Related
Update:
I was able to use this method to root the new ICS update. The thread has been edited accordingly.
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I was unable to find a single thread that detailed how to root the stock T-Mobile Springboard firmware and keep the boot and recovery partitions intact to allow future updates, so I have consolidated information from other threads and posts, as well as adding a little myself. Full credit goes to the users and thread OP's referenced in the post links below.
The usual warnings apply: Under no circumstances should anyone do this to their device. You are likely to brick your device and render it completey unusable. In addition, you will void your warantee with T-Mobile. So you will have an out-of-warantee brick instead of a nice, functional tablet. Turn back now while there is still time.
Before you begin, I obviously did this to my device without any problems. My device is running full stock T-Mobile Springboard firmware with the following:
Android version: 4.0.3
Baseband version: 314007
Kernel version: 3.0.8
Build number: S7-303uV100R002C201B035
I do not know if it will work on a device with any other version of the firmware. The following also assumes that you have fastboot and ADB installed and functional on your computer.
In describing how to boot into fastboot and recovery modes below, the description of the volume buttons is how they are while in portrait mode in Honeycomb....as this is where I first used this method. In other words, the volume button closer to the power button is volume up and the other volume button is volume down.
1. Download the CWM Recovery image from this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=23601045&postcount=7
2. Download CWM-SuperSU-v0.95.zip from this post:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=27678611&postcount=22
3. Copy the CWM-SuperSU-v0.95.zip file to an sdcard and put the card in your device.
4. Flash the CWM recovery image to your first recovery partition ONLY:
a.) Boot into fastboot by powering down the device and starting it back up by pressing the
volume up and power buttons at the same time. After the device vibrates, release the
power button but keep holding the volume button until it is booted into fastboot.
b.) Once in fastboot, flash the recovery image:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery5.5.0.4.img
5. Press and hold the power key for 10 seconds to reboot the device. It will boot into the
T-mobile firmware.
6. Power down the device in the usual fashion.
7. Boot into recovery by starting the device back up by pressing the volume down and power
buttons at the same time. After the device vibrates, release the power button but keep
holding the volume button until it is booted into CWM Recovery.
8. Choose 'install zip from sdcard' -> 'choose zip from sdcard', then select the
CWM-SuperSU-v0.95.zip file you put on your sdcard above, then confirm installation.
9. Go back to the main menu and select 'reboot system now'. It will boot into the T-Mobile
firmware.
10. Shut the device down again in the usual fashion, then restart normally and boot into the
T-Mobile firmware again.
11. Now you need to get your stock recovery partition back and get rid of CWM recovery.
There are two copies of the stock recovery- one on each 'recovery' and 'recovery2'. You can
get back to stock recovery by extracting an image from 'recovery2' and flashing it back to
'recovery'. The following (using adb from your computer) will dump the image from recovery2
to your sdcard:
Code:
adb shell
su
dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p18 of=/mnt/sdcard2/recovery.img
12. Take the sd card out of your device and copy this file back to your computer, then flash the
first recovery partition with this image as in step 4b above, but with your new recovery.img file.
You are now rooted and your recovery partitions are returned to stock.
Once you are rooted, if you would like to remove some of the T-Mobile bloatware note that the apk files are not in the usual location (/system/app). I found them tucked away in the following directory:
/data/cust/app
Of course, you will need an app like Root Explorer to get to them and delete them...or you can just use adb. I deleted several of the apk files in that directory, rebooted, and everything is working just fine...with less bloatware.
Also, be aware that any changes you make will be permanent. I tried hard reseting the device through the usual android settings menu security method, and I kept root and all of my deleted bloatware was still gone after it finished and rebooted. There does not appear to be a way to get all of your stock stuff back once you start deleting things...so make backups of files before you delete them in case removing them causes unexpected consequences.
Just to add another bit of information - a list of what I believe are the internal partitions and their locations appears below. I got this from the output from 'cat /proc/partitions' and 'mount', as well as further inspection of the stock recovery image that I extracted from my device. As we don't have a functional CWM Recovery, and I am not sure that I would use any version that was built for the Mediapad (i.e. non-Springboard) for backup and restoring, this list should give Springboard users a way to back up their devices. Using the 'dd' command as in the coding box at the bottom of the OP for each of the paritions should result in a partition image stored out on the sdcard. Fastboot then should be able to flash these 'backed up' images back to the device as in step 4b of the OP...with the correct partition names and backup files substituted of course. I did do this for the recovery partition as I detailed in the OP, but have not tried it for the rest of the partitions.
Code:
/misc emmc /dev/block/mmcblk0p14
/vrcb emmc /dev/block/mmcblk0p16
/recovery emmc /dev/block/mmcblk0p17
/recovery2 emmc /dev/block/mmcblk0p18
/boot emmc /dev/block/mmcblk0p19
/system ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p20
/cache ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p22
/cust ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p15
/data ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p27
/tmpdata ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p23
/persist ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p21
/tombstones ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p24
/firmware ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
Thanks
Many ty's for this.
Thanks you help me rooted my Springboard. Have you try the MediaPad Phone app can we use the tablet for calling? :good:
Do I have to do step 11 ?
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:49 PM ----------
robkaos said:
Do I have to do step 11 ?
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also can I do it without PC?
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
Can I use the recovery image from the update that is still on my sd card,what is the difference between the I've springboard .rar, and the su files
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
robkaos said:
Do I have to do step 11 ?
......
Also can I do it without PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do not return your recovery partition to stock, then you will not be able to install future firmware updates from T-Mobile as their updates rely on the stock recovery. So no, you don't have to return your recovery partition to stock, but if you don't you will not be able to install future T-Mobile updates. As far as doing this without a computer - you can use a terminal emulator on your Springboard to create the recovery image from 'recovery2'....the commands should be the same. However, you need to fastboot flash that image back to 'recovery', which you must do from your computer with your device in fastboot mode.
robkaos said:
Can I use the recovery image from the update that is still on my sd card....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you extract the recovery image from the official T-Mobile update package, you can use this image to flash 'recovery' back to stock when you are done.
Some people have reported that they are unable to boot into CWM recovery if it is flashed only to 'recovery' and not also to 'recovery2'. It is my experience that the device seems to alternate which recovery partition it boots into when you sequentially boot it into recovery mode. When I have CWM on 'recovery' and the stock recovery on 'recovery2', my device will boot into CWM every other time I boot into recovery mode. The other times it boots into the stock recovery. If you can't get CWM recovery to appear when you boot into recovery mode, you could do things a bit different than the instructions. Extract the stock recovery image from the official T-Mobile update package. Store this away on your computer. Then, instead of only flashing 'recovery' with CWM recovery, also flash 'recovery2'. Once you are done rooting the device, use your stored image of the stock recovery to flash 'recovery' and 'recovery2' back to stock.
Originally, I used this method to root Honeycomb. I did not have the T-Mobile update package for Honeycomb and so could not simply extract the stock recovery image from that package. You cannot use the 'dd' command as in step 11 above until you are rooted to dump the image of 'recovery2'. So, without a copy of the update package I could not get an image of my recovery partition without already being rooted. But to root, I have to overwrite my recovery partition with CWM recovery, thereby making it impossible to dump a copy of the stock recovery as I had wiped it out and replaced it with CWM. The solution was to only flash one of the recovery partitions and keep the other one as a backup until the device was rooted and the image could then be extracted.
robkaos said:
...what is the difference between the I've springboard .rar, and the su files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are asking here...please clarify.
I haVe found two different root files one su zip and the other is for media pad orange Tahiti ,andspringbord .rar which is the difference?there is not a one click Method like motor defy? My phone wasn't such a problem
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
robkaos said:
I haVe found two different root files one su zip and the other is for media pad orange Tahiti ,andspringbord .rar which is the difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the root files for the Mediapad. I know there is a package that contains the su files and a Windows-based command file that contains a string of adb commands that is supposed to work to root both the Mediapad and the Springboard. I think what you are talking about can be found at either one of these locations:
http://www.modaco.com/topic/354579-...-mediapad-t-mobile-springboard-orange-tahiti/
http://www.gamefront.com/files/22185176/Huawei+MediaPad+ROOT+ICS+Android+4.0.x.rar
I tried to use this, and got a 'premission denied' fail pretty early on. I run Linux on my desktop, so perhaps this works under Windows with the specific Springboard drivers and interface software installed, but it sure does not work in Linux. I came up with my method (or rather consolidated the information for 'my' method from multiple other sources) as a result of having this root method fail for me.
robkaos said:
...there is not a one click Method like motor defy? My phone wasn't such a problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the files that I linked above work for you, then this is going to be about as close to a 'one-click' method as you can get. Unless you modified it, your Motorola Defy is running Android 2.1 (Eclair). This version of Android can be rooted pretty much just by yelling 'ROOT!' at your phone. There is even an app in the market that can be installed and run on an Android v2.1 device that provides a one-click root without the use of a computer. All of the exploits that were used for these one-click root methods were patched in Android v3+. Pretty much every device needs its own unique root method now, and the only way it is a one-click method is if someone has constructed a command script to execute all of the needed commands for you, as in the linked packages above.
xdajunkman said:
Also, be aware that any changes you make will be permanent. I tried hard reseting the device through the usual android settings menu security method, and I kept root and all of my deleted bloatware was still gone after it finished and rebooted. There does not appear to be a way to get all of your stock stuff back once you start deleting things...so make backups of files before you delete them in case removing them causes unexpected consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to point out - now that the Springboard ICS update is out, and the zip has been captured and archived - there is a backup of complete stock ICS available. Every single partition is in there including system and cust. So worst case scenario if you bork it by zapping the wrong file in system or cust, you can reflash that partition from the bootloader.
Thanks for the clarification
Sent from my SpringBoard using XDA Premium App
cmstlist said:
Just to point out - now that the Springboard ICS update is out, and the zip has been captured and archived - there is a backup of complete stock ICS available. Every single partition is in there including system and cust. So worst case scenario if you bork it by zapping the wrong file in system or cust, you can reflash that partition from the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are, of course, correct. That statement of mine is now outdated...you can delete things to your hearts desire. If you mess something up, just reflash the firmware and start over.
Just finished rooting my MediaPad from t-mobile. I had to install into recovery one and two so now I have no original recovery but I don't really care, I've got the latest Android Ice Cream update beforehand. What usefull apps with root access do I need now? I've got ad free and ROM Toolbox. Was there a phone app that I could use now?
Failed updates and can't recover - PLEASE HELP!
xdajunkman said:
You are, of course, correct. That statement of mine is now outdated...you can delete things to your hearts desire. If you mess something up, just reflash the firmware and start over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, unfortunately, I've messed things up. Here's what happened:
1) I received the OTA update and everything went fine with upgrading the my T-mobile Springboard tab to ICS 4.0.3
2) I then got brave and went ahead with rooting and installing SU using the technique described in "Root Stock T-Mobile Springboard" by xdajunkman. That worked fine and I was able to get CWM recovery installed.
3) I then tried to install the [ROM][ICS] [Unofficial] Root-ready Huawei/Springboard International ROM and downloaded the dload folder to my SDCard, etc. I tried using the dload folder with the ulmt.cfg file in it and that failed with a "Installation aborted" message. I then removed that file and tried to go into CWM and tried "Install from zip" approach. Same thing...installation aborted message.
4) So, then I did the next stupid thing...in CWM, I formatted my /system, /data, and /cache. That was a big mistake! I now have officially bricked by tab.
5) I tried to get rid of CWM recovery by extracting the recovery.img file from the stock rom zip file. I fastboot flashed that to the recovery and recovery2 partitions. I then thought, let me try extracting the update.zip from the stock rom zip and put that on the root of my sdcard and tried to install that. No go...it just says, update failed with a big red "FAIL" message in the center.
Any and all help would be immensely appreciated! How can I get back to some sort of working ROM? Please!
Thanks!
knightpawn said:
Well, unfortunately, I've messed things up. Here's what happened:
1) I received the OTA update and everything went fine with upgrading the my T-mobile Springboard tab to ICS 4.0.3
2) I then got brave and went ahead with rooting and installing SU using the technique described in "Root Stock T-Mobile Springboard" by xdajunkman. That worked fine and I was able to get CWM recovery installed.
3) I then tried to install the [ROM][ICS] [Unofficial] Root-ready Huawei/Springboard International ROM and downloaded the dload folder to my SDCard, etc. I tried using the dload folder with the ulmt.cfg file in it and that failed with a "Installation aborted" message. I then removed that file and tried to go into CWM and tried "Install from zip" approach. Same thing...installation aborted message.
4) So, then I did the next stupid thing...in CWM, I formatted my /system, /data, and /cache. That was a big mistake! I now have officially bricked by tab.
5) I tried to get rid of CWM recovery by extracting the recovery.img file from the stock rom zip file. I fastboot flashed that to the recovery and recovery2 partitions. I then thought, let me try extracting the update.zip from the stock rom zip and put that on the root of my sdcard and tried to install that. No go...it just says, update failed with a big red "FAIL" message in the center.
Any and all help would be immensely appreciated! How can I get back to some sort of working ROM? Please!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK so you blanked system, screwed up data and possibly recovery. Cache shouldn't be an issue. Everything else is probably fine.
So from the Springboard ICS update zip, you'll want to flash each of the following from fastboot:
- stock recovery.img to recovery and recovery2
- boot.img just in case that got buggered up
- cust.img
- system.img.ext4
- userdata.img.ext4 (this will probably blank your internal storage but you probably already did that in the process because CWM doesn't know the difference)
At this point, does it boot? If it looks like it might be bootlooping on the animation, give it a good 20-30 minutes before you pronounce that it's not working. Wiping pretty much anything other than cache with CWM is a huge nono... it doesn't work right and it buggers a lot of things up.
Any particular locations for the other files via fastboot?
cmstlist said:
OK so you blanked system, screwed up data and possibly recovery. Cache shouldn't be an issue. Everything else is probably fine.
So from the Springboard ICS update zip, you'll want to flash each of the following from fastboot:
- stock recovery.img to recovery and recovery2
- boot.img just in case that got buggered up
- cust.img
- system.img.ext4
- userdata.img.ext4 (this will probably blank your internal storage but you probably already did that in the process because CWM doesn't know the difference)
At this point, does it boot? If it looks like it might be bootlooping on the animation, give it a good 20-30 minutes before you pronounce that it's not working. Wiping pretty much anything other than cache with CWM is a huge nono... it doesn't work right and it buggers a lot of things up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! Thanks for the help! I unfortunately, don't have my other computer that has the proper drivers installed to recognize the tablet and to run fastboot on. So, I'll try the fix you are suggesting once I get home today. However, in the meantime, I had some questions with regard to where I should flash the other files.
I understand that recovery.img should go to the recovery and recovery2 partitions.
What about the others? Does boot.img go to a particular partition? Effectively, what would the command line look like? (eg fastboot flash boot boot.img?)
Sorry about the newbie questions. I've installed a number of custom ROMs on phones using CWM, but this is a strange beast.
With regard to your question of whether it boots, well, kind of...it does boot to the T-mobile Springboard screen, then it sits there. I will let it sit for 20-30 minutes and see what happens. Will report back...for sure!
Thanks a ton!
[UPDATE]
So, I had a chance to install the TWRP recovery with the CM10 ROM. I loaded the CM10 ROM with the TWRP which installed successfully. I turned the tablet on and let it sit there for about 10 minutes and sure enough, CM10 runs just fine. However, I did notice that I cannot receive any calls. I am able to make calls, but when someone dials my number, it just goes straight to voicemail.
So, now, I'm wondering, if I can get the stock ICS with International ROM running so that I can try to use this thing as a phone, data and texting tab. I'll try what you suggested when I get home as mentioned earlier.
CM10 has too many problems, why would you want to use it?
cmstlist said:
OK so you blanked system, screwed up data and possibly recovery. Cache shouldn't be an issue. Everything else is probably fine.
So from the Springboard ICS update zip, you'll want to flash each of the following from fastboot:
- stock recovery.img to recovery and recovery2
- boot.img just in case that got buggered up
- cust.img
- system.img.ext4
- userdata.img.ext4 (this will probably blank your internal storage but you probably already did that in the process because CWM doesn't know the difference)
At this point, does it boot? If it looks like it might be bootlooping on the animation, give it a good 20-30 minutes before you pronounce that it's not working. Wiping pretty much anything other than cache with CWM is a huge nono... it doesn't work right and it buggers a lot of things up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That worked for me. After playing with vold.fstab I had rendered my Springboard unusable (got the encryption was unsuccessful screen!).
I really wanted to switch the apps installation path to the external sd card but did not succeed.
What am I doing wrong
I have not been able to root my springboard at all. It will go to a black screen that says enter fastboot and it just stays there. When I type to flash the recovery it says it cannot load it. I have adb and fastboot installed...could it be a driver issue? I now know that I am in the correct screen, just can't get this thing rooted. any help would be appreciated thanks.
Well I feel quite stupid. But figured out where I went wrong and for the love of God got my Springboard rooted. *whew*
A while back, Amazon automatically pushed an update to my kid's Fire HD 6. Since then, the device will boot up and then it just freezes. The screen stays on the device is unresponsive. I am able to get in to recovery on the device, and that all seems to work fine, but booting in to Android is useless because it just locks and you cannot do anything with it.
I have been trying to go through this forum to see what my options are for sideloading another firmware or TWRP or anything like that.. and the posts here are not entirely helpful (for me at least). I'm used to going in to recovery and flashing some zip files to install TWRP, Cyanogenmod or GAPPS or anything like that... but the instructions I see for installing TWRP and the like do not seem to be the traditional methods. From what I think I am seeing, to install TWRP you need shell access to the tablet and then you can use dd to write TWRP to the correct storage space.
What are my options for doing things through recovery with adb? Or can I load an old firmware and then go from there? Any help is appreciated - would really love to get CM12 on this thing in the end if I could.
ganiman said:
A while back, Amazon automatically pushed an update to my kid's Fire HD 6. Since then, the device will boot up and then it just freezes. The screen stays on the device is unresponsive. I am able to get in to recovery on the device, and that all seems to work fine, but booting in to Android is useless because it just locks and you cannot do anything with it.
I have been trying to go through this forum to see what my options are for sideloading another firmware or TWRP or anything like that.. and the posts here are not entirely helpful (for me at least). I'm used to going in to recovery and flashing some zip files to install TWRP, Cyanogenmod or GAPPS or anything like that... but the instructions I see for installing TWRP and the like do not seem to be the traditional methods. From what I think I am seeing, to install TWRP you need shell access to the tablet and then you can use dd to write TWRP to the correct storage space.
What are my options for doing things through recovery with adb? Or can I load an old firmware and then go from there? Any help is appreciated - would really love to get CM12 on this thing in the end if I could.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your understanding of TWRP is right. Basically, we dd the twrp image with OS 4.5.3 bootloaders (the only bootloaders that will boot unsigned recovery) and then before leaving TWRP flash back (almost) current bootloaders and recovery.
You should be able to adb-sideload the OS 5.1.2 update to fix the freeze. Was device rooted before it updated? Do you know what OS it was on? If you have adb access while device is frozen, run these commands for current OS info:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.fireos
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.number
No CM12 available. Mostly-working CM11 is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-hd/orig-development/rom-cm-11-kindle-hd6-t3270138
BTW, I assume you tried wiping cache and/or factory reset in recovery. If not, I'd do that first.
So I got my shiny new device today, and it feels really nice. I worked with the launcher it came with, tried another one, and realized that yep, I gotta root and install a new rom. The notification bar just annoys me too much as I'm used to having quick actions and other things in there.
So, I followed a few guides, and finally worked my way through to having my command line find my device and can successfully reboot it into fastboot mode.
At that point, I realized that I can boot into recoveries without flashing them first (essentially trying them out to see how it works). However, I tried the 4 official version on the twrp site, and one made by a user here (cuoco92). They all successfully boot into the recover using the command "fastboot boot nameOfFileHere.img". At this point, every single recovery failed to respond to touch and volume presses. I can press the power button to turn off the screen, and pressing power to turn the screen back on shows a locked recovery screen, but I can't slide the screen to unlock it.
This is quite concerning to me. I don't want to flash a recovery for good if it's not working properly. I hope this makes sense. Or, is it normal to just flash a recovery and hope for the best? Do recoveries work with just booting to them without being flashed?
I haven't rooted and/or flashed any devices in about 5+ years, the last being a phone from virgin mobile that supported sd cards. When installing new roms, do we store the zips in the root of the phone, or does this get cleared out/deleted when doing the wipe cache/dalvik/etc?
Personally, I just want to make sure I don't rush into this, as there seems to be fragmented results when searching around for twrp not working with touch. I know these things have been asked before plenty of times, and I hope I don't come across as another "ugh, this again" post. I really appreciate any responses!
you never did, then just leave it as it is...its a nice phone eui is not bad... take it easy
Try booting the official TWRP recovery. As far as I remember, some of the versions tweaked by Cuoco92 had issues with the touch panel.
Anyway, EUI is not that bad, as your were told. While I used it, I also used an app called "Notification Toggles", which lets you get Quick Settings like toggles on notification area. It's nice and easy to set up, and the results, although not the same as having the AOSP toggles, is quite nice and convenient.
BTW, which stock ROM did your phone come with?
I have tried 4 different official twrp files (all from the twrp site). My phone is an x820 6gb/64gb and came with EUI version: 5.8.019S (Stable). EUI is nice, very fast and sleek. Maybe I do just need to get used to it, or maybe it's just me itching to try out the different options available since I finally have a phone is not carrier/manufacturer locked down.
Heyyo, hmm that's very odd indeed! I wonder if maybe by temporary booting Cuoco92's TWRP it could have messed up your recovery hmm...
I'd recommend first to flash the stock recovery over your current one and then reboot to fastboot and then flash TWRP. Hopefully this will erase any problem that Cuoco92's recovery could have caused.
This was the guide I followed and it worked flawlessly for me
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/how-to/protocol-backup-stock-rom-flash-stock-t3517151
I never actually flashed any of them. I have only ever just tried booting into them using "fastboot boot recovery name.img". I have not used the fastboot flash command for any of the files.
The only thing I can do after booting the recoveries is hold the power button and eventually the phone will boot up normally.
Remember that I just wanted to boot them to make sure they worked before flashing them. I'll be checking out the guide you linked shortly.
Haven't flashed any of them eh? Hmm should work just fine then... Have you tried TWRP 3.0.2-0 ? I know that one was built with Marshmallow sources
As for which ROM to try? I'd recommend OmniROM if you want to try a custom Nougat ROM.
If you want to see why I think so? I made a massive post or two about it here heh
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/help/party-rom-best-help-t3691165/
Thank you so much for the guide you linked. I'm making a little bit of progress here.
I found a twrp recover by cuocos92 that is labeled V3 (apparently from what I read in other threads, V3 seems to be good with the 6gb/64gb models). This recovery allows the use of the touchscreen . Remember that I am only using the "fastboot boot" command so no flashing yet.
Now that I am in a working recovery, I kept hitting "keep read only" so that the stock recovery would not be replaced. I set out to make a backup. Well that kept failing with attempts of trying to mount /system and such. Off to more reading, found out that using the Wipe->Swipe to Factory Reset inside twrp fixes this. I did that. I successfully created a backup.
Now to try to flash the SuperSU zip I have, which was previously copied to the root of the phone from my pc. Can't see any zip files on the internal storage. Reboot the phone (forgetting that it takes a long time after the wipe). Copy the backup to my pc. Copy the SuperSU back to root of phone. Restart the process of adb and fastboot -> back into the cuocos92 V3 recovery. Still no zip to be found. Couldn't mount system again...
Did some more reading. I just attempted the Wipe->Format data. I am currently rebooting back into the phone to set it up again. Apparently, a lot of people say this needs to be done if we did not reboot after unlocking the bootloader. Since twrp has been asking for a password each time I entered it, the format data is supposed to solve this.
I'll edit/post again with more steps or results.
I apologize for the second post here, but this seems more than should go into an appended edit:
After doing the Wipe->Format data, it's advised to reboot back into the recovery. Without flashing the twrp cuocos92 recovery, my thoughts are it would just be back into the stock recovery. At least the twrp version works, so I have no problems with flashing it. And then I'll have to Wipe->Format data again, reboot back into recovery, and then I can flash my SuperSU zip. But how can I get my SuperSU zip on the phone?
Doesn't Wipe->Format data remove it? Everytime I reboot my phone after that the SuperSU on the root of the phone is gone. I can't seem to mount to my pc from the recovery either, clicking the usb storage just unchecks itself right away, and clicking the enable MTP doesn't seem to do anything. So, even if I flash the recovery, Wipe-Format data again, reboot back into the recovery, I still don't see a way of getting the SuperSU zip onto the phone anyways.
I know it probably sounds like I'm whining by now about how things aren't as easy as it seems. I'm trying to be descriptive in what I am doing and what's happening.
Hmm by chance are you using Windows 10? At least I've noticed for me it fails to properly mount the correct drivers for ADB and MTP for TWRP. I'd recommend checking device manager.
If I remember correctly here's what mine looked like at first
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wXaqbi3OeH3bKEf62
Select MTP > update driver > browse my computer > let me pick > (standard MTP Device) > MTP USB Device
Sorry I'm not in front of my PC but I'm sure it's something like that to solve it
If that doesn't work? You can always use...
Code:
adb push ROM.zip /sdcard
Which will copy the zip file to the root of your data storage (on the Le Max 2 much like the One Plus 3 they use /Sdcard as a shortcut since we don't have external Sdcard hardware).
As for system read only? Swipe to allow modifications. Can't flash a ROM properly if the system is read only eh? Hence the failed to mount system.
It's really just there as a disclaimer to cover their ass in case people use TWRP improperly and brick their device. Following green man gaming's guide is safe as I've used it plus many other people as you'll see in his replies
I'd also recommend following the guide and flashing TWRP to your recovery. I only did boot recovery image for backup and then booted to EUI and copied that backup to my PC.
Format data is handy to get rid of encryption and also give you full access to your storage capacity because when I didn't before I didn't get 54.43GB of data storage only something like 40GB.
Tbh I haven't used any custom EUI ROMs but if you're fighting with TWRP? I know Cuoco92's eui has a fastboot installable version
Hope this helps
Well thank you so much for the information. I am running windows 10, but never saw mtp under portable devices, only the phone name Le Max 2. That's ok, as I booted (still not flashed) into recovery and this time I swiped to allow modifications. I still couldn't mount /system but I was able to use the adb push command and the SuperSU file appeared inside the /sdcard directory when looking under Install inside twrp. I swiped to flash the zip, then hit reboot system. Looking in the SuperSU app, I noticed that the setting "Install SuperSU into /system" is greyed out. Well, at least I think it worked.
At this point in time, since things appear to be working, I'll be flashing the recovery and installing OmniRom (it was either this or Resurrection Remix). I think if the play store just works on OmniRom like people mention, it'll be worth it.
So, my steps will be to:
adb -> fastboot -> fastboot flash recovery fileName.img
recovery -> wipe -> factory wipe (using factory to get rid of system encryption) -> reboot back into recovery
recovery -> wipe -> dalvik/cache (do i still need to do this after factory wipe?)
adb -> adb push romFileName.zip /sdcard
adb -> adb push gapps.zip /sdcard
recovery -> install -> /sdcard -> romFileName.zip
recover -> install -> /sdcard -> gapps.zip
At any point do I need to flash SuperSU again? I guess I should after flashing the rom/gapps because, afterall, SuperSU is an app.
Once again, thank you so much for all the information that you have already provided!
Heyyo, it's always recommended to do a full wipe when installing a different ROM so you should format data, wipe system, data, dalvik and cache and then install the ROM of choice with Gapps of choice
Wiping system is OK when flashing a ROM as it'll write into system.. plus there's always the risk of instability if system is not wiped if a Gremlin setting is left over from previous ROM
I'd recommend using Magisk v14.3 over SuperSU as SuperSU doesn't have the same functionality as Magisk for passing SafetyNet...
Plus Magisk is full open source software (FOSS) where as SuperSU is closed source so gotta love that open source (this part is more personal preference since Android is built upon open source and people working together).
Plus there's really cool Magisk modules you can do like ART Optimizer and so fourth if you check the XDA forum section for it
Also, you're welcome! We all had our start on XDA at different points and passing on the knowledge I find is just as important as the ROMs we love
Don't use SuperSU. Magisk is the way to go for rooting nowadays. Easy, systemless, updated frequently to pass safetynet. It's a no brainer.
This is basically a copy of my Z380M TWRP thread adopted for the ZenPad 10. I decided to start a new one since the OP of justshaun's original recovery/rooting thread has gone stale, even as I had posted several new releases of TWRP over the months. Its instructions are also a little outdated. I've also compiled a version for the new Z301M(F) models and needed a place to post it. This is where I will be posting TWRP updates from now on.
In addition to this thread, referring to the Z380M TWRP thread and the original Z300M thread (links above) may be helpful. These models share the same hardware and software base, so most things that apply to one tablet also apply to the others.
DISCLAIMER
As usual, you do anything described in this post at your own risk. No one but you is responsible for any data loss, bricking or damage of your device.
REQUIREMENTS
Windows or Linux PC
SP Flash Tool version 5.1532 (only this version will bypass security checks)
MediaTek VCOM drivers (available through Windows Update)
ZenPad 10 scatter file for SPFT, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
Recovery image, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
ZenPad Z300M, Z301M or Z301MF tablet upgraded to Android N
This won't be a guide on how to use SP Flash Tool. There are plenty of good guides out there like this one on how to set up drivers, load scatter files, flash and make backups with SP Flash Tool. If you're not familiar with this software or how to flash MediaTek devices in general, please do your research before attempting this. I will just get straight to the specifics about the ZenPad 10.
FIRST TIME INSTALLATION
For a locked bootloader:
At this point you should have your tablet powered off, the drivers installed, all of your data backed up, and SP Flash Tool v5.1532's Download tab open and loaded with the tablet's scatter file. Open the download agent file DA_PL.bin, replacing the default MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin. (You can use the AllInOne DA if you want, but the procedure involves extra steps as described below.) Load the extracted TWRP recovery image for your device (twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img) under the recovery partition line in the partition table. Click the Download button inside SPFT. Now just connect the USB cable to your tablet and your computer's USB port. It should start the download process automatically and disconnect when finished.
Alternative Method:
If you're using MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin, you have to hold the Volume Up key as you insert the cable, which puts the device into an emergency download mode. In addition, you will need to have the stock preloader*.bin file loaded inside SPFT for it to be able to communicate with your tablet. The preloader is available inside the official zip file download. Do not flash the preloader (untick the box) or any partitions other than recovery. You just need to have a valid bin file selected under the Preloader line.
For an unlocked bootloader:
If you have used the Asus unlock tool to unlock your device, you will still not be able to use fastboot flash to install a custom recovery. However, you can do a "hot boot" or a tethered boot of TWRP. This method doesn't require SP Flash Tool. Download the TWRP image, put your tablet in fastboot mode and connect to PC. Then run this command to boot TWRP dynamically:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img
Once inside TWRP, flash twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img to Recovery using Install -> Install Image. Then reboot to recovery. You may be able to use TWRP in the tethered boot mode, but that could result in glitches due to different parameters passed by the bootloader to the kernel. That's why flashing is recommended.
To update from your installed TWRP version to a new one, just transfer the image to your tablet, then boot to TWRP and install it by going to Install -> Install Image and flashing to Recovery.
START RECOVERY
With the tablet powered off, hold the Volume Up and Power keys together until you get to a menu where you can select "recovery". On the Z301M/Z301MF, that option is labeled Factory Reset. Use Vol. Up to scroll and Vol. Dn to select. If you have a locked bootloader, it will show a Yellow State message because the recovery is not signed by the OEM. Just press volume up to boot it. On the welcome screen of TWRP it will ask you about modifying the system partition, I suggest you go with Keep System Read-only. Doing otherwise will complicate your OTA updates.
WARNING: Never start the stock recovery from the bootloader menu on this device. It is programmed by the bootloader to instantly wipe your data without any warning. Also, be aware that Android installs the stock recovery at every normal boot cycle. So you either have to flash the TWRP every time you want to run it, or disable the automatic recovery installation in the stock firmware. Any kind of mod to the boot image will prevent the automatic recovery installation. If you're not sure which recovery you have installed, you can always do a 'adb reboot recovery' from Android without risk of data loss.
WARNING 2: Make sure you use the correct scatter file for your device (i.e. don't mix up the Z300 and Z301 files). For the initial flash, there is no check for scatter file correctness. If you use the wrong one, SP Flash Tool will alter and lock your GPT to that scatter file layout, possibly bricking your device. It will not be easy to restore it. Flashing with the correct scatter file later on will not work because Flash Tool will not allow you to use a different file than the one you used initially.
What works: Basically everything... access to major partitions, decrypted userdata partition, decrypted adoptable storage, external SD card, ADB, USB-OTG, touch interface, splash screen, installing stock Asus OTA/web FW updates
What doesn't work: (no known problems yet, but please report any)
Not guaranteed to work: factory reset
DOWNLOAD
SP Flash Tool v5.1532
Z300M Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for other models
Z300M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 15, 2018
Z301M(F) series Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for Z300M or other devices
Z301M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 13, 2018
Z301MF TWRP 3.2.3-0 image -- updated August 29, 2018
Development and experimental files
Source code
P.S. The thanks button doesn't bite.
Heya, thanks for the new thread..
Stupid question(coming from Samsung flashing)
Ive got Zenpad S3 10 P027, is this TRWP not ideal for this?
Currently, have some su (root) issues. Recovery shows Android icon chest with ! and says "No Command"
When running su in Terminal ADB via PC, says command not recognized.
Looks like I need to reflash recovery. When in TRWP (launched via fastboot boot twrp on PC) I flashed stock recovery but had system mounted read only. Could that be the problem?
Bro, I think you need to do some more homework on root, su, dm-verity, mods, etc. and read the instructions more carefully before applying these hacks. You are making a lot of simple mistakes and ending up shooting yourself in the foot for it. I don't think there's anything wrong with the Z500 TWRP. It can handle installing the stock firmware just fine. The problem is elsewhere. The unlock tool also works fine in TWRP as well in my testing.
The No Command screen is normal. That's been answered many times... you need to hold power+vol. up (or down) to get to the menu. There is no way the stock recovery image can be broken and still boot up.
The su thing, IDK what the problem is, but I'm sure if you install Magisk Manager and make your own patched image from your currently installed firmware, and fastboot-boot with it, you will have su functionality. Just like what it says in the unlock tool instructions.
Lastly and most important, never mount system in read-write mode, as I've repeated several times and exactly as it says in the directions:
7. At the TWRP welcome screen, do not select to modify the system partition and touch Keep System Read-only instead. Doing otherwise will render your tablet unbootable.
8. Mount system in TWRP (in read-only mode)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time you can mount it in read-write mode is when you are absolutely sure you have disabled dm-verity in your boot image.
I've successfully installed TWRP on Z301M using the instructions from the first post, but then I somehow managed to lose the system. Yes, I should have backed up like the OP suggests.
I thought I should be able to reinstall the original firmware downloaded from Asus (e.g. UL-ASUS_P028_1-WW-3.3.12.0-user.zip) but both the 'adb sideload' method and the TWRP failed to install that firmware zip. My device looks bricked. The only thing I can do is to boot into TWRP (I actually need to select Factory Reset on the bootloader screen to get into TWRP). The folder 'system' is empty.
Can anyone suggest what I am doing wrong when trying to restore the Asus firmware?
When I try to sideload the zip, setting TWRP in the sideload mode, the computer begins uploading but after a few seconds gives the message "Total xfer: 0.01x" and stops, while Android errors with "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
When I install the firmware zip from TWRP it also starts installing fine but shortly gives the same error "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
Thanks
@ahacker, first of all, thank you for the feedback on the Z301M platform. You are literally the first person to have said anything about that version of TWRP.
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that? If not, I suggest mounting it read-only. If there was any corruption on it, then reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it. The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
At which point did it stop booting? Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? And can you tell me if the touch screen works fine in TWRP on your tablet?
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
diplomatic, thanks for replying!
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do mount the system partition. It appears empty. When I reboot into system TWRP says that the OS is not installed.
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
I would indeed try to mount the system read only. This is not the first Android system I rooted (maybe fifth), and I was always able to restore the system either from sideload or recovery. But here it seems Asus is making us jump extra hoops to do that.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? Does the touch screen work fine in TWRP on that tablet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 AM ----------
Now system refuses to mount
ahacker said:
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er, the password should have been for decrypting your userdata. If you didn't have one set up, there might be something wrong there.... Or possibly just unformatted.
ahacker said:
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that has to be the right one. The installation script has to match the model name reported by the recovery. Otherwise it would simply abort.
ahacker said:
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Guess my kernel patch was on the dot and the partition layout has not changed from the Z300.
ahacker said:
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
diplomatic said:
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried both ways, with and without system mounted, a few times. The installation would fail after something like 5 seconds.
diplomatic said:
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I am giving up on this cheap tablet. I cannot even format it in the Flash Tool: it says "To format code area is forbidden on this phone". Asus is forbidding too much for me to ever buy it again. Attached the logs.
Thanks, diplomatic
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
diplomatic said:
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have replied (twice), but the reply does not appear in my Sent Items. I hope it has reached you. If not, I'll paste the reply here, if you don't mind.
i not understand... i have Asus ZenPad 10 LTE Z301MFL.. a root method has been released ???
@diplomatic
Would this be compatible with Z0310M ? can't find anything for this damn model...
Hi, NeBouse,
Are you sure you have the correct information? It looks like just a misspelling of Z301M, aka P028....
I have z301m.
One thing that was a surprise for me is that the TWRP recovery flashed with the method described in the original post does not stick. You have to flash it each time you use it. If you are like me this information is important, because the original recovery plainly wipes your data without asking or warning.
After you have flashed TWRP on the device, to go to the recovery mode you have to chose "Factory Reset" in the bootloader. Then it will complain about wrong OS, which is the sign that flashing TWRP worked; choose 'yes'. The first thing you should do in TWRP is a ful nandroid backup. (Not listening the OP's advice about backing up when Installing TWRP with a wrong scatter file almost cost me the device. Thankfully diplomatic managed to remotely fix my problem, probably spending a lot of his personal time. The scatter file in the original post is a correct one now.)
Creating a nandroid backup in TWRP takes unusually long time, I even once decided that it hanged. Taking long time, like 10-30 minutes, for a full backup is normal.
Asus Z300M , Magisk 16.3 (beta) and FW 5.3.19 WW now works!
z301m, WW-3.3.12.0 firmware
For rooting I've installed in TWRP Magisk v15.3 (diplomatic warned against 16.x, someone else against 15.4) - link.
Installed in TWRP xPosed framework 88.2 - link, and xPosed Installer apk from within Android - link.
So far, so good.
What I've found is that TWRP seems to have problems with external sd cards (lots of fs corruption). I found it safer to unmount by hand by unticking the sd card checkbox in "Mount". Not very conclusive about this though.
Thanks, ahacker. Good feedback. Although to be fair, I didn't say to avoid Magisk 16.x. I said 16.0. I'm pretty sure whatever bug it had is already fixed in the latest version.
Now that you've installed root, TWRP will stick around on the emmc. The stock recovery only gets installed if you have the original unpatched boot image on it. I mean, this is not unique to these devices. That's been standard Android functionality since some 4.x or 5.x version. And this is essentially what's in the warning on the OP.
The backup I'm talking about in the installation method is done with the SP Flash Tool readback function. That will pull the partition tables and your device's "metadata" that's unique to your unit. I don't think nandroid covers that...
Oh, and what is this SD corruption you're talking about? What file system is it formatted in? Have you checked your card for errors in Windows?
Asus releases so many difference Z301M model, so I am curious if this also works on Z301MF model?
Notice Z300MF has the MTK8163BA (or MTK8163A?) CPU model while Z301M uses : 8163B
Anyone tested that already? Thanks.
my zenpad 10 has frp lock. it this a solution to remove the frp lock?
Pls help how i flash original software via fastboot ?????
PLEASE NOTE I HAVE ONLY TESTED THIS ON MY PERSONAL DEVICE RUNNING BUILD 58.0.A.10.3 WITH DATA ENCRYPTED. NEWER FIRMWARE VERSIONS HAVE ISSUES THAT I CANNOT PRESENTLY FIX, THAT IS UP TO THE TWRP DEVELOPER.
This requires you to have adb installed on your computer, magisk needs to be installed, and your bootloader needs to be unlocked.
Use this guide for bootloader unlocking and Magisk installation
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-5-ii/how-to/guide-magisk-twrp-recovery-t4177209
Step 1. Download the twrp.img linked in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=4185891
Step 2. Place that .img wherever your adb is installed on your pc.
Step 3. Reboot your device to fastboot by any means. Either use
Code:
adb reboot fastboot
when your device is plugged in, or boot your device while holding volume up.
Steps 4 - 8 are optional, as they make a TWRP backup of your stock recovery. I did this just to be safe because this TWRP isn't perfectly stable yet. It does work fine so far but its just a precaution.
Step 4.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Step 5.
Code:
fastboot reboot
Step 6. TWRP should boot now. Once in TWRP, be sure to change your language, it should be Chinese by default.
Step 7. Mount all partitions, except op2 and USB. Then create a backup of at least your recovery partition, although you can do all partitions if you would like. The backup will take a couple minutes, but let it runs its course.
Step 8. Reboot back to fastboot, either via TWRP or power button methods.
IF YOU MADE A RECOVERY BACKUP LOOK BELOW STEP 11 FIRST
Step 9.
Code:
fastboot flash recovery Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Step 10.
Code:
fastboot reboot recovery
Step 11. TWRP should now be booted from the recovery partition. You can verify by trying to reboot to system like normal. The easiest way to test once booted to system is to reboot to recovery in Magisk manager. If TWRP boots you are done.
THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE ONLY NECESSARY IF YOU MADE A RECOVERY BACKUP IN STEPS 4 - 8
Immediately after Step 8 do the following, you will need your patched magisk .img file from the magisk guide I linked above.
Step 1.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a [your patched magisk img]
Step 2.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b [your patched magisk img]
Step 3.
Code:
fastboot reboot
Step 4. Go back to step 9 above.
Your system should now boot like normal again, but TWRP should be flashed to recovery. Test by following the steps listed in Step 11 above. Please reply with an questions or issues.
I will attach screenshots of what you should see in some of the steps in the second post.
Special thanks to Miustone and M-Rom for the Magisk guide and TWRP respectively.
Reserved
Reserved for Screenshots.
Very well explained man, thank you ?
Nice Guide! Really well written...
Glad to see the Xperia Community that active again
/data/media/0 is encrypted?
Thank you very much for this guide and the TWRP image file.
I have tried creating the backup of recovery per your instructions but it seems my /data/media/0 is encrypted so I can't create the TWRP backup folder. How do you remove this to create the recovery backup?
Thanks!
TripodKnight said:
Thank you very much for this guide and the TWRP image file.
I have tried creating the backup of recovery per your instructions but it seems my /data/media/0 is encrypted so I can't create the TWRP backup folder. How do you remove this to create the recovery backup?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can wipe everything on the wipe menu, which will decrypt internal storage. This is a factory reset also so you will lose everything! I tried it in hope that I will at least be able to use twrp for future backups and zip flashing, but after rebooting the storage becomes encrypted again.
TWRP on the 5 ii is useless right now imo, you cant backup/restore or even flash anything with encrypted internal storage and no access to sdcard or usb OTG.
why does this need magisk to be installed?
TripodKnight said:
Thank you very much for this guide and the TWRP image file.
I have tried creating the backup of recovery per your instructions but it seems my /data/media/0 is encrypted so I can't create the TWRP backup folder. How do you remove this to create the recovery backup?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make sure to allow system modifications when you first booted TWRP, because that is very important. I am running an encrypted internal storage myself and it works fine for backups and flashing.
palamosteliaro said:
You can wipe everything on the wipe menu, which will decrypt internal storage. This is a factory reset also so you will lose everything! I tried it in hope that I will at least be able to use twrp for future backups and zip flashing, but after rebooting the storage becomes encrypted again.
TWRP on the 5 ii is useless right now imo, you cant backup/restore or even flash anything with encrypted internal storage and no access to sdcard or usb OTG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been able to run TWRP backups and restore fine on my device, even with encrypted storage. Please make sure you allowed system modification when you booted TWRP, as that is very important. As for SD card and OTG, I cannot help there. I am not the person who ported TWRP, I simply made the guide using the steps I did to make it work.
dgmortal said:
why does this need magisk to be installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't really necessary, but it makes troubleshooting easier so I recommend it. You can do the same steps I listed but substitute your stock boot .img for the magisk .img steps and it should still work. I can't say for certain, as this guide is simply based on the steps I took to make TWRP work for me.
Jayram2000 said:
Did you make sure to allow system modifications when you first booted TWRP, because that is very important. I am running an encrypted internal storage myself and it works fine for backups and flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice. I wasn't given the option to allow system modifications. I've reflashed multiple times and not once does the option come up. I also notice that when I try to mount system then try a backup that the system mount box becomes unchecked.
I have no idea why it would work for you and not for us others. Maybe you used a different twrp build?
Jayram2000 said:
I have been able to run TWRP backups and restore fine on my device, even with encrypted storage. Please make sure you allowed system modification when you booted TWRP, as that is very important. As for SD card and OTG, I cannot help there. I am not the person who ported TWRP, I simply made the guide using the steps I did to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember that prompt from my s10, but I didn't get it here. I installed a twrp in chinese (from another topic here) is yours different?
TripodKnight said:
Thanks for the advice. I wasn't given the option to allow system modifications. I've reflashed multiple times and not once does the option come up. I also notice that when I try to mount system then try a backup that the system mount box becomes unchecked.
I have no idea why it would work for you and not for us others. Maybe you used a different twrp build?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using the exact same build that M-Rom posted, the one I linked. One thing to try is mounting your partitions manually in the TWRP menu prior to starting a backup. I have those all checked as mounted in my TWRP.
palamosteliaro said:
I remember that prompt from my s10, but I didn't get it here. I installed a twrp in chinese (from another topic here) is yours different?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the same TWRP M-Rom posted in another thread, and yes it does default to chinese.
Jayram2000 said:
This requires you to have adb installed on your computer, magisk needs to be installed, and your bootloader needs to be unlocked.
Use this guide for bootloader unlocking and Magisk installation
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-5-ii/how-to/guide-magisk-twrp-recovery-t4177209
Step 1. Download the twrp.img linked in this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=4185891
Step 2. Place that .img wherever your adb is installed on your pc.
Step 3. Reboot your device to fastboot by any means. Either use
Code:
adb reboot fastboot
when your device is plugged in, or boot your device while holding volume up.
Steps 4 - 8 are optional, as they make a TWRP backup of your stock recovery. I did this just to be safe because this TWRP isn't perfectly stable yet. It does work fine so far but its just a precaution.
Step 4.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Step 5.
Code:
fastboot reboot
Step 6. TWRP should boot now. Once in TWRP, be sure to change your language, it should be Chinese by default.
Step 7. Mount all partitions, except op2 and USB. Then create a backup of at least your recovery partition, although you can do all partitions if you would like. The backup will take a couple minutes, but let it runs its course.
Step 8. Reboot back to fastboot, either via TWRP or power button methods.
IF YOU MADE A RECOVERY BACKUP LOOK BELOW STEP 11 FIRST
Step 9.
Code:
fastboot flash recovery Twrp-Xperia5II.img
Step 10.
Code:
fastboot reboot recovery
Step 11. TWRP should now be booted from the recovery partition. You can verify by trying to reboot to system like normal. The easiest way to test once booted to system is to reboot to recovery in Magisk manager. If TWRP boots you are done.
THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE ONLY NECESSARY IF YOU MADE A RECOVERY BACKUP IN STEPS 4 - 8
Immediately after Step 8 do the following, you will need your patched magisk .img file from the magisk guide I linked above.
Step 1.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a [your patched magisk img]
Step 2.
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b [your patched magisk img]
Step 3.
Code:
fastboot reboot
Step 4. Go back to step 9 above.
Your system should now boot like normal again, but TWRP should be flashed to recovery. Test by following the steps listed in Step 11 above. Please reply with an questions or issues.
I will attach screenshots of what you should see in some of the steps in the second post.
Special thanks to Miustone and M-Rom for the Magisk guide and TWRP respectively.
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It has come to my attention that users on updated system firmware are encountering decryption issues with the TWRP version listed here, rendering it useless. I am currently running build number 58.0.A.10.3 on my X5II, however flyl0 has brought it to my attention that other build versions could be proving to be the issue.
Please note that this guide is entirely based on the steps I took to do this on my own device, which currently isn't updated to the latest version of stock firmware. I will add a note in the OP as well. Sorry for any confusion.
Jayram2000 said:
This is the same TWRP M-Rom posted in another thread, and yes it does default to chinese.
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Then I am doing something wrong in my root/twrp process. I am not able to edit (R/W) the system partition anyway after installing magisk, but I think that's expected. When you are just running android, are you able to edit the system? With root explorer for example? Or does it show that the partition is full?
Jayram2000 said:
It has come to my attention that users on updated system firmware are encountering decryption issues with the TWRP version listed here, rendering it useless. I am currently running build number 58.0.A.10.3 on my X5II, however flyl0 has brought it to my attention that other build versions could be proving to be the issue.
Please note that this guide is entirely based on the steps I took to do this on my own device, which currently isn't updated to the latest version of stock firmware. I will add a note in the OP as well. Sorry for any confusion.
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Thanks for the clarification. Do you have the build number 58.0.A.10.3 from xperiFirm? Would you be able to upload it so I can downgrade and then install TWRP?
TripodKnight said:
Thanks for the clarification. Do you have the build number 58.0.A.10.3 from xperiFirm? Would you be able to upload it so I can downgrade and then install TWRP?
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XQ-AS72(Hongkong or Tiwan model) is 58.0.A.10.3, I flash that, and I can use TWRP and also able to make backup.
But flash for XQ-AS52 ones (such as for EUver), I cant use TWRP(boot is OK, but cant make backup).
TWRP Encryption don't work on the latest update