Database Users

[Q] Phone stuck in TWRP boot loop; no files show up when plugging in OTG cable

What kind of method would I need to use to be able to get my phone back to stock? I tried to take the update, but failed, and then in a haste deleted all of my storage on the phone. I know that I need to use the OTG cable, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I put a .tot file on the root of a thumb drive to see if i could see it through TWRP but I couldn't. I am in a bootloop that goes straight to TWRP, but I don't have any files to flash to get it to boot up the rest of the way. Do I need to use the KDZ file instead? I have no experience using ADB either so if that is what I need to do, I definitely need assistance with it. Thanks in advance I hope?

No worries, nice and simple fix. Terminal command is awesome.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451696
Let us know how it goes!

asdfvtn said:
No worries, nice and simple fix. Terminal command is awesome.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2451696
Let us know how it goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where will this get me? I dont think I have any kind of rom or anything to boot to because I deleted my memory on accident after I was already in the bootloop. Does the stock rom still exist under everything despite wiping all of memory? Not just data but EVERYTHING (yes I know, I shouldn't have been so antsy while not being familiar with TWRP).

joshuaclogg said:
Where will this get me? I dont think I have any kind of rom or anything to boot to because I deleted my memory on accident after I was already in the bootloop. Does the stock rom still exist under everything despite wiping all of memory? Not just data but EVERYTHING (yes I know, I shouldn't have been so antsy while not being familiar with TWRP).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you wiped, you selected dalvik, cache, and data, correct? If so, you'll be fine (If you truly wiped everything already, you wouldn't have TWRP anyway). The line from that link I posted simply deletes the OTA you downloaded. If you type it exactly as written, nothing else will be done to your phone. Be sure to triple check what you're typing though.
Feel free to keep looking around though if you like.
Best of luck

asdfvtn said:
When you wiped, you selected dalvik, cache, and data, correct? If so, you'll be fine (If you truly wiped everything already, you wouldn't have TWRP anyway). The line from that link I posted simply deletes the OTA you downloaded. If you type it exactly as written, nothing else will be done to your phone. Be sure to triple check what you're typing though.
Feel free to keep looking around though if you like.
Best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both of the methods there do the same? And I selected format data which now that I read is so far from what I wanted haha

joshuaclogg said:
Both of the methods there do the same? And I selected format data which now that I read is so far from what I wanted haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, Both methods result in the same thing. Format data won't wipe everything.

[Q]WhatsApp not sending/receiving media

Hello everyone. I've tried really hard to DO NOT create this thread. As it happens I have used all I know (which isnt much) to try to fix this problem but got no success.
So I've got a S4 GT-I9505. I've recently decided to root it mainly because I wanted full External SD-card access to some apps. Here are some facts about my rooting:
- I used TWRP;
- I used SuperSU;
- I kept the stock ROM. I personally dont have anything to complain about it so I didnt install any custom ROMs.
- I had a problem with Knox afterwards, the phone was rebooting and freezing. I made a backup on Titanium and then uninstalled every Knox-related app.
- The system worked nicely for days.
Then I decided to clean some garbage that I knew was present in my device, like ghost folders and foster files and such.
- I installed SD-Maid and Clean Master.
- On the same day, I switched my SIM card because of some personal issues. I'm brazilian but now living in Deutschland. The change of SIM cards (if it matters) was as follows: bought the phone > inserted brazilian SIM > inserted deutsch SIM > inserted brazilian SIM (due to a personal problem) > back to deutsch SIM. I'm telling you this because I'm not sure of how relevant it is. Just trying to give as much info as possible.
- I cleaned some **** with SD-Maid AND Clean Master.
What happened next:
- WhatsApp was broken. I couldnt receive any media (voice recordings, videos, images, nothing at all).
- I tried re-installing the App
- I tried to restore my WhatsApp backup from Titanium. No success*.
- I tried to restore my backup from TWRD. No success.
- I tried to change WhatsApp folder (on data/media) permissions to r-r-r---- and then back to 00775. No success.
- I tried re-registering my phone to whatsapp network. No success.
- I tried deleting whatsapp folder on data/media (WhatsApp FAQ recomendation). Thats when WhatsApp stopped also SENDING media. I couldnt simply send or receive through the app.
- I tried re-creating the WhatsApp media folder on data. No success.
- I tried a factory reset followed by a TWRD backup restoration. WhatsApp was once again SENDING, but NOT RECEIVING media. When my phone finished booting and the launcher loaded, I was immediately prompted by a WhatsApp message saying something like "Conection failed! Please verify your phone number. WhatsApp can only be installed in one device per phone-number" even though everything else internet-related was working just fine.
(* when I say NO SUCCESS, I refer to the fact that WhatsApp still not receiving/sending media, not that I failed to implement that given fix)
Now, when I wiped my phone to factory defaults, I noticed that in TWRD prompt it said something like "Wiping Data, EXCEPT data/media". My knowledge of the subject isnt great but I think it might be something with this folder.
Any thoughts?
Thank you very much in advance!

Do nothing. Delete your account from whatsapp and recreate it with the number you wish to use
My whatsapp works fine with a different no. And has a diff sim for calling.
Maybe to much of backup.. restore...bla bla..made it crash.
Press Thanks if I helped
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 via XDA app.

Venorian said:
- I tried re-registering my phone to whatsapp network. No success.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DeepankarS said:
Do nothing. Delete your account from whatsapp and recreate it with the number you wish to use
My whatsapp works fine with a different no. And has a diff sim for calling.
Maybe to much of backup.. restore...bla bla..made it crash.
Press Thanks if I helped
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 via XDA app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was not very clear in my post, indeed, but yes I have tried that as well. Thanks for trying!

I would just take the shortcut.
- Backup the apps you want to backup with Titanium.
- Make a backup of Whatsapp from within the app.
- Wipe from TWRP recovery (I assume that's what you mean by TWRD). Use the option prepare for rom flash (don't know the excact words, but you understand when you see the option).
- Reflash the rom you are currently on with Odin (or flash a custom rom).
You can also just skip the wiping part and just flash the rom with Odin again. I always like to start from scratch if something goes wrong, but it should probably work without the wipe.
Then restore the apps you want to restore. Whatsapp should probably be working now.
You can spend many more hours finding a solution, but my guess is that SD-maid or Clean Master deleted something it should not have. Always be carefull with those kind of apps. I don't really like those apps because the benefit you get from them is limited.

GOT A FIX!
After 2 days of hitting my head on the wall with this, I came up with a solution.
My girlfriend has the exact same phone as me (though I think any rooted android with WhatsApp installed would do).
I entered her data/media/whatsapp folder and created all the folders that were missing on my own folder (deleted by CleanMaster just for being empty). Then I gave all the folders the exact same permissions (rwxrwx--x or 0775) as my girlfriend's device and voila! It's working perfectly!
Now just for future reference and to feed my curiosity: why does factory reset through TWRP do not also wipe data/media? If this folder were wiped, I would get a fresh WhatsApp install and the problem would have been gone sooner. I kinda dont understand the folders' structure in my phone. Sometimes it looks like I can get to the same very place using diferent paths (like /data/ OR /emulated/ OR /0/ OR /sdcard/).
Anyway, thanks people! Though I figured it all by myself, this forum still rocks!

Venorian said:
GOT A FIX!
After 2 days of hitting my head on the wall with this, I came up with a solution.
My girlfriend has the exact same phone as me (though I think any rooted android with WhatsApp installed would do).
I entered her data/media/whatsapp folder and created all the folders that were missing on my own folder (deleted by CleanMaster just for being empty). Then I gave all the folders the exact same permissions (rwxrwx--x or 0775) as my girlfriend's device and voila! It's working perfectly!
Now just for future reference and to feed my curiosity: why does factory reset through TWRP do not also wipe data/media? If this folder were wiped, I would get a fresh WhatsApp install and the problem would have been gone sooner. I kinda dont understand the folders' structure in my phone. Sometimes it looks like I can get to the same very place using diferent paths (like /data/ OR /emulated/ OR /0/ OR /sdcard/).
Anyway, thanks people! Though I figured it all by myself, this forum still rocks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good that you found a solution.
It would be bad thing if the custom recovery would standard wipe data/media because that would wipe your entire internal sd. People that flash roms don't want that to happen. You can still wipe it from the recovery, it's just in a different place then the standard wiping.

Lennyz1988 said:
Good that you found a solution.
It would be bad thing if the custom recovery would standard wipe data/media because that would wipe your entire internal sd. People that flash roms don't want that to happen. You can still wipe it from the recovery, it's just in a different place then the standard wiping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically its just a matter of keeping your apps and app data? Not something system-damaging or system-related at all?
And thanks for your answer!

Venorian said:
So basically its just a matter of keeping your apps and app data? Not something system-damaging or system-related at all?
And thanks for your answer!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No your apps and data will be wiped. Basically every part that could interfere with a new rom is wiped. It's only the data on your internal storage that is kept. So apps (like Whatsapp) also write data to your internal storage and that won't get wiped.
/system
/data (excluded /data/media)
/cache
and a few more will be wiped.
(There are more parts that don't get wiped, but that are parts that neither an app or you will ever touch.)

Now the problem is back. I can't really understand what happened.
I rebooted my phone just to check if everything was OK and then to do a new backup in TWRP.
Checked WhatsApp and the problem was back. Then I went to see the files and some folders that I've just copied were gone! The WhatsApp main folder on data/media was still there, but some subfolders were simply missing. I also noticed that my copy of that folder on my External SD-card was also gone! Like WTH?!
Any help will be much appreciated.
P.S.: and to my happiness, copying the files once again (as I've done before) simply doesnt work. This is driving me crazy, seriously.

this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin

-Ric- said:
this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!

Venorian said:
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do as I suggested. Start from a blank sheet and stay away from those rom cleaners for now.
You could just take a clean custom rom, then you don't have to worry about deleting those knox stuff and rerooting again.

Venorian said:
Not even a factory reset will do?
How do I find a stock ROM from Samsung (with 4.4.2) compatible with my S4 GT-I9505? Also: should I also wipe everything or simply flash the rom without doing anything else?
Now that you said, I also noticed that one of my favorite games (Mushroom Wars) has also stopped working. Might be that you're right!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i honestly didn't attempt a factory reset because i wanted to keep all my stuff, so i just flashed the stock rom on odin and everything worked out fine, was the only way i was able to fix it

-Ric- said:
i honestly didn't attempt a factory reset because i wanted to keep all my stuff, so i just flashed the stock rom on odin and everything worked out fine, was the only way i was able to fix it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By doing this I'll have to reroot, right? Do you think it is a problem if I recover my backup from TWRP after flashing the stock rom?
Dont wanna go through the configs and app installing all over again.

Venorian said:
By doing this I'll have to reroot, right? Do you think it is a problem if I recover my backup from TWRP after flashing the stock rom?
Dont wanna go through the configs and app installing all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.

-Ric- said:
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is your stock firmware: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=33568

Tkkg1994 said:
Here is your stock firmware: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=33568
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for switzerland, isnt it? A Brazilian version would be most welcome! I'm currently downloading one from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477
-Ric- said:
you don't need to re-configure or recover a backup, if you flash the same stock on odin as you already had running, without wiping, it should work right away, without any issues and without any need for a wipe or a restore, you will have to re-root though, yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure! Thank you for your help!
Just a side note: while downloading the stock rom, I found this and installed the given app (Folder Mount) just to check. As soon as I opened it, it pop'd a message saying that he identified a crucial problem with my /bin/sdcardwhatever file. So yes, I'm confident that your solution will be the one to fix my problem. Let's see...
Also thanks for Lennyz1988 for your suggestion. Your fix seems a little bit... harder?... for me, but if this one doesnt work I'll try yours and post the results. BTW, where do I find a clean custom ROM? Thank you!

Venorian said:
This is for switzerland, isnt it? A Brazilian version would be most welcome! I'm currently downloading one from this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265477
Sure! Thank you for your help!
Just a side note: while downloading the stock rom, I found this and installed the given app (Folder Mount) just to check. As soon as I opened it, it pop'd a message saying that he identified a crucial problem with my /bin/sdcardwhatever file. So yes, I'm confident that your solution will be the one to fix my problem. Let's see...
Also thanks for Lennyz1988 for your suggestion. Your fix seems a little bit... harder?... for me, but if this one doesnt work I'll try yours and post the results. BTW, where do I find a clean custom ROM? Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cause you want a Brazil version, here you go : http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/3/?download=31097

Lennyz1988 said:
I would just take the shortcut.
- Backup the apps you want to backup with Titanium.
- Make a backup of Whatsapp from within the app.
- Wipe from TWRP recovery (I assume that's what you mean by TWRD). Use the option prepare for rom flash (don't know the excact words, but you understand when you see the option).
- Reflash the rom you are currently on with Odin (or flash a custom rom).
You can also just skip the wiping part and just flash the rom with Odin again. I always like to start from scratch if something goes wrong, but it should probably work without the wipe.
Then restore the apps you want to restore. Whatsapp should probably be working now.
You can spend many more hours finding a solution, but my guess is that SD-maid or Clean Master deleted something it should not have. Always be carefull with those kind of apps. I don't really like those apps because the benefit you get from them is limited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-Ric- said:
this happened to me once, and wasn't whatsapp only, the reason whatsapp wasn't being able to receive/send media files was because it somehow could not access the internal storage.. same with all my other apps, it happened when restoring a full rom backup with CWM.. and the only way i managed to fix it was to re-flash the stock rom with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just realized both solutions are the same, LOL.
ODIN just finished flashing the stock rom. Will update soon with the preliminary results.

Apparently it did NOT work. Not completely at least.
WhatsApp is now once again making voice recordings and receiving them as well, but is not handling any other kind of media. Mushroom Wars (the game I talked about earlier) is also not loading.
The system looks just it was before, only without root (I know that was expected).
Don't know what to do now.
Just one more question: how much of a problem is it restoring a backup using TWRP? I mean, in a scenario in which I get this problem fixed, I couldnt simply restore any backup due to the possibility of screwing my internal storage thing all over again?

HELP!! I am stuck inside of TWRP and cannot boot into the system

Hey everyone, I have a really frustrating problem, I am currently able to boot into TWRP via hardware method and ADB can see my device as well. However I have tried to install a stock system image through TWRP and I have also tried to install another TWRP backup that a user had posted in the Q&A forum. At one time I was able to successfully boot into the system but my device said encryption unsuccessful. After wiping the system partition and trying to install these images through TWRP I am still unable to boot into the system. Whenever I install them my phone will reboot into TWRP. I am at a loss as to what to do. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would appreciate it.

crazyc78 said:
Hey everyone, I have a really frustrating problem, I am currently able to boot into TWRP via hardware method and ADB can see my device as well. However I have tried to install a stock system image through TWRP and I have also tried to install another TWRP backup that a user had posted in the Q&A forum. At one time I was able to successfully boot into the system but my device said encryption unsuccessful. After wiping the system partition and trying to install these images through TWRP I am still unable to boot into the system. Whenever I install them my phone will reboot into TWRP. I am at a loss as to what to do. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw your other post in the other thread, but couldn't reply for some reason.. did you wipe the internal storage before restore?

Yes I did wipe the internal storage, I actually wiped everything the first time I tried to get everything in order and that was my original problem by wiping the system. I didn't realize that wiping internal storage would cause issues but that could have been one of the culprits. I think what finally solved my issue is I installed a deodexed rom and then powered down my device instead of rebooting and it booted up the rom. I had to flash SuperSU from a zip because for some reason the one that was preinstalled with that rom didn't install properly. So I installed the SuperSU zip and I am now officially rooted. Lesson learned DON'T WIPE SYSTEM OR INTERNAL STORAGE lol. I should have known better I have been rooting for awhile now, I just wasn't paying attention it happens to the best of us sometimes. Thanks for your help.

crazyc78 said:
Yes I did wipe the internal storage, I actually wiped everything the first time I tried to get everything in order and that was my original problem by wiping the system. I didn't realize that wiping internal storage would cause issues but that could have been one of the culprits. I think what finally solved my issue is I installed a deodexed rom and then powered down my device instead of rebooting and it booted up the rom. I had to flash SuperSU from a zip because for some reason the one that was preinstalled with that rom didn't install properly. So I installed the SuperSU zip and I am now officially rooted. Lesson learned DON'T WIPE SYSTEM OR INTERNAL STORAGE lol. I should have known better I have been rooting for awhile now, I just wasn't paying attention it happens to the best of us sometimes. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been rooting for a while myself but messed up I'm stuck in twrp and don't know how to get it the phone back on! your help would be glady appreciated .

ricosuave88 said:
I've been rooting for a while myself but messed up I'm stuck in twrp and don't know how to get it the phone back on! your help would be glady appreciated .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the deodexed ROM that is in the development forum. If I can upload it here I will if not just download it put it on your SD card and flash it. It may take a couple tries though I would suggest powering down your phone instead of rebooting it. Then turn it on and it should boot into the new rom. It's basically the same stock rom that our phone comes with. You may have to flash Chainfires SUPERSU zip that's in one of the threads. These steps should get you up and running again. Also if you can see your internal storage you're not encrypted. Hopefully that works for you. Let me know how it goes.

I wasnt able to upload the file from my phone. Just download it from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-stock-deodex-debloat-t3499423/page5

crazyc78 said:
I wasnt able to upload the file from my phone. Just download it from here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-stock-deodex-debloat-t3499423/page5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for responding back. Man I'm still stuck in twrp I'm losing all hope at this point been at all day and can't figure out what Im doing wrong . I know you was stuck in the same situation did flashing that twrp back up help you out?

ricosuave88 said:
Thanks for responding back. Man I'm still stuck in twrp I'm losing all hope at this point been at all day and can't figure out what Im doing wrong . I know you was stuck in the same situation did flashing that twrp back up help you out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the rom helped me out. It's a system image file. It's basically the stock rom for our device just deodexed. What exactly happened what did you wipe after your phone booted into
TWRP? If you still have TWRP you're not bricked. If you can flash that image from the thread I copied above then you should be good. You may have to flash SUPERSU to get root back. Also after you flash make sure you're not encrypted if you can see your internal storage partition then you're not encrypted.

crazyc78 said:
Flashing the rom helped me out. It's a system image file. It's basically the stock rom for our device just deodexed. What exactly happened what did you wipe after your phone booted into
TWRP? If you still have TWRP you're not bricked. If you can flash that image from the thread I copied above then you should be good. You may have to flash SUPERSU to get root back. Also after you flash make sure you're not encrypted if you can see your internal storage partition then you're not encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when I flashed the rom from your link above it just booted me into twrp again . I don't know what exactly I'm suppose to wipe. I can see internal storage tho so I guess that's a good sign but what's not good is that I can't use my phone :/ I've been rooting for years and can't seem to figure this one out.

ricosuave88 said:
when I flashed the rom from your link above it just booted me into twrp again . I don't know what exactly I'm suppose to wipe. I can see internal storage tho so I guess that's a good sign but what's not good is that I can't use my phone :/ I've been rooting for years and can't seem to figure this one out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you flashed the rom did you power the phone down and then try to boot into the rom? That's what I did and it worked for me. So don't select reboot into system, I'm not sure why it doesn't work that way. I had to power my device down and then boot into the room. Also if you can see your internal partition in TWRP then you should be good and encryption is not enabled. I know how frustrating this is. Just keep trying eventually that rom should stick.

crazyc78 said:
When you flashed the rom did you power the phone down and then try to boot into the rom? That's what I did and it worked for me. So don't select reboot into system, I'm not sure why it doesn't work that way. I had to power my device down and then boot into the room. Also if you can see your internal partition in TWRP then you should be good and encryption is not enabled. I know how frustrating this is. Just keep trying eventually that rom should stick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, I have tried everything as well and I can't seem to get pass TWRP. Has anyone found a way around this problem? I have been looking around for an answer for 2 days and nothing has worked so far, any help will be greatly appriciated.
Thank you

kaiser10 said:
Man, I have tried everything as well and I can't seem to get pass TWRP. Has anyone found a way around this problem? I have been looking around for an answer for 2 days and nothing has worked so far, any help will be greatly appriciated.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There a stock rom that I posted a link to a few posts back when I trying to help someone else. Download it put it on your SD card and install it. You don't need to wipe anything it will format things for you. After it installs don't reboot, power down the device and then turn it back on it should boot into the rom. That's what worked for me. I believe there was another way then what I just described it's in the same thread that I linked a few posts back. Good luck!!

crazyc78 said:
There a stock rom that I posted a link to a few posts back when I trying to help someone else. Download it put it on your SD card and install it. You don't need to wipe anything it will format things for you. After it installs don't reboot, power down the device and then turn it back on it should boot into the rom. That's what worked for me. I believe there was another way then what I just described it's in the same thread that I linked a few posts back. Good luck!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help brother. However, it did not work for me. I flash the stock system, boot, turn device off and turn back on but I am still stock on TWRP. I will continue reading and hopefully I will find the answer soon.
thank you,:crying:

kaiser10 said:
Thanks for the help brother. However, it did not work for me. I flash the stock system, boot, turn device off and turn back on but I am still stock on TWRP. I will continue reading and hopefully I will find the answer soon.
thank you,:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Np don't give up, I almost lost hope and then it worked for me.
Like I said there was another method that was discussed that worked for someone else. Try this thread, I know someone had the same issue that you and I had and they finally got it working.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-stock-deodex-debloat-t3499423

I'm here to the rescue! Follow this to the T! It worked for me! Let me know. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=69685809
Sent by using the battery of my LG V20

im on the same boat as you. I am stuck in TWRP

tried all the methods i found so far and still stuck in twrp. i would greatly appreciate if someone can get me out of this bootloop!

hslayer said:
tried all the methods i found so far and still stuck in twrp. i would greatly appreciate if someone can get me out of this bootloop!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same. Though I am on US996. Not sure what I did, was exploring some behind the scenes stuff using 'hidden codes' but didn't change any values as I didn't know what they meant in most cases. I rebooted my phone and it went straight to TWRP (3.0.2-1) and it will not boot past TWRP. Occasionally after I've flashed something, it will boot into TWRP and the screen will be unresponsive to touch so I have to pull the battery, but then it will be fine again.

I was in your position not to long ago, I'm currently working on getting a .kdz recovery file for the H918. My progress will continue on it later when finals are over.

netgar post 134
Restore H918 to 100% Stock (!!REQUIRES TWRP!!)

[! HELP NEEDED !] encrypted J510FN only boots to recovery after flashing / wiping

!!! I apologize if this is the wrong thread to ask for help and kindly request that a moderator move it, because I don't know where it's supposed to go and my brain is in panic mode right now, thank you. !!!
So, here goes:
DEVICE INFO: SM-J510FN, TWRP, stock ROM, encrypted data partition
ISSUE: Phone does not boot. Powering it on makes it boot to recovery. Selecting "Reboot to system" from inside the recovery, also boots back to recovery. Cannot mount data partition as it is encrypted (but it doesn't at least ask for PIN or anything, just cannot select /data in mount).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
1. I encrypted the phone while it still wasn't rooted.
2. I flashed TWRP (via Odin) and SuperSU (via TWRP)
3. Phone booted to system normally, everything OK. Root access, all good.
4. Reboot to TWRP, flashed some blacked out Google Apps (Team Blackout .zip files). I got no error message, just "cannot mount data" at some points.
5. I selected "wipe cache and dalvik cache"
6. Reboot to system
Reboot to system doesn't work. It boots back into TWRP!
Now I don't know if the flashing of the .zip apps or if the wiping bricked the phone as I don't have that deep of an understanding of how it works. If you can enlighten me , I'd really appreciate it.
FEAR: That the phone is bricked forever and that I won't be able to format the data partition as I cannot even mount it and TWRP needs it mounted in order to wipe it (as far as I know). In short, phone ruined forever because of my stupidity.
HOPE: That someone will tell me a way to re-flash the stock firmware or any ROM so that I get the phone to boot up normally.
I really really need help ASAP because this phone does not even belong to me. My employer gave it to me as a gift, provided I use it for work. That's the reason it's encrypted, he wanted it encrypted in case it gets stolen. Now you're probably thinking "why would you root a company phone??" Well it's not a company phone, it is my main phone, my daily driver. It was given to me by my employer, who said I can do whatever I want with it, as long as it remains functional (at work I use it simply for phone calls, WhatsApp, Skype, mail etc)
I assume that I won't sleep much tonight, will try everything to get the phone to boot. But first I'm going to wait for any piece of advice!
Thank you in advance for any feedback...

Can you get into download mode?
If so, you should flash your stock firmware.

Yes if you boot into download mode you can flash stock rom and all will be good

capsLock1337 said:
Can you get into download mode?
If so, you should flash your stock firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pando504 said:
Yes if you boot into download mode you can flash stock rom and all will be good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thanks for the replies.
Yes, download mode works. I will download the stock firmware and flash it via Odin then, yes?
But what happens with the encryption then? Will it remain in place and I will just have to enter my pin to boot as usual?
Can you please explain to me why it does not boot now..? As far as I understand, the boot partition couldn't have been damaged. Aka, stock ROM still in place, only difference is it's rooted.

bi11ie said:
Hello, thanks for the replies.
Yes, download mode works. I will download the stock firmware and flash it via Odin then, yes?
But what happens with the encryption then? Will it remain in place and I will just have to enter my pin to boot as usual?
Can you please explain to me why it does not boot now..? As far as I understand, the boot partition couldn't have been damaged. Aka, stock ROM still in place, only difference is it's rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure bout the encryption, if you lose it, you can set it up again.
Something went wrong when you tried to flash the blacked out google apps, I honestly don't have a clue.
Good luck

capsLock1337 said:
Not sure bout the encryption, if you lose it, you can set it up again.
Something went wrong when you tried to flash the blacked out google apps, I honestly don't have a clue.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I really don't care about the encryption at all! I'm just afraid it is going to interfere somehow but hopefully not.
I'm waiting for the stock firmware to get downloaded from sammobile. I know, I know, I should have done that first before anything else, but I was in such a hurry and I thought "OK, this is routine by now, nothing can go wrong", somehow completely forgetting about the encryption. Oops. In any case, I will post the results here later and will be VERY VERY prepared and organized in the future :'(

bi11ie said:
Haha I really don't care about the encryption at all! I'm just afraid it is going to interfere somehow but hopefully not.
I'm waiting for the stock firmware to get downloaded from sammobile. I know, I know, I should have done that first before anything else, but I was in such a hurry and I thought "OK, this is routine by now, nothing can go wrong", somehow completely forgetting about the encryption. Oops. In any case, I will post the results here later and will be VERY VERY prepared and organized in the future :'(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did it go?

capsLock1337 said:
How did it go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm flashing right now Let's see if it boots...
*fingers crossed*

Case solved
bi11ie said:
I'm flashing right now Let's see if it boots...
*fingers crossed*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh turns out I almost freaked out for nothing! All good! So, for documentation purposes:
1. I flashed stock firmware through Odin
2. Boot up started normally ("firmware update") - got asked for encryption pin!
3. Decryption took a long time, system booted normally - ALL DATA INTACT
4. No root and No recovery (not even stock recovery)
5. I flashed TWRP through Odin and SuperSU.zip
6. Phone booted normally, TWRP there, SuperSU app there.
The only change is that the bloatware I removed is back
I'm so glad it was nothing after all! I was honestly SO scared that I bricked it ^^;
Thanks and sorry!

bi11ie said:
Ahh turns out I almost freaked out for nothing! All good! So, for documentation purposes:
1. I flashed stock firmware through Odin
2. Boot up started normally ("firmware update") - got asked for encryption pin!
3. Decryption took a long time, system booted normally - ALL DATA INTACT
4. No root and No recovery (not even stock recovery)
5. I flashed TWRP through Odin and SuperSU.zip
6. Phone booted normally, TWRP there, SuperSU app there.
The only change is that the bloatware I removed is back
I'm so glad it was nothing after all! I was honestly SO scared that I bricked it ^^;
Thanks and sorry!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to apoligize, we all do stupid mistakes sometimes
Glad that it worked!

TWRP not decrypting my data

Hello guys,
I ran the latest oxygen OS and TWRP recovery. Today I saw that the new official Oreo OTA is out so I downloaded the full zip and tried to dirty flash it in TWRP. It did not work out and i got an error, and people suggested to use twrp blu_spark for flashing the oreo build.
So I flashed twrp blu_spark in fastboot, booted into recovery and installed the oreo zip. Before I did that, TWRP always asked to type in my password to decrypt the files.
After flashing oreo my phone wouldn't boot into Android, it just stayed at a black screen while the LED was shining. I realized I had to **** up somewhere so I booted back into recovery, but TWRP doesn't ask for my password to decrypt my data and now everything in my internal storage has weird file names (which I suppose come from the decryption) and I don't know how I can decrypt my data again. I also flashed the normal TWRP but it didn't ask to decrypt my data either.
Can somebody please help me? I can't do anything at all at the moment and I don't want to wipe my system as I unfortunately don't have a backup (I have one, but that's a TWRP backup and in internal storage which is encrypted...).
Thank you so much in advance, you are my last hope

I think my problem is that I don't have a PIN setup in android, because it's actually bricked (had to flash the wrong oreo probably or so). Do you think TWRP will ask for a password again if I somehow manage to install the old oxygen os and setup a lock screen PIN again?

Same Issue here... Searching for a solution

I ended up wiping everything except internal storage. I then pushed the old oxygen os to the internal directory and flashed it (in hope it wouldn't change anything in my internal storage/sd card). Looks like I was wrong. After flashing it also apparently wiped my complete internal /sdcard.
All data gone. Nothing I can do now anyway. If somebody would have known a better way to decrypt my data again with a broken android, feel free to comment - feeling really bad now, so many photos etc. on it. At least learned my lession to always take a back up, but normally I'm super careful and not flashing anything that would wipe/brick something on my device. This freaking oreo update is making me crazy.

Sieth said:
Same Issue here... Searching for a solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have broken your android/system like I (it didn't want to boot into the system anymore after flashing) I think there's almost no chance. Atleast my device is clean now and I can't do anything at all and my data is forever gone now. But I learned my lesson and you probably too - always take a backup.
I mean okay, after I thought about it it's not too bad as I didn't have a lot of important photos on it and I fortunately backed up my whatsapp to google drive before playing around so yeah, atleast a clean device now and will look for a nice oreo ROM.
If you think you can find a solution good luck, but I think the only way to get TWRP to decrypt the internal storage partition again is to set up the display lock in your ROM again - and if you have a bricked ROM and flashing a new one it will wipe /sdcard completely like in my case...

test it this twrp
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=745849072291696652

jahidinbedod said:
test it this twrp
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=745849072291696652
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, too late, wiped it already. why should this twrp work? I tried normal one and blu_spark, none of them asked me to decrypt my data.

jahidinbedod said:
test it this twrp
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=745849072291696652
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done and nothing happened, still not asking me to enter a pattern\pin. Is there a way to force it? maybe a line or a terminal code? I remember my pattern ofc

Vanniman said:
Done and nothing happened, still not asking me to enter a pattern\pin. Is there a way to force it? maybe a line or a terminal code? I remember my pattern ofc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there's much chance. I was able to see all those weird filenames in internal storage when connected to my PC, but I could not copy or change files to internal storage. If this would have worked, there might be a chance to decrypt the data manually on your PC if you find how to do it/if it's even possible.
I seriously think there's no good solution for our problem. :/

Michael1200 said:
I don't think there's much chance. I was able to see all those weird filenames in internal storage when connected to my PC, but I could not copy or change files to internal storage. If this would have worked, there might be a chance to decrypt the data manually on your PC if you find how to do it/if it's even possible.
I seriously think there's no good solution for our problem. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All deleted now... I know that feel

So I wiped the whole device. Adb sideloaded the new rom. Working flawless.
Now installed Magisk 14.0 and device stuck at boot with blue light.
So the rooting is to blame... (In my case...)
So I adbd again the rom.zip and got it working again. But no root for now
Update: flashed Magisk beta v14.6 (1468) and now ist's working.

Vanniman said:
All deleted now... I know that feel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RIP our data.. :/ atleast starting with a super clean device now. lesson learned ^^

Hi all.
i was in the same boat as all of you. screwed up somewhere and then lost everything and did a side load. but now the problem is whenever i boot with twrp it still keeps showing my internal storage as 0. so am not able to root it. how do i go about solving this?
---------- Post added at 07:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------
Sieth said:
So I wiped the whole device. Adb sideloaded the new rom. Working flawless.
Now installed Magisk 14.0 and device stuck at boot with blue light.
So the rooting is to blame... (In my case...)
So I adbd again the rom.zip and got it working again. But no root for now
Update: flashed Magisk beta v14.6 (1468) and now ist's working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you flash magisk beta? in my case twrp says that my internal storage is 0

What I did was format not wipe.
ADB sideload rom.zip
Install latest beta from magisk.
So now I have a clean device with working root

Sieth said:
What I did was format not wipe.
ADB sideload rom.zip
Install latest beta from magisk.
So now I have a clean device with working root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, data lost as in my case but clean device is great too atleast. ^^

f***, same happenned to me. I did a back-up with twrp before but i left it in my internal memory.
I do have a month old back up on my laptop. How can i push this over to the phone? Can i restore a backup from bootloader ??
I gotta try everything to save my data, too many important things for work on there. I was too ****ing eager to get oreo

I've done the exact same thing. Problem now is that TWRP isn't seeing anything on the phone, there is nothing there. So I can't root with Magisk or install custom recovery.
Edit...had to use blu_spark twrp instead

Bigred065 said:
f***, same happenned to me. I did a back-up with twrp before but i left it in my internal memory.
I do have a month old back up on my laptop. How can i push this over to the phone? Can i restore a backup from bootloader ??
I gotta try everything to save my data, too many important things for work on there. I was too ****ing eager to get oreo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much chance to get back the data if you can't boot into android at all. You can wipe everything completely and then copy your old backup to your internal storage which will work again once wiped/decrypted. I haven't found a solution to save the data without wiping, I tried different twrp versions like the normal one or blu_spark but none asked to decrypt data and in my internal storage my files were left all encrypted with those weird long file names.

Are you trying to say that all my data is lost even tho I know decryption key? All I did was update to Android O and I had backup and TWRP is showing that my internal storage is full but the files are all encrypted it wont ask me for decryption key. What can I do

SPyxOff said:
Are you trying to say that all my data is lost even tho I know decryption key? All I did was update to Android O and I had backup and TWRP is showing that my internal storage is full but the files are all encrypted it wont ask me for decryption key. What can I do
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. That's the weird problem. If I'm right we had to **** up something badly so that TWRP doesn't even know that our internal storage is encrypted and displaying the (encrypted) files just how they are. The problem in my case was that I couldn't even copy the encrypted files from internal storage to my PC or moving files from my PC to my device. The whole partition was just locked, I couldn't do anything on it, neither adb push or whatever else. Tried different TWRP versions but none asked me to decrypt.
I think the mistake is that if you install a new OS version which is somehow not backward/dirty flash compatible (like in my case the new oreo update) your pin/pattern will get deleted and because of that TWRP does not ask you to decrypt as the ROM is telling that you don't have a password set up! But the problem is when you install a new ROM, it wipes /sdcard so the data is lost if you don't find a way to somehow decrypt your internal storage. :/
Really bad to know you can't do anything at all even tho you know your decryption key - I hope someone finds a solution. I for myself wiped because I don't have so much time to look for a solution.