Security update and systemless root - Nexus 6P Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

A new update is out for the 6p with monthly security updates. I have two questions:
1. I'm assuming Google is going to break systemless root. Does this update do that or does it still work?
2. Now that we're seeing monthly updates, keeping root is going to be a pain. What is the least painful process to update? I've searched around and have not been able to find a good guide.

1. I downloaded the new MMB29P image today. I flashed the system and vendor partitions via fastboot. Systemless root is still working.
2. See #1

1. It still works
2. Not painful at all. Fastboot the relevant updated factory images and reflash SuperSu. 2.66 is working perfectly and the existing guides/stickies are still valid.

Did this. Lost root.

@gthing can you be more specific on what you actually did and that will help for advice.

Related

Unable to Update to 6.0.1 (MTC20F)

I decided to catch up on security patches today and, with any luck, obtain the OTA update for Android N. I performed a full unroot (SuperSU) and blew away TWRP by flashing stock recovery for my current build of 6.0.1 (MTC19X). I have also flashed everything back to stock except user data. My boot loader remains unlocked. Every time I try to get the update to 6.0.1 (MTC20F) OTA, the phone will reboot normally and try to install the update. The little android's antennae wiggle for a minute or two and then it just falls over with the familiar red exclamation mark showing up.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
Cryptomap said:
I decided to catch up on security patches today and, with any luck, obtain the OTA update for Android N. I performed a full unroot (SuperSU) and blew away TWRP by flashing stock recovery for my current build of 6.0.1 (MTC19X). I have also flashed everything back to stock except user data. My boot loader remains unlocked. Every time I try to get the update to 6.0.1 (MTC20F) OTA, the phone will reboot normally and try to install the update. The little android's antennae wiggle for a minute or two and then it just falls over with the familiar red exclamation mark showing up.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you did have root, did you make any system changes? Perhaps installing a mod or something that's still there? OTA will fail if it detects any system changes. If you truly are back to stock, then you can also grab a zip of the OTA and install it via ADB sideload. That's what I did and it worked fine.
ultyrunner said:
When you did have root, did you make any system changes? Perhaps installing a mod or something that's still there? OTA will fail if it detects any system changes. If you truly are back to stock, then you can also grab a zip of the OTA and install it via ADB sideload. That's what I did and it worked fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I had root I ran AdAway, Helium and the XPosed framework. Do you think any of those would cause my hiccup?
EDIT: I also had SELinuxModeChanger installed.
Would my best bet be to re-root and uninstall some of those programs that could edit system files?
Cryptomap said:
When I had root I ran AdAway, Helium and the XPosed framework. Do you think any of those would cause my hiccup?
EDIT: I also had SELinuxModeChanger installed.
Would my best bet be to re-root and uninstall some of those programs that could edit system files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to take an OTA with Xposed for sure as it changes the system big-time. If you want to test out Nougat before they post the factory image (if ever, ugh), then follow section 14 of this guide to the letter. http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
You can still flash TWRP and re-root it, but only systemless, and you can also flash a systemless Adaway. Xposed isn't available for Nougat yet, so if you must have that, you're better to wait.
ultyrunner said:
You won't be able to take an OTA with Xposed for sure as it changes the system big-time. If you want to test out Nougat before they post the factory image (if ever, ugh), then follow section 14 of this guide to the letter. http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
You can still flash TWRP and re-root it, but only systemless, and you can also flash a systemless Adaway. Xposed isn't available for Nougat yet, so if you must have that, you're better to wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heisenberg's guides have been incredibly helpful so I'll try that route.
Thanks for the input!
Cryptomap said:
Heisenberg's guides have been incredibly helpful so I'll try that route.
Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. The thanks button does that too ... Seriously though, you have to be 'completely' stock to take an OTA, thus why I await the factory images with baited breath.

How to update the 2016 February OTA with systemless root?

I have TWRP, but I'm still on android 6.0, security patch November 1, 2015, system version 24.11.18.clark_retus and no xposed. I have systemless root, so does full remove root in SuperSU then flashing the right recovery.img work to take all the OTA's till now? The February TWRP flashable OTA thread no longer has a live link.
HelpMeXDA said:
I have TWRP, but I'm still on android 6.0, security patch November 1, 2015, system version 24.11.18.clark_retus and no xposed. I have systemless root, so does full remove root in SuperSU then flashing the right recovery.img work to take all the OTA's till now? The February TWRP flashable OTA thread no longer has a live link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This question is hard to answer... will it work? Maybe, we don't know. The problem is if you are rooted, you did it for a reason (or I would assume so) and you have made some changes to the /system partition over time. Doing a full unroot will not undo those changes. So if you do a full unroot, and fastboot the correct recovery image, then accept the OTA, the recovery is going start the OTA's installation script attempt to process it where it will start a checklist of items to verify, bootloader, boot image, system image, etc... the problem is we don't know what changes will cause the update to error out and which will allow it to apply.
To be honest, I don't think I have heard anyone say they have been able to successfully take this update without going back to pure stock, but ymmv.
The best thing to do would be to return to pure stock via the factory firmware images, we have a known good one of the May 2016 security update.

Problems after rooting Mi A1 (using TWRP stable build reloeased today)

Okay, so I rooted my Mi A1 with the help of Dhananjay Bhosale's video uploaded today.
Everything worked fine until I discovered that I couldn't install OTA updates. Pretty common thing for rooted devices (although somewhat disappointing). But the weird thing is, I was on the September security patch while installing this update but then when I booted into the system after everything was done and dusted, a notification showed that the system was finishing up with installing the August update and that the September update was still to be downloaded and installed. So I did that but the system failed to install it.
Then I checked XDA and Dhananjay, in his XDA account, has suggested that OTA updates could be installed by switching partitions (new thing in Android N). So I did that, redownloaded the September patch and everything installed just fine but then I realized that there were no root privileges in this particular partition. After some effort, I somehow re-entered recovery and switched back to the other partition, hoping that the update would stick. But it didn't. As soon as I rebooted back into system, there was that notification again (finishing up the August update and telling me to download the September patch).
So basically, I am back to square one.
Anyone knows how to break out of this vicious circle?
anirbannath said:
Okay, so I rooted my Mi A1 with the help of Dhananjay Bhosale's video uploaded today.
Everything worked fine until I discovered that I couldn't install OTA updates. Pretty common thing for rooted devices (although somewhat disappointing). But the weird thing is, I was on the September security patch while installing this update but then when I booted into the system after everything was done and dusted, a notification showed that the system was finishing up with installing the August update and that the September update was still to be downloaded and installed. So I did that but the system failed to install it.
Then I checked XDA and Dhananjay, in his XDA account, has suggested that OTA updates could be installed by switching partitions (new thing in Android N). So I did that, redownloaded the September patch and everything installed just fine but then I realized that there were no root privileges in this particular partition. After some effort, I somehow re-entered recovery and switched back to the other partition, hoping that the update would stick. But it didn't. As soon as I rebooted back into system, there was that notification again (finishing up the August update and telling me to download the September patch).
So basically, I am back to square one.
Anyone knows how to break out of this vicious circle?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Similar with me, I have Sep build in slot A and Aug build in slot B. I'm not able to install the Oct build.
sunshinebhushan said:
Similar with me, I have Sep build in slot A and Aug build in slot B. I'm not able to install the Oct build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine also any sol to fix this?
Steps to fix any root mess-up that might happened and/or corrupt system from tampering with files.
1. Follow this guide, you can start from the flashing part
2. Download the mi flash app + a1 fastboot stock rom
3. Flash using the guide, make sure you select 'save user data'! or you will lose all your data!!
4. Once the flashing is complete you will reboot into the august patch, go to updates and install all the updates as usual
5. Root/Flash recovery using your favorite method.
I played around the system partition too much and had some issues with play services, also I couldn't update to october patch, after doing the above, everything works great. just use this guide anytime you want a clean slate.
Also always backup everything on twrp, always a useful thing to do.
Good luck
I didn't have any such problem. This is what I did: I was on Sep patch on 'b' rooted with magisk --> installed Oct ota update --> rebooted --> rebooted to twrp, flashed magisk 13.4. and rebooted to system --> everything works.
BTW how did you get root; CF-auto root or Magisk?
Ex-Hunter said:
I didn't have any such problem. This is what I did: I was on Sep patch on 'b' rooted with magisk --> installed Oct ota update --> rebooted --> rebooted to twrp, flashed magisk 13.4. and rebooted to system --> everything works.
BTW how did you get root; CF-auto root or Magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used AIO tool with patched boot.img then flashfire for SuperSu.
For me, the oct update is not getting installed at the first place
sunshinebhushan said:
I used AIO tool with patched boot.img then flashfire for SuperSu.
For me, the oct update is not getting installed at the first place
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AIO tool uses CF root. Normally you FlashFire would be able to capture the OTA update and flash it but some have reported that it's not happening for our device. IMO you can do one of the two things.
You can do what @sooti suggested till step 4 and then root using Magisk and TWRP. Refer here.
Or
You can find which partition has sep update installed; reboot to it and unroot SuperSU; flash stock sep boot.img and install oct OTA update. After that follow this to get root.
BTW you don't need to flash TWRP; just boot to it and flash Magisk to get root.
Ex-Hunter said:
I didn't have any such problem. This is what I did: I was on Sep patch on 'b' rooted with magisk --> installed Oct ota update --> rebooted --> rebooted to twrp, flashed magisk 13.4. and rebooted to system --> everything works.
BTW how did you get root; CF-auto root or Magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. As I mentioned, I am not even on the September patch. I used to be but then I rooted it today (installed Magisk) and suddenly I'm back to the August patch. September patch only installs in 'a', which is not rooted. That doesn't really serve my purpose.
Ex-Hunter said:
The AIO tool uses CF root. Normally you FlashFire would be able to capture the OTA update and flash it but some have reported that it's not happening for our device. IMO you can do one of the two things.
You can do what @sooti suggested till step 4 and then root using Magisk and TWRP. Refer here.
Or
You can find which partition has sep update installed; reboot to it and unroot SuperSU; flash stock sep boot.img and install oct OTA update. After that follow this to get root.
BTW you don't need to flash TWRP; just boot to it and flash Magisk to get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. There seems to be a problem with what you suggest. The video I followed does almost the same thing. I even have TWRP, along with Magisk of course. The problem is, when I boot to 'a' (the partition that successfully installs the September update), I find that it isn't rooted. Magisk is inactive. And root checker says that root isn't properly installed. So obviously, the question of unrooting is rendered moot.
I want to be able to install the OTA update in my rooted partition and make it stick. People have installed OTA updates to rooted ROMs (mostly using FlashFire), but Flash Fire is giving me an unusual error, something about being unable to install OTA even though it has detected it due to being unable to find some files in boot/recovery folder or something like that.
@anirbannath
Just to be clear, when you reboot to system which partition and which patch are you in?
Ex-Hunter said:
@anirbannath
Just to be clear, when you reboot to system which partition and which patch are you in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Ex-Hunter
I think I should update a little bit : I tried rooting both the partitions and what I saw was that I am on September patch on both of them now. However, the problem still persists albeit in a slightly different manner. Currently I am on partition 'a' because the WiFi is having some weird problems in partition 'b'. So now I have the update notification for the October security patch but after downloading, the system gets stuck on Step 1 of 2 of installing the update. I guess, side-effect of rooting. But this isn't the issue.
I found out that the real problem is the FlashFire app. Since I have downloaded the October patch and rooted both partitions, I had hoped that FlashFire would work now, but that same error persists (which is something like Update Engine binaries could not be found, so update cannot be handled - I have asked a separate question about that, if you would be so kind as to go to my profile and check it out).
I got bootloop when installing october security patch......
I have unlocked bootloader and also rooted my phone using CF-auto-root but when try to install october security update after reboot my phone got bootloop.....
So, what do i do now ?
anirbannath said:
@Ex-Hunter
I think I should update a little bit : I tried rooting both the partitions and what I saw was that I am on September patch on both of them now. However, the problem still persists albeit in a slightly different manner. Currently I am on partition 'a' because the WiFi is having some weird problems in partition 'b'. So now I have the update notification for the October security patch but after downloading, the system gets stuck on Step 1 of 2 of installing the update. I guess, side-effect of rooting. But this isn't the issue.
I found out that the real problem is the FlashFire app. Since I have downloaded the October patch and rooted both partitions, I had hoped that FlashFire would work now, but that same error persists (which is something like Update Engine binaries could not be found, so update cannot be handled - I have asked a separate question about that, if you would be so kind as to go to my profile and check it out).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clarifying. It is interesting that you are on Sep patch on both the partitions. IMO the sure shot way of solving your problem would be to go back to stock and root using Magisk.
Follow the "Flashing Guide for Fastboot Update"guide. Download the Sep fastboot rom for Step 2; Select 'clean all' for Step 5 but do note that it will wipe all user data. Now you will be on stock sep rom on slot a. You'll get OTA notification for the Oct patch, go ahead and install. After rebooting you will be on stock oct rom on slot b.
After finishing, download TWRP and Magisk from here or you can download this package, I have included recovery and Magisk. Copy Magisk-v13.4.zip to your device.
Go to fastboot mode and verify that you're unlocked and all drivers are installed.
While in fastboot type
Code:
fastboot getvar all
You can see which slot is active.
I suggest you NOT to flash TWRP but boot to it instead.
To do so type
Code:
fastboot boot recovery.img
In a few secs you should be in TWRP. If you're not booting into TWRP disconnect the device and switch off; Press vol down button and connect the USB. You should now be in fastboot mode. Try typing the cmd again and it should work.
Flash Magisk-v13.4.zip via TWRP.
Reboot to system
Download the latest Magisk Manager and install. DO NOT update Magisk.
Download and install as usual when the next OTA update arrives. You will lose the root when you reboot. But no worries, just reflash Magisk-v13.4.zip via TWRP and you will be good to go.
P.S. @ topjohnwu is working to get official magisk on our device. When that arrives you will be able to patch Magisk to the OTA update without going to TWRP.
Ex-Hunter said:
The AIO tool uses CF root. Normally you FlashFire would be able to capture the OTA update and flash it but some have reported that it's not happening for our device. IMO you can do one of the two things.
You can do what @sooti suggested till step 4 and then root using Magisk and TWRP. Refer here.
Or
You can find which partition has sep update installed; reboot to it and unroot SuperSU; flash stock sep boot.img and install oct OTA update. After that follow this to get root.
BTW you don't need to flash TWRP; just boot to it and flash Magisk to get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the steps you mentioned, all went well thanks for that. But couldn't edit build.prop with this root method tried with ES explorer (previously with CF root it was successful)
sunshinebhushan said:
I followed the steps you mentioned, all went well thanks for that. But couldn't edit build.prop with this root method tried with ES explorer (previously with CF root it was successful)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to Magisk Manager>Menu>Superuser; Check if the switch is ON for ES explorer.
You can also try Amaze file manager. Its completely FOSS. Go to Amaze>menu>Settings>Root Explorer and switch ON.
Edit: BTW you're not editing build.prop directly,are you? You can't do that for systemless root.
Ex-Hunter said:
Go to Magisk Manager>Menu>Superuser; Check if the switch is ON for ES explorer.
You can also try Amaze file manager. Its completely FOSS. Go to Amaze>menu>Settings>Root Explorer and switch ON.
Edit: BTW you're not editing build.prop directly,are you? You can't do that for systemless root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to edit directly, what is the other way to edit?
sunshinebhushan said:
I am trying to edit directly, what is the other way to edit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've to use resetprop tool for that. You can modify an existing module or put a script at /magisk/.core/service.d (I think.... haven't done that in a long while). You can ask magisk related queries here (unofficial magisk 13.4) or here (official)
Ex-Hunter said:
Thanks for clarifying. It is interesting that you are on Sep patch on both the partitions. IMO the sure shot way of solving your problem would be to go back to stock and root using Magisk.
Follow the "Flashing Guide for Fastboot Update"guide. Download the Sep fastboot rom for Step 2; Select 'clean all' for Step 5 but do note that it will wipe all user data. Now you will be on stock sep rom on slot a. You'll get OTA notification for the Oct patch, go ahead and install. After rebooting you will be on stock oct rom on slot b.
After finishing, download TWRP and Magisk from here or you can download this package, I have included recovery and Magisk. Copy Magisk-v13.4.zip to your device.
Go to fastboot mode and verify that you're unlocked and all drivers are installed.
While in fastboot type
You can see which slot is active.
I suggest you NOT to flash TWRP but boot to it instead.
To do so type
In a few secs you should be in TWRP. If you're not booting into TWRP disconnect the device and switch off; Press vol down button and connect the USB. You should now be in fastboot mode. Try typing the cmd again and it should work.
Flash Magisk-v13.4.zip via TWRP.
Reboot to system
Download the latest Magisk Manager and install. DO NOT update Magisk.
Download and install as usual when the next OTA update arrives. You will lose the root when you reboot. But no worries, just reflash Magisk-v13.4.zip via TWRP and you will be good to go.
P.S. @ topjohnwu is working to get official magisk on our device. When that arrives you will be able to patch Magisk to the OTA update without going to TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have updated magisk in Mi 1 and now I am not able to boot my mobile...it just restart and also not able to boot into TWRP...only it's boots into fastboot mode but PC shows waiting for device...wat to do plz help
kiran8631 said:
I have updated magisk in Mi 1 and now I am not able to boot my mobile...it just restart and also not able to boot into TWRP...only it's boots into fastboot mode but PC shows waiting for device...wat to do plz help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=74203817&postcount=4
by flashing with flashfire rooted and installed supersu without twrp flash and now wifi stopped working rest everythig works just fine..for now i m back2stock...can any one tell me the most safe procedure wich do not break any drivers. i m on 1st october patch. thank you in advance

Possible to root and still receive OTAs?

Hello all,
I have a P2XL but my previous phone was a N6P. I am lending it to my brother for a bit until he gets his own P2XL, I have the phone back to stock and have relocked the bootloader but am curious to know if I can root the phone so he can install Substratum, V4A and AdAway and still receive OTAs. He knows to disable the Substratum OTAs and uninstall V4A before OTA but I'd have to teach him how to sideload OTA if he wouldn't be able to receive the typical method OTA via Google/carrier.
The N6P is Google bought, being used on Tmo.
Thanks!
cwburns32 said:
Hello all,
I have a P2XL but my previous phone was a N6P. I am lending it to my brother for a bit until he gets his own P2XL, I have the phone back to stock and have relocked the bootloader but am curious to know if I can root the phone so he can install Substratum, V4A and AdAway and still receive OTAs. He knows to disable the Substratum OTAs and uninstall V4A before OTA but I'd have to teach him how to sideload OTA if he wouldn't be able to receive the typical method OTA via Google/carrier.
The N6P is Google bought, being used on Tmo.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely not. Over the air updates do checks for that kind of thing including root unlocked bootloaders and modifications to the system partition. Unless you know how to go into the Manifest and override this I would suggest you leave it at full stock if you plan to use OTAs
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Actually, when you do systemless root and do not modify system partition in any way (changes done via Magisk do not count), then OTA may go through, but it will remove root since it replaces boot partition with its own (and systemless root modifies boot partition instead of system). Because of this, you would have to root again after OTA.
Instructions for applying OTA if rooted using Magisk: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md

EngineerMode unroot?

back when engineermode exploit backdoor 'thing' whatever you want to call it, was still a thing i seized to opportunity to gain root access, however since then magisk hide has begun failing me and i would like to either find a way to update magisk from v14.0 safely, or to unroot completely (preferably without wiping) as this has started being problematic. I am on the latest oxygenOS update and i used this guide to root (i originaly linked it here but apparently i cant do that, it was on github, called OneplusRoot by a fella named aldur.)
If anyone can help id really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Since One Plus removed engineering mode I'm surprised you were able to update OOS and maintain the exploit. Why don't you just unlock your bootloader and root the proper way? Your phone won't melt if you do.
I would like to avoid wiping if possible. I too am surprised at the persistence of root after at least 3 OTAs. At this point I no longer really need root and would rather my phone run smoothly without some applications crashing or not running due to root.
bump?
gbesh said:
bump?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as your system boots, and you have root, install the latest magisk manager from the magisk thread, and it will prompt you to update. As long as you give magisk manager root access you should be able to do a "direct install" and reboot and should be up to date. Back up your data first though, I'm not responsible for your data loss (but this worked for me)
Same to unroot. Magisk has an uninstall option that should fully unroot you
manor7777 said:
As long as your system boots, and you have root, install the latest magisk manager from the magisk thread, and it will prompt you to update. As long as you give magisk manager root access you should be able to do a "direct install" and reboot and should be up to date. Back up your data first though, I'm not responsible for your data loss (but this worked for me)
Same to unroot. Magisk has an uninstall option that should fully unroot you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well my system doesn't boot with root. I have to manually mount something and start the magisk service.
Which is why I'm not sure how to update as I've been told the updated version has a different file structure that the one I'm on.
were you able to unroot? i think i am in the same boot right now, on 4.5.13 with magisk root by engineermode, if you were successful please tell me how
yohouse2 said:
were you able to unroot? i think i am in the same boot right now, on 4.5.13 with magisk root by engineermode, if you were successful please tell me how
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no unfortunately i am still waiting for a solution.
gbesh said:
no unfortunately i am still waiting for a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I ran out of options,I unlocked the bootloader (wiped the device), and the new system was unrooted, i then installed Nolimits rom based on OOS 5.1.2
I asked on another thread and another user told me that if you accepted the complete zip update of the OTA prompt the updated system would lose the root, but you wouldn't lose your data or apps, which is nice, but keep in mind you are more probable to have worse performance or battery than clean install
yohouse2 said:
When I ran out of options,I unlocked the bootloader (wiped the device), and the new system was unrooted, i then installed Nolimits rom based on OOS 5.1.2
I asked on another thread and another user told me that if you accepted the complete zip update of the OTA prompt the updated system would lose the root, but you wouldn't lose your data or apps, which is nice, but keep in mind you are more probable to have worse performance or battery than clean install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm this is not the case, i have been updating as the updates roll out and i am now on 5.1.2 and still able to get root access through adb with a locked bootloader.
gbesh said:
I can confirm this is not the case, i have been updating as the updates roll out and i am now on 5.1.2 and still able to get root access through adb with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the alternative is another thing i read but can't find, and honestly can't recommend unless you find in too, is that you can delete the apk and the magisk image(don't know which one, this is how bad i remember this), then rebooting would remove the root.
yohouse2 said:
Well the alternative is another thing i read but can't find, and honestly can't recommend unless you find in too, is that you can delete the apk and the magisk image(don't know which one, this is how bad i remember this), then rebooting would remove the root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After one of the recent updates, magisk hide started working again and my apps are no longer crashing. It is strange but i guess this situation has turned out favourably after all.

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