[OP6] w/Lineage 15 [OREO] - recovering encrypted data with TWRP? - OnePlus 6 Questions & Answers

My OP6 is running an unofficial build of LineageOS 15 on top of the OOS 5.1.6 firmware. It was set up using TWRP 3.2.2-0, but the install process I used required replacing TWRP with the stock recovery on both A & B before it would boot properly.
Recently, after swapping SIMs (coincidence?), it's been refusing to boot to a usable state. It stops booting before it gets to the unlock screen, in a halfway state where the volume control works but nothing else. This unofficial setup has been a bit of hack and I've long meant to rebuild it, so I don't really want to dedicate time to fixing whatever's been corrupted.
Instead, I'd like to backup the currently encrypted data partition, and put an official LineageOS 16 build on it.
Should be simple enough, but TWRP 3.2.2-0 won't decrypt the data partition, instead giving a password failed error. I think there was a bug or incompatibility at the time. I've tried fastboot boot on TWRP 3.2.3-0 through 3.3.1-2 in the stock, blu_spark, and mauronofrio builds, but none of them will boot, instead giving a solid notification light.
I'm speculating that the issue is a firmware mismatch.
My plan is to:
Update firmware to the latest OTA (34?) for OOS 9
Fastboot boot twrp 3.2.3 or 3.3.1 (not sure which will work) to decrypt and backup data
Follow the instructions in the LineageOS 16 official thread to get on a more stable configuration
Anything I'm missing?

I don't think it would work. Different installations have different decryption keys, so you cannot decrypt your encrypted data from one installation to another. Besides, I don't think it's possible to backup encrypted data (not sure). Also, with a major OS upgrade, like from LOS 15 to LOS 16, it's not advisable to dirty flash upgrade; it's better to start clean.
Best you can do is back up your data using Titanium Backup or Swift Backup then copy it to a computer, and include all your other files in the internal storage. I use Swift Backup when migrating ROMs. Swift Backup includes free trial, you can take advantage of that. This of course, would only work if you are rooted.

remewer said:
I don't think it would work. Different installations have different decryption keys, so you cannot decrypt your encrypted data from one installation to another.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't plan to do a different installation, until after I've decrypted data and made a backup.
Besides, I don't think it's possible to backup encrypted data (not sure).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't plan to backup encrypted data. I plan to decrypt it (using a compatible version of TWRP) and then make my backup using TWRP's nandroid backup (or hell, just a file copy of the important stuff).
Also, with a major OS upgrade, like from LOS 15 to LOS 16, it's not advisable to dirty flash upgrade; it's better to start clean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not proposing to do a dirty flash, but to start clean. But I'd rather not start clean until after I've backed up the (currently inaccessible) encrypted data.

I haven't made the time to tackle this but I may try it out tonight.
Right now I can boot from TWRP, but it's an older version and it won't decrypt Data. I think a newer version would, but the newer versions won't boot (fails with a black screen and blue notification LED). I suspect the newer TWRP requires newer firmware.
My plan is:
Flash firmware only (not the OS, just firmware for modems, etc)
Boot from the most recent TWRP
Decrypt Data, and use TWRP's backup or ADB to grab files I want to backup
Do a clean installation of Lineage16
If I'm wrong I'll lose a few months of data that didn't get backed up.

Related

FlashFire with HTC One A9?

Anyone used ChainFire's FlashFire with the One A9?
I've used it for backups successfully but have yet to restore anything with it (a little squeamish to do so :silly.
And I'll just add, if anyone has used it and could offer any tips or procedures that would be great.
FlashFire usage is straightforward, at least for me. I haven't flashed anything dangerous with it directly (bootloader, radio) yet.
It has handled flashing backups of system, boot, recovery, and even the 1.57.617.41 ota flawlessly.
Special thanks to @Chainfire!
Sent from my HTC One A9 using XDA Free mobile app
CSnowRules said:
FlashFire usage is straightforward, at least for me. I haven't flashed anything dangerous with it directly (bootloader, radio) yet.
It has handled flashing backups of system, boot, recovery, and even the 1.57.617.41 ota flawlessly.
Special thanks to @Chainfire!
Sent from my HTC One A9 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you already rooted? I'm rooted and xposed and want to update via flashfire. will it work?
theNdroid said:
Were you already rooted? I'm rooted and xposed and want to update via flashfire. will it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. Root is required to use FlashFire. I use Xposed as well, and I've had no problems updating via FlashFire.
CSnowRules said:
FlashFire usage is straightforward, at least for me. I haven't flashed anything dangerous with it directly (bootloader, radio) yet.
It has handled flashing backups of system, boot, recovery, and even the 1.57.617.41 ota flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for my edification, flashing a firmware update like 1.57.617.41 will wipe my data partition, correct?
eelpout said:
Just for my edification, flashing a firmware update like 1.57.617.41 will wipe my data partition, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No not at all. Flashing the OTA will not wipe your data. I've done the .41 and .52 OTAs via FlashFire.
***Warning--if you're not currently encrypted, flashing the OTA will update your boot partition, so be sure to use the preserve recovery option in FlashFire and reboot to TWRP to patch your boot image, or your device will encrypt data on first boot.***
CSnowRules said:
No not at all. Flashing the OTA will not wipe your data. I've done the .41 and .52 OTAs via FlashFire.
***Warning--if you're not currently encrypted, flashing the OTA will update your boot partition, so be sure to use the preserve recovery option in FlashFire and reboot to TWRP to patch your boot image, or your device will encrypt data on first boot.***
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
meaning, flash this A9 boot image patcher from TWRP?
Or does using the EverRoot SuperSU option patch the boot image for us on the A9 (and then does one check "preserve recovery" using that or not)?
This can all get a bit confusing.
eelpout said:
meaning, flash this A9 boot image patcher from TWRP?
Or does using the EverRoot SuperSU option patch the boot image for us on the A9 (and then does one check "preserve recovery" using that or not)?
This can all get a bit confusing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's one way to disable forceencrypt. You could also flash the latest SuperSU or Magisk. Either one will disable forceencrypt by default. Of course, if your data is already encrypted, you won't have a problem, but I'd assume that you would like to have root, so I'd recommend SuperSU or Magisk+phh root.
CSnowRules said:
Yes, that's one way to disable forceencrypt. You could also flash the latest SuperSU or Magisk. Either one will disable forceencrypt by default. Of course, if your data is already encrypted, you won't have a problem, but I'd assume that you would like to have root, so I'd recommend SuperSU or Magisk+phh root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm already unecrypted and rooted, but on firmware from last year. just trying to find the most efficient way to bring things up to date.
eelpout said:
i'm already unecrypted and rooted, but on firmware from last year. just trying to find the most efficient way to bring things up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this post will go a bit off topic. That being said, I can offer two courses of action. I take no responsibility for anything in this post.
Safest--almost no risk (my personal preference)
1. Backup your data partition, including internal SD via TWRP to ext SD or USB OTG drive. Flash the latest RUU from HTC. Boot stock and apply OTAs until there are no more updates available. Fastboot flash the latest TWRP, and finally restore your data and flash the latest SuperSU via TWRP. Reboot your fully updated, rooted A9 with all your data still intact.
A little risky and untested to my knowledge--could result in a hard brick if something partially fails. FLASHING BOOTLOADERS IN FLASHFIRE IS STILL ALPHA FOR HTC DEVICES!!! This may work with s-on...but may require s-off.
Your system partition must have never been mounted r/w for this to work.
2. Download the OTA zips for your phone from the first update available to the latest and the latest SuperSU and TWRP. Use FlashFire to do everything in one shot. Select allow flashing bootloaders in FlashFire settings, select your OTAs for installation from oldest to newest (don't select restore boot and recovery), select TWRP and SuperSU for installation, disable everroot and preserve recovery. Cross your fingers and timidly press flash... If all is successful, you should have the same end result as option 1.
I STRONGLY recommend the first method, but if you're feeling lucky and decide to try the second method, please share how it goes, since this post is FlashFire related and this would be the ultimate test of FlashFire for our devices.
For me, I've found that though TWRP backups take more time, and DON'T preserve internal storage, it's still the most reliable and consistent way to backup especially for OTAs.
I've previously tried FlashFire restore but it doesn't seem to restore internal storage as claimed; deal-breaker.
The real problem is we want OTA automation to:
1) disable lock-screen (pattern or fingerprint) so emergency restore of /data don't fail to unlock after boot
2) restore OEM recovery
3) flash OTA and let it do its things of updating /system, /boot, etc
4) reflash SuperSU before normal system boot so /boot doesn't try to re-encrypt /data
5) restore whatever the original recovery was
6) boot
The problem always is catching the step between 3 -> 4 in some automated way. If the OTA goes all the way through, /data is encrypted and so time is wasted to go back to recovery after full-boot, wipe /data, restore /data, lost internal storage contents and PICTURES. If pattern-lock / finger-print lock is not disabled (1), you won't be able to get past the lock screen as it won't recognize the correct lock-pattern nor fingerprint. Solution is to adb shell in, and move/delete some files as root. PITA and I don't think FlashFire does this.
If you did manually restore /data, then /data is corrupted for some apps that use it such as Waze, LINE, KakaoTalk, Whatsapp, etc where they can't write to their data directories anymore. A reinstall of the app is the only way to fix it.
NuShrike said:
For me, I've found that though TWRP backups take more time, and DON'T preserve internal storage, it's still the most reliable and consistent way to backup especially for OTAs.
I've previously tried FlashFire restore but it doesn't seem to restore internal storage as claimed; deal-breaker.
The real problem is we want OTA automation to:
1) disable lock-screen (pattern or fingerprint) so emergency restore of /data don't fail to unlock after boot
2) restore OEM recovery
3) flash OTA and let it do its things of updating /system, /boot, etc
4) reflash SuperSU before normal system boot so /boot doesn't try to re-encrypt /data
5) restore whatever the original recovery was
6) boot
The problem always is catching the step between 3 -> 4 in some automated way. If the OTA goes all the way through, /data is encrypted and so time is wasted to go back to recovery after full-boot, wipe /data, restore /data, lost internal storage contents and PICTURES. If pattern-lock / finger-print lock is not disabled (1), you won't be able to get past the lock screen as it won't recognize the correct lock-pattern nor fingerprint. Solution is to adb shell in, and move/delete some files as root. PITA and I don't think FlashFire does this.
If you did manually restore /data, then /data is corrupted for some apps that use it such as Waze, LINE, KakaoTalk, Whatsapp, etc where they can't write to their data directories anymore. A reinstall of the app is the only way to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The solution for problem 1 can be handled in TWRP. The files can be deleted via TWRP's file manager or the built in terminal, which may be easier for some people.
Also, the solution for the corrupted data and internal SD is to create an image of the data partition (just like the system image backup option). This can be done via dd in TWRP or adb. It requires a large amount of storage and it takes longer, but I've had to do it, since I use VIP Access by Symantec for work. A normal file based backup in TWRP breaks that app. This also keeps the pin/fingerprint data intact.
If we could have that implemented in a user friendly manner, that would be great, but I'm sure CaptainThrowback and Chainfire both have bigger issues to deal with. I could probably figure out a solution, but the work wouldn't be worth it for my own benefit, since I'm fluent with the Linux command line.

How to backup & restore Android 9/P/Pie with TWRP?

Because on https://twrp.me/google/googlepixel.html it says:
Decrypting Android 9.0 Pie when using a PIN / pattern / password does not work yet. We do not have an ETA for fixing decrypt. Restoring a backup made with an alpha using RC1 may result in loss of data including internal storage. If you need your backups from those versions, restore the backup using alpha2, then install RC1 and run a new backup with RC1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed the official Android 9/P/Pie release (it did not fix the randomly dying microphone issue) and I want to do a full nandroid backup before I take my Pixel into UBreakIFix for a $0-80 fix because they require a locked bootloader and factory reset.
So do nandroid backups work or not?
SOLVED!
Answering my own question...
roirraW "edor" ehT said:
Since internal storage, where user apps and user and system app data are stored can't be decrypted, you'd definitely have to at least disable the pin/pattern/password, although you should confirm that doing so makes the storage readable in TWRP - it should.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this person, you must disable pin/pattern/password in order to decrypt the file system and allow nandroid backup & restore.
However, I just did a fastboot boot TWRP.img and it prompted me with my unlock pattern, and then it said "Data successfully decrypted". I checked, and I have access to the filesystem, and it even mounted to my connected laptop. So I'm testing this out. Backups completed successfully. I'll be trying a restore soon.
Archangel said:
The overwhelming response to what areas to tick when you back up has been system, boot, vendor and data,,,no images just the partitions. But that struggle is still on going LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup & restore these 4 partitions (no images):
System, Boot, Vendor, and Data
(Note: for system and vendor you have to uncheck "mount system as readonly")
UPDATE:
Restoring my System and Vendor TWRP backups caused boot to hang at the G logo with an endless progress bar below the G.
However, doing a fastboot flash of System and Vendor factory images then restoring only my TWRP Data backup successfully restored my phone!
Except for one issue: fingerprints don't work. I think I may have screwed myself here by not disabling pin/pattern/password when I did the backup. For some reason TWRP had no problem decrypting then. But now, trying to restore, TWRP can't decrypt unless I disable pin/pattern/pass. It wont let me delete my old fingerprints or set new ones. Trying to unlock with fingerprint, it either doesn't respond at all or says "Fingerprint hardware not available"
UPDATE 2:
Followed instructions to clear the fingerprint data: [Guide] Delete fingerprint profils via TWRP. Everything is perfectly restored now! (Note: if you disable pin/pattern/pass before backup, you shouldn't need to do this)

Oneplus 6 bootloop after upgrade to 9.0.4 (+failed to restore the nandroid backup!)

So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
b217260 said:
So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Thank you for making the time writing this, it is relief to hear that you figure this out. Will try this first in the morning.
I did a bad mistake running the flash-all.bat thinking it will only flash the partitions of the system.
Well it is all gone now...Dam if only I wait until the morning I might not made this mistake.
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guide can also be used to restore from other roms;
b217260 said:
I did a bad mistake running the flash-all.bat thinking it will only flash the partitions of the system.
Well it is all gone now...Dam if only I wait until the morning I might not made this mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you do?
---------- Post added at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 PM ----------
petran07 said:
This guide can also be used to restore from other roms;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess so. I never had to use a backup to restore on a custom ROM yet.
tabletalker7 said:
What did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After extracting the stock zip flasher, there is file "flash-all.bat" on the root of the folder. (Guess I needed to use the "flash-all-partitions-fastboot.bat)
Thinking it will only flash the android system partitions I've run it and realize that my internal stoarge was formatted.
Really stupid mistake from my part, sorry for couldn't verify your guide.
Hoping that someone who read this in the future won't do my mistake.
b217260 said:
After extracting the stock zip flasher, there is file "flash-all.bat" on the root of the folder. (Guess I needed to use the "flash-all-partitions-fastboot.bat)
Thinking it will only flash the android system partitions I've run it and realize that my internal stoarge was formatted.
Really stupid mistake from my part, sorry for couldn't verify your guide.
Hoping that someone who read this in the future won't do my mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my bad. I always store my backups on an SD card with my OTG card reader. I forget others don't think like I do sometimes
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tabletalker7, can you please explain a little technical detail? If i follow your procedure, what is the difference from me just restoring boot, system and data from a Nandroid backup of a system that used to boot? What causes the restored system to no longer boot?
Because you seem to be suggesting a solution for the the problem I had. I normally do plenty of backups and play around with the system quite a lot, but Op6 burned me: I was unable to restore from a backup like I always did on other phones. I tried suggestions from other posters to no avail. So I set up a clean system from a fastboot rom and reinstalled everything from Titanium. I wonder, after I set pretty much identically, should I just risk and to once more try to restore from that Nandroid that was failing to restore (that only had system and data btw)? I'd greatly appreciate if you can enlighten.
b217260 said:
So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had faced this many times. ...after trying diff options and failed Qualcome MSM method works perfectly.
Yep, You cant restore data i think as it being already formated as per knowd based on your steps above on diff posts
ahacker said:
tabletalker7, can you please explain a little technical detail? If i follow your procedure, what is the difference from me just restoring boot, system and data from a Nandroid backup of a system that used to boot? What causes the restored system to no longer boot?
Because you seem to be suggesting a solution for the the problem I had. I normally do plenty of backups and play around with the system quite a lot, but Op6 burned me: I was unable to restore from a backup like I always did on other phones. I tried suggestions from other posters to no avail. So I set up a clean system from a fastboot rom and reinstalled everything from Titanium. I wonder, after I set pretty much identically, should I just risk and to once more try to restore from that Nandroid that was failing to restore (that only had system and data btw)? I'd greatly appreciate if you can enlighten.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Changing Android security updates makes changes to phone encryption. It will make the data itself on the backup unreadable to the operating system. That is why people playing with many different custom ROMs had problems with data stored on their phones.
2. By using the fastboot rom you ensure that both partitions have the same operating system. A/B partitioning seems like a great idea on paper but it seems to be executed in the most horrible way possible.
tabletalker7 said:
1. Changing Android security updates makes changes to phone encryption. It will make the data itself on the backup unreadable to the operating system. That is why people playing with many different custom ROMs had problems with data stored on their phones.
2. By using the fastboot rom you ensure that both partitions have the same operating system. A/B partitioning seems like a great idea on paper but it seems to be executed in the most horrible way possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. It is plausible and I remeber seeing folder names to which random hex strings were appended (I did not see file contents though). But after last restores I verified that the folder names in /data/data folder were looking allright. Twrp apparently could decrypt the data partition, but the system would still not boot. If I were to encypr the data partition I'd use the whole partition as one encrypted block and not bother doing it on file or folder basis, which is more error-prone. Another sourse of doubt is that I never played with OS version upgrades nor with installing other roms.
Can you also please answer the following? Do you think I can try to restore my boot+system to a different slot and then come back to my original slot if my playing there is unsuccesfull? Being scared that restoring a previous state can fail is a major problem.
ahacker said:
Thanks a lot. It is plausible and I remeber seeing folder names to which random hex strings were appended (I did not see file contents though). But after last restores I verified that the folder names in /data/data folder were looking allright. Twrp apparently could decrypt the data partition, but the system would still not boot. If I were to encypr the data partition I'd use the whole partition as one encrypted block and not bother doing it on file or folder basis, which is more error-prone. Another sourse of doubt is that I never played with OS version upgrades nor with installing other roms.
Can you also please answer the following? Do you think I can try to restore my boot+system to a different slot and then come back to my original slot if my playing there is unsuccesfull? Being scared that restoring a previous state can fail is a major problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not recommend doing that. While you may have different roms on different partitions you only have one data partition. That is asking for trouble
tabletalker7 said:
I would not recommend doing that. While you may have different roms on different partitions you only have one data partition. That is asking for trouble
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would have data backed up, sure.
What bothers me is that an essential property of a digital automaton is that if you start it from the same state it will continue the same. Nandroid used to capture all that mattered for identical runs. It no longer does, something is missing, such as some encryption keys for data partition, as you seem to suggest. This bothers me.
ahacker said:
I would have data backed up, sure.
What bothers me is that an essential property of a digital automaton is that if you start it from the same state it will continue the same. Nandroid used to capture all that mattered for identical runs. It no longer does, something is missing, such as some encryption keys for data partition, as you seem to suggest. This bothers me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bothers you here are things I call "security". If the nandroid backup has the encryption keys to decrypt it, then the data is not secure.
tabletalker7 said:
What bothers you here are things I call "security". If the nandroid backup has the encryption keys to decrypt it, then the data is not secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid backups should be encrypted when created with a user supplied key. Twrp allowed this since ages ago. Not allowing the user to restore a backup is not a right substitution for this.
ahacker said:
Nandroid backups should be encrypted when created with a user supplied key. Twrp allowed this since ages ago. Not allowing the user to restore a backup is not a right substitution for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP didn't do this. Android didn't do this. Ya know, if this is anywhere near as horrible for you as you are making it sound, my advise for you would be to buy Apple products. Bottom line is a new feature was added to Android, and your backup does work.
tabletalker7 said:
TWRP didn't do this. Android didn't do this. Ya know, if this is anywhere near as horrible for you as you are making it sound, my advise for you would be to buy Apple products. Bottom line is a new feature was added to Android, and your backup does work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-It is as horrible as not being able to restore a full backup. No more, no less.
-Twrp has an ability to encrypt your backups, with your experience you must know this.
-You are suggesting someone to switch to iphone only because they point out that the things are wrong or dont add up.
-It is quite a common knowlege that you get good security out of encryption if you make things explicit and clear. And not how you may think it is. Cause you don't seem to know where the keys are stored for the data partition. Obviousely, because the phone eventually decrypts your data, the keys must be stored somewhere or derived from you swipe pattern.
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Following these instructions seems to be the only way of restoring a nandroid backup (at least for my Op6 bought on AliExpress from China). Important: step 1 wipes your sdcard, so the backup you want to restore must be on otg usb stick.
After spending many hours I managed to restore a backup at least once. Fortunately for me I have no plans of upgarding Android and will likely forever stick with the following set:
1) 5.1.11-OREO-OnePlus6Oxygen_22_OTA_015_all_1808102118_770880-FASTBOOT.zip (found here)
2) twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.85_op6.img + twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.85_op6.zip (found here)
3) Magisk-v18.1.zip (found here)
My plan is to fully debloat the phone and then I will keep everything unchanged for years, because nowadays updates are more about twisting your arms than giving you usefull features. I almost got to that state, but one little glitch forced me to roll back and the whole hell with the Nandoid backups on Op6 started.
PS: It's very interesting what is really going on with this A/B system. There must be a storage where the encryption keys are stored (if it is the encryption that does prevent the phone from restoring. Which I doubt because Twrp sees the files fine). There also probbaly stored what slot is used. That information does not get captured by the Nandroid backup.
(Btw, It seems that blu_spark Twrp is really NOT encrypting your backups with the passwod you supply. Official Twrp does. I have plenty of old encypted backups, from wich I could not extract any personal data (/data/data folder) but yesterday I could extract my private information from a backup done by blu_spark Twrp. This is serious iussue. I'll double check and will post if confirmed.)
Not confirmed, I was looking at unencrypoted file.

TWRP backup restore stuck in bootloop and different exotic issues (1913 Europe)

After my experiment of trying out Beta 3 of Android Q failed apocaliptical I tried to restore the backup I made minutes before. But no matter what I do, I keep getting:
- bootloops (straight rebooting after showing the unlocked bootloader warning)
- restart into recovery
- Oxygen OS loading animation stuck and animation being very slow
- not getting it anymore but had it yesterday in the early stages of my disaster management: Qualcomm Crash POST
Despite that the backup was generated succesfully (at least thats what TWRP said)
I tried almost every guide out there.
- switching to rm -rf
- restoring only data, only boot, only system and a mix of those
- flashing the OTA before restoring backup
- uninstalling magisk und reinstallating magisk (with and without separate reboots)
-multiple wipes of single partitions and data formatting
The only good thing is that I don't get the 255 error anymore I had at the beginng, allthough I don't really know anymore how I did it.
At the end I am only able to restore everything with the MSNTOOL out there.
Is there any golden hint to get the data the be restored? The backup of /data is critical as there my authenticator and banking data are in there.
Thank you in advance
Edit: As I am slowly getting fed up with OnePlus and the problems (proximity sensor, adaptive brightness, whatspps microphone, twrp issues, lacking tech guides if at all) I thought about migrating to Pixel 5. Is it possible to migrate the data partition? Or are all backup partitions strictily device specific?
anphex said:
After my experiment of trying out Beta 3 of Android Q failed apocaliptical I tried to restore the backup I made minutes before. But no matter what I do, I keep getting:
- bootloops (straight rebooting after showing the unlocked bootloader warning)
- restart into recovery
- Oxygen OS loading animation stuck and animation being very slow
- not getting it anymore but had it yesterday in the early stages of my disaster management: Qualcomm Crash POST
Despite that the backup was generated succesfully (at least thats what TWRP said)
I tried almost every guide out there.
- switching to rm -rf
- restoring only data, only boot, only system and a mix of those
- flashing the OTA before restoring backup
- uninstalling magisk und reinstallating magisk (with and without separate reboots)
-multiple wipes of single partitions and data formatting
The only good thing is that I don't get the 255 error anymore I had at the beginng, allthough I don't really know anymore how I did it.
At the end I am only able to restore everything with the MSNTOOL out there.
Is there any golden hint to get the data the be restored? The backup of /data is critical as there my authenticator and banking data are in there.
Thank you in advance
Edit: As I am slowly getting fed up with OnePlus and the problems (proximity sensor, adaptive brightness, whatspps microphone, twrp issues, lacking tech guides if at all) I thought about migrating to Pixel 5. Is it possible to migrate the data partition? Or are all backup partitions strictily device specific?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try, booting into twrp... Format data. Type yes to format. Restore. Should boot.
@soka said:
Try, booting into twrp... Format data. Type yes to format. Restore. Should boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did just exactly that on stock 10.0.0.11 to no avail, the TWRP restore went through fine but upon system reboot the phone stayed on the bootloader unlocked warning for about two minutes, then it rebooted straight into stock recovery.
It's beyond my understanding yet how the user data partition can cause the whole system to effing die.
My only hunch is that it has something to do with Magisk I had installed during the backup (encryption was disabled btw). But as I said I already tried running Magisk installer and uninstaller on different occasions with the same result. Also the only thing that should happen is that after restore and reboot the phone should tell me that Magisk isn't installed anymore.
Edit: So for now I reverted to full stock 10.0.11 and for the sake of experimenting I made a backup with system, boot and data of this stock rom and restored it succesfully. When I restore my actual data backup I get the same old restart and then it throws me back into TWRP. Is there any log I can check to see what's happening there?
Sorry for double post, but I think this might be very interesting for people with a similar problem as this seems to be very common with OnePlus phones.
So I found a very dirty and hacky way to get a least my most importants app running in the state they had during my backup I was trying to restore. Here's what I did, without any guarantee it might work for you or be stable in the end.
Code:
1. Revert the phone to a clean stock rom and update to the latest stable version (at the time of writing 10.0.11), it should be fully factory reset, aka like new. I am not sure but it may be necessary that you install the apps you want to restore first since the I am not sure the partition we use later contains the app AND the data too.
2. Unlock bootloader and flash latest TWRP, may it be official or mauronofio's
3. Make a backup of that current stock data partition
4. Restore data partition from your actual needed twrp backup (if it ends with 255, try to format data partition before in TWRP)
5. With the TWRP file manager navigate to the /data/data folder and copy everything to an external storage (I chose USB)
6. Restore the stock data partition
7. Now again with the TWRP file manager navigate to the /data/data folder on your external storage (should be /usbstorage) and search for the apps you need to restore (probably banking apps, authenticator, etc.), the name will be something like com.google.authenticator2.
8. Copy the folder of any needed app into the /data/data folder on your phone. Best you do it one by one just to make sure.
Now you can reboot to system. The apps should be fully restored. In my case it worked with Google Authenticator, Blizzard Authenticator, Consorbank Secure Plus (shows undefined error yet), Hue Pro. Maybe I will try more.
Edit: Consorsbank Secure Plus as you might guess is a tan generation banking app. When entering the pin when opening the app it shows "An error has occured". Dunno why, maybe a security checksum error or something. I found com.android.keychain and copied for the sake of trying too but it didn't help.
If you have any questions, suggestions or improvements, feel free to post!

oneplus 6 LineageOS 17 -> 18 . Failed TWRP Restore (255)

Greetings,
I had lineageos 17 on my one+6 and after making a twrp backup and making sure i had all my files that i wanted i took the plunge and upgraded to lineage 18.
This would have been great except that I didnt actually have all the files I wanted. I critically forgot to make a manual separate backup of signal messenger. I need to get the history of signal messenger back. The only way i can think to do this, is to restore the twrp backup i made before upgrading and then making a backup with signal messenger app and then restoring the signal backup in lineage 18.
I attempted to restore my TWRP backup. When I made the TWRP backup I had checked ALL the boxes and saw no errors on the screen. When i attempted to restore i checked all the boxes on the screen and got what appears to be a fairly common error (255) when attempting to restore data (not sd/usb).
After, when i went to reboot twrp notified me that there was no OS installed. I rebooted anyway. I ended up stuck in a bootloader loop. I then downloaded
10.3.6-OnePlus6Oxygen_22.J.48_OTA_048_all_2010042239_c0c1fee2ee-FASTBOOT.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then i unzipped that file and typed in the linux terminal:
fastboot -w update images.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I now have a working phone again.
I would like to know how do i restore the TWRP recovery image that I made at the beginning of the whole process. I'm pretty sure if I can do that I can then make a new Signal backup and be fine.
While doing lots of trouble shooting for the last 36 hours or so, it seems relevant to mention that my phone used to require I enter a PIN in order to use it, and I had to enter that same PIN in TWRP before I made the backup. The temporary OxygenOS I installed to just have a working phone number for work does not have a pin.
I have never had any success restoring TWRP backups so I eventually gave up relying on them after the 4th failed attempt.
But I distinctly remember reading this piece of advice:
0. Copy the TWRP backups onto a separate storage (I assume you have already done that)
1. Install the original ROM that is present in the backup; don't restore the System partition
2. Once installation has completed, restore only the Data partition and ignore all the rest such as cache, system, boot, etc.
3. Reboot
Personally, I have never tried it. But just from reading it, it seems like it may just work. Or it might not.
adeklipse said:
I have never had any success restoring TWRP backups so I eventually gave up relying on them after the 4th failed attempt.
But I distinctly remember reading this piece of advice:
0. Copy the TWRP backups onto a separate storage (I assume you have already done that)
1. Install the original ROM that is present in the backup; don't restore the System partition
2. Once installation has completed, restore only the Data partition and ignore all the rest such as cache, system, boot, etc.
3. Reboot
Personally, I have never tried it. But just from reading it, it seems like it may just work. Or it might not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the reply.
It's the data partition that's throwing this 255 error, which it seems to have something to do with it being encrypted i'd guess? In the future, is it possible to just dd the whole thing somehow?
karenmcd said:
I appreciate the reply.
It's the data partition that's throwing this 255 error, which it seems to have something to do with it being encrypted i'd guess? In the future, is it possible to just dd the whole thing somehow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried wiping the /data partition from TWRP's Advance Wipe?
karenmcd said:
Greetings,
I had lineageos 17 on my one+6 and after making a twrp backup and making sure i had all my files that i wanted i took the plunge and upgraded to lineage 18.
This would have been great except that I didnt actually have all the files I wanted. I critically forgot to make a manual separate backup of signal messenger. I need to get the history of signal messenger back. The only way i can think to do this, is to restore the twrp backup i made before upgrading and then making a backup with signal messenger app and then restoring the signal backup in lineage 18.
I attempted to restore my TWRP backup. When I made the TWRP backup I had checked ALL the boxes and saw no errors on the screen. When i attempted to restore i checked all the boxes on the screen and got what appears to be a fairly common error (255) when attempting to restore data (not sd/usb).
After, when i went to reboot twrp notified me that there was no OS installed. I rebooted anyway. I ended up stuck in a bootloader loop. I then downloaded
Then i unzipped that file and typed in the linux terminal:
I now have a working phone again.
I would like to know how do i restore the TWRP recovery image that I made at the beginning of the whole process. I'm pretty sure if I can do that I can then make a new Signal backup and be fine.
While doing lots of trouble shooting for the last 36 hours or so, it seems relevant to mention that my phone used to require I enter a PIN in order to use it, and I had to enter that same PIN in TWRP before I made the backup. The temporary OxygenOS I installed to just have a working phone number for work does not have a pin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what I know you need your device to be decrypted to restore from custom recovery.
I've had some luck in similar situations using Titanium Backup to extract an app and data from TWRP backup.
Your mileage may vary.

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