Re-encrypt Data? - Moto G5 Plus Questions & Answers

I'm rooted using Magisk and I'm using ElementalX kernel, I do not have TWRP installed as I want to get OTAs... my question is, can I re-ecrypt my data without losing Magisk? I remember TWRP having problems decrypting the partition when I first tried to install Magisk/EX so, in case I lose Magisk, can I reinstall Magisk/EX in TWRP or Fashfire once I re-encrypt my device? (i.e. can TWRP decrypt "user encrypted" data partitions? and/or can Magisk run from an encrypted data partition?)

jhonyrod said:
I'm rooted using Magisk and I'm using ElementalX kernel, I do not have TWRP installed as I want to get OTAs... my question is, can I re-ecrypt my data without losing Magisk? I remember TWRP having problems decrypting the partition when I first tried to install Magisk/EX so, in case I lose Magisk, can I reinstall Magisk/EX in TWRP or Fashfire once I re-encrypt my device? (i.e. can TWRP decrypt "user encrypted" data partitions? and/or can Magisk run from an encrypted data partition?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a premise incorrect here... If you are not 100% stock, you CANNOT take an OTA, even if you have stock recovery... you have modified the kernel, ramdisk image (Magisk), and likely the system partition (if not, why did you bother to root?), so OTA updates will FAIL. Even with FlashFire they are less there is less than a 50% success rate with this device when rooted.
Although I haven't tried in a long time, TWRP should handle encryption fine, as long as you know the password/PIN... I can't speak for ElementalX specifically, but it is a mainline kernel so I think it should be fine.
The point is that once you have unlocked the bootloader, your device security is pretty much zero... that is kind of a given, encryption helps safeguard your private information, but unlocked bootloader negates FRP and anyone could just fastboot TWRP, wipe and enjoy using your device. This is one of the reasons (of several) that I have stopped unlocking the bootloader and rooting anymore.

My question was mainly about Magisk and TWRP working with encrypted partitions.
About the security, I'm aware of the implications and I just want to keep my data safe, which is more important than the device itself.
As for the device modifications, AFAIK ElementalX uses the ramdisk just as Magisk does, it doesn't write anything to the kernel partition, also, I haven't modified /system at all; all possible modifications I've done have been through Magisk modules and Xposed (which I installed systemlessly of course). The main reason I rooted is indeed Xposed so I can use stuff like NeoPowerMenu, Whatsapp Extensions, ActivityForceNewTask, etc.
Given the fact that I've only modified the ramdisk so far, are you sure that I can't accept OTAs? (I know they'll break my current setup, but it should be easy to fix)

jhonyrod said:
My question was mainly about Magisk and TWRP working with encrypted partitions.
About the security, I'm aware of the implications and I just want to keep my data safe, which is more important than the device itself.
As for the device modifications, AFAIK ElementalX uses the ramdisk just as Magisk does, it doesn't write anything to the kernel partition, also, I haven't modified /system at all; all possible modifications I've done have been through Magisk modules and Xposed (which I installed systemlessly of course). The main reason I rooted is indeed Xposed so I can use stuff like NeoPowerMenu, Whatsapp Extensions, ActivityForceNewTask, etc.
Given the fact that I've only modified the ramdisk so far, are you sure that I can't accept OTAs? (I know they'll break my current setup, but it should be easy to fix)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Positive... 99% sure they will fail. And although Xposed may be installed systemless, it's modules still modify /system.

Related

lgd800 to cwm13 with + magisk

Hey I'm looking around and found 2 interesting posts.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-...fficial-cyanogenmod-13-lg-g2-t3264508/page422
http://forum.xda-developers.com/lg-g2/help/starting-root-recovery-custom-rom-t3440752/page1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty good instructions? I'm dancing around threads all over. I can't seem to get twrp onto a lollipop build. If I have twrp installed and try to manually go to LP from kk I get a bootloop the last few tries. If I have lp installed I can't seem to get autorec to respond, no matter which cfsu.
@blastagator:
Can you possibly list your steps for cwm and working magisk on your d800? Maybe I need to wipe all but internal, install lp bootstack in twrp-updated to one of your newer versions, install cwm? Is it clean from there to magisk and phhsu, magisk hide, phhapp? Will I need bumpboot ever for this?
andrew2432 said:
Hey I'm looking around and found 2 interesting posts.
Pretty good instructions? I'm dancing around threads all over. I can't seem to get twrp onto a lollipop build. If I have twrp installed and try to manually go to LP from kk I get a bootloop the last few tries. If I have lp installed I can't seem to get autorec to respond, no matter which cfsu.
@blastagator:
Can you possibly list your steps for cwm and working magisk on your d800? Maybe I need to wipe all but internal, install lp bootstack in twrp-updated to one of your newer versions, install cwm? Is it clean from there to magisk and phhsu, magisk hide, phhapp? Will I need bumpboot ever for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not use CWM, so I can't help you with that.
Basic Sequence (assuming starting from completely stock):
Use your favorite rooting tool - OneClick Root still works (I think)
Then install AutoRec (appropriate version for your ROM)
That gets you TWRP - boot TWRP with the key combo
Flash newest TWRP - reboot recovery
Flash bootstack to match new ROM (LP for LP or MM)
Advanced wipe, wipe /data, /system, /cache, /sd, /dalvik
Reboot Recovery
Copy new ROM to phone
Install new ROM
Reboot phone, profit
for magisk, flash magisk zip and then flash boot bump zip
IMPORTANT: If ROM has built-in su (like CM13 DOES) you need to delete that from the device.
I'd recommend deleting these BEFORE installing magisk (but I don't know if it actually matters)
For CM13, enable root in the developer menu
use your favorite console app
Code:
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
rm /system/xbin/su
rm /system/bin/su
Some ROMs might have an su file in /sbin and you might need to remount / as rw to remove that. For CM13 it is just those two files.
blastagator said:
I do not use CWM, so I can't help you with that.
Basic Sequence (assuming starting from completely stock):
Use your favorite rooting tool - OneClick Root still works (I think)
Then install AutoRec (appropriate version for your ROM)
That gets you TWRP - boot TWRP with the key combo
Flash newest TWRP - reboot recovery
Flash bootstack to match new ROM (LP for LP or MM)
Advanced wipe, wipe everything
Reboot Recovery
Copy new ROM to phone
Install new ROM
Reboot phone, profit
for magisk, flash magisk zip and then flash boot bump zip
IMPORTANT: If ROM has built-in su (like CM13 DOES) you need to delete that from the device.
I'd recommend deleting these BEFORE installing magisk (but I don't know if it actually matters)
For CM13, enable root in the developer menu
use your favorite console app
Some ROMs might have an su file in /sbin and you might need to remount / as rw to remove that. For CM13 it is just those two files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh cm is just the recovery not the rom, you use it and not twrp? The newest twrp for g2d800 is yours...twrp-d800-bump-blastagator?? What rom do you use? Will I be able to transfer files to the phone after wiping? I guess it stays in recovery after a wipe...just not used to that I guess.
Get twrp, flash bootstack...from you, wipe all, push my rom, flash rom, boot to phone. Experience my first ever custom os for a bit....Remove su with adb, boot to recovery, magisk, bump, phhsu zip, boot to phone. Install magisk 2.1, enable hide, reboot, phhsu app, ???, profit.
1. How can I thank ALL your posts ever?
2. Cwm nightly is the rom, the other is the recovery?
andrew2432 said:
Ahh cm is just the recovery not the rom, you use it and not twrp? The newest twrp for g2d800 is yours...twrp-d800-bump-blastagator?? What rom do you use? Will I be able to transfer files to the phone after wiping? I guess it stays in recovery after a wipe...just not used to that I guess.
Get twrp, flash bootstack...from you, wipe all, push my rom, flash rom, boot to phone. Experience my first ever custom os for a bit....Remove su with adb, boot to recovery, magisk, bump, phhsu zip, boot to phone. Install magisk 2.1, enable hide, reboot, phhsu app, ???, profit.
1. How can I thank ALL your posts ever?
2. Cwm nightly is the rom, the other is the recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recovery lives in /recovery partition, so I guess I should clarify, don't wipe EVERYTHING, lol. I can't remember if I enabled ability to wipe recovery, DONT DO THAT :silly:
edit: Advanced wipe, wipe /data, /system, /cache, /sd, /dalvik
But, as for everything else, recovery will live through wiping /system /data, etc. You need to backup anything you want to save though. Wipe will destroy everything.
Other than that, you pretty much got the rest.
edit 2: http://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=d800
See image for ROM vs CM Recovery.
CWM = Clockwork Mod (a different recovery)
CM = CyanogenMod (a ROM)
.
@blastagator:
Haha I may have noticed that during the process. The bumpbootv1.0 is the one to use for even these newer methods?? That was what q2 really was supposed to be. I keep mentioning you because I assume it helps you see my posts, I assume your pretty busy. Some of those posts and files are rom when the g2 was almost new lol thanks seriously for getting back so fast I wish I could help this community more but I'm a skid
EDIT: awesome, I have to run all Internet functions off of the sprint lte network and was downloading one of those behemoths during that posts....that let's me know my efforts aren't in vain
andrew2432 said:
@blastagator:
Haha I may have noticed that during the process. The bumpbootv1.0 is the one to use for even these newer methods?? That was what q2 really was supposed to be. I keep mentioning you because I assume it helps you see my posts, I assume your pretty busy. Some of those posts and files are rom when the g2 was almost new lol thanks seriously for getting back so fast I wish I could help this community more but I'm a skid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read my edits and don't kill your phone. I am not always so timely in my responses :good:
Other than that, good luck!
There are tons of posts that go into more detail about what I wrote. Just make sure you have a plan before you do it. Think: Measure twice, cut once.
This g2 I found service locked while cleaning out a rental property. I have a galaxy s5 stupid sprint for my primary. I use the g2 for...well everything game and other related. until my Hotspot mod on my galaxy suddenly stopped working on lp. I blame the man
Äptiva is the one I read about a gutted 802 into an 800 or something, got you guys confused!!
@blastagator
Didn't work...steps followed what OS do you use? Do you use you d80030b or something else? No sn or pgo
If I update autorec twrp to your 3.0.2-1 will it hold through a manual FOTA update to 5.0? I use GPS system app for location. Is it possible moving to system then unrooting causes these bootloops and such? My g2 passes sn but I cm and gApps is causing issues? Logged into sc, pass sn, no pgo
andrew2432 said:
@blastagator
Didn't work...steps followed what OS do you use? Do you use you d80030b or something else? No sn or pgo
If I update autorec twrp to your 3.0.2-1 will it hold through a manual FOTA update to 5.0? I use GPS system app for location. Is it possible moving to system then unrooting causes these bootloops and such? My g2 passes sn but I cm and gApps is causing issues? Logged into sc, pass sn, no pgo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM13.
If you're trying to get safety net to work, you have to enable magisk hide (in the magisk app)
Also, if you're using xposed, you can't use safety net.
@blastagator
Yeah done and done. Only things I can figure is installed the application side of phh su last, and gaps after being phh rooted.? I'm gonna check for su files with es here shortly. Safety net passes, snapchat works, just not pgo
Enabled hide after installing application and got root access when ticking hide. Literally the only thing that won't work is pgo, haven't tried android pay yet
No xposed I bought a way around that, not causing the issue because I haven't installed it on the d800
andrew2432 said:
@blastagator
Yeah done and done. Only things I can figure is installed the application side of phh su last, and gaps after being phh rooted.? I'm gonna check for su files with es here shortly. Safety net passes, snapchat works, just not pgo
Enabled hide after installing application and got root access when ticking hide. Literally the only thing that won't work is pgo, haven't tried android pay yet
No xposed I bought a way around that, not causing the issue because I haven't installed it on the d800
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the safety net test app passes, it should be working. perhaps downgrade your pogo a version or two, maybe they added something else.
Well, it's on a WiFi only, no SIM device...
I'm thinking this is the issue I'm experiencing now. Which may stem from an update. An older apk is a good idea, I was able to log on with magisk v6 a bit a go and when magisk 7 and 8 first came out I could.

Questions around Encryption (root, OTA, backups)

Hello,
I just ordered my first OnePlus and should receive it by the end of the month. Like all my previous (and quite old) phones, I would like to root it for several reasons and I found the native encryption needs to be disabled in order to be able to root the phone. Fair enough.
Since I never had to deal with encryption on my previous phones, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the consequences:
1) once the phone is rooted, can I enable the encryption again without hassles?
2) once rooted and (hopefully) encrypted, how will I have to update my phone? Flash the full OTA everytime (no partial updates allowed on rooted phones if I understood correctly)? Can I do this without disabling/re-enabling the encryption? After the full flash, will the data & cache be wiped or will it be hassle-free?
3) I generally use Titanium Backup to backup my apps (hence the need for root access) and copy the files on a network drive. Am I correct to assume that native encryption of the OP5 will not affect this process (either during backup or when the files are copied to the network drive (encrypted)?
Thanks for your help
GeeM said:
Hello,
I just ordered my first OnePlus and should receive it by the end of the month. Like all my previous (and quite old) phones, I would like to root it for several reasons and I found the native encryption needs to be disabled in order to be able to root the phone. Fair enough.
Since I never had to deal with encryption on my previous phones, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the consequences:
1) once the phone is rooted, can I enable the encryption again without hassles?
2) once rooted and (hopefully) encrypted, how will I have to update my phone? Flash the full OTA everytime (no partial updates allowed on rooted phones if I understood correctly)? Can I do this without disabling/re-enabling the encryption? After the full flash, will the data & cache be wiped or will it be hassle-free?
3) I generally use Titanium Backup to backup my apps (hence the need for root access) and copy the files on a network drive. Am I correct to assume that native encryption of the OP5 will not affect this process (either during backup or when the files are copied to the network drive (encrypted)?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all native encryption will still work when rooted. When you root using supersu or Magisk the encryption will stay. When you get your phone you first must boot to fastboot and unlock the bootloader. Doing so will erase data so do it as soon as you get the phone. Second you will need to flash TWRP. Wipe factory settings and flash Supersu or Magisk 13.3. I prefer Magisk. Once in setup you will need to put a password and fingerprint to get the encryption started. After that your all set. To update the rom just head to downloads.oneplus.net and download the correct rom for Oneplus 5 and flash it over TWRP then flash Magisk/Supersu after. I prefer using [ROM] xXx NoLimits 2.0 [OOS][OP5] ☆ Speed/RAM optimized ☆ because it uses stock oxygen os rom with better performance and battery life. Plus extra features like debloating. But other than that you will not lose encryption when rooting. Only when you want to install custom roms for right now like (LineageOS, RR, AOSP).

Does OTA flash the recovery and re-enable DM-Verity?

I'm about to provision my One Plus 5 for use I will be running it with TWRP a unencrypted data partition (makes restores easier) and root via Magisk day one.
I'm curious if I'm running it in this configuration when an OTA comes down the pipe will it do any of the following?
re apply fastboot oem lock?
flash the recovery to stock recovery?
remove magisk?
re-enable dm-verity?
Curious if the process after an OTA apply is to re-flash TWRP potentially re-apply magisk? Does applying ota mess with your data partition if you already decrypted it?
Also was thinking about leaving the data partition decrypted so I can push things to it via ADB or manipulate it when it's in a non-functional state can anyone here comment on if that's still possible while encrypted? And if so what dis-advantages of leaving it encrypted I hear one is you have to remove the lock screen password before you create a backup since the keys are not backed up and you might be locked out after a restore.
With some more research I've answered my own question I'll put them here in case anyone wants to refer to them in the future.
TWRP users will lose TWRP after a flash of the OTA.
Root will be lost regardless if you flash using TWRP or stock.
Data is not touched during flash so it should stay as is.
DM-verity requirement is unknown.
For rooted users it's better to do a full flash with TWRP OTA through TWRP will cause a problem.
Actually, you won't get the small incremental OTA, you will download the complete 1.5 - 2gb rom... This happens when you have root whether you have got TWRP or stock recovery.
Root will always be lost, yes but if you flash with TWRP you can flash magisk oe SuperSU immediately afterwards to gain root again. Not having TWRP you will need to either boot TWRP or install it to install root again.
DM-Verity, I have never had any problems with this after flashing and then rooting...
I dirty flash the 4.5.10 and i had to reflash the ROM + no_verity_op5.zip. My first and only issue was a sort of bootlop to the recovery.
So wait. If I flash the OTA, then flash Magisk, I will have root and lose TWRP, right?
Then could I use some app like Flashify or the TWRP app to install the recovery?
I don't own a PC right now and want to know if it's possible.

Magisk Systemless root how to OTA update? Help needed!

I'm following the topjohnwu's guide on how to update with Magisk but I do not find it clear enough. Are these the steps I need to take in order to not-brick and update my phone with the Feb update.
1. Uninstall Magisk by "restore images" option.
2. Install OTA
3. Reboot to reinstall Magisk on second slot
Magisk is NOT installed on the second partition! And I prefer not to flash back the original image just to do that. My system should be read only and I do not have twrp, I never had, I updated my Google services framework from apkmirror and I got the update, now how do I apply it without soft bricking?
Update
Step 2 failed, "installation problem". Wtf do I do in order not to lose Magisk or data?
Edit
I've uninstalled Magisk but haven't restarted, hoping to get a solution where I keep my sh*t since that's what the guide said...
Edit 2
I'm reading the other thread but I'm having trouble finding a single useful information there, quote one if you find it, it might be my autism that I don't see a solution in that three pages long thread. Tell me I need to MiFlash this sh*t so I calmly jump through my window instead of wasting the whole night on making it work, then wasting another day on backing my sh*t up.
Edit 3
Fully uninstalled Magisk by instructions of an indian guide. BOOTLOOP.
Note to self, stop following southern asian guides.
Downloaded ROM and MiFlash, flashed flash_all_except_storage.bat.
Shook for 4 minutes until "success" mark, successful reboot.
Edit 4:
follow the regular magisk flash guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/help/how-to-root-mi-a1-february-ota-update-t3757934
If you got into bootloop after Magisk uninstallation, you did modify system partition at some point. This is also the reason why you couldn't install OTA. Magisk OTA update guide works perfectly fine for unaltered system partition.
_mysiak_ said:
If you got into bootloop after Magisk uninstallation, you did modify system partition at some point. This is also the reason why you couldn't install OTA. Magisk OTA update guide works perfectly fine for unaltered system partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I figured, but how? I just did exactly everything I did before the OTA attempt, I just installed few modules and touched nothing else. At which point could've I touched system partition?
So I'm reading now that apps can still alter /system with the Magisk root perm, so, I what about one of these apps.
1. Does anyone know if they can mess with the system?
BusyBox
Greenify
Lucky patcher (this c*nt is my main suspect)
Titanium backup
2. Can we somehow make sure that we haven't touched the system partition before OTA attempt?
3. Once I've redone everything (flash Rom without storage, install OTA, install Magisk), my system shouldn't be touched now, right?
A14DWIN said:
That's what I figured, but how? I just did exactly everything I did before the OTA attempt, I just installed few modules and touched nothing else. At which point could've I touched system partition?
So I'm reading now that apps can still alter /system with the Magisk root perm, so, I what about one of these apps.
1. Does anyone know if they can mess with the system?
BusyBox
Greenify
Lucky patcher (this c*nt is my main suspect)
Titanium backup
2. Can we somehow make sure that we haven't touched the system partition before OTA attempt?
3. Once I've redone everything (flash Rom without storage, install OTA, install Magisk), my system shouldn't be touched now, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please keep in mind that Magisk is 2in1 package. First of all it provides root access, any app with root access can modify system directly. Second feature are systemless modifications, but you must follow defined rules to make them work.
From your list of apps, BusyBox would be my first suspect. You must use Magisk BusyBox module, the standard BusyBox is installed directly to the system partition. Lucky app might be the culprit too, though it depends on which features exactly did you use.
Yes, once you reflash stock ROM, apply OTA and install Magisk (the correct way), you're system partition will be ready for the next OTA.
Someone mentioned one command which could verify the last modification date of any partition, but can't find it right now.
_mysiak_ said:
Please keep in mind that Magisk is 2in1 package. First of all it provides root access, any app with root access can modify system directly. Second feature are systemless modifications, but you must follow defined rules to make them work.
From your list of apps, BusyBox would be my first suspect. You must use Magisk BusyBox module, the standard BusyBox is installed directly to the system partition. Lucky app might be the culprit too, though it depends on which features exactly did you use.
Yes, once you reflash stock ROM, apply OTA and install Magisk (the correct way), you're system partition will be ready for the next OTA.
Someone mentioned one command which could verify the last modification date of any partition, but can't find it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang I really need that command.
_mysiak_ said:
Please keep in mind that Magisk is 2in1 package. First of all it provides root access, any app with root access can modify system directly. Second feature are systemless modifications, but you must follow defined rules to make them work.
From your list of apps, BusyBox would be my first suspect. You must use Magisk BusyBox module, the standard BusyBox is installed directly to the system partition. Lucky app might be the culprit too, though it depends on which features exactly did you use.
Yes, once you reflash stock ROM, apply OTA and install Magisk (the correct way), you're system partition will be ready for the next OTA.
Someone mentioned one command which could verify the last modification date of any partition, but can't find it right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother trying to find it, it exists, I'll make a dedicated thread at some point, thanks for the answer, BusyBox seems logical.
The correct way to install Magisk? I just flash Ranjit's patched img from the official thread on Magisk root, that should be the correct way.
I just use lucky to patch cirtain apps, so that shouldn't be a problem
Right now, I'm giving Magisk root perm to Greenify, Lucky Patcher and Unified Hosts. Also both Greenify and the Unified hosts adblock have their own modules in magisk.
Hopefully I still haven't touched my system partition.
I encountered the error as well after trying the Pixel OTA method. To flash the update successfully, I flashed stock January system and boot img via fastboot and it updated properly after. Then I just patched the stock Feb boot img and went back to fastboot. Once there, i did the fastboot boot command with the patched Feb boot.img so I got root back after updating.
Sent from my Xiaomi Mi A1 using XDA Labs
HI,
I have a redmi5+ rooted. I use luckypatcher (i applied some patchs to some apps) and i have installed once BusyBox (didn't do anything in special).
I want to know if it is secure to flash the full update?
PS: how do I confirm if the system files and vendor are ok to proceed?
Thanks
cant you flash the ota in twrp and then reflash magisk if needed?
robgee789 said:
cant you flash the ota in twrp and then reflash magisk if needed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I can do that.
I Know the procedure to flash full zip file via TWRP. Via this toturial: youtube.com/watch?v=oUUzxYHV_ac&t=1s&index=11&list=WL
But i want to know if it is secure to flash, because i used these two applications.

H918 Rooted and Encrypted on Stock?

Is there any way to have this phone rooted with encryption working? I would use Lineage, but it doesn't support VoLTE. I'm aware that TWRP will very likely never work again once the phone is encrypted, but that just means that I would have to flash everything I need before encrypting.
I'm on AO 20h ROM currently. My idea was (after making sure I never need TWRP again)
1. Flash stock 20h kernel zip without dm-verity and forced encryption disabled
2. Flash stock 20h boot.img (not sure if this step is necessary)
3. Reboot into system
Does this have the possibility of working? If not, what do I need to do to make this work?
Also, where can I find the stock kernel and boot.img?
I attempted to just flash the boot.img I extracted from the 20h kdz. This didn't work, because when I rebooted it just brought me to fastboot every time.
Edit: Second attempt was to extract the 20h kdz to get both the boot.img and the system.bin files. Then I patched the boot.img with Magisk Manager on my other phone, and moved it back to the sd card. To get the system.img from the 52 binary files, I used the KDZ Extractor which has an option to merge system files into an image. My plan was to flash from TWRP the system.img and then the patched boot.img, but when I went to install the system image, I got a warning message that the image was too big. It shows as 6GB on my computer, and the system partition is 5.4GB.
The only other idea I had in mind was to flash the 20h kdz, but interrupt the installation before it boots for the first time and "encrypts", then go into fastboot and flash the modified boot.img, but this seems excessively risky.
Edit Again: I DID IT!
And I'm not even locked out from using TWRP! Though I'm stuck on Nougat - 10p - with the method I used.
1. Patch extracted 10p boot image with Magisk app
2. Flash 10p with LGUP
3. Flash TWRP to recovery with Lafsploit, reboot to recovery
4. Factory reset from TWRP
5. While still in TWRP, flash the patched boot.img from 1.
Now my next goal is to deodex and try to get signature spoofing working so I can use MicroG. I've tried the Smali Patcher, which appeared to work, but it gets stuck on the T-Mobile splash screen. Same thing happens when I try to install Xposed with any method.
Hi there Pineapple!
Not too many people do care about H918 anymore. I am just like you trying to get something done, so reading everything I can find. I will point out the things I've learned already, but do remember I am not a dev, nor a senior member, not even a very experienced one.
So, above you were saying :
1. Flash stock 20h kernel zip without dm-verity and forced encryption disabled
2. Flash stock 20h boot.img (not sure if this step is necessary)
Well, the "boot.img" contains the Kernel and the Ram Disk, or at least this is what I've read in Android Internals - Jonathan Levin [1st Ed] free on his site. So, now it should be clear that if you'd do 2, it will overwrite 1.
About Encryption and Root:
ENCRYPTION:
Encrypt your phone before rooting, -> root, -> apply ROM. Not the other way around! Tested on Android 4-6.
Once you root or install various ROMs you lose the ability to encrypt your device.
You will have either hanging, rebooting, or the animation stalling
Discussed: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2791587 and
http://androidforums.com/threads/how-to-encrypt-a-rooted-device.866968/
Un-root if already rooted. Encrypt. Re-root.
If you Root with SuperSu, you have to manually kick start SuperSU when rooting after the encryption is in effect
Also see about issues with TWRP and Encryption in some devices
(Unable to decrypt the data partition on boot due to bug in TWRP)
(yep, H918, and it seems to be happening on stock ROMs as opposed to AOSP)
not sure if on H918 it is related or not to TWRP bug
Secure Boot (aka dm-verity) also complicates persistent rooting. <- look like you already took measures here
Xposed:
Xposed now also exists as a MAGISK MODULE, so no longer DETECTED if installed thru MAGISK <-try this
Had some issues with Android 7 (Nougat) but most were fixed. <-maybe try different version?
De-Odex
Why? Are you going to be theming your apps? AFAIK,
ODEX = (pre) Optimized Dalvik Exe file format (compressed, not fully compiled yet), separate from .apk
android apps are stored in .apk packages, not as easy nor fast to run as if already Odex-ed
De-Odexing just means having your apps on ROM sort of "collected" back to ".apk". You need that where you want to have an easy access to app resources, i.e. for theming.
QUESTIONS:
1. Could you, please, post the versions of all the components you've used? Like TWRP, Magisk..
2. So, microG doesn't work on rooted stock Nougat on H918? (Damn, I wanted to de-google)
Descent2 said:
So, above you were saying :
1. Flash stock 20h kernel zip without dm-verity and forced encryption disabled
2. Flash stock 20h boot.img (not sure if this step is necessary)
Well, the "boot.img" contains the Kernel and the Ram Disk, or at least this is what I've read in Android Internals - Jonathan Levin [1st Ed] free on his site. So, now it should be clear that if you'd do 2, it will overwrite 1.
About Encryption and Root:
ENCRYPTION:
Encrypt your phone before rooting, -> root, -> apply ROM. Not the other way around! Tested on Android 4-6.
Once you root or install various ROMs you lose the ability to encrypt your device.
You will have either hanging, rebooting, or the animation stalling
Discussed: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2791587 and
http://androidforums.com/threads/how-to-encrypt-a-rooted-device.866968/
Un-root if already rooted. Encrypt. Re-root.
If you Root with SuperSu, you have to manually kick start SuperSU when rooting after the encryption is in effect
Also see about issues with TWRP and Encryption in some devices
(Unable to decrypt the data partition on boot due to bug in TWRP)
(yep, H918, and it seems to be happening on stock ROMs as opposed to AOSP)
not sure if on H918 it is related or not to TWRP bug
Secure Boot (aka dm-verity) also complicates persistent rooting. <- look like you already took measures here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, while doing this I did learn that the boot image contains the kernel. Looking back, that statement seems silly now that I know that. You are correct about encrypting before root. I did boot into the ROM and did the initial setup, then went back to TWRP (which thankfully had no error decrypting) to flash Magisk via the patched boot image. I did get rid of secure boot too, but I don't know if it was necessary in this case.
Descent2 said:
Xposed:
Xposed now also exists as a MAGISK MODULE, so no longer DETECTED if installed thru MAGISK <-try this
Had some issues with Android 7 (Nougat) but most were fixed. <-maybe try different version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried three different ways of installing Xposed. First was through the Magisk Module, but this just made me get stuck on the T-Mobile screen. Had to remove the module from TWRP. Second was "systemlessly" as described here: https://magiskroot.net/install-systemless-xposed-framework-nougat/ . This had the same result. Third was by using only the Xposed Installer 3.1.5 apk, which didn't seem to do anything at all.
Descent2 said:
De-Odex
Why? Are you going to be theming your apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deodexing the ROM is necessary to add signature spoofing, which is necessary to install MicroG, so it can pretend to be the real Google Play Services. Usually in the past I've done this with the Nanodroid patcher https://nanolx.org/nanolx/nanodroid but it didn't work here, which was odd because it did work on the Alpha Omega Oreo ROM (which didn't have working encryption).
Descent2 said:
QUESTIONS:
1. Could you, please, post the versions of all the components you've used? Like TWRP, Magisk..
2. So, microG doesn't work on rooted stock Nougat on H918? (Damn, I wanted to de-google)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The TWRP that's on the laf partition is the one that FWUL 2.7 installed. The TWRP that's on my recovery is 3.5.2_9-0-h918.img. This is the latest official release. To unpack the boot image from the stock kdz, I used LG Firmware Extract 1.2.6.1. I moved the boot image onto another phone which had the latest Magisk Manager app on it (23.0) to patch it with Magisk.
2. Not so far it hasn't. I've deleted everything Google with System App Uninstaller, /d/gapps, and adb. So I'm going without Google Services or MicroG for now. I'd like to change that though, since MicroG makes it far more livable.
So, you have the same end goal as I do - privacy. Have you considered buying the de-googled phone from Brax?
Honestly, this never ending enigma with H918 has me wondering if I should just do that. I mean, I don't sweat some learning and work, but now that the V20 forum is basically dead....
Descent2 said:
Have you considered buying the de-googled phone from Brax?
Honestly, this never ending enigma with H918 has me wondering if I should just do that. I mean, I don't sweat some learning and work, but now that the V20 forum is basically dead....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That reminds me of the people on ebay who try to sell 12 year old Thinkpads for 3-4x what they're worth just because they flashed coreboot on them. Except it's way easier to install a custom ROM on a Pixel than it is to flash coreboot. The Pixels are also very different phones than the V20 - no removable battery, ir blaster, 3.5mm jack, good DAC - but if you want the most private and secure smartphone, a Pixel with GrapheneOS (not Lineage) is what you want. Flash it yourself, it's way easier to do it to Pixels than LG's.
Same here.
May-be not that crazy, 3-4 times, but yeah, he sells Google Pixel 4 XL 128 GB with lineage for over $700 where that same phone is $380 on Swappa, lol. It's not as drastic as you memory of e-bay, but it is twice the worth, still.
But then again, considering how much Rob is doing for the community to propagate the awareness, may-be this isn't all that high of a price. Some busy people won't even blink at his prices, but would never invest this much time to decipher everything. Sadly, I, myself is a sucker for the know how, instead of focusing on making money.
You are right in that I did pick this phone as "last phone with removable battery" myself. I actually do remove the battery from time to time when I don't want to be tracked, and drop the phone in the steel covered glove compartment, where no weaker field communication can ever reach it.
Hey, thank you so much for the version numbers, if I decide to go that way, I'll use those exact ones! (So far, do not want to cross into ARB1, but it seems that the lafsploit only works with 10p...)
You know, the Patcher is also available from NanoDroid installed as a Magisk module. Their (Nano) description here:
GitHub - Nanolx/NanoDroid: [MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository
[MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository - GitHub - Nanolx/NanoDroid: [MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository
github.com
states that NanoDroid includes:
on-device framework-patcher for microG support (signature spoofing), with automatic de-odexing up to Android 8.1
Is that the method you tried?
Nanolx says that his patcher patches the sig spoofing support into one of the three locations: Magisk NanoDroid module, Magisk itself and /system. When you were using the patcher, did you see any of these choices?
Also, do you know that the dev of Magisk now works for Google? Now, I know that absolute majority of people would not see anything weird here, but I do, cause I don't trust Google, and thus want to de-google my phone. Specifically, a small conflict of interest while working for google and developing a software that supposed to oversee and support the escape from that same Google by de-googling the phone. Some stockholders might find this quite funny and demand that something is done about this.
I would try older Magisk. I know from other threads, that on 10p, some of the versions of Magisk that did work were: 16.0, 21.0, 21.4 ...
Descent2 said:
You know, the Patcher is also available from NanoDroid installed as a Magisk module. Their (Nano) description here:
GitHub - Nanolx/NanoDroid: [MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository
[MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository - GitHub - Nanolx/NanoDroid: [MIRROR] See https://gitlab.com/Nanolx/NanoDroid for main repository
github.com
states that NanoDroid includes:
on-device framework-patcher for microG support (signature spoofing), with automatic de-odexing up to Android 8.1
Is that the method you tried?
Nanolx says that his patcher patches the sig spoofing support into one of the three locations: Magisk NanoDroid module, Magisk itself and /system. When you were using the patcher, did you see any of these choices?
Also, do you know that the dev of Magisk now works for Google? Now, I know that absolute majority of people would not see anything weird here, but I do, cause I don't trust Google, and thus want to de-google my phone. Specifically, a small conflict of interest while working for google and developing a software that supposed to oversee and support the escape from that same Google by de-googling the phone. Some stockholders might find this quite funny and demand that something is done about this.
I would try older Magisk. I know from other threads, that on 10p, some of the versions of Magisk that did work were: 16.0, 21.0, 21.4 ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as Magisk itself is FOSS and hasn't been proven to be spyware, I'll trust it. The later versions actually have gotten better about privacy, since it now doesn't require internet. And the goal of the Magisk project isn't to de-google your phone. It can aid in de-googling, because you can uninstall system apps, but Magisk is just to gain root.
As for how I tried to use the patcher, I tried from TWRP, which gave me the error "failed to mount /system unsupported a/b device," and then if I tried to flash it from Magisk Manager it gave the error "failed to deodex services.jar"
When you say you tried to flash it from TWRP / Magisk Manager, it is not clear to me if you understand that Nano Patcher is also available as a Magisk module, and if you have tried to add that Magisk nano module or used the Patcher by itself as provided by NanoDroid in a stand alone installer. Since I haven't used Magisk yet myself, I do not know if has the flashing capability and that is what you referred to, or if that meant you added the module. Like I said, still learning here.
I do understand that Magisk is only a systemless root , not a patcher or microG.
The H918 is not an A/B device. Not on Nougat nor Oreo in any case. Obviously, you know that.
So, your device is being misidentified as a much newer device.
I think that if you had tried a version of Magisk or the Patcher that is not YET aware of A/B devices, then possibly such mis-identification would not happen.
Of course the fact that it happens thru TWRP, gives Magisk somewhat an alibi.
I still think it is worth trying. May-be older Patcher first, then with older Magisk.
I keep holding Magisk in my attention because without it doing its job correctly, you could not take the next step, the one that isn't working.
Finally, Try some of these: https://download.lineage.microg.org/h918/ ROMs, they already have signature spoofing handled. I would think an older one might work, as I saw several threads mentioning that the later versions of LOS don't run well on H918.
Also, here is thread you might want to read and post your situation into:
[MODULE/SYSTEM] NanoDroid 23.1.2.20210117 (microG, pseudo-debloat, F-Droid + apps)
NanoDroid NanoDroid is a installer for various OpenSource related things, most noticably microG and F-Droid. It supports direct /system installation, both devices with or without A/B partition scheme, aswell as Magisk Mode (module) installation...
forum.xda-developers.com
That thread discusses NanoDroid used as a Magisk Module, and there are few users experiencing a similar situation (with different errors) and some advices.
Descent2 said:
When you say you tried to flash it from TWRP / Magisk Manager, it is not clear to me if you understand that Nano Patcher is also available as a Magisk module, and if you have tried to add that Magisk nano module or used the Patcher by itself as provided by NanoDroid in a stand alone installer. Since I haven't used Magisk yet myself, I do not know if has the flashing capability and that is what you referred to, or if that meant you added the module. Like I said, still learning here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm taking the nanodroid patcher zip from their website and attempting to flash in TWRP, which I've successfully done before on other phones. I also tried using the same zip and installing it as a module in Magisk. I don't think there's a separate file meant specifically for use as a Magisk module. I believe the a/b error in TWRP has something to do with the fact that when I'm in TWRP and I go into the "Mount" menu and select System, the check box only remains ticked for about 5 seconds, then it automatically unmounts again. No idea what the problem is there. I suspect if that weren't an issue, I'd get the same exact error that I get when trying to use the patcher with Magisk.
As for LineageOS for MicroG, that's what I was using before going back to stock, and it was great. But it's sadly unusable as a phone because of the lack of VoLTE. If not for that, this could easily be my "forever phone" with the huge battery.
I'm also now having a strange issue where many system functions (recents, settings menus, autorotate, second screen, statusbar) are running unusably slow, while any other app runs perfectly fine. I have to do more testing to figure out what this is, though. Edit: stuck at T-Mobile logo again. Gonna try to do all this with stock Oreo.
Oops, I am sorry, I forgot, you have said that in your first post that you already tried LOS, man. So, we are stuck? It gets stuck on T-Mobile splash, meaning this is a bootloop, or rather a bootfreeze. I think your other issues must be related to this issue that is preventing you from patching for signature spoofing.
I've been reading up trying to find what is going on with your phone, and I stumbled against this:
You simply swipe the bar to allow TWRP to make modifications to your /system partition. Swiping on this particular screen, you are giving TWRP permission to mount your /system partition as R/W (Read & Write) as opposed to the default of /system being mounted as R/O (Read Only). However, please beware and know what you are doing. If you so much as mount /system as R/W via TWRP, regardless if you actually make changes, a kernel secured with dm-verity (device mapping verification) will prevent your device from booting into the Android OS. Never mount /system as R/W without first verifying whether your kernel has dm-verity enabled. If dm-verity or AVB 2.0 (Android Verified Boot) is enabled, flashing a systemless root script like Magisk 16.0 will patch dm-verity to disabled, as well as disable force encryption in the fstab.
You said you disabled the secure boot. This is aka dm-verity .
Now in your case, you are using the encryption, which needs dm-crypt to be active, correct? These two are related because they both are managed by a DM - device mapper.
When you said you have disabled the secure boot (dm-verity), do you mean that you have maybe chose some options when patching the boot.img with Magisk ? Or did you do it thru some other method?
I keep seeing references to "No Verity Opt Encrypt" without a good explanation of what it is or how to use it or when to use it. I am curious if you have applied that or not, and if you did, where did you read about it.
So, my current thinking is that if you actually failed to disable the dm-verity, this should take you to the bootloop or freeze. May-be DM failed to separate the two and kept both enabled?
The fact that you have touched the /system as r/w according to green above, should trip the dm-verity to bootloop you, if dm-verity is somehow still enabled.
I still do not understand though, why you are receiving a failure to patch.
Also, you have mentioned that you have used a "Smali Patcher". Knowing nothing about nothing, I of course assumed you meant to type "Small Patcher" , i.e. some patcher. Now cleaning up the details I looked it up. Oops. It is actually a real thing. It supposed to examine your system in step 1, and generate a Magisk module, and in step 2, you add that module to Magisk and check it as enabled. I just want to confirm that this is exactly what you have done and this brought you to T-mobile splash screen.
I actually may try LOS for microG, what version did you have that was great?
Because from what I was reading the LOS for 918 has many issues (no 5G tether, no 2nd screen, no WiFi call, etc)
Descent2 said:
Oops, I am sorry, I forgot, you have said that in your first post that you already tried LOS, man. So, we are stuck? It gets stuck on T-Mobile splash, meaning this is a bootloop, or rather a bootfreeze. I think your other issues must be related to this issue that is preventing you from patching for signature spoofing.
I've been reading up trying to find what is going on with your phone, and I stumbled against this:
You simply swipe the bar to allow TWRP to make modifications to your /system partition. Swiping on this particular screen, you are giving TWRP permission to mount your /system partition as R/W (Read & Write) as opposed to the default of /system being mounted as R/O (Read Only). However, please beware and know what you are doing. If you so much as mount /system as R/W via TWRP, regardless if you actually make changes, a kernel secured with dm-verity (device mapping verification) will prevent your device from booting into the Android OS. Never mount /system as R/W without first verifying whether your kernel has dm-verity enabled. If dm-verity or AVB 2.0 (Android Verified Boot) is enabled, flashing a systemless root script like Magisk 16.0 will patch dm-verity to disabled, as well as disable force encryption in the fstab.
You said you disabled the secure boot. This is aka dm-verity .
Now in your case, you are using the encryption, which needs dm-crypt to be active, correct? These two are related because they both are managed by a DM - device mapper.
When you said you have disabled the secure boot (dm-verity), do you mean that you have maybe chose some options when patching the boot.img with Magisk ? Or did you do it thru some other method?
I keep seeing references to "No Verity Opt Encrypt" without a good explanation of what it is or how to use it or when to use it. I am curious if you have applied that or not, and if you did, where did you read about it.
So, my current thinking is that if you actually failed to disable the dm-verity, this should take you to the bootloop or freeze. May-be DM failed to separate the two and kept both enabled?
The fact that you have touched the /system as r/w according to green above, should trip the dm-verity to bootloop you, if dm-verity is somehow still enabled.
I still do not understand though, why you are receiving a failure to patch.
Also, you have mentioned that you have used a "Smali Patcher". Knowing nothing about nothing, I of course assumed you meant to type "Small Patcher" , i.e. some patcher. Now cleaning up the details I looked it up. Oops. It is actually a real thing. It supposed to examine your system in step 1, and generate a Magisk module, and in step 2, you add that module to Magisk and check it as enabled. I just want to confirm that this is exactly what you have done and this brought you to T-mobile splash screen.
I actually may try LOS for microG, what version did you have that was great?
Because from what I was reading the LOS for 918 has many issues (no 5G tether, no 2nd screen, no WiFi call, etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "No Verity Opt Encrypt" is a file that disables verity and forced encryption. If you rename the zip, though, you can make it only disable verity or only disable forced encryption. I did flash it with no-dm-verity, but from what you found it looks like Magisk does this for us so it's probably not necessary.
The fact that it bootlooped isn't due to me mounting it. I did that several times before without bootlooping. The issue I had with it was that it automatically unmounted /system after a few seconds, which is why I believe I can't deodex from TWRP.
For the Smali patcher, I don't remember how I attempted to use it. So far my attempts to root and encrypt stock Oreo haven't gotten very far, so I'm going to try this again.
I just used the latest version. I don't use 5G tether so I wouldn't know. The 2nd screen "works" but it just extends the main screen, making the cameras into a notch type thing. I can live without wifi calling, but lte calling won't work, which is, again, the only thing keeping me from using Lineage MicroG.
DUH !
I can't believe sometimes how dumb I actually am. Of course, it says right in the name of the file: "No Verity + Optional Encryption" ! [slamming my forehead into the table] I swear I read it thousand times, but for some reason it did not make any sense to me. I knew it does something about this subject, but I never took it literally!
Thank you for letting me know.
It is cool how the arguments are sent by renaming the patch instead of using the optional parameters. I like that. Magisk does that as well. You flash Magisk.zip and it installs Magisk. You rename it to unistall.zip and flash that, and it uninstalls Magisk.
Please, keep posting if anything changes. If I read something that makes me think I've picked up the scent again, I will let you know. For now I don't know what else to read.
PineappleMousepad said:
I've deleted everything Google with System App Uninstaller, /d/gapps, and adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You uninstalled Android Device Bridge? I am curious as to why? I mean, yeah, it's Google, but it's most likely harmless, and very useful. Does it call home or something? At some level the entire Android is Google. Yeah it comes from HA, but Google pays. And money talks. I am curious why.
Anyway, I might have found something , I am not sure, but it looks interesting:
So, I am reading this:
Internal Details
The Magic Mask for Android
topjohnwu.github.io
It says:
Paths in /data​
Some binaries and files should be stored on non-volatile storages in /data. In order to prevent detection, everything has to be stored somewhere safe and undetectable in /data. The folder /data/adb was chosen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did removing ADB, somehow messed up the /data/adb folder, and then that messed up Magisk? Is this why some of the operations you have attempted have failed? Like you'd install a module and it would be like you didn't even do anything?
I didn't remove adb. I debloated using System App Uninstaller. For some things that didn't work I used /d/gapps. For other things that didn't work I used adb.
Been messing around with Oreo the past couple days.
I *can* get stock Oreo to work with root and even MicroG - everything works great. Except it refuses to encrypt. The option is there in the menu to "Encrypt Phone". The battery was above 80% and plugged in, I tap the button, and it just takes me to the T-Mobile splash screen and quickly to the lock screen. I know MicroG isn't causing it, since it has this issue with or without MicroG. I get the same result whether I installed 20h from a TWRP flashable zip or if I installed 20h from the kdz with the kdz writer tool https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-kdz-writer.3649818/. It isn't an issue with the recovery partition, as I left that stock and just use TWRP from LAF.
The less ideal option for Oreo at the moment is to have it completely stock from LGUP and just debloat with adb. This means no root or MicroG, but those are the least of the issues. It looks like if you uninstall Google Play Services without also installing MicroG, you get constant error messages saying "Messages has stopped working." No problem, just remove the messages app and use QKSMS, right? Well removing Messages breaks Contacts, which is also the dialer. Removing the dialer and contacts, replacing them with Simple Dialer and Simple Contacts works, but then you get the constant error message "LG IMS has stopped working." Removing LG IMS gets rid of the error messages but, predictably, breaks VoLTE.
Edit: It may not have been Google Play Services that broke the Messages app.
Quick reaction. You are likely right. It probably wasn't the removal of GPS that broke Messaging. There are so many different fixes for that error on the net (which you probably have already mostly tried), that it suggests many different causes for the error.
But, interesting how all that stuff is chained. Almost looks as if intended that way. Don't deny them saying a good bye to google outright, just make it an incredibly deep rabbit hole.
This comes to mind: try "freezing" messaging or anything lower on this chain, in hopes that it is the uninstall that removes some shared dependency and that they haven't thought of you trying to freeze them. I know you wouldn't care all that much if the chain didn't end with VoLTE.

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