Database Users

[Q] Nexus 7 Bricked, can't access Bootloader or Fastboot

I think I may have my Nexus 7 (2012) in a badly bricked state.
I was running Android 4.3, unlocked and rooted with stock recovery. The tablet froze while using GMail. Pressing the home or back buttons just gave me a black screen with the buttons "highlighted" by circles. I waited several minutes and decided to just power off the tablet. When I looked over about a half hour later I saw that the tablet was frozen on the white Google screen. Two more reboots produced the same result.
I did some research and determined that it might be a good idea to try a cache wipe. I booted into the bootloader and selected Recovery. The tablet rebooted to an android on his back with a red triangle and the words "No command" underneath. Attempting to boot back into the bootloader (Power, Vol+, Vol-) produced the same results - red triangle and the words "No command". I could no longer boot into the bootloader. Powering off and powering on normally also takes me to "No command".
I discovered that I can press Power & Vol+ while in the "No command" state. Doing so produces the following text at the bottom of the screen:
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/log
E: Can't open /cache/recovery/last_log
E: Can't open /cache/recovery/last_install
E: failed closing /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MSC
(I/O error)
I get a menu at the top with the options to reboot, apply update from ADB, wipe data/factory reset and wipe cache. Attempting to wipe cache produces:
-- Wiping cache...
Formatting /cache..
Cache wipe complete.
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/last_locale
After a few minutes I boot back to the red triangle android.
Attempting a factory reset produces:
--Wiping data...
Formating /data...
Formatting /cache...
Date wipe complete.
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
E:can't mount /cache/recovery/log
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/log
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
E:can't mount /cache/recovery/last_log
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/last_log
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
E:can't mount /cache/recovery/last_install
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/last_install
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
E: failed closing /dev/block/platform/sdhci-tegra.3/by-name/MSC
(I/O error)
E:failed to mount /cache (Invalid argument)
I've tried using the apply update from ADB option. I can use adb devices to see the serial number. Fastboot doesn't seem to respond and won't list the device. Flashing the factory 4.3 image (downloaded from Google and unzipped) using adb sideload uploads the image and then produces the error:
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E:signature verification failed
Installation aborted.
...followed by all of the "cache mount / open errors shown previously"
Not sure what else to try. (I'm learning all of this as I go from reading posts on this site.) Is there a way to adb sideload the recovery partition as I suspect that it is corrupt?
Sorry to be so long winded. I figured that too much info was better than not enough. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

So you can still access the recovery menu? That surely means that your tablet isn't bricked and if you can access the recovery, then you too must be able to access the bootloader. Power off your tablet and try to boot into fastboot by using power and volume -, volume + isn't necessary. Are you sure you have also installed the drivers for fastboot mode? Then try to flash the factory images using the guide here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Remcotjuuh said:
So you can still access the recovery menu? That surely means that your tablet isn't bricked and if you can access the recovery, then you too must be able to access the bootloader. Power off your tablet and try to boot into fastboot by using power and volume -, volume + isn't necessary. Are you sure you have also installed the drivers for fastboot mode? Then try to flash the factory images using the guide here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First - thanks for responding.
To answer your questions. No, I can't access the recovery menu. It doesn't matter how I boot - power button only, power button and vol-, vol+ or power, vol- only --- the device immediately boots to the android on his back with the red triangle. I don't get the normal "menu" where I can use the buttons to choose and select recovery mode. Sometimes there are the words "No command" under the android, sometimes there isn't. I can't get the tablet into fastboot mode.
When the device boots to the android + red triangle, the only thing I have been able to do is push power, Vol+ which gets me to the menu with
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
wipe date/factory reset
wipe cache partition
The "wipe" options fail with the text shown in my original post. If I select "apply update from ADB" it puts the device into ADB Sideload mode. (Not normal ADB mode.) My only option here is to ADB sideload images. I have tried sideloading the factory image. The image transferes, but it fails with a signature error and won't install. I have downloaded the image several times directly from google.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers a few times. I've used the article that you referenced, another article on this site and used the Wugs Nexus Root Toolkit to install the drivers. I know that my drivers were good originally as I used them to root the device.
Could the errors that I am seeing when I attempt the wipe options indicate a hardware issue? The device seems to be attempting to mount the cache and other partitions and can't.
Additional help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

awhite2600 said:
First - thanks for responding.
To answer your questions. No, I can't access the recovery menu. It doesn't matter how I boot - power button only, power button and vol-, vol+ or power, vol- only --- the device immediately boots to the android on his back with the red triangle. I don't get the normal "menu" where I can use the buttons to choose and select recovery mode. Sometimes there are the words "No command" under the android, sometimes there isn't. I can't get the tablet into fastboot mode.
When the device boots to the android + red triangle, the only thing I have been able to do is push power, Vol+ which gets me to the menu with
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
wipe date/factory reset
wipe cache partition
The "wipe" options fail with the text shown in my original post. If I select "apply update from ADB" it puts the device into ADB Sideload mode. (Not normal ADB mode.) My only option here is to ADB sideload images. I have tried sideloading the factory image. The image transferes, but it fails with a signature error and won't install. I have downloaded the image several times directly from google.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers a few times. I've used the article that you referenced, another article on this site and used the Wugs Nexus Root Toolkit to install the drivers. I know that my drivers were good originally as I used them to root the device.
Could the errors that I am seeing when I attempt the wipe options indicate a hardware issue? The device seems to be attempting to mount the cache and other partitions and can't.
Additional help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it under warranty?

xbt- said:
Is it under warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. It's about 10 months old.

Your cache partition is corrupt. Because cache is corrupt, your N7 probably can't boot anything but recovery. Did your N7 turn off while you were wiping cache or something?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Looks to me as if your boot / system is not working or corrupt. But you are writing you boot always to the dead Android, that's the bootloader mode and from there you should be able to flash a new system by fastboot. As long as you can go to bootloader there is hope for your device unless some hardware defect prevents you from flashing the system images. Try to install the fastboot drivers for your OS and then try to flash the system images. Probably you need to unlock your bootloader first.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

AndDiSa said:
Looks to me as if your boot / system is not working or corrupt. But you are writing you boot always to the dead Android, that's the bootloader mode and from there you should be able to flash a new system by fastboot. As long as you can go to bootloader there is hope for your device unless some hardware defect prevents you from flashing the system images. Try to install the fastboot drivers for your OS and then try to flash the system images. Probably you need to unlock your bootloader first.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has already said he can only boot into stock recovery, not bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 12:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
Now I got myself thinking, the factory images fail, but what about an image for a custom recovery? Try to adb sideload yours from www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager. Is your bootloader unlocked?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

cmason37 said:
Your cache partition is corrupt. Because cache is corrupt, your N7 probably can't boot anything but recovery. Did your N7 turn off while you were wiping cache or something?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tablet froze during normal operation. (Checking GMail.) I simply turned it off...or so I though. When I looked over about 30 minutes later it was stuck on the white "Google" screen. I was able to boot into the normal bootloader at this point. My thoughts were to then select stock recovery and just wipe the cache. It's been in the "red triangle" and "No command" since then.

AndDiSa said:
Looks to me as if your boot / system is not working or corrupt. But you are writing you boot always to the dead Android, that's the bootloader mode and from there you should be able to flash a new system by fastboot. As long as you can go to bootloader there is hope for your device unless some hardware defect prevents you from flashing the system images. Try to install the fastboot drivers for your OS and then try to flash the system images. Probably you need to unlock your bootloader first.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader is unlocked. I was rooted with stock recovery. I have uninstalled and reinstalled drivers several times. I know for certain that the ADB drivers are installed. I don't have an easy way to confirm that the fastboot drivers are installed - but they should be.

Remcotjuuh said:
He has already said he can only boot into stock recovery, not bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 12:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
Now I got myself thinking, the factory images fail, but what about an image for a custom recovery? Try to adb sideload yours from www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager. Is your bootloader unlocked?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can try sideloading a custom recovery. I may have already tried this...I've tried so many things. I will try again.
The link that you provided points to .img downloads. I thought that ADB Sideload only worked with .zip images. Am I wrong?

awhite2600 said:
I can try sideloading a custom recovery. I may have already tried this...I've tried so many things. I will try again.
The link that you provided points to .img downloads. I thought that ADB Sideload only worked with .zip images. Am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remcotjuuh said:
He has already said he can only boot into stock recovery, not bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 12:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------
Now I got myself thinking, the factory images fail, but what about an image for a custom recovery? Try to adb sideload yours from www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager. Is your bootloader unlocked?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried sideloading the clockwork recovery. The .img file transfers. The Nexus 7 then displays:
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E:signature verification failed
Installation aborted.
:
followed by all of the E: can't mount/open cache/recovery messages as mentioned in my initial post.

Then I'm getting to a dead end here too. I guess you have tried flashing the bootloader too? And how about using the "flash-all.bat" in the factory images package?
Edit:
Maybe sideloading the zip from the images package that contains boot, system and recovery?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

Remcotjuuh said:
Then I'm getting to a dead end here too. I guess you have tried flashing the bootloader too? And how about using the "flash-all.bat" in the factory images package?
Edit:
Maybe sideloading the zip from the images package that contains boot, system and recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure that I've tried flashing the bootloader. When I try again (using adb sideload) I get the same signature verification failed message on the N7 that I did when attempting to sideload recovery images. I then get failed to mount cache messages.
I tried the flash-all.bat. Unfortunately that requires fastboot mode and the tablet won't go into fastboot mode. The batch file just sits waiting for the device to respond. Manually typing fastboot devices fails to list anything.
The only "response" that I seem to be able to get is when I put the tablet into sideload mode. I can type adb devices from a command prompt and get a reply with the serial number. The only other adb command that responds is adb sideload - which always reports signature failed on the tablet. Do you think this is a hardware issue?

awhite2600 said:
I'm pretty sure that I've tried flashing the bootloader. When I try again (using adb sideload) I get the same signature verification failed message on the N7 that I did when attempting to sideload recovery images. I then get failed to mount cache messages.
I tried the flash-all.bat. Unfortunately that requires fastboot mode and the tablet won't go into fastboot mode. The batch file just sits waiting for the device to respond. Manually typing fastboot devices fails to list anything.
The only "response" that I seem to be able to get is when I put the tablet into sideload mode. I can type adb devices from a command prompt and get a reply with the serial number. The only other adb command that responds is adb sideload - which always reports signature failed on the tablet. Do you think this is a hardware issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea whether this is a hardware issue, could be, could not be. I remember a thread in which someone had a similar problem, only he had only access to fastboot mode. He eventually fixed it by running the flash-all.bat dozens of times, very strange. So how about sideloading the zip containing boot, recovery and system? I haven't read you tried that. And how about adb pushing flashable zip to your device and flash them in recovery? You can try all kinds of zip, ROMs, recoveries. They do need to be signed because you only have access to the stock recovery I guess.

Remcotjuuh said:
I have no idea whether this is a hardware issue, could be, could not be. I remember a thread in which someone had a similar problem, only he had only access to fastboot mode. He eventually fixed it by running the flash-all.bat dozens of times, very strange. So how about sideloading the zip containing boot, recovery and system? I haven't read you tried that. And how about adb pushing flashable zip to your device and flash them in recovery? You can try all kinds of zip, ROMs, recoveries. They do need to be signed because you only have access to the stock recovery I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried sideloading the full factory image. That contains all of the boot, recovery and system images. Just like every other sideload that I've tried the file transfers from the PC. The tablet then reports that the signature verification fails. I've downloaded the factory image three times. I've done FC (file compare) from a command prompt and confirmed that none of the downloads are corrupt - they all match each other.
EDIT: I can't push a flashable zip as I can only adb sideload. I can't adb to just transfer a file. I also can't get into the recovery menu so I can't select a file to flash.
I agree that this is very strange. I've tried Googling the various "can't open / mount cache" message that I keep getting. I can't find anything about them. So this may be a very uncommon issue.
I appreciate your help. I'll keep trying different things. If anyone can think of anything else to try I would appreciate any advice. :fingers-crossed:

awhite2600 said:
I've tried sideloading the full factory image. That contains all of the boot, recovery and system images. Just like every other sideload that I've tried the file transfers from the PC. The tablet then reports that the signature verification fails. I've downloaded the factory image three times. I've done FC (file compare) from a command prompt and confirmed that none of the downloads are corrupt - they all match each other.
EDIT: I can't push a flashable zip as I can only adb sideload. I can't adb to just transfer a file. I also can't get into the recovery menu so I can't select a file to flash.
I agree that this is very strange. I've tried Googling the various "can't open / mount cache" message that I keep getting. I can't find anything about them. So this may be a very uncommon issue.
I appreciate your help. I'll keep trying different things. If anyone can think of anything else to try I would appreciate any advice. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Just be persistent and try sideloading, and maybe adb pushing, the different kinds of images/.zips. Maybe you'll be lucky and magically succeed just like the other guy did. I guess this is everything I could advise you. Good luck.

Fastboot is working only when you are in bootloader mode, when you are in recovery or in "normal" operating mode only adb will work. The command is normally located in the sdk/platform-tools directory of the sdk and I suppose you have the latest android SDK installed.
Btw. for me it makes absolutely no sense that the tablet is booting to recovery directly, because the bootloader is loaded and started before, Only from there you are able to go to recovery, i.e. if recovery mode is working, bootloader must work, too.
To recover your system: go to bootloader mode and get fastboot running, then get the system image and extract all files and do the following:
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot erase system -w
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot reboot
this should be sufficient. If you want to be sure you can also do
fastboot reboot recovery
and do a system wipe from there. And after that reboot into your system. Good luck!
@Remcotjuuh: it's better to use fastboot instead of adb, because you are one level below, i.e. if your recovery is not working correctly, adb will fail while fastboot does not depend on a working adb process.

AndDiSa said:
and do a system wipe from there. And after that reboot into your system. Good luck!
@Remcotjuuh: it's better to use fastboot instead of adb, because you are one level below, i.e. if your recovery is not working correctly, adb will fail while fastboot does not depend on a working adb process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, but he has clearly said multiple times that he cannot access the bootloader, although I find this very strange too...

Sony xperia s bricked
Remcotjuuh said:
So you can still access the recovery menu? That surely means that your tablet isn't bricked and if you can access the recovery, then you too must be able to access the bootloader. Power off your tablet and try to boot into fastboot by using power and volume -, volume + isn't necessary. Are you sure you have also installed the drivers for fastboot mode? Then try to flash the factory images using the guide here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1907796
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm experiencing a similar problem with my phone. i rooted my phone today (using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2327473) and it was running fine, but i installed an application from the play store called [Root] Developer tools to allow me to load up recovery boot. i gave it permission but when i tried turning my phone on it just stays blank. ive tried the hard reset (up+power button) but all that happens is my phone vibrates 3 times and a green light flashes. please help

[Q] Nexus 4 OTA update failure

Kit-Kat OTA came out for my Nexus 4 today and I went to apply it but during the install it errored out and the phone subsequently enters a boot loop. I can get into a recovery shell and attempt to push the update via sideload but I get an error:
Symlinks and permissions...
set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed
E:Error in /tmp/update.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted
I'm 99% sure there's a binary in /system/xbin/ or /system/bin/ thats set immutable (chattr +i) causing this to fail but I can't launch an adb shell from recovery to fix this. Can anybody help me out here?

ykram said:
Kit-Kat OTA came out for my Nexus 4 today and I went to apply it but during the install it errored out and the phone subsequently enters a boot loop. I can get into a recovery shell and attempt to push the update via sideload but I get an error:
Symlinks and permissions...
set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed
E:Error in /tmp/update.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted
I'm 99% sure there's a binary in /system/xbin/ or /system/bin/ thats set immutable (chattr +i) causing this to fail but I can't launch an adb shell from recovery to fix this. Can anybody help me out here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using stock recovery to do this?
You pretty much explained why, but if you had rooted the phone it could fail due to other reasons too.
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you can boot TWRP (not install, but boot by fastboot boot twrp.img), it have its own terminal and you can go in and chattr -i that file.
Or with unlocked bootloader you just "fastboot format system" and flash the full system.img from the factory image. Or use TWRP to flash a stock rom.
I don't see how else you could have ran a chattr command to the /system without root. But without an unlocked bootloader you pretty much only have the choice of factory reset or unlock the bootloader in which both will wipe all data. But I'm pretty sure beside fastboot erase and format, not even factory reset in recovery could get rid of an immutable file. There is no adb access in stock recovery beside adb sideload signed packages (otherwise every android phones will be very unsecure).

eksasol said:
Are you using stock recovery to do this?
You pretty much explained why, but if you had rooted the phone it could fail due to other reasons too.
If you have an unlocked bootloader then you can boot TWRP (not install, but boot by fastboot boot twrp.img), it have its own terminal and you can go in and chattr -i that file.
Or with unlocked bootloader you just "fastboot format system" and flash the full system.img from the factory image. Or use TWRP to flash a stock rom.
I don't see how else you could have ran a chattr command to the /system without root. But without an unlocked bootloader you pretty much only have the choice of factory reset or unlock the bootloader in which both will wipe all data. But I'm pretty sure beside fastboot erase and format, not even factory reset in recovery could get rid of an immutable file. There is no adb access in stock recovery beside adb sideload signed packages (otherwise every android phones will be very unsecure).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, you're correct. I was rooted at one point and had an old 'su' binary around that was immutable, completely forgotten about. My bootloader is stock atm and I'm still stuck on 'no command' I'm accepting the inevitability that I'll have to wipe and start over but I'm not even sure how to flash the factory firmware now since I'm either stuck in a 'Google' boot loop or I get 'no command'.
Any suggestions?

ykram said:
Unfortunately, you're correct. I was rooted at one point and had an old 'su' binary around that was immutable, completely forgotten about. My bootloader is stock atm and I'm still stuck on 'no command' I'm accepting the inevitability that I'll have to wipe and start over but I'm not even sure how to flash the factory firmware now since I'm either stuck in a 'Google' boot loop or I get 'no command'.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you see no command that is normal. To bring up the stock recovery menu, while holding Power first, press Volume Up.
Google bootloop have nothing to do with flashing factory image since it required using fastboot in fastboot mode (not in recovery), aka the bootloader menu. Links in my signature have instructions to flash factory image.

eksasol said:
When you see no command that is normal. To bring up the stock recovery menu, while holding Power first, press Volume Up.
Google bootloop have nothing to do with flashing factory image since it required using fastboot in fastboot mode (not in recovery), aka the bootloader menu. Links in my signature have instructions to flash factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, gotch ya. Many thanks for the response and help.

Error While Sideloading 5.1 OTA

Hello All
I have soft bricked my Nexus 4 by applying the 5.1 OTA update from the notification in Android. This has left me with both normal boot and recovery leading to the No Command screen. From here, it seems my only route of salvage is the 'Android system recovery <3e>' menu, accessed by tapping Vol Up whilst holding Power on this screen, and using the 'apply update from ADB' option. Unfortunately, after modifying my .inf to allow Windows recognition of the device in sideload mode according to instructions I found on this forum and finding the 5.1 OTA zip for download, I reach another error. The sideload process stops at around 92% on the computer and the phone reads:
Code:
Creating parent of system/priv-app/Hangouts/lib failed, error No space left on device E:Error in /sideload/package.zip (Status 7) Installation aborted.
This error in sideloading persists regardless of using the 'wipe data/factory reset' and 'wipe cache partition' options in the Android system recovery menu. For background purposes, I was on stock LRX22C with CWM 6.0.4.7 for a recovery, and I am now trying the LRX22C to LMY47D OTA zip. Your suggestions are appreciated.
Thank You.

You have to be 100% stock system, kernel, and recovery. If you had cwm on your not stock. Flash the system.img from the version of Android you're currently on with fastboot.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using XDA Free mobile app

Thank you. I feel like a dunce having forgotten all the stuff that can be done with adb and fastboot from the bootloader menu, or even that fastboot referred to the bootloader menu. I mainly like to keep CWM around for having the flashable zip of the offline photo gallery these days. Since CWM and the built-in updater aren't compatible, is the best way for me to take updates just to run the flash-all.sh for each one that comes out and replace CWM afterwards?

I'm on a nexus device too and that's what I do. I'd recommend twrp over cwm, cwm is not updated anymore. You'll have to re-root too. Just flash supersu.zip in the customer recovery. This is a good guide to follow, http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/general/how-to-how-to-flash-factory-image-t2010312

fripjob said:
Hello All
I have soft bricked my Nexus 4 by applying the 5.1 OTA update from the notification in Android. This has left me with both normal boot and recovery leading to the No Command screen. From here, it seems my only route of salvage is the 'Android system recovery <3e>' menu, accessed by tapping Vol Up whilst holding Power on this screen, and using the 'apply update from ADB' option. Unfortunately, after modifying my .inf to allow Windows recognition of the device in sideload mode according to instructions I found on this forum and finding the 5.1 OTA zip for download, I reach another error. The sideload process stops at around 92% on the computer and the phone reads:
Code:
Creating parent of system/priv-app/Hangouts/lib failed, error No space left on device E:Error in /sideload/package.zip (Status 7) Installation aborted.
This error in sideloading persists regardless of using the 'wipe data/factory reset' and 'wipe cache partition' options in the Android system recovery menu. For background purposes, I was on stock LRX22C with CWM 6.0.4.7 for a recovery, and I am now trying the LRX22C to LMY47D OTA zip. Your suggestions are appreciated.
Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar problem. Since I have a number of Nexus Devices I have found using "SoftSkip" Android ToolKit allows me to perform lollipop updates and avoid using OTA"s You should check it out. just google it. The instructions are very simple to follow. I have also used it with both of my Nexus 7's and my Nexus 5 sucessfully. I hope that helps......... Now if I could solve the LTE problem that would be great

TWRP won't boot

I am attempting to put lineageos on my new Mi A1, following the installation guide here https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/tissot/install
I have previously installed lineage on my old Moto G LTE and a Samsung Galaxy S4 and have not run into issues.
I have unlocked the bootloader and all that but I can't get twrp to boot.
I boot into fastboot with
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
that works fine, then I
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.2-0-tissot.img
This seems to have no effect, other than my phone 'disconnecting' from the PC.
I get the following terminal output
Code:
./fastboot boot .\twrp-3.2.2-0-tissot.img
Downloading 'boot.img' OKAY [ 0.682s]
booting OKAY [ 0.623s]
Finished. Total time: 1.336s
However nothing happens on the phone, it still just has the fastboot logo on it.
At this point if I manually reboot (long-press power) it will reboot into stock rom.
If I manually reboot into recovery (long-press power+volume up) it will reboot into stock recovery
I have ensured my sytem tools are up to date, and tried the previous version of twrp, and there is no change.
I WAS able to get twrp to boot using the "Mi A1 Tool" i found here https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/how-to/tool-xiaomi-mi-a1-tool-drivers-unlock-t3742857
However I was not able to install lineage due to an error.
I did not copy the exact output but it was something along the lines of
error 7, kInstallDeviceOpenError
After this attempt, I reflashed the stock rom using Xiaomi tools, and am back to the beginning.
The phone is fully up-to-date with stock updates, Android 8.1, July security update.
Once again went through the bootloader unlocking, and everything, but have arrived at the same result.
Anyone have any ideas?
any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Hey, could you try this TWRP made for Oreo? https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=818070582850498337 (thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/development/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-0-touch-recovery-t3688472)
I've also had some issues booting TWRP, but running
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
was enough to boot it successfully (
Code:
fastboot boot recovery-3.2.1-2-oreo.img
)

Thank you!
dgadelha said:
Hey, could you try this TWRP made for Oreo? https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=818070582850498337 (thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/development/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-0-touch-recovery-t3688472)
I've also had some issues booting TWRP, but running
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
was enough to boot it successfully (
Code:
fastboot boot recovery-3.2.1-2-oreo.img
)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This recovery image worked great, AND installed lineage, thank you very much.
However, I am now unable to get gapps working.
I was pointed to this changelog here https://lineageos.org/Changelog-19/ by a user in the lineage subreddit.
I rebooted from twrp into the lineage recovery, chose Apply Update -> Apply from ADB
On my PC I run
Code:
./adb sideload .\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023
.zip
and after a pause I get the output
Code:
serving: '.\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023.zip' (~0%) adb: failed to read command: No error
and sometimes I get
Code:
serving: '.\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023.zip' (~0%) adb: failed to read command: Connection reset by peer
What happens on the phone has been a little different each time I have attempted this.
It either pops up on screen that it is unable to verify the file, install anyway?, doing so doesn't work.
OR it is hung up on a progress bar screen, with the following log output, or a slight variation of it
Code:
Stopping adbd...
Now send the package you want to apply to the device with "adb sideload <filename>"...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E: Signature verification failed
E:error: 21 Restarting dbd... Installation aborted.
After many attempts of this, reflashing lineage, and trying again, it did miraculously start doing the transfer at one point. It got to 47% then failed again.

Can't you just install from recovery?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/development/rom-lineageos-15-1-t3757938

pidermin said:
This recovery image worked great, AND installed lineage, thank you very much.
However, I am now unable to get gapps working.
I was pointed to this changelog here https://lineageos.org/Changelog-19/ by a user in the lineage subreddit.
I rebooted from twrp into the lineage recovery, chose Apply Update -> Apply from ADB
On my PC I run
Code:
./adb sideload .\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023
.zip
and after a pause I get the output
Code:
serving: '.\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023.zip' (~0%) adb: failed to read command: No error
and sometimes I get
Code:
serving: '.\MindTheGapps-8.1.0-arm64-20180610_024023.zip' (~0%) adb: failed to read command: Connection reset by peer
What happens on the phone has been a little different each time I have attempted this.
It either pops up on screen that it is unable to verify the file, install anyway?, doing so doesn't work.
OR it is hung up on a progress bar screen, with the following log output, or a slight variation of it
Code:
Stopping adbd...
Now send the package you want to apply to the device with "adb sideload <filename>"...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E: Signature verification failed
E:error: 21 Restarting dbd... Installation aborted.
After many attempts of this, reflashing lineage, and trying again, it did miraculously start doing the transfer at one point. It got to 47% then failed again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
Install GApps also at TWRP. Signature verification is failing most probably because the Lineage Recovery should be accepting only Lineage-signed ZIP files.
You can install TWRP in your current boot image (so you don't need to boot TWRP everytime through fastboot) with this ZIP: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=746010030569959456 (yet, you need to boot to TWRP through fastboot so you can flash it, but no need to boot it manually after installing it). Notice that after every system update you may need to install TWRP again (same for Magisk), as boot images get replaced.
Also, if sideload fails, you can just do a
Code:
adb push filename.zip /sdcard/
then install the ZIP directly from the "Install" section on TWRP.
Thanks!

Thanks a lot!
I found and was able to follow this guide
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/how-to/lineageos-gapps-magisk-twrp-dolbyatmos-t3762939
instead of the one on the lineageOS website, and I am up and running.
Thank you very much for your time!

Can't boot to recovery or fastboot
I'm totally not getting the problem, i am having network issues on my Mi A1 on both Oreo and pie. So I decided to install a custom ROM but I can't boot my device to fastboot or recovery, it simply reboots . I tried the hard keys as well as through the PC using command prompt it just reboots normally. Any suggestions on what should I do Please?

Azan Qazi said:
I'm totally not getting the problem, i am having network issues on my Mi A1 on both Oreo and and pie. So I decided to install a custom ROM but I can't boot my device to fastboot or recovery, it simply reboots . I tried the hard keys as well as through the PC using command prompt. Any suggestions on what should I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried doing reboot in the OS and choosing Recovery option?

Azan Qazi said:
I'm totally not getting the problem, i am having network issues on my Mi A1 on both Oreo and pie. So I decided to install a custom ROM but I can't boot my device to fastboot or recovery, it simply reboots . I tried the hard keys as well as through the PC using command prompt it just reboots normally. Any suggestions on what should I do Please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TrueMS said:
Have you tried doing reboot in the OS and choosing Recovery option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes sir I did tried several times. But as I said above it simply reboots the system.

TWRP Install Problem

After unlock bootloader
I tried to install TWRP and the cmd said okay and finish
but when I boot into recovery mode. it still be a stock recovery screen and a message displays at bottom left on the screen
"E:couldn't load bitmap fill_ball (error-7)
Warning: No file_contexts
Supported API :3"
So, I thought 'some internal file might be damage' then I install stock rom (update to Android 9 from system notification because my phone still Android 8.1 when I install TWRP ) but after update complete the message still show
question: what should I do to successfully install TWRP?

I can fix this!!
Using the twr(pie)stock_boot.img

arceus555 said:
Using the twr(pie)stock_boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting an error message after flashing of pie boot.img: "Flashing is not allowed in Lock State"
Please, tell how to install it correctly? Or anyone else...