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Rooting Procedure for HTC One A9 /w Nougat (2.18.617.1) Still the Same?

Hey Guys -
I've had my HTC One A9 (AT&T) for about a year now and since purchase have had it rooted with s-off. I've re-imaged it a couple of times for various reasons and when doing so, must follow a specific procedure where I overall copy the verity file over from a non-rooted boot partition backup into my rooted one using a few tools including Android Image Kitchen. If I do not so this, I cannot use Internal Storage which I depend on.
I know it's new; but Nougat came out recently and I have downloaded the RUU for 2.18.617.1 (I've already run my phone as a developer image for a while now.) I also see that HIAE released TWRP 3.0.3-0 which seems to be for Nougat.
My question is, is it currently possible to root Nougat for the HTC One A9 and if so, possible to root it in the same / similar method used so that I may still use Internal Storage without issue?
Thanks guys!

bzowk said:
Hey Guys -
I've had my HTC One A9 (AT&T) for about a year now and since purchase have had it rooted with s-off. I've re-imaged it a couple of times for various reasons and when doing so, must follow a specific procedure where I overall copy the verity file over from a non-rooted boot partition backup into my rooted one using a few tools including Android Image Kitchen. If I do not so this, I cannot use Internal Storage which I depend on.
I know it's new; but Nougat came out recently and I have downloaded the RUU for 2.18.617.1 (I've already run my phone as a developer image for a while now.) I also see that HIAE released TWRP 3.0.3-0 which seems to be for Nougat.
My question is, is it currently possible to root Nougat for the HTC One A9 and if so, possible to root it in the same / similar method used so that I may still use Internal Storage without issue?
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First you'll have to see if the new TWRP even boots on your device after you update. If it does, then you shouldn't have to do anything special to use your Internal Storage. I'm uncertain as to why you're performing that procedure now, tbh.

Captain_Throwback said:
First you'll have to see if the new TWRP even boots on your device after you update. If it does, then you shouldn't have to do anything special to use your Internal Storage. I'm uncertain as to why you're performing that procedure now, tbh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
When I first rooted the A9 after getting it, I tried using Internal Storage but it would fail when formatting the SD as "Internal." I found that copying the verity key and fstab file from a backup of my unrooted boot partition into my rooted boot partition allowed it to work. Are you saying that SuperSU has updated to the point where that isn't nessesary anymore?
Thanks!

bzowk said:
Thanks for the reply.
When I first rooted the A9 after getting it, I tried using Internal Storage but it would fail when formatting the SD as "Internal." I found that copying the verity key and fstab file from a backup of my unrooted boot partition into my rooted boot partition allowed it to work. Are you saying that SuperSU has updated to the point where that isn't nessesary anymore?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't even use SuperSU, lol. There are multiple root methods (I personally use Magisk+phh Superuser), and all of them offer a way to retain forced encryption. You just have to read up on them. And if your device is already encrypted, it shouldn't*matter anyway. I've never had the issue you're speaking of, though.

Captain_Throwback said:
I don't even use SuperSU, lol. There are multiple root methods (I personally use Magisk+phh Superuser), and all of them offer a way to retain forced encryption. You just have to read up on them. And if your device is already encrypted, it shouldn't*matter anyway. I've never had the issue you're speaking of, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh - shows you how much I stay up to date with things. Always just used SuperSU since it worked for me. I'll look it up unless you have a link handy. Thanks!

[Q] Rooting and decrypting

Hi to all. Just a noobie question. I've just bought a 1+6 and I'd like to root it. I've read this wonderful guide (https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/oneplus-6-unlock-bootloader-flash-twrp-t3792643) and all seems clear but there's one thing I can't understand. The guide doesn't speak about decryption but, in other threads, I've seen that many people do it. Exactly, what are benefits to decrypt the device ? My need is only to root the device to use some apps (as Titanium) that require root. I don't want to install custom roms or kernel. And, while I'm at it, what is exactly the DM-verity disabler ? I've rooted a lot of phones (all my androids since Galaxy SII, last an Honor 9) but I've never decrypted or disabled anything. I must do something with the new Android 9 (my experience stops with Android 7) or it's sufficient to follow the above guide to root the phone ?
Thanks of every answer

unvisigoth said:
Hi to all. Just a noobie question. I've just bought a 1+6 and I'd like to root it. I've read this wonderful guide (https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/oneplus-6-unlock-bootloader-flash-twrp-t3792643) and all seems clear but there's one thing I can't understand. The guide doesn't speak about decryption but, in other threads, I've seen that many people do it. Exactly, what are benefits to decrypt the device ? My need is only to root the device to use some apps (as Titanium) that require root. I don't want to install custom roms or kernel. And, while I'm at it, what is exactly the DM-verity disabler ? I've rooted a lot of phones (all my androids since Galaxy SII, last an Honor 9) but I've never decrypted or disabled anything. I must do something with the new Android 9 (my experience stops with Android 7) or it's sufficient to follow the above guide to root the phone ?
Thanks of every answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Decrypt device has a capability of flashing custom ROMS in like infinite times without getting corrupted and getting internal storage wiped. But first you are required to wipe your internal storage one time only.
Since you don't like to flash custom ROMs, I think decrypting is not for you. And sadly, you are not using the full potential of your device.

updating if rooted

My rooted moto G7 is still on stock android 9, security level 1 October 2019, build PPOS29.114-134-4. My wife has the identical Moto G7 phone, but unrooted, and I know she has received several OTA system updates since then.
My rooted phone is so far behind in updates because every non-OTA update method I've read about results in losing root. I know that regaining root is a simple thing to the experts but every time *I* attempt to root this (or any other phone) I end up getting into trouble. I don't even remember how rooting was originally done on this phone and obviously I am not doing things correctly.
Could a kind expert please give me step by step instructions suitable for a newbie on how to update the system on this rooted phone and then simply regain root?
My phone has twrp installed and I do have recent nandroid backups. If my memory is correct, I originally used twrp to root this phone but my memory may or may not be correct.
Thank you.
(To explain, the only reason I root this phone is
1) to use Titanium Backup which I've used many times to restore apps
2) for easy nandroid backups in case I mess something up
3) to hopefully install a Google free rom one day. I used lineageos on another phone but understand it still has problems on this phone)

maybeme2 said:
My rooted phone is so far behind in updates because every non-OTA update method I've read about results in losing root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EVERY update of your firmware requires a new installation of Magisk.
New firmware = new boot.img => Magisk will be deinstalled

Thank you
Actually I cannot get any updates unless I unrooted first. When I tell the phone to look for updates it does and tells me I'm up-to-date. Which I'm obviously not.
So it seems something is preventing update. I assumed it's because I'm rooted. What do I need to do to receive ota updates and after updates how do I regain root?

maybeme2 said:
Thank you
Actually I cannot get any updates unless I unrooted first. When I tell the phone to look for updates it does and tells me I'm up-to-date. Which I'm obviously not.
So it seems something is preventing update. I assumed it's because I'm rooted. What do I need to do to receive ota updates and after updates how do I regain root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to manually flash the firmware via fastboot. There're a lot of tutorials here in this forum for that.

Do It manually
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g7/how-to/manually-update-g7-using-fastboot-t3917381
Just pay attention to not erase user data and it won't wipe anything

maybeme2 said:
Thank you
Actually I cannot get any updates unless I unrooted first. When I tell the phone to look for updates it does and tells me I'm up-to-date. Which I'm obviously not.
So it seems something is preventing update. I assumed it's because I'm rooted. What do I need to do to receive ota updates and after updates how do I regain root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres a magisk module called Safety Net something-another and if you install hat module, reboot, go back to magislk-settings and towards the mid to bottom check the box that says Hide Magisk to protect from various forms of detection
Then you can reboot again or just wait awhile and you should be able to update BUT, as stated above, you'll have to reinstall magisk every update.

Thanks. It is hard to know what to believe anymore. In my searches I also read that accepting ota updates on a rooted Moto G7 will brick the phone.

maybeme2 said:
Thanks. It is hard to know what to believe anymore. In my searches I also read that accepting ota updates on a rooted Moto G7 will brick the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because some people also tell a lot of nonsense!
An ota.zip is a block based update process. You MUST verify the partitions before doing any changes! Otherwise it could lead to a fully damaged device.
"Hide the manager..." Thanks a lot!!
@maybeme2 flash the correct firmware to update your device.

WoKoschekk said:
Because some people also tell a lot of nonsense!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. But .....it takes knowledge (which I am slowly acquiring) to tell the difference. And, if the person asking already had enough 'knowledge' to know it is nonsense, they would not need to search for information. A classic Catch-22 dilemma for a newbie. That's why searching for help is so dangerous.
QUOTE=WoKoschekk;82901585]An ota.zip is a block based update process. You MUST verify the partitions before doing any changes! Otherwise it could lead to a fully damaged device.[/QUOTE]
What do you mean by "a block based update process". I think I know, but it is dangerous to guess. If you have the time, could you explain?
Also, what do you mean by "verify the partitions before doing any changes!"? Verify for what? And after verifying the partitions, do what with that knowledge?
These are summary statements. Similar to "you must do the correct thing". It does not tell me what the correct thing is.
What people asking for help need is
1. Click on. ....
2. Copy. .. to. ... because. ..
etc.
3. Be sure to. ....
HTA123's answer was helpful that way.
"There are plenty of tutorials" is not helpful because some of these tutorials are incorrect and will brick your phone.
QUOTE=WoKoschekk;82901585]"Hide the manager..." Thanks a lot!!.[/QUOTE]
What do you mean by ""Hide the manager..."?

maybeme2 said:
What do you mean by "a block based update process". I think I know, but it is dangerous to guess. If you have the time, could you explain?
Also, what do you mean by "verify the partitions before doing any changes!"? Verify for what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android uses a ext4 filesystem that allocates storage space in units of "blocks". Your system partition is read only and Android will not change anything on it. So Motorola's developers know the block address of each file. Instead of replacing a updated file they replace an updated block.
But on a modified partition the block addresses may have changed for each file. While an update replaces a block with the correct address, this block could stored incorrect files/data.
block based OTA
To avoid such problems an OTA verifies your whole system. The easiest way to verify a partition is to build hashes/checksums.
Hide Magisk Manager
This option is helpful to hide root for some apps that check your device for root. But it's not for a device update/OTA.

WoKoschekk, that is very informative. Thank you so much! I've learned a lot and it explains a lot of things about ota's, and other things.
Excellent. I will copy and keep in my notes.
Thank you again.

maybeme2 said:
WoKoschekk, that is very informative. Thank you so much! I've learned a lot and it explains a lot of things about ota's, and other things.
Excellent. I will copy and keep in my notes.
Thank you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attached you find a system log of a failed OTA update process grabbed from my Moto G6 plus. I know there are more interesting things in life than that. But it shows you what I have explained in my post before.
After trying to verify the partitions it fails due to a mismatched hash and the update process exits with a error (time: 04:34:25, somewhere in the middle of the log).

TWRP for galaxy s7 G930U?

I haven't been able to find out anything if this specific model has the ability to take twrp so i can put lineage on it.

frozencoffee said:
I haven't been able to find out anything if this specific model has the ability to take twrp so i can put lineage on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as far as I know, the bootloader is locked on the 930U model and can't be unlocked.
I think there is a way to root the 930U but no TWRP. Root can be used to remove things you don't want or modify other things the way you want them, if you take the time to learn how to do it yourself. But, it requires being careful because removing the wrong thing, modifying the wrong thing or doing the the modifications wrong can brick the device.

Droidriven said:
No, as far as I know, the bootloader is locked on the 930U model and can't be unlocked.
I think there is a way to root the 930U but no TWRP. Root can be used to remove things you don't want or modify other things the way you want them, if you take the time to learn how to do it yourself. But, it requires being careful because removing the wrong thing, modifying the wrong thing or doing the the modifications wrong can brick the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah ok, I still don't entirely comprehend what custom recoveries and rooting do differently after all these years, if anything the ultimate goal is to make the device's battery last a bit longer.

Droidriven said:
No, as far as I know, the bootloader is locked on the 930U model and can't be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
frozencoffee said:
ah ok, I still don't entirely comprehend what custom recoveries and rooting do differently after all these years, if anything the ultimate goal is to make the device's battery last a bit longer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom recovery is a special software that replaces the stock recovery and allows things such as flashing custom software or creating/restoring backups along with many other things. Root is just basically(but not exactly) the same as having administrator rights to change anything about your system and software on a PC. On PC, the user that has admin rights has access to the C:\ partition(the root partition of your PC) and anything stored within that partition, root on android gives the user access to the root partition(represented by the symbol / on android) on the phone(equivalent to C:\ on PC), the user does not have access or permission to modify this partition on a stock device unless the device is rooted.

Droidriven said:
No, as far as I know, the bootloader is locked on the 930U model and can't be unlocked.
I think there is a way to root the 930U but no TWRP. Root can be used to remove things you don't want or modify other things the way you want them, if you take the time to learn how to do it yourself. But, it requires being careful because removing the wrong thing, modifying the wrong thing or doing the the modifications wrong can brick the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello =]
I, too, have an SM-G930U that I would like to root, and am unsure as to the least problematic way to go about it...
I have used ODIN to flash on previous Galaxy's, but I am also having a tough time finding definitive information about just how to root it via ODIN, without any major changes....
Basically, I just want to flash it to stock with root access... I can't find a way to do this...
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

athenalong said:
Hello =]
I, too, have an SM-G930U that I would like to root, and am unsure as to the least problematic way to go about it...
I have used ODIN to flash on previous Galaxy's, but I am also having a tough time finding definitive information about just how to root it via ODIN, without any major changes....
Basically, I just want to flash it to stock with root access... I can't find a way to do this...
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root SM-G930U with TinySU
My new thread after a loooooong time :) Finally I won my laziness to write something. What is TinySU? TinySU is a tiny alternative for Chainfire's SuperSU or phhusson's SuperUser or topjohnwu's MagiskSU. Why TinySU? My S7 is a Sprint...
forum.xda-developers.com

Droidriven said:
Root SM-G930U with TinySU
My new thread after a loooooong time :) Finally I won my laziness to write something. What is TinySU? TinySU is a tiny alternative for Chainfire's SuperSU or phhusson's SuperUser or topjohnwu's MagiskSU. Why TinySU? My S7 is a Sprint...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreesh

How can i recover my phone photos

I installed new soft to my phone and i lost some of photos, screenshot
If I rooted my phone, can I recover my data that was lost after the software update? Can I unroot it later without any effects or issues with banking apps and financial services?
Also, I hope there is a way to retrieve photos and files without rooting the phone because I have tried several methods on both the phone and PC, but they are not recognizing the device even though it appears on the Explorer.

Short answer:
1. A stable wired / wíreless ADB must be given
2. The partition that holds the data in question must be decrypted
3. The phone must be rooted
4. The partition in question must get dumped to PC
5. An external forensic software is needed to read the dumped partition / fles in question

shadyhoo said:
If I rooted my phone, can I recover my data that was lost after the software update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To root your phone, you'll need to unlock the bootloader first.
If you unlock the bootloader, it will erase your internal storage and all files will be lost.
Is your bootloader unlocked as of now?

To keep you updated:
You are able to root Android without unlocking the bootloader, keyword: temporary root.
Even though it is possible in some cases to obtain root access without an unlocked bootloader, unlocking the bootloader is required to permanently root a device.

xXx yYy said:
To keep you updated:
You are able to root Android without unlocking the bootloader, keyword: temporary root.
Even though it is possible in some cases to obtain root access without an unlocked bootloader, unlocking the bootloader is required to permanently root a device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the uses of temporary root?
This post says it is not possible in Android 6 and newer.

I know that people around here who claim a temporary ROOT isn't possible at newer Android versions. That this still happens / happened here at XDA doesn't make things true.

xXx yYy said:
I know that people around here who claim a temporary ROOT isn't possible at newer Android versions. That this still happens / happened here at XDA doesn't make things true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you provide more information on this? Even links to existing posts would also do fine.
I'm interested to know if it can be used to debloat the system without tripping Knox or other disadvantages of an unlocked bootloader.

TheMystic said:
To root your phone, you'll need to unlock the bootloader first.
If you unlock the bootloader, it will erase your internal storage and all files will be lost.
Is your bootloader unlocked as of now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had some photos and I was done soft for the phone and lost my photos and screenshot
My phone is a Sony Xperia xz1 compact.. Do you mean to activate this option?

shadyhoo said:
I had some photos and I was done soft for the phone and lost my photos and screenshot
My phone is a Sony Xperia xz1 compact.. Do you mean to activate this option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Activating that option is just the first step. There are other things to do to unlock the bootloader.
Since your bootloader is locked as I expected, rooting to recover files is out of question now. That's because if you follow steps to unlock the bootloader, it will wipe everything on your phone. The question of recovery won't arise.

xXx yYy said:
To keep you updated:
You are able to root Android without unlocking the bootloader, keyword: temporary root.
Even though it is possible in some cases to obtain root access without an unlocked bootloader, unlocking the bootloader is required to permanently root a device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is sony xperia xz1 compact
If you root the phone, will this cause a problem with banking financial applications?
is it possible to completely remove the root after that without any problem or I will need to make a new software?

As I can see you've no idea what rooting Android means: it's simply spoken adding SU binary to Android's
filesystem - preferredly put it into RW-mounted /data/local/tmp directory. My recommendation: Become familiar with this, e.g. look inside here.

xXx yYy said:
I know that people around here who claim a temporary ROOT isn't possible at newer Android versions. That this still happens / happened here at XDA doesn't make things true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why not just teach us ignorant noobs and grab the cash?
I didn't even exclude exploits (such as mtk-su) in my bounty, I just limited to a real android device phone or tablet
alecxs said:
get yourself a smartphone and learn the basics. I will pay $ 100 if you show any proof of your magic temporary root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@shadyhoo if you factory resetted the device during update, your data is already lost.
You can root your phone after bootloader is unlocked. There might be a way to cheat bootloader and root with Magisk, but still the chances to recover any data is very low to zero. On flash memory the data is discarded right on deletion, recovery tools on file system level won't work because only the emmc flash memory controller (which runs it's own proprietary firmware) knows where the data is located. Only data that isn't discarded yet might be recoverable if it's not too long ago deleted.
It would be possible to get a dump of /dev/block/dm-0 and run extundelete if custom recovery were previously installed. Unfortunately the TWRP for Sony Xperia xz1 compact AFAIR requires custom kernel that supports FOTAKernel partition, boot image must include ramdisk extraction utility extract_elf_ramdisk for installing custom recovery. So this is a showstopper even on cheated bootloader lock.
you can however try to flash magisk patched boot image in EDL mode and see if that passes locked bootloader anyway, if the boot.img is properly AVB signed. if phone is rooted you can dump /dev/block/dm-0 during runtime.
But first clarify how the data was deleted. If a factory reset during the update occured it's absolutely pointless, because once the disk encryption key has changed the data is 100 % unrecoverable.

alecxs said:
So why not just teach us ignorant noobs and grab the cash?
I didn't even exclude exploits (such as mtk-su) in my bounty, I just limited to a real android device phone or tablet
@shadyhoo if you factory resetted the device during update, your data is already lost.
You can root your phone after bootloader is unlocked. There might be a way to cheat bootloader and root with Magisk, but still the chances to recover any data is very low to zero. On flash memory the data is discarded right on deletion, recovery tools on file system level won't work because only the emmc flash memory controller (which runs it's own proprietary firmware) knows where the data is located. Only data that isn't discarded yet might be recoverable if it's not too long ago deleted.
It would be possible to get a dump of /dev/block/dm-0 and run extundelete if custom recovery were previously installed. Unfortunately the TWRP for Sony Xperia xz1 compact AFAIR requires custom kernel that supports FOTAKernel partition, boot image must include ramdisk extraction utility extract_elf_ramdisk for installing custom recovery. So this is a showstopper even on cheated bootloader lock.
you can however try to flash magisk patched boot image in EDL mode and see if that passes locked bootloader anyway, if the boot.img is properly AVB signed. if phone is rooted you can dump /dev/block/dm-0 during runtime.
But first clarify how the data was deleted. If a factory reset during the update occured it's absolutely pointless, because once the disk encryption key has changed the data is 100 % unrecoverable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what happened to me an error occurred and the phone froze and then rebooted continuously, it never works, I tried to turn it on for a whole day uselessly bootloop continuously ,
I connected the phone. With a pc using sony companion pc program to repair software, app tell me will erase every thing while installing a new software and erased everything, and the phone appeared as a completely new object
through Google backup downloaded applications, messages, etc.,
but personal photos and files do not exist, and this is what I'm looking for
Do I have any chance to get my photos back or is there no chance ?

shadyhoo said:
I connected the phone. With a pc using sony companion pc program to repair software, app tell me will erase every thing while installing a new software and erased everything, and the phone appeared as a completely new object
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This counts as factory reset, therefore no chance sorry.

I'm sad to see so many people get into this position.
Backing up the data to MyMegaApp can be complicated because some of that is stored in /data/data/com.mymegaapp/...
Some of that is stored in /sdcard/Android/data/com.mymegaapp/...
Photos are generally stored in /sdcard/DCIM/Camera and that is trivial to backup.
Photos are probably the most valuable thing you have on your phone.
For Windows user, you can use my adbsync.exe in my sig.
Here is one line out of my "sync" script (actually a makefile):
Code:
adbsync /hscu /s C:\Handy\MotoG storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera
So at the same time I make sure that all my books and guitar transcriptions are on my device I also backup all the photos.
This probably happens multiple times a week.
And of course I backup my desktop too.

Renate said:
This probably happens multiple times a week.
And of course I backup my desktop too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Or just do not care attitude. I still had that when the 1st mSD died. 2nd was bad, about half year of photos and such went. Still hoping to recover it somehow. Then 3rd one went not so long ago. Windows "fixed" it, but now it has some folder added, with files that I don't what they all are... less than a month of damage this time...
So, like Renate said, take backups and take them often.
Adbsync is really good indeed.
Although the usage instructions might need some more details/examples like above...
(Just like some of Renate's other progs - might... )
edit a typo

CXZa said:
Although the usage instructions might need some more details/examples like above...
(Just like some of Renate's other progs - might... )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm, probably guilty. You can always ask though.
I always say that I wouldn't cry if a truck ran over my Android.
That is, as long as at the time the device wasn't in my pocket.

Renate said:
You can always ask though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not how it works... people just don't realize the potential of your programs that way..
Probably i'm not any better in that though.. lol.

CXZa said:
That's not how it works... people just don't realize the potential of your programs that way..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I probably should add some examples to some things.
Edit: I added some examples and stuff. Happy(er)?
http://www.temblast.com/adbsync.htm

I was looking in the previous days to recover data from the phone and found a lot of programs, most of which require root for mobile and are not free, meaning that if I want to restore some files, I have to root and also format the phone!! And you all say that it is almost impossible to return files after formatting, so what do all these programs that require rooting the phone do?! I do not understand the usefulness of such programs