[Q] HELP!!!! Encryption Issue - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I pulled my Nexus 7 out of my bag this morning and the screen is asking me to put in my password to decrypt storage. I never encrypted my tablet so I have no password and it was working fine last night. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do?

Connect to your PC see if you can back up your important files, somehow I doubt you'll be able to do this but try anyway.
If you have a backup recovery image then you can at least go back (Providing you are rooted and have a backup available!)
Never used encryption myself, I don't expect you'll get past this because if you do what's the point of encryption if its easily bypassed?
Good luck anyway, I feel a wipe/ format is on the cards.
Hopefully some of the other xda users may have some other suggestions

Thanks. do you know how to wipe/format it from this point. I don't have anything too terribly important at this point on the device, but I would love to be able to use it again.
TimmyUK said:
Connect to your PC see if you can back up your important files, somehow I doubt you'll be able to do this but try anyway.
If you have a backup recovery image then you can at least go back (Providing you are rooted and have a backup available!)
Never used encryption myself, I don't expect you'll get past this because if you do what's the point of encryption if its easily bypassed?
Good luck anyway, I feel a wipe/ format is on the cards.
Hopefully some of the other xda users may have some other suggestions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Should be power and volume button down when starting the tablet in order to access the recovery menu.
http://support.google.com/nexus/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2668187
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Related

[REQ] Nandroid backup request (offering cash)

Just wondering if anyone who's flashing and rooting could please do a backup and upload it somewhere. Myself and a couple others have accidentally partitioned our internal SD incorrectly causing a catastrophic touch screen issue.
I'm hoping it'll have the properly partitioned SD storage because I'm having difficulty doing it manually. If someone could upload this it'd be hugely appreciated!!!
BUMP!!!
Can anyone please provide me with a Nandroid backup using Tenfar's recovery??? I can throw some money once I get my Paypal sorted out. I'm desperate, fellas!
Can someone please help? I'd like to try anything I can to get my phone working this weekend. It's been an entire week without my Atrix.
bongd said:
Can someone please help? I'd like to try anything I can to get my phone working this weekend. It's been an entire week without my Atrix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im relatively new to android...is this backup you are speaking about a TB backup. Or what method of backup are you looking for?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
You actually need to be rooted and have Tenfar's custom Recovery menu. In there it has an option to do a Backup.
If you're new it may be too engaging but I appreciate the offer nonetheless. If you could help, it'd be great. If it's too much trouble, I thank you anyway!
yeah what does the nandroid backup...back.. up? the apps?
What I'm HOPING and PRAYING for is that it'll also copy something in the internal SD which was partitioned due to my stupidity. dev/block/mmcblk0p18 is what that is in particular.
I tried manually formatting and partitioning it but I'm unable to do so. Fastboot freezes and Early USB Enumeration goes by so quickly I can't run the commands that I need through ADB. And I don't even know if that'll work because I made a script that executes the commands and I get weird errors. I'm far from an expert and monkeyed around too deeply where I shouldn't have.
About 4-5 others are reporting the same problem. The ****ty thing is that I'm in Canada and it'd be a huge pain to send it to Motorola. They're giving me a lot of grief and I've had to put up a big fight. Waiting to see if they'll send an RMA because I may need to send it in. When I get it back I might sell it and buy a Bell Atrix because I live in Canada and if something bad happens, it'll be easier to send to Bell or Motorola Canada.
from what i understand you have to have an unlocked bootloader to backup or restore using a nandroid backub
Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology then.. just need a backup from Tenfar's customer Recovery. I don't even know if it'll work but I'm out of ideas.
I'm at least thankful that the Xperia X10's bootloader was cracked. I forgot to send a replacement back to Rogers and I phoned them asking if I could use it for now. They thankfully said yes because they forgot to charge me for it lol... it's got some really great ROMs, but looking at this beautiful, mangled Atrix makes baby Jesus cry!
i can do that but im wondering why you dont try SBF file?? should work better than Backup
zen kun said:
i can do that but im wondering why you dont try SBF file?? should work better than Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was just wondering the same thing... it also be more stable as nandroid restore are not so good on some phones and im guessing especially on a locked bootloader one.
also a nandroid backup would also restore some else's settings and information on your device....
Ronaldo_9 said:
i was just wondering the same thing... it also be more stable as nandroid restore are not so good on some phones and im guessing especially on a locked bootloader one.
also a nandroid backup would also restore some else's settings and information on your device....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've already tried the SBF files but it doesn't do anything to the internal SD. I need an actual backup because the user settings are exactly what I'm looking for. Normally you'd want a fresh flash from stock but I hope you now understand why I'm asking this constantly.
Flashing to stock was naturally my first step. Unfortunately it had failed. About 5 others reporting the same problem.
bongd said:
I've already tried the SBF files but it doesn't do anything to the internal SD. I need an actual backup because the user settings are exactly what I'm looking for. Normally you'd want a fresh flash from stock but I hope you now understand why I'm asking this constantly.
Flashing to stock was naturally my first step. Unfortunately it had failed. About 5 others reporting the same problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What maybe you could do is? go into tenfars cwm recovery go to mounts and storage and format the internal sdcard and system and boot and data. This is safe as far as I know and me and tenfar have both done this.I literally formatted every single thing in the option menu. just to see if I could do it. Which was stupid but I was curious and used to do that before I installed new roms on my old backflip all the time! Also might wanna do a factory reset through cwm and clear dalvik cahe as well for good measure. Now after you format all that. reboot system which will send you in a boot loop/wont boot past first screen. Pull the battery and unplug usb cable from charger. Then reboot and enter rsdlite mode by holding volume up and the power button. Now just flash your 4.1.26 sbf file through rsdlite 5.0
As long as you flash back to retail 4.1.26 afterwords using rsdlite 5.0 that should put everything right! As I have done this and my phone is working normal.
I better put one of them warnings here though anyway lol
Disclaimer: You are doing this at your own risk! I am not responsible for any damage you do to your phone.
(^Yeah I think that covers it)
Gutterball said:
What maybe you could do is? go into tenfars cwm recovery go to mounts and storage and format the internal sdcard and system and boot and data. This is safe as far as I know and me and tenfar have both done this.I literally formatted every single thing in the option menu. just to see if I could do it. Which was stupid but I was curious and used to do that before I installed new roms on my old backflip all the time! Also might wanna do a factory reset through cwm and clear dalvik cahe as well for good measure. Now after you format all that. reboot system which will send you in a boot loop/wont boot past first screen. Pull the battery and unplug usb cable from charger. Then reboot and enter rsdlite mode by holding volume up and the power button. Now just flash your 4.1.26 sbf file through rsdlite 5.0
As long as you flash back to retail 4.1.26 afterwords using rsdlite 5.0 that should put everything right! As I have done this and my phone is working normal.
I better put one of them warnings here though anyway lol
Disclaimer: You are doing this at your own risk! I am not responsible for any damage you do to your phone.
(^Yeah I think that covers it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
JUST got your PM as I was clicking this thread. Thanks, broski.
I've got nothing to lose. It's easy enough to recover from soft-brick. I'll give it a shot right now. Wish me luck!
*** UPDATE ***
Still no dice. Bummer.
bongd said:
JUST got your PM as I was clicking this thread. Thanks, broski.
I've got nothing to lose. It's easy enough to recover from soft-brick. I'll give it a shot right now. Wish me luck!
*** UPDATE ***
Still no dice. Bummer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmm weird..
IMO if sbf dont help i really doubt a recovery will....
perhaps i highly recommend if someone do this, create a new account of gmail and flash a sbf file since the OP will have all sensitive data as email,contacts and so on as previous post say
zen kun said:
mmm weird..
IMO if sbf dont help i really doubt a recovery will....
perhaps i highly recommend if someone do this, create a new account of gmail and flash a sbf file since the OP will have all sensitive data as email,contacts and so on as previous post say
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't work either. I have reasons for wanting a backup versus a new SBF flash as stated multiple times.
I have a nand if you still need one
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
sgtmedeiros said:
I have a nand if you still need one
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your motoblur account information is stored in plaintext and your google contact information is also in a nandroid backup. Be weary.
knigitz said:
Your motoblur account information is stored in plaintext and your google contact information is also in a nandroid backup. Be weary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was not aware of this and was so focused on correcting the challenge that this was a complete oversight. On second thought, I don't want to compromise anyone's security.
I had in mind a fresh backup, preferably for AT&T's 1.2.6 SBF but it's a bit of trouble and a lot of space. I retract my request due to the amount of work involved and that I don't want to compromise anyone's security in case they don't clear their user details, etc.
Thanks for pointing that out, knigitz. I think ADB access in the Recovery is our best bet. Crossing my fingers.
bongd said:
You actually need to be rooted and have Tenfar's custom Recovery menu. In there it has an option to do a Backup.
If you're new it may be too engaging but I appreciate the offer nonetheless. If you could help, it'd be great. If it's too much trouble, I thank you anyway!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ill help you with your backup if you can help me root and flash the gladix rom on mine.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Removing encryption on Galaxy Tab

I encrypted my 10.1 yesterday without thinking all the way though. I found out that I could no longer flash kernels while the tablet is encrypted, since the SD card is not accessible in CWR.
I've tried doing a factory reset on my tab and each time, it boots up like nothing happened. I've also tried removing the pin that I put on it and the option to remove it is grayed out.
Do any of you know of a way to do a full wipe on the 10.1? Or could I reflash it using ODIN?
Thanks in advance.
id like to know this as well
still nothing? im starting to think this is an easy fix that nobody has posted about yet
there has to be something that im missing
try post # 6 in the linked thread, restore with unmodified vanilla version image from second link provided in the post, after booting from fastboot into recovery with clockworkmod recovery img; pushing it into the device sd with adb commandline, check the post for modifications and the link for details.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1161325
whenever i try to reset to factory defaults, it just reboots like nothing happened
re-flash a stock firmware via odin as tar or fastboot/nandroid as img (backup restore)
Ones the tab is encrypted, there's no way to un do it. Unless you do what mughalgxt suggested. Good luck
Thanks guys, I went through some of these steps and found some other good tutorials to get me back up and running. All i wanted was to try the new kernel/bonsai rom out and I'm now able to do that
**** encryption, put a lockscreen password and be done with it.
I'm still struggling with this, as well: off to read some of the linked threads, because even with flashing a stock image with ODIN I'm still not able to recover the device. At least I managed to proceed past the boot loop I WAS in (when attempting to flash from CWM) - but now, I can get to the point where the device prompts me for the decryption key (meaning, it's clearly not yet restored to factory defaults) - but can't get it boot to completion. I also note that I've still got CWM Recovery, not stock.
It seems, at some point, encryption-key be damned, right? Meaning, if I don't care about recovering the contents of the encrypted partition - surely these low-level tools have the ability to simply format the partitions? Perhaps not - at least, not CWM - as attempts to format /data continue to fail.
Off to review the linked threads to try to gain some additional insight.
I ran into this same issue a long while back. As I recall (and it's been a while), you won't be able to wipe from CWM, but you can wipe from Settings / Privacy / Factory Data Reset. I could be wrong, but I know that I didn't have to do any adb pushing or anything with special images.
Hi SacTilt-
Thanks for the reply - and agreed: Had I actively started the effort from a functioning device, I think I could have selected that option.
As it turns out - I ran CWM, rebooted into recovery, and... next thing I knew, I was in boot loop hell.
I've tried flashing a variety of files via ODIN: Some at least allow the device to boot to the point where I get the initial password prompt - which I can provide, and proceed past... but then the device just 'goes blank'.
What I'm looking for is a 'start-from-scratch', no concern for data loss, delete the dang encrypted /data folder already, will ya?... approach.
As I've mentioned, a variety of ODIN files from a myriad of sources haven't seemed to quite do the trick. I feel like I'm missing something obvious - but can't find the right angle to spot it.
Perhaps fastboot might be what I'm looking for?
FWIW: the device was rooted when I started, so I've got full Titanium backups, with which I can restore, once I recover the actual device / OS.
Thanks for any insight.
Hey guys...if anybody finds a solution to this, please let me know...I am stuck with this same damn experimental ROM I've had from day one...it's getting really old. All I want is to get rid of this stupid encryption. Thanks for any help. Tried ODIN flashing, wiping data from security screen, wiping from CMR, etc.
Have you tried formatting the sd? Whenever i had my ns4g i accidentially did the same thing and i wiped the SD and it removed the encryption.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium HD app

Return to stock for warranty service

What's the best way to return my P7510 to unrooted stock? I have to send it in for repair.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1474971
Ty I was mobile, just found the link
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
I've pored over the linked thread, and literally DOZENS other, here...
I think the one factor that may be causing me troubles is that my device was (IS) encrypted. It was also rooted, and had CWM installed, etc. Alas, I tried to boot into recovery, to take a nandroid backup in preparation for doing a factory reset (trying to do some additional testing / analysis around encryption, and its impacts on rooting / device management in a corporate environment).
That's when Bad Things started. First, it was a boot loop. I put it in Download mode, and used ODIN to flash both the CWM (first) and then stock recovery - but in no case can I get the device into recovery mode. When selected, the screen just goes black...
I haven't yet tried nvflash - and I'm wondering if that might be the tool for the job, since ODIN seems unable to influence the encrypted /data partition.
No concerns for data loss - I have a full Titanium backup ready and waiting if I can just get the thing to reboot...
Thanks in advance for any insight / guidance!
SnoWake4Me said:
I've pored over the linked thread, and literally DOZENS other, here...
I think the one factor that may be causing me troubles is that my device was (IS) encrypted. It was also rooted, and had CWM installed, etc. Alas, I tried to boot into recovery, to take a nandroid backup in preparation for doing a factory reset (trying to do some additional testing / analysis around encryption, and its impacts on rooting / device management in a corporate environment).
That's when Bad Things started. First, it was a boot loop. I put it in Download mode, and used ODIN to flash both the CWM (first) and then stock recovery - but in no case can I get the device into recovery mode. When selected, the screen just goes black...
I haven't yet tried nvflash - and I'm wondering if that might be the tool for the job, since ODIN seems unable to influence the encrypted /data partition.
No concerns for data loss - I have a full Titanium backup ready and waiting if I can just get the thing to reboot...
Thanks in advance for any insight / guidance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have your Titanium backup copied to your computer, then you can restock the entire tab using ODIN(follow the unrooting instructions in the above linked thread). Then copy back the Titanium backup and you should be good to go again
One would think. Alas, Odin seems to choke on the encrypted partition - doesn't seem to be able to restore /overwrite the filesystem.
I finally caved and just sent it back, and had Verizon send me another.
Sent from my SCH-I905 using XDA
petcojunkie said:
What's the best way to return my P7510 to unrooted stock? I have to send it in for repair.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or you can try the one click unroot apk in this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1538173

How to upgrade to 4.0.4 w/ Encrpyion Enabled?

Hi All,
So I'm on a i9020a with 4.0.3 looking to upgrade to 4.0.4, slight problem...I encrypted my SD card with the newly gifted upon me ability to encrypt my phone in Ice Cream Sandwich. Problem is, I can't upgrade via recovery because it can't mount my SD card. And, this is beyond stupid, but apparently you can't decrypt without factory resetting your phone. What do I do?!?
Thanks!
My guess would be that you'll have to wait for the OTA update.
I'd say wait for OTA as well.
Full phone encryption is a pretty drastic security measure, don't expect to find any easy workarounds. The fact that you can't flash/change anything without formatting is intentional and, in my opinion, well thought.
Well my thought is that OTA would put update on SD card also, and thus I may never be able to update? Even if I could, it's not like an i9020a release looks imminent...
Nonetheless, I understand the logic behind the "well thought out" way you can't factory reset - but in my opinion that is stupid. If I choose to decrypt my phone, I should be able to do so...
doubleblack said:
Well my thought is that OTA would put update on SD card also, and thus I may never be able to update? Even if I could, it's not like an i9020a release looks imminent...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly doubt it was designed in a way that would not allow OTA updates.
Why not just move you contents over to your pc, factory reset then move it back over?
lithid-cm said:
Why not just move you contents over to your pc, factory reset then move it back over?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently did that in order to unlock my bootloader so I could install ICS in the first place, don't want to have to do it again
Lose all my settings, saves games, etc.
Once encrypted, cant you 'decrypt' it?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
thegtfusion said:
Once encrypted, cant you 'decrypt' it?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know! My thoughts exactly...if you ever want to do anything to your phone again you must do a factory reset in order to break encryption...
doubleblack said:
I know! My thoughts exactly...if you ever want to do anything to your phone again you must do a factory reset in order to break encryption...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my eyes... just do it
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium
You can backup 'crypted ICS
I was in the same boat as the OP. I did a full backup using ADB and was able to restore after doing a factory reset (which removed the 'cryption).
If I was to do it again I'd try to force it to backup the APKs as well. If that isn't possible you'll want to reload all your apps and update them before restoring. Restoring won't add your accounts either, so make sure to add them all in first.
To speed up the backup process I'd prune your USB storage partition as backing that up seems to be compulsory when dealing with this setup.
Of course I ran into the same problem every other AWS user has run into and being not interested in the additional reset required to unlock my boatloader for the workaround here I sit and wait
This poster came up with interesting solution: mount a tmpfs at /sdcard and push the rom on to it http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24923240&postcount=16 . If necessary you could selectively delete parts of your /data and /cache once it is up an running.

Does root compromise encryption?

It just occured to me, that despite encrypting my device, I can boot into TWRP recovery and flash things to various partitions without entering a password.
Doesn't that essentially mean that the encryption key must be stored somewhere by TWRP in a clear (unencrypted) form?
If so, doesn't root basically render device encryption meaningless? Sure the average phone thief might not care to crack into it, but it would probably be trivial for anybody with a little technical knowledge and time on their hands. And police probably have a step-by-step process for cracking rooted devices.
Does root compromise encryption?
static416 said:
It just occured to me, that despite encrypting my device, I can boot into TWRP recovery and flash things to various partitions without entering a password.
Doesn't that essentially mean that the encryption key must be stored somewhere by TWRP in a clear (unencrypted) form?
If so, doesn't root basically render device encryption meaningless? Sure the average phone thief might not care to crack into it, but it would probably be trivial for anybody with a little technical knowledge and time on their hands. And police probably have a step-by-step process for cracking rooted devices.
Does root compromise encryption?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer your exact question, no, root doesn't compromise encryption. Root and TWRP are two separate things, you can have TWRP without root. However, TWRP does allow access to your data without requiring authorisation.
Doesn't "enable Password on Boot" in Settings/Security, force a password onto TWRP as well?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
SlimSnoopOS said:
Doesn't "enable Password on Boot" in Settings/Security, force a password onto TWRP as well?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's a good point, I don't use that feature as I find it annoying so I forgot about it.
SlimSnoopOS said:
Doesn't "enable Password on Boot" in Settings/Security, force a password onto TWRP as well?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way your data is truly encrypted (in my opinion) is doing just that.
Agent said:
The only way your data is truly encrypted (in my opinion) is doing just that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! This is exactly what I was looking for.
I don't know why it didn't occur to me earlier. I'm glad I don't have to choose between security and usability (root, TWRP, etc).
i was thinking about this today actually, because my phone has no encryption (both system and userdata).
However, with purenexus rom and cerberus if your phone is ON when it's stolen, you can essentially prevent someone from booting into recovery since the normal power menu is not available, and pressing and holding the power button for 10 secs just reboots the phone into OS again which is locked. Also, the USB defaults to charging, so data is inaccessible.
is there a way boot into recovery in a situation such as this?
2x4 said:
i was thinking about this today actually, because my phone has no encryption (both system and userdata).
However, with purenexus rom and cerberus if your phone is ON when it's stolen, you can essentially prevent someone from booting into recovery since the normal power menu is not available, and pressing and holding the power button for 10 secs just reboots the phone into OS again which is locked. Also, the USB defaults to charging, so data is inaccessible.
is there a way boot into recovery in a situation such as this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can hold Power and volume down to boot right into bootloader (and subsequently recovery) from lockscreen. I did this last night since restoring my TWRP 3.0 backup locked me out of my 5X lol
Edit: just want to be clear, I do not have Cerberus. idk if it blocks the above combo as well
SlimSnoopOS said:
They can hold Power and volume down to boot right into bootloader (and subsequently recovery) from lockscreen. I did this last night since restoring my TWRP 3.0 backup locked me out of my 5X lol
Edit: just want to be clear, I do not have Cerberus. idk if it blocks the above combo as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, that way definitely works. And I'm not sure that it it can block that tbh
2x4 said:
You're right, that way definitely works. And I'm not sure that it it can block that tbh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep in mind that when your data is encrypted and a boot password is used, they may can get into the bootloader, but they can not get inside your system. They will have to wipe it to get anything on it that will work.
Agent said:
Keep in mind that when your data is encrypted and a boot password is used, they may can get into the bootloader, but they can not get inside your system. They will have to wipe it to get anything on it that will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. Is there any way to get the boot password feature without encrypting my data?

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