Develop Bugs

Accessing the internal storage from recovery? No ROM installed or backup available.

I downloaded a ROM for the wrong nexus phone (there's so damn many I forgot to check carefully) and I've already wiped system and moved my nandroid backups to my computer because I wanted to wipe the SD card.
Is there any way to get into the phone's internal storage from recovery and load a new ROM manually?
With my older phones I would just pull the micro SD card and put the ROM on it from my PC, this doesn't seem to be possible with the nexus.
EDIT: I also have the Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit v1.3. I think I can load a ROM using this right?
Thanks!

Check my faq section in my siggy.

Jubakuba said:
Check my faq section in my siggy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pulled:
adb push NAMEOFZIP.zip /sdcard/
from your FAQ. Thank you very much! Should work perfectly.

I got:
C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb push update-cm-9-20120314-NIGHTLY-toro-signed.zip /sdcard/
error: device not found
in my device manager I have:
SAUMSUNG Android Phone
-> Android ADB Interface

I assume typing "adb devices" brings nothing up?
Are you in the fastboot menu?
Do you have the drivers installed (I'd assume so, if you're rooted)

Jubakuba said:
I assume typing "adb devices" brings nothing up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brings up a blank list with an empty entry:
C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb devices
List of devices attached
C:\Program Files\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>
Jubakuba said:
Are you in the fastboot menu?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Held down the vol up and vol down buttons while holding power.
Android guy has his chest open with a 4x4 blue square pattern inside of him.
Says FASTBOOT MODE in red and LOCK STATE - UNLOCKED also in red.
Jubakuba said:
Do you have the drivers installed (I'd assume so, if you're rooted)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Add / Remove programs says 'SAMSUNG USB Driver for Mobile Phones' 45.5MB version 1.4.6.0
EDIT: Changing to 1.4.8.0 didn't help
EDIT: Seeing Fastboot Command Read Error -2147382647
EDIT: Installing new naked drivers from here didn't work either, same read error sometimes, other times adb devices returns blank
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1379875

Okay got into the phone when I used recovery instead of boodloader to talk to it with ADB. I'm pushing the ROM but CWM doesn't see the ZIP after it has been pushed when I choose 'install ZIP from sdcard'
Final edit: Couldn't find the ROM when I pushed it using ADB. I think I was using the command wrong because the file never showed on the SDCARD after pushing it. So what I did was push it as 'update.zip' and then used CWM's 'load update.zip' from SDCARD function and got Cyanogenmod installed and everything is gravy again.

advocat3 said:
Okay got into the phone when I used recovery instead of boodloader to talk to it with ADB. I'm pushing the ROM but CWM doesn't see the ZIP after it has been pushed when I choose 'install ZIP from sdcard'
Final edit: Couldn't find the ROM when I pushed it using ADB. I think I was using the command wrong because the file never showed on the SDCARD after pushing it. So what I did was push it as 'update.zip' and then used CWM's 'load update.zip' from SDCARD function and got Cyanogenmod installed and everything is gravy again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this didn't work for me. adb devices shows serial number recovery (that's the only thing I can boot my phone to)
when I adb push update /scard it eventually says it successfully did so with xxxxx amounts of data.
When I apply update.zip card from CWM menu it tells me can't open /sdcard/update.zip (no such file or directory)
I also renamed latest cm.zip and pushed it to /sdcard/0/Download - even when it says OK I can't find that file in that directory.
Am I royally screwed?
---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:49 PM ----------
advocat3 said:
Okay got into the phone when I used recovery instead of boodloader to talk to it with ADB. I'm pushing the ROM but CWM doesn't see the ZIP after it has been pushed when I choose 'install ZIP from sdcard'
Final edit: Couldn't find the ROM when I pushed it using ADB. I think I was using the command wrong because the file never showed on the SDCARD after pushing it. So what I did was push it as 'update.zip' and then used CWM's 'load update.zip' from SDCARD function and got Cyanogenmod installed and everything is gravy again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this didn't work for me. adb devices shows serial number recovery (that's the only thing I can boot my phone to)
when I adb push update /scard it eventually says it successfully did so with xxxxx amounts of data.
When I apply update.zip card from CWM menu it tells me can't open /sdcard/update.zip (no such file or directory)
I also renamed latest cm.zip and pushed it to /sdcard/0/Download - even when it says OK I can't find that file in that directory.
Am I royally screwed?

Bronyr said:
this didn't work for me. adb devices shows serial number recovery (that's the only thing I can boot my phone to)
when I adb push update /scard it eventually says it successfully did so with xxxxx amounts of data.
When I apply update.zip card from CWM menu it tells me can't open /sdcard/update.zip (no such file or directory)
I also renamed latest cm.zip and pushed it to /sdcard/0/Download - even when it says OK I can't find that file in that directory.
Am I royally screwed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but this is really really old. You should try doing a flash-back-to-stock if you can using the Nexus Root Toolkit.
I haven't had my Galaxy Nexus for well over a year.

advocat3 said:
Sorry but this is really really old. You should try doing a flash-back-to-stock if you can using the Nexus Root Toolkit.
I haven't had my Galaxy Nexus for well over a year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. Finally got philZ.zip pushed via ADB to internal, rebooted, all gravy! Pushing didn't work cause my battery was weak.

You van also flash a ROM via recovery from your PC with adb sideload. Its awesome.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium HD app

[Q] flashed ICS

ok so i got the leaked ICS flashed on my device and I really like it!
so my question to you all is "what is next?" I am going to want to use cyanogen roms for this when he gets it out so what can I do to get ready to further prepare for that. Like I said all i did was flash ICS and lost root like supposed to. I have not gone in and added bootloader or nothing like that as I am not sure what to do first.
thanks in advance!
sv7007

sv7007 said:
ok so i got the leaked ICS flashed on my device and I really like it!
so my question to you all is "what is next?" I am going to want to use cyanogen roms for this when he gets it out so what can I do to get ready to further prepare for that. Like I said all i did was flash ICS and lost root like supposed to. I have not gone in and added bootloader or nothing like that as I am not sure what to do first.
thanks in advance!
sv7007
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset your device, then:
- Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1531646
- Unlock the bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557445
- Install CWM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1558595.

thanks friend for the info! I will get started now. I love doing things like this, I just got my tablet yesterday haha

sv7007 said:
thanks friend for the info! I will get started now. I love doing things like this, I just got my tablet yesterday haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you read through and understand what you are doing before you do it .

Theonew said:
Factory reset your device, then:
- Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1531646
- Unlock the bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1557445
- Install CWM: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1558595.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i go to root the device using method i got it to work but now trying to update Superuser it says it cannot find currently installed su binary.
EDIT:nvm I know what I did....I am going to reflash ICS and then factory reset again and I should be good to go to fully get root

sv7007 said:
when i go to root the device using method i got it to work but now trying to update Superuser it says it cannot find currently installed su binary. what did i do wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install root explorer and try placing the attached file in the /system/bin/ folder (remove the ".c" file extension), then try updating it again.

Theonew said:
Install root explorer and try placing the attached file in the /system/bin/ folder (remove the ".c" file extension), then try updating it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
after the factory reset should i let the device recover everything from my google account app wise before I root?

sv7007 said:
after the factory reset should i let the device recover everything from my google account app wise before I root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.

ok i got root and unlocked bootloader. I am now here
This is where it gets tricky download "url it wont let me post yet" for your OS and extract recovery_thor17_403.img to the root of your platform-tools folder for instance mine is C:\android-sdk\platform-tools
Once completed on your PC open a command prompt as an administrator and navigate to your platform-tools folder from cmd prompt e.g. cd c:\android-sdk\platform-tools and hit enter.
i followed the site dl what i needed but I dont have the c:\android-sdk\platform-tools on my pc anywhere. what do i need for it or is it on my tab.

sv7007 said:
ok i got root and unlocked bootloader. I am now here
This is where it gets tricky download "url it wont let me post yet" for your OS and extract recovery_thor17_403.img to the root of your platform-tools folder for instance mine is C:\android-sdk\platform-tools
Once completed on your PC open a command prompt as an administrator and navigate to your platform-tools folder from cmd prompt e.g. cd c:\android-sdk\platform-tools and hit enter.
i followed the site dl what i needed but I dont have the c:\android-sdk\platform-tools on my pc anywhere. what do i need for it or is it on my tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for your PC. You do not necessarily need the android sdk for it to work. Just place the recovery image in a folder with adb.exe and fastboot.exe, open up a command prompt, then navigate to that folder.

Theonew said:
This is for your PC. You do not necessarily need the android sdk for it to work. Just place the recovery image in a folder with adb.exe and fastboot.exe, open up a command prompt, then navigate to that folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got it thanks a lot for the help!!!

Need Help ASAP

Sorry if this is the wrong thread.
The run down. My phone is bootloader unlocked rooted etc. already flashed xenon rom and everything was great. (Just got the device today)
Ok so here's the trouble i'm in. I decided I wanted to try another rom so i boot into clockwork recovery wipe system,data cache etc. suddenly all my files dont exist.
I have no back up file (my stupidity). I can still get into fastboot, clockwork etc, but it does not recognize a sd card on the device.
i tried loading up Samnsung Toolkit v7.8.0 and all i see in the top menu is
fastboot-toolkit is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program or batch file
adb-toolkit is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program or batch file
this is what worries me. I plug the device in on my windows computer it recognizes something no sd card.. currently downloading factory images
BUT WHAT DO I DO?!!!! pls help and pls do not flame me etc. All I'm asking is simple help thanks

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895

A. Do not use toolkit. Unless you know how to solve things manually
B. Google how to setup adb and fastboot.
C. "adb push NAME_OF_ROM.zip /sdcard/" while on custom recovery
D. Flash that ROM

kyokeun1234 said:
A. Do not use toolkit. Unless you know how to solve things manually
B. Google how to setup adb and fastboot.
C. "adb push NAME_OF_ROM.zip /sdcard/" while on custom recovery
D. Flash that ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you will try that...question when i goto recovery mode its clockwork...when i hit mount sdcard nothing happens.

kyokeun1234 said:
A. Do not use toolkit. Unless you know how to solve things manually
B. Google how to setup adb and fastboot.
C. "adb push NAME_OF_ROM.zip /sdcard/" while on custom recovery
D. Flash that ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also when tryin to access card via clockwork it states it cannot located directory...its like my sdcard does not exist

There is no sdcard on the gNex. As long as data is mounted you should be good
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

1st of all, Gnex doesn't have SDcard, therefore, you can't mount it. You can only use adb to push and pull files on recovery
2nd, are you sure you got proper driver? Do you actually have the ROM.zip on the same directory as adb.exe? If not, you need to do that. Also, if /sdcard/ doesn't work, /storage/sdcard0/ should work. It's a same directory. Just in different name for some reason.

3rdstring said:
There is no sdcard on the gNex. As long as data is mounted you should be good
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just wanna say thanks guys!!!. i tried pushing as filename which pushed but still couldnt find it...decided to name the file update.zip and push then flash update zip and bang it worked i'm back up..dont know why my files disappeared but whatever i'm back up so i'm happy..thanks again

Gnex was a pain to get all the drivers installed, once they are Its a breeze to work with
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

daeshawn said:
just wanna say thanks guys!!!. i tried pushing as filename which pushed but still couldnt find it...decided to name the file update.zip and push then flash update zip and bang it worked i'm back up..dont know why my files disappeared but whatever i'm back up so i'm happy..thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just glad we helped
Swyped on my Galaxy Nexus running AOKP with Franco Kernel, overclocked to 1.4GHz

rsswga said:
Gnex was a pain to get all the drivers installed, once they are Its a breeze to work with
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[Recovery][TWRP][ATT-ONLY!] Flashable TWRP recovery!

Hello everyone!
Here's another release thread for y'all!
What is this?
This is a flashable TWRP recovery for the Optimus G Pro.
Special thanks to @djrbliss
You can safely flash this to your phone's recovery and enjoy modding bliss!​
How do I use this, and where do I get it?
Good question!
There are two ways to use the files provided here.
To Flash to Recovery:
I've created an easy installer for all you Windows folks!
Download this: http://downloads.codefi.re/thecubed/lgoptimusg_pro/gkatt/recovery/e98010g/easy-twrp-e98010g.zip
Extract it to somewhere on your computer.
Enable USB debugging on your phone, if you need the drivers I've included them in the "files/drivers" folder in the zip
Run the 'install.bat' script.
Check for any errors, if it was successful, you can 'adb reboot recovery' or use an app on your phone to get you into TWRP now!
Profit! (and realize that this was pretty easy!)
(thanks to hkfriends for pointing out the errors in my script!)
OR..
Download this file to somewhere on your computer https://github.com/djrbliss/loki/raw/master/bin/loki_flash
Download this file http://downloads.codefi.re/thecubed/lgoptimusg_pro/gkatt/recovery/e98010g/gkatt-twrp-e98010g.lok
Run the following:
Code:
adb push loki_flash /data/local/tmp
adb push gkatt-twrp-e98010g.lok /data/local/tmp
abd shell
su
cd /data/local/tmp
chmod 755 loki_flash
./loki_flash recovery gkatt-twrp-e98010g.lok
To boot
Download this file: http://downloads.codefi.re/thecubed/lgoptimusg_pro/gkatt/recovery/e98010g/gkatt-twrp-e98010g.img
Use fastboot boot to boot it
DO NOT FLASH THE .IMG FILE TO YOUR PHONE. It is only meant for fastboot booting.​
Where can I find the source you used to build this?
All on my github!
http://github.com/thecubed/
Or, follow my guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=43514195​
What can I do with this?
Right now, the possibilities are unlimited. Once a security-lax boot.img is released, we can flash that through recovery and let the modding commence.
Please remember though, modding /system with the stock boot.img will result in a security error!​
What works, and what doesnt?
I have not tested external SD cards, since I don't have one with me at work.
I have also not tested backups or restores in TWRP yet.​
Can you show me a video?
Why yes I can!
As usual, please pardon the crappy camera work.​
I <3 you so much, how do I show my love?
You are so kind
I most definitely do not expect donations of any kind, however they are appreciated a lot.
I purchased this phone off-contract just to get it unlocked, if you are a kind soul and would like to send me a token of your appreciation I would love you forever.
XDA has a neat "Donate to me" button that should be on the left side of this page under my name. Donations go to purchasing new hardware to work on and other neat stuff, so they're always appreciated.​
Special Thanks!
In no particular order, special thanks to all of you guys!
djrbliss
hkfriends
synergy
Shelnutt2
DeamonFish
If I forgot anyone, let me know and I'll add you here!
​
Alright guys! Let me know if you find any bugs!

This is killer, I love twrp. So this will just over flash the cwm currently added earlier of course correct? Awesome work m8:thumbup:
EDIT: Not sure why but the Loki flash file downloads as a. Txt file for me
Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk 2

maybe i am doing something wrong, but when i get into twrp the touch does not work

Very nice work there
testing back up and restore now

rbf351 said:
maybe i am doing something wrong, but when i get into twrp the touch does not work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Touch doesn't work? You have the ATT version, right?
That'd be very strange if it didn't work because of something in my kernel... it's pretty much just stock...

sorry for the "newbie" question...but the file to download are getting to the phone right?

thecubed said:
Touch doesn't work? You have the ATT version, right?
That'd be very strange if it didn't work because of something in my kernel... it's pretty much just stock...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, AT&T version, but it happens when i type in adb reboot recovery

Everything works so far tried backing up restore flashing and external sd... very nice work I will keep playing to see if i find any bugs

rbf351 said:
yup, AT&T version, but it happens when i type in adb reboot recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's weird... I've been testing with that exact command and it's not doing it.
Can you possibly pull the kernel logs and pastebin them?
Do this while you're booted in recovery:
Code:
adb shell
dmesg > /sdcard/twrp_kmsg.txt
[press ctrl-c after a few seconds]
adb pull /sdcard/twrp_kmsg.txt
Thanks!

thecubed said:
That's weird... I've been testing with that exact command and it's not doing it.
Can you possibly pull the kernel logs and pastebin them?
Do this while you're booted in recovery:
Code:
adb shell
dmesg > /sdcard/twrp_kmsg.txt
[press ctrl-c after a few seconds]
adb pull /sdcard/twrp_kmsg.txt
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
won't all me to do it, i get the following error
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb shell
error: device not found

rbf351 said:
won't all me to do it, i get the following error
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>adb shell
error: device not found
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you check to ensure that you have the ADB driver installed for your system? It is possible that your desktop hasn't installed the ADB interface while the phone is in recovery mode.
Start -> devmgmt.msc [enter]
Look to see if you have any unknown devices or "Android Phone" entries with no driver installed. That should do the trick.

thecubed said:
Can you check to ensure that you have the ADB driver installed for your system? It is possible that your desktop hasn't installed the ADB interface while the phone is in recovery mode.
Start -> devmgmt.msc [enter]
Look to see if you have any unknown devices or "Android Phone" entries with no driver installed. That should do the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the following
ADB Interface
Android Sooner Single ADB Interface
edit, that wasn't while i was in recovery mode
in recovery mode i have
other devices
LG-E980 with an exclamation

I was able to flash and get into recovery without any issues. Excellent work! Thecubed and djrbliss, you guys are awesome!

here is the pastebin
http://pastebin.com/XPYi0v44

rbf351 said:
here is the pastebin
http://pastebin.com/XPYi0v44
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's an interesting question... if you flash CWM instead, and press the softkeys at the bottom of the phone (the normal back and menu buttons) does anything happen? It looks like your touchscreen is being brought up successfully (despite the "[ 8.270257 / 03-05 11:00:29.766] Reflash Completed. Please reboot." line)
If softkeys work in CWM, then it means that something in TWRP isn't registering your touchscreen right. I'll look into that, should be fairly straightforward.
If softkeys don't work in CWM... that means something more strange. That means my kernel (or the boot commands I'm using) aren't compatible with your phone... which is indeed possible, since there are many revisions of each phone. (I hope this isn't the case!)

thecubed said:
Here's an interesting question... if you flash CWM instead, and press the softkeys at the bottom of the phone (the normal back and menu buttons) does anything happen? It looks like your touchscreen is being brought up successfully (despite the "[ 8.270257 / 03-05 11:00:29.766] Reflash Completed. Please reboot." line)
If softkeys work in CWM, then it means that something in TWRP isn't registering your touchscreen right. I'll look into that, should be fairly straightforward.
If softkeys don't work in CWM... that means something more strange. That means my kernel (or the boot commands I'm using) aren't compatible with your phone... which is indeed possible, since there are many revisions of each phone. (I hope this isn't the case!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM works perfectly, i can navigate through all the menus using the softkeys

TWRP working perfectly here for me also! thank you for this! :good:

verry nice work........would be nice to have a kind od "how to" when thing get all set.....:good:

Uhmm there is a how to..
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium

Gotroot said:
Uhmm there is a how to..
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah ...but i have all the file....does i have to put the phone in download mode??

[ Q ] pushing system files thru adb

Anyone have success pushing a system file and having it stick after reboot WITHOUT root? I haven't been successful to have it stick...

808phoneaddict said:
Anyone have success pushing a system file and having it stick after reboot WITHOUT root? I haven't been successful to have it stick...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if it will work, but have you tried it as su in adb?
>adb shell
>su
#

JimSmith94 said:
Not sure if it will work, but have you tried it as su in adb?
>adb shell
>su
#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I tried it didn't recognize su...I'll try again later

808phoneaddict said:
Yeah I tried it didn't recognize su...I'll try again later
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you need to figure out why su isn't working anyway. You might need to update your adb.

JimSmith94 said:
Sounds like you need to figure out why su isn't working anyway. You might need to update your adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated that...hmm otherwise it should be working? Would I need to do command prompt from another window?

If you have root installed and reboot to recovery, then "adb shell" should get you a # prompt.
If it does, then you're already ADB with root.
If you get $ prompt then you don't have root.
I don't think you can push system files without root?
You certainly can't "adb root" without root. That's for sure.

808phoneaddict said:
I updated that...hmm otherwise it should be working? Would I need to do command prompt from another window?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried it on my rooted phone and "su" asks for root privileges on the phone, so that won't work, sorry.

JimSmith94 said:
I just tried it on my rooted phone and "su" asks for root privileges on the phone, so that won't work, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You did it in recovery mode? I know u can try to mount as rw in recovery...could U try that and see what happens?

808phoneaddict said:
You did it in recovery mode? I know u can try to mount as rw in recovery...could U try that and see what happens?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, my phone is rooted, so of course it would work in recovery for me. Assuming you don't have TWRP already installed, you could try booting into TWRP with "fastboot boot <TWRP img file name>" and see if you can mount system and copy your system file with its file manager.

JimSmith94 said:
As I said, my phone is rooted, so of course it would work in recovery for me. Assuming you don't have TWRP already installed, you could try booting into TWRP with "fastboot boot <TWRP img file name>" and see if you can mount system and copy your system file with its file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually booted to twrp and change the mount to rw, then I pushed the hosts file successfully (it says 100%) but when I boot up it doesn't work, not sure if I need to prove the old one maybe? Or does having the boot slots make a difference? Am I pushing to the wrong place?

808phoneaddict said:
I actually booted to twrp and change the mount to rw, then I pushed the hosts file successfully (it says 100%) but when I boot up it doesn't work, not sure if I need to prove the old one maybe? Or does having the boot slots make a difference? Am I pushing to the wrong place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, you'll have to find someone else to help, or just go ahead and root it. You can probably unroot it after you have done your copy, but I don't know why you would bother.
I have always rooted my phones, so I haven't done what you're trying to do. Plus I don't even have my Pixel XL yet, so I don't know anything about the boot slots yet. Over and out!

JimSmith94 said:
Sorry, you'll have to find someone else to help, or just go ahead and root it. You can probably unroot it after you have done your copy, but I don't know why you would bother.
I have always rooted my phones, so I haven't done what you're trying to do. Plus I don't even have my Pixel XL yet, so I don't know anything about the boot slots yet. Over and out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O yeah I rooted, was rooted for a while but I ran into the data drain that others are reporting when there is an OTA update...knowing that December is upon us I was trying to unroot but push modified hosts file so I wouldn't get ads. Honestly, if it wasn't for the ads, I have no problem with a stock pixel xl...there hasn't been much development for it just yet, understandable since it's so new...