Database Users

Manual OTA Update process step-by-step (Stock/Rooted/Xposed)

For stock rooted/TWRP users, this is a step-by-step process of manually updating your Moto involving flashing stock firmware, updating, and restoring TWRP, root, and apps afterwards.
Benefits:
**It's really simple- once you get familiar with this process, you can do it fairly quickly.
**Take the time to read through and get everything set up and you'll be set for future updates.
**No begging the internet for flashable zips.
Preface:
So my situation is i'm running stock, bootloader unlocked, rooted, and xposed on my US XT1540 2GB Moto G. I went through the process this morning of updating to the new 23.46.4 update. Thought I'd share what I did for anyone out there wanting to update with questions ; hopefully some can be answered here. I'm familiar with flashing firmware files from my previous Moto X's '13 & '14 so trust me it's not a big deal to flash back stock firmware to update. This process should be applicable to any variant of the Moto G and and to any future updates as well, not just the one mentioned here as of 09/19/15. Just be mindful of your phone's version and use the appropriate firmware.
1) BACKUP
First, make sure everything worth keeping is on your microSD. Flashing stock firmware will wipe your phones internal memory so pictures, music, downloads, SMS, etc need to migrate. Also make sure you have SuperSU and Xposed on your microSD for re-installation. This might be obvious for some and you might have everything going to your microSD (sdcard1, EXTsdcard) already, but one thing you might miss is Titanium Backup...
Save apps in Titanium to microSD: Menu>Preferences>Backup folder location>Click to change>Ext. SD card>Create a new folder>Use current folder
Nandroid in TWRP to microSD: toward the bottom click on "Storage: Internal storage" and choose "Micro SDcard"
If you're super smart, after making that backup you'll copy that to your pc.
2) DOWNLOADS
Get the most recent firmware for your device from lost101's firmware thread (thank him threads like this are so helpful)- http://forum.xda-developers.com/2015-moto-g/general/index-moto-g-factory-firmware-images-t3169639
Download and install the drivers for you phone, I believe the generic android driver will work but you can also get them from Motorola Device Manager: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481
Download mini-sdk.zip, attached to the the bottom of this post. Useful light weight sdk containing adb & fastboot which should cover all your flashing needs. If you're not developing apps, full blown android sdk is bloatware
3) SETTING UP ADB/FASTBOOT
Enable USB debugging in Developer options
Extract mini-sdk.zip to a folder. Extract and add the contents of your firmware to that folder.
Open a cmd prompt on the mini-sdk folder (shift + right click, "Open Command Window Here")
Let's verify that adb sees the device:
Code:
adb devices
Should see "XXserial#XX device". If you get "offline", be sure to check your phone for the adb authorization dialog.
We're ready to flash firmware so reboot into fastboot:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
4) STOCK FIRMWARE INSTALLATION
Once phone is in fastboot, enter the following commands in the cmd prompt (open on the mini-sdk folder containing the firmware files) one at a time. Let the current flash command finish before entering the next, especially at the img_sparsechunck steps because they take a 10-15 sec each. Also make sure all of the filenames match what you have; substitute accordingly.
Code:
fastboot flash partition gpt.bin
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img
fastboot flash logo logo.bin
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.0
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.1
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.2
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.3
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.4
fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.5
fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2
fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn
fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot reboot
5) UPDATE
When you reboot, if you don't get prompted for update check for it- About phone>System updates
Download & install update
When update is finished and phone boots back up, enable Android debugging in developer options.
6) FLASH BACK TWRP/ROOT/XPOSED
Place TWRP img file in mini-sdk folder. Boot back into fastboot and flash TWRP.
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
Code:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-osprey-2.8.7-test1.img
Vol up/down in bootloader to boot recovery.
Once in recovery flash Supersu & xposed (optional of course) from your microSD and reboot.
Install Titanium from play store, go back into preferences and point to backup folder on the microSD and restore apps.
When xposed and modules are reinstalled through Titanium, you will need to reboot to enable. After that you'll need to tweak your preferences in system options like notifications or display, but any settings in modules (like gravity box) will be restored as long as you backed up app+data in TB. Easier than a custom rom clean flash in that aspect.
So that's it, with that you should be back up and running. Let me know if I missed some steps or if you have questions about the process.
*****
BTW, Installing xposed from scratch for those confused on what files to do what with: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=3034811
Flash this one in recovery: xposed-v74-sdk22-arm.zip (or most current)
Install this apk after you reboot: XposedInstaller_3.0_alpha4.apk (or most current)

Please Delete

agleroy said:
Thanks for the guide. Still gonna wait for a flashable zip though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're better than that. Trying to empower you here...

Please Delete

Hey, could you use normal/dark colors? Reading light yellow and blue is difficult, even when highlighting it with a cursor. Thanks!

a.cid said:
Hey, could you use normal/dark colors? Reading light yellow and blue is difficult, even when highlighting it with a cursor. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took all the color out and tweaked it a bit. I was using the dark theme and everything looked pretty good, but when I switched to the light theme... yeah annoying.

I'm still trying to decide if I want/need to root, and/or install a custom ROM on this phone. I have always done so on past phones, but this phone runs so well I don't want to mess it up, and I'm not sure the few features I'm missing warrant messing with things.
Thank you the tutorial though. I will certainly keep it for reference.
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app

Why does every single guide say to erase the userdata partition??? This is totally unnecessary. Instead, boot into twrp and wipe your userdata. The difference is in your internal storage. If you follow the guide you wipe your internal storage in the very last command. My way, you just do a factory reset on the data partition which doesn't wipe the storage
Also, flashing stock recovery is an unnecessary step when it's being immediately replaced by twrp again.
Selmak said:
I'm still trying to decide if I want/need to root, and/or install a custom ROM on this phone. I have always done so on past phones, but this phone runs so well I don't want to mess it up, and I'm not sure the few features I'm missing warrant messing with things.
Thank you the tutorial though. I will certainly keep it for reference.
Sent from my MotoG3 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't a custom rom...it's the official motorola firmware update

Thanks for this guide , it's good to know, but I would have to wait for a flasheable UPDATE.zip because my phone's configuration (XT1543, dual sim, 16gb storage, 1gb ram) doesn't have a stock firmware download link in the main thread... and also I don't want to reinstall my apps , haha.

If it works like the other 2 generations of moto g, and at least with the first moto x (all from my personal experience) just skip the erase userdata part and you'll keep your personnal data.
Ota update will go smoothly, no need to restore anything afterwards except root and recovery, indeed.
A backup is always a good thing, sure just in case, but i never used mine on all the ota's I installed on those 3 phones (moto g 2013 16gb, moto g 2014 and moto x 2013)
I don't own a moto g 2015 but my gf does, a 16gb/2gb ram one, she just got it so she installed the update before rooting. If nobody tries it before I'll try it with the next update .

cannot access filehost to get xt1541 5.1.1 any alternative link?

after I updated to 6.0 my computer is not recognising the device? any solutions?

Please add "fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.6" to the top post. This could prevent idiots from sitting in a boot loop for an hour, while they try furiously to find a way out, an error in the download, revert to a previous firmware... Yeah, that was stressful.

Is this the same for the XT1548 virgin mobile 1G of ram and 8G of memory. I understand that it's probably not the same file I just don't really want to wait for the flashable .Zip. But I also don't want to mess up my only device as of now.

Hey i need help....my xt1550 is unlocked and running on stock 6.0 right now......i have installed custom ROMs and rooted the device before.....but now its unrooted and running stock but iam still not able to recieve ota updates.......why?

csumanth16 said:
Hey i need help....my xt1550 is unlocked and running on stock 6.0 right now......i have installed custom ROMs and rooted the device before.....but now its unrooted and running stock but iam still not able to recieve ota updates.......why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have stock recovery and an update touched /boot and /system partition, you can take an OTA update. If you have TWRP, root, or other modification in the mentioned areas you cannot take an OTA update.
Having an unlocked bootloader only is not relevant.

What if you unrooted, a rooted stock recovery device, is it safe to take an OTA?
acejavelin said:
If you have stock recovery and an update touched /boot and /system partition, you can take an OTA update. If you have TWRP, root, or other modification in the mentioned areas you cannot take an OTA update.
Having an unlocked bootloader only is not relevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

MrTooPhone said:
What if you unrooted, a rooted stock recovery device, is it safe to take an OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... If your rooted the /boot partition has been modified.

acejavelin said:
No... If your rooted the /boot partition has been modified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And does it remain notably changed even after going through a full unroot via SuperSU?

MrTooPhone said:
And does it remain notably changed even after going through a full unroot via SuperSU?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, doing a full unroot will return the original /boot partition, but be aware this will not undo any changes you made to /system with root access (such as debloating or Xposed modules), and even if you undo those changes, the Android system has already marked the /system partition as tampered so a check will fail.

Can I Ota update while rooted on stock firmware

I am currently on stock rom but rooted. An Ota update popped up can I update without bootloop

I would like to know the same thing

Naruto101 said:
I am currently on stock rom but rooted. An Ota update popped up can I update without bootloop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stkman32 said:
I would like to know the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can't take an OTA if you have any modifications to /system (root). Have a look at my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928

I got an 8MB update for the november patch. Being on TWRP and root i need to convert back to stock before i can have it leave me alone? Is there a way to flash the patch without doing that?

Thanks for answering my question

roughriduz said:
I got an 8MB update for the november patch. Being on TWRP and root i need to convert back to stock before i can have it leave me alone? Is there a way to flash the patch without doing that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way around it, any modifications will cause the update to fail.

Heisenberg said:
No way around it, any modifications will cause the update to fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.

roughriduz said:
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User data should never be affected during an OTA anyway.

This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle

GloriousGlory said:
This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted now so I'll wait a while before updating an ota until there's a big deal of info. However, in the past if I was sticking with stock there's usually at least one developer who posts the updates with root and stuff built in so you can easily flash with twrp. So I'm kind of waiting for that. That or cataclysm or another awesome rom that's close to stock.

GloriousGlory said:
This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wait for factory image for that build and flash over the new images when they become available (provided that root can still be achieved). Some will do a clean wipe and start fresh with the new build and reload in their apps and user data, others will just dirty flash the updated system (and boot/bootloader or whatever else was changed too).
If you think about it, it really isn't all that different from taking an OTA, the difference is that we're applying the commands to flash instead of having it automated. It's not that big of a trade off in my book.

I have 2 questions...
What is the easiest way to make flashing updates a breeze if I have mods in /system partition? I have heard of "freezing" them. Or is the only option... to delete every mod and flash updates? If so, should I keep a note of every change I make to/system?
And last... Should I make a backup of any file i am replacing or overwriting in /system? And if so, do I have to put them back how they were before flashing an update?

Delete

If you're rooted then you need to download the full factory image, extract system and vendor and flash those. Reflash SuperSU.

roughriduz said:
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit.
This method gives you the latest stock build rooted with TWRP while keeping your data because I hate having to redo my phone.

amoeller said:
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit.
This method gives you the latest stock build rooted with TWRP while keeping your data because I hate having to redo my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!

JimmyJunk said:
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Latest factory image is the latest factory image from the nexus factory images page. It's not an update like ota, but rather the entire image they would return you to stock if all is flashed.
2. Flashing a modified boot does not give you root. You still have to flash SU, so saying the modified boot contains root isn't right.
3. I flash boot first unless there is an updated bootloader.

JimmyJunk said:
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. This can be whatever the latest factory image is at the moment. It’s currently MDB08M. All the OTA does is update your phone to whatever build it was made for. Factory images already have previously released updates built into them. You can upgrade but avoid downgrading unless you want to factory reset your phone.
2. I’m referring to the boot.img without root by @mrRobinson found https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982086992320 although this process can be used for systemless root also. For systemless root you wouldn’t flash SuperSU in TWRP but instead sideload the SuperSU APK as per Chainfire’s instructions and use the matching systemless root boot.img
3. I don’t think it matters but as long as you have the matching modified boot.img with the system.img installed before you restart, you should be fine.

amoeller said:
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the heck did I do wrong here? I just tried to apply the November OTA update to my MBD08K build, it didn't work, and now I am in the process of doing a full reset and rebuild of my phone (flash-all of factory images from Google)
Here are the notes I made as I attempted to follow the procedure in this thread:
Code:
- Download latest build for MBD08K from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en
- Extract boot.img, system.img, vendor.img to C:\adb (or wherever where adb and fastboot are
installed). You have to
- Right-click, open command window here
- Ensure USB debugging is enabled on phone (grant permissions on phone if you get the popup)
- In command prompt, "adb devices"
- Should see serial number and "device"
- type "adb reboot bootloader"
- Should get to bootloader screen with little android man lying down with hatch open
- type "fastboot devices" - should see your serial # again and "fastboot" beside it.
- type "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
- type "fastboot flash system system.img"
- type "fastboot flash vendor vendor.img"
- Use volume keys to boot into recovery (in my case TWRP)
- Swipe to allow modifications
- Install -> SuperSU.zip that you should have on your phone from last time.
- Reboot system
I saw a red "your phone is corrupt" scary message on startup... took a while to boot. Couldn't get past the dancing circles.
Interrupted boot, rebooted to fastboot, tried to flash old modified boot.img
Booted again, got encryption unsuccessful warning
Flashed most recent boot.img again, stuck booting forever
try again:
- flash system.img
- flash vendor.img
- flash boot.img (modified)
reboot to recovery - your device can't be checked for corruption (yellow warning instead of red)
- swipe to allow modifications
- reboot with TWRP, swipe to install SuperSU
- Encryption unsuccessful. Prompt to factory reset. Click OK. Boots through TWRP.
Give up, start flashing factory images.
EDIT: I might be the stupidest person alive. I think I should have been using the files for MDB08M. Arggghhhh. Someone please confirm I am an idiot.
Edit 2: Factory reset worked, I am at MDB08M. Now rooting again... grr. At least I backed up all my apps & settings to Google Drive with TB.
Edit 3: Rooted and restoring all apps with TB. If anyone has any insight into where I F'ed up I'd appreciate it.

[marmite] Official Wileyfox Swift 2+ Updates (also for root) - Repository

Hi!
As Wileyfox issued another OTA today and the last time I had a hard time to find the proper information, I thought I'd start a thread that contains the update information and links for ALL OTAs in one place right at the start.
But first of all: This would not be possible without linuxct and mdosch who delivered this information in a combined effort. I added only a few things, like the new updates and put everything in one place.
1. The official update links from Wileyfox (partially from here, here and myself):
TOS118C (Recovery Image)
TOS163B (Recovery Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS208G (Recovery Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS249H (Recovery Image)
TOS319I (Recovery Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS373J missing
UOS224B missing
UOS273C (Recovery Image)
TOS118C (Fastboot Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS163B (Fastboot Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS208G (Fastboot Image) Deleted by Wileyfox
TOS249H (Fastboot Image)
TOS319I (Fastboot Image)
TOS373J (Fastboot Image)
UOS224B missing
UOS273C missing
TOS089A to TOS118C (OTA Update)
TOS118C to TOS163B (OTA Update)
TOS163B to TOS208G (OTA Update)
TOS208G to TOS249H (OTA Update)
TOS249H to TOS319I (OTA Update)
TOS319I to TOS373J (OTA Update)
TOS373J to UOS224B (OTA Update to OREO 1)
UOS224B to UOS273C (OTA Update)
TOS373J to UOS273C (OTA Update to OREO 2)
2. The instructions how to make the OTA links work (taken from here):
If you directly click it, it will return an Error 404, but that is not true since the file actually exists... But requires a special HTTP header to be visible. Since I wanted to grab the OTA link now that, for once, I finally got an OTA in this phone after always upgrading through fastboot images, I used wireshark to determine the server where it fetches it and the full file route. It turns out the header sends a special UA string as you can see in the picture attached: rsotaua 1.0, which is, most probably, a randomly generated string. Now here's the thing: if you want to switch the UA you'll need an extension to do so. linuxct has used this one and on Firefox I used this one. As soon as it's installed, go to the Options of the extension and add it like here:
Code:
WILEYFOX rsotaua 1.0 Chrome Replace WF
Once the string is inserted, switch to it and hit the URL. The OTA should be downloadable now.
As I just found out: The "User Agent Switcher" for Chrome works just as fine.
3. The instructions how to update a rooted phone (taken from here):
I'll write down what I did to get it finally work, but be aware you might brick your phone. I did this with Windows 7 and 10 successfully with fastboot and adb installed.
3.1. Download and unzip the fastboot image from point 1. Then switch to fastboot mode and flash boot, recovery and system.
Code:
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash system system.img
3.2. Boot to stock recovery and choose "apply update from adb". Then sideload the update.
Code:
adb sideload wf-marmite-aa4d5d86bc-to-8eec3af77b-signed.zip
This is, of course, an EXAMPLE! You have to put in the name of the actual update you want to do.
3.3. After successful install wipe cache and dalvik/arts cache and reboot to system. If you have issues with "dm verity" do it with the following command (I myself didn't need to do it):
Code:
adb reboot "dm-verity enforcing"
3.4. When the update is configured let the phone switched on for a while (I don't know why, but mdosch ended in a bootloop and had to start again when he instantly rebooted, I myself didn't need to wait). Here you can already put the SuperUser ZIP-file onto your phone via USB (or do it later via sideload).
3.5. Then boot to bootloader and BOOT (not flash) TWRP
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.1.1-0-marmite.img
3.6. If you have the SuperUser ZIP-file already on the phone flash it, otherwise go to "ADB -> Sideload" and install there
Code:
adb sideload superuser.zip
3.7. Wipe cache and dalvik/arts cache and finally reboot. Again, if you have issues with "dm verity" do it with the following command (I myself didn't need to do it)::
Code:
adb reboot "dm-verity enforcing"
This is how it worked for me in Windows 7 and 10 on my Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus. Neither did I brick my phone, nor did I loose ANY(!) data, neither from storage nor from any app. But as I don't know what you did with yours I won't issue any warranties here...
BTW: If you ever wondered, when you do the OTA the phone saves the zip here: data/data/com.android.providers.downloads/cache
So, linuxct and mdosch thank you very much again and I hope you don't mind about what I did with your input. :fingers-crossed:
And also thanks to image45 and DIMICH666 for getting hold of some more of the image links.

Thanks, wish I had found this 2 hours earlier! I had been downloading the OTA update but it was failing to install. Spent ages searching my phone for the location of the download without success. Eventually connected my phone to my laptop and did 'adb logcat' - found the URL of the OTA File download "http:\/\/ota-files.wf.bsp.ninja\/marmite\/wf-marmite-8eec3af77b-to-0fcf4099d0-signed.zip". Changed 'User Agent' as described, put the URL in the address bar and hit enter and hey presto! Good to have a repository to refer to.

Hi
I'm already on TOS163B. Can I just sideload the TOS208G OTA zip? Without reflashing the boot, recovery and system images from TOS163B?
The images from TOS208G are not available.?

Thanks for this.
I managed to grab the TOD208G OTA. Flashing the zip in TWRP did not work though. I got an unexpected fingerprint error (6.0.1 instead of 7.1.2). I flashed the last available debloater on TOS163B (which worked fine), but that probably has got me in trouble now. Is there any way to fix this easily, without having to root and remove all the debloat stuff manually?
(... I dream about Lineage 14.1)

H2Oxide said:
Thanks for this.
(... I dream about Lineage 14.1)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We all do, I tried an unofficial build however no WiFi yet :crying:
Even with an official build we would still have the unlocked bootloader warning screen and the dm-verity screen that threatens to switch your phone off in 30 seconds if power not pressed. I am sure it only gave you 5 seconds then just continue to boot when running on the Cyanogen ROMs
I am sure there is some ADB the resolve this for the oneplusone phones.
After initial boot the ROM got stuck on the white splash screen. After I installed Magisk via TWRP flashable zip it worked so must need dm-verity switch off.

I never updated back at the end of 2016 because I was unsure if it was a good idea but now I've become annoyed by it constantly asking me to (OTA UK). Should I update to cm-marmite 460.6 MB like it's asking me to? And then I suppose it will pick up and ask me to install the updates since? Thanks.

quixoticduck said:
Should I update to cm-marmite 460.6 MB like it's asking me to? And then I suppose it will pick up and ask me to install the updates since? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It needs to be what you want, I flashed the cm-13.1.4-ZNH2KAS5RM-marmite-signed-5175bd793a.zip then removed the cm updater to stop it prompting me to move to the next update as it would eventually have you on current build if you accept all the updates.
I flashed cm-13.1.4 as I found it the most stable Cyanogen Marshmallow 6.0.1 ROM and I wanted xposed framework.
However like I said at start of post what do you need from your phone/ android version?

image45 said:
It needs to be what you want, I flashed the cm-13.1.4-ZNH2KAS5RM-marmite-signed-5175bd793a.zip then removed the cm updater to stop it prompting me to move to the next update as it would eventually have you on current build if you accept all the updates.
I flashed cm-13.1.4 as I found it the most stable Cyanogen Marshmallow 6.0.1 ROM and I wanted xposed framework.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I see what you mean, about it being personal preference. The last couple years I've stepped away from rooting and flashing roms, so right now I suppose all I really want is a stable safe version. Back in 2016 I remember people being worried about the OTA update released right after Cyanogenmod's end, with people thinking the new update might be suspicious (why I never updated, and then stopped following things). So if it turned out that the OTA update was fine then I suppose the easiest and safest way to stop it bugging me about the update might just be to update xD as long as there's no risks (besides the basic risk that any update could bring). Probably makes it easier for any further updates too if any appear.
I hadn't heard of the xposed framework, sounds interesting, I'll look into that just in case I want to use it.

quixoticduck said:
I hadn't heard of the xposed framework, sounds interesting, I'll look into that just in case I want to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery to install xposed framework. However I can jump between any of the Swift 2 ROMs when ever I wish of course.

Currently on the update right before that one, with TWRP and Magisk installed. I found the zip as instructed. Has anybody had success with Flashfire for a small OTA update like this or do you absolutely have to use adb sideload?

Don't know whether I can post links to other sites but there are instruction on how to update to 7.1.2 using the OTA file for both rooted and non-rooted devices at
http://www.stechguide.com/install-android-7-1-2-nougat-on-wileyfox-swift-2/

H2Oxide said:
Thanks for this.
I managed to grab the TOD208G OTA. Flashing the zip in TWRP did not work though. I got an unexpected fingerprint error (6.0.1 instead of 7.1.2). I flashed the last available debloater on TOS163B (which worked fine), but that probably has got me in trouble now. Is there any way to fix this easily, without having to root and remove all the debloat stuff manually?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any thoughts on this? Can I force a sideload or would that be unwise...

der_dkw said:
So, linuxct and mdosch thank you very much again and I hope you don't mind about what I did with your input. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure that's fine.
I really appreciate you collected all the information and created this overview.

Well I finally managed to try the adb sideload and this is what I got.
What's wrong here?
I'm using TOS163B (7.1.2) so I don't know why it says I have 6.0.1 test keys. I'm trying to sideload TOS208G
Any help is much appreciated

Jack3volution said:
What's wrong here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are using TWRP not stock recovery.
The OTA zips check your device for not being altered (like rooting or using custom recovery) this is why you have to go to a plain stock rom while flashing boot, recovery and system from the fastboot image (not the complete image as it will erase your data as well I assume).
After you have done this boot to stock recovery and adb sideload the first OTA zip then reboot and so on until you are on the latest.
Then you can boot twrp (I recommend booting instead of flashing as for me it complained about my device being altered when I flashed twrp) and root again (as root was lost during this update process).

Thanks! my mistake. Yeah I still have stock recovery
Cheers

mdosch said:
Then you can boot twrp (I recommend booting instead of flashing as for me it complained about my device being altered when I flashed twrp) and root again (as root was lost during this update process).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the actual different between booting TWRP and flashing please?

image45 said:
What's the actual different between booting TWRP and flashing please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Booting means you boot TWRP temporarily without replacing your stock recovery. Flashing means you replace the stock recovery with TWRP.

mdosch said:
You are using TWRP not stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm it didn't work in stock recovery either

Jack3volution said:
Hmm it didn't work in stock recovery either
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you apply the OTA zips in the correct order?
Did you alter your devices in any way like rooting or installing magisk?
You are on TOS163B you said. Did you start your device before booting to recovery? For me after sideloading the TOS163B, sideloading of TOS208G failed when I tried to install it instantly so I cleared the cache/dalvik cache booted to Android, then rebooted to (stock) recovery again and successfully sideloaded TOS208G.

[HOW TO] Root Android 8.1 - DevPreview 1 - OPP5

There are probably already a couple guides up, but I wanted to post about how I went about doing this and have everything working. It may not work for everyone, but for me, it worked the first time.
0: Yep, there is a step zero here. :good: BACKUP YOUR PHONES INTERNAL STORAGE! IT WILL NEED TO BE WIPED FOR THIS TO WORK!
1: Flash factory image of 8.1 WITH the "-w" (wipe) command (LINK HERE)
2: Allow the system to boot. (optional: complete setup wizard and update apps)
3: Connect the phone to a PC and copy the TWRP 3.1.1-1 ZIP installer to internal storage (or download it via browser) (LINK HERE)
4: Download Magisk 14.3 using a PC or the phones browser, to internal storage (LINK HERE)
5: Reboot into bootloader (using the POWER + VOL-DOWN combo)
6: Fastboot BOOT TWRP 3.1.1-1 (LINK HERE)
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.1.1-1-fastboot-marlin.img
7: Once TWRP has booted up, flash the TWRP ZIP installer from step 3 (do NOT reboot to the OS yet)
8: Reboot directly to RECOVERY
9: Flash Magisk v14.3 from step 4
10: Reboot to Android and you're done!
Working TWRP and fully working root!
Only issue I'm having so far with TWRP is that MTP doesn't work. I can't transfer files to/from the phone while connected to a PC. That's why the file transfers have to happen while booted into Android. A TWRP update will likely fix this.

Hello, I followed these steps and all is working great, now I have activated fingerprint lock on my device and pin code, TWRP tells me that the pin is wrong when I go in to the recovery ? Any ideas, I did the procedre twice from stock and twrp tells me that the pin is wrong every time

Known issue on 8.1. Twrp is not working properly.
Just don't use pin or pattern at all.

mikaole said:
Known issue on 8.1. Twrp is not working properly.
Just don't use pin or pattern at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need security on my phone, I would rather just wait for the TWRP update and/or actual 8.1

kingbri said:
I need security on my phone, I would rather just wait for the TWRP update and/or actual 8.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the rate TWRP gets updated, you'd have to wait till December for that. And sometime in December, 8.1 Final is supposed to be out.
Not sure if it works, but you could try disabling security, use TWRP for whatever you need, then enable security again when you're done.

So when you say flash with wipe command. You mean flash the flash all with -w tacked on the end?

Mckillagorilla said:
So when you say flash with wipe command. You mean flash the flash all with -w tacked on the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, in other words: do not edit flash-all.sh.

Mckillagorilla said:
So when you say flash with wipe command. You mean flash the flash all with -w tacked on the end?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? No to editing file. The file flash-all.bat already has the -
w command in it. (use Flash-all.sh if you use Apple).
The reason post #1 instructs to wipe with the -w command is because some are used to removing the -w to preserve user data when flashing. For this root solution that won't work.

Born<ICs said:
? No to editing file. The file flash-all.bat already has the -
w command in it. (use Flash-all.sh if you use Apple).
The reason post #1 instructs to wipe with the -w command is because some are used to removing the -w to preserve user data when flashing. For this root solution that won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
worked perfectly for me ... no errors so far.

Let me rephrase. I wiped the phone, went back to 7.1.2, took 8.1 OTA now I want to root without wiping. Is this possible?
The second try, I hate the scrolling that is within apps. Looks like I might be going back to Nougat.

Scottay5150 said:
Can I root the OTA developer preview after a complete flash/wipe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am rooted and on it. Same procedure.

Working for me on Pixel non XL swapped the file for sailfish versions

I forget if I install TWRP to does this wipe the whole device?
TonikJDK said:
Yes, I am rooted and on it. Same procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.

I mention that this method also works on Pixel Sailfish, except that it has to use twrp img and zip for Sailfish.

Any reason why I shouldn't just sideload the zips in TWRP? I did it just to test and things seem to be working so far without wiping the device.

Here's a stupid question- does the bootloader need to be unlocked? I'm carrier locked and want to be rooted with TWRP.

hooks024 said:
Here's a stupid question- does the bootloader need to be unlocked? I'm carrier locked and want to be rooted with TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the Pixels yes you need to be bootloader unlocked to root.

mikaole said:
Known issue on 8.1. Twrp is not working properly.
Just don't use pin or pattern at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
having same problem (says wrong pin), why do almost all guides that for Pixels you need to set up a pin in order to flash TWRP/root properly? Confused.

eddi0 said:
having same problem (says wrong pin), why do almost all guides that for Pixels you need to set up a pin in order to flash TWRP/root properly? Confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is encrypted, it needs a PIN to authenticate to the OS to decrypt.

I actually had to factory reset it and NOT use a pin for it to work properly (after factory reset go into settings>security>none for screen lock). I know in the past a pin was required but as the second post states Magisk 14.3 is not playing nice with 8.1 beta.

OTA Update for Rooted/Bootloader Unlocked

Hey all, just wanted to try and combine the bits and pieces of the "how to update OTA for rooted/BL unlocked" phones into one place as a quick run down for myself (and others who might have the same question) for the OTA:
Grab OTA update manually
Uninstall Edge Sense Mod from Magisk
Plug in phone into PC
adb reboot recovery
adb fastboot flash "stock boot.img"
adb sideload "OTA file name"
Reboot to bootloader using the volume and power button
adb fastboot flash "patched image to inactive slot (no idea how yet, sorry! Will add command)"
Reboot phone
Go back into Magisk and install manager for root
Re-install Edge Sense Mod within Magisk
*Optional*Re-apply Magisk Hide
Please let me know if there's any steps I'm missing or how it could be made easier for others to understand and if there's credit(s) missing (10+ hr shift and running on strong tea only 11 hr shift arguing with doctors to actually provide care instead of leeching insurance, and insurance to pay the damn medical claims instead of baton passing them to patients).
Disclaimer:
I'm no developer, just a common user that wants to make it a bit more convenient for other Pixel 3a owners to OTA update while rooted/BL unlocked. If it didn't work, or you encountered error(s), let me know and I can link them in so others can learn.
Disclaimer 2:
The above step(s) is assuming you've used pbanj's method for getting Magisk. Apparently I should add this as there's the "conventional" and "unconventional" method for Magisk. Had no idea since there was no guide available informing people otherwise at the time of making this step-by-step guide.
Credits:
pbanj for Pixel 3a root and Magisk images saving a MASSIVE some time, and its thread for the above steps.
googlephoneFKLenAsh for details of what I was missing in my initial steps.
sic0048 for making the root confusion apparent, and making a modified boot image method (the pbanj Magisk) here and his guide for rooting here.

Wdenton said:
Hey all, just wanted to try and combine the bits and pieces of the "how to update OTA for rooted/BL unlocked" phones into one place as a quick run down for myself (and others who might have the same question) for the OTA:
Grab OTA update manually
Uninstall Edge Sense Mod from Magisk
Plug in phone into PC
adb reboot recovery
adb sideload "OTA file name"
Reboot to bootloader using the volume and power button
fastboot flash "patched image"
Reboot phone
Go back into Magisk and install manager for root
Re-install Edge Sense Mod within Magisk
*Optional*Re-apply Magisk Hide
Please let me know if there's any steps I'm missing or how it could be made easier for others to understand and if there's credit(s) missing (10+ hr shift and running on strong tea only).
Disclaimer:
I'm no developer, just a common user that wants to make it a bit more convenient for other Pixel 3a owners to OTA update while rooted/BL unlocked.
Credits:
pbanj for Pixel 3a root and Magisk images saving a MASSIVE amount of time, and its thread for the above steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before step 5, you need to fastboot flash stock boot.img before doing "adb sideload ota file".

I think step 7 should specify flashing patched image to inactive slot, (a or b), so as to be on the new active slot after a reboot, (step 8).
---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 AM ----------
googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Before step 5, you need to fastboot flash stock boot.img before doing "adb sideload ota file".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the op procedure and it worked without flashing the stock boot image. To what slot would you flash the stock image, active slot or inactive slot? Can it be flashed to old slot after step 8 reboot? Would there be any benefit?

I'm not sure why people insist that using the "modified" boot images make the update process faster or easier..... I assure you it does not.
Here is the update process if you install Magisk the normal way......
- Magisk: Click “Uninstall” → “restore images” → NO REBOOT
- Download and install OTA → NO REBOOT
- Clear all apps from recents (probably not even needed, but better to be safe than sorry).
- Magisk: Click “Install” → “Install to second/inactive slot (After OTA)”
- Reboot
That's all......... and it's all done from the phone. No computer or ADB is required for updates.
Tell me how that is harder than your method or how your method saves "a MASSIVE amount of time"?????
Look, I'll be the first to admit that using the modified boot images does make the initial root process easier and faster - by a few steps and about 2 minutes of time. But you will pay for it when it comes time to update your phone.

sic0048 said:
I'm not sure why people insist that using the "modified" boot images make the update process faster or easier..... I assure you it does not.
Here is the update process if you install Magisk the normal way......
- Magisk: Click “Uninstall” → “restore images” → NO REBOOT
- Download and install OTA → NO REBOOT
- Clear all apps from recents (probably not even needed, but better to be safe than sorry).
- Magisk: Click “Install” → “Install to second/inactive slot (After OTA)”
- Reboot
That's all......... and it's all done from the phone. No computer or ADB is required for updates.
Tell me how that is harder than your method or how your method saves "a MASSIVE amount of time"?????
Look, I'll be the first to admit that using the modified boot images does make the initial root process easier and faster - by a few steps and about 2 minutes of time. But you will pay for it when it comes time to update your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive me sic0048. You helped me in another post but I feared doing the initial step, magisk-uninstall-restore images. My reading of these forums indicates there is no stock image to restore since it was overwritten by the patched image during the initial root process. It is the transition from using patched images to doing a normal Magisk install that I lack knowledge of.

alliance1975 said:
Forgive me sic0048. You helped me in another post but I feared doing the initial step, magisk-uninstall-restore images. My reading of these forums indicates there is no stock image to restore since it was overwritten by the patched image during the initial root process. It is the transition from using patched images to doing a normal Magisk install that I lack knowledge of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great point, difference between downloading a patched boot image vs patching yourself is not clear as to how it affects the OTA update...

alliance1975 said:
Forgive me sic0048. You helped me in another post but I feared doing the initial step, magisk-uninstall-restore images. My reading of these forums indicates there is no stock image to restore since it was overwritten by the patched image during the initial root process. It is the transition from using patched images to doing a normal Magisk install that I lack knowledge of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally understand the confusion......
If you use normal Magisk installation method where you let Magisk modify the stock boot.img file, then the OTA update method that I described above should work. Because you let Magisk modify the stock boot image, it will be able to use the stock image in the first step - Magisk: Click “Uninstall” → “restore images” → NO REBOOT
If you used the "modified boot image" method, you were able to skip the step where you let Magisk modify the stock boot image. This saves time initially, but it comes back to bit you during an OTA update because Magisk is unable to use the stock image to uninstall itself. You are correct that the normal Magisk "How to Take an OTA Update" instructions will fail if you used the modified boot image to gain root initially.
I guess I didn't realize that you had used the "modified boot image" method. Here is my recommendation to all those that have used the modified boot image method - start over.........
- use the Magisk manager app to Uninstall Magisk using the "Complete Uninstall" method.
- Pull the stock boot.img from the applicable factory image (whatever OS version/update you are currently on). Downloads are available here https://developers.google.com/android/images
- Using your computer, flash the stock boot.img file by using the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
- Reinstall Magisk using the "normal" method....
- Put the stock boot.img file on your phone's root SD card location
- Use the Magisk manager app to modify the stock boot.img
- move the magisk_modified boot image to your computer
- flash the magisk_modified boot image to the boot partition using the command "fastboot flash boot <patched_boot.img file name>"
- reboot
Then follow the instructions I gave for the normal OTA update process listed a couple posts above.
---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:14 PM ----------
duh1 said:
Unless I'm misunderstanding the process, seems like Magisk is missing a checkbox to backup the unpatched boot image prior to creating a patched image, for future OTA updates...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk isn't missing this option, it's just that the method suggested by pbanj in this thread bypasses the normal method. It's not an issue with Magisk, it's an issue with the root method being suggested.
What I really need to do is create another "How to Root" thread and list the normal and recommended method. The confusion comes from people coming to this site and reading pbanj's thread and thinking that is the correct way to root. It is not the correct way to root.

alliance1975 said:
I think step 7 should specify flashing patched image to inactive slot, (a or b), so as to be on the new active slot after a reboot, (step 8).
---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ----------
I followed the op procedure and it worked without flashing the stock boot image. To what slot would you flash the stock image, active slot or inactive slot? Can it be flashed to old slot after step 8 reboot? Would there be any benefit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normally you would flash the stock boot image to the active slot to unroot the phone prior to installing the OTA.
Confused as to why flashing stock boot is no longer necessary. If this works as stated, it would appear the OTA is no longer patching the phone's boot and system partitions as had been done in the past. So perhaps the OTA now installs full boot and system images?

duh1 said:
Normally you would flash the stock boot image to the active slot to unroot the phone prior to installing the OTA.
Confused as to why flashing stock boot is no longer necessary. If this works as stated, it would appear the OTA is no longer patching the phone's boot and system partitions as had been done in the past. So perhaps the OTA now installs full boot and system images.
If that is indeed the case we should be able to just install the OTA normally through the system update button without having to uninstall Magisk and get rid of root first. Then as the Magisk tutorial states cancel the reboot go into the Magisk manager and reroot. Has anyone tried this on a rooted phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had read, but have not confirmed myself, that the OTA images did include the boot and system img. However I just checked and the factory image for the June update on Bonito is 1.6gb while the "full OTA" image is only 1.1gb. So the two images are not identical. It's not like you saving a bunch of time by not uninstalling Magisk first and I don't think I would skip this simple step with the hope it would work. I'll continue to follow the recommended procedure that the Magisk developer has come up with and I would recommend to others that they do the same.

sic0048 said:
I had read, but have not confirmed myself, that the OTA images did include the boot and system img. However I just checked and the factory image for the June update on Bonito is 1.6gb while the "full OTA" image is only 1.1gb. So the two images are not identical. It's not like you saving a bunch of time by not uninstalling Magisk first and I don't think I would skip this simple step with the hope it would work. I'll continue to follow the recommended procedure that the Magisk developer has come up with and I would recommend to others that they do the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's smaller as the OTA only contains the partitions that have changed such as system and boot. The other partitions are probably cloned over from the active slot to the inactive slot.
As I mentioned previously, the Magisk tutorial does not account for not having a backup of the stock boot image when you download the patched boot, so to remove boot prior to installing the OTA, you must manually flash the stock boot.

googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Before step 5, you need to fastboot flash stock boot.img before doing "adb sideload ota file".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alliance1975 said:
I think step 7 should specify flashing patched image to inactive slot, (a or b), so as to be on the new active slot after a reboot, (step 8).
---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:28 AM ----------
I followed the op procedure and it worked without flashing the stock boot image. To what slot would you flash the stock image, active slot or inactive slot? Can it be flashed to old slot after step 8 reboot? Would there be any benefit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before step 5, flash stock boot.img to slot a (or just use getvar to get the current active slot. It should be slot a before first ota). If you don't flash stock boot img, you will get error message "E: Failed to verify package compatibility".
I think you didn't get this message because you actually restored stock boot.img when you uninstalled magisk. For those who rooted their phone by flashing patched boot.img, magisk doesn't know the location of stock boot.img.
Then in step 7, flash patched boot.img to slot b (after ota, the active changes to slot b. If there is new ota in the future, just use getvar to find out the active slot)

sic0048 said:
I'm not sure why people insist that using the "modified" boot images make the update process faster or easier..... I assure you it does not.
Here is the update process if you install Magisk the normal way......
- Magisk: Click “Uninstall” → “restore images” → NO REBOOT
- Download and install OTA → NO REBOOT
- Clear all apps from recents (probably not even needed, but better to be safe than sorry).
- Magisk: Click “Install” → “Install to second/inactive slot (After OTA)”
- Reboot
That's all......... and it's all done from the phone. No computer or ADB is required for updates.
Tell me how that is harder than your method or how your method saves "a MASSIVE amount of time"?????
Look, I'll be the first to admit that using the modified boot images does make the initial root process easier and faster - by a few steps and about 2 minutes of time. But you will pay for it when it comes time to update your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sic0048 said:
I totally understand the confusion......
If you use normal Magisk installation method where you let Magisk modify the stock boot.img file, then the OTA update method that I described above should work. Because you let Magisk modify the stock boot image, it will be able to use the stock image in the first step - Magisk: Click “Uninstall” → “restore images” → NO REBOOT
If you used the "modified boot image" method, you were able to skip the step where you let Magisk modify the stock boot image. This saves time initially, but it comes back to bit you during an OTA update because Magisk is unable to use the stock image to uninstall itself. You are correct that the normal Magisk "How to Take an OTA Update" instructions will fail if you used the modified boot image to gain root initially.
I guess I didn't realize that you had used the "modified boot image" method. Here is my recommendation to all those that have used the modified boot image method - start over.........
- use the Magisk manager app to Uninstall Magisk using the "Complete Uninstall" method.
- Pull the stock boot.img from the applicable factory image (whatever OS version/update you are currently on). Downloads are available here https://developers.google.com/android/images
- Using your computer, flash the stock boot.img file by using the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
- Reinstall Magisk using the "normal" method....
- Put the stock boot.img file on your phone's root SD card location
- Use the Magisk manager app to modify the stock boot.img
- move the magisk_modified boot image to your computer
- flash the magisk_modified boot image to the boot partition using the command "fastboot flash boot <patched_boot.img file name>"
- reboot
Then follow the instructions I gave for the normal OTA update process listed a couple posts above.
---------- Post added at 02:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:14 PM ----------
Magisk isn't missing this option, it's just that the method suggested by pbanj in this thread bypasses the normal method. It's not an issue with Magisk, it's an issue with the root method being suggested.
What I really need to do is create another "How to Root" thread and list the normal and recommended method. The confusion comes from people coming to this site and reading pbanj's thread and thinking that is the correct way to root. It is not the correct way to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Before step 5, flash stock boot.img to slot a (or just use getvar to get the current active slot. It should be slot a before first ota). If you don't flash stock boot img, you will get error message "E: Failed to verify package compatibility".
I think you didn't get this message because you actually restored stock boot.img when you uninstalled magisk. For those who rooted their phone by flashing patched boot.img, magisk doesn't know the location of stock boot.img.
Then in step 7, flash patched boot.img to slot b (after ota, the active changes to slot b. If there is new ota in the future, just use getvar to find out the active slot)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Before step 5, you need to fastboot flash stock boot.img before doing "adb sideload ota file".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to all, was not expecting this much reply in this short amount of time, at all.
I made this step by step guide because no dedicated thread really was readily accessible in one place. Hopefully this inspires others to make guides.

googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Before step 5, flash stock boot.img to slot a (or just use getvar to get the current active slot. It should be slot a before first ota). If you don't flash stock boot img, you will get error message "E: Failed to verify package compatibility".
I think you didn't get this message because you actually restored stock boot.img when you uninstalled magisk. For those who rooted their phone by flashing patched boot.img, magisk doesn't know the location of stock boot.img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How else could the phone have been rooted besides flashing a patched boot image on a device without a custom recovery, such that Magisk on his device knows where to find the stock boot image?

duh1 said:
How else could the phone have been rooted besides flashing a patched boot image on a device without a custom recovery, such that Magisk on his device knows where to find the stock boot image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Learn how to read a few posts in this thread.
Root method 1: install magisk, patch the stock boot image, then flash the patched boot image to gain root. Magisk knows where the stock boot image is. In this case, just follow the instructions to take ota: uninstall magisk to restore stock boot image and take ota, then reroot.
Root method 2: flash patched boot image provided by someone in the forum, then install magisk to get root. In this case Magisk doesn't have a backuped stock boot image. So the regular instructions of uninstalling Magisk to restore stock boot image doesn't work and you need to manually flash stock boot image to take ota.

googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Learn how to read a few posts in this thread.
Root method 1: install magisk, patch the stock boot image, then flash the patched boot image to gain root. Magisk knows where the stock boot image is. In this case, just follow the instructions to take ota: uninstall magisk to restore stock boot image and take ota, then reroot.
Root method 2: flash patched boot image provided by someone in the forum, then install magisk to get root. In this case Magisk doesn't have a backuped stock boot image. So the regular instructions of uninstalling Magisk to restore stock boot image doesn't work and you need to manually flash stock boot image to take ota.
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Click to collapse
Difference is downloading the patched image vs patching it yourself. Wasn't clear how that created the issue. Well written, thx for pointing it out.
So if anyone patches the new version boot image before uninstalling Magisk, they'll get an error. Likewise, patching the current boot image in the manager will allow the uninstall to work correctly...

googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
Learn how to read a few posts in this thread.
Root method 1: install magisk, patch the stock boot image, then flash the patched boot image to gain root. Magisk knows where the stock boot image is. In this case, just follow the instructions to take ota: uninstall magisk to restore stock boot image and take ota, then reroot.
Root method 2: flash patched boot image provided by someone in the forum, then install magisk to get root. In this case Magisk doesn't have a backuped stock boot image. So the regular instructions of uninstalling Magisk to restore stock boot image doesn't work and you need to manually flash stock boot image to take ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont need to restore stock to update. the restore is only needed if you want the phone to handle the update. if you sideload the ota in adb it updates fine then you can just flash the new patched boot image. also fun little fact, even if you use the pre-patched images you can still use magisk's internal update method. you just have to do one simple thing....... grab the stock boot.img for your current update, and tell magisk to patch it, it will create the stock backup and then you can just use the magisk update method. i've been meaning to add that to my thread but i've been busy and having some health problems so i haven't been on here in a few days.

pbanj said:
you dont need to restore stock to update. the restore is only needed if you want the phone to handle the update. if you sideload the ota in adb it updates fine then you can just flash the new patched boot image. also fun little fact, even if you use the pre-patched images you can still use magisk's internal update method. you just have to do one simple thing....... grab the stock boot.img for your current update, and tell magisk to patch it, it will create the stock backup and then you can just use the magisk update method. i've been meaning to add that to my thread but i've been busy and having some health problems so i haven't been on here in a few days.
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Click to collapse
Sorry for the health issues. Take care and get well soon.
Thank you for this post. I was getting confused about the ADB sideload of OTA (which, iirc, didn't work on unlocked BL on my last phone), which you said does work on the 3a. My last phone was the N5X and despite Magisk being available, I stayed with SuperSu (which worked for me as well as suhide and FlashFire). The dual slot is new to me; I think my MOTO Z3 Play has that (I'm not unlocking that one atm) so it really doesn't matter.
If I fastboot flashed the patched boot.img to slot_b, then the next time I flash any boot.img, I will have to direct it to slot_a [fastboot flash boot_a boot.img]? I guess I'll learn as I go along. Next, I'll take current stock boot.img and tell magisk to patch it.

ritchea said:
Sorry for the health issues. Take care and get well soon.
Thank you for this post. I was getting confused about the ADB sideload of OTA (which, iirc, didn't work on unlocked BL on my last phone), which you said does work on the 3a. My last phone was the N5X and despite Magisk being available, I stayed with SuperSu (which worked for me as well as suhide and FlashFire). The dual slot is new to me; I think my MOTO Z3 Play has that (I'm not unlocking that one atm) so it really doesn't matter.
If I fastboot flashed the patched boot.img to slot_b, then the next time I flash any boot.img, I will have to direct it to slot_a [fastboot flash boot_a boot.img]? I guess I'll learn as I go along. Next, I'll take current stock boot.img and tell magisk to patch it.
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Click to collapse
ya pretty much. every time the phone updates the active slot changes. I'm currently updating my root thread so everything is clearer and in one place.

pbanj said:
you dont need to restore stock to update. the restore is only needed if you want the phone to handle the update. if you sideload the ota in adb it updates fine then you can just flash the new patched boot image. also fun little fact, even if you use the pre-patched images you can still use magisk's internal update method. you just have to do one simple thing....... grab the stock boot.img for your current update, and tell magisk to patch it, it will create the stock backup and then you can just use the magisk update method. i've been meaning to add that to my thread but i've been busy and having some health problems so i haven't been on here in a few days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be sure, sideloading bypasses the OTA package compatibility verification that would give an error during normal update if it detects wrong boot version?

duh1 said:
Just to be sure, sideloading bypasses the OTA package compatibility verification that would give an error during normal update if it detects wrong boot version?
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Click to collapse
correct. i had no issue with it, and i friend is the one who told me about it as that's how she installs her updates even though she could use the magisk method