Manual OTA installation: seamless? - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

One of the great new features of Nougat on new devices like the Pixel is the seamless installation. Because there are two partitions, OTA updates can install and optimize in the background; then reboot straight into the updated version. I had read a while back that installing an OTA manually might not allow the same seamless update path. Does anyone know? Has anyone tried it?
I want to keep pure stock, non-rooted, etc. I just want my OTA now rather than potentially waiting weeks for it. Seems like installing the OTA manually via ADB could install it to the second partition and preserve all apps and user data...but I'm not about to find out the hard way.

Side loading the OTA won't wipe your user data or anything. The "seamless" update system simply allows Android to update itself while still letting you use the phone, needing only a reboot to switch once that's done. The only difference between that and sideloading is that it takes a while and you can't use your phone during the process.
Just took the update myself through sideloading on stock, so feel free to go ahead with it!

zphantom55 said:
Side loading the OTA won't wipe your user data or anything. The "seamless" update system simply allows Android to update itself while still letting you use the phone, needing only a reboot to switch once that's done. The only difference between that and sideloading is that it takes a while and you can't use your phone during the process.
Just took the update myself through sideloading on stock, so feel free to go ahead with it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, appreciate that! Giving it a try now.

Super easy process. If this helps anyone else, here are the basics.
On Windows computer:
1. Download the appropriate OTA image from Google: https://developers.google.com/android/ota
2. Install the latest version of Minimal ADB and Fastboot: https://androidmtk.com/download-minimal-adb-and-fastboot-tool
On Pixel
3. Enable USB debugging from Settings > Developer Menu
4. Plug Pixel into USB port in your computer using the USB-C to USB-A cable that came with the phone. Windows 10 (and probably earlier versions) will install drivers if you haven't plugged it in before.
On Computer
5. In command prompt in Minimal ADB directory, type "adb devices". Make sure a device shows up with the word "device" after it. If it says "unauthorized", you need to accept the dialog box on the phone, then try again.
6. After OTA file is downloaded, check the checksum again the SHA-256 hash listed on the Google OTA page, if you want. Not really needed since the phone will check this later before it installs.
7. Move the OTA file into the Minimal ADB directory.
8. In the command prompt, type "adb reboot recovery"
On Pixel
9. You should now see Android logo with red exclamation mark on the screen. Hold the Power button and press Volume Up once, and a menu will appear. Select the option Apply update from ADB.
On Computer
10. In command prompt type "adb sideload [filename of OTA file].zip"
On Pixel
11. Once the update finishes, reboot the phone by choosing Reboot the system now.
12. After Android loads, you should disable USB debugging for security.
There is no need to unlock bootloader for sideloading an OTA. (Don't do it--it will factory reset your phone.)

9. You should now see Android logo with red exclamation mark on the screen. Hold the Power button and press Volume Up once, and a menu will appear. Select the option Apply update from ADB.
....question ? doing same thing on my pixel...went ok, also got nexus 6p ...dont know how to enter to recovery mode on 6p

Related

New clarified method for rooting the HTC Aria (for those who are having trouble)

Credit goes to eugene373 and attn1. These are mostly their instructions, but I did change, clarify, and add a few steps. If you can't get any of the other methods working, try this one.
Prerequisites...
Note: If you're in Linux, you only need to do Step 4, Step 6, and Step 7.
Step 0.
Download and install HTC Sync: http://www.htc.com/us/support/aria-att/downloads/
Step 1.
Download and unzip the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Step 2.
Go into the folder where you unzipped the Android SDK and open "SDK Setup.exe".
If you aren't greeted with a failed to fetch URL error, proceed to Step 3. If you did receive this error, go to Settings in the "Choose Packages to Install" window and check "Force https;//... sources to be fetched using http://..."
Close and re-open "SDK Setup.exe".
Step 3.
When the "Choose Packages to Install" window pops up, make sure the package "Usb Driver package, revision x" is checked. You can uncheck everything else. Click Install. After it downloads and installs, close "Android SDK and AVD Manager".
Step 4.
With your device unplugged from your computer, go to Settings > Application > Development on your device and turn on USB Debugging.
Step 5.
Now plug your device in to your computer. This is just to make sure the USB drivers are installed.
Once they are installed, unplug your device and turn it off.
Step 6.
This step is optional, but it may prevent an error later on in the process. If you've never formatted your SD card from a computer, remove it from the phone and format it in Windows or OSX with an external card reader. Then place the formatted card back in your phone, but leave the phone off.
Step 7.
Download the updated Root.zip from eugene373's guide: Root the Slide & Other HTC Devices*6/15/2010* How-To Updated 6/29/2010
Now let's get started...
Step 0.
Unzip Root.zip
Step 1.
Place the contents ("update.zip", "ota.zip", and "loop") into the Android SDK tools folder.
Step 2.
Open Command Prompt or Terminal and CD to the SDK tools directory.
Step 3.
Power on your device into the bootloader by holding the "Volume Down" key and simultaneously pressing Power.
Once you're in the bootloader, wait about 30 seconds until some diagnostic checking is done.
Press "Volume Down" to highlight Recovery, but do not push Power to execute just yet.
Step 4.
Now run your loop file from the prompt (either type "loop" in Windows or "./loop.sh" in Linux) (refer to ice3186's post for Mac instructions)
Note: The loop does nothing but show you the connection status of your phone. It's not technically required, but we'll use it in this guide.
Step 5.
Once the loop is running in your prompt, get ready to connect the phone to the computer with the USB cable, but don't connect one end quite yet. With Recovery still highlighted on your phone, you will need to push the Power button and then immediately plug in the other end of the USB cord.
Step 6.
After a few seconds, you should see your device listed in the loop.
Step 7.
Unplug the USB cable from the bottom of your phone and plug it back in. You probably don't need to do this, but let's be safe. Wait for your device to show up in the loop again. Hit CTRL-C to terminate the loop.
Step 8.
You should see a triangle/exclaimation over a phone graphic.
Hold the "Volume Up" key (note it's Volume UP this time) and simultaneously press Power.
After the menu comes up, use the volume and power buttons to select and run update.zip. (This will fail, but we already know that! Select it anyway.)
Step 9.
Paste the following command into your prompt and press Enter.
adb push ota.zip /sdcard/update.zip (*OSX users add a ./ in front of all terminal commands please)
Step 10.
This is very important!! Have this next command ready in your prompt before running update.zip again!!
This is the command. Paste it into your prompt, but DO NOT press Enter yet.
adb push update.zip /sdcard
Step 11.
Run update.zip and as soon as you see a faint progress bar appear behind the text at the bottom of the screen, push Enter to execute the command in your prompt.
Step 12.
If successful, you should see Clockwork Recovery and you now have Su and Superuser.apk installed! You can now reboot your phone into the OS to verify. If unsuccessful, repeat steps 11 and 12.
Step 13.
This step is optional, but it will save you the pain of going through all of these steps again in the future.
Unrevoked team: Recovery reflash tool (updated - Now for Aria/Liberty!)
I think some trouble shooting comments should be mentioned, so I'll just write a few things I noticed while rooting my device (for 7 frustration filled hours).
If you cannot see your device show up in 'adb devices' in recovery, boot into the OS normally and see if it shows up. If it does not, then it's a safe bet that you have one of two problems - you do not have all the drivers installed, or you do not have 'usb debugging' enabled. This can be enabled in 'settings->applications->development->usb debugging'. To avoid driver issues, it's highly recommended that you do this process in linux or osx.
If, on the other hand, your phone DOES show up in Android but not in recovery, or if it just blips on the screen for a second (when running the loop) as an offline device, then it might be the formatting of your sd card. Do NOT format your sd card from your phone or within Android. The ONLY time I managed to get the phone to show up in recovery without disappearing immediately was by removing the sd card, formatting it in windows or osx with an external card reader, copying the files over (new rom or rooting files), and then replacing it in the phone while the phone is off. After putting the card back in your phone, try the procedure again - go to the bootloader->hboot->recovery (while the cable is unplugged), then press the power button and immediately after plug the cable in (usually works when you plug the cable in about .2-.5 seconds later). If it does not show up at all, reboot the phone and try again, but do NOT let it boot back to Android. You can get back in to the bootloader by waiting until the 'HTC quietly brilliant' screen shows up and typing 'adb reboot bootloader' with the usb cable attached.
It took me a really long time to figure that out. I don't think the type of sd card matters so much as the formatting of it. I actually used the 2gb card that came with the phone, and it worked almost every single time after I reformatted the card.
Also, if you manage to get it working and root the phone, do yourself a huge favor and install the custom Unrevoked recovery image mentioned in the original rooting thread, so you never have to deal with this nonsense ever again.
Also also, if you get to the step where you do 'adb push ota.zip /sdcard/update.zip' and you get an error:0, installation aborted message, you did something wrong. The problem is that you aren't actually supposed to flash ota.zip. What you're supposed to do is push ota.zip to your phone as update.zip, and leave it there. Don't touch anything else. What you will do after that is type 'adb push update.zip /sdcard/update.zip' in the command prompt (WITHOUT hitting enter yet, just get ready to). You will then select 'sdcard:update.zip' and press power and IMMEDIATELY AFTER pressing power, you will press enter on the command prompt to execute your adb push command. What this does is causes recovery to read the ota.zip file you uploaded and recognize it as a legit update, but you replace it with update.zip before it actually gets extracted (if your timing is good). So recovery reads the signature of ota.zip, but actually extracts the stuff in update.zip and runs that instead.
Hope that helps with some common problems I observed. Good luck, dudes.
okay so I think I the only one using a Mac in this rooting process. A few things I have learned and may already be known but I thought I would clarify.
1.) to get a loop to run on the mac i had to re-write the file loop.bat
this is the code that works for me and how to do it.
a.) rename the file to end in .sh not .bat the way it came
b.) open the file with TextEdit
c.) delete all of the text in it and write this in there
Code:
while [ "0" ]
do
{
./adb devices
}
done
d.) save the file back in the sdk/tools folder
e.) in terminal the command once you cd to the folder is ./loop.sh
2.) i have yet to be successful in the attempt to root so anyone knowing anything to help would be appreciated! But i am still cracking i think i am going to wear out the plug before i am done though.
it should be pointed out that the loop does nothing except tell you if you have a connection or not. When you plug in the usb port, it will respond after a few seconds, or it won't. Try again.
gtg465x said:
Credit goes to eugene373 and attn1. These are mostly their instructions, but I did change, clarify, and add a few steps. If you can't get any of the other methods working, try this one.
Prerequisites...
Step 0.
Download and install HTC Sync: http://www.htc.com/us/support/aria-att/downloads/
Step 1.
Download and unzip the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Step 2.
Go into the folder where you unzipped the Android SDK and open "SDK Setup.exe"
When the "Choose Packages to Install" window pops up, make sure the package "Usb Driver package, revision x" is checked. You can uncheck everything else. Click Install. After it downloads and installs, close "Android SDK and AVD Manager".
Step 3.
With your device unplugged from your computer, go to Settings > Application > Development on your device and turn on USB Debugging.
Step 4.
Now plug your device in to your computer. This is just to make sure the USB drivers are installed.
Once they are installed, unplug your device and turn it off.
Step 5.
Download Root.zip from eugene373's guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6820344&postcount=1
Now let's get into it...
Step 0.
Unzip Root.zip
Step 1.
Place the contents ("update.zip", "ota.zip", and "loop") into the Android SDK tools folder.
Step 2.
Open Command Prompt or Terminal and CD to the SDK tools directory.
Step 3.
Power on your device into the bootloader by holding down the "Volume Down" key and simultaneously pressing Power.
Once you're in the bootloader, wait about 30 seconds, until some diagnostic checking is done.
Press "Volume Down" to highlight Recovery, but do not push Power to execute just yet.
Step 4.
Now run your loop file from the prompt (either type "loop" in Windows or "./loop.sh" in a *nix like) ( ./ Is used For OSX )
Step 5.
Once the loop is running in your prompt, get ready to connect the phone to the computer with the USB cable, but don't connect one end quite yet. With Recovery still highlighted on your phone, you will need to push the Power button and then immediately plug in the other end of the USB cord.
Step 6.
After a few seconds, you should see your device listed in the loop.
Step 7.
Unplug your USB cable from the bottom of your phone and plug it back in. You probably don't need to do this, but let's be safe. Wait for your device to show up in the loop again. Hit CTRL-C to terminate the loop.
Step 8.
You should see a triangle/exclaimation over a phone graphic.
Hold down the "Volume Up" key (note it's Volume UP this time) and simultaneously press Power.
After the menu comes up, use the volume and power buttons to select and run update.zip. (This will fail, but we already know that! Select it anyway.)
Step 9.
Paste the following command into your prompt and press Enter.
adb push ota.zip /sdcard/update.zip (*OSX users add a ./ in front of all terminal commands please.)
Step 11.
This is very important!! Have this next command ready in your prompt before running update.zip again!!
This is the command. Paste it into your prompt, but DO NOT press Enter yet.
adb push update.zip /sdcard
step 12.
Run update.zip and as soon as you see a faint progress bar appear behind the text at the bottom of the screen, push Enter to execute the command in your prompt.
Step 13.
If successful, you should see Clockwork Recovery and you now have Su & Superuser.apk installed! You can now reboot your phone into the OS to verify.
If unsuccessful, repeat steps 11 & 12.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't complete - this just gets you to clockwork and you haven't installed anything yet. You need to add steps to add root acces or flash a rom that is rooted. Also, make sure to reference the unrevoked tool to install Clockwork after root so this whole ordeal can be avoided next time.
Yes! The secret was formatting the sd card outside of the phone. I am now rooted and liberated! Thanks for plugging along with all the advice guys!
modest_mandroid said:
I think some trouble shooting comments should be mentioned, so I'll just write a few things I noticed while rooting my device (for 7 frustration filled hours).
If you cannot see your device show up in 'adb devices' in recovery, boot into the OS normally and see if it shows up. If it does not, then it's a safe bet that you have one of two problems - you do not have all the drivers installed, or you do not have 'usb debugging' enabled. This can be enabled in 'settings->applications->development->usb debugging'. To avoid driver issues, it's highly recommended that you do this process in linux or osx.
If, on the other hand, your phone DOES show up in Android but not in recovery, or if it just blips on the screen for a second (when running the loop) as an offline device, then it might be the formatting of your sd card. Do NOT format your sd card from your phone or within Android. The ONLY time I managed to get the phone to show up in recovery without disappearing immediately was by removing the sd card, formatting it in windows or osx with an external card reader, copying the files over (new rom or rooting files), and then replacing it in the phone while the phone is off. After putting the card back in your phone, try the procedure again - go to the bootloader->hboot->recovery (while the cable is unplugged), then press the power button and immediately after plug the cable in (usually works when you plug the cable in about .2-.5 seconds later). If it does not show up at all, reboot the phone and try again, but do NOT let it boot back to Android. You can get back in to the bootloader by waiting until the 'HTC quietly brilliant' screen shows up and typing 'adb reboot bootloader' with the usb cable attached.
It took me a really long time to figure that out. I don't think the type of sd card matters so much as the formatting of it. I actually used the 2gb card that came with the phone, and it worked almost every single time after I reformatted the card.
Also, if you manage to get it working and root the phone, do yourself a huge favor and install the custom Unrevoked recovery image mentioned in the original rooting thread, so you never have to deal with this nonsense ever again.
Also also, if you get to the step where you do 'adb push ota.zip /sdcard/update.zip' and you get an error:0, installation aborted message, you did something wrong. The problem is that you aren't actually supposed to flash ota.zip. What you're supposed to do is push ota.zip to your phone as update.zip, and leave it there. Don't touch anything else. What you will do after that is type 'adb push update.zip /sdcard/update.zip' in the command prompt (WITHOUT hitting enter yet, just get ready to). You will then select 'sdcard:update.zip' and press power and IMMEDIATELY AFTER pressing power, you will press enter on the command prompt to execute your adb push command. What this does is causes recovery to read the ota.zip file you uploaded and recognize it as a legit update, but you replace it with update.zip before it actually gets extracted (if your timing is good). So recovery reads the signature of ota.zip, but actually extracts the stuff in update.zip and runs that instead.
Hope that helps with some common problems I observed. Good luck, dudes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really good tips. I hope you don't mind - I am going to link to this to my original thread.
Troubleshooting Tip on Prerequisite Step 2: If you're working behind a firewall, router, or proxy server, you're going to have to configure SDK Setup to use an open port on that device, in order to download updates.
I won't go through the exact steps here, but if SDK setup is hanging, this is the most likely culprit.
Regards,
Corporate Dog
Corporate Dog said:
Troubleshooting Tip on Prerequisite Step 2: If you're working behind a firewall, router, or proxy server, you're going to have to configure SDK Setup to use an open port on that device, in order to download updates.
I won't go through the exact steps here, but if SDK setup is hanging, this is the most likely culprit.
Regards,
Corporate Dog
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
get a copy of linux livecd and then you don't have to actually set up the SDK or worry about any drivers.
attn1 said:
This isn't complete - this just gets you to clockwork and you having installed anything yet. You need to add steps to root or flash a rom that is rooted. Also, make sure to reference the unrevoked tool to install Clockwork after root so this whole ordeal can be avoided next time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you made it to clockwork using this method then you're rooted. Check eugene's updated instructions. Look at the 6/29/2010 update on his original post... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6820344&postcount=1
I will add a reference to the unrevoked tool.
modest_mandroid said:
If, on the other hand, your phone DOES show up in Android but not in recovery, or if it just blips on the screen for a second (when running the loop) as an offline device, then it might be the formatting of your sd card. Do NOT format your sd card from your phone or within Android. The ONLY time I managed to get the phone to show up in recovery without disappearing immediately was by removing the sd card, formatting it in windows or osx with an external card reader, copying the files over (new rom or rooting files), and then replacing it in the phone while the phone is off. After putting the card back in your phone, try the procedure again - go to the bootloader->hboot->recovery (while the cable is unplugged), then press the power button and immediately after plug the cable in (usually works when you plug the cable in about .2-.5 seconds later). If it does not show up at all, reboot the phone and try again, but do NOT let it boot back to Android. You can get back in to the bootloader by waiting until the 'HTC quietly brilliant' screen shows up and typing 'adb reboot bootloader' with the usb cable attached.
It took me a really long time to figure that out. I don't think the type of sd card matters so much as the formatting of it. I actually used the 2gb card that came with the phone, and it worked almost every single time after I reformatted the card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent troubleshooting tips. I added a note about formatting your SD card to the prerequisites.
ice3186 said:
okay so I think I the only one using a Mac in this rooting process. A few things I have learned and may already be known but I thought I would clarify.
1.) to get a loop to run on the mac i had to re-write the file loop.bat
this is the code that works for me and how to do it.
a.) rename the file to end in .sh not .bat the way it came
b.) open the file with TextEdit
c.) delete all of the text in it and write this in there
Code:
while [ "0" ]
do
{
./adb devices
}
done
d.) save the file back in the sdk/tools folder
e.) in terminal the command once you cd to the folder is ./loop.sh
2.) i have yet to be successful in the attempt to root so anyone knowing anything to help would be appreciated! But i am still cracking i think i am going to wear out the plug before i am done though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Added a reference to your post.
attn1 said:
it should be pointed out that the loop does nothing except tell you if you have a connection or not. When you plug in the usb port, it will respond after a few seconds, or it won't. Try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Noted in the original post.
Corporate Dog said:
Troubleshooting Tip on Prerequisite Step 2: If you're working behind a firewall, router, or proxy server, you're going to have to configure SDK Setup to use an open port on that device, in order to download updates.
I won't go through the exact steps here, but if SDK setup is hanging, this is the most likely culprit.
Regards,
Corporate Dog
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Added the workaround.
attn1 said:
get a copy of linux livecd and then you don't have to actually set up the SDK or worry about any drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Added a note to the top of the prerequisites.
gtg465x said:
Step 12.
If successful, you should see Clockwork Recovery and you now have Su and Superuser.apk installed! You can now reboot your phone into the OS to verify. If unsuccessful, repeat steps 11 and 12.
Step 13.
This step is optional, but it will save you the pain of going through all of these steps again in the future.
Unrevoked team: Recovery reflash tool (updated - Now for Aria/Liberty!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In no way, shape or form are you done after set 12.
You need to do more than just get into Clockwork. That alone doesn't root the phone.
gtg465x said:
If you made it to clockwork using this method then you're rooted. Check eugene's updated instructions. Look at the 6/29/2010 update on his original post... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6820344&postcount=1
I will add a reference to the unrevoked tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mistake. He not only updated his instructions, he updated his update.zip. That should do it.
Good job!
I was just wondering If I have device issues after it is rooted, is it possible to remove the root and flash everything back to factory defaults for warranty purposes like the windows phones or is it once the warranty is gone it is gone?
steezee said:
I was just wondering If I have device issues after it is rooted, is it possible to remove the root and flash everything back to factory defaults for warranty purposes like the windows phones or is it once the warranty is gone it is gone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dunno if you can reflash the stock recovery again if you replaced it with clockwork, but you can definitely flash the stock ATT rom again. You can download it from HTC's site: http://member.america.htc.com/download/Web_materials/Manual/HTC_Aria_ATT/HTCAriaOriginalShipROM.exe
Banging my head on the wall. Got it to detect device once on loop. Never again after that. Phone shows up in device manager. Formatted 8gb and 2 gb cards several times.
urge growing. ... want to . . break.. . . .. . .random objects. . .
attn1 said:
My mistake. He not only updated his instructions, he updated his update.zip. That should do it.
Good job!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I should have mentioned that he updated his update.zip.
You guys are right , there are missing step in the tutorial to fully root Aria.
after i get in to the clockwork from the step above. i have to install the custom rom that can be found in the forum.
when i try to install "Unrevoked team: Recovery reflash tool (updated - Now for Aria/Liberty!) " . the process goes throught but the recovery is still the same HTC blue color recovery screen.
so before you insert your sd card into the phone after you format the sd card. remember to copy the rooted rom into the sd card so when you successfully get into the clockwork. you want to install the rom then your aria is rooted with superuser icon on the application.
after then you do the "Unrevoked team: Recovery reflash tool (updated - Now for Aria/Liberty!) step .
There are no steps missing from the first post. I rooted my Aria using that method. Just make sure you have the latest Root.zip from eugene's thread. He updated it the other day and if you try to use the older version of Root.zip with this method it will not work.
What you are doing is installing a custom rom, which is fine, but it's not required to root the Aria.
i was trying to get the clockwork to install and it only work after i load the liberated_aria_b003_signed.zip
before i load liberated_aria_b003_signed.zip , it still give me the default HTC recovery screen.
after i load liberated_aria_b003_signed.zip and install "Unrevoked team: Recovery reflash tool (updated - Now for Aria/Liberty!) " . i get the clockwork screen as the recovery screen .
i still can't get the side loading to show after i follow the step from here
•COMMON:
•Enable USB debugging (settings > applications > development > USB Debugging)
•adb remount
•adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db settings.db
Linux/OS X:
•echo "update secure set value = 1 where name = 'install_non_market_apps';"|sqlite3 settings.db
WINDOWS:
•echo update secure set value = 1 where name = 'install_non_market_apps';|sqlite3 settings.db
COMMON:
•adb push settings.db /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
•Reboot phone and sideloading works. (thanks to fluffyarmada)
.

[Guide] Newbie to Photon Q 4G LTE Rooting w/ Ice Cream Sandwich

Purpose: The purpose of this guide is to help collect all information and steps needed to root a Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE and use Clockwork Mod. When I looked for tutorials there were no updated ones that detailed how to do this with the latest android update (as of May 2014) for the Photon. Some steps may have been / were copied from various posts & guides around the internet, again this is just a collection of information.
Goal: A user who just opened his Photon Q 4G LTE and did all the factory updates should be able to get his phone rooted by the end of the guide.
Note: I started this guide but sadly the ribbon cable on my Photon Q 4G LTE broke and I just decided to switch carriers. I never got back to proof reading this guide while it was still fresh in my memory but if anyone sees and issues just let me know.
Unlock the Bootloader:
I unlocked the bootloader because I wanted to install ClockWork Mod and read that you had to. Not sure if you need to do this just for root access. I wanted CWM so that I could create a backup of this phone as is came from the factory so if I want to restore down the road I can. Unlike my Samsung it seems difficult to find the factory software for the Photon Q so this seemed like the best way to get it. Also nice to have the ability to take backups of my phone every so often. Assuming your phone is new I recommend that you also take a factory backup once clockwork mod is on before installing any other apps.
1. Download and install the drivers for the Photon Q from Motorola here ( https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/88481 )
2. Download this ZIP package which contains the tools you need for most of the steps here ( https://od.lk/f/MjRfMjc2MDc1Ml8 )
3. Head over to Motorola’s bootloader unlock site and sign in / register ( https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-b )
4. Put your device in fastboot mode by powering off, waiting a moment, then pressing the “power” and “volume down” buttons simultaneously and releasing the “power” button ONLY after a few seconds. Once you see the fastboot screen you can release “volume down” as well.
5. Unzip and open the folder with the ZIP files from Step 2 and open a command prompt or terminal (in Windows 7 hold “Shift” and right-click in the folder and select “open command window here”.
6. In the prompt, type “fastboot oem get_unlock_data” without the quotes.
7. You will see 5 or so lines with either “(bootloader)” or “INFO” in front of them. Use notepad or some other basic text editor to paste together the 5 lines of output into one continuous string WITHOUT (bootloader) or ‘INFO’ or white spaces in front of them so your string looks something like this: 0A40040192024205#4C4D355631323030373731363031303332323239#BD008A672BA4746C2CE02328A2AC0C39F951A3E5#1F532800020000000000000000000000
8. Check if your device can be unlocked by pasting the string in the field on Motorola’s page on their section 6. and click “Can my device be unlocked?” If you have a problem with this most likely the string you pasted in the box has spaces or extra / incorrect characters. Try again.
9. Open the email and get the unlock code. My email ended up in the “Promotion” category inbox instead of my normal inbox so if you don’t see it check in other places such as “Spam”.
10. Put your device in fastboot mode again by powering off, waiting a moment, then pressing the “power” and “volume down” buttons simultaneously and releasing the “power” button ONLY after a few seconds. Once you see the fastboot screen you can release “volume down” as well.
11. Connect the device to the computer with a USB cable. You'll get a confirmation message on the device to indicate that it's connected.
12. Open the folder with the ZIP files from Step 2 again and open a command prompt or terminal (in Windows 7 hold “Shift” and right-click in the folder and select “open command window here”.
13. In the prompt, type “fastboot devices” without the quotes and make sure your device shows up.
14. To unlock the bootloader, enter the following in the prompt “fastboot oem unlock UNIQUE_KEY” without quotes where you replace the “UNIQUE_KEY” with the code you received in the email. It is case-sensitive.
15. If the line was entered correctly, you will see a message confirming that your device was unlocked.​Install Clockwork Mod:
1. Download the latest ClockWorkMod recovery for the Photon Q from clockworkmod.com/rommanager and place the file in the same folder as the files from Bootloader Step 2. Be careful to select the right image!
2. Connect the Photon Q to the computer via USB.
3. Open the folder with the ZIP files from Bootloader Step 2 again and open a command prompt or terminal (in Windows 7 hold “Shift” and right-click in the folder and select “open command window here”.
4. Put your device in fastboot mode again by powering off, waiting a moment, then pressing the “power” and “volume down” buttons simultaneously and releasing the “power” button ONLY after a few seconds. Once you see the fastboot screen you can release “volume down” as well.
5. In the prompt, type “fastboot devices” without the quotes and make sure your device shows
a. If you don't see your device serial number, and instead see "<waiting for device>", fastboot is not configured properly on your machine. See fastboot documentation for more info.
b. If you see "no permissions fastboot", make sure your UDEV rules are setup correctly.
6. Flash ClockWork Mod recovery onto your device by entering the following command in the prompt “fastboot flash recovery image.img” without the quotes where “image.img” is the full name of the file you downloaded in Step 1.
7. Once the flash completes successfully, reboot the device into recovery to verify the installation by powering off the phone and then holding both “Volume Up” & “Power” simultaneously until you see ClockWork Mod on the screen. From here you can take a backup (recommended) if you want to like I did.
o Note: Some ROMs overwrite recovery at boot time so if you do not plan to immediately boot into recovery to install CyanogenMod, please be aware that this may overwrite your custom recovery with the stock one. ​Root the device:
1. Boot the Photon Q normally and go to Settings>Developer Options> and enable USB Debugging. You may have to turn on Developer Options as well if they are grayed out.
2. Connect the Photon Q to the computer via USB.
3. Navigate to the folder with the ZIP files from Bootloader Step 2 again open the run.bat file.
4. Press Enter after reading the disclaimer (if you want) and wait for the file to finish running.
5. After it is done you can press enter again to close the prompt and disconnect your phone
6. After the phone reboots automatically you will see a new Super User app in your app list. You are now rooted.​
FYI installing TWRP will offer to automatically root the device for you when you reboot back into Android.
Also, CWM for our devices is horribly outdated, and last I checked completely unable to flash any KK-based ROM. I wouldn't recommend it - OpenRecovery or TWRP are my recommendations.
arrrghhh said:
FYI installing TWRP will offer to automatically root the device for you when you reboot back into Android.
Also, CWM for our devices is horribly outdated, and last I checked completely unable to flash any KK-based ROM. I wouldn't recommend it - OpenRecovery or TWRP are my recommendations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two months I had my Photon Q working CWM worked great for me. Did a few backups and didn't have to re-root after each boot. But it always helps to have more options so thanks for mentioning both alternatives!
protivakid said:
The two months I had my Photon Q working CWM worked great for me. Did a few backups and didn't have to re-root after each boot. But it always helps to have more options so thanks for mentioning both alternatives!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure CWM won't flash KK-based ROM's as I stated previously.
Also, you shouldn't have to re-root - TWRP just does the rooting for your if you are installing a custom recovery for the first time so you don't have to do it manually .
arrrghhh said:
I'm pretty sure CWM won't flash KK-based ROM's as I stated previously.
Also, you shouldn't have to re-root - TWRP just does the rooting for your if you are installing a custom recovery for the first time so you don't have to do it manually .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again! I just used the stock rom but rooted during my brief time with the phone but this will help those who wish to use KK on the Photon.
RISING THIS TREAD FROM THE DEAD!!!
WHO STILL HAS THIS PHONE WORKING??
i blue screened my LG G3 so i pulled this phone off my dash in the bimmer to possibly try to root but it runs so damn slow now. any support will be much appreciated this is by far the most reliable device i ever purchased (400 bucks out the door brand new fml)
i will try to root later this week but big shout out to XDA for all thier threads on android ive been rooting since the
optimus line
cheers!

[GUIDE] [SUPPORT] How to root, optimize, and repair Xiaomi Redmi Go.

The One-for-All Guide to rooting, improving, and fixing various errors in Xiaomi Redmi Go!​Hello everyone! This thread that I made is for all people who wants to modify and gain full access, as well as to repair their Xiaomi Redmi Go devices the well-guided way, I've noticed that nobody has made an all-in-one guide for this phone so I decided to do it, this thread will keep on expanding depending on what I will discover about this phone, but for now, here is the thread, i expect that you have at least a little amount of knowledge when it comes to phones such as ADB and Developer Options.
What can we do with Xiaomi Redmi Go:
1. We can root it, and the best root manager for this phone is Magisk, SuperSU is also good, but if you're planning to use your phone for mobile banking, then Magisk is right for you. (Unfortunately this isn't true right now due to ctsProfile being hard to manipulate, Redmi Go supports hardware backed key attestation which means your device will definitely be not certified no matter what you do, so until we get a new method, don't root your phone if you want to use apps like Google Pay
2. TWRP is the current custom recovery available for this phone, it has flaws, but its currently the best out there, so its worth the shot to install it, the thread for it will guide you.
3. No custom kernels, people said that they have managed to install AOSP 9 and GSI on this device and made it boot up, but for me, it's better to wait for the official ROM update, after all, the device is still supported.
Prerequisites:
1. Xiaomi Redmi Go
2. An internet connection, a strong one is recommended if you want to download a ROM.
3. A computer with SDK Platform Tools ready to use, this is required, the link is here: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
Don't forget to also get its driver! The link is also here: https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb
The drivers are tricky to install but I will guide you on doing it in the easiest way possible, please continue on the thread.
4. SD card, your user data will be erased later, better back your files up, this is a warning.
5. Turning on "OEM unlocking" and USB Debugging in Developer Options, this is also really important!
Table of contents:
1. Unlocking the bootloader (and setting up ADB)
2. Rooting
3. Applying the custom recovery
4. Additional modifications
5. Stock ROM links
6. Bonus Section
WARNING: I am not responsible for anything that happens to your device as you follow my guide, do not blame me if you turned your device into a paperweight, made it explode, made it fly or whatever it may be, you chose to modify this phone and you should be accountable for it, you must know the consequences of what you're doing, try to point your finger at me because of what YOU did and I will laugh at you.
I am ready to assist though, so please feel free to ask some questions!
Let us begin, this will take several minutes, so please be patient and avoid rushing.
1. Unlocking the bootloader.
NOTE: This requires your computer to have SDK Platform Tools extracted to any location as long as its easy to access, and its really complicated to talk about it here, this step doesn't include the method where you request a code from Xiaomi, but I've provided a link for it.
A. First, get your phone up, and open the folder on where the SDK Platform Tools are placed, make sure that your in the directory where you see the .exe files of the SDK, now, hold Shift on the keyboard and click "Open Command Prompt here" and type "adb reboot bootloader", without quotes don't forget! This applies to all the steps that I will provide, don't forget to change the USB connection mode of your phone to PTP for it to be detected by ADB! (Only applies to Windows 8/8.1) Once your phone is asking for an authorization, check "Always allow this computer" then tap allow.
B. Once your device has been booted up into Fastboot or the bootloader, check first if your device is being detected, type "fastboot devices", if yes then proceed, if no, then stop here for now.
1B. If this happens then you may have to check your drivers and see if its installed correctly, once your device can be seen at "adb devices" it should also been seen in "fastboot devices" and when the phone is in adb sideload, if not then you have to reinstall ADB, get the proper drivers and do it again.
C. Now, type "fastboot oem unlock-go", the terminal will warn you that all of your user data will be removed, if you have them backed up then and go ahead and enter the command, if not, then just type "fastboot reboot" and start backing up your files, then do this again.
D. The phone will boot up and say "Erasing", to confirm that your phone has its bootloader unlocked, once it boots up again see if it says "Unlocked" on the bottom part of your screen, if there is then congratulations, it should be unlocked at this point.
1D. https://www.getdroidtips.com/unlock-bootloader-xiaomi-redmi-go/, this one particular link provides you on how to unlock the bootloader by entering a certain code, I believe this is a safer method but requires a bit of time, go here if you're interested.
NOTE: The phone supports the command "fastboot flashing unlock_critical" if you are going to unlock your phone with the normal command (fastboot oem unlock_go/fastboot flashing unlock), consider using this 2nd command too, what it does is that it allows you to also flash partitions you supposedly don't have access to, just be very careful not to flash any wrong file! It will be useful to make the "flash_all.bat" script work that you can find on the fastboot ROM for this device, more below!
Once your bootloader has been unlocked, you can now proceed to the other steps that I provided here, don't forget to enable USB Debugging on your Developer Options.
1.2 Setting up ADB
1. Grab your phone, unlock and open your Developer Options then enable "USB Debugging", then change your connection type to "PTP" if you are using Windows 8/8.1, I am not sure if this is required on 7, but it is not needed on Windows 10.
2. Go to this link: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools and download the .zip file, then extract it to a location that is easy to access, like your desktop.
3. Get the official Google drivers here: https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb download the .zip file as well, and extract it too.
4. Go to the extracted folder of your SDK Platform Tools, and go to the directory where you can see various .exe files such as "adb.exe", now, hold the Shift key then click the Right mouse button, then click "Open command prompt here" If this doesn't work for you, open up CMD with admin rights, then type in cd *the location of your platform tools* say on mine, I will input cd C:\Users\James\Downloads\platform-tools_r31.0.3-windows\platform-tools then enter
5. Open your Device Manager by pressing Windows + R, put "devmgmt.msc" without any quotes then Enter, do not close the Device Manager until you're done with all the steps! And please be fast here too or else ADB will not work, now go to your extracted folder of the Google USB driver, and look for the file "android_winusb.inf", copy the location path of it as you will need the exact location path of the file later, in my case it was "C:\Users\Symphony\Desktop\latest_usb_driver_windows\usb_driver\android_winusb.inf".
4A. There are 3 main ADB devices that you have to install, Android ADB Interface, Android Bootloader Interface and Android Composite ADB Interface, so I will divide this into 3 sections, have your Device Manager, and the exact location of the .inf.
NOTE: Turn off the internet connection of your computer, why? Because, if you let Windows install the drivers for you, the drivers may be incorrect and will break things apart, as we will encounter several "Unknown devices" in the Device Manager and we have to update them with the extracted files from Google.
Android ADB Interface
1. Now, make sure that USB Debugging is enabled, now plug in your phone and let the drivers install WHILE your computer is offline, now go to your Device Manager after the driver installation and you should see that there is a driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark.
2. Select the "Android" driver with an exclamation mark, then click "Update device driver", click "Browse my computer for driver software" then click "Let me pick from the list of devices on my computer", click Next, then click "Have Disk", now, remember the location path you copied earlier? Now paste that path (like C:\Users\Symphony\Desktop\latest_usb_driver_windows\usb_driver\) to the white bar under "Copy manufacturers files from:", overwrite the A:\ with your copied path then Browse, select the "android_winusb.inf" and click OK, now, select the "Android ADB Interface", once the driver has been installed and the interface doesn't give errors such as "The device cannot start", then you're good to go.
NOTE: If you plug your phone and there is no "Android" device with exclamation mark, you can proceed to try and see if adb detects your device by typing "adb devices" in the command right now, it should be since this is what I experienced when setting up my device in Windows 10, this step usually applies only if you are using Windows 8/8.1
Android Bootloader Interface
1. To test, go to the command prompt you opened earlier, and type "adb devices", the device should now be detected at this point, when it does, type "adb reboot bootloader".
2. Now, make sure USB Debugging is enabled on the device before booting it into bootloader, now plug in your phone again and let the drivers install WHILE your computer is offline, Go to your Device Manager after the driver installation and you should see that there is a driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark.
3. Select the "Android" driver with an exclamation mark, then click "Update device driver", click "Browse my computer for driver software" then click "Let me pick from the list of devices on my computer", click Next, then click "Have Disk", now, remember the location path you copied earlier? Now paste that path (like C:\Users\Symphony\Desktop\latest_usb_driver_windows\usb_driver\) to the white bar under "Copy manufacturers files from:", overwrite the A:\ with your copied path then Browse, select the "android_winusb.inf" and click OK, now, select the "Android Bootloader Interface", once the driver has been installed and the interface doesn't give errors such as "The device cannot start", then you're good to go.
Android Composite ADB Interface
1. Before proceeding, type "fastboot devices", the device should now also be detected on fastboot, now, type "fastboot reboot", and afterwards, enable "USB Debugging" on the Developer Options, then go your command prompt, then type "adb reboot recovery".
2. Now, now plug in your phone again and let the drivers install WHILE your computer is offline, now go to your Device Manager after the driver installation and you should see that there is a driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark.
3. Select the "Android" driver with an exclamation mark, then click "Update device driver", click "Browse my computer for driver software" then click "Let me pick from the list of devices on my computer", click Next, then click "Have Disk", now, remember the location path you copied earlier? Now paste that path (like C:\Users\Symphony\Desktop\latest_usb_driver_windows\usb_driver\) to the white bar under "Copy manufacturers files from:", overwrite the A:\ with your copied path then Browse, select the "android_winusb.inf" and click OK, now, select the "Android Composite ADB Interface", once the driver has been installed and the interface doesn't give errors such as "The device cannot start", then you're good to go.
2. Applying the recovery/custom recovery
A. Open up your phone and ensure that USB Debugging has been enabled, now, open up your command prompt just like in Step 1 in Unlocking the Bootloader and type "adb reboot bootloader"
B. Next up, type "fastboot flash recovery path/to/recovery.img", substitute the path/to/ with the actual location of your recovery, and please make sure that the name of the image is "recovery.img"! Or else it will not overwrite/update the recovery, you can also put your recovery.img directly within the platform-tools folder so that all you have to type is "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" then press enter.
C. Once your done, reboot the phone and press Volume Up + Power at the same time, and the recovery will start. (You may want to do this else the recovery will be automatically removed and replaced with the stock one)
1C. For the stock recovery, once you press the combination, the phone will say "No command", at this point, hold your Power button and press Volume up one time to get into recovery.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/recovery-twrp-3-3-0-redmi-t3929282 here is the link of the TWRP recovery, I encourage you to follow the steps mentioned in the post properly.
WARNING: The fix I provided below is now pushed here for 1 certain reason, before you try to root your phone and do everything else, you must decrypt your internal storage first and it is quite easy, first you must get the decrypt.zip linked in this thread (if the .zip cannot be found, I still have a copy of it), go to TWRP and do "format data", not Wipe Data! How so? Once you reboot to TWRP, it will show you the "Wipe" button, tap that, then the "Format Data" button should show up, this will require you to type in "yes" so type it in, then once it is done formatting, go back to the main TWRP screen, tap "Reboot", then "Reboot to Recovery", afterwards you must go to "Install" then proceed to install the "decrypt.zip", after that you can now flash .zip files from your internal storage too, but beware that you must do this every time you update your device!
3. Rooting your phone
A. To get started, install TWRP for your phone first.
B. Get the .zip file of Magisk/SuperSU so you can install them, the links are https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 and https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/stable-2016-09-01supersu-v2-78-release-t3452703
C. Reboot your phone to recovery or just plug it in, open the command prompt again just like in the previous step and put "adb reboot recovery" without quotes.
D. Tap "Install" on your TWRP recovery and select the respective installation .zip file of your chosen root management app, and wait for it to finish.
1D. The .zip for both SuperSU and Magisk can be installed through "adb sideload", if incase you don't have an SD card! It may also work with fastboot as well but I need someone to confirm this.
E. When it's done, wipe the cache first, then reboot.
1E. If the root management app didn't appear in your phone after boot, just install the APK of it in the Play Store and check if root has been applied, if not, repeat step C and D again.
BONUS: It may be useful also to grab EdXposed or LSposed for Magisk and the link is here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...or-of-xposed-oreo-pie-q-r-2020-07-19.4070199/ and here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...e-magisk-module-edxposed-alternative.4228973/, please choose only one! You will use the normal Xposed if you're using a different root management app such as SuperSU, the link is here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
What this does is that if the app is an Xposed/EdXposed/LSposed framework module, any modifications it does to your phone will be based on memory only, it won't modify your phone directly which means your device will be clean, and if it incase the said modification bricks your phone, you can easily recover from it too!
BONUS 2: I also recommend getting the Busybox module from Magisk itself, it can easily be downloaded from the Magisk app, you will need this module if you want your root applications to work more efficiently and avoid errors, as most of them requires Busybox to work, don't use the Busybox installer apps on Play Store as they modify /system directly, only use it if you are using SuperSU.
4. Additional modifications
Once you've managed to root your phone and everything else, what I recommend you could do with your device is to get the following apps:
Titanium Backup - It has the ability to back up apps on your phone, and even its data! this app could do so much more than with what I just mentioned.
LSpeed - A root boosting app that has almost every root tweak packed into it, its really convenient to use! I do not recommend using Entropy tweaks as I heard it is a placebo.
Greenify - For me, this is the only legit battery saving app aside from LSpeed which also offers tons of battery saving features, it requires Xposed to have more options you have to buy it to gain full functionality
ROM Toolbox - This app pretty much contains everything a rooted user needs, such as a terminal and root-based file manager.
System app uninstaller (optional) - Just in case if you're planning to remove some bloatware (the list of it is below)
Root Browser - An alternative to ROM Toolbox, this root explorer is really popular and gets the job done without any interruptions.
Terminal emulator - This will allow you to enter various commands on your phone, like being able to reboot the phone without using any keys.
In order to make the phone as fluid as possible, just leave it with stock ROM installed, try to also use lite apps like Facebook Lite to reduce RAM and battery consumption.
Kernel Adiutor - Another great root application, it's like LSpeed but it doesn't automate tweaks, it instead allows you to modify most of it on your own, then it reapplies your tweaks every time your cellphone will boot up if you tap the "Apply on startup" switch. the link for the app is here: https://m.apkpure.com/kernel-adiutor-root/com.grarak.kerneladiutor
NOTE: Most of these apps can be found on the Play Store, and please don't install any more similar root boosting apps such as HEBF, scripts such as V6 Supercharger, or modifying files like build.prop, it is due to the fact that this will conflict with LSpeed, as LSpeed contains most of the tweaks that past scripts and apps provide, this will result in your phone slowing down a lot, Greenify will require Xposed Framework which is mentioned above on the Rooting section, the link to LSpeed is here https://github.com/Paget96/LSpeed, because the app has been removed from Play Store.
WARNING: The perf.zip https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/-t3935220 here, that was provided in Xiaomi Redmi Go forum section must be applied with extreme caution, you have to make a backup of your build.prop in /system, and build.prop + default.prop in /vendor for easy recovery, you can use ZipMe to easily make a backup for these files.
5. Stock ROM links
https://xiaomirom.com/en/rom/redmi-go-tiare-global-fastboot-recovery-rom/, this link so far provides all the ROMs (both recovery and fastboot) available for download on this phone, and they are actually light enough, so it will be easy to download them.
https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com/archive/miui/tiare/ a new link I've found recently, this rom contains the .tgz format of the latest ROM for the Xiaomi Redmi Go, which could be used for fastboot and Mi Flash Tool, just search for the model and go for Global.
NOTE: Most of the ROMs for this phone provided on several sites, even on the actual Xiaomi website, has an invalid format of .zip, and doesn't contain a flashall script, as a result, Mi Flash Tool will never be able to use these ROMs, you could not also use adb sideload and fastboot for these ROMs, only the stock recovery of the phone could install the ROM, due to the links provided above finally giving the latest ROM versions for the phone, extracting the stock recovery is very easy now, you can do it yourself but if you need a link, tell me.
5A. Applying the stock ROM
This section will be divided into 2 sections, flashing the ROM through recovery, flashing the ROM through fastboot manually, or automatically with flash_all.bat
Stock recovery method.
A. Download the stock ROM with .zip format and put it into your SD Card.
B. Flash your recovery back to stock with the steps given above, boot into your stock recovery, then using your Power button and volume keys to navigate, select "Apply update from SD card".
C. Select the .zip file and wait for the update to finish.
D. The device will boot up automatically after, if not, just go back to the main menu of the recovery and select "Reboot system", enjoy!
Fastboot manual flashing method.
A. Ensure that you have prepared your device and computer for ADB, now grab the ROM given in this thread in .tgz format, and keep extracting the file until you see the files such as "flash-all.sh" after extraction, as you need to extract the .tgz ROM two times before you could use it properly.
B. Now go to the extracted folder of the stock ROM, go the "images" folder and copy the following image files: boot.img, system.img, recovery.img (make a backup of this file somewhere!), vendor.img, cache.img, userdata.img, persist.img, and splash.img.
C. Paste them to the extracted folder of your SDK Platform Tools where various .exe files are located such as "adb.exe", or in my case the location is "C:\Users\Symphony\Downloads\platform-tools_r29.0.4-windows\platform-tools".
D. Now open your command prompt on this directory, or Shift + Right click, then plug in your phone, now type "adb reboot bootloader" so your phone will go to bootloader, don't forget to enable "USB Debugging" and PTP connection mode before rebooting! (only applies to Windows 8/8.1, it may vary on Windows 7 but it is different on 10, no need for PTP connection mode, you can just turn on USB debugging and that's all)
E. Now, this is a little tricky, but try to follow me as much as you can, make sure first that you are detected with "fastboot devices", input the following commands that I will give so you can flash the ROM to your phone, now go to the command prompt and:
To flash the boot.img to your phone, put the command: "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
For the recovery, the command is: "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img"
For the system or main OS: "fastboot flash system system.img"
For cache: "fastboot flash cache cache.img"
For persist: "fastboot flash persist persist.img"
For the vendor or additional system files: "fastboot flash vendor vendor.img"
For data or apps: "fastboot flash userdata userdata.img"
For splash or probably boot animation: "fastboot flash splash splash.img"
D. After that, type "fastboot reboot", and enjoy!
Fastboot automatic flashing method (NEW!)
A. Extract the fastboot ROM 2 times as instructed, after getting the files, grab all the files and copy it to the directory of your platform tools where files such as "adb.exe" can be found, just copy all the files in there and that's all you have to do.
B. Open the "flash_all.bat" on Notepad and remove the following lines:
fastboot %* getvar product 2>&1 | findstr /r /c:"^product: *tiare" || echo Missmatching image and device
fastboot %* getvar product 2>&1 | findstr /r /c:"^product: *tiare" || exit /B 1
Afterwards, save the .bat file, that should be ready to use now
C. As instructed above, you must also do "fastboot flashing unlock_critical" after unlocking your bootloader the normal way, this will act as your 2nd unlock command, without this, the flash_all.bat will not work as it should be.
D. Boot up your phone in fastboot mode, open up your adb devices and make sure that your phone is seen in "fastboot devices", once it does, type in "flash_all.bat" without any quotes and execute it, the command will now automatically flash everything without you doing anything else, it will also automatically reboot after doing so.
Bonus section:
1. TWRP-compatible stock ROM
For this part, in order for you to generate a TWRP-flashable stock ROM is by basically making it yourself, you have to make sure that your patch is latest, and its pretty much a good idea to just tick everything in the backup selection except for the recovery, as well as the cache as you don't need those.
Once you have it, go ahead and keep it somewhere safe but easy to find, so if case that you need to use it, you could get it immediately, this is extremely useful so please just do it, as of now, I've confirmed that only the /data backup was usable, but please try to confirm if other partition backups are working for you.
Certain custom ROMs that can boot up in this device could be flashed through TWRP though, and the links of them are provided here in this thread.
2. GSI, AOSP 9 and custom ROMs
The link for AOSP is provided here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/redmi-aosp-9-t3922192
The link for GSI is right here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/tested-gsi-redmi-t3924705
These images/ROMs can be applied with TWRP, just make sure to follow the steps mentioned in these posts to avoid inconvenience, don't forget to take precautions too! I haven't tried them, but so far I believe that these are stable to use.
There are also custom ROMs released for the device but I am lazy to link all of them, they can easily be found by going here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/tags/xiaomi-redmi-go/
Please take note that I haven't tested these custom ROMs yet and I most likely never will, since the stock ROM for the device is already good enough, you can comment here and tell me what custom ROMs are stable so I can link them here for future reference.
3. Current status
My phone is still working, yes! and it's still staying strong, updated to 2.25 using the fastboot method and it is still fast, the only issue currently is that SafetyNet is a lot more secure than before, so it will be impossible to use stuff like Google Pay for now.
I usually decided to lay low and just stay with my LSpeed, Kernel Adiutor and Greenify, all I had to do is to tinker with these apps and my phone just reached into a whole new level! The performance improvement is nice, that I didn't need to use a custom ROM anymore.
4. How to install a OTA update after rooting your device
Due to the changes made by Google on SafetyNet, and the fact that this device will always require you to wipe the device every update, it is pretty much the same, it doesn't matter anymore if you are certified or not, you will still receive an OTA update even if your device is not certified as long as you are using the stock ROM, you only won't be able to install it, and if you want to install the OTA update you must install it by flashing the updated fastboot ROM, I have links for it above, you can try installing the OTA updates yourself through the settings but you will still have to do a factory reset anyway, you have to also unroot also and revert to stock recovery, else the installation will fail, and your device may slower afterwards.
5. Bloatware you can safely remove (NEW!)
So, like I said above, as much as how lightweight the device is, there are still bloatware that you can remove if you really want, but it's only 3 of them:
Mi Video
Mint Browser
Mi Music
The rest such as Mi Share and Mint Launcher are also bloatware, you can remove them but to me they are useful so I didn't, do not remove the "Cleaner" app, if it however says something like "com.CleanMaster", you can try removing it but take caution as your Play Store may be removed along with it too.
Credits to everyone who made the apps/tools that I mentioned here! such as @topjohnwu for the Magisk, and @YasiR Siddiqui for the TWRP, @Paget96 for the awesome LSpeed app, @rovo89 for the Xposed Framework and many more, you guys totally rock!
Hello and thank you for this tutorial. I'd like to ask. Do You know a way where I can unlock the bootloader without permissions or oem unlock? I have a soft-bricked device and for me, there is no way I can get into the OS and manually switch the Oem unlock setting. I've tried different softwares, different adb commands, different region firmwares, still no luck. I can't also get into the the download mode. I mean, yeah, I get the "no command" screen but after pressing power button + up volume button my phone restarts into the fastboot mode and there is no way I can normally boot. It's looping to fastboot mode over and over...
TheAngryGuitarist said:
Hello and thank you for this tutorial. I'd like to ask. Do You know a way where I can unlock the bootloader without permissions or oem unlock? I have a soft-bricked device and for me, there is no way I can get into the OS and manually switch the Oem unlock setting. I've tried different softwares, different adb commands, different region firmwares, still no luck. I can't also get into the the download mode. I mean, yeah, I get the "no command" screen but after pressing power button + up volume button my phone restarts into the fastboot mode and there is no way I can normally boot. It's looping to fastboot mode over and over...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please elaborate all of what you've done so far? I will also ask you a few questions.
1. Is your phone usable with the platform tools? I mean with adb and such.
2. Did you try going into recovery and flashing stock ROM through there?
3. Is your phone being detected by "fastboot devices"? The fastboot mode of Redmi Go is its download mode, and i've provided the link for the stock ROM that's usable thru fastboot mode, as well as on how to apply it.
My phone is usable with adb and such, the recovery mode was not working, only the fastboot. I've tried flashing stock rom with the flash tool but I had no success with a bricked soft and a locked bootloader. I've finally fixed it by going into the edl mode by test point method then I flashed the stock rom, and I've fixed my problem this way. I couldn't unlock the bootloader manually from adb or the unlocker tool, but I've did it in the edl way.
TheAngryGuitarist said:
Hello and thank you for this tutorial. I'd like to ask. Do You know a way where I can unlock the bootloader without permissions or oem unlock? I have a soft-bricked device and for me, there is no way I can get into the OS and manually switch the Oem unlock setting. I've tried different softwares, different adb commands, different region firmwares, still no luck. I can't also get into the the download mode. I mean, yeah, I get the "no command" screen but after pressing power button + up volume button my phone restarts into the fastboot mode and there is no way I can normally boot. It's looping to fastboot mode over and over...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheAngryGuitarist said:
My phone is usable with adb and such, the recovery mode was not working, only the fastboot. I've tried flashing stock rom with the flash tool but I had no success with a bricked soft and a locked bootloader. I've finally fixed it by going into the edl mode by test point method then I flashed the stock rom, and I've fixed my problem this way. I couldn't unlock the bootloader manually from adb or the unlocker tool, but I've did it in the edl way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please elaborate the term "edl mode"?
Good job then, usually, before you modify the phone and start doing something crazy out of stock, your number one step is to really unlock the bootloader, and in order to make things more easier, you should allow your OEM to be unlocked through the developer options, after that you can now unlock the bootloader with fastboot.
_XblackshadowX_ said:
Can you please elaborate the term "edl mode"?
Good job then, usually, before you modify the phone and start doing something crazy out of stock, your number one step is to really unlock the bootloader, and in order to make things more easier, you should allow your OEM to be unlocked through the developer options, after that you can now unlock the bootloader with fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's the emergency download mode. You use it when there is nothing you can do about the soft of your device. It automatically unlock the bootloader and you can flash the stock rom. Well, my problem was another. I did not tried to flash roms or recoveries with a locked bl. My phone automatically rebooted into the fastboot mode and from there I was not able to start my phone normally. I've tried rebooting fastboot from adb, unlock bl from adb, no success. I had to dissamembly the phone and make a short-circuit to the test points while slowly pushing in the mtp cable with the battery disconnected. Once I saw the Qualcomm driver on device manager I was able to flash the stock rom. You can search if you want to, for the test pins of this device. Btw, thank for your advice, you are really helpful to the community! ?
TheAngryGuitarist said:
Yes, it's the emergency download mode. You use it when there is nothing you can do about the soft of your device. It automatically unlock the bootloader and you can flash the stock rom. Well, my problem was another. I did not tried to flash roms or recoveries with a locked bl. My phone automatically rebooted into the fastboot mode and from there I was not able to start my phone normally. I've tried rebooting fastboot from adb, unlock bl from adb, no success. I had to dissamembly the phone and make a short-circuit to the test points while slowly pushing in the mtp cable with the battery disconnected. Once I saw the Qualcomm driver on device manager I was able to flash the stock rom. You can search if you want to, for the test pins of this device. Btw, thank for your advice, you are really helpful to the community!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woah, you really had to open the phone before doing it, that's an interesting method!
That part where your phone booted into fastboot was kind of scary, any ideas why it booted into fastboot in the first place? It has to be reported if incase, seems like a dangerous bug.
_XblackshadowX_ said:
Woah, you really had to open the phone before doing it, that's an interesting method!
That part where your phone booted into fastboot was kind of scary, any ideas why it booted into fastboot in the first place? It has to be reported if incase, seems like a dangerous bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure if a malware caused this issue or a failed system update over-night.
TheAngryGuitarist said:
I'm not really sure if a malware caused this issue or a failed system update over-night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually had failed system updates numerous times because when i install them, the phone has already been modified by a lot, and that's actually riskier.
That's why i recommend unrooting and putting back the stock recovery before updating first, still works on mine even with "Device is not certified" by Play Store.
The TWRP linked here is for Pie 9, I couldn't get it to boot on my phone, it shows vertical lines.
This is the older version for Oreo 8...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/twrp-xiaomi-redmi-beta-t3918993
I formatted the phone from TWRP it so it was no longer encrypted.
Mounted the drive from TWRP and installed the "decrypt.zip" from the other TWRP...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/recovery-twrp-3-3-0-redmi-t3929282
I unlocked the bootloader successfully.
In the setting up ADB step, I don't clearly understand. When I connect my device to the pc, no drivers are installing. And there is no driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark. But my device is getting recognized in "portable devices >> redmi go". I'm very new with adb it would be a lot of help.
I've attached the screenshot of my device manager,
bhattinb said:
I unlocked the bootloader successfully.
In the setting up ADB step, I don't clearly understand. When I connect my device to the pc, no drivers are installing. And there is no driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark. But my device is getting recognized in "portable devices >> redmi go". I'm very new with adb it would be a lot of help.
I've attached the screenshot of my device manager,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try turning on USB Debugging on Developer Options? Did you try installing the USB drivers from Google?
_XblackshadowX_ said:
Did you try turning on USB Debugging on Developer Options? Did you try installing the USB drivers from Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've done everything you told, I also turned the connection mode to PTP also. Somehow it just not showing that android with an exclamation mark.
after that, I even tried to use the 15-second ADB installer. after installing that I tried to flash recovery but that just didn't do anything. After using that flashing command, I had the same stock recovery.
I'm really thankful you took the time to answer my question.
Help!! My device stuck on screen saying your system has been destroyed. What I had done is locked the bootloader using command fastboot oem lock then this happened. Now i can boot device in stock recovery and bootloader too but when i am trying to unlock bootloader it says device is lock and also i am not able to flash anything. Plz help.
I am not able to flash TWRP on my redmi go
How to update the redmi go to the latest version without formatting/Factory Reset should I just follow Fastboot flashing method and if so which files should I just flash. Thank you
bhattinb said:
I unlocked the bootloader successfully.
In the setting up ADB step, I don't clearly understand. When I connect my device to the pc, no drivers are installing. And there is no driver named "Android" with an exclamation mark. But my device is getting recognized in "portable devices >> redmi go". I'm very new with adb it would be a lot of help.
I've attached the screenshot of my device manager,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! sorry for the late reply, if this is the case then it's fine, you can just connect the device, open up adb tools, type adb devices and ensure that your USB debugging is on, and the device will connect immediately, at that point all you need is the adb driver for Fastboot
akki_007 said:
Help!! My device stuck on screen saying your system has been destroyed. What I had done is locked the bootloader using command fastboot oem lock then this happened. Now i can boot device in stock recovery and bootloader too but when i am trying to unlock bootloader it says device is lock and also i am not able to flash anything. Plz help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh no, but why lock your bootloader? you can try using a recovery ROM, you must have a spare SD Card within you, grab a recovery ROM, put it in your sd card then put it into the phone and use it on stock recovery, you should be able to apply it and boot back into the system, please update me
igpraan said:
I am not able to flash TWRP on my redmi go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you must have unlocked bootloader if you want to do so.
niknah said:
The TWRP linked here is for Pie 9, I couldn't get it to boot on my phone, it shows vertical lines.
This is the older version for Oreo 8...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/twrp-xiaomi-redmi-beta-t3918993
I formatted the phone from TWRP it so it was no longer encrypted.
Mounted the drive from TWRP and installed the "decrypt.zip" from the other TWRP...
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/recovery-twrp-3-3-0-redmi-t3929282
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's strange, the TWRP I linked isn't giving me any vertical lines

Bricked full stock

I never modified my phone whatsoever, I apply the OTA updates
Last day it bricked between my hands while I texted someone
I can boot it in "CSC FastBoot Mode" and here I can select what I want to do
Is there a way to reflash it without loosing data? Or anything, but retreiving my data
Please, someone can reply if it's possible?
Does it offer the option to access/start recovery? If yes once in recovery mode you should be able to choose apply update from adb or maybe even apply update from sd card.
Depending on the firmware you were on (Android 11 or Android 10) download the appropriate firmware version from https://www.asus.com/Mobile/Phones/All-series/ZenFone-6/HelpDesk_BIOS?model2Name=ZenFone-6 and rename it to update.zip and put in on your sd card if you have one and if that options is available. If that option is available choose that option and navigate to the appropriate folder and choose the update.zip.
If you only have the apply update from adb option or the other one doesn't work download the platform tools https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools first, extract them, connect your phone to your pc, then in the extracted folder hold shift key while right clicking an empty space in the extracted windows explorer folder and choose the option "open command prompt here" or similar. On your phone choose the update from adb option, in the command prompt on pc put in adb devices first. If it hasn't already windows should install drivers now and the command prompt should say a long sequence of numbers and "sideload" besides it. If windows doesn't recognise the device or it doesn't show any device in the command prompt line go to windows updates, "show optional windows updates", open driver updates and it should offer an ASUS android bootloader or ASUS adb driver or something similar.
Once that works simply input the command shown on the phone adb sideload update.zip or similar into the command prompt and it should reinstall the full OTA again without wiping anything.
*double post*
regenwurm16 said:
Does it offer the option to access/start recovery? If yes once in recovery mode you should be able to choose apply update from adb or maybe even apply update from sd card.
Depending on the firmware you were on (Android 11 or Android 10) download the appropriate firmware version from https://www.asus.com/Mobile/Phones/All-series/ZenFone-6/HelpDesk_BIOS?model2Name=ZenFone-6 and rename it to update.zip and put in on your sd card if you have one and if that options is available. If that option is available choose that option and navigate to the appropriate folder and choose the update.zip.
If you only have the apply update from adb option or the other one doesn't work download the platform tools https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools first, extract them, connect your phone to your pc, then in the extracted folder hold shift key while right clicking an empty space in the extracted windows explorer folder and choose the option "open command prompt here" or similar. On your phone choose the update from adb option, in the command prompt on pc put in adb devices first. If it hasn't already windows should install drivers now and the command prompt should say a long sequence of numbers and "sideload" besides it. If windows doesn't recognise the device or it doesn't show any device in the command prompt line go to windows updates, "show optional windows updates", open driver updates and it should offer an ASUS android bootloader or ASUS adb driver or something similar.
Once that works simply input the command shown on the phone adb sideload update.zip or similar into the command prompt and it should reinstall the full OTA again without wiping anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can I know if I need WW version or another one?
I don't remember if I was on 10 or 11 but I applied all OTA until december 2020, something like that
And how can I know if I can take the last firmware version or not?
Booting into recovery mode gives a black screen for 10 seconds then a reboot
Even the charging mode display bolt before charging animation then black screen then reboot itself after a time
Only CSC mode works normally, displaying something and not rebooting
In general ASUS does only offer one firmware package for all regions as far as I know and the statement on the firmware page generally only means which regions it has been certified for. Further information can be found at https://zentalk.asus.com/en/categories/zenfone-6-(zs630kl)
It depends on where you bought the device.
If recovery mode isn't accessible you will most likely have to use on of the unbrick threads under https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/asus-zenfone-6-2019-guides-news-discussion.8906/ most probably https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...k-your-zenfone-6-android-p-q-zs630kl.4189715/ will help you here.

How To Guide A13 detailed guide to Root & OTA's & pass SafetyNet / Play Integrity

My Phone already came with A13 and OEM unlocking became available straight after connecting to wifi.
If it stays grayed out for you or you need to update to A13 / July A12 patch first please refer to other guides such as this one.
Disclaimer:
I don't take responsibility for whatever happens to your device. Expect your device to get wiped.
While everything went without a hitch for me, there is no guarantee it will for you as well.
sources:
Pixel 6 root guide
Pixel 6a root guide
Magisk root guide
Magisk OTA guide
As a sidenote, if you are already rooted and want Magisk to have a backup of the stock boot image, just flash stock boot.img (this will remove root), then boot the Magisk patched boot image and do "direct install" through Magisk. Thats essentially just unrooting and re-rooting.
Prerequisites:​Update ur phone to the newest available version if possible. At least you probably should be on June 2022 patch, though this Guide is meant for A13.
Get the original Factory Image (not OTA) from google, the version that matches the currently installed one (aka probably the newest if you're fully up to date).
Get the Magisk app apk from the official Github.
Get the adb & fastboot tools as well as necessary google USB drivers (15s installer seems to be outdated yet again).
Get the safetynet-fix-MOD Module from it's Github. (official safetynet-fix got updated and works as well not anymore as of February update.)
Preparing files and device:​Open the downloaded firmware archive. Inside there will be another zip archive (image-bluejay-[...].zip). Open this and get the boot image (boot.img) from it.
Connect your phone to your pc over USB, and copy both the Magisk apk file and the boot.img file to your phone.
On your phone, open Settings -> About phone, then tap on "Build number" until it says "deveoper options unlocked".
In Settings -> System -> Developer options turn on "OEM unlocking" as well as "USB debugging" and then check the "allow" and "remember" option when it asks you if it should remember your computer.
Now install the Magisk app with the apk, then open it, select "install" and then "select and patch a file" and select the boot.img you moved to your phone earlier.
Magisk saves the patched boot.img in your Downloads folder, move it to your computer.
Now you should have a modified boot.img on your computer, OEM unlocking and adb debugging enabled, as well as your computer authorised for adb on your phone.
You should also not have any outstanding OTA's or reboots after OTA installation.
Unlocking and Rooting:​Note that unlocking your bootloader will wipe your phone!
Just rooting it won't wipe it if you already have an unlocked bootloader.
Open a terminal on your pc and type adb devices. It should show some number if your adb is working correctly.
Type adb reboot bootloader and wait for it to reboot to bootloader.
Then type fastboot flashing unlock and confirm on your phone that you want to unlock your bootloader.
After you unlocked your bootloader check your phone's screen, specifically where it lists the Bootloader version (second line).
Compare the version number with the one of the bootloader image inside your downloaded firmware zip file. (bootloader-bluejay-bluejay-[...].img)
Also compare the Baseband version with the one of the radio image. (radio-bluejay-[...].img)
If either of those has a newer version in the downloaded factory image, unpack it and flash the new version by executing either command respectively.
Code:
fastboot flash bootloader <drag the new bootloader.img here>
fastboot flash radio <drag new radio.img here>
Now do
Code:
fastboot boot <drag magisk patched boot image here>
and your phone should boot and you should see the first setup screen again.
After going through that, repeat the above steps to enable USB debugging as well as to authorise and remember your computer.
At this point it's also important to turn off "Automatic system updates" in Settings -> Developer options as well. (so that future OTA's don't mess up your phone)
Since your phone got wiped you need to copy the Magisk app apk and install it again.
Now also copy the safetynet-fix-Mod.zip module to your phone.
When you open Magisk and it asks you to complete additional steps after opening it select "cancel" and instead tap on "install" and then -> "direct install".
When Magisk is done tap on "reboot".
After rebooting enable "Zygist" in Magisk's settings and then tap on "Configure DenyList".
Tap the three dot menu and check "Show system apps", then search for "Google Play services" and "Google Play Store", expand them and tap the checkmark, this should select all subcomponents at once for. Do this for both, Play Services and Play Store.
Exit Magisk Settings and tap on the "Modules" tab in Magisk.
Select "Install from storage" and find and select the "safetynet-fix-Mod.zip".
Let it flash and reboot and that's it, you should now pass SafetyNet and Play Integrity.
Play Integrity was a bit iffy for me, after immediately checking it failed but after turning Play Protect in Play Store app settings off and on again and rebooting it worked and never failed again.
OTAs​
Spoiler: OTA sideload with Pixel Flasher (recommended)
Download the newest OTA and Pixel Flasher.
In Magisk app, disable all modules.
Enable adb debugging if you don't have it enabled.
Connect your phone to your computer and start Pixel Flasher.
Enter the path to your platform tools at the top, below select your phone from the list.
For "Pixel Phone Factory Image" click "browse" and select your downloaded OTA, then select the one boot image that should appear in the list below.
For "Flash Mode" select "Full OTA" and don't check any of the "Flash Options" below.
Click "Flash Pixel Phone" and confirm.
Wait for the OTA to complete and your phone to reboot and then unlock it.
Check your android version f.e. under the quick tiles, it should match the update version you installed just now.
Also confirm that adb debugging is still active.
If you see an "update completed" or "finishing update" sort of notification, wait for it to complete.
If you don't see one, just wait a few minutes.
In Pixel Flasher, select your device again from the adb list at the top, also select the one boot image again that should be in the list, then click the "Patch" button on the right.
When that completed you should see a new entry in the boot.img list with a "patch" symbol next to it.
Select that and click the "Live Boot" button on the right.
After your phone reboots, go into Magisk app, click "Install" -> "direct install", then don't reboot yet, now enable all your modules again and then reboot.
Optionally you can do the same thing again to update the other slot as well, resulting in both of your slots being on the newest update.​If you want to do that you might wanna skip the entire re-rooting process on your first update pass, so your "backup slot" will be unrooted stock.​Essentially you'd do Steps [1] - [6], then jump back to [3] and follow all the way to the end [9].​​(example: you are on Slot_A pre-update, update will apply to Slot_B and reboot you in Slot_B, you update again and it'll apply to Slot_A and reboot you in Slot_A, you re-root Slot_A and continue to use it as normal while having an unrooted fully updated Slot_B as backup)​​
Spoiler: OTA sideload manually
Download the newest OTA as well as the factory image with the matching version.
Extract the boot.img from the downloaded factory image, move it to your phone, open Magisk app, click "Install" -> "select and patch a file", then let it patch the boot.img and move the new patched image back to your computer.
In Magisk app, disable all modules.
Enable adb debugging if you don't have it enabled, then from your computer's terminal, do adb devices to check your device connection, after that do adb reboot sideload
Your phone will reboot to download mode. It should be prompting you to apply the update now.
Do adb sideload <drag_your_downloaded_OTA.zip_here>
Choose "Reboot system now" on the menu that appears after the update completes.
Wait for your phone to reboot and unlock it.
Check your android version f.e. under the quick tiles, it should match the update version you installed just now.
Also confirm that adb debugging is still active.
If you see an "update completed" or "finishing update" sort of notification, wait for it to complete.
If you don't see one, just wait a few minutes.
Do adb reboot bootloader and after your phone boots into bootloader you can do fastboot boot <drag_the_patched_boot_image_here> and wait for it to boot.
Go into Magisk app, click "Install" -> "direct install", then don't reboot yet, now enable all your modules again and then reboot.
Spoiler: Update with factory image with Pixel Flasher
Download the newest factory image and Pixel Flasher.
Open your Magisk app and disable all modules.
Connect your phone to your computer and start Pixel Flasher.
Enter the path to your platform tools at the top, below select your phone from the list.
For "Pixel Phone Factory Image" select your downloaded firmware, then select the one boot image that should appear in the list below.
For "Flash Mode" choose "Keep Data", then click the big "Flash Pixel Phone" button.
When it completes click the "Reboot to Bootloader" button near the top.
Additionally select the boot image from the list and click "Patch".
Select the new patched boot image that will appear below.
When your phone rebooted to bootloader click "Live Boot" and it will boot system with root.
Open Magisk app, click "Install" -> "direct install", then don't reboot yet, re-enable all your modules and reboot your phone.
Spoiler: Magisk OTA method
I don't recommend using the Magisk OTA method as it seems there is a bug that might lead to corrupt and bootloop your device.
I list it regardless if you want to try, but I'd recommend to update by sideloading the OTA instead.
check the official Magisk OTA guide for reference.
tldr:
don't modify or even rw remount read only partitions such as /system or /vendor
disable automaric otas in dev menu
when otas are available, open Magisk app, tap on "Uninstall Magisk" -> "restore images", and do NOT reboot.
Also disable all modules just in case.
then open Settings app -> System -> System update
wait for the installation to be fully done, both steps 1 and 2, then do NOT press restart now or reboot button
go back to Magisk, tap on "install" -> "install to inactive slot
after Magisk installed you can press the "reboot" button in Magisk
If you want to remove some preinstalled apps you dont need first check your user id with
Code:
adb shell cmd package list users
Usually it's 0, if not then replace it with your user id, then you can simply use
Code:
adb shell cmd package uninstall --user 0 <package_name>
adb shell cmd package disable-user --user 0 <package_name>
to uninstall / disable the app over adb.
Attached is a powershell script that removes / disables all apps you put in $removeApps or $disableApps respectively.
The current selection is by no means recommended, it is just a collection that won't result in a bootloop, but thats about it. (yes the commented ones included, they are just commented from the last time I used it)
(change file extension to .ps1 if you want to use it, modify it to fit your needs)
You can always reinstall / enable apps by using
Code:
adb shell cmd package install-existing --user 0 <package_name>
adb shell cmd package enable --user 0 <package_name>
Hi,
Thank you for your thorough guide.
I'm stuck after this command:
"fastboot flashing unlock"
I get error "waiting for device"
I have installed the USB drivers as per the link you provided, I think, not sure what's happening.
Any suggestion?
Many thanks.
UPDATE: I used a different USB cable and it worked!!
juv3nal said:
Hi,
Thank you for your thorough guide.
I'm stuck after this command:
"fastboot flashing unlock"
I get error "waiting for device"
I have installed the USB drivers as per the link you provided, I think, not sure what's happening.
Any suggestion?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have enabled OEM unlocking and USB debugging in Developer Options
Also, you can try the command "fastboot devices" to make sure your device is visible to your PC/Laptop.
^this
if "fastboot devices" doesnt show the id for your phone then the drivers arent working properly.
iirc there might be an issue with the drivers being properly detected sometimes, only had this once on an older computer.
The original now outdated 15s installer has instructions in the"Note" section on how to fix device detection.
if "fastboot devices" returns the device id then I can only think of OEM unlocking being disabled.
if it still doesnt work, consider switching to the full sdk platform tools, idk if it includes the usb drivers.
G5-User7080 said:
^this
if "fastboot devices" doesnt show the id for your phone then the drivers arent working properly.
iirc there might be an issue with the drivers being properly detected sometimes, only had this once on an older computer.
The original now outdated 15s installer has instructions in the"Note" section on how to fix device detection.
if "fastboot devices" returns the device id then I can only think of OEM unlocking being disabled.
if it still doesnt work, consider switching to the full sdk platform tools, idk if it includes the usb drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aswell as using a USB A connected to a USB 2.0 port
This guide worked very well for unlocking my Pixel 6a.
Sadly I cannot root my device, probably because the newest factory image is from February 2023. Does anyone know where to get the newest factory image from?
Okay, I managed to bootloop my device lol
How I fixed it + root:
I used the PixelFlasher to downgrade to the newest factory image (from February) + Data Wipe (sadly).
Then I went through your guide again and it successfully got rooted.
d_TraXer said:
Sadly I cannot root my device, probably because the newest factory image is from February 2023. Does anyone know where to get the newest factory image from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newest Factory Image is from April though.
I linked it under "Prerequisites".
You can use Pixelflasher just fine for rooting as well, check the OTA with Pixelflasher section, it's essentially just applying OTA and "re-rooting".
If you already figured out how to use Pixelflasher you might as well use that to flash factory
You can also check the Pixel 6 Guide that's linked in "sources", that one is very comprehensive and includes multiple methods, just be aware that versions and downloads are different for the Pixel 6a, the general process is the same though.
G5-User7080 said:
Newest Factory Image is from April though.
I linked it under "Prerequisites".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay that's weird, I checked the link multiple times but everytime I looked the newest factory image was from February. Just now I noticed a banner on top of the page. It says that the website got automatically translated to german. So I switched back to English and now the newest factory image is from April.
Anyways thank you for your response. Now I can update to the newest version.
Thanks for the pointer to the MOD version, Integrity Check was only passing Basic with the original safetynet, the MOD version also passes Device now.

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