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The purpose of this document is to clarify a few basics about HTC Android Phones and basic commands to interface with the phones. Think of this as a beginner's guides to the Android device from a non-traditional user's point of view. I'll keep it simple and plain as much as I can for the new users. I'll also try to keep all the technical aspects true as much as I can while keeping it simple.
Before you go on, please read this and understand the basic concepts and how and why following commands are being used. Do not follow anyone's instructions/tutorials/guides without prior basic understanding of what each command do. I do want to believe it's humans visiting this forum and not lemmings. If you do not understand, feel free to ask here. I will or someone else also knowledgeable will answer your questions. DO NOT QUOTE THIS AS A WHOLE. My pet peeves and a complete waste of screen space.
Sometime, depending on your OS, command names may change (e.g: mouse / mouse.exe / mouse-linux / mouse-mac). For general purpose, we'll use mouse instead of an OS specific commands in this instructions.
So to repeat myself, if you understood the concepts of the commands, and you are on a linux system and someone's guide says touch index.php, you will automatically type touch-linux or whatever the name of your executable is on your system.
We shall assume you know how to install needed drivers and where to get android sdk and put the sdk binaries (executables) in the system path. If we need to expend this let me know and I'll expend this here.
Further, if I get any parts wrong, PM me and I'll get those parts corrected.
Android Partition, SPL etc.
Partitions:
Followings are a list of partitions on your android phone.
misc - misc partition -
recovery - Recovery Partition - This is where the original HTC recovery or Amon Ra's recovery or any other Recovery would go. Basically if you reboot into recovery it'll boot from here.
boot - This is your boot partition
system - This is where all your system information (ROM resides)
cache - cache (When you factory reset the phone, this area is wiped)
userdata - user data (like your login, your user settings etc) When you factory reset the phone, this area is wiped)
So, if you replace the recovery image, you are pretty much set for updates provided here at XDA. Note: By replacing your recovery image, you may not be able to have OTA updates.
ROM images will normally replace boot and system images at the same time and often time, userdata and cache too; reseting the phone completely.
SPL/Bootloader/Radio/Bricking Phones:
SPL / Bootloader is like BIOS on a computer. At least I think of it that way. SPL can be updated! SPL comes as either Security-On of Security-Off (S-ON/S-OFF).
Note: It is my understanding that radio will boot first, followed by other systems. So it is IMPORTANT that your radio image/version will work with your SPL image/version. This is the one and only reason for phones being bricked. You can not brick your phone by flashing a ROM or Boot image or recovery image. Once you flash the wrong radio for the SPL, the only known method of recovery is to send the phone back into HTC for repair.
How do I know the phone is bricked? A bricked phone can not boot into bootloader, recovery, or into normal operation modes. You can not connect to a bricked phone via adb or fastboot. You can only see one screen on the phone and it will be the first splash screen.
Commands:
adb - Android Debug Bridge - One of the two things you'll need to know if you ever want to do anything non-conventional on your android based phone.
List of commands that can be used by adb can be prompted by typing adb at the system shell (command prompt or terminal)
Notable adb commands:
adb devices - If you don't know anything, this is the ONE thing you have to know.
adb devices will give you a list of devices connected to the computer. This is also a good way to make sure that your phone is actually connected to the computer.
adb reboot (bootloader|recovery)
adb reboot - this will reboot your phone normally.
adb reboot bootloader - this will reboot your phone back into the bootloader (white screen with the android on wheels)
adb reboot recovery - this will reboot your phone back into recovery console (either default or amon_ra's recovery).
adb shell - this will shell into the phone and you can now explore the phone. Remember phone's native backend os is linux so know your linux commands.
adb remount - remounts the system partition on the phone so you can you read/write to it.
adb push xxx yyy - will push xxx file from computer into yyy location/file on phone (needs rooted access)
adb pull xxx yyy - will pull xxx file from phone into yyy location/file on computer (needs rooted access)
Fastboot is protocol used to update the flash filesystem in Android devices from a host over USB. It allows flashing of unsigned partition images.
Notable fastboot commands:
fastboot devices - If you don't know anything, this is the ONE thing you have to know.
fastboot devices will give you a list of devices connected to the computer. This is also a good way to make sure that your phone is actually connected to the computer.
fastboot reboot - this will reboot your phone normally
fastboot oem unlock - this will unlock your bootloader - NOTE THIS WILL VOID YOUR NEXUS ONE WARRANTY
fastboot erase XXX - Will erase the partition XXX (such as userdata, cache) - mainly used for resetting phone and clearing userdata / factory settings.
fastboot flash XXX YYY - This will flash XXX partitionn with YYY image.
e.g: fastboot flash system system_update.img will flash/update your system partition with an image called system_update
If anyone needs me to dig deep into using anything else, please PM me. I'll add it on here. Hopefully this will help all newbies about the basic commands and what they do.
FAQs (UPDATED Feb 09, 2010)
Q: One question about the Android SDK. Do I need it to flash my N1 or just to program new apps? Where can I get it?
A: Android SDK is not entirely needed to flash the N1. However, there are tools in there that you need. Adb / Fastboot etc. Although they can be downloaded by themselves, the windows version of the SDK also have the Drivers that are needed for android devices for USB connection. So, it is recommended to get it. You can get it from developer.android.com
Q:I have never experienced anything like this when I did a hard-spl on my winmo phone. Radio versions are included with SPL's, right?
A: Official packages from HTC did come with nbh packaging, meaning it is a all in one upgrader that will update Radio, ROM, System etc, it is very much common for active development area here at XDA to get the radio or SPL or ROM separately and independently of one another. And as such, you will most likely flash them seperately (who wants to wait 6-8 months). Also, since this phone is released by google, HTC will most likely not update any major Radios. However, it is very likely that we will be hacking in Radio updates or any other "updates" from HTC from their new device - HTC Bravo.
Q: Is there a guide for snow leopard? I'm kind of stuck.
A: I personally ran android SDK and aforementioned executable on both MAC OS 10.5 and 10.6. Like I posted, the commands and the executable names may be slightly different. I may call adb and you may find it as adb-mac. I am not going to write 3 separate documents for 3 separate OSes. You have to know that adb=adb-mac (on your mac), adb-linux (for linux) etc. And yes the above guide will work universally.
Q: Can i replace the splash image..?? (unlocking related)
A: As of the above date (next to the FAQ) no you can not. Issue is probably a few folds. One of them is that splash1.img is not going in due to security lock. Remember, you unlocked the phone. HTC will not like it. Anyhow, I like the current quad color X. If you are thinking of getting rid of the lock logo, good luck. Even if you can get rid of it, you will still have to overcome the pink text that says ***UNLOCKED*** on your bootloader.
Q: Can you run Windows Mobile on Android Phones?
A: With enough resources given, sure. Will it ever happen? No. Why? Windows mobile compiler and builder cost $. As a matter of fact, as of version 5, it was going to cost me $75 per device. That's one of the reasons why handset makers went to Android open platform. Android is free and universal so as long as you use certain chipsets and certain items, you are good to go. Can it ever be ported? Sure. With right amount of time and money anything can be done. But at this point, it's cheaper for you to go buy a windows mobile smartphone.
Q: How do I know the phone is bricked?
A: You can not brick a phone unless you are flashing Radio/SPL packages. Make sure if you are doing that, you follow directions VERY CAREFULLY. A bricked phone can not boot into bootloader, recovery, or into normal operation modes. You can not connect to a bricked phone via adb or fastboot. You can only see one screen on the phone and it will be the first splash screen.
Q: I have installed the Android SDK however, i cannot seem to get the laptop to detect the nexus. What have i left out?
A: Most common item that people forget to enable is USB Debugging. Settings => Applications => Development => USB debugging [checked]
Q: I have rooted n1. when I go to recovery to do backup, I get the triangle with the little green android guy, but phone is stuck there. I have to remove battery to reboot phone. What have I done wrong?
A: You still have the stock (shipping) recovery. If you want a different recovery (Amon RA's), download it, the from fastboot, run fastboot flash recovery downloaded_recovery.img
Q: Which step of the rooting / recovery procedure does it give root?
A: Root and Recovery are two totally different things. Recovery is a partition that contain recovery information. Stock recovery is what allows OTA updates etc. Normally it will search for update.zip in the root folder of the SD card. Amon_RA's Recovery or any other recovery images are there to enhance the traditional stock recovery. Amon Ra's Recovery for example, contains thing such as ability to update from different zip files, and backup/restore of your data/system.
Rooting is not done by recovery but is a kernel level access (simply put) that will give root or "SU". It is done by patching the boot partition of the your android device.
Q: What are the differences, advantages, disadvantages of the different ROM's?
A: They are all different. Some have some features, some are plain stock, some are made for bleeding edge kernel etc. You'll have to try them out and figure out yourself. I may make a chart of what they are (see the bottom at my signature - wiki) but with too many android devices, I will need some major help. One person alone will not have total knowledge of all the ROM releases. There are just way too many devices and ROMs.
Q: Which ROM will allow OTA updates?
A: Stock ROM WITH Stock Recovery.
Q: If the phone is SIM/carrier unlocked and you root do you have to SIM unlock again?
A: SIM/Carrier unlock has nothing to do with rooting your phone. You can still have root and still be carrier locked. Nexus One comes carrier unlocked from factory.
Q: How much space is there for apps? is using the sd card really necessary? (on Nexus One)
A: Search google? The phone has 512MB or space. That SHOULD be more than enough for you. If not, you have some serious issues. I do not believe you will not App2SD for Nexus One. Google did say during the release conference that they will update Android/N1 so that apps can be run/installed to SD but that requires some system and security changes (mainly to prevent pirated software - Yes if I write something, I deserve to get paid for it).
Q: When you do "flash zip from sdcard" or "fastboot flash image" does this merge and overwrite the files in to the partition?
A: When you update a software (via recovery), software my be merged. However, if you fastboot flash, just like the word flash says, it will flash and overwrite the partition.
Q: Which partition does "flash zip from sdcard" affect?
A: Depends on what you are flashing. It could be any or all of the partitions such as SPL, Boot, System, Recovery, Radio. You should study first before randomly flashing things.
sorry, got it!
blakestimac said:
i apologize if this is the wrong place for this but, but i have adb setup perfectly, but fastboot is not recognized at all. could i have missed something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need your system info.
What os are you running? where did you get fastboot? what are you trying to do?
Don't forget fastboot boot for testing images. My most used command
I still have no idea how to use or setup adb i have downloaded the sdk and used fastboot and superboot to root my phone and am currently running the cm 5.0 beta 2 rom and want to learn how to use adb so i can enable the ram. Thanks, Joe
really a noob question here.....it wa easier with Hero.
i have installed the Android SDK
however, i cannot seem to get the laptop to detect the nexus.
what have i left out?
wishmaker738 said:
really a noob question here.....it wa easier with Hero.
i have installed the Android SDK
however, i cannot seem to get the laptop to detect the nexus.
what have i left out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the FAQ.
dylanfan424 said:
I still have no idea how to use or setup adb i have downloaded the sdk and used fastboot and superboot to root my phone and am currently running the cm 5.0 beta 2 rom and want to learn how to use adb so i can enable the ram. Thanks, Joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. I need to know what you actually did. I am not understanding what you are trying to do.
Can't run adb commands - device not found
Thanks for the info. I am having an issue with running adb commands. My phone is rooted via superboot and I tested it with Nexus Torch which works. Now I am trying to install the new kernel so I can run the wireless tether app... but I can't get any of the adb commands to recognize the phone. I boot the phone by holding the trackball and power button. I am in USB debugging mode. When I run fastboot devices, the phone serial number shows up. When I run adb devices, it says no device detected. And when I try to run any other adb commands they do not work, even though fastboot commands work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Sorry i was pretty vague before i down loaded the sdk and also installed the adb setup file included with the superboot pack but just have no idea how to get it to work and add things through adb. I tried typing adb commands into comand line with the phone connected to the computer but nothing happend. just said not recognised command so i just basically need a rundown of how to setup adb.
dylanfan424 said:
Sorry i was pretty vague before i down loaded the sdk and also installed the adb setup file included with the superboot pack but just have no idea how to get it to work and add things through adb. I tried typing adb commands into comand line with the phone connected to the computer but nothing happend. just said not recognised command so i just basically need a rundown of how to setup adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a noob so can't offer much help...but I would make sure the usb drivers are installed if you're using windows....this probably should have happened when you installed the sdk, but you can also install it through the device manager and point it to the folder where the usb drivers are located. Also make sure the phone is in USB debugging mode. also you may need to reboot your pc. Make sure you have setup running when you run the adb commands. you need to be in the same directory as the adb file, or in the case of the superboot pack you need to type "adb-windows" not just "adb". you may also need to put .exe, ie adb-windows.exe.
pwnvds said:
Thanks for the info. I am having an issue with running adb commands. My phone is rooted via superboot and I tested it with Nexus Torch which works. Now I am trying to install the new kernel so I can run the wireless tether app... but I can't get any of the adb commands to recognize the phone. I boot the phone by holding the trackball and power button. I am in USB debugging mode. When I run fastboot devices, the phone serial number shows up. When I run adb devices, it says no device detected. And when I try to run any other adb commands they do not work, even though fastboot commands work. Any ideas? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You run fastboot from the white screen. Android on non-white screen. It's one or the other. It's ADB or Fastboot (depending on the mode of the phone).
dylanfan424 said:
Sorry i was pretty vague before i down loaded the sdk and also installed the adb setup file included with the superboot pack but just have no idea how to get it to work and add things through adb. I tried typing adb commands into comand line with the phone connected to the computer but nothing happend. just said not recognised command so i just basically need a rundown of how to setup adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the directory where ADB/fastboot (SDK) is installled in your system path?
I am guessing it's not. If it was, just by typing adb alone (without commands), it'll give you a list of commands. Click here if you want to know how to change your system path to include a particular folder.
We're now in the age of nintendo pilots and point and click OS that no one knows how to use command lines and system paths anymore.
recovery
I have rooted n1. when I go to recovery to do backup, I get the triangle with the little green android guy, but phone is stuck there. I have to remove battery to reboot phone. What have I done wrong?
umplarry said:
I have rooted n1. when I go to recovery to do backup, I get the triangle with the little green android guy, but phone is stuck there. I have to remove battery to reboot phone. What have I done wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Answered in FAQ area.
seraph1024 said:
Answered in FAQ area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that before I posted. I searched the FAQ again. Maybe I am a complete DA, but still can't find answer. I don't mind searching, it will help me to learn, but could you point me in the right direction in FAQ?
umplarry said:
I tried that before I posted. I searched the FAQ again. Maybe I am a complete DA, but still can't find answer. I don't mind searching, it will help me to learn, but could you point me in the right direction in FAQ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Q: I have rooted n1. when I go to recovery to do backup, I get the triangle with the little green android guy, but phone is stuck there. I have to remove battery to reboot phone. What have I done wrong?
A: You still have the stock (shipping) recovery. If you want a different recovery (Amon RA's), download it, the from fastboot, run fastboot flash recovery downloaded_recovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There you go.
seraph1024 said:
There you go.
[/B]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help
seraph1024 said:
There you go.
[/B]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had it downloaded, just had not flashed it
I've been looking all over, but I probably need to check the HTC Dream forum or something.
How do I install a custom ROM? I know you have to adb push update.zip somewhere, but I can't find any info about this. Please help.
I'm having serious issues with my N1 since receiving it back from HTC for a repair. I had rooted the phone before it was repaired for a crack in the glass, but the repair center had re-locked the bootloader. I followed steps the way I had done before to root my phone and succeeded in re-unlocking bootloader but when I did superboot (using mac terminal) did not come to screen where root permissions were offered... booted phone, no wifi signal, did not recognize sd, very glitchy, unstable and maybe worst of all unable to mount to computer. So I don't know if anyone with this small amount of information would have any clue as to what I can do. Oh yes and when I had gotten my phone back from repair center I had done update to FRF91.. so I know I'm an idiot for trying to use superboot when there isn't one for the FRF91. There you go gentlemen. If someone is willing to help I can provide any other information required.
As long as you can get to your recovery screen, you're not bricked. Most important, are you running a custom recovery like Amon_RA's?
Edit: If you have a stock recovery and want the superuser/unsecured boot use the updates from here
-If you have a custom recover just flash a ROM that includes superuser/unsecured boot
*Always do a Nandroid
I didn't have it before I unlocked my bootloader, and I can't seem to install it considering that every post says you put it on the sd.. and as I said I cant even mount my phone So apparently I'm on stock..
Micro SD adapter?
That does make things interesting, the only thing i can think of is getting a Micro-sd adapter and putting the update on the sd, then place the sd back in your phone and flash.
Thread moved to Q&A.
Can't you adb push the file while in the recovery menu?
I can't flash if I can't mount my sd card right? So that would make the ROM with superuser useless.. Can you think of a way I can get Amon_Ra recovery through bootloader?
I can't flash if I can't mount my sd card right? So that would make the ROM with superuser useless.. Can you think of a way I can get Amon_Ra recovery through bootloader?
I've heard about this but I'm a total n00b, don't know how to..
I was referring to the adb push.. any help with this would be GREATLY appreciated!
ADB method
If you still have the adb ability try fastboot flashing...just follow the steps here
Emul8tor I really appreciate the continuing advice- home from work now.. I can't seem to get adb if i have done everything correctly working on terminal mac os.. have android sdk and i should be running it under sdk/tools dir correct? i type in adb or adb devices and I get adb: command not found..suggestions?
Have you used the adb method before, kinda sounds like you haven't set the PATH for your environment. I don't have any clue about the set-up for Mac, but theres a tutorial here
okay going to read through this again especially part on creating the PATH.. back soon
really don't know what to think I have no idea how to create a .bash profile and I'm not so sure this is why adb isn't working. Thoughts?
and I didn't use the adb method before.. only fastboot
found this by googling, adding tools to your path lets you run Android Debug Bridge (adb) and the other command line tools without needing to supply the full path to the tools directory when typing commands in Terminal
Dude this guy's having the same problem as me, I guarantee you he used the wrong version superboot with FRF91 http://androidforums.com/all-things-root-nexus/127689-please-help.html
I'll bet he can't mount sd card either
Alright I ran adb command but it isn't registering the phone after list of devices attatched. But it did issue a string of commands after so I assume it is working... Now i guess I can say that I am truly scared because my adb doesn't even recognize the device.
Just a hunch...is debugging enabled on your device?
This is my attempt at a Bell FAQ, it is a work in progress.
Q. Why don't the instructions I found on how to do X not work?A. This is a development forum, sometimes things are written in shorthand assuming you know things you don't. At lot of things are specific to one carrier's phone or another. Sometimes things change and are now obsolete, something new was found, a better way of doing things, if you were not following it all along you are likely to be lost. Read between the lines, you are a human being with reasoning abilities, figure it out. Q. What should I do first?
A. Backup your phone. That means everything, especially your pds partition. Nandroid won't cut it and you have already modified your phone beyond the ability to get back if you can run it.
Ex. dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p3 of=/sdcard/backup/mmcblk0p3
Save your backup on your computer, create a zip of all the files, burn it off on cd/dvd, put it in a safety deposit box at your bank. Be prepared for bricking your phone. A lot of things mentioned in threads here are developed and tested for ATT phones, they may not work 100% on your phone.Q. What is ADB?A. It stands for Android Debug Bridge or something like that. It is a program that runs on your computer that lets you talk to your phone using special commands. Your phone has to have adb enabled, it's a setting under application/development.
Ex. adb shell
This opens a linux shell connected to your phone. Linux is an operating system for computers, it is also used as the base for android phones.
Ex. adb install file.apk
Ex. adb push file /tmp
Ex. adb pull /tmp/file .
Q. What is CWM recovery?A. Android phones come with a special boot configuration that allows for changes to the android system from a place outside the system. It is very corporate and does the job for official signed updates, but only Motorola and it's oems can sign the updates. Not much fun for us. CWM recovery is a replacement for the official recovery system that doesn't require signed updates.
You install CWM recovery using fastboot or moto-fastboot.Q. What is unlocking the bootloader all about?A. It is the means of putting CWM recovery on your phone so you can install roms and other packages. It allows you to flash a partition with mods and have the phone not soft brick when you reboot. When the unlocked versions of the atrix bootloader were found it started a new round of mods. A lot of the threads prior to that are now obsolete.Q. How do I unlock the bootloader?A. There is a huge thread already about this, see here.
WARNING: this is a permanent change to your phone.
Summary:
1. Download the archive
2. Extract the sbf inside, whatever it's called, that is the one to use.
3. Use linux sbf_flash or rsdlite from windows to install it.
3. fastboot oem unlock
4. Copy code fastboot spits out.
5. fastboot oem unlock code
6. fastboot reboot
You will see unlocked while booting and when you get into android you will have ~300MB of ram. This will need to be fixed. Also, you will lose all your data during the process, do a backup first.Q. What is fastboot/moto-fastboot?A. It's a program to access the phone and do stuff, write phone partition images mostly. The stock one can only handle tiny system images, pretty useless for the Atrix, xda member eval- compiled the motorola version for us that can handle larger system images, do a search for moto-fastboot.
Ex. moto-fastboot flash recovery recovery.img.Q. How do I fix the ram problem?A. I did up a CWM recovery zip to update the boot and recovery partitions to contain a kernel command line with the missing bit "[email protected]" added. See here.
There are other means of doing this, some boot images come prepackaged with the command line already embedded. There are ATT compiled kernels with a patch inside the kernel itself to do the same thing. You can search for those when you are ready to try things like custom ATT kernels on your phone.Q. How do I root the phone?A. If you are unlocked and you have fastboot flashed a version of CWM recovery, it is trivial. By that I mean almost impossible for newbies to figure out.
It would go something like this:
1. Boot into CWM recovery.
2. use adb shell
3. adb push a su binary to the phone.
4. mount system as read write as /system
5. copy su binary to /system/bin
6. make sure it has the right permissions, 06755 mode , user root, group root.
7. unmount -l /system
8. when in android look on the market for Superuser.apk, install.
Every rooting method out there is all about putting su into /system/bin with 06755 permissions, most don't work anymore since Gingerbread. If you are looking for a simple, no brain involved solution, you are likely to get something working and also something else you didn't want like a replaced preinstall partition or an installed busybox with different functionality for some important system commands. (Busybox may be more up to date even, but if it doesn't do what is expected of the older version, it's still not good.)
Another way would be to create a CWM zip that simply puts the linux su binary in system with the correct permissions. Some info about creating your own can be found here. Doing this is more involved that just doing it manually, but it would be a good practice for getting into creating CWM updates.
Here is a link to a exploit someone did up to root the phone when running GB. Haven't tested it, and with an unlocked phone it is totally redundant, but it's nice that some found yet another security hole in the OS, seems similar in result to psneuter, so be sure to reboot the phone to fix the exploited system.
Seriously, if you are going to be reading or posting in the development section of xda for an android phone, take the 5 minutes to become familiar with adb and a few linux shell commands, it will save you hours of confusion and aggravation. If you fly blind trying things on your phone without understanding what you are doing you are eventually going to get into a place you can't get out of and need a new phone or REALLY have to struggle to understand things. You were warned. Q. How do I get back to stock?
A. You can't unless you have a backup of all your phone partitions and can update your radio and bootloader to be stock. Once you unlock your phone, it is recorded that you did so by blowing a physical fuse on the phone. This cannot be restored, you will need a new phone.
What does stock mean to you? When I bought my phone it had a certain radio, the bootloader couldn't be unlocked, the android system files had certain versions, etc. Beyond the android system there are 18 partitions that I know of on the phone, most phones do with 5-6. Every ota update or sbf files take the normal files and change them to something else, non android partitions get modified or replaced.
I have some solutions for getting close to stock, do a search for Gobstopper. There is one for Bell 2.2.2 and Bell 2.3.4, use one or the other. These attempt a full back to stock operation, that means the radio and bootloader will be stock, recovery will be stock as well. (All the partitions that are on the phone are written over with the ones that were on my phone when I bought it, with the exception of partitions 3 (pds), 15 (cache), 16 (data), and 18 (userdata or internal memory), factory reset clears cache and data, you don't want pds touched or internal memory.) Unlocked will no longer be displayed when you boot and you will no longer have CWM recovery installed. You will need to install the unlocked bootloader again and fastboot flash recovery again if stock is not what you wanted. (Your pds partition is not involved in this operation, so if you made changes to it, either directly or indirectly via a sbf this will not restore it, your pds partition contains individual phone information.)
More about sbf format here.Q. What does the pds partition taste like?A. It's not really fit to eat. Now you know.
It is mmcblk0p3, a partition on your phone, it is mounted as /pds when android boots and contains a bunch of folders and files that nobody really understands fully but Motorola. Having a look at some of the files you will see things like your network physical address, bluetooth physical address. You will find threads where the display is all arsed up, cpu running at half speed, touch screen not working right, etc, all due to something going wrong with /pds. It is best to back it up and not mess with it. Restore it in an emergency. Maybe one day everything in there will be figured out, take a stab at it yourself.
See this thread by edgan for how to back up your pds partition.
See this thread by KeRmiT80 about attempting to fix your pds partition. Good motivation to see previous link.
Q. I lost network data access after flashing X.
A. Check your APN list, if it's not a Bell firmware you are using, it probably doesn't have Bell's APN list. Scratch that, you don't know what that is or how to check it.
It stands for Access Point Name and a big list of them is stored on your phone in one big file (/system/etc/apns-conf.xml), each firmware has it's own version of it. Your phone will get two numbers from your carrier's phone network to do a look up in this list to figure out what configuration to use. So say it gets mcc 302, mcn 610, it will check the phone and look up 302, 610 in the file and read what it says there and use that config to try to connect. Now, another thing is that the phone knows what the home network is by these two numbers, embedded somewhere in the system. A foreign, non Bell carrier won't have Bell's numbers in there so your phone will think it's roaming. If you have roaming disabled, guess what, no data connection. Your carrier should be smart enough not to charge you for roaming, never had a problem with that, but you never know.
Here are the apn settings you can enter manually for your phone, see Bell's support link.
Q. How do I get webtop over HDMI to work?
A. There are several threads on getting this to work on ATT phones and others, they are specific to the firmware being run on the phone. They involve copying two deodexed files to your system/app folder and replacing the ones already there. You will also need to clear your dalvik cache to get the new code recognized. They are DockService.apk and PortalApp.apk. If you are not deodexed then you also have to remove the .odex files for both.
Here is one thread for Gingerbread, in the zip there is one for ORFR that will get you to viewing the webtop on Bell GB, but applications don't load.
Here is another thread for Froyo that works, see the Bell specific bit in the OP. This does not work from Bell Gingerbread. To be continued...
Hoping the Mods sticky this
A link should be attached to the wiki as well. I will try to when I get home if it isn't done already.
shouldn't this be in general? or q&a?
Magnetox said:
shouldn't this be in general? or q&a?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably both. Most things referenced are in development.
Cheers!
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
y2whisper said:
Hoping the Mods sticky this
A link should be attached to the wiki as well. I will try to when I get home if it isn't done already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 this should be a sticky on either or both general or development...
cheers for this...this thread is going to help me with my youtube viewers BIG TIME!!
Very nice!
Keep it up NFHimself!
NFHimself said:
This is my attempt at a Bell FAQ, it is a work in progress.
Q. How do I root the phone?A. If you are unlocked and you have fastboot flashed a version of CWM recovery, it is trivial. By that I mean almost impossible for newbies to figure out.
It would go something like this:
1. Boot into CWM recovery.
2. use adb shell
3. adb push a su binary to the phone.
4. mount system as read write as /system
5. copy su binary to /system/bin
6. make sure it has the right permissions, 06755 mode , user root, group root.
7. unmount -l /system
8. when in android look on the market for Superuser.apk, install.
Every rooting method out there is all about putting su into /system/bin with 06755 permissions, most don't work anymore since Gingerbread. If you are looking for a simple, no brain involved solution, you are likely to get something working and also something else you didn't want like a replaced preinstall partition or an installed busybox with different functionality for some important system commands. (Busybox may be more up to date even, but if it doesn't do what is expected of the older version, it's still not good.) To be continued...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used this method to root the stock Bell Gingerbread ROM. Works on an Atrix too. It's a quick download and easy for those people who may not be comfortable with the adb command line.
http://www.psouza4.com/Bionic/
thx
useful for newbies
but can you put some more details about returning to stock and explain the pds partition in details plz?
papakilo10 said:
I used this method to root the stock Bell Gingerbread ROM. Works on an Atrix too. It's a quick download and easy for those people who may not be comfortable with the adb command line.
http://www.psouza4.com/Bionic/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had a look at the script in that one, should be fine, doesn't install a busybox or anything like that. I don't care for Superuser.apk in /system/app myself, but it won't harm anything having it there.
Cheers!
ytwytw said:
thx
useful for newbies
but can you put some more details about returning to stock and explain the pds partition in details plz?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I added a few things, anything in particular you wanted?
I am trying to avoid step by step tutorials or spoon feeding everything, so people who are lazy/careless will have to attempt to think for themselves. It just leads to more questions, more laziness, and bricked phones, and I don't have the time these days.
Cheers!
Hello:
I've had my Moto X4 in service for over 4 years now...long past due for an upgrade. I've finally gone and done it, and have transferred my active service to my new phone.
I was using Google's backup service, which supposedly will sync wifi passwords over, but it did not work (not surprised). My research indicates I need to root my phone to gain access to /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf (a file I'm familiar with on linux).
So, now that I'm not using this phone anymore, all I am trying to do is get the last vestiges of data off of it before it gets wiped and possibly pressed into "retirement service" (eg, wifi smart device interface, child's play phone, etc).
I found many guides to rooting the X4, but they all say you will loose all your data first...That is counter-productive in this case, as the only reason I am rooting is to get a good backup.
Is there a solution to my issue (currently non-rooted, need to retrieve my very long list of saved wifi passwords accumulated over 4 years as an IT tech at hundreds of businesses.....)?
Thanks!
--Jim
If you go to your saved networks, you can click on any Wifi/SSID name and then press the "Share" button (usually with a QR Code icon). Next, take a screenshot of this code. By using a simple QR Code scanner to scan these QR Codes, the details of the codes will be converted to text. From there, you can clearly see the SSID and password of the network.
You can either painstakingly extract these details (for say, if you need them on a PC etc.), or click on the QR Code icon next to the add network button (recommended), and then scan these images on your other phone, adding them to its list of saved networks.
Note: This feature isn't in every phone, and I believe it's only in android 9/10+ (cannot confirm though)
Yep, not available on this phone (moto X4), unfortunately. I've been missing this repeatedly
This is Android version 9, Google Fi version. Is there somewhere I need to go to turn this on?
I think it comes as a built-in feature. It's included in AOSP android 10+ (confirmed), but some manufacturers, cough cough oneplus cough cough, choose not to add it.
Unfortunately, all other methods of recovery (including apps) seem to require root.
You could try to use the adb pull command to extract the file your looking for from your phone and paste in onto your pc, but I don't have enough knowledge regarding it to guide you on that. It doesn't require root though.
Before you try the adb pull option (as its a bit lengthy and could be difficult for some), try to root your phone using KingoRoot (not to be confused with KingRoot). Try its one-click root app first. It may fail multiple times, but after a couple of tries it should work. If it does work, it won't wipe your data, which is why I'm recommending it.
Unfortunately, Kingoroot apk fails at 90% each time, with error code 0x11DD99. It recommends me try the pc app, which it appears all downloads for it are down/broke, so I haven't been able to get it.
Any more suggestions?
adb pull?
you'll need to look up how it works and its syntax, but it should be able to copy files from your phone onto your pc.
you can also copy files from your pc onto your phone using adb push
i cant really guide you on this as ive only done it once, and that was a really long time ago
To get access to root data, you need root access...
I guess you can root your stock rom without erasing data.
Boot to twrp
Sideload magisk
Finway said:
To get access to root data, you need root access...
I guess you can root your stock rom without erasing data.
Boot to twrp
Sideload magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He can't get into TWRP without unlocking though..?
Finway said:
To get access to root data, you need root access...
I guess you can root your stock rom without erasing data.
Boot to twrp
Sideload magisk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PhotonIce said:
He can't get into TWRP without unlocking though..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Otherwise, he could've used the twrp file manager to get the data, even without root.
Apparently it can be done via DroidKit, don't know if that's free though..
https://www.imobie.com/android-recovery/restore-saved-wifi-passwords-on-google.htm
Hi,
I am in a bit of trouble I have a Motorola Edge 20 (2022) and I was playing with De-Bloater under Magisk. It worked really fine until I pushed the limit of how many Motorola apps i can remove. The last one was the wrong one, I think it was Motorola settings storage (provider) or so. Now the phone won't boot anymore and I was stupid enough not to back up the photos I made in the last three days.
I don't have TWRP on the phone (it's not available yet), so the Android recovery has to do. I saw that I can mount /system, but I don't know how to modify or even read it after mounting it. The internet is full of instructions of how to mount it and always mentions that you can then modify anything on it, but nowhere does it explain exactly HOW to do that
adb shell/push/pull just says "unable to... : closed"
The second option seems to adb sideload some zip. But what zip would I have to flash to disable the De-Bloater without factory resetting everything?
thanks
whoohoo! I jst discovered Safe Mode. Immediate problem thereby solved However, I am still interested in the first part of my question: how to use the mounted /system in Recovery Mode?
michael-brade said:
whoohoo! I jst discovered Safe Mode. Immediate problem thereby solved However, I am still interested in the first part of my question: how to use the mounted /system in Recovery Mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with stock recovery, youre unlikely to win as /data is decrypted (usually) and /system is largely unmountable and writeable (at least easily)
the usual prescription if you cant get into safe mode is:
Code:
adb wait-for-device shell magisk --remove-modules
from the bible (read on for TWRP ways which are 100% easier):
Magisk - Installation and troubleshooting:Magisk and MagiskHide Installation and Troubleshooting guide
didgeridoohan.com
which obviously removes all modules, even us experienced folks fond ourselves using the magical key combo to get into safe mode on occasion because we flew too close to the sun doping something in magisk
ironically debloating wasnt one of those times for me, i gave a log of what i debloated to the author of one debloater modules recently when he released a new version of his module and he was like "and it still boots?"...the list of debloated packages was at 135, and i could remove even more...
Thanks, good to know. But even adb wasn't able to connect anymore, Android got stuck even earlier.
However, I don't really mind if /system is read-only, I am more interested in how to (even theoretically) use the stock recovery. There is no manual and nobody said anything so far. So once you clicked "mount /system", what to do?
Lenovo (owner of Moto) has a online 'rescue' site that u can go to with your phone connected to the PC and it'll flash your Moto back to stock...prolly won't retain ur data, but it saved my a$$ a few times with my old twrp-less A/B slotted Moto G7. Can't recall the exact url but am sure u can dig it up with google.
Zaxx32 said:
Lenovo (owner of Moto) has a online 'rescue' site that u can go to with your phone connected to the PC and it'll flash your Moto back to stock...prolly won't retain ur data, but it saved my a$$ a few times with my old twrp-less A/B slotted Moto G7. Can't recall the exact url but am sure u can dig it up with google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm... but I can already do that without their help using fastboot. No need for the Android recovery.
Isn't it strange that there is a function we don't know how to use or how it works?