Troubleshooting Root Access Software installation - Huawei Mate 9 Questions & Answers

Dear Friends,
I am writing in order to request assistance from the forum in troubleshooting my attempts to install software that will allow me to modify elements of my Huawei Mate 9. Though I love my phone, I'm tired of waiting for Huawei to fix the issue introduced by EMUI 8.0.0 that leaves widgets malfunctioning. In addition, if possible, I'd ultimately like to remove some of the default apps and update my Android Messages app so I can sync my texts with Google's new online text messaging service.
Phone: Mate-9 US, MHA-L29-C567
Build Number: MHA-L29 8.0.0.369(C567)
EMUI Version 8.0.0
Using the information available via threads in this forum, I have successfully:
1. Registered and received a bootloader unlock code from Huawei.
2. Unlocked the bootloader.
3. Flashed a custom recovery, namely, TWRP 3.2.1-0.
Unfortunately, any attempt at flashing software to allow root access, such as SuperUser or Magisk fails to take. I have attempted to install both SuperUser-r310-Beta and Magisk v16.0, which I found on XDA. Each attempt ends with the same error:
- Mounting /system, /vendor
! Unable to detect boot image
- Unmounting partitions
Updater process ended with ERROR: 1
Based upon some forum threads, I attempted to flash a stock version of boot.ini before proceeding, but it seems that I cannot find the appropriate version for my device. So, I downloaded a copy of my current firmware from Huawei, figuring that I could extract the appropriate file from the firmware file (update.app), but no boot.ini exists in the file, so I'm not sure which file to choose. Since I wasn't even sure if this was even the correct course of action, I decided to ask for advice.
Many apologies if I misspoke, mislabeled, or otherwise misidentified the problem at hand. I am roughly 2 days into learning about making alterations to Android phones, so I'm sure I may have made a few errors or used terminology inappropriately. I welcome any corrections (and hopefully, advice) you may have. Thanks.

Update
Based upon message feedback from a helpful forum member, I looked at this guide, which essentially details the steps I've already taken to try and install Magisk. However, using the instructions, I was able to successfully flash ramdisk.img (According to my directions, I shouldn't have to do so, as I never installed SuperSU. However, I figured, why not try?) However, I still get the same exact error when attempting to flash Magisk.
Might anyone have some additional ideas?

Related

[Q] Something Missing from my files?

Hi
I am trying to install the Jellybean 4.1.1 ROM on my rooted Nexus S.
The history of my attempts so far are here: Rooted Nexus S OTA Upgrade to 4.1 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833420
I have downloaded the "image-soju-jro03e.zip" form the Android open source website, and used the Nexus Root Toolkit to install it.
This failed, and I attempted to install the image using ROM Manager.
This also failed, and produced a lengthy Recovery Log.
I have read through it and it seems to be telling me that certain files or folders are missing from the download.
e.g can't open /dev/tty0: No such file or directory
W:Unable to get recovery.fstab info for /datadata during fstab generation!
W:Unable to get recovery.fstab info for /emmc during fstab generation!
W:Unable to get recovery.fstab info for /sd-ext during fstab generation!
can't find /sd-ext in /etc/fstab
Is that what this means?
How can I correct it?
The full log is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HWeYsXPnppQbgoloz72RH81E8a479LBmvYXIlzYPETo/edit
S
Help with recovery log
Hello?
Can anyone help me to understand this recovery log?
Should I direct my question to the "ROM Manager" people?
I have tried without success to install JB 4.1.1 from the Google Android Images page, and I think it must because something is missing from the file structure of my current ROM.
Am I on the right track?
M S
First of all, what variant of the Nexus S do you have? If you turn off the device and remove the battery, it should be on the sticker showing the device serial number.
Once you find that, you can head over to this link and look for the right image for your device:
http://www.randomphantasmagoria.com/firmware/nexus-s/
I'm assuming that since you're from 4.0.4, you just need to flash the update zip. If you're device is rooted, chances are you have ClockworkMod installed. If so, maybe you should just consider putting in a custom ROM. Flashing it should be much faster. I'd be glad to help you if you can give more info on your variant, current software state (version, rooted/not rooted, etc).
new hope
nightsky87 said:
First of all, what variant of the Nexus S do you have? If you turn off the device and remove the battery, it should be on the sticker showing the device serial number.
Once you find that, you can head over to this link and look for the right image for your device:
http://www.randomphantasmagoria.com/firmware/nexus-s/
I'm assuming that since you're from 4.0.4, you just need to flash the update zip. If you're device is rooted, chances are you have ClockworkMod installed. If so, maybe you should just consider putting in a custom ROM. Flashing it should be much faster. I'd be glad to help you if you can give more info on your variant, current software state (version, rooted/not rooted, etc).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello nightsky ( is that like, "nice guy",?) thanks for taking a look.
My phone is a Nexus S i9020, no suffix.
It is running Andriod 4.0.4 ICS. It is "rooted" and "unlocked".
I have Clockwork Mod v.6.0.1.0. Superuser v.3.1.3. and ROM Manager v.5.0.2.0.
I have tried over and over again without success to upgrade to JB 4.1.1 and I am getting sick and tired of this stupid game.
I would be happy to just stick with ICS 4.0.4, but every week, the phone tells me that an "update is available", and I have to dismiss the message every time I look at the phone! When I tried to apply the update It used to crash, requiring a battery-pull reset. Now I have CWM it takes over and says "failed to verify file signature", "install untrusted package?"
If I press on and install, it fails and the android is on its back with a red triangle on its belly.
If you look at the posts I have linked to, I have been on a steep learning curve regarding ROM flashing, and I understand the basic idea, its just that when I follow the instructions given on the forum, It doesn't happen that way for me and I suspect that there is something wrong with the file structure on my phone. That is why I have posted the link to my recovery log.
If you can help, please reply.
I have had a look at the "Random Phantasmogoria" site that you recommend, is it offering anything different than the Google developers site https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images that I have downlooaded my image from?
MS
another version!
PS I have just had a look at the Google Dev. site and there appears to be a new version of 4.1.1 called JRO03L.
My next attempt, I'll try that.
MS
goodnight
Factory images are not to be installed with ROM manager/recovery.
They are factory images that are installed with fastboot.
Your solution is a rather simple but may seem complex to you at first. If that makes sense.
First screw all those one click/ ROM manager crap.
Either download the SDK and get the platform tools add on ( quides are all the over the place). Or use one of those zips people make that include fastboot.exe and a driver or whatnot.
Boot the phone into the bootloader. Connect it to the PC. Open a command prompt in the directory with fastboot.exe and the factory images....
Type in fastboot devices. If your serial comes up just follow the commands in the quide. Re root if you want.
What you where attempting to do reminds me of kids in the arcades just smashing buttons and hoping something works
I am not going to right a guide m. There are stickies and somebody actually made a very noon friendly explanation the other day on here somewhere. Sorry don't know where at the moment.
If there is a specific part or something in particular you don't get let me / us know.
Moral of the story is a once a computer is set up with fastboot properly it is very simple.
jus to add on the post above. the instruction to install the factory images are on the same page where you downloaded the image in question.
and there is something to be wary of : flashing the factory image will WIPE the phone CLEAN (except what's on the usb storage o/c).
albundy2010 said:
Factory images are not to be installed with ROM manager/recovery.
They are factory images that are installed with fastboot.
Your solution is a rather simple but may seem complex to you at first. If that makes sense.
First screw all those one click/ ROM manager crap.
Either download the SDK and get the platform tools add on ( quides are all the over the place). Or use one of those zips people make that include fastboot.exe and a driver or whatnot.
Boot the phone into the bootloader. Connect it to the PC. Open a command prompt in the directory with fastboot.exe and the factory images....
Type in fastboot devices. If your serial comes up just follow the commands in the quide. Re root if you want.
What you where attempting to do reminds me of kids in the arcades just smashing buttons and hoping something works
I am not going to right a guide m. There are stickies and somebody actually made a very noon friendly explanation the other day on here somewhere. Sorry don't know where at the moment.
If there is a specific part or something in particular you don't get let me / us know.
Moral of the story is a once a computer is set up with fastboot properly it is very simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smashing buttons and hoping something works?
That's not very nice, or fair!
If you take the trouble to read my post, and the linked previous posts, you will see that I am trying my best to follow the instructions given on this forum, where I hoped to find knowledgeable professionals who contribute their valuable time free of charge to help noobs like me.
So far I have followed the instructions, only to get something other than the result described. This is why I am asking for your help to understand the recovery log, so that I can work out for myself what went wrong, and what I should change next time to get it right.
At this point in the journey I am still unsure about backup. I have "backed up" using the nexus root tool kit, which is a Nandroid back up, and I have "backed up" using ROM manager, but Titanium Back-Up does not recognise the backups and wants me to "back up" some more. After all this is over will I be able to clear out all the dross that my phone memory is accruing? Is there any point backing up Apps like "Google Earth" when I can easily download them from the Play Store after I have my new OS? etc... etc...
Anyway, I am going to try again, this time with the new JRO03L image, and this time I shall do it Command Line style instead of the "one click crap", as you recommend, my friend. I'll let you know how I get on.
MS

[Q] 100% Original Stock ROM backup before root?

Hi there,
I am new to xda and new to Android hacking.
What I wanna ask is, (I guess it's of most newbies concern as well), can we have a 100% backup of our system (stock ROM)? Obviously, it is important because:
If we perform an official (OTA) update to a new Android version. And we don't like it. It is possible to get back to the old original one which we are used to. (not everybody likes new things, and/or not every new thing is good)
If our phones are having some problems. And we have to give it back to the company for a fix. In most cases they will flash a new ROM for us. If we wanna keep using the old one (explained in #1), we have to keep a copy of it by ourselves.
If we want to try new custom ROMs, we may want to switch it back after trying.
Whenever we do any modifications, it's always better to keep a backup/roll-back point. In case anything goes wrong, we have a safeguard.
For the official warranty issue.
Yup I do see there are some official stock ROMs downloads for some particular phones. But those are not really a backup of our original ROMs. And it's always hard to verify if those downloads are the original official releases. And, if those downloads are 100% stock ROMs, this means some guys out there could make it, so what is the way to do so?
Or, how those mobile phone companies do it in their labs?
I have been doing researches on this topic for a few days. Some posts claim that their methods are "backup stock ROM" or "backup before rooting". But after digging into it, they requires rooting and/or flashing CWM. Here comes a few questions:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
In addition, I have found some related pieces. which could be useful to anyone viewing this post, and might be useful for you to solve this (my) question. :fingers-crossed:
* as I'm a new user, I can't post links directly. Please delete the blank spaces in between.
ht tp://www .modaco .com/topic/351269-backup-original-rom/
In reply #5, user C3C0 raised a method of backing up the original stock ROM without root. But it seems he is flashing CWM and that method is only for ZTE Skate.
adb backup tool of Android SDK
At the first sight i came across this approach, I thought it is the official method to do whole system (ROM) backup (WOW - how nice!). But after studying for a few more posts, I think adb backup can only backup app+app_data, and possibly some system settings only. Am I correct? And also, adb backup is only for ICS (Android 4.0), isn't it?
adb backup usage: ht tp://forum.xda-developers .com/showthread.php?t=1420351
(But mentioned in the bottom of #1 the poster is having some issues on using adb backup. Perhaps there are some bugs and not reliable(?)
One more question on adb backup: Can it backup just one app+app_data, and restore just one app+app_data, without affecting other things? If yes, we don't need to root and don't need Titanium Backup (which requires root) for backup app+app_data. Isn't it?
** In case I have said anything or any terms wrongly in this thread, please DO correct me, for helping me and helping others.
P.S. i am using LG Optimus 3D.
Thanks a lot, wholeheartedly,
midnite_
Backup phone before root
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ya,
It's so nice that you are having the same concern as I do.
As far as i know, the approaches of rooting differ from phones to phones. So we may have to find our own specific rooting method in the phone model sub-forums. It won't be hard for your popular S3
I would like to have a look at that Mr. Robinson's thread. If he can backup the stock ROM, those app+app_data wont a big issue (i guess).
cheers,
midnite_
midnite_ said:
Questions
Rooting will in fact changes some files/data of the system. So backup after root is NOT getting the original stock ROM. Is it?
Is there a method to "un-root", so ALL the changes are TOTALLY reverted?
Installing/flashing things like CWM in phone requires rooting, which would make the ROM not original. Is there a way to extract the system backup from a computer externally?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, http://www.android.com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
wildstang83 said:
Hi midnight, welcome to a new and exciting world of Android and trying new things. First, let me assure you, what you want is NOT something new. People have been doing this type of thing for years. That is flashing and testing roms. As you will learn, it actually becomes quite addictive. We call those folks that get addicted to flashing: Flashaholics or crackflashers, lol
First let me talk about "root". This process consists of unlocking a lower level of the Android system known as the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader of your device allows you to flash a custom recovery, flashing a custom recovery allows you to flash the Superuser binary and Superuser.apk, This is what allows you to use apps that require "root". The bootloader is not an OS file. So when you are unlocking your bootloader you are not modifying your stock rom. Only when you have flashed the Superuser package have you modified your stock rom. And even that isn't really modifying anything. When you flash the Superuser package, it adds two files to your rom at certain locations of the file system. It adds the Superuser.apk file to system/app and it adds the SU binary to system/bin. Basically you CAN have a totally S-OFF (unlocked) bootloader and still have an entirely stock rom if you want. But the real benifit is flashing a custom recovery like ClockworkMod Recovery and then flash the superuser package.
As far as extracting the stock system, you should try giving adb a go. Do it right now if you like. Ensure you have the android sdk installed and properly set up on your computer and your computer can recognize your phone. Ensure your phone is in debugging mode, connect your phone to your computer, open up a command window, and run this command:
Code:
adb pull \
This command will pull everything off your phone except for data which is where your market or Google Play apps are stored.
Beyond XDA there are aso more resources to learn from. For example, ht tp://www .android .com is a good place to start, and to learn more about adb check out ht tp://developer .android .com/tools/help/adb.html
If you need to learn how to setup the sdk here is the place to learn how: ht tp://developer .android .com/sdk/index.html
I'm sure others will add to this as well which is the good thing about this community.
Welcome to XDA, I hope you have fun learning, and maybe share back someday things you learn along the way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Wildstang,
Thanks very much for your warm welcome and very informative reply. So are you a Flashaholics or Crackflashers yet?
As I am a newbie, please forgive me if I am asking dumb questions.
As far as I understand,
The steps of root is
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
** does "flash a custom recovery" means "flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk"?
"Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk" is just "add SU binary to system/bin" and "add Superuser.apk to system/app". Then why not just copy them into place?
I just found on the web that "flashing" means replacing the OS of the phone with a new ROM. Would that still keeping the stock ROM?
To have a backup of the original stock ROM, can I
1. Unlock the bootloader
2. Flash Superuser binary & Superuser.apk
3. Perform the backup
And later, after I have flashed a new ROM, or whatever I do, as long as I didn't brick it, when I want to rollback my phone to its original, I can
1. Restore the backup
2. Delete "SU binary in system/bin" and "Superuser.apk in system/app"
3. re-lock the bootloader
Is this correct?
I don't mean to challenge you. But does adb pull \ really backup the system, or just all the files?
Thanks very much again!
midnite_
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
bump... midnite_ r u still around?
Hi Descent2,
Yes i am still around but i am busy with other stuffs at this moment. Thanks very much for your reply. You have studied a lot and you really did good summarisations. Very informative and I learnt a lot from it. Hope some of the masters or experienced ones would come by and bring us out of the mist
cheers,
midnite_
Descent2 said:
Hey midnite_,
I am a newbie too and have a lot of blank spots in my understanding of what we can do with android. I also came here with same question. I found how to root, this isn't a secret. Like you, I want to know how do I fix it if I break it.
So, with regards to your questions.
1. Unlock the bootloader
Not clear on this one, as not every tutorial even mentions this part. My feeling is that this might be specific to some phones, like HTC.
2. Flash Custom Recovery (such as AmonRa, CWR, TWRP...)
Recovery is an intermediate stage of phone booting process after bootloader but before OS.
It is there to allow OTA (Over the air) updates. During those, the OS is halted and replaced with a newer one.
What this means for us is that the recovery is capable of replacing OS (ROM - are these terms interchangeable?).
Recovery is the same as hidden partition on windows, that is sometimes present on a PC. It has a limited interface.
It can replace one OS image with another. It probably checks the checksum and creates the new one after the update. It is probably the gatekeeper.
Stock recovery will not replace OS with an image from SD card or from PC through USB. Only OTA.
This is the reason for flashing the custom (hacked) recovery on.
Custom recovery is made to allow additional options, such as allowing image sources such as PC or SD card, and also a ROM backup (write OS image to PC).
3. Flash update file using "upgrade from SD card" function of custom recovery now in place.
In this step, the Superuser.apk and bin files are placed. Stock recovery will not let us do that.
Also, I think the reason we can't just use ADB to "copy" superuser package to phone is because the system is either running or exists as an image (compressed?), and is probably protective of its modification. (So, likely the superuser package also replaces the checksum that the OS uses to check if it has been compromised?) Yes, this modifies your rom.
I assume that unrooting could be done after this by updating again with a file that removes superuser package and that would make your rom stock again.
4 OR flash custom ROM, which usually includes superuser package. Of course using custom rom means you no longer have stock rom.
To have a backup of original ROM, you would :
1 Unlock bootloader,
2 Flash (install) custom recovery
3 superuser doesn't matter here
4 Use custom recovery function to back up your stock ROM.
I want to know the answers to the rest of your questions as well as some clarifications to mine.
Personally, I am looking for a way to backup the stock recovery as well.
I know there are some people asking about this. The procedure appears to be as follows:
(pieced together so don't take it as a tutorial)
1 Unlock bootloader (again, unclear on this. Also some mention S-OFF and others don't)
2 With USB debugging allowed (meaning connect as device requiring a driver), Connect to a PC with ABD, and a driver installed.
3 From ADB, issue a command "adb boot recoveryimage.name" instead of the usual "adb flash recoveryimage.name".
This will make the phone boot into a custom recovery image that is residing on PC, without first writing it to the phone.
4 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to back up stock rom to pc.
5 Unclear how, but make that custom recovery now being live to flash either root or custom rom to the phone.
6 Disconnect, reboot the phone. Once in OS, use root privileges to mount recovery partition ? (this makes it visible as drive)
7 Don't know how, but use root privileges to back up now visible stock recovery partition to PC as image.
( This should give you two out of three original parts.)
Keep in mind that even if my peace-by-peace "know-how" ever works, there is at least one clearly faulty step:
The back up of the original state of the boot loader has been never made. I do not know if it is easily can be toggled back and forth from lock to unlock and back without leaving any trace. Also, like yourself, I probably don't quite understand what am I talking about, but I have tried to make as much sense of what I have read here and there.
This is my first smart phone, and my experience with linux is limited to building a minecraft server on MineOS, which was pre-made so that not much was required to make it run. I have "mounted" a partition for the first time last week, trying to break Win7recovery, booting it with Knoppix. This is why I think this is probably will come in play here too, as the recovery partition on W7 was hidden. Until then I didn't understand what mounting means, as windows always does it for you. So, take everything I say with a bunch of salt.
Please, let me know too, if you find out more. I want to flash the hell out of my Prism, but I want to be smart about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check here
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
ASharpEdge said:
Hello all this is my first post here...woohoo!:fingers-crossed: This forum is amazing as to the amount of information available. I just wish that in looking for what I need to do I did not need to look in so many places. I feel that if I want to root my T-Mobile GS3 that all the information should be in one subsection of the forum, but it is not that simple I guess....lol Anyway any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Samsung GS3 with T-Mobile that I want to root. Everyone says to back up the phone before you do it but I am not really seeing how to make a backup before I start. It appears that most of the guides to root just say to backup without telling you how to fo it. Another thing (correct me if I am wrong) I see the nandroid backup that I think is a backup of the phone however it seems to be done after you make changes to the phone and I thought the backup was supposed to be done before you do anything. Is it that there is not a way to make a complete backup with an unrooted phone?
My question is basically the same as the OP here. I have been reading and reading and reading posts here in the forum. There is much information here and much of it is duplicated with slight variances in some of the duplicates. I am not certain as to which rooting method I should use. There seem to be so many choices. As a new person to this forum I will say that you can find just about everything about any phone which is awesome. The hard thing is sifting through the many options to pick one to use for your issue.
I do see that Mr. Robinson has a thread with backups of the original roms. The only thing is that they are default roms that are like an out of the box phone and not my phone with my apps and my settings. That is what I want to backup...My phone with my settings and my apps.
:good: Thank you in advance for any one that can shed some light on this for me and the OP'er
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
mf2112 said:
All your answers can be found here: [REF] [GUIDE] Welcome to your device, the Galaxy S III. For more XDA related issues check here: [GUIDE] - XDA New User Guide - Getting started on XDA
Good Luck!
mf2112
XDA Moderator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must unlock your bootloader then flash a custom recovery. You will then use that custom recovery to make a backup of your rom. That backup will be stored on your sd card.
Now, I have tried to help you and so have a couple other folks. You expect us to just give you answers step by step. I am sorry but this is simply not how XDA works. XDA is set up in a way which makes it for any users to find quickly what they want to know. Use the search feature on the site and you will find many answers. I tell you to go do your own research now and be proud of what you learn on your own. And if you cannot, please do not try to modify your phone further, you may just brick it if you aren't careful.
midnite_ said:
Thanks mf2112. But those resources are seem only for GS3. And it seems it is not teaching us to backup our stock ROMs, it provides stock ROMs for us to download instead. Is there a general way to backup our stock ROMs?
Thanks,
midnite_
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put in the GS3 links since the OP was using that phone. Every phone will be different so I don't think a general way or guide would be practical.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using xda premium

[Q] Only position independent executables (PIE) are supported

Hello forums, I've got an annoying problem I've stumbled into. I wanted to download and install KBOX2 onto my OPO for the sake of being able to play gblorb files, I download the OneBox Package Manager that should do that automatically by executing a script in Terminal Emulator and instantly an error pops up as seen in the title of the thread, the whole PIE thing. Now, after extensive googling it seemed like a very early problem that eventually either got patched, or it was exclusive to early nexus models and fixed but some zip.
I have found no info on PIE in Lollipop 5.0 or 5.1, or for my OPO, outside of one website having an article on how to run python in the terminal - it had a subsection devoted to bypassing PIE, which included renaming your original linker to linker.old and then substituting in a patched linker in /system/bin/ that would avoid the whole PIE thing. The next problem I have stumbled into is that even after unlocking my boot, installing TWRP and rooting the device after a lot of hassle with drivers:
Whenever I would mount my /system for the sake of modifying the linker file, it would either keep trying indefinitely or fail promptly, after which I all of the sudden had no root access anymore, root checker showed I didn't have root anymore, and upon restarting my device it would be unable to boot into the OS, and instead boot into TWRP. After even more hassle I have some backups ready to easily mitigate all that but I simply cannot comprehend what the problem is. Seemingly I rooted the phone correctly yet when I want to execute a root action like changing something in /system/bin, it just unroots itself and bam. I have also tried doing all of the above through TWRP itself, mounting system, changing the files (successfully), and then unmounting it / leaving it mounted, it would still not be able to boot into the OS.
Bumping.
exactly the same.
i cant flash anything into /system/bin
i also want to patch linker file, to use SSHTunnel properly in Lollipop.
i use CyanogenOS (CM12S), and TWRP.
how to flash it?
Bumping once more. Does no one have this problem at all ?
I mean fine, PIE might not be common now, or the linker file I have might be the fix i need, but what about the system partition thing ?

About to buy an AT&T LG G4, can someone QUICKLY answer this question?? Thanks!

Dear Friends,
About to pull a trigger on an AT&T LG G4, can someone give me a short answer, ASAP?
Is it possible to have permanent Root and Xposed on the AT&T variant WITHOUT ridiculous bugs like a "green dot" in the camera of the phone? (what does the green dot even mean? It's on every picture? Is it a watermark? Just on the GUI?)
If possible, how? And should I buy the phone?
Appreciate any QUICK responses, about to buy now! Thanks so much in advance!
I just bought the G4 a couple of days ago. I was able to root, but there is no twrp or xposed as far as I know. I also don't have the green dot and everything is working fine!
Thanks for the quick response, my friend. Can you share the method/thread/image you used to Root?
I think you can install Xposed without TWRP via FireFlash? Can someone please confirm?
Thanks guys!
Just got my G4 two days ago. You can root and you can install Xposed with FireFlash. Root requires pushing a rooted version of whatever software version you are currently running. If you can't find one you can inject root into your own system.img using Ubuntu. After root get FireFlash and the right xposed zip and be patient, it can sit black screen, appearing dead for 20-30 minutes. Over all not too hard. Took me a couple hours from The un-boxing to Xposed. Definitely do it. The green dot on camera comes from the PR system.img. I'd stay clear of that. Everything is working great on mine!
@Nowak4G - Thanks bud, that's what I read too. Can you point me to the guide and img file you used that worked for you? I doubt I'd prefer the Ubuntu way...
One other question... Is there a way/app/Xposed module that's kind of like G3TweaksBox for us? Letting us change the Status bar icon colors and toggle colors?
I highly doubt themes work for us since we can't Flash them without custom recovery?
Thanks again!
GravityBox works for status bar stuff and yeah here are the threads I used. Good luck bud!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62028519
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/general/lg-g4-100-root-success-directives-root-t3180586
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=62664473
I'm not totally sure what stuff can and can't be flashed using FireFlash. But for applying icon themes with Xposed I use this module, Unicon:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1nrydqmmOBUdFoyV0FBLUM1OVE/view?usp=docslist_api
I've had my LG G4 rooted and running Xposed with a lot of modules enabled.
If the phone you buy is on the 10G software version (and want to stay on that version), you should be able to root it following the method in the LG G4 Low Effort Root thread. Follow it to the dot and enjoy partial freedom.
If the phone you buy is on 10I, there is a rooted image floating around. So you could take the 10I update (or make sure your phone's on the 10I version), and root it using the Low Effort Root method.
I would also recommend the following:
1. keeping a copy of your untouched fresh system image in your internal memory (as early as possible after buying the phone). In case of a bad flash you have something to possibly go back to - otherwise you'll end up with the PR ROM and the green dot. The method and commands to extracting the system image is very similar to rooting, except instead of dd'ing into the system partition from SD, you do the opposite (from system partition to SD)
2. disabling system apps and system updates using the debloater tool and a tutorial here on the forums
Regarding flashing files via recovery, I usually extract the files and place them in the correct directory with the right permissions. Usually most files use 0644 permissions, but I would first check the existing permissions with ES File Explorer.
Hello @Nowak4G and @mu3g,
Guys thank you for your response. I can confirm that the seller I bought the phone from took the 10l upgrade. I have little to no experience rooting locked bootloader phones, and I have to be honest, I am more confused than I have the answers. Now that I have confirmed that I will end up with 10l update, can you guys give me a noob boost and give me step by step on how to root, Xposed, and possibly back up my stock image, since I do NOT want to end up with the PR build, with the green dot, in case things go wrong?
Am I correct that the right answer to my problem is, Low Effort Root with the floating 10l rooted img file, located here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B54ceS-n3ZAiaVAxMkJFLXNMYmM/view?pli=1
Please help me out guys, would even appreciate more if we can maybe connect on Google Hangouts for some dynamic help? Please let me know and thank you again for your wonderful so far !
Yes, exactly. Use the floating around 10I rootedsystem.img with the Low Effort Root instructions. But definitely keep a unrooted system.img on the internal storage as a backup. Instructions are in the LER thread. Just read carefully and follow the steps and you should be fine. All copy and pasting.
You have the correct 10I rooted system img file. I would recommend following the LER steps and backing up the system image for 10I (see post 2 of the LER thread). This would give you the stock image for later use. Then follow the LER steps to the dot using the rooted system image file you have from the google drive link. The LER thread has pretty clear instructions on backup and flashing system image files for the G4. Just make sure to rename your downloaded file as "system.rooted.h81010i.img" and use it in the command...the file name here is the most important!
Thank you guys, couple of follow up questions:
1. Do I run the backup command to copy my Non Rooted image, right after the step that gives us the DIAG Port Number? Or do I do it after the "id" step?
2. The generated back up, I assume will be done as an .img file in the root of my phone, correct? I assume I just back this up on my computer and/or External HD?
3. This is the scariest step. When I am running the step for flashing the rooted img, I need to rename the downloaded file to, "system.rooted.h81010i.img" as @mu3g recommended? Why not, "system.rooted.h81010m.img" for example?
4. I just use the exact file name we determined above for my downloaded rooted 10l image file, in the flash command when following the LER guide? Exactly that file name, correct?
Thank you again for all your help and excuse me for my continuous noobness!
Answers:
1. Run the backup command in Step 7 of the LER root ("Run the command specified in the section below titled 'Commands to Run' to flash the rooted system image.") <<---replace the commands to run with the command to backup your unrooted clean system image to your internal memory ---- if you compare the commands, it will become obvious on how the data is being moved (pushed or pulled from the phone).
2. The generated backup will be on the root of the internal memory of the phone. Yes, you can then move it to your computer or any other location for safekeeping AFTER you've booted your phone up properly - don't do any of this while you're still in the LER state.
3. I just gave you a recommendation on the name..you can name the rooted system image file whatever you want - you can even leave it as the way it is....just make sure to use the EXACT file name for the image in the commands to run (also 10I, 10M etc. are software version numbers..I'm not aware of a 10M version being released for AT&T. In any case, just use the EXACT file name for the rooted image.
Thank you @mu3g! I think I am now ready to go through the process myself with confidence.
I am, however, still a bit confused about the file name of the rooted image that I will be flashing. If the phone already has 10l installed, and I leave the name of the rooted image intact, that is, "system.rooted.h81010l" would the phone still accept/get tricked into, thinking that it's getting an "update"? Or did you mean that the file name could literally be anything like, "filename.img" and if the commands match it, all will be installed correctly? As in, when the system boots, it will have all the correct build and software information with it being a 10l update and etc?
Please forgive the annoying, detailed questions, but I want to not mess this up, since every guide triple emphasizes the importance of the command being absolutely right! Thank you!
You can literally name it blahblahblah.img as long as you use blahblahblah.img in the commands to run for the rooted system image. The file naming scheme has nothing to do with the acceptance or rejection of a system image. When you're in the bootloader mode ready to download files (which is the mode for LER), you can inject any file into any partition, anywhere on the phone...it's just whether the phone can use it or not properly and whether or not it ends up being a brick
Your file name for the system has nothing to do with the build number showing on the phone after booting up.
EDIT: The only reason I gave you that file naming scheme is because you don't seem to be too comfortable with the command line, thats all..that way you could copy paste the command from the LER guide and just replace "g" with "i" - that's all..if you're good with the command line and careful, you'll be fine..just make sure the file name is correct..you can't get much else wrong.
Understood brother, just needed that clarity. I am not an absolute noob with cmd line, but you know how it goes when you're rooting your phone, the perpetual fear of an expensive paperweight!
I cannot find the thanks button here, wish I could, so I could thank you over and over and @Nowak4G, but either way, thank you so so much @mu3g!!
good luck!
How did it go? Were you able to go through with it?
While the green dot does usually appear on 810 phones running the PR KDZ, I have heard reports of it on some 815 ...its pretty random. I just did a warranty exchange for my 810 so I will likely be staying on the ATT software.
Hi Guys, wanted to update this thread with my results...:
I successfully rooted on H810l (AT&T) with 0 issues, following the Low Effort Root. Per the recommendations of the process, I also backed up my Stock, Unrooted, .img file for restoration to Stock, if it were needed. Well, I might be moving on from this phone and need to return to stock. Can someone advise the exact steps/commands to return to stock using the unrooted .img file I backed up before pushing the rooted .img? And can you confirm that you did this successfully as well?
I would really appreciate it! Thank you!
I have not done it myself, but if you uninstall all your root apps completely, make sure to enable any and every disabled app you may have (like for example AT&T apps etc.) using the debloater software and then follow LER to install the stock image on it, it should come back to bone stock. Remember, the key here to to ensure that no root apps exist on the phone - I guess SU will get wiped out, but its better to do it clean. And secondly, any disabled apps need to be re-enabled for a smooth process. These are just my $0.02...so proceed with caution.

Will the current root method used on C432e7r1p8(patch03) allow install font apps?

I'm fairly reluctant to root the phone. I have had an excellent resource on here pretty much warn me against that.
I really want to put a different font on the phone. That's really the only reason I interest in rooting. I'm not wanting it just to be more decorative...I find the bold font hard to read in whatever app may be presenting bold text.
So anyway, l'd hate to do the root (which I understand is not really a full root), and then find it doesn't allow me to install the new fonts anyway.
ewingr said:
I'm fairly reluctant to root the phone. I have had an excellent resource on here pretty much warn me against that.
I really want to put a different font on the phone. That's really the only reason I interest in rooting. I'm not wanting it just to be more decorative...I find the bold font hard to read in whatever app may be presenting bold text.
So anyway, l'd hate to do the root (which I understand is not really a full root), and then find it doesn't allow me to install the new fonts anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is 'full', just that technology (Android 9/10) is changing.
For AdAway app you must enable Systemless hosts (option/module in Magisk Manager), for modules Magisc automatically handles symlinking to the read-only System
So, even from root explorer (sugested MiXPlorer), you see as if AdAway wrote directly to the file system/etc/hosts, or that BusyBox tools are applied directly to system/xbin
Since EMUI 8, Huawei replaced Boot with Ramdisk, and since EMUI 9.1 Ramdisk is also read-only, hence Magisk must patch to Recovery instead
Because of that, you cannot have TWRP if you go for root (don't consider an alternative solution to flash TWRP over erecovery). But formally speaking, TWRP is not part of root (on the old systems, you could have TWRP without root, vice versa, or both). Even with TWRP, TWRP could not change read-only System, and it cannot see dynamical linking active only when system is running (Magisk running). Plus, because of new encryption since EMUI 8, TWRP cannot handle Internal storage (don't consider alternative solution to completely wipe Internal storage and format it without encryption)
All together, from system, systemless works fully seemlessly (as 'full' root). Just you don't use TWRP
To root:
- Install Huawei UpdateExtractor (PC), download update.zip for your 9.1.0.252 c432 from FirmwareFinder, unzip and extract Recovery_Ramdisk.img
- Copy Recovery_Ramdisk.img to the phone, install Magisk Manager, choose Install and then Patch a file, check all three options Preserve AVB, Preserve encryption, Recovery file
- Copy patched_boot.img (rename to patched_recovery.img or so) to PC and flash from Fastboot to Recovery (similar like flashing TWRP) - of course, Bootloader must be unlocked (you have code) and OEM/FRP must be unlocked
- You must boot to system through recovery (because Magisk was patched to recovery), if Magisk Manager shows rooted, you are done
To unroot:
- In case of bootloop or anything: just flash stock Recovery_Ramdisk.img back to Recovery, and you are back to stock
- Regular unrooting: take Uninstall from Magisk (and later, optionally, flash stock recovery_ramdisk.img)
- In case of OTA: unroot (regularly, as above), accept OTA, root again
Btw, you could update your sig now (no more EMUI 5)
Thanks for all the info.
One thing I did not understand from that: will rooting then allow me to add different fonts?
Thanks for the reminder on the sig. I've been thinking of it but procrastinating...which means I would ultimately forget.
ewingr said:
Thanks for all the info.
One thing I did not understand from that: will rooting then allow me to add different fonts?
Thanks for the reminder on the sig. I've been thinking of it but procrastinating...which means I would ultimately forget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Font size can be changed in Settings /Display
I never changed system fonts but there are Magisk modules to do so, search by Google, eg:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/avfonts-march-6-t3760827
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/module-midnightcore-one-midnight-modules-t3762758
Maybe I just am having a mental block...I can't find the firmware in FF. I searched on each of these as criteria:
MHA-L129C432
MHA-L129C432E7R1P8
9.1.0.252
9.1.0.252 c432
MHAJ-L129C432 9.1.0.252
None of those searches found a FW for L129 for the 9.1.0.252 version. I did see a lot for MHA-LGRP2.
I used FF on the phone. I downloaded FF for the PC, and can't figure out how to use it. I put a model in on the Main Page, nothing happens. I see no way to put a model in on the Search Firmwares page.
Of course, I was updated to 9.1 via OTA, so all the work I did getting to 9.1 did not involve downloading the firmware to my PC, so I don't have it from all that work.
ewingr said:
Maybe I just am having a mental block...I can't find the firmware in FF. I searched on each of these as criteria:
MHA-L129C432
MHA-L129C432E7R1P8
9.1.0.252
9.1.0.252 c432
MHAJ-L129C432 9.1.0.252
None of those searches found a FW for L129 for the 9.1.0.252 version. I did see a lot for MHA-LGRP2.
I used FF on the phone. I downloaded FF for the PC, and can't figure out how to use it. I put a model in on the Main Page, nothing happens. I see no way to put a model in on the Search Firmwares page.
Of course, I was updated to 9.1 via OTA, so all the work I did getting to 9.1 did not involve downloading the firmware to my PC, so I don't have it from all that work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for MHA-LGRP2-OVS - see screenshots.
You can also find through Web:
https://pro-teammt.ru/firmware-database/?firmware_model=MHA-LGRP2-OVS
Btw, there are several b252 packages there, all the same size (and probably all ok) but I was told that package number #279403
is the one that is distributed by OTA
Thanks.
I saw the MHA-LGRP2-OVS ones, but I thought I needed to find one with identical name to the one I'm on.
This stuff doesn't make much sense...at least not logical. Only experience and/or help makes it possible to get it done.
Appreciate y our help.
Well, I don't know what's going on. I downloaded the FW from the link you provided, as well as from FF on the phone.
The one from the phone, once I transferred it to the PC, wouldn't extract anything from the zip.
The one from the link extracted, but when I loaded the Update.app into Update EXtractor, I got this error:
So, I then downloaded a different version from the web site (282444), and got this in Update Extracter:
Maybe it's warning me to not root:silly:
I am going through the thread about the extracter tool now to see if I find anything helpful. First blush looks like I'd need to make a profile file that is outside the limits of my knowledge. We'll see.
I found a post saying:
Try with crc check off (in settings) for extracting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I turned off the settings outlined in red:
I ended up with these two files and sizes:
Do those sizes look right?
ewingr said:
I found a post saying:
So I turned off the settings outlined in red:
I ended up with these two files and sizes:
Do those sizes look right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I also switched checksum off and it showed things as usual.
Extracted Recovery-Ramdisk (32 MB is usual size, you need only that IMG file):
https://mega.nz/#!g4lwiCIC!ikK7xJk2j1G9aSsIj1y0sQsV_s6pWTcrxCJtn56YCik
Btw, now having also service repair package for MHA-L29 9.1.0.252 c432E7R1P8 (like you used MHA-L29c432b386), i.e., suitable for DLOAD installation (if anything goes wrong):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261725171
zgfg said:
Yeah, I also switched checksum off and it showed things as usual.
Extracted Recovery-Ramdisk (32 MB is usual size, you need only that IMG file):
https://mega.nz/#!g4lwiCIC!ikK7xJk2j1G9aSsIj1y0sQsV_s6pWTcrxCJtn56YCik
Btw, now having also service repair package for MHA-L29 9.1.0.252 c432E7R1P8 (like you used MHA-L29c432b386), i.e., suitable for DLOAD installation (if anything goes wrong):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=4349826312261725171
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good
So, I figured I need to start by re-unlocking my phone. But at the site for DC Unlocker, the following message seems to indicate I can't unlock:
WARNING:
If your phone runs Android 8 or later with latest security patch - then this service won't work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Android 9 with security patch 3.
ewingr said:
Sounds good
So, I figured I need to start by re-unlocking my phone. But at the site for DC Unlocker, the following message seems to indicate I can't unlock:
I'm on Android 9 with security patch 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG - I think Im writing you THIRD or FOURTH time that the same unlock code you obtained will still work!!!
Because the code is bound to the serial number of your phone and will work for unlocking/relocking for the lifetime of your phone
Huawei is just making harder and harder to obtain the code (in the old days Huawei was giving the codes immediately and for free through their own page, now with the new EMUI versions it is needed to physically open the phone and use Testpoints and code providers charge you 30 Euros or more) but once you have a code (no matter when and how you obtained) , you can use the code the same way as always (fastboot oem unlock/relock ...)
zgfg said:
OMG - I think Im writing you THIRD or FOURTH time that the same unlock code you obtained will still work!!!
Because the code is bound to the serial number of your phone and will work for unlocking/relocking for the lifetime of your phone
Huawei is just making harder and harder to obtain the code (in the old days Huawei was giving the codes immediately and for free through their own page, now with the new EMUI versions it is needed to physically open the phone and use Testpoints and code providers charge you 30 Euros or more) but once you have a code (no matter when and how you obtained) , you can use the code the same way as always (fastboot oem unlock/relock ...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG, yes, you have. BUT the site that provided the method to do it says it won't, per the quote I put in my post. I'm inclined to believe you, you have been a very good source and patient. But, I was wondering why would they say it won't work? That is their exact words, about their tool.
That being said, I guess as that I had the code before upgrading to 9, then just following the fastboot commands with that code will work, and in fact doesn't even use their tool. . So, I'll continue with that then. The information out here can sure be confusing.
Thanks...
[EDIT]
I figured that likely it would be the ramdisk.img file, and through Google search I found a thread that verified that. So, I'm continuing on.
Thanks...
Here's an interesting thing.
After patching the file, and seeing the instructions here, I find that the file they referenced in Downloads is a different size from the one I selected to patch, which was the RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img.
Do you think that indicates a problem? I presume I should use the one I selected, which was your instructions, but wonder if maybe something went wrong with the patch.
Again, just being cautious.
Thanks for your help.
56_kruiser said:
Here's an interesting thing.
After patching the file, and seeing the instructions here, I find that the file they referenced in Downloads is a different size from the one I selected to patch, which was the RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img.
Do you think that indicates a problem? I presume I should use the one I selected, which was your instructions, but wonder if maybe something went wrong with the patch.
Again, just being cautious.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, are you the same as previously, @ewingr?
If so, have you successfully unlocked Bootloader with that old code
OpenKirin instruct to patch Ramdisk and that was correct for EMUI 8.
(If) yu are on EMUI 9.1, hence you need to patch and flash Recovery Ramdisk
When patching from Magisk Manager (MM), you have to check all three options: Preserve AVB 2.0 DM-Verity, Preserve Force Encryption and Recovery Mode.
Does MM report any error while flashing or success/ok?
You can rename patched_boot.img to like patched_recovery.img, doesn't matter, but you must flash it to Recovery (like flashing TWRP to Recovery).
Right after flashing, boot by key combo to that patched Recovery (like booting to TWRP by key combo, after flashing TWRP).
Of course, you will not flash/use TWRP here
I don't imagine you'll find this hard to believe, but I got an error on the flash attempt
I renamed the patched file to: Patched_RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
I entered this command:
fastboot flash ramdisk Patched_RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
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Click to collapse
I got this response:
target reported max download size of 471859200 bytes
sending 'ramdisk' (32768 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.721s]
writing 'ramdisk'...
FAILED (remote: partition length get error)
finished. total time: 0.757s
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Click to collapse
56_kruiser said:
I don't imagine you'll find this hard to believe, but I got an error on the flash attempt
I renamed the patched file to: Patched_RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
I entered this command:
I got this response:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, if you are on EMUI 9.1, forget Open Kirin instructions (for EMUI 8).
You must patch Recovery Ramdisk and flash to Recovery Ramdisk, so:
fastboot flash recovery_ramdisk Patched_RECOVERY_RAMDIS.img
I did in fact not use anything from the OpenKirin. But I apparently used wrong syntax for the command. But you providing that will help.
.......
It didn't work at first pass. I think this is why.
You will recall that in the discussion I had about the OpenKirin instructions that I mentioned they referenced a patched file in Downloads. Well, stepping through it again, and reading the small print, it says "Patched file is in downloads". So, it did not update the file I had put there, it used that to create a new patched file that was saved in downloads.
So, I will not go ahead and download that one and continue with the instructions. I bet it works this time.
---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
I think I have success. But of course, a couple interesting things:
So, you indicated I need to "boot through recovery". So I expected to hold power, and vol-up to boot into recover. But it booted to the phone.
I got a request to grant Superuser to Tasker, which I did.
I loaded Magisk, and it says it is installed, but doesn't have any indication if it is rooted. I presume it is, given the request for Superuser for Tasker.
Just now had it pop up with a notice that there is an important system update patch. I don't know if I can stop it, or if I should care about it. I did say "later" so for now, it is not installing.
One other question: Is the method to have root accomplished in the future by booting with Power+Vol-UP? If not done that way, it boots non-rooted? (I ask because it did get booted up w/o holding pwer+vol-up, and it did not show Magisk installed. After that was when I booted with the key sequence.
56_kruiser said:
I did in fact not use anything from the OpenKirin. But I apparently used wrong syntax for the command. But you providing that will help.
.......
It didn't work at first pass. I think this is why.
You will recall that in the discussion I had about the OpenKirin instructions that I mentioned they referenced a patched file in Downloads. Well, stepping through it again, and reading the small print, it says "Patched file is in downloads". So, it did not update the file I had put there, it used that to create a new patched file that was saved in downloads.
So, I will not go ahead and download that one and continue with the instructions. I bet it works this time.
---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------
I think I have success. But of course, a couple interesting things:
So, you indicated I need to "boot through recovery". So I expected to hold power, and vol-up to boot into recover. But it booted to the phone.
I got a request to grant Superuser to Tasker, which I did.
I loaded Magisk, and it says it is installed, but doesn't have any indication if it is rooted. I presume it is, given the request for Superuser for Tasker.
Just now had it pop up with a notice that there is an important system update patch. I don't know if I can stop it, or if I should care about it. I did say "later" so for now, it is not installing.
One other question: Is the method to have root accomplished in the future by booting with Power+Vol-UP? If not done that way, it boots non-rooted? (I ask because it did get booted up w/o holding pwer+vol-up, and it did not show Magisk installed. After that was when I booted with the key sequence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk by default means you have root. You can install and disable modules in Magisk Manager, but you cannot disable root - for that you must Unistall Magisk (an option in Magisk Manager).
In MM you have a tab/menu showing all apps that were granted root - you can suspend or even revoke to some
Check in Settings/About, does it show you have b252 or b252 Patch03. I think that it thinks you are on b252 without Patch03, and it wants to install that patch.
But I don't know would you loose Magisk if you accept (or even get bootloop), so better disable authomatic OTA updates for now.
Believe me, similar 'Important' patches were receiving users (starting at the same time) with various Huawei phones running EMUI 9.1, discussing on XDA what it was, but there was never an answer, nobody detected any change for something better or worse.
So you don't loose anything if About showing b252 without Patch03
To boot to Magisk you must boot with Vol+ pressed - with USB discinnected.
If connected by USB to charger or PC, booting with Vol+ pressed will boot to eRecovery.
Normal booting (without Vol+ pressed) boots to the system (Android), but with Magisk disabled (MM will say that Magisk is not installed), so no root.
Reboot again with Vol+ and you are again rooted
If it ever comes an OTA for higher than b252, you will have to Uninstall Magisk from Magisk Manager and then accept OTA (and root by yhe same procedure one more time, with recovery_ramdisk.img from the new firmware).
Anomoly with root...
Root is working, albeit with anomalies.
If I boot w/o going through the recovery/Magisk, the phone boots up w/o root, and all works fine. When I go through recovery/Magisk, it comes up rooted, but with the following untenable anomalies: Dialer/Phone does not load; Contacts are not available; As result calls I receive do not show who is calling, and I cannot make calls out.
Given that changing fonts do not give me the fix I was chasing (see this thread), I may, unroot. But given that I can boot up w/o root and it works fine, I'll hold off un-rooting for a bit.

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