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Hi everyone... I've tried searching and seen references to this kind of thing, but no download links or guides...
So I've got my Nexus S (bootloader unlocked, rooted, stock 2.3.4 until attempting the following, I have no Sim card in this phone), and I tried to flash 2.3.6, and while the update appeared to run just fine, the wifi won't turn on, just gives "error". So I attempted several things, reflashing the update, flashing the 4.04 update (which was the original point), etc, but they all give the following; installation aborted, assert failed, error in xxx.zip, "status 7".
Anyways... I'm a bit at a loss, I've never had this problem, or any problems flashing ROMs on other phones or updates. It seems no update.zip, or any .zip, will install. Back in my captivate days, there was a very handy program called Odin, and it had a master clear functionality that brought you back to the stockest of stock. Ideally... is there a tool like this for the Nexus S? I don't care about whether or not it re-locks the bootloader, I can unlock it again in just a couple minutes... but I need help.
I've read guides about "return to stock" but they all involve flashing a .zip. I need a way to push past that, and get back to 2.3.4, or alternatively, a way to completely reinstall 2.3.6.
I know an Odin exists for the Nexus S, but is there a way to use that to reset to stock?
Thank you so much anyone who can help...
Do you see an android and exclamation mark as you enter recovery? This means you have stock recovery and you cannot flash anything that hasn't been signed by google here. Stock is flashed on each boot on a stock ROM, you need to rename/delete /system/etc/install-recovery.sh to stop this.
If you don't have stock recovery, update to the latest CWM (touch or not is irrelevant) and try again. It's recommended to do a full wipe (data/factory reset, format /system and optionally format /boot) when doing a major ROM change (ie, CM to non-CM, GB to ICS, etc), and failure to do so could leave you with some interesting problems like that wifi issue.
And as always, make sure you backup properly before flashing -anything-.
edit to answer more questions: Odin is available for the Nexus S but near-useless. Fastboot can do just as much, and there are official fastboot images released by google to bring you back to a pure stock state. You'll just need an unlocked bootloader to do that, though you can relock straight afterward with no repercussions.
Harbb said:
Do you see an android and exclamation mark as you enter recovery? This means you have stock recovery and you cannot flash anything that hasn't been signed by google here. Stock is flashed on each boot on a stock ROM, you need to rename/delete /system/etc/install-recovery.sh to stop this.
If you don't have stock recovery, update to the latest CWM (touch or not is irrelevant) and try again. It's recommended to do a full wipe (data/factory reset, format /system and optionally format /boot) when doing a major ROM change (ie, CM to non-CM, GB to ICS, etc), and failure to do so could leave you with some interesting problems like that wifi issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, yeah I guess I should have wiped previous to running this upgrade. I guess I was hoping data would preserve, because theoretically it should have been just like the Google OTA.
And I have CWM... I'm not sure if it is the latest version, but the phone can't get any data connectivity so I can't update it.
Harbb said:
edit to answer more questions: Odin is available for the Nexus S but near-useless. Fastboot can do just as much, and there are official fastboot images released by google to bring you back to a pure stock state. You'll just need an unlocked bootloader to do that, though you can relock straight afterward with no repercussions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so fastboot is my solution. I've used that to unlock my bootloader, but little else (on a Mac, because terminal is super easy to use, but I've got PC access too). I've found the Google fastboot images, do you (or anyone reading this) know of a good fastboot image flashing guide?
Dareoth said:
Heh, yeah I guess I should have wiped previous to running this upgrade. I guess I was hoping data would preserve, because theoretically it should have been just like the Google OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people supposedly had troubles with the ICS update and keeping all data as-is, though i've not experienced it myself, but it is definitely possible and with such a big update, if it's in your power to start fresh it is always the best option. It was more of a general statement, not directed at your situation - something to keep in mind
Dareoth said:
And I have CWM... I'm not sure if it is the latest version, but the phone can't get any data connectivity so I can't update it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash the latest CWM through fastboot from your PC or Mac, you can grab the latest file from here. Name it whatever you like and put it in a known folder (preferrably current folder) and : fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Dareoth said:
Ok, so fastboot is my solution. I've used that to unlock my bootloader, but little else (on a Mac, because terminal is super easy to use, but I've got PC access too). I've found the Google fastboot images, do you (or anyone reading this) know of a good fastboot image flashing guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course i do
Great, I'm all set now. Thanks so much.
(Also for linking to that ref guide again, I had read it three times, but I didn't get how to use it until I went in going, I just need the fastboot commands, which is all that guide gives.)
Your welcome mate. All you need for that is setting up the android SDK or essentially downloading platform-tools seperately. There are guides all over the place describing how to do this for Windows, Mac and Linux as it is no different from getting oem unlock to work, they're just mostly disguised as rooting guides.
Once you do it the first time it's quite simple, but it can definitely be confusing before that
My first post here.
So, I got a used Nexus S (i9020a), with bootloader already unlocked and superuser installed.
It’s good to have rooted device, but I am sure the previous owner put a bunch of junk on it already.
I feel like starting fresh by writing a factory image as described here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572307
But, I am ambivalent about overwriting bootloader and radio; what if I didn’t like the factory image for some reason? How easy to go back on bootloader and radio, not just android os? There is a lot of info about writing rooting, backing up nandroid, and writing ROM’s, but I can’t find a good guide on backing up a bootloader image and baseband image, so that I can just fastboot flash to the original, if need be.
Then, I found this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16008439&postcount=198
which I followed (from adb though, not on Terminal Emulator) and could save an img file (whatever in it).
And I found this
http://roguedroid.blogspot.com/2011/12/booting-unbootable-nexus-s.html
So, if I can save mtd5 (radio) into an image, I can save mtd0 (bootloader) and mtd6 (efs) too into an image, right? (or every partition if I wanted to)
So, that’s what I did, and now I have img files of mtd0, mtd5, mtd6.
My question is; can I just fastboot flash these images (or of any other partitions) back onto my NS later to get back to exactly what it is right now? (well, not entirely, but exact bootloader, radio, and efs)
Is there anyway to confirm these files are proper images of these partitions and fully functional, before actually flashing them?
Or, alternatively, I have nandroid backup of my NS current status. Does this include complete image of bootloader and radio as well? If so, I could just restore this nandroid to get the original bootloader and radio, right?
I can assure that you won't be stuck anywhere. The fastboot method of flashing is considered as most relevant.
The NANdroid just backs up the OS, the bootloader and radio are components which are written to the flash memory permanently. While a simple factory reset is a better solution if you want to stick to the OS version delivered to you.
But if in case you are planning for factory image flashing, this guide will help you. Make sure to follow each and every step as stated and I assure that you won't get into any mess. :good:
Thank you for the guide and your assurance.
I am less concerned about getting stuck while writing a factory image than something going wrong trying to go back to my current bootloader and radio after writing the factory image.
I am very interested in knowing whether images obtained by these commands
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd0 of=/sdcard/bootloader.img"
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd5 of=/sdcard/radio.img"
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd6 of=/sdcard/efs.img"
can be used to flash my phone to revert back to the original bootloader, baseband, and efs (or any other partitions).
Since nandroid doesn't contain bootloader nor radio, I am looking for a way to backup my current bootloader & radio, and to restore them if I want.
Would the images above work?
Any way to test these images without actually flashing them?
There is no way to test them until you don't flash them.
If you can successfully extract the images, then they will surely work, undoubtedly.
faulty_machine said:
Thank you for the guide and your assurance.
I am less concerned about getting stuck while writing a factory image than something going wrong trying to go back to my current bootloader and radio after writing the factory image.
I am very interested in knowing whether images obtained by these commands
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd0 of=/sdcard/bootloader.img"
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd5 of=/sdcard/radio.img"
"dd if=/dev/mtd/mtd6 of=/sdcard/efs.img"
can be used to flash my phone to revert back to the original bootloader, baseband, and efs (or any other partitions).
Since nandroid doesn't contain bootloader nor radio, I am looking for a way to backup my current bootloader & radio, and to restore them if I want.
Would the images above work?
Any way to test these images without actually flashing them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wasting time backuping the bootloader and radio images, when they're freely available on the Google Nexus images site ? Not to mention those are safe to flash and have no errors.
https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
You don't need to jump bootloaders and radios to switch ROM's, just keep the latest on (well unless you want to eventually **** up your phone sometime, with unneeded tasks). No ROM flashed in recovery overwrites those, you can also skip the flashing of the radio and bootloader from a factory image with just using the "update -w update.zip" part.
You're overthinking here.
madd0g said:
Why wasting time backuping the bootloader and radio images, when they're freely available on the Google Nexus images site ? Not to mention those are safe to flash and have no errors.
ttps://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
You don't need to jump bootloaders and radios to switch ROM's, just keep the latest on (well unless you want to eventually **** up your phone sometime, with unneeded tasks). No ROM flashed in recovery overwrites those, you can also skip the flashing of the radio and bootloader from a factory image with just using the "update -w update.zip" part.
You're overthinking here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree I tend to overthink. It's a waste of time most of the time, but saves my ass every once in a while.
It's like buying an insurance. It's a complete waste of money until the next time a disaster hits (which, may never happen).
Anyway, the site you quoted is where I got the factory image for my NS. I already tried "update -w update.zip" and got error messages
because my bootloader and radio are of different versions than the ones included in the tar from Google. Apparently, their ROM's (zipped part)
are signed to work only with the versions of bootloader and radio included in the tar (my bootloader is XXKL1 and raio is UCKE1).
So, if I want the ROM, I have to flash their bootloader and radio.
If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have thought about backing up bootloader and radio, much less flashing them back and forth.
I apologize if I am missing something here. If your bootloader and radio are different versions than what Google include in the tar,
is there a way to flash just the zip?
Another side question is, after you flash the bootloader, radio, and zip that go together in the tar, can you flash different versions of bootloader
and radio and keep the ROM without problem?
faulty_machine said:
I agree I tend to overthink. It's a waste of time most of the time, but saves my ass every once in a while.
It's like buying an insurance. It's a complete waste of money until the next time a disaster hits (which, may never happen).
Anyway, the site you quoted is where I got the factory image for my NS. I already tried "update -w update.zip" and got error messages
because my bootloader and radio are of different versions than the ones included in the tar from Google. Apparently, their ROM's (zipped part)
are signed to work only with the versions of bootloader and radio included in the tar (my bootloader is XXKL1 and raio is UCKE1).
So, if I want the ROM, I have to flash their bootloader and radio.
If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have thought about backing up bootloader and radio, much less flashing them back and forth.
I apologize if I am missing something here. If your bootloader and radio are different versions than what Google include in the tar,
is there a way to flash just the zip?
Another side question is, after you flash the bootloader, radio, and zip that go together in the tar, can you flash different versions of bootloader
and radio and keep the ROM without problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nobody here changes bootloader, because no reason to. As for radio, yes, you can flash any radio at any moment. Custom roms don't package radios, only stock roms do, and then again your old radio is a flash away.
Either way, one should simply do a nandroid backup when going for a custom rom and keep it safely so it can be restored at any moment. I still have my original, blank slate Gingerbread backup in the extreme case things explode, and it's been a year in 6 months since I've been flashing roms and kernel left and right.
Sorry, I am not describing my problem very well here.
I am NOT looking for a better bootloader.
I am NOT looking for a better radio, either.
I am NOT trying to flash any custom ROM's.
All I want to do is to flash a factory ROM for i9020a (image-sojua-jzo54k.zip) downloaded from Google developer's website;
ttps://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images
I type; fastboot -w update image-sojua-jzo54k.zip
and this is what I get;
archive does not contain ‘boot.sig’
archive does not contain ‘recovery.sig’
archive does not contain ‘system.sig’
---------------------------------------------------------
Bootloader Version...: I9020XXKL1
Baseband Version….: I9020UCKE1
Serial Number……...: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
---------------------------------------------------------
checking product…
OKAY [ 0.000s]
checking version-bootloader…
FAILED
Device version-bootloader is ‘I9020XXKL1’.
Update requires ‘I9020XXLC2’.
finished. total tiem: 0.016s
Makes me think that I NEED to flash bootloader (maybe radio too) included in the Google's tar before I can flash the zip.
Am I missing something here?
Are other people able to flash zip file only, even when their bootloader version don't match the one in the Google's download?
If so, how are they doing it?
polobunny said:
Nobody here changes bootloader, because no reason to. As for radio, yes, you can flash any radio at any moment. Custom roms don't package radios, only stock roms do, and then again your old radio is a flash away.
Either way, one should simply do a nandroid backup when going for a custom rom and keep it safely so it can be restored at any moment. I still have my original, blank slate Gingerbread backup in the extreme case things explode, and it's been a year in 6 months since I've been flashing roms and kernel left and right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me suggest you something that would clear off all your doubts. First of all forget every comment that we posted here.
Secondly, just follow this Guide.
Once you follow that guide step to step, you won't need to ask any further questions.
faulty_machine said:
Device version-bootloader is ‘I9020XXKL1’.
Update requires ‘I9020XXLC2’.
Makes me think that I NEED to flash bootloader (maybe radio too) included in the Google's tar before I can flash the zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right, when the bootloader is updated, old bootloaders aren't down compatible. So for 4.1.2, you need the LC2 bootloader, since it was introduced with JB.
The script just makes sure, you have the right bootloader and radio when you're flashing. One way would be also extracting the archive and flash partition .img files separately.
You can flash other bootloader after you've flashed the system .zip, but there's really no need for it. LC2 was made to run with JB and that's it. Flashing older radios might be worthwhile if you're running into signal issues at your location and want to experiment, otherwise newer is again - recommended.
If you plan to downgrade to ICS or GB, repeat the same. Download the system image, flash required bootloader and radio from the .zip, then flash the update.zip. I wouldn't bet on mixing newer bootloaders with older system images, because again there's no need for it.
Word of advice, avoid jerking around with bootloader flashing, because if it borks up, you don't get fastboot access anymore, so if anything's dangerous on the Nexus, it's flashing the bootloader.
TL;DR Update to recent radio & bootloader and you're set.
Ok, let me start by saying that I'm fully capable of updating my phone with a computer, I'm just hoping there is a better way. So far every time I've downloaded a new firmware, update the flash-all.bat and run it, something will fail towards the end of the update and the only way I've been able to successfully update is by using one of those tool kits (forget which one, it's on my computer). I'm not that concerned about all of that with this thread. I'm wondering if there is a way to do it without a PC.
I'm on NMF26O (root, ElementalX, etc) and tried flashing Pure Nexus over the weekend. Since it's based on NMF26V, I kept receiving an error on boot about updating my vendor.img. So I downloaded that firmware, extracted it, and flashed the vendor.img in TWRP. That led to a plethora of other issues that I couldn't resolve by flashing the boot.img, reflashing the rom, ect. Several hours later I ended up flashing the boot.img and vendor.img for NMF26O, restoring my backup, re-installing Elemental, and rooting again.
Since these updates will be coming out every month, and roms will always be based on the latest update, I feel like I'll be pulling out the computer every month, downloading the updates, modifying the flash-all.bat, and running it through the tool, just to be able to update my rom. The first time I forget to update flash-all.bat, I'll lose the 60+ GB's I keep in internal storage. There has to be an easier way. TWRP is capable of flashing images. Has anyone been able to update without using a computer? I don't care if my radio is out dated, or something is mismatched as long as my phone works as intended.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Not sure why you ran into issues with PN. You need to be on the latest build NMF26U. You can flash the ROM via recovery. Then tku have to reboot once and go back to recovery and flash the V vendor image because the ROM is based on NMF26V. Each time a new ROM comes out on a new build you can flash in recovery.
If your talking about flashing stock OTAs via recovery that's not possible yet. No need to do this if you're going to be using custom ROMs though
aholeinthewor1d said:
Not sure why you ran into issues with PN. You need to be on the latest build NMF26U. You can flash the ROM via recovery. Then tku have to reboot once and go back to recovery and flash the V vendor image because the ROM is based on NMF26V. Each time a new ROM comes out on a new build you can flash in recovery.
If your talking about flashing stock OTAs via recovery that's not possible yet. No need to do this if you're going to be using custom ROMs though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on NMF26O. What's the difference between it and NMF26U and why would the vendor image from NMF26V work with NMF26U but not NMF26O?
Seems like all you would need is the /system from the rom, the vendor image, and maybe the boot image (or a custom kernel). I think I'm missing something here.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
If you install PN its based on NMF26V. So unless you are already on that then you would need to flash the ROM, reboot back to recovery, then flash the NMF26V vendor image.
I'll play devil's advocate here... Yeah there is an easier way, use your Pixel stock and take OTA's. Enjoy a phone that always works, with or without a laptop!
I understand my audience and realize this isn't a popular mantra here but I felt exactly like you did with my 6p and vendor images. I got to the point where I sacrifice root now just for my own sanity. My phone works for me, not the other way around.
What I do is side load the full OTA ( which you can get from the same place you get the factory images ). I only use the fastboot boot version of TWRP so that my stock recovery stays in place. Then all you have to do is boot into the stock recovery, adb side load the OTA file and re root. Then you're fully up to date without worries of your data being wiped :laugh:!
( Although if you look in the flash fire thread from Chainfire, he's working on a version that will let rooted pixels flash otas like normal ones :fingers-crossed: )
I think you guys are missing the point. I have no desire to ever be stock, which rules out the possibility for an OTA in any form.
What I'm trying to figure out is exactly what is necessary to make a custom rom (based on the latest OTA), work if flashed over an older build, without first somehow applying the full OTA. Or is it impossible?
On just about every other phone I've owned, we could piecemeal the files needed for minor updates, along with a custom rom. The only time we'd have to flash a full update is for major updates ( 4 to 5 to 6, etc).
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Ok, I figured it out. Just download the OTA.zip (not the full firmware), flash in TWRP, immediately flash TWRP again, and reboot.
I'm now on nmf26u.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
joshw0000 said:
Ok, I figured it out. Just download the OTA.zip (not the full firmware), flash in TWRP, immediately flash TWRP again, and reboot.
I'm now on nmf26u.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think we can just flash OTAs in twrp yet. Haven't heard of Antone doing it. There is a beta Flashfire out that I guess works to flash updates. J have it but haven't needed to try it cause I'm running PN and DU
aholeinthewor1d said:
I don't think we can just flash OTAs in twrp yet. Haven't heard of Antone doing it. There is a beta Flashfire out that I guess works to flash updates. J have it but haven't needed to try it cause I'm running PN and DU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've done it several times tonight. Went from O to U to V, flashed Pure Nexus, screwed up the rom, restored to O, then O flashed back to U and V.
Just flash it like a rom in TWRP RC1. Make sure you flash TWRP again before rebooting if you want to keep it.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
I have a Shield Tablet (post battery fire exchange) and I would like to update it to the newest firmware/os... It is currently rooted, running BitO-Kernel, and stock nvidia rom. I did all the rooting and flashing on this tablet originally, but I never kept it up to date with newer updates. I heard on this forum awhile back that it's not just as simple as flashing a new rom, something about having to flash some other system stuff first or some partition or something. Basically I'm looking for a guide on how to update a Shield Tablet from rooted 5.1.1 to the newest OS version avalible. I tried sreaching the forum, but I couldn't find what I was looking for (maybe I'm not using the right search keyworks).
Agreed, that it is typically best to keep devices updated with the whole OTA update, which include firmware, modems, and whatever other partitions (not always flashed with custom ROMs). Although I'm not sure if there is much changed in those partitions between 5.1.s and 5.2.
That is the original Shield tablet (not the K1) right?
If so, I think you can just download the full OTA zip, and flash in TWRP: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72501806&postcount=35
Then root (flash Magisk or SuperSU) right away before rebooting, if you want to keep TWRP. If you don't root, the update will cause TWRP to be replaced with stock recovery.
Another option, if you made a backup of the stock ROM before installing custom ROM (I suggest always doing that) you can restore it, and should get the OTA notification. Then you should be able to just download and update that way. Again, root before rebooting, if you want to retain TWRP.
If all the above fail, you can download the recovery OS, and flash all the components using fastboot, as described in the supplied instructions:
https://developer.nvidia.com/gameworksdownload#?search=SHIELD%20Tablet%20wifi&tx=$additional,shield
redpoint73 said:
Agreed, that it is typically best to keep devices updated with the whole OTA update, which include firmware, modems, and whatever other partitions (not always flashed with custom ROMs). Although I'm not sure if there is much changed in those partitions between 5.1.s and 5.2.
That is the original Shield tablet (not the K1) right?
If so, I think you can just download the full OTA zip, and flash in TWRP: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=72501806&postcount=35
Then root (flash Magisk or SuperSU) right away before rebooting, if you want to keep TWRP. If you don't root, the update will cause TWRP to be replaced with stock recovery.
Another option, if you made a backup of the stock ROM before installing custom ROM (I suggest always doing that) you can restore it, and should get the OTA notification. Then you should be able to just download and update that way. Again, root before rebooting, if you want to retain TWRP.
If all the above fail, you can download the recovery OS, and flash all the components using fastboot, as described in the supplied instructions:
https://developer.nvidia.com/gameworksdownload#?search=SHIELD Tablet wifi&tx=$additional,shield
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I appreciate the help! Yes it's an original tablet (not the k1). It's currently rooted with the Bit-O kernel running over the stock Nvidia 5.1.1 os (also has twrp on it as well). I'd like to keep root. I'll have to do some more search to see if I can find the old thread where I was told it's more difficult the a simple flash, I remember it was explained fairly clearly, I just can remember exactly what that was lol.
EDIT: found the original post where I was asking about this from last year, the issue revolves around the Staging Blob which I've never worked with before and know nothing about it (usually just ROMs and kernel flashes and occasionally radio images).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/help/how-update-rooted-shield-tablet-to-t3355436
bluegizmo83 said:
It's currently rooted with the Bit-O kernel running over the stock Nvidia 5.1.1 os (also has twrp on it as well). I'd like to keep root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to update the OS and keep root. Which is pretty typical when updating most Android devices (root will be lost). But for the 1st and 2nd options I gave (flashing the OTA zips in TWRP), it's easy to just root the device again. Just have your preferred root zip (Magisk or SuperSU) on the phone when you update. Then after the update (before rebooting to OS) while still in TWRP, just flash the root zip. Then you will be rooted, and TWRP will not be wiped (replaced by stock recovery).
3rd option (flash Recoveyr OS in fastboot), getting root again is a few more steps, but still not that hard. After flashing all the components, reboot and verify everything is working. Then go to fastboot again, flash TWRP. Then boot into TWRP, and flash the root file (Magisk or SuperSU).
For any of the options 1-3, if you want to then flash your custom kernel again after rooting, you are free to do so. I'd probably verify the stock OS is working. Then boot to TWRP, make a backup of the stock kernel & ROM, then flash your desired kernel.
bluegizmo83 said:
I'll have to do some more search to see if I can find the old thread where I was told it's more difficult the a simple flash, I remember it was explained fairly clearly, I just can remember exactly what that was lol.
EDIT: found the original post where I was asking about this from last year, the issue revolves around the Staging Blob which I've never worked with before and know nothing about it (usually just ROMs and kernel flashes and occasionally radio images).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the 3rd option (flash Recovery OS in fastboot), if you go to the link then click the desired version 5.2, it will expand, and you will see Downloads for the Windows or Linux files, and instructions below that. Click on "instructions" and you will see there are steps to extraxt various components, than flash each one individually using fastboot:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash staging blob
If you do the other methods (flash OTA zip with TWRP) I believe all these components are included, and just flash automatically.
redpoint73 said:
You won't be able to update the OS and keep root. Which is pretty typical when updating most Android devices (root will be lost). But for the 1st and 2nd options I gave (flashing the OTA zips in TWRP), it's easy to just root the device again. Just have your preferred root zip (Magisk or SuperSU) on the phone when you update. Then after the update (before rebooting to OS) while still in TWRP, just flash the root zip. Then you will be rooted, and TWRP will not be wiped (replaced by stock recovery).
3rd option (flash Recoveyr OS in fastboot), getting root again is a few more steps, but still not that hard. After flashing all the components, reboot and verify everything is working. Then go to fastboot again, flash TWRP. Then boot into TWRP, and flash the root file (Magisk or SuperSU).
For any of the options 1-3, if you want to then flash your custom kernel again after rooting, you are free to do so. I'd probably verify the stock OS is working. Then boot to TWRP, make a backup of the stock kernel & ROM, then flash your desired kernel.
On the 3rd option (flash Recovery OS in fastboot), if you go to the link then click the desired version 5.2, it will expand, and you will see Downloads for the Windows or Linux files, and instructions below that. Click on "instructions" and you will see there are steps to extraxt various components, than flash each one individually using fastboot:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash staging blob
If you do the other methods (flash OTA zip with TWRP) I believe all these components are included, and just flash automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok thanks! I'll definitely try to flash that 5.2 OTA zip from twrp and see if that works. After that, I should be able to flash any current update (like 6.0) also, correct? And I assume I need to flash 5.2 first before flashing 6.0 (or whatever the most current shield tablet OTA is), correct?
bluegizmo83 said:
Oh ok thanks! I'll definitely try to flash that 5.2 OTA zip from twrp and see if that works.
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Pretty sure it's how I updated to 5.2 (then rooted), and probably the easiest of the options. It's been a busy last couple months, so it's all a little blurry!
bluegizmo83 said:
After that, I should be able to flash any current update (like 6.0) also, correct?
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Correct.
bluegizmo83 said:
And I assume I need to flash 5.2 first before flashing 6.0 (or whatever the most current shield tablet OTA is), correct?
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Not 100% sure. It's a full OTA zip, not an incremental update. So in those cases (full OTA) it may not need the preceding update installed. But again, I'm not sure.
redpoint73 said:
Pretty sure it's how I updated to 5.2 (then rooted), and probably the easiest of the options. It's been a busy last couple months, so it's all a little blurry!.
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Ok thanks again, I appreciate all the help! One last question I promise lol. Do I need to wipe anything in twrp before I flash an OTA zip? In the past I've been told wipes are not required for incremental updates (like 5.0 to 5.1 to 5.2) but they are usually recommended for larger os revisions like 5.0 to 6.0, does that still hold true?
bluegizmo83 said:
One last question I promise lol. Do I need to wipe anything in twrp before I flash an OTA zip? In the past I've been told wipes are not required for incremental updates (like 5.0 to 5.1 to 5.2) but they are usually recommended for larger os revisions like 5.0 to 6.0, does that still hold true?
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I would say that is still true. Don't think you need to wipe anything (except cache and Dalvik - which I usually wipe when flashing anything), and I don't think I did either. Make a TWRP backup, in case anything goes wrong, as well as any other backups of apps, data, etc. (such as Titanium)..
Ask all the questions you like. It's fun to help, although I may not necessarily always know the answer!
redpoint73 said:
I would say that is still true. Don't think you need to wipe anything (except cache and Dalvik - which I usually wipe when flashing anything), and I don't think I did either. Make a TWRP backup, in case anything goes wrong, as well as any other backups of apps, data, etc. (such as Titanium)..
Ask all the questions you like. It's fun to help, although I may not necessarily always know the answer!
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Ok thanks. I did just think of one more question, its not 100% related to flashing though... On my shield tablet, I have a 128gb SDcard in it, and I use Folder Mount to move all my large apps and games to the SDcard. Do these backup through TWRP if I check every box (I don't think it does cause there isn't a check box to backup the sdcard)? Would titanium backup work better to backup and restore these large apps & games that were moved with Folder Mount?
bluegizmo83 said:
Ok thanks. I did just think of one more question, its not 100% related to flashing though... On my shield tablet, I have a 128gb SDcard in it, and I use Folder Mount to move all my large apps and games to the SDcard. Do these backup through TWRP if I check every box (I don't think it does cause there isn't a check box to backup the sdcard)? Would titanium backup work better to backup and restore these large apps & games that were moved with Folder Mount?
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You can't backup internal storage or SD card in TWRP.
I don't personally use anything like Folder Mount. I would think as long as the folders are where they are supposed to be, and the data for Folder Mount is preserved/migrated properly, then it will all still work as it did before the update. If you are really paranoid, you can make a copy of the folders on your SD card to your computer as a "backup".
redpoint73 said:
You can't backup internal storage or SD card in TWRP.
I don't personally use anything like Folder Mount. I would think as long as the folders are where they are supposed to be, and the data for Folder Mount is preserved/migrated properly, then it will all still work as it did before the update. If you are really paranoid, you can make a copy of the folders on your SD card to your computer as a "backup".
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I just noticed on that download link you posted earlier, that Nvidia lists the newest update as 5.2.0, but that is actually Android os version 7.0. Earlier when I said on was on 5.1.1 I meant Android os 5.1.1 (as in Lollipop), not shield os version 5.1 (which is Nougat). Sorry if that wasn't clear in the beginning. Does that effect any of your original advise? Just thought I should double-check that.
bluegizmo83 said:
I just noticed on that download link you posted earlier, that Nvidia lists the newest update as 5.2.0, but that is actually Android os version 7.0. Earlier when I said on was on 5.1.1 I meant Android os 5.1.1 (as in Lollipop), not shield os version 5.1 (which is Nougat). Sorry if that wasn't clear in the beginning. Does that effect any of your original advise? Just thought I should double-check that.
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I'm not sure if it matters with the OTA. My feeling is, that it won't matter, and it will still install.
My guess is that in the worst case, the OTA fails, and you have to resort to flashing the recovery OS version.
Usually after unlocking this is my first step but having a read through the TWRP thread and G+ its left me a little confused.
If i flash TWRP it seems like i have to make sure the boot image, the system and the vendor image all match up for the phone to boot. And monthly updates may cause TWRP issues.
Since theres a distinct lack of ROMs it looks like i will have to stay stock. Now if i update monthly do i have to reconnect to a PC and update the new monthly update with TWRP? Once ROMs do start appearing will i have to flash vendor images separately like i did on the Nexus 6P? And a final question, if want to put a custom kernel on the phone will that have to match the boot, system and vendor images for it work?
Im currently pretty happy with stock but im getting an itchy trigger finger and wanna start trying some Magisk Modules but have no means to do a backup just in case other than TiBu but even then wouldnt be able to pull the files from a bootlooping device.
TIA
yatezy said:
Usually after unlocking this is my first step but having a read through the TWRP thread and G+ its left me a little confused.
If i flash TWRP it seems like i have to make sure the boot image, the system and the vendor image all match up for the phone to boot. And monthly updates may cause TWRP issues.
Since theres a distinct lack of ROMs it looks like i will have to stay stock. Now if i update monthly do i have to reconnect to a PC and update the new monthly update with TWRP? Once ROMs do start appearing will i have to flash vendor images separately like i did on the Nexus 6P? And a final question, if want to put a custom kernel on the phone will that have to match the boot, system and vendor images for it work?
Im currently pretty happy with stock but im getting an itchy trigger finger and wanna start trying some Magisk Modules but have no means to do a backup just in case other than TiBu but even then wouldnt be able to pull the files from a bootlooping device.
TIA
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Any time you make an update to the rom, or flash a new rom, wipe data/cache, you'll have to flash TWRP, Kernel, and Magsik at the end.
If you are staying stock, as Google pushes factory images with security updates, the easiest way and the least room for error, is to update via ADK and platform-tools using a PC and remove the -w from the flash-all script to maintain all your data, ADK will update on top of the ROM (there are plenty of guides in the guide section on how to do this). However, doing so will remove TWRP, so using ADK, you'll have to temporarily fastboot to TWRP, and install the TWRP zip, Kernel zip(optional), and Magisk zip (again, plenty of guides on how to do this). To answer your questions, NO, you don't have to flash the images separately, ADK and the flash-all script do this for you. Also, NO, you don't have to ensure the kernel matches the images. See this guide:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/guide-how-to-install-google-software-t3760033
When you make a backup in TWRP, it stores the files in a location in phone storage, so if you lose TWRP, you can fastboot the TWRP img with ADK, and restore via that. As long as you don't accidently wipe storage.
Right now, you're right, there are not a lot of ROMs for our phone. Personally I daily the Aquarius OS and absolutely love it. So I'd say give that a whirl. The dev just announced that he is going to maintain support for the phone.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/development/rom-aquarios-8-1-0-walleye-volte-wfc-t3775295
djer34 said:
Any time you make an update to the rom, or flash a new rom, wipe data/cache, you'll have to flash TWRP, Kernel, and Magsik at the end.
If you are staying stock, as Google pushes factory images with security updates, the easiest way and the least room for error, is to update via ADK and platform-tools using a PC and remove the -w from the flash-all script to maintain all your data, ADK will update on top of the ROM (there are plenty of guides in the guide section on how to do this). However, doing so will remove TWRP, so using ADK, you'll have to temporarily fastboot to TWRP, and install the TWRP zip, Kernel zip(optional), and Magisk zip (again, plenty of guides on how to do this). To answer your questions, NO, you don't have to flash the images separately, ADK and the flash-all script do this for you. Also, NO, you don't have to ensure the kernel matches the images. See this guide:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/guide-how-to-install-google-software-t3760033
When you make a backup in TWRP, it stores the files in a location in phone storage, so if you lose TWRP, you can fastboot the TWRP img with ADK, and restore via that. As long as you don't accidently wipe storage.
Right now, you're right, there are not a lot of ROMs for our phone. Personally I daily the Aquarius OS and absolutely love it. So I'd say give that a whirl. The dev just announced that he is going to maintain support for the phone.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/development/rom-aquarios-8-1-0-walleye-volte-wfc-t3775295
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Any particular reason? Can the XL roms be used on the Pixel?
ZeroSkylineX said:
Any particular reason? Can the XL roms be used on the Pixel?
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I believe it is due to the ROMs use of the kernel and how it translates to the different hardware. I know you may think that the only hardware difference of the pixel 2 xl is a bigger screen, but there are several hardware differences that make the pixel 2 xl different from the pixel 2. See this thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/help/flash-google-pixel-2-xl-rom-regular-t3758985