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[Q] Nexus 5 strange behaviour after root

As the title suggest, does anyone else having such (one, more or all) issues on Nexus 5 after root?
1. Kitkat kinda initializes after every reboot. Not like the very first time starting the device (setup assistent) but installing/updating apps (which) are already on the device (same Verstion) and re-setting configuration to what it already should be.
2. Always showing H (internet connection) and at least two bars on signal strength even when there is no signal (accourding to chrome and (stock) dialer app.
3. Loss of signal but pretending there is one (like in 2.) and only regaining signal after reboot.
4. Loss of distance between apps within the appdrawer (more apps per page) until uninstallation of an app (remains normal after reinstall)
5. many app crashes (before and after rooting)
6. sometimes notification led keeps blinking after notification was dismissed, sometimes the notification led blinks very fast.
I rooted my device with cf auto root.

Except for 4 &5, yes.

I am glad that I am not alone but does anyone know whats the source of this strange behaviour or how this can be fixed?

In a case like this i would go back to stock, make a factory reset and then rooting the N5 again, manually, without using cf auto root.
Rooting manually it's just a good way to understand the android OS, and how it's made, imho.

Is there a good low-risk way (manual/tutorial) to manually root without a custom rom and custom recovery (CWM/TWRP) ?
Because besides root access I want to stay as close as possible to stock.

Nik_B said:
Is there a good low-risk way (manual/tutorial) to manually root without a custom rom and custom recovery (CWM/TWRP) ?
Because besides root access I want to stay as close as possible to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wugfresh's toolkit is imho the best and safest way to root and do most changes to all nexus devices. About the only difficult you may experience is usb driver/connectivity issues. The usb driver guides are well documented and easy to follow. It's no different than the standard adb usb drivers. Most have no issues, but that is the only thing that can cause problems with adb or Wugfresh's toolkit.
Read through Wugfresh's forum topic to acquaint yourself with mtp/ptp and driver installation and you should breeze through using his toolkit.
Sent from my Apple ] [e using ProTERM 2.2

Nik_B said:
Is there a good low-risk way (manual/tutorial) to manually root without a custom rom and custom recovery (CWM/TWRP) ?
Because besides root access I want to stay as close as possible to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
custom recoveries do not prevent the OTA.. plus you can just fastboot boot recovery whateverrecovery.img
i blame your problems on the CF-autoroot as i have none of the symptoms you describe.

Looking into the script chainfire offers shows me that there are only 2 commands executed.
the
fastboot oem unlock - command is clear to me that it unlocks the bootloader
but i have some questions about the second one: fastboot boot image\CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead... ...nexus5.img
Am I correct assuming that this command tells the bootloader to start this image instead of the regular android (once?)
which modifies "something" within the "original" android os (image)?
If yes, can somebody tell me?
Is the only modification made there the mount configuration of the system partition and/or user settings?
Is a documentation for such internal matters of rooting somewhere out there?
yeah I know I have lots of questions and yes I am very curious.
Thanks in advance

Nik_B said:
Looking into the script chainfire offers shows me that there are only 2 commands executed.
the
fastboot oem unlock - command is clear to me that it unlocks the bootloader
but i have some questions about the second one: fastboot boot image\CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead... ...nexus5.img
Am I correct assuming that this command tells the bootloader to start this image instead of the regular android (once?)
which modifies "something" within the "original" android os (image)?
If yes, can somebody tell me?
Is the only modification made there the mount configuration of the system partition and/or user settings?
Is a documentation for such internal matters of rooting somewhere out there?
yeah I know I have lots of questions and yes I am very curious.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless someone looks into the boot image CF has setup, there's no way to tell what his image does.
thats why its easiest to just boot a custom recovery and then flash supersu.zip, yet a lot of people want to just use toolkits cause "its easier" but when you do use a toolkit, you end up with issues.

DreamLinker said:
In a case like this i would go back to stock, make a factory reset and then rooting the N5 again, manually, without using cf auto root.
Rooting manually it's just a good way to understand the android OS, and how it's made, imho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with this guy.

As soon as I read your thread title, I knew you rooted using an "auto root". Rooting a device is actually very simple, just takes a few minutes of your time to research the steps. As long as you have 10 minutes, a USB cable and a Windows Computer, it should be easy and result in a errorless experience.

Zepius said:
unless someone looks into the boot image CF has setup, there's no way to tell what his image does.
thats why its easiest to just boot a custom recovery and then flash supersu.zip, yet a lot of people want to just use toolkits cause "its easier" but when you do use a toolkit, you end up with issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already know that. Maybe my question was not correct.
What I wanna know is what happens when i flash a custom recovery, root my device and so on in the background
and what are necessary steps to such actions?
Because I would like to do all those actions on my own. (for example make my own image to boot for rooting)
But I won't unless I know exactly WHAT I am doing.
Hope this for wording made my intentions clearer. (Sorry I am not that good in English)

Nik_B said:
I already know that. Maybe my question was not correct.
What I wanna know is what happens when i flash a custom recovery, root my device and so on in the background
and what are necessary steps to such actions?
Because I would like to do all those actions on my own. (for example make my own image to boot for rooting)
But I won't unless I know exactly WHAT I am doing.
Hope this for wording made my intentions clearer. (Sorry I am not that good in English)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fastboot boot recovery recovery.img - this just boots into the recovery once, but leaves the stock recovery as the recovery that is written to the device
when you flash supersu.zip what it does is execute a script that places the su binary in /data/xbin i believe and gives it the proper permissions, and also places supersu app on your phone.
you do not need to make your own boot image, or anything of the sort.

The root process is not capable of causing any of these issues. Root using wugfresh is the exact same as using auto root and both of these are the same as manually doing it yourself. None of them can cause visual changes or signal loss alone, and the only reason we don't recommend toolkits or auto root is so people don't get comfortable with the idea that they don't need to know fastboot commands in the event that they boot loop, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

joshnichols189 said:
The root process is not capable of causing any of these issues. Root using wugfresh is the exact same as using auto root and both of these are the same as manually doing it yourself. None of them can cause visual changes or signal loss alone, and the only reason we don't recommend toolkits or auto root is so people don't get comfortable with the idea that they don't need to know fastboot commands in the event that they boot loop, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do I understand you correctly that neither wugfresh nor auto root are causing the problems in your eyes. I´m just curious because many people including me used Chainfire´s auto root but not all of them are reporting problems. In my case the Nex5 seems to forget already set default apps e.g. for tapatalk links, urls etc.
Cheers, T.

What order for new phone?

So I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a G930F. Sorry for the noob question, but when it arrives, what should I do with it and in what order? End goal would be to be able to install custom roms easily when new roms are released.
I was thinking:
1. Flash new firmware
2. Enable OEM unlock from settings
3. Disable auto updates
4. Flash recovery TWRP
5. Wipe data
6. Root
7. Setup phone
Thoughts?
Also for the firmware, I'm going to be using this on US T-mobile. Should I do UK firmware or German T-Mobile?
Thanks

Any suggestions guys?
Sorry if this question sounds stupid. I've had my current phone (HTC One M7) for 3 years now and it's at a state where I can just flash a new rom whenever I want. It's been a long time since I did the initial setup of unlocking, installing the custom recovery and initial rooting that I can't really remember what I did and what order they have to be done. I just want to make sure I don't do them in the wrong order and have to redo any of the previous steps again.
Thanks

johnusesandroid said:
So I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a G930F. Sorry for the noob question, but when it arrives, what should I do with it and in what order? End goal would be to be able to install custom roms easily when new roms are released.
I was thinking:
1. Flash new firmware
2. Enable OEM unlock from settings
3. Disable auto updates
4. Flash recovery TWRP
5. Wipe data
6. Root
7. Setup phone
Thoughts?
Also for the firmware, I'm going to be using this on US T-mobile. Should I do UK firmware or German T-Mobile?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love root as well, but the S7 is so good, really doesn't require root at this point. If root is what you desire, you can look in the S7 forums, and they should walk you through what you should do, but your set-up doesn't seem bad. I still suggest sticking to the S7 at least for a week and see if you really need root. With Samsung's Theme store, launchers, and etc, besides removing bloat, having exposed and etc, not sure why its important to root at least at this point.

I'm not clear on whether the bootloader on the 930F can be unlocked; you might want to check on that first.
In terms of root, I still use Xposed and Titanium Backup. Yes, you can already hide the quick-connect icon, but the brightness slider is locked on there (SQL Editor needed to get rid of it, another root app). You can also use the fun features of root - I use Tasker to turn NFC on only for those apps that need it and turn it off when I don't, use Keepass2Android's automatic keyboard switching, etc.). I rooted mine within the first hour of having the phone home and turned on. The phone still isn't perfect, and honestly still not as flexible as many of us would like, but it's not a do or die situation anymore either.

Truth6199 said:
I love root as well, but the S7 is so good, really doesn't require root at this point. If root is what you desire, you can look in the S7 forums, and they should walk you through what you should do, but your set-up doesn't seem bad. I still suggest sticking to the S7 at least for a week and see if you really need root. With Samsung's Theme store, launchers, and etc, besides removing bloat, having exposed and etc, not sure why its important to root at least at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I'm just the kind of guy who can't stand not having admin/root rights on my stuff :laugh:
but yeah a couple root only apps that I can't live without are xposed (and the hold power button to turn on flashlight mod), titanium backup, f.lux, etc...
databoy2k said:
I'm not clear on whether the bootloader on the 930F can be unlocked; you might want to check on that first.
In terms of root, I still use Xposed and Titanium Backup. Yes, you can already hide the quick-connect icon, but the brightness slider is locked on there (SQL Editor needed to get rid of it, another root app). You can also use the fun features of root - I use Tasker to turn NFC on only for those apps that need it and turn it off when I don't, use Keepass2Android's automatic keyboard switching, etc.). I rooted mine within the first hour of having the phone home and turned on. The phone still isn't perfect, and honestly still not as flexible as many of us would like, but it's not a do or die situation anymore either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome sounds like the kind of setup I would do, thanks
but the order of what I'm planning on doing is correct though, right? If I'm understanding them correctly, I need to do firmware before root since firmware flash would get me back to root-less stock I think. I need to do root right after twrp and data wipe because of that boot loop issue they described in the twrp thread. so firmware first, twrp second, then root third?

johnusesandroid said:
yeah I'm just the kind of guy who can't stand not having admin/root rights on my stuff :laugh:
but yeah a couple root only apps that I can't live without are xposed (and the hold power button to turn on flashlight mod), titanium backup, f.lux, etc...
awesome sounds like the kind of setup I would do, thanks
but the order of what I'm planning on doing is correct though, right? If I'm understanding them correctly, I need to do firmware before root since firmware flash would get me back to root-less stock I think. I need to do root right after twrp and data wipe because of that boot loop issue they described in the twrp thread. so firmware first, twrp second, then root third?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems right. Plug your SIM in first by the way; the phone does a wipe when it gets a sim for the first time (not sure about thereafter; don't have a second sim to test with). But yes, your process is essentially what I did.

Cons of rooting Pixel 3a?

Hello,
I've been out of the rooting scene for a while now (last phone had a damn permalocked bootloader!) and wanted to be clear on a few things before rooting this phone.
1. I am aware that doing any sorts of modifications to the system will disable OTA updates and those have to be done manually, the question is when I restore my phone (removing root, going back to stock recovery, etc) will automatic OTA updates be re-enabled? Is the stock recovery image even available, or is this even possible? because...
2. When I am looking to sell the phone in the future, I want to be sure that the phone doesn't show any signs of tampering. I am wondering this because the last phone I rooted was the Motorola z2 force, which was the first phone I've ever seen with that "unlocked bootloader" warning when powering on. And with that phone even after all the images were returned to stock, there was still a "your device has loaded a different os" warning, even if it was the stock image. The CTS system functioned similarly to Samsung's knoxs system, where once it was tripped, there was no going back and I wasn't aware of this...
TL;DR: If I ever wish to sell the phone to completely stock (relocked bootloader, stock recovery img, etc), will the phone be permanently tainted with a message like with the image attached? thanks!

PhantomSoul said:
Hello,
I've been out of the rooting scene for a while now (last phone had a damn permalocked bootloader!) and wanted to be clear on a few things before rooting this phone.
1. I am aware that doing any sorts of modifications to the system will disable OTA updates and those have to be done manually, the question is when I restore my phone (removing root, going back to stock recovery, etc) will automatic OTA updates be re-enabled? Is the stock recovery image even available, or is this even possible? because...
2. When I am looking to sell the phone in the future, I want to be sure that the phone doesn't show any signs of tampering. I am wondering this because the last phone I rooted was the Motorola z2 force, which was the first phone I've ever seen with that "unlocked bootloader" warning when powering on. And with that phone even after all the images were returned to stock, there was still a "your device has loaded a different os" warning, even if it was the stock image. The CTS system functioned similarly to Samsung's knoxs system, where once it was tripped, there was no going back and I wasn't aware of this...
TL;DR: If I ever wish to sell the phone to completely stock (relocked bootloader, stock recovery img, etc), will the phone be permanently tainted with a message like with the image attached? thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash stock image and relock bootloader no one will ever know.
As far as otas while rooted, this device will allow you to accept, it will just overwrite root.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

In your image it's because it's a Motorola, not a good manufacturer with bootloader (but not the worst).
There is 3 big ways with bootloader:
#1 (the best) : The unlock method is 100% in the "code" and you can unlock and relock it yourself (Google with Nexus and Pixel)
#2 (good but not the best) : The unlock method is in the code BUT the manufacturer has a part of the method (an unique code) and you can't do it without register your IMEI on the website, so the manufacturer know it, you lose the warranty... (Motorola, Sony).
#3 (the worst) : You just can't because the manufacturer doesn't want. (Nokia)

jmtjr278 said:
If you flash stock image and relock bootloader no one will ever know.
As far as otas while rooted, this device will allow you to accept, it will just overwrite root.
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@jmtjr278
Thank you for your informative post. I just got my 3a and am very happy with it. I rooted via pbanj's recommended procedure and changed out some apps. Except for loading his patched image that allows Magisk I have made no changes to the basic pie room.
Your reply suggests I can install an ota, lose root, but I can reinstall root via panbj's procedure.

alliance1975 said:
@jmtjr278
Thank you for your informative post. I just got my 3a and am very happy with it. I rooted via pbanj's recommended procedure and changed out some apps. Except for loading his patched image that allows Magisk I have made no changes to the basic pie room.
Your reply suggests I can install an ota, lose root, but I can reinstall root via panbj's procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sir. I'm not sure what method you used other than flashing the rooted boot.img but if am update comes out either patch the new kernel or wait for pbanj to post the modified img. That's it. Easy peasy
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

alliance1975 said:
@jmtjr278
Thank you for your informative post. I just got my 3a and am very happy with it. I rooted via pbanj's recommended procedure and changed out some apps. Except for loading his patched image that allows Magisk I have made no changes to the basic pie room.
Your reply suggests I can install an ota, lose root, but I can reinstall root via panbj's procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't install ota on rooted phone. It will fail in recovery.
The steps you need to do is as follows:
1. boot to bootloader, use fast boot to flash stock boot.img
2. go to recovery, apply ota.zip using adb sideload
3. boot back to bootloader, flash the patched boot.img with root
4. reboot and enjoy with root and all your apps/data intact.

googlephoneFKLenAsh said:
You can't install ota on rooted phone. It will fail in recovery.
The steps you need to do is as follows:
1. boot to bootloader, use fast boot to flash stock boot.img
2. go to recovery, apply ota.zip using adb sideload
3. boot back to bootloader, flash the patched boot.img with root
4. reboot and enjoy with root and all your apps/data intact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow a slightly different procedure. So it would appear I need the stock boot image when I want to do an OTA. Thanks.

There have been lots of issues with Google pay and securehub (if you work at a big company and want company email on your phone) and unlocked bootloader. Yes, magisk does eventually find workarounds, just depends on how much time you want to spend screwing around knowing it'll break relatively often. Also, we don't have many developers on board yet, so as far as custom roms and kernels go, it's slim pickings.
All that being said, rooted stock is great as long as you don't mind resetting everything to unlock the bootloader.

As you have noted, if you unlock the bootloader you will get the warning when booting. However, unlike your previous phone, you can reflash to stock and relock your bootloader very easily.
Obtaining root and then accepting OTA updates is also much easier with the Pixel phones (and really any phone that is now using A/B partitions). Here is a to some magisk tutorials that show you how easy it is to take an OTA update. https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/tutorials.html
Also as noted previously, it can be tricky to get Google Pay set up with a rooted device. It is possible, but it takes some effort. Personally I don't use Google Pay, so it's no loss to me and I haven't bothered trying to get it to work. Otherwise root is very important to me. I use several mods/apps that are very important to me. Viper4Android, Advanced Charging Control, Ad blocking, Youtube Vanced, and Active Edge Mod (a unique mod for Pixel devices with the active edge gesture) as well as root explorer, tasker (and related apps like secure settings) and titanium backup.
To me, having access to those mods and apps are well worth seeing the warning message and having to manually accept a OTA update and having an extra step or two in the update process.

what are the interesting things I can do after rooting my op6?

After leaving Samsung, I did not root my phone as never felt the need for it, as I used root for battery mods and roms.
So can anyone tell me that what interesting mods I can do after rooting my phone?

You can install custom ROMs which have extended features for your phone like changing what buttons do, having an always on display show different things, have shortcuts mapped etc. Custom kernels can manage your phone better whether you like more battery or more performance. Then you have magisk modules come in that can add further functionality and then Edxposed, F-droid the list goes on and on.

You can get rid of ads in your apps.
You can have modded youtube without any ads and other stuff.
Tons of stuff

i root because a few mods:
Viper4android
Call Recorder - not available in my country.
EdXposed with gravitybox - for little customizing
Youtube Vanced
i also root because i had oneplus 5 before which was not rooted and one day i messed up and couldnt get it to work again. i really tried everything - if i was rooted i probably could have fixed my op5.

How do you install new updates then?

Once the updates are out you can install them directly with your phone as you have been doing with any other phone.
The only thing is that after every update you have to root again your phone as the update 'delete' the root.
Nothing major, don't worry. Trust me, us, once you root you won't be able to have your phone unrooted anymore ?
If you are in doubt I suggest you to root it once and then, after a new update you can decide if root it again or not ?

If ur not willing to walk the mile of getting knowledge, dont root

You can use it to teleport to another dimension.
Jk jokes aside you have full control of your system and can do all kinds of modification which how you modify will make it awesome or perform worse.

@bibop80 @chintu1234 @whizeguy
I have rooted my phones for years when I used Samsung devices.
Samsung had issues with battery and performance so that time I had rooted my device.
But since I am using op6 I am so satisfied with the performance and battery, that's why I never rooted my device.
Now I am bored and want to try few mods, so I will root my phone.
I have never used magisk root method, and as I said it's been almost 2 years I rooted device, so I'll be happy if someone can guide me in detail and best root method, I am currently on latest fw android 10.
Thanks in advance!

I do agree with you about Samsung, that is why I passed to oneplus few years ago, the only thing I do miss is the camera quality.
A part of that, you'll be happy to have your phone rooted (Magisk is amazing!)
I suggest you the section of this forum GUIDES, NEWS AND DISCUSSION; once there you'll find the guide titled "OnePlus 6: Unlock Bootloader | Flash TWRP | Root | Nandroid & EFS Backup !!"
It looks more difficult than with Samsung but it isn't at all!
Good luck man and welcome to the Dark side

bebop80 said:
I do agree with you about Samsung, that is why I passed to oneplus few years ago, the only thing I do miss is the camera quality.
A part of that, you'll be happy to have your phone rooted (Magisk is amazing!)
I suggest you the section of this forum GUIDES, NEWS AND DISCUSSION; once there you'll find the guide titled "OnePlus 6: Unlock Bootloader | Flash TWRP | Root | Nandroid & EFS Backup !!"
It looks more difficult than with Samsung but it isn't at all!
Good luck man and welcome to the Dark side
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I checked the forum.
Kindly help me to understand few things -
Do I need to install Twrp tp install Magisk?
Will I lose any apps like snapchat?

You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???

for people mentioning about adfree & background youtube, this can be done in a virgin phone also. just install the vanced apk.

JerryGoyal said:
for people mentioning about adfree & background youtube, this can be done in a virgin phone also. just install the vanced apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am already using YouTube vanced, it's great.

bebop80 said:
You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I'll be doing this on next weekend. I'll post query if I have any doubts. Thanks!

I find that making phone calls with this device seem to be the thing that most people do

bebop80 said:
You can root your phone also without installing the twrp (if you are not intended to deep mod your phone). I'd suggest anyway to install the twrp.
Yes, magisk is needed it can be compared as the supersu but with extended feautures.
If I don't mistake (I did unlock my bootloader on my 1st day I owned the oneplus) all data will be wiped and yes... You might loose your data.
If you can make a backup of your photos, videos and any extra file on a PC and after the unlock and root procedure you can restore them.
All other app can just be downloaded again.... ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am unable to flash twrp from adb,i ve unlocked the bootloader.any help?

nvrmndryo said:
I am unable to flash twrp from adb,i ve unlocked the bootloader.any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow this guide
h***s://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/
Double check all the adb instructions before confirming them and check that you have all the right files necessary for the operation. (start your pc terminal as administrator)

bebop80 said:
Follow this guide
h***s://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/
Double check all the adb instructions before confirming them and check that you have all the right files necessary for the operation. (start your pc terminal as administrator)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. successfully rooted my phone.

Just bought a P3A, do I update prior to rooting

I will take delivery of a new Pixel 3a later this week. I will thoroughly read through “How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted” and “How to Root Your Pixel 3a and Install Magisk (on Pie & Q) with or without TWRP”. But before unlocking bootloader and rooting should I accept all updates first during the initial setup?

MrTooPhone said:
I will take delivery of a new Pixel 3a later this week. I will thoroughly read through “How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted” and “How to Root Your Pixel 3a and Install Magisk (on Pie & Q) with or without TWRP”. But before unlocking bootloader and rooting should I accept all updates first during the initial setup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes

bejunk said:
Yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. The little reading I have done so far, it sounds like you can not flash or boot TWRP in Android 10. Won't all the updates take me to 10? I will want to back up my ROMs.

MrTooPhone said:
Thanks. The little reading I have done so far, it sounds like you can not flash or boot TWRP in Android 10. Won't all the updates take me to 10? I will want to back up my ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, i forgot as i dont use TWRP anymore.
Yes TWRP only works on Android 9.
However you can't install it like in the past time. You can only boot it via fastboot. You need to do this everytime you want to use TWRP. However when i tried it in past times it did not work well afaik, a full backup did not work at all.
So yeah try it with Android 9 first.
But with all the google backups nowadays i dont have the need for a nandroid (twrp backup)...
Especially as you can just reflash the stock image with deleting /data.
Here is the main thread, i think it will be more helpfull than i am https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3a/development/twrp-3-3-1-pixel-3a-t3943413

The very first thing to do is minimal setup so you can enable developer settings and allow bootloader unlocking. That's a sticky setting, so then you can update, factory reset, etc. before actually unlocking the bootloader and rooting. Especially important if you're US/Verizon (don't put your SIM in until bootloader unlocking is enabled).

mike.s said:
The very first thing to do is minimal setup so you can enable developer settings and allow bootloader unlocking. That's a sticky setting, so then you can update, factory reset, etc. before actually unlocking the bootloader and rooting. Especially important if you're US/Verizon (don't put your SIM in until bootloader unlocking is enabled).
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Click to collapse
Thanks. So I read the two rooting threads I referenced above. I have always used TWRP in the past, but seeing it not supported in Android 10, I am considering skipping that. Do you think TWRP will support Android 10 in the future? I am a little nervous making changes without a backup. My plan would be to stick with a rooted stock at first than consider migrating to a custom ROM. Any recommendations are appreciated. Phone will be delivered tomorrow.

bejunk said:
But with all the google backups nowadays i dont have the need for a nandroid (twrp backup)...
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I am not sure what you mean by "google backups nowadays". Is it the availability of stock ROMs?

MrTooPhone said:
I am not sure what you mean by "google backups nowadays". Is it the availability of stock ROMs?
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No , I think most people use a TWRP backup because it restores you to a specifiic point with all your apps, user settings and your data in those apps.
Thats why i used it in the past times. Setiing up a phone in the past could be really time consuming and frustrating.
But nowadays, if you use the google backup (in Settings > System > Backup) (and the whatsapp one for messages - thtas the only messenger i use, but every other popular messager has a backup feature now) setting up the phone takes maybe 10 mins when i flash the factory image, it even gets my homescreen layout and my wallpaper back, also my settings. Apps which support that also keep their settings.
In the past i allways had a custom rom, because stock rom sucked. But with the Pixel theres no reason for me to use a custom rom anymore.
About root, i rooted my phone since i first used android, ca. 2010. But now I really dont need it anymore, so i just keep things stock.
---------- Post added at 16:03 ---------- Previous post was at 15:50 ----------
MrTooPhone said:
Thanks. So I read the two rooting threads I referenced above. I have always used TWRP in the past, but seeing it not supported in Android 10, I am considering skipping that. Do you think TWRP will support Android 10 in the future? I am a little nervous making changes without a backup. My plan would be to stick with a rooted stock at first than consider migrating to a custom ROM. Any recommendations are appreciated. Phone will be delivered tomorrow.
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I dont think TWRP will be supported in the futur on A10. Google locked up /system and some other partitions the TWRP team needs to find new solutions but there id not much hope.
Did you buy your phone unlocked? If yes, the worst part you should be worried about is losing you app data from some apps. You cant really brick your phone. In the worst case you just need to flash a factory image.
You should know that rooting your phone will probably break google pay and banking apps. May i ask what did you want use root for?
I dunno, I really like Lineage OS, but it just feels like a downgraded stock rom.. (I used it before all the time on all phones before getting a pixel).
Also, for every update (monthly) you need to patch your boot.img, flash it, and the apply the update. Its some work which i dont think is worth it anymore.

bejunk said:
May i ask what did you want use root for?
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Thanks for the detailed reply. I am coming from a MotoG3 (rooted stock), a 2015 era phone. So a lot has changed. I really have not seen a mid range phone I really liked, so I jumped on the P3a when I heard the news they were being discontinued.
I use root mainly for Adfree, SD-Maid, and Titanium Backup. I used to use Cerberus until the developer reneged on a lifetime subscription. I don't mess with the system apps much, but I do keep a few apps frozen except for the times when I seldom need them.

Magisk is the best way to root your phone as it still passes the SafetyNet check and google pay and banking apps continue to work. There is an excellent thread here on how to do it.
[Guide] How to root the Pixel 3a with or without twrp & take OTA updates once rooted
Every month, I "uninstall" magisk (which really just restores the original boot files) and sideload the latest update, then I install the magisk-patched boot.img and my phone is rooted again.
To be honest, I don't miss twrp at all. adb and fastboot are all that's needed. The backup in android 10 is perfectly sufficient.
This phone is practically impossible to brick. I love my Pixel 3a, except for the one problem I had when the bottom speaker died and I had to have it repaired under warranty at the local ubreakifix in less than an hour.

MrTooPhone said:
Thanks for the detailed reply. I am coming from a MotoG3 (rooted stock), a 2015 era phone. So a lot has changed. I really have not seen a mid range phone I really liked, so I jumped on the P3a when I heard the news they were being discontinued.
I use root mainly for Adfree, SD-Maid, and Titanium Backup. I used to use Cerberus until the developer reneged on a lifetime subscription. I don't mess with the system apps much, but I do keep a few apps frozen except for the times when I seldom need them.
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Yeah, I had that phone too It was pretty good for its time. I even replaced the screen once, but its really complicated on that phone... To your needs:
Adfree: you can setup a custom DNS server (i think it was adguards one) in the settings menu which will block all ads, so no real need anymore for adaway or root for this. Just google a bit.
Titanium backup: I does not work so well is what i heard and like said nowadays most apps backup over Google backup. With Android11 it will get even harder as /data partition is even more protected now. Not really worth it imho.
Froze system apps: Pixel Android is really barebones. The few apps which i dont need (like Google Music/Video PixelBuds app etc) you can just disable them in the settings. This will freeze them, its like uninstalling them, they wont show up at all.
SD Maid is great but only rooting it for using it, is not worth it. You can clear the cache of the apps which hoard a lot of data by yourself. Also, when you uninatll an app, it asks you if you want to delete your userdata as well. The phone takes care of the rest.
Cerberus: If you keep your bootloader locked, when your phone gets stolen, nobody can access your phone. Even if they reflash it, on first boot it will ask to login to the gmail last time set up. Theres no workaroud. Google aslo has a find my device thingy, wher you can track or delete your device remotly.
I would suggest to use your phone unrooted for some time, and if you really need to root it for something, you can still do it.
Welcome to team Pixel, mate!
(sorry my grammer im to lazy to double check it...)

@bejunk Just a not to say thanks again. I took your advice and did not root. However, I did flash with GrapheneOS and then re-locked the bootloader. Time will tell if I like it.