After religiously backing up everything I could, I'm about ready to wipe my SGS3 and put a new custom ROM on it. The reason I need to fully wipe the SGS3 is because I require disk encryption on the SGS3, and no TWRP version was able to successfully decrypt my phone, nor Phil's; I figure I must've encrypted it using a non-supported method which allows for decryption in the ROM but not in TWRP. Also it happens my modem is still MK3 and my version of SlimKat is a little bit unstable with random reboots every few days (I hear they all are, so I'm looking at other well-optimized ROMs).
So I just want to know --- anyone successfully decrypted using custom recovery on a non-TouchWiz KitKat ROM?
Related
So I've spent the past two hours trying to flash a custom recovery onto my phone so I can root and debloat.
I first tried to root following some instructions on this site and Odin, but that method failed. Then I tried to use towelroot and that method failed. I then googled the problem to find that it had to do with knox and a recent security update released by ATT. Then I flashed a custom recovery onto my phone so I could manually root and that triggered an auto stock recovery. After that I attempted to install cm11. It installed then before the rom could load, it asked me about disabling auto stock recovery and also rooting. I choose to disable it and then root. Then my phone reverted back to stock touchwiz.
How do I get rid of knox so I can root my phone?
Do you want to have a custom ROM on your phone? Root is not required to load a custom ROM.
I originally wanted to get rid of the bloatware on my phone since I don't mind some of the Touchwiz features, but if I can't gain root access due to the phones security features then I'll install something else if I have to. Right now I'm attempting to CM11 install again since I was able to install custom recovery( I had to pull the battery before Touchwiz rebooted though I superSU said it did not have binaries).
If you want TW features, flash a custom ROM based on TW.
Will doing so also give me root access?
I've rooted two devices in the past and they were never this hard so I want to be careful so I don't end up bricking my device.
UPDATE: Just tried to reinstall CM11 just to see what would happen and the same happened: it booted straight into stock touchwiz.
I've been at this for about 5 hours now and I'm at my wits end. Has anyone successfully rooted their phone from 4.4.2 over the past month?
What custom recovery is on your phone?
I had clockwork flashed.
Make sure you have the latest cwm and format the system before installing a ROM.
Before installing a custom ROM, make a nandroid backup of your current tw ROM.
I used the cyanogen installer on the website. I've installed CM before on previous devices so I'm familiar with installing roms. The CM installer is supposed to do that for me so I'm not sure if it's due to Knox and the latest ATT security update that's making it difficult to gain root access to do such as install custom mods. I've gone a google search and people seem to be having the same trouble and I don't know if a fix has been found since the last update that ATT pushed out last week.
Did you try installing a custom using the custom recovery? I have never used the installer so I can't comment, using the cm installer may not allow you to install non-cm roms.
I didn't.
Before I flashed CM11, I checked the Q/A from Cyanogen about the installer:
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/CyanogenMod_Installer
In it, they state that all you need to do is have your stock rom and software will do the rest for you. Keep in mind, that flashing CM11 was my backup option. My original intent was to simply root my device so I can remove some Samsung and ATT apps.
Here's the article from Android Central about the ATT update. Apparently I'm not the only one who is having issues trying to root:
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-brings-android-os-enhancements-galaxy-note-2-galaxy-s3-galaxy-mega
I might just have to wait out for the S6.
I have never used a CM installer even though I have used CM11 on an s3, Note2, Note3, and a Nexus 4.
I don't trust the installer and always did it the old-fashioned way with a custom recovery.
I'm going to try today since I have some time. Can you give me a link to a custom recovery? I'm going to install using odin and then try it.
Are there no stable builds for CM11?
https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=d2att
You should be looking for d2lte builds, not d2att.
I also did that earlier since they're universal and all I see are nightlies and experimentals.
https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=d2lte
The unified msm8960 ROMs have been out for a while and even though they are nightlies, they are at the stage where I would consider them stable.
Thank you.
I tried flashing another rom earlier today and it didn't install. I reloaded a backup I made before flashing and now the backup is stuck in a com.google. process. gapps loop.
What are my options?
I recommend flashing the latest Philz Touch tar.md5 recovery from here: https://goo.im/devs/philz_touch/CWM_Advanced_Edition/d2lte/
Try re-flashing the latest CM11.
Was on 4.4.2 stock NJ2...Odin'ed a custom recovery like TWRP...rebooted.....NO IMEI and BASEBAND. That's about as simple, yet complex it gets. Tried reverting back to stock recovery in Odin, only to find that NO IMEI and BASEBAND still shows up. THE ONLY way I've successfully kept the IMEI/BASEBAND....is by keeping everything stock, from recovery to rom. Why would this be? I've even tried restoring the EFS folder....to no avail!!!! I'M FRUSTRATED!!!! My end goal is to be able to flash a rom, use TWRP/CWM, and KEEP the IMEI/BASEBAND!!!
ANY HELP? ANYONE having the same issue or fix?
THANKS!!!!!!:good:
Possible fix...
Make sure you have not used device encryption on the rom prior to your desired rom...
If you have then a device full wipe script is needed to clean up the phone prior to flashing the new rom...
(don't forget to check your SD card for encryption or data files that may be affected)...
Flash TWRP version 2.8.6.0 and flash your new rom....
Higher TWRP versions have been buggy for me...
Best I've got atm....g
It's because you are using TWRP 3.0.0.1, that one is broken
Last weekend, I decided to flash a new ROM since the one I have been using is no longer being developed. I flashed a LineageOS nightly build because I used to like Cyanogenmod and heard Lineage is a continuation. I do like the ROM overall, but for some reason it encrypted my phone during install. I did not want it to do this, it just did it without asking me (when I first got my phone, I remember I was having problems with it being encrypted, with my recovery and such).
Is there any way to reinstall LineageOS without it encrypting the phone? If not, how do I decrypt the phone again and get back to basically stock + root? I downloaded the most up-to-date stock 7.1.2 ROM from Google, and was going to just flash that, but it wouldn't let me in TWRP (said the zip was not valid). I also tried rolling back to an older backup (not LineageOS), but the phone never booted.
FYI - I use Linux Mint and have the latest adb/fastboot, and the latest TWRP for Nexus 5x.
Thank you if you can help.
cspctec said:
Last weekend, I decided to flash a new ROM since the one I have been using is no longer being developed. I flashed a LineageOS nightly build because I used to like Cyanogenmod and heard Lineage is a continuation. I do like the ROM overall, but for some reason it encrypted my phone during install. I did not want it to do this, it just did it without asking me (when I first got my phone, I remember I was having problems with it being encrypted, with my recovery and such).
Is there any way to reinstall LineageOS without it encrypting the phone? If not, how do I decrypt the phone again and get back to basically stock + root? I downloaded the most up-to-date stock 7.1.2 ROM from Google, and was going to just flash that, but it wouldn't let me in TWRP (said the zip was not valid). I also tried rolling back to an older backup (not LineageOS), but the phone never booted.
FYI - I use Linux Mint and have the latest adb/fastboot, and the latest TWRP for Nexus 5x.
Thank you if you can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to flash stock rom you have to flash it via fastboot. The instruction is on the Google download side. But if I remember right you have to wipe everything so make a backup of important data.
If I format my "userdata" with fastboot to get rid of the encryption, do you know if it will delete my ROM backups? I think the encryption is why I'm having trouble going to another ROM from LineageOS. I REALLY wish the ROM would simply ask you before deciding to encrypt the phone. I have no reason to encrypt my phone, and I don't want it encrypted.
I just got my 5t. It's unlocked, stock Oreo latest update. I am encrypted. The only thing I'm not sure of is which TWRP to install. Is one fof them for nougat?
Does it matter that I'm encrypted. I've been a fan of Dirty Unicorns for years and thinking about trying that first. Any help is really appreciated. Thanks
I don't think there is a dedicated 5T Dirty Unicorns thread on XDA. But I read it is an unencrypted ROM. Correct me someone if I am wrong. There is a Dirty Unicorns Google+ thread. People who have encrypted ROMs seem to use codeworkx or blu_spark TWRP. But for unencrypted ROM I hear official TWRP is fine.
However, since stock is encrypted, perhaps take codeworkx or blu_spark nandroid first.
And going from encrypted to unencrypted needs data reformat + factory reset.
Moreover, going back from unencrypted to encrypted can be tedious. In short, one not only needs to data reformat + factory reset, one needs to pass through stock recovery if I understand well. I find instructions somewhere in the official TWRP thread or elsewhere.
In short: going unencrypted is almost a one way street. But there always is a way back.
Dior DNA said:
I don't think there is a dedicated 5T Dirty Unicorns thread on XDA. But I read it is an unencrypted ROM. Correct me someone if I am wrong. There is a Dirty Unicorns Google+ thread. People who have encrypted ROMs seem to use codeworkx or blu_spark TWRP. But for unencrypted ROM I hear official TWRP is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. DU stopped posting on xda awhile back but think I saw a dumpling build online, however I'm not sure if it's nougat or Oreo...
I don't necessarily need encryption but is that the only issue? So if I want unencrypted, the official version will be fine? Does anyone know if I can decrypt with TWRP? (I'll probably have to format data but that's fine) Thanks
KLit75 said:
You're right. DU stopped posting on xda awhile back but think I saw a dumpling build online, however I'm not sure if it's nougat or Oreo...
I don't necessarily need encryption but is that the only issue? So if I want unencrypted, the official version will be fine? Does anyone know if I can decrypt with TWRP? (I'll probably have to format data but that's fine) Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DU no doubt is 8.1 and YES you need to format data.
The other way back to encrypted seems the harder part.
Dior DNA said:
I don't think there is a dedicated 5T Dirty Unicorns thread on XDA. But I read it is an unencrypted ROM. Correct me someone if I am wrong. There is a Dirty Unicorns Google+ thread. People who have encrypted ROMs seem to use codeworkx or blu_spark TWRP. But for unencrypted ROM I hear official TWRP is fine.
However, since stock is encrypted, perhaps take codeworkx or blu_spark nandroid first.
And going from encrypted to unencrypted needs data reformat + factory reset.
Moreover, going back from unencrypted to encrypted can be tedious. In short, one not only needs to data reformat + factory reset, one needs to pass through stock recovery if I understand well. I find instructions somewhere in the official TWRP thread or elsewhere.
In short: going unencrypted is almost a one way street. But there always is a way back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I now have codeworkx twrp, rooted with magisk. I gotta say I'm pretty impressed with stock but I KNOW I'm gonna want to flash a custom ROM soon and that's not a fast process when you're encrypted.
You said make a nandroid...have you ever restored just data from stock to a custom ROM? I may have but it's been awhile. I'm thinking I might have issues.
If I want to flash ROMs I'm going to need to format (better sooner than later) so from what I remember, I should:
1. Boot TWRP
2. Format data
3. Full wipe?
4. Adb push ROM, gapps, magisk
5. Flash all of them
I'm just hoping you or someone else can verify. I've got a lot of stuff to transfer over from my old phone but it makes no sense to do that now if I'm going to have to format. Thanks
UPDATE_
I got it. Running Dirty Unicorns now. It was a bit of an adventure. MTP would not work. Had to adb push the zip files. And then it booted back into TWRP asking to allow modifications. I don't remember any of my devices doing that but I swiped yes and the rom booted.
One thing...there was an immediate notification telling me to update TWRP. I'm using the latest codeworks one so not sure if I should update or even if an update will work since I'm not on an official build. Have you encountered anything like this?
KLit75 said:
I now have codeworkx twrp, rooted with magisk. I gotta say I'm pretty impressed with stock but I KNOW I'm gonna want to flash a custom ROM soon and that's not a fast process when you're encrypted.
You said make a nandroid...have you ever restored just data from stock to a custom ROM? I may have but it's been awhile. I'm thinking I might have issues.
If I want to flash ROMs I'm going to need to format (better sooner than later) so from what I remember, I should:
1. Boot TWRP
2. Format data
3. Full wipe?
4. Adb push ROM, gapps, magisk
5. Flash all of them
I'm just hoping you or someone else can verify. I've got a lot of stuff to transfer over from my old phone but it makes no sense to do that now if I'm going to have to format. Thanks
UPDATE_
I got it. Running Dirty Unicorns now. It was a bit of an adventure. MTP would not work. Had to adb push the zip files. And then it booted back into TWRP asking to allow modifications. I don't remember any of my devices doing that but I swiped yes and the rom booted.
One thing...there was an immediate notification telling me to update TWRP. I'm using the latest codeworks one so not sure if I should update or even if an update will work since I'm not on an official build. Have you encountered anything like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@KLit75
Stock is indeed good ROM. Many people use Beta which is equally good.
Some Custom ROMs do some do not support encryption. You may have to
read a bit in the ROM threads. Some TWRP are better for encryption as
well. Official TWRP perhaps catched up. You may may have to read a bit
in the TWRP threads.
When I went OOS 5.0.4 -> Custom (GZOSP) I had to format data and
become unencrypted.
I then reinstalled phone from scratch but had Titanium backup (for
accounts etc...) and also /data/media/0 backup (for some media).
So no: I never fully restored data from stock to a custom ROM. I did
restore some app data from Titanium backup though.
I have not restored encrypted TWRP stock backup either. I probably
never will, but I had asked around and read about it for all
certainty.
I believe one needs a special step which is to clean via stock
recovery and flash stock. Then one can perhaps restore whatever
encrypted TWRP backup. I hear different versions of ROMS may have
different encryption mechanisms. I am not authoritative on Android
encryption, read other threads.
You will need to search and ask if you want to go back to encrypted.
Perhaps it is easier than I tell here.
Note that I had backups (Titanium media TWRP) copied over to computer
for all certainty. I sometimes also work with OTG stick for copying in
both directions.
I think almost no experience is same for 2 people. That's why we all
tell slightly different stories. Trying to understand and master the
procedures is the challenge, and have many backups, and a way back.
No TWRP ever asked me to upgrade. I allow TWRP to make modifications.
My computer is Linux and I do not use MTP.
You can stay on codeworkx TWRP. Myself I did so but, eventually, since
I am unencrypted, I now am on official twrp-3.2.1-2-dumpling.
Recall also it is advised to always turn off lock screen Security
before taking a TWRP backup.
Good luck and enjoy your 5T.
every time i flash custom rom its just going to bootloop. i think its because of encrytion.
when i restore twrp stck backup. the touch is not working properly. it requires two touches simultanously to touch any thing.
how to disable encryption? plz help
You can disable decryption by formatting the data partition in TWRP. Of course you will delete all data in the process. And I kind of doubt that encryption is causing your problems.
Are you sure that you are flashing the right ROM for your bootloader? Which Android version did you have on your phone before, and which version are you trying to flash?
zeeshanbage said:
every time i flash custom rom its just going to bootloop. i think its because of encrytion.
when i restore twrp stck backup. the touch is not working properly. it requires two touches simultanously to touch any thing.
how to disable encryption? plz help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what ROM?, what procedure (RSDlite, manual, etc?)are you using to flash ROM - and what bootloaders?
i wiped everything including internal storage. flashed rom successfully. but after reboot again bootloop happen. so went into twrp then again its asking password to decrypt.
now i flashed stock firmware using adb. i wasted whole day just to get root access and still didn't got one
I just put a few guides at the top of MZP Guides etc - start there and we'll see how it goes. RSDlite-ing a phone can cure a lot of ills.