Database Users

TWRP prevents Marshmallow?

I may be doing something stupid, but I've tried various options...
I had an original 5.1.1 build that I let OTA to 6.0. Everything was working fine. I wanted to root, so I installed TWRP... and then the machine wouldn't reboot; it stuck at the "powered by Android" screen and never went into the standard animation screens. I could reboot into TWRP recovery easily enough and using that I could see the filesystem data, but the OS wouldn't boot.
So I reflashed back to 5.1.1 (using http://www.andromods.com/download-files/xt1575-stock-firmware-moto-x-2015-pure-edition.html ), let that OTA to 6.0, installed TWRP... same result.
Third attempt; started at 5.1.1 then installed TWRP (which worked) and then did OTA to 6.0... but this went into a reboot loop.
(Of course during all this I've lost my configs, but I can rebuild that)
Has anyone been able to install TWRP onto an X-Pure 2015 that's running 6.0 ?

What TWRP version are you installing? Make sure it's 2.8.7.1 https://dl.twrp.me/clark/
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Sorry, yes, I should have mentioned that; twrp-2.8.7.1-clark.img

Did you install TWRP as read only? I did this and now system recovery is overwriting TWRP and I have no idea how to get out of it.

I had the same problem a couple days ago and posted about it in the 'Android 6.0 Update rolling out! Pure Edition' thread:
"I keep running into a problem after doing the MM update when I flash TWRP (either 2.8.7.0 or 2.8.7.1) where it won't boot into system, just sits there where the animation part should start. Booted/rebooted fine a few times after finishing the MM update, even after flashing the unlocked bootloader logo fix, but as soon as I flash recovery it won't boot system. "
Tried it several times with both TWRP 2.8.7.0 and 2.8.7.1 with no success. Also tried sideloading the OTA per the manual steps in this thread but still couldn't boot to system. Only by already having TWRP installed on 5.1.1 am I able to flash a custom 6.0 ROM successfully. Haven't seen a really clear statement yet that someone has flashed TWRP on fully stock MM with no problem..

EVR_PR said:
Did you install TWRP as read only? I did this and now system recovery is overwriting TWRP and I have no idea how to get out of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First time I let /system be read-write and second time I let /system be RO. However this likely isn't related to recovery overwriting TWRP; it's documented that on first boot the OS may rewrite the recovery data meaning you'd need to install TWRP again.

Dahenjo said:
I had the same problem a couple days ago and posted about it in the 'Android 6.0 Update rolling out! Pure Edition' thread
...
Haven't seen a really clear statement yet that someone has flashed TWRP on fully stock MM with no problem..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks; at least I know it's not me being stupid then (or if I am, then I'm not alone ).

sweh said:
First time I let /system be read-write and second time I let /system be RO. However this likely isn't related to recovery overwriting TWRP; it's documented that on first boot the OS may rewrite the recovery data meaning you'd need to install TWRP again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have flashed TWRP twice and even rebooted to recovery from recovery and system recovery still overwrites TWRP after booting to system.
Only way I can access TWRP is either flashing it or booting into from the fastboot folder using the fastboot boot command.
Doesn't matter what I do, the option for changing TWRP from read-write to read only doesn't show up anymore.

sweh said:
Thanks; at least I know it's not me being stupid then (or if I am, then I'm not alone ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, at age 65 I do put my socks on backwards sometimes..... :silly:

Read on a fairly-detailed post that using adb to flash recovery and rebooting into it should actually work fine!
Could anyone confirm? Is it even possible?
P.S. I'm on XT1572 Indian stock 6.0, and very eager for twrp

I had the exact same problem. I used adb. Stuck on loading screen and then suddenly black. Not able to boot the phone. I'd like to make a nandroid and after that I'd like to use systemless root. If I'm correct, I'll still receive ota's while using systemless root.

Same for me. Returned to stock EU 5.1.1, got update, installed it. Later unlocked bootloader and installed latest TWRP. And now I am stuck on booting up image.
So stock Marshmallow cant be used with TWRP?

BooBzi said:
Same for me. Returned to stock EU 5.1.1, got update, installed it. Later unlocked bootloader and installed latest TWRP. And now I am stuck on booting up image.
So stock Marshmallow cant be used with TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be the case since I have yet to hear of anyone freshly setting up TWRP for clark/MXPE on purely stock MM without it failing to boot to system afterwards. If you already have TWRP on 5.1.1 you can install a custom MM ROM and then TWRP works normally (ie boots to system), but so far that's the only way I'm aware of to get it functional on MM.
I see you started another thread on this, which may help it get noticed, but maybe also post in the TWRP thread. I posted there on this issue over a week ago but have had zero response from OP, but if others keep doing so maybe that will help.
IMVHO, TWRP for MXPE isn't being supported well - this problem, the version being incorrect for several weeks causing confusion w/dozens of unnecessary posts (this alone could likely be fixed in 2 minutes), as well as the 'SD as internal storage' issue(s) which may be more involved but are still the type of thing those maintaining it are supposed to address. Even some acknowledgement that the issues are recognized and being worked on would be nice, but thus far not even that.

Dahenjo said:
That seems to be the case since I have yet to hear of anyone freshly setting up TWRP for clark/MXPE on purely stock MM without it failing to boot to system afterwards. If you already have TWRP on 5.1.1 you can install a custom MM ROM and then TWRP works normally (ie boots to system), but so far that's the only way I'm aware of to get it functional on MM.
I see you started another thread on this, which may help it get noticed, but maybe also post in the TWRP thread. I posted there on this issue over a week ago but have had zero response from OP, but if others keep doing so maybe that will help.
IMVHO, TWRP for MXPE isn't being supported well - this problem, the version being incorrect for several weeks causing confusion w/dozens of unnecessary posts (this alone could likely be fixed in 2 minutes), as well as the 'SD as internal storage' issue(s) which may be more involved but are still the type of thing those maintaining it are supposed to address. Even some acknowledgement that the issues are recognized and being worked on would be nice, but thus far not even that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply, I did listen to you and post on TWRP thread.

Dahenjo said:
That seems to be the case since I have yet to hear of anyone freshly setting up TWRP for clark/MXPE on purely stock MM without it failing to boot to system afterwards. If you already have TWRP on 5.1.1 you can install a custom MM ROM and then TWRP works normally (ie boots to system), but so far that's the only way I'm aware of to get it functional on MM.
I see you started another thread on this, which may help it get noticed, but maybe also post in the TWRP thread. I posted there on this issue over a week ago but have had zero response from OP, but if others keep doing so maybe that will help.
IMVHO, TWRP for MXPE isn't being supported well - this problem, the version being incorrect for several weeks causing confusion w/dozens of unnecessary posts (this alone could likely be fixed in 2 minutes), as well as the 'SD as internal storage' issue(s) which may be more involved but are still the type of thing those maintaining it are supposed to address. Even some acknowledgement that the issues are recognized and being worked on would be nice, but thus far not even that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was on pure stock mm and sideloaded twrp without any issues. I use the twrp app (requires root) to reboot into recovery without any problems.

ccic2491 said:
I was on pure stock mm and sideloaded twrp without any issues. I use the twrp app (requires root) to reboot into recovery without any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, is it possible to get step by step tutorial?
Later will try on Style with stock MM.
Thanks!

ccic2491 said:
I was on pure stock mm and sideloaded twrp without any issues. I use the twrp app (requires root) to reboot into recovery without any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you not use the Fastboot Install Method on the TWRP site? We are unable to reboot back into system after using this on stock MM, which always worked fine on stock LP. If you used a different method that worked could you please share what that was?

I am using twrp 2.8.7.1 on my Moto X Style XT1572 Asia retail without any trouble for past two weeks.
I normally flashed it using the fastboot and never ran into trouble.

gulshanstrider said:
I am using twrp 2.8.7.1 on my Moto X Style XT1572 Asia retail without any trouble for past two weeks.
I normally flashed it using the fastboot and never ran into trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to confirm - when you flashed TWRP you were completely stock after installing the 6.0 OTA (not still on 5.1.1 before taking the OTA), correct?

Dahenjo said:
Just to confirm - when you flashed TWRP you were completely stock after installing the 6.0 OTA (not still on 5.1.1 before taking the OTA), correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is what I did:-
1) I was in Stock 5.1.1 (had unlocked bootloader)
2) I took the OTA.
3) Flashed the twrp 2.8.7.1 using fastboot
So yes I was completely stock 6.0 when I flashed the TWRP for MM

[Help] Moto g4 plus root error..please help

Hey...Help me with this..
I tried to root my moto g4 plus using temporary twrp so that i get system updates,It is not working out.
I have used moto g3.. and used this same method for rooting and is successful..
In g4 plus till the last step i.e untill u need to flash supersu it works but there comes error.
Every data is lost and i have to boot into my custom rom backup...
Please suggest something to help me...please

Adarsh balu said:
Hey...Help me with this..
I tried to root my moto g4 plus using temporary twrp so that i get system updates,It is not working out.
I have used moto g3.. and used this same method for rooting and is successful..
In g4 plus till the last step i.e untill u need to flash supersu it works but there comes error.
Every data is lost and i have to boot into my custom rom backup...
Please suggest something to help me...please
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I request some more details please?
OS version?
TWRP version?
Did you unlock your bootloader and enabled OEM unlocking in Developer Settings?
Which rooting method did you use (e.g. did you flash ElementalX kernel https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-how-root-nougat-moto-g4-plus-t3484672 or the superboot method https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...t-how-to-root-n-firmware-npj25-93-11-t3532556) ?
What error do you get?
EDIT - I understand you're desperate for help resolving this, please don't post the same thing in 3 places if you can.

echo92 said:
Can I request some more details please?
OS version?
TWRP version?
Did you unlock your bootloader and enabled OEM unlocking in Developer Settings?
Which rooting method did you use (e.g. did you flash ElementalX kernel https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-how-root-nougat-moto-g4-plus-t3484672 or the superboot method https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...-how-to-root-n-firmware-npj25-93-11-t3532556) ?
What error do you get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here it is
I did not use kernel
Oem done

twrp-3.0.2-0-athene
SuperSU-v2.66
My error was that I could not get booted back on...
It would not turn on..
Then i downloaded another stock rom from xda and got back...im xt1643

All steps are followed until flashing of supersu..The error comes there..is there any xt 1643 users who could suggest a correct reliable and error free method for this

Adarsh balu said:
twrp-3.0.2-0-athene
SuperSU-v2.66
My error was that I could not get booted back on...
It would not turn on..
Then i downloaded another stock rom from xda and got back...im xt1643
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couple of things:
Try installing the newer TWRP from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...covery-twrp-3-0-2-r3-moto-g4-g4-plus-t3494337
I don't think TWRP 3.0.2 is supported that well.
SuperSU - use the SuperSU 2.78 or the beta https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133
I think if you desire root, you'll need a modified kernel (so far, it appears that the stock kernel security prevents rooting, someone correct me if I'm wrong), which may explain the bootloops. Try with the ElementalX kernel method as linked above, seems that people have had luck with it. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-how-root-nougat-moto-g4-plus-t3484672 You may need phh's Superuser instead.

echo92 said:
Couple of things:
Try installing the newer TWRP from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...covery-twrp-3-0-2-r3-moto-g4-g4-plus-t3494337
I don't think TWRP 3.0.2 is supported that well.
SuperSU - use the SuperSU 2.78 or the beta https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133
I think if you desire root, you'll need a modified kernel (so far, it appears that the stock kernel security prevents rooting, someone correct me if I'm wrong), which may explain the bootloops. Try with the ElementalX kernel method as linked above, seems that people have had luck with it. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-how-root-nougat-moto-g4-plus-t3484672 You may need phh's Superuser instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks..let me test it....
Any way thnq for the suggestions...:good:

Tell me will i be able to update if android O comes for g4 plus..please reply fast

Adarsh balu said:
Tell me will i be able to update if android O comes for g4 plus..please reply fast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If android o does arrive, I imagine you'll have to revert back to the stock ROM to update, so removing root and flashing your stock boot image over your existing installation. Alternatively you could fast boot a stock ROM to restore a stock install.
What's the rush anyway, no announcements have even been made for android o...?

echo92 said:
If android o does arrive, I imagine you'll have to revert back to the stock ROM to update, so removing root and flashing your stock boot image over your existing installation. Alternatively you could fast boot a stock ROM to restore a stock install.
What's the rush anyway, no announcements have even been made for android o...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im using stock rom..with nougat update....
So if o arrives i will need to do what exactly...please share

Adarsh balu said:
Im using stock rom..with nougat update....
So if o arrives i will need to do what exactly...please share
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, Android O hasn't been formally announced yet...
I see you've already gotten an answer from tywinlannister regarding this question https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71265934&postcount=249
I don't see much to add to his well thought out reply except if you're staying with stock (assuming you're using temporary TWRP):
1) Unroot completely using the SuperSU settings panel or follow the unrooting instructions for your superuser app.
2) Reboot into temporary TWRP, restore your boot.img (if you flashed ElementalX kernel) from within TWRP (if I recall, it's Restore >Select image and then assign it as a boot image). If you did not make a backup of your boot.img, there are images around (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/1643-indian-version-stock-boot-modem-t3460615 - i don't know if this is for nougat or marshmallow - download and extract the rar file, copy the extracted boot.img to your device and boot into temporary TWRP, then flash the boot.img).
3) Reboot and you should be fully stock - with stock kernel/boot.img, recovery and no root.
1a) As tywinlannister linked, you could just reflash the latest fastboot image which would remove root and give you a stock boot, which would be the best for reliability (which as of this post is this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/moto-g4-plus-xt1640-43-athene-npj25-93-t3549369)
Thus, when/if Android O does arrive, you should be able to update via OTA. It's gonna be at least 6-12 months away for the update, if previous Android updates have been anything to go by.

Having problem rooting my Axon 7 A2017U

Hey guys, first of all sorry about my english, im french.
So my problem is: I tried rooting my Axon 7 A2017U many times, with different guides. I always end up with a softbricked phone, having to restore to stock using MiFlash.
My bootloader is unlocked, i have stock recovery and stock rom for now.
Whenever i flash TWRP, either the signed one (from @tenfar) or unsigned (and up to date) ones, i can't go past the menu saying something like "your phone cant be checked for corruption, please lock your phone [...]" it just freeze. i did read somewhere that i should flash chainfire's root or a special .zip that, i guess, disabled some check that could prevent booting a phone with unsigned stuff/edited system (after flashing TWRP, so it could boot) that didn't work out. i think i found that information in some LineageOS thread here on XDA.
My ultimate goal would be to get a rooted stock nougat 7.1.1, up to date TWRP recovery and to be able to switch to LineageOS to try it out soon.
For what it is worth, i rooted many phones over the years, so while i'm no expert, i should be able to follow most of the steps you give me.
Thanks alot!

What version of TWRP did you flash first?

I have the same root problem i can not install in twrp install in twrp ok but su application displays no root cause i have latest twrp

KwesiJnr said:
What version of TWRP did you flash first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/recovery-official-twrp-zte-axon-7-t3515715
And @tenfar's signed one

KwesiJnr said:
What version of TWRP did you flash first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this
https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/recovery-official-twrp-zte-axon-7-t3515715
And @tenfar's signed one

Okay. Download and flash this one alone via fastboot and see what happens. This is one the I personally use. It is required for any of the newer versions to work properly.
twrp-3.0.2-2-a2017u.img
You can choose to rename it to just recovery.img, then:
1. fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
or
2.
if you choose to work with the same filename:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-2-a2017u.img
Select reboot to recovery from the bootloader menu now and try again.
Either way, should work fine. I know you mentioned you knew the basics, but just want to be sure.
Also forgot to mention. If TWRP works but you still can't get your phone to boot, you need to follow this guide here
You can start from the part that says:
-----------------------------------------------------
UPDATING FROM B20_Boot / B20 / B27 / B29 / B15(N)
-----------------------------------------------------
Again, that's the ROM I personally use if I want to go back to stock, not the one from the ZTE site.

Gonna try it and give feedback. thanks for taking time to help!
edit: im downloading the rom from the link you shared.
like you said, i can get TWRP to boot but not the phone.
So if i use full stock from ZTE, it can't boot with modified recovery?
edit 2: i don't know what worked, i think it might be the bootstack. or the rom by DrakenFX. now i can boot to the rom with a TWRP recovery installed. It worked, but i soft bricked again trying to flash SuperSU. So now i'm retrying with an updated TWRP.

I haven't tried that yet, but I really suspect that's the reason you're having problems. I rarely use pure stock ROMs. Like you, I'm not an expert in Android Development so I can't tell you why. Just been a flashaholic for years so made a few observations.

Which supersu are you installing? If you're swiping to the right in twrp, you need to install the dm-verity zip or supersu 2.79. There's some issues with newer builds.

Everything is working like a charm! Now im going to finally give lineageOS a try
I used Chainfire's SuperSU 2.79 stable.
Edit : Everything is working flawlessly! I'm running the lastest LineageOS nightly with root (Chainfire's 2.79). Followed their instruction and installation was smooth as butter. I should also point out i flashed the lastest official TWRP which seems more stable than the one @KwesiJnr suggested. The one he suggested was giving me some "can't read X partition" in red text everywhere in the log section, which the official one doesn't do. It was doing his job properly anyway though.
I can't thank @KwesiJnr enough, it helped me find the single mistake i was making.

lololo2 said:
Everything is working like a charm! Now im going to finally give lineageOS a try
I used Chainfire's SuperSU 2.79 stable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you're up and running root. :good:

lololo2 said:
Everything is working like a charm! Now im going to finally give lineageOS a try
I used Chainfire's SuperSU 2.79 stable.
Edit : Everything is working flawlessly! I'm running the lastest LineageOS nightly with root (Chainfire's 2.79). Followed their instruction and installation was smooth as butter. I should also point out i flashed the lastest official TWRP which seems more stable than the one @KwesiJnr suggested. The one he suggested was giving me some "can't read X partition" in red text everywhere in the log section, which the official one doesn't do. It was doing his job properly anyway though.
I can't thank @KwesiJnr enough, it helped me find the single mistake i was making.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, like I mentioned before that was the base TWRP you needed to flash first, before any of the newer ones. You weren't intended to use it indefinitely.
There's a lot of Dev love for our device now and support is growing ... exciting new ROMs cropping up. Don't hesitate to try them out.

A2017U su binary not found after flashing supersu

Hi all
So it was all running nice and stable, before the evil b25 update that destroyed my axon 7 completely and made it useless, I'll tell how
so after updating I figured out I can't access fastboot to flash anything, and I figured out I wasn't the only one with this "meme" that zte made.
so I decided to roll back to b19 using Miflash and b19 edl package, I thought my problem would end here.
Then I flashed twrp via fastboot, and upgraded to b25 using b25 bootstack + b25 zip by drakenfx, all good.
then I tried to root b25 the good ol' way by flashing supersu zip, only to find that I'd end up with this newer meme, "unable to find su binary"
seems like the sort of thing you'd get if you had a locked bootloader, which is suspicious, judging that no one was able to get fastboot on b25
I also figured out I wans't the only one as people from "root b25" threads know that you can't root b25 even if you had twrp
so I rolled back again to b19 using miflash....you know the story
now here comes the interesting part, the meme, didn't go away, I tried to root my b19 a2017u by flashing supersu
I tried everything, flashing b19 bootstack, formatting data flashing different supersu versions etc.
, either ended up with a bootloop, or the famous "su binary is not installed"
I never had this before updating to b25 and now I can't get rid of it even without b25
can someone guide me to root stock b19 properly and get rid of this meme? (bonus if you know how to root b25 properly because I liked b25 more, there is a7x kernel for b25 so I guess we can root b25? maybe not? )
note that I don't want magisk, I just want the good ol' supersu, nothing more nothing less.
My opinion is the new b25 somehow messes the bootloader and now it's locked again, but this time you can't unlock it even if you downgrade and flash edl bootloader unlock via miflash.
guys, I think zte is just trolling us atm, you would not believe how much time I wasted flashing, I think my axon 7's nand is going to die soon.

First of all is your bootloader unlocked? if so than try this out.
1. go into EDL and flash B19-NOUGAT_FULL, after that don't reboot yet put it in EDL mode again and yes you have to put in EDL again
2. now in EDL flash B19-NOUGAT_TWRP, once you done flashing it just boot into TWRP
3. in TWRP click on mount and make sure that MOUNT SYSTEM PARTITION READ-ONLY is check
4. now flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_bootstack_by_DrakenFX.zip
5. flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip DO NOT REBOOT
6. flash superSU 2.79

buksua said:
First of all is your bootloader unlocked? if so than try this out.
1. go into EDL and flash B19-NOUGAT_FULL, after that don't reboot yet put it in EDL mode again and yes you have to put in EDL again
2. now in EDL flash B19-NOUGAT_TWRP, once you done flashing it just boot into TWRP
3. in TWRP click on mount and make sure that MOUNT SYSTEM PARTITION READ-ONLY is check
4. now flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_bootstack_by_DrakenFX.zip
5. flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip DO NOT REBOOT
6. flash superSU 2.79
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holding power and both volume keys at the same time for ~15 seconds (until the LED flashes) restarts EDL without actually having to get out y'kno.
Just saying

I had exact same problem you having right now bro, what i did was miflash to b19, then system update to b25, after all that i rooted my phone with this
https://mega.nz/#!AMw1mKyK!RWXjynVEGle4JGoSpvJoq5cOCI3q3EPlTCXM48Mn4F8
Hope this works for you man, good luck

J0nhy said:
I had exact same problem you having right now bro, what i did was miflash to b19, then system update to b25, after all that i rooted my phone with this
https://mega.nz/#!AMw1mKyK!RWXjynVEGle4JGoSpvJoq5cOCI3q3EPlTCXM48Mn4F8
Hope this works for you man, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure this would work?? can you confirm by reading my post again?? I just can't believe the whole solution to this would be this simple plus I don't like to have another brick to waste my mind on, Im currently busy with the 2nd term in college :crying: please confirm this asap by re-reading the 1st post.
(100% will try anyways because I have everything backed up )
buksua said:
First of all is your bootloader unlocked? if so than try this out.
1. go into EDL and flash B19-NOUGAT_FULL, after that don't reboot yet put it in EDL mode again and yes you have to put in EDL again
2. now in EDL flash B19-NOUGAT_TWRP, once you done flashing it just boot into TWRP
3. in TWRP click on mount and make sure that MOUNT SYSTEM PARTITION READ-ONLY is check
4. now flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_bootstack_by_DrakenFX.zip
5. flash A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip DO NOT REBOOT
6. flash superSU 2.79
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I clearly mentioned that I tried all this, to be more clear I tried the whole drakenfx method with all possibilities including the method you mentioned, and yes my bootloader was unlocked before all this.
Just for clarification as your post may misguide some people, because you don't mount read only when doing this, because if you do you can't use your system partition at all, you only mount read only after flashing twrp for the first time or when you don't want to flash supersu/no verity (something no one wants to do)
I appreciate your help anyways.

J0nhy said:
I had exact same problem you having right now bro, what i did was miflash to b19, then system update to b25, after all that i rooted my phone with this
https://mega.nz/#!AMw1mKyK!RWXjynVEGle4JGoSpvJoq5cOCI3q3EPlTCXM48Mn4F8
Hope this works for you man, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION:
It didn't... *sigh*
but...it worths to mention 1 thing I noticed after booting (regardless of supersu version flashed)
That su permissions get granted, but for a limited periods/times only, and then I get the "root undetected/su binary not found" error afterwords.
which was suspicious, so I ran "su" command in terminal emulator with the supersu you provided and this is what I got
ailsa_ii:/ $ su
WARNING: linker: /su/bin/sush: unused DT entry: type 0xaa1303e054ffff68 arg 0xaa1403e2d2800081
Basically a bunch of warnings like the one above, like a dozen of this line ending up with this specific note:
CANNOT LINK EXECUTABLE "sush": empty/missing DT_HASH/DT_GNU_HASH in "/su/bin/sush" (new hash type from the future?)
Im losing hope, but at the same time I think I found a thread, only need a dev to help me currently
I'll post this in supersu thread and see, maybe I get a helpful reply
I will also try changing to ext4 because I'm heavily doubting that the reason for all this is my use of f2fs on data partition only.

Ghostface009 said:
I clearly mentioned that I tried all this, to be more clear I tried the whole drakenfx method with all possibilities including the method you mentioned, and yes my bootloader was unlocked before all this.
Just for clarification as your post may misguide some people, because you don't mount read only when doing this, because if you do you can't use your system partition at all, you only mount read only after flashing twrp for the first time or when you don't want to flash supersu/no verity (something no one wants to do)
I appreciate your help anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just like I said on the instruction you MUST check the mount system partition read-only before you flash
A2017UV1.1.0B25_bootstack_by_DrakenFX and A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip
If you when to keep TWRP after flashing Stock System, install SuperSU v.279
(reference)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68873482&postcount=2
maybe you didn't check the mount system partition read-only before you flash b25 was the problem in the first place.
If you can get your bootloader unlock again just try the method I've mention.
just read the instruction carefully step by step.
(note)
I've been going back and forth flashing different roms but ultimately I always have to come back to stock using the method I've mention. I have never use magisk unless it come with the rom.
I've always flash SuperSU after installing A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip with no problem.

buksua said:
just like I said on the instruction you MUST check the mount system partition read-only before you flash
A2017UV1.1.0B25_bootstack_by_DrakenFX and A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip
If you when to keep TWRP after flashing Stock System, install SuperSU v.279
(reference)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68873482&postcount=2
maybe you didn't check the mount system partition read-only before you flash b25 was the problem in the first place.
If you can get your bootloader unlock again just try the method I've mention.
just read the instruction carefully step by step.
(note)
I've been going back and forth flashing different roms but ultimately I always have to come back to stock using the method I've mention. I have never use magisk unless it come with the rom.
I've always flash SuperSU after installing A2017UV1.1.0B25_StockSystem_by_DrakenFX.zip with no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't 100% confirm that I tried this before, but I assure you I
tried most of possibilities like this, including step by step follow up of drakenfx's guide.
I may try later, but not now, that takes a lot of time and my a2017u's nand is dying of repeated flash :crying:
but lemme ask you, can/could you access fastboot on b25 stock??

Ghostface009 said:
Are you sure this would work?? can you confirm by reading my post again?? I just can't believe the whole solution to this would be this simple plus I don't like to have another brick to waste my mind on, Im currently busy with the 2nd term in college :crying: please confirm this asap by re-reading the 1st post.
(100% will try anyways because I have everything backed up )
I clearly mentioned that I tried all this, to be more clear I tried the whole drakenfx method with all possibilities including the method you mentioned, and yes my bootloader was unlocked before all this.
Just for clarification as your post may misguide some people, because you don't mount read only when doing this, because if you do you can't use your system partition at all, you only mount read only after flashing twrp for the first time or when you don't want to flash supersu/no verity (something no one wants to do)
I appreciate your help anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ghostface009 said:
I can't 100% confirm that I tried this before, but I assure you I
tried most of possibilities like this, including step by step follow up of drakenfx's guide.
I may try later, but not now, that takes a lot of time and my a2017u's nand is dying of repeated flash :crying:
but lemme ask you, can/could you access fastboot on b25 stock??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no fastboot on b25 but fastboot on b19
remember to flash B19-NOUGAT_FULL (Nougat 7.1.1) first than VERY IMPORTANT part is to flash B19-NOUGAT_TWRP (Nougat 7.1.1) right after.
just do step 1 and 2.
don't flash b25 yet if you want fastboot
if you want b25 and b25 root just follow step 3

buksua said:
no fastboot on b25
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, not a big surprise
and I'll try everything later when I get enough time, but for now I look for a firmware flash-free method because I don't want to kill the ufs.

UPDATE FOR EVERYONE:
I FINALLY GOT SUPERSU WORKING (atleast this far)
sadly f2fs was the reason behind this error
Special thanks for @J0nhy
for providing the correct supersu version to flash :3

Ghostface009 said:
Are you sure this would work?? can you confirm by reading my post again?? I just can't believe the whole solution to this would be this simple plus I don't like to have another brick to waste my mind on, Im currently busy with the 2nd term in college :crying: please confirm this asap by re-reading the 1st post.
(100% will try anyways because I have everything backed up )
I clearly mentioned that I tried all this, to be more clear I tried the whole drakenfx method with all possibilities including the method you mentioned, and yes my bootloader was unlocked before all this.
Just for clarification as your post may misguide some people, because you don't mount read only when doing this, because if you do you can't use your system partition at all, you only mount read only after flashing twrp for the first time or when you don't want to flash supersu/no verity (something no one wants to do)
I appreciate your help anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is no longer available through this link... is there another source?

zachstarmer said:
The file is no longer available through this link... is there another source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wew, It's been a long time since my last login here.
afaik it was 2.79 su.
But why you're still on b25 when you can flash newer firmware? when I flashed b32 via edl, I got rid of all these probs (except f2fs, because zte decided that their stock firmware only supports ext4 )
I got fastboot and everything, root xposed etc, if you want the edl package you can search it in drakenfx's androidfilehost account :good:
make sure to backup internal storage manually and backup apps with TB for restoring after edl-flashing b32. I also suggest updating to b35 before rooting and restore since b32 was helluva buggy update

This is exactly why I won't run ZTE's stock ROM, it seems that only Magisk works on B32 and beyond. I have grown to hate Magisk over the years, due to a number of bad experiences with it on various ROMs/devices. On stock, Magisk makes my exFAT SD appear as corrupt, I refuse to format to vfat, fat32. I tried Phh's Superuser and SuperSU, either the device won't boot or I get errors about su not being available. So it's custom AOSP-based ROMs only for me. Which are far superior to stock in most ways.

[mini-GUIDE] BRICKED / DOWNGRADE / SAME / UPGRADE - also ALTERNATIVE to RSDlite

I am not responsible for your bricked phone or pigeon poo on your toupe. Do at your own risk.
Many thanks to @SupahCookie for idea and motivation!
INTENTIONALLY DOES --NOT-- LOCK BOOTLOADER!!!
Get factory images here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...ock-images-t3736767/post75236696#post75236696
THIS GUIDE IS FOR FACTORY/STOCK ROMs - NOT YOUR AVERAGE CUSTOM ROM which may not have bootloaders!!! (thanks!!!!! @echo92 )
FIX:
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET TO FASTBOOT THIS SHOULD WORK.
IF YOU HAVE 8.x bootloaders AND ARE DOWNGRADING TO 7, use "Alternative to RSDlite" below.
1 boot to win - 7 or 10 works fine.
2 boot phone to fastboot, and connect phone to computer.
3 start RSDlite
pick a ROM. I believe I used a 7.1.1 rom
3Nov9-ADDISON_NPNS26.118-22-2-8_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip
RSDlite installed it and fixed the problem.
- -
I was then able to use RSDlite to install @rafikowy 's signed 8.0 . - going up from 7 to 8.
- -
- -
If you are on 8.x bootloaders and want to go to 7.x bootloaders, use this (RSDlite throws an error and stops):
ALTERNATIVE TO RSDlite:
1 I used 7zip to extract that 7.1.1 zip (or any ROM zip) into a folder x,
2 add all the adb and fastboot junk to folder x,
3 add the attached file (rename it to flash.bat) to folder x.
4 boot phone to fastboot and connect to computer.
5 click on flash.bat - it throws a lot of "slot" errors but works just fine.
6 reboot your phone if it hasn't already and go through the 7.x install stuffs.
7 you will not show an IMEI if you are coming from an 8.x bootloader. However, it IS there.
NOTE: you may need to add a line to the flash.bat if there are more/less sparsechunk's in your FACTORY/STOCK ROM...
THIS IS NOT FOR CUSTOM ROMs!!!!!!!
EDIT: 3-8-19: I just did this myself to go back very briefly to 7.1 - be sure you don't flash TWRP to it if your going to take OTAs - it will brick it. boot to TWRP if you need TWRP briefly: fastboot boot twrpimg.img
----------
If you can boot to fastboot screen, you can do anything.
Never OTA a ROM if you have modified recovery (TWRP, etc) or if magisk is present.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...p-flashing-t3813498/post77011495#post77011495
I changed the attached file to add pause and reboot and exit to make it slightly more automated.

I have successfully used this many times going back and forth. If you can boot to fastboot screen, you can save your phone and flash anything you want.

You may wish to advise users that if they downgrade to Nougat not to use Nougat OTA updates. The reason being that a downgraded stock Oreo device may still have the Oreo bootloader on it. Thus, attempting to use Nougat OTA updates may hard brick their device (as the bootloader is likely corrupted, meaning no fastboot).
Users could either use the Feb 2018 NPN26.118-22-2-17 firmware from your link https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/addison/official/RETAIL/ as that was the last Nougat firmware (and thus no Nougat OTA updates) or avoid using OTA updates whilst downgraded.

echo92 said:
You may wish to advise users that if they downgrade to Nougat not to use Nougat OTA updates. The reason being that a downgraded stock Oreo device may still have the Oreo bootloader on it. Thus, attempting to use Nougat OTA updates may hard brick their device (as the bootloader is likely corrupted, meaning no fastboot).
Users could either use the Feb 2018 NPN26.118-22-2-17 firmware from your link https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/addison/official/RETAIL/ as that was the last Nougat firmware (and thus no Nougat OTA updates) or avoid using OTA updates whilst downgraded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I used the above GUIDE to go up and down a number of times on my phone (about 20 total) , installing and running on both 7 and 8, and then went down to a Nov 7.1.1 and let it ota all the way up to 8.0 and that is what I am using now. I found that when i used a factory zip, and the above procedure, it corrected the bootloaders to the appropriate version that i was flashing - either RSDlite or the more manual path which ignores the errors worked for me.
Using the above procedure , you get the correct bootloaders, which are in the zip.
Please correct me if i am wrong!

KrisM22 said:
Interesting. I used the above GUIDE to go up and down a number of times on my phone (about 20 total) , installing and running on both 7 and 8, and then went down to a Nov 7.1.1 and let it ota all the way up to 8.0 and that is what I am using now. I found that when i used a factory zip, and the above procedure, it corrected the bootloaders to the appropriate version that i was flashing - either RSDlite or the more manual path which ignores the errors worked for me.
Using the above procedure , you get the correct bootloaders, which are in the zip.
Please correct me if i am wrong!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device (hence the number of users asking for a blankflash, as fastboot no longer works). I don't know if these users hard bricked by downgrading their firmware too far and then flashed an OTA radically different to their previous firmware, or whether it's a risk that's taken by any downgrading of firmware.
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?

echo92 said:
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device (hence the number of users asking for a blankflash, as fastboot no longer works). I don't know if these users hard bricked by downgrading their firmware too far and then flashed an OTA radically different to their previous firmware, or whether it's a risk that's taken by any downgrading of firmware.
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES - that's why I wrote these 3 guides - before, it was quite possible to wind up with a bootloader mix - esp depending on the zip you use! - factory/stock only!!!
I added a line to the guide saying that it is only intended to be used for the factory/stock zips as these have (I believe) the bootloaders appropriate to the ROM.
Many thanks for pursuing this! - I wonder if we'll have to exclude certain ROMs that are in the factory lists?????

echo92 said:
That's intriguing - we saw previously on Z Play that users downgrading their stock firmware (e.g. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/help/hard-brick-moto-z-play-patch-abril-t3782927 )and then using OTA updates hard bricked their device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have TWRP (or I assume any custom recovery) present when you try to ota, it can download just fine and then reboot to the update. I had TWRP and wound up in a situation where my phone would only boot to twrp no matter what I flashed or restored. I booted phone to fastboot, RSDlite'ed that 11-09-17 factory zip and all was well. In that particular case I did not fully install 7.x but immediately RSDlite'ed rafikowy's 8.0 signed stock and went on with my testing. Since then I always boot to TWRP rather than intalling it and do my thing. (thanks @jceballos )
When you used fastboot, did you see any 'security downgrade errors' when you flashed the bootloader, and is your bootloader version now C180, as you've flashed the Oreo OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry - since it throws a million errors I never look at it if it works.
The particular build I am on at the moment - is BL: C1.82
This one started from that Nov '17 build and ota'ed all the way to 8.0 Apr.
I root and unroot as needed per rafikowy's method but using a boot to TWRP - never an install TWRP.
I'll put up a new guide ref ota and recovery and brick.

KrisM22 said:
If you have TWRP (or I assume any custom recovery) present when you try to ota, it can download just fine and then reboot to the update. I had TWRP and wound up in a situation where my phone would only boot to twrp no matter what I flashed or restored. I booted phone to fastboot, RSDlite'ed that 11-09-17 factory zip and all was well. In that particular case I did not fully install 7.x but immediately RSDlite'ed rafikowy's 8.0 signed stock and went on with my testing. Since then I always boot to TWRP rather than intalling it and do my thing. (thanks @jceballos )
Sorry - since it throws a million errors I never look at it if it works.
The particular build I am on at the moment - is BL: C1.82
This one started from that Nov '17 build and ota'ed all the way to 8.0 Apr.
I root and unroot as needed per rafikowy's method but using a boot to TWRP - never an install TWRP.
I'll put up a new guide ref ota and recovery and brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) If you have TWRP, then using an OTA will fail - as you've not got stock recovery (and likely other modifications, including possibly a system partition set to read-write status). As you noted, having TWRP seems to cause a bootloop when rebooting - I'm not sure if the OTA sets a boot flag to stay in recovery until the update is completed. For the G4/Plus, there's a possible solution by wiping the misc partition but I don't know if there's a similar partition for Z Play devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325
The only other solution I've seen is a clean flash of the stock ROM to get your device booting properly.
Booting to TWRP rather than flashing would mean your stock recovery is still present on your device. The only downside is if you need to make modifications, you'd need your computer to boot to TWRP.
2)BL C1.82 seems to be the bootloader provided by the Oreo April 2018 security patch update, so your device looks to be on the right bootloader. It's still curious that the Nov 2017 firmware worked whereas countless other 'factory' stock ROMs caused hard bricks when downgraded to and then OTA updates were installed.
As you mentioned, custom ROMs don't have bootloaders and thus don't care about your bootloader version usually (though I've seen some ROMs require a certain bootloader). However, stock ROMs and stock OTA updates do have bootloaders, which is why downgrading can be risky.

echo92 said:
1) If you have TWRP, then using an OTA will fail - as you've not got stock recovery (and likely other modifications, including possibly a system partition set to read-write status). As you noted, having TWRP seems to cause a bootloop when rebooting - I'm not sure if the OTA sets a boot flag to stay in recovery until the update is completed. For the G4/Plus, there's a possible solution by wiping the misc partition but I don't know if there's a similar partition for Z Play devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325
The only other solution I've seen is a clean flash of the stock ROM to get your device booting properly.
Booting to TWRP rather than flashing would mean your stock recovery is still present on your device. The only downside is if you need to make modifications, you'd need your computer to boot to TWRP.
2)BL C1.82 seems to be the bootloader provided by the Oreo April 2018 security patch update, so your device looks to be on the right bootloader. It's still curious that the Nov 2017 firmware worked whereas countless other 'factory' stock ROMs caused hard bricks when downgraded to and then OTA updates were installed.
As you mentioned, custom ROMs don't have bootloaders and thus don't care about your bootloader version usually (though I've seen some ROMs require a certain bootloader). However, stock ROMs and stock OTA updates do have bootloaders, which is why downgrading can be risky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downgrading is a piece of cake if you don't use RSDlite - it throws an error and stops. Using the bat file it can happily throw all the errors it wants and all I care is at the end I have what I want.
It does indeed change the entire environment when you bat file the zip contents. You can bat file to get from 8 to 7 and then use RSDlite to flash a different 7 OR 8 zip file. There is no resulting difference in whether you RSDlite it or bat file it - the bat file simply comes from the .xml file that is within the zip. There is very little or no difference between that among addison factory/stock zips. Other zips are different (custom ROMs.)
Grab any factory/stock zip for addison and expand it and you will see modems, bootloaders, indeed absolutely everything you would find on that phone if you went to a store and bought it. SupahCookie simply added a couple lock command lines because it was intended for folks who somehow thought that if phone was locked they could take it back to the store and get their money back. Or some such. I found that ATT folk didn't care if you were on CM or whatever if you just needed to swap SIMs or whatever.
I DON'T want to lock the phone as it prevents me from modifying forever. Oh yeah that reminds me I was going to post the obligatory guide (again) about how to flash a white boot logo so you don't get that message - it's still there LOL but since the font is in white, you can't see it.

I have a Moto Z2 Play and used this to get out of a rather sticky situation.. My IEMI shows 0 now and I'm curious if there's a way to fix this? Also, You say you've done OTA updates? My phone is telling my I have some, is it safe to try?

Necrowr said:
I have a Moto Z2 Play and used this to get out of a rather sticky situation.. My IEMI shows 0 now and I'm curious if there's a way to fix this? Also, You say you've done OTA updates? My phone is telling my I have some, is it safe to try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for feedback and great on success.
IMEI will show zero if using oreo, It will show again if using N. Remember that if you go from O to N you need to use the "Alternative to RSD" as RSD will simply throw an error and stop.
If you have TWRP and/or Magisk you must get rid of them before ota - if twrp present you will soft brick and have to do alternative again - flash a stock recovery. Simply uninstalling/flash magisk will probably not be enough - it will likely d/l but error part way through update. If you are sitting on rafikowy's stock oreo, and haven't modified it, you should be fine. I know Apr and June are out there. I flashed his stock 8.0 and took June fine. Z2 should be no different though of course I can't guarantee it
If you have success, let us know what you have done so others looking in will know. Thanks!

KrisM22 said:
Thanks for feedback and great on success.
IMEI will show zero if using oreo, It will show again if using N. Remember that if you go from O to N you need to use the "Alternative to RSD" as RSD will simply throw an error and stop.
If you have TWRP and/or Magisk you must get rid of them before ota - if twrp present you will soft brick and have to do alternative again - flash a stock recovery. Simply uninstalling/flash magisk will probably not be enough - it will likely d/l but error part way through update. If you are sitting on rafikowy's stock oreo, and haven't modified it, you should be fine. I know Apr and June are out there. I flashed his stock 8.0 and took June fine. Z2 should be no different though of course I can't guarantee it
If you have success, let us know what you have done so others looking in will know. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually flashed to this: ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPS26.118-24_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip Which is a 7.1.1 variant and it is showing 0 when I check settings and when I dial *#06#. However upon connecting to the computer and running mfastboot getvar imei it returned a value. I only did the steps above which would mean I don't have TWRP or Magisk (when I fastboot and click recovery I get "no command")
****** Additional information *********
XT1710-01 Duel Sim Variant
I started your steps, only being able to access fastboot. The device would throw an error (I don't recall exactly but it ended up showing me them in the bootloader logs) whenever I tried to start it, or go to recovery. #DefinitelyThoughtItWasDead

Necrowr said:
I actually flashed to this: ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPS26.118-24_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip Which is a 7.1.1 variant and it is showing 0 when I check settings and when I dial *#06#. However upon connecting to the computer and running mfastboot getvar imei it returned a value. I only did the steps above which would mean I don't have TWRP or Magisk (when I fastboot and click recovery I get "no command")
****** Additional information *********
XT1710-01 Duel Sim Variant
I started your steps, only being able to access fastboot. The device would throw an error (I don't recall exactly but it ended up showing me them in the bootloader logs) whenever I tried to start it, or go to recovery. #DefinitelyThoughtItWasDead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What rom was on phone when you got it and what have you done to it? Has it ever run 8.x?
original country of phone?
The bat file will always throw a lot of slot errors.
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETUS/
or
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETAIL/
might have some stock ROMs of interest...

KrisM22 said:
What rom was on phone when you got it and what have you done to it? Has it ever run 8.x?
original country of phone?
The bat file will always throw a lot of slot errors.
might have some stock ROMs of interest...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD

Necrowr said:
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs won't usually update the bootloader (even if they are newer) as stock ROMs typically only have the bootloader firmware.
You could look into flashing the stock Oreo albus 8.0 ROM https://forum.xda-developers.com/z2-play/how-to/fastboot-rom-oreo-retail-via-fastboot-t3786153 or the 8.0 June 2018 firmware https://forum.xda-developers.com/z2-play/how-to/fastboot-rom-albusretail8-0-0opss27-76-t3822195 but please check that firmware has been released for your device variant.
I don't know if updating your baseband to stock Oreo formally may fix your IMEI issue.

Necrowr said:
It had 7.1.1 stock. I rooted it, and then flashed Resurrection Remix (which was yes 8.1 I believe) and the upgraded bootloader. I then found out my service wouldn't work with that.. so I attempted to flash back to stock which gave me a flurry of issues.. eventually getting to nothing but fastboot working. Flashed back to working with your guide to 7.1.1
If it helps in in fastboot it tells me BL: C0.CD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"BL: C0.CD" even right after flashing that albus 7.1.1 using "alternative" above?
What happens if you flash one of the oreo roms from the links I gave you above?
Yeah, RR wouldn't change bootloaders... so you upgraded bootloaders independendently?- that could easily lead to a soft brick... -
I read RR on Z2 and it says nothing about bootloaders even though it says 8.1 based, so i wonder if it needs 7.x bootloaders? I did not read entire thread...
In a reverse, I would wonder if you put an 8 on there if you wouldn't see your IMEI. (On the Z if you flash 8 You won't see the IMEI until you return to 7.)(wondering if z2 is reversed)

KrisM22 said:
"BL: C0.CD" even right after flashing that albus 7.1.1 using "alternative" above?
What happens if you flash one of the oreo roms from the links I gave you above?
Yeah, RR wouldn't change bootloaders... so you upgraded bootloaders independendently?- that could easily lead to a soft brick... -
I read RR on Z2 and it says nothing about bootloaders even though it says 8.1 based, so i wonder if it needs 7.x bootloaders? I did not read entire thread...
In a reverse, I would wonder if you put an 8 on there if you wouldn't see your IMEI. (On the Z if you flash 8 You won't see the IMEI until you return to 7.)(wondering if z2 is reversed)
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Yes, right after flashing that is the BL that fastboot is showing me. I don't recall updating the bootloader so to speak, however RR did require an updated variant of twrp which I flashed 3.2.2 I believe to get (unsure if that would have changed the bootloader or not). I also tried flashing a stock Oreo (which you've stated stock Roms usually only have the bootloaders so maybe somewhere during this process I updated it?). I wish I had all the notes for what I did to give more precise information, but I'm in a position where I really need my phone so I kinda just panicked and started flashing things when my service wouldn't work.
I'm highly considering trying to run an OTA (though very afraid of bricking). - On a side note though, it wouldn't even tell me I had OTA's until I did the steps in the original post here (doing the different 7.1.1. and 8.0 flashes, it wouldn't ever tell me I had updates, and now it does).
*** Edit ***
Looks like I'm able to enter stock recovery, which makes me believe everything is stock at the moment.

Necrowr said:
Yes, right after flashing that is the BL that fastboot is showing me. I don't recall updating the bootloader so to speak, however RR did require an updated variant of twrp which I flashed 3.2.2 I believe to get (unsure if that would have changed the bootloader or not). I also tried flashing a stock Oreo (which you've stated stock Roms usually only have the bootloaders so maybe somewhere during this process I updated it?). I wish I had all the notes for what I did to give more precise information, but I'm in a position where I really need my phone so I kinda just panicked and started flashing things when my service wouldn't work.
I'm highly considering trying to run an OTA (though very afraid of bricking). - On a side note though, it wouldn't even tell me I had OTA's until I did the steps in the original post here (doing the different 7.1.1. and 8.0 flashes, it wouldn't ever tell me I had updates, and now it does).
*** Edit ***
Looks like I'm able to enter stock recovery, which makes me believe everything is stock at the moment.
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If you flashed a stock O that would have changed bl to O, but doing the above with the stock 7.1.1 would have changed them back to N. No matter (other than academic) that you don't remember the path - flashing a stock anything reverts it to that point in time. However, IMEI may have been moved - don't know. It will likely show on EITHER 7.x or 8.x stock - just don't know which.
If you flash a stock 8.x from those links I gave you above, it should offer you ota, ASSUMING there are any at this point in time(Z has 2). Adding Magisk at any point seems to hose you for receiving any more ota's - don't understand why, even with magisk uninstall, so that would mean going back to the latest stock and losing what you have (which is why I try to take a TBPro and copy that backup to PC (because re-flashing 8.x stock will likely reset internal storage.).
yes, if you enter stock recovery, you are likely at stock, though you could reflash the latest 7 or 8 stock to be sure, depending on which you want to use as base. Since 8 is having security fixes released, I choose 8 and will likely have no more interest (no time!) in 7.

So, ran the OTA and it was fine running the update and staying on N. I also downloaded the OTA for Oreo, when trying to update the recovery error'd out. It looked like the error said "Error in modem unexpected results" or something similar.

Necrowr said:
So, ran the OTA and it was fine running the update and staying on N. I also downloaded the OTA for Oreo, when trying to update the recovery error'd out. It looked like the error said "Error in modem unexpected results" or something similar.
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did it offer to let you d/l it again? you could try that.
However, there exist O stock zips in those links I gave you so you could just flash the latest...