New to the Pixel 2 XL and have questions - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

Hey guys a new to the Pixel XL and I must say I whole heartly love this phone. Currently I am on the latest yet unofficial os with android p beta . So far I am enjoying the experience and am trying to learn more about this phone so I can master it.
I do have a couple questions if I may ask and hopefully I can get answers to some of these questions.
I have the unlocked Verion Pixel 2 XL. Is there any way at all that I can unlock the bootlader for so I would be able to root. i Seen some threads on this and wish for it to be true. My main access for root would be exposed module and to use that to have no more ads. Currently I am using Firefox with Ublock Origins and while that is great, Youtube on the other hand is ad central and I wish I could watch Youtube videos with ADS, The only way I know how would be to root and use exposed module... I was told about a rootless exposed module yet it does not work with all apps.
Please if you are able to help me in my plight to make this Pixel 2 XL the best phone ever any tips tricks or suggestions would be gladly appreciated.
Shanks

Related

Praying (and Paying) for Root with Bounty

Coming from the Note 2, Note 3, and Note 4 Developer Edition, I'm hoping the LG V10 can be rooted and have an unlocked bootloader for custom ROMs. If not, I'll be sticking with my Note 4 DE even longer.
Update:
Verizon and AT&T V10 Pledge Sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1d4HOXYt_dvfoJQFqc8DrGmk75T381plJQ4jnpygf1KE/edit?usp=sharing
XDA Members,
I have been trying to update the spread sheet to keep people accountable for what they had pledged. If you have installed root using Tungkick's method please donate to him. If you have donated; Thank you for keeping your word! I encourage you all to do what you had promised. Donating the full pledge amount would be very appreciated as well. So far it is looking like Tungkick is well below the estimated value of what you all pledged. Please help make things right and follow through on your end.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY DONATED PLEASE PM ME (with your name or email that comes through when you send a Paypal payment AND what XDA user name I should tie that donation to).
When you donate it would be helpful for you to put your XDA member name in the comments.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RKjJwtDOV-aBFjPTYHJb1PezPQvxff3y65I8qKRWJpM/edit?usp=sharing
@tungkick
FAUguy said:
Coming from the Note 2, Note 3, and Note 4 Developer Edition, I'm hoping the LG V10 can be rooted and have an unlocked bootloader for custom ROMs. If not, I'll be sticking with my Note 4 DE even longer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea same here...i will hold out a month or two after it comes out to see how the development scene will become
I kinda wonder if the buyers of this device even care about such ?
verge said v10 is for content creators and g4 is for content consumers. if anything the consumer version is what people will tinker with.
the v10 should have everything you need ottb without having to futz around.
This is isn't a competitor to the note. i'm wondering what the g pro will be like.
Why do you say it's not a competitor to the note? It's certainly a flagship+ type device? Not trying to argue, just want to know your thinking. I've been a note guy since the original, but now with the 5 and the fact that they got rid of sd storage (I'm a big fan of emulator gaming) and the removable battery, I'm shopping around. The V-10 looks to have everything I have with the note 4 (except the s-pen which is rarely used). And the V-10 has some style to it that makes it not look like every other phone out there right now.
I tend to agree, I think this is a competitor to the Note series as well. If the only competition for the Note series are phones with a stylus, that doesn't leave much.
If you don't consider this to be a competitor, just curious as to which phones you belive are?
Sent from my SM-N910T using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
tried now Low Effort root from Codefire on my LG V10
Fail
Other ideas ?
I check here everyday hoping that there is root
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
chiikko561 said:
I check here everyday hoping that there is root
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hoping in Viet Community ...
sent from my LG V10 - F600L
I just saw in the Italy unboxing thread that the phone is vulnerable to one of the stage fright exploit, someone needs to code the exploit to gain root.
chrisrotolo said:
I just saw in the Italy unboxing thread that the phone is vulnerable to one of the stage fright exploit, someone needs to code the exploit to gain root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is a great idea
CVE-2015-6602 is the key for V10 root
Just curious as to what people think are the key reasons for rooting these days.
I have a note 3 and will be looking to upgrade to this when it comes to the UK.
My note 3 is rooted and I did it mainly to get more advance features for Tasker.
Now I very rarely use Tasker so don't think I will be rooting my next phone unless there is a good reason to?
Cheers
Fozza
For Titanium Backup app restoration, advanced features, choice of ROM with features or optimizations not present in stock firmwares, Xposed, adblockers on Web and YouTube, etc, etc...
You don't know why rooting? Don't do it. Or go with an iPhone... [emoji6]
gamin92 said:
You don't know why rooting? Don't do it. Or go with an iPhone... [emoji6]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to be an arse about it There are different levels of Android users, not everyone wants all the things you just described but doesn't mean they should be sent off to apple!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Just saying if you don't want, don't do it. OR choose a closed system. There's choice.
Wasn't pointing you personally, just saying my thoughts about it.
Android is a great OS, mainly because you've got a full access to it, and can change/customize almost everything. Not rooting it may be OK for many users, but that's jumping beside the swimming pool. Just my point, as you asked our point about rooting devices...
gamin92 said:
For Titanium Backup app restoration, advanced features, choice of ROM with features or optimizations not present in stock firmwares, Xposed, adblockers on Web and YouTube, etc, etc...
You don't know why rooting? Don't do it. Or go with an iPhone... [emoji6]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmph.
I'll say this. I have had my LG G3 for over a year and a half, that is longer than I have kept any phone since I began my Android venture with the G1. I had the G3 rooted for about 3 weeks. I have always had my devices rooted. I'll say this - though the option to root and unlock the bootloader would be very nice, I have found myself very fond of the LG UI - for a manufacturer UI skin, LG's takes the cake. Far less memory hungry than sense or TouchWiz, and the phone remains very snappy.
I have no need for root with the power of these devices now, the leaps and bounds in camera software, etc.
I think the software on these phones, while skin dependent can slow it down, has moved leaps and bounds past that of 3 years ago. There are some useful aspects of it. For instance, one major reason I and most others are looking heavily at this phone is the camera - well I have news for you if you didn't know - most of that is software driven, software that is not available on an AOSP based ROM. Sure, the phone might be a hair faster, but if you can't use the beautiful 16 MB camera on the back to it's full potential (The highlight of an amazing phone) is it even worth it?
Now, the answer might be yes to you, and it might even be a yes for me when I get the phone in my hands (if, lol), but I would bet that I am not alone in my stance, and I'm sure that there are others here that used to be flashaholics that no longer have a true need for it.
Of course, if you are using a Samsung device or HTC, sure I see a need because that OS skin is horrendous. BUT, with a phone with this hardware, with a fairly light skin, and from what I can see amazing camera software/hardware... Do you need to root this thing?
I suppose you can justify root without bootloader, however again, I do not need it thus probably won't go there.
I am not bashing you, simply stating where I come from now, and how my thoughts and needs have changed on the issue of ROM flashing in the last year with my still amazing G3.
I am only now looking for a new device because I felt this year would bring amazing devices... So far, the only two really worth looking at are the Nexus 6P - which is only available in the states through Google/Huwai, and this V10. Maybe the OnePlus 2. Maybe.
Cheers.
I'm using Xperia Z2, since mid 2014. I'm still on stock based firmware. As you stated, camera, as well as audio performance, are better with stock based roms than with aosp based roms. But there's many rom cookers taking stock brand firmware as base, but add many features, or great optimizations.
Even my wife, who doesn't know anything about android and OS stuffs, needs root. Why? Simply because there's always a bunch of bloatware, or apps not needed because you're using one for years doing the same thing in a better/more suitable way.
I agree that unlocking the bootloader isn't so useful anymore, just a flash and test junky thing. But root is so helpful in many ways. Just one thing why I couldn't use phone without root : all those terrible ads everywhere, on the web and on YouTube. Soooo annoying. Used my phone 2 weeks before rooting, I was going crazy just about ads here, ads there, ads everywhere!
Edit : installing an alternative launcher already keep you away from most of worst things of "skins" from brands.
gamin92 said:
I'm using Xperia Z2, since mid 2014. I'm still on stock based firmware. As you stated, camera, as well as audio performance, are better with stock based roms than with aosp based roms. But there's many rom cookers taking stock brand firmware as base, but add many features, or great optimizations.
Even my wife, who doesn't know anything about android and OS stuffs, needs root. Why? Simply because there's always a bunch of bloatware, or apps not needed because you're using one for years doing the same thing in a better/more suitable way.
I agree that unlocking the bootloader isn't so useful anymore, just a flash and test junky thing. But root is so helpful in many ways. Just one thing why I couldn't use phone without root : all those terrible ads everywhere, on the web and on YouTube. Soooo annoying. Used my phone 2 weeks before rooting, I was going crazy just about ads here, ads there, ads everywhere!
Edit : installing an alternative launcher already keep you away from most of worst things of "skins" from brands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Precisely. I understand and echo everything you point out. I have always used Nova Launcher.
Yes, bloatware is a problem. However, besides that, I really don't have a need for root in general, it's just a fun thing to have and mess with. I don't like messing with my phone much anymore since I have important things on my plate, calendar, phone calls, etc.
I don't understand why people say they love ad blocker, I haven't had an issue with ads, in fact I don't see many AT ALL, and I don't have mine rooted...
I see the most in the TapaTalk app, other than that nothing really...
Root saves me the $30 a month extra I don't have to pay Sprint for Wi-Fi tether: that's reason enough for me to root all my devices.
I have always rooted every one of my devices dating back to my og. That said, it seems it's getting harder and harder to gain root on some of these new devices. Doesn't Xposed work on non rooted devices? If so, won't that along with a new launcher satisfy the craving for root? I'm asking because my next phone will probably be the V10 and I'm fearful root might not be gained.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

no custom oreo rom

Coming from the Nexus 5x and there are many Oreo roms..so i was wondering why there ist noch Oreo Rom for the Pixel..? And dont get me wrong..i have no problem with that..Just wonderering
With Kind regards
Ah..OK..after some reading..the first step is not really good finished yet..custom Recovery and root.
Wow..never was thinking that root and other stuff will be so complicated as on an iPhone to get it Jailbreaked
Are we in the point that google want that we just use our phones..?
Then we dont need sources and others...
..sorry..but i must write it down here..and hope to get some answers..
.. because the way to get all things done..from the HTC desire (bravo with Android 1-2) till the Nexus 5x and Samsung s6 was always the same..and now this..
I have for sure some Experience to look behind some curtain..but atm i am a bit frustrated
Root is no problem, fastboot boot to TWRP and install it.
This phone is much more challenging than other handsets due to the fact Google has implemented dual booting partitions. It also seems they aren't as interested in the developer community now that they are making their own phones and not just putting out an OS for Android. So, this handset isn't as friendly for devs, except for those who are really into masochistic behavior (self punishment). If you're looking for a really robust developer community you probably should stick to Samsung or a few other manufacturers and avoid Google for the foreseeable future.
Just my thoughts.
Really unbelievable that there are no ROMs due to those issues.
Will sell my Pixel and keep my Nexus 6P
I'm thinking of selling my pixel and getting a oneplus 5, or waiting to see how the modding scene evolves for the razor phone.
Truly disappointed the pixel line didn't follow on from nexus devices.
I will do so.
Got my pixel used and defective, Google will replace it for free so I will be able to sell it as new.
Would it be possible to install substratum and xposed framework?
Thought of getting nexus 6p,but bought the pixel thinking that it would get more development..
now I'm regretting that decision..?
I would of thought there would be possibly some way of reformatting the partition size or even changing partitions completely
acidspider said:
I would of thought there would be possibly some way of reformatting the partition size or even changing partitions completely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for that ..S-off is needed..but a great idea through
Really funny how things have changed. It wasn't that long ago that if you wanted a phone that was easy to root, and had tons of developers, with tons of ROM options, you got a Nexus. Now that the Pixels are here, it's just the opposite.
The only saving grace is Google will continue supporting the pixel until October 2019 so I'm not going to be stranded with a phone I can't update.
Got the XL as a warranty replacement for my almost 2 year old 6P that had battery dying issues.
I do like the XL, have it rooted with Magisk, just waiting for Pure Nexus. If revo gets Xposed working Oreo, may not go custom rom at all.
Not many things the phone can't do that requires custom
bootloader unlock and custom kernel if required for some tweaks, however
pure android is actually freaking lovely
is any other device on oreo? let alone 8.1 (if you have beta)
y2grae said:
Not many things the phone can't do that requires custom
bootloader unlock and custom kernel if required for some tweaks, however
pure android is actually freaking lovely
is any other device on oreo? let alone 8.1 (if you have beta)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite a few devices are getting both official and unofficial 8.0 updates. As far as 8.1 I'm pretty sure it's still in beta so it's only available for the Google family of devices as there is no way to look into the source of the beta and try to compile it for other phones.
There are more issues than the A/B partition scheme that these phones have:
1) They are extremely expensive so there were not too many people who bought them in the first place
2) There are a lot of people and devs who have sold their Pixels for Pixel 2's
3) Project Treble which sounded like a good idea has actually caused more problems for this phone for custom development, which did not affect any Nexus models. All the kinks related to this need to be worked out too as it is a new issue as of Oreo
You will see some rom action in the foreseeable future though
hardslog said:
There are more issues than the A/B partition scheme that these phones have:
1) They are extremely expensive so there were not too many people who bought them in the first place
2) There are a lot of people and devs who have sold their Pixels for Pixel 2's
3) Project Treble which sounded like a good idea has actually caused more problems for this phone for custom development, which did not affect any Nexus models. All the kinks related to this need to be worked out too as it is a new issue as of Oreo
You will see some rom action in the foreseeable future though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you share a link where I can find the OMNIROM you are actually runningp please ?
Thank you !
vlucchetti said:
Got the XL as a warranty replacement for my almost 2 year old 6P that had battery dying issues.
I do like the XL, have it rooted with Magisk, just waiting for Pure Nexus. If revo gets Xposed working Oreo, may not go custom rom at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would you rate the Pixel against the Nexus 6P?
Is it worth the upgrade?
I got a broken 6P for 80€ and a broken Pixel for 180€
Both were replaced (Nexus against Nexus, cause it was bought from 3rd party and not Google).
Nexus would sell for 250€, Pixel for 400€
Sui77 said:
How would you rate the Pixel against the Nexus 6P?
Is it worth the upgrade?
I got a broken 6P for 80€ and a broken Pixel for 180€
Both were replaced (Nexus against Nexus, cause it was bought from 3rd party and not Google).
Nexus would sell for 250€, Pixel for 400€
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I miss my 6P, thought it was an awesome phone but the battery issue SOT of 2 hours after 2 years was killing me. Got the XL as a warranty replacement for virtually nothing, so it was a win-win.
Once the custom roms roll out, it will rival or exceed the 6P, I have no doubt.

MiUI 10 Porting for Pixel 3

Hi there,
I have been for years a Nexus user, but for a bit I have moved to other manufacturer. Now I am back to Google with this device, but seems that there is no modding... maybe the price of these device doesn't help and also the camera feature on them are very hard to replicate on other devices... However, I miss a lot the era when the Nexus were full of roms and you literelly could do everything with them... So, I was wondering that maybe someone would do a Miui 10 porting on the Pixel 3/XL ...
Many thanks,
A pixel user
No one is stopping you from doing it.
There is a lot of modding happening, XDA is just too toxic for it. Look far and wide. I'm on a custom ROM myself, P3 Blueline my G
retr0gr4d3 said:
There is a lot of modding happening, XDA is just too toxic for it. Look far and wide. I'm on a custom ROM myself, P3 Blueline my G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, people here are getting arrogant every day
Would it be possible for you to PM me some of the links for p3 mod/custom roms outside of xda please ?
Can you share with us some tips and links. Thank you

New Pixel 3a, new questions

Hi all. OG member here.
I've been away from the XDA community for a couple of years and am now making a return. I had a job that made me use my phone for work, so I had to stop modding and screwing with it. With my new job (that gave me another phone), I can finally go back to tinkering. I recently bought a Pixel 3a (on Google Fi [eSIM]) as my daily driver and want some advice from everyone. My questions are:
What ROMs support eSIM?
Is it worth it to even flash the Pixel 3a? What things break? Should I really care about Active Edge and GPay?
How is the dev community for this phone or the line of Pixels?
The stock camera is already pretty good on the 3a, but are there any better ones in ROMs.
AOSP vs Pixel base vs ????
(Also, apparently Cyanogen mod is no more and is now Lineage? WTH...)
Anyways, I'd love to have a cool discussion/conversation with you all, technical or normal.
Thanks!
EddyBalls said:
Hi all. OG member here.
I've been away from the XDA community for a couple of years and am now making a return. I had a job that made me use my phone for work, so I had to stop modding and screwing with it. With my new job (that gave me another phone), I can finally go back to tinkering. I recently bought a Pixel 3a (on Google Fi [eSIM]) as my daily driver and want some advice from everyone. My questions are:
What ROMs support eSIM?
Is it worth it to even flash the Pixel 3a? What things break? Should I really care about Active Edge and GPay?
How is the dev community for this phone or the line of Pixels?
The stock camera is already pretty good on the 3a, but are there any better ones in ROMs.
AOSP vs Pixel base vs ????
(Also, apparently Cyanogen mod is no more and is now Lineage? WTH...)
Anyways, I'd love to have a cool discussion/conversation with you all, technical or normal.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope someone else jumps in because I dont know all of the answers to your questions.
I don't know about eSIM sorry.
It could be worth it, its up to you what you deem as worth it. I personally have stuck to staying on everything on stock with magisk root because of Vanced Youtube. It's definitely worth it for me.
The dev community had a strong start and it has been growing. It's great, although it's not super big like some other lines ( for whatever reason that may be).
That I know of, Roms, either use stock or open camera.
I like stock because I like to update to the latest build from Google every month. Plus Q release will be out eventually and soon from what I hear.
EddyBalls said:
Hi all. OG member here.
I've been away from the XDA community for a couple of years and am now making a return. I had a job that made me use my phone for work, so I had to stop modding and screwing with it. With my new job (that gave me another phone), I can finally go back to tinkering. I recently bought a Pixel 3a (on Google Fi [eSIM]) as my daily driver and want some advice from everyone. My questions are:
What ROMs support eSIM?
Is it worth it to even flash the Pixel 3a? What things break? Should I really care about Active Edge and GPay?
How is the dev community for this phone or the line of Pixels?
The stock camera is already pretty good on the 3a, but are there any better ones in ROMs.
AOSP vs Pixel base vs ????
(Also, apparently Cyanogen mod is no more and is now Lineage? WTH...)
Anyways, I'd love to have a cool discussion/conversation with you all, technical or normal.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine got e sim its from europe/de(germany)
G020F
If you want pay to work I've posted some methods in my root thread https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3a/how-to/root-3a-t3929053 they're at the bottom of the main post. The fully auto method is the one I've been using for a while.

Question How easy to root are Pixels?

I am currently on an iPhone and I want to jump back to Android, and I've been following the Pixel 7 Pro. It looks pretty promising and the fact I can get a free watch seems pretty good!
How rootable are Pixels, since I do enjoy certain benefits of rooting such as system-wide AdBlock and just having full control over MY phone (something that is direly lacking in iOS haha).
Previous Pixels were easy to root, and there are several ways to update rooted devices without losing data. I'd suggest to look at a guide from the P6 Pro to make yourself comfortable with the tools and knowledge you require to work with a rooted Pixel.
Here is a great guide from V0latyle that I have used many times, but there are more in the various XDA sub forums:
[GUIDE] Pixel 6 Pro "raven": Unlock Bootloader, Update, Root, Pass SafetyNet
⚠️⚠️⚠️ WARNING! IF YOU ARE UPDATING TO ANDROID 13 FOR THE FIRST TIME, READ THIS FIRST!⚠️⚠️⚠️ If you are looking for my guide on a different Pixel, find it here: Pixel 3 Pixel 3XL Pixel 3a Pixel 3aXL Pixel 4 Pixel 4XL Pixel 4a Pixel 4a (5G)...
forum.xda-developers.com
I would say that it's relatively easy to root pixel devices. Bootloader unlock has been on every pixel phone. The pixel 7 has not been rooted yet, so the jury is out on that, but I bet it will be fairly easy.
Saying that, here is the instructions for the pixel 6 pro which are relatively easy to root.
Pixel 6 pro rooting
Yeh, usually really good root guide's!
Thanks for your replies guys, I placed my order now! Free LTE watch as well!
Annie the Eagle said:
Thanks for your replies guys, I placed my order now! Free LTE watch as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you get the unlocked version from Google and not a carrier phone. Carriers like to lock the bootloader of their phones.
Annie the Eagle said:
I am currently on an iPhone and I want to jump back to Android, and I've been following the Pixel 7 Pro. It looks pretty promising and the fact I can get a free watch seems pretty good!
How rootable are Pixels, since I do enjoy certain benefits of rooting such as system-wide AdBlock and just having full control over MY phone (something that is direly lacking in iOS haha).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
extremely easy, takes less than a few minutes
Annie the Eagle said:
I am currently on an iPhone and I want to jump back to Android, and I've been following the Pixel 7 Pro. It looks pretty promising and the fact I can get a free watch seems pretty good!
How rootable are Pixels, since I do enjoy certain benefits of rooting such as system-wide AdBlock and just having full control over MY phone (something that is direly lacking in iOS haha).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I went from the iPhone 3gs to Android. System ad blocking and tethering provision bypassing since 2009.
rester555 said:
Make sure you get the unlocked version from Google and not a carrier phone. Carriers like to lock the bootloader of their phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some more than others. AT&T is unlockable once it's SIM unlocked. T-Mo's requires as server side unlock. On Verizon you're just screwed.
The factory unlocked will be the least hassle if use their financing or are willing to pay up front. Otherwise, you'll have to find other means to unlock AT&T or T-Mo versions.
would we expect to see a similar process for P7P to P6P?
exocetdj said:
would we expect to see a similar process for P7P to P6P?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
You should be somewhat familiar with the manual procedure, but there's a wonderful tool for rooting/flashing/upgrading. Ive only half joked in the past that this tool will keep me a Pixel customer for life!
📳🔥 PixelFlasher, a GUI tool for flashing / updating / rooting / managing Pixel phones.
DESCRIPTION As the name suggests this is an application to flash (update) Pixel™ phones (possibly all Google™ made phones/tablets, YMMV.) PixelFlasher at its core is a UI layer (with bells and whistles) on top of adb / fastboot commands, hence...
forum.xda-developers.com
Can't speak for other Pixels as this is the first I've owned, but the 7 Pro is very easy to root. Received mine in the post yesterday around 1230, it was rooted by 1330. I have unrooted and relocked the bootloader now as I decided I'd rather have OTA updates working, but it's one of the easier phones I've rooted.
Annie the Eagle said:
I am currently on an iPhone and I want to jump back to Android, and I've been following the Pixel 7 Pro. It looks pretty promising and the fact I can get a free watch seems pretty good!
How rootable are Pixels, since I do enjoy certain benefits of rooting such as system-wide AdBlock and just having full control over MY phone (something that is direly lacking in iOS haha).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super easy. You need a PC, USB cable, and just follow the guide here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...gain-all-relevant-links.4502805/post-87540339
Annie the Eagle said:
I am currently on an iPhone and I want to jump back to Android, and I've been following the Pixel 7 Pro. It looks pretty promising and the fact I can get a free watch seems pretty good!
How rootable are Pixels, since I do enjoy certain benefits of rooting such as system-wide AdBlock and just having full control over MY phone (something that is direly lacking in iOS haha).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from OnePlus, where I could root with my eyes closed, the process for rooting Pixel looks complicated as ****
Rooting pixels is taking no more than 2 minutes

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