Complete Updates vs OTA updates for N20U - Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Questions & Answers

I had been an iphone user for 10 years and I used to often update via ipsw files for complete updates and not OTA updates. It used to resolve many issues sometimes introduced with OTA updates.
What is the equivalent for android and Samsung N20U? Also, where do you download these files from?
Thank you.

On Samsung devices there is a flash tool called Odin with which you could flash full official firmwares. Those you can either download from Sammobile (which I don't recommend unless you have a premium account as the download speeds sucks big time for free accounts) OR you could use a download alternative program that takes the files from proved, safe storage locations. I personally use SamFirm and/or Frija (this one proved to be a bit better than SamFirm lately).
After you get the download tool, query the database for your model/type and get the results, then you have option to download it. After that, flash it via Odin.
These are just general guidance rules, you'll find specific usage manuals/steps for each of the above by an easy search on Google
Sent from nowhere over the air...

Thank you so much for the explanation. I really appreciate it. Is there a belief amongst community that full updates re better than ota in android too. It definitely was the case with iOS.

enjoylife1788 said:
Thank you so much for the explanation. I really appreciate it. Is there a belief amongst community that full updates re better than ota in android too. It definitely was the case with iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not familiar with what is considered "full updates" in comparison to OTA.
But if you are using a device with a Snapdragon processor there is really only the option for updates that are "Officially" released, the bootloaders are locked and don't give the opportunity for a modified firmware. If you happen to be using a device that will allow for a modified firmware (I'm not up to speed on the current availability of them) they may become available soon if not already.
While the modified firmware can be very good, I don't think I could honestly say that only one might be better than the OTA.

He was referring to a "full firmware" that contains the entire Android OS and all the apps as they originally come on the phone. Opposed to an "OTA update" which is a smaller file that contains just the changes and are flashed on top of an existing firmware.
Each OTA has a corresponding full firmware release and someone could flash that one instead of just updating via OTA, resulting in an updated phone having an official firmware on it. This does not void warranty or break things (ofc if done properly and without error).
I won't detail the reason for which someone would prefer to flash a full firmware instead of just updating from an OTA, but there are some...changing CSC for ex or having a newer compatible firmware in case the one for the owner's country has not been released yet and so on...
This is not about custom ROMs that are a different thing.
Sent from nowhere over the air...

Rapier said:
He was referring to a "full firmware" that contains the entire Android OS and all the apps as they originally come on the phone. Opposed to an "OTA update" which is a smaller file that contains just the changes and are flashed on top of an existing firmware.
Each OTA has a corresponding full firmware release and someone could flash that one instead of just updating via OTA, resulting in an updated phone having an official firmware on it. This does not void warranty or break things (ofc if done properly and without error).
I won't detail the reason for which someone would prefer to flash a full firmware instead of just updating from an OTA, but there are some...changing CSC for ex or having a newer compatible firmware in case the one for the owner's country has not been released yet and so on...
This is not about custom ROMs that are a different thing.
Sent from nowhere over the air...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's what I am talking about.

enjoylife1788 said:
Is there a belief amongst community that full updates re better than ota in android too[?]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rarely have difficulty with either. I only flash an update manually if the firmware is available that way but the OTA version has been delayed. (You can preserve all your data and settings even if you flash manually.)

Gary02468 said:
I rarely have difficulty with either. I only flash an update manually if the firmware is available that way but the OTA version has been delayed. (You can preserve all your data and settings even if you flash manually.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Thank you

enjoylife1788 said:
Thank you so much for the explanation. I really appreciate it. Is there a belief amongst community that full updates re better than ota in android too. It definitely was the case with iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OTA 's are generally solid. I haven't used Odin since the note 4. I keep backed up on Samsung account, and if I do experience an issue, a reset will clear it up. All of my media is stored on SD card.

How do you store everything on an SD card. Sorry but coming from an iPhone. Thabk you .

Related

[Q] lock symbol

hey guys....well i downgraded my nexus s 9020T for 4.0.3 to 2.3.6...however but while switching it on the 2.3.6..im getting a lock symbol while switching it on..and when i insert my sim onto the phone ..it is recognising the network but not catching the signal
kindly help me out
The lock symbol at the bottom means your bootloader is unlocked. This means you can replace your recovery partition to CWM or the likes, as well as flash superuser to the OS and flash custom ROMs. You would have achieved this through the "fastboot oem unlock" command.
The signal issue may be related to a bad flash. I would be going into recovery, doing a factory/data reset, formatting /system and /boot, and then flash the 2.3.6 file you have again. Remembering of course to backup anything currently on the phone, and doing a NANDROID backup if you don't have a working one already.
thank so much for the information...after doing this..can my phone still OTA official updates from google once they are released??
roshan567 said:
thank so much for the information...after doing this..can my phone still OTA official updates from google once they are released??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you flash a official update
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S
a friend of mine is doing the flashing...any idea as to how can i know whether he has flashed an official update or not?
also what is the different between flashable roms n the increamental updates given in this link??
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1063664
are both official versions given out by google?
Yes, all of the links in that thread are official Google builds. The full/flashable ROMs are the full operating system in one file. You can install this over any Android version/ROM since the zip will contain all of the files necessary to get the system working.
The incremental updates should only be used if you have a specific (official) Android version and wish to only install the updated files. For example, if you have the official Google release of 2.3.6 and wish to upgrade to 4.0.3, you can use the 2.3.6 -> 4.0.3 incremental update. Otherwise, if don't have one of the supported incremental update versions or if you're using a non-stock ROM then you'll need to download the full ROM.
thank you so much for the information....
i am downgrading my OS to 2.3.6 from 4.0.3..how can i find out whether the 2.3.6 OS ive installed is the original OS???
You can find out BEFORE flashing the rom by comparing checksums, the zip file should have the exact same checksum as indicated in the filename of the files in that thread. Also, that thread just links to files from googles servers used for official updates.
Once it's installed there is no point trying to finding out if it is 100% stock.
Harbb said:
You can find out BEFORE flashing the rom by comparing checksums, the zip file should have the exact same checksum as indicated in the filename of the files in that thread. Also, that thread just links to files from googles servers used for official updates.
Once it's installed there is no point trying to finding out if it is 100% stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the information...i didn understand properly how do u do checksums..can you pls explain it??im a noob..
Checksum (or hash) is a way to verify a file. It will create a word/number/pattern/etc according to an algorithm based on all the data in the file. With MD5, SHA1, etc we have a practically guaranteed chance of comparing the two files. Those files there are straight from google and google has provided the checksums in the filename (part of the checksum, at least). If you have any file at all and it has the same code as that, we can be happy that it's the exact same file - thus 100% stock
You can use software such as Checksum or my personal favourite HashTab to find the various comparing techniques.
hey thanks a lot for your information..it really helps....
when i upgraded to ICS my phone stopped receiving reception after 2 days..when i downgraded it after unlocking the bootloader it still wasnt receiving recepetion...why does this happen?

[Q] Will I be able to recive ota update?

I have used towelroot and i changed the look of my software buttons using Softkeyz amd forgot to backup my rom. Will i be able to recive ota updates or will i have to flash my rom with stock first, which i really do not want to do. Just a small question i have been wondering a lot
http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/info-nexus-5-ota-help-desk-t2523217
Thanks! I suppose i will not be able to get ota without flashing to stock
Please post questions in the Question and Answer section
Thread moved
nikssims said:
Thanks! I suppose i will not be able to get ota without flashing to stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't even need to OTA. Beside OTA is the least reliable method of updating. Just wait till the L images are posted or until L custom ROMs come out
So if i wait until L comes out, can i directly flash it instead, using the same flashing instructions from google? From old times of roms as far as i remeber, each rom had its versions of regions, so i had to flash specific region based rom on my phone. Havent done any thing like this for years so sorry for silly question.
nikssims said:
So if i wait until L comes out, can i directly flash it instead, using the same flashing instructions from google? From old times of roms as far as i remeber, each rom had its versions of regions, so i had to flash specific region based rom on my phone. Havent done any thing like this for years so sorry for silly question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing to worry about with Google devices. Just go to Google's site and grab the L stock ROM for your device (D820 or D821) and fastboot it. Done. Or wait for a flashable zip
Ok thanks

New OnePlus One Came Rooted With Adware

Brand New OnePlus One rooted and with adware etc
I am a very newbie to not all but many of the particular issues in this post so would be grateful of any newbie taylored advice.
Background:
==============
I purchased a Oneplus one recently, stocked and fulfilled by amazon with amazon returns policy but seller was a chineese company.
It was advertised as 100% Original Oneplus One New Cell Phone
The phone arraived and appeared to already be rooted
evidence:
Barclays App says it is rooted and won't run. It ran fine on my Nexus 4
I can connect via adb and set to su straight away
The phone appeared to have arrived with significant malware / adware with popups and auto launch ad in browser pages and bloteware / PUPS(?), and other issues. After a great deal of research checking notifications and trial and error I disabled the following, some via settings\apps some via adb, pm ... disable ...
2048 (com.digiplex.game)
App Manager (com.shyz.steward)
Browser (com.android.browser)
Caller ID (com.android.tools.callassistant)
Clean Master (com.cleanmaster.mguard)
Cool Browser (com.cool.coolbrowser)
DU Speed Booster (com.dianxinos.optimizer.duplay)
Magic Photo (cn.dotui.magicphoto)
Videos (com.haolianluo.video)
and disabled gestures due to torch issues
The phone now seems quite stable.
I installed MalwareBytes, however None of the items it identifies is it able to disable/uninstall I set it not to scan automatically but it continues to tell me I have not responded to its list of issues, but I have responded by selected them, but on selection it tries to uninstall them but fails.
I was able to disable one of them via adb because it provided the package name for that one but:
CallerID.apk (disabled in settings\apps)
coolbrowser.apk (disabled in settings\apps)
201507140923731g.apk
AppStore.apk
I do not know how to uninstall (or disable at least on 2 of them) and I do not know how to refer to them from package manager because I don't have the package name.
Key Questions:
================
I am familiar with much of software engineering and programming but not with mobile phone OS / disk / memory / file system, etc. I am having a lot of difficulty getting to grips with the vocabulary, definitions and terminology depending what you read.
- Some say OnePlus from factory comes with cyanogenmod but is not rooted
- So one wonders how my phone go to be rooted if the seller is a retailer
- Some say if the phone is rooted the warentee is invalidated. What do you think?
- WhatsApp says the phone has a custom rom and watsapp may not work properly with a custom rom
It is very difficult to get to the bottom of exactly what the difference is between a stock rom
and a custom rom. Some seem to be saying cyanogenmod is a custom rom, but then others say what
comes on the phone from the mobile manufacturer is a stock rom, eg HT Sense or in the case of
OnePlus, cyanogenmod! Is it only a custom rom if it is somehow NOT proven to be a
custom rom validated by the mobile manufacturer in factory (i.e. stock rom)?
- Some say having a custom rom invalidates warrantee, is this right?
- How do i prove that the rooting and the custom rom were not introduced by me?
- I have thought about factory reset, but I cannot manage to find anything that tells
me what this actually means and does, only how to do it.
- does a factory reset actually do what it suggests. I have read that factory reset does
not involve going to the manufacturers site and obtaining an appropriate image and flashing
it to the phone so I do not quite understand how else it could guarantee it
- If a factory reset will just make it like it was when I received it then that I do not want.
- Can I and ought I to flash a fresh image on the phone to get it like it WOULD HAVE been
had I bought it from OnePlus factory on invite and not through a mediator
- Finally. There is a notification "System Update is ready" . When I select this it appears
to download something (next version of cyanogenmod I guess though I don't recognise the version
number against any cyanogenmod versions) then it restarts and goes to a recovery app.
At this stage it is not completely intuitive what one should do and it seems to want you
to navigate to a location.
Now, I think I could probably figure this out with some reading but two things come to mind:
1) Presumably for a from factory OnePlus phone this kind of ambiguous unintuitive update
process would not be going on for people who just bought their phone and knew nothing
so it suggests the phone is in a different state to that. I also read you need root
already to install a (good) recovery app.
2) I am loath to do this update since it is not clear whether the update is this retailers
system update and will reintroduce all that I have disabled to create stability. Therefore
up to now I have always selected just do nothing and reboot. I favor stability over
features.
I am kind of inclined now I have managed to get it stable to just stick with it as it is and just use it without any further updates / resets / flashes and without returning it, but...
Sorry to ask all these questions. I would be grateful of any advice. Can be given with the assumption that I understand foundational general stuff ram, rom (though this word seems to be used differently to what I'm used to), flash, image, partition etc, but not that I actually know all about how the android/cyanogenmod platform is laid out and behaves as an installation.
Thank you.
Hi, All Oneplus One phones comes with CyanogenMod without rooted. One must Unlock bootloader and Flash custom recovery and Flash SuperSu to get root access.
Yours already says rooted means either you bought the used phone or refurbished. However even when a phone is refurbished OnePlus company locks it and make it unrooted.
OnePlus Phones warranty doesn't get over bu rooting. OnePlus actually supports rooting. Warranty becomes void when you do something blunder while flashing and your devices becomes dead aka bricked.
What I am suspecting is the chinese seller bought new OnePlus and Installed different ROM as the chinese OPO comes with ColorOS which doesn't have PlayStore. Now in the procedure they introduced unwanted Adwares which may be Intentional or Unintentional.
Now you have 2 options.
Either ask Amazon for a refund.
Or if the time is passed then I suggest you to start fresh. If you have already custom recovery installed then go ahead and install fresh stock CyanogenMod ROM from xda.
sent from Bacon (OnePlus One)
Hi Abhinav_Rakesh,
Thank you so much for your response, I really appreciate your advice. I think I understood most of what you said, generally but I am still a bit unclear on some points:
Is there any way to tell if the phone is refurbished. I would rather it were new even if they have installed a different rom.
What do you mean by "time is passed" I have only had the phone a few days. I am in a quandary whether to return it or not, whether amazon will believe it was not me who rooted it and whether I will be able to get another one that is not just the same as this one anyway since you cannot get them direct from OnePlus any more.
I saw some kind of recovery screen over one reboot but did not do the install. How do I know if this is the "custom recovery" you describe, if it is not how do I obtain / get to "custom recover"?
Can you direct me to a script that shows me how to "install fresh stock CyanogenMod ROM from xda"? Will that completely blank out everything that the chineese company may have done on the phone, or might some stuff still be left behind? Is there a risk to that process, given that I at least have a fairly stable phone now? Will it include or do I have to get separately "PlayStore" so I can download my usual apps?
Thank you again, I really appreciate it?
i suggest you to start from fresh, since obviously your OPO is not in stock state and has been tampered with..
the (general) steps to make the OPO like new are as follows..
(1) connect it to a pc via usb cable
(2) in command prompt, issue "adb reboot bootloader" (and wait for it to boot into bootloader/fastboot mode)
(3) issue "fastboot oem unlock" (to unlock the bootloader.. all data will be wiped but the warranty is not voided)
(4) issue "fastboot flash recovery custom_recovery.img" (replace "custom_recovery.img" with the actual recovery file name)
(5) power off mobile and disconnect from pc
(6) press power button together with volume down button (to boot into custom recovery we just flashed)
(7) while in recovery, install rom image (which should be put in the internal storage beforehand)
(8) reboot to enjoy the reborn mobile
to be able the complete the above steps, you need to get some files in advance:
- adb.exe/fastboot.exe (which you should already have since you could do adb)
- custom recovery (TWRP suggested.. get the image for OPO, whose codename is bacon, at http://twrp.me/ ), and put it in your pc..
- stock or custom rom (the stock for OPO is cyanogenmod, and there is also a OnePlus provided OxygenOS rom.. go to respective sites to get a copy), and put it into the mobile's internal storage..
mind you that by doing so (the fastboot oem unlock step) all your mobile's data will be wiped..
@hardya Hi .. You can follow this link to restore your phone according to OnePlus Standards. This will remove all that chinese ads and all and will make it fresh.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2970390
sent from Bacon (OnePlus One)
I feel like i need to reanswer a some of your question even though some already have answered them. You seem very interested and it seems fair to clear up some things.
hardya said:
- Some say OnePlus from factory comes with cyanogenmod but is not rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a little misconception about what cyanogenmod is.
The offical Oneplus One comes preinstalled with CyanogenOS (or CM12S), which is derived from Cyanogenmod. It get's a bit complicated. Cyanogen is a company founded by the lead programmer of Cyanogenmod. CyanogenOS is a commercial product, that is licensed to phone manufactures.
Cyanogenmod is the codebase for CyanogenOS. CyanogenOS adds some functionalities that are not present in the community maintained Cyanogenmod. (e.g. a alternate dialing app, theme store, etc.)
The offical Oneplus One comes NON-rooted. You need to manually enable root.
Please keep in mind that it gets REALLY complicated from this point!
The Oneplus One debuted with CM11S (CyanogenOS, the commercial version of Cyanogenmod). Cyanogen (the company) promised users 2 years of support and updates for the owners on the Oneplus One. But Oneplus and Cyanogen had some major issues that resulted in ending the partnership.
Oneplus had to offer an alternative Android Firmware for their upcoming phone Oneplus Two. So they did another android version called OxygenOS. This was installed onto all Oneplus One phones from a certain date onward!
THIS is the OFFICAL Android Software Version for your Oneplus One!!!
See: https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/how-can-i-download-oxygen-os
I would strongly recommend to install OxygenOS, as it is the easiest way of experience the phone as Oneplus intended it to be.
Most tutorials on here are a little bit older so they are offering guides which mention either CM11S, CM12S, Cyanogenmod or OxygenOS. (or if you are more familiar with other customroms, whatever you'd like to install! But this is something you should look into, when you are more familiar with what costumroms are and what they do! There are so many excellent guides on here, which i'd recommend you to read sometime!)
- So one wonders how my phone go to be rooted if the seller is a retailer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He rooted it either manually or used an android version (e.g. something downloaded off XDA or got one from some developer). Such versions are often called Customroms.
Also note, that there are no official retailers of Oneplus phones. They are officially offered from the website only. However, there are some shops in China, that offer Oneplus phones.
- Some say if the phone is rooted the warentee is invalidated. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most phone manufactures actually tell you that your warranty is void when rooting your phone.
Oneplus however is very, very supportive when it comes to rooting!
And of course installing other Android Versions and Roms!
See: https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/will-rooting-or-unlocking-the-bootloader-void-my-warranty
- WhatsApp says the phone has a custom rom and watsapp may not work properly with a custom rom
It is very difficult to get to the bottom of exactly what the difference is between a stock rom
and a custom rom. Some seem to be saying cyanogenmod is a custom rom, but then others say what
comes on the phone from the mobile manufacturer is a stock rom, eg HT Sense or in the case of
OnePlus, cyanogenmod! Is it only a custom rom if it is somehow NOT proven to be a
custom rom validated by the mobile manufacturer in factory (i.e. stock rom)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogenmod is indeed a custom rom. (or sometimes aftermarket firmware)
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyanogenMod
A stock rom is the firmware that is installed by the manufacturer. (in your case: CyanogenOS, called CM12S. the 12 stands for the version number of Cyanogenmod. 12 = Android 5, 13 will be Android 6. There was a CM11S version, when the phone debuted last year.). The S marks it as CyanogenOS, the commercial product. So CM12 would be the community maintained Cyanogenmod. CM12S the product by the company Cyanogen. As said before, it's a bit complicated, as the current OFFICIAL rom is OxygenOS
Your findings of software not present in the official stock Oneplus One rom (which is either CM12S or OxygenOS), suggests your software on the phone is actually a unofficial costum rom.
- Some say having a custom rom invalidates warrantee, is this right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See the answer to the rooting question. Almost all major phone manufactures void your warranty if you flash a custom rom. As it involves tampering with system files and most people are not very knowledgeable when it comes to "computery things". It's just a security measure, so that people won't sue the company when something bad happens (most likely deleting precious pictures, etc.)
Oneplus actually encourages people to try other roms. This made the Oneplus One a very popular phone for tinkerers and as you can see on this forum there are a lot of custom roms you can choose from.
- How do i prove that the rooting and the custom rom were not introduced by me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the seller was not so careful, there will be a notice, which can be read by software programs available here on XDA, that say how many times a custom rom was installed.
However, i think your main concern is, that you wouldn't be able to get support form Oneplus, because you think your warranty is not valid anymore. As said above, your concerns are not that problematic. Especially as you seem to be knowledgeable enough to actually fix things on your own!
- I have thought about factory reset, but I cannot manage to find anything that tells
me what this actually means and does, only how to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A factory reset will delete all your apps and reset the system to the state"it came out of the factory". So when you start up your phone, you need to set it up again. Enter your name, configure your WiFi settings, install your favorite apps.
However. Your photos and your music files will not be deleted! Be careful though. Resetting your system will delete your app settings. I just want to point that out, because the first time a did a factory reset and reinstalled everything i thought i lost all my Whatsapp photos. They were there in the Picture folder, but weren't linked to the images in my chat window! This is a bit complicated, but can be solved quite easily, if you know what your doing (backing up your apps with certain programs, e.g. Titanium Backup).
- does a factory reset actually do what it suggests. I have read that factory reset does
not involve going to the manufacturers site and obtaining an appropriate image and flashing
it to the phone so I do not quite understand how else it could guarantee it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset is a internal function of your phone (to be precise of your phones recovery!)
However, as most people said and your suspected is: Your phone does not run the official factory image, provided by Oneplus (or Cynaogen).
The official software can be obtained from
https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/how-can-i-download-oxygen-os
- If a factory reset will just make it like it was when I received it then that I do not want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it will most likely to what you fear. It depends on what the retailer did. Most costum roms include software in their phones, that will be installed again with a factory reset. If your seller did install the programs AFTER the phones original state (e.g installing it from an appstore or from the APK's (Androids Software Packages)) they won't be present!
- Can I and ought I to flash a fresh image on the phone to get it like it WOULD HAVE been
had I bought it from OnePlus factory on invite and not through a mediator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely! I'd recommend you to flash a new image to your phone!
There are a lot of great programs here on XDA that offer easy and intuitive options of doing that, without even knowing anything about flashing programs! Try to take a look around and see what you can make of it.
I personally think they are great, but can be dangerous if you didn't read the proper instructions. I'm just saying, as they often delete EVERYTHING on your phone. So whatever you do to your phone, backup everything before!!!
But these simple programs are what you are looking for. They will install the firmware (Cyanogenmod or OxygenOS) that are bloatfree and as the Oneplus intended them to be.
- Finally. There is a notification "System Update is ready" . When I select this it appears
to download something (next version of cyanogenmod I guess though I don't recognise the version
number against any cyanogenmod versions) then it restarts and goes to a recovery app.
At this stage it is not completely intuitive what one should do and it seems to want you
to navigate to a location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This further suggests, that your are not running an official version. The official update process is fully automated and doesn't need any user intervention! From your description it doesn't do anything and you are stuck in recovery, that is waiting for user input. This is not the case with proper official roms!
Now, I think I could probably figure this out with some reading but two things come to mind:
1) Presumably for a from factory OnePlus phone this kind of ambiguous unintuitive update
process would not be going on for people who just bought their phone and knew nothing
so it suggests the phone is in a different state to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely correct! See above.
I also read you need root
already to install a (good) recovery app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need root to install a recovery. This is a bit complicated, as there are some misconceptions about what is what. You need to "unlock" your phone to install another recovery. This is not rooting, but is also restricted by many manufacturers. But as with rooting, Oneplus is offering support on unlocking your phone and there are lots of guides on how to do it.
2) I am loath to do this update since it is not clear whether the update is this retailers
system update and will reintroduce all that I have disabled to create stability. Therefore
up to now I have always selected just do nothing and reboot. I favor stability over
features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wise decision.
I am kind of inclined now I have managed to get it stable to just stick with it as it is and just use it without any further updates / resets / flashes and without returning it, but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would strongly recommend to NOT leave it this way! As you yourself found out, there are chances that there are programs on the phone, that are not to be supposed to be there. I'm not saying that there is spyware on your phone, but it is most likely that there could be malicious code running in the background of your phone. I would strongly recommend NOT to use apps, that need sensitive information of yourself!
Try to look for guides and tutorials here on XDA and just install CM12S, Cyanogenmod or even better OxygenOS, the official ROM from Oneplus! OxygenOS is not everyone's favorite choice, but that way you can be sure, that NOTHING fishy is going on on your phone!
There is an easy app available from the offical oneplus site!
https://oneplus.net/de/support/answer/how-can-i-download-oxygen-os
Or use the app that is mentioned in the post above! Will to the same thing!
Use the instructions on there and you are much safer on using your phone than you are in the present state!
BUT PLEASE, PLEASE DO A BACKUP OF YOUR DATA! I mean, your photos, contacts and everything important before doing anything to your phone. I'm just stressing that out, as so many people complain afterwards that they lost everything, etc.! Not just because the process they did was unsafe, but becaus the didn't properly read the instructions that tell people that they should make a backup, BEFORE tampering the system. It says factory RESET, so it should be clear, that everything will be reset!
I'd suggest you return it and get one through official channels. Official OnePlus devices can only be purchased through the OnePlus store.
I'd suggest you to read this story:
https://medium.com/@tuesdev/as-many...ve-a-oneplus-2-invite-ba20ac8606ae#.qgq3fhmn7
Ctuiku,
Sorry I wasn't able to respond sooner. I really do appreciate your very clear and detailed response and it's care to address each point very clearly and to make clear distinctions between similar things gives me significant confidence in its accuracy.
I must say I appreciate the significant amount of time you have taken and I do hope that at least some of your responses were cut and pasted from text you had already written else where.
I think I may have a number of minor follow up questions, but for now I shall digest your advice and decide on my plan of action.
Thank you again for being so helpful and understanding.
Andrew
I actually didn't read much of it and the comments, but I'd suggest you to unlock the bootloader, flash TWRP, take a backup, wipe everything(not the internal storage of course) , and perform a clean flash of CM13.0 by sultanxda. It's the smoothest and the most stable ROM out there.
Well, that was all in brief. You gotta read(and understand) and perform. It's fun, just like programming. Keep flashing!
~noob (you gotta start from somewhere)
Ctuiku
Thank you again for all your help. Sorry for the delay in responding been busy with other things and also since had some time to digest...
THIS is the OFFICAL Android Software Version for your Oneplus One!!!
See: <I am not allowed to include this link in quote>
I would strongly recommend to install OxygenOS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link appears to be out of date
or even better OxygenOS, the official ROM from Oneplus! OxygenOS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My search and his post
_forums_oneplus_net_threads_mirrors-for-official-oxygen-os-roms-and-ota-updates.387615
suggests you cannot get the official OxygenOS ROM from Oneplus, doesn't this pose some risks using TP apps to download and flash OS ROM?
There is an easy app available from the offical oneplus site!
<I am not allowed to include this link in quote>
Or use the app that is mentioned in the post above! Will to the same thing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't this pose some risks using TP apps to download and flash OS ROM?
Also the official link
_account_onepluscontent_com_downloads_tools_oneplus-one-reflash_zip
appears to be out of date
I cannot seem to find a way to find an official location or to identify the genuineness of CM12S image or OxyGenOS image. Is there some kind of published standard hash of the file or something? How does it work?
a lot of what I read, like on the oneplus site or the way links are named seems to suggest that OxygenOS is just for OnePlus Two. I believe that OnePlus One moved to OxygenOS at some point, but I don't want to apply an OS version to a device that is under resourced. Is there a version of OxygenOS that the OnePlus One should not go beyond.
P.S. How do I get your XDA user name to appear as a link?
iamelton
Thank you so much for your advice I really do appreciate the time you took to help me. Sorry for the delay in responding. Difficult circumstances.
regarding your point (7)
(7) while in recovery, install rom image (which should be put in the internal storage beforehand)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- I wonder if you would mind indicating where beforehand in this list putting the rom image in the internal storage ought to occurr?
- Also, so sorry, but I wonder would you mind elaberating just a little on how to put the rom image in the internal storage?
Regarding the files, I am happy with adb.exe, fastboot.exe, TWRP.
However I understand that the genuineness of OxygenOS images are not provided by OnePlus, is this right?
_forums_oneplus_net_threads_mirrors-for-official-oxygen-os-roms-and-ota-updates_387615
How do confirm the genuineness of OxygenOS images?
Is it a kind of hierarchy of trust, i.e. n users use and recommend this location for the images.
Or is there some kind of standard hash for the images that is published on secure OnePlus site?
I have similar issue / understanding issue with CM12S
It would appear after roaming around forums etc that the official Cyanogen OS (not mod/custom) are located below here _builds_cyngn_com_ but the site itself seems to have no web pages I visit cyngn.com_get-cyanogen-os but can find no page with a list of rom images and their corresponding dates, attributes and inclusions etc.
I hear that some versions of CM12S do not support 64GB (as per my OPO) but I seem to have no clear certified single source way to know exactly the name/url of the CM12S I should get.
I am probably misunderstanding the philosophy behind things, but it seems if anyone can do anything with the source you would think that OnePlus would into the bargin also provide users (of which there will be a variety) a "sure fire" way to get their (grey market?) phone to (original) factory standard. They still apparently cover it for warentee, so...
Many thanks
P.S. How do I get your XDA user name to appear as a link?

6045i usa latest 5.0.2-01001

hello i am rooted with twrp recovery installed. I was able to unroot and download the latest 5.0.2-01001 ota but im not able to install the update it would just take me to twrp recovery and stop there.?? i found the update zip and tried to flash it in twrp but it says it cant mount and failed to flash any help would be appreciated.
OTA updates will require a stock recovery. I'm in the process of getting an Idol 3 but I used to have an Idol 2 and, to return to a completely stock ROM, I had to use the Alcatel Mobile upgrade too which identified my phone, downloaded the correct firmware, and restored the phone. Prior to restoring back to stock, I had cwm and root.
Thanks for the reply I tried the software update but its not working keep saying I have the latest even when I did a full wipe. Using the latest 4.9.2 version...is there a way to make a twrp flashable ota zip from the downloaded update file in the ota cache..
lude86 said:
hello i am rooted with twrp recovery installed. I was able to unroot and download the latest 5.0.2-01001 ota but im not able to install the update it would just take me to twrp recovery and stop there.?? i found the update zip and tried to flash it in twrp but it says it cant mount and failed to flash any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You cannot be rooted and install a stock update...it's mentioned in several places throughout the forum. Quickest solution is to use the mobile q to restore the whole phone to factory (and in the process it will put the latest version on it). Otherwise you have to fully unroot AND if you have modified any files such as build.prop or other system files it still won't work. You CAN install with TWRP however in the process of the install it will overwrite it with stock recovery. If I had to guess I'd say you did not do the supersu FULL unroot.
famewolf said:
You cannot be rooted and install a stock update...it's mentioned in several places throughout the forum. Quickest solution is to use the mobile q to restore the whole phone to factory (and in the process it will put the latest version on it). Otherwise you have to fully unroot AND if you have modified any files such as build.prop or other system files it still won't work. You CAN install with TWRP however in the process of the install it will overwrite it with stock recovery. If I had to guess I'd say you did not do the supersu FULL unroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mobile Q is horse manure now. I ran into the same problem, whereby it says you're up to date (which it's not), even if you're running 5.0.2.7SMA-UEA1 ! I only know that one because I inadvertently flashed 5.0.2.7SMA-UEA1 today when I meant to flash 5.0.2.7SRA-UEA2.
Speaking of 5.0.2-01001, 5.0.2.7SRA-UEA2 is on longer the latest yeah... anyway we can update the firmware page? http://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-3/general/want-to-able-to-install-ota-updates-t3163745
I just tried to OTA update to 5.0.2-01001, but OTA of course does not work if TWRP is acting recovery; it just reboots to TWRP and then if you reboot system, nothing happens. Although seemingly never mentioned, we must remove TWRP (even read only TWRP) before updating OTA?
tekka-maki said:
mobile Q is horse manure now. I ran into the same problem, whereby it says you're up to date (which it's not), even if you're running 5.0.2.7SMA-UEA1 ! I only know that one because I inadvertently flashed 5.0.2.7SMA-UEA1 today when I meant to flash 5.0.2.7SRA-UEA2.
Speaking of 5.0.2-01001, 5.0.2.7SRA-UEA2 is on longer the latest yeah... anyway we can update the firmware page? http://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-3/general/want-to-able-to-install-ota-updates-t3163745
I just tried to OTA update to 5.0.2-01001, but OTA of course does not work if TWRP is acting recovery; it just reboots to TWRP and then if you reboot system, nothing happens. Although seemingly never mentioned, we must remove TWRP (even read only TWRP) before updating OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread is closed. There is also no reason you NEED the most recent posted as you can flash any of them and then do an update. Mobile Q is the recommended method to re-do your phone if you can't manage to make a backup before messing with it. It has apparently worked just fine for people in this forum for every model type mentioned so the burden of proof is on your part if you can't get it to work.
famewolf said:
The thread is closed. There is also no reason you NEED the most recent posted as you can flash any of them and then do an update. Mobile Q is the recommended method to re-do your phone if you can't manage to make a backup before messing with it. It has apparently worked just fine for people in this forum for every model type mentioned so the burden of proof is on your part if you can't get it to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would the thread be 'closed'. OP's problem is unresolved.
'Worked' is the operative term for. Perhaps you haven't used to Mobile Q tool lately? As OP (and I) said (today), running OTA from 6045 now just reboots to TWRP, no install. Alternately, when attempting to update 6045 from Mobile Q, it just throws a funny English 'update no needed' kinduva message (pic). Incidentally, have you been to their website to find an update to this tool? Holy crap, in that respect, Mobile Q must be a virtual breakthrough for these boys! :laugh:
You're so helpful here famewolf. I've both appreciated and have been comforted by seeing your knowledge all over this subforum, since day 1. Please provide help. You tell me where this 'people' person is, and I'll wank on his boner for you. Then we have a definition of 'working fine' in stead of 'worked fine'. ? :angel:
tekka-maki said:
Why would the thread be 'closed'. OP's problem is unresolved.
'Worked' is the operative term for. Perhaps you haven't used to Mobile Q tool lately? As OP (and I) said (today), running OTA from 6045 now just reboots to TWRP, no install. Alternately, when attempting to update 6045 from Mobile Q, it just throws a funny English 'update no needed' kinduva message (pic). Incidentally, have you been to their website to find an update to this tool? Holy crap, in that respect, Mobile Q must be a virtual breakthrough for these boys! :laugh:
You're so helpful here famewolf. I've both appreciated and have been comforted by seeing your knowledge all over this subforum, since day 1. Please provide help. You tell me where this 'people' person is, and I'll wank on his boner for you. Then we have a definition of 'working fine' in stead of 'worked fine'. ? :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thread that is closed is the one YOU mentioned.... not the op. http://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-3/general/want-to-able-to-install-ota-updates-t3163745
I dont use mobile Q as I use Linux and they don't have a linux version. I use 3rd party roms such as AICP with the ARDE non OC rom. TWRP puts a log in /tmp...did you look at what the error message says? OTA updates will NOT apply if you have updated system files such as build.prop. Thats all I can tell you because I can't try what you are using.
famewolf said:
The thread that is closed is the one YOU mentioned.... not the op. http://forum.xda-developers.com/idol-3/general/want-to-able-to-install-ota-updates-t3163745
I dont use mobile Q as I use Linux and they don't have a linux version. I use 3rd party roms such as AICP with the ARDE non OC rom. TWRP puts a log in /tmp...did you look at what the error message says? OTA updates will NOT apply if you have updated system files such as build.prop. Thats all I can tell you because I can't try what you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't updated the build.prop, I doubt the OP has either.
'There is no greater software version available to upgrade your phone,actual version of your phone is the latest'
Hehe! Only thing that would make this funnier is if they misspelled 'version'. At least I can derive some amusement from that message and their ****ty, convoluted website.
Shame you can't help on that front, but maybe you can at least guide me on what should be normal flow of this procedure.
When one does OTA update unrooted (but with custom recovery), at the point that the phone reboots, it should not (in theory) boot into TWRP right? I would think just continue with update, and maybe that's why I would need to remove TWRP in favor of stock recovery.
It would be easier to attack it from that angle as opposed to their crappy win32 program. which they probably didn't pay the GoDaddy bill on.:laugh:
I don't even know why I'm bothering as it's just a backup phone now. I just find it ridiculous that I can get their last measly update either from Q or from device (ostensibly so long as custom recovery remains). Holy bejebus, updating Shamu is so painless (6.0.1)
---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 PM ----------
likely they have not updated their server side to to UEN0 from UEA2 for their craptacular tool which would explain that problem.
Curious, did you lose Band 12 with UEN0. I haven't heard anything positive from this most recent update that is giving me a headache to get to. Perhaps it's for naught. They don't even have a changelog do they. Meh... I'm going to forget about it until something notable comes along or maybe even just sell this thing while I might still get over a hundred.
tekka-maki said:
I haven't updated the build.prop, I doubt the OP has either.
'There is no greater software version available to upgrade your phone,actual version of your phone is the latest'
Hehe! Only thing that would make this funnier is if they misspelled 'version'. At least I can derive some amusement from that message and their ****ty, convoluted website.
Shame you can't help on that front, but maybe you can at least guide me on what should be normal flow of this procedure.
When one does OTA update unrooted (but with custom recovery), at the point that the phone reboots, it should not (in theory) boot into TWRP right? I would think just continue with update, and maybe that's why I would need to remove TWRP in favor of stock recovery.
It would be easier to attack it from that angle as opposed to their crappy win32 program. which they probably didn't pay the GoDaddy bill on.:laugh:
I don't even know why I'm bothering as it's just a backup phone now. I just find it ridiculous that I can get their last measly update either from Q or from device (ostensibly so long as custom recovery remains). Holy bejebus, updating Shamu is so painless (6.0.1)
---------- Post added at 08:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 PM ----------
likely they have not updated their server side to to UEN0 from UEA2 for their craptacular tool which would explain that problem.
Curious, did you lose Band 12 with UEN0. I haven't heard anything positive from this most recent update that is giving me a headache to get to. Perhaps it's for naught. They don't even have a changelog do they. Meh... I'm going to forget about it until something notable comes along or maybe even just sell this thing while I might still get over a hundred.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I mentioned here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64967202&postcount=4 you CAN install an OTA update with twrp...it will install it just fine however at the completion of the update you will no longer HAVE twrp installed because it will have been overwritten with stock recovery. (it does that at the END) This will be apparent the NEXT time you try to load recovery. Where do you imagine the update is processed? It's processed by the recovery app...it can't be done inside the rom because files would be in use. The last version I ever ran was UER0..was not even aware UEN0 was out. As I indicated, I switched to a rom based on cyanogenmod with some features I wanted...if I was going to switch NOW I'd choose blisspop and it's the one I intend to install the next time I have to do a reinstall. I don't see why you fight on 5.02 when 5.1.1 is available in various flavors and with the ARDE NON OC Kernel is rock steady. If you made full backups of your device (ie dd images of ALL partitions using the Backupall bat file or shell script running around the forum restoring to a previous radio is as simple as reflashing the partition using fastboot commands.
The radio is stored in the "modem" partition fyi.
famewolf said:
As I mentioned here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64967202&postcount=4 you CAN install an OTA update with twrp...it will install it just fine however at the completion of the update you will no longer HAVE twrp installed because it will have been overwritten with stock recovery. (it does that at the END) This will be apparent the NEXT time you try to load recovery. Where do you imagine the update is processed? It's processed by the recovery app...it can't be done inside the rom because files would be in use. The last version I ever ran was UER0..was not even aware UEN0 was out. As I indicated, I switched to a rom based on cyanogenmod with some features I wanted...if I was going to switch NOW I'd choose blisspop and it's the one I intend to install the next time I have to do a reinstall. I don't see why you fight on 5.02 when 5.1.1 is available in various flavors and with the ARDE NON OC Kernel is rock steady. If you made full backups of your device (ie dd images of ALL partitions using the Backupall bat file or shell script running around the forum restoring to a previous radio is as simple as reflashing the partition using fastboot commands.
The radio is stored in the "modem" partition fyi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where is the latest update to flash with twrp (good dry run for me should a decent upgrade come out that isn't UEN0)? I just went with UER0 posted on yer thread thr with all the megaupload firmwares & flash restored system & boot (after full wipe); as an aside, it took, & I still have TWRP in tact. I'm well aware of your fastboot method & orig backup of ALL partitions. Seemed like a waste of space at the time, still kinda does.
Regarding your rhetorical question, I was referencing Alcatel's w32 Q tool. It seemingly wasn't updated to be keyed in on the latest update either. No wait, it said the same 'no greater version' crap even when I restored the original 6045i US system/boot fw from twrp, lmao
tekka-maki said:
So where is the latest update to flash with twrp (good dry run for me should a decent upgrade come out that isn't UEN0)? I just went with UER0 posted on yer thread thr with all the megaupload firmwares & flash restored system & boot (after full wipe); as an aside, it took, & I still have TWRP in tact. I'm well aware of your fastboot method & orig backup of ALL partitions. Seemed like a waste of space at the time, still kinda does.
Regarding your rhetorical question, I was referencing Alcatel's w32 Q tool. It seemingly wasn't updated to be keyed in on the latest update either. No wait, it said the same 'no greater version' crap even when I restored the original 6045i US system/boot fw from twrp, lmao
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you assuming I should know where the latest and greatest update for stock should be? Updates are customized based on the rom version you are running at the time you submit a request. I've already stated I'm using a 3rd party rom and using an OS that doesn't allow me to run their software. You consider my recommendations a waste of time so I'll quit making them and continue using my perfectly working device on 5.1.1.
famewolf said:
Why are you assuming I should know where the latest and greatest update for stock should be? Updates are customized based on the rom version you are running at the time you submit a request. I've already stated I'm using a 3rd party rom and using an OS that doesn't allow me to run their software. You consider my recommendations a waste of time so I'll quit making them and continue using my perfectly working device on 5.1.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Omfg buddy, you said, '... you CAN install an OTA update with twrp' ; all I did was point out that I flashed previous updates (presumably the same way you're talking about), TWRP remained in tact afterward, & asked you to follow through with that point with, you know, the actual update in question here that defies many of your assertions. One of your recommendations is broken (Q), the other is hindsight (full backup) & last (update via TWRP) seemingly not feasible (unless someone were to submit updated /system) . Anyway it's all a moot point now since we're just measuring our junk.
I'm tickled you're running 5.1.1, as you've said repeatedly... I tried it briefly on Shamu & was happy to leave the LP quagmire all together & get to 6.0.1. Sufficed to say, there isn't anything perfect about this device or 5.1.1, which is why I'll leave as is & sell it. :good:
Thanks anyway.

Questions About Bootloader, Root and Roms

Looks like I'm gonna get a free P2 from my son. It maybe has 1 update left before Google abandons it. When I get it I want to root and put Lineage on it, or maybe a different rom based on opinions provided.
I have some questions:
1- I'm looking for the simplest method to unlock the bootloader and root, as I am not the most knowledgable Android/Linux user. I'm familiar with adb, although best if I can follow a written script. I would appreciate a recommendation on which method posted on XDA. I've seen Deuces and Nathanchance's methods. They seem easy enough to follow along with.
2- I'm a little confused about the Pixel factory images that folks mention in their posts. I see that Google has images catalogued on their site for downloading. How do you choose which one to flash to the phone after bootloader/root process? Does it matter? I'm located in Canada if that makes a difference.
3- I have used TWRP and never used Magisk for loading roms. I also see from one of the bootloader unlock/root methods that TWRP may not be all that reliable. Would TWRP be good enough to flash the factory image with, or should I get familiar with Magisk?
4- Am I correct in thinking that the Google image is flashed first to get the phone up and running, followed by Lineage (and gapps), or an different rom that would be flashed thereafter with TWRP/Magisk?
5- If I screw up during the unlock/root is there a recovery method available?
Thanks for any help provided.
jjcdennis said:
Looks like I'm gonna get a free P2 from my son. It maybe has 1 update left before Google abandons it. When I get it I want to root and put Lineage on it, or maybe a different rom based on opinions provided.
I have some questions:
1- I'm looking for the simplest method to unlock the bootloader and root, as I am not the most knowledgable Android/Linux user. I'm familiar with adb, although best if I can follow a written script. I would appreciate a recommendation on which method posted on XDA. I've seen Deuces and Nathanchance's methods. They seem easy enough to follow along with.
2- I'm a little confused about the Pixel factory images that folks mention in their posts. I see that Google has images catalogued on their site for downloading. How do you choose which one to flash to the phone after bootloader/root process? Does it matter? I'm located in Canada if that makes a difference.
3- I have used TWRP and never used Magisk for loading roms. I also see from one of the bootloader unlock/root methods that TWRP may not be all that reliable. Would TWRP be good enough to flash the factory image with, or should I get familiar with Magisk?
4- Am I correct in thinking that the Google image is flashed first to get the phone up and running, followed by Lineage (and gapps), or an different rom that would be flashed thereafter with TWRP/Magisk?
5- If I screw up during the unlock/root is there a recovery method available?
Thanks for any help provided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would appreciate some help...
Pixel 2 was updated to android 11, and will likely continue to to get monthly security updates until the release of android 12, so you should have about another year if staying stock.
As far as rooting, the xda guides as you mentioned are pretty straightforward and comprehensive.
Pixel factory images are the stock system images that are provided by google. They are what you would flash if you wanted to run a stock system, and also the means for 'resetting' the phone back to a factory state in the event of a screwup. On the site, you'll notice that google has each of the images organized by phone type (the Pixel 2 is walleye) and within each phone type is operating system version going from oldest at the top to newest at the bottom. Typically you'd want to flash the newest os version unless you have a special use case. There are also cases where a particular version is only for a particular carrier, in which case google will note it under the version number.
As far as flashing lineage, I'm not too sure. I run stock (rooted) on my P2, but lineage is it's own rom so would be flashed directly via twrp. I would image the lineage thread would have install instructions and q/a.
clcdev said:
Pixel 2 was updated to android 11, and will likely continue to to get monthly security updates until the release of android 12, so you should have about another year if staying stock.
As far as rooting, the xda guides as you mentioned are pretty straightforward and comprehensive.
Pixel factory images are the stock system images that are provided by google. They are what you would flash if you wanted to run a stock system, and also the means for 'resetting' the phone back to a factory state in the event of a screwup. On the site, you'll notice that google has each of the images organized by phone type (the Pixel 2 is walleye) and within each phone type is operating system version going from oldest at the top to newest at the bottom. Typically you'd want to flash the newest os version unless you have a special use case. There are also cases where a particular version is only for a particular carrier, in which case google will note it under the version number.
As far as flashing lineage, I'm not too sure. I run stock (rooted) on my P2, but lineage is it's own rom so would be flashed directly via twrp. I would image the lineage thread would have install instructions and q/a.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the help.

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