Unroot Pixel 4a - Google Pixel 4a Guides, News, & Discussion

Background: Have rooted & installed custom roms & custom recoveries on several Samsung and Google phones in past. Now use Linux (not Microsoft PC) machine exclusively. Not highly skilled at terminal, but can follow instructions.
Have unlocked and achieved root on Pixel 4a with Feb Android 11 update. Unsatisfied with results. Seems rooting does not achieve freedom it previously did. Adaway, Titanium Backup, & others not working. Don't know is SuperSu is even applicable.
Have decided to unroot but remain unlocked. Can anyone offer direction?
Thanks

CarlInMO said:
Background: Have rooted & installed custom roms & custom recoveries on several Samsung and Google phones in past. Now use Linux (not Microsoft PC) machine exclusively. Not highly skilled at terminal, but can follow instructions.
Have unlocked and achieved root on Pixel 4a with Feb Android 11 update. Unsatisfied with results. Seems rooting does not achieve freedom it previously did. Adaway, Titanium Backup, & others not working. Don't know is SuperSu is even applicable.
Have decided to unroot but remain unlocked. Can anyone offer direction?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash stock build through fastboot. Remove the -w flag on the flash.all script before doing so. Afterwards just run the "relock" fastboot commands....

Typhus_ said:
Flash stock build through fastboot. Remove the -w flag on the flash.all script before doing so. Afterwards just run the "relock" fastboot commands....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Will this remove data and settings?

CarlInMO said:
Thanks. Will this remove data and settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you remove the -w flag, nothing will be deleted.

Related

[Q] Just want to use the "Titanium Backup" app

I am using Stock Kernel and CM 12.1 on my Oneplus One. I just want to use the "Titanium Backup" app (that running on Root device only). What exactly I need to do with my phone: ???
Just Unlock my Bootloader and run SuperSU ?
Can I still be able to use Rom OTA with the Unlock Bootloader ?
Thanks!
Too late for Titanium backup now!
Please read this guide very carefully. It covers everything you need to know: [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for OnePlus One
To answer your question briefly, in order to use Titanium Backup, you need a rooted device.
To root your device you need:
unlocked bootloader
custom recovery (i.e. TWRP )
When you unlock your bootloader, you will lose all your data - your phone will be wiped!
Long story short, it is now too late for you to use Titanium backup to backup your apps & data.
Please note that there are methods to backup your apps which do not require root access, but you will have to use adb & the command line - not for everyone, and not what you had in mind I imagine.
You might just want to make a list of your favourite apps, backup their data & settings as much as you can, and then once you've got some sort of backup done, proceed to unlock your bootloader (and wipe your device), install TWRP, gain root, and profit.
Once again: Please read this guide very carefully. It covers everything you need to know: [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for OnePlus One
ohussain said:
Please read this guide very carefully. It covers everything you need to know: [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for OnePlus One
To answer your question briefly, in order to use Titanium Backup, you need a rooted device.
To root your device you need:
unlocked bootloader
custom recovery (i.e. TWRP )
When you unlock your bootloader, you will lose all your data - your phone will be wiped!
Long story short, it is now too late for you to use Titanium backup to backup your apps & data.
Please note that there are methods to backup your apps which do not require root access, but you will have to use adb & the command line - not for everyone, and not what you had in mind I imagine.
You might just want to make a list of your favourite apps, backup their data & settings as much as you can, and then once you've got some sort of backup done, proceed to unlock your bootloader (and wipe your device), install TWRP, gain root, and profit.
Once again: Please read this guide very carefully. It covers everything you need to know: [GUIDE] Unlock/Root/Flash for OnePlus One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First thanks for your answer! Do I lose the rom OTA Update after unlock my bootloader and install TWRP ? Do I must change to the TWRP recover or I can use the stock one?
Sent from my A0001 using xda premium
You're welcome. You cannot use the stock recovery, and you will not receive OTAs once you've unlocked your bootloader, installed TWRP, and rooted.
Trust me, you are not missing out on anything - OTAs will be rare, and the quality of the OS provided by Cyanogen is low.
Once you have TWRP installed, you can choose to install other ROMs. I highly recommend XenonHD. Light, stable, AOSP-based (not a CM clone), with full layers support, and a balanced feature-set.
There are many ROMs available for the OnePlus One for you to choose from, and you could also run CM or OxygenOS - it's up to you.
Just make sure you read & follow Heisenberg's guide, and you'll be fine. :good:
Since you're coming from Cyanogen's lollipop build, you should pay special attention to the note at the end of section 2 of Heisenberg's guide ('How To Install A Custom Recovery On Your Device').
xperia_88 said:
First thanks for your answer! Do I lose the rom OTA Update after unlock my bootloader and install TWRP ? Do I must change to the TWRP recover or I can use the stock one?
Sent from my A0001 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking your bootloader has no effect on the ability to take OTA updates. However, having a custom recovery and root do. If you want to take an OTA in future you just need to flash the stock recovery and the stock system.img and OTA's will work perfectly.
ohussain said:
You're welcome. You cannot use the stock recovery, and you will not receive OTAs once you've unlocked your bootloader, installed TWRP, and rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't entirely true, the unlocked bootloader doesn't matter.
Heisenberg said:
This isn't entirely true, the unlocked bootloader doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're God damn right.
That's what I meant, but thank you for clearing up precisely what precludes one from receiving OTA updates. :good:
Heisenberg said:
Unlocking your bootloader has no effect on the ability to take OTA updates. However, having a custom recovery and root do. If you want to take an OTA in future you just need to flash the stock recovery and the stock system.img and OTA's will work perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your clear answer!!!
Since I just want to use my favorite Titanium Backup but still using OTA update I would appreciate if you'LL guide me what is the easier way to do that.
I know now that to Unlocking my bootloader has no effect on the ability to take OTA but the custom recovery and root do so where I can find link to the stock recovery and the stock system.img and do I must to flash them after the Unlocking my bootloader ?
10X
xperia_88 said:
Thanks for your clear answer!!!
Since I just want to use my favorite Titanium Backup but still using OTA update I would appreciate if you'LL guide me what is the easier way to do that.
I know now that to Unlocking my bootloader has no effect on the ability to take OTA but the custom recovery and root do so where I can find link to the stock recovery and the stock system.img and do I must to flash them after the Unlocking my bootloader ?
10X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to use Titanium you need to unlock your bootloader, then flash TWRP recovery, then use TWRP recovery to flash SuperSU. You'll have root now and Titanium will work. Once you get to the point where you want to take an OTA you can extract the system.img and the recovery.img from the fastboot zip which you'll find here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2906746
Flash them and then OTA updates will work. There are detailed instructions in my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2839471

Root help

I am trying to root my google pixel running 8.1. I can't seem to find a guide on how to root using magisk. I was recommended by another user to use this method instead of supersu. Can someone help me out?
When I actually type
magisk
in the search bar, magically this url pops up, it was so cool ??
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3473445
Sent from my Pixel using XDA-Developers Legacy app
jakewohldmann said:
I am trying to root my google pixel running 8.1. I can't seem to find a guide on how to root using magisk. I was recommended by another user to use this method instead of supersu. Can someone help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty easy.
You can follow this guide, works also on regular pixel but you have to download specific files for pixel, for example twrp and factory image.
-If you don't have latest 8.1 (jan patch) and unlocked bootloader, follow the guide steps 3 and 4
-If you already have latest version + unlocked bootloader, read steps 7 and/or 8 (I prefer not install twrp, just boot it, because some users have problems of data not decrypting in twrp, so I just followed step 8, your choice)
Remember this guide is for XL, but works for pixel if you download sailfish files instead of marlin
If you have questions just ask, good luck :good:

Anyone Willing to Help a Newbie Pixel User.

Hello guys is there anyone willing to help me out?
Im long term HTC user in the past 15 Plus years i was flshing whatever i want and im familiar with this but i switched to Pixel 2 and i want to clear for myself few things prior before to brick it.
I also read this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/guide-unlock-flash-root-pixel-2-walleye-t3702417
But its seems like the thread is not updated and some users mention problems with flashing Magisk etc.
Im fully Stock locked bootloader with the latest Android Pie from 5 January 2018
The Pixel i use is Google Edition worlwide version not loocked to any network etc.
The main reason to want to Bootloader unlock it is because i need the Magisk in order to be able to flash and use few of the must have for me apps that i use all the time.
1st is SAURON audio - without Magisk and TWRP this is not posible.
2nnd few additional Magisk modules that i use non stop in the past few years.
What is not clear for me is the steps and exactly the second steb with Flashing Flashing factory images?!
In HTC i need to get the bootloader unlock S-OFF is i want and flash a TWRP in this case i can flash on top Magisk so here is different and not very clear for me as well.
When im now on the latest Android version from 5 January do i need still to flash FACTORY IMAGE after unlocking the bootloader?
Is anyone willing to help to clear the things out before to mess the device.
Thanks in advance
tsalta said:
Hello guys is there anyone willing to help me out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi If you just want to unlock bootloader, there is no reason to flash factory image again. Just allow unlock bootloader in developer options, reboot to bootloader and run fastboot flashing unlock, this will fully wipe/factory reset your device.
Now you could boot/flash TWRP and install magisk.
When will be new monthly update available, flash it with help of this thread:
Code:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/guide-how-to-install-google-software-t3760033
Good luck :good:
somin.n said:
Hi If you just want to unlock bootloader, there is no reason to flash factory image again. Just allow unlock bootloader in developer options, reboot to bootloader and run fastboot flashing unlock, this will fully wipe/factory reset your device.
Now you could boot/flash TWRP and install magisk.
When will be new monthly update available, flash it with help of this thread:
Code:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2/how-to/guide-how-to-install-google-software-t3760033
Good luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info.
So this mean i dont need to flash Image if im with the latest stock Version.
I prefer to stay stock just miss some Magisk modules thats why i wondering what to do.
Can i flash just a Kernel for example KiriSakura after unlock the bootloader and install TWRP just to flash Kiri Kernel with the stock rom im now and other Magisk stuffs like Sauron etc.
Thanks again
Hi exactly, if you run latest stock you havn't flash it again after bootloader unlock.
If you want to petmanently flash twrp, you have to do it before flashing magisk, othetwise you willn't be able to boot os only twrp.

What can unlocking the bootloader and not rooting the phone do?the possibilities?

Checked out realme's website and they state that unlocking and flashing roms does not void warranty but rooting the phone does.So what are the possibilities/things one can do with the phone while unlocking it but not rooting it.
Also is there a safe rooting method which doesnt leave traces after unrooting again? So that the device can be used in warranty.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
If you have Realme 5 Pro (not q) then you can still flash custom rom, recovery or basically anything with adb. It's just you won't be able to do root stuff on your phone but you'll need pc. Still you could flash custom kernel, rom, or ota update. Magisk is called systemless root for it does root your system without touching the system files so after uninstalling it and flashing stock rom realme service shouldn't ever be able to tell that your phone was ever rooted. I live in Hungary and my previous Xiaomi phone was installed with custom rom, kernel and Magisk root. Before taking it to Xiaomi service I did a clean flash, reverted everything to stock and warranty was still good to go. That'd be just an example. Don't know Realme how is with these stuff.
greenys' said:
If you have Realme 5 Pro (not q) then you can still flash custom rom, recovery or basically anything with adb. It's just you won't be able to do root stuff on your phone but you'll need pc. Still you could flash custom kernel, rom, or ota update. Magisk is called systemless root for it does root your system without touching the system files so after uninstalling it and flashing stock rom realme service shouldn't ever be able to tell that your phone was ever rooted. I live in Hungary and my previous Xiaomi phone was installed with custom rom, kernel and Magisk root. Before taking it to Xiaomi service I did a clean flash, reverted everything to stock and warranty was still good to go. That'd be just an example. Don't know Realme how is with these stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the prompt and clear reply.Really did clear a lot of stuff for me. Yes I do have realme 5 pro and the problems was with the audio jack output .Its terrible so wanted to flash dolby and / viper . I'll give adb a go then. Thank you again.
Firebolt1994 said:
Thank you so much for the prompt and clear reply.Really did clear a lot of stuff for me. Yes I do have realme 5 pro and the problems was with the audio jack output .Its terrible so wanted to flash dolby and / viper . I'll give adb a go then. Thank you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. If indeed only root void warranty then you're free to flash to your linking almost everything via usb adb. Except for root ofc.
thank you again for the same.
Firebolt1994 said:
thank you again for the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After installing twrp via adb you can flash stuff from your sd card. Don't forget to always have a backup zip file of your stock rom in case something goes wrong. And don't forget to use backup in twrp for data partition sometimes when you feel you're about to do something risky that might flip your system's stability. I do that all the time ?*
Yep I will.Its a new phone so more of a reason to take precautions .
Firebolt1994 said:
Yep I will.Its a new phone so more of a reason to take precautions .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Have fun but take care.
bootloader unlock 7 ROOT
Does bootloader unlock will prevent running of Bank Applications?Can this Realme5Pro be rooted and installed Twrp using Kingoroot/
Waiting with thanks.
Please any one give an advice
TWRP
If TWRP is installed via ADB in my unrooted Rm5P will it become rooted and prevent bank applications?
pnsdhrn said:
If TWRP is installed via ADB in my unrooted Rm5P will it become rooted and prevent bank applications?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk has an option to hide from those apps, I used it all the time with secure banking apps
If I unlock bootloader and flash TWRP, can this TWRP can be used as my stock recovery further for flashing zips(not custom ROMs)? Also will Bank apps work in this set up without any problems?
Yes, you can use TWRP to flash anything. Yes, bank apps will work as long as you have magisk installed.

Question Downgrade LE2115 from 12 to 11 - confused.

Hello all,
My phone came with ColorOS OOS 12 and I hate it. As soon as I rooted it it started crashing daily, I even reflashed a fresh oos12 image using the local update tool and only granted superuser to one app (solid explorer so I could access user files) and it still crashes. Not to mention all the apps i want to use don't work on android 12 (call recorder, busy box) and no custom recovery.
I've been reading through the forum and I found a downgrade package that looks like its hosted by oneplus: https://oxygenos.oneplus.net/OnePlu...all_2107082125_downgrade_059624cc7298428b.zip
I just wanted to make sure I am doing this correctly...
Do I use the OP Local Update app to flash?
Will I be able to flash TWRP for android 11 afterwards?
Will i need to relock the bootloader?
Should i re-root using the magisk slot b method or wait until its flashed and use TWRP?
Will it try to OTA back to android 12? If so, what's the best method to get on the latest version of android 11?
Thanks for the help.
I am running COS C.62 on my OP9 with root and having no issues. Did you make sure to do all the things in this guide?
Root OnePlus ColorOS 12 OxygenOS Android 12 via Magisk
In this tutorial, we will show you detailed steps to root your OnePlus device running ColorOS 12 Android 12 via Magisk Patched Boot.img file.
www.droidwin.com
Anyway, yes, use the local upgrade APK, put the downgrade file in the root of storage, run it. Reboot. Factory reset and wipe data to clear out any leftover crap (don't restore a backup - if you want to use Clone Phone you can do that but only restore app APKs and messages). When it reboots it should offer the latest OOS11 OTA first. If not, just download it and place it in the root and use the local upgrade function in the settings menu of the OOS11 system updater.
There is no need re-lock the bootloader and if you do, you risk a brick that has to be recovered with MSM Tool.
Root by following the guide I linked. I just went through this yesterday after flashing COS broke mobile data. I have Magisk 24.3 working with denylist, Widevine L1, and SafetyNet passes so I have Google Pay.
EtherealRemnant said:
I am running COS C.62 on my OP9 with root and having no issues. Did you make sure to do all the things in this guide?
Root OnePlus ColorOS 12 OxygenOS Android 12 via Magisk
In this tutorial, we will show you detailed steps to root your OnePlus device running ColorOS 12 Android 12 via Magisk Patched Boot.img file.
www.droidwin.com
Anyway, yes, use the local upgrade APK, put the downgrade file in the root of storage, run it. Reboot. Factory reset and wipe data to clear out any leftover crap (don't restore a backup - if you want to use Clone Phone you can do that but only restore app APKs and messages). When it reboots it should offer the latest OOS11 OTA first. If not, just download it and place it in the root and use the local upgrade function in the settings menu of the OOS11 system updater.
There is no need re-lock the bootloader and if you do, you risk a brick that has to be recovered with MSM Tool.
Root by following the guide I linked. I just went through this yesterday after flashing COS broke mobile data. I have Magisk 24.3 working with denylist, Widevine L1, and SafetyNet passes so I have Google Pay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, ill give it a try.
First i used the payload.bin method and it was crashing, then i reflashed the latest OTA using the local update tool and used the magisk slot b method. still crashing.
It might have less to do with the root and more with me using root to disable certain apps (youtube, chrome, OP community, google news/podcast/tv) i dont want them on my phone but they might be too tightly integrated. If its still crashing on android 11 ill re-enable them and see if that helps.
aaronbaird1 said:
Thank you, ill give it a try.
First i used the payload.bin method and it was crashing, then i reflashed the latest OTA using the local update tool and used the magisk slot b method. still crashing.
It might have less to do with the root and more with me using root to disable certain apps (youtube, chrome, OP community, google news/podcast/tv) i dont want them on my phone but they might be too tightly integrated. If its still crashing on android 11 ill re-enable them and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay you're on OOS, not COS. COS doesn't have Google apps by default (but has plenty more bloatware, I just don't use it).
It's certainly possible that disabling Google apps is your problem. If you don't want Google apps, you're better off with a custom ROM that doesn't have them. CalyxOS has a beta for OnePlus 9 and it's totally de-Googled. There's also Lineage.
EtherealRemnant said:
Okay you're on OOS, not COS. COS doesn't have Google apps by default (but has plenty more bloatware, I just don't use it).
It's certainly possible that disabling Google apps is your problem. If you don't want Google apps, you're better off with a custom ROM that doesn't have them. CalyxOS has a beta for OnePlus 9 and it's totally de-Googled. There's also Lineage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahhhh. i didnt realize there was a difference. I thought OP was just calling their android 12 build ColorOS.
Either way, for custom roms i would have to go back to 11 to flash TWRP right? or can you flash custom roms using fastboot?
aaronbaird1 said:
ahhhh. i didnt realize there was a difference. I thought OP was just calling their android 12 build ColorOS.
Either way, for custom roms i would have to go back to 11 to flash TWRP right? or can you flash custom roms using fastboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to back to 11 because OnePlus hasn't released working sources for 12. Just use the downgrade package, factory reset, then upgrade to 11.2.10.10 and you'll be good to go for custom ROMs. TWRP isn't used for flashing them, they all generally post their own recovery. StagOS was the best one I used (plus the dev is really responsive when there are issues) and people seem to really be enjoying Nameless but that came out after I went back to stock so I haven't tried it yet.
Before you mess with custom ROMs, make sure that you download the global MSM Tool and make sure you can connect it. Honestly since you have to go back anyway, might as well download and use the MSM Tool to get the device back to 11 anyway.
GLOBAL OnePlus 9 MSM TOOL UPDATED
Frist off Im not responsible for anything that happens to your phone!!! VERY SIMPLE IF YOU ARE BICKED,BOOTLOOPED OR JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO 100% STOCK THIS WILL WIPE ALL DATA!!! AN RELOCK BOOTLOADER OOS 11.2.4.4.LE25AA MUST HAVE QAULCOMM...
forum.xda-developers.com
Easiest way to get it into EDL is adb reboot edl but if you want to practice the key combination in case you can't get into the OS, I found if you open the MSM, check use lite firehose, and click Start before you connect the phone, it has less connection errors because it's waiting for the phone so as soon as you connect the cable, it pops up.
EtherealRemnant said:
TWRP isn't used for flashing them, they all generally post their own recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really??? you can tell I haven't messed with custom roms in a long time.
Thank you for all the help. I'll try it out.
aaronbaird1 said:
Really??? you can tell I haven't messed with custom roms in a long time.
Thank you for all the help. I'll try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah TWRP has issues. I soft bricked last time I tried to do anything with it and had to use MSM Tool to get back to working order.

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