Develop Bugs

Format /System Question

From my understanding formatting the /system partition through CWM will remove the android OS completely from your device and you would have to flash a new one to replace it. Found the following information on the below website:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...plained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/
/system
This partition basically contains the entire operating system, other than the kernel and the ramdisk. This includes the Android user interface as well as all the system applications that come pre-installed on the device. Wiping this partition will remove Android from the device without rendering it unbootable, and you will still be able to put the phone into recovery or bootloader mode to install a new ROM.
My question is, if I format the /system partition, does it remove all my currently saved pictures and videos on my internal memory? When I install a new ROM I typically wipe data /factory reset, then perform TDJs super wipe before installing the new ROM.
However, the instructions for installing the newest CM10 ROM also says to wipe /system partition. I know this will remove the OS, but will this also remove my pics and videos or should I back them up first before performing this step? Thanks.

Chochiwpg said:
From my understanding formatting the /system partition through CWM will remove the android OS completely from your device and you would have to flash a new one to replace it. Found the following information on the below website:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...plained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/
/system
This partition basically contains the entire operating system, other than the kernel and the ramdisk. This includes the Android user interface as well as all the system applications that come pre-installed on the device. Wiping this partition will remove Android from the device without rendering it unbootable, and you will still be able to put the phone into recovery or bootloader mode to install a new ROM.
My question is, if I format the /system partition, does it remove all my currently saved pictures and videos on my internal memory? When I install a new ROM I typically wipe data /factory reset, then perform TDJs super wipe before installing the new ROM.
However, the instructions for installing the newest CM10 ROM also says to wipe /system partition. I know this will remove the OS, but will this also remove my pics and videos or should I back them up first before performing this step? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now i could be wrong as i am no Dev by any means but i do not think it will wipe your emmc as well. Reason i think it will be fine if you wipe /system is if you go in with root explorer and go to your /system folder your emmc is not located there so therefore if you were to wipe your /system patition it sould leave the emmc partition in tact.
But as always i would backup your emmc to your pc and give it a try. Hope this helps :good:

sinfulgray said:
Now i could be wrong as i am no Dev by any means but i do not think it will wipe your emmc as well. Reason i think it will be fine if you wipe /system is if you go in with root explorer and go to your /system folder your emmc is not located there so therefore if you were to wipe your /system patition it sould leave the emmc partition in tact.
But as always i would backup your emmc to your pc and give it a try. Hope this helps :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same thing as well but just had to ask because I have never processed the format /system action before. I am currently running a TW ROM ATM and looking through ES File Explorer my sdcard (which is the same as emmc on AOSP ROMs) isn't located located in the /system folder either.
Thanks for your reply, I tried to give you a thanks but I have reached my limit today

sinfulgray said:
Now i could be wrong as i am no Dev by any means but i do not think it will wipe your emmc as well. Reason i think it will be fine if you wipe /system is if you go in with root explorer and go to your /system folder your emmc is not located there so therefore if you were to wipe your /system patition it sould leave the emmc partition in tact.
But as always i would backup your emmc to your pc and give it a try. Hope this helps :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no Dev either, but your right. Formatting system will not touch your emmc or sd cards. If you format system when flashing a new nightly (which I do every 3rd flash), you won't lose any user data at all. Only ROM and system apps, this is why you need to reflash Gapps as well if you format system.
When you use TDJ's wipe script, it formats everything (including system) except emmc and external sd cards.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

RikkKeith said:
I'm no Dev either, but your right. Formatting system will not touch your emmc or sd cards. If you format system when flashing a new nightly (which I do every 3rd flash), you won't lose any user data at all. Only ROM and system apps, this is why you need to reflash Gapps as well if you format system.
When you use TDJ's wipe script, it formats everything (including system) except emmc and external sd cards.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much, I run TDJ's wipe script with each install of a new ROM and completely didn't realize that is also wipes the /system partition. I just re-read his Superwipe thread and right in the OP it says
"This exceeds anything that CWM is capable of from the menu options. This will format and erase EVERYTHING on your /system, /data, /cache partions with EXT4 file system. It WILL NOT wipe SD CARD or EMMC... After it is complete with format and e****, it will align all disks partitions properly."
I was up extra early this morning, forgive me, I need to learn how to read better as well :laugh:
Thanks again.

Remember guys, wiping doesn't wipe everything. However, not wiping everything can bring its own issues.

Sorry for bumping up an old thread but it was very relevant to this topic. If I wipe the system before flashing a new ROM will my apps remain intact with their data? I know system apps will be gone but they will come back anyway so it doesn't matter.

Chochiwpg said:
From my understanding formatting the /system partition through CWM will remove the android OS completely from your device and you would have to flash a new one to replace it. Found the following information on the below website:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...plained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/
/system
This partition basically contains the entire operating system, other than the kernel and the ramdisk. This includes the Android user interface as well as all the system applications that come pre-installed on the device. Wiping this partition will remove Android from the device without rendering it unbootable, and you will still be able to put the phone into recovery or bootloader mode to install a new ROM.
My question is, if I format the /system partition, does it remove all my currently saved pictures and videos on my internal memory? When I install a new ROM I typically wipe data /factory reset, then perform TDJs super wipe before installing the new ROM.
However, the instructions for installing the newest CM10 ROM also says to wipe /system partition. I know this will remove the OS, but will this also remove my pics and videos or should I back them up first before performing this step? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I flash all the time and always format system, you will not lose your internal or SD memory

Inagalaxyfaraway said:
Sorry for bumping up an old thread but it was very relevant to this topic. If I wipe the system before flashing a new ROM will my apps remain intact with their data? I know system apps will be gone but they will come back anyway so it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they will stay intact with a /system wipe. However, with a factory reset or /data wipe, your apps will be gone.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Sorry to bump old thread. I just deleted system, data, cache etc everything. Now when i attempt to
Reboot it warns that no OS installed. I m using TWRP. is it safe to power off the device? Will i be able to get back to recovery to flash a new rom afterwards, as i dont have one ready now??
Btw i hav nexus 7 , but didnt find this discussion there so i am posting here.
Thanks in advance for help....

I accidentally formatted system on my HTC desire HD. but i'm unable to install rom in it. If anyone can help me make it working(instruct how to install ROM in it) i'd be grateful.

Sawrose said:
I accidentally formatted system on my HTC desire HD. but i'm unable to install rom in it. If anyone can help me make it working(instruct how to install ROM in it) i'd be grateful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might want to post your question here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=754

Careful with that with new versions of TWRP and CWM! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1966887

I format my system through xrecovery but after that first it stuck in sony ericsson logo.. sometimes it doesnt boot and the red light flashes

Accelerator00000 said:
I format my system through xrecovery but after that first it stuck in sony ericsson logo.. sometimes it doesnt boot and the red light flashes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're lost friend. LOL.
Sent from my Moto X cellular telephone...

kj2112 said:
I think you're lost friend. LOL.
Sent from my Moto X cellular telephone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it stucks at the sony ericsson and i cant enter the xrecovery sorry it just low battery thats why red light flash.. LOL

Accelerator00000 said:
it stucks at the sony ericsson and i cant enter the xrecovery sorry it just low battery thats why red light flash.. LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buttttt...this is the t989 S2 forum.
Sent from my Moto X cellular telephone...

[Q] Did I just brick?

Recently rooted i747 with CWM and flashed Android 4.3 with no issues (shoulda just stopped there). I wanted to flash CM 10.2... data/factory reset, cache wipe, Davlik wipe... but flash failed. Rebooted into recovery to reflash 4.3, but nothing is found under sdcard/0. What am I missing? Thanks for any help!

Use the file explorer in recovery and navigate to /data/media/0. Your stuff should be there.

CWM v6.0.3.1
- reboot system now
- install zip from sdcard
- install zip from sideload
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- backup and restore
- mounts and storage
- advanced
I apologize for the ignorance, but I cannot for the life of me find any file explorer. When I try to install zip from sdcard, my only options are: 0/, clockworkmod/, and obb/. All of which state that no files are found.

Dl Rom onto sdcard with a computer. Maybe a factory reset will help first. I'm used to using twrp, which has a file explorer in it

I'll definately try that. Will my internal storage still be there? Thanks again.

JesBoodro said:
I'll definately try that. Will my internal storage still be there thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your internal storage will still be there, unless u specifically wipe it. The file stucture is just a little different on these roms...

JesBoodro said:
I'll definately try that. Will my internal storage still be there? Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using custom recoveries will not wipe your internal sd unless you specifically do so. Stock recovery (3e) however WILL wipe your internal on the latter releases.

Got it! Data/factory reset before flashing a stock 4.1.2 ROM through Odin and everythng is golden. Thanks!

Unsure how to properly wipe without wiping internal storage

Hello all,
Sorry for this semi-noob question. I have had many android phones and rooted all of them but this is my first Nexus device. I've unlocked my bootloader and have TWRP installed and I'm ready to install a ROM. Unfortunately I am unsure of how I can do a full wipe without wiping my internal storage too.
On every other phone I have had, I would go to advanced wipe and then wipe system, data, cache and dalvik cache but I just did that and it wiped my internal storage :/
I had to flash the stock system image through ADB because ADB sideload wasn't working. Now I'm afraid to wipe system again before trying again because I feel like it will wipe my internal storage again. How can I wipe system properly before installing a new ROM?
Thanks!

Now the interesting question here is: What is internal storage?
You seem to think it is the entire emmc, including your system, cache and data partitions but that is not how that term is used.
As far as I have been able to figure this out "Internal Storage" in Android refers to the entire /data partition which in itself again is divided into a user accessible part where your photos, videos, files are stored ( /data/media and mounted as /sdcard/0 ) and the rest of the /data partition which is used for apps you install and their data. That part is not accessible to the user unless you have root.
Now, for 99% of all wipe operations all you need to do when installing a new rom is to wipe the data partition of all user installed apps and their data, dalvik and cache - also called a 'clean install'.
Any rom installer worth a damn will format /system before installing a new rom, so wiping /system is redundant.
TWRP made this very easy: Enter the Wipe menu and swipe the button. Default is to wipe /data (without wiping /data/media), cache and Dalvik. Flash the rom - done.

berndblb said:
Now the interesting question here is: What is internal storage?
You seem to think it is the entire emmc, including your system, cache and data partitions but that is not how that term is used.
As far as I have been able to figure this out "Internal Storage" in Android refers to the entire /data partition which in itself again is divided into a user accessible part where your photos, videos, files are stored ( /data/media and mounted as /sdcard/0 ) and the rest of the /data partition which is used for apps you install and their data. That part is not accessible to the user unless you have root.
Now, for 99% of all wipe operations all you need to do when installing a new rom is to wipe the data partition of all user installed apps and their data, dalvik and cache - also called a 'clean install'.
Any rom installer worth a damn will format /system before installing a new rom, so wiping /system is redundant.
TWRP made this very easy: Enter the Wipe menu and swipe the button. Default is to wipe /data (without wiping /data/media), cache and Dalvik. Flash the rom - done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Internal Storage" as I used the term refers to just the user accessible part of the data partition where (as you said) photos, files, etc are stored. On previous versions of TWRP for phones I have had, you could wipe system, date, cache, etc and it would always leave internal storage intact. Ergo, after wiping, you could navigate to your downloads folder and find the ROM you wanted to flash. The issue I had was that I wiped "system" using TWRP and it wiped my "internal storage", meaning my downloads and photos and everything - leaving me with no ROM to flash.
You answered my question perfectly toward the end with this
Any rom installer worth a damn will format /system before installing a new rom, so wiping /system is redundant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I come from a series of phones where this was not standard behavior for ROM installers, so failing to wipe system would lead to a dirty flash and almost assuredly cause issues. Thanks for the input, I will just do a data wipe from now on.

You shouldn't count on roms wiping system automatically.
A well established rom like pure Nexus for instance does not wipe system at flashing, leaving it up to the user to clean or dirty flash.
Always read and follow the installation instructions that come with the rom and you should have little problems. If there aren't any instructions, stay away from the rom is my advice, especially of you are a new user.
As to your question: go to the wipe menu in twrp. Then do an advanced wipe. Check every box except internal storage and wipe. Then proceed to flash your rom.

peltus said:
You shouldn't count on roms wiping system automatically.
A well established rom like pure Nexus for instance does not wipe system at flashing, leaving it up to the user to clean or dirty flash.
Always read and follow the installation instructions that come with the rom and you should have little problems. If there aren't any instructions, stay away from the rom is my advice, especially of you are a new user.
As to your question: go to the wipe menu in twrp. Then do an advanced wipe. Check every box except internal storage and wipe. Then proceed to flash your rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'm not a new user by any stretch, just new to the Nexus 5x.
As to your question: go to the wipe menu in twrp. Then do an advanced wipe. Check every box except internal storage and wipe. Then proceed to flash your rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly what I did when it wiped the ROM file (and all photos/sms backups) from my internal storage. That's how I have always wiped before flashing a new ROM in TWRP and this is the first time it ever wiped my internal storage, hence my question. I think I'll just stick to ROM installers that perform a system wipe. I plan on running the odex stock based ROM I just installed for a while anyway.

The_mamba said:
Thanks, I'm not a new user by any stretch, just new to the Nexus 5x.
This is exactly what I did when it wiped the ROM file (and all photos/sms backups) from my internal storage. That's how I have always wiped before flashing a new ROM in TWRP and this is the first time it ever wiped my internal storage, hence my question. I think I'll just stick to ROM installers that perform a system wipe. I plan on running the odex stock based ROM I just installed for a while anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for assuming you're a newby. Last time i wiped that way in twrp (June 2016) it left my SD card alone. Maybe you checked the wrong box?

peltus said:
Sorry for assuming you're a newby. Last time i wiped that way in twrp (June 2016) it left my SD card alone. Maybe you checked the wrong box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries, I appreciate the help either way. I suppose it's possible I checked the wrong box but I am very diligent about that because I have REALLY screwed myself over with that in the past. I accidentally wiped internal storage once or twice on my HTC One and had to RUU back to stock, losing everything including root. Luckily recovery is quicker and easier on the 5x (and the phone is brand new so it had no pictures on it).
I'm afraid to try it again even with a nandroid since the recovery files or stored on internal storage so wiping that would leave me SOL too. Like I said, I'll probably just ride on this ROM until the Nougat or so and then make a full cloud backup before trying a full wipe again.

Wiping system did not erase your files. /system is read only, so you nor your apps can store anything there.
I respectfully disagree with @peltus. In those parts of XDA where I "grew up" a dirty flash is a rom flash without wiping data. And I would be grateful for a link to a rom where the installation script does not involve formatting or wiping /system.
I could be wrong but I believe TWRP's wipe of data is without data/media.
Internal Storage wipes the entire data partition.
One if these days with more time I'll give it a try
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

BONUS: What is a data/media device?
https://twrp.me/faq/datamedia.html
The relevant part:
Since /data/media is part of /data, we pretty much never actually format the data partition. Formatting data, of course, also removes the media folder that contains the internal sdcard. When you choose a factory reset [or wipe data], instead of formatting, we use rm -rf commands to remove all the folders except for the media folder so that we can remove all of your apps and settings while leaving your "sdcard" intact. In TWRP we also have a wipe internal storage option that rm -rf's the media folder and a "Format Data" option that formats to recreate the entire file system in case something goes completely wrong or to remove device encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[ ] - added by me.

Help lg d855 0mb internal storage and can't mount data

Hello. Yesterday my phone would not open so I tried to start it in recovery mode and try to factory reset. But it didn't let me to do a factory reset and said unable to mount /data and /cache and storage etc. etc.. So I looked at the install tab and saw that internal storage 0mb. Then after a few restarts I was able to wipe data thinking it would help but nothing happened. Can you help? SOrry for bad english.

I had same problem goto recovery Wipe and chose format data
then reboot back to recovery hola that's it
Caution : you will lose all your data by data I mean entire internal storage will be wiped out

KevinMartz said:
I had same problem goto recovery Wipe and chose format data
then reboot back to recovery hola that's it
Caution : you will lose all your data by data I mean entire internal storage will be wiped out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dude it doesn't wipe and it says unable to mount data.

Problem after flashing wth global rom

Hello,
I get Xiaomi mix 2s global with:
-Unblocked bootloader
-Installed OrangeFox Recovery
-Installed some Android 10 pixel experience rom
I wanted back to original global rom with stock recovery and reblock bootloader, so i download Global Stable ROM V11.0.5.0.QDGMIXM, put to internal storage and install from OrangeFox.
And now, when I turn on the smartphone, it’s starts, restart and go again to OrangeFox recovery.
In log I have: “Android Rescue Party trigger! Wipe data and caches and/or clean-flash you ROM!"
OrangeFox disables forced encryption by default, and now I need to enabled encryption? How to do it?
So, How to fix it?
I want to back to original global rom with stock recovery and reblock bootloader, bu first I have t turn on system.
Thanks
EDIT:
After installatin PixelExperience_polaris-10.0-20200528-1111-OFFICIAL from OrangeFox, smartphone starts normally, now I want to back to stock rom, recovery and reblock bootloader.

If your bootloader unlocked try formatting your data in orange fox recovery and reboot and see if that fixes it. Just remember formatting data partition wipes everything on your device so anything you want to save be sure and transfer over to your PC first.

doesntwork
flash713 said:
If your bootloader unlocked try formatting your data in orange fox recovery and reboot and see if that fixes it. Just remember formatting data partition wipes everything on your device so anything you want to save be sure and transfer over to your PC first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the same error - Android Rescue Party trigger..." and bootlop.
EDIT:
But I wiped:
Dalvik / ART Cache
Cache
System
Data
Didn't wipe: Internal storage and Vendor.
After that, i installed Global stable V11.0.5.0.QDGMIXM and get the same error, but some settings have been saved - for example my pattern for unlocking.
EDIT:
I did: wipe all, reboot to twrp, flash ROM, and when I try format data, I get error:
Formatting Data using mke2fs...
mke2fs -t ext4 b...
Proces ebded with ERROR: 1
Unable to wipe Data.
Unable to format to remove encryption.
EDiT3:
Success!
I tried once more, and it's ok.
Solution:
1. Wipe all via recovery
2. reboot to recovery
3. flash rom
4. Format data partition (format, no wipe, if mke2fs doesn't work, try with rm-f)
5. Reboot system.
After that everything is ok, at the end uploading stock recovery via adb went without a any problem.
Thanks!

Just to help many others. The trick here, is to format data, not just wipe data from TWRP. You need to hit format data from the wipe menu and type "yes" to confirm. Some things need to be said in plain English.

MetallicGR said:
Just to help many others. The trick here, is to format data, not just wipe data from TWRP. You need to hit format data from the wipe menu and type "yes" to confirm. Some things need to be said in plain English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. I had formated the internal memory and working, no bootloop into recovery.

master_lam said:
Thank you so much. I had formated the internal memory and working, no bootloop into recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did all the steps you did and i still had problems, any other solution?
Forget it, your steps worked for me too!