How to update a rooted device?

[NoahWL1]

Hello, I have a Nexus 7 running 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, with an unlocked boot loader and rooted. Since the 4.3 versions are now officially out, I was wondering how I would update. Is there any special process? Can I just use the normal OTA update service built-in? Will doing that lose my root and unlock? If possible, I'd prefer the most risk-free method, as I don't want to mess up my Nexus. Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[HNNNNNGHHH]

If you want to update via OTA service, you'd have to unroot the device and relock bootloader in order to update or something will definitely be broken in the software afterwards.
What I did for my Nexus 7 is use a CWM/TWRP-ready flashable .zip file such as one here: [FLASH][ROOT]Android 4.3 Stock[Nexus 7 grouper/nakasi] - xda-developers and flash it through custom recovery so I'd keep root.

 

[NoahWL1]

I'd like to stay away from flashing, so tell me if this works: Backup my Nexus 7, un-root and re-lock it, update to Android 4.3, re-root and unlock, and then restore from that backup. Would that work? Is there a program that roots 4.3 yet? The Nexus Root Toolkit doesn't seem to have the option, and it's what I used before. Also, would I even be able to use the 4.2.2 backup on 4.3, or would that mess it up? Sorry if these questions are simple to answer or stupid, I'm still kind of new at this entire rooting thing. Thanks!

 

[HNNNNNGHHH]

The lack of a root tool for rooting 4.3 on the Nexus 7 is the reason why I stick to flashing.
Also, what do you mean by backup? A backup of all your apps made with Titanium Backup or a complete Nandroid backup? If it's basically just app data you want to restore, I'd restore every app and/or data individually as batch restoring with titanium backup will cause multiple FC's and maybe a bootloop if enough system apps were involved in the process. If it's a Nandroid backup, restoring that will basically bring you back to 4.2.2.

 

[NoahWL1]

I meant app data. I use the Android Root Toolkit to do that. It creates .ab files that I can restore from. Will that work?

 

[HNNNNNGHHH]

I'm guessing it should work, as long as any system app restores aren't involved, as they might conflict with 4.3. I'd still recommend you create a nandroid backup before you go on so you'll have a backup of your previous setup in case you need to fall back onto it.