So many years on forum, still many times i manage to brick/bootloop my phone.. Help!

So many years on forum, still many times i manage to brick/bootloop my phone.. Help! - General Questions and Answers

I need some explanation to make things clear..
1) First and most important. If you want to make a clean install, what you have to wipe? Should you format data also, and why? Format data affects system? Can you format data and still boot into rom? When you format/wipe all, is there something left in the phone? If no, then why still i can see in mount settings, that the folders still have Mb/Gb inside them? What are they? I guess you can';t delete everything from the phone? For example now i am stuck on custom animation bootloop. So there is still data left.
2) Format data make your encrypted or decrypted? Or just removes all encryption and if a) you install a rom you go automatically encrypted, b) you install a rom and flash no_verity you go decrypted?
3) If i go decrypted, the only way to go encypted is to install stock OS and why?
4) When is necessary to have the stock rom flashed in order to flash custom rom afterwards? If you want to install a different android version from the one that you have? Any other reason? Is it necessary to install the whole stock image, or just enough to install firmware + radio?
5) If you wipe/format all, the phone has some firmware,radio,vendor etc stored inside or it's empty 100%?
6) Is it 100% safe to install a TWRP through TWRP?
And now let's say the problem i had. But i think i know where was the problem.. I had installed android pie + xXx no_limits on my oneplus5 and i was decrypted. Some months later i decided to try something else, so i installed an AOSP android 10 version. I just wipe/format system,data,dalvik,cache then flashed rom, gapps, magisk. But i had some bugs on this version, lags and huge battery drain. Also whenever i was booting into TWRP it moved me on Mount --> Decrypt screen.. And i don't know why?
Now that i try to figure i know that the problem was i install a custom android 10 rom, without first installing the android 10 stock rom? In order to get the proper firmware etc? Or what? The instructions for installing the rom are the following, which i followed them 100% :
NOTE:
WE ARE ENCRYPTED (FILE BASED FORCED ENCRYPTION). So if you are unencrypted format data partition or use any no_verity solution you want. We don't support it.
1. Download the ROM and GApps and transfer them to your device.
2. Boot to recovery (TWRP recommended). Bluspark twrp recovery recommended.
3. Wipe the System, Cache, and Data (you might need to format the data partition in some cases!).
4. Flash firmware. Actual one is 9.0.11. Download.
5. Flash the ROM Zipfile.
6. Reboot to TWRP recovery.
7. Flash the GApps (optional, needed for e.g. Google Playstore to work) and Magisk (optional too if you want a root solution).
8. Reboot and set up your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ROM should contain everything you need to enjoy Android Q. You don't need to install any Add-ons, simply download the latest ROM and GApps, then follow the flashing instructions and go!
If you want the device to run the ROM "rooted", you can flash a root solution of your choice after the ROM Zipfile.
It is STRONGLY recommended to fully wipe your device before flashing and please avoid restoring system apps and system data with Titanium Backup (or with any backup/restore app) as this can cause stability issues that are very hard to debug, restoring regular apps is fine though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only system app i restored was the Vanced youtube, but i don't this is the source of my problems.
Thanks in advance!

Guys i think i cleared some things on my mind..
When you install a rom you go encrypted. So you have to FORMAT data RIGHT AFTER installing the rom and then flashing no_verity? Am i right? When you format data do you lose Magisk also?

lazostat said:
I need some explanation to make things clear..
1) First and most important. If you want to make a clean install, what you have to wipe? Should you format data also, and why? Format data affects system? Can you format data and still boot into rom? When you format/wipe all, is there something left in the phone? If no, then why still i can see in mount settings, that the folders still have Mb/Gb inside them? What are they? I guess you can';t delete everything from the phone? For example now i am stuck on custom animation bootloop. So there is still data left.
2) Format data make your encrypted or decrypted? Or just removes all encryption and if a) you install a rom you go automatically encrypted, b) you install a rom and flash no_verity you go decrypted?
3) If i go decrypted, the only way to go encypted is to install stock OS and why?
4) When is necessary to have the stock rom flashed in order to flash custom rom afterwards? If you want to install a different android version from the one that you have? Any other reason? Is it necessary to install the whole stock image, or just enough to install firmware + radio?
5) If you wipe/format all, the phone has some firmware,radio,vendor etc stored inside or it's empty 100%?
6) Is it 100% safe to install a TWRP through TWRP?
And now let's say the problem i had. But i think i know where was the problem.. I had installed android pie + xXx no_limits on my oneplus5 and i was decrypted. Some months later i decided to try something else, so i installed an AOSP android 10 version. I just wipe/format system,data,dalvik,cache then flashed rom, gapps, magisk. But i had some bugs on this version, lags and huge battery drain. Also whenever i was booting into TWRP it moved me on Mount --> Decrypt screen.. And i don't know why?
Now that i try to figure i know that the problem was i install a custom android 10 rom, without first installing the android 10 stock rom? In order to get the proper firmware etc? Or what? The instructions for installing the rom are the following, which i followed them 100% :
The only system app i restored was the Vanced youtube, but i don't this is the source of my problems. Formatting data does not effect system in most cases.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) a clean install involves wiping system, data, cache and dalvik cache. All of these partitions must be wiped in order to remove data things that might conflict with the new software that you intend to flash. Yes, you can wipe data and still boot into your ROM. Yes, there are things still on the phone even after wiping the device, but, the things left behind are in partitions that are separate from what you can actually wipe, these other, separate partitions contain all the other stuff that is essential for your device to be able to function. These parts have nothing to do with the ROM that you are using and have nothing to do with what you have installed in your data partition. TWRP does not wipe /data/media partition(internal storage), /data/media is where your personal user data is stored, such as, photos, videos, downloaded files, data from apps such as games, etc. Basically, /data/media contains things that you have stored that are not apps. Your internal storage will still have all the files and folders that were there before you did the wipe. If you want to wipe internal storage, you have to specifically select your internal storage when you use TWRP to wipe the device, it will not wipe internal storage by default. If you still have a custom animation even after wiping the device, it is probably because the boot animation is in your system partition, that can only be removed by selecting the /system partition when using TWRP to wipe the device.
2) Formatting data "should" remove encryption. No, flashing a new ROM after removing encryption will not encrypt the device again unless you specifically choose to encrypt the device in its settings. Flashing no verity only eliminates issues involved with rooting a device and getting root to actually work without corrupting the device.
3)I'm not sure but I think you can encrypt a device without using stock.
4) It depends on which device you have, what your current firmware version is and what you are trying to flash. Some devices require a certain firmware to be installed before flashing certain custom ROMs but it is a case by case scenario. There is no specific answer to this, there is only the question of whether your specific device requires this or a question of whether the custom ROM that you are trying to flash requires this. This is best answered by reading the thread where the ROM is posted, if your device requires installing a certain stock firmware before flashing the custom ROM, it will tell you that somewhere in the thread for that ROM. Whether you need to install the entire firmware or just parts of the firmware also depends on which device you are using in some cases, you might only need the modem or only the bootloader or maybe both, or maybe none, or maybe the complete firmware.
5) As I stated above, there are partitions on the device that do not get wiped when using TWRP to wipe the device. If it wiped EVERYTHING, the device would no longer function at all, it wouldn't be able to power on, it wouldn't be able to boot into any of its modes and you wouldn't be able to flash anything at all on the device, not even it's original stock firmware. There are software elements that MUST remain on the device in order for it to continue to function.
6) It is perfectly safe to use your existing version of TWRP to flash another TWRP version, assuming the new TWRP is also built for your specific model number.
If you have installed a custom ROM and you are having issues, you need to go to the thread where you got the ROM and post your issues/questions there. The users there will know more about your device and what you actually need to do and the developer may also need to fix things in their ROM to solve the issues that you are experiencing.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Related

What Is Android and Custom Recovery Image..?

ClockworkMod – also known as Clockwork and CWM – is a custom recovery for Android phones and tablets that allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery. In what follows, we will cover all that this recovery is capable of doing, and how to do it.
About Android Recovery
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on...

Complete Article:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...-and-how-to-use-it-on-android-complete-guide/

Aspire said:
Complete Article:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...-and-how-to-use-it-on-android-complete-guide/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnkss fr ur concern soon ivl complete..

mohitawasthi said:
ClockworkMod – also known as Clockwork and CWM – is a custom recovery for Android phones and tablets that allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery. In what follows, we will cover all that this recovery is capable of doing, and how to do it.
About Android Recovery
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm a little confused, I'm a noob. So if I root a phone and delete bloatware, can I make a custom recovery so the phone doesn't brick and the factory reset resets all settings to a certain way I want it to? Or is my perception of a custom recovery totally off?

factory reset cannot work according to you
it will remove all the data you have in your /data partition
@op
you should delete the [Q] tag from the title
@s.d.oconnor
good to see you as the mod here, wanna post something related to rc let me know

I have removed the [Q] from your thread title, to avoid mistakes.

matthewm223 said:
I'm a little confused, I'm a noob. So if I root a phone and delete bloatware, can I make a custom recovery so the phone doesn't brick and the factory reset resets all settings to a certain way I want it to? Or is my perception of a custom recovery totally off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
replacing the recovery.img file with the custom recovery.img file just by simply coping/overwritting , Will this be same as installing the custom ROM?

Custom recovery partition program killed 32 GB sd card
Is it possible that this partition programmer from clockwork recovery can't work with the new big 32 gb cards?
I wanted to let the custom recovery make an ext2 partition, and a fat 32 partition on a brandnew 32 GB sd card.
Seems that the custom recovery partition program wiped my master boot record from the sd card, I tried everything, the card is recognised,
but it is impossible to write anyting on it. I tried to repair the mbr, but so far it didn't work. I tried with windows fdisk but no solution found.
Someone knows how to save my sd card without sending back to factory?

Custom recovery can be downloaded from ROM manger for fit????

adityaf said:
Custom recovery can be downloaded from ROM manger for fit????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but it can cause a brick

adityaf said:
Custom recovery can be downloaded from ROM manger for fit????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
best thing would be to use odin for CWM

I have CWM installed on my Fit but my CM 10 is buggy and I want to use both CM 9 and CM 10. Is dual boot possible on the Fit?
---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 PM ----------
Also, my CWM is not flashing the latest update of CM10. Can anyone help me? I'm getting a status 7 error :crying:

Kronosthelordoftime said:
I have CWM installed on my Fit but my CM 10 is buggy and I want to use both CM 9 and CM 10. Is dual boot possible on the Fit?
---------- Post added at 11:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 PM ----------
Also, my CWM is not flashing the latest update of CM10. Can anyone help me? I'm getting a status 7 error :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dual boot is not possible on fit.
Make sure you have CWM5 not CWM4 or any touch versions..only the one by tj_style is gonna work.

but what is a recovery.img?
But is the recovery.img specific to device like the ROMs or it does not make any difference?
The recovery.img I am talking about is like not more than 5MB in size....
It maybe a stupid question but I am unable to find any particular information regarding this point so please help me.....

How do i get cwm without pc please
Sent from my GT-S5670 using xda app-developers app

Asus Memo Pad HD 7
I wiped some necessary programs and completely kill my tablet.
Is there any idea how to recover the device (I'm not maked backup).
CU

shadow452 said:
I wiped some necessary programs and completely kill my tablet.
Is there any idea how to recover the device (I'm not maked backup).
CU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash any custom rom...
♪Cheers♪

RE
Galaxy_Rohit said:
Flash any custom rom...
♪Cheers♪
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't find costom rom for Asus ME173X.
If I use roms for other devices that can make tablet-brick instead of tablet-android.
Do you have same device like me?

shadow452 said:
I don't find costom rom for Asus ME173X.
If I use roms for other devices that can make tablet-brick instead of tablet-android.
Do you have same device like me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it's a new tablet arrived this year. It might b under warranty. So u can freely expect assistance from customer care
Btw I don't have this tablet

[Q] Infuse data usage

My infuse is using Data plans like theres no tomorrow.
I have tried disabling the packet data option in wireless settings, and putting the phone in airplane mode.
Its somehow using data. Would installing a custom ROM fix this?

mrnapolean1 said:
My infuse is using Data plans like theres no tomorrow.
I have tried disabling the packet data option in wireless settings, and putting the phone in airplane mode.
Its somehow using data. Would installing a custom ROM fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the ICS ROM's and up, it's built in to be able to disable mobile data quite easily (Settings, Data Usage). For CyanogenMod, this can be made a quicksetting.
You could try a custom ROM. They are open source so sneaky stuff is hard to get away with. A good place to start is CyanogenMod 11. But if you would rather not go through that hassle (if you are otherwise happy with Gingerbread), you can try getting a Data Switch, and then track it's usefulness with a Data Counter Widget.

I have tried data blockers.

Can always try a custom ROM then. Here is the process that people seem to follow these days (note, if you have a Rogers Infuse like me, steps 1 and 2 will be different):
1. Either use Odin or Heimdall One-Click. Follow instruction on how to do it.
2. While phone running install sgs kernel flasher from Market/Google Play.
2a. Copy/transfer Synthesis GB Kernel to your Internal SD card.
2b. Start up sgs kernel flasher and choose it from your Internal SD card. Phone will auto-reboot after done flashing.
2c. Wait a bit while your phone convert to new partition format and activate lagfix. Your CWM recovery version should be 2.5.1.3
3. Reboot phone into CWM Recovery and DISABLE vodoo lagfix and /system lagfix. Reboot once done. Phone will convert partition to old format. If you don't turn the lagfix off the phone will hang at Samsung logo when you install new rom.
4. Prepare your flavor rom/gapp for installation by copying them to your Internal SD card.
4a. Go into CWM Recovery mode and install the rom. You will need to do this twice since the 1st time was just a warning about partition format being different.
4b. Reboot once done. You will need to REMOVE the battery to power down the booting process and put it back in.
4c. Go into the New CWM Recovery and install the rom again since the previous attempt only install the new CWM Recovery.
5. Install Gapp.
6. a. Wipe: Cache / Factory Reset <--- Probably don't need it since it's new install from stock unless you installed stuff. Just to be safe.
b. Wipe: Cache Partition
c. Wipe: Dalvik Cache
7. Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Low internal Memory - Clean slate?

I am currently running CM12.1 on a 16gb version of Verizon GS3. I have less than 500MB (see attached screenshot) after updating from an older version of a JellyBeans ROM. I've gone through the normal steps to remove backup files, ROM files, clear cache, etc, but I still have low internal storage. What is the process wiping the internal memory in order to start with a "clean slate" and then re-install CM12.1? I want to make sure I don't do anything to brick my phone, so please be specific, I have some ROM flashing experience, but I'm not exactly a pro at this, so I need details or a video to help this dummy out. Thanks in advance!
p_patterson

p_patterson said:
I am currently running CM12.1 on a 16gb version of Verizon GS3. I have less than 500MB (see attached screenshot) after updating from an older version of a JellyBeans ROM. I've gone through the normal steps to remove backup files, ROM files, clear cache, etc, but I still have low internal storage. What is the process wiping the internal memory in order to start with a "clean slate" and then re-install CM12.1? I want to make sure I don't do anything to brick my phone, so please be specific, I have some ROM flashing experience, but I'm not exactly a pro at this, so I need details or a video to help this dummy out. Thanks in advance!
p_patterson
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would I be correct in thinking you have CWM recovery installed? I am not actually familiar with the capabilities of recent CM recoveries, the last I used was for my 5 y/o SGS Captivate.
First have a copy of your nandroid or a fresh zip of the ROM on your external sdcard, have GAPPS here also. If CWM will permit, wipe /system and /data in addition to cache and dalvik cache. I have seen some refer to wiping /system as formating the internal sdcard. (I have seen others state that doing a factory reset with the stock recovery gives the cleanest device, but most needing this were going back to a TouchWiz based ROM after being on LP.)
You then reflash your ROM and GAPPS.

[Completed] (status 6) installation aborted - That error on 4 diffirent MODs

Hi guys.
I am a noob in this, but i have done my research and did what i was told.
i have an I9100 and i have rooted it.
when installing CM12.1 (tried 3 diffirent versions) i am always getting status 6 installation aborted.
can the problem be with the kernels? i tried 3 diffirent kernels for I9100.
Please help
Much appreciated.

Hello,
Welcome to XDA.
If you are certain that the ROMs you are flashing are for the I9100 specifically(not another model), then you may be able to use jrummy's root browser to unzip the ROM zip that you are trying to flash, after unzipping, find the META.INF folder and open it then edit the updater script in that file, then using jrummy's root browser compress everything back into a flashable zip, when it prompts you asking which compression level you want to use, select "best", after its zipped, make sure it's placed on your extsdcard(do NOT put it on internal sdcard). When you get in recovery, go to the advanced options and select the option that lets you wipe individual partitions, wipe the system partition and the data partition(DO NOT WIPE ANY OF THE OTHER PARTITIONS), after wiping the system and data partitions you flash the ROM and see what happens.
If you need help understanding all that, you can ask in the forum linked below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
I hope this helps, good luck.

Droidriven said:
Hello,
Welcome to XDA.
If you are certain that the ROMs you are flashing are for the I9100 specifically(not another model), then you may be able to use jrummy's root browser to unzip the ROM zip that you are trying to flash, after unzipping, find the META.INF folder and open it then edit the updater script in that file, then using jrummy's root browser compress everything back into a flashable zip, when it prompts you asking which compression level you want to use, select "best", after its zipped, make sure it's placed on your extsdcard(do NOT put it on internal sdcard). When you get in recovery, go to the advanced options and select the option that lets you wipe individual partitions, wipe the system partition and the data partition(DO NOT WIPE ANY OF THE OTHER PARTITIONS), after wiping the system and data partitions you flash the ROM and see what happens.
If you need help understanding all that, you can ask in the forum linked below.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
I hope this helps, good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry i wasnt clear,
my phone now has "Kernel_Dorimanx-V10.44-LP-SGII-PWR-CORE_-[08-01]-[26-06]-LP-SGII-PWR-CORE.zip"
When im flashing "cm-12.1-20151114-NIGHTLY-i9100.zip" , i get status 6 error.
i followed the instructions on how to fix it using notepad++, and it still doesnt work. tried 4 roms, same error.
unfortunately my external sd card with the backup was wiped. so i have no rom installed.
did i brick my phone? if so let me know what i did wrong please.
much appreciated friend.

When coming from jelly bean or kit kat to lollipop you have to format system and data partition before flashing. Did you do that, you didn't mention in your last two posts that you did that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
When coming from jelly bean or kit kat to lollipop you have to format system and data partition before flashing. Did you do that, you didn't mention in your last two posts that you did that.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was coming from icecream sandwich, and yes, i wiped data, cache partition, and dalvik cache.

Uncle Sam the 1st said:
I was coming from icecream sandwich, and yes, i wiped data, cache partition, and dalvik cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, those are the normal wipes, I'm talking about the format options. Which recovery do you have? CWM or TWRP?
If CWM, boot to CWM, then choose the mounts and storage option in recovery, in that menu you will see the option to format partitions, format system and data partitions, don't format any other partitions or you'll cause more problems. After they are formatted go back to main menu in recovery then continue into flashing your ROM and Gapps. If it doesn't work after that then there are probably things like your modem or bootloader that need to be updated, if that is the case then it means you need to flash any stock updates that came after Jelly bean for your device(to flash stock updates you have to be unroofed and have an unmodified system partition) and then flash your custom ROM, but you need to check that because some devices can't be rooted after certain updates have been taken, it varies from device to device.
If you have TWRP then you'll see an option saying format or wipe in TWRP, choose that option and find where you wipe system and data(again, do not format any other partitions). Then after format is done go flash the ROM.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
No, those are the normal wipes, I'm talking about the advanced format options. Which recovery do you have? CWM or TWRP?
If CWM, boot to CWM, then choose the advanced option in recovery, in the advanced menu you will see the option to format partitions, format system and data partitions, don't format any other partitions or you'll cause more problems. After they are formatted go back to main menu in recovery then continue into flashing your ROM and Gapps. If it doesn't work after that then there are probably things like your modem or bootloader that need to be updated, if that is the case then it means you need to flash any stock updates that came after Jelly bean for your device(to flash stock updates you have to be unroofed and have an unmodified system partition) and then flash your custom ROM, but you need to check that because some devices can't be rooted after certain updates have been taken, it varies from device to device.
If you have TWRP then you'll see an option saying format or wipe in the TWRP main menu, choose that option and find where you wipe system and data(again, do not format any other partitions). Then after format is done go flash the ROM.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have CWM but i dont see any option to format partitions. and frankly i dunno what am doin anymore
i dont wanna loose this phone it means alot to me.
i was wondering, at this point can i unroot it and go back to original firmware and then do everything again?
If so can you please post the links i will need to do so.
you have been very helpful thanks man.

Uncle Sam the 1st said:
i have CWM but i dont see any option to format partitions. and frankly i dunno what am doin anymore
i dont wanna loose this phone it means alot to me.
i was wondering, at this point can i unroot it and go back to original firmware and then do everything again?
If so can you please post the links i will need to do so.
you have been very helpful thanks man.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, the format options are in the mounts and storage option in recovery, i misspoke earlier, it has been a while since i used CWM, I use TWRP because of some things i do. Try doing the format system and data and then installing your ROM and see if it works.

Droidriven said:
Sorry, the format options are in the mounts and storage option in recovery, i misspoke earlier, it has been a while since i used CWM, I use TWRP because of some things i do. Try doing the format system and data and then installing your ROM and see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant i install TWRP and do it like u said ? cz i tried doing the format system and data and nothing changed. :/

Turns out the Roms i was trying to install were faulty.
i downloaded a new rom and flashed it successfully.
thanks for your help Droidriven. :good:

Uncle Sam the 1st said:
Turns out the Roms i was trying to install were faulty.
i downloaded a new rom and flashed it successfully.
thanks for your help Droidriven. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry man, I was at work, I just got home. Glad you got it going, enjoy.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Question about A/B paritions, TWRP, flashing order and rebooting

I've read many threads about the A/B parition scheme and I'm not new to flashing so I do know how it works. But some things still confuse me:
1) Which is the correct flashing order for ROM/TWRP/Magisk/Open GApps/Kernel? Like this?
Clean: ROM & TWRP, reboot, Open GApps & Magisk & custom kernel, done?
Dirty: ROM & TWRP, reboot, Magisk & custom kernel, done?
So after a reboot Magisk and after that the custom kernel?
2) Why is it necessary to reboot after ROM & TWRP flash?
3) When is slot A and B switched? After every reboot or what triggers the switching mechanism?
4) AFAIK there is no firmware zip or something similar like with the OnePlus 5T am I correct? When I have OOS installed and want to switch to a custom ROM how should i format /data or internal storage or is this even necessary? Do they all use the same encryption? Do I need to flash the custom ROM twice or shall I wait for the first OTA update? Because that would mean I have to boot to TWRP, flash ROM & TWRP, reboot, flash Gapps, Magisk and custom ROM, reboot to the other slot and do the same?
5) Do I need to wipe internal storage when encrypted and switching ROMs or is it unaffected (so only wipe /data)?
6) Is there any way to know which partition is used when booting the ROM or only in TWRP?
Thanks in advance!

Macusercom said:
I've read many threads about the A/B parition scheme and I'm not new to flashing so I do know how it works. But some things still confuse me:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Follow instructions on the custom rom OP, but that order will usually work.
2. Rebooting makes sure you are on the active slot, which will change with a full OOS flash.
3. Only when flashing the full OOS package or installing an update through the update engine. Some roms might also switch the slot, though I am not familiar with which ones. Again, just be sure you follow the installation instructions for that rom.
4. Varies by rom. Normally not necessary to format unless rolling back to an earlier security patch.
6. There are apps like DevCheck that will show you which slot is active.

So if I’m on slot A and go to the recovery, flashing the ROM changes slot B and then triggers the switch so that rebooting to recovery results in me being at slot B. From there Gapps etc. if flashed on the same slot so tafter a reboot everything is done? Is that correct? Makes it more clear to me now.
Any issues or changes with keymaster aren’t an issue now? So switching between ROMs without wiping would be possible (although with some issues after boot) but it would boot? Or would you need to format /system, /data and internal storage?
Wiping internal storage never is recommended which makes me ask why? On the 5T a full wipe was required as different ROMs use different keymaster versions etc. Was kinda a bit annoying.

Database Info

welcome