Database Users

Stuck in Bootloop

US996 Unlocked, stock rom. I was in XDA Forums and saw there were app updates, one being Play Store. I updated. When I tried to get into Play Store, the message "this version of play store is incompatible with your device, go to settings and disable app update (or something like that). I tried but the app was not listed in settings. I tried to reboot and now the phone bootloops. All I can get is the warning that the software cannot be checked for corruption and then a quick display of the LG logo, then screen off, and then LG logo again and then warning screen, etc. If I try to reboot into recovery I get the Factory data reset screens and I answer both "yes" and the phone goes into adb mode.. From adb mode I can fastboot reboot, which puts me back into the above loop, or fastboot bootloader, which merely returns me to the adb screen. What can I do now?

Maybe try relocking the bootloader. I am pretty sure (someone correct me if I am wrong) that that pop-up of the "cannot check for corruption" usually only shows when the bootloader is unlocked.

XP_1 said:
Maybe try relocking the bootloader. I am pretty sure (someone correct me if I am wrong) that that pop-up of the "cannot check for corruption" usually only shows when the bootloader is unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that even possible? Don't know how to do it.

PhoneBull said:
Is that even possible? Don't know how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try entering
Code:
fastboot oem device-info
into Fastboot on your computer to see if it says it is unlocked when in fastboot mode.

XP_1 said:
Try entering
Code:
fastboot oem device-info
into Fastboot on your computer to see if it says it is unlocked when in fastboot mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get "FAILED (remote: unknown command)"

Do you have fastboot installed on your computer? (Something you would have had to have intentionally installed) If not google Minimal Fastboot /ADB and install it, enter the supposed ADB screen you are talking about and see if it makes contact with your phone.

XP_1 said:
Do you have fastboot installed on your computer? (Something you would have had to have intentionally installed) If not google Minimal Fastboot /ADB and install it, enter the supposed ADB screen you are talking about and see if it makes contact with your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the fastboot on the PC that I used to unlock the bootloader.. I enter fastboot on the PC via the administrative command prompt. With the phone in the fastboot mode, I type "fastboot devices" on the PC and get a proper response (LGUS996ab**** fastboot). If I enter ""fastboot reboot" I get the bootloop. If I enter "fastboot bootloader" I wind up in Fastboot Mode on the phone again. I was hoping there was a "fastboot recovery" command but there doesn't seem to be. I don't know what to do next. I am not all that familiar with what can be done from fastboot. My only experience with it was when I unlocked the phone. I am desperate!

Okay, so if you do not have TWRP installed on your phone, then I don't know if you can save your data. You can try to
Code:
fastboot erase cache
and see if it helps, or if not and just reset the device fastboot oem lock I think. Maybe ask around in the unlocking help threads or perhaps someone with more knowledge will chime in. If none of this works, then there are some instructions on how to get your phone back to stock in the News and Guides section.
EDIT: Maybe try the power+volume down. It may work? I have tried it and never got it to successfully work. But you can try it.

XP_1 said:
Okay, so if you do not have TWRP installed on your phone, then I don't know if you can save your data. You can try to
Code:
fastboot erase cache
and see if it helps, or if not and just reset the device fastboot oem lock I think. Maybe ask around in the unlocking help threads or perhaps someone with more knowledge will chime in. If none of this works, then there are some instructions on how to get your phone back to stock in the News and Guides section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. I DO have TWRP installed and have used it often for backups. But now the only way I know to TRY to get to it is by the power/vol down until LG logo, then release/repress power button sequence but this just gets me into fastboot mode. II have some recent backups saved on my micro SD card - is there any way to flash one of them through fastboot if I load one onto the PC?

Yeah. My bad. Okay, so how I get into TWRP is through the EasyRecowvery.
Go ahead and download it from Git-Hub (1.3b3).
Now extract it and run the cmd program. Enter 5. which is extras and stuff and then enter 5 again in the sub menu which will let you boot into recovery. When you are in recovery, and plugged into your computer, you should be able to either flash or drag and drop like a flash drive on the the phone. Hope that helps a little bit.

XP_1 said:
Yeah. My bad. Okay, so how I get into TWRP is through the EasyRecowvery.
Go ahead and download it from Git-Hub (1.3b3).
Now extract it and run the cmd program. Enter 5. which is extras and stuff and then enter 5 again in the sub menu which will let you boot into recovery. When you are in recovery, and plugged into your computer, you should be able to either flash or drag and drop like a flash drive on the the phone. Hope that helps a little bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have T-Mobile. I have Verizon Wireless on the US996. Will that work?

PhoneBull said:
I don't have T-Mobile. I have Verizon Wireless on the US996. Will that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are only rebooting into recovery and not flashing anything it might. If not, it will just fail and not harm anything. Last thing to try is the
Code:
adb reboot recovery
which is the only thing I can think of and I think you already tried it. Otherwise you will need to just go stock.

How to Stock FW and Relock Bootloader? OP5

Hi all,
I've wanted to go back to Stock OS but when i type "fastboot oem lock" it says "FAILED <remote: Flashing Lock is not allowed."
Everything boots normally to OS 4.5.2. In DEV options the Unlock Bootloader is greyed out and says bootloader is already unlocked.
What can i do?
Cheers

These instructions did work for me with the OnePlus 3/3T. They should also work for the OnePlus5, just make sure that you download the OnePlus5 version of the software and recovery.
https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/...-3-3t-and-go-back-completely-to-stock.456232/
Use this link for the stock recovery: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72748921&postcount=5

reayard said:
These instructions did work for me with the OnePlus 3/3T. They should also work for the OnePlus5, just make sure that you download the OnePlus5 version of the software and recovery.
https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/...-3-3t-and-go-back-completely-to-stock.456232/
Use this link for the stock recovery: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72748921&postcount=5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi i tried but does the same when i get to fastboot oem lock (it says Flashing Lock is not allowed).

r1card0amr said:
Hi i tried but does the same when i get to fastboot oem lock (it says Flashing Lock is not allowed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I asked the same question earlier glad u tried it..I want to make sure we can relock it before I get the phone. Did u enable oem unlocking in the developer options before doing a fastboot oem lock? Also, make sure you are on stock everything including recovery..

mohan_kr said:
Thanks I asked the same question earlier glad u tried it..I want to make sure we can relock it before I get the phone. Did u enable oem unlocking in the developer options before doing a fastboot oem lock? Also, make sure you are on stock everything including recovery..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. I first thing I do always is to install drivers. I start by connecting the phone to the laptop in charge mode, then in transfer files mode, MTP or camera. In this way he will recognise all the drivers your laptop needs.
Also I enter in fastboot mode and recovery so the laptop can recognise the drivers and always reboot laptop and phone just to double check.
What I did was: go to Developer Options and enabled Unlock Bootloader and USB Debugging.
Then I accepted the laptop request on my phone and all drives were OK.
I run CMD and typed fastboot devices to see if it recognises my phone and it displayed a serial number. So I proceed next to type fastboot oem unlock and the process went OK and on my phone it asked Yes or No to unlock and I choose yes.
Then I flash a twrp image by typing on CMD: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img (my twrp I'm had other name so I rename it. You need to enable "Show file extensions" in Windows so you can see what the extension is).
I then type fastboot boot recovery.img and the phone entered in Recovery Mode in this case TWRP.
My phone was always connected to the laptop and he open the internal storage window so I drag the supersu inside.
Then on TWRP I wiped dalvik and cache and I went to Install and installed the SupeSU on my internal memory root.
The phone then rebooted and ready to go.
But then I went to developer options and the Unlock bootloader was greyed out. I unroot my phone and flashed a stock recovery for OP5 and the stock image 4.5.2 and when I type fastboot oem lock it always says it can't be flashed.
I need to stock it since I'm giving to a family member and they don't understand much about phones and If there's a problem the warranty doesn't cover.
Just installed supersu to try an app. I never install 3rd party roms.

r1card0amr said:
I need to stock it since I'm giving to a family member and they don't understand much about phones and If there's a problem the warranty doesn't cover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the warranty is not voided with unlocked bootloader..
https://oneplus.net/hk/support/answer/will-rooting-or-unlocking-the-bootloader-void-my-warranty

I found now that if i take pictures or screenshots the Album Folder is empty. I think my phone is bricked. Hence i can't lock the bootloader.

r1card0amr said:
I found now that if i take pictures or screenshots the Album Folder is empty. I think my phone is bricked. Hence i can't lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your phones boots its not bricked... My guess is that you data is corrupted, i would wipe everything including userdata en reflashing the stock with recovery.

Hogyoku said:
if your phones boots its not bricked... My guess is that you data is corrupted, i would wipe everything including userdata en reflashing the stock with recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi right before your comment i managed lol.
I re-flash the stock recovery and in recovery i reset and wipe everything. then i install the OS4.5.3 by ADB Sideload and it's working now.
Just wanted to get rid of the inital warning that my bootloader is unlocked. I want to lock again.

I rooted my device with Magisk, and now I want to restore it to factory state.
I flashed stock recovery and OOS several times, wiped everything but fastboot oem lock failed all times (FAILED (remote: Flashing Lock is not allowed)).
Can you help me?
What should I do to relock bootloader?

here is your solution
r1card0amr said:
Hi right before your comment i managed lol.
I re-flash the stock recovery and in recovery i reset and wipe everything. then i install the OS4.5.3 by ADB Sideload and it's working now.
Just wanted to get rid of the inital warning that my bootloader is unlocked. I want to lock again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here in this video u can see in detail how to lock bootloader. hope this help you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQYCSdDUdAU

HOW TO RELOCK..
Install TWRP and Magisk if you don't have them yet.
Magisk should allow you to slide "OEM unlocking" to "enabled"
Reboot to fastboot
Flash stock recovery via fastboot.
Run locking via fastboot flashing lock
Allow it to reboot and upon start up it will say device corrupted (THIS IS NORMAL)
Boot to recovery via the warning start screen.
Once in recovery, sideload latest FW.
Profit.

I usually do it this way (successfully):
Wipe everything but OTG in TWRP
Format data
Reboot to TWRP
Flash the full stock OOS zip
Reboot to fastboot
Flash stock recovery
Lock bootloader with the fastboot lock command

Has anyone made any progress with this? I too am having the issue as described and have tried the solution by Ricyksydhu, along with solutions from various other places around the net.

No system, no recovery, bootloader unlocked, FRP locked

After some problems (corrupted data partition and sticking in bootloop after reboot) on LineageOS 14.1 and PA 7.2.2, I decided to reflash the EMUI. That didn't work and through a series of my mistakes I have no recovery, no system and can't flash anything.
Fastboot gives me the "remote: command not allowed" error whatever I try to do except for "fastboot reboot" and "fastboot oem get-bootinfo" (which says the bootloader is unlocked). The fastboot screen says : Phone Unlocked, FRP Lock.
I can connect to adb after a few minutes of waiting at the "Your device is booting now..." screen that also shows 3 options. But I have nothing in /system/, which means /system/bin/sh doesn't exist so I can't get a shell into the phone. "adb ls" does work, though (don't know how).
I've also tried to push at least a shell into /system/ with "adb push", but it says that the partition is mounted read-only. Is there a way to mount it read-write without using "adb shell"?
Is my phone recoverable or is it bricked beyond repair? Any suggestions on how to repair it without changing the motherboard?
Thanks in advance!

CanIHelp said:
After some problems (corrupted data partition and sticking in bootloop after reboot) on LineageOS 14.1 and PA 7.2.2, I decided to reflash the EMUI. That didn't work and through a series of my mistakes I have no recovery, no system and can't flash anything.
Fastboot gives me the "remote: command not allowed" error whatever I try to do except for "fastboot reboot" and "fastboot oem get-bootinfo" (which says the bootloader is unlocked). The fastboot screen says : Phone Unlocked, FRP Lock.
I can connect to adb after a few minutes of waiting at the "Your device is booting now..." screen that also shows 3 options. But I have nothing in /system/, which means /system/bin/sh doesn't exist so I can't get a shell into the phone. "adb ls" does work, though (don't know how).
I've also tried to push at least a shell into /system/ with "adb push", but it says that the partition is mounted read-only. Is there a way to mount it read-write without using "adb shell"?
Is my phone recoverable or is it bricked beyond repair? Any suggestions on how to repair it without changing the motherboard?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p9lite/how-to/unified-help-thread-huawei-p9-lite-t3649152
Post 5. Unbricking EMUI 5. Don't take for granted it will work, but considering FRP is locked, this is the only way not needing a unlocked bootloader.

Doesn't work. It's still stuck at the "Your device is booting now..." under the vmall link screen.
Isn't the 3-button method counting on the original recovery being in the recovery partition?
I only have the second recovery working (that eRecovery which only lets you "download and install the latest recovery and system"...and doesn't do anything).
Is there a way to override the frp lock? I saw a couple of tools online claiming to do that, but none worked. I haven't tried DC-Unlocker. If I'm gonna pay for it, might as well go to a service

Dload method uses the secondary recovery, It should be there if you press all three buttons.
From what i have heard, DC-Unlocker works.

Plug your phone on computer.
You see yellow advice? Appears automatically.
Juste after this advice, tip "fastboot reboot bootloader".
After, unlock your bootloader again "fastboot oem unlock YOUR_OEM_CODE"
Ok now shutdown and hold buttons for boot to TWRP recovery, if not appears, flash it on "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img"
Warning command not allowed on fastboot is 90% time du at bootloader unlocked (even if he says it's good)

dariomrk said:
Dload method uses the secondary recovery, It should be there if you press all three buttons.
From what i have heard, DC-Unlocker works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did boot in the secondary recovery (had to hold onto the 3 button for 3-4 minutes continuously). But it said that "Software install failed/ Incompatibility with current version. Please download the correct update package."
I'm now trying the B160 image in that thread. Wish me luck!
EDIT: It worked. The B160 image flashed using the three button method. I'm now at the setup screen. And the keyboard is there. (Also had the problem where I'd only have the voice input keyboard)
Thank you very much!

CanIHelp said:
It did boot in the secondary recovery (had to hold onto the 3 button for 3-4 minutes continuously). But it said that "Software install failed/ Incompatibility with current version. Please download the correct update package."
I'm now trying the B160 image in that thread. Wish me luck!
EDIT: It worked. The B160 image flashed using the three button method. I'm now at the setup screen. And the keyboard is there. (Also had the problem where I'd only have the voice input keyboard)
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem mate, nice to hear you did it without problems.

Hard/soft brick

I think I messed up my PH-1 something royally.
All I was trying to do is unlock my bootloader and load Magisk.
To preface this, my PH-1 seemed to act a little wonky from the get-go. I bought it 3rd person from a guy on craigslist so anything warranty involved I think I'm out of luck.
The phone would take a while to power on, it took something like 10secs on the power button just to turn it on. And if I set it to reboot , it boots into the bootloader. Also, I was never able to access the recovery (even using power + up). It always felt like I had to hold the buttons for way to long to get to its destination; e.g. up and power to get into fastboot.
Ok where I'm at now. In can occasionally get into fastboot mostly after it bootlooping a few times. It won't get past the Essential logo if I try to boot it up.
PS I was able to unlock the bootloader.
Steps I took to remedy this:
> erase all user data in fastboot
> hold power + u + d to hard power off
> follow this guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/how-to/guide-rooting-essential-ph-1-magisk-t3701976
> attempt to install stock system image via flash-all
>a ton other
Here are the results of that.
https://imgur.com/a/iVwwS
Help me guys please. :crying:
A little progress, I was unable to unlock_critical but its still hanging here
https://imgur.com/a/IdZum

jAm-0 said:
I think I messed up my PH-1 something royally.
All I was trying to do is unlock my bootloader and load Magisk.
To preface this, my PH-1 seemed to act a little wonky from the get-go. I bought it 3rd person from a guy on craigslist so anything warranty involved I think I'm out of luck.
The phone would take a while to power on, it took something like 10secs on the power button just to turn it on. And if I set it to reboot , it boots into the bootloader. Also, I was never able to access the recovery (even using power + up). It always felt like I had to hold the buttons for way to long to get to its destination; e.g. up and power to get into fastboot.
Ok where I'm at now. In can occasionally get into fastboot mostly after it bootlooping a few times. It won't get past the Essential logo if I try to boot it up.
PS I was able to unlock the bootloader.
Steps I took to remedy this:
> erase all user data in fastboot
> hold power + u + d to hard power off
> follow this guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/how-to/guide-rooting-essential-ph-1-magisk-t3701976
> attempt to install stock system image via flash-all
>a ton other
Here are the results of that.
https://imgur.com/a/iVwwS
Help me guys please. :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
read through this and follow the steps should be good to go.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development/stock-7-1-1-nmj20d-t3701681
This is also very helpful
https://mata.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

That's the exact process I was going through, and it finally booted up.
The issue I was having was a bad usb connection which wouldn't allow me to unlock_critical.
SOLVED. Still no Magisk, we'll worry about that another time. 5hrs of troubleshooting is enough for one night.

https://imgur.com/a/ZiBzp
SO close to getting Magisk to install, any reason the refuses to flash the boot partition? I used the stock boot.img and had Magisk patch it before I flashed

SO close to getting Magisk to install, any reason the refuses to flash the boot partition? I used the stock boot.img and had Magisk patch it before I flashed

jAm-0 said:
SO close to getting Magisk to install, any reason the refuses to flash the boot partition? I used the stock boot.img and had Magisk patch it before I flashed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to flash magisk in twrp recovery NOT bootloader mode.
It's right in the OP from the rooting guide you followed:
Do not set up a password if you are on 8.1 twrp doesn't work.
You need to read through that rooting guide and make sure you know what you're doing before you try.
This phone is easy to hard brick and there is no solution to recover from that.
OREO 8.0/8.1
REQUIREMENTS:
An unlocked bootloader.
A working ADB/Fastboot environment on your computer. Knowledge on how ADB and Fastboot works is also preferred.
The stock boot image for whatever build you're running/trying to root.
The latest TWRP build for our device.
If on 8.1, remove your pin/pattern/passcode until the root process is done.
1. Download both the stock boot image for whatever build you're running and the Magisk or SuperSU zip. Transfer both files to your device's internal storage.
2. Reboot your phone into the bootloader, then open up your command prompt or terminal and flash the latest TWRP build for the device using:
Code:
fastboot flash boot twrp.img
3. Once TWRP has finished flashing, reboot into your recovery. When prompted, enter your pattern/passcode/password to decrypt your data in order to gain access to your internal storage.
4. Once you're in TWRP, install the stock boot image and then the Magisk/SuperSU zip.
5. Whenever Magisk/SuperSU finishes installing, simply reboot your device! You should now be rooted.
*NOTE: TWRP will NOT remain installed on your device.

wolfu11 said:
You have to flash magisk in twrp recovery NOT bootloader mode.
It's right in the OP from the rooting guide you followed:
Do not set up a password if you are on 8.1 twrp doesn't work.
You need to read through that rooting guide and make sure you know what you're doing before you try.
This phone is easy to hard brick and there is no solution to recover from that.
OREO 8.0/8.1
REQUIREMENTS:
An unlocked bootloader.
A working ADB/Fastboot environment on your computer. Knowledge on how ADB and Fastboot works is also preferred.
The stock boot image for whatever build you're running/trying to root.
The latest TWRP build for our device.
If on 8.1, remove your pin/pattern/passcode until the root process is done.
1. Download both the stock boot image for whatever build you're running and the Magisk or SuperSU zip. Transfer both files to your device's internal storage.
2. Reboot your phone into the bootloader, then open up your command prompt or terminal and flash the latest TWRP build for the device using:
Code:
fastboot flash boot twrp.img
3. Once TWRP has finished flashing, reboot into your recovery. When prompted, enter your pattern/passcode/password to decrypt your data in order to gain access to your internal storage.
4. Once you're in TWRP, install the stock boot image and then the Magisk/SuperSU zip.
5. Whenever Magisk/SuperSU finishes installing, simply reboot your device! You should now be rooted.
*NOTE: TWRP will NOT remain installed on your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize all that, the issue is I cannot access any sort of recovery because I think my bootloader is defective.
For example from a cold restart if I press the power button for say 3 -5 seconds it wont boot, just boot to the Essential logo and loop. To get the phone to boot I have to hold the power down for 15-20 seconds while it bootloops a couple times then it'll boot.
Is there a possible way to reflash the bootloader software if it is defective? It's unlocked btw
There is a way to install magisk via fastboot with a patched_boot img which I'm working on. Cant seem to find the right boot img to patch for 8.1
PS Is it possible to flash .zips through fastboot? e.g. custom roms etc

Was finally able to get into recovery, so all is well. Thanks for the help yall

OP, what was your process to successfully get into recovery and fix your problems?
It may help others sometime?

gimpy1 said:
OP, what was your process to successfully get into recovery and fix your problems?
It may help others sometime?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really hard to say, my phone has a serious problem with it. sometimes I cant get it to boot, it will boot into the bootloader over and over and over. I've managed to get Lineage 15.1 on if for a bit until I tried to get back into the recovery which sent it manic.
I just got lucky I was able to get into TWRP and flash lineage.
my first issue not being able to flash the stock image via fastboot because I didn't unlock_critical which can sometimes fail when the usb connection is bad.
Currently flashing stock again if my phone will boot up. I'm not sure whats wrong with my bootloader but its causing a ton of havoc

My essential phone stuck in boot logo,bootloader work but recovery doesn´t work
Bootloader locked.
Oem unlocking disable.
Usb debugging disable.
How to flash stock recovery or twrp on bootloader locked ? please
Thank you!

katastyle971 said:
My essential phone stuck in boot logo,bootloader work but recovery doesn´t work
Bootloader locked.
Oem unlocking disable.
Usb debugging disable.
How to flash stock recovery or twrp on bootloader locked ? please
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same boat for me - just keep rebooting to show Powered by Android Screen and then reboot again and again. Was able to see my device using fastboot devices command but all attempts to access recory just repeat the bootloop entry. I would happily check the OEM UNLOCK option in dev settings but can't even get it to book to any OS to make that option happen. Still shows bootloader locked on bootloader screen - any help someone can suggest?

I had this problem tonight also. In my case I suspect it had to do with the install of magisk in which I checked both boxes and patched the bootloader. on reboot I was stuck on boot. Just wanted to add my solution. I got the pie back to stock zip here https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development/stock-7-1-1-nmj20d-t3701681 then I put it into the adb folder and ran the flashall.bat script. I tried the no wipe one and it saved my information. very happy I didnt have to resetup my phone in the end.

katastyle971 said:
My essential phone stuck in boot logo,bootloader work but recovery doesn´t work
Bootloader locked.
Oem unlocking disable.
Usb debugging disable.
How to flash stock recovery or twrp on bootloader locked ? please
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the same boat. I tried to re-install the OS, but because my USB debugging was not enabled, Fastboot worked but ADB would not and since I basically wiped the recovery area, my phone will only boot into Fastboot but will not allow any loading of recovery. I would pay for someone to help. This is so hard to figure out. I have contacted Essential but since my phone is over 12 months old, the warranty has expired.
Help please. It seems like such a waste to have a bricked phone.

Help with loss of root/twrp

I need help! Here’s the story. Sorry for the lengthy post. TL;DR at the bottom..
- Was on B32, unlocked BL, TWRP installed, rooted with SuperSU
- Updated to B35, but lost TWRP and root (I don’t know how, but I assume I must have wiped the wrong things? - system? - I’m clearly a novice)
- Now I’m on B35 with an unlocked BL, but despite days of searching and researching, I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get TWRP reinstalled. I want to have TWRP before trying Magisk (have never used Magisk before, but would like to try it this time instead of SuperSU)
- From my Mac, using terminal, adb recognizes my devices.
- “adb reboot boot loader” gets me to a list of options “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”. Choosing fastboot simply restarts the phone. What should “fastboot mode” look like?
- I tried flashing TWRP via adb while on this page and terminal stopped at “waiting for any device” and did nothing
My conclusion is that I need to downgrade to whatever latest version allows fastboot commands to work properly? Is this B15? If so, is the only available B15 zip the one that is on the ZTE website? Do I just wipe data/dalvick/cache and flash this zip?
Do I not need a Bootstock and Systemstock like @DrakenFX usually posts? That’s how I’m used to doing any updates.
Thank you all for your help, both past and present!
TL;DR: Would like to downgrade from B35 to B15 so that I can install twrp and root again. What’s the best way to do this and where can I find the appropriate files?

alajoy said:
I need help! Here’s the story. Sorry for the lengthy post. TL;DR at the bottom..
- Was on B32, unlocked BL, TWRP installed, rooted with SuperSU
- Updated to B35, but lost TWRP and root (I don’t know how, but I assume I must have wiped the wrong things? - system? - I’m clearly a novice)
- Now I’m on B35 with an unlocked BL, but despite days of searching and researching, I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get TWRP reinstalled. I want to have TWRP before trying Magisk (have never used Magisk before, but would like to try it this time instead of SuperSU)
- From my Mac, using terminal, adb recognizes my devices.
- “adb reboot boot loader” gets me to a list of options “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”. Choosing fastboot simply restarts the phone. What should “fastboot mode” look like?
- I tried flashing TWRP via adb while on this page and terminal stopped at “waiting for any device” and did nothing
My conclusion is that I need to downgrade to whatever latest version allows fastboot commands to work properly? Is this B15? If so, is the only available B15 zip the one that is on the ZTE website? Do I just wipe data/dalvick/cache and flash this zip?
Do I not need a Bootstock and Systemstock like @DrakenFX usually posts? That’s how I’m used to doing any updates.
Thank you all for your help, both past and present!
TL;DR: Would like to downgrade from B35 to B15 so that I can install twrp and root again. What’s the best way to do this and where can I find the appropriate files?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure where you read all that BS, but if your bootloader is unlocked then you can install TWRP via EDL (Or fastboot if you have it). No need to downgrade for anything :laugh: in the past you would have needed to downgrade in order to unlock the bootloader, now it's not even needed
Download EDL Tool by djkuz and install TWRP with that one. Or you can use axon7tool by tennear, but it's much more finicky and ran entirely by commands (no UI).
And just to avoid more trouble, DO NOT LOCK THE BOOTLOADER! You do that with the system even barely modified and you brick the phone. A bunch of people tried to do something, got scared because they made a simple correctable mistake and just locked the bootloader thinking everything would get restored to stock - doesn't work that way.
Not saying you will do this, but I've seen about 4 or 5 people that started just like you and ended up doing that

Choose an username... said:
I'm not sure where you read all that BS, but if your bootloader is unlocked then you can install TWRP via EDL (Or fastboot if you have it). No need to downgrade for anything :laugh: in the past you would have needed to downgrade in order to unlock the bootloader, now it's not even needed
Download EDL Tool by djkuz and install TWRP with that one. Or you can use axon7tool by tennear, but it's much more finicky and ran entirely by commands (no UI).
And just to avoid more trouble, DO NOT LOCK THE BOOTLOADER! You do that with the system even barely modified and you brick the phone. A bunch of people tried to do something, got scared because they made a simple correctable mistake and just locked the bootloader thinking everything would get restored to stock - doesn't work that way.
Not saying you will do this, but I've seen about 4 or 5 people that started just like you and ended up doing that
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Click to collapse
Wow, thanks so much for responding to this. Sounds like this should be easy! A couple of questions before I go about following your advice:
1). Do I download EDL Tool to my computer or phone??
2). If I'm downloading it to my computer, does it matter that I'm using a mac?
Thanks again for your help!

alajoy said:
Wow, thanks so much for responding to this. Sounds like this should be easy! A couple of questions before I go about following your advice:
1). Do I download EDL Tool to my computer or phone??
2). If I'm downloading it to my computer, does it matter that I'm using a mac?
Thanks again for your help!
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Click to collapse
Oh, skipped that part. EDL Tool is a .bat. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to run it on a Mac. If you can find a Windows PC somewhere to do this, it'd be much better...
But there's another way.
Issuing "adb reboot bootloader" effectively sends you into fastboot. That list you mentioned is fastboot (if it says "Start" in green, and you can scroll that, it is fastboot). Just use fastboot from the pc: Put TWRP on the fastboot folder on the PC, then issue "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" with "twrp.img" being whatever the twrp file name is. After that issue "fastboot reboot recovery". And as soon as you are on TWRP, DON'T GET OUT OF IT. Just wipe data, system, caches; then flash a system (e.g. b10 bootstack and stocksystem), then also flash Magisk, and THEN boot to system

Choose an username... said:
Oh, skipped that part. EDL Tool is a .bat. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to run it on a Mac. If you can find a Windows PC somewhere to do this, it'd be much better...
But there's another way.
Issuing "adb reboot bootloader" effectively sends you into fastboot. That list you mentioned is fastboot (if it says "Start" in green, and you can scroll that, it is fastboot). Just use fastboot from the pc: Put TWRP on the fastboot folder on the PC, then issue "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" with "twrp.img" being whatever the twrp file name is. After that issue "fastboot reboot recovery". And as soon as you are on TWRP, DON'T GET OUT OF IT. Just wipe data, system, caches; then flash a system (e.g. b10 bootstack and stocksystem), then also flash Magisk, and THEN boot to system
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Click to collapse
"adb reboot bootloader" takes me to the start up screen that says "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc. and gives you 5 sec to either press up or down on volume keys to get to list: “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”, but the list is all white. If I select "fastboot" it reboots the phone and starts that cycle over again at the "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc page.
Nowhere am I given a chance to use fastboot commands. I'm never on the page with the green "Start".
..This all seemed a lot simpler on my Nexus 5..
Thanks for your help/patience.

alajoy said:
"adb reboot bootloader" takes me to the start up screen that says "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc. and gives you 5 sec to either press up or down on volume keys to get to list: “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”, but the list is all white. If I select "fastboot" it reboots the phone and starts that cycle over again at the "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc page.
Nowhere am I given a chance to use fastboot commands. I'm never on the page with the green "Start".
..This all seemed a lot simpler on my Nexus 5..
Thanks for your help/patience.
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I thought you had fastboot since you described the 5 seconds screen and both are very similar. It's normal not to have it though.
I think there's some version of axon7tool for Linux but I'm not sure at all. The best way would be to find a Windows computer.
I wonder how you actually installed TWRP the first time? Via fastboot?
As soon as you get TWRP you should be able to run a few commands to get fastboot back just to have it around.

Choose an username... said:
I thought you had fastboot since you described the 5 seconds screen and both are very similar. It's normal not to have it though.
I think there's some version of axon7tool for Linux but I'm not sure at all. The best way would be to find a Windows computer.
I wonder how you actually installed TWRP the first time? Via fastboot?
As soon as you get TWRP you should be able to run a few commands to get fastboot back just to have it around.
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Click to collapse
I have adb and fastboot installed on my Mac and I can't remember how I got it working on my phone in the first place, but I've only ever used a Mac for all this. Terminal recognizes my device and responds to commands until I try "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" then it says "<waiting for any device>" and does nothing.
Thanks again for the help. I'll keep hunting though. I don't have access to any Windows computer.
Cheers