Develop Bugs

[Q] Stuck in bootloop, how can I backup pictures from stock phone?

Hi,
My friends Z1 Compact has become stuck in bootloop, and he's asked me to help him backup the pictures.
The phone boots, and when the blue waves start swirling, it freezes for a second before it starts over again.
I am able to start fastboot mode (continuous blue led), but not recovery (there's no led lighting up before freezing and starting over).
I'm not well versed in fastboot, but it doesn't seem I can do much there to backup his pictures. I don't believe USB Debugging has been enabled, and the phone is not rooted. I have not managed to connect to it through ADB. To my knowledge, the phone is fully stock.
Also, I haven't factory reset, being afraid to lose the pictures.
Any suggestions on how I can get the pictures out?
Thank you for any assistance you can provide!

AndyGizzle said:
I don't believe USB Debugging has been enabled, and the phone is not rooted. I have not managed to connect to it through ADB.
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I'd say bye to them as the Phone needs to be wiped to get it to boot now.

How about using the "fastboot boot" command? Would that enable me to boot the phone using some external (stock?) image, which could provide me with adb access to retreive the photos? Or will that require unlocking the bootloader -> wiping the phone?

AndyGizzle said:
Or will that require unlocking the bootloader -> wiping the phone?
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If the bootloader isn't unlocked then that's the last real hope gone as either way the Phone needs to be wiped.

Alright, so the fastboot boot command will not work so long as the bootloader is locked?
Would a service center possibly be able to get to his photos, or are we pretty much out of options?

AndyGizzle said:
Alright, so the fastboot boot command will not work so long as the bootloader is locked?
Would a service center possibly be able to get to his photos, or are we pretty much out of options?
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If you can't access the system you can't retrieve the pictures, and as the only way now to access the system is to wipe it then a service center can't help. You could try wiping it and using a program like Recuva but that is the only real option left.

You should be able to just flash a stock firmware with flashtool. It should not wipe the pictures and the phone should boot again.

zxz0O0 said:
It should not wipe the pictures
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If they're on the external memory.

XperienceD said:
If they're on the external memory.
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There's no memory card in the phone, so the photos are stored on internal memory

XperienceD said:
If they're on the external memory.
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I'm actually pretty sure, neither the external nor internal memory will be wiped if you flash a firmware with flashtool. I see this as the only way to get the pictures.

zxz0O0 said:
I'm actually pretty sure, neither the external nor internal memory will be wiped if you flash a firmware with flashtool. I see this as the only way to get the pictures.
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Click to collapse
Oh of course, "uncheck Data", and that should do it.

Wow, this sounds promising!
So basically I need to find a Flashtool flashable stock rom, and flash it with "Wipe APPSLOG" and "Wipe DATA" unchecked, and that's hopefully it?
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can determine which rom I need, and where I can download it?

It doesn't really matter which rom you use. You can find it in general section or in the sticky thread of XperienceD.

Flashed the stock rom from XperienceD's thread and unchecked "DATA" and "APPSLOG". After what seems to be a successful flash, the waves stay on for a bit longer than previously, but eventually freezes, and the phone reboots. Looks like we are still stuck in bootloop.
Any further suggestions or is this it?

Well I guess you have 2 options now:
1. Flash it again with flashtool, but check everything under wipe. I think "Wipe Data" just wipes personal data (contacts, app data, etc.) and not the whole storage (like pictures, music, etc.)
2. Unlock bootloader ( & lose warranty), then flash a custom kernel and boot into recovery to get the pictures (note unlocking bootloader might wipe your whole storage, I'm not sure about that)
I would try option 1.

zxz0O0 said:
Well I guess you have 2 options now:
1. Flash it again with flashtool, but check everything under wipe. I think "Wipe Data" just wipes personal data (contacts, app data, etc.) and not the whole storage (like pictures, music, etc.)
2. Unlock bootloader ( & lose warranty), then flash a custom kernel and boot into recovery to get the pictures (note unlocking bootloader might wipe your whole storage, I'm not sure about that)
I would try option 1.
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I tried again with APPSLOG checked, but DATA unchecked. Will try once more with all boxes checked.
Yeah, my impression is that unlocking bootloader will wipe the entire storage, but I'm willing to try it as last resort.

AndyGizzle said:
Wow, this sounds promising!
So basically I need to find a Flashtool flashable stock rom, and flash it with "Wipe APPSLOG"
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Click to collapse
AndyGizzle said:
I tried again with APPSLOG checked, but DATA unchecked. Will try once more with all boxes checked.
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I never mentioned the APPSLOG, so if you also unchecked, checked it, flashed once or twice you might have broken that process. Unlocking the BL (if you're even able to) will probably wipe the lot. It's anyones guess now.

Did you get them back @AndyGizzle?

XperienceD said:
Did you get them back @AndyGizzle?
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Having used the flashtool lots, I'm pretty sure selecting 'data' will wipe the internal memory, oh dear.

Hey guys, sorry for not updating you. Work has kept me from tinkering more with this. I have yet to try with wiping data.
I'm not sure how I should proceed from here, if both wiping data in flashtool and unlocking bootloader deletes the photos.

What Gets Erased by Unlocking Bootloader

Hi,
I want to unlock the bootloader on my HTC 10. Yeah, I am going to root, but this is a bootloader question. I need to know what gets erased when one unlocks the bootloader. In particular:
1. Does the ROM get erased?
2. Do the apps get erased?
3. Does the backup of the stock ROM (needed for factor reset) get erased.
I understand that app data gets erased. If the ROM gets erased, the phone is going to be inoperable until I install another ROM. Eventually, I want to root, but I would like to have the option of continuing to run the stock Nougat.
Thanks,
Ndmand

The DATA partition gets erased... Basically it performs a factory reset on the phone as a security measure to make sure someone else isn't unlocking the device to install malware so it does a quick factory reset so any potential customer information is erased.
I believe an app is removed so OTA fails when they do a system check and that app comes up missing. That last part might be an old method since now they might just do a hash check.
1. No
2. If you got them from the Playstore, Yes
3.Phones don't have a stock backup. Unless you make it, but that required you to be unlocked in the first place.

Thanks Tachi,
This helps a lot and gives me a comfort level with unlocking. I was afraid I would lose the ROM and be forced to install a custom ROM, which I might do later anyway.
Thank You,
Ndmand

Technically, nothing gets erased when you unlock the bootloader; however, unlocking the bootloader changes the decryption key used to decrypt the /data partition. As a result, you have to factory reset the phone as /data becomes unreadable. The ROM itself is in the /system partition, which is not encrypted and remains readable.

MehStrongBadMeh said:
Technically, nothing gets erased when you unlock the bootloader; however, unlocking the bootloader changes the decryption key used to decrypt the /data partition. As a result, you have to factory reset the phone as /data becomes unreadable. The ROM itself is in the /system partition, which is not encrypted and remains readable.
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Thanks, that explains it even more. I guess that I should stop worrying now. :good:

Possibilty of Data/Storage Recovery?

Hey there,
let me start off by saying that I don't own an XL, but a non-XL 3a. Since my question seems to apply to both devices (similar/same components), I'll try my luck here.
Recently, my 3a got stuck in SystemUI crashes and I tried every solution that came to mind and others suggested over at the 3a section (check my profile if curious, basically locked BL, fully stock, no ADB), but nothing solved the issue.
However, I didn't factory reset yet, but I'm confident that it would fix it. On the other hand, It'll also wipe my storage.
----
Long story short, the only option I can think of is to recover my files with a data recovery app/program after I have wiped/factory reset my phone.
Did anybody ever successfully used such an app on a Pixel or similar (A/B) partition layout? Is it even possible/viable? Are there special prerequisites to consider?
It goes without saying I'll make sure to overwrite as few sectors as possible, if any. I can accept some files getting lost in the process, but want to keep whatever I can recover.
Thank you for reading.

Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.

Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.

xnifex said:
Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.
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acejavelin said:
Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.
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Well, damn. Thanks nonetheless, I didn't even think about that.
I'll try to fiddle with the phone one last time, maybe I'll get it unlocked somehow (I can only get 7 or 8 dots
of my pattern connected before the UI crash kicks in...). This is literally the only thing that separates me from the storage.
This has to be the most infuriating small obstacle with the biggest effect for me.

Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/

brandontowey said:
Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/
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Click to collapse
Man, if that works out, I'd be insanely glad. Have to get my hands on my friend's laptop first though.
I mean, the UI just started crashing after I checked for an OTA without downloading, then changing the wallpaper. That was literally it. Hadn't I rebooted, I would have been able to still unlock with my fingerprint between each crash.
Here's hoping that ADB sideloading OTAs left that slot option intact.
Will definitely update this post; at the very least, thank you for your suggestion.
Update: "fastboot continue" as well as switching boot slot parameters aren't allowed on this locked bootloader.
ADB sideloading caused slots to switch anyway, and both slots seemed to be affected from the SystemUI crashing. Will edit my original thread with a conclusion now.

I think I kinda Bricked my phone (SOLVED)

Hello everyone sorry to bother. So I was flashing a custom rom for my op5t and followed the usual steps : wipe system data cache and flashed the rom+gapps+magisk. And when I tried to boot the device it got stuck at the oneplus logo it didn't even got into bootloop. So I decided to flash rom again and wiped the data again but there I saw all the files were encrypted. I don't know how did it happen I wasn't encrypted in the beginning and now I can't install anything, the phone does not have any OS so it can't boot up. I don't want to lose my data is there anything I can do without locking the bootloader?

No need to lock your bootloader, but I think your data is lost.
Format data, and flash system again.

Yup. Don't lock your bootloader or you really will be screwed. Your data is lost at this point. Live, learn and remember to back up you data.

crakerjac said:
Yup. Don't lock your bootloader or you really will be screwed. Your data is lost at this point. Live, learn and remember to back up you data.
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I did get a backup but since all the files are encrypted now i cannot access my backup folder or data also.

antarax23 said:
I did get a backup but since all the files are encrypted now i cannot access my backup folder or data also.
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Not that it helps you now, but typically backup data does not mean to the device you are messing with. You want to backup data to another device (like your PC). What would help at this point, is knowing exactly what you flashed. (What were you on, and what did you flash)
It sounds like you flashed two ROMs with different types of encryption, and the reason you can no longer read your data. Sometimes, and I mean sometimes, if you are lucky, you can go back to the ROM that you originally on and your data would still be readable. I've been able to salvage data this way before, sometimes just with the correct TWRP on some devices.

OhioYJ said:
Not that it helps you now, but typically backup data does not mean to the device you are messing with. You want to backup data to another device (like your PC). What would help at this point, is knowing exactly what you flashed. (What were you on, and what did you flash)
It sounds like you flashed two ROMs with different types of encryption, and the reason you can no longer read your data. Sometimes, and I mean sometimes, if you are lucky, you can go back to the ROM that you originally on and your data would still be readable. I've been able to salvage data this way before, sometimes just with the correct TWRP on some devices.
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I solved the problem but it cost me my data after all. I had access to TWRP and fastboot but it couldn't read any of the data neither transfer anything from pc so I wiped all the device via TWRP and mounted into my pc and could finally transferred necessary files to flash. After all I did not lock the bootloader but lose my data

Help a girl not lose her last words with her dad

Hey people,
Last night when trying to turn on my phone (Mi A2 lite) after plugging it to charge, I got this message and have been stuck ever since.
Android RecoveryXiaomi/daisy/daisy_sprout10/QKQ1.191002.002/V11.0.7.0.QDLMIXMuser/release-keysUse volume up/down and power.Can't load Android system. Your data may be corrupt. If you continue to get this message, you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all user data stored on this device.
- Try again
- Factory data reset
Supported API: 3
I would not mind rebooting from factory settings, but my Whatsapp account was still linked to a number that I don't have access to anymore. I do not want to lose the last conversation I had with my dad before he passed away even though I have the back up in my google drive, I know it is encrypted and cannot be retrieved unless verified through the number.
Have I tried getting my number reactivated/ a SIM with my number reissued? Yes, but Vodafone (specifically VOXI) said it was not possible.
Is there any way to contact Whatsapp directly? I did, they were not helpful.
I am posting here because I have honestly scourged the internet for a possible solution, but I am still confused about what my options are here.

Hi,
I'm not specialist but what about reflash the fastboot ROM with xiaomiflash and the save user data option selected?
Not sure about myself so wait for other ideas/informations but maybe it's a 1st way.
Good luck btw!

Antho02 said:
Hi,
I'm not specialist but what about reflash the fastboot ROM with xiaomiflash and the save user data option selected?
Not sure about myself so wait for other ideas/informations but maybe it's a 1st way.
Good luck btw!
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I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.

IlSaro said:
I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
I tried flashing it with MiFlash, but I got an error saying my bootloader is locked. Specifically, it said: error: Erasing 'boot_a' failed (Device is locked. Cannot erase.)

You could try to do this https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-bootloader-erasing-t3878453 but it seems risky. If you fail to do it correctly it might erase your user data and with it all hopes of restoring the desired data.

IlSaro said:
I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.
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Click to collapse
you should give a try at this 1st, no data lose, no unlocking, sounds good!
plus someone just posted the last one : https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=83099721&postcount=15

Hi everyone, so I tried flashing it through MiFlash and all. First, I had the bootloader locked problem. After briefly fixing that though the ./fastboot.exe oem unlock command, I was able to flash it. Nonetheless, despite ticking the save user data option, it factory reset my phone .. at least I tried, I hope this info is useful to everyone else tho :'(