Database Users

What's the REAL method to successfully install a working TWRP, root and custom ROM?

Hi All, I have been reading various threads here and searching on Google for finding a method that truly works for successfully installing a custom ROM, getting TWRP installed and rooting with Magisk. So far, all I have found are numerous and usually contradictory methods and about 7 or 8 different versions of TWRP (so which one is completely stable and working properly?). I have tried several methods over the past two weeks and none of them are working completely.
Sometimes, I'll get a version of TWRP installed, but then trying to reboot to recovery results in a "system has been destroyed" image. Or I'll succeed in getting a custom ROM installed, but Gapps will fail with error 20 or error 70 or there's not enough space on the system partition (and I'm just trying to install the Pico version). Even I double check that the Gapps version matches the ROM version I've used, but still get an error 20 displayed.
From what I had read on numerous threads, it seemed like CosmicDans TWRP would be the one I should go with. I downloaded both of his files (the fastboot image and the zipped installer) and fastboot his "boot-recovery.img" that was specifically for fastboot only and from that recovery, I installed his "TWRP-Installer-3.2.1-with-Tissot-Manager-2.5.zip". Everything appeared as if successfully installed as per the logs, but immediately upon attempting to reboot to recovery, I get the "system has been destroyed" image.
What I want to do is:
Get a working custom ROM (preferably Pie) installed
Install Gapps
Install a working TWRP (that will not display "system has been destroyed" whenever trying to boot to recovery)
Finally, install Magisk and root my phone
Can anyone suggest a site or link or a post somewhere that would explain everything correctly and is actually working? This has been a very frustrating experience. I'm almost sorry that I even bought the Mi A1. Never had any problems installing custom ROMs or rooting the OnePlus devices. All I'm left with currently is an expensive paperweight.
Thanks so much!
Cheers

From your description, I'm certain that you do this on a Pie stock rom right? the installer never work on Pie stock and will cause system destroy. Just hotboot TWRP. And for the Gapps, I think it's due to the time you install it. From my experience, install Gapps after rom and before Magisk usually work. Install after magisk or custom kernel will somehow cause the same issue that you described.
Oh, in case you want to install LineageOS, you have to come to the LOS16 thread and download the TWRP from there, it's the only TWRP that can install LOS16.

Never_Sm1le said:
From your description, I'm certain that you do this on a Pie stock rom right? the installer never work on Pie stock and will cause system destroy. Just hotboot TWRP. And for the Gapps, I think it's due to the time you install it. From my experience, install Gapps after rom and before Magisk usually work. Install after magisk or custom kernel will somehow cause the same issue that you described.
Oh, in case you want to install LineageOS, you have to come to the LOS16 thread and download the TWRP from there, it's the only TWRP that can install LOS16.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply. When I first started the process to change to a custom ROM, I was on stock Pie. But one of the times I was wiping the device after one more problem, I accidentally also wiped Internal Storage as well. I didn't have much there since I had already backed some things up in advance. Now it's virtually empty. The steps I take are:
1. Hotboot TWRP
2. Install Custom ROM
3. Hotboot TWRP again
4. Install Gapps
This is where I usually have some problem. It's the process of installing Gapps that creates some error.
I also did attempt to install LineageOS 16 using the TWRP recovery that was linked in the post. Follow the instructions precisely I believe and now when it's time to install Gapps, I get error 64. I can't understand why. I am attempting to install "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano". This should be compatible with the Mi A1 with LineageOS 16 from what I am able to tell.
No matter what TWRP version I use, no matter what custom ROM I try, no matter what steps I take, there is always some issue that prevents me from completing any installation. But the abundance of so many conflicting posts don't help either. One post will state to use a specific TWRP and certain steps; another post will suggest completely different steps using another TWRP; and yet another post will provide different steps still. In some instances, there will be steps listed in the script on the phone regarding the next steps after the ROM installation that are completely different then the steps provided in the post for that ROM in the forum.
It would just be tremendously helpful to get some instructions that actually do work. As of now, I'm about ready to dump this phone in the trash bin. It's horrible. I can't even tell if it might be decent eventually since I never can get anything installed.
Thanks again for your reply Never_Sm1le.
Cheers.

There is no permanent TWRP install for android 9 on MiA1 as far as i know.
Hotboot works just perfect.

Brianne8 said:
Thank you for your reply. When I first started the process to change to a custom ROM, I was on stock Pie. But one of the times I was wiping the device after one more problem, I accidentally also wiped Internal Storage as well. I didn't have much there since I had already backed some things up in advance. Now it's virtually empty. The steps I take are:
1. Hotboot TWRP
2. Install Custom ROM
3. Hotboot TWRP again
4. Install Gapps
This is where I usually have some problem. It's the process of installing Gapps that creates some error.
I also did attempt to install LineageOS 16 using the TWRP recovery that was linked in the post. Follow the instructions precisely I believe and now when it's time to install Gapps, I get error 64. I can't understand why. I am attempting to install "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano". This should be compatible with the Mi A1 with LineageOS 16 from what I am able to tell.
No matter what TWRP version I use, no matter what custom ROM I try, no matter what steps I take, there is always some issue that prevents me from completing any installation. But the abundance of so many conflicting posts don't help either. One post will state to use a specific TWRP and certain steps; another post will suggest completely different steps using another TWRP; and yet another post will provide different steps still. In some instances, there will be steps listed in the script on the phone regarding the next steps after the ROM installation that are completely different then the steps provided in the post for that ROM in the forum.
It would just be tremendously helpful to get some instructions that actually do work. As of now, I'm about ready to dump this phone in the trash bin. It's horrible. I can't even tell if it might be decent eventually since I never can get anything installed.
Thanks again for your reply Never_Sm1le.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your reply makes me want to stay on LOS 15.1 even more. So many weird problems happen in LOS 16

I followed all the instructions of Resurrection Remix and TWRP is installed and magisk works perfect.

Hello friend, I am currently on Lineage OS 16.0 with Magisk, Opengapps and TWRP installed. I can boot to recovery with no problems at all; in fact, I used the flashed TWRP to install Magisk.
Here are the steps I took:
Download the TWRP boot img and TWRP installer by CosmicDan (Link below)
Copy the custom rom ZIP, TWRP installer, Magisk installer and Gapps into your SD card
Reboot your device to bootloader
Boot into TWRP using
Code:
fastboot boot boot-recovery.img
do NOT flash via fastboot
Go to Wipe>Advanced Wipe and wipe System, Dalvik, Data, Internal Storage
Press the home button and proceed to flashing the custom rom ZIP
After flashing, reboot to BOOTLOADER then do step 4 again
Flash Gapps, TWRP Installer, then Magisk Installer. You should flash TWRP first before Magisk
Reboot to system and you're good to go
Note that if you are installing Lineage OS and wish to receive nightly OTA updates, having an installed TWRP as your recovery might result in a bootloop after updating. Also, if you want to manually flash the nightly update, you need to boot to the TWRP variant of @flex1911 as flashing lineage using other TWRP will result in an error. I suggest not installing TWRP when using Lineage OS.
(Source: [ROM][OFFICIAL] LineageOS 16.0 for Xiaomi Mi A1)
Regarding your problem with flashing, try to check which slot you are currently in by going to TWRP>Reboot. Keep in mind that when you install a rom, it will always be installed to the inactive slot. For example if you are in slot A, your rom will be installed in slot B. After rebooting, your current active slot will be where the rom is installed. When installing Gapps or any addons, check the slot first. However, when flashing TWRP installer, it will patch both boot_a and boot_b and this is the reason why you need to install twrp first before magisk as TWRP also modifies the boot image.
Download:
Bootable TWRP
TWRP Installer
(Both files by @CosmicDan)
Cheers mate!

rexendz said:
Here are the steps I took:
Download the TWRP boot img and TWRP installer by CosmicDan (Link below)
Copy the custom rom ZIP, TWRP installer, Magisk installer and Gapps into your SD card
Reboot your device to bootloader
Boot into TWRP using
Code:
fastboot boot boot-recovery.img
do NOT flash via fastboot
Go to Wipe>Advanced Wipe and wipe System, Dalvik, Data, Internal Storage
Press the home button and proceed to flashing the custom rom ZIP
After flashing, reboot to BOOTLOADER then do step 4 again
Flash Gapps, TWRP Installer, then Magisk Installer. You should flash TWRP first before Magisk
Reboot to system and you're good to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the lengthy reply. However, those steps do not work as you have described. Since, if I wipe Internal Storage (as per your step 5), I just deleted all the files I copied previously in Step 2. What I did, was wipe everything, *then* copied all the files and tried to install. As soon as it try to install Gapps, I get Error 64 again. I am absolutely using "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano" and it always fails. I have attempted 11 or 12 times already, using different slots, using different dates of "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano" and ALWAYS Error 64. I don't know any other version of Gapps I should be trying. The arm64 versions never will work for me.
I give up. I'll just have to stick with stock ROM. No custom ROMs will work for me no matter which one I use or which version of TWRP I use. I already wasted too much of my life with this garbage phone.

ccalixtro said:
I followed all the instructions of Resurrection Remix and TWRP is installed and magisk works perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Which version of TWRP did you use? There's too many. I don't know which one is considered to be the right one.

Brianne8 said:
Thanks for the lengthy reply. However, those steps do not work as you have described. Since, if I wipe Internal Storage (as per your step 5), I just deleted all the files I copied previously in Step 2. What I did, was wipe everything, *then* copied all the files and tried to install. As soon as it try to install Gapps, I get Error 64 again. I am absolutely using "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano" and it always fails. I have attempted 11 or 12 times already, using different slots, using different dates of "open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano" and ALWAYS Error 64. I don't know any other version of Gapps I should be trying. The arm64 versions never will work for me.
I give up. I'll just have to stick with stock ROM. No custom ROMs will work for me no matter which one I use or which version of TWRP I use. I already wasted too much of my life with this garbage phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Copy the files to your external SD card not internal storage. But if you don't have an ext SD card, don't wipe internal storage.
Also try to check if system is properly mounted when installing gapps.
May I ask what custom rom you are trying to install?
I suggest you try Pixel Experience as it already has a builtin Gapps so you dont have to flash opengapps.

Need some help - Strange OP6T storage issues after flash

Hello, I have a T-Mobile 6T which thanks to the XDA thread about bypassing T-mobile, is running the international firmware so I didn't have to kiss their butt trying to unlock the bootloader. Yesterday I decided to try the Resurrection Remix rom since it is unclear whether the Lineage 16 rom supports the in-display fingerprint reader, and I am too busy at work and too lazy to read the entire thread to see if it does.
I followed the instructions and updated my OxyOS to the latest .15 release via TWRP which I also updated to the latest version via OTG using a USB drive because I was unable to unencrypt using the older Blu-Spark TWRP version I had installed. After the OxyOS update (on both partitions) I flashed TWRP again, rebooted to recovery and installed Pico Gapps.
I found the Resurrection Remix rom to be very buggy and I hate the way the in-display biometric works (very slow and I don't like the paw print used as fingerprint placement). Anyway I started installing apps and after 4 apps installed, it says there is no space left in storage.
Nothing will update, and when I try to check storage with any file explorer it says "access denied" or just won't load. I've tried everything. Wiped the data and did factory reset, then flashed stock rom again and same issue. What am I doing wrong?

That looks like a messed up flash. And is pretty common. Considering that A/B is still new and everyone has his own method of flashing. So assuming you can make it back to latest Stock OOS (9.0.15 right now). If you dunno how to then simple reboot to recovery, flash OOS ZIP and then TWRP. Again Reboot to Recovery from within TWRP (Reboot -> Recovery) and again flash OOS ZIP and TWRP Installer. For TWRP I recommend you to grab the latest one (3.3.1-6 as of now). Once flashed, Format Data (Wipe -> Format Data -> YES) and Reboot. Wait for it to boot up. Now you should be on Stable Stock OOS with TWRP Installed.
Now Download ROM of your Choice (RR, LOS, Bootleggers, whatever). You will also need the latest TWRP Installer (same as above) and Gapps (Nano/ Stock Recommended) and Magisk if you want to Root. Reboot to Recovery, flash ROM ZIP and TWRP Installer ZIP. Wait for it to Finish. Reboot to Recovery. Once in TWRP, again flash ROM and TWRP Installer. Once done, again. Reboot to Recovery from Within TWRP. (Read above on how to). Now, flash Gapps. Magisk if you want to Root. Once done, again do a Format Data. Reboot and be patient for ROM to boot. And then tell me wether this works or Not. Good Luck.

flashing 10.3

Hey guys
I made a post and got no replies but have been looking into it more and remember I need adb to flash the 10.3 update, I've got all the files ready but from reading I'm confused as to how to flash via adb.
I've read you need the phone in twrp while doing flashing you need to flash the other slot blah blah blah , doesn't make sense to me...
Can anyone help me out? I've seen stuff has changed since the 10 update and I'm at a loss right now..
Thanks for any help in advance

CptUnicorns said:
Hey guys
I made a post and got no replies but have been looking into it more and remember I need adb to flash the 10.3 update, I've got all the files ready but from reading I'm confused as to how to flash via adb.
I've read you need the phone in twrp while doing flashing you need to flash the other slot blah blah blah , doesn't make sense to me...
Can anyone help me out? I've seen stuff has changed since the 10 update and I'm at a loss right now..
Thanks for any help in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You nearly never need adb to update.... Dable in some circumstances with fastboot.
Just...update. You don't specify what OS you run now, rooted , twrp etc...
Read my thread about OOS stable in Guide News section and ask there if it's not clear

Striatum_bdr said:
You nearly never need adb to update.... Dable in some circumstances with fastboot.
Just...update. You don't specify what OS you run now, rooted , twrp etc...
Read my thread about OOS stable in Guide News section and ask there if it's not clear
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers. I've read to much and watch to many videos and I've just completely confused myself buddy. I'll check your post out now someone else linked me to a proper guide I was unable to use.
I'm on havoc right, magisk 20 and twrp 3.2.3-2

CptUnicorns said:
Cheers. I've read to much and watch to many videos and I've just completely confused myself buddy. I'll check your post out now someone else linked me to a proper guide I was unable to use.
I'm on havoc right, magisk 20 and twrp 3.2.3-2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're seriously late in versions of TWRP and Magisk. Update twrp with latest installer.
Then in twrp flash OOS, then twrp installer again
Reboot to recovery to switch slots
Flash again OOS and TWRP installer again
Reboot to twrp and flash Magisk then reboot system
If there's issues with encryption in recovery you can eventually use an OTG disk if you have one or ADB sideload
Last possibility is fastbooting oos ROM

Striatum_bdr said:
You're seriously late in versions of TWRP and Magisk. Update twrp with latest installer.
Then in twrp flash OOS, then twrp installer again
Reboot to recovery to switch slots
Flash again OOS and TWRP installer again
Reboot to twrp and flash Magisk then reboot system
If there's issues with encryption in recovery you can eventually use an OTG disk if you have one or ADB sideload
Last possibility is fastbooting oos ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant thanks! I've updated twrp and magisk now, had no internet so couldn't update. Do I not need to wipe the internal storage at all when flashing stock oos ontop of havoc?
And for the slot just so I know for certain;
I flash slot A with oos, twrp.
Now I reboot go to slot B, do the exact same.
Reboot again, flash new ROM , twrp/magisk.
Profit? I read you post detailing the slots, that's the part that confuses me. I'm going to have another read so I fully understand what I am actually doing instead of doing everything blind.

CptUnicorns said:
Brilliant thanks! I've updated twrp and magisk now, had no internet so couldn't update. Do I not need to wipe the internal storage at all when flashing stock oos ontop of havoc?
And for the slot just so I know for certain;
I flash slot A with oos, twrp.
Now I reboot go to slot B, do the exact same.
Reboot again, flash new ROM , twrp/magisk.
Profit? I read you post detailing the slots, that's the part that confuses me. I'm going to have another read so I fully understand what I am actually doing instead of doing everything blind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anytime you go from AOSP to OOS, or back you generally have to wipe DATA. If you don't OOS will dump you off at recovery, wipe data and then it will boot generally.
As for the slots, when flashing a ROM it always flashes to the opposite slot. So if you are currently on Slot A and you flash a ROM, it will flash to Slot B. The ROM will also overwrite install it's own recovery. So you install TWRP again if you want. Then you reboot to recovery, it will automatically switch to the new slot since you installed a new ROM. Now on the slot where the new ROM is installed, we could install Magisk or Gapps, things like that if needed. If we wanted to update the original slot (A) we would install the ROM again. As well as TWRP again. Reboot to recovery again, Magisk, etc.
ROMs install to opposite slots. After a ROM installation, rebooting to recovery will switch slots for you. Most other items install to the current slot (that is why you need to reboot before install things like Magisk, Gapps, etc). Hopefully that helps clarify things? If not ask.

OhioYJ said:
Anytime you go from AOSP to OOS, or back you generally have to wipe DATA. If you don't OOS will dump you off at recovery, wipe data and then it will boot generally.
As for the slots, when flashing a ROM it always flashes to the opposite slot. So if you are currently on Slot A and you flash a ROM, it will flash to Slot B. The ROM will also overwrite install it's own recovery. So you install TWRP again if you want. Then you reboot to recovery, it will automatically switch to the new slot since you installed a new ROM. Now on the slot where the new ROM is installed, we could install Magisk or Gapps, things like that if needed. If we wanted to update the original slot (A) we would install the ROM again. As well as TWRP again. Reboot to recovery again, Magisk, etc.
ROMs install to opposite slots. After a ROM installation, rebooting to recovery will switch slots for you. Most other items install to the current slot (that is why you need to reboot before install things like Magisk, Gapps, etc). Hopefully that helps clarify things? If not ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does clear up things for me, I've either mis-read or not read that when on slot A you are actually flashing slot B and Visa versa.
I'll be flashing both my slots to 10.3.1 just so they're fully updated. ( A is my main)
Finally part from me, when I'm going to flash my custom ROM (havoc again) I've just got to repeat said steps but flashing havoc instead of OOS then on the last reboot, recovery and magisk?

CptUnicorns said:
Finally part from me, when I'm going to flash my custom ROM (havoc again) I've just got to repeat said steps but flashing havoc instead of OOS then on the last reboot, recovery and magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair warning, I don't use Havoc. I use Lineage, here is how I install AOSP ROMs, (link) However, yes, on the final reboot would be when you install Magisk (Gapps as well if you need them). In theory recovery should already be installed, but installing it again won't hurt anything (installing recovery wipes out Magisk, so install Magisk after recovery if you do that). Remember you need Havoc on both slots (you don't want OOS on one and Havoc on another). So flash it twice.

OhioYJ said:
Fair warning, I don't use Havoc. I use Lineage, here is how I install AOSP ROMs, (link) However, yes, on the final reboot would be when you install Magisk (Gapps as well if you need them). In theory recovery should already be installed, but installing it again won't hurt anything (installing recovery wipes out Magisk, so install Magisk after recovery if you do that). Remember you need Havoc on both slots (you don't want OOS on one and Havoc on another). So flash it twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great stuff. Thought I understood from how you explained it. I'll check that guide as well and have it to hand just incase.

OhioYJ said:
Fair warning, I don't use Havoc. I use Lineage, here is how I install AOSP ROMs, (link) However, yes, on the final reboot would be when you install Magisk (Gapps as well if you need them). In theory recovery should already be installed, but installing it again won't hurt anything (installing recovery wipes out Magisk, so install Magisk after recovery if you do that). Remember you need Havoc on both slots (you don't want OOS on one and Havoc on another). So flash it twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something didnt want to play when I was flashing... Got to flashing gapps and magisk, gapps flash gave me a error 64 and i got magisk installed, booted, now I've got no twrp and when I use fastboot it just softbricks then restarts after about 5 minutes, I'm gonna try booting from 3.2.3-2 as that was fine and hope I can boot into recovery and just go lineage I think for something new
EDIT
So I used fastboot --set-active=a, managed to get back to twrp so now its flashed on both again. In the process of flashing lineage now, hopefully this wont chuck another error at me for gapps

Couldn't install paranoid Android on my 6t

Recently I tried flashing custom recovery but when I tried to flash it,it end at step one and a message pops up saying to flash additional zips reboot to recovery to change to updated slots and the process stop I have 3.4.0-1 of twrp please help me asap

I wouldn't recommend using TWRP 3.4.x personally. If it were me I would stick to 3.3.1-32, but it's already installed so take your chances if you want. Rebooting to install other zips is just a warning because ROMs are installed to opposite slots, so you must reboot recovery to switch the active slot. Even if you switch the slot in TWRP the change won't happen until you reboot. Also note many ROMs include a recovery. If PA includes a recovery you need to re-install TWRP before you reboot.
My Lineage Guide works for most custom ROMs.
Normally you would reboot recovery, and install Gapps, Magisk, those sort of things. I did a quick google search and think I found the ROM thread, and it looks like Gapps is included so you wouldn't reboot for that. If you are installing just PA, you would just reboot to the system.

Slot B always become encrypted when flashing

Hi,
I have not flashed a rom or anything since I replaced my Nexus 6P with my OnePlus 6T about three years ago so this A/B slot thing is all new to me.
I have tried installing two different ROMs, the first one is LineageOS but when I flash it it seems like slot B gets encrypted sence the folders have wierd names and don't contain anything when I rebooting to recovery to flash on slot A.
If I copy slot A to slot B everything looks like normal again. I have followd the guide as I understand it but it wont work so I moved on to try DotOS which have a much more simple guide.
"CLEAN FLASH :
Download the latest build, TWRP, Magisk 21.4 and NikGApps
Reboot to TWRP
Flash OOS, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP This step was fine.
Flash OOS, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP Slot B seems to have become encrypted again.
Flash build, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP
Flash NikGApps (Optional), Magisk (Optional)
Reboot to system"
If OOS stands for OxygenOS, I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I also tried to remove pin from lockscreen and factory reset after every flash, that didn't wort either.
Thanks in advance!
Sorry if my english is bad, it seems to go downhill at a rapid pace after you graduate...

Lirkaren said:
Hi,
I have not flashed a rom or anything since I replaced my Nexus 6P with my OnePlus 6T about three years ago so this A/B slot thing is all new to me.
I have tried installing two different ROMs, the first one is LineageOS but when I flash it it seems like slot B gets encrypted sence the folders have wierd names and don't contain anything when I rebooting to recovery to flash on slot A.
If I copy slot A to slot B everything looks like normal again. I have followd the guide as I understand it but it wont work so I moved on to try DotOS which have a much more simple guide.
"CLEAN FLASH :
Download the latest build, TWRP, Magisk 21.4 and NikGApps
Reboot to TWRP
Flash OOS, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP This step was fine.
Flash OOS, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP Slot B seems to have become encrypted again.
Flash build, TWRP & Reboot to TWRP
Flash NikGApps (Optional), Magisk (Optional)
Reboot to system"
If OOS stands for OxygenOS, I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. I also tried to remove pin from lockscreen and factory reset after every flash, that didn't wort either.
Thanks in advance!
Sorry if my english is bad, it seems to go downhill at a rapid pace after you graduate...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are already on OOS and just unlocked bootloader and boot to TWRP you can just skip the flash oos and start from flashing ROM/build
( I'm not responsible for any problems but it's work fine for me)
Or
Flash OOS
Flash ROM/build
Flash Finalize.zip ( use this so you don't have to flash oos multiple times )
Flash twrp.
Flash Gapp (optional )
Format data and reboot to system.

SOK seila said:
If you are already on OOS and just unlocked bootloader and boot to TWRP you can just flash the ROM zip without flashing OOS( I'm not responsible for any problems but it's work fine for me)
Or
Flash OOS
Flash ROM/build
Flash Finalize.zip ( use this so you don't have to flash oos multiple times )
Flash twrp.
Flash Gapp (optional )
Format data and reboot to system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Missed to press format data. This was a day well spent! :'D