If you haven't already, you should be receiving a notification that the Stable Android 12 or "S" Build is lurking in the shadows of your Pixel 5a handset. If you're currently on the (only) beta version we received OTA, your update won't inconvenience you for too long, as it weighs in at <4 mb, all in.
Safe Journey's...evnStevn
The factory images are up on Google's developer site, and when I tickled the system update found the 12 upgrade. I'm downloading the factory image now (for rooting with Magisk) then will upgrade to 12. Then more to learn...
CarinaPDX said:
The factory images are up on Google's developer site, and when I tickled the system update found the 12 upgrade. I'm downloading the factory image now (for rooting with Magisk) then will upgrade to 12. Then more to learn...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right-On, I'm not ready for that, the Big League's (yet) as I'm still down here playing T-ball !
CarinaPDX said:
The factory images are up on Google's developer site, and when I tickled the system update found the 12 upgrade. I'm downloading the factory image now (for rooting with Magisk) then will upgrade to 12. Then more to learn...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attempted the upgrade last night, seems there's some new things required if you want to flash the modified boot image and successfully boot. I believe you need to wipe the data partition and also pass along a few flags during install. However, temp root is an option if you want to avoid that for now (I did) by simply booting the image in fastboot vs flashing it. Just FYI!
Edit. Sounds like SafetyNet won't pass yet if you do end up going the permanent route? I could be wrong but I believe that's what's I've read. I just checked on mine and the temporary boot image does seem to so that's good.
If you read this thread you will see how to do it, as done on beta releases. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-flash-magisk-on-android-12.4242959/ It is possible to achieve permanent root on 12 without wiping the personal data but it is a delicate dance. I have not tried it yet but as I understand it the process is to unroot 11 and at least remove Magisk modules, take the 12 update, boot into bootloader and use fastboot to remove boot verification and replace vbmeta.img, then flash patched boot.img, reboot and reinstall magisk. It seems there is a problem with just flashing the new factory image with the wipe option (-w) removed. Instead of fastboot flashing the patched boot.img it is also possible to directly patch the boot.img from Magisk while temporarily booted from the patched boot.img (via fastboot), again after removing the verification checks. It may be critical as to when the 5a is rebooted or not; it needs to have a normal reboot after the OTA upgrade in order to complete the upgrade, then boot to bootloader for fastboot operations. I am going to go back and make instructions for myself before proceeding, and will do a Titanium backup before doing anything else.
Edit: it appears that some have achieved permanent root and still passed the SafetyNet check. IIRC it was done through the OTA upgrade path but I need to check that. If you are willing to wipe your data then just installing the factory image and then doing the fastboot commands it might work but that is not clear. Too many attempts at root and SafetyNet failed while flailing so hard to know right now if there are good alternatives to OTA.
CarinaPDX said:
If you read this thread you will see how to do it, as done on beta releases. https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-flash-magisk-on-android-12.4242959/ It is possible to achieve permanent root on 12 without wiping the personal data but it is a delicate dance. I have not tried it yet but as I understand it the process is to unroot 11 and at least remove Magisk modules, take the 12 update, boot into bootloader and use fastboot to remove boot verification and replace vbmeta.img, then flash patched boot.img, reboot and reinstall magisk. It seems there is a problem with just flashing the new factory image with the wipe option (-w) removed. Instead of fastboot flashing the patched boot.img it is also possible to directly patch the boot.img from Magisk while temporarily booted from the patched boot.img (via fastboot), again after removing the verification checks. It may be critical as to when the 5a is rebooted or not; it needs to have a normal reboot after the OTA upgrade in order to complete the upgrade, then boot to bootloader for fastboot operations. I am going to go back and make instructions for myself before proceeding, and will do a Titanium backup before doing anything else.
Edit: it appears that some have achieved permanent root and still passed the SafetyNet check. IIRC it was done through the OTA upgrade path but I need to check that. If you are willing to wipe your data then just installing the factory image and then doing the fastboot commands it might work but that is not clear. Too many attempts at root and SafetyNet failed while flailing so hard to know right now if there are good alternatives to OTA.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. I downloaded the full Android 12 image, installed it, disabled verity and wiped my data via fastboot, then flashed the magisk-patched boot. Worked like a charm and safetynet passed after hiding Magisk and installing Riru and the universal-safetynet-fix.
michaelc5047 said:
Thanks for the link. I downloaded the full Android 12 image, installed it, disabled verity and wiped my data via fastboot, then flashed the magisk-patched boot. Worked like a charm and safetynet passed after hiding Magisk and installing Riru and the universal-safetynet-fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am hoping to avoid wiping data by taking the OTA and then rooting - I just need to find the time to backup and write down the process first. I knew that the update could be done directly with the factory image, then rooted, but that requires the data wipe. If I encounter a problem that is the fallback approach - then restore data with Titanium.
I don't mind wiping data once. But if I have to wipe data for each update just to root, I'll stay on 11 for now until there's a better way to root
Exactly.... I'll wait for a better way to upgrade and keep my root on 12
You don't "keep your root" on 11 updates; you unroot, take the OTA, then root again with a newly patched boot.img. And the data isn't wiped when moving to 12 if done through the OTA, just like 11 updates. If flashing a factory image the data is always wiped. What is different with 12 is that there is a verification of the boot.img and this has to be turned off (because the boot.img is patched), with a single fastboot command. It does appear to be sensitive to some details, so best to have a detailed procedure written down before starting the process. But those that have done it do not report a long or difficult process - just a finicky one.
CarinaPDX said:
You don't "keep your root" on 11 updates; you unroot, take the OTA, then root again with a newly patched boot.img. And the data isn't wiped when moving to 12 if done through the OTA, just like 11 updates. If flashing a factory image the data is always wiped. What is different with 12 is that there is a verification of the boot.img and this has to be turned off (because the boot.img is patched), with a single fastboot command. It does appear to be sensitive to some details, so best to have a detailed procedure written down before starting the process. But those that have done it do not report a long or difficult process - just a finicky one.
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Click to collapse
Ok ...have you done it yet?....can you tell me your process or elaborate more to my understanding
CarinaPDX said:
You don't "keep your root" on 11 updates; you unroot, take the OTA, then root again with a newly patched boot.img. And the data isn't wiped when moving to 12 if done through the OTA, just like 11 updates. If flashing a factory image the data is always wiped. What is different with 12 is that there is a verification of the boot.img and this has to be turned off (because the boot.img is patched), with a single fastboot command. It does appear to be sensitive to some details, so best to have a detailed procedure written down before starting the process. But those that have done it do not report a long or difficult process - just a finicky one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to upgrade ota....but what do i have to do to achieve root without loosing files, setup, etc
No, I have not done it yet - oddly enough I have other things needing doing. The information needed to do it is in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-flash-magisk-on-android-12.4242959/ Unfortunately since it started during the 12 beta program, and there was a lot of trial and error, it is necessary to work through the long thread and sort out the process - which appears to be fairly simple (if inflexible).
When updating or upgrading there are always two paths to take: 1) take the OTA that is offered (after unrooting), or 2) flashing the full factory image. Generally speaking, OTAs are designed to keep the user data untouched [edit: not untouched but just converted where needed for the new system] and the factory image is intended to put the phone to factory condition (i.e. no user data present - starts from scratch). Updates (i.e. not upgrades between Android major versions) over-the-air (OTA) are replacing blocks of the stored image, which is very efficient, but requires a pristine stored image (hence the need to unroot to pass the check). Upgrades (new Android versions) seem to download the entire image, IIUC, and then clean up any data (like config files) that are not compatible with the new system. Sometimes the result has been less than perfect, although it is mostly reliable. Ultimately a factory image is the guarantee of getting a known good system, which can then be set up to the user's taste. Backing up user data (e.g. with Titanium Backup) and restoring can make this easier but again, config files from the previous system if restored on the new system can cause problems. Some people prefer to flash the factory image and reinstall the apps as new to get the highest confidence in the result. Most of us just take the OTA and trust the process, prepared to wipe config files or even flash the full factory image if there is a problem. Your choice.
After I write a procedure for myself, and successfully upgrade, I will post it.
So those of us that never rooted can just skip the unroot process and do the rest I assume?
CarinaPDX said:
No, I have not done it yet - oddly enough I have other things needing doing. The information needed to do it is in this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-flash-magisk-on-android-12.4242959/ Unfortunately since it started during the 12 beta program, and there was a lot of trial and error, it is necessary to work through the long thread and sort out the process - which appears to be fairly simple (if inflexible).
When updating or upgrading there are always two paths to take: 1) take the OTA that is offered (after unrooting), or 2) flashing the full factory image. Generally speaking, OTAs are designed to keep the user data untouched [edit: not untouched but just converted where needed for the new system] and the factory image is intended to put the phone to factory condition (i.e. no user data present - starts from scratch). Updates (i.e. not upgrades between Android major versions) over-the-air (OTA) are replacing blocks of the stored image, which is very efficient, but requires a pristine stored image (hence the need to unroot to pass the check). Upgrades (new Android versions) seem to download the entire image, IIUC, and then clean up any data (like config files) that are not compatible with the new system. Sometimes the result has been less than perfect, although it is mostly reliable. Ultimately a factory image is the guarantee of getting a known good system, which can then be set up to the user's taste. Backing up user data (e.g. with Titanium Backup) and restoring can make this easier but again, config files from the previous system if restored on the new system can cause problems. Some people prefer to flash the factory image and reinstall the apps as new to get the highest confidence in the result. Most of us just take the OTA and trust the process, prepared to wipe config files or even flash the full factory image if there is a problem. Your choice.
After I write a procedure for myself, and successfully upgrade, I will post it.
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Click to collapse
Ok cool and thanks....that was awesome info
anubis2k3 said:
So those of us that never rooted can just skip the unroot process and do the rest I assume?
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Click to collapse
That is the case. It seems that some with 12 beta got tripped up by not getting unrooting/removing Magisk and/or its modules right so that is one less thing to worry about. If you have never rooted then the OTA should work as expected. Rooting can be done in two ways, either by achieving a temporary root and using magisk to directly patch the boot.img, or by patching the boot.img and flashing it, right after removing verification and flashing the new vbmeta.img (in both cases). Of course you first have to unlock the bootloader and enable USB debug, install the Android tools on your computer (minimum version: you only need ADB and fastboot), and connect your computer to the phone with a USB cable. Again, refer to that thread or wait until I can write something up.
CarinaPDX said:
That is the case. It seems that some with 12 beta got tripped up by not getting unrooting/removing Magisk and/or its modules right so that is one less thing to worry about. If you have never rooted then the OTA should work as expected. Rooting can be done in two ways, either by achieving a temporary root and using magisk to directly patch the boot.img, or by patching the boot.img and flashing it, right after removing verification and flashing the new vbmeta.img (in both cases). Of course you first have to unlock the bootloader and enable USB debug, install the Android tools on your computer (minimum version: you only need ADB and fastboot), and connect your computer to the phone with a USB cable. Again, refer to that thread or wait until I can write something up.
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Click to collapse
How do one remove verification?
I haven't been able to permanently root android 12 without wiping my data. I'm not talking about upgrading from 11 to 12. I'm talking about after installing 12, I still have my data. Any attempt to permanently root 12 causes errors unless I wipe my data. This was detailed quite a bit in the link you posted. Have you tried permanently rooting 12 and keeping your data?
As I said before, I have not had time to try the upgrade. Also, that thread has multiple conflicting posts which is why I know it will take time to go through and parse out what works and what doesn't. There are posts IIRC where root was achieved with data retained - but exactly how that was accomplished is not clear (or even if that really did happen). Since we have not had our phones for long there shouldn't be too much in data to lose, and there is always Titanium, so I will give it a go when I have time.
One of the things that I would like cleared up is if the way to 12 and root is to stop the OTA upgrade process at some point and remove verification and/or root before continuing, or possibly root fails because it is attempted before the upgrade is complete. IIRC the OTA has at least one reboot involved, with some processing after the reboot (probably fixing the data to be 12-compatible). Clearly if the upgrade can be done while retaining data and then successfully rooted then it must be done in a precise way; the lack of precise explanations of successful roots is very disappointing.
Edit: If it does turn out that data must be wiped every time 12 is rooted then that means backing up and restoring will be needed for each update, as well as unroot/root, and possibly removing verification each time. That would be a huge PITA. Let's hope that isn't so.
BlvckSensei816 said:
How do one remove verification?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is explained in the thread I linked. But at this point unless you are willing to wade through 14 [make that 16 and counting...] pages of posts it is better to wait until someone posts a good procedure. Anyone not familiar with flashing is liable to get into trouble and needing a factory flash. However good 12 is, it is not so good that we can't wait a bit.
Related
Hello all,
i rooted my nexus 6 and now that android 6.0 has been release i can't install the upgrade. My phone shows there is a system upgrade available. I have clicked to download the upgrade. Now its showing that a system upgrade has been downloaded and verified. Once i click on install update, it reboots to the teamwin. And to be honest, i don't really know if its taking the updated or how i can upgrade if possible.
can someone help me please?!!!!
Same answer every time. You can't get the OTA if you're rooted.
Options are :
- flash factory image (see sticky roll-up in general)
- flash a pre-rooted zip from recovery.
if you dont want to lose your data. just flash system.img, boot.img and recovery.img of your current build.
you can extract the images from the factory image...
Not only that, but by attempting to apply the OTA on a rooted device you risk bootlooping it, as I did with my Nexus 10 a couple of years ago.
Your best bet is to use Wugfresh's Nexus Root Toolkit (NRT). Since this is a major upgrade you can't use the "no wipe" option, so you'll lose any data that you haven't backed up first - photos, etc. - so do that before you do anything. Also take a TWRP backup of your current ROM and copy it to your PC so that at least you can recover to where you are now. NRT also has a backup option.
If you tell NRT that your current ROM is MRA58K (Android 6.0) and then tell it to flash stock and unroot, it will pull down all the required files before applying them to your Nexus. You can then re-root if you want to. It's a beautifully-engineered program, pretty well foolproof if you follow the instructions and choose the right ROM for your device.
dahawthorne said:
Not only that, but by attempting to apply the OTA on a rooted device you risk bootlooping it
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Click to collapse
It cant get to that stage any more.
Thats good news. What changed? Ever since that experience I haven't even tried an OTA. I was abroad at the time and lost the use of my Nexus 10 for most of the holiday.
dahawthorne said:
Thats good news. What changed? Ever since that experience I haven't even tried an OTA. I was abroad at the time and lost the use of my Nexus 10 for most of the holiday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA zips used to check individual files in system to ensure they matched before updating. It checks either md5 or sha hash. It didn't take account of every file or even files added by the users. so upgrading could cause issues.
Now, it checks the md5/hash of the entire system, which means all files are taken into account.. It will not flash of anything is changed.
Thanks - happy to roll you over to 19,400...
Hi,
I am very new to this android world so my queries might feel stupid. Actually i m here after 3 years and that is very long period in this world. I know about rooting(super Su), bootloader and recovery (stock,CM and TWRP) . Recently read about Magisk and got some queries. Hope you will help me out. These are not device specific but need to learn.
What i read/study i found these readings...
1. Magisk roots device systemlessly (does not touch system partition) so one can get OTA updates easily.
2.To install and run Magisk one needs to unlock the bootloader .
3.(Device Specific) My redmi MI Flash tool says,If you unlock the bootloader , you wont get OTA updates.
4.I have previously rooted my galaxy Y and uninstalled system apps. If i delete sys apps from magisk,still can we say that we are not touching system.
So all statements are true? or some? or none ?
Here my device is redmi 3s (6.0.1- MIUI 9.6.1.0 Global Stable).All these queries are just in relation to OTA system updates. Nothing related to warranty.
Thanking You
Yes.
Yes.
Don't know about Xiaomi, but I've never had issues with OTA on a device with an unlocked bootloader (I've mainly used different Google and Oneplus devices). Someone with a Xiaomi is gonna have to chime in on this one.
As long as you use Magisk's debloating feature of replacing files or directories with empty ones, you're good. The actual /system partition won't be touched. Use a module like the Debloater module by @veez21, or make a debloater module yourself.
Didgeridoohan said:
Don't know about Xiaomi, but I've never had issues with OTA on a device with an unlocked bootloader (I've mainly used different Google and Oneplus devices). Someone with a Xiaomi is gonna have to chime in on this one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, Thank You.
You get OTA system updates for your STOCK ROM ?
inwell said:
Ahh, Thank You.
You get OTA system updates for your STOCK ROM ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. But, having both Magisk and a custom recovery (an OTA won't install with a modified boot image and a custom recovery installed) I always find it easier to download the update and flash it manually. But, like I said, I have no idea if this is true for Xiaomi.
1. Ok. i also heared that when you update your device,you lose root...not true ? Or you need to root again ?
2.In normal stock device,we get update notification and we downlaod then restart (as per convenience)device to update.
If i remove some system apps from my rooted device and unroot the device,manage to get stock recovery back ,will the OTA update system treat my device as Stock-untouched? And install updates just as stock device will do ?
3. Is boot.img and bootloader are same things? Coz i read that for re locking boot loader you need to flash boot.img from stock software. (But Some procedures just use fastboot and relock oem command-they wont use boot.img,dont know why )
I read that unrooting,restoring stock recovery and locking bootloader again is more difficult/complicated than the rooting procedure
Some one should come up with solution just like Windows Restore .If you want to go back to everything STOCK,just use that feature same as done to Restore Windows in its previous state.
Any update that also updates the boot image (which means pretty much all) will remove root. But, that's just a simple case of reflashing Magisk right after applying the update.
If you've touched /system in any way, removing system apps or even just mounting the /system partition read-write, an OTA will fail. To be able update with an OTA your /system and /vendor partitions need to be untouched and you need to have the stock boot image and stock recovery installed. If your device doesn't conform to this the OTA will fail.
Boot image and bootloader are not the same thing. That you can read up on all over the internet, so I won't go into details. If you have done any kind of modifications on your device, I suggest you leave your bootloader unlocked. It's to easy to mess things up otherwise.
Going back to full stock is usually just a matter of flashing a full factory image/firmware package/stock ROM. Quite easy... Of course, some manufacturers make it harder than others.
Didgeridoohan said:
Boot image and bootloader are not the same thing. That you can read up on all over the internet, so I won't go into details. If you have done any kind of modifications on your device, I suggest you leave your bootloader unlocked. It's to easy to mess things up otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. As you say the two are different , but can you explain in simple words (terms) that how they both are related/linked/connected? Coz as i read some forums/posts i get to read
1. To relock/lock bootloader you need to flash boot.img which suggests these (terms) are linked/connected.
2. but same time some forums/post suggest no img file flashing but just a fastboot command(s) to relock bootloader. In this case it seems they are not linked/connected.
And if the above 2 statements are true and device specific then how the bootloader and boot image are linked and not linked in diff devices? what changes are made so that in some cases these are linked and in some not
Sorry for asking too much. But you were really very kind to help me out.Thank you once again
I'm not 100% accurate (and someone will hopefully come I'm and correct me if needed), but basically the bootloader checks that everything is alright and then starts up your device. After that the boot image (ramdisk and kernel) takes over. Ramdisk basically makes sure all the partitions are mounted, and the kernel is exactly what it sounds like. The core of the OS, making sure that everything is working as it should.
This is of course a huge over-simplification, so if you want more you'll have to search around (and there are tons of resources around the web).
The main reason I can think of right at the moment for wanting to flash a boot image before locking the bootloader is that it's generally a good idea to have your device fully stock and functional before doing so. After you've locked the bootloader there might not be any going back if things start acting up and you could end up with a nice paperweight.
Questions are good. That's how you learn. I do believe that you'd be much better of searching around the internet for your answers. They've been put out there many, many times.
Ok.Thank you very much.I will learn more ...
When booting TWRP using fastboot, without flashing it to the recovery partition, eg. "fastboot boot twrp-sanders-r20.img", only for the purpose of taking a partition backup, once done the device wont longer take OTA's!
That is IMHO a very unexpected behavior, as booting this way and keeping system read only should mean that nothing on the phone gets changed (well except the data partition if a backup is saved on these one).
One would expect this not to mess with the OTA process.
Now, this twrp at least: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g5s-plus/development/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-r7-t3694910 does, after some investigation i found out that it is mounting the oem partition writable and modifying it adding a .twrp file to the root. Since the OTAs are checking and patching this partition of cause they will fail.
Luckily there is a way out, you can reflash the OEM partition for example from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g5s-plus/how-to/tutorial-fhash-oreo-8-1-stock-global-t3852967
that is assuming that you are running the first Oreo 8.1 update, if you had an other version when the issue hit, you will need to find the right OEM partition image for you actual build.
IMHO this behavior of TWRP is unacceptable and should be fixed in a new release ASAP.
DavidXanatos said:
When booting TWRP using fastboot, without flashing it to the recovery partition, eg. "fastboot boot twrp-sanders-r20.img", only for the purpose of taking a partition backup, once done the device wont longer take OTA's!
That is IMHO a very unexpected behavior, as booting this way and keeping system read only should mean that nothing on the phone gets changed (well except the data partition if a backup is saved on these one).
One would expect this not to mess with the OTA process.
Now, this twrp at least: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g5s-plus/development/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-r7-t3694910 does, after some investigation i found out that it is mounting the oem partition writable and modifying it adding a .twrp file to the root. Since the OTAs are checking and patching this partition of cause they will fail.
Luckily there is a way out, you can reflash the OEM partition for example from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g5s-plus/how-to/tutorial-fhash-oreo-8-1-stock-global-t3852967
that is assuming that you are running the first Oreo 8.1 update, if you had an other version when the issue hit, you will need to find the right OEM partition image for you actual build.
IMHO this behavior of TWRP is unacceptable and should be fixed in a new release ASAP.
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Click to collapse
Agreed; received today a security update for my moto G5S plus (didn't root till i got the official 8.1 Oreo update) and every time i try to install takes me to TWRP and i keep it as READ ONLY (since TWRP itself says if u modify u won't b able to receive OTA updates) and... even without the modification i still can't get the update. this has to be fixed ASAP by TWRP
I did discover that if you keep the OTA files for older updates, you can re-run them to update the OEM partition. Unfortunately it only works one update generation.
I wonder if we just delete the .TWRP file if it can recover it. I'll test later this week. The OTA has a way to repair partitions
pizzaboy192 said:
I did discover that if you keep the OTA files for older updates, you can re-run them to update the OEM partition. Unfortunately it only works one update generation.
I wonder if we just delete the .TWRP file if it can recover it. I'll test later this week. The OTA has a way to repair partitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep us posted man
pizzaboy192 said:
I wonder if we just delete the .TWRP file if it can recover it. I'll test later this week. The OTA has a way to repair partitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
imho 99% sure, it still will fail, the partition does not just have to be semantically unchanged it must be 1:1 bit wise identical with what is expected.
I'll see what happens. I'm not a developer but I have pointed this out a few times to the developers of both TWRP threads, along with sharing these issues on the telegram group, but everyone else is focused on the latest custom ROM and doesn't care about stock, so the issues have fallen on deaf ears
in a nutshell how can i receive the last OTA security? do i revert to stock , install then root again? holy moly that's a lot of work
TheKicKer69 said:
in a nutshell how can i receive the last OTA security? do i revert to stock , install then root again? holy moly that's a lot of work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately until they fix TWRP so it doesn't damage the OEM partition, you need a clean copy of the OEM partition to take the OTA.
However, there is a way you can prevent this, but it is a little hairy (you can't use any magisk modules). You can use the magisk app to patch the boot.img file that is from a slightly older Oreo firmware and flash that with fastboot, without using TWRP.
---------- Post added at 07:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 AM ----------
DavidXanatos said:
imho 99% sure, it still will fail, the partition does not just have to be semantically unchanged it must be 1:1 bit wise identical with what is expected.
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Click to collapse
Yup. Just confirmed that deleting the .twrp file does not fix it.
I've reached out to Motorola to update their Lenovo Motorola Smart Assistant tool to support the official Oreo OTA which will allow us to download the latest full firmware file, which would give us the OEM partition to reflash before the next OTA.
I'll bother the TWRP devs again this week to get this unexpected behavior removed so we don't need to bother anyone in the future.
Update: none of the TWRP maintainers currently have replied to me about this issue.
@CheckYourScreen hasn't been active for a while but hasn't responded to a few different attempts to point this issue out (Been over a month since first notification with no acknowledgement)
@MasterAwesome has a custom TWRP that is latest, but they're still working on it. They're our best bet to possibly get it fixed since they're actively working on it. They've also been made aware, but no response yet (4 days since notifying and it was a weekend, so hopeful)
@GeneticEnginer was notified today. They developed the first unofficial TWRP (3.1.1) and might be able to help, but not holding my breath
I've also contacted a few people who do unofficial TWRP ports for some tips on unpacking one of our existing TWRP files and fixing it myself. It may be the way to go.
Hi guys. Final update. I've fixed TWRP temporarily. If we're not going to run custom ROMs, use this TWRP to backup. It does a bitwise backup of OEM and doesn't mount it as RW so it WILL work for restoring fully OTA capable stock ROM. It is NOT treble compatible as the treble compatible ones do weird things that I haven't documented.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...-r20-stock-t3869192/post78205758#post78205758
May 2020 QQ2A.200501.001.B2 "FLAME" Magisk-Patched Boot Img [+UPDATE/KEEP ROOT GUIDE]
Another month, another update. I'll keep churning out these patched / stock file uploads and easy noob-friendly update guides while guinea pigging the updates, so long as my area is still on lockdown and I'm not back to work yet, lol.
I've also installed and tested / verified that Kirisakura 4.2.0 is working great with this month's patch so far.
Also have EdXposed Canary 0.5.0.0 (4548) YAHFA installed. SafetyNet still passing as of now.
Magisk v20.4 Patched Boot Image: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261796525
Factory Untouched Boot Image: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261796524
THESE FILES ARE FOR 10.0.0 (QQ2A.200501.001.B2, May 2020, All carriers except TW) ONLY! PLEASE ONLY FLASH IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!
If these files and/or guides are helpful, please drop a thanks and let me know. =)
EASY UPDATE / SEAMLESS KEEP-ROOT UPDATE PROCESS (using a PC - a very intuitive, effective, and relatively safe method).
** You can only follow this guide exactly if coming from build QQ2A.200405.005, Apr 2020. But the general idea is the same for other builds, you just need the correct files for your device.
flame-qq2a.200405.005-factory-dtbo.img: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261796522
flame-qq2a.200405.005-factory-boot.img: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261763724
May 2020 sideload OTA zip: https://dl.google.com/dl/android/aosp/flame-ota-qq2a.200501.001.b2-46940f66.zip
I DID NOT BOOT BACK INTO O/S UNTIL ALL STEPS WERE COMPLETED - I DID THIS TO ENSURE EVERYTHING WOULD BOOT BACK UP WITH MAGISK / EDXPOSED ALL RUNNING PROPERLY RIGHT AWAY
1. boot into bootloader
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** I was on custom kernel, so I needed to flash BOTH the stock boot and dtbo images
2. fastboot flash boot flame-qq2a.200405.005-factory-boot.img
3. fastboot flash dtbo flame-qq2a.200405.005-factory-dtbo.img
......* these steps to restore stock recovery; dtbo.img also necessary for some kernel installations
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4. use volume keys to change selection to boot to Recovery Mode
......- when you reach the android symbol with No Command, hold power button, tap volume up, in case you've forgotten
5. choose option "Apply update from ADB"
6. adb sideload flame-ota-qq2a.200501.001.b2-46940f66.zip
7. Once the OTA sideload is done, Reboot to bootloader (you'll also notice it's now on the other slot after OTA flashed)
8. fastboot flash boot flame-qq2a.200501.001.b2-magisk_patched-20.4.img
9. done, start the phone
(Optional - Flash custom kernel. If you had a custom kernel, you need to re-flash it. I've only personally tested with Kirisakura though.)
This was a 100% seamless update that required no additional / re-setup of any of my Magisk or EdXposed setups. All of the factory files can be found here https://developers.google.com/android/images. boot.img and dtbo.img are in their corresponding full Factory Image zips, and the ota zip is under Full OTA Images.
Thank you for making this so convenient!
ahalol said:
Thank you for making this so convenient!
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:highfive:
You can thank my wife for going with the P4 instead of P4XL . Now gives me 2 phones to keep up with, although they're basically identical in process. Might as well share with yall over on this board, which seems to get a little less love and attention. But we're definitely lovin the switch to Pixels. Awesome camera too, which is great because we just had our first child 4 months ago and these phones take amazing photos. And this is coming from 2 phones that already had great cameras (HTC U11 and U12+)! I love taking photos when he's sleeping using Night Sight mode. He's so adorable, it comes out so clean, and there's just something about that sleepy ambience .
i just saw on my google news feed that the May patch just started dropping to our devices. i go check XDA and this post is already here. wow that was fast haha! went perfectly smoothly just like last month, thanks so much!!
Why not update the OTA via Magisk, or is this only for those which devices is not able to download OTA:s?
Currently, I have rooted with Magisk, still waiting for OTA update notification in my device...
Should i restore images in Magisk and/or disable any modules or just let 'er rip?!
Vantskruv said:
Why not update the OTA via Magisk, or is this only for those which devices is not able to download OTA:s?
Currently, I have rooted with Magisk, still waiting for OTA update notification in my device...
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Click to collapse
redeyss said:
Should i restore images in Magisk and/or disable any modules or just let 'er rip?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Vantskruv: FYI, you won't get the OTA update notification because you're modified right now. You can restore the boot image in Magisk first and wait for the OTA notification (what you're thinking of is something like this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4-xl/how-to/guide-update-retain-root-t4003839). But from what I understand, it's pretty hit or miss. Apparently it's hit or miss even on complete bone stock anyway lol. The method I outlined just works nice and reliably even when rooted and modded.
@redeyss: Restoring the stock boot image in Magisk Manager is similar to the method linked above, and then taking the OTA the normal way. But if you flashed a custom kernel, keep it mind it won't restore the dtbo partition (not sure if it's necessary with that method tbh). You shouldn't need to restore images in Magisk, nor diable any modules. When you flash the factory April boot and dtbo images, it's doing the same thing as restoring the images through Magisk (plus dtbo). Just let er rip, and if you have any issues, you can always flash the new unmodified factory boot image, which will essentially disable Magisk, and then work from there. It's a very safe method. =)
edit: also in the event of bootloop, this is a great thread to read and understand: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-4/how-to/magisk-modules-disabler-booting-magisk-t3991739
Thank you @i5lee8bit for your answer. Luckily I have restrained myself yesterday to update, thought I where in the Pixel 4XL thread, while this is for the Pixel 4. :laugh:
I am just curious, do any of you expert guys/girls know why this is happening, that OTA updates is not pushed on rooted phones?
Do Google have algorithms that temporarily bans systems which is rooted?
Or is it so simple that some type of fingerprint is changed when rooted, so Google update services does not recognise the device, and not pushing OTA:s?
Sorry for the questions, no need to answer them. It was a long time ago I rooted Android:s, and I have forgot many things.
I think I will try to manually update everything, even though there are more steps included, just to learn how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZY8qiz2SZ0
Vantskruv said:
Thank you @i5lee8bit for your answer. Luckily I have restrained myself yesterday to update, thought I where in the Pixel 4XL thread, while this is for the Pixel 4. :laugh:
I am just curious, do any of you expert guys/girls know why this is happening, that OTA updates is not pushed on rooted phones?
Do Google have algorithms that temporarily bans systems which is rooted?
Or is it so simple that some type of fingerprint is changed when rooted, so Google update services does not recognise the device, and not pushing OTA:s?
Sorry for the questions, no need to answer them. It was a long time ago I rooted Android:s, and I have forgot many things.
I think I will try to manually update everything, even though there are more steps included, just to learn how to do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZY8qiz2SZ0
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No worries, the process for the 4XL is the exact same, but good catch; you definitely need to use the correct files for the device. I actually posted a similar thread with the relevant 4XL files over on that forum.
Not sure exactly the mechanism used to prevent the normal OTA, but probably just checks for a modified boot partition. In any case, the normal factory OTA if I understand correctly relies in part on factory recovery commands at some point, and a modified boot partition won't be able to use them. In fact, try booting to recovery with the modified boot partition flashed and you'll notice it can't load recovery. I may be wrong about the exact reason though. But think about it: even if we had TWRP, the factory OTA mechanism can't make use of it. Even if the OTA popped up while rooted, it probably wouldn't be able to do it, or worse, cause a failure and corruption. I would dare say we're fortunate they prevent factory OTA when running modified.
Anyway, there are a lot of complicated guides out there, and that's why I wanted to share my method. I didn't need to do any further research and it's very intuitively sound. Steps 2+3 essentially restore stock boot and therefore recovery (and dtbo), the rest pretty much follows a standard OTA sideload, and then it's structured in such a way that you're flashing the new Magisk patched boot image before even starting the phone back up. Making it a seamless, keep-root easy upgrade.
Wow ..... what an easy, elegant way to get my Coral device updated while keeping root. Followed the OP process, but used these commands instead to get the June 2020 security update:
- fastboot flash boot coral-qq3a.200605.001-factory-boot.img
- fastboot flash dtbo coral-qq3a.200605.001-factory-dtbo.img
- adb sideload coral-ota-qq3a.200605.001-3b5bb1bd.zip
- fastboot flash boot coral-qq3a.200605.001-magisk_patched-20.4.img
Thanks, @i5lee8bit . Well done. :good:
does anyone have a thread to point me to that is a step by step guide for setting up ADB and how to flash? I did everything a year ago but now I just factory reset and am stuck in boot loop, can't remember all the commands and everything.
in_dmand said:
does anyone have a thread to point me to that is a step by step guide for setting up ADB and how to flash? I did everything a year ago but now I just factory reset and am stuck in boot loop, can't remember all the commands and everything.
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Did you fix the issue?
Hey, I followed this tutorial https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-ota-updates-keep-root-google-pixel-phone/ (recommended method) and I'm not getting results. After flashing the original boot img, etc. my update screen says my device is updated so I'm not getting Dec. OTA.
I tried also with the Uninstall Magisk (restore images) method and I'm getting the same results, not OTA available.
I'm doing it with all modules disabled.
What am I missing?
alsansan said:
Hey, I followed this tutorial https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-ota-updates-keep-root-google-pixel-phone/ (recommended method) and I'm not getting results. After flashing the original boot img, etc. my update screen says my device is updated so I'm not getting Dec. OTA.
I tried also with the Uninstall Magisk (restore images) method and I'm getting the same results, not OTA available.
I'm doing it with all modules disabled.
What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may have to wait for the update over the internet, then once it starts there's more waiting for the installation to complete, plus you could end up with a "problem" error after everything seemed fine during the first 20 minutes. OTA updates will be less frustrating and faster using adb to sideload over USB.
This guide for Pixel 6 is a good reference for most Pixel 7 situations (the main difference with 7 is to patch, flash or restore init_boot.img instead of boot.img).
alsansan said:
Hey, I followed this tutorial https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-ota-updates-keep-root-google-pixel-phone/ (recommended method) and I'm not getting results. After flashing the original boot img, etc. my update screen says my device is updated so I'm not getting Dec. OTA.
I tried also with the Uninstall Magisk (restore images) method and I'm getting the same results, not OTA available.
I'm doing it with all modules disabled.
What am I missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it helps..
I just happened to use my P7 as an example in a different thread.
[Discussion] Magisk - The Age of Zygisk - Post # 2,648
Includes a Github link showing the modification to the flash-all script I use.
Includes a Pastbin link showing my update from Nov -> Dec.
Cheers.
PS.
Just to be clear, I (always) use full factory images for Pixel updates.
- Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices
Not the incremental OTA(s).
- Full OTA Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices
manjaroid said:
You may have to wait for the update over the internet, then once it starts there's more waiting for the installation to complete, plus you could end up with a "problem" error after everything seemed fine during the first 20 minutes. OTA updates will be less frustrating and faster using adb to sideload over USB.
This guide for Pixel 6 is a good reference for most Pixel 7 situations (the main difference with 7 is to patch, flash or restore init_boot.img instead of boot.img).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I want to try the adb to sideload method, but I have doubts. it is technically detrimental to update flashing factory image / ota over the previous factory image? It's been years since my last rooted phone and I remember people suggested not to do this (I think they recommended full wipe), but I don't know how it goes today.
ipdev said:
If it helps..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helps me! Learned some new stuff and added it to my notes.
alsansan said:
Thanks, I want to try the adb to sideload method, but I have doubts. it is technically detrimental to update flashing factory image / ota over the previous factory image? It's been years since my last rooted phone and I remember people suggested not to do this (I think they recommended full wipe), but I don't know how it goes today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the OTA doesn't wipe but factory will wipe if you run flash-all (.bat for Windows, .sh for Linux) without removing the -w argument on the fastboot line. i.e., Flashing the OTA will get you updated without losing anything but flashing factory is preferable for updates as long as wiping is disabled.
The factory zip is what PixelFlasher uses for non-destructive updates without having to uninstall Magisk. It's the easiest way to update a rooted Pixel, but mistakes still happen. Like its developer recommends, best to tackle command line methods before jumping into GUI methods.
As far as detrimental flashing goes, with Pixels and stock firmware you would have to stray far off the trail to break the phone.
manjaroid said:
Flashing the OTA doesn't wipe but factory will wipe if you run flash-all (.bat for Windows, .sh for Linux) without removing the -w argument on the fastboot line. i.e., Flashing the OTA will get you updated without losing anything but flashing factory is preferable for updates as long as wiping is disabled.
The factory zip is what PixelFlasher uses for non-destructive updates without having to uninstall Magisk. It's the easiest way to update a rooted Pixel, but mistakes still happen. Like its developer recommends, best to tackle command line methods before jumping into GUI methods.
As far as detrimental flashing goes, with Pixels and stock firmware you would have to stray far off the trail to break the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you manjaroid! Finally I updated flashing the Dec factory image with flash-all.bat script (-w removed) and rerooted with the new patched init_boot.img it's really easy but we have doubts the first time. You answered my question (flashing factory is preferable for updates), but why is that? I want to understand a little bit more. And whats the difference between an destructive/non-destructive update?
alsansan said:
...You answered my question (flashing factory is preferable for updates), but why is that? I want to understand a little bit more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How I might explain it is OTA's are incremental updates that patch specific particular parts of the system. You might want to look at it like in an instance of laying a foundation/base, OTA's would be like replacing cracked/broken/weak sections with bricks. As time goes on and more OTA's are released and patched, more of the foundation is put together by more and more bricks -- which may be (quick and easy) or may not be (not a single solid base/structure) more detrimental as time progresses (cumulative patches may inadvertently cause glitches/bugs down the road vs. a full factory [non-patch] update). While holding up upon that patchworks of bricks among the "foundation" is perfectly serviceable and can well enough hold up whatever structure is placed on it, having a whole piece unpatched foundation (Full Factory image) is still preferable as a base/foundation because implementing that "foundation" (versus a foundation with various patchworks in it [OTA's]) would include in itself whatever fix/reinforcement the bricks patched(cracked/broken/weak sections) [what the OTA's did] while establishing a complete whole unseparated-in-any-place base/foundation.
So, in the end, it's preferable to have a solid, whole, almost from-scratch Full Factory image firmware update than a circumstance of patching upon patching the way OTA's implement their updates.
Also, unless you update the device by OTA's from the OS and it's as simple as that (although it can take pretty long; upwards to seemingly 20 minutes) -- because you have an locked bootloader -- the only other way to install an OTA is sideloading it which means you have to download it to a computer, boot up the device in a certain way, and run a command on the computer; which is very similar and not too much different than what you would do if updating using a Full Factory image anyway -- download image (Full Factory instead of OTA), load up device in a certain way (bootloader/fastboot mode instead of recovery) and run a command (flash-all.bat instead of adb sideload .zip); one major difference is you must edit the flash-all.bat script so it doesn't delete user data and factory reset the device.
Sorry for the long explanation, but that is why IMHO it is more preferable to update using the Full Factory image than OTA...
alsansan said:
whats the difference between an destructive/non-destructive update?
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Click to collapse
Not a good choice of words ("non-destructive updates"). That's kinda redundant since most of us don't intend to lose anything when updating. fastboot has to be told to wipe or not so calling it non-destructive flashing would have made better sense.