Root Android Pay issue: Is it possible to unroot

cantak · Nov 18, 2015

History:
I bought a Nexus 5. I immediately rooted it so I could get a full backup/restore application on it. When the Android 5 update came it removed root access. SuperSU stopped working. To re-root required me to lose all data. So I disabled SuperSU (could not uninstall) and left it alone. I'm now on Marshmallow.

Problem:
The new Android Pay application will not work. Says I am not running Android Compatible software. I did not install any ROM at all - only had rooted. I'm stock T-Mobile otherwise. After talking with Google they say the reason I can't use it is because there is some application on my phone that is a root app, and Android Pay is blocked.

Options:
My first choice would be to somehow fix the root so it works again, and also to fix Android Pay. Anyone know a solution?
My second choice would be to remove SuperSU so that Android Pay works. But I can't uninstall it. Any ideas?

The last thing I want to do is a full reset.

glc · Nov 18, 2015

A full reset won't fix it.
You need to reflash the stock Android M. and don't root it.

scary alien · Nov 18, 2015

A couple of thoughts / observations /questions:

1. Why did you say that "To re-root required me to lose all data."? (I don't agree)

2. Yes, installing an OTA update will strip root...I'm actually surprised you were able to install it...

3. Here's what I'd do (this assumes that you're running Android 5.x):

A. first, enter fastboot/bootloader mode (adb reboot bootloader or do it via the volume/power key combo)
B. next, soft-boot TWRP (fastboot boot twrp-2.8.7.1-hammerhead.img)
C. take a Nandroid backup and save a copy outside of your N5 (i.e., to your PC)
D. re-flash UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip (assuming you're still on 5.x)
E. reboot
F. run SuperSU app -> Settings -> Full unroot

That should work for you.

edit: oh, and I'm going to move your thread to the Nexus 5 root area for you. Cheers!

cantak · Nov 23, 2015

I am on Marshmallow not 5.x.

I unlocked my bootloader (was locked). I ran steps A and B. I figured I could at least get a backup made (step C) even if I could not do step D since I do not have 5.x.

My phone was completely erased as I feared. I lost everything. On top of that, SuperSU is still installed.

scary alien · Nov 23, 2015

What did you do to erase/lose everything? I'm a little confused here... :thinking:

None of the steps I posted would have removed anything with the exception of the step F where the SuperSU app would have removed the components it knows that where installed with it, but you didn't even get to that step.

edit: I see, unlocking the bootloader did the wipe/erase...you must have re-locked it after you initially rooted?

cantak · Nov 23, 2015

I must have. For some reason I thought I would lose everything. When I went to unlock the boot loader I got a screen indicating that I may void the warranty. But nothing on that screen mentioned erasing any data.

At this point since I've lost it all (which is what I wanted to avoid) I can flash the stock ROM myself to remove SuperSU. The ideal fix for me would be to get Android Pay, Marshmallow, and root access all working together.

scary alien · Nov 23, 2015

Sorry that all happened

.

edit/FYI here's the bootloader unlock warning screen:

FYI, root for Android 6.0 / Marshmallow is still a bit of a work in-progress...

Chainfire has created what he's calling "systemless" root where the boot.img is tweaked and must be re-flashed before you would flash the UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.5x.zip file.

This moves the root components out of the /system partition so that things like OTAs and Android Pay would work.

I believe that Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit supports doing all of this, otherwise, you might want to hold-off trying to root your N5 until things are truly settled and development is finished / finalized.

cantak · Nov 23, 2015

Damn. My bad. I completely missed that third paragraph. I went with the stock ROM now and will see how the systemless root goes in the future. Thanks for the help.

g01851 · Nov 24, 2015

There's an app called 'hide my root' that will allow you to use Android Pay even while rooted

You're welcome

Root Android Pay issue: Is it possible to unroot

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