[Q] Root after unlocking bootloader, retain stock rom & bootloader - Nexus 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am sorry if this is a dupe of other threads but I couldn't find a complete answer to my problem anywhere else.
I have a nexus 7 (2012), on stock 4.4.2, unlocked bootloader (i think, unlocked padlock on startup).
I want to root. I gather this will not wipe? (or will it?) and what tool should i use? I already have N7 toolkit and android sdk, so i can use that most easily, otherwise any other program needed is fine. I want to use stock bootloader and stock rom and ensure ota updates will occur. (i understand i may lose root through ota updates, but i assume i can just reroot as i have unlocked the bootloader?)
Thanks

Since your tab has already gone through the bootloader unlocking process, there is neither a need nor a requirement to wipe the device.
And since you want to stay as close to Stock as possible, you can even "root" without ever flashing a recovery: you just soft-boot a recovery image rather than flashing one. That is - "fastboot boot (...etc)" instead of "fastboot flash (...etc)". That allows you to use a custom recovery every once in a while while leaving a stock recovery on the tablet. That preserves maximum compatibility with future OTAs.*
And with that soft-booted recovery, immediately take a Nandroid backup including the Stock recovery (which is still on the tablet because you soft-booted the recovery you are using). In the same session, use "adb pull" to get a copy of your 100% pure-stock Nandroid backup off the tablet. (Make sure you name it clearly so you will know exactly what it is 12 or 24 months later)
Finally, use a flashable .zip installer package for SuperSU to "flash root".
After an OTA, you can just reinstall root by soft-booting a custom recovery and using the same (or updated) flashable .zip installer method for reinstalling SuperSU. And just like above, capture a new 100% pure-stock Nandroid backup (including the new stock recovery) *before* re-rooting.
This strategy allows you to roll back to any version of stock you please at any time in the future.
good luck
* flashaholics prefer to have a recovery hard-flashed on their device so they can flash things on a whim, wherever they are. The approach here is a bit more restrictive as you have to have a PC handy in order to soft-boot a recovery in order to do any flashing. I would say that the biggest limitation of this approach is that it tends to reduce the number of Nandroid backups of your ROM personalization.
Backup are a good thing. You can always throw them away later, but you can't create a missing one that is urgently needed.

Related

4.2.1 to 4.2.2 rooted stock rom upgrade nightmare

Hi there, i've got a problem updating, like many it seems and I'm pretty new to rooting etc. so please bear with me.
I have 4.2.1 stock rom, rooted and with twrp v2.4.1.0 recovery. I was originally rooted with CWM recovery (using n7 toolkit) but I have flashed twrp to try and update with no luck either.
Anyway I get an error (see attachment image) via ota or via downloading the zip and copying it to the n7 then browsing for it in recovery and installing it that way. I'm basically wondering if there's a quick fix to this problem and can you please help me with it even if there isnt a quick fix. I really don't want to reset my device and have to set everything back up again.
Also, i dont know if this is related, probably is, I cant boot into recovery using the power off hold volume down trick, getting into fastboot mode and then selecting recovery as it just brings up the google logo forever and I have to reset the tablet due to it doing nothing. The only way I can get into recovery is to clear data from google services framework and do an ota update (1970 thing) and that reboots into recovery. I then get the error 7 message in attached photo.
Plz help?!?!
Thanks in advance
Here's what to do.
First, look at those errors in the image you posted very very carefully.
2nd, use the search function on this forum: try the terms "OTA debuggerd" (without the quotes)
3rd, read those posts.
4th, decide if you want the hassle. You are not obligated to perform an upgrade.
5th, Download from Google the 4.2.2 Factory images and extract the "boot.img" and "system.img" files
(make sure you understand that nakasi == grouper == WiFi N7, and nakasig == tilapia == 3G N7)
Hint: search on Google for "Google Nexus Factory Images"
finally
fastboot flash boot name-of-boot-image-file.img
fastboot flash system name-of-system-image-file.img
This will remove root from the ROM, so you will need to flash a SuperSU or Superuser root kit.
Doing things this way is a band-aid. You need to learn how to make full backups & perform full restores; how to flash individual partitions - using both fastboot & the custom recovery; know exactly what the roles of each partition are; know the difference between a kernel, ramdisk, and boot image; understand how to retrieve a small number of files from prior backups; and to know where the installer scripts are located inside flashable .zip files & be able to read them so you can understand what they do.
Finally, you should understand what apps like Titanium Backup and Carbon are capable of, and how backup of System app&data has different consequences upon restore than similar operations for user-installed apps.
OK - get started.

[Q] cannot update to 5.0. File mismatch

OK I'm trying to update to 5.0 on my Nexus 7. I have the OTA file on both my PC and my Tablet. I'm rooted and unlocked. I'm using TWRP and Wug's
When I try to flash the file it gives me this message before bombing out
Code:
Package expects build fingerprint of google/nakasi/grouper:4.4.4/KTU84P/1227136:user/release-keys or google.nakasi/grouper:5.0/LRX21P/1570855:user/release-keys; this device has Android/omni_grouper/grouper:4.4.4/KTU84P/eng.dees_troy.20141028.111642:eng/test-keys
How do I fix this so I can get the OTA flashed. I don't care about losing root because I can use Wug's to get it back.
Im getting the same :S
seems to be complaining about your custom recovery (TWRP?) note the "dees_troy" string in the message.
if you have an unlocked bootloader, you could flash the stock recovery from KTU84P* into your recovery partition, and then take the OTA**. After that, just use fastboot to flash your custom recovery back into place.
cheers
* assuming you were on rooted-KTU84P to begin with.
** attempting to run an OTA on a modified ROM generally only works correctly on very lightly rooted stock, and sometimes not even then. If you have removed stock (system) apps, diddled with the stock frameworks, or installed something that replaced a system shared library (.so), it is pretty unlikely that the OTA will succeed. Take full backups before you start.

Second time trying to root phone and I want to make sure I've got this 100%

Alright so I apologize in advance if this thread has been posted a million times and believe me, I've spent the last 4-5 days combing through to make sure I could get every detail of this process done correctly. So I'm not just blindly asking for instructions on how to root my phone. Apologies also if I posted this in the wrong place.
For starters, I'm using Moto G4 Plus XT1641 6.0.1 Build Number MPJ24.139-23.3. My carrier is Koodo in Canada (unsure if that's important but I'll need to being it up again for another point). The files I downloaded were from a youtube tutorial and this includes ADB program, TWRP img 3.0.2.0, supersu zip 2.46 and Motorola Drivers 2.5.4, SOME of which I think may have been outdated versions.
So Saturday night I tried to root my phone with those files. I followed some more guides, I unlocked my bootloader and I think I mostly did everything right except for getting the right supersu version as I've seen up to version 2.82. I think this may have been my first mistake but maybe someone correct me if I'm wrong? My other mistake was not making a backup in TWRP. I'd read about possible wifi problems after rooting so I grabbed the elemental package and possibly even flashed that wrong. I can't even remember the steps of what I did but I'm sure it was all wrong.
Main point, after all that I didn't have ccell service, wifi, etc. The common problems that arise when you do it wrong. I ended up just taking my phone in and getting a new phone. Exact same one, same model. And this brings me to where I am now. I've downloaded some new files and I want to make sure that I've got everything right as to avoid misunderstanding some key parts to the process.
Minimal ADB and Fastboot 1.4.2, twrp-3.1.1-0-athene.img, SuperSU-v2.82-201705271822, Motorola Drivers 2.5.4, and lastly XT1641_ATHENE-TELUS_MPJ24.139-23.3_cid50_subsidy-TELUS_CFC.xml. Notice how that last one says Telus? It's the parent company of Koodo so I'm hoping I can use that as a failsafe.
I think I've covered all the key points so to sum up:
1. Did I use the wrong supersu zip version and could that be a reason why I had no wifi/cell service? Is that also possible because I may have flashed the wrong carrier athene file?
2. Are the files I have downloaded now the correct ones I need and up to date?
3. I'm following this guide. With the files I have downloaded, is it still a correct step by step process? Are there other guides that work better?(thats not a knock on the original guide I'm refering to). https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/root-systemless-rooting-supersu-2-74-2-t3405772
I think I've got the right know how and tools to root my phone but I'm just nervous of doing what I did before again and would like some reassurance that I'm doing it right. I've just come from jailbreaks, the world of root is much different. I appreciate any help or tips you guys can throw me!
Hmm, that's odd how you lost radio signal when you rooted, did you obtain radio signal back after you unrooted?
A few things I noted:
1)You may wish to update your device to a newer build, you might get an OTA inviting you to update to MPJ24-139-63 (or 139-64), which was the latest Marshmallow build. Once you've rooted, you will not be able to install OTA updates until you have unrooted and restored the stock recovery (from the same build as you currently have). If you get an OTA notification for any build beginning with NPJ, that's for Nougat.
2)If you plan to stay on Marshmallow, you don't need the ElementalX kernel - a custom kernel like ElementalX is compulsory on Nougat, whereas Marshmallow is not as strict with regards to rooting.
3) I hope the carrier ROM is okay, though from other reports, flashing the incorrect ROM can corrupt device partitions, leaving with no IMEI/no service/no FP. We have possible ways of repairing that though.
The tools you've downloaded seem to be okay and Bender's guide is still okay - even though the tools they've used are out of date - so the general procedure would be (up to you if you've updated MM at this point):
Install adb on your computer.
Boot your device to the bootloader.
Flash TWRP 3.1.1 athene (either the offficial TWRP or an unofficial build from shreps or oadam11) as directed.
Reboot to recovery (to make sure the recovery sticks).
Back up all partitions on your device, make the name descriptive.
Make another backup of the boot partition - this contains your stock kernel, useful for switching root manager.
Once the backups have been made, flash SuperSU v2.82.
Wipe cache/Dalvik
Reboot.
echo92 said:
Hmm, that's odd how you lost radio signal when you rooted, did you obtain radio signal back after you unrooted?
A few things I noted:
1)You may wish to update your device to a newer build, you might get an OTA inviting you to update to MPJ24-139-63 (or 139-64), which was the latest Marshmallow build. Once you've rooted, you will not be able to install OTA updates until you have unrooted and restored the stock recovery (from the same build as you currently have). If you get an OTA notification for any build beginning with NPJ, that's for Nougat.
2)If you plan to stay on Marshmallow, you don't need the ElementalX kernel - a custom kernel like ElementalX is compulsory on Nougat, whereas Marshmallow is not as strict with regards to rooting.
3) I hope the carrier ROM is okay, though from other reports, flashing the incorrect ROM can corrupt device partitions, leaving with no IMEI/no service/no FP. We have possible ways of repairing that though.
The tools you've downloaded seem to be okay and Bender's guide is still okay - even though the tools they've used are out of date - so the general procedure would be (up to you if you've updated MM at this point):
Install adb on your computer.
Boot your device to the bootloader.
Flash TWRP 3.1.1 athene (either the offficial TWRP or an unofficial build from shreps or oadam11) as directed.
Reboot to recovery (to make sure the recovery sticks).
Back up all partitions on your device, make the name descriptive.
Make another backup of the boot partition - this contains your stock kernel, useful for switching root manager.
Once the backups have been made, flash SuperSU v2.82.
Wipe cache/Dalvik
Reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, it helps me feel a little more confident in what I'm doing. I didn't get my cell service back as I just took my phone into Koodo and they just gave me a new one. A few questions.
Are there some clear guides on how to recover from lost wifi and cell service? I've seen a few but it appears they all have different directions so as a newcomer to Android it does seems a bit confusing to what the right way to do it is. I'm also hoping someone can chime in on the Telus carrier IMG file as that seems to be my backup in case anything goes terribly wrong again. I'd hate to have to bring my phone back again a second time. Also, is it an easy process to make a backup of the kernel in TWRP? I've figured out how to make a backup of the normal partition, just hoping backing up the kernel is just as easy.
I think I'm near ready to take the root plunge in the coming days. It's good to see such a strong community here. Totally different from the jailbreak scene.
lemonlimejones said:
Thanks for the reply, it helps me feel a little more confident in what I'm doing. I didn't get my cell service back as I just took my phone into Koodo and they just gave me a new one. A few questions.
Are there some clear guides on how to recover from lost wifi and cell service? I've seen a few but it appears they all have different directions so as a newcomer to Android it does seems a bit confusing to what the right way to do it is. I'm also hoping someone can chime in on the Telus carrier IMG file as that seems to be my backup in case anything goes terribly wrong again. I'd hate to have to bring my phone back again a second time. Also, is it an easy process to make a backup of the kernel in TWRP? I've figured out how to make a backup of the normal partition, just hoping backing up the kernel is just as easy.
I think I'm near ready to take the root plunge in the coming days. It's good to see such a strong community here. Totally different from the jailbreak scene.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, I'm not aware of any guides specifically dealing with lost Wi-Fi and lost mobile signal. There are a few posts where we've had some success in getting radios back, but it involves either hex editing https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72340548&postcount=98 or flashing hw, modem or fsg partitions from a working device (in this case, XT1641) The instances I've seen of lost Wi-Fi/mobile signal appear to have occurred during a stock ROM fastboot flash, but hoping someone can chime in as to whether it was just flashing the wrong region firmware or something else.
If you want to back up your kernel in TWRP:
Boot to TWRP
Tap 'Backup' on the main menu
Select only the 'boot' partition - this is the partition that contains your kernel (should be stock and clean if you've not rooted).
Rename the file to remind you it's your kernel.
Swipe to back up.
If you need to revert to this kernel, unroot first (depending on your root manager, you may have to boot and then unroot. I recall SuperSU unroots via the SuperSU app settings), then boot to TWRP.
Tap 'Restore' on the main menu
Navigate to your boot backup
Flash your boot backup
You should now have a clean stock kernel, so if you wish to switch root managers, you should be able to obtain root with your new root manager. We want a clean kernel (no modifications made) since uninstalling the old root may leave traces of root on your existing kernel, and thus may cause issues if you re-root with a different manager.
Good luck in rooting
echo92 said:
Hmm, I'm not aware of any guides specifically dealing with lost Wi-Fi and lost mobile signal. There are a few posts where we've had some success in getting radios back, but it involves either hex editing https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72340548&postcount=98 or flashing hw, modem or fsg partitions from a working device (in this case, XT1641) The instances I've seen of lost Wi-Fi/mobile signal appear to have occurred during a stock ROM fastboot flash, but hoping someone can chime in as to whether it was just flashing the wrong region firmware or something else.
If you want to back up your kernel in TWRP:
Boot to TWRP
Tap 'Backup' on the main menu
Select only the 'boot' partition - this is the partition that contains your kernel (should be stock and clean if you've not rooted).
Rename the file to remind you it's your kernel.
Swipe to back up.
If you need to revert to this kernel, unroot first (depending on your root manager, you may have to boot and then unroot. I recall SuperSU unroots via the SuperSU app settings), then boot to TWRP.
Tap 'Restore' on the main menu
Navigate to your boot backup
Flash your boot backup
You should now have a clean stock kernel, so if you wish to switch root managers, you should be able to obtain root with your new root manager. We want a clean kernel (no modifications made) since uninstalling the old root may leave traces of root on your existing kernel, and thus may cause issues if you re-root with a different manager.
Good luck in rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's perfect thank you so much. Am I right to assume that if I get into a jam then I can just restore/reflash my backups and I'll be back to normal?
To be safe, flash the ElementalX kernel before rooting.
reCoded said:
To be safe, flash the ElementalX kernel before rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See this is where I get confused, the guy above you said ElementalX isn't needed on Marshmallow but you say i should use it anyway? I've seen a few differing opinions on what should and shouldn't be done, just not sure which one is the right answer.
lemonlimejones said:
See this is where I get confused, the guy above you said ElementalX isn't needed on Marshmallow but you say i should use it anyway? I've seen a few differing opinions on what should and shouldn't be done, just not sure which one is the right answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ElementalX v0.07 is not required on Marshmallow (provided you are planning on staying on 6.0.1), you can root the stock ROM kernel. You may wish to flash the ElementalX kernel anyway as this custom kernel gives you more control and tuning options compared to the stock kernel. On stock Nougat, because the anti-rooting kernel security is much stricter and enforced (whereas on Marshmallow I don't think it's enforced), then you need ElementalX or vegito or a custom kernel to bypass the security, by in effect replacing the stock secure kernel with a kernel that doesn't have those restrictions. Without replacing the stock kernel on stock Nougat systems, you can run into a bootloop.
As an MM kernel as mentioned before has weaker security regarding rooting, it's up to you if you choose to root the stock kernel or ElementalX.
I've rooted MM (MPJ24.139-63) in the past with SuperSU (v2.79) and only used TWRP and SuperSU.
In response to your other post, the backups should get you out of a jam, since what you're doing should only affect the partitions you've backed up previously (they in theory shouldn't go anywhere near your modem, bootloader or critical firmware). Bear in mind that the TWRP backup if restored in full will revert your messages and data to that backup. You may wish to use Titanium Backup or other tools to take occasional snapshots of your apps data that you can restore should you have to roll back.
lemonlimejones said:
See this is where I get confused, the guy above you said ElementalX isn't needed on Marshmallow but you say i should use it anyway? I've seen a few differing opinions on what should and shouldn't be done, just not sure which one is the right answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're on Nougat, then you should use ElementalX. If you're on Marshmallow, you don't need it.
echo92 said:
ElementalX v0.07 is not required on Marshmallow (provided you are planning on staying on 6.0.1), you can root the stock ROM kernel. You may wish to flash the ElementalX kernel anyway as this custom kernel gives you more control and tuning options compared to the stock kernel. On stock Nougat, because the anti-rooting kernel security is much stricter and enforced (whereas on Marshmallow I don't think it's enforced), then you need ElementalX or vegito or a custom kernel to bypass the security, by in effect replacing the stock secure kernel with a kernel that doesn't have those restrictions. Without replacing the stock kernel on stock Nougat systems, you can run into a bootloop.
As an MM kernel as mentioned before has weaker security regarding rooting, it's up to you if you choose to root the stock kernel or ElementalX.
I've rooted MM (MPJ24.139-63) in the past with SuperSU (v2.79) and only used TWRP and SuperSU.
In response to your other post, the backups should get you out of a jam, since what you're doing should only affect the partitions you've backed up previously (they in theory shouldn't go anywhere near your modem, bootloader or critical firmware). Bear in mind that the TWRP backup if restored in full will revert your messages and data to that backup. You may wish to use Titanium Backup or other tools to take occasional snapshots of your apps data that you can restore should you have to roll back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on, I think I feel comfortable with this now! One more question though, with newer versions of SuperSU is it still necessary to make the command echo systemless=true or was that mostly for older versions? Also if that part is needed, should I run SuperSU from the data folder in TWRP?
lemonlimejones said:
Right on, I think I feel comfortable with this now! One more question though, with newer versions of SuperSU is it still necessary to make the command echo systemless=true or was that mostly for older versions? Also if that part is needed, should I run SuperSU from the data folder in TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 'echo systemless=true', as I understand it, isn't required on SuperSU 2.79 or newer, so if you're flashing 2.82, you should be able to flash as is without having to run the command too Also makes uninstalling easier!

[Guide]How to get an update if unlocked and rooted, but otherwise on stock EMUI

I just bought the Honor 8 and immediately unlocked and rooted it via Magik. Of course not long after that, I get a notification that there is an update available. You obviously cannot update the phone by simply pressing the "update" button since we have a non-stock recovery. I did a fair amount of research to find out how I could get the update and I wanted to share what I found. All of this information is out there already, but generally speaking it is spread out in many different threads. Hopefully these directions can help someone else.....
First, the usual disclosures.....
Code:
I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards,
thermonuclear war, or you getting fired because the alarm app failed. Please
do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this GUIDE
before flashing it! YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if
you point the finger at me for messing up your device, I will laugh at you.
1) Make a NANDroid backup using TWRP: if the new update locks the phone, you will need this backup to restore data after unlocking it
2) Unroot your phone: honestly I did not do this step myself because I simply didn't think about it. The update process worked for me without unrooting but I am also using Magik which doesn't alter the system files. To ensure success I would definitely recommend you unroot. You will have to reroot the phone after the update regardless if you unrooted or not, so you aren't saving any steps by keeping root at this point. If you have used a different root method besides Magik, you must unroot prior to attempting an upgrade.
3) Obtain stock recovery.img file: the update won't work with TWRP as your recovery, so we need to flash the original Huawei recovery to replace TWRP. If you already have a copy of the stock recovery skip to step 4. If you are like me you don't have a copy of the stock recovery image on hand and we will need to extract it from the stock ROM image. Using a computer (not your phone) download the stock ROM image for your device. This website seems to have a list of recent versions and it is where I downloaded the L14 B389 version that I used.
Download the Huawei Update Extractor software and unzip the folder on the computer. Open the HuaweiUpdateExtractor app and use the software to extract the "Recovery.img" file. Here is a Youtube video showing how to do this. Please note, although the video shows several files being extracted you only need to extract the "Recovery.img" file for our use. Move the stock recovery image to your ADB folder so you can flash it in step 4.
4) Flash the stock recovery image: use the stock recovery file and flash it to recovery using the same instructions as you used to flash TWRP in the first place. If you need a refresher, look at section 2 (parts 1-5) of the first post in this thread. Just make sure you substite the name of the stock recovery image instead of the TWRP.img
5) Reboot into system
6) Install Update: go to the Settings - System Update menu on your phone. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots and it will bring up a menu where you can choose "Download latest full update". Click on this. This will start the update process by downloading the full ROM and not just the smaller update package. For me the package size was approaching 2gb, so make sure you are ready to handle that size transfer. After the download is complete, start the update process. I was nervous at first, but everything went fine. If for some reason the update fails, I would reboot and try again. I did have one failure, but I cannot explain if it was a bad download, or something I did wrong (like not unrooting the phone prior to attempting the update). It worked fine the second attempt.
7) Reboot: the phone will reboot and you should check the status to make sure you are on the latest version.
8) Flash TWRP recovery: I read where people said full updates would lock your phone and you would have to start from scratch unlocking it (and therefore wiping all data). This was not the case for me and this update using this method. I was simply able to flash TWRP again. You should be a rock star at flashing recoveries by now so get to it and flash TWRP again. If your phone is locked, then read the note at the bottom of this post.
9) Reboot into system
10) Flash Magik zip: reboot into recovery and flash Magik zip to get SuperSU.
11) Install Magik modules: reboot into system. Reinstall any Magik modules you use as they don't get carried over from the previous installation.
12) Enjoy your updated phone
If for some reason the full update did lock the phone, then you will need to unlock it again before you can flash TWRP. You have already done this before, so use whatever method was successful for you. Obviously this will fully wipe your phone. After flashing TWRP and Magik, I would make a backup of that raw "stock" image just in case this next step doesn't work. After making the backup, you can try to restore just the data partition of the NANDroid backup you made in step 1 (click restore in TWRP, select the backup made in step 1 but deselect everything except the "data" partition before starting the restore process.) I have never done this, but I have read it will recover all your data (apps, etc) without affecting the system partition and therefore it won't mess up the upgrade. I would not recommend doing this if going from Marshmallow to Nugget or Nugget to Oreo however. In those cases, it is better to simple start fresh and redownload all of your apps.
Thank you for this thread.
Hello sic,
I am having the same issue with my Huawei GR-5 2017 and like you, I have my fair share of researching for weeks now and I was really happy to stumble on this thread.
Before I start with the process, I have a few questions for you. I hope you could help me (even though this thread is half a year ago).
Can you elaborate steps 1 and 2 or could you provide me a link on how to do those?
I got xposed installed im on emui 8 i also tried flashfire but it only turns the phone off.. Ist it eneugh to uninstall xposed? And can i get the recovery img from fullota? And must i restore images in magisk? I will try it without xposed installed. And a theory: is the information abaut bootloader unlock stored in a partition like oeminfo? If it is we could restore oeminfo.

How to take disk image of shared storage?

Starting from a non-rooted SM-G950W with a locked version 7 bootloader, what does it take to make a disk image backup (like with `dd` or `adb pull`) of the /data/media, without first destroying the data that's there? Is it even possible?
I ask because I did something dumb that truncated (not deleted) all files in shared storage to 0 bytes. If I could take a disk image of /data/media, I'd be able to use offline recovery programs (like PhotoRec) to restore what was on there, but I'm currently blocked from doing that since my phone isn't rooted.
I could root my phone, but it looks like most options for rooting involve wiping out /data/.
After having done some research, it appears that I may have the following options:
Install a custom recovery like TWRP, which will grant me root access in Recovery Mode that I can use to make a disk image. The problem is that my bootloader (version 7) is locked, meaning I'd need to use Safestrap, but that apparently requires root. Is it possible to install an additional custom recovery with a locked bootloader (as opposed to replacing the built-in one) without rooting first, or am I out of luck?
Install an additional custom ROM that has root, leaving the phone's original ROM intact as opposed to replacing it, if that even makes sense.
I think I've gone in circles about what the requirements are for installing a custom recovery or ROM. This post in a G950 rooting thread says it's possible to install a custom recovery image that has root access (at least on the S8+):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81922221&postcount=9
The linked instructions are for installing a custom ROM with Safestrap:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-s8+/development/rom-t3771206
But the link for G950W leads back to the G950 rooting thread, which requires wiping /data/:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/development/root-t4060701
Also, the Safestrap install guide says that root is a requirement:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/development/recovery-locked-nougat-7-0-safestrap-t3772760
Is there a solution here, or are all options locked out?
Thanks in advance!

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