Database Info

[GUIDE] STEP-BY-STEP Instructions to Install Monthly OTA updates on Rooted Essential

[GUIDE] NOOB-Friendly STEP-BY-STEP Instructions to Install Monthly OTA updates on Rooted Essential PH-1
Introduction: I know there are many threads already posted that answer how to install OTA on rooted devices but unfortunately they get lost in massive threads that are often not NOOB friendly. I do not claim to be an expert but I have spent a long time reading threads and found the method I will detail below the easiest for me to follow on a monthly basis. I will do my best to give credit where credit is due to the original authors but my apologies in advance if I miss anything.
Just to start the prerequisites I have are a Windows 10 PC, Essential PH-1, with Stock OS and stock unlocked Bootloader. I have tried using TWRP in the past but I found this method simpler. I don't know whether my instructions will work for you or not if you already have TWRP installed but I can let one of the experts respond and I will be happy to update the guide based on feedback.
Part 1 - Downloads
Start by downloading the following items and storing them locally on your PC if you don't have them already
Download the latest OTA Monthly build from here: https://www.essential.com/developer/current-builds Note: Just check off that you are looking for "Current Builds" and click "Submit Form" and then click "Download (OTA)" link beneath the newest release you want.
Download the newest stock boot image here from bmg1001's google drive Credit:bmg1001
(FIRST TIME ONLY) Download and install the Windows driver (if you don't already have on your computer) from here: https://storage.googleapis.com/essential-static/Essential-PH1-WindowsDrivers.exe
(FIRST TIME ONLY) Download ADB tool (if you don't have already on your computer) from here: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html This link is directly from Essentials site here in their "Before Sideloading" section it is the link entitled "You'll need the latest ADB tool"
To continue you must have developer options USB Debugging enabled which I presume was already done previously if your phone is rooted but if not you must do so before proceeding.
To Enable Developer Options: Settings App> System> About Phone> Scroll Down to Bottom and tap 7 times on the "Build Number"
To Enable USB Debugging: Settings App> Developer Options> USB Debugging (Set to Enabled)
Part 2 - Sideload the OTA Update
DISCLAIMER: This method if done properly should not wipe any of your data, however I take no responsibility and it is always advisable to back up your data before proceeding with any updates if you wish. I will be honest that I have now done this several times and never had any issues.
Unzip the ADB tool (link above in downloads section is for "platform-tools") and save it to a folder easily accesible on your computer (for this demonstration I will use "C:\platform-tools")
Copy the OTA update file to your ADB folder i.e. "C:\platform-tools" and rename it "OTAupdate.zip" (it is not necessary to rename it, just makes this simpler for the guide)
Verify the checksum of the image. I use hashtab which allows you to right click on any file and click properties and see the hashes as a tab in the properties menu. The SHA-256 is listed right under the OTA download link just copy and paste it in to the hashtab to verify
Remove your PIN / Password before sideloading by going to Settings> Security & Location> Screen Lock> Set it to None (this probably isn't necessary I just do it as a precaution)
Plug Essential Phone into computer and make sure that it says USB Debugging Enabled
Open the folder "C:\platform-tools" in Windows File Explorer and hold shift and right click in the window and you select the option "Open Powershell window here" from the context menu (works in Windows 10 can't speak for earlier Windows versions). If you don't see it the first time Shift+right click on a different part of the empty white window and you should see it appear.
Verify your device is properly connected by typing
Code:
adb devices
and you should see your device listed
Type
Code:
adb reboot recovery
Note:If you're unable to use ADB to reboot into recovery, you can use the key combination for your device. While device is off to boot into Recovery mode, press and hold Volume-Up button while pushing Power button to boot.
Your device is now in Recovery mode. An Android logo with red exclamation mark should appear on screen. Hold the Power button, then press the Volume-Up button one time. When the menu appears, select Apply update from ADB.
Run the following command:
Code:
adb devices
Then check that your device shows up with “sideload” next to its name
Run the following command:
Code:
adb sideload OTAupdate.zip
where OTAupdate.zip is the name of the file you downloaded and verified
Once the update finishes, select Reboot system now to reboot your phone
At this point you should have a stock updated essential device but without root. The remainder of this guide will use Magisk to restore your device to root.
Part 3 - Re-root your Device with Magisk
Copy newest boot image from here that you downloaded earlier to a folder directly on your phone. I personally put it in my "Download" folder on my phone so I can find it easily
Open Magisk Manager and click Install>Install>Patch Boot Image
Select the boot image from step 1 and then let Magisk proceed in creating a patched image file
Copy the file "magisk_patched.img" file that Magisk just created from your device back to the computer and put it in the ADB folder "C:\platform-tools"
Plug in phone and open powershell same as before (shift+ right click> Open Powershell window here)
Type
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
to reboot your phone into fastboot
Confirm your phone is in fastboot by typing
Code:
fastboot devices
Then check that your device shows up with “fastboot” next to its name
Execute the command
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
Restart your phone and you are done! Don't forget to put your phone PIN/Password back if you disabled security in the earlier step.
You should now have a successfully updated phone with full ROOT access with Magisk. I know that this guide seems like a lot of steps but it really goes very quickly, I just tried to be detailed and NOOB-Friendly.
Hope this helps all of my fellow XDA members!! Please share any and all feedback. Thanks!
Full credit goes to this thread for helping me with everything: [GUIDE] Rooting your Essential PH-1

The way I do *updates* is different (not the initial TWRP/ root).
I use the same Essential developer link as in part 1-1. I also have a copy of twrp-installer-mata-3.2.3-0 zip file on my device.
Boot to TWRP, and do a complete nandroid.
Then install the OTA file just like it's any other zip and when it's done, install the twrp-installer-mata-3.2.3-0 zip file. You can simply put them both into the flash queue before starting the flash.
This TWRP installer will install to both slots ensuring that the inactive slot has it installed. Wipe dalvik and then reboot to system which will be in the opposite slot from the one you started at.
The OTA will always flash to the inactive slot and the bootloader will switch to the slot the OTA was flashed to.
The initial boot takes a few minutes. Once I verify the ROM boots correctly, then I reboot to TWRP and flash Magisk. This ensures that Magisk get installed to the same slot that is now active.
I agree it's safer to remove screen pin, so far I have gotten away with never remembering to do that [emoji16]
If the flash fails, the bootloader should just switch you back to the original slot. I would expect that to boot fine, with one exception... The bootloader was changed between 8.1.1 and 9.0. So if you are going between major versions, the original slot will bootloop after the update.
One more note, a pet peeve of mine; when referencing a post that is older, make sure that you review the forums for changes. TWRP might have a required newer release, the methods that once worked may no longer work. If you are not sure or comfortable recovering, then don't be an early adopter. [emoji6]
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini

ktmom said:
The way I do *updates* is different (not the initial TWRP/ root).
I use the same Essential developer link as in part 1-1. I also have a copy of twrp-installer-mata-3.2.3-0 zip file on my device.
Boot to TWRP, and do a complete nandroid.
Then install the OTA file just like it's any other zip and when it's done, install the twrp-installer-mata-3.2.3-0 zip file. You can simply put them both into the flash queue before starting the flash.
This TWRP installer will install to both slots ensuring that the inactive slot has it installed. Wipe dalvik and then reboot to system which will be in the opposite slot from the one you started at.
The OTA will always flash to the inactive slot and the bootloader will switch to the slot the OTA was flashed to.
The initial boot takes a few minutes. Once I verify the ROM boots correctly, then I reboot to TWRP and flash Magisk. This ensures that Magisk get installed to the same slot that is now active.
I agree it's safer to remove screen pin, so far I have gotten away with never remembering to do that [emoji16]
If the flash fails, the bootloader should just switch you back to the original slot. I would expect that to boot fine, with one exception... The bootloader was changed between 8.1.1 and 9.0. So if you are going between major versions, the original slot will bootloop after the update.
One more note, a pet peeve of mine; when referencing a post that is older, make sure that you review the forums for changes. TWRP might have a required newer release, the methods that once worked may no longer work. If you are not sure or comfortable recovering, then don't be an early adopter. [emoji6]
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know i just finished writing my own guide to do it after i had trouble with the sticky posts. for me, magisk couldnt find the stock boot so i had to pretty much redo it. i did most things with back-to-stock and fastboot. but now i really wanna try your method through twrp. i been using the patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img images which have twrp and magisk in the same image. using your method, in twrp, could i flash the ota, the patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img, switch slots in twrp, flash patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img again, then switch back to the original slot and reboot system? thanks!
this thread has the patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img images
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/development/stock-7-1-1-nmj20d-t3701681

@andypiznti
There's no need to manually switch slots. And no reason to flash the TWRP *installer* file twice. The first time it runs, it patches both slots.
IMHO, trying to control slots is what gets people into trouble.
I do pay attention to what slot I'm on before I start though. In TWRP, if you go to the reboot menu, it will tell you. But the way I flash, I stay on the slot I started with. The OTA will always flash to the opposite slot - which should be the inactive slot. Flashing the TWRP *installer* file just once, patches both slots.
Just wipe dalvik (and cache but there is no cache partition so it will error - just ignore the error) then reboot to system like we've done after custom ROMs for years.
The next boot, the bootloader knows to switch to the slot with the newest OS.
After a successful boot, when you return to TWRP, you'll see the slot is the opposite one from when you started. But you didn't need to do any slot switching.
Don't force things. Let the slots take care of themselves.
I also think, there is less likely to be trouble with Magisk and the boot.img, if you boot fully after an update, before returning to recovery to flash Magisk. Remember that both TWRP and Magisk are making changes to the boot.img.
Final thought, unless I seriously misunderstand Magisk, if you rooted using an all-in-one boot.img you won't have a back up of the "stock" boot.img to restore, making the Magisk uninstaller useless. The backup made when installing Magisk is stored on the data partition, not the boot partition. This is why the instructions in BTS tell you to flash the stock boot.img and provide a copy of it.
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini

The beauty of my method in the OP is you don't need to worry at all about the correct "slots" like you have to with TWRP...

ktmom said:
@andypiznti
I also think, there is less likely to be trouble with Magisk and the boot.img, if you boot fully after an update, before returning to recovery to flash Magisk. Remember that both TWRP and Magisk are making changes to the boot.img.
Final thought, unless I seriously misunderstand Magisk, if you rooted using an all-in-one boot.img you won't have a back up of the "stock" boot.img to restore, making the Magisk uninstaller useless. The backup made when installing Magisk is stored on the data partition, not the boot partition. This is why the instructions in BTS tell you to flash the stock boot.img and provide a copy of it.
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok that answers a lot. thanks! the guide i made for myself had me flashing the stock image with bts. i was curious about the full boot after an update, i was thinking the same thing in that it might cause problems with magisk, but i also thought twrp would cause problems too. the reason i mentioned switching slots and flashing is the all-in-one img only flashes to one slot at a time, i believe.
heres my guide for reference, its kinda long. but these were the exact steps i followed and was successful. had to flash the img twice, kept rebooting into recovery if i didnt.
Applying OTA for Essential Phone when Magisk doesn't have stock boot
Boot to recovery with Magisk
Back up at least system and boot
Boot to bootloader with TWRP
Extract back to stock (BTS) for CURRENT INSTALLED VERSION, not the update BTS version
Once in bootloader, connect phone->old phone plug, SSD plug
Run flashallnowipe.bat, once bootloader reboots, select Start, unplug phone
Uninstall Magisk like a regular app
Do OTA->settings->advanced->system update
after reboot->reboot while holding volume down until in download/fastboot mode
***REMEMBER!! Flash on the opposite slot of the current slot
***so if im on slot a, flash slot b.
make sure to extract Essential_ADB_and_FASTBOOT.zip in BTS folder then->cmd-here.exe
fastboot getvar current-slot
***
fastboot flash boot_a dec_patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img
fastboot flash boot_b dec_patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img
***Switch to other slot
fastboot --set-active=a
fastboot --set-active=b
***Just to double check, REMEMBER!! Flash on the opposite slot of the current slot
fastboot getvar current-slot
***
fastboot flash boot_a dec_patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img
fastboot flash boot_b dec_patched_twrp_magisk_stock.img
***Switch back to orig slot
fastboot --set-active=a
fastboot --set-active=b
On the phone fastboot menu, select Start, unplug phone
Manager asks if you wanna install it, no, it downloads the wrong one, maybe works now?
Install Magisk Manager->https://github.com/ianmacd/MagiskBuilds
IT HAS TO BE THIS APK, Download any apk version from above github, install
when you open Manager, then download the newest apk, dont update image
Manager and Image update daily, ignore till next month OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

hssxda said:
The beauty of my method in the OP is you don't need to worry at all about the correct "slots" like you have to with TWRP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what more I could do to make the point it's not necessary to worry about slots in TWRP.
@andypiznti. The all-in-one is Fastboot flashed to either slot one at a time. All of this makes life harder than it needs to be.
My post was suggesting an alternative. Use the OTA, no Fastboot, no PC just have the TWRP installer file I linked so you don't lose TWRP.
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini

ktmom said:
I don't know what more I could do to make the point it's not necessary to work about slots in TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, all of your posts describing your method contains the word "slot" multiple times so it is obviously a relevant concern otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it. My post did not contain the word even once...
I see no need to use TWRP. What advantage does it have?

ktmom said:
I don't know what more I could do to make the point it's not necessary to worry about slots in TWRP.
@andypiznti. The all-in-one is Fastboot flashed to either slot one at a time. All of this makes life harder than it needs to be.
My post was suggesting an alternative. Use the OTA, no Fastboot, no PC just have the TWRP installer file I linked so you don't lose TWRP.
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yes, definitely doing that next time. thanks!! i found this post thats exactly your method in a little less words.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/es...1-1-nmj20d-t3701681/post78194778#post78194778

Jeebus...
We didn't like the other 15 goddamn threads with the same topic...
XDA is cancer

what works for me at the time to flash the patched image was
fastboot flash boot_a patched_boot.img
fastboot flash boot_b patched_boot.img
note: i am on pie
thanks for the guide.

Really helped lots, thank you.

January update is out, who might like to patch boot.img with TWRP and Magisk?

kma_29 said:
January update is out, who might like to patch boot.img with TWRP and Magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to the stock room thread
"find somebody that you think is undeserving of your compassion and give it to them" - Christian Picciolini

OP, if you want to avoid having to sideload the whole OTA, you can have it done directly by your phone by flashing the stock boot image for the current version that you are one and then updating from the settings (or notification). Then just continue with flashing the rooted boot image for the new update. I feel like that is safer than both TWRP and sideloading the full OTA (in reference to keeping data safe).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76828139&postcount=1264

morphius88 said:
OP, if you want to avoid having to sideload the whole OTA, you can have it done directly by your phone by flashing the stock boot image for the current version that you are one and then updating from the settings (or notification). Then just continue with flashing the rooted boot image for the new update. I feel like that is safer than both TWRP and sideloading the full OTA (in reference to keeping data safe).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76828139&postcount=1264
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

@bmg1001 are you still providing the stock boot images on your google drive. I am looking for the Feb stock boot image or can someone tell me how to get it. I tried extracting from the Feb OTA but did not see it listed in that zip

jionny said:
@bmg1001 are you still providing the stock boot images on your google drive. I am looking for the Feb stock boot image or can someone tell me how to get it. I tried extracting from the Feb OTA but did not see it listed in that zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I have it in the same Google Drive folder where the other month's images are posted.

bmg1001 said:
Yep, I have it in the same Google Drive folder where the other month's images are posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry chalk that up to me not paying attention. I was looking for it after Jan but its actually the first one listed. Thanks!

bmg1001 said:
Yep, I have it in the same Google Drive folder where the other month's images are posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi one more thing, this is my third time updating and rooting via this method. The last two times worked flawlessly however this time I did update the OTA but when I try to reroot and go to adb devices I see my phone listed then when I reboot recovery it does however when I try fastboot devices my phone does not show and nothing happens, any help will be appreciated

[Guide] Restoring Black Shark 1 Global to Stock

Hello, this is not a guide for noobs.
At this point, i assume your BlackShark 1 is running a custom ROM, or a modification, and not it cannot update over OTA.
This guide helps you restore your BS1 SKR-H0 to Stock ROM, hopefully you can update it when the next OTA comes out.
This guide sets one of your partitions at system update G66X1906170OS00MPX.
You agree that by performing these operation, you risk bricking your device. I will probably not be there to help you recover.
There are a few steps:
Flash the stock images
Re-encrypt storage
Re-flash the stock files
Flash the stock images
Download the full backup from here: https://mega.nz/#!IZFAEAoC!UMHJ0drlhoHyGtV-0KYrtteC1VMP8-eqFWWrMXLZikQ
Extract the backup
Enter fastboot mode on your phone
Check which slot you are on, and which slot is definitely working. Try this on a slot that is broken, or that is not 100% working (in my case, slot a)
Run the following command for every partition:
Code:
fastboot flash <partitionname>_<slotname> <filename>
example: fastboot flash boot_a boot_a (if the slot you are overwriting is slot a)
or fastboot flash boot_b boot_a (if the slot you are overwriting is slot b)
Once finished, boot twrp, flash disableforceencrypt and magisk, and reboot into the system.
Reencrypt storage
First of all, backup ALL YOUR INTERNAL STORAGE, as it WILL GET WIPED IN THIS STEP. i warned you.
Once the system boots with the new version, go into stock recovery (adb reboot recovery, or enter bootloader > select start recovery)
Then reboot into the system. once the system boots, go to settings, security, encryption, and enable encryption. The phone should encrypt now. Wait for it to start encryption, finish, and get stuck at boot animation. This is the end of step 2.
Re-flash the stock files
This is the final and easiest step. If previous steps were performed correctly, then all you have to do now it the following:
from the stuck bootanimation, reboot to bootloader.
Flash 1 more time system, boot and vendor partition. This time DO NOT flash disableforceencrypt and magisk.
reboot into stock recovery
perform a wipe 1 more time.
reboot the system.
If done correctly, your phone should go into first time setup, with the stock OS, no internal error on boot, and you should be able to accept OTAs when they come. If OTA fails, Follow step 4:
(Optional) OTA Shows up again after finishing, and keep failing
If you restored your BlackShark to stock, and OTA does not finish (keeps coming back up), do the following:
If your backup is from slot a, and you are on it right now, run the following commands:
Make sure you are on the correct slot, with the correct backup!
Code:
fastboot flash boot boot_a.img
fastboot flash system system_a.img
fastboot flash vendor vendor_a.img
fastboot flash dsp dsp_a.img
fastboot flash devcfg devcfg_a.img
fastboot flash bluetooth bluetooth_a.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo_a.img
fastboot flash modem modem_a.img
fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta_a.img
For the partitions dtbo and devcfg, i'm not sure if they need reflashing, however i found out that the others might be changed indirectly, and cause OTA to fail.
So just reflash those partitions from backup (Make sure to use the correct version/slot!)
Finally, if update still fails, you can connect your phone to pc, run adb logcat, and watch the logs just after update download is finished. If it fails, you will find some lines about a failed partition, with the partition name.
Special thanks to @leipnacht who provided me with stock file, so that i could restore my phone.

Big Thanks to this! I'm glad the stock files helped restoring your phone. This will surely help xda users as well when somethings go wrong with root coz some games will ban you if your phone is detected as rooted phone. This is very useful reference for everyone.

i need this for CN version too:crying::crying:

help
How do I install and recover my black shark please?
when I have install via fastboot I get a message
FAILED remote flashing is not allowed for critical partitions.
way of doing the command on fastboot
fastboot flash partitionabl_a abl_a
fastboot flash partitionsystem_a system_a
Sorry, I do not understand much about this.

metamorfose123 said:
How do I install and recover my black shark please?
when I have install via fastboot I get a message
FAILED remote flashing is not allowed for critical partitions.
way of doing the command on fastboot
fastboot flash partitionabl_a abl_a
fastboot flash partitionsystem_a system_a
Sorry, I do not understand much about this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's fastboot flash abl_a abl_a
Etc... If you want to overwrite slot a, or
Fastboot flash abl_b abl_a
If you want to overwrite B.

needful guide for restoring black shark. Big thumb up for this post.

@gilbert32 thanks for your hard work! I'll check to see if I can find someone with a stock CN rom and see if this will work for it. I haven't had the phone until now because a family member temporarily needed one :good:

hi, i have a problem, after flash system i get only on S logo

geed301 said:
hi, i have a problem, after flash system i get only on S logo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version are you on? Which black shark?

SKR-H0 in oreo 8.1, but i resolved hahaha, i was used
fastboot flash boot boot_a.img
fastboot flash system system_a.img
fastboot flash vendor vendor_a.img
Just copy and pasted hahaha , today i updated to P and its great
Thnks for the tutorial and sorry for my bad english

Hi! I do not understand. One month ago I used this tutorial and I could get the previous little OTA update. Now I tried again do the same steps, all of them, and I can't get the OTA. I tried it 5 times… I have a question, in this new update of android Pie is the camera slow motion enabled? Can someone upload the android Pie backup for flashing directly?

FasterBit said:
Hi! I do not understand. One month ago I used this tutorial and I could get the previous little OTA update. Now I tried again do the same steps, all of them, and I can't get the OTA. I tried it 5 times… I have a question, in this new update of android Pie is the camera slow motion enabled? Can someone upload the android Pie backup for flashing directly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't find any slow motion option in camera. When you try OTA, open adb logcat at the same time. It should show you an error regarding which partition was modified when OTA fails.
It's probably one of: Boot, System, Modem, DSP, DTBO, Bluetooth, Vendor (maybe also other ones)

i need stock global ota package
do you have it yet?

hoangtieubao said:
i need stock global ota package
do you have it yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a backup of the global pie rom, i can upload it within this week.

gilbert32 said:
I have a backup of the global pie rom, i can upload it within this week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have solution to full convert rom to global
but i still dont have skr-h0 ota package full base
i need it to do

i have cn version OTA package, after flash
it can use *#1027# to fully convert to chinese version , ota works fine.
maybe you need to ask blackshark to provide a Full OTA request to your phone. just say your phone is rooted ,and cannot update anymore, need a full ota to restore it.
we use this trick to get cn version full ota package and it works

Vlin.Wang said:
i have cn version OTA package, after flash
it can use *#1027# to fully convert to chinese version , ota works fine.
maybe you need to ask blackshark to provide a Full OTA request to your phone. just say your phone is rooted ,and cannot update anymore, need a full ota to restore it.
we use this trick to get cn version full ota package and it works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this trick is very nice
and could you do it to get full ota for us?
i think too many people to want it

Any chance to find the global rom for black shark 2 pro.. DLT-A0
Any chance to find the global rom for black shark 2 pro.. DLT-A0
I need to make the phone supports multi language
Please help

Help Needed
Hi All,
Hope all is well.
Could anyone please help post a noob guide for this. I've flashing rooting etc thinf before but this one's really confusing for me. I would appreciate it greatly. I have a facebook group of BS1 Global user and they all wanted to restore their smartphone, I referred them to this thread but none of them seems to understand this tutorial. Pardon our ignorance. We would really appreciate it greatly.
Thanks in advance!

Hi Gilbert,
Thank you so much for posting this.
Your effort is greatly appreciated by us.
I am new to BS1 Global and I haven't done flashing rooting etc to this phone.
It would really help if there could be a step by step tutorial for users like me.
I would like to ask what files/tools are needed for this tutorial. I probably need pc? And probably need to install something on pc like drivers? What are they?
I'm guessing I need to unlock bootloader and root my bs1 global?
Also need to install twrp for bs1 global? And I don't know this disablforceencrypt and magisk thing.
Please please help post a noob tutorial for bs1 global that haven't been modified yet.
That would really be helpful, I look forward to your response. Thank you so much in advance.

Dynamic "super" partitions and Fastboot

Does anyone know anything about the "super" partition we have on our phones?
What I've found out so far is that it's a newish thing developed for Android 10, where the big partitions like system and vendor sit within this new super partition as "groups". Hence why in Fastboot if you run 'Fasboot getvar all' you'll see no system or vendor partition, only super. A key difference is that it sits in the "user-space".
The super partition has a header to tell the system what's in it and I think this is what the vbmeta_system and vbmeta_vendor images are for.
This explains it a little better : https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/dynamic_partitions/implement
Basically I'm attempting to flash the Global firmware onto my Chinese device. With most phones the images are just there in the downloaded ROM and even give you a flash all script to run, but Oppo do a couple of things to make our life more difficult.
Firstly you have to decrypt the ozip file to get a regular zip that you can then extract. Then there's no recovery image, so you have to make one using UR-Tool and a simple Linux command (will post the how to below). So now I have what I think are the key images to flash.
BUT, the system and vendor images sit in the super partition and I have no idea how to flash these. It appears to need a program called fastbootd , which I don't have and I think my only eat hooded in pixel phones?
I can even see the script that puts these images into the super partition, but have no idea how to run it.
Any Android experts out there?

Please - i'm begging you :d

klanbo78 said:
Please - i'm begging you :d
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you should go to some another device's forums which have more devs, like Samsung ? They maybe know something

Thanks for the suggestion, certainly had more luck in other forums but information is pretty sketchy.
Will keep digging as I really don't need a paperweight this expensive!

I'd suggest trying some Xiaomi forums, they're the similar to Oppo in that flashing Global on to Chinese is either really difficult or impossible as of late.

I have this super partition to in my poco X3, basicly i'm new with this partition because not have in my old poco f1. This partition eat 2x more system storage.

Alvian_P said:
I have this super partition to in my poco X3, basicly i'm new with this partition because not have in my old poco f1. This partition eat 2x more system storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the Super partiton contains various "logical" partitions like system, product, vendor, etc - so it will be bigger. The actual point of it is to actually save space on the phone and have resizeable partitions.

I managed to find a super.img anyway that I extracted from an ofp file I found. Tried to flash through fastboot but didn't sove the issue. Seems the only way to flash system, product, vendor, etc is by using fastbootd (the new version of fastboot that operates in userspace).
It's not available on the Find X2 with Android 10 models but Oppo have now included it in android 11 build. If you have ColorOS11 then goto ADB and run 'adb reboot fastboot', it'll get you into fastbootd mode (must have the latest fastboot and adb version from google). From there if you had the correct images I assume you could flash them.
Thankfully, Oppo UK have agreed to flash it for me, it's currently at the repair centre and they said they'd probably have to do a remote flash from China. Wondering if it will come back with Android 10 or 11

Recovery??????

sush1101 said:
Recovery??????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll need a bit more than that unfortunately....

how can we check if a device is currently using the dynamic super partition system or if it's got the older a/b set up instead?

Hi buddy,i'm a Chinese oppo user .I've been trying to flash a custom rom on my find x2 pro and it's the first time i see someone who has the same experience. I failed and bricked my phone several days ago,luckily oppo store helped me reset it to factory for free, so it's android10 now ,and it reboots to its official recovery interface instead of fastbootd when i run "adb reboot fastboot". It will succeed in entering fastbootd mode if it's with android11, right?what does the fastbootd mode look like,the same of fastboot or a new look?with fastbootd i can flash system.img to the system area under the super partition,right?thanks if you could help me out.

klanbo78 said:
Does anyone know anything about the "super" partition we have on our phones?
What I've found out so far is that it's a newish thing developed for Android 10, where the big partitions like system and vendor sit within this new super partition as "groups". Hence why in Fastboot if you run 'Fasboot getvar all' you'll see no system or vendor partition, only super. A key difference is that it sits in the "user-space".
The super partition has a header to tell the system what's in it and I think this is what the vbmeta_system and vbmeta_vendor images are for.
This explains it a little better : https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/dynamic_partitions/implement
Basically I'm attempting to flash the Global firmware onto my Chinese device. With most phones the images are just there in the downloaded ROM and even give you a flash all script to run, but Oppo do a couple of things to make our life more difficult.
Firstly you have to decrypt the ozip file to get a regular zip that you can then extract. Then there's no recovery image, so you have to make one using UR-Tool and a simple Linux command (will post the how to below). So now I have what I think are the key images to flash.
BUT, the system and vendor images sit in the super partition and I have no idea how to flash these. It appears to need a program called fastbootd , which I don't have and I think my only eat hooded in pixel phones?
I can even see the script that puts these images into the super partition, but have no idea how to run it.
Any Android experts out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you ever find a solution to this issue? I am facing an issue where I cannot flash my stock rom (oneplus 9 pro user) because twrp reports that I have no product, system_ext, and odm partitions on slot B, yet my phone boots fine on slot A, therefore my slot B is f'd up. I have been searching everywhere for a way to flash these partitions in fastbootd, but when I attempt to flash they report as "file/folder not found" even though I am literally flashing them to the slot. this is driving me crazy and I do not want to MSM my phone, I just want to repair slot B. how the fck do we flash these partitions, and how would my phone boot if they were even missing??

thirtythr33 said:
did you ever find a solution to this issue? I am facing an issue where I cannot flash my stock rom (oneplus 9 pro user) because twrp reports that I have no product, system_ext, and odm partitions on slot B, yet my phone boots fine on slot A, therefore my slot B is f'd up. I have been searching everywhere for a way to flash these partitions in fastbootd, but when I attempt to flash they report as "file/folder not found" even though I am literally flashing them to the slot. this is driving me crazy and I do not want to MSM my phone, I just want to repair slot B. how the fck do we flash these partitions, and how would my phone boot if they were even missing??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afraid not, I sent the phone back to Oppo and they flashed it. TWRP wasn't available for the X2 pro and didn't work for Android 10/11 anyway, although I heard there has been some progress on that front. You should stand a chance on OnePlus though as not locked down and more tools out there.

klanbo78 said:
Afraid not, I sent the phone back to Oppo and they flashed it. TWRP wasn't available for the X2 pro and didn't work for Android 10/11 anyway, although I heard there has been some progress on that front. You should stand a chance on OnePlus though as not locked down and more tools out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah bro thanks anyway, this is quite a clusterfck here, it blows my mind that my phone boots find on slot A yet I cannot update my rom because apparently I am missing those critical partitions, and when I try to flash them they tell me they are not found. lol wtf man

I hope I'm not too late to say this but you can boot to fastbootd from fastboot with command:
for linux/mac fastboot reboot fastboot or ./fastboot reboot fastboot I have little experience in both
for windows "Powershell only" ./fastboot reboot fastboot this aint working for cmd for unknown reason, ig it recognize the second "fastboot" in "reboot fastboot" as an invoke to the command "fastboot" and not as a parameter sent to fastboot.exe

thirtythr33 said:
did you ever find a solution to this issue? I am facing an issue where I cannot flash my stock rom (oneplus 9 pro user) because twrp reports that I have no product, system_ext, and odm partitions on slot B, yet my phone boots fine on slot A, therefore my slot B is f'd up. I have been searching everywhere for a way to flash these partitions in fastbootd, but when I attempt to flash they report as "file/folder not found" even though I am literally flashing them to the slot. this is driving me crazy and I do not want to MSM my phone, I just want to repair slot B. how the fck do we flash these partitions, and how would my phone boot if they were even missing??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use the command above to boot to fastbootd, but beware not to flash the partitions to the A slot as it's the active one ig. You have to switch to slot B before flashing and switch it again to A afterwards.
use command fastboot getvar all and look for "current-slot" in the result.
if "current-slot" is A, then use command fastboot set_active b
or if it's B then fastboot set_active a
Then switch the slot back as it was before.
Good luck with it

This whole slot _a/_b and super partition thing is super confusing right?
To flash super partition you can do
fastboot flash super super_patched.img
And as @L0ND0NB0Y already mentioned you can easily switch boot slots like this:
fastboot --set-active=b
Good luck!

lebigmac said:
This whole slot _a/_b and super partition thing is super confusing right?
To flash super partition you can do
fastboot flash super super_patched.img
And as @L0ND0NB0Y already mentioned you can easily switch boot slots like this:
fastboot --set-active=b
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know how to flash a GSI rom onto a phone that has a super partition ? i was successful on a G8 that had system and vendor product partition separate

Hello mates can help me I am using LG v60 I unlocked the bootloader and rooted the device successfully and created the super partition I took backup of IMG file to my memory card after sometimes when I try to restart my mobile my mobilegot bricked and my memory card also corrupted. I am unable to retrieve the backup files now I want to remove the super partion from my mobile...
I want to go back to original factory firmware with locked bootloader..i need to erase dynamic partition...

[STOCK FIRMWARE][WINDOWS][OUTDATED] How to upgrade and clean wipe from Stock Android 10 to Stock Android 11 without OTA [Retail USA Channel]

NOTICE : As of June 15, 2022 you no longer NEED this method as the OTA for Android 11 has been released. This is here for those who don't get the OTA or need an upgrade from a clean reset manually using only the RSA tool.
Credits to : morpheus092511 over on the Lenovo Forums for tricking the Moto Tool into installing the stock firmware, and Chepr29 from the Lenovo Forums for the fastboot method that doesn't require the tool.
In fastboot on your PC after your extract the Android 11 firmware and have your device in recovery mode enter the following commands (back up your data this will clean wipe it!) :
Code:
fastboot flash partition gpt.bin
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader.img
fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
fastboot flash radio radio.img
fastboot flash bluetooth BTFM.bin
fastboot flash dsp dspso.bin
fastboot flash logo logo.bin
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.0
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.1
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.2
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.3
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.4
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.5
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.6
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.7
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.8
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.9
fastboot flash super super.img_sparsechunk.10
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase carrier
fastboot erase metadata
fastboot erase ddr
fastboot oem fb_mode_clear
fastboot reboot
1. BACK UP ANY IMPORTANT FILES OR INFORMATION! DON'T FORGET TO BACK UP YOUR TWO FACTOR AUTHENTICATION CODES AS WELL! This method can be done with other firmwares, but I have only tested a clean wipe upgrade from stock Android 10 to 11 RETUS on the Motorola One Ace 5G (Unlocked from Amazon) and can't comment on other firmwares.
2. Windows ONLY! DOWNLOAD THE RSA software from Motorola that allows you to recover, backup, or flash stock firmware to your device.
https://download.lenovo.com/lsa/Releases/Rescue_and_Smart_Assistant_v6.1.1.9_signed_setup.exe
3. DOWNLOAD the retail Android 11 firmware for the Motorola One Ace 5G (Kiev) Retail USA / Unlocked from here :
https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/kiev/official/RETUS/XT2113-2_KIEV_RETUS_11_RZK31.Q3-45-16_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_R8_CFC.xml.zip
4. Go to C:\ProgramData\RSA\Download\RomFiles and extract the .zip folder here. You may need 7Zip, or WinRAR to do so. I recommend 7Zip as it's open source and free without nag popups.
https://www.7-zip.org/a/7z2107-x64.exe
5. Connect your phone to the PC via USB-C and shut it off. Hold volume down, and power on at the same time until the recovery screen shows.
6. The RSA software will detect your proper "latest" firmware automatically in fastboot mode, allow it time to download and wait until it's done, give it some time after it hits 100.00% because the program will begin decompressing and unzipping the stock firmware, but it will NOT tell you this, keep that in mind!
7. Under the same directory in Step 4, you should now have two folders. One that says 10 and 11 with almost the same naming convention, delete ALL of the files in the folder that RSA downloaded (the 10 folder), and copy and paste all of the files from (the 11 folder), but LEAVE the name of the folder the same as what it was when RSA downloaded it, don't change the name or you'll either have to re-name it back, or re-download the firmware once more and let it extract.
8. Go back to the RSA program and hit the yellow "Rescue" button. Don't touch your phone and leave it alone! All data will be erased and it will begin flashing the firmware from Android 11 without a single issue. If you have PIN or password locked your phone previously, upon first boot up Android will ask you for your previous device PIN before you can begin setting up the device initially.
NOTE : This should preserve your warranty, mine expired a few months ago and I haven't been able to confirm this 100% because of this. (we waited a LONG time for this update!) Since the process does NOT require your bootloader to be unlocked or modified in anyway whatsoever, I do NOT see how you could possibly void the warranty. As of this writing, I have NEVER attempted to even unlock my bootloader for stability purposes, and because rooting isn't a concern to me on this device. In fact, to my knowledge you are NO LONGER able to unlock the bootloader on Android 11, so proceed with caution if this is something you require! There may be a 3-day wait of being connected to the Internet before you are allowed to use the OEM Unlock function, please keep that in mind if this is an issue.
Since it is stock firmware, there are no functionality issues to be concerned with. Calling, 5G, camera, Bluetooth, NFC and other basic sensors and extra functionality work 100% to my knowledge after testing most functions myself for the better duration of a day, even my Fossil Gen 6 Android Wear 2.0 (updating to 3.0 soon) watch is functioning flawlessly over WiFI and Bluetooth with the new update.

Please note this method is now outdated, as the OTA has been released for Android 11.

TheLastSidekick said:
Please note this method is now outdated, as the OTA has been released for Android 11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does work though, for anybody needing (or just wanting) to recover from a blown system without having to wait for a Rescue download.
Also it's a bit irritating that 95-9 for RETUS never got uploaded to lolinet. And now since 11 is released, that's all you can get through RSA, because it INSISTS on upgrading the phone to the latest version.
(Edit/Add) I would just like to have 95-9 handy for emergency reflashing if ever needed, but now I can't get my hands on it anywhere . . . except on that "easy" website and I don't really trust it 100%.
NOTE: I just flashed an 11 upgrade (manually via fastboot) and there was only 0-9 sparsechunk files. No super.img_sparsechunk.10 to be found, either the file or in the servicefile.xml . . . ? This was specifically the KIEV_RETAIL_RZK31.Q3_45_16_subsidy_DEFAULT_regulatory_DEFAULT_R8_CFC.xml firmware . . .

Moondroid said:
It does work though, for anybody needing (or just wanting) to recover from a blown system without having to wait for a Rescue download.
Also it's a bit irritating that 95-9 for RETUS never got uploaded to lolinet. And now since 11 is released, that's all you can get through RSA, because it INSISTS on upgrading the phone to the latest version.
(Edit/Add) I would just like to have 95-9 handy for emergency reflashing if ever needed, but now I can't get my hands on it anywhere . . . except on that "easy" website and I don't really trust it 100%.
NOTE: I just flashed an 11 upgrade (manually via fastboot) and there was only 0-9 sparsechunk files. No super.img_sparsechunk.10 to be found, either the file or in the servicefile.xml . . . ? This was specifically the KIEV_RETAIL_RZK31.Q3_45_16_subsidy_DEFAULT_regulatory_DEFAULT_R8_CFC.xml firmware . . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the whole thing is strange the way the way each firmware is slightly a different size between what is evidently the same Retail build.

Actually, there's an easier method using RSA rescue.
You can grab boot.img for rooting.

mingkee said:
Actually, there's an easier method using RSA rescue.
You can grab boot.img for rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using Rescue tool for this, may I please ask you how you were able to grab the boot.img? Thank you in advance!
Also, for those wondering if using the method above if OTAs will continue to update the answer is 100% YES confirmed.

TheLastSidekick said:
I was using Rescue tool for this, may I please ask you how you were able to grab the boot.img? Thank you in advance!
Also, for those wondering if using the method above if OTAs will continue to update the answer is 100% YES confirmed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After rescue, check C:\Program Data\RSA\Download\romfiles\
Check Kiev folder

Need help restoring my pixel 5

Good morning all I need some help unbricking my pixel 5. I have exhausted all possible avenues that I'm aware of to restore my phone out of bootloop. At the time I messed it up I was attempting to use twrp. In an attempt to fix the phone I tried flashing the system,and boot to no avail repeatedly getting the error "boot.img missing command-line or os version" as well as using the flash all from the stock firmware file. The current active slot is b and the a/b partition thing is new to me so I'm sure somewhere along the way I missed something. Any help is greatly appreciated .

Could you try this fastboot command and see if it works?
fastboot --set-active=a

I did try that however I'm not sure i was doing it correctly is it typed the way you typed it out?

Reboot the phone into the bootloader, look up how to do that if you don't know how, and then manually flash a rom or use the Android Flash Tool. The latter option is recommended if you are a novice.

I wouldn't say I'm novice lol but more out of the game too long either way thank you for your assistance I will try that as soon as I get a chance and report back

UPDATE your advice worked and I was able to reboot properly thank you in a side note is it impossible at this time to install twrp on a pixel 5?

musiv2 said:
UPDATE your advice worked and I was able to reboot properly thank you in a side note is it impossible at this time to install twrp on a pixel 5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. The Pixel series, as with most A/B devices, do not have a bespoke recovery partition. The recovery kernel is compressed into the boot image. TWRP does not support compression in this way so it cannot be used as a replacement for the stock recovery. The only effective way to use TWRP is to live boot the image, use TWRP to do whatever you need to do, without installing it to /boot.
BTW the next time you need to restore your phone you can use the Android Flash Tool.

Ok thank you for the explanation as I stated before I am new to the a/b partitioning way of android life so I have alot to learn

I used twrp in the past( on no A/B devices) but would recommend learning fastboot/adb. First step: always make sure USB debugging is enabled after every flash. This will make it so you can fix a lot of mistakes and recover your device. It's the first thing I do after every boot on a new install.
Here's the commands to flash stock to both slots. NOTE: this is for android 13. 12 and before will be a little different. Bootloader, radio and rom names should be exact to file, this is just for example.
fastboot --slot=all flash bootloader bootloader.img
fastboot reboot bootlaoder
fastboot --slot=all flash radio radio.img
fastboot reboot bootlaoder
fastboot --slot=a --skip-reboot update stock-image.zip
fastboot reboot bootlaoder
fastboot --slot=b --skip-reboot update stock-image.zip
fastboot -w
fastboot reboot
One final note: I put slot a first but I always start with the active slot(it's in the bootloader screen). If you want the android 12 instructions, let me know but it's not much different, you just use the stock recovery.