Temporary Root is possible? - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

I'd like too temporarily root my Pixel,, just to use a data recovery tool, via USB.
Is that possible without erasing my data partition or losing any data at all?

gmsalomao2 said:
I'd like too temporarily root my Pixel,, just to use a data recovery tool, via USB.
Is that possible without erasing my data partition or losing any data at all?
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You need to unlock your bootloader to get twrp on there in order to flash magisk and root. It's fairly straightforward to do but unlocking your bootloader will erase your data. There is no way round that.

Horgar said:
You need to unlock your bootloader to get twrp on there in order to flash magisk and root. It's fairly straightforward to do but unlocking your bootloader will erase your data. There is no way round that.
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Thanks, man. Do you know any way of backup that restores everything seamlessly? Like app logins, cache, data, app settings... everything. Even the root and bootloader original state? So it doesn't even look like I erased anything?

gmsalomao2 said:
Thanks, man. Do you know any way of backup that restores everything seamlessly? Like app logins, cache, data, app settings... everything. Even the root and bootloader original state? So it doesn't even look like I erased anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. You do a nandroid backup using twrp. But obviously it's a chicken and egg thing. You can't make that backup untill you get twrp on your phone. Tbh I don't make nandroid backups anymore, Google does a good job of it now so I don't have the need any more.
But If you want to root, make back up, flash custom ROMs etc, you have to unlock your bootloader. And you cannot unlock your bootloader without wiping data

Why do you need root to run a data recovery tool? What data are you trying to recover? Is there a specific tool you are trying to use, or will you use any means necessary to get your data off the phone? Does the phone boot? If you turn on USB debugging in the settings, you should be able to use ADB to communicate with the phone. That may be all you need.

Related

[Q] (i9020a, 2.3.4) Unlock bootloader & Restore apps/system settings

Hi,
I have already unlocked the bootloader and rooted my Nexus S and am very happy with the result. My girlfriend has now seen all of the customization that I can do and is interested in doing the same. The thing that she's really worried about, however, is losing all of her settings, messages and apps, and having to re-install everything manually.
Usually I would just use Titanium Backup or do a NAND backup with clockworkmod, but to use TB effectively, the phone needs to be rooted. She has 2.3.4 on her phone, so (I believe) you can't root it without unlocking the bootloader, and unlocking the bootloader will wipe the phone. You also can't flash clockworkmod without the bootloader being unlocked.
Is there another method that I am unaware of that can reliably and completely restore all apps and settings after the phone is formatted? Or is there a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader so that I can install Titanium Backup and back everything up before I unlock it?
Any help is appreciated. Feel free to get as technical as you want.
Ok. The android market does not like to restore or really keep track of our free apps. I use appbrain and it keeps a list of all phones and apps. Yes you have to install one by one. Then there is two apps that back up sms and call log to your sd card. As for settings, your adding a new rom so there will be things different anyways. Plus it will have more of them. Just an idea.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
I'm not 100% sure, but you might be able to flash a custom recovery without unlocking the phone. Then you can
1) perform a nandroid backup
2) mount usb
3) copy your backup to your computer (make a note of the origin folder)
4) root your phone
5) go back into custom recovery
6) mount usb
7) copy your backup back to the right folder
8) restore
Your phone is rooted, and back to it's original state. You can now perform Titanium backup.
I recommend this recovery image:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=988686
You will need to use fastboot to flash the recovery image
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
assuming that you rename whatever recovery image you've downloaded to "recovery.img" and place it in the tools folder of your android-sdk.
bigtoysrock said:
Ok. The android market does not like to restore or really keep track of our free apps. I use appbrain and it keeps a list of all phones and apps. Yes you have to install one by one. Then there is two apps that back up sms and call log to your sd card. As for settings, your adding a new rom so there will be things different anyways. Plus it will have more of them. Just an idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that I can restore the apps from the market, but I'm looking for a way to keep the data. She's not needing a custom ROM. The things that she's wanting to do can be done just with root access, so that's all I'm looking to do. To that end, I'm looking for the easiest way to unlock and root the phone, and then restore all of the apps and settings to exactly how they were.
Also, you mention that there are two apps to back up SMS and call logs, but you don't say what they are.
bedalus said:
I'm not 100% sure, but you might be able to flash a custom recovery without unlocking the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you can't flash the recovery without unlocking. I tried to do it before I unlocked my phone, and it denied access to the recovery until I unlocked it. If I could, I would just have done a nandroid backup, unlocked, restored nandroid and then rooted, but I can't get nandroid backups without unlocking =(
Um search the market for sms and call log backup. Same person makes both.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

[Q] Install new ROM AND keep data?

Hello, long time lurker here. Thinking about finally making the plunge to a custom rom.
I have a lot of apps with my saved data, high scores, etc.
Wondering if it's possible to unlock, root, install custom rom and retain my apps and their data.
Will Titanium Backup do this, or should I suck it up and reinstall everything?
Titanium is perfect for such things. But TB requires root. If you are on the 2.20 firmware, I'm not sure whether the new temp root exploit will allow you to run TB or not. If not, your data will be wiped out when you unlock the bootloader (before permanent root is achieved).
unlock --> root --> backup all apps including app data using tit backup batch mode --> flash custom ROM --> restore apps including app data using tit backup batch restore.. jsut ensure that you are not trying to backup & restore /system apps
redpoint73 said:
Titanium is perfect for such things. But TB requires root. If you are on the 2.20 firmware, I'm not sure whether the new temp root exploit will allow you to run TB or not. If not, your data will be wiped out when you unlock the bootloader (before permanent root is achieved).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Telus version, so don't need to exploit, but I know unlocking the bootloader will factory reset my device, trying to see if there's a way to do this before I unlock
kancherlapraneeth said:
unlock --> root --> backup all apps including app data using tit backup batch mode --> flash custom ROM --> restore apps including app data using tit backup batch restore.. jsut ensure that you are not trying to backup & restore /system apps
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Click to collapse
That won't work. Unlocking the bootloader wipes data.
redpoint73 said:
That won't work. Unlocking the bootloader wipes data.
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Click to collapse
thanks for correcting
Oh wait, forgot about this little gem: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1671746
Follow that procedure, unlock the bootloader, restore data.
Now the trick is, on your version to get root you need to flash a rooted ROM (if I understand correctly). If you flash a stock rooted ROM, you may be able to do so without wiping data (which is normally recommended). Then you can run Titanium, and backup your app data.
Wiping data (factory reset) is normally advised when flashing ROMs. But if you flash a stock rooted ROM, it might be similar enough that it won't cause any serious bugs. Enough to get Titanium running. Then wipe, and flash a ROM of your choice.
That's just my thought anyway. Not 100% on any of that, since I didn't have to do it this way, personally.
Thanks! That sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.
Does it matter which stock rooted rom I use?
Such as: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1920424
So I would unlock, install recovery, install this rom. run titanium backup. install custom rom, restore with titanium backup?
area51avenger said:
Telus version, so don't need to exploit, but I know unlocking the bootloader will factory reset my device, trying to see if there's a way to do this before I unlock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess not a nandroid data backup. Since it requires twrp or cwm but u can use apps for backup that dont require root. Such as share cloud backup. Backup all apps and transfer them to pc the do what u have 2 do and then use apk manager app to batch install the apk files. But this backs up apps only not data not files.

[Q] Unlock bootloader without losing data?

Hey folks! I completely forgot to unlock my bootloader when I first set up my phone, and now it's all set how I like it. I need to unlock the bootloader, but I don't want to lose all of my data. Do I have any options? BootUnlocker for Nexus Devices looks great, but it's not yet updated for the Nexus 5.
Not possible. Backup your data and then unlock the bootloader.
lukas_s said:
Not possible. Backup your data and then unlock the bootloader.
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What would be the simplest way to back it up? I don't need a how-to, just the basic info. I know I can't flash custom recovery with a locked bootloader (obviously), but can I boot to TWRP using fastboot, do a backup, get the backup on my computer, unlock, then restore from that backup?
the whole point of the data wipe is to ensure that thieves can't access your data. in that vein, google has made it nigh-on impossible to unlock the bootloader without losing data. your best bet is to use a program like sms backup+ to backup your sms/call-out, and just deal with the app data loss
Sent from my Xoom

Encryption

A few questions about encryption on the S7:
Some threads, e.g., TWRP, refer to "Samsung encryption". Does the S7 use some sort of proprietary Samsung encryption, or does it use the standard Android encryption?
Since I have now disabled encryption after installing TWRP, can I re-enable it? If so, how?
Would FlashFire allow me to flash ROMs with encryption still enabled?
Thanks in advance.
dildano said:
A few questions about encryption on the S7:
Some threads, e.g., TWRP, refer to "Samsung encryption". Does the S7 use some sort of proprietary Samsung encryption, or does it use the standard Android encryption?
Since I have now disabled encryption after installing TWRP, can I re-enable it? If so, how?
Would FlashFire allow me to flash ROMs with encryption still enabled?
Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
1. Simply put, the method in which Samsung decrypts encrypted data isn't known
2. You can enable encryption but you must start from scratch. (As far as I am aware anyways). Means you must flash stock ROM in ODIN.
3. Not sure. You can certainly flash zips that modify /system. You can also use TWRP as long as you don't need to mount data. Switching ROM normally means a standard factory reset but if you are encrypted you can't use TWRP to factory reset and I am not sure if FlashFire can do it either.
Galactus said:
1. Simply put, the method in which Samsung decrypts encrypted data isn't known
2. You can enable encryption but you must start from scratch. (As far as I am aware anyways). Means you must flash stock ROM in ODIN.
3. Not sure. You can certainly flash zips that modify /system. You can also use TWRP as long as you don't need to mount data. Switching ROM normally means a standard factory reset but if you are encrypted you can't use TWRP to factory reset and I am not sure if FlashFire can do it either.
Click to expand...
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2. do you have to really start from the scratch?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/how-to/how-to-encrypt-device-custom-rom-knox-1-t3392301
3. is factory reset not just a kind of a wipe? why cant twrp just format the encrypted partitions?
I spent also several days to fully customize my S7 (cfw S7 debloated) and i am quite happy yet.
But if I lost once a phone long time ago.. So encryption is a must, root too.
I would accept definetely a non-working TWRP, if I could get an encryption?
any advices?
thx.
tefole said:
2. do you have to really start from the scratch?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/how-to/how-to-encrypt-device-custom-rom-knox-1-t3392301
3. is factory reset not just a kind of a wipe? why cant twrp just format the encrypted partitions?
I spent also several days to fully customize my S7 (cfw S7 debloated) and i am quite happy yet.
But if I lost once a phone long time ago.. So encryption is a must, root too.
I would accept definetely a non-working TWRP, if I could get an encryption?
any advices?
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, once you disable encryption in TWRP and flash the dm-verity zip, the option to encrypt the phone won't even be available in settings. In the rare case that it is, it will always fail.
Since you want root and encryption, it is pretty simple.
Flash stock rom in ODIN (Backup, backup, backup anything valuable)
Obtain root using CF-Auto Root method
Install TWRP, allow modifications, don't wipe /data
You can only flash zips from external SD card. Internal storage will be unavailable in TWRP
I did a make backups with TWRP and TitaniumBackup.
May I ask some more questions, i do want to understand the procedure.
Galactus said:
Flash stock rom in ODIN (Backup, backup, backup anything valuable)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the stock ROM is already encrypted - is that the reason why TWRP doesnt have access to /data (as well to the internal /sdcard) till the encryption is disabled?
Obtain root using CF-Auto Root method
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Click to collapse
After flashing stock the bootloader is locked again, so I do have to unlock the "OEM unlock" per developer settings again? The phone wont be wiped afterwards?
Install TWRP, allow modifications, don't wipe /data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May i recover/restore here a formerly per TWRP backuped ROM? I guess, this want be possible, hence TWRP doesnt has access to /data, nor to /sdcard?!
Which partitions I am allowed to restore, respectively is there a chance to recovery somehow the TWRP backup (it was soo much work).
Or can i disable encryption and enable it again, after restore?
You can only flash zips from external SD card. Internal storage will be unavailable in TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After everything went well, I am going to encrypt the ext-sdcard too. I guess, TWRP will be useless then...
tefole said:
I did a make backups with TWRP and TitaniumBackup.
May I ask some more questions, i do want to understand the procedure.
I guess the stock ROM is already encrypted - is that the reason why TWRP doesnt have access to /data (as well to the internal /sdcard) till the encryption is disabled?
After flashing stock the bootloader is locked again, so I do have to unlock the "OEM unlock" per developer settings again? The phone wont be wiped afterwards?
May i recover/restore here a formerly per TWRP backuped ROM? I guess, this want be possible, hence TWRP doesnt has access to /data, nor to /sdcard?!
Which partitions I am allowed to restore, respectively is there a chance to recovery somehow the TWRP backup (it was soo much work).
Or can i disable encryption and enable it again, after restore?
After everything went well, I am going to encrypt the ext-sdcard too. I guess, TWRP will be useless then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you flash the stock ROM, the phone is encrypted before first boot
Once you OEM Unlock, it stays that way unless you attempt to re-lock it. Once you flash a stock ROM and go to developer settings, you'll see OEM Unlock is still on
Encrypted device = No restoring of any kind in TWRP, that is the trade off. Some people use FlashFire to back up and restore. I tried once a while back and it didn't work. Others seem to be ok
If external sd is encrypted also, then your only chance is to use FlashFire. TWRP is basically useless
Galactus said:
Once you flash the stock ROM, the phone is encrypted before first boot
Once you OEM Unlock, it stays that way unless you attempt to re-lock it. Once you flash a stock ROM and go to developer settings, you'll see OEM Unlock is still on
Encrypted device = No restoring of any kind in TWRP, that is the trade off. Some people use FlashFire to back up and restore. I tried once a while back and it didn't work. Others seem to be ok
If external sd is encrypted also, then your only chance is to use FlashFire. TWRP is basically useless
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for your reply
After I flashed stock and finally customized my installation, would this be safety feature to relock the OEM? Is a relocking wiping also the whole phone or only the unlocking?
So that means, that if go through this instructeres, i cant flash any CFW, neither i cant restore my TWRP backup?
Thats a pitty.
tefole said:
Thx for your reply
After I flashed stock and finally customized my installation, would this be safety feature to relock the OEM? Is a relocking wiping also the whole phone or only the unlocking?
So that means, that if go through this instructeres, i cant flash any CFW, neither i cant restore my TWRP backup?
Thats a pitty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you try to relock OEM, your device won't boot lol. I learned that the hard way months ago. Had to start from scratch.
What custom firmware are you trying to flash? If you mean custom ROMs then theoretically speaking you should be able to flash them using FlashFire.
Thank you for the hint - this will me spare the fate
I chose S7_extreme_debloated from @Battlehero.
I am quite happy with that CFW and i thought, i can install my apps and customize the system and start the encryption - didnt worked.
So, I will begin from the scratch too. It would be great, if I could start with this CFW after, flashing stock.

Can I backup & restore including appdata with TWRP?

In the past I've always backed up my complete ROM incl. appdata with twrp. I didn't have to competely setup my device if flashing went wrong and reverted to stock. I had some bad luck flashing roms because the A/B slots are new to me. I now have my bootloader unlocked and everything setup on stock OOS, and made a twrp backup of super, recovery and data.
Before flashing another ROM I just want to make sure I can revert easily to the previous OS without doing a complete setup of app settings and stuff
My question is
Can I wipe/factory reset and then just restore with twrp?
Do I restore when in the active slot where current os is?
Are there any issues with password/encryption when restoring?
Expected scenario;
I'm on stock OOS, wiped and want to restore appdata, settings, homescreen, etc...
I failed to install custom ROM and want to revert to stock OOS without having to redo the entire setup
I did search google and this forum for an answer or guide but couldn't find one (please correct me if I missed a thread)
yusisushi said:
In the past I've always backed up my complete ROM incl. appdata with twrp. I didn't have to competely setup my device if flashing went wrong and reverted to stock. I had some bad luck flashing roms because the A/B slots are new to me. I now have my bootloader unlocked and everything setup on stock OOS, and made a twrp backup of super, recovery and data.
Before flashing another ROM I just want to make sure I can revert easily to the previous OS without doing a complete setup of app settings and stuff
My question is
Can I wipe/factory reset and then just restore with twrp?
Do I restore when in the active slot where current os is?
Are there any issues with password/encryption when restoring?
Expected scenario;
I'm on stock OOS, wiped and want to restore appdata, settings, homescreen, etc...
I failed to install custom ROM and want to revert to stock OOS without having to redo the entire setup
I did search google and this forum for an answer or guide but couldn't find one (please correct me if I missed a thread)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the first 3 posts of https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...recovery-project-8t-kebab-2022-03-09.4302449/ ?
BillGoss said:
Did you read the first 3 posts of https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...recovery-project-8t-kebab-2022-03-09.4302449/ ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI, yes I did
I am still confused because it says before a restore I have to disable screenlock, if my phone is softbricked or has no OS does that count as not having fingerprint/lockscreen enabled?
yusisushi said:
HI, yes I did
I am still confused because it says before a restore I have to disable screenlock, if my phone is softbricked or has no OS does that count as not having fingerprint/lockscreen enabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you start TWRP, does it prompt you for a password/pin/pattern?
If Yes, then you have a lock screen password set. And if you can't get into the system to disable it, you'll have to format data (completely wipes all data).
If No, then you're good to go.
BillGoss said:
When you start TWRP, does it prompt you for a password/pin/pattern?
If Yes, then you have a lock screen password set. And if you can't get into the system to disable it, you'll have to format data (completely wipes all data).
If No, then you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, first of all; thank you for taking time to help me!
I managed to completely wipe the phone including data, and afterwards I restored it by copying the backup (which was now on my computer) and restoring it. SUCCESS! All appdata seems to be there, homescreen, and after second reboot my fingerprint still worked as before.
I just have one more question if you don't mind;
Below partitions I backed up;
Data
Boot
DTBO
Super
However, I'm not able to copy over the "super" partition from my computer to my phone, is this normal? it's almost 8GB and I was convinced I wasn't going to get to the OS without restoring it but apparently I didn't need it (?)
I suppose with the Fastboot Enhance Tool I'll be able to also restore this?
You really only need to backup the "system" partitions (boot, dtbo, super) if you're changing to custom ROMs. If you're always on OOS then you can forget about backing them up.
You should be able to copy the full backup, including super files from your PC to your phone using ADB. I've done that lots of times.
I've never used the tool you referred to. But I do know that you can't use fastboot to flash the super partition - it's too big.
However, if you break it up into chunks (I did it in 512MB chunks) using SparseConverter (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-sparseconverter-v1-0-1.2749797/) then you can successfully flash it.
Just to confirm, if a ROM bootloops and I don't have access to a computer, there's no way to restore the TWRP backup? Seems like this defeats the point of even making on-device backups (AFAIK encryption can't be disabled for many roms)
tech.central said:
Just to confirm, if a ROM bootloops and I don't have access to a computer, there's no way to restore the TWRP backup? Seems like this defeats the point of even making on-device backups (AFAIK encryption can't be disabled for many roms)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can enter TWRP (even if your rom bootloops) there is a great chance you can restore backup in TWRP.

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