rom? I've heard of people with custom rom still getting the OTA notifications though.

Have you found a better solution? I would love to hear if you have!

 

[zero neck]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

You should update to a ROM if you want to make absolutely sure you won't get the ota overnight when you're not looking.

As far as I know there is no other way to definitively not get it.

 

[fatboy97]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

Should I update to a custom rom? I've heard of people with custom rom still getting the OTA notifications though.

Have you found a better solution? I would love to hear if you have!

Maybe you did not notice, but Cyber Warrior, zero neck and a lot of people that give advice here in the Root/ROM forum all are running a custom ROM... just look at their profile displayed on this thread. Most of us recommend flashing a ROM to stop these OTA downloads. I've not seen or heard of anyone running a custom ROM get an OTA... the only time I ever saw an OTA was when I was running the stock ROM after I was rooted.

If you are not comfortable with flashing a ROM, maybe you should unroot your phone and accept the OTAs.

 

[willknip]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

I rooted my phone when it first released and after these pushed updates started I decided to flash a new ROM. This stopped the pushed updates for about a day, and then I had an update notification this morning. I'm running lightening ROM which requires the radio to be flashed so installing a new ROM doesn't automatically stop updates. But I'm pretty sure if you flash a ROM with a newer radio, you should be fine.

 

[Admiralj21]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

I rooted my phone when it first released and after these pushed updates started I decided to flash a new ROM. This stopped the pushed updates for about a day, and then I had an update notification this morning. I'm running lightening ROM which requires the radio to be flashed so installing a new ROM doesn't automatically stop updates. But I'm pretty sure if you flash a ROM with a newer radio, you should be fine.

This is true...I have a Motorola Photon but there are some ui likenesses between the two. I know from having this phone that as willknip said the radio must be flashed too, if not you get an OTA push. Of course in my situation I had this, but it only downloaded by itself, not install. I wish I could've gotten here before cyber death upgraded, but this is what I did:

Disclaimer: This did work on my Motorola Photon, no guarantees on the Thunderbolt. (but i'd say its worth a try)

1. I downloaded bloat freezer from the market. (its free)

2. I should have said first you have to be rooted or it wont work

3. Open bloat freezer and it will list all apps and processes; scroll down until you see "Updater" or something to its likeness.

4. Freeze that process. It will stay frozen until you defrost it

5. That is it no more OTA pushes or Notifications

Hopefully this will work and help those that may need it and keep some greatly wanted features.

 

[Cyber Warrior]

Re: How do I stop getting OTA Update Notification/Firmware Downlo

You can also use Root Explorer... the file is called "OTAcerts."

With Root Explorer...
Go to path..... etc/security/otacerts.zip and rename to otacerts.zip.bak