is anyone interested in this? - Google Pixel 4a Questions & Answers

I bought this phone and I don't know what to do with it

Update: I found the way to access the browser but I don't know what else to do with it, any ideas?

update 2: access to bluethooth obtained, can transfer files but not certain files, device not supported error when trying to receive APK files, can connect with devices like headphones, chromecast, etc.​

Gust45 said:
I bought this phone and I don't know what to do with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try unlocking the bootloader and trying to install GrapheneOS or some other custom roms over Arcane if you're trying to make the phone usable. Is that what you're trying to do, or do you just want to mess around with Arcane?

Honkette1738 said:
You could try unlocking the bootloader and trying to install GrapheneOS or some other custom roms over Arcane if you're trying to make the phone usable. Is that what you're trying to do, or do you just want to mess around with Arcane?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whatever would be fine, the phone still has its native applications such as the calculator that was used to access the ANOM chat and an appstore of which I had no knowledge, I am interested to know what can be done with this strange article

Honkette1738 said:
You could try unlocking the bootloader and trying to install GrapheneOS or some other custom roms over Arcane if you're trying to make the phone usable. Is that what you're trying to do, or do you just want to mess around with Arcane?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried to unlock the bootloader without success, I don't have much knowledge on the subject either, I only read the famous thread made by a user a few years ago, so some help would be good

Related

Rooting L04 without Bootloader Unlock?

Hello,
I've been reading around and I can't seem to find a way to get root without going through the bootloader unlock process.
Is there something I'm missing? Or is it just not possible currently?
I don't need TWRP for now, I might dabble in custom roms later, but for now I was just looking for a way to delete some of the bloat.
Failing root without boot unlock, IS there another way I can possibly delete those apps? Mostly the Google stuff and a few stock apps I'm not using.
Thanks
You can use Debloater on a Windows PC to disable most anything on the phone you don't want without root. You don't get the free space back, but unless you're cramped for space it's not that big a difference.
SolarisSixth said:
Hello,
I've been reading around and I can't seem to find a way to get root without going through the bootloader unlock process.
Is there something I'm missing? Or is it just not possible currently?
I don't need TWRP for now, I might dabble in custom roms later, but for now I was just looking for a way to delete some of the bloat.
Failing root without boot unlock, IS there another way I can possibly delete those apps? Mostly the Google stuff and a few stock apps I'm not using.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bootlaoder unlock is the only safe process in rooting.
evilpaul13 said:
You can use Debloater on a Windows PC to disable most anything on the phone you don't want without root. You don't get the free space back, but unless you're cramped for space it's not that big a difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Debloater did the job!
Would be nice to get the space back, but yeah, not hurting for it, and disabling the packages is good enough for now.
I DO plan on going through the whole process, but this does the job.
Much appreciated.

running nougat va20. tried every root/custom recovery method i could find.

so like the title states, i'm trying to flash twrp and get root. i've tried idk how many different methods and i'm hitting a brick wall. bootloader is unlocked, recowvery is giving me an error before closing itself, not doing anything. verified device is recognized by adb.
also tried flashing recovery using flashboot, but obviously that doesn't work on a20. i'm open to suggestions as i would really like to have a custom recovery
i could flash a rooted .kdz/.tot but i have yet to find one that is a20 or higher.
ZOMGITSABEAR said:
so like the title states, i'm trying to flash twrp and get root. i've tried idk how many different methods and i'm hitting a brick wall. bootloader is unlocked, recowvery is giving me an error before closing itself, not doing anything. verified device is recognized by adb.
also tried flashing recovery using flashboot, but obviously that doesn't work on a20. i'm open to suggestions as i would really like to have a custom recovery
i could flash a rooted .kdz/.tot but i have yet to find one that is a20 or higher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUMP. please help me, someone. if i could at least get root going i'd be happy.
ZOMGITSABEAR said:
so like the title states, i'm trying to flash twrp and get root. i've tried idk how many different methods and i'm hitting a brick wall. bootloader is unlocked, recowvery is giving me an error before closing itself, not doing anything. verified device is recognized by adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, to hear that it didn't work for you. In my experience, this has to be related to not following the instructions to the point. I was also stuck myself initially, only to find out later that I missed something in the instruction. Give us more detail, otherwise no one can help you. Which firmware version are you on? Which method are you trying? Is it an automated script or manual. IMO, the manual method works best, and easier to troubleshoot.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-recowvery-unlock-v20-root-shell-t3490594
suhridkhan said:
Sorry, to hear that it didn't work for you. In my experience, this has to be related to not following the instructions to the point. I was also stuck myself initially, only to find out later that I missed something in the instruction. Give us more detail, otherwise no one can help you. Which firmware version are you on? Which method are you trying? Is it an automated script or manual. IMO, the manual method works best, and easier to troubleshoot.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/v20/development/h918-recowvery-unlock-v20-root-shell-t3490594
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you help me over discord or something? i'd GREATLY appreciate it and i'll love you forever
ZOMGITSABEAR said:
can you help me over discord or something? i'd GREATLY appreciate it and i'll love you forever
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't really understand your question! What seems to be the issue?
for anyone having trouble rooting 20a, i tried this guide and FINALLY have my phone running twrp and root working fine.
http://www.droidviews.com/install-twrp-recovery-and-root-lg-g5-on-android-nougat/
for anyone having trouble rooting 20a, i tried this guide and FINALLY have my phone running twrp and root working fine.
http://www.droidviews.com/install-twrp-recovery-and-root-lg-g5-on-android-nougat/
ZOMGITSABEAR said:
for anyone having trouble rooting 20a, i tried this guide and FINALLY have my phone running twrp and root working fine.
http://www.droidviews.com/install-twrp-recovery-and-root-lg-g5-on-android-nougat/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this worked, good for you.
But I don't think it should work. Last time I checked, the very fastboot flash command is disabled in LG G5. Recowvery is supposed to be the only way.
BTW, I don't trust root and unlock methods outside of xda. There are lots of clickbait articles, which has the potential to brick your device.
suhridkhan said:
If this worked, good for you.
I don't trust root and unlock methods outside of xda. There are lots of clickbait articles, which has the potential to brick your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS!!!!
Other root methods and apps that root and all that stuff are just BEGGING for your phone to be destroyed. I used a KingRoot solution once on an old phone that no XDA certified method still worked on....it rooted it just fine. But all the added junk it installed as system files with highly restrictive permissions that made them impossible to remove essentially made the device unusable. This was an old phone I was just using for an experiment anyway so no loss. But it illustrates why any root methods not found on XDA are highly risky.
I mean, sometimes a questionable root method gets posted on XDA too. But it's usually debunked as a bad idea within a day or two. (Sometimes within an hour) So you can read about real world experience with that method on a specific device and know if you should avoid it or not.
And there are other Android developer sites like XDA that can give good root options and solutions, as well as good advice for a phone in general. I'm not suggesting that anything outside of XDA is crap. If you find a good root solution on another website that has a reputable history and you trust it, great.! But never google "Root my phone" and try the first option that pops up on some sketchy Chinese / Russian / Martian website.
Were you on updated nougat version and rolled back to v20a using lgup?

Help rooting Samsung galaxy j3 (sm-J337a)

It seems everywhere I go there is no root for this phone (sm-J337a) it's an at&t phone. I used kingoroot, kingroot and basically any root out there. nothing has worked. So this seems that it has no root made for it yet? is there any possibility for someone to do this? Sorry, I'm not too good at rooting as a whole. But I've used Odin and things like that before.
there doesn't even seem to be CWM or TWRP for this phone either.
it's running Android 8.0 and was made in 2018.
Right?
I'm having the same issue. I can't figure out how to root mine either and I've got the same phone and carrier.
nickthekid said:
It seems everywhere I go there is no root for this phone (sm-J337a) it's an at&t phone. I used kingoroot, kingroot and basically any root out there. nothing has worked. So this seems that it has no root made for it yet? is there any possibility for someone to do this? Sorry, I'm not too good at rooting as a whole. But I've used Odin and things like that before.
there doesn't even seem to be CWM or TWRP for this phone either.
it's running Android 8.0 and was made in 2018.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details of your current ROM Please..?
Build number etc...
Hi all.. I know this thread is a little old but thought id add this.. As of this date Ive found no ROOT solution for the SM-J337A - AT&T variant either.. I have found a lot of other software and such and as soon as I can get it all sorted, cataloged, and uploaded to the cloud I will see about placing some links here somewhere to all of them.. Not sure how long it will be..Stay tuned...
I happen to inherit a J337A with a cracked screen but was working fine until I updated it and tryed ROOTing it.. Im still Playing with it to see if I can revive it.
Having issues finding a UB compatible Firmware set that I dont have to pay for.
Am needing "J337AUCSBBTI1" or maybe "J337AUCSABTE1" to see if I can bring it back to life.. I may end up pitching it tho...
My Device:: SM-J337A
FCC-ID : A3LSMJ337A
Samsung/j3toplteuc/j3toplteatt
CURRENTLY STUCK ON COMBINATION ROM : (8.0.0/R16NW/J337AUCUBATH1/user/release-keys)
BINARY/BOOTLOADER : UB
iamoz said:
Hi all.. I know this thread is a little old but thought id add this.. As of this date Ive found no ROOT solution for the SM-J337A - AT&T variant either.. I have found a lot of other software and such and as soon as I can get it all sorted, cataloged, and uploaded to the cloud I will see about placing some links here somewhere to all of them.. Not sure how long it will be..Stay tuned...
I happen to inherit a J337A with a cracked screen but was working fine until I updated it and tryed ROOTing it.. Im still Playing with it to see if I can revive it.
Having issues finding a UB compatible Firmware set that I dont have to pay for.
Am needing "J337AUCSBBTI1" or maybe "J337AUCSABTE1" to see if I can bring it back to life.. I may end up pitching it tho...
My Device:: SM-J337A
FCC-ID : A3LSMJ337A
Samsung/j3toplteuc/j3toplteatt
CURRENTLY STUCK ON COMBINATION ROM : (8.0.0/R16NW/J337AUCUBATH1/user/release-keys)
BINARY/BOOTLOADER : UB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can help you with that if you still need it. I have my j3 rooted with magisk, although there is no twrp or any custom recovery for that matter..
I can give you the exact files along with the patched magisk file and you'll have to flash it with patched odin and you should be good. Let me know.
rip21skinz said:
I can help you with that if you still need it. I have my j3 rooted with magisk, although there is no twrp or any custom recovery for that matter..
I can give you the exact files along with the patched magisk file and you'll have to flash it with patched odin and you should be good. Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I would be interested in having those files please... Either upload them here or I can give you an email if you prefer... Let me know..
rip21skinz said:
I can help you with that if you still need it. I have my j3 rooted with magisk, although there is no twrp or any custom recovery for that matter..
I can give you the exact files along with the patched magisk file and you'll have to flash it with patched odin and you should be good. Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of sending a patched magisk file would you mind sending over the method you used to root? If you did what I think you did I'm very confused. The phone is OEM locked although this hasn't stopped others from accessing root before. If you can confirm you have the phone we have, the SM-J337A ATT then you can pull out the boot and recovery images using a root app. Then I could develop a working TWRP for our device. But ofc this is only possible if you explain how you went about rooting the device. Thanks in advance.
NonStickAtom785 said:
Instead of sending a patched magisk file would you mind sending over the method you used to root? If you did what I think you did I'm very confused. The phone is OEM locked although this hasn't stopped others from accessing root before. If you can confirm you have the phone we have, the SM-J337A ATT then you can pull out the boot and recovery images using a root app. Then I could develop a working TWRP for our device. But ofc this is only possible if you explain how you went about rooting the device. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both SM-J337P/A and it works the same on both. I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to be oem unlocked? You mean greyed out? Or does it not show up at all or what? If I go into developer options I have the oem unlock option, which then allows me to unlock the bootloader. If yours is greyed out I saw a solution on XDA a long time ago, maybe a year ago. I'd have to look for it in my files, I know I saved it somewhere. Let me know what you meant by that and we can go from there
rip21skinz said:
I have both SM-J337P/A and it works the same on both. I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to be oem unlocked? You mean greyed out? Or does it not show up at all or what? If I go into developer options I have the oem unlock option, which then allows me to unlock the bootloader. If yours is greyed out I saw a solution on XDA a long time ago, maybe a year ago. I'd have to look for it in my files, I know I saved it somewhere. Let me know what you meant by that and we can go from there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have the option to OEM Unlock the phone period. It is not in my developer options unfortunately. If you do find something of that nature please do contact me. Also if you would like a TWRP for your device I'd be up to developing it, although I wouldn't be able to maintain bugs... All I need is the kernel and I can get it done.
Any updates on this?

Just root?

Hello everyone,
It has been a long time since I have done ROM's or anything on an android device.
I would like to just root my Pixel 2 - is it possible just to do this and not go through the unlocking and adding ROM's process?
I would like the phone to just function as normal, but I need to get access to some of the system junk on the phone.
I am actually in need of getting into the SQL-Lite Database and taking a look at some of the data in there.
I was reading today at work that I needed to root the phone in order to be able to see those files.
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Psywar28 said:
Hello everyone,
It has been a long time since I have done ROM's or anything on an android device.
I would like to just root my Pixel 2 - is it possible just to do this and not go through the unlocking and adding ROM's process?
I would like the phone to just function as normal, but I need to get access to some of the system junk on the phone.
I am actually in need of getting into the SQL-Lite Database and taking a look at some of the data in there.
I was reading today at work that I needed to root the phone in order to be able to see those files.
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, no. You have to unlock the bootloader to root your phone. Of course, this wipes the device clean. There's no issue with just rooting though afterwards. I've been rooted and unlocked for a good few months since I've owned this device. I just manually install updates each month using fastboot and OTA images.

Question Unlocking bootloader and installing GrapheneOS

Hi, I've recently bought a Google Pixel 7 Pro, and I've been trying nonstop, in vain, to install GrapheneOS. So please give me a detailed and ELI5 step by step guide for me.
Anyways, spiel out of the way, I've been trying everything to make it work and I've always encountered a problem, and the amount of bookmarked tabs I had became just unreal, so I decided to just start from scratch and make this post so I know exactly what to do when I run into whatever exception I'm gonna get.
I'm a pretty tech-smart dude, I know my way around a computer (i.e. mess around with the BIOS and know what I'm doing), and I'm pretty knowledgeable on Android phones (mostly software), though I don't really know how to effectively root or "flash" or whatever that is (I know what flashing is, I don't know how to do it). I've got a computer, a connection, knowledge, time and I'll check up on this thread pretty often.
So please help me install GrapheneOS. I want the most basic step by step guide, and to be answered when I run into an error, cuz every way I've tried ended up in a tangled spaghetti of errors and retries.
Thank you very much.
(Also YES, I have developer options, turned on OEM unlocking and USB debugging, the latest version of adb, I think.)
(No, actually, at this point, I've got three different versions; r16.0.1, r33.0.3, r34.0.3)
(I also disabled auto updates, because I'm very wary, but if I HAVE to update to make it work, please tell me)
INFO:
Pixel 7 Pro
Android 13
128GB
12GB RAM
and I don't know what else, ask me if you need it.
You should ask in grapheneOS channel
/Use this tool to unlock https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/pixelflasher-for-google-pixel-7-pro-support-thread.4505287/
Is OEM unlocking enabled in developer settings? Bootloader unlocked?
Easy peasy
GrapheneOS web installer
Web-based installer for GrapheneOS, a security and privacy focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.
grapheneos.org
bobnot said:
Is OEM unlocking enabled in developer settings? Bootloader unlocked?
Easy peasy
GrapheneOS web installer
Web-based installer for GrapheneOS, a security and privacy focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.
grapheneos.org
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thing is; I tried both the Web and CLI install. On the Web install, the "unlock bootloader" button showed me an empty menu, i.e. it didn't recognize my device. On the CLI install, it's asking me to use Linux, which I can, but held off on, because I didn't want to go through the trouble of changing the bootloader (on pc) from grub to the previous one. Anyways, I tried something like "fastboot flashing unlock", or anything that containted "fastboot", "flash", and "unlock", but all I got was a "<waiting for device>" message and it didn't budge for almost 10 minutes. Maybe I didn't wait long enough but when I think about how GrapheneOS's Web install couldn't detect my device, it made me think the fastboot one didn't either, and maybe it's something about the USB port.
Thanks though.
Another thing I should mention is that I'm not having too much trouble understanding the flashing part. I know it works just like a bootable USB for a PC. I'm mostly having trouble unlocking the bootloader, so I essentially want to make a flowchart for all possible solutions and whatever problem I encounted, using this thread. Thank you.
I have finally unlocked the bootloader, and I am preparing to flash the GrapheneOS image (cheetah-factory-2023061402.zip), although I have a question.
If I wish to use apps like Mixplorer and SD Maid, both of which require root for more advanced uses (in-depth cleaning, etc., also I'm smart enough to know what I shouldn't be touching), how do I proceed? Because from what I've read, I can't have both GrapheneOS and root the device at the same time. Yes, I know, big gaping security breach, but I don't require that level of secure. I only want to get rid of google, AND have root permissions.
Thank you very much.
Everything worked. Thanks a lot. If there ever is a way to have root permissions on Graphene, please tell me. Thank you very much.
If you just want to get rid of Google and don't require that level of security and want root do lineage without Gapps and do magisk.
Fastboot drivers can be a bit tricky glad you got that figured out.
hypomass said:
I have finally unlocked the bootloader, and I am preparing to flash the GrapheneOS image (cheetah-factory-2023061402.zip), although I have a question.
If I wish to use apps like Mixplorer and SD Maid, both of which require root for more advanced uses (in-depth cleaning, etc., also I'm smart enough to know what I shouldn't be touching), how do I proceed? Because from what I've read, I can't have both GrapheneOS and root the device at the same time. Yes, I know, big gaping security breach, but I don't require that level of secure. I only want to get rid of google, AND have root permissions.
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what you read was referring to not being about to run GrapheneOS + root with a locked bootloader. Which actually you can, but it's a more complicated process.
With an unlocked bootloader tho you root the same way you would with any other rom. Patch init_boot.img (can find it in cheetah-factory-2023061402.zip) with Magisk, flash in fastboot:
Code:
fastboot flash init_boot init_boot_patched.img
Edit:
But if your goal is to deGoogle, @bobnot's comment is valid. Some custom roms have versions without any Google apps, like Lineage or RisingOS-AOSP
hypomass said:
Yeah, thing is; I tried both the Web and CLI install. On the Web install, the "unlock bootloader" button showed me an empty menu, i.e. it didn't recognize my device. On the CLI install, it's asking me to use Linux, which I can, but held off on, because I didn't want to go through the trouble of changing the bootloader (on pc) from grub to the previous one. Anyways, I tried something like "fastboot flashing unlock", or anything that containted "fastboot", "flash", and "unlock", but all I got was a "<waiting for device>" message and it didn't budge for almost 10 minutes. Maybe I didn't wait long enough but when I think about how GrapheneOS's Web install couldn't detect my device, it made me think the fastboot one didn't either, and maybe it's something about the USB port.
Thanks though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must agree that the CLI instructions from the GrapheneOS website might be clearer. It took me a couple of reads to understand that some sections only apply when running on Linux or Mac. I.e. the standalone platform tools section, flashing as non-root, connecting the phone... Some things only apply to one specific OS.
Glad you've been able to complete installation!
That being said, as @bobnot and @chrisz5z have mentioned: while it's possible to root GrapheneOS (look here), its primary aim is security -- rooting defeats that purpose. You might feel more like home with other ROMs if the main thing you're looking for is to deGoogle.

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