Database Users

Remove device encryption

Hi everybody, i would like to remove the devices encription under Security-Encryption
Under Encrypt device i've got Encrypted.
I've tried to restore to factory default, from recovery, from fastboot using format userdata, but, no way.
How i can remove the encryption?
My device is ZE552KL
Thanks

swet90 said:
Hi everybody, i would like to remove the devices encription under Security-Encryption
Under Encrypt device i've got Encrypted.
I've tried to restore to factory default, from recovery, from fastboot using format userdata, but, no way.
How i can remove the encryption?
My device is ZE552KL
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a same issue with this device, but I had some experiment.
If your device is unlocked, you can flash TWRP, boot to recovery, wipe, format data.
Backup your data first! It will erase all of your data (Very noob answer)
Totally careful, don't do this if you didn't want a unexpected things. Or something...

The ASUS Zenfone 3 comes shipped encrypted by default. This is required by Google's Play Services agreement for phone OEMs. You cannot remove decryption on the Zenfone 3 without using a custom ROM.

sensi277 said:
The ASUS Zenfone 3 comes shipped encrypted by default. This is required by Google's Play Services agreement for phone OEMs. You cannot remove decryption on the Zenfone 3 without using a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!

TWRP isn't allowing me to Mount my Storage because it's asking for a password I don't know.

ZeldaLinkAaron said:
TWRP isn't allowing me to Mount my Storage because it's asking for a password I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue. I just got my daughter this phone (the 552KL?), downloaded the official Asus bootloader unlocker APK and ran it, then rebooted to the bootloader to flash TWRP.
TWRP installed, but wants a password to unlock it. Before the bootloader unlock, I did put her Google account on the phone, but the tool said it would completely wipe the phone. Either way, I tried her google account password, but it just says wrong password. Same thing when I tried to boot to system.
Any tips?

@Flapjack
Format through twrp

wang1chung said:
@Flapjack
Format through twrp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I ended up doing. I got some help on another thread. The problem I'm having now is that I can't format /cache. It's really weird. If I do a full wipe on the phone, it says it can't format it. I even tried formatting it through fastboot ("fastboot erase cache" then "fastboot format cache"), which says "OKAY finished", but doesn't fix the issue when trying to wipe cache inside of TWRP.
This phone is flat out weird compared to other phones. I don't get the bootloader unlock screen. It doesn't seem to want to boot system... it just keeps going to TWRP. On the few times I have gotten to boot into system (after flashing Carbon 6.1 unofficial), it ends up hanging on a blank screen. Windows makes a sound that a new device is connected, so I'm guessing it's connecting in EDL mode or something (no devices show with a "fastboot devices" or a "adb devices").
I really don't know where to go from here. I'm used to working with Axons, Motorolas, and OnePlus phones. They just work.

@Flapjack
The cache issue is a glitch with the build of twrp, it's not a big deal. There's a workaround posted somewhere, can't remember. Just use the file browser and delete the files on it. I think there's only one file that isn't 0 bytes.
Have you flashed magisk?
Sometimes a full wipe (system/data) and then flashing the raw firmware helps. Try magisk first.

wang1chung said:
@Flapjack
The cache issue is a glitch with the build of twrp, it's not a big deal. There's a workaround posted somewhere, can't remember. Just use the file browser and delete the files on it. I think there's only one file that isn't 0 bytes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying it doesn't need to be actually wiped, I just need to go into cache and delete all the files in there? How about getting it to boot to system? It just keeps booting to recovery. Not sure when it started that, as after the first time I flashed the ROM, I was able to get it to boot to system by pressing the power button when the "bootloader unlocked" screen came up. That isn't working now.
Have you flashed magisk?
Sometimes a full wipe (system/data) and then flashing the raw firmware helps. Try magisk first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For my first non-stock ROM flash, I flashed the Oreo modem, Carbon 6.1 unofficial ROM, ARM64 Gapps nano, and Magisk 16.0... all at once. I tried booting and it looked like it was setting up... but as I mentioned, it just went to a blank screen. After trying a full wipe and seeing the "couldn't wipe cache" message, I figured that was why.
How will flashing Magisk help me with wiping the cache partition or getting the thing to boot right? Sorry for my ignorance.

Flapjack said:
So you're saying it doesn't need to be actually wiped, I just need to go into cache and delete all the files in there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wiping/formatting cache is the same as deleting all the files. Wiping is easier but as I said, doesn't work at the moment.
Flapjack said:
How will flashing Magisk help me with wiping the cache partition or getting the thing to boot right? Sorry for my ignorance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
magisk won't help with cache, but it will remove the verity flag that is tripped from having twrp. From my experience, if I don't flash magisk, it'll bootloop.

Yeah.... absolutely nothing I do will get it to boot to system now. I've flashed the ROM and Magisk, but no matter what, it keeps booting to recovery.
There were two folders under /cache... "Lost&Found" and "recovery". I deleted both, but that didn't help.
---------- Post added 5th July 2018 at 12:40 AM ---------- Previous post was 4th July 2018 at 11:44 PM ----------
wang1chung said:
wiping/formatting cache is the same as deleting all the files. Wiping is easier but as I said, doesn't work at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I take it I did it right? I would say it's "pretty much" the same. Formatting a partition is different than deleting files/folders in an existing partition. Still, if deleting the files/folders is good enough, then that rules out why the system wouldn't boot after the first ROM install attempt. It would also explain why "fastboot erase cache" seems to work, but TWRP still throws an error. Fastboot erase is probably working just fine.
magisk won't help with cache, but it will remove the verity flag that is tripped from having twrp. From my experience, if I don't flash magisk, it'll bootloop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a custom version of Magisk for this phone? I'm just installing the usual magisk 16.0 zip file you can get on their site, but it doesn't seem to be helping with the phone continuously booting into recovery. Is there a way to remove that verity flag via adb?

@Flapjack
Magisk modifies one of the partitions to get around the flag (I believe), not doable through adb.
Standard magisk off their site is fine
Try this:
Format system/data
Flash custom Rom
Flash magisk
"Wipe" cache and davlik
Reboot
OR
Flash the raw firmware
Flash twrp
Flash whichever custom Rom & gapps where needed
Flash magisk
Factory reset and "Wipe" cache and dalvik
Reboot

wang1chung said:
@Flapjack
Magisk modifies one of the partitions to get around the flag (I believe), not doable through adb.
Standard magisk off their site is fine
Try this:
Format system/data
Flash custom Rom
Flash magisk
"Wipe" cache and davlik
Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No go. Still just boots into recovery. Here's what the boot screen looks like (then the Asus logo pops up, then recovery loads)
Code:
< More information :
Dm-Verity in EIO mode
Your device software can't be
checked for corruption. Please
lock the bootloader.
Visit this link on another device:
g.co/ABHg.co/placeholder
Your device will shutdown in 10 seconds
I can press the power button to boot immediately, or wait the 10 seconds... which just boots anyway (doesn't shut down). If I press the volume buttons, I get the following options menu:
Power off
Restart
Recovery
Fastboot
Back to previous page
Flash the raw firmware
Flash twrp
Flash whichever custom Rom & gapps where needed
Flash magisk
Factory reset and "Wipe" cache and dalvik
Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried this yet. Would this be the best guide to follow?
HOW-TO: Go back to Stock Rom on ZE552KL/ZE520KL
https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone-3/how-to/how-to-to-stock-rom-recovery-zenfone-3-t3666223

@Flapjack
That is the correct screen for an unlocked bootloader.
Try this guide for the raw firmware instead, and verify it boots to the OS. Then flash twrp and the rom again.

wang1chung said:
@Flapjack
That is the correct screen for an unlocked bootloader.
Try this guide for the raw firmware instead, and verify it boots to the OS. Then flash twrp and the rom again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grrr... no matter what I do, it won't flash. The guide says to put it in fastboot mode, but the flash tool won't detect it (even though "fastboot devices" shows it just fine). If I boot it to recovery, it'll show up in the tool, but never actually flashes (see screenshot).

Flapjack said:
Grrr... no matter what I do, it won't flash. The guide says to put it in fastboot mode, but the flash tool won't detect it (even though "fastboot devices" shows it just fine). If I boot it to recovery, it'll show up in the tool, but never actually flashes (see screenshot).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I stopped using Windows. Maybe try disabling "driver signature verification"? Swap USB ports? My computer has some high power and low power USB ports, certain devices won't work properly in the low power ones. A couple of guides mentioned unplugging and re-plugging the USB.

wang1chung said:
This is why I stopped using Windows. Maybe try disabling "driver signature verification"? Swap USB ports? My computer has some high power and low power USB ports, certain devices won't work properly in the low power ones. A couple of guides mentioned unplugging and re-plugging the USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea. I'm going through a powered hub right now, but who knows...
I'll try that as soon as I get home.

Ok, different computer. This is my laptop I normally use to flash.
This time, I can get it it to start to flash, but with a second or two, it throws an error (see attached).

Flapjack said:
Ok, different computer. This is my laptop I normally use to flash.
This time, I can get it it to start to flash, but with a second or two, it throws an error (see attached).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you running ASUS flash tool with admin privileges?

A2017G Bootloader mode on 7.1.1?

EDIT: Fixed! Big thanks to @S0wL , @bkores , @tamahouse02 and @tron1 for the help. I made a guide to help other people with the same problem:
Guide to get TWRP again HERE
Okay, it seems to me that I messed up kinda badly. The phone is fully operational, but after I got to 7.0 the stock recovery replaced good ol' TWRP... which left me with an unlocked bootloader and an useless recovery. I have no root, and that's pretty much the only thing that matters to me. I downloaded @bkores 's Axon7Toolkit but there is NO way to get fastboot on the damned thing. After the program tries to get to bl mode (I assume adb reboot bootloader?) the ZTE logo flashes and the unlocked BL image appears, then the phone starts as normal.
Same thing with the leaked 7.1.1, no difference.
I tried EDL, recovery, that shady factory test mode thing, no one gives fastboot... Any ideas as to why I can't get there??+
I suspect it may be something related to the OEM unlocking option in the dev options, but it is set to ON and greyed out. so no idea

Try the menu on the boot screen.

Choose an username... said:
Okay, it seems to me that I messed up kinda badly. The phone is fully operational, but after I got to 7.0 the stock recovery replaced good ol' TWRP... which left me with an unlocked bootloader and an useless recovery. I have no root, and that's pretty much the only thing that matters to me. I downloaded @bkores 's Axon7Toolkit but there is NO way to get fastboot on the damned thing. After the program tries to get to bl mode (I assume adb reboot bootloader?) the ZTE logo flashes and the unlocked BL image appears, then the phone starts as normal.
Same thing with the leaked 7.1.1, no difference.
I tried EDL, recovery, that shady factory test mode thing, no one gives fastboot... Any ideas as to why I can't get there??+
I suspect it may be something related to the OEM unlocking option in the dev options, but it is set to ON and greyed out. so no idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like the issue is with the ROM like it is somehow blocking you from accessing bootloader mode. It's definitely not my toolkit.

Choose an username... said:
Okay, it seems to me that I messed up kinda badly. The phone is fully operational, but after I got to 7.0 the stock recovery replaced good ol' TWRP... which left me with an unlocked bootloader and an useless recovery. I have no root, and that's pretty much the only thing that matters to me. I downloaded @bkores 's Axon7Toolkit but there is NO way to get fastboot on the damned thing. After the program tries to get to bl mode (I assume adb reboot bootloader?) the ZTE logo flashes and the unlocked BL image appears, then the phone starts as normal.
Same thing with the leaked 7.1.1, no difference.
I tried EDL, recovery, that shady factory test mode thing, no one gives fastboot... Any ideas as to why I can't get there??+
I suspect it may be something related to the OEM unlocking option in the dev options, but it is set to ON and greyed out. so no idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Feel the same, 7.1.1 stock recovery is evil, it keep coming back after flash twrp. LOL
Here what I didi to get twrp on 7.1.1:
1. Use axon7tool -w recovery (twrp of couse)
2. Watch closely the cmd, when it said "Successful!","Reboot in 5 second" - unplug your phone
3. Use Volume Up + Power to get to recovery (twrp)
4. Mount > Mount System (dont check read only)
5. Flash something - I don't know - But I get the feeling that it stop stock recovery coming back - I personally flash Chinese Modem (because I have to ))
6. Reboot system

@bkores Yeah I'm pretty sure it's not your toolkit since I can't access it even with key comb, adb, option on the unl bl page...
@lafester Nope, tried many times. It just boots to normal whenever I select fastboot
@tamahouse02 Well I believe that should work, but I can't get axon7tool not to crash... I'll keep trying, maybe it's a driver or sth.

Choose an username... said:
@bkores Yeah I'm pretty sure it's not your toolkit since I can't access it even with key comb, adb, option on the unl bl page...
@lafester Nope, tried many times. It just boots to normal whenever I select fastboot
@tamahouse02 Well I believe that should work, but I can't get axon7tool not to crash... I'll keep trying, maybe it's a driver or sth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you restart after install zadig driver?
1. From system: adb reboot edl
2. Install zadig driver
3. Hold "Volume Up + Power"
4. Enter system again: adb reboot edl
5. axon7tool -w recovery

tamahouse02 said:
Have you restart after install zadig driver?
1. From system: adb reboot edl
2. Install zadig driver
3. Hold "Volume Up + Power"
4. Enter system again: adb reboot edl
5. axon7tool -w recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, like 4 times already. I even used the stock Qualcomm COM3 drivers... no dice.
the thing is that I had to do the same when I did the stuff on android 6 and it worked after some time. I even wrote the procedure on another thread xd

Choose an username... said:
yes, like 4 times already. I even used the stock Qualcomm COM3 drivers... no dice.
the thing is that I had to do the same when I did the stuff on android 6 and it worked after some time. I even wrote the procedure on another thread xd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not same my axon7tool. I use this https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/axon7tool-flash-backup-boot-recovery-t3514254

Bootloader Mode is Disable/strip in G variant, and if this is how ZTE is headed to future updates it seems like U will have a Disable Bootloader Mode as well.
If you guy can rollback to MM , you can Unlock there using @bkores tool.

DrakenFX said:
Bootloader Mode is Disable/strip in G variant, and if this is how ZTE is headed to future updates it seems like U will have a Disable Bootloader Mode as well.
If you guy can rollback to MM , you can Unlock there using @bkores tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking about that, but does mifavor let you roll back from an SD update? I'll try later, but i doubt it.
Besides from that is there any way to flash stuff from the stock recovery? It tells me that ZIPs have to be signed only

tamahouse02 said:
Feel the same, 7.1.1 stock recovery is evil, it keep coming back after flash twrp. LOL
Here what I didi to get twrp on 7.1.1:
1. Use axon7tool -w recovery (twrp of couse)
2. Watch closely the cmd, when it said "Successful!","Reboot in 5 second" - unplug your phone
3. Use Volume Up + Power to get to recovery (twrp)
4. Mount > Mount System (dont check read only)
5. Flash something - I don't know - But I get the feeling that it stop stock recovery coming back - I personally flash Chinese Modem (because I have to ))
6. Reboot system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In step 1, which TWRP version did you use? The latest 3.1.0.-0 ?

dnlilas said:
In step 1, which TWRP version did you use? The latest 3.1.0.-0 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official 3.0.4.1

@tamahouse02
The latest "official" TWRP is at TWRP site https://twrp.me/devices/zteaxon7.html , version 3.1.0-0.
Is there any problem using it instead of the previous "official" 3.0.4.1 ?
Edit: I also read on TWRP site:
"Note many devices will replace your custom recovery automatically during first boot. To prevent this, use Google to find the proper key combo to enter recovery. After typing fastboot reboot, hold the key combo and boot to TWRP. Once TWRP is booted, TWRP will patch the stock ROM to prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP. If you don't follow this step, you will have to repeat the install."
This is in sync with your information requiring to reboot immediately to TWRP (step 2 and 3).

dnlilas said:
@tamahouse02
The latest "official" TWRP is at TWRP site https://twrp.me/devices/zteaxon7.html , version 3.1.0-0.
Is there any problem using it instead of the previous "official" 3.0.4.1 ?
Edit: I also read on TWRP site:
"Note many devices will replace your custom recovery automatically during first boot. To prevent this, use Google to find the proper key combo to enter recovery. After typing fastboot reboot, hold the key combo and boot to TWRP. Once TWRP is booted, TWRP will patch the stock ROM to prevent the stock ROM from replacing TWRP. If you don't follow this step, you will have to repeat the install."
This is in sync with your information requiring to reboot immediately to TWRP (step 2 and 3).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use 3.0.4.1 because I flash plenty things before without any issue, so I keep using it.
After write recovery by axon7tool, it's reboot automatically and override the recovery, that why I have to unplug to stop the reboot, and also flash all I can - fortunaeally​ it also stop recovery be overrided

@tamahouse02 sorry to ask, but is the a7tool of the link a fixed version? how does it differ from the one i have?

I've been in the same situation like you @Choose an username... Updated to nougat on G model and I had not bootloader. This is what I did :
1. Downloaded the tool from here https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/tool-axon7toolkit-t3573108
2. Installed the driver using the install driver option that you can choose once you connect you phone to your computer
3. Use the tool to perform the unlock bootloader command again even though you have unlocked it before
4. Use the tool to install twrp, it will boot the phone in twrp
5. Flash Supersu before you boot the system first time after flashing twrp
5. Install whatever version of android want after

@S0wL Funny, I had to use Zadig to make it work. I'll try r n, thx

Choose an username... said:
@S0wL Funny, I had to use Zadig to make it work. I'll try r n, thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Zadig then and let me know if it worked

@S0wL I can't use bootloader unlock on it, says "This option does not support your device!"
How did you do this??

Choose an username... said:
@tamahouse02 sorry to ask, but is the a7tool of the link a fixed version? how does it differ from the one i have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I try your version once, but it seems not work for me, so I keep using the old one.
---------- Post added at 03:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:39 AM ----------
Choose an username... said:
@S0wL I can't use bootloader unlock on it, says "This option does not support your device!"
How did you do this??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you had already unlocked bootloader? Why have you done it twice?

Corrupted recovery, no o/s, what to do now?

I have a Axon 7 A2017U, bootloader unlocked. My recovery is corrupted after attempting to flash a older version of TWRP in recovery. I can no longer reboot into TWRP via recovery, it hangs at the ZTE powered by screen. I can't boot into the o/s, it too was corrupted while attempting to restore to stock using the DrakenFX's guide.
Booting into fastboot is a no go either, it just hangs at bootloader screen.
Any suggestions on where to go from here or how to fix the corrupted recovery?

You need to go into EDL mode and use MiFlash and flash a back to stock package. You can find a package here: https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=160532

Hello maybe i have same problem here. I have A2017G and maybe i have only woked unlocked bootloader. I dont think my EDL is working becouse i cant connect with ADB. Dont have any acces to recovery... i messed up step by step remember.
1. downloaded toolkit and woked fine - 2 installed drivers and working fine with EDL. 3 unlocked with no problems , 4 flashed TWRP with no problems and then i wanted to install lineage os. Downloaded last version lineage , and google apps and one file "A2017G_N_Modem.zip" and put all 3 files on my SD card. I wipe everything and then first installed modem file OK, but on second try with Lineage OS i have any errors and i just cant continue. After this i wanted to go back to original OS and i just locked my bootloader with axon toolkit and after restart i have acces only to Unlocked Bootloader. tryed everithing with axon7toolkit but nothing working. If i try to EDL mode when press volumeUP+volumeDOWN+power my phone have black screen and i thing is powered OFF.
OMFG i just typed "fastboot oem unlock" 5-6 time when i started phone to my bootloaders and now it unlocked and have acces to my TWRP.

Teet1 said:
You need to go into EDL mode and use MiFlash and flash a back to stock package. You can find a package here: https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=160532
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I flashed it with A2017U_B19-NOUGAT_FULL_EDL and was able to flashed twrp recovery. I was hoping the o/s would be fixed too but I get this error message as soon as o/s load "settings keeps stopping, close app". It appears it's a bad or incorrect stock file. I had to format data in TWRP recovery as the drive was encrypted. So now i'm back at square one.
Bad o/s but working recovery, so I attempted to flash these files to get back to stock but was unsuccessful. It would flash halfway and then just restarts and hung at the bootloader unlock screen.
A2017UV1.0.0B29_RollBackModded.zip
A2017UV1.1.0B32_bootstack_by_DrakenFX.zip
A2017UV1.1.0B32_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip
Am I on the right track? Or should I be flashing with a different os variant?

freeb0rn said:
Hello maybe i have same problem here. I have A2017G and maybe i have only woked unlocked bootloader. I dont think my EDL is working becouse i cant connect with ADB. Dont have any acces to recovery... i messed up step by step remember.
1. downloaded toolkit and woked fine - 2 installed drivers and working fine with EDL. 3 unlocked with no problems , 4 flashed TWRP with no problems and then i wanted to install lineage os. Downloaded last version lineage , and google apps and one file "A2017G_N_Modem.zip" and put all 3 files on my SD card. I wipe everything and then first installed modem file OK, but on second try with Lineage OS i have any errors and i just cant continue. After this i wanted to go back to original OS and i just locked my bootloader with axon toolkit and after restart i have acces only to Unlocked Bootloader. tryed everithing with axon7toolkit but nothing working. If i try to EDL mode when press volumeUP+volumeDOWN+power my phone have black screen and i thing is powered OFF.
OMFG i just typed "fastboot oem unlock" 5-6 time when i started phone to my bootloaders and now it unlocked and have acces to my TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you didn't read all of the hurdles and warnings about locking the bootloader with non-stock firmware?
Plus you also didn't find out about the Universal Bootloader? Did you even read the installation steps???
You had an error 7, which is that you forgot to install the Universal Bootloader. Do so this time.
EDL has nothing to do with ADB. You can access it with the phone completely off... (volume up and down, and insert usb)

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
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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.
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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?
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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!
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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.

Question About EDL Mode For Those Who Might Know

*Details on situation provided first. Skip to last paragraph for question.*
I'm starting to get back into the Android game after being away for some time and successfully rooted my 8 Pro on Android 10. About a week later, I got the notification to upgrade to Android 11 and found there was a way to upgrade while retaining root. Awesome!
While walking through the process, I missed a step and only used Magisk Manager to install to the "inactive slot". When the rest of the process finished and I was up on Android 11, I couldn't get root; it would only say N/A. I worked on it for a while and, eventually, managed to somehow fully brick my phone to the point it would only boot to Fastboot. Normal start ended in Qualcomm Crashdump Mode (QCM), booting to recovery would put me in Fastboot and if I tried to 'Fastboot boot recovery recovery.img' with the oem recovery extracted using Payload Dumper, it would also end up in QCM. I tried for a few hours to get into EDL Mode but never could get it to work. I would only ever end up in Fastboot or QCM.
I resigned to contacting OnePlus and started the process to have my phone sent in yesterday, but knew I had time to mess with it some more before getting the shipping labels and such. While working on it for a few hours last night and getting no where, I had a revelation. the 8 Pro has A/B Parititioning! Using Fastboot, I was able to switch my phone to Partition B and reboot. After 30 agonizing seconds, the boot screen finally showed and it eventually spit me out at the setup screen. Success!
Finally for my actual question. I know my Partition A is still borked, so I'm tempted to boot into EDL Mode (which I think I can finally do using ADB) and reflash everything but I'm curious. Will reflashing in EDL Mode on affect Partition B since that's what I'm currently on, or will it do both A and B? I'm okay with reflashing both and starting all the way over if necessary but if I can specifically only reflash Partition A , that would be preferable. I did a quick search but couldn't find any info on this.

Keeping this up and posting the answer as I've been able to determine it through additional research/trial and error.
From what I can tell, flashing via EDL Mode resets both slots and flashes the factory firmware back to Slot A. So even if you've wrecked it as bad as I did, you can change to Slot B via Fastboot, get booted into Android, use ADB to get into EDL and reflash with the MSM Tool.

PassingInTime said:
Using Fastboot, I was able to switch my phone to Partition B and reboot.
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Hello!
How did you do it with locked bootloader. Please, write step by step instruction.
Sorry. You had unlocked bootloader...