Update Atrix 2 to Android 2.3.6 OTA with Root Retained

One of the most frequently asked questions, when it comes to applying an OTA update, is whether one would lose root. And the answer is, disappointingly, Yes!! Some people tend to steer away from stock updates altogether, and stick to Custom ROMs, while some tend to go through the update, and then the process of rooting their devices again, which could be pretty cumbersome.

XDA member Michael443 has posted an excellent step-by-step guide in his thread at XDA, which walks us through the process of updating the Motorola Atrix 2 to the latest 2.3.6 OTA update, while still preserving root access. A lot of you may already know this, and are probably using this method, but for the uninitated, this can be a very handy guide to refer to.

Warning!
The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to you or your device, we won’t be held liable — you only will be responsible, you’ve been warned!!!

Compatibility
This guide has been specifically written for the Motorola Atrix 2. Do not try to attempt it any other device as it may cause issues with your device. Check your device model number in: Settings » About Phone

How To Apply 2.3.6 OTA Update on the Atrix 4G, with Root retained

  1. Download and Install OTA Rootkeeper on your Atrix 2
  2. Launch OTA Rootkeeper, and Select ‘Create SU backup‘
  3. Once SU backup is completed, Select Temp Unroot .
  4. Now exit OTA Rootkeeper
  5. Uninstall the Superuser app. In case you have Superuser Elite installed, uninstall that too.
  6. Now uninstall OTA Rootkeeper. The backup you created through OTA rootkeeper in Step 2 above will still be retained, so don’t worry.
  7. Now go ahead and download the  2.3.6 OTA update to the phone and apply it
  8. Once the update is complete, reboot the phone. Once it has rebooted, power-cycle the phone ( Switch it off and power it back on after a minute)
  9. Once the phone has booted back up, install OTA Rootkeeper and Superuser again
  10. Launch OTA Rootkeeper, and Select Restore Root. This should bring up a superuser permission prompt, Accept it.
  11. Now reboot the phone.
  12. That’s it!! You have updated to the latest 2.3.6 OTA, and are also rooted.

Go ahead and try this out, and update your Atrix 2 to the latest firmware version, while still retaining root access. If you come across any roadblocks, give us a hoot in comments below, and we’ll be there to help you out

37 Comments

  1. I have a somewhat related question: I have already performed the OTA 2.3.6 upgrade on my stock Atrix 2, never rooted. Can I still root my Atrix using the procedures for 2.3.5? Which procedure would be best for a newbie, just getting into Android?

  2. I have a somewhat related question: I have already performed the OTA 2.3.6 upgrade on my stock Atrix 2, never rooted. Can I still root my Atrix using the procedures for 2.3.5? Which procedure would be best for a newbie, just getting into Android?

  3. I have a somewhat related question: I have already performed the OTA 2.3.6 upgrade on my stock Atrix 2, never rooted. Can I still root my Atrix using the procedures for 2.3.5? Which procedure would be best for a newbie, just getting into Android?

  4. I have a question before I attempt this. 

    I rooted my atrix 2, using 1 click method, then i IMMEDIATELY installed titanium backup and made a backup of my phone exactly how it was then. 

    I then proceeded to take all the bloatware off.

    Now when I try to install the OTA update, it downloads fine, and then upon install, it gets about 1/3 of the way thu, declares an error and reboots my phone. Then i just keep getting update notifications.

    What I want to know is, if you think that if i restore my phone to the way it was right after I rooted it, and used the method in this tutorial, if the update will work and I will still be able to retain root?  

    In your best opinion. That is going to be my plan. If you see any gaping holes in this please let me know.

    I’d appreciate any feedback on this at all.

    ~bobby

    1. I believe trying this after restoring your phone to right after root stage and without deleting bloatware it anything, this should work.

  5. I have a question before I attempt this. 

    I rooted my atrix 2, using 1 click method, then i IMMEDIATELY installed titanium backup and made a backup of my phone exactly how it was then. 

    I then proceeded to take all the bloatware off.

    Now when I try to install the OTA update, it downloads fine, and then upon install, it gets about 1/3 of the way thu, declares an error and reboots my phone. Then i just keep getting update notifications.

    What I want to know is, if you think that if i restore my phone to the way it was right after I rooted it, and used the method in this tutorial, if the update will work and I will still be able to retain root?  

    In your best opinion. That is going to be my plan. If you see any gaping holes in this please let me know.

    I’d appreciate any feedback on this at all.

    ~bobby

    1. I believe trying this after restoring your phone to right after root stage and without deleting bloatware it anything, this should work.

  6. I have a question before I attempt this. 

    I rooted my atrix 2, using 1 click method, then i IMMEDIATELY installed titanium backup and made a backup of my phone exactly how it was then. 

    I then proceeded to take all the bloatware off.

    Now when I try to install the OTA update, it downloads fine, and then upon install, it gets about 1/3 of the way thu, declares an error and reboots my phone. Then i just keep getting update notifications.

    What I want to know is, if you think that if i restore my phone to the way it was right after I rooted it, and used the method in this tutorial, if the update will work and I will still be able to retain root?  

    In your best opinion. That is going to be my plan. If you see any gaping holes in this please let me know.

    I’d appreciate any feedback on this at all.

    ~bobby

    1. I believe trying this after restoring your phone to right after root stage and without deleting bloatware it anything, this should work.

  7. hi kapil don’t we hav brave people to work on with brave lg series first dual core, first 3d mobile maker so sad,,,,,,

  8. hi kapil don’t we hav brave people to work on with brave lg series first dual core, first 3d mobile maker so sad,,,,,,

  9. hi kapil don’t we hav brave people to work on with brave lg series first dual core, first 3d mobile maker so sad,,,,,,

  10. is there a way of uninstalling the update, or  reverting back?

    1. Take backup with Titanium Backup of your apps (with their data) and flash (install) the earlier firmware back to restore your phone to old firmware.

    2. I lost root access with the update so Im not able to use titanium due to the fact I lost root helppp please

    3. Did this get answered bc i’m in the same boat and I don’t know what to do

    4. Same issue here too…

    5.  I’ve succesfully reverted back to 2.3.5 and regained root. There’s also a method of rooting after updating to 2.3.6 now. It’s all covered in this excellent post on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1396650

  11. is there a way of uninstalling the update, or  reverting back?

    1. Take backup with Titanium Backup of your apps (with their data) and flash (install) the earlier firmware back to restore your phone to old firmware.

      1. I lost root access with the update so Im not able to use titanium due to the fact I lost root helppp please

        1. Did this get answered bc i’m in the same boat and I don’t know what to do

    2. Same issue here too…

    3.  I’ve succesfully reverted back to 2.3.5 and regained root. There’s also a method of rooting after updating to 2.3.6 now. It’s all covered in this excellent post on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1396650

  12. is there a way of uninstalling the update, or  reverting back?

    1. Take backup with Titanium Backup of your apps (with their data) and flash (install) the earlier firmware back to restore your phone to old firmware.

      1. I lost root access with the update so Im not able to use titanium due to the fact I lost root helppp please

        1. Did this get answered bc i’m in the same boat and I don’t know what to do

    2. Same issue here too…

    3.  I’ve succesfully reverted back to 2.3.5 and regained root. There’s also a method of rooting after updating to 2.3.6 now. It’s all covered in this excellent post on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1396650

  13. will this work for the atrix 4g too

    1. Nope. It won’t.

    2. Nope. It won’t.

  14. will this work for the atrix 4g too

  15. will this work for the atrix 4g too

Comments are closed.