Database Users

New Factory Image and Custom Recovery

So this may be a stupid question, but this is my first Nexus device. I will have a 6P delivered Thursday and plan to unlock, decrypt, and install TWRP. The guides so far reference using MDB08K, and the modified boot is only for this version currently. After I install TWRP, am I able to install the factory image for the latest MDB08M and just exclude flashing certain images? Or do I need to flash them all then wait for a new modified boot image for 08M and install TWRP over again?

geoff5093 said:
So this may be a stupid question, but this is my first Nexus device. I will have a 6P delivered Thursday and plan to unlock, decrypt, and install TWRP. The guides so far reference using MDB08K, and the modified boot is only for this version currently. After I install TWRP, am I able to install the factory image for the latest MDB08M and just exclude flashing certain images? Or do I need to flash them all then wait for a new modified boot image for 08M and install TWRP over again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I got mine the first thing I did was the OTA update and then I performed the root etc prcess

MrDSL said:
When I got mine the first thing I did was the OTA update and then I performed the root etc prcess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its good to do this right away because when you unlock the bootloader, it wipes the phone. I haven't done this on mine yet because I'm curious about Android Pay and what impact that will have on it.

bitpushr said:
Its good to do this right away because when you unlock the bootloader, it wipes the phone. I haven't done this on mine yet because I'm curious about Android Pay and what impact that will have on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH OH!!!! We have to behave, we have an Administrator with the same phone UGH!! Just kidding Hello @bitpushr

Somewheres around here someone is reporting pay working with unlock and root. If I recall correctly he removed root in su settings to add the card and then set back to root and it was working. Highly concerned individuals might want to verify that from multiple sources...

MrDSL said:
When I got mine the first thing I did was the OTA update and then I performed the root etc prcess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But don't you need to use the corresponding modified boot image to root it? There currently isn't one for the latest factory image I believe.

geoff5093 said:
But don't you need to use the corresponding modified boot image to root it? There currently isn't one for the latest factory image I believe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chainfire has one and I believe there is one in the development forum.

MrDSL said:
Chainfire has one and I believe there is one in the development forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was looking at his thread, but I only see one for the 08K image.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/wip-android-6-0-marshmellow-t3219344
The one in the dev section also appears to only be for 08K: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/development/kernel-stock-decrypted-kernel-verity-t3235013
I just wanted to confirm that these need to be the same, so I'll wait for an update.

I thought Build MBD08K was the latest..
I know that I'm currently running cleanrom MBD08K with modified MBD08K boot.img

Modified MBD08K boot.img from chainfire works fine with newest MDB08M. On my phone I unlocked bootloader, flashed all the MDB08M files, than flashed the modified boot.img.
I have working root, decrypted with TWRP installed.

mysongranhills said:
Modified MBD08K boot.img from chainfire works fine with newest MDB08M. On my phone I unlocked bootloader, flashed all the MDB08M files, than flashed the modified boot.img.
I have working root, decrypted with TWRP installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome!! ????

mysongranhills said:
Modified MBD08K boot.img from chainfire works fine with newest MDB08M. On my phone I unlocked bootloader, flashed all the MDB08M files, than flashed the modified boot.img.
I have working root, decrypted with TWRP installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume if we have MDB08K, rooted with TWRP and want to take the OTA to MDB08M, that we can use a similar procedure:
1. Flash stock boot.img and recovery.img from MDB08K factory image (temporarily disabling root and TWRP)
2. Download and install OTA
3. Reflash modified MDB08K boot.img from Chainfire
4. Reflash TWRP recovery
5. Install SuperSU 2.52 using TWRP
Has anyone tried this method?

rsmolen said:
I assume if we have MDB08K, rooted with TWRP and want to take the OTA to MDB08M, that we can use a similar procedure:
1. Flash stock boot.img and recovery.img from MDB08K factory image (temporarily disabling root and TWRP)
2. Download and install OTA
3. Reflash modified MDB08K boot.img from Chainfire
4. Reflash TWRP recovery
5. Install SuperSU 2.52 using TWRP
Has anyone tried this method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but your logic is sound. I see no problems doing it that way. Why would you prefer the OTA updates over the latest factory images? I know for me part of the reason I did it the way I did was b/c I couldn't get phone to download/recognize that OTA update existed.

In case anyone else is still wondering, flashing the 08M factory image and then using the 08K modified boot works fine. I'm on the latest and rooted right now.

mysongranhills said:
No, but your logic is sound. I see no problems doing it that way. Why would you prefer the OTA updates over the latest factory images? I know for me part of the reason I did it the way I did was b/c I couldn't get phone to download/recognize that OTA update existed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just thought this would be slightly easier than flashing the system.img from the factory image. However, given the modified boot.img and systemless SuperSU, I guess only flashing the system.img (and radio.img if changed) from the new build would probably be easier at this point. However, if xPosed comes to Marshmallow and modifies system, that will be another step in the upgrade process, which presumably would not need to be done if you could take the OTA the way I proposed.

[GUIDE] Sideload NOF27B/C on Stock, TWRP, Custom Kernel, Mods, Root - Updated 3/6/17

Follow at your own risk, I take no responsibility. This guide is for any stock(seems to work with mods) rom. I used TWRP RC1, but could possibly work with alpha 2(for adb sideload only). Not sure if this method is "better" than using flash-all.bat without -w, but the file download was smaller.
Required Files and Locations they should be placed:
TWRP RC1 Image placed in the same folder as your FASTBOOT executable
TWRP RC1 zip installer placed on phones internal storage
SuperSU 2.79 SR3 zip installer placed on phones internal storage
NOF27B or NOF27C - Rogers OTA placed in the same folder as your ADB executable
Ensure the TWRP and SuperSU zip installers are loaded onto the phones internal storage and the OTA zip and TWRP image are in the ADB/FASTBOOT executables folder.
Boot into current TWRP recovery
Make a full backup in TWRP
Connect the phone to the computer
In TWRP select the Advanced menu, click ADB sideload option
On the computer open a command window and navigate to the location of your ADB executable/OTA zip
Only execute one adb sideload command for your specific device
Execute the following command(Non-Rogers): adb sideload sailfish-ota-nof27b-8130b5a8.zip
Execute the following command(Rogers): adb sideload sailfish-ota-nof27c-fb487658.zip
Only execute one adb sideload command for your specific device
The command window should be displaying a percentage and the TWRP should be displaying the standard OTA step 1 and 2 - Let this complete
Click Reboot System and let the OTA finish installing
At this point TWRP and Root are gone, but can be restored
With the device powered off, hold volume down and turn on the device. Your device should now be in the bootloader.
With the device connected to the computer run the following command from the previous step's command window: fastboot boot twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-sailfish.img
Install twrp-pixel-installer-sailfish-3.0.2-0-RC1.zip in TWRP
Install SR3-SuperSU-v2.79-SR3-20170114223742.zip in TWRP
Click Reboot System
Install Kernel/Mods
Remember to restore any /system specific edits such as the tether build.prop edit, host file edits, or custom boot animations.

This is amazing!. I have downloaded the full factory image already. followed by your guide, Can I just use an OTA package to upgrade NMF26O to latest build? I have rooted and twrp installed

bush911 said:
This is amazing!. I have downloaded the full factory image already. followed by your guide, Can I just use an OTA package to upgrade NMF26O to latest build? I have rooted and twrp installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just remove the -w argument from the flash-all.bat and flash the factory image...

Thank you dude, so what's the difference between full factory image and full ota zip, and ota automatically downloaded to phone.
the factory image is around 1.8 G and full ota zip is around 800 M, but the ota automatically downloaded to phone is only 47 M
Juli112 said:
Just remove the -w argument from the flash-all.bat and flash the factory image...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I had good luck with this method getting to NMF26O. Just a couple of things to note. Make sure you have the latest ADB files, and while it probably is assumed that you are using TWRP RC1 I'm pretty sure this did not work in Alpha2. Also, when the OP mentions losing TWRP it actually completely removes recovery so don't freak out if you try to boot into it expecting stock recovery and get a no data (or something like that if I remember correctly) error. There is no reason to check, but last time I was curious to see if it would leave TWRP in place. All is fine as long as you can get to bootloader. One other thing is the fact that this is an OTA. I would not do this unless coming from NMF26O but that is just me.
I am in no hurry to do this update since by all accounts it adds no functionality, but I was going to try it this way again. I wonder if anyone has any reason other than habit to continue to use the flash all method.

Juli112 said:
Just remove the -w argument from the flash-all.bat and flash the factory image...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so should we sideload the OTA over Q or download the factory image and remove the -w flag and run flash all.bat?

can this process be done if we are running stock rooted but with weta 2.2.1 installed? or does it need to be totallly stock? thanks

quinejh said:
can this process be done if we are running stock rooted but with weta 2.2.1 installed? or does it need to be totallly stock? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is only for updating stock. If you want of weta then use the full image and remove the -w from the flashall bat file.

thank you! worked great!

quinejh said:
can this process be done if we are running stock rooted but with weta 2.2.1 installed? or does it need to be totallly stock? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I'm groovy like that... (And had a nandroid backup) I went ahead and took the jump of sideloading the OTA update over weta 2.2.1. Personally, I wasn't too concerned about botching up the system, as the weta ROM is going away. Instead the author is now compiling his mod(s) to layer over this stock build. I'm assuming that the OTA sideload went without a hitch because weta is designed around the stock image. Of course, I had to install some of my mod's again that were lost in the "update"
**DISCLAIMER**
I'm not claiming or declaring the OTA update is safe to install over weta 2.2.1. I'm only giving my experience so others can weigh out the risks for themselves, if they decide to roll the dice. :silly:

I followed this method and everything went smoothly. I have the new update, supersu and elemental kernel but now I can not use android pay

rohitece06 said:
I followed this method and everything went smoothly. I have the new update, supersu and elemental kernel but now I can not use android pay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use Pay, but did you update to the latest Elemental kernel 1.03?

spiller37 said:
I don't use Pay, but did you update to the latest Elemental kernel 1.03?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I did.

rohitece06 said:
Yes I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Franco's, his is patched for pay. Just to try and narrow it down here.

rohitece06 said:
Yes I did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might also try the patched stock kernel that was just updated.

spiller37 said:
You might also try the patched stock kernel that was just updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks it worked with patched stock kernel although I lost root and when I installed SuperSu 2.79 SR2 android pay stopped working.

Is something up with the OP or is it just my XDA app causing it to show like this..

aholeinthewor1d said:
Is something up with the OP or is it just my XDA app causing it to show like this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why it displays this way in the two XDA apps. If anyone knows how to fix the formatting I would be grateful for the solution.

rohitece06 said:
Thanks it worked with patched stock kernel although I lost root and when I installed SuperSu 2.79 SR2 android pay stopped working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I didn't realize root and pay could work simultaneously on the pixel yet. Not sure which thread, but there was discussion on using the dual slots to run one slot stock with pay and one slot stock with root. Then dual booting between them.

spiller37 said:
Oh I didn't realize root and pay could work simultaneously on the pixel yet. Not sure which thread, but there was discussion on using the dual slots to run one slot stock with pay and one slot stock with root. Then dual booting between them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was working before this January pixel update

Magisk on Oreo

I can't seem to install Magisk 16.0 via TWRP 3.2 on the Oreo update. It installs, but enters a bootloop. Why is that?
Also TWRP said cannot mount /data. How to fix this?
"Failed to mount '/data' (No such process)"
Also cannot format data this way
EDIT: Installed Magisk 16.4, no change. Also just realized that internal storage is inaccessible.

I upgraded and got in a bootloop. Then I remembered I had Nougat substratum themes active. Only way I got it booting is by factory resetting it.
As for installing magisk with root access, you can try the TWRPless method. I got it working on mine. All you need is the stock boot image and a computer to use adb.
Steps on installing magisk on Oreo:
1. Put the boot image somewhere you can easily find it for later use
2. Install the latest magisk manager apk on your phone
3. Enter magisk manager and install magisk (root) using the "patch boot image" method.
4. Send the patched boot image to your computer
5. Now reboot into bootloader
6. Now on your computer install the patched boot image using fastboot flash boot "patched boot image"
7. Reboot and profit!
Hope this helped you out. Good luck

+)KEV1N(+ said:
I upgraded and got in a bootloop. Then I remembered I had Nougat substratum themes active. Only way I got it booting is by factory resetting it.
As for installing magisk with root access, you can try the TWRPless method. I got it working on mine. All you need is the stock boot image and a computer to use adb.
Steps on installing magisk on Oreo:
1. Put the boot image somewhere you can easily find it for later use
2. Install the latest magisk manager apk on your phone
3. Enter magisk manager and install magisk (root) using the "patch boot image" method.
4. Send the patched boot image to your computer
5. Now reboot into bootloader
6. Now on your computer install the patched boot image using fastboot flash boot "patched boot image"
7. Reboot and profit!
Hope this helped you out. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anyone who tries the above method and has their fingerprint sensor stop working as I did, use a root file manager to remove the following directory/file:
/data/system/users/0/fpdata
/data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
and reboot.
Certain modules required me to delete those files again, and some others broke the fingerprint functionality until they were removed and I rebooted twice. I hope someone can find a complete workaround soon.

+)KEV1N(+ said:
I upgraded and got in a bootloop. Then I remembered I had Nougat substratum themes active. Only way I got it booting is by factory resetting it.
As for installing magisk with root access, you can try the TWRPless method. I got it working on mine. All you need is the stock boot image and a computer to use adb.
Steps on installing magisk on Oreo:
1. Put the boot image somewhere you can easily find it for later use
2. Install the latest magisk manager apk on your phone
3. Enter magisk manager and install magisk (root) using the "patch boot image" method.
4. Send the patched boot image to your computer
5. Now reboot into bootloader
6. Now on your computer install the patched boot image using fastboot flash boot "patched boot image"
7. Reboot and profit!
Hope this helped you out. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already tried. Bootloop also, probably since magisk manager used v 16.0 instead 16.4.
I noticed that 16.4 actually signed the boot image using test keys, as opposed to the 16.0 which didn't.
I'm a bit frustrated here man
EDIT: I have substratum but I don't have any of the themes active, so the first one is a go. Installing magisk however...

GBry said:
Already tried. Bootloop also, probably since magisk manager used v 16.0 instead 16.4.
I noticed that 16.4 actually signed the boot image using test keys, as opposed to the 16.0 which didn't.
I'm a bit frustrated here man
EDIT: I have substratum but I don't have any of the themes active, so the first one is a go. Installing magisk however...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, now you're stuck in a bootloop?
Also, yes I used version 16.0 (you can never go wrong with a stable release)
---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------
kekley said:
For anyone who tries the above method and has their fingerprint sensor stop working as I did, use a root file manager to remove the following directory/file:
/data/system/users/0/fpdata
/data/system/users/0/settings_fingerprint.xml
and reboot.
Certain modules required me to delete those files again, and some others broke the fingerprint functionality until they were removed and I rebooted twice. I hope someone can find a complete workaround soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try wiping your cache?

+)KEV1N(+ said:
So, now you're stuck in a bootloop?
Also, yes I used version 16.0 (you can never go wrong with a stable release)
---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:16 PM ----------
Did you try wiping your cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, I'm not now, since I flashed the original boot.img
But yes, if I installed magisk either via the patched boot.img or TWRP, I get a bootloop
Actually idk if bootloop or nah since I can't access logcat via adb, but it's on the bootlogo for like 5 mins (regular start time is 30-ish sec)

+)KEV1N(+ said:
Did you try wiping your cache?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was the first thing I tried, in fact. I have to use magisk 16.4 as well or else the fingerprint reader refuses to work no matter what. You haven't run into this issue at all? What's your setup if I might ask, and did you patch the boot image from the oreo update zip to install magisk?

kekley said:
That was the first thing I tried, in fact. I have to use magisk 16.4 as well or else the fingerprint reader refuses to work no matter what. You haven't run into this issue at all? What's your setup if I might ask, and did you patch the boot image from the oreo update zip to install magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just watched a video tutorial to root it and keep stock recovery. Another thing to take note of is that I upgraded to Oreo using TWRP instead of stock recovery (yes, I didn't think it was possible on this phone).
Once I upgraded to Oreo, it reverted back to stock recovery. As you read above, I got stuck in a bootloop because I had substratum themes active, but I fixed it by using the stock recovery to factory reset it. (It's also nice to factory reset after a major OS upgrade so that you don't encounter any problems with old files)
If anyone's interested in a video, here's the one I watched:
Note: always make backups of your personal data!!!

+)KEV1N(+ said:
I just watched a video tutorial to root it and keep stock recovery. Another thing to take note of is that I upgraded to Oreo using TWRP instead of stock recovery (yes, I didn't think it was possible on this phone).
Once I upgraded to Oreo, it reverted back to stock recovery. As you read above, I got stuck in a bootloop because I had substratum themes active, but I fixed it by using the stock recovery to factory reset it. (It's also nice to factory reset after a major OS upgrade so that you don't encounter any problems with old files)
If anyone's interested in a video, here's the one I watched:
Note: always make backups of your personal data!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you did a factory reset and magisk is working properly? I can boot twrp without installing, but still no go using that method. Yes, I also used TWRP to install oreo, I didn't think it was possible either, but it finished flawlessly. Except the magisk thingy.
Can you mount /data in TWRP after oreo?

GBry said:
So you did a factory reset and magisk is working properly? I can boot twrp without installing, but still no go using that method. Yes, I also used TWRP to install oreo, I didn't think it was possible either, but it finished flawlessly. Except the magisk thingy.
Can you mount /data in TWRP after oreo?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer your first question: yes, I did the basic setups, restored my apps and then installed magisk the way I explained above.
Secondly, did you try installing the latest TWRP? Because I didn't want to install TWRP until I have the stock recovery and TWRP with the latest Oreo kernels.
I saw this morning that shakalaca uploaded TWRP with the latest kernel, so I boot it through fastboot and saw that by default the following partitions were mounted: /recovery, /data, /cache. I tried /system to see if it works and it does.
I hope this answers your question and good luck!

+)KEV1N(+ said:
To answer your first question: yes, I did the basic setups, restored my apps and then installed magisk the way I explained above.
Secondly, did you try installing the latest TWRP? Because I didn't want to install TWRP until I have the stock recovery and TWRP with the latest Oreo kernels.
I saw this morning that shakalaca uploaded TWRP with the latest kernel, so I boot it through fastboot and saw that by default the following partitions were mounted: /recovery, /data, /cache. I tried /system to see if it works and it does.
I hope this answers your question and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you manage to update via twrp? I get an error when I try it.

kekley said:
How did you manage to update via twrp? I get an error when I try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know man. I was just running the latest release of TWRP at the time and it somehow installed it like any custom rom.

+)KEV1N(+ said:
To answer your first question: yes, I did the basic setups, restored my apps and then installed magisk the way I explained above.
Secondly, did you try installing the latest TWRP? Because I didn't want to install TWRP until I have the stock recovery and TWRP with the latest Oreo kernels.
I saw this morning that shakalaca uploaded TWRP with the latest kernel, so I boot it through fastboot and saw that by default the following partitions were mounted: /recovery, /data, /cache. I tried /system to see if it works and it does.
I hope this answers your question and good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that's great! Can you give me the link? I can't seem to find the one for 553kl...
EDIT: apparently it's this one, isn't it?
https://mega.nz/#F!p90wgAaY!l1JbJilmAUEKTKWu43pT9w
Also tried live-booting TWRP and installing magisk (leaving stock recovery), left the boot.img unpatched
Installed the latest TWRP, the /data and internal got mounted, but after flashing magisk, bootloop again (still bootlogo after 10 minutes) even after wiping dalvik.
Cache is unwipeable somehow, is this an issue?

GBry said:
Wow, that's great! Can you give me the link? I can't seem to find the one for 553kl...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I just realized I've been sending the wrong link to everyone so far. (It sent you to the "old" folder)
Here's an updated link: https://mega.nz/#F!p90wgAaY!l1JbJilmAUEKTKWu43pT9w

+)KEV1N(+ said:
So, I just realized I've been sending the wrong link to everyone so far. (It sent you to the "old" folder)
Here's an updated link: https://mega.nz/#F!p90wgAaY!l1JbJilmAUEKTKWu43pT9w
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I searched through my history and then found out that you gave me the same link, so thank you. Updated my 2nd to last post about the condition... Do I REALLY have to factory reset? Sigh...

+)KEV1N(+ said:
So, I just realized I've been sending the wrong link to everyone so far. (It sent you to the "old" folder)
Here's an updated link: https://mega.nz/#F!p90wgAaY!l1JbJilmAUEKTKWu43pT9w
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+)KEV1N(+ said:
I don't know man. I was just running the latest release of TWRP at the time and it somehow installed it like any custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kekley said:
How did you manage to update via twrp? I get an error when I try it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, actually I just did update via TWRP, it installs flawlessly. HOWEVER, it only applies to the Oreo ROM, not the N or M ROMs. N and M needs stock recovery (the boot.img contains recovery too)

I was able to reflash the update via twrp by modifying the update script a bit (spat out errors about the twrp recovery having a more recent build date than the update zip) Everything seems so far so good! I haven't had issues with my fingerprint yet.

kekley said:
I was able to reflash the update via twrp by modifying the update script a bit (spat out errors about the twrp recovery having a more recent build date than the update zip) Everything seems so far so good! I haven't had issues with my fingerprint yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you install Magisk though?

GBry said:
Wow, that's great! Can you give me the link? I can't seem to find the one for 553kl...
EDIT: apparently it's this one, isn't it?
https://mega.nz/#F!p90wgAaY!l1JbJilmAUEKTKWu43pT9w
Also tried live-booting TWRP and installing magisk (leaving stock recovery), left the boot.img unpatched
Installed the latest TWRP, the /data and internal got mounted, but after flashing magisk, bootloop again (still bootlogo after 10 minutes) even after wiping dalvik.
Cache is unwipeable somehow, is this an issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try clearing it with the stock recovery?

GBry said:
Did you install Magisk though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the latest twrp, yes! :good:

January Images Posted

The January updates are up.

OTA is live too. Just 50.8 MB for 1st Gen XL.

ylapas said:
OTA is live too. Just 50.8 MB for 1st Gen XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installing now

ylapas said:
Installing now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed January Factory image...standard process as past months. Same platform tools, same TWRP. Magisk v18. ElementalX v4.10. Up and running. Root works fine. Experimenting with BlackenedMod3.0 now. But all seems to be fine on this update so far. Good luck to all.

sb1893 said:
I just flashed January Factory image...standard process as past months. Same platform tools, same TWRP. Magisk v18. ElementalX v4.10. Up and running. Root works fine. Experimenting with BlackenedMod3.0 now. But all seems to be fine on this update so far. Good luck to all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP just booted of flashed?
The last update I heard about bootloops when flashing recovery and magisk 18, atm I only boot recovery to avoid any kind of problem. For you works fine?

TENN3R said:
TWRP just booted of flashed?
The last update I heard about bootloops when flashing recovery and magisk 18, atm I only boot recovery to avoid any kind of problem. For you works fine?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have always just booted TWRP - I never have flashed it. Sorry for the confusion.

Has anyone been able to root the January update with Magisk?
UPDATE:
I haven't had any boot loop issues after updating, flashing TWRP, and routing with Magisk, so I thought I would post my steps:
Note: My bootloader is unlocked.
Before updating, I flashed the Magisk Uninstaller zip.
Once completed, I rebooted to bootloader and flashed the January factory image (saving data) > booted TWRP > flashed TWRP > rebooted recovery > flashed Magisk 18.0 > rebooted.
I haven't had any boot loop issues.
Magisk is installed and passes Safety Net check, but I wasn't able to grant root privileges for apps right away. It took a while (5 minutes) to get the prompt to grant root privileges. Finally got the prompt and now everything seems to be working correctly.
I hope this helps someone!

Does anyone have the January pre-rooted boot.img?

BoboBrazil said:
Does anyone have the January pre-rooted boot.img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not handy anymore, I deleted the .zip once I updated. But you should be able to grab it from the Factory image .zip readily available on the Google Developers site.

sb1893 said:
Not handy anymore, I deleted the .zip once I updated. But you should be able to grab it from the Factory image .zip readily available on the Google Developers site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need it pre-rooted. I'm trying to root someone else's phone for them and would be easier to just be able to flash it than transferring, using magisk manager, then transferring back to flash.

^^^
This is a 1st.........never seen anyone ask for it........LoL

BoboBrazil said:
I need it pre-rooted. I'm trying to root someone else's phone for them and would be easier to just be able to flash it than transferring, using magisk manager, then transferring back to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry - my mistake - when you said "pre-rooted" I took that to mean "before rooted" - meaning the stock boot.img. Unfortunately, I do not have the Magisk rooted boot.img handy. But, it only takes a few minutes to root using the standard process with Magisk....might be quicker than waiting for a response to your request??? Just a thought...good luck...

crackerjack1957 said:
^^^
This is a 1st.........never seen anyone ask for it........LoL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty common on the newer pixel and OnePlus forums. Someone usually shares it to save others some of the work

Problem flashing stock image

I have UB and rooted with magisk 20.1. I rooted the October build by patching the boot image using magisk. I try to flash the new November stock image and it fails. It says
Writing boot
Failed (failed to write to partition Not found)
I think it may be connected to booting into slot a or b. Maybe?
Can anybody help?

You already took the November OTA or are you still on October?

ctfrommn said:
You already took the November OTA or are you still on October?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on October trying to flash November

Pretty sure you cant flash the boot image alone. I always flash the stock boot for the build Im currently on then take the OTA. I think there is a new bootloader for November. Not 100% on that though.

I'm just trying to flash the full factory November stock image. I downloaded it, unzip it, plug in the phone in fastboot and double click the run me bat file.
This has always been fine before but I am new to pixel 3a and have only done this once before, on October build. But I came from an original pixel so I've spent 2 years updating that in this way.
I can't work out why the flash is failing.

Try flashing the stock October boot.img then try updating. Ive never been successful flashing an OTA or factory image over a patched boot.

ctfrommn said:
Try flashing the stock October boot.img then try updating. Ive never been successful flashing an OTA or factory image over a patched boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried flashing October factory image and get the exact same result. Not sure what else to try.

ctfrommn said:
Try flashing the stock October boot.img then try updating. Ive never been successful flashing an OTA or factory image over a patched boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry just reread your post. Will try and reflash boot IMG. I do that with fastboot flash boot.img?
Thanks

Yes.... fastboot flash boot boot.img

ctfrommn said:
Yes.... fastboot flash boot boot.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have tried reflashing boot.img and still won't update ota and same result trying to flash factory image. Any other ideas? And thanks very much for your help

ctfrommn said:
Try flashing the stock October boot.img then try updating. Ive never been successful flashing an OTA or factory image over a patched boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do I need to flash boot.img to both slots a and b? If so how do I do that?

I only ever flash the one in use.
Just fastboot flash boot boot.img is all you need.
Your can also always just clean flash the OTA. Just download it, factory reset, adb sideload the OTA in recovery.
I've done that a few times now.

ctfrommn said:
I only ever flash the one in use.
Just fastboot flash boot boot.img is all you need.
Your can also always just clean flash the OTA. Just download it, factory reset, adb sideload the OTA in recovery.
I've done that a few times now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Will try things tomorrow. It's late here in London. But I can't get a twrp.img to work. It doesn't seem to mount the system and I can't flash anything. Have you got twrp to work? I'll come back to you in about 18hrs if that's ok?

TWRP doesn't work with Q. Just use stock recovery to sideload.

ctfrommn said:
TWRP doesn't work with Q. Just use stock recovery to sideload.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, will try when I get home from work. Does the OTA update contain a boot.img? Is that what I need to patch to root again?
Thanks very much

Horgar said:
Ok, will try when I get home from work. Does the OTA update contain a boot.img? Is that what I need to patch to root again?
Thanks very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, OTA and factory images are essentially the same thing just packaged differently.
And the easiest way to reroot is to just download and repatch the new stock image, or flash a custom pre patched kernel.

Horgar said:
Ok, will try when I get home from work. Does the OTA update contain a boot.img? Is that what I need to patch to root again?
Thanks very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The OTA zip is packaged differently and does not include a boot.img file that we can use. (I'm sure it must be in there somewhere, but not in a usable form). Therefore you must download the "Factory Image" from Google. Unzip it, open it where you will find another zip file inside. Open that second zip file and you will find the boot.img file there. Move that boot.img file to your phone so that Magisk can access it and to modify it.
https://developers.google.com/android/images

Horgar said:
Ok, will try when I get home from work. Does the OTA update contain a boot.img? Is that what I need to patch to root again?
Thanks very much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI here are the steps I took to update my rooted 3a this morning:
1. in Magisk Manager select Uninstall and select restore images (I did this because I kept getting a 'installation error' on the OTA page)
2. Like an idiot I rebooted my phone, do not reboot! So I had to reinstall magisk
2a. copy the boot.img of Oct to my phone to have it patched by magisk
2b. fastboot flash boot boot_patched.img
3. the OTA downloaded while I was on the stock boot.img so I just followed the magisk instructions to install the OTA in the other partition
Next month I'll just jump from step 1 to 3 and carry on being rooted.

The simplest way to update when youre rooted is to......
Reflash the stock boot from the current build youre on
Take the OTA directly on the phone
Download stock image from new build and move it to phone
Patch with Magisk and move to your PC
Fastboot flash boot boot.img
Ive done this for the last 3 updates and it works perfectly every time......I obviously substitute my kernel for the patched boot but the process is the same. I find this far simpler than messing with Magisk

Thanks for all the suggestions but I still cannot update.
I have tried restoring boot.img
data reset from recovery
relocking bl - ota fails
Unlocking bl again - won't flash using ADB
There is no problem with the phone being recognised on ADB, the flash Just fails as the screen shot in my opening post. I'm thinking it may be connected to needing to flash to the inactive slot.
Anyone got any ideas?