I Am Confused About Recoveries - ASUS ZenFone 6 (2019) Questions & Answers

Please forgive my ignorance here. It's been 4 or 5 years since I last flashed a recovery. AB wasn't a thing back then, but it sounds like it obsoleted everything I used to know. Meanwhile, it seems like everyone around here has long since digested the changes and is carrying on conversations premised on a lot of background information I don't know. In short, I'm confused, and I need help.
What I Want to Do:
Flash the microG fork of LineageOS
Flash Magisk
Flash the Asus camera app
Install the unofficial port of the GCam app
Encrypt and divorce the boot password from the lockscreen as per this post (which I can't link to our XDA rejects my post, so I'm copy-pasting instead: https COLON SLASH SLASH forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78699812&postcount=58 )
Question 1
Which recovery should I use? It sounds like there are three and each has problems. Is the following correct?
It sounds like the LineageOS has trouble flashing things other than LineageOS -- or is it just OpenGApps that's a problem? Can it flash the microG fork of LineageOS?
It sounds like mauronofrio's unofficial TWRP works generally, but can't flash LineageOS and can't decrypt the data partition if LineageOS encrypted it.
It sounds like bigbiff's official TWRP works generally, but there seem to be differing opinions about whether it can flash LineageOS; it can decrypt a data partition encrypted by LineageOS, but not if a password is set; and its permanent installation feature is currently buggy and might break the boot partition.
Question 2
Some posts suggest using different recoveries to flash different things. Is that advisable?
Question 3
Do I even need to install a recovery permanently? It sounds like it should be possible to boot a recovery using "fastboot boot something.img" and do everything I need to do. Is that right?
Are there any strong reasons why I should have a recovery installed permanently even if it's not necessary?
Question 4
What's the correct install order? LineageOS (microG fork), then Magisk, then Asus Camera?
Question 4b
How do I deal with the A/B thing?
Do I have to install everything to both partitions, or does the recovery install to both partitions automatically, or is stuff installed to just one partition and then somehow magically handled with the next update?
In particular, how do I get Magisk and Asus Camera to carry over to the other partition?
The instructions for the LineageOS recovery include an extra reboot right after installing LineageOS so that the remaining stuff ends up in the same partition. Does TWRP also need the same extra reboot?
Question 5
Do I understand correctly that the GCam port is just a regular apk that can be installed later through normal means -- no flashing required?
Question 6
About divorcing the boot password from the lockscreen:
Does that post apply to LineageOS?
Does the A/B thing complicate the instructions in any way? It sounds like the files to be backed up and restored are in the data partition, so I'm guessing not.
Do I need to remove the boot password to make a recovery work? It sounds like the LineageOS recovery can handle the password; the unofficial TWRP can't even handle the encryption format; and the official TWRP is currently bugged and needs the password removed. Is that right?
Question 7
So, OTA updates for Lineage OS are a thing now? Could someone explain how that works?

q1
- Just opengapps has problems but you can use lucas own opengapps build or mindthegapps. No idea about microG.
- True. There is some difference of opinion where it should be fixed (in lin or twrp).
- It played around with it a lot before giving up. In its current state i would not use it for any rom. As soon as pin/pattern/fp/stock rom/nandroid comes into play there will be problems.
q2
For convenience or if you have problems with stock lineage recovery it makes sense at the current time. Since there is currently no twrp out that fully supports lineage flashing + nandroid and encryption i would either not use twrp at all or wait for the official twrp to be fixed.
q3
This depends on your needs. Most recovery/rom combinations won't decrypt while only fastbooted. Especially when nandroid comes into play you will encounter problems.
q4
Depending on the weather, the build you use and the already installed build/addons you get different results. In general the order of those 2 should not matter but in my experience i get different/unexpected results/problems without beeing able to reliably reproduce the behavior.
q4b
I was in your shoes a year ago I'll try to keep it short. You have 2 slots. some partitions like boot exist in both slots (you will have them twice) while data only exists once. One slot is active. The phone boots from the active slot. You can manually change the active slot from fastboot and twrp so the next reboot will boot from the previously inactive slot (but you should rarely need to do that). Ah yes the most important change is there no longer is a persistent recovery partition. Recovery is embedded as a ramdisk in the boot partition.
Assuming the rom or whatever you are flashing is done right and the recovery you are using works correctly:
- flashing a rom from recovery will flash it to the inactive slot
- flashing an addon like magisk or asuscam or gapps will flash to the active slot (thats why you need to reboot after flashing a rom, so gapps will be flashed to your new rom)
- flashing a recovery installer flashes both boot partitions (at least that is the current state) and remove magisk
- flashing a recovery will install it on the active slot be it from twrp or fastboot
Due to this behavior you will have to install twrpinstaller + gapps+ magisk + asus cam every time you install a new rom (unless the rom has it already like asus cam in the next omnirom weekly) and you will have to reboot to recovery from twrp and lin recovery (active slot change to newly installed rom).
q5 yes
q6 no clue what that even does In general i had problems/errors with so many different combinations of roms/encryption/recovery and nandroid that currently i would advise to disable
pin/pattern/fp if you want to flash a rom and or take/restore a nandroid and reenable it after.
q7 It downloads the newest build and installs it in the backgroud but you still have to manage magisk, twrp etc. manually. So i prefer to just flash everythin from recovery.

Related

TWRP says no OS is installed, but I just flashed it. Can anybody help?

Hi,
Its been a while since I been attentive to my Pixel. I was a lucky one who managed to get a Verizon 7.1.2 with an unlocked bootloader. I unlocked the bootloader, flashed a ROM, and rooted and haven't had a single major problem since.
I was running Resurrection Remix from about March and I yesterday I wanted to try to use Android Pay, so I followed a tutorial I found in another thread here to install Magisk, and when it was all said and done I ended up in a boot loop where the phone would reset as soon as it reaches the Google logo, ramdump, and eventually boot back into TWRP.
In the attempts to delete out all kinds of caches and dalviks and factory resets and whatever else, nothing worked.
So in the end I decided to just flash a new ROM. Flashed the latest Pure Nexus, reflashed TWRP, flashed the vendor image... went to go reboot and it gives me the WARNING! NO OS INSTALLED! error. I thought that was odd and decided to just update to the latest Resurrection Remix - same problem.
At this point I am unsure what to do next. I don't care about any user data on the phone, I just want to get it back up and running with a new ROM.
I have a few questions and thank you in advance for all help you may be able to offer:
1) Why am I getting the NO OS INSTALLED issue directly after flashing a ROM? Logs indicate no errors whatsoever. /system/ is mounted. Every time I boot into TWRP it asks me if I want to Keep System partition read only. I always tell it to allow modifications and never ask me this question again - it asks every time. Is it possible that /system/ can actually remain empty even after a fresh ROM install that gives no errors in the log?
2) I believe that I am supposed to reflash to stock image that this phone shipped with to start all over. If I reflash back to stock, will my bootloader have any chance of locking again? I don't even know what version the stock image was, and I'm further confused/concerned about the fact that it was a 7.1.2 image I shipped with - from my understanding there were security updates which make unlocking/rooting impossible. I don't understand why you have to start that far back - is it even needed? The latest Resurrection Remix ROM install instructions assumes that I am on latest "Firmware" NOF26W. This is another issue I don't understand - what is a firmware? The full factory image? In any case, NOF26W is specifically for Rogers Google Pixel devices. Since I need to be on this "firmware" before I install latest, can I just flash the NOF26W Stock image despite the fact that I am using a rooted Verizon Pixel? The NOF26W image is 1.8GB: What exactly in this ZIP am I supposed to flash?
3) There were various weird things about this phone/flashing ROMs that I seem to recall such as having to boot an older TWRP before flashing ROM and then flashing the newer TWRP - is any of this stuff still relevant?
4) I also remember that many people were fastbooting TWRP rather than flashing TWRP for some reason - are there specific builds/non-standard stuff required for any of this to work on the Pixel?
I really appreciate all and any help that anybody can provide. If there's files that you're referring to, PLEASE send links. I need to get this phone back up and running ASAP.
Thanks again!!
when you wipe system, twrp wipes current active slot but when install a rom, it gets installed in the inactive slot (which will become active upon reboot). but twrp still thinks the currently active slots system is erased and complains that no os is installed.
rohitece06 said:
when you wipe system, twrp wipes current active slot but when install a rom, it gets installed in the inactive slot (which will become active upon reboot). but twrp still thinks the currently active slots system is erased and complains that no os is installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I just reboot anyway after seeing that message and I've never had any issues.

Thread for problems in flashing custom Android 9 ROMs in OP6

Hello,
I am gathering information here for people having problems with flashing Android 9 ROMs to their Oneplus 6 phones. I am among them. I've browsed through a big bunch of threads and still can't get to a working custom ROM OS.
I've noticed that there are very differing instructions on this forum on how to do the flashing properly. Here are some:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77987633&postcount=2370
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77114327&postcount=127
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78021561&postcount=2404
Part of the problems seem to be because in older threads, guides and videos people flash older ROM versions, older Magisk etc. that might contribute to different results.
To give a context, I'll start with my own story.
Status before my attempt
Phone model ONEPLUS A6003 = the EU/US model (not A6000 if that makes any difference)
Phone unlocked already (fastboot oem unlock reports: "Device already : unlocked!" whenever I check)
The OOS I am talking about == OnePlus6Oxygen_22_OTA_014_all_1810301355_5a3cd838ad89482d.zip
The TWRP I am talking about = twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.86_op6.zip
The Magisk I am talking about == Magisk 17.1.
My attempt
fastboot booted to blu_spark TWRP img (TWRP SHOWS CURRENT SLOT = A)
Wiped System, Data and Dalvik / ART Cache
Flashed OOS (from Oneplus downloads) and TWRP (OOS FLASH 1/2 DONE)
Booted to OOS up to the pin code screen
Booted back to TWRP (TWRP SHOWS CURRENT SLOT = B)
Wiped System, Data and Dalvik / ART Cache
Flashed OOS (from Oneplus downloads) and (OOS FLASH 2/2 DONE)
Booted to OOS up to the pin code screen
Booted back to TWRP (TWRP SHOWS CURRENT SLOT = A)
I am pretty certain that up to this point everything is done properly: we have a booting OOS on both A and B system partitions and also the A/B boot partitions contain TWRP.
Where it all goes wrong
This is where the instructions diverge. Some say that:
I should now wipe System, Data and Dalvik / ART Cache
I should just do a factory reset wipe without wiping System
After doing either of these steps all the guides agree on me having to flash the ROM and TWRP to the current slot.
So, after this step, if we forget about Gapps, Magisk etc. We should have a working ROM in the current slot. But when I boot to system, I am always thrown back to TWRP and can never boot any custom ROM.
Questions
I have a couple of questions I'd love to get answers to clarify and build a definitive guide for flashing:
Since the wipes (wiping System or doing just factory reset) in TWRP do not touch the Vendor partition, am I correct in assuming that the reason why OOS flashing to both slots is required because the OOS rom provides content for the Vendor partition and possibly updates radio firmware or something else?
If my previous assumption is correct, can't we assume that once we have flashed OOS in slots A/B their contents are permanently and we do not need to start EACH custom ROM flash by flashing OOS twice?
I would really appreciate clear answers to these two questions and especially hints on where my procedure goes wrong (why am I left with a phone that will always and only boot back to TWRP).
I thought it was just me. Im a new OP6 owner, but I have flashed a hundred other Android phones. The A/B thing changes the landscape a little, but nothing fundamental has really changed, and many things are a great deal easier. The guides are all over the map and often claim things like 'when flashing a Magisk Module you should clear your cache', which is crap.
electroblood said:
I thought it was just me. Im a new OP6 owner, but I have flashed a hundred other Android phones. The A/B thing changes the landscape a little, but nothing fundamental has really changed, and many things are a great deal easier. The guides are all over the map and often claim things like 'when flashing a Magisk Module you should clear your cache', which is crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I have had the same feeling. People treat many of the steps like parts of a magic recipe where it doesn't matter if something is sensible, they just do it "because someone in some forum post told so" or "this is the way it has always been done".
Same thing here, i've flashed a lot of phones but none that had the A/B partitioning scheme. What has complicated things here is that I really wanted to find out which steps in the processes are really necessary and which ones are simply redundant.
Also, many people write their instructions in a confusing way that only causes more people to write questions and many threads turning into back-and-forth between unclear answers and confused questions. A good example is how many people write "just flash OOS twice" which has led to people flashing OOS zip two times in a row without booting and not understanding that both partitions do not get populated this way.
I managed to flash HavocOS to my OP6 today finally, and shall be updating this thread first post to reflect the situation. I hope others also contribute so that we can start pointing to this thread as the source for newbie friendly flash instructions.
What I would do here is start over. Download the MSM Download Tool (also called the unbrick tool) and open it and flash the stock rom that comes with it (5.1.11). Then take the ota update to the latest version of Pie. Then do what you've done to get oos on both slots and then flashing a custom rom should work.
I've done this a few times and it always solved any issues I had. Also if you're running a custom rom like Havoc and it's on the November security patch and you flash back to any rom in twrp that is in an older security patch your internal storage will have to be wiped or else you'll have issues and you'll never be able to restore a twrp backup or get the phone to boot.

[GUIDE] The correct way to flash custom ROMs

Since a lot of people have had trouble flashing Custom ROMs, I decided to create a guide that should work on every device (whether A/B partition or not) except on Samsung devices. For bypassing Decryption Issues, adb sideload the .zip files.
GUIDE
I am assuming you have unlocked your Bootloader, flashed TWRP and have some knowledge on ADB.
[This is known as a clean install or clean flash]
Turn off Lockscreen Security
Reboot to Recovery
Factory Reset
Format Data
Copy the .zip files from your PC to your phone / Plug in your USB OTG
Flash the ROM and then the Recovery Installer (No Magisk/SuperSU after)
Reboot to Recovery
Flash GApps and Magisk/SuperSU
Reboot to System
[This is known as a dirty flash]
To update the custom ROM or fix a error (Bootloop after successful first boot, No Service, etc.)
I am assuming you used my guide to flash the custom ROM
These are basically the same steps but without wiping or formatting data
Turn off Lockscreen Security
Reboot to Recovery
Flash the ROM (has to be the same ROM, updated is recommended, older versions may cause issues) and then the Recovery Installer (No Magisk/SuperSU after)
Reboot to Recovery
Flash GApps and Magisk/SuperSU
Reboot to System
LINKS:
Official GApps Website - GApps Github
Official TWRP Website - TWRP Github
Magisk Forum - Magisk Thread - Magisk Github
Official SuperSU Website - SuperSU Forum - SuperSU Thread - SuperSU Github
I recommend the Nano variant of GApps since I have had no error with it.
Enjoy!
[Disabler-ONLY]
`This is basically the same guide just if you want to flash Zackptg5's "Universal DM-Verity, ForceEncrypt, Disk Quota Disablers" or any other disabler which requires different steps.
[This is known as a clean install or clean flash]
Turn off Lockscreen Security
Reboot to Recovery
Format Data
Copy the .zip files from your PC to your phone / Plug in your USB OTG
Flash the ROM and then the Recovery Installer (No Magisk after)
Reboot to Recovery
Flash the Disabler, Magisk and then GApps
Reboot to System
Profit
Dirty Flash? You can't. Usually when using a Disabler you have to clean install your custom ROM.
To update use the method in the first post but for step number 5 Flash the Disabler, Magisk and then GApps
This is a bit much to do. Just use twinnfamous' twrp and you can flash a custom easily. Plus, I flash havoc over crdroid, then back and forth again. So you can flash over. Just have to wipe data and cache after ROM flash and twrp flash then reboot to recovery.
Basically:
Fastboot boot twrp (twinnfamous' 0.7)
Be on 9.0.7 firmware as most custom ROMs use this base right now I think..
Anyway, then flash twrp (twinnfamous' 0.7 installer zip)
Reboot to recovery
Now flash custom ROM
Flash twrp zip
Reboot to recovery
(You'll now be on the opposite slot as before, which means you are on the slot which your new custom ROM was installed)
Wipe > custom > data and cache wipe
Install opengapps nano and magisk 18.0
Reboot system
You'll boot right into the ROM setup screen with no decryption issues along the way as long as you do exactly as I said.
Have fun flashing!
dpryor88 said:
This is a bit much to do. Just use twinnfamous' twrp and you can flash a custom easily. Plus, I flash havoc over crdroid, then back and forth again. So you can flash over. Just have to wipe data and cache after ROM flash and twrp flash then reboot to recovery.
Basically:
Fastboot boot twrp (twinnfamous' 0.7)
Be on 9.0.7 firmware as most custom ROMs use this base right now I think..
Anyway, then flash twrp (twinnfamous' 0.7 installer zip)
Reboot to recovery
Now flash custom ROM
Flash twrp zip
Reboot to recovery
(You'll now be on the opposite slot as before, which means you are on the slot which your new custom ROM was installed)
Wipe > custom > data and cache wipe
Install opengapps nano and magisk 18.0
Reboot system
You'll boot right into the ROM setup screen with no decryption issues along the way as long as you do exactly as I said.
Have fun flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wasted that post just for this? I assure you that my tutorial guarantees success when using a official or unofficial version of TWRP or custom ROM, I also used the method you posted about but it did not work. Also what do you mean by "9.0.7"?
The GApps version you use doesn't have to be Nano and Magisk doesn't have to be v18.0. I'm sure you just copy-pasted this, my method should always succeed. The TWRP doesn't have to be from @twinnfamous , it can be from any developer. This is not a OnePlus 6T only guide.
This flashing process is difficult in my view. Why are you making the simple custom rom flashing process so difficult for the noobs.
_Masked_ said:
You wasted that post just for this? I assure you that my tutorial guarantees success when using a official or unofficial version of TWRP or custom ROM, I also used the method you posted about but it did not work. Also what do you mean by "9.0.7"?
The GApps version you use doesn't have to be Nano and Magisk doesn't have to be v18.0. I'm sure you just copy-pasted this, my method should always succeed. The TWRP doesn't have to be from @twinnfamous , it can be from any developer. This is not a OnePlus 6T only guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you angry? Haha.
And you linked this from the op6t forums so I'm commenting on that phone. And that's how it's done on that phone. And it does matter which twrp you use for THAT phone because one doesn't decrypt correctly.
Copy and paste? No... And nano is always best if you read xda basically anywhere. Not that I said you HAVE to use nano anyway.. it was just in my steps. And that works for me with any/every ROM. So don't be so opposed to other suggestions. Your method is really weird and involves way too much use of a computer/fastboot. Kind of defeats the purpose of using twrp, don't you think?
Ashwinrg said:
This flashing process is difficult in my view. Why are you making the simple custom rom flashing process so difficult for the noobs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is making it difficult is encryption/decryption not working right in twrp yet (just a guess). I was having a hell of a time getting anywhere myself and kept getting my storage all jumbled from encryption until I found this thread which put it together for me with the adb sideload part, that bypasses encryption or at least lets you flash what you want when the folder names get all wonky.
Thanks OP for laying it out so clearly for me, I am an old dinosaur that was hesitating on messing with this a/b nonsense until I got my 6T and got the itch again. My trusty dusty nexus 6 is so much easier but it's also been around and has one system and a solid twrp for it.
Cheers! :good:
raiderep said:
What is making it difficult is encryption/decryption not working right in twrp yet (just a guess). I was having a hell of a time getting anywhere myself and kept getting my storage all jumbled from encryption until I found this thread which put it together for me with the adb sideload part, that bypasses encryption or at least lets you flash what you want when the folder names get all wonky.
Thanks OP for laying it out so clearly for me, I am an old dinosaur that was hesitating on messing with this a/b nonsense until I got my 6T and got the itch again. My trusty dusty nexus 6 is so much easier but it's also been around and has one system and a solid twrp for it.
Cheers! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the late reply, but yes this is for bypassing TWRP Decryption issues.
_Masked_ said:
Since a lot of people have had trouble flashing Custom ROMs, I decided to create a guide that should work on every device (whether A/B partition or not) except on Samsung devices.
GUIDE
I am assuming you have unlocked your Bootloader, flashed TWRP and have some knowledge on ADB.
[This is known as a clean install or clean flash]
Turn off Lockscreen Security
Reboot to Recovery
Format Data (Wipe)
Flash ROM and then the Recovery Installer (No Magisk after)
Reboot to Recovery
Go to Advanced, ADB Sideload then sideload GApps, the Recovery Installer and Magisk
Reboot to System
Profit
I recommend the Nano variant of GApps since I have had no error with it.
Enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this step means need do with pc not by twrp
ayed78 said:
this step means need do with pc not by twrp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is to bypass Decryption issues.
Ashwinrg said:
This flashing process is difficult in my view. Why are you making the simple custom rom flashing process so difficult for the noobs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean I could make a tool for flashing a custom ROM but I'm sure that there's a tool for that already.
bump. (ignore)
_Masked_ said:
Turn off Lockscreen Security
Reboot to Recovery
Factory Reset
Format Data
Copy the .zip files from your PC to your phone / Plug in your USB OTG
Flash the ROM and then the Recovery Installer (No Magisk/SuperSU after)
Reboot to Recovery
Flash GApps and Magisk/SuperSU
Reboot to System
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So when are we required to wipe system in addition to just a factory reset? And when do we need to format data?
Krullendhaar said:
So when are we required to wipe system in addition to just a factory reset? And when do we need to format data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow the steps, in order.
Hi.
What if I want to flash a custom kernel on a clean Rom flash? When should I do it? Together with Magisk and Gapps?
What do you mean by "Recovery Installer"? That's the only thing I don't understand.
Thank you for this guide.
Santi3598 said:
What do you mean by "Recovery Installer"? That's the only thing I don't understand.
Thank you for this guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, I do not understand why I should flash a recovery img when twrp does seem to stay installed after flashing everything. Maybe the custom rom I use does include twrp ?
Custom rom means bugs, possible privacy leak and overall less polished. Developer that are working on them are fantastic but they are most of the time nowhere near as what offer the stock one.
What you need is to check adb, doesn't need root but you can still remove apps (even system one) and do more tweaks.
If needed, check how to patch boot image with magisk, it works on all phone and get you root.
With that, you're free to debloat your device.
Hey just one little question: is it ok to dirty flash with encrypted data folder ?
Santi3598 said:
What do you mean by "Recovery Installer"? That's the only thing I don't understand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me neither, is it safe to assume that the step can be left out if TWRP is already there and I use it to flash the ROM?
Santi3598 said:
Thank you for this guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

A/B slot questions

I tend to mess things up when flashing new ROMs on my Oneplus6. And I usually end up using the MSMdownloadtool to 'fix my phone' again.
* Does MSMdownloadtool install OOS on both slots?
* What do you advise to do before installing a custom (v10) rom?
* I tried doing a fastboot OOS install by mauronofrio, it didnt work. I got into bootloops after running/finishing the flash all bat file. So I used MSMdownloadtool again. I wondered if the fastboot OOS installer guide by mauronofrio installs OOS on both slots??
* Does the fastboot OOS installer do the same thing as MSMdownloadtool?
* In a lot of guides for clean install custom rom I read as first step: wipe system/data. But then I wonder why do you have to install the correct OOS version first, THEN wipe it, and then install custom ROM. Does an OOS installation leave some hidden (essential) files/partitions behind or something?
* Do you guys switch slots in twrp / or do you reboot to switch slots / or do you use the fastboot --set-active a/b command?
* Why does gapps only have to be installed on 1 slot and not on both?
* Why don't custom ROMS install themselves on both slots straight away, like when you flash the twrp installer zip.. ?
Im currently running carbonROMv8 ROM, its running fine so Im not looking to change yet. But im sure im gonna have to use msmdowndtool again when I wanna try out some other ROM in the future. I dont really feel like im having any control off the flashing process. It either works or it doesnt and when it doesnt I cant explain why..
dumbl3 said:
I tend to mess things up when flashing new ROMs on my Oneplus6. And I usually end up using the MSMdownloadtool to 'fix my phone' again.
* Does MSMdownloadtool install OOS on both slots?
* What do you advise to do before installing a custom (v10) rom?
* I tried doing a fastboot OOS install by mauronofrio, it didnt work. I got into bootloops after running/finishing the flash all bat file. So I used MSMdownloadtool again. I wondered if the fastboot OOS installer guide by mauronofrio installs OOS on both slots??
* Does the fastboot OOS installer do the same thing as MSMdownloadtool?
* In a lot of guides for clean install custom rom I read as first step: wipe system/data. But then I wonder why do you have to install the correct OOS version first, THEN wipe it, and then install custom ROM. Does an OOS installation leave some hidden (essential) files/partitions behind or something?
* Do you guys switch slots in twrp / or do you reboot to switch slots / or do you use the fastboot --set-active a/b command?
* Why does gapps only have to be installed on 1 slot and not on both?
* Why don't custom ROMS install themselves on both slots straight away, like when you flash the twrp installer zip.. ?
Im currently running carbonROMv8 ROM, its running fine so Im not looking to change yet. But im sure im gonna have to use msmdowndtool again when I wanna try out some other ROM in the future. I dont really feel like im having any control off the flashing process. It either works or it doesnt and when it doesnt I cant explain why..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yoo.. So Many Questions. Will try to explain in easiest way..
1. Yes. It Does Flash OOS in Both Slot via Qualcomm Download Mode which is mainly for Manufactures to restore Device..
2. Let me clear that Most people's who face issue in booting custom ROM have their data encrypted by previous or stock ROM.
Here is Link Thread to know how to decrypt your device..
https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/tutorial-decrypt-flash-rom-pie-oreo-roms-t3838643
My own Instructions to Flash Custom ROM (Strictly for Decrypted Device):-
Boot Into Recovery
Wipe Cache, Data & System
Flash Latest Stable/Beta OOS10 & Recovery
Reboot Into Recovery(Ignore No OS Installed Warning)
Flash Latest Stable/Beta OOS10 & Recovery again
Reboot Into Recovery
Now flash Custom ROM + Recovery(If Not Included)
Reboot Into Recovery
Flash Gapps(If not included in ROM), Magisk & No-Verity zip(to keep Device dencrypted)
Reboot & Done
For Installing Update on Same Custom ROM :-
Download the Update
Reboot Into Recovery
Flash Update ZIP & Recovery
Reboot Into Recovery
Flash Gapps(If not included in ROM), Magisk & No-Verity zip(to keep Device dencrypted)
Reboot & Done
3. Fastboot Don't always work if You try to Upgrade/Downgrade Android Version as it won't flash Critical Partitions.. Meanwhile MSMDownload tool Use Download mode which is more powerful.
4. Nope. Both are Different AS both use different mode to flash ROM.
5. Clean install required while flashing new custom ROM because Not All ROM uses Same Base. Some uses Stable OOS or some uses Beta OOS... Now, your answer is in these two build Types...
In my Opinion, Custom ROM have nothing to do with your System partition but it most like to related to Vendor Partition... Both Stable & Beta OOS Have little difference in Vendor partition data..
When any dev Build Any ROM, he uses any one of those Build as base for which he tweak/fix bugs.. That's why always Use Dev specified OOS build for avoid Bootloop/bugs..
6. I prefer last option as it's more reliable..
7. It's like when you clean install any ROM.. When you install Any ZIP, It get installed in an Inactive Slot which make those ZIP data Allowed to use in Active slot..
But when you update ROM for 1st time, You install Gapps as well.. So i don't think you need to Install Gapps on 2nd Update as it already installed in both slots.
1st time when Clean installed & 2nd time when Updated 1st time...
8. It's Because how A/B Partition works... Any zip you flash get installed in inactive slot & this applies to both Stock OOS & Custom ROM...
That's why we have to flash OOS twice before flashing any custom ROM.. Which confirms you will have same Vendor partition regardless to your current slot so when you flash custom ROM it will get booted anyways even after an update..
Hope that's helpful.. Any question or help, you can DM or reply here..
Thanks for your reply. It clears a few things up I think. I got a few follow up questions.
I don't really feel comfortable walking around with a decrypted phone. I have already been pick-pocketed once and also lost two smartphones. I would say the chances are likely that also my OP6 is gonna get lost at some point. Having it decrypted would leave it very vulnerable for people trying to access my files.
* So lets say I decrypt my phone. Is it possible then to encrypt the phone again after I have flashed a new ROM (for example LineageOS 17.1)?
dumbl3 said:
Thanks for your reply. It clears a few things up I think. I got a few follow up questions.
I don't really feel comfortable walking around with a decrypted phone. I have already been pick-pocketed once and also lost two smartphones. I would say the chances are likely that also my OP6 is gonna get lost at some point. Having it decrypted would leave it very vulnerable for people trying to access my files.
* So lets say I decrypt my phone. Is it possible then to encrypt the phone again after I have flashed a new ROM (for example LineageOS 17.1)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, In my Opinion Every Device is Vulnerable to Hackers.. Doesn't matter if it's bootloader is Locked or Unlocked...
Your device is more Vulnerable at the time you unlocked bootloader because after that you can execute advanced commands with fastboot.....
If your device have pin/pattern, Thief gone reset your device anyway to reset pass.. Eventually your data get wiped as well....
Well, you can encrypt your data but you might face issue while migrating to other ROM if you face any bug + decrypting your encrypted device again is time taking process if you have alot of data..
I mean there is difference between someone being able to reset/delete my data than someone being able to read my data. As far as I know a thief cannot just read my data after he has stolen my device which is encrypted with unlocked bootloader. Sure, he can connect it to his computer and fastboot delete my sh!t but I don't care I got backups of my most important data anyway, as long as he/she cannot just read my device data its fine by me. But how would I encrypt my device again after I installed, lets say, LineageOS 17.1?
dumbl3 said:
I mean there is difference between someone being able to reset/delete my data than someone being able to read my data. As far as I know a thief cannot just read my data after he has stolen my device which is encrypted with unlocked bootloader. Sure, he can connect it to his computer and fastboot delete my sh!t but I don't care I got backups of my most important data anyway, as long as he/she cannot just read my device data its fine by me. But how would I encrypt my device again after I installed, lets say, LineageOS 17.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can.. But do it only if you gone use it for long term....
Not fine to waste your whole day transfer your date from mobile to PC then PC to mobile..

Upgrade to LineageOS 19.1

Hi All,
since a couple of days the new LineageOS 19.1 is available for the Moto g7 Power.
A manual upgrade is needed to get it onto the phone.
Since I did the installation but not yet a manual upgrade of LOS to a new major version I have some questions about it:
When reading the upgrade guide there is no info about .... :
will I lose apps or any data when simply sideloading the new version?
will I have to newly install/sideload Magsik?
are there any other important things to consider when doing such an upgrade?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Cheers
1. From my experience of dirty flashing roms via twrp, I can tell you that if you flash a newer lineage zip after ONLY wiping the cache and dalvik partitions, you'll keep your data and settings etc.
2. You most likely won't have to flash the newer version of gapps (as it gets updated upon restart).
Magisk and (maybe) magisk mods are cleared as the boot image gets replaced when flashing a rom.
3. Make a full TWRP backup of your current rom just incase things go sideways with the new one (during installation, or if you want to revert back later).
Since "dirty flashing" via twrp is basically sorta sideloading, I'd assume that these would apply for you as well. I can confirm the magisk one, as that will get removed regardless.
PhotonIce said:
1. From my experience of dirty flashing roms via twrp, I can tell you that if you flash a newer lineage zip after ONLY wiping the cache and dalvik partitions, you'll keep your data and settings etc.
2. You most likely won't have to flash the newer version of gapps (as it gets updated upon restart).
Magisk and (maybe) magisk mods are cleared as the boot image gets replaced when flashing a rom.
3. Make a full TWRP backup of your current rom just incase things go sideways with the new one (during installation, or if you want to revert back later).
Since "dirty flashing" via twrp is basically sorta sideloading, I'd assume that these would apply for you as well. I can confirm the magisk one, as that will get removed regardless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, all worked fine, thanks!

Categories

Resources