Related
I rooted my S3, changed one file, and am now stuck in the startup screen. I've looked on the forums but I'd like to confirm what my recovery options are.
(1) Since I have no backup*, can I recover from a factory recovery for my model and still keep some of my data, apps and customizations?
It's a N American SIII (Rogers Wireless Samsung SGH-I747M). I can boot successfully into both Odin and CWM Recovery (Clockwork 5.5). BusyBox installed. I do not have a functioning MicroSD.
*I only did one thing:
renamed framework-res.apk to framework-res.apk2 to test permissions. Errors and crash ensued, then I restarted and here I am.
That apk file is part of a fix which is circulating that corrects a bug in the North American models' battery reporting, which requires replacing the apk with a slightly modified version. I thought trying a file rename was a safe small test, prior to backing up. The name "framework" should have tipped me off probably.
(2) Is factory recovery my best option? I would love to get in and just name the file back. But I can't get in.
(3) Was some automatic backup made that I overlooked? Rooting and the learning curve took so many steps I can't remember myself.
(4) Can I just restore the /system directory perhaps?
Yep, relative noob here. Hope my question is placed correctly and I haven't missed another post with the answers I need, if not pls advise.
Copied question to a better thread
It's now in the Android Q&A, see:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28256764
Just getting used to the forum here.
NEVER FEAR find a ROM that you want to install and flash it using Odin or copy it to SD card and flash using clockwork mod And no there is no secret backup BTW once you get your phone working again make a backup then Go to where its stored And label it ALWAYS backup as soon as you root your phone
If you can manage, push a similar framework (taken from someone else) using adb...
Typed using a small touchscreen
How?
jezus101 said:
NEVER FEAR find a ROM that you want to install and flash it using Odin or copy it to SD card and flash using clockwork mod And no there is no secret backup BTW once you get your phone working again make a backup then Go to where its stored And label it ALWAYS backup as soon as you root your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash a ROM using Clockwork instead of Odin? I totally missed that memo! Tips please
I found that Clockwork required the file to be in the internal SD folder -- I couldn't access the External SD card under any circumstance. There was no way to get a file to the internal file system without a functioning ROM. This is still confusing me. Maybe I had the wrong version of Clockwork or was doing it wrong. Not for lack of trying.
As we now have functional recovery options on our tablets, and people will inevitably mess things up with their device, we need to get a way to get your tablets back to factory condition. But I need your help with this!
What do you want?
Here's my idea: We have all seen various ZIPs floating around, most of them leaked from somewhere. The problem with these is that you can't use OTA updates, and I'm not sure what Acer Service Center thinks of custom ROM installs. What I want is to build a list of software that is officially distributed by Acer, is OTA-updateable, etc. For this reason, I want people that have not yet modified their tablets (except root) to provide image dumps of their /system, /boot, /flexrom, and /recovery partition. It's really easy to do, and you'll help yourself and others when they get into trouble.
Can I help?
Answer all of the following questions. If at one point the answer is "Sorry, you can't help", well... You can't help
Is your device unlocked and rooted? Yes - You can help! / No - You can still help, but you need to unlock and root your device.
Do you have the original Acer ROM installed on your device? Yes - You can help! / No - Sorry, you can't help
Have you received the latest OTA updates for your device? Yes - You can help! / No - You can help as well!
Have you removed any apps or files from the /system or /flexrom partition? Yes - Sorry, you can't help / No - You can help!
Have you installed a custom recovery image? Yes - You can still help, as long as everything else is still original / No - You can help!
Okay, so I can help, now what?
If you can and are willing to help (remember, it could save your own ass one day), follow the instructions below. If you get stuck or simply don't know where to start but are willing to help, let us know in this thread and I'm sure we can all help eachother out.
This will not gather any personal data from you. Personal data is stored on the /data partition, which we don't need, so: No worries!
Root your device, if you haven't already.
Connect your tablet to your computer via ADB
Type the following command: adb shell. You are now logged into your tablet. You can exit at any time by typing exit and hitting ENTER.
Type the following command: dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 of=/sdcard/boot.img. This will copy your /boot partition to a file called boot.img on your internal storage. This one will be fast, it only has about 8MB to copy.
This step can be skipped if you have a custom recovery! Type the following command: dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p1 of=/sdcard/recovery.img. This will copy your /recovery partition to a file called recovery.img on your internal storage. This one will be fast as well, it only has about 6MB to copy.
Type the following command: dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p3 of=/sdcard/system.img. This will copy your /system partition to a file called system.img on your internal storage. This one will take a bit longer, it has about 360MB to copy.
Type the following command: dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p6 of=/sdcard/flexrom.img. This will copy your /flexrom partition to a file called flexrom.img on your internal storage. This one will take a bit longer as well, it has about 360MB to copy.
Type exit to exit the ADB shell. Copy the four .img files from your tablet (internal storage) to your computer. You might have to reboot your tablet if the files don't show up.
ZIP or RAR these files, and upload them somewhere. If you can't find a place to store them: send me a private message or reply in this thread and we'll arrange something else. If you have uploaded the files somewhere: again, send me a private message or reply in this thread.
So now what?
When I receive your files, I will package them into an update.zip that can be flashed from custom recoveries. This will then restore everything (including the custom recovery) to factory state, which can help you in getting your device back to stock.
What versions do you have already?
Acer_AV041_A510_1.044.00_WW_GEN1 (download links will follow shortly)
Acer_AV041_A510_1.098.00_EMEA_CUS1 (download links will follow shortly)
Acer_AV041_A510_1.099.00_EMEA_DE (download links will follow shortly)
The idea sounds great so far. But I have a small problem to make a complete backup for my a511.
Your linked root tutorial for the procedure is only for a100/a510 and doesn't work for a511, as I understand.
The tutorial for rooting the a511 needs first to flash a CWM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1729432
So it isn't possible for us to backup the recovery partition, right ?
I have the stock Acer_AV041_511_1.028.00_EMEA_DE on my device.
Is it even possible to backup and recover the baseband ?
I'm very interested in your CWM recovery for a511 too, but since many guys f++++d up their device now, I want to make sure that my device will not goes the same way.
i can help, n my tab is rooted.
but i don understand the first step: Connect your tablet to your computer via ADB
What about if we have removed system apps (such as the antivirus that comes with the tablet). It wouldn't be a complete dump if it didn't include those.
I have root and am happy to provide a dump, but I did uninstall several of the crappier pre-installed apps that came with my tablet.
scorpio16v said:
The idea sounds great so far. But I have a small problem to make a complete backup for my a511.
Your linked root tutorial for the procedure is only for a100/a510 and doesn't work for a511, as I understand.
The tutorial for rooting the a511 needs first to flash a CWM.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1729432
So it isn't possible for us to backup the recovery partition, right ?
I have the stock Acer_AV041_511_1.028.00_EMEA_DE on my device.
Is it even possible to backup and recover the baseband ?
I'm very interested in your CWM recovery for a511 too, but since many guys f++++d up their device now, I want to make sure that my device will not goes the same way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, your device will not brick, I can send you a test A511 recovery if you want. Worst that can happen is that recovery won't boot, but in that case you can simply put back recovery. Send me a private message and we can work something out.
scae said:
What about if we have removed system apps (such as the antivirus that comes with the tablet). It wouldn't be a complete dump if it didn't include those.
I have root and am happy to provide a dump, but I did uninstall several of the crappier pre-installed apps that came with my tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's of no use, unless you have a backup of your pre-installed apps. Removing apps from the /system or /flexrom partition is not recommended, and you gain nothing by it: You only gain space on read-only filesystems which you won't use in 99% of situations, and you've now broken OTA's for yourself as well, as OTA's will only install when apps are present unless you start modifying OTA files.
The 'correct' way to get rid of pre-installed apps is simply freezing them, either from the settings menu or with an app like Titanium Backup. This will make it seem like they're not there (so they don't use resources at all), but the APKs don't get removed.
So unfortunately, we can't use your dumps to restore devices to factory state. Unless, ofcourse, you've made a backup of the apps somewhere.
skymario said:
i can help, n my tab is rooted.
but i don understand the first step: Connect your tablet to your computer via ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have ADB or the Android SDK installed?
NoThrills said:
Do you have ADB or the Android SDK installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just learned ADB, n successful install ur CWM, later will try to dump my stock Rom to u.
My stock Rom version 1.073 ww gen1
does it matter if the system apps have been frozen or do they need to be unfrozen first?
I have flashed that remove stock recovery mod so the stock rom doesn't keep overwriting cwm on reboot. Does that disqualify me? If not I'll dump my rom for you when I get home.
I'm on this rom version:
ro.build.pandora.id=Acer_AV041_A510_RV28RC04_PA_CUS1
ro.build.flexrom.id=Acer_AV041_A510_1.076.00_PA_CUS1
I unlocked bootloader,rooted,installed cwm then backed up my stock rom.Could i restore my stock rom then be able to send you those fills
and return to total stock.
NoThrills said:
Hi, your device will not brick, I can send you a test A511 recovery if you want. Worst that can happen is that recovery won't boot, but in that case you can simply put back recovery. Send me a private message and we can work something out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think he mean that the a511 recovery doesn't work properly....you can flash a zip, but nearly all other options brick the device
i have a a511 too with Acer_AV041_A511_1.028.00.EMEA_DE and can help with testing or something else
I have Acer AV041_A510_1.079.00_PA_CA. (Canada)
I have not done a thing to it because it is a replacement for the Galaxy Note I bricked trying to upgrade from GB to ICS, too early.
I might try again if I was sure I could get back to where I am, using your process.
I assume that your Root link is comprehensive but I also need reassurance on how to ADB.
[email protected]
Sent from my A510
blgblade said:
i think he mean that the a511 recovery doesn't work properly....you can flash a zip, but nearly all other options brick the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as I understand, the only working methode to root the a511 is to bootloader unlock, flash the custom recovery and then the root.zip.
Maybe I'm wrong and there is another working way to root the device ?
The problem is simply, that we lost the stock recovery before we have a backup from it.
If we have another root way for a511, the backup of stock firmware is done in a few minutes and from this point we can test the a511 custom recovery from NoThrills.
To the A511 owners: Technically, if you have a install-recovery.sh file on your device, the device will always flash recovery back from the boot.img.
In theory: To test, one could simply overwrite the stock recovery with my Recovery (not the other ones, they will brick your device) and then when you reboot, your device will overwrite the recovery with the stock one again. So you really don't need a backup of the recovery partition.
As long as you don't let your device fully boot (so, stay in recovery) there's plenty of time to test if the recovery works or not. If it doesn't, simply reset your device and it will flash back the original recovery (again: provided there is a install-recovery.sh in your /system partition).
So again, if anyone is willing to test, let me know
NoThrills said:
To the A511 owners: Technically, if you have a install-recovery.sh file on your device, the device will always flash recovery back from the boot.img.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find a install-recovery.sh in /system partition on my a511. Search on root-explorer can't find one on the device.
Even NOT on /system/etc like on other devices.
NoThrills said:
So unfortunately, we can't use your dumps to restore devices to factory state. Unless, ofcourse, you've made a backup of the apps somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah damn, I did back them up via titanium but it doesn't seem to want to restore them - it just sits there say restoring app.
scorpio16v said:
I can't find a install-recovery.sh in /system partition on my a511. Search on root-explorer can't find one on the device.
Even NOT on /system/etc like on other devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I meant /system/etc... That's weird, I'd figure Acer would use the same system on the A511... Let me check one of the leaked ROMs...
Hello,
I have an stock Acer_AV041_A510_1.098.00_EMEA_CUS1, there we go for the files
Host file is not the stock version, it was edited by AdAway.
Can you make a version without recovery overwritting ?
I thinks a lot of people want to try some roms... just for testing...
Acer_AV041_A510_1.098.00_EMEA_CUS1 boot && system && flexroom:
http :// dl.free.fr/jDEmTNSD4
Have Fun
Hello,
I have the same rom without root or unlocked bootloader or moded recovery so if the above on does not make it I'll upload mine.
Sent from my A510 using xda app-developers app
Hi there,
I am new to xda and new to Android hacking.
What I wanna ask is, (I guess it's of most newbies concern as well), can we have a 100% backup of our system (stock ROM)? Obviously, it is important because:
If we perform an official (OTA) update to a new Android version. And we don't like it. It is possible to get back to the old original one which we are used to. (not everybody likes new things, and/or not every new thing is good)
If our phones are having some problems. And we have to give it back to the company for a fix. In most cases they will flash a new ROM for us. If we wanna keep using the old one (explained in #1), we have to keep a copy of it by ourselves.
If we want to try new custom ROMs, we may want to switch it back after trying.
Whenever we do any modifications, it's always better to keep a backup/roll-back point. In case anything goes wrong, we have a safeguard.
For the official warranty issue.
Yup I do see there are some official stock ROMs downloads for some particular phones. But those are not really a backup of our original ROMs. And it's always hard to verify if those downloads are the original official releases. And, if those downloads are 100% stock ROMs, this means some guys out there could make it, so what is the way to do so?
Or, how those mobile phone companies do it in their labs?
I have been doing researches on this topic for a few days. Some posts claim that their methods are "backup stock ROM" or "backup before rooting". But after digging into it, they requires rooting and/or flashing CWM. Here comes a few questions:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
In addition, I have found some related pieces. which could be useful to anyone viewing this post, and might be useful for you to solve this (my) question. :fingers-crossed:
* as I'm a new user, I can't post links directly. Please delete the blank spaces in between.
ht tp://www .modaco .com/topic/351269-backup-original-rom/
In reply #5, user C3C0 raised a method of backing up the original stock ROM without root. But it seems he is flashing CWM and that method is only for ZTE Skate.
adb backup tool of Android SDK
At the first sight i came across this approach, I thought it is the official method to do whole system (ROM) backup (WOW - how nice!). But after studying for a few more posts, I think adb backup can only backup app+app_data, and possibly some system settings only. Am I correct? And also, adb backup is only for ICS (Android 4.0), isn't it?
adb backup usage: ht tp://forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=1420351
(But mentioned in the bottom of #1 the poster is having some issues on using adb backup. Perhaps there are some bugs and not reliable(?)
One more question on adb backup: Can it backup just one app+app_data, and restore just one app+app_data, without affecting other things? If yes, we don't need to root and don't need Titanium Backup (which requires root) for backup app+app_data. Isn't it?
** In case I have said anything or any terms wrongly in this thread, please DO correct me, for helping me and helping others.
P.S. i am using LG Optimus 3D.
Thanks a lot, wholeheartedly,
midnite_
Backup phone before root
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ya,
It's so nice that you are having the same concern as I do.
As far as i know, the approaches of rooting differ from phones to phones. So we may have to find our own specific rooting method in the phone model sub-forums. It won't be hard for your popular S3
I would like to have a look at that Mr. Robinson's thread. If he can backup the stock ROM, those app+app_data wont a big issue (i guess).
cheers,
midnite_
midnite_ said:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, http://www.android.com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
wildstang83 said:
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, ht tp://www .android .com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out ht tp://developer .android .com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: ht tp://developer .android .com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wildstang,
Thanks very much for your warm welcome and very informative reply. So are you a Flashaholics or Crackflashers yet?
As I am a newbie, please forgive me if I am asking dumb questions.
As far as I understand,
The steps of root is
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
** does "flash a custom recovery" means "flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk"?
"Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk" is just "add SU binary to system/bin" and "add Superuser.apk to system/app". Then why not just copy them into place?
I just found on the web that "flashing" means replacing the OS of the phone with a new ROM. Would that still keeping the stock ROM?
To have a backup of the original stock ROM, can I
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
3. Perform the backup
And later, after I have flashed a new ROM, or whatever I do, as long as I didn't brick it, when I want to rollback my phone to its original, I can
1. Restore the backup
2. Delete "SU binary in system/bin" and "Superuser.apk in system/app"
3. re-lock the bootloader
Is this correct?
I don't mean to challenge you. But does adb pull \ really backup the system, or just all the files?
Thanks very much again!
midnite_
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
bump... midnite_ r u still around?
Hi Descent2,
Yes i am still around but i am busy with other stuffs at this moment. Thanks very much for your reply. You have studied a lot and you really did good summarisations. Very informative and I learnt a lot from it. Hope some of the masters or experienced ones would come by and bring us out of the mist
cheers,
midnite_
Descent2 said:
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check here
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
mf2112 said:
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery. You will then use that custom recovery to make a backup of your rom. That backup will be stored on your sd card.
Now, I have tried to help you and so have a couple other folks. You expect us to just give you answers step by step. I am sorry but this is simply not how XDA works. XDA is set up in a way which makes it for any users to find quickly what they want to know. Use the search feature on the site and you will find many answers. I tell you to go do your own research now and be proud of what you learn on your own. And if you cannot, please do not try to modify your phone further, you may just brick it if you aren't careful.
midnite_ said:
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put in the GS3 links since the OP was using that phone. Every phone will be different so I don't think a general way or guide would be practical.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium
My phone is rooted (With Super One Click) and when tap the "boot into recovery" option in Rom Manager it just send me to the stock recovery (with Blue text and what not). I have flashed Rom Manager with my Sidekick 4g before I tried to boot into recover. Please, someone help me. The answer is probably right in my face, but my noobish eyes just cant see it. :crying:
Please don't bash me this is my first post. I made sure there wasnt any post like this before i started a new tread.
Don't use ROM Manager with Sidekick 4G as CWM doesn't work the same way. When you reboot you always go into Samsung recovery from where you gotta reinstall packages to 'fake flash' the CWM recovery. If it says permission denied, the recovery file wasn't pushed to /system properly. You gotta reinstall every single time .. till of course you install a custom ROM. I think most come with voodoo CWM which replaces stock recovery, allowing you to go into CWM directly when you go to Recovery.
Firstly you need root, which I'm assuming you already have. Then you have to move a custom recovery to your phone's /system to allow you to install unsigned packages. You can do this using root explorer (paid app, but its the most simple and easy way of doing it) or you can do it using other similar apps that give you R/W (read and write) access. You also need to have a custom recovery file, the update.zip which when you hit reinstall packages (given you pushed the custom recovery file to the phone's system) would bring up clockworkmod recovery.
Read the noob guide here -> link. Its REALLY good and gives you a step by step of how to root / get custom recovery and install custom ROM.
Go here -> link. For more in depth information about getting a custom recovery. And here -> link. for Krylon's recovery files (links on his thread aren't all working).
Edit: Looks like the links on Krylon's page aren't working .. if someone can give an alternative it would be great!
I'm thinking about ODIN my device and start over but this time following one of the guides provided. I got cwm working but now I get a long script of code with a error that saids that it can't mount this and stuff like that. Ill try to post a image to give you a little better look at my problem. And for some reason the cmw logo isn't coming up behind the orange text.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda app-developers app
Those guided really helped me out I spent ages reading up different things so when I finally went and did it, I didn't face any problems!
Important notes:
1. Root, obviously I personally didn't use the latest edition of SuperOneClick (at the time) on the website, but the file the dev posted on his XDA Thread.
2. Don't use ROM Manager or any other 'one click' kind of recovery for this phone. You need to download a custom recovery file and update file (links above, thanks Krylon) and go into CWM Recovery through the official Samsung Recovery through reinstalling the custom update file. This is the only way to access Orange CWM. Most custom ROMs come with the Red Voodoo CWM which is permanent in the sense that when you go into recovery, you should go into CWM (Red), instead of having to go through Samsung.
3. Orange CWM (and some say Red CWM as well) has some mounting issues. Always remember to check your mounts such that System, Data (well just to be safe, all of the items in the list) always say UNMOUNT. Basically when its mounted, means CWM has access to the partition. It says UNMOUNT because it is MOUNTED. I know thats a bit confusing, but think of it like this - there is a light switch that says ON so when you press it, turns the lights on but then the writing changes to OFF because you need to push the switch to turn it off. Erm .. hope that helps?! Lol.
4. Basically if your partitions are showing up as MOUNT, means you need to MOUNT them. Otherwise whatever changes you did won't apply! Instead of getting confused like I did, just make sure the screen says UNMOUNT SYSTEM and so forth for the rest of the items on the list.
5. Before installing a custom ROM, I always wiped x 3, before and after. Means after checking mounts, wipe data / dalvik, etc. 3 times. So for me, after checking mounts I would go to wipe date - yes - done 1; wipe data - yes - done 2; wipe data - yes - done 3. Followed by wipe dalvik and whatever else you want to wipe. Then I'd check mounts again (they usually get unmounted after a wipe .. well for me they always have anyway) before installing the ROM. Oh, sometimes I installed the ROM twice. Then I'd check mounts, wipe x 3, check mounts again before finally rebooting and letting it stand still for around 20 minutes or so. I don't really know if there is a logic or if doing it so many times makes a difference but I know some other people have done this and (other than wasting time) it doesn't really do any harm (someone correct me if I'm wrong) so why the hell not? I think the basic reasoning behind double / triple wiping and installing is to make sure that the changes are properly written as sometimes the system still retains old data.
6. Some people have SD card partitioning issues apparent. I can't remember why everyone went around partitioning in the first place (it must have been for some important reason, completely slipped my mind right now .. I personally did it to link my apps / data to SD card and save internal memory / space) but I personally used Gparted to partition my card on a computer (rather than CWM on the phone as I've heard people have issues with this) and never had a problem.
But I think thats it. I know there is a lot of information but its really worth having a look at the guide and other posts on that thread as that and the ROM thread (I personally use GOV 3.2) really had me prepare for any possible issue beforehand so I started off in a position where I could avoid them.
WTF_IsA_Android said:
I'm thinking about ODIN my device and start over but this time following one of the guides provided. I got cwm working but now I get a long script of code with a error that saids that it can't mount this and stuff like that. Ill try to post a image to give you a little better look at my problem. And for some reason the cmw logo isn't coming up behind the orange text.
Sent from my SGH-T839 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can someone update the sidekick 4g stuff everything is either dead or does not lead anywhere to download any of the required files, thanks.
Hi all,
I have a Wiko Rainbow Jam (which is provided with the stock rom "Wiko Rainbow Jam version 8", Android Lollipop 5.1 and the latest updates from Wiko), is about a week that I attempt to root my phone, but I am unable to do this operation, since I am totally unable to mount the /system as RW, and furthermore the bootloader is locked.
Firstly I found this method which consist to write/flash the TWRP custom recovery in place of the original one:
Root method 1
(sorry for the Google Translate link, but I cannot find the same how-to in English)
Which seems similar to this how-to
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63803008&postcount=5
But seems that these two methods will wipe/erase everything on my phone, and I would avoid this risk.
I also read that by flashing another custom recovery I will be unable to install updates from Wiko.
Then I tried this method using adb which is more simple:
https://f-droid.org/forums/topic/tutorial-how-to-root-an-android-device/
But when I launch the "adb root" command, all that I get is "adbd cannot run as root in production builds"; so I attempted various workarounds to "fix" adb, but all unsuccesfully.
I have to mention the fact that I have some skills in using Linux and the shell commands: maybe there would be a way to place the "su" binary on my Phone using Linux on my computer, by logging on the phone as root user, by acquiring the needed privileges?
Any help/suggestion/hints would be very appreciate! :good:
Kind regards.
I have a mtk6580 phone and also had the root issues, for a while I used kingroot, which rooted fine but I didnt trust it. Then I used supersume to get rid of kingroot which seemed to work but again, wasnt 100% it was all gone. Followed a similar guide to your first link which wasnt working. What worked for me was:
Download the twrp recovery .img file
rename it to recovery.img
open SPflash tools
add your own scatter file from your stock rom
deselect all the boxes except recovery
double click the recovery address box and find the renamed recovery.img
click download
plug your turned off phone in,
let it flash.
reboot into recovery
select reboot system
TWRP will tell you its not rooted and ask to install superSU
swipe for yes
reboot and you are rooted.
NO DATA LOSS
Thank you for this detailed how-to! However, for me, nor kingroot, kingoroot, framaroot and no other apk worked on my phone, so I will attempt to try your method, but first I have some questions:
1): On my phone, under SETTINGS > DEVELOPER OPTIONS, I can see the option “OEM unlocking”: I have to enable this option to permit the flashing of the TWRP img?
2): Is ok to download TWRP from here? dl.twrp.me/i9300/twrp-2.8.6.1-i9300.tar.html
3): "add your own scatter file from your stock rom":
where I can get/grab such file?
4): "TWRP will tell you its not rooted and ask to install superSU":
so TWRP is already provided with the SuperSU utility?
5): To be sure to avoid any risk, here I have a backup of my phone, which was done using "adb backup -apk -shared -all"; in case of emergency I will be able to restore my phone using this backup?
Many thanks for your attention! :good:
Mister_Dave said:
3): "add your own scatter file from your stock rom":
where I can get/grab such file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, seems that such file was available in the first link:
s000.tinyupload.com/download.php?file_id=53888272183191245346&t=5388827218319124534686744
is called MT6580_Android_scatter.txt , can you take a look and tell me if is ok?
Many thanks!
1) cant hurt to turn it on, however the phone will be flashed whilst turned off so dont know if its needed, but Im sure I wouldve enabled it.
2) and 3) I dont know what your exact model number etc.. is for your phone, so the twrp you would have to find and check yourself, go here: http://www.needrom.com/category/others/u-v-w-x-y-z/brands-w/wiko/ and you can try to get a twrp from there, and definetely get a stock rom. Use the scatterfile from an 'SP TOOLS FLASHABLE STOCK/UPDATE ROM'
4) yes
5) I dont know, I dont use adb and wouldnt like to say its OK. You can use this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h3r3t1c.onnandbup&hl=en which will make a TWRP or CWM backup of your entire phone which you can then flash in TWRP or CWM once they are flashed, or get all the data from the backup. I would advise to find this out before trying though, just in case. I personally didnt lose any data, flashed twrp in SPtools, took 5 seconds, rebooted, added SU, rebooted, took 2 minutes and everything was still there.
---------- Post added at 04:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 PM ----------
it has to be a scatter file from your exact model of phone, as everything has to match, partitions, nvram...etc... loads of things that can go wrong if the scatter is wrong
robneymcplum said:
2) and 3) I dont know what your exact model number etc.. is for your phone, so the twrp you would have to find and check yourself, go here: http://www.needrom.com/category/others/u-v-w-x-y-z/brands-w/wiko/ and you can try to get a twrp from there, and definetely get a stock rom. Use the scatterfile from an 'SP TOOLS FLASHABLE STOCK/UPDATE ROM'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went there, but my model is not listed.. As I stated in the subject is a Wiko Rainbow Jam: if i search for Rainbow Jam is such link, no model is displayed..
it has to be a scatter file from your exact model of phone, as everything has to match, partitions, nvram...etc... loads of things that can go wrong if the scatter is wrong
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the scatter file in the first link "Root method 1", where there is the how-to for my exact model.
ah right, in that case, its OK
robneymcplum said:
ah right, in that case, its OK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok: it was painless differently from what I thought: now, following your advice (I used the TWRP and the scatter file from the first link) my phone is nicely provided with the root access
EDIT: was necessary to activate the “OEM unlocking” option under SETTINGS > DEVELOPER OPTION, without this option activated, I was unable to flash the TWRP recovery img.
Many thanks!
p.s: If a moderator see this post, feel free to add [RESOLVED] to the title of this thread, since I cannot edit the title.
Glad it worked lots of guides I saw also made it excessively complicated, this way took you what? 2 minutes? And am guessing all your data is safe and untouched.
robneymcplum said:
Glad it worked lots of guides I saw also made it excessively complicated, this way took you what? 2 minutes? And am guessing all your data is safe and untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it took about 2 minutes, just the time to figure out that I needed the USB OTG cable with an usb mouse and to browse to the UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76.zip file (as I said I used the TWRP posted in the first link, which doesn't work with the touch screen).
I want to say thank you again for your friendly assistance!
EDIT: Yes: all my data is safe and untouched!
Like:good: