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[GUIDE] Root & recovery WITHOUT oem unlock & wipe (2.3.2 & older, plus now 2.3)
UPDATE #2 - Fitchman has reported successful root and rom flash without unlocking the bootloader by using Ginger Break. Full details in this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=13236136&postcount=135
UPDATE - IMPORTANT: This method does not work with Android 2.3.3. Search the forum or this post in this thread for a way to update to 2.3.3 and root without unlocking if you haven't updated yet.
Alternatively, use this method on 2.3.2 and lower, then use titanium to back up everything, store it on your laptop (along with all your sdcard's data), then do the oem unlock step first and then continue from there with the rest of the guide.
Not my original idea, but a consolidation of a discussion between inakipaz and shrivelfig and myself in another thread and being posted here for easier finding by future root-seekers.
Shrivelfig's tested the method to re-root a previously rooted pone with a re-locked bootloader, and inakipaz has done it on a phone that's never had the bootloader unlocked.
The advantage here is that those who chose not to root when they first got the phone won't lose any app data or sdcard data like the methods that have you unlock the bootloader do. The disadvantage is your bootloader remains locked, which may prevent you flashing certain things in the future.
edit: see ravidavi's posts below; he's shown you can even flash custom roms that are clockwork compatible while having a locked bootloader with this method.
Download these two files:
clockwork recovery v3.0.0.5 or clockwork recovery v3.0.0.5 mirror if above not working
su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip
Koush's blog for the latest clockwork updates (find Nexus S in the list).
Also, if you don't already have the necessary android sdk and drivers on your computer, get them from here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and install them. Some Windows users report better luck just installing pdanet. There's a decent guide for Windows users on installing the sdk here.
Place the recovery file on your laptop where you can access it while using the sdk fastboot commands.
Place the su zip one in the top level folder of your sdcard.
Put your phone in fastboot mode (power off, then hold volume up and power key at the same time until the phone boots to a white screen).
Use fastboot to boot the phone into the clockwork recovery:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery-clockwork-3.0.0.5-crespo.img
If you're not sure how to get fastboot working on your computer, follow the excellent instructions that Allgamer gives in this GUIDE, but don't do the oem unlock command!
Once in clockwork, flash the su file to the phone by following these steps below.
To navigate in the clockwork recovery, you use the volume keys to scroll up/down through the menus, and the on/off button to select what's highlighted.
(note: some report success without these first 3 steps, others don't get a succesful root without, I recommend doing them)
select mounts and storage.
select mount /system
select go back
select install ZIP from sdcard
select choose zip from sdcard
select su-version#-signed.zip file you downloaded earlier
select yes - install su-version#-signed.zip
confirm it says "Install from sdcard complete"
select go back
select reboot
After the phone reboots, you should be rooted, with a locked bootloader, and none of your data erased.
That said, never hurts to have a backup of your precious data on the sdcard that you can copy over to the computer.
This method doesn't install busybox, so go to the Market and download/install busybox directly, or get Titanium Backup and check it's "problems?" button and let it install busybox for you. There's also an app called root checker that supposedly verifies you have a working root on your phone.
Once you have a successful root installed, I'd suggest getting back into clockwork recovery and running a nandroid back up from clockwork's backs and restore menu. Then copy that file from your sdcard (in the /clockwork/backups folder) to your laptop for safe-keeping and an easy full system restore to a known working config.
Usual disclaimers about I'm not responsible for damage to your phone or loss of data apply. Use any rooting method at your own risk.
Thanks and all the real credit go to inakipaz, shrivelfig and allgamer, and of course to koush, and ChainsDD for the superuser apk.
Worked perfectly. I used fastboot from my Mac (outlined in the stickied Mac Root thread). Root checker verifies that I have root.
And by the way, my phone and I are both root/ROM cherry. First android phone, first time rooter. Will work up the guts to flash a ROM soon, but of course there's no chance of doing THAT without unlocking the bootloader.
Thanks to all involved in this!
yeah! good work!
Srsly. Awsom.
Someone sticky this....
Question: When you do the fastboot boot command, does that overwrite the stock recovery with Clockwork? Or is it just booting into the recovery img without actually flashing it?
I would think this method also gives you a way to back up before unlocking the bootloader.
1) fastboot boot into Clockwork as described here
2) Full nandroid backup from Clockwork
3) Mount "SD" from Clockwork over USB, copy everything to computer (since it wipes everything)
4) Go back and unlock the bootloader as usual, resulting in a full wipe
5) Flash Clockwork Recovery again through whichever method
6) Mount "SD" from Clockwork over USB, copy the backup back to phone
7) Restore nandroid
And now you've unlocked the bootloader without amnesia =)
ravidavi said:
And by the way, my phone and I are both root/ROM cherry. First android phone, first time rooter. Will work up the guts to flash a ROM soon, but of course there's no chance of doing THAT without unlocking the bootloader.
Thanks to all involved in this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure you need to unlock the bootloader to flash a ROM? Now that you have root, try installing ROM Manager from the Market, and see if it lets you flash custom recovery with bootloader still locked. If so, then yes you can install a ROM!
Also, the fact that you're able to boot into Clockwork using "fastboot boot" - that also means you can install a ROM .zip file right from there.
cmstlist said:
Question: When you do the fastboot boot command, does that overwrite the stock recovery with Clockwork? Or is it just booting into the recovery img without actually flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"fastboot boot" only launches the recovery no unlock needed. "fastboot flash" flash the recovery
cmstlist said:
Are you sure you need to unlock the bootloader to flash a ROM? Now that you have root, try installing ROM Manager from the Market, and see if it lets you flash custom recovery with bootloader still locked. If so, then yes you can install a ROM!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked! Here's the process I used, starting from a completely unmodded Nexus S.
1: Use the method detailed here to gain root access without unlocking the bootloader.
2: Using a root-enabled file explorer (I used Super Manager), rename install-recovery.sh (in /etc) to install-recovery.sh.old . You'll need to remount as r/w to do this. NOTE: You don't *have* to do this step, but if you don't, then you can only use clockwork once after which it will be erased on reboot.
3: Using ROM Manager, install Clockwork Recovery.
4: Pleasure yourself, because your bootloader is still locked and nothing was erased.
I have yet to try actually flashing a custom ROM. Does this mean that it can also be done without unlocking bootloader?
Well damn, whaddaya know. I just flashed MoDaCo r10 without unlocking the bootloader, and without losing any personal data on /sdcard.
I figure someone at XDA should like this.
Pretty much followed distortedloop's advice. Starting from a fully stock Nexus S with Android 2.3.2 (GRH78C):
* Root using the method on this thread.
* Rename install-recovery.su to install-recovery-old.su. (in /bin)
* Install Clockwork Recovery from ROM Manager.
* Download whatever ROM you want (compatible with Clockwork), rename to update.zip, and copy to sdcard.
* Reboot into Clockwork.
* Wipe cache, reset to factory (IF REQUIRED BY NEW ROM). This was my first install of MoDaCo, and that requires it. This step does NOT erase your personal files on sdcard, just all android-related files.
* Install update.zip from Clockwork.
* Continue self-pleasuring ... you now have a custom rom without touching your bootloader or wiping your personal sdcard data.
Maybe it's just because I'm a noob here, but it seems to me that this is a BIG deal. All root/ROM installation methods that I've seen so far have required an unlocked bootloader. This seems to be the first time a Nexus S has been unlocked and custom-ROM'd without unlocking the bootloader and wiping the entire /sdcard.
Ravi
Yeah, it's pretty clear that the unlock the bootloader step isn't necessary for most of what we want to do. Just a habit from earlier devices, perhaps?
What's really odd is now we have to wonder what's the purpose of the oem unlock erasing your sdcard? Speculation was that it was a security feature to keep people from accessing your data if they stole your phone; they couldn't flash something on the phone to get access, but clearly they can. Fastboot into a custom recovery and you own the phone.
Perhaps this is a security hole Google will try to fix some day?
At any rate, I wish we'd discovered this sooner, it would have saved several people some grief in having to lose saved games (Angry Birds!) when they finally decided to root.
distortedloop said:
Yeah, it's pretty clear that the unlock the bootloader step isn't necessary for most of what we want to do. Just a habit from earlier devices, perhaps?
...
At any rate, I wish we'd discovered this sooner, it would have saved several people some grief in having to lose saved games (Angry Birds!) when they finally decided to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You say "for most of what we want to do." Could you think of a case where you would need to unlock it now? It's now shown to be unnecessary for rooting and installing custom recovery/ROM.
Is there any way to get the word out? This thread isn't stickied, and all the stickied threads on rooting & custom ROMs currently assert that you have to unlock the bootloader.
Ravi
ravidavi said:
You say "for most of what we want to do." Could you think of a case where you would need to unlock it now? It's now shown to be unnecessary for rooting and installing custom recovery/ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking that something like Superboot might need to have the bootloader unlocked, since it replaces the boot image, right? But I'm not sure.
ravidavi said:
Is there any way to get the word out? This thread isn't stickied, and all the stickied threads on rooting & custom ROMs currently assert that you have to unlock the bootloader.
Ravi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only a page and a half of posts in the development section right now, so it's not likely to disappear any time soon, but you could ask a mod (theimpaler747 is ours) via PM to sticky it. I thought about asking myself, but seemed a bit tacky to ask for my own thread.
Meanwhile, I'd been linking people to various posts I'd made in other threads suggesting this might work, but once inakipaz and shrivelfig confirmed it, I'm just now pointing people here. I just hope people see this before wiping their phones unnecessarily.
Really, the other guides should just be updated to skip the oem unlock step. That's really the only different thing we're doing here.
i'm just waiting for more people "newbies" to confirm this actually works for them, before making it a sticky
In theory if you really really screw up your phone, you might need fastboot flash in order to recover it. But if fastboot also lets you boot into an img recovery... then you still have a recovery route that doesn't require unlocking.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I know it's a noob question and all since all you're doing is flashing a custom recovery but will you still be able to get OTA updates after doing this as well?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
qreffie said:
I know it's a noob question and all since all you're doing is flashing a custom recovery but will you still be able to get OTA updates after doing this as well?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes because you still have the original recovery installed
distortedloop said:
Perhaps this is a security hole Google will try to fix some day?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be my guess.
But how? Is it possible to plug this with just a software update? Time will show, I guess.
This (security hole) should also make it possible to do perfect out-of-the-box OS backups. And restores. The problem is that nobody's going to do a backup without playing with their shiny new toy first.
shrivelfig said:
This would be my guess.
But how? Is it possible to plug this with just a software update? Time will show, I guess.
This (security hole) should also make it possible to do perfect out-of-the-box OS backups. And restores. The problem is that nobody's going to do a backup without playing with their shiny new toy first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that the Nexus One does not allow this "fastboot boot" on a locked bootloader. Maybe this was just an oversight?
It is entirely possible to plug this with a software update: Samsung/Google could issue a signed update that includes a bootloader upgrade. This has been done many times by HTC for example.
I can confirm that this method works, without unlocking the BL or erasing the SD part.
This is pretty cool. I wish I new about this before I unlocked the bootloader days after I received my phone. I too wonder if this was intentional or an oversite. Google did want this phone to be for developers, but like other's said, this is also a bit of a security hole. The wiping of the sd card on unlock would protect the person if the phone was stolen, like if there was confidential corporate stuff on there. Even if you password protect your phone, someone could fastboot clockwork, mount the sd card and retrieve all the information that was on there.
cmstlist said:
It is entirely possible to plug this with a software update: Samsung/Google could issue a signed update that includes a bootloader upgrade. This has been done many times by HTC for example.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's also been done by Samsung with some versions of the Galaxy S line (some of the "leaked" roms, and even one official kies push (IIRC) changed the bootloader, causing people the ability to use 3 button mode for Odin access, and causing others to lose it.
I'll start by saying here that I fully understand that what I'm saying may not apply to the international (non-GED) Xoom devices.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this. Why is it that every rooting method I see here seems to involve flashing some ZIP file that has a modified kernel or boot image? Seems pointless considering that, as with any other Google Experience Device, you can simply unlock your bootloader, flash Clockwork, and then flash the official Superuser.zip from androidsu.com and you're done. There's no unsecuring of the boot image, or anything. It just installs Superuser.apk, the su binary and changes the permissions on the binary.
Am I missing something here? Is there some advantage I'm not thinking of to using a custom boot image to obtain root on a Xoom?
No. Before when I first bought my xoom I just rooted it, no custom kernel or rom. Now I've used both and benefits alot. As for example some games people complain laggs, with custom kernel ya can over clock and fix some of this. Then custom roms allow ya to use features not enabled by Google on default. For example the wifi xoom can not connect ad-hoc networks like mobile hotspots. Roms include this unless you wanna do it the hard way. Another nifty feature is the USB OTG to attach hard drives which Google allows ya to do like mice and keyboards but not external drives.
oldblue910 said:
Seems pointless considering that, as with any other Google Experience Device, you can simply unlock your bootloader, flash Clockwork, and then flash the official Superuser.zip from androidsu.com and you're done. There's no unsecuring of the boot image, or anything. It just installs Superuser.apk, the su binary and changes the permissions on the binary.
Am I missing something here? Is there some advantage I'm not thinking of to using a custom boot image to obtain root on a Xoom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you ARE missing something. The process you outlined with other GED devices is identical to the Motorola XOOM root process as well.
1. You use "fastboot oem unlock" to unlock the bootloader. (This only unlocks the bootloader so you can flash custom ones, recoveries, etc. but does NOT modify the current bootloader in any way.)
2. Flash clockwork with fastboot as well.
3. Install the Universal XOOM rooting ZIP through clockwork.
4. Done.
How is this any different?
The Universal XOOM root ZIP can be found @ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242241 and does NOT contain any sort of modified Kernel or Boot image.
I don't know where you got your information from.
Sure it does. Take a look at the zip file (all those files in the kernel folder). Plus once it's done, stock recovery no longer auto flashes because something was changed in the boot image and the checksums don't match anymore.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Well, I stand corrected! Yeah, I don't know why it modifies the boot image either then. I'd have just thought flashing clockwork and installing the binary should be fine.
I guess you need to talk to solarnz or one of the other more experienced XOOM devs...
sodaboy581 said:
Well, I stand corrected! Yeah, I don't know why it modifies the boot image either then. I'd have just thought flashing clockwork and installing the binary should be fine.
I guess you need to talk to solarnz or one of the other more experienced XOOM devs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that's the thing...flashing just the binaries DOES work fine, at least on my Xoom. I wonder if it has something to do with the international non-GED Xooms...
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
You do need a modified initramfs to root properly.
an insecure boot.img is the most useful part of being rooted.
And with one of those you don't even need clockworkmod.
flash it with fastboot / reboot / adb remount and then just push su and superuser set suid on su (10 seconds total - far less hassle than messing with clockworkmod).
I am a little surprised no one figured out how to root before unlocking. Would sure be handy to do a titanium backup before unlocking ( which wipes everything !! ) That said, it is just a minor inconvenience. Copy some stuff to the PC and I am good to go.
oldblue910 said:
I'll start by saying here that I fully understand that what I'm saying may not apply to the international (non-GED) Xoom devices.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this. Why is it that every rooting method I see here seems to involve flashing some ZIP file that has a modified kernel or boot image? Seems pointless considering that, as with any other Google Experience Device, you can simply unlock your bootloader, flash Clockwork, and then flash the official Superuser.zip from androidsu.com and you're done. There's no unsecuring of the boot image, or anything. It just installs Superuser.apk, the su binary and changes the permissions on the binary.
Am I missing something here? Is there some advantage I'm not thinking of to using a custom boot image to obtain root on a Xoom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't _need_ to flash an insecure kernel image; there's multiple paths to root. If you don't have a version of CWM for the device, then running the system insecure may be the only way to do it. Running the system in insecure mode does give you the ability to run adb as root amongst other things, however (so you can do things like adb remount).
Yeah I can see needing the insecure image in the case of not having ClockworkMod or if you need those extra commands in ADB. I was more just curious if running an insecure image was somehow a better practice than just flashing the androidsu.com zip. I guess it's 6 of one or a half dozen of the other in the end.
Thanks for the explanation!
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
unrandomsam said:
an insecure boot.img is the most useful part of being rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that depends on what you use root for, really. For instance, the ability to run adb as root means nothing to me really. I can count the number of times I've used adb on one hand. I more use root so I can take screenshots without hooking up to USB, and I also like having root access to the filesystem.
Plus, it seems that the insecure image is the reason why everyone says not to accept OTAs if you're running a rooted stock ROM. I've read horror stories of people accepting OTAs on a rooted stock ROM and ending up with bootloops and all kinds of other craptastic stuff. If you root with the boot image secure, you can accept OTAs and just re-root when it's done flashing.
Different strokes for different folks, right?
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
mobileweasel said:
I am a little surprised no one figured out how to root before unlocking. Would sure be handy to do a titanium backup before unlocking ( which wipes everything !! ) That said, it is just a minor inconvenience. Copy some stuff to the PC and I am good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
Most devices have temp root so you're able to run rooted app to fully backup before unlocking it. I've been holding off rooting on my wife's xoom because I don't want to wipe her saved data, but im really itching to mess with it, hehe. I heard with ICS you can do a full backup with adb, I believe you use the " adb backup" method.
The insecure boot image is need for two reasons.
1) without it you would not be able to adb mount the partitions while inside the Android os.
2) every time you boot into Android, a script it's ran to check for stock recovery and overwrite it, insecure boot images disable this (you can also disable by deleting the script files)
Sent from my Nexus S 4G
Before I even attempt to root & install a custom ROM. Do I absolutely need an SD card?
For root & installing custom ROM, it doesn't require to have a SD card..
Though you can buy one to keep your personal files.
Masum56k said:
For root & installing custom ROM, it doesn't require to have a SD card..
Though you can buy one to keep your personal files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay can someone walk me through this then? Because I've only installed custom rom's through SD cards.
Unless after I root your saying I would have to drag & drop the files into a directory inside the phone.
Krairo said:
Okay can someone walk me through this then? Because I've only installed custom rom's through SD cards.
Unless after I root your saying I would have to drag & drop the files into a directory inside the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only 900H version doesn't support SD card..
Which version do you have?
Masum56k said:
Only 900H version doesn't support SD card..
Which version do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 900P. I thought it was coming with an SD card smh
Krairo said:
The 900P. I thought it was coming with an SD card smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I think, you should get 100% support from SD card..
Masum56k said:
Then I think, you should get 100% support from SD card..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll just wait unless someone has a guide on it. I can't afford to have a brick for a phone right now
Krairo said:
I'll just wait unless someone has a guide on it. I can't afford to have a brick for a phone right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A bit of searching would have found you this guide http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900p for how to root the G900P. Realy, wait for others to answer your question?
BTW you do need a sdcard if you want to flash roms, because if you data factory reset in recovery the internal sdcard should be wiped before you flash a new rom, unless you push a rom with adb or sideload from recovery.
gee2012 said:
A bit of searching would have found you this guide http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900p for how to root the G900P. Realy, wait for others to answer your question?
BTW you do need a sdcard if you want to flash roms, because if you data factory reset in recovery the internal sdcard should be wiped before you flash a new rom, unless you push a rom with adb or sideload from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you & sorry for not searching. I've used ADB & recovery but its been about 2 years since I've touched them.
So if I'm understanding this right. I would be able to for example.
Wipe with recovery or ADB. And use recovery to enter usb mode. Drag & drop the ROM. And install from there correct?
Krairo said:
Thank you & sorry for not searching. I've used ADB & recovery but its been about 2 years since I've touched them.
So if I'm understanding this right. I would be able to for example.
Wipe with recovery or ADB. And use recovery to enter usb mode. Drag & drop the ROM. And install from there correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best is to place and use a sdcard to put the rom on. First you have to flash a custom recovery through Odin on your pc though, i personaly recomend Philz Touch recovery if available for your phone. Once installed you can flash other roms or kernels. No need to root first as all custom roms are pre-rooted. Make a backup pf your current rom before you flash a new one, just to be safe.
gee2012 said:
Best is to place and use a sdcard to put the rom on. First you have to flash a custom recovery through Odin on your pc though, i personaly recomend Philz Touch recovery if available for your phone. Once installed you can flash other roms or kernels. No need to root first as all custom roms are pre-rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thats good to know. I planned to root just to get the free wifi tethering so I'll go order one right now. Thank you for filling me in on the S5.
gee2012 said:
A bit of searching would have found you this guide http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-s5-sm-g900p for how to root the G900P. Realy, wait for others to answer your question?
BTW you do need a sdcard if you want to flash roms, because if you data factory reset in recovery the internal sdcard should be wiped before you flash a new rom, unless you push a rom with adb or sideload from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Krairo said:
Okay thats good to know. I planned to root just to get the free wifi tethering so I'll go order one right now. Thank you for filling me in on the S5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783571 for all available G900P custom recovery`s. Choose a .tar version so it can be flashed with Odin. Good luck mate.
Hi,
I Need help .
I have nexus 4 with stock ROM and stock recovery.
Two days after OTA update to Lollipop, the phone got stuck on boot-loop.
The problem is that on the phone i have a very important voice recording of a cop that says he will lie in court.
The court time is coming and i need that recording!
Everywhere i looked, no one has an idea how to recover a boot-loop'ed phone.
The 2 options that people recommended are:
1. RE-Flash the ROM.
Maybe it wont delete the files.
2. Wipe everything and hope that the file is recoverable with one of the software's.
A. What do you recommend?
B. Did someone try any of the recovering software's with any luck of actually recovering?
Your bootloader is locked, correct?
ashyossi said:
Hi,
I Need help .
I have nexus 4 with stock ROM and stock recovery.
Two days after OTA update to Lollipop, the phone got stuck on boot-loop.
The problem is that on the phone i have a very important voice recording of a cop that says he will lie in court.
The court time is coming and i need that recording!
Everywhere i looked, no one has an idea how to recover a boot-loop'ed phone.
The 2 options that people recommended are:
1. RE-Flash the ROM.
Maybe it wont delete the files.
2. Wipe everything and hope that the file is recoverable with one of the software's.
A. What do you recommend?
B. Did someone try any of the recovering software's with any luck of actually recovering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked you can try flashing TWRP recovery which has a built in file manager and mtp function to copy files to computer. You can also try to "dirty flash" another lollipop rom which will not wipe the data, but may not work.
Yeah, this is the only option, however, this can only happen if his bootloader is unlocked
lolcakes203 said:
Yeah, this is the only option, however, this can only happen if his bootloader is unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately, the bootloader is locked.
what are the chances that "Dirty Flash" wont delete the files?
and what rom should i flash? the same build or maybe try to flash kitkat insted...?
ashyossi said:
unfortunately, the bootloader is locked.
what are the chances that "Dirty Flash" wont delete the files?
and what rom should i flash? the same build or maybe try to flash kitkat insted...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, as far as I know you can't flash any Rom's while your bootloader is locked. You need either fastboot or a custom recovery to flash a custom ROM and both need an unlocked bootloader.
theminikiller said:
Unfortunately, as far as I know you can't flash any Rom's while your bootloader is locked. You need either fastboot or a custom recovery to flash a custom ROM and both need an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and flushing the same STOCK rom that i got as OTA should work or does it only work with custom ROM's?
i've looked again.
seems that the bootloader is unlocked!
so, should i flash a TWRP recovery?
ashyossi said:
i've looked again.
seems that the bootloader is unlocked!
so, should i flash a TWRP recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, after you've flashed twrp you should be able to access your files from a computer if you're booted in recovery.
soooooo.....
i flashed the TWRP Recovery.
very easy. no errors.
and it shows as the storage is completely empty! as if someone in all this time wiped everything...
so now, what recovery software do you know/used/heard of?
ashyossi said:
soooooo.....
i flashed the TWRP Recovery.
very easy. no errors.
and it shows as the storage is completely empty! as if someone in all this time wiped everything...
so now, what recovery software do you know/used/heard of?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When the storage is completely empty, are you booted in recovery, the bootloader or just trying to boot normally? When you say it's empty, do you actually see the device on your computer? If so, is it completely empty with no folders or files or anything, or just stock stuff?
Can you check mount and make sure all the storage volumes are mounted? It's usually blank when they are all manually unmounted.
I want to make a clean Install of factory image (Android 8.0 Oct) on my Nexus 6P with TWRP.
Should wipe Dalvik, Data, System and Internal storage, then move the stock zip file (That I downloaded from google's web) from my computer to my phone and just install in TWRP? Will it work?
Device is unrooted, only has an open boot loader, I just want to make a clean install of Android 8.0
If you wipe your internal all your downloads and your factory image are gone.
Sure you can flash the unpacked *.img with twrp, but don't try to flash the bootloader or radio with twrp.
If you really want a clean start and wipe everything, then you should flash the factory image with fastboot. This will update your bootloader and radio too.
coremania said:
If you wipe your internal all your downloads and your factory image are gone.
Sure you can flash the unpacked *.img with twrp, but don't try to flash the bootloader or radio with twrp.
If you really want a clean start and wipe everything, then you should flash the factory image with fastboot. This will update your bootloader and radio too.
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Hi coremania, I have a few questions towards this method.
1. If the stock image is stored in either external SD card OR USB OTG, even then will there be any problem installing the the stock rom back using TWRP?
2. If the boot loader is unlocked, should one has to re-lock it first before reinstalling the stock rom either thru' TWRP or thru' Fasboot commands?. and finally,
3. Is it not advisable to flash the stock rom from the full factory image using TWRP rather than Fastboot?
(As I think it is easier to flash thru TWRP than typing those ADB commands in Fastboot).
Thank you for your inputs.
AndroMani said:
Hi coremania, I have a few questions towards this method.
1. If the stock image is stored in either external SD card OR USB OTG, even then will there be any problem installing the the stock rom back using TWRP?
2. If the boot loader is unlocked, should one has to re-lock it first before reinstalling the stock rom either thru' TWRP or thru' Fasboot commands?. and finally,
3. Is it not advisable to flash the stock rom from the full factory image using TWRP rather than Fastboot?
(As I think it is easier to flash thru TWRP than typing those ADB commands in Fastboot).
Thank you for your inputs.
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Click to collapse
If you decide to flash and test some stuff the bootloader should be always unlocked. If anything will went wrong and your bootloader is locked you're mostly f***ed. Never relock your bootloader until you want to sell your device.
I mostly use flashfire to flash stock and custom roms, TWRP is ok too, but it's easier to keep root and TWRP with flashfire by flashing stock images. Do not flash bootloader and radio with flashfire, never ever !!! There are TWRP flashable zips for bootloader and radio here on XDA, you only should use these with TWRP, but the safe way for bootloader and radio is fastboot for sure. Fastboot is the safest way for flashing stock,
but not absolutely necessary, you have to decide this for yourself.
Edit: to your first question, I never flashed with USB otg on the n6p, but I think yes it should be fine.
I hope someone here can help answer this question. I also want to flash factory image version 8.1.0 on my nexus 6P. But somehow my phone is not recognized by any computers I tried to plug it in. When I plug in the usb cable to the phone, it doesn't pop up the usb notification to choose MTP for file transfer. Then I try with Developer tab in Settings to choose it manually (USB debugging is enable) but it still doesn't work. My laptop has been updated with android usb drivers and other stuffs. I have a second phone (Oneplus 1) and it's recognized by my laptop the moment I plug it in. Please suggest any solutions to fix this. Thanks everyone.
sinjok said:
I hope someone here can help answer this question. I also want to flash factory image version 8.1.0 on my nexus 6P. But somehow my phone is not recognized by any computers I tried to plug it in. When I plug in the usb cable to the phone, it doesn't pop up the usb notification to choose MTP for file transfer. Then I try with Developer tab in Settings to choose it manually (USB debugging is enable) but it still doesn't work. My laptop has been updated with android usb drivers and other stuffs. I have a second phone (Oneplus 1) and it's recognized by my laptop the moment I plug it in. Please suggest any solutions to fix this. Thanks everyone.
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Click to collapse
Check your cable, or try a different with different port.
In the Dev options you can reset the debugging options, i guess a reboot is necessary afterwards.
coremania said:
If you decide to flash and test some stuff the bootloader should be always unlocked. If anything will went wrong and your bootloader is locked you're mostly f***ed. Never relock your bootloader until you want to sell your device.
I mostly use flashfire to flash stock and custom roms, TWRP is ok too, but it's easier to keep root and TWRP with flashfire by flashing stock images. Do not flash bootloader and radio with flashfire, never ever !!! There are TWRP flashable zips for bootloader and radio here on XDA, you only should use these with TWRP, but the safe way for bootloader and radio is fastboot for sure. Fastboot is the safest way for flashing stock,
but not absolutely necessary, you have to decide this for yourself.
Edit: to your first question, I never flashed with USB otg on the n6p, but I think yes it should be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the clarification. So, far I have not faced a situation to flash my custom recovery either thru' TWRP or thru Fastboot. Instead, I am using my Nandroid backups taken from TWRP and using it to restore my system after I try a custom rom OR upgrade my system with the latest Magisk version for a systemless root. So far there are no issues. But, I wanted to be aware of the methods to go back to stock (without any user installed apps/data) if need be. I read in some forums that we need to re-lock the unlocked bootloader if we want to go back to stock rom using fastboot. Otherwise, the system will not be installed alright and might cause a bootloop.
That's why I wanted to clarify.
Thanks again for your inputs.
AndroMani said:
Thank you for the clarification. So, far I have not faced a situation to flash my custom recovery either thru' TWRP or thru Fastboot. Instead, I am using my Nandroid backups taken from TWRP and using it to restore my system after I try a custom rom OR upgrade my system with the latest Magisk version for a systemless root. So far there are no issues. But, I wanted to be aware of the methods to go back to stock (without any user installed apps/data) if need be. I read in some forums that we need to re-lock the unlocked bootloader if we want to go back to stock rom using fastboot. Otherwise, the system will not be installed alright and might cause a bootloop.
That's why I wanted to clarify.
Thanks again for your inputs.
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Click to collapse
You don't need to ever relock your bootloader. If you want to try stock and use TWRP try SuperXe 8.1. It's just flaahable stock with some extras you can opt out of your not intereseted.
AndroMani said:
Thank you for the clarification. So, far I have not faced a situation to flash my custom recovery either thru' TWRP or thru Fastboot. Instead, I am using my Nandroid backups taken from TWRP and using it to restore my system after I try a custom rom OR upgrade my system with the latest Magisk version for a systemless root. So far there are no issues. But, I wanted to be aware of the methods to go back to stock (without any user installed apps/data) if need be. I read in some forums that we need to re-lock the unlocked bootloader if we want to go back to stock rom using fastboot. Otherwise, the system will not be installed alright and might cause a bootloop.
That's why I wanted to clarify.
Thanks again for your inputs.
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Click to collapse
I can't confirm the relock and unlock method to go back to stock. Senseless to me.