Develop Bugs

Wildfire ROM update - backup questions

Hi everyone,
I'm using a HTC Wildfire and am considering changing from stock (HTC non-branded) to CyanogenMod for a number of minor reasons. Could anyone just confirm that I got a few points right before I get started:
- Recovery is totally independent from the ROM itself, right? So I can flash ClockWorkMod Recovery only, continue to use the stock ROM, but have the additional features of ClockWorkMod available, such as backup, with which I can create a complete backup of the stock ROM. In case I don't like CyanogenMod, I can restore the stock image and be exactly where I left it, Apps, Settings and everything (of course the new Recovery will still be installed.) Is this correct?
- I'm planning to do the following steps (I read about the details, just want to confirm the basics):
x use the Revolutionary way to S-OFF and install new Recovery
x create full image backup of the stock ROM using the new Recovery
x install new ROM (ClockWorkMod)
x if I don't like CM: restore image created before to return to stock
-> This should work, shouldn't it?
- One more: What will happen if the the phone is S-OFF, an alternative Recovery is installed, and a HTC Firmware-Update is attempted? Will this work at all, will it update just the ROM, or will it update the Recovery, too? S-OFF will not be changed back to S-ON, right?
Thanks for your help.
Regards

1. Yes, the recovery is in it's own partition and is independent from the ROM
2. The recovery creates a "snapshot" of your current ROM. So when you restore, it'll be just the way you left it.
3. There's no need to do any HTC Firmware updates after installing a custom ROM (infact, I'm almost 100% sure that it won't work)

As a basic answer yes you go ahead with what you posted.just make sure your hboot version is compatible with revolutionary 1st etc etc.
As for HTC firmware update question,if your talking about the over the air updates I'm not sure but I think it would update your hboot thus reverting back to s-on status again so best not accept it if you do get one (turn off in settings)
Edit : ninja'd lol
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

slymobi said:
As a basic answer yes you go ahead with what you posted.just make sure your hboot version is compatible with revolutionary 1st etc etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, of course.
As for HTC firmware update question,if your talking about the over the air updates [...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the manual ones you can download directly from HTC and install via USB. My understanding was that this would kill everything flashable, including radio and recovery. It would be reassuring to have a worst-case way to go back to stock in case the image-restore fails for whatever reason.

150d said:
Yes, of course.
No, the manual ones you can download directly from HTC and install via USB. My understanding was that this would kill everything flashable, including radio and recovery. It would be reassuring to have a worst-case way to go back to stock in case the image-restore fails for whatever reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah sorry never dealt with any firmware updates. There are ruu.exe to help get back to stock if something goes wrong I think.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

You can go completely back to stock, s-on and all but believe me once you have cwm installed there really is no point unless its for warranty reasons, backup fails are rare with the latest recoveries + if it does fail with your first backup you can always post here and we will explain how to extract a stock Rom from an ruu to put things back to how they where before or you can flash a custom sense Rom and modify it to your liking.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium

Scratch0805 said:
You can go completely back to stock, s-on and all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's great.
[...] but believe me once you have cwm installed there really is no point unless its for warranty reasons[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, exactly. I'm a little on the paranoid side, I know... ;-)
Ok, I'm on my way now. I've performed the "Revolutionary" S-OFF and am now running "Revolutionary CWM v4.0.1.4". Is this an out-of-date version?
I've read about ROM-Manager being able to auto-check for and flash a new Clockworks Recovery, but I've also read that ROM-Manager needs root. I have not yet flashed a new ROM, so I assume that I'm not yet rooted, am I? Can I find a ZIP of CWM that I can directly flash from the SD-card?
Does the CWM-version I'm running have any effect on the "quality" of the image backup? In other words, if I create a backup now, will I be able to restore it later running a different version of CWM?

The "different version backup restore" is a bit wonky and won't always work.
To flash a different recovery from the SD card do this:
1. Place this file on your SD card (Not in any folders!): http://www.multiupload.com/74EW2VPNHL
2. Boot into the bootloader
3. Wait a bit and then it should prompt you to update
4. Click the volume+ key to update
5. Remove SD card
6. Boot into the new recovery and insert the SD card
7. Go under mounts and select Mount USB storage
8. Delete the PCIMG file from your computer

nejc121 said:
1. Place this file on your SD card (Not in any folders!): http://www.multiupload.com/74EW2VPNHL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried to, but I couldn't use the link. The whole domain seems to be down - maybe another holy crusade of Big Content, who knows. They sure leave fans in their wake, don't they.
Since you indicated that updating would be ok for the wildfire I went to http://www.clockworkmod.com/rommanager and downloaded the file recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-buzz.zip.
However, I'm not sure how to handle it: If I put it on the card under this name, nothing happens on bootloader-start. In recovery, I can select the file and install it, and then I immidiatly get a newly colored menu with the new CWM version 5.something. However, once I restart, the old CWM (v4.x) is there again.
I assume I need to use a magic filename so that the bootloader performs the update, not the (already running) recovery. Right?
**EDIT: Ah, disregard. I believe I found the answer myself.

Do you have fastboot?
If you do I can give you the recovery.img I'm using, which you can flash via fastboot.

Yes, fastboot is available.
Thank you.

Okay, here's how you flash a recovery via fastboot.
1. Extract the .zip I attached to the location where you fastboot is
2. Reboot phone in the bootloader
3. Select fastboot and attach USB cable
4. Open up the command prompt and type in "cd [location of fastboot]
5. Type in "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img"
6. You're done
Oh and by [location of fastboot] I mean that you type in the location of fastboot.

Wow - this was fun. There was something really curious going on with my device: Whatever I tried, no "official" way worked to modify CWM v4 to v5. In every case, the menu of the new version showed up and was usable, but was gone again after restart. After the file-on-card method got me nowhere (file was not recognized), I tried the high road and installed ROM-Manager. This complained about missing su. So I installed su. After that ROM-Manager downloaded CWM v5 and put it onto the card (into a file named update.zip - ahh... ) On restart, the CWM-install-screen came up, then the v5 menu.
And after restart, it was gone again. Even ROM-Manager was confused: He showed v5 as "installed", when in fact it was still v4. ;-)
So finally I downloaded the Android SDK (to get fastboot.exe) and performed the flash as you suggested in the first place. And it worked. First try, without hitch, permanently.
Thank you very much for your help!
Regards

The problem with ROM Manager's version is that it's only temporary and can only be accessed from the ROM Manager itself

[Q] OTA update from 4.0.2 to 4.0.4 results in android with red exclamation mark

Hi,
I'll begin by saying that I've previously unlocked and rooted my Galaxy Nexus GSM using CF-Root v5.1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1396952
So my GNXS is unlocked, rooted, running 4.0.2.
Today I finally received the notification that an OTA update to 4.0.4 is finally available in my location.
I was so excited to download and install it (not before backing up my data on TitaniumBackup and nandroid).
After backing up, I clicked to install the update, the phone restarted, I could see the android with that geometric shape rolling around in its tummy, the update was being installed, and then it changed into the "dead" android with a red exclamation mark.
The phone eventually restarts and everything is OK.
I tried this a few times and I got the same result every time.
Does anybody have any idea what I should do or what's going on?
Is there a conflict with CF-Root? If so, what should I do?
Should I remove CF-Root somehow?
In the link above, it says that CF-Root is a kernel and not a ROM, what does that essentially mean?
Am I still running the stock ROM? Can/should I go back to the stock kernel?
Thanks!!

Yes, you need the stock kernel for it to flash correctly.

Super. Do you maybe know how I should do that?
Is it called "flashing" the stock flash?
EDIT: Is this the way to go about it:
1. Download the 4.0.4 image from: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#yakju
2. Then, find boot.img, and then run "fastboot flash boot.img" ?
Notice that I only found a link to the 4.0.4 image, and not to a 4.0.2 image... I couldn't find the 4.0.2 for GNXS GSM, should it matter?
Thanks!

aaagever said:
Super. Do you maybe know how I should do that?
Is it called "flashing" the stock flash?
EDIT: Is this the way to go about it:
1. Download the 4.0.4 image from: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#yakju
2. Then, find boot.img, and then run "fastboot flash boot.img" ?
Notice that I only found a link to the 4.0.4 image, and not to a 4.0.2 image... I couldn't find the 4.0.2 for GNXS GSM, should it matter?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your command is correct.
And yes it does matter - you need the 4.0.2 boot image. Additionally, you will need the recovery image from 4.0.2 as well.
I've posted both recently in various threads. Have a search. I will as well and I'll post the links here if I find them.
---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:17 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1581169

No go..
efrant said:
Your command is correct.
And yes it does matter - you need the 4.0.2 boot image. Additionally, you will need the recovery image from 4.0.2 as well.
I've posted both recently in various threads. Have a search. I will as well and I'll post the links here if I find them.
---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:17 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1581169
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it didn't work.. I did the following:
1. I restarted into fastboot mode, ran fastboot flash boot boot.img (of the boot.img from your other post. The boot.img for ICL53F). After it was done. I clicked the power button to select "Start". Everything ran smoothly.
2. Again, I restarted into fastboot mode, ran fastboot flash recovery recovery.img (of the recovery.img from your other post. The recovery.img for ICL53F). After it was done. I clicked the power button to select "Start". Everything ran smoothly.
3. I tried to update again using OTA, and got the red exclamation mark again!
Ugh, any idea why this could be happening? Is there an error log somewhere?
What other options do I have left?
Thanks!

aaagever said:
Well, it didn't work.. I did the following:
1. I restarted into fastboot mode, ran fastboot flash boot boot.img (of the boot.img from your other post. The boot.img for ICL53F). After it was done. I clicked the power button to select "Start". Everything ran smoothly.
2. Again, I restarted into fastboot mode, ran fastboot flash recovery recovery.img (of the recovery.img from your other post. The recovery.img for ICL53F). After it was done. I clicked the power button to select "Start". Everything ran smoothly.
3. I tried to update again using OTA, and got the red exclamation mark again!
Ugh, any idea why this could be happening? Is there an error log somewhere?
What other options do I have left?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably have some files in /system that are not original/stock.
There may be a log in /cache. Take a look in there.
Otherwise, I suggest you try the update manually (instead of OTA) using CWM. See the update link in my sig. CWM will display the name of the file that is prevent the update from installing right on the screen, and then you can easily replace it with the stock one.
EDIT: You will also need to have the XXKK6 radio installed. Forgot to mention that previously. Everything must be from the 4.0.2 factory image.

Problem solved!
efrant said:
You probably have some files in /system that are not original/stock.
There may be a log in /cache. Take a look in there.
Otherwise, I suggest you try the update manually (instead of OTA) using CWM. See the update link in my sig. CWM will display the name of the file that is prevent the update from installing right on the screen, and then you can easily replace it with the stock one.
EDIT: You will also need to have the XXKK6 radio installed. Forgot to mention that previously. Everything must be from the 4.0.2 factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super thanks efrant! I solved the problem.
Here's the sum-up of what I did:
In /cache I found a "last_log" file. By looking at it I could understand that I didn't have the stock build.prop. I searched around and found other threads (that you were also part of also ) that included an attachment of the stock build.prop.
The OTA still didn't work after that, so I looked at the "last_log" again and saw that there was now a problem with my "Roboto-Regular.ttf", so I used your guide of how to convert .img to .ext4.img and then mount it, to find the stock Roboto-Regular.ttf font. (BTW, I used the 4.0.4 image, since 4.0.2 can't be found online anymore, thinking that the sha1 didn't change between these two versions, and my assumption was right)
After that, the OTA succeeded, but I had lost root, so again , I used your guide of how to regain root.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
P.S. - After this entire ordeal, I'm left wondering why I'm so set on getting the updates by OTA, and why not simply use CWM to flash the OTA update (like I saw in your guide here) .
That would have bypassed these errors that I had, right?

aaagever said:
[snip]
P.S. - After this entire ordeal, I'm left wondering why I'm so set on getting the updates by OTA, and why not simply use CWM to flash the OTA update (like I saw in your guide here) .
That would have bypassed these errors that I had, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No unfortunately, it would not have bypassed the errors. Those update files are exactly the same as the OTA update files, and their requirements are the same.
The only way to "bypass" is to flash the full version of the ROM from here, but skip the userdata image.

efrant said:
No unfortunately, it would not have bypassed the errors. Those update files are exactly the same as the OTA update files, and their requirements are the same.
The only way to "bypass" is to flash the full version of the ROM from here, but skip the userdata image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. So for future reference, how does flash the entire ROM but bypass the userdata image?
BTW, this is so the ROM is updated, but the data and everything isn't wiped, right?

Cannot access recovery after attempted TWRP update, noob to HTC Devices

I've got an HTC One M9 (Rogers) that I've rooted and installed CM13 (13.0-20160221-nightly-himaul). I'm reasonably experienced with custom ROMs and such having played with all of this stuff on several Samsung devices (Captivate, Galaxy Nexus, SGS3), but this is my first go on an HTC device and first time running TWRP as opposed to Clockworkmod. I attempted to update my TWRP from 2.8.4 to 3.0.0-2 by booting to recovery. Not sure how and where I went wrong in that process but I can no longer boot to recovery, the phone starts up just fine and is usable. I can still access download mode and the bootloader, device is S-on (and has never been s-off). I have since attempted to reinstall TWRP via ADB commands as per the below post. The flash seems to take, no errors but still I'm unable to access recovery. I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what if anything I can try next.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-root-install-twrp-htc-one-m9-t3061133

the0f said:
I've got an HTC One M9 (Rogers) that I've rooted and installed CM13 (13.0-20160221-nightly-himaul). I'm reasonably experienced with custom ROMs and such having played with all of this stuff on several Samsung devices (Captivate, Galaxy Nexus, SGS3), but this is my first go on an HTC device and first time running TWRP as opposed to Clockworkmod. I attempted to update my TWRP from 2.8.4 to 3.0.0-2 by booting to recovery. Not sure how and where I went wrong in that process but I can no longer boot to recovery, the phone starts up just fine and is usable. I can still access download mode and the bootloader, device is S-on (and has never been s-off). I have since attempted to reinstall TWRP via ADB commands as per the below post. The flash seems to take, no errors but still I'm unable to access recovery. I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what if anything I can try next.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-root-install-twrp-htc-one-m9-t3061133
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running 3.x firmware? TWRP 3.0+ only works on firmware 3.x (i.e., the firmware that comes with Marshmallow). Flash TWRP 2.8x using fastboot and it should work just fine.

efrant said:
Are you running 3.x firmware? TWRP 3.0+ only works on firmware 3.x (i.e., the firmware that comes with Marshmallow). Flash TWRP 2.8x using fastboot and it should work just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are my hero, that definitely worked. So now to update that firmware so that I can update everything else. By chance do you know of a guide on how to update to that newer firmware version?

the0f said:
You sir are my hero, that definitely worked. So now to update that firmware so that I can update everything else. By chance do you know of a guide on how to update to that newer firmware version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I know how to do it with S-ON is to restore your device to stock (i.e., the version of stock before you flashed CM), take the OTA update, then flash the ROM you want.

efrant said:
The only way I know how to do it with S-ON is to restore your device to stock (i.e., the version of stock before you flashed CM), take the OTA update, then flash the ROM you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to be a bother and ask for any form of hand holding, but any idea where I can source the files for the return to stock? Currently have 2.11.631.2 on there (checked in the bootloader). Either that or a way to go S-OFF, I've been unable to find a guide on how to accomplish this without sunshine, which won't work on Cyanogenmod. If that required flashing even to something more similar to stock (IE Android Revolution) that's not the end of the world. Just kind of at a loss as to how to go about that process from where I am now.

the0f said:
Sorry to be a bother and ask for any form of hand holding, but any idea where I can source the files for the return to stock? Currently have 2.11.631.2 on there (checked in the bootloader). Either that or a way to go S-OFF, I've been unable to find a guide on how to accomplish this without sunshine, which won't work on Cyanogenmod. If that required flashing even to something more similar to stock (IE Android Revolution) that's not the end of the world. Just kind of at a loss as to how to go about that process from where I am now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Make sure you have an sdcard formatted exfat in your device.
2) Boot into TWRP and back up your boot image to the sdcard. (You are doing this to get TWRP to create the proper directory structure.)
3) Find your back up that you just created and delete the files in the folder, i.e., the boot image and the md5 file.
4) Make sure TWRP has the option to keep system read-only checked (in the mounts menu).
5) Go here and download the three files (boot, recovery, system_image) for 2.11.631.2 and place them in the folder on your sdcard mentioned in point #3 above.
6) Restore the files using TWRP and reboot your device into Android.
7) You'll get an OTA notification. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
8) Once updated, you'll get a second OTA notification to update you to Marshmallow. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
9) Once updated, you can go ahead and flash TWRP 3.0+ and do what you want.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-return-to-stock-canadian-htc-one-t3108236

efrant said:
1) Make sure you have an sdcard formatted exfat in your device.
2) Boot into TWRP and back up your boot image to the sdcard. (You are doing this to get TWRP to create the proper directory structure.)
3) Find your back up that you just created and delete the files in the folder, i.e., the boot image and the md5 file.
4) Make sure TWRP has the option to keep system read-only checked (in the mounts menu).
5) Go here and download the three files (boot, recovery, system_image) for 2.11.631.2 and place them in the folder on your sdcard mentioned in point #3 above.
6) Restore the files using TWRP and reboot your device into Android.
7) You'll get an OTA notification. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
8) Once updated, you'll get a second OTA notification to update you to Marshmallow. Accept it and update your device. (It'll take a while and reboot multiple times.)
9) Once updated, you can go ahead and flash TWRP 3.0+ and do what you want.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/guide-return-to-stock-canadian-htc-one-t3108236
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you again sir, I'll give that a try this evening when I get back home. The help and the hand holding is very much appreciated. I thought that I knew a fair bit about android phones and custom ROMs from my time with my old Samsung devices, and have had to do a lot of learning when it's come to the One M9. Never had a device with the S-ON feature before and have had a lot of trouble trying to find info on what I need to do. I did find that forum post you linked, but wasn't sure if that applied to my device or not. Again VERY much appreciated.

Yup, 6.0 stock is installed and working, TWRP 3.0.0-2 installed and working as well. This time took a system backup and stored it in a safe place (as I expect much the same trouble when Android N or any other major update happens). Thank you again for all of your assistance in getting my phone fixed and updated.

NEED HELP

I have a brand new Pixel XL from Verizon that I received today and was successful in unlocking. However, I tried to root and now I am stuck on bootloop. I cannot post in DEVELOPMENT because I haven't posted here in years (haven't had ANDROID in a while). Can anyone help? I am able to access via fastboot (I believe) but I must be flashing the wrong images. I don't want to brick this nice new day-old device. I have been at it for 5 hours via research on my own, but now I am looking for someone that can help me via P.M. or what it may take. I really want to get back to enjoying this device! Thanks in advance!

bdsuser said:
I have a brand new Pixel XL from Verizon that I received today and was successful in unlocking. However, I tried to root and now I am stuck on bootloop. I cannot post in DEVELOPMENT because I haven't posted here in years (haven't had ANDROID in a while). Can anyone help? I am able to access via fastboot (I believe) but I must be flashing the wrong images. I don't want to brick this nice new day-old device. I have been at it for 5 hours via research on my own, but now I am looking for someone that can help me via P.M. or what it may take. I really want to get back to enjoying this device! Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the third post in the thread below to get set up and back to stock. Then we will work on root. If you tried to root and you bootlooped it then you used the wrong​ SU.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/stupidly-bootloop-help-t3554242

1. Download a ROM. A stock version is probably in the forums somewhere if that's what you want.
2. Download TWRP image and zip from the TWRP thread.
3. Download SuperSU from the SuperSU thread.
4. Download a vendor image. There's no "official" vendor image thread AFAIK, but you can grab one from the Pure Nexus rom thread. NMF26V is compatible with all 7.1.1 ROMs & stock.
Now you have two options:
Fast: Put the ROM, TWRP(zip only), SuperSU and vendor image on USB flash drive, then connect the USB 3 to USB C adapter to your flash drive. Don't connect it to the phone yet. An external HDD/SSD should also work if that's all you've got.
Slow: While in TWRP(Instructions below) push the ROM, TWRP(zip only), SuperSU and vendor image files to your phone through ADB with "adb push C:\file_path\ /sdcard/" sans quotes. You will need to do this for each file, or alternatively push a folder containing the four files. adb file transfer is very slow.
5. Boot your phone to the bootloader, and connect it to your computer. This can be achieved by holding volume down and power from an off state.
Note: If your device is still bootlooping you won't be able to get to the bootloader. Hold volume up and power until the device shuts off to get out of the bootloop temporarily, then boot to bootloader.
6. In a command window, "fastboot boot twrp.img"
7. Connect your flash drive to your phone if you chose that option, or push the files through adb if you chose that option
8. Flash TWRP zip, ROM and vendor image. STAY IN TWRP
9. Return to TWRP's home screen > advanced > file manager. Scroll down until you see 'fstab.marlin'(in the root '/' directory). Tap on 'fstab.marlin' and delete it. Skipping this step means SuperSU won't install.
10. Flash SuperSU zip, reboot to system and you're done.

SDK
TonikJDK said:
Read the third post in the thread below to get set up and back to stock. Then we will work on root. If you tried to root and you bootlooped it then you used the wrong​ SU.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/help/stupidly-bootloop-help-t3554242
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just thought I'd update you...And I know I sound like I have no idea what I'm doing but traditionally I've never had issues like this But I am trying to get ADB to show the flash-all command. The one I have installed doesn't show that feature so I can't follow the tutorial. If you have a direct link to what I may be missing I would appreciate it otherwise I will update you once I figure it out.

bdsuser said:
Just thought I'd update you...And I know I sound like I have no idea what I'm doing but traditionally I've never had issues like this But I am trying to get ADB to show the flash-all command. The one I have installed doesn't show that feature so I can't follow the tutorial. If you have a direct link to what I may be missing I would appreciate it otherwise I will update you once I figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link to the proper adb and fastboot are in the post i pointed you to.

Help with root and TWRP
TonikJDK said:
The link to the proper adb and fastboot are in the post i pointed you to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your assistance. I now have root installed and I think I'm good except for one thing. I keep thinking TWRP is installed but for some reason when I reboot to bootloader, then select reboot recovery mode, it takes me to android recovery. I am used to recovery taking me to TWRP. I know TWRP works but I feel like I'm temporarily flashing it each time or something. I even installed the twrp app and I see I can flash zips that way, etc, but I wanted to know if you knew how to make the phone boot to TWRP in recovery? Or is that necessary?

bdsuser said:
Thanks for your assistance. I now have root installed and I think I'm good except for one thing. I keep thinking TWRP is installed but for some reason when I reboot to bootloader, then select reboot recovery mode, it takes me to android recovery. I am used to recovery taking me to TWRP. I know TWRP works but I feel like I'm temporarily flashing it each time or something. I even installed the twrp app and I see I can flash zips that way, etc, but I wanted to know if you knew how to make the phone boot to TWRP in recovery? Or is that necessary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont do it that way on this phone. TWRP and SU are modifying the same parts of the phone, and there are cases where it could conflict. Rare, not a big deal, but since i don't need TWRP installed i don't.
To install it ypu first boot to it.
Fastboot boot twrpFilename.
Then from within TWRP you install the TWRP zip.
Make sure it is TWRP RC1

All set
Thanks again for your help. I am running pure ROM as I mentioned and I seem to like it. Do you K or if Franco works with Pure or do you have a suggestion on a good rom/kernel? Is there anything else that you can suggest I should be using with the new phone? I remember there used to be tools that you could install that allowed you to customize the system even further but the name escapes me. . Is there anything like that or even a theme tool which is a must have when you are rooted and running custom roms? No big deal if not. Very happy with where I stand now. Really appreciate you getting me back up and running!

You are most welcome. I don't ROM so I don't know what kernels work with what roms for sure. But my understanding is that they are all pretty universal. I run stock with Franco.
Other than that i dont mod much. Ad blocker, black themes and a few adjustments to Franco.

TonikJDK said:
You are most welcome. I don't ROM so I don't know what kernels work with what roms for sure. But my understanding is that they are all pretty universal. I run stock with Franco.
Other than that i dont mod much. Ad blocker, black themes and a few adjustments to Franco.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect! Thanks yet again. Have a great remainder of the day!

bdsuser said:
Thanks again for your help. I am running pure ROM as I mentioned and I seem to like it. Do you K or if Franco works with Pure or do you have a suggestion on a good rom/kernel? Is there anything else that you can suggest I should be using with the new phone? I remember there used to be tools that you could install that allowed you to customize the system even further but the name escapes me. . Is there anything like that or even a theme tool which is a must have when you are rooted and running custom roms? No big deal if not. Very happy with where I stand now. Really appreciate you getting me back up and running!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im running pure and elementalx with excellent results.
?Tapped from my pure pixelXl?

have you ever seen an issue where the phone boots to twrp even though everything was working fine? It starts happening if I do a restart. Then no matter what it boots into TWRP unless I wipe again? I believe it's happening after I flash root but I'm going out of my mind with trial and error. Any help would be appreciated.

bdsuser said:
have you ever seen an issue where the phone boots to twrp even though everything was working fine? It starts happening if I do a restart. Then no matter what it boots into TWRP unless I wipe again? I believe it's happening after I flash root but I'm going out of my mind with trial and error. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HELLO!!! I understand any frustrations you may be having, as the pixel devices have changed a good bit for us as far as development. Anyways. I'm just going to throw some knowledge out there, then proceed to help get you up and running!
You couldn't post in the development section because of your post count, but even if you could, it would have been in the wrong section and it would have been removed, or moved to the questions section.
Also, I see someone has pointed it out earlier, but I'll say it again just to make sure everything is clear. The command you were running "fastboot boot TWRP.img" only boots TWRP temporarily. You are suppose to have two files, one IMG file and one zip file. You boot the IMG file, then once you're in TWRP, you flash the zip file, then reboot to recovery and you will have installed TWRP properly.
With root, flashing wrong files or using the outdated root method will cause boot loops. The correct way to root (again already been said) is the get TWRP up and running, delete the fstab file (see earlier post) then flash SuperSU and reboot. Just throwing this out there Incase someone comes across it, if you manage to boot loop your device due to to rooting, you can fastboot flash franco's kernel and it will fix the bootloop (,but you won't have root) this isn't the correct way to fix it, but it will get you back up and running without downloading the large factory image.
***About to edit this post to continue giving more info***
Here is a correct guide and good template to get you running.
start by flashing a clean factory image, then let it boot and get it set up.
Reboot to fastboot, fastboot boot TWRP IMG then flash TWRP zip using the latest versions (RC1 is latest, pm me for more info).
Reboot the phone to recovery to ensure TWRP stuck.
Go-to advanced, file manager in TWRP and find the fstab.marlin file and delete.
Then you can go ahead and flash the latest SuperSU (I use 2.79 sr3) and when it's done reboot to system and verify root.
After rooting you can go ahead and flash a kernel if you want, I use elemental which you can flash in TWRP, but see the kernel instructions prior to flashing.
Reboot and you have a nice stock ROM with root and kernel.
For flashing Roms, kind of follow the same template, most Roms require you to flash part of or the whole latest factory image.
If your on a clean install, go ahead and install TWRP as mentioned above.
Then use TWRP to install whatever ROM you want per ROM developer instructions.
Side note, some Roms replace the TWRP with cwm or stock recovery, so it's always nice to flash the TWRP zip after flashing a ROM.
After flashing ROM, boot to system to make sure all is well, then boot back to recovery and follow instructions above for root/kernel.
As far as the problem you're having now, it usually comes from flashing outdated SuperSU images. Do a search for 2.79 sr3 and use it to root (pm me if you need help)
You might have to start clean one more time, And flash factory image.

noidea24 said:
HELLO!!! I understand any frustrations you may be having, as the pixel devices have changed a good bit for us as far as development. Anyways. I'm just going to throw some knowledge out there, then proceed to help get you up and running!
You couldn't post in the development section because of your post count, but even if you could, it would have been in the wrong section and it would have been removed, or moved to the questions section.
Also, I see someone has pointed it out earlier, but I'll say it again just to make sure everything is clear. The command you were running "fastboot boot TWRP.img" only boots TWRP temporarily. You are suppose to have two files, one IMG file and one zip file. You boot the IMG file, then once you're in TWRP, you flash the zip file, then reboot to recovery and you will have installed TWRP properly.
With root, flashing wrong files or using the outdated root method will cause boot loops. The correct way to root (again already been said) is the get TWRP up and running, delete the fstab file (see earlier post) then flash SuperSU and reboot. Just throwing this out there Incase someone comes across it, if you manage to boot loop your device due to to rooting, you can fastboot flash franco's kernel and it will fix the bootloop (,but you won't have root) this isn't the correct way to fix it, but it will get you back up and running without downloading the large factory image.
***About to edit this post to continue giving more info***
Here is a correct guide and good template to get you running.
start by flashing a clean factory image, then let it boot and get it set up.
Reboot to fastboot, fastboot boot TWRP IMG then flash TWRP zip using the latest versions (RC1 is latest, pm me for more info).
Reboot the phone to recovery to ensure TWRP stuck.
Go-to advanced, file manager in TWRP and find the fstab.marlin file and delete.
Then you can go ahead and flash the latest SuperSU (I use 2.79 sr3) and when it's done reboot to system and verify root.
After rooting you can go ahead and flash a kernel if you want, I use elemental which you can flash in TWRP, but see the kernel instructions prior to flashing.
Reboot and you have a nice stock ROM with root and kernel.
For flashing Roms, kind of follow the same template, most Roms require you to flash part of or the whole latest factory image.
If your on a clean install, go ahead and install TWRP as mentioned above.
Then use TWRP to install whatever ROM you want per ROM developer instructions.
Side note, some Roms replace the TWRP with cwm or stock recovery, so it's always nice to flash the TWRP zip after flashing a ROM.
After flashing ROM, boot to system to make sure all is well, then boot back to recovery and follow instructions above for root/kernel.
As far as the problem you're having now, it usually comes from flashing outdated SuperSU images. Do a search for 2.79 sr3 and use it to root (pm me if you need help)
You might have to start clean one more time, And flash factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is absolutely no need to delete the fstab file anymore. That only needed to be done when TWRP was still alpha 2, and almost three versions of su earlier.
ALL roms replace TWRP with stock recovery unless you are using lineage then you will get Cyanogenmod recovery, so reflashing TWRP before booting into system is a must.
If you are flashing root and or custome kernel and end up in a bootloop, flashing the stock boot.img to both slots via:
'fastboot flash --slot _a boot boot.img'
'fastboot flash --slot _b boot boot.Img'
will fix the issue and you will be able to boot up just fine. Again you will have to reboot into TWRP from the bootloader and reflash the zip. When you are done flashing the boot.img's you might as well just
'Fastboot boot TWRP-file.img'
Then install the zip!

[CLOSED] Delete Thread.

Due to the disrespect of certain members here I will no longer share the tutorials.

how long does it take to move past the N/A screen. also where in this do you flash the stock boot.img if you get error 1s? please be more specific.

I should've seen this first
So... I found this thread AFTER the fact. Phone's a day old, rooted, and softbricked. I have TWRP and fastboot but kernel's gone.
You have everything there except the what if...
How'd you un-softbricked your device?

quotrice said:
how long does it take to move past the N/A screen. also where in this do you flash the stock boot.img if you get error 1s? please be more specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, sorry for the late reply. Been busy tinkering with the phone.
It can take up to 30 seconds (granted, I counted out loud on reboot just now) to move past the N/A screen and go to the chick saying "hello Moto" and then the Metro PCS flash screen.
If you get the error1s the original boot.img may have either been corrupted, deleted, or the phone is being a **** and has somehow altered it where its modified, and therefore cannot start up right. With me, that happened after flashing different TWRPs and then repetitively flashing the files for root. That is why I said this:
5. Installing any of the .zip files may mess with the boot.img. I personally think unlocking the bootloader did that because I followed directions on here to a T and had problems eith Error 1 off the bat. So, if you start seeing Error 1 messages when you attempt to flash the necessary files for root in TWRP, you will have to do this step below I did.
5. Go into the Stock Rom file and extract the boot.img file. Put it in the Minimal ADB file folder (the same as you did for the recovery.img file).
-In Minimal ADB type "fastboot erase boot "
-In Minimal ADB type "fastboot flash boot boot.img" That should restore your original boot image to stock and correct any error 1 problems. And the best part is you don't have to erase and re-flash all the original stock rom files to get it back in order, potentially messing up the bootloader unlock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not have to flash the rom unless you want to, and trust it is a pain as you have to extract all the contents of the ROM and flash them via TWRP one by one. I've updated in my original post on how to go about that. So, if the boot.img is your prob, all you have to do is extract the boot.img file from the rom and follow the instructions above. However, if you've deleted or altered more than the boot.img, you will have to flash the rom, but at this step you shouldn't of. I too had the error1 thing, and after tinkering with it for 9 hours, just flashing that boot.img on a humbug solved the problem alone. Just open it in WinRar/WinZip and pull it out, and follow the instructions above.

HmonGrL123 said:
So... I found this thread AFTER the fact. Phone's a day old, rooted, and softbricked. I have TWRP and fastboot but kernel's gone.
You have everything there except the what if...
How'd you un-softbricked your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My softbrick was the corruption of the boot.img. I was unable to get the phone to load past the N/A after that. Flashing the boot.img from the stock solved it.
If your kernel is truly gone, which please mention what guide you used to try and get root, you will have to flash stock via TWRP. And let me just say, it isn't as easy as flashing it as a ROM. You will have to extract the entire Stock Rom files to Minimal ADB Fastboot folder and flash the files one by one (refer to my updates in my original post on how to restore the stock rom).

---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 PM ----------
Articul8Madness said:
My softbrick was the corruption of the boot.img. I was unable to get the phone to load past the N/A after that. Flashing the boot.img from the stock solved it.
If your kernel is truly gone, which please mention what guide you used to try and get root, you will have to flash stock via TWRP. And let me just say, it isn't as easy as flashing it as a ROM. You will have to extract the entire Stock Rom files to Minimal ADB Fastboot folder and flash the files one by one (refer to my updates in my original post on how to restore the stock rom).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally got it going. I had to flash system.sparsechunk. it failed a few times afterwards too but i figured it was su that was causing it. I finally got it back to stock. Flashed magisk, and now I'm running resurrection. Thank you
Should I post exactly what i did in case someone stumbles upon my same problem?

HmonGrL123 said:
---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 PM ----------
I finally got it going. I had to flash system.sparsechunk. it failed a few times afterwards too but i figured it was su that was causing it. I finally got it back to stock. Flashed magisk, and now I'm running resurrection. Thank you
Should I post exactly what i did in case someone stumbles upon my same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't hurt

HmonGrL123 said:
---------- Post added at 07:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 PM ----------
I finally got it going. I had to flash system.sparsechunk. it failed a few times afterwards too but i figured it was su that was causing it. I finally got it back to stock. Flashed magisk, and now I'm running resurrection. Thank you
Should I post exactly what i did in case someone stumbles upon my same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PLEASE DO!!!! As you see we all are having different problems getting the E4 on the way to root. I encourage you to make a footnote of it in this thread, and I'll direct people to it on the original post. If we can't get this down, flashing a rom is going to be a *****. :good:

Articul8Madness said:
PLEASE DO!!!! As you see we all are having different problems getting the E4 on the way to root. I encourage you to make a footnote of it in this thread, and I'll direct people to it on the original post. If we can't get this down, flashing a rom is going to be a *****. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So don't do this yet?

mookey1986 said:
So don't do this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@HmonGrL123 had a specific issue when flashing, as a different guide was followed first. This guide is to simplify the process.

I just wanted to add:
At step
13. Hit Install and install Magisk.zip. Afterwards, go back to main menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran into the error 1 problem.
After that, I powered down the phone. Then I went into fastboot and flashed the boot.img
Then I used fastboot to get back into TWRP.
Then I went back to step 13.
And Rebooted.
And I finally got root. All working.

wktra said:
I just wanted to add:
At step
I ran into the error 1 problem.
After that, I powered down the phone. Then I went into fastboot and flashed the boot.img
Then I used fastboot to get back into TWRP.
Then I went back to step 13.
And Rebooted.
And I finally got root. All working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad you got it working. Maybe no matter what step is taken is going to initially corrupt the boot.img, so reflashing that is probably going to be essential. I'll test it out on the significant other's phone and see if that is the case.

At the step after the wipe, no matter what I do and trying 2 different versions of twrp, I cannot get the data partition to mount. I can keep clicking it over and over but the box will not check.
Been searching and googling and I cannot figure it out.
nm after sever tries it mounted

Just wanted to thank the op for this awesome guide! Rooted, did a full back up and a nandroid back up, now I'm running resurrection remix to great effect.
Sent from my XT1765 using Tapatalk

Just so you know, the reason why you (and other people in the thread) keep getting error1 when installing Magisk is because of Step 12:
"12. Hit Install and install Superuser.zip. Afterwards, go back to main menu."
Installing the superuser.zip modifies the boot.img .... then the very next step, step 13, is when Magisk will complain about the boot.img being modified. You don't need the superuser.zip at all it's redundant, flashing magisk roots the phone as well. Skip step 12, I'm fully rooted without it and you will literally never get Magisk to say the boot.img is unmodified as long as you keep modifiying the boot.img right before it.

Rooted and bootloader unlock....roming now....wish me luck
So I have officially unlocked my motoE4 on metropcs and have installed superuser. Trying to custom rom and kill the stupid metro pcs bootloader. I deoxed it and removed bloat....but can we tweak? we'll c soon working on it all nite. ill keep you posted

InFamousD147 said:
So I have officially unlocked my motoE4 on metropcs and have installed superuser. Trying to custom rom and kill the stupid metro pcs bootloader. I deoxed it and removed bloat....but can we tweak? we'll c soon working on it all nite. ill keep you posted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magisk works better for root (plus you get magisk modules) and can pass safetynet.

So how long does it take for it to flash each item in twrp? I flashed the first thing (no-verity), and it's just hanging out after it shows "Done Installing!" "Updating partition details...". How long is this suppose to take?

nekomancey said:
Just wanted to thank the op for this awesome guide! Rooted, did a full back up and a nandroid back up, now I'm running resurrection remix to great effect.
Sent from my XT1765 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome! I went through a time getting this thing to root, so I just wrote what worked on my variant. How's the resurrection remix. Looking for a good rom.

Steel Froggy said:
Just so you know, the reason why you (and other people in the thread) keep getting error1 when installing Magisk is because of Step 12:
"12. Hit Install and install Superuser.zip. Afterwards, go back to main menu."
Installing the superuser.zip modifies the boot.img .... then the very next step, step 13, is when Magisk will complain about the boot.img being modified. You don't need the superuser.zip at all it's redundant, flashing magisk roots the phone as well. Skip step 12, I'm fully rooted without it and you will literally never get Magisk to say the boot.img is unmodified as long as you keep modifiying the boot.img right before it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am only going by what worked for me with the metropcs variant. I had tried other tutorials, but there was not a definitive one that dealt with the problems of the MetroPCS trying to get root. So I can't say it's redundant when it wasn't just as simple as flashing magisk on this version of the phone for me. And granted, I went by pieces of people's tutorials, trial, and error.