[Q] How to let recovery automatically install custom ROM - Android Software/Hacking General [Developers Only]

The use of --update_package=cache:update.zip, seem s to be the only upgrade

Master answer

lion123456 said:
Master answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your device must first be rooted. Then install a custom recovery. Then you'll be able to install ROMs via recovery.
It's best to include what device and model you are speaking of, especially with questions such as this.
Please note:
It's not appropriate to bump your own thread here at XDA, at least not so soon. We all have our own lives too. Sometimes it can take some time before someone like myself comes along. Have patience.
XDA-Developers stresses using the sites search function before creating topics/threads.

First of all, thank you for answers and advice for me
My device rooted, also installed RECOVERY, I now want to through the PC to /cache/recovery/command write command, let RECOVERY automatically install custom ROM ( not the OTA upgrade pack )

lion123456 said:
First of all, thank you for answers and advice for me
My device rooted, also installed RECOVERY, I now want to through the PC to /cache/recovery/command write command, let RECOVERY automatically install custom ROM ( not the OTA upgrade pack )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be much easier to install ROMs with your recovery. Faster too. Otherwise you will need to install and setup the Android SDK. Data rates between device and PC with ADB are like 9600 bps, really slow...

Your professional answers, I learned a lot, thank you again:good:

Related

[Q] custom ROM wont install help please.

hello everyone,
I am new to Android and this is my 1st post on this web site. I would like to start off by saying everyone has done a great job with providing such a vast amount of information on one web page.
My question was, everytime that I try to install a custom rom I will go into recovery mode and it always tells me that it cant mount sd card. I have tried everything from removing the root and re rooting to formatting the sd. I have had my phone for about 3 weeks and it has been rooted since day one. However, not once have I been able to install a custom ROM.
ny help would be great thank you.
D1PL0M4T said:
hello everyone,
I am new to Android and this is my 1st post on this web site. I would like to start off by saying everyone has done a great job with providing such a vast amount of information on one web page.
My question was, everytime that I try to install a custom rom I will go into recovery mode and it always tells me that it cant mount sd card. I have tried everything from removing the root and re rooting to formatting the sd. I have had my phone for about 3 weeks and it has been rooted since day one. However, not once have I been able to install a custom ROM.
ny help would be great thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is this stock recovery? (blue, says "3e" at the top) if so that's weird, it would normally give a signature verification error if you did something wrong. it shouldnt have any trouble with the sdcard mounting.
do you have clockwork mod recovery installed? by which method? (custom kernel, rom manager) what color is the text? (red, green, orange)
I used the clockwork recovery in rom manager. And when I go into recovery mode it is all orange.
would I be better off wiping everything and starting over?

[Q] Need some guidance for updating PA4+Beta3

Hello,
I recently hopped over from stock to Paranoid Android 4 Beta (0).
This is my first experience messing around with the backend of Android, but I did jailbreak my iPhone a few times, I'd hope that helps my comprehension of all of this.
I currently have the Paranoid OTA installed, and it's telling me there are new versions,
I've downloaded the files and they are on the phone, but whenever I install it restarts and nothing happens. It stays on the current version, I'm doing the
I've been ticking to Backup, wipe the data, cache and dalvik but not the systen.
When it boots back up (it's instant, I'm still on beta(0).
Any help or guidance is appreciated, sorry if this is the wrong place!
phntem said:
Hello,
I recently hopped over from stock to Paranoid Android 4 Beta (0).
This is my first experience messing around with the backend of Android, but I did jailbreak my iPhone a few times, I'd hope that helps my comprehension of all of this.
I currently have the Paranoid OTA installed, and it's telling me there are new versions,
I've downloaded the files and they are on the phone, but whenever I install it restarts and nothing happens. It stays on the current version, I'm doing the
I've been ticking to Backup, wipe the data, cache and dalvik but not the systen.
When it boots back up (it's instant, I'm still on beta(0).
Any help or guidance is appreciated, sorry if this is the wrong place!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I´m guessing you have a custom recovery installed?.
Get the latest paranoid update from HERE and the latest gapps from HERE.
Boot into recovery and flash ROM GAPPS and if necessary SuperSU and then reboot. Should work.
lichti1901 said:
I´m guessing you have a custom recovery installed?.
Get the latest paranoid update from [removed] and the latest gapps from [removed]
Boot into recovery and flash ROM GAPPS and if necessary SuperSU and then reboot. Should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there Litchi,
Thanks for posting.
I'm so bad at this stuff, I used the Nexus Root Toolkit by WugFresh. I really am a bit clueless on what custom recoveries have been installed. What I can tell you is that I have Paranoid Android 4 Beta with the corresponding GAPPS.
I tried doing Clockword Mod for backups but eventually just stopped trying, and used the backup provided in the toolkit (nandroid I think).
I installed the Paranoid OTA hoping that it would take care of me having to do it through my PC again since the drivers were such a mess last time.
Could you just provide a bit more detail as to the steps I'd need to take for that? I hate being so illiterate at this stuff.
Really appreciate any more help you can give! Thanks.
phntem said:
Hi there Litchi,
Thanks for posting.
I'm so bad at this stuff, I used the Nexus Root Toolkit by WugFresh. I really am a bit clueless on what custom recoveries have been installed. What I can tell you is that I have Paranoid Android 4 Beta with the corresponding GAPPS.
I tried doing Clockword Mod for backups but eventually just stopped trying, and used the backup provided in the toolkit (nandroid I think).
I installed the Paranoid OTA hoping that it would take care of me having to do it through my PC again since the drivers were such a mess last time.
Could you just provide a bit more detail as to the steps I'd need to take for that? I hate being so illiterate at this stuff.
Really appreciate any more help you can give! Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really need to read the sticky at the top of this forum called [FAQ] [REF]★ All you need to know about Android | Read this before you post/root ! ★
It gives you all the information you need to know. We pretty much all here advise against using toolkits for the exact reason in your post, it leaves you knowing nothing about your system, what you have got or the knowledge to use it. These toolkits are seen as a shortcut, but please be aware, there are NO shortcuts
Please read through that thread a few times. Don't flash anything else until you understand the process, what you have got and how to use it. Please don't take this the wrong way but you are not ready to flash things yet. Even if you have already flashed something, there are holes in yoru knowledge that can have disastrous consequences.
rootSU said:
You really need to read the sticky at the top of this forum called [FAQ] [REF]★ All you need to know about Android | Read this before you post/root ! ★
It gives you all the information you need to know. We pretty much all here advise against using toolkits for the exact reason in your post, it leaves you knowing nothing about your system, what you have got or the knowledge to use it. These toolkits are seen as a shortcut, but please be aware, there are NO shortcuts
Please read through that thread a few times. Don't flash anything else until you understand the process, what you have got and how to use it. Please don't take this the wrong way but you are not ready to flash things yet. Even if you have already flashed something, there are holes in yoru knowledge that can have disastrous consequences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None taken,
Thanks for the help SU! I never really checked out this website, but I had seen the name around.
Appreciate the link.
Does anyone know why the Paranoid OTA application ITSELF isn't doing the work for me though?
phntem said:
None taken,
Thanks for the help SU! I never really checked out this website, but I had seen the name around.
Appreciate the link.
Does anyone know why the Paranoid OTA application ITSELF isn't doing the work for me though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be an issue with the CWM recovery which is what I assume you have installed with the toolkit, as thats about standard...
In android, /sdcard on the nexus 5 isn't actually an /sdcard. /sdcard is actually /data/media/0 so whenever you are looking in what you think is in /sdcard, you're not... it's /data/media/0. It's been like this since 4.2 Jelly Bean, when multiuser support was added to android. The theory is there will be multiple /sdcards, for each user that logs in. The default user is use "0". With me so far?
Before multi-user support, /sdcard for devices with no physical sdcard, was simply /data/media. Now, CWM never bothered to update it's code to point to /data/media/0, so even today, basic CWM doesn't know the full location of your /sdcard. If the updater downloads the files to /sdcard (which it should), then tells CWM to look in /sdcard for the files to flash, the files cannot be seen because CWM is looking in the wrong place.
Essentially, you should look at ditching CWM and it's antiquated configuration in favour of Philz Recovery or TWRP. Both use /data/media/0 correctly as /sdcard
rootSU said:
It may be an issue with the CWM recovery which is what I assume you have installed with the toolkit, as thats about standard...
In android, /sdcard on the nexus 5 isn't actually an /sdcard. /sdcard is actually /data/media/0 so whenever you are looking in what you think is in /sdcard, you're not... it's /data/media/0. It's been like this since 4.2 Jelly Bean, when multiuser support was added to android. The theory is there will be multiple /sdcards, for each user that logs in. The default user is use "0". With me so far?
Before multi-user support, /sdcard for devices with no physical sdcard, was simply /data/media. Now, CWM never bothered to update it's code to point to /data/media/0, so even today, basic CWM doesn't know the full location of your /sdcard. If the updater downloads the files to /sdcard (which it should), then tells CWM to look in /sdcard for the files to flash, the files cannot be seen because CWM is looking in the wrong place.
Essentially, you should look at ditching CWM and it's antiquated configuration in favour of Philz Recovery or TWRP. Both use /data/media/0 correctly as /sdcard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome thanks for the patience and information.
Should I unroot and go back to stock via the toolkit, essentially resetting it all?
That's about the last question I have for you,
Appreciate the help!
phntem said:
Awesome thanks for the patience and information.
Should I unroot and go back to stock via the toolkit, essentially resetting it all?
That's about the last question I have for you,
Appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I would read that thread to understand the process and then download one of the alternative recoveries and get yourself to the point where you can fastboot flash the recovery
phntem said:
Awesome thanks for the patience and information.
Should I unroot and go back to stock via the toolkit, essentially resetting it all?
That's about the last question I have for you,
Appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please forget the toolkit!
The only thing you need is fastboot.
download TWRP or CWM recovery.img and flash it in fastboot. Boot into bootloader, connect the device with usb cable to PC, open cmd in windows and type following:
fastboot devices Enter ... that should give you a number, means your device is connected
fastboot flash recovery nameofrecovery.img Enter .... that will flash the recovery of your choice to your device. Then from bootloader you can select with volume up + down to boot to recovery. Do that - in recovery you can select what you want to do. Flash rom + gapps + supersu and you are ready to go.
Here is a good link for learning how to use fastboot. beginners-guide-on-how-to-setup-and-use-fastboot/
Learning fastboot is highly recommended - its the same what fastboot does, with 1 difference --> you know what you do

[Q] Why install custom rom? New guy here

Hello everyone, I just registered to XDA. I ordered my nexus 5 and I expect it by the end of the week and I just have a few questions.
Please dont judge me hard as I dont have much knowledge on the subject.
1. What is a custom rom?It is a custom OS based on an android version right?
2. I see many people putting custom roms on nexus 5. Why is that? What do custom roms offer?
3. Which one would you suggest me to install to my new phone?
4.Can you help me on how to do the installation?
Thanks in advance
giannis1995 said:
Hello everyone, I just registered to XDA. I ordered my nexus 5 and I expect it by the end of the week and I just have a few questions.
Please dont judge me hard as I dont have much knowledge on the subject.
1. What is a custom rom?It is a custom OS based on an android version right?
2. I see many people putting custom roms on nexus 5. Why is that? What do custom roms offer?
3. Which one would you suggest me to install to my new phone?
4.Can you help me on how to do the installation?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom ROMs are basically just third-party-developer-versions of the Android operating system. They usually offer software modifications you can't find on stock versions of Android, such as overclocking your processor (making it run faster than it's supposed to). I'd recommend for starters to go with CyanogenMod. I will look for a good ROM for you to start out with, and when I find one, I'll return and post instructions on how to install it. I'll aos post instructions for how to Root and install a custom recovery (these are things you MUST do before installing any ROM).
EDIT: Here's a guide for how to get your Nexus 5 up to the point where you are running a custom ROM on it. If there's anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask what it means and I'll try my best to explain. Just as a warning, by doing this, you will probably void any warranty you may have with your device. So if you are NOT OK with a warranty being void, please DO NOT proceed. Otherwise, keep reading:
1) Make sure you have a computer with the proper Nexus 5 drivers installed.
2) Root and unlock the bootloader on your Nexus 5. Take a look at THIS for how to do both of them.
3) Read through THIS for how to install a custom recovery. I'd recommend using TWRP. If you already unlocked the bootloader in the previous step, then just ignore the part where this article tells you how to unlock the bootloader.
4) Next you need to download the ROM itself and save it to your Nexus 5's internal storage. My friend who has a Nexus 5 uses THIS ROM, and he seems to like it. Save THIS (ROM) and THIS (Google Apps) to your phone's internal storage. Remember where you put these. Do NOT extract the contents, leave them as a .zip file.
5) Boot your phone into recovery
5.5) DO A FULL BACKUP IN RECOVERY!!! IN CASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG, JUST BOOT INTO RECOVERY, AND SELECT TO RESTORE THE BACKUP AND YOUR PHONE WILL BE BACK TO THE STATE IT WAS BEFORE YOU TRIED TO FLASH THE ROM. THIS IS IMPORTANT! You should do this EVERY TIME you want to flash a Custom ROM. It should be pretty easy to find out how to do a backup in recovery. If you use TWRP Custom Recovery like I suggested, there should be a button in the main menu that says "Backup". Just press that, make sure everything is checked, and then initiate the backup. If you ever need to restore a backup, there should be a "Restore" button in TWRP Recovery's main menu as well. Just select the backup you made, press restore, and let it do its thing.
6) Do a factory reset. That means wipe the data and cache.
7) Select to install/flash a zip file. First flash the ROM zip file, THEN flash the google gapps zip file.
8) Reboot your phone
9) Give it some time to turn on. The first time your phone restarts/turns on after installing a new ROM (what I like to call "First-Boot") will usually take a lot longer than normal. Just give it time.
10) You're done!
jasonmerc said:
Custom ROMs are basically just third-party-developer-versions of the Android operating system. They usually offer software modifications you can't find on stock versions of Android, such as overclocking your processor (making it run faster than it's supposed to). I'd recommend for starters to go with CyanogenMod. I will look for a good ROM for you to start out with, and when I find one, I'll return and post instructions on how to install it. I'll aos post instructions for how to Root and install a custom recovery (these are things you MUST do before installing any ROM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot dude i really appreciate it and i'll be waiting for your reply! by custom recovery you mean save what I want before installing the rom correct?
giannis1995 said:
thanks a lot dude i really appreciate it and i'll be waiting for your reply! by custom recovery you mean save what I want before installing the rom correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that is not what I mean by custom recovery. But yes, you should back up any important files/photos/videos/whatever to a computer or something before proceeding in case something does go wrong. Custom Recovery refers to the Recovery Mode of your device. The stock recovery mode image doesn't allow for flashing custom Android modifications such as ROMs, but custom recovery images do.
jasonmerc said:
No, that is not what I mean by custom recovery. But yes, you should back up any important files/photos/videos/whatever to a computer or something before proceeding in case something does go wrong. Custom Recovery refers to the Recovery Mode of your device. The stock recovery mode image doesn't allow for flashing custom Android modifications such as ROMs, but custom recovery images do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll try to install it as soon as I get my phone. Overclocking is good but what about the battery?Will it be more demanding?
giannis1995 said:
i'll try to install it as soon as I get my phone. Overclocking is good but what about the battery?Will it be more demanding?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you overclock, then yes. It will use up more battery life, depending on how much you overclock it. The Nexus 5 already has a fast CPU, so overclocking isn't ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, but you can do it if you want.
jasonmerc said:
If you overclock, then yes. It will use up more battery life, depending on how much you overclock it. The Nexus 5 already has a fast CPU, so overclocking isn't ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, but you can do it if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how will I overclock it if I want?Was it mentioned in one of the steps?
giannis1995 said:
how will I overclock it if I want?Was it mentioned in one of the steps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if this specific ROM supports it, but from my past experience, CPU clock speed settings should be under Settings>Performance. If Performance doesn't show up, try going to Settings>About, look for "Build Number", and tap that very fast until you see "You are now a developer". Then go back and see if Performance is listed. If it isn't listed even after that, then the ROM may not natively support overclocking.

[Q] How to edit a stock ROM and pass verification

Feel free to answer as much or as little of this post as possible. My desire is to learn. First, let me phrase my question in general terms:
1. Is it possible to download a stock android firmware rom, extract the rom, and change it, and repackage it in a way that is still accepted by the device as an original factory ROM? In other words, is it possible to take a factory rom (such as an update.zip or in my case 1.0.7.zip) and change it and reinstall it in the stock android system recovery (3e)?
Now that I have asked the general question, I will explain to you why I want to do this (if possible)
I have a tablet that recently stopped booting. I have never rooted it or used a custom rom before. However, the device still powers on and I can access the stock android recovery system. I can even use ADB (though I know very little about it's capabilities). I will explain my logic below. Please feel free to show me if I am wrong on the following points.
1. It is impossible to install a custom rom without FIRST installing a custom recovery.
2. It is impossible to install a custom recovery without FIRST rooting the device.
3. It is impossible to root a device that won't boot if you do not have USB Debugging enabled (via Android Developer Options).
The manufacturer of my device (RCA RCT6378W2) has not released the source code or original factory firmware for this device. I have attempted to install various roms that seem to be compatible via ADB SIDELOAD, but they have always been rejected immediately after the device says:
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
Installation aborted.​
However, I have managed to located 3 firmware updates from RCA. These updates are called 1.0.2.zip , 1.0.3.zip, and 1.0.7.zip. These updates are all accepted by the android system recovery. When I ADB Sideload these updates, the tablet says this:
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
Removing unneeded files...
Unpacking new files...
Install from ADB complete.​
Although these firmware updates are installed properly, my tablet still does not boot. Upon closer examination of these updates, they are not full android OS firmwares, but mere updates to the existing system. So, this got me to thinking... These updates are the only firmwares that can manage to pass update verification. Is it possible to alter these updates in a way that will still pass this verification process? If this is possible, then I might be able to reflash the rest of the android operating system by altering these updates to include the full OS. Does anyone know if this is possible? What would be the difficulty level of doing so? I have managed to locate nearly all of the files from another user who has the same device in working condition. For example, I have the following from a working device:
Backup.img
boot.img
cache.img
kernel.img
kpanic.img
misc.img
parameter.img
parameter.txt
recovery.img
system.img​
Would it be possible to take the files from these images and add them to the firmware updates and repackage it in a way that passes system verification? And my last question is: Is there any other way I can get this device to a working version of android (stock, custom, I don't care!). Thanks!
There is unfortunately no way currently to modify a manufacturer signed zip and still have it signed unless you have friends within the company who can get you that signature. If you want to root your phone first you need to unlock the bootloader then use fastboot while in bootloader/odin/download mode and flash a recovery then you can use a custom rom.
dreamwave said:
There is unfortunately no way currently to modify a manufacturer signed zip and still have it signed unless you have friends within the company who can get you that signature. If you want to root your phone first you need to unlock the bootloader then use fastboot while in bootloader/odin/download mode and flash a recovery then you can use a custom rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. If there is no way to alter a manufacturer rom in a way that is accepted by the system, then I might be out of luck. I don't know much about bootloaders. I feel like I heard someone say that this device did not have one. I've also heard that this device doesn't support fastboot and that Nexus is one of the few that does (that might have been an old statement... not sure). Anyways, it might be time for me to give up on this device. Thanks for the clarification.
jeremyb234 said:
Thanks for the info. If there is no way to alter a manufacturer rom in a way that is accepted by the system, then I might be out of luck. I don't know much about bootloaders. I feel like I heard someone say that this device did not have one. I've also heard that this device doesn't support fastboot and that Nexus is one of the few that does (that might have been an old statement... not sure). Anyways, it might be time for me to give up on this device. Thanks for the clarification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what device is it? I'll see if I can find a guide
dreamwave said:
what device is it? I'll see if I can find a guide
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. It is a RCA RCT6378W2. It is 7" and 8GB. Lots of info on the following link:
http://specdevice.com/showspec.php?id=0893-5af7-0033-c58700000000
How about this question- On a non-rooted device with standard android recovery system, is there any way to install another rom... perhaps one from a very similar device?
jeremyb234 said:
Thanks for the help. It is a RCA RCT6378W2. It is 7" and 8GB. Lots of info on the following link:
http://specdevice.com/showspec.php?id=0893-5af7-0033-c58700000000
How about this question- On a non-rooted device with standard android recovery system, is there any way to install another rom... perhaps one from a very similar device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, as it has to be signed by the manufacturer to be accepted by the recovery, and I don't see any roms or even recoveries for your device...
dreamwave said:
no, as it has to be signed by the manufacturer to be accepted by the recovery, and I don't see any roms or even recoveries for your device...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for checking up on that for me. I've learned alot in my process of trying to fix my tablet, but I think it's about time to call it quits

Need some help as a nood for my HTC One S

Hey all this will seems to be quite an odd thread to all. but its been long i have been using generic HTC one S and i know this site very well since i bought my phone 3 years ago!
Very well, I need to know some basic stuff so i can get perfect mod and upgraded without making it available for my younger brother to play with it by throwing it on wall.
So a good help will be really appreciated.
Only couple of questions:
1. Best ROM that support Indian HTC one S models.
2. Best and 100% working method to get this done successfully.
3. Any way i can backup the generic ROM and framework and get things moving ?
please don't get angry on me, just help me to get my phone renovated.
Thanks XDA
reply
xtremeones said:
Hey all this will seems to be quite an odd thread to all. but its been long i have been using generic HTC one S and i know this site very well since i bought my phone 3 years ago!
Very well, I need to know some basic stuff so i can get perfect mod and upgraded without making it available for my younger brother to play with it by throwing it on wall.
So a good help will be really appreciated.
Only couple of questions:
1. Best ROM that support Indian HTC one S models.
2. Best and 100% working method to get this done successfully.
3. Any way i can backup the generic ROM and framework and get things moving ?
please don't get angry on me, just help me to get my phone renovated.
Thanks XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
Im a One S user, so PM me if you need anything or reply to this thread so everyone can see
Answers:
1) This matters on opinion, but I would recommend cyanogenmod 11 (or 12.1 as Lollipop). Don't do this yet, see answer 3 to back up.
2) I would just follow my next answer here but if you need a detailed reply, reply back.
3) Unlock bootloader, quite easy, and S-OFF first, in case you lose any data. Any music/pics/etc pls transfer to pc first . Then, after S-OFF (or unlocked bootloader) install a custom recovery TWRP by getting the img file, booting to FASTBOOT mode (If you are on stock OS then go to Settings -> Power -> Uncheck fast boot (This will allow you to boot into fastboot)) .
Then, if that's all succesfull, the rest is easy . Download a new rom (like my answer 1 suggests, CM11 or CM12.1) then flash it . I highly recommend making a nandroid backup in TWRP after this is done transfer to PC. With TWRP 2.8.7.0 you can enable MTP mode in recovery, and then transfer whole TWRP folder to PC. Then, give a full wipe twice for all partition in TWRP (except for USB-OTG obviously).
Any more questions please contact me or reply to this thread, thanks.

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