[Utility] CleanFlasher / & Get your phone ready for 4.3 - Nexus 4 General

Some words about my little Script:
I would describe myself as a flashoholic and kinda perfectionist.
I try a lot of different Roms and to get the best results I always want to start from scratch and have a clean base for the new Rom.
So I decided to write a little script that automates the process for me. :lazy:​
Based upon: Android 4.3 AOSP (JWR66Y)
There will be different versions:
For all versions: THIS WILL WIPE YOUR USERDATA! Make sure you have a backup!
1. Coming from a 4.2 rom:
- flashing latest 4.3 bootloader
- flashing latest 4.3 radio
- formatting system partition
- formatting userdata partition
- formatting cache partition
- flash stock boot.img
- flash stock recovery.img
- write original factory system partition to the device
- write original factory userdata partition to the device
- write original factory cache partition to the device
- again formatting system partition
- again formatting userdata partition
- again formatting cache partition
Now you have a complete "empty" device ready for every new 4.3 Rom.
Your device WON'T boot up until you flash a Rom in Recovery or via fastboot!
Download
2. Just clean install (already 4.3):
- formatting system partition
- formatting userdata partition
- formatting cache partition
- flash stock boot.img
- flash stock recovery.img
Your device WON'T boot up until you flash a Rom in Recovery or via fastboot!
Download
3. Clean install for paranoids (already 4.3):
- formatting system partition
- formatting userdata partition
- formatting cache partition
- flash stock boot.img
- flash stock recovery.img
- write original factory system partition to the device
- write original factory userdata partition to the device
- write original factory cache partition to the device
- again formatting system partition
- again formatting userdata partition
- again formatting cache partition
Your device WON'T boot up until you flash a Rom in Recovery or via fastboot!
Download
Instructions:
- Download file
- Unpack it (using e.g. 7zip or WinRar)
- open the folder
- put your device into fastboot mode by either chosing it in your reboot menu or by powering off the phone and then
push and hold Vol+, Vol- and the power button until you are in fastboot mode
- connect the device to your PC
- execute the "make_it_happen.bat" in the folder
- hold on tight! Your device will reboot a few times during the process (don't worry)
- enjoy fresh and empty Nexus 4.
Note:
This is ONLY for the Nexus 4! Don't try it with other devices! It won't work.
You can easily replace the included files with e.g. your prefered kernel (boot.img) or your prefered recovery (recovery.img).
Just extract the *.zip and replace the files! (Be careful with the spelling.) This might save you some time if you always want to start from the same fresh base.
Going to release a version that lets you decide which version you want to use or what you want to flash/erase/format. -> Kinda AiO Version of this little script.
If people are interestes in it, I might release a version of this script that lets you revert to either AOSP stock or Google Factory Image stock (both bootable) without wiping partitions after the flash. (Of course CLEAN.)
At the moment these versions are in order you are directly going to flash a custom rom to your device. Just tell me.
Thanks to:
Google for their factory Image.
franciscofranco for his precompiled AOSP source

Your device WON'T boot up until you do not flash a Rom in Recovery or via fastboot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What in the world does that mean?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Bill Gamble said:
What in the world does that mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im Guessing he means "Your Device will not boot until you flash a stock or custom ROM onto it" But i may be wrong lol.

TreatnHerRight said:
Im Guessing he means "Your Device will not boot until you flash a stock or custom ROM onto it" But i may be wrong lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you are right. I should add that.
Wrote a short statement in the "Notes" section about that.

I recently got a Nexus 4, probably on 4.1.
Anyway, flashing to a 4.3 custom rom and the internal storage is a bit weird - lots of sdcard simlinks with folders named 0, legacy, emulated in the storage directory. I saw a thread that said that this happens after updating from an earlier revision of android and is supposed to be a backup of the old sdcard partition as it was, but it's quite confusing and doesn't seem to work well. I can't seem to get rid of the simlinks within a rooted file browser, not that I am completely sure of how to do that, anyway.
Now, the actual question - will using this get rid of the confusing way my internal storage's sdcard directory is structured, returning it to something simple like "/storage/sdcard/mystuff"?

RGM79 said:
I recently got a Nexus 4, probably on 4.1.
Anyway, flashing to a 4.3 custom rom and the internal storage is a bit weird - lots of sdcard simlinks with folders named 0, legacy, emulated in the storage directory. I saw a thread that said that this happens after updating from an earlier revision of android and is supposed to be a backup of the old sdcard partition as it was, but it's quite confusing and doesn't seem to work well. I can't seem to get rid of the simlinks within a rooted file browser, not that I am completely sure of how to do that, anyway.
Now, the actual question - will using this get rid of the confusing way my internal storage's sdcard directory is structured, returning it to something simple like "/storage/sdcard/mystuff"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Method 1.) should exactly do what you want.
Be sure you update your recovery to the latest version. E.g Clockworkmod or Twrp.
After you have succesfully used method 1.) stay in bootloader.
- Download the *.img file of your prefered recovery.
- open terminal and flash the recovery by using the following command:
- fastboot flash recovery "nameofyourrecovery".img (of coures without the " ")
- fastboot reboot-bootloader
Thats it.
Now you have a custom recovery. Boot into recovery and flash your prefered rom!

Related

[Q] Installing RomAur by Auras problems

Hi there!
I'm trying hard to get the custom rom RomAur running at my Xperia Z but I'm having some trouble to finally installing it.
Thread to the Rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167064
What has to be done:
1 - Unlock bootloader - http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
2 - Copy rom to ext sdcard
3 - This rom if come without kernel , to get recovery flash DooMLoRD advanced stock kernel - http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2167381
4 - Enter to recovery
5 - Make sure to do a Factory Reset/ Wipe data / system/cache before installing ROM
6 - Install rom
7 - Reboot system
8 - On disable flash recovery stock say no to get init.d support
9 - Enjoy
What I managed so far:
1 - Unlock bootloader - http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
2 - Copy rom to ext sdcard
3 - This rom if come without kernel , to get recovery flash DooMLoRD advanced stock kernel - http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2167381
4 - Enter to recovery
Problem is: After doing a factory reset I don't know how to finally install the custom rom. Could somebody help me with that? If I manage to get it working on my Xperia Z I will write a step by step-guide to install custom rom with that phone.
Hi There,
Maybe you should have posted this into the forum of the Rom.
But to install it - once you have copied the Zip file to your device - you select 'Install from Zip' from the main menu of the recovery - select the Zip file and wait while it installs - reboot - Done!
Cheers
Paul
harrytipper said:
Hi there!
I'm trying hard to get the custom rom RomAur running at my Xperia Z but I'm having some trouble to finally installing it.
Thread to the Rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167064
What has to be done:
1 - Unlock bootloader - http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
2 - Copy rom to ext sdcard
3 - This rom if come without kernel , to get recovery flash DooMLoRD advanced stock kernel - http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2167381
4 - Enter to recovery
5 - Make sure to do a Factory Reset/ Wipe data / system/cache before installing ROM
6 - Install rom
7 - Reboot system
8 - On disable flash recovery stock say no to get init.d support
9 - Enjoy
What I managed so far:
1 - Unlock bootloader - http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
2 - Copy rom to ext sdcard
3 - This rom if come without kernel , to get recovery flash DooMLoRD advanced stock kernel - http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2167381
4 - Enter to recovery
Problem is: After doing a factory reset I don't know how to finally install the custom rom. Could somebody help me with that? If I manage to get it working on my Xperia Z I will write a step by step-guide to install custom rom with that phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at CWM..please select install zip from external sd. then you will finally install the rom. did u managed to go into CWM interface? i assume yes since u already done factory reset.
doki81 said:
at CWM..please select install zip from external sd. then you will finally install the rom. did u managed to go into CWM interface? i assume yes since u already done factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far I managed to install the advanced stock kernel and get root on my device (using fastboot.exe and BusyBox). So after that I enter recovery mode using Quick Boot. Then I have to do factory reset as found in preferences on my device. So far I think I got it.
But after that I have to wipe my data, system and cache. How do I do that and go on with the steps upcoming? After doing that I normally have to configure the device again for letting me use Recovery Manager and stuff like that, or don't I? So how should I do the full wipe?
Thank you for your suggestions so far!
harrytipper said:
So far I managed to install the advanced stock kernel and get root on my device (using fastboot.exe and BusyBox). So after that I enter recovery mode using Quick Boot. Then I have to do factory reset as found in preferences on my device. So far I think I got it.
But after that I have to wipe my data, system and cache. How do I do that and go on with the steps upcoming? After doing that I normally have to configure the device again for letting me use Recovery Manager and stuff like that, or don't I? So how should I do the full wipe?
Thank you for your suggestions so far!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the next step you should do is to flash the CWM..
follow guide in this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167381
afterward you can do full wipe from the CWM and proceed to use CWM install zip function to flash the new aur rom.
paulrgod said:
Hi There,
Maybe you should have posted this into the forum of the Rom.
Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I thought this was the right place to ask, because I don't want to spam in other forums. Maybe you could move it?
paulrgod said:
But to install it - once you have copied the Zip file to your device - you select 'Install from Zip' from the main menu of the recovery - select the Zip file and wait while it installs - reboot - Done!
Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried both ways, copying the zip file to root of the device itself and onto sd card (RomAur V1.1 XZ C6603.zip, FAT32 formatted 16 gb sd card). But Recovery Manager doesn't show any of these files when I chose to install from sd card.
sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker :silly:
doki81 said:
follow guide in this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2167381
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, I'll do that again. I tried this yesterday already and so I do have a few questions:
from the guide you sent me:
download the advanced stock kernel (contains recovery)
reboot device into fastboot mode
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
now flash the recovery using
Code:
fastboot flash boot kernel.img
[where kernel.img is the name of the file image u downloaded]
thats it!
As I use "adb reboot bootloader" it keeps telling me "error: device not found", even though its connected to PC using fastboot mode and "fastboot devices" shows my Xperia Z as connected in fastboot mode. What do I do wrong?
Second question: Is the advanced stock kernel with recovery the one I already installed? Z_DooMLoRD_insecure_FW-350.img? Or Z_DooMLoRD_CF-Auto-Root-ported_FW-350.img? So which kernel do I use in the last step?
I finished it and I just made some stupid mistake in my procedure (I was alredy wondering how Xperia Z can be so hard to put a new rom into..). I'll write a How-To for newbies the until monday. Thanks for your help so far!
How to install RomAur (and other ROMS) on Sony Xperia Z
This is how I managed to install RomAur at my Xperia Z. After realizing my mistake I noticed it's not much different to other android devices.
1. So first to install kernels and get root I unlocked the boot loader using this really good descriptions:
http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
http://www.techethon.com/root-sony-xperia-z-tutorial-easy-how-to/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2153261
2. Then I started the device in fastboot mode by pressing volume + while connecting to PC and used fastboot.exe (shift+right click in the containing folder to start cmd) typing in this:
fastboot flash boot Z_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-350_v2.img
IMPORTANT Z_DooMLoRD_AdvStkKernel_FW-350_v2.img was contained in the same folder as fastboot.exe. Maybe there is already another new kernel to do this with, this one worked for me. Starting the device in fastboot mode can also be achieved by usind this command before flashing with the new kernel: adb reboot bootloader
3. Anyway after flashing I typed in this: fastboot reboot
4. Then I've put the zip file onto my micro sd (fat32 formatted, 16gb) and restarted the device disconnected from PC. This is what I've done wrong :silly:
While the device went on I pressed volume + when the SONY screen showed up and the led started to flash in several colors.
5. Now in the menu wiped/cleared/formatted everythin except the external sd-card and installed the "update" by using volume buttons to navigate and power button to confirm.
This is what worked for me. I might have forgotten some stuff so in case there might be something to add, just reply on this!

Are there 2 copies of /system on the phone?

My phone (3T) has an unlocked bootloader, is encrypted, not rooted, and running stock OOS 5.0.
I flashed TWRP and discovered that stock OOS restores the stock recovery in boot.
I saw the Oreo dm-verity thread by xenet, had a look at the zip file, noticed that it just modified fstab to prevent force encrypt, so I flashed it to see what happens.
And nothing happens. After the system had booted, fstab is unchanged from the original stock copy.
So I'm wondering whether this file is also restored when booting up on stock.
I get aggressive and go back to TWRP and delete /system/etc and /system/bin and modify build.prop.
Surely now the phone won't boot!
Wrong! It boots up and everything is back to normal in /system.
I go back to TWRP and have a look at /system and it shows me one without the etc and bin folders and has the modified build.prop.
What's going on? How can I see one version of /system in TWRP but a different version (ie, stock) when the phone has booted?
By the way I've been an Android user for many years and have rooted and flashed custom ROMs on a variety of phones and I've never seen anything like what's happening on my 3T. I'm sure that dm-verity is somehow involved in this.
Happened to me on my earlier OOS 5.0 attempts...
But i suspected Magisk is involved in my case.
I downloaded Magisk Module "System Terminal Debloater,"
remove some apps like Duo, Chrome, and Google Play Movies.
Some restarts, they magically re-appear again on Apps Drawer...
Haven't touch them yet again after....
nicknacknuke said:
Happened to me on my earlier OOS 5.0 attempts...
But i suspected Magisk is involved in my case.
I downloaded Magisk Module "System Terminal Debloater,"
remove some apps like Duo, Chrome, and Google Play Movies.
Some restarts, they magically re-appear again on Apps Drawer...
Haven't touch them yet again after....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I should have mentioned that I'm also not rooted. So stock OOS 5.0.
Sent from my OnePlus 3T using XDA Labs
When you boot TWRP for the first time, it should ask you if you want to put the /system in read/write mode or if you want to leave it unchanged, did you choose the right option?
Jackhass said:
When you boot TWRP for the first time, it should ask you if you want to put the /system in read/write mode or if you want to leave it unchanged, did you choose the right option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I don't get that message because my phone is encrypted with a password. So the first thing I see in TWRP is the request for the password and then I'm presented with the menus.
However, in the Mounted menu, system isn't mounted and I have the option of mounting it in read-only mode.
Sent from my OnePlus 3T using XDA Labs
BillGoss said:
No, I don't get that message because my phone is encrypted with a password. So the first thing I see in TWRP is the request for the password and then I'm presented with the menus.
However, in the Mounted menu, system isn't mounted and I have the option of mounting it in read-only mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After first time flashing TWRP a folder gets created on your internal storage, with a hidden file called .twrps, go delete it and reboot recovery to trigger the message "allowing system modifications" on TWRP's first boot...
It's not about encryption, it's just that TWRP remember the decision you made due to the file I pointed out...
Sent from my OnePlus 3T using XDA Labs
Sam Nakamura said:
After first time flashing TWRP a folder gets created on your internal storage, with a hidden file called .twrps, go delete it and reboot recovery to trigger the message "allowing system modifications" on TWRP's first boot...
It's not about encryption, it's just that TWRP remember the decision you made due to the file I pointed out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somehow the attachment strikes on previous post
Edit: still not working, check your TWRP Folder on storage to find the file
Sent from my OnePlus 3T using XDA Labs
Sam Nakamura said:
Somehow the attachment strikes on previous post
Edit: still not working, check your TWRP Folder on storage to find the file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, you are correct. I'd forgotten that that TWRP remembers. Deleting .twrps does bring up the RO prompt after decrypting storage.
Jackhass said:
When you boot TWRP for the first time, it should ask you if you want to put the /system in read/write mode or if you want to leave it unchanged, did you choose the right option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had allowed changes to the system otherwise I couldn't have made changes to it, which includes the ability to restore the system partition.
But I'm still unclear why if I make changes to the system partition and boot with the stock kernel, then after the boot none of the changes are present in the system partition, but if I boot back into TWRP then the changes are all there.
I recall someone in another OOS 5 thread saying that the stock kernal replaces TWRP with stock recovery if you don't flash root (magisk/superSU). Is it possible that the kernel re-flashes system on boot? Another possibility is that TWRP thinks it's making changes to system but it's not actually? Not quite sure, I've never heard of anything like this before either, just throwing other ideas out there.
I've never read anything about the OP3T or any oneplus phones for that matter having A/B system partitions like the pixels. *shrug*
@nhshah7, something's like what you suggest must be going on to account for what I'm seeing. I'm hoping that someone can confirm my observations and provide a definite answer.
@BillGoss
My thread has been updated relating to all your queries...
Thank you...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/disable-dm-verity-force-encryption-op3t-t3688748
Xennet said:
@BillGoss
My thread has been updated relating to all your queries...
Thank you...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-3t/how-to/disable-dm-verity-force-encryption-op3t-t3688748
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it doesn't explain how TWRP can make changes to system yet the phone boots up on an unmodified system if using the stock kernel. And then, when you boot back into TWRP and look at system, the changes are still there.
Where does the unmodified system come from?
Where does the modified system live?
Why doesn't modifying system result in a failed boot due to dm-verity, while restoring a backup of system does result in a failed boot?
So many questions with no answers.
BillGoss said:
....So many questions with no answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if this is applicable in your case but the following possibilities may be worth considering for you:
1. Are you sure that the system image is actually getting modified? If the system partition is not mounted before flashing the zip and the zip being flashed does not mount the system partition in read / write, then no changes to system partitions will actually be written.
2. If dm-verity is enabled, then restoring system could result in an error as this is different from restoring a system-image (nandroid copy of the whole partition and not just the files in the system partition). DM-verity can be triggered if the files are all the same but the dm-verity signature computed by hashing the system partition has changed.
3. For boot partitions, strange behaviour can occur if remnants of the previous boot.img are still in the partition (...e.g. if the previous boot.img was of larger size and a new boot.img of a smaller is flashed, then there will be some bytes after the new boot.img that are from the previous boot.img). To verify this, format the boot partition from fastboot and see if you notice anything different with the new boot.img.
4. In Oreo / 8.0, dm-verity flags are stored in dtb (device tree blobs) inside the kernel and not in the fstab file. Only data encryption can be changed from the fstab file and dm-verity needs to be changed from changing the dtb (...Magisk beta v1456 and SuperSu 2.82 SR4 do this, I think).
rk2612 said:
Not sure if this is applicable in your case but the following possibilities may be worth considering for you:
1. Are you sure that the system image is actually getting modified? If the system partition is not mounted before flashing the zip and the zip being flashed does not mount the system partition in read / write, then no changes to system partitions will actually be written.
2. If dm-verity is enabled, then restoring system could result in an error as this is different from restoring a system-image (nandroid copy of the whole partition and not just the files in the system partition). DM-verity can be triggered if the files are all the same but the dm-verity signature computed by hashing the system partition has changed.
3. For boot partitions, strange behaviour can occur if remnants of the previous boot.img are still in the partition (...e.g. if the previous boot.img was of larger size and a new boot.img of a smaller is flashed, then there will be some bytes after the new boot.img that are from the previous boot.img). To verify this, format the boot partition from fastboot and see if you notice anything different with the new boot.img.
4. In Oreo / 8.0, dm-verity flags are stored in dtb (device tree blobs) inside the kernel and not in the fstab file. Only data encryption can be changed from the fstab file and dm-verity needs to be changed from changing the dtb (...Magisk beta v1456 and SuperSu 2.82 SR4 do this, I think).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll come back to 1.
2. That makes sense and accounts for why a restore of the system partition with the stock boot image causes me to get dumped back in fastboot mode. If I flash the stock system zip file then the system boots properly.
3. I've not had any issues with strange boot behaviour. I'm always starting with stock or flashing kernels that modify the stock boot image, like Blu Spark.
4. I gathered this from my reading of various threads. If I want to make changes to the system partition and get them to stick and not fail dm-verity then I have to flash a custom kernel. I've proven this in my testing. (A rooting solution would also work, but I've not done this).
Back to 1:
Here's what I've done:
Starting with pure stock image (flash OOS 5.0).
Boot into fastboot and flash TWRP.
Boot into recovery.
Mount system as rw. (In ro mode the next step fails)
Delete the bin, etc, and lib folders in system using the TWRP file manager. (Screenshot a)
Reboot system.
... First interesting fact ...
System boots ok, deleted folders are present in file manager. (Screenshot b)
Boot into fastboot and flash TWRP. (Booting with stock restores stock recovery)
Mount system.
... Second interesting fact ...
TWRP file manager shows that deleted folders are missing. (Screenshot c)
Flash custom kernel or patched boot image
Reboot system
... Third interesting fact ...
System fails to boot. Hangs on splash screen.
So TWRP made the changes (otherwise how could they be visible between reboots, including a replacement of recovery) and I only did them once.
Yet they don't actually take effect until I replace the stock boot image.
So, where are the changes hiding? What did TWRP actually change?
Screenshots (note that TWRP has the wrong timezone set so the time shown is wrong):
BillGoss said:
....
Back to 1:
Here's what I've done:
Starting with pure stock image (flash OOS 5.0).
Boot into fastboot and flash TWRP.
Boot into recovery.
Mount system as rw. (In ro mode the next step fails)
Delete the bin, etc, and lib folders in system using the TWRP file manager. (Screenshot a)
Reboot system.
... First interesting fact ...
System boots ok, deleted folders are present in file manager. (Screenshot b)
Boot into fastboot and flash TWRP. (Booting with stock restores stock recovery)
Mount system.
... Second interesting fact ...
TWRP file manager shows that deleted folders are missing. (Screenshot c)
Flash custom kernel or patched boot image
Reboot system
... Third interesting fact ...
System fails to boot. Hangs on splash screen.
So TWRP made the changes (otherwise how could they be visible between reboots, including a replacement of recovery) and I only did them once.
Yet they don't actually take effect until I replace the stock boot image.
So, where are the changes hiding? What did TWRP actually change?
Screenshots (note that TWRP has the wrong timezone set so the time shown is wrong):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some more thoughts for you to consider:
1. Have you tried this with the official TWRP recovery version 3.2.0-0?
2. Is there anything inside the folders that you see using the file manager after a regular boot? Folders of same name may exist in the boot ramdisk and these are merged with system folders after boot.
3. Try wiping cache between reboots and see if that changes any of your observations.
rk2612 said:
Some more thoughts for you to consider:
1. Have you tried this with the official TWRP recovery version 3.2.0-0?
2. Is there anything inside the folders that you see using the file manager after a regular boot? Folders of same name may exist in the boot ramdisk and these are merged with system folders after boot.
3. Try wiping cache between reboots and see if that changes any of your observations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good questions. They got me thinking more about how this could possibly work.
I had a look at the cache and there's definitely no copy of the system hiding there.
I also unpacked the ramdisk in the boot image and it had nothing in system. Furthermore, the boot position is only 64 MB, no where near enough to hold the system.
Then I installed Magisk so that I could browse around the phone's partitions and take copies.
I learnt two things from this:
1. If there's a second copy of the system there are only three partitions large enough to hold it (/proc/partitions shows the sizes in 1 kB blocks). The system is about 1 GB. There is space in the system partition (sde20) for 3 GB. There's also space in the data partition (sca15). And there's space in the major partition holding the modems (sdf).
I could eliminate the data partition by formatting it but restoring the internal storage (sdcard) is such a a pain.
So I'll just accept that there is space for a copy, but I'm unlikely to find out exactly where.
2. When I had Magisk installed installed and the system boot, I added a folder and file to /system/priv-app using a file manager (so not using TWRP). I then booted into recovery, flashed the stock boot image, and rebooted. I was expecting it to fail dm-verity (modified system) but it didn't. After booting up there's no evidence of the folder I added to priv-app.
And if I restore the Magisk boot image then the additions show up again.
I'm actually very impressed with how the stock system (kernel, recovery, system) protects itself from modification. Very cool!

Installing, Updating, Backup and Restore Guide for OP6/6T

This is a bit late but why not. THIS IS A COMPILATION OF ALL THE OS METHODS YOU NEED FOR THE OP6/6T.
ENJOY my guide
DISCLAIMER:
*I am not responsible for bricked devices, damage to your device*
Sorry for a long list of methods, some work for others and some don't. But I recommend to pick a method and stick to it. Maybe read the part at the top as some have notes about mine or someone else's experience/recommendation. Don't skip steps and follow each step.
If stuck, just ask and I or anyone else will try and help
I am here to post methods for anyone who is interested/need help. I have tested these myself and helped others who may be struggling
Download
The guide has loads of files/ zips/ tools to use/flash/install. But no worries as everything can be downloaded and there are links AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS THREAD (NOT COMMENTS) to where to download:
SDK Platform Tools (Fastboot tools) from Developer Android
TWRP from mauronofrio
Magisk from topjohnwu
Gapps (Google Apps) from NikGapps. I recommend omni for ROMs that don't include Gapps.
Fastboot ROM for OP6 + OP6T from mauronofrio
MSMDownload tools for OP6 + OP6T from Some_Random_Username
IMPORTANT NOTES!
YOU REQUIRE Platform Tools (Fastboot Tools) IN ORDER TO USE THE METHODS IN THIS GUIDE AS TWRP NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED!
YOU NEED TO HAVE A UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER AS WELL!
For GAPPS, u can use the same or a updated version of the package. But has to be the same type u used to install it like (stock, full, Omni, basic, etc). ONLY FLASH/INSTALL IF the RESTORE SCRIPT DIDN'T SHOW UP during a DIRTY FLASH/UPDATE AND ONLY FLASH AFTER REBOOTING TO RECOVERY AFTER FLASHING/INSTALLING A OS/BUILD ZIP FILE!
How to get Platform Tools
These tools are used to install TWRP, to unlock the bootloader of your device and is needed to use the METHODS in this guide.
Download the platform tools.zip of your software platform (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Extract the platform-tools.zip
To use it go into your platform-tools folder
Press shift + right-click and choose command prompt or PowerShell
Connect your device when it's in fastboot mode and done
How to install TWRP
Sadly this Guide is for Windows, but other platforms like Mac or Linux can be found online.
YOU CAN USE THIS METHOD TO INSTALL A NEWER VERSION OF TWRP TOO
You need to have downloaded Platform Tools which the link is attached below.
Transfer the TWRP.img file into the platform-tools folder
Now transfer TWRP.zip into your device's internal storage. (connect -> allow file transfer -> drag and drop files)
If you want root download and transfer magisk.apk and the link is supplied below. Also, RENAME from .apk to .zip
Now we must boot into fastboot mode. (Either do it with the advanced reboot in developer options or power off device -> boot recovery Vol - + power -> boot to bootloader or power off device -> press Vol Up + Vol down + power)
Now connect your device to a Windows device
Press shift + right-click. Choose command prompt or PowerShell
Enter "fastboot devices" and your device should be displayed if it's connected
Type "fastboot boot twrp" file name (do twrp + press tab) and press enter
Then you should be booted into TWRP
Enter the password and swipe to allow modifications
Press install and find your TWRP.zip file
Swipe to confirm Flash
If you want root do this
Press the back arrow and find your magisk.zip
Swipe to confirm Flash
Reboot to the system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Installing a Custom ROM
Install Custom ROM on OP6T from OOS
Make sure u have BACKED UP your device and have the latest OOS installed in both slots. If u do, go to Method 3.
If u have finalize.zip, go to Method 2.
Method 1
If u don't have OOS installed in both slots or finalize.zip, use this method.
Transfer OOS.zip file, TWRP.zip, Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file) into internal storage.
Boot to Bootloader
Boot TWRP
Flash OOS + TWRP
reboot recovery
Flash OOS + TWRP
Reboot recovery
Flash Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file)
Flash TWRP
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Format data
Reboot to system
Otherwise, just Format data -> reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Method 2
If u have finalize.zip, do this method. Using finalize is way quicker as there's less flashing and rebooting.
Transfer OOS.zip file, finalize.zip, TWRP.zip, Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file) into internal storage.
Boot to Bootloader
Boot to TWRP
Flash OOS + finalize
Boot to Bootloader
Boot to TWRP
Flash Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file)
Flash TWRP
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Format data
Reboot to system
Otherwise, just Format data -> reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Method 3
Once you have installed OOS in both slots do this part.
Transfer TWRP.zip, Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file) into internal storage.
Boot to Bootloader
Boot to TWRP
Flash Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file)
Flash TWRP
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Format data
Reboot to system
Otherwise, just Format data -> reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Installing Custom Rom not from OOS
You can use finalize method or just flash OOS + TWRP way. The finalize way is there for some who like less flashing and rebooting.
Using the methods in Install Custom ROM on OP6T from OOS
Using the old way, use Method 1
Using finalize.zip, use Method 2
Remember to factory reset (wipe, but no need to wipe internal storage)
Backing Up OOS and Custom ROM
Make sure u have installed the latest TWRP version from mauronofrio
You should use TitaniumBackup or Migrate to back up your apps and contacts.
Also, have a copy of your Internal Storage folders if u have important files.
TWRP Backup backs up your OS like Apps, settings and set up, but not internal storage.
NEVER BACKUP SYSTEM AND VENDOR! ONLY SYSTEM.IMG or VENDOR.IMG IF YOU HAVE TO!
Restoring it makes going back way easier like you have never left
Or you can go manually and try and restore everything, but why do that when you got TWRP?
I do both ways of backing up
Backing up OOS
Boot TWRP recovery
Choose Backup
Choose boot, data. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BACKUP System.img and Vendor.img!
Swipe to backup
Once done, either boot to system or mount
Transfer the whole TWRP folder onto a storage device
Done
Backing up a Custom ROM
Boot TWRP recovery
Choose Backup
Choose boot, data, system.img, vendor.img
Swipe to backup
Once done, either boot to system or mount
Transfer the whole TWRP folder onto a storage device
Done
Restoring OOS and Custom ROM
Restoring OOS TWRP Backup
To restore OOS use either fastboot ROM or MSM. Fastboot is the fastest and easiest way if u have a TWRP backup which there's a method to how to make one in this guide. BUT if you are restoring to go back to stock OOS then use MSM
I use Fastboot ROM restore for that too as we are restoring our data anyways and also for switching/installing a custom ROM. Much easier in my experience.
DOWNLOAD FULL ZIP OF OOS version of your TWRP backup otherwise you could risk doing the whole restore method again OR setup from SCRATCH! IF you aren't restoring a TWRP backup, I recommend either TRANSFER or DOWNLOAD via WiFi or oxygen updater, a UPDATED version of OOS AFTER doing either fastboot ROM or MSM restore methods. As they restore a old version of OOS!
Restoring using Fastboot ROM
Download fastboot ROM of your choice using the link in the Download Link section.
Extract/ un-zip
Boot your device into fastboot mode (Either do it with the advanced reboot in developer options or power off device -> boot recovery Vol - + power -> boot to bootloader or power off device -> press Vol Up + Vol down + power)
Click flash-all.bat
Restoring using MSM Download Tool
Download latest MSM version of your choice using the link in the Download Link section.
Extract/ un-zip
Click on MSM tool .exe file
Turn off device
HOLD BOTH volume buttons
Connect your phone
Wait for your device to be connected and it should show as green
Click verify to check and press start
Wait till phone reboots
The setup device and u can carrying on restoring your device if u don't want a unlock bootloader or return to what your device was like before.
Go into developer options
Allow OEM unlocking
Reboot to bootloader
Enter "fastboot devices" to check your device is connected
Enter "fastboot oem unlock"
Swipe for yes
Then it will reboot again
continue to the next method
For both fastboot and MSM
Once booted into system, set it up and update to OOS version of your TWRP backup.
Download the full zip using the link in the Download Link section.
Transfer the OOS .zip to internal storage.
Go into settings -> system update -> Update via local upgrade -> find zip file and press install
Do this twice to make sure you have installed that version of OOS in both slots
Boot to bootloader
Boot TWRP
Install TWRP
Reboot recovery
Transfer whole TWRP Folder into internal storage
Restore only boot and data
Swipe to restore
If you have backed up your internal storage folders do this
Reboot to recovery
Transfer all your internal storage folders
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. U can update OOS as well if it's outdated. The method is below to update OOS with ROOT. Up to u
RESTORING TWRP BACKUP HAS ISSUES ON THESE ROMs
CrDroid (Method 1 + 2 don't work). Method 3 works (install Gapps if the ROM doesn't have it!)
Restoring a Custom ROM TWRP backup 1
I tried using this method, but it didn't work for me.
You can use this method to switch ROMs too
Boot TWRP Recovery
Flash OOS + Finalize
Boot to bootloader, boot TWRP
Flash TWRP
Reboot Recovery
Transfer twrp backup
Restore System.img, Vendor.img and boot
Boot to system and setup system
Reboot to recovery
Restore data
Reboot system. Done
I had an issue with this method where rebooting system it was from fresh and my data didn't restore. If this happened to you, then do method 2 (Restoring a Custom ROM TWRP Backup 2)
Restoring a Custom ROM TWRP Backup 2
The first method didn't work for me. But this method did
Restore fresh like you're going back to OOS.
Choose one method. Fastboot or MSM method.
I prefer the fastboot method.
Download fastboot ROM using the link in the Download Link section.
Extract/ un-zip
Boot your device into fastboot mode (Either do it with the advanced reboot in developer options or power off device -> boot recovery Vol - + power -> boot to bootloader or power off device -> press Vol Up + Vol down + power)
Click flash-all.bat
Once booted into system, set it up briefly and DO NOT RESTORE ANYTHING.
Boot to bootloader
Boot TWRP
Install TWRP
Reboot recovery
Transfer whole TWRP Folder into internal storage
Restore everything (System.img, vendor.img, boot.img and data)
Swipe to restore. If data couldn't restore then boot system, setup system, boot TWRP and restore data.
Reboot system. The first reboot might go dodgy and it did for me.
Reboot system and transfer all your internal storage stuff
done
If this did not work still. Then do the 3rd method...
Restoring a Custom ROM TWRP backup 3
If the previous 2 methods has failed for you. Then try this.
Restore fresh like you're going back to OOS.
Choose one method. Fastboot or MSM method.
I prefer the fastboot method.
Download fastboot ROM using the link in the Download Link section.
Extract/ un-zip
Boot your device into fastboot mode (Either do it with the advanced reboot in developer options or power off device -> boot recovery Vol - + power -> boot to bootloader or power off device -> press Vol Up + Vol down + power)
Click flash-all.bat
Once booted into system, set it up and update to OOS version of your TWRP backup.
Download the full zip using the link in the Download Link section.
Transfer the OOS .zip to internal storage.
Go into settings -> system update -> Update via local upgrade -> find zip file and press install
Do this twice to make sure you have installed that version of OOS in both slots
Transfer TWRP.zip, Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file) into internal storage.
Boot to bootloader
Boot TWRP
Install TWRP
Reboot to Recovery
Flash Build.zip (Custom ROM zip file)
Flash TWRP
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Format data
Otherwise, just Format data -> reboot to recovery. Up to u
Reboot Recovery
Transfer twrp backup
Restore data
Reboot system. Done
If it still fails, repeat steps 1 to 15. But restore everything and you should be back on your custom ROM like you never left.
Updating OOS and Custom ROM
Update OOS with Root (Magisk)
Always do a TWRP backup before updating your OS in case
Download the full zip file of the latest OOS, transfer the zip file to internal storage NOT IN ANY FOLDER
Download and transfer twrp.zip file to internal storage
Go into settings, system update, update via local upgrade and choose the file
Wait till the installation has finished. If failed TRY AGAIN!
DO NOT REBOOT!
Go into Magisk Manager, modules
Find the twrp zip file and install TWRP
DO NOT REBOOT!
Go into Magisk Home
Press install
Press install via inactive slot
Reboot system and done
You will reboot into the next slot
You don’t have to repeat the installation to install the latest OOS in the other slot. But you should and I use this method many times and has never let me down.
Updating OOS without root
Go to System Update -> find the update install and reboot.
Or download the zip -> transfer to internal storage -> update via local upgrade -> reboot and done
Update a Custom ROM
Method 1
Always do a TWRP backup before updating your OS in case
Use this method just to update the ROM.
Boot recovery
Flash new version + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash new version + twrp
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included,
The restore script should show up during the installation of the new ROM.zip
BUT if the restore script DIDN'T pop up do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Reboot to system
Otherwise, reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Method 2
This method uses finalize.zip
Boot recovery
Flash new version + finalize + twrp
If the ROM doesn't have GApps included,
The restore script should show up during the installation of the new ROM.zip
BUT if the restore script DIDN'T pop up do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Gapps if not included
Reboot to system
Otherwise, reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system. Up to u
Updating vendor
Use Method 1 and 2 for ROMs with Gapps. Use Method 3 for ROMs with no Gapps included.
Method 1
If u haven’t updated your Custom ROM and your Vendor… You can use this method to update both or just the vendor.
Boot recovery
Flash OOS + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash OOS + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash Custom ROM + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash Custom ROM + twrp
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system
Method 2
This method uses finalize.zip
Boot recovery
Flash OOS + finalize + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash Custom ROM + finalize + twrp
Otherwise, reboot to system. Up to u
If you want root do this
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Reboot to system and done
Otherwise, just reboot to system
Method 3
This method is for ROMs with no Gapps included
You can use this method as well for updating to a vendor that has a NEWER ANDROID version like from OOS 10 to OOS 11 vendor.
Boot recovery
Flash OOS + Custom ROM + twrp
Reboot recovery
Flash OOS + Custom ROM + twrp
If u flashed GApps, the restore script should show up during the installation of the ROM.zip
If the GApps script didn't show up do this
Otherwise, skip step 3
Flash Magisk if u want root, otherwise skip step 2
Reboot to recovery
Flash Magisk
Flash Gapps
Reboot to system and done
Download Links:
SDK Platform Tools (Fastboot Tools) Here
OOS versions for OP6 (under Signed Flashable zips) Here
OOS versions for OP6T (under Signed Flashable zips) Here
TWRP for OP6 Here
TWRP for OP6T Here
Magisk Here
NikGapps Here
Stock Fastboot ROM for OP6 Here
Stock Fastboot ROM for OP6T Here
MSMDownloadTool for OP6 Here
MSMDownloadTool for OP6T Here
TitanumBackup App Here
Migrate App Here
Credits:
@mauronofrio For his amazing work on the TWRP recovery and Stock Fastboot ROMs for OP6/6T
@topjohnwu For his work on Magisk
@Nikgapps For their work on creating Gapps
@Some_Random_Username For his Collection of MSMDownloadTool for OP6/6T
@OPTeam For the collection of OOS zips for OP6/6T
@dreamwhite For the method (Method 3) of updating the vendor which works wonders for ROMs with no GApps included
First
Hey Guys,
Need a some expert advice please.
Long story short. I need to replace my OP 6T McLaren's battery as I have serious degradation in battery capacity (73% Serious Loss), meaning the battery is no longer charging to 3700mAh, max charging atm is around 2600mAh, which it drains very quickly. FYI Anything above 80% is the limit for average performance, >90% is best. You can use the OP Diagnostic App 1.0.0.9 to determine your own status. Does not work on all OP devices above 6 btw. Maybe other versions work. Anyway, will be getting OP to change the battery (no real local guys I can trust tbh, all Sammy & Apple guys...) and they want me to Factory Reset the device (complete wipe including internal storage (backed up already to PC)) before sending the device to the OP Repair Center for the obvious reasons of Privacy & Security.
On my device, I have a suite of apps that are no longer available to install with APK specially Signed, but won't be able to re-install (long story & can discuss in a PM more if there is an interest to help on this). These APK will not work any other way, I've tried! This being said, I know that TWRP Nandroids work well & have been doing these backups for yrs and have restored backups with these apps installed and it works! But I have not had to restore any as of late and TWRP Backup has somewhat changed in regards to the partition selections available. See TWRP Options pic below.
When OP returns the device to me, it will mostly likely be on the latest release of 10.3.11 (Hopefully).
Here is the current setup and runs perfectly!
OOS 10.3.11
TWRP: twrp-3.5.2_9-0-fajita
Magisk 23
The last Nandroid done today (No PW for good measure, but secured locally offline), I selected all partitions. Is this the best way to insure I get my full device backup restored?
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I'm guessing that I will have to, Unlock the Bootloader, reinstall TWRP same version the Nandroid was created with in order to restore that backup.
Looking forward to hearing from you guys to make the best decision before proceed with the factory reset.
Thanking you all in advance for your time & assistance!
Cheers!
plepew said:
Hey Guys,
Need a some expert advice please.
Long story short. I need to replace my OP 6T McLaren's battery as I have serious degradation in battery capacity (73% Serious Loss), meaning the battery is no longer charging to 3700mAh, max charging atm is around 2600mAh, which it drains very quickly. FYI Anything above 80% is the limit for average performance, >90% is best. You can use the OP Diagnostic App 1.0.0.9 to determine your own status. Does not work on all OP devices above 6 btw. Maybe other versions work. Anyway, will be getting OP to change the battery (no real local guys I can trust tbh, all Sammy & Apple guys...) and they want me to Factory Reset the device (complete wipe including internal storage (backed up already to PC)) before sending the device to the OP Repair Center for the obvious reasons of Privacy & Security.
On my device, I have a suite of apps that are no longer available to install with APK specially Signed, but won't be able to re-install (long story & can discuss in a PM more if there is an interest to help on this). These APK will not work any other way, I've tried! This being said, I know that TWRP Nandroids work well & have been doing these backups for yrs and have restored backups with these apps installed and it works! But I have not had to restore any as of late and TWRP Backup has somewhat changed in regards to the partition selections available. See TWRP Options pic below.
When OP returns the device to me, it will mostly likely be on the latest release of 10.3.11 (Hopefully).
Here is the current setup and runs perfectly!
OOS 10.3.11
TWRP: twrp-3.5.2_9-0-fajita
Magisk 23
The last Nandroid done today (No PW for good measure, but secured locally offline), I selected all partitions. Is this the best way to insure I get my full device backup restored?
View attachment 5319753
I'm guessing that I will have to, Unlock the Bootloader, reinstall TWRP same version the Nandroid was created with in order to restore that backup.
Looking forward to hearing from you guys to make the best decision before proceed with the factory reset.
Thanking you all in advance for your time & assistance!
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idk if u have read Mauronofrio's XDA thread on TWRP backups. BUT NEVER BACKUP OR RESTORE SYSTEM OR VENDOR! From my guide, you don't need to backup vendor.img or system.img or anything else that's not Boot or Data FOR OOS. Make sure you have everything like a copy of everything folder/file in your internal storage before u wipe it.
BUT because you're going to wipe your device. U should have a copy of everything in case but don't backup system or vendor as they're useless and will crash your system if u restore those!
After you've got your device from repair, follow my method to restore OOS TWRP backup on your device and YOU'LL only NEED TO RESTORE BOOT + DATA. Once you have booted back to your system, everything should be there like you never left, but transfer your internal storage stuff as some apps store files in your internal storage. Once that is done, that should be it and it would be like you've never left
If the TWRP backup restore doesn't work let me know, but from my experience with going back to OOS via my TWRP backup I only backed up and restored boot + data for OOS. Custom ROMs are different but isn't the case for you
Extreme_Ninja2099 said:
Idk if u have read Mauronofrio's XDA thread on TWRP backups. BUT NEVER BACKUP OR RESTORE SYSTEM OR VENDOR! From my guide, you don't need to backup vendor.img or system.img or anything else that's not Boot or Data FOR OOS. Make sure you have everything like a copy of everything folder/file in your internal storage before u wipe it.
BUT because you're going to wipe your device. U should have a copy of everything in case but don't backup system or vendor as they're useless and will crash your system if u restore those!
After you've got your device from repair, follow my method to restore OOS TWRP backup on your device and YOU'LL only NEED TO RESTORE BOOT + DATA. Once you have booted back to your system, everything should be there like you never left, but transfer your internal storage stuff as some apps store files in your internal storage. Once that is done, that should be it and it would be like you've never left
If the TWRP backup restore doesn't work let me know, but from my experience with going back to OOS via my TWRP backup I only backed up and restored boot + data for OOS. Custom ROMs are different but isn't the case for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thanks for the quick reply!
I have not read Mauronofrio thread and will do!
I completely missed the system & vendor piece in your instructions....my bad!
So just to confirm, my backup that I have done with all checked off is good, but only restore Boot & Data with an exact duplicate of the current Internal Storage...right?
Going forward, when creating the Backup, just select Boot & Data and I'm good to go? Or select all Except: System Image(only) & Vendor options (both)?
Also, just so I can understand a bit better, "System" is the actual OOS? Meaning, if I restore Boot & Data on any OOS, all my apps and data will be as I never left, or we should always restore on the OOS that was current at the moment of the Backup (which I have always done in the past).
PS. I may just do the backup again, just to make sure SYSTEM & VENDOR are not there for good measure!
plepew said:
Wow, thanks for the quick reply!
I have not read Mauronofrio thread and will do!
I completely missed the system & vendor piece in your instructions....my bad!
So just to confirm, my backup that I have done with all checked off is good, but only restore Boot & Data with an exact duplicate of the current Internal Storage...right?
Going forward, when creating the Backup, just select Boot & Data and I'm good to go? Or select all Except: System Image(only) & Vendor options (both)?
Also, just so I can understand a bit better, "System" is the actual OOS? Meaning, if I restore Boot & Data on any OOS, all my apps and data will be as I never left, or we should always restore on the OOS that was current at the moment of the Backup (which I have always done in the past).
PS. I may just do the backup again, just to make sure SYSTEM & VENDOR are not there for good measure!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, I already posted everything you need in my last comment and that's what I usually do. Everything should be there and not like you need to pay or reply to get the extra stuff that you may need. No point in replying asking for more as I'll just be repeating myself over and over.
Just choose boot & data for TWRP backups for OOS specifically going forward and after you got your device from repair. System, vendor doesn't work in my experience and will crash your system. Only backup the .img variant which was stated by the dev (Mauronofrio) for TWRP for OP6/6T devices. Only backup system.img and vendor.img if u need to backup system+vendor, but YOU don't have to for OOS and I said this previously.
JUST DO A BACKUP OF EVERYTHING OTHER THAN SYSTEM AND VENDOR. YOU SHOULD ONLY BACKUP SYSTEM.IMG AND VENDOR.IMG NEVER SYSTEM OR VENDOR.
They never work and will increase the size of your backup and will take even longer to transfer to your storage device from your phone.
YES, to your new question. You should update/ be on the same OOS version as your TWRP backup before u restore data + boot. Restore OOS via fastboot or msm and update to get to the same version of OOS as your TWRP backup. YOU should only do this if your phone is in the wrong version of OOS as your backup after you've got it back from REPAIR.
ALWAYS BE ON THE SAME VERSION OF OOS AS YOUR TWRP BACKUP BEFORE YOU RESTORE YOUR TWRP BACKUP OF OOS!
Maybe take a copy of your wifi passwords, take a google backup in settings, take a copy of sms/call logs and contacts. Other stuff that you may not have stored just in case the TWRP backup fails, but it shouldn't. Good luck
This should be it and there isn't anything else that you'll need
Extreme_Ninja2099 said:
First off, I already posted everything you need in my last comment and that's what I usually do. Everything should be there and not like you need to pay or reply to get the extra stuff that you may need. No point in replying asking for more as I'll just be repeating myself over and over.
Just choose boot & data for TWRP backups for OOS specifically going forward and after you got your device from repair. System, vendor doesn't work in my experience and will crash your system. Only backup the .img variant which was stated by the dev (Mauronofrio) for TWRP for OP6/6T devices. Only backup system.img and vendor.img if u need to backup system+vendor, but YOU don't have to for OOS and I said this previously.
JUST DO A BACKUP OF EVERYTHING OTHER THAN SYSTEM AND VENDOR. YOU SHOULD ONLY BACKUP SYSTEM.IMG AND VENDOR.IMG NEVER SYSTEM OR VENDOR.
They never work and will increase the size of your backup and will take even longer to transfer to your storage device from your phone.
YES, to your new question. You should update/ be on the same OOS version as your TWRP backup before u restore data + boot. Restore OOS via fastboot or msm and update to get to the same version of OOS as your TWRP backup. YOU should only do this if your phone is in the wrong version of OOS as your backup after you've got it back from REPAIR.
ALWAYS BE ON THE SAME VERSION OF OOS AS YOUR TWRP BACKUP BEFORE YOU RESTORE YOUR TWRP BACKUP OF OOS!
Maybe take a copy of your wifi passwords, take a google backup in settings, take a copy of sms/call logs and contacts. Other stuff that you may not have stored just in case the TWRP backup fails, but it shouldn't. Good luck
This should be it and there isn't anything else that you'll need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!!
Hey guys, for some reason I ended up on "Unmodified System Partitions", must have tapped the screen a few times in error while handling the phone I guess.
What should I do?
Unable to go back to TWRP main menu without selecting an option.
I am rooted, on stock OOS and not doing customs ROM at this time...
What should I do?
Select "Keep Read Only"? or Swipe to "Allow Modifications"?
thanking you guys in advance for you help & guidance!
plepew said:
Hey guys, for some reason I ended up on "Unmodified System Partitions", must have tapped the screen a few times in error while handling the phone I guess.
What should I do?
Unable to go back to TWRP main menu without selecting an option.
I am rooted, on stock OOS and not doing customs ROM at this time...
What should I do?
Select "Keep Read Only"? or Swipe to "Allow Modifications"?
View attachment 5320971
thanking you guys in advance for you help & guidance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swipe to allow modifications. But it seems that your internal storage corrupted. Not sure what you did and how you got into this situation.
After you swiped to allow modifications... If the internal storage files are a messed up, try to switch slots and reboot recovery
Extreme_Ninja2099 said:
Swipe to allow modifications. But it seems that your internal storage corrupted. Not sure what you did and how you got into this situation.
After you swiped to allow modifications... If the internal storage files are a messed up, try to switch slots and reboot recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I swiped and yeah, the IS was messed up in File Managfer(TWRP).
Selected Reboot then Selected the Slot I remembered I was on : "A"
Rebooted & Boom all good!
Thank you for the help once again! You rock!!
plepew said:
I swiped and yeah, the IS was messed up in File Managfer(TWRP).
Selected Reboot then Selected the Slot I remembered I was on : "A"
Rebooted & Boom all good!
Thank you for the help once again! You rock!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool and at least that was a easy fix
Sorry, I'm a total noob, hopefully this is an easy question to answer. Is there any way that I can tell what version of OOS my TWRP Backup contains? I can't remember what version my phone was running when I did the TWRP backup and don't want to mess it up after I restore the phone from MSM. Thanks in advance for your help!
Sorry, I'm a total noob, hopefully this is an easy question to answer. Is there any way that I can tell what version of OOS my TWRP Backup contains? I can't remember what version my phone was running when I did the TWRP backup and don't want to mess it up after I restore the phone from MSM. Thanks in advance for your help!
jas84701 said:
Sorry, I'm a total noob, hopefully this is an easy question to answer. Is there any way that I can tell what version of OOS my TWRP Backup contains? I can't remember what version my phone was running when I did the TWRP backup and don't want to mess it up after I restore the phone from MSM. Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well u posted this twice which isn't necessary and people will try and reply. But I'm not sure if there is a way to know and as long as u copied the whole TWRP folder for that backup, u should be fine restoring it with a newer version of TWRP. If it really matters to you, then maybe try and find the latest TWRP on the date you did the backup? I think just using a newer TWRP version should be fine
Should I use the same Gapps package I flashed during clean installing when updating custom rom?
Waynenolan92 said:
Should I use the same Gapps package I flashed during clean installing when updating custom rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U don't have to use the same gapps package. Using a updated one would be better. But, u only have to for ROMs that don't include gapps (vanilla builds) AND the Restore script doesn't show up during installation. Opengapps doesn't have that script but nikgapps does. Using dirty flash/updating a ROM should show the restore script and if it doesn't then just reboot to recovery and flash the updated or same gapps package. This can also be the same for updating the base/vendor (use method 3 in that section of the guide). I hope this helps
Extreme_Ninja2099 said:
U don't have to use the same gapps package. Using a updated one would be better. But, u only have to for ROMs that don't include gapps (vanilla builds) AND the Restore script doesn't show up during installation. Opengapps doesn't have that script but nikgapps does. Using dirty flash/updating a ROM should show the restore script and if it doesn't then just reboot to recovery and flash the updated or same gapps package. This can also be the same for updating the base/vendor (use method 3 in that section of the guide). I hope this help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your replay)))it's my first using vanilla rom(without Gapps), so I flashed nikigapps Omni package, and my question is: should I always use the same package, or I can go with core package for example?
Waynenolan92 said:
Thanks for your replay)))it's my first using vanilla rom(without Gapps), so I flashed nikigapps Omni package, and my question is: should I always use the same package, or I can go with core package for example?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U can... But it doesn't really matter as a updated package works fine and u only need to use it if the nikgapps restore script doesn't show up when updating the ROM or vendor/base (OOS underneath)
I want to CHANGE custom ROMs (havoc to Lineage OS a11 to a12) I have taken TWRP back up of boot+data+system.img+ vendor.img. once I flash the new a12 Lineage plus Nikapps core plus magisk. What steps to restore data? any response is appreciated in advance. Thank you.

[HELP] user data on internal storage lost

I violated the first rule of updating. I did not make a proper backup.
Before the loss phone was unlocked, rooted and on Android 9 stock rom.
I thought I could flash a TWRP recovery on my phone to make an entire backup of everything.
Code:
C:\Users\deinemutter\Downloads\xiaomi mi a2\platform-tools_r31.0.2-windows\platform-tools>fastboot flash boot "C:\Users\deinemutter\Downloads\xiaomi mi a2\lineage-17.1-20210410-recovery-jasmine_sprout.img"
Sending 'boot_b' (24509 KB) OKAY [ 0.550s]
Writing 'boot_b' OKAY [ 0.234s]
Finished. Total time: 0.950s
and from here it went downhill. The reboot got me a bootloop.
In fastboot I flashed patched_boot_10.0.9.0_mi_a2.img and stock_boot_10.0.9.0_mi_a2.img on both boot slots hoping that it would get me out of the bootloop. Well, it didn't. It was probably the wrong boot image.
Downloaded Xiaomis official Flash Software MiFlash2018.5.28.0 and an official stock rom jasmine_global_images_V11.0.22.0.QDIMIXM_20210309.0000.00_10.0 and was very relieved to find the option "save user data" when flashing.
I did chose this option to find out later that this wasn't the case. My data on the internal storage was gone and my phone wasn't rooted anymore.
I downloaded all kinds of restore software on my laptop for my android device. Only to find out that the only data they software could find was the newly copied data on the new rom. Rooting my phone in the process to allow deep scans just came out empty.
Now I am thinking of copying the entire image of my phone to my laptop hoping that the data will somewhere in the image. Is this even worth it?
I am at the end of my knowledge and hope that you can help me a little.
1. If You have read more guides before flashing anything, You'd learn that this phone has A/B slots ROM structure and thus does not have dedicated partition for recovery, and thus TWRP cannot be flashed directly into boot partition without erasing boot image and spoiling OS. Any recovery must be embedded into boot image, as stock recovery is embedded into stock boot image. And thus, after recovering working OS, if You still insist in having TWRP instead of stock recovery, You'll need to boot into TWRP from PC and then install appropriate TWRP.zip thus patching currently used boot image, and this procedure will be needed after each OTA.
2. To have working OS, as You are sure that phone is unlocked, just flash one of available fastboot ROM images (search in Guides forum https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/fastboot-jasmine-xiaomi-mi-a2-fastboot-images.3824849/) via fastboot. Note that:
2.1. forget about MiFlash, use fastboot.exe from Android platform-tools (ADB/fastboot);
2.2. MiFlash in special patched version is only needed for TestPoint/Edl unbricking of locked phones;
2.3. best Android 9 version is 10.0.17.0;
2.4. when flashing 10.0.17.0 use "flash_all_except_data.bat" to keep user data;
2.4. updating to Android 10 (any version) will need factory reset, thus user data will be lost;
2.5. user data most probably still can be saved in TWRP backup for future restore, or you can 1st recover Android 9 and save your data;
2.6. do not use so called "official TWRP", I regard working https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mi-a2-jasmine_sprout-by-d4e8ede8f1f2.3941096/ and https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/recovery-unofficial-teamwin-recovery-project.4209151/ ; do not forget to enter proper code when TWRP starts to decrypt /data partition.
Aerobatic said:
1. If You have read more guides before flashing anything, You'd learn that this phone has A/B slots ROM structure and thus does not have dedicated partition for recovery, and thus TWRP cannot be flashed directly into boot partition without erasing boot image and spoiling OS. Any recovery must be embedded into boot image, as stock recovery is embedded into stock boot image. And thus, after recovering working OS, if You still insist in having TWRP instead of stock recovery, You'll need to boot into TWRP from PC and then install appropriate TWRP.zip thus patching currently used boot image, and this procedure will be needed after each OTA.
2. To have working OS, as You are sure that phone is unlocked, just flash one of available fastboot ROM images (search in Guides forum https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/fastboot-jasmine-xiaomi-mi-a2-fastboot-images.3824849/) via fastboot. Note that:
2.1. forget about MiFlash, use fastboot.exe from Android platform-tools (ADB/fastboot);
2.2. MiFlash in special patched version is only needed for TestPoint/Edl unbricking of locked phones;
2.3. best Android 9 version is 10.0.17.0;
2.4. when flashing 10.0.17.0 use "flash_all_except_data.bat" to keep user data;
2.4. updating to Android 10 (any version) will need factory reset, thus user data will be lost;
2.5. user data most probably still can be saved in TWRP backup for future restore, or you can 1st recover Android 9 and save your data;
2.6. do not use so called "official TWRP", I regard working https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...mi-a2-jasmine_sprout-by-d4e8ede8f1f2.3941096/ and https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/recovery-unofficial-teamwin-recovery-project.4209151/ ; do not forget to enter proper code when TWRP starts to decrypt /data partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read through some guides here but it wasn't all that clear to me as you put it here.
Regarding your points:
2. My phone was unlocked
2.1 I used both MiFlash and fastboot
2.4 it is exactly what I did with MiFlash to keep user data but that didn't happen
2.5 is the real question. How can I save my user data after I flashed a new OS it with MiFlash that did'nt save userdata how can I recover if not all but at least a portion of it. Would a copy of the entire image help? or what other options do I have?
OK, again ....
If you have already erased /data partition with MiFlash, user data is lost, no chances.
If you have already made factory reset (erased /data partition) trying to upgrade to Android 10, user data is lost, no chances.
If you have not erased /data partition, and you are sure that you had Android 9, just flash 10.0.17.0 (latest working Android 9) fastboot ROM image using fastboot .exe and "flash_all_except_data.bat", you should be able to boot into OS.
As for backup and restoring /data partition - it is a trivial operation in TWRP, noting that:
- working TWRP is used (see above);
- TWRP is booted into via fastboot (not flashed! - for Nth time!);
- you do not skip the step of entering code when TWRP is booted into (otherwise TWRP won't decrypt /data);
- phone has enough free space in /data to backup /data (and then without working OS you'll need to pull sdcard/TWRP/backups/ via ADB) or (simpler) external SD/SDD/HDD is attached via OTG.
Apart from the condescending tone and the partial useless repetition of information I did not ask for or need, thanks, I guess

ROG 2 phone soft bricked

Hello,
today I did have a strange experience with my ROG 2 and my best guess is that there is some UFS problem, but a second opinion or ideas are welcome.
During a bike ride when I was wifi scanning (apps: "Tower collector", "Radio Beacon"), navigating and listening to an audio book, the phone just went dark. I thought from previous experience on a Note 3 that it might have overheated. Pretty much stress proofed from the previous phone.
Yes - it was warm in its bike pocket but really not overly hot.
The phone is an ebay buy 2 months old and has been ever since with omnirom, stable so far. I only noticed that the RGB LED here has no blue light, but I plainly did not care.
I tried to boot it after some 10 minutes again and the phone would not go past its omnirom boot screen until it reboots after some time, boot loops.
30 Minutes later at home I wondered then what is going on, and I copied off the TWRP backup from the phone I took two days ago, just in case.
I then tried to restore the same backup, but the phone switched off during restore after ~30%. This was reproducible, so I thought this may be something with the backup, maybe I cannot restore a partition. When I restore I had all partitions marked and I tested them one by one. The restore of single partitions worked, one by one, except vendor as it was marked read only and data as it failed unpacking (my recent backup then is dead?).
I then tried formatting the partitions, so "data", originally f2fs. I lack experience with journal recovery on f2fs so went to ext4. System was ext4 and was just wiped. I lost of course other data on the internal storage so tried to restore again with my copied backup. It restores, but it cannot boot and just bootloops. I now formatted all partitions, including vendor.
Finally, I tried downloading omnirom again and installed it. It won't boot, it doesn't even get to the boot animation, but just boot loops.
I reformatted data back to f2fs. But no change here.
Trying more: lineageos won't flash for unknown reasons, it immediately dies as "Error installing zip file". Checksum of the downloaded zip is correct.
I downloaded a stock rom and installed it. This is now the best result so far - It does want to boot.
Here I get a boot animation and this incredibly lame "tching" sound (it is a phone, not a sword...). But it also stops there and never continues. Yes, first boot takes longer, but not 10 minutes.
Any ideas what else to try with this phone?
So far, I can boot twrp via sideload and interact with it fine. But that will be it; ran out of ideas.
Happy for suggestions.
Gaya
Use raw firmware to restore everything.
Install latest firmware zip on both slots.
After installing custom roms go to wipe -> format data by typing yes. Otherwise rom wont boot
thanks for getting back, If by raw firmware you meant the ASUS stock, I did. Not sure why data wipe after installation or double install to a/b partition would make a difference, but in the end I am new to this a/b concept, looks though like standard dual boot to me. Tried it, but no difference.
- installed asus firmware to inactive B
- switched to B partition
- installed asus firmware to inactive A
- wiped data
- started, so far same behaviour after 15 minutes of waiting (boot animation with sound, then it repeats boot animation until ...).
There are Two kind of rom raw firmware (used to restore bricked device) and recovery rom (zip file we use for update)
Raw firmware will flash ROM to both the slots, while recovery rom only flash to one slot. So you need to Only select reboot to recovery after flashing ROM to switch to the updated slot.
No, stock rom is not exactly raw firmware. RAW firmware uses EDL mode (in bootloader) to flash the stock rom. Download A10 raw from here version .90.
when extracting it you will see some files.
Steps To flash Raw:
* enable usb debugging in phone.
*connect the phone via side port to pc
open command prompt and run this command
adb devices
adb reboot bootloader
Now go to the folder where you extracted the raw firmware & run "flashall_AFT.cmd" as admin
wait [there will be no output]. After 15 -20 mins your device should boot. If you have any old version stock rom data the phone will carry the data to new version. If you have any custom rom/ updated version of stock rom data, it will ask to factory reset, so do that.
wiping is not exactly formatting so do it the right way
Why format: the one where you format by typing "yes" .If you switch between Roms ( stock to custom or vice versa) and go back to older versions (v .100 to .60) the old/previous rom data cant be used with new one so you must format data.
when formatting is not necessary : If you want to upgrade both stock images (version .90 to .100) & custom rom (v 1 to 1.2) i.e., flashing stock rom and then custom rom over it, you dont need to format data because you can reuse the data from custom rom to updated custom rom.
A/B device use two partition instead of one. so the upgrade can happen in the background. On restart you will switched to updated slot. So room for error is less.
The wiping here should be the same as formatting, as it is running the mke2fs (as per TWRP settings). But raw rom I do not have (I believe).
The link you have there seems broken, could you repost it again?
I did download the stock ROM earlier from ASUS directly, to not violate policies, HTTP links etc, here is only the path on asus . com
pub/ASUS/ZenFone/ZS660KL/UL-ASUS_I001_1-ASUS-17.0240.2103.75-1.1.229-user.zip
That is the one I installed via recovery. Am not sure what is in your mentioned flashall_AFT.cmd though, but suspect some adb sideload at least.
I eventually succeeded, but of course would liek to know
1) why
2) what happened?
I did follow a video about flashing the stock rom, basically as you explained (factory reset and data wipe), twice to a and b partition. That made the device bootable. Why is this needed?
I tested wiping system again (I am used to doing clean flashes) and installed omnirom again, and it failed booting.
I installed again the a/b with stocks, factory reset and data wipe and installed omnirom as dirty flash. All is well.
Now I was able to restore my backup finally without the device switching off and it did not complain about the data backup. So finally I am with my phone again rom and copy data to my fresh partition.
as to 1) why?
I understand a/b partition as sort of windows/linux dual boot with a more separate bootloader maybe. So I do not see the point in flashing the stock rom twice or in rendering the device unbootable when wiping system.
and as 2) what happened.
I may only guess: I did an omnirom upgrade 2 days earlier that worked fine and was the reason for my nandroid.
During my ride, the phone had some whateverissue and rebooted. I am unsure whether i tested booting but assume that after the upgrade it flashed to the other partition and it was not bootable. It does not make sense as this would make a/B partitions rather hard for custom rom makers, e.g. people complaining all the time.
Other guess: there was a file system issue with f2fs. Problem with data partition seems to cause bigger issues.
When I flash to ext4 after testing the bootable rom with a wiped data, it would not boot anymore. After factory reset again, it mke2fs the data partition again, back to f2fs and the device booted again happily.
Thanks for the help. Happy to know/learn more about this issue, as I would love to prevent or handle them quicker with more of I know what I'm doing.
Android Dual Partition (A/B) is made for seamless updates i.e, Dual system/vendor partition but uses same data partition. Lets say you are currently in slot A when you apply system update the slot B gets updated. As always rebooting the device switches to the B partition after update. & further update flashes the system to the A partition.
Basically there is no need to flash stock rom twice, unless you are coming from stock [one partition might be in higher firmware version than other] or there is new stock version with some minor/major upgrades to firmware files.
Our custom ROMs are not stand alone, Mostly it only replaces the system files and keep the vendor same as stock. (also this keeps the ROM update file size to be minimum)
you might even have different version of Android in A/B partition.
Here is a scenario on How A/B works:
Say you are currently using your device in B-slot and A9 so partition on slot-A will be A9 partition slot-B be A9. After that you are doing system update to A10 from System update (not via TWRP)
now you will have A10 on slot-A and A9 on slot-B.
then you want to go to custom rom, so you flashed say omni on A-slot and rebooted & it will surely work.
After that you are using inbuild system update from custom rom any applied it. now the system update will overwrite the A9's system files but (the device specifically needs A10s vendor to work properly). Now comes the fun part i.e., soft brick, boot looping, and corrupt images
That's why you have to flash latest stock to both A and B slots, and overwrite them all with system files from custom rom (also should be flashed once in slots A and B) to get neat experience from custom ROMs.
If you understand what was written above, then you will know the reason behind soft brick.
stock rom flashed only once (firmware image variation may affect stability)
custom rom only flashed in one slot (switching slot will boot loop device)
Not using Reboot to recovery to flash (you will be flashing to the same slot over and over & thus rebooting will boot loop)
Not formatting data ( Just Maybe, your custom ROM and stock uses different file system for data partition)
For Raw files search "ASUS rog 2 RAW firmware images" those files will be around 3 GB in size.

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