Related
Hello, this is my first time posting here. I was having some trouble with the touch screen not being responsive enough, sometimes missing my taps. So I installed this mod: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2347009&page=3
Not only did it not appear to change anything, after rebooting I found that my menu and back button no longer vibrate like they should (yes vibration is on in settings) and my q-button no longer does anything. And my home key does not turn the screen on now either. This has to be a simple key configuration change but someone please help me fix this issue Oh also I have the at&t version of the phone if that makes a difference.
Edit: I have found more information about this problem. One being that the mod I spoke of only changes the usr folder of the system folder which contains the key mappings gk-keypad-8064.kl file. I tested and trying to change the QuickButton command in the settings no longer affects this key mappings file as I believe it should. So somehow it either can't find the file (even though it's there) or thinks that the file is corrupt. So is there anyone who has the stock gk-keypad-8064.kl file I can use? Or maybe there should be different permission settings other that rw r r? Please let me know as I think this is the main problem here.
xlJohnnyIcelx said:
Hello, this is my first time posting here. I was having some trouble with the touch screen not being responsive enough, sometimes missing my taps. So I installed this mod: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2347009&page=3
Not only did it not appear to change anything, after rebooting I found that my menu and back button no longer vibrate like they should (yes vibration is on in settings) and my q-button no longer does anything. And my home key does not turn the screen on now either. This has to be a simple key configuration change but someone please help me fix this issue Oh also I have the at&t version of the phone if that makes a difference.
Edit: I have found more information about this problem. One being that the mod I spoke of only changes the usr folder of the system folder which contains the key mappings gk-keypad-8064.kl file. I tested and trying to change the QuickButton command in the settings no longer affects this key mappings file as I believe it should. So somehow it either can't find the file (even though it's there) or thinks that the file is corrupt. So is there anyone who has the stock gk-keypad-8064.kl file I can use? Or maybe there should be different permission settings other that rw r r? Please let me know as I think this is the main problem here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about you try to flash back to the stock rom using the lg flash tool?
I fixed it with a work around. I used exposed additions to force haptic feedback and also to map the q button key. Hopefully if anyone else has this problem it will help them.
I just got a Fire Phone via the Ebay sale, and like many others, I wanted to set it up with Google Apps. I also wanted to keep the working camera and NFC, so I decided to stick with FireOS. Doing that took a lot of searching, and flipping through multiple threads. It can get a little confusing. So I've collected all the steps here to help others (and myself, in case I need to do this again in the future, when I inevitably break something while tinkering). I've written this from the perspective of someone who has purchased a brand new Fire Phone from a third-party seller.
PLEASE NOTE: Much of this is the work/discoveries of other forum members. I'll link out to the original posts whenever possible. Please thank those people accordingly!
1. When you first start up your phone, connect to WiFi, and let it go through the upgrade process to 4.6.4. Now is the time to register your phone with Amazon (by signing in with your Amazon account). You want that year of Prime, don't you?
2. SIM Unlock the phone (if you aren't using AT&T). It's easy!
a. Use a paperclip to pop out the SIM tray
b. Insert a non-AT&T nano-sized SIM card. (Mine came with an AT&T SIM in it. You can't use this card to SIM unlock)
c. A window should pop up, prompting you to enter the code that is on your box. Enter it.
d. Done!
3. Open Settings>Applications & Parental Controls>Prevent non-Amazon app installation. Turn App Installation to ON
4. Make sure ADB is set up on your computer. (this is an easy guide to follow if you don't already have it: http://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot-to-1586992378 )
5. Download the following file to your desktop computer:
GSM Unlocked Firmware (this is a 1.2gb file) (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62768812&postcount=2). Rename this update.bin, and put it into the folder where ADB is installed.Now we get our hands dirty:
6. If you are using Windows (I'm not), follow the directions that @Bingo Bronson posted here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62768812&postcount=2. @DePingus also has an illustrated guide for ADB on Windows here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62844581&postcount=14
6a. If you aren't using Windows, you can follow my steps (the same, just without all the Android SDK stuff, assuming you installed ADB in step #4)
a. Connect your phone to your PC & boot into recovery: When the phone is off, hold PWR + VOL. UP until the recovery screen appears
b. From the list, choose "Apply update from ADB"
c. In the command prompt, enter the following:
Code:
adb sideload path/to/update.bin
d. It should take a few minutes. When it's done, reboot your phone
NOTE: If for some reason this isn't working for you, @jack9955 has posted steps on how to downgrade via Safestrap here.
7. Open Settings>Device>Get Info About Your Fire Phone. Your current version will be listed under Software Version, and it should now be 4.6.3
At this point, you may need to repeat step 3. I didn't, but it's worth checking.
8. Open the Amazon app store (one last time) and download ES File Explorer.
9. In the Silk Browser, open up the following links and download the files:
KingRoot (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/help/root-4-6-3-t3173322)
Updated Google Play Store files: (http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/google-play-store-4-6-1-version-4-apks-t3098592)
10. Open ES File Explorer, navigate to Download, and install KingRoot. Follow the directions to achieve root.
11a. At this point, some people like to remove KingRoot (out of security concerns) and replace it with SuperSu. I haven't done that yet, but you can follow the directions from @najoor here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/root-fire-phone-supersu-t3105546
12. Open ES File Explorer, navigate to Download, and unzip play.zip. Be sure to install the apks contained in the play.zip folder in the proper order (Thanks to @escape75 for these files)
1) Google Account Manager 4.4.2 (940549)
2) Google Services Framework 4.4.2 (940549)
3) Google Play Services 7.8.99 (2134222-036) - Updated
4) Google Play Store 5.8.8 - Updated
13. After installing, I rebooted into recovery again, and wiped the cache partition. I don't know if you need to, but engaging in good housekeeping is never bad.
14. You should have a Play Store icon in your app drawer now. Click it to open, and holy crap!! It works. Plug in your google account details.
Now it's time to keep Amazon from wrecking all your hard work. Steps 15 or 15a will block OTA updates of the OS.
15. Go to Settings>Applications & Parental Controls>Manage Applications. Click Filter By and select All. Find each of the files listed below, click it, and then click the "Disable" button on the next screen. Repeat for the other three files. (thanks @Bingo Bronson)
Amazon Device Client
DCP Platform Contracts
System Update
System Update (yes, there are two different files named system update. Freeze/Disable both)
15a. If you'd rather, you can do like I did, and use Titanium Backup Pro to freeze the above files.
16. Don't like the Launcher? Neither do I. I followed these directions to change out my launcher: http://spinyourfire.com/fire-phone-tips-and-tricks/fire-phone-launcher/ I use Home Switch from the Play Store. It will allow you to set your new launcher.
If you decide to use a new launcher, here's some info (courtesy @Bingo Bronson) which may help:
1. Settings>Display>Show Status Bar allows you to turn on the Status Bar at the top of the screen. This will help some launchers display properly.
2. Miss your NavBar / want some way other than Amazon gestures to navigate your phone? Try installing Ultimate Dynamic NavBar or Pie Controls.
NOTE: The new launcher will disable Tilt Left/Right on your home screen. In Amazon apps, the gesture will still work.
17. To sync your contacts/calendars/etc, go to Settings>My Accounts>Manage Email Accounts and add your Google account info.
a. Select that account, check sync calendar and sync contacts.
b. Set Inbox Check Frequency to manual.
c. In Email Settings, set everything to off, then click email notification settings, and set all of those to off.
BEWARE: HERE BE DRAGONS
Hi. Are you new to phone hacking? Then you should probably stop reading here. Following any of the links or info could (pretty easily) lead to bricking your phone. I won't even mess with most of this stuff, I'm just providing links for intrepid explorers who know what they are getting into, and are willing to risk it. SERIOUSLY, TURN AROUND HERE!
Seriously, you did all that work, and now you want to risk breaking it? Well yeah, me too. So let's cover our asses.
Backing Up with SafeStrap
First, let's back up what you've done. @ggow (to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude) has gifted us with SafeStrap, which allows us to boot into a version of TWRP recovery. From there, you can install his CM11 or SlimKat Roms, or use the backup feature, which is what we are about to do.
1. Install Safestrap from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/development/recovery-safestrap-v4-0-1-t3149888. In ggow's directions, it talks about 4.6.1, but I can confirm it works properly on 4.6.3.
2. Once you have booted into Safestrap, Click Backup and then back it up! (it took about ten minutes for me)
3. Of course, a backup won't do you any good if you don't have multiple redundancies. So plug your phone into your computer, open up a terminal/CMD prompt, and enter the following:
Code:
adb start-server
then
Code:
adb pull /sdcard/TWRP/ /path/to/your/backup/folder
after that runs for a while, you should see a message that says something along the lines of "12 files pulled. 0 files skipped"
Good! Now we are backed up, and we can start breaking stuff.
Turn on USB Debugging
1. Go to Settings>Device>Get info about your Fire
2. Tap "Model Number" seven or eight times, until the "Developer Options" button appears at the bottom of the list
3. Tap "Developer Options" and enable USB debuggingInstalling Xposed Framework
Xposed Framework allows you to install different modules that can change the look, feel and operation of your phone. Xposed works best on Vanilla Android, but we can definitely put it to good use here. Lifehacker has a great overview on Xposed. I'll just give you the basics here.
What you'll need: Root
1. On your phone, visit http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Show Older versions. You want the APK for version 2.6.1 (the most recent stable version)
2. After downloading, navigate to your Downloads folder and install the Xposed Apk.
3. Open Xposed and click Framework. It will show you that Xposed is currently inactive. Tap the install/update button.
4. Once installed, you must reboot your phone for Xposed to work.Congrats! Now with Xposed, you can really start customizing your phone. Check the forums...there is tons to discover and lots of people who know far more than I about how to use it. Just remember that a lot of the cosmetic stuff might not work on a Fire Phone. The modules I use are: ACDisplay, Amplify (paid version), AppOppsXposed, GravityBox, Greenify (paid version), PowerNap.
Installing a custom Lock Screen
Many of us on Android are used to custom lock screens, and haven't been thrilled with the Amazon Lock Screen. Through some trial and error, I've discovered how to swap out the Amazon Lock Screen for my lock screen of choice, ACDisplay. I haven't tried this with other 3rd party lock screens. Try following (and contributing to) this lockscreen thread to see any developments on other lock screens.
What you need: Xposed, Root, ES File Explorer (or another file explorer with root access)
1. Install ACDisplay (I sideloaded the APK, but it seems to work from the Play Store)
2. Open ES File Explorer, tap the hamburger menu, scroll down to Tools, and turn on Root Explorer
3. find the installed apk (com.achep.acdisplay-1.apk) in /data/app
4. rename it LockScreen.apk and move it to /system/priv-app/
5. Reboot
6. Open up AC Display and grant it access to Accessibility Settings and Notifications
7. In ACDisplay>Settings>Lockscreen move the slider to On and make sure that "Enable when no notifications" is ticked
8. Open Xposed and activate the ACDisplay module.
9. Reboot
10. I don't know if you need to, but I went to Settings>Lock Screen> Turn on Notifications... and made sure that notifications were off.
The Xposed integration seems to be the key. Now, when I reboot my phone, I'll get the original Amazon Lock Screen once (sometimes) and then ACDisplay pops up from that point on. Apparently, if you want a pin/password on the lock screen, you can still use the security features of the OS lockscreen.
Launchers with Widgets
One of the problems with custom launchers is that widgets don't seem to work on the Fire Phone. But @hmoobguy and @DePingus have figured out how to beat that in this thread. Just like with the lock screen, you'll have to move some files.
What you need: Root, ES File Explorer (or another file explorer with root access)
1. Install your launcher from the Play Store.
1a. If you haven't already, visit the Play Store on your desktop, look at the page for the launcher you just installed, and take note of what comes after 'id=' in the URL. That's the file name you'll search for.
2. Open ES File Explorer, tap the hamburger menu, scroll down to Tools, and turn on Root Explorer
3. find the installed apk for your launcher of choice in /data/app by searching for what came after 'id=' in step 1a.
4. move it to /system/priv-app/
5. Reboot
Note: you can also use Titanium to convert your launcher of choice into a system app.
Other Stuff
@Bingo Bronson has a ridiculously extensive list of Fire OS apps that can be disabled/frozen or deleted. Use at your own risk: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/general/complete-app-list-replace-remove-t3132008
Hopefully this is helpful to others. I can add information as I go if new info (and new annoyances) come to light. Please let me know if there is anything I missed!
Thanks man! That's a good list there!
I gathered much of the information you have posted there last night and I have it at 4.6.3 with Google Play and a custom launcher.
My next challenge is a single lock screen. I have yet to actually root it however.
Which seems it will be required to get any further with the lock screen deal based off what I've read thus far.
Cheers!
"curious what adds the extra slide lock, is it the adding of a different Launcher or Home Switch? Even when using the FirePhone launcher again it remains."
Natet2003 said:
"curious what adds the extra slide lock, is it the adding of a different Launcher or Home Switch? Even when using the FirePhone launcher again it remains."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not quite sure what you mean here. I'm messing with the lock screen myself, haven't quite got it figured out yet. I use AC Display, and have been trying to freeze various apps listed in the App List post (at the bottom of the walkthrough under "HERE BE DRAGONS"). I can shut off the Amazon lock screen, but for some reason, my lock screen only works every other time. If I let it sit for a while and then unlock it, I just get the woven graphite background and nothing else. I have to turn off the screen, turn it back on again, and then my lock screen will work. I'm assuming it has something to do with the system putting the app to sleep.
Natet2003 said:
My next challenge is a single lock screen. I have yet to actually root it however.
Which seems it will be required to get any further with the lock screen deal based off what I've read thus far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This thread has info on changing the lockscreen.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/help/fire-phone-lock-screen-t2982798/page5
You do need root. Install the new lockscreen (many people were using Next Lock Screen). Use a root file explorer to delete /system/priv-app/LockScreen.apk (make a backup first). Then move whatevernewlockscreen.apk from /data/app to /system/priv-app, rename it to LockScreen.apk and reboot.
I was having issues with the alarm clock and then I screwed up all the lockscreens. I gave up trying to fix my mess and just took the opportunity to install 4.6.3. That fixed all my issues and put me back to the stock crappy lockscreen, which I'm still running.
munkymack said:
I'm not quite sure what you mean here. I'm messing with the lock screen myself, haven't quite got it figured out yet. I use AC Display, and have been trying to freeze various apps listed in the App List post (at the bottom of the walkthrough under "HERE BE DRAGONS"). I can shut off the Amazon lock screen, but for some reason, my lock screen only works every other time. If I let it sit for a while and then unlock it, I just get the woven graphite background and nothing else. I have to turn off the screen, turn it back on again, and then my lock screen will work. I'm assuming it has something to do with the system putting the app to sleep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I found what it was. I had "C Launcher" installed. It does an iPhone styled sliding lock screen that even when I swapped to another Launcher the lock screen kept activating. (So I had two screens to bypass) When I had experimented with GO Locker it added yet another screen to those so 3 screens!
So once I've removed CLauncher and GO Locker I've not just have a single screen, which is FireOS default lock screen.
Great instructions, well consolidated--thanks!!
Questions: 1. What's the reason you went through all the updates, all the way to 4.6.4 and then downgraded to 4.6.3. Could you just not have installed 4.6.3 from the beginning? 2. Also, why version 4.6.3? Is that the version on which google play works the best?--the reason I ask is because I too have read so many posts on this site and I have come to perceive that Google play still does not work perfectly on any of the versions!. Hopefully my perception is wrong and I can proceed with your consolidated instructions. Can you please post updates as the days go by on how its all working. Thanks.
dannyol said:
Questions: 1. What's the reason you went through all the updates, all the way to 4.6.4 and then downgraded to 4.6.3. Could you just not have installed 4.6.3 from the beginning? 2. Also, why version 4.6.3? Is that the version on which google play works the best?--the reason I ask is because I too have read so many posts on this site and I have come to perceive that Google play still does not work perfectly on any of the versions!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went to 4.6.4 simply because my phone automatically updated from 3.5.0>4.6.1>4.6.4 when I connected it to wifi, and the directions I'd found showed how to downgrade from 4.6.4 (which is AT&T specific) to 4.6.3 (gsm unlocked).
The reason I chose to downgrade is because Play store doesn't work on 4.6.4...it keeps breaking. On 4.6.3, that's not the case (so far); Play Store (and even more important, Play Services, which is necessary for most Google apps) is working exactly like it should be. Might it break in the future? Yeah, probably. But if / when it does, I'll try and update the post (assuming that a fix gets found).
DePingus said:
This thread has info on changing the lockscreen.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-phone/help/fire-phone-lock-screen-t2982798/page5
You do need root. Install the new lockscreen (many people were using Next Lock Screen). Use a root file explorer to delete /system/priv-app/LockScreen.apk (make a backup first). Then move whatevernewlockscreen.apk from /data/app to /system/priv-app, rename it to LockScreen.apk and reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a heads up, DePingus and I have been discussing this on the linked thread, and the above instructions DO NOT work. LockScreen.apk does not exist in /system/priv-app/ on 4.6.3. At this point in time, there is not a way to completely replace the Amazon lock screen with a custom lock screen.
This is a good guide.
Just FYI, you don't have to enable USB debugging to root with KingRoot. And, more importantly, you don't have to be rooted or enable USB debugging to install 4.6.3, Google Play Services, or alternate launchers. Instead of adb push, you can just copy the apks over using your favorite method (USB, OneDrive, direct download) and then run to install. Come to think of it, you probably should move rooting and USB debugging into the "here be dragons" section.
Is it safe to update the play store when it asks?
MrPaulAR said:
Is it safe to update the play store when it asks?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as far as we know (for v. 4.6.3) Play Store can be updated and will still work, same with Play services.
New fire phone with version 3.5-rooted and now at a stand-still
Bingo Bronson said:
Yes, as far as we know (for v. 4.6.3) Play Store can be updated and will still work, same with Play services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too got my new fire phone on ebay. The fire phone has version 3.5. I read that it was a rootable version, so I proceeded to root the phone via towelroot . I have supersu installed also. I have verified root via an app and the phone is now successfully rooted. Now I am puzzled as to what I should do with the fire phone with version 3.5 and am at a stand-still!!.
Questions:
1. Can I update to version 4.6.3 from here without loosing root?
2. Will updating to version 4.6.3 in its present rooted condition cause any harm (i.e bricking) ?
4. If I need to remove root and supersu in-order to update the phone to version 4.6.3, how do I do that?
3. The reason for these questions is because I am assuming that I need to update to version 4.6.3 to install google apps.
Can you help me proceed along from this standstill that I find myself in!
Thanks
dannyol said:
I too got my new fire phone on ebay. The fire phone has version 3.5. I read that it was a rootable version, so I proceeded to root the phone via towelroot . I have supersu installed also. I have verified root via an app and the phone is now successfully rooted. Now I am puzzled as to what I should do with the fire phone with version 3.5 and am at a stand-still!!.
Questions:
1. Can I update to version 4.6.3 from here without loosing root?
2. Will updating to version 4.6.3 in its present rooted condition cause any harm (i.e bricking) ?
4. If I need to remove root and supersu in-order to update the phone to version 4.6.3, how do I do that?
3. The reason for these questions is because I am assuming that I need to update to version 4.6.3 to install google apps.
Can you help me proceed along from this standstill that I find myself in!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same thing when I first got mine, so I understand where you are coming from. After reading around on the forum, I saw that 4.6.3 could work with Play Store / Services, so I just did a straight up OS update. I didn't unroot or anything, and suffered no problems. My phone updated from 3.5 to 4.6.1, and then to 4.6.4. From that point, I downgraded to 4.6.3 and then proceeded with the steps in the guide.
As far as I can tell, you WILL lose root in the update, but you can use Kingroot to re-apply root.
Will this work on a Fire tablet? Would I just not run the GSM unlocked firmware part?
Thanks
jimbobalu said:
Will this work on a Fire tablet? Would I just not run the GSM unlocked firmware part?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have absolutely no idea. If it does work, let me know. I've got one of the new $50 fire tablets coming at the end of the month.
DePingus said:
Just FYI, you don't have to enable USB debugging to root with KingRoot. And, more importantly, you don't have to be rooted or enable USB debugging to install 4.6.3, Google Play Services, or alternate launchers. Instead of adb push, you can just copy the apks over using your favorite method (USB, OneDrive, direct download) and then run to install. Come to think of it, you probably should move rooting and USB debugging into the "here be dragons" section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good point. I've been doing this long enough that rooting is something I do without a second thought, but for beginners, it opens up the door to a host of problems. I'll do a reorganization next time it's slow around the office.
Thank you for the step-by-step guide. It was incredibly helpful and everything worked...expect for downgrading to 4.6.3. It may be because I'm on a Mac, but nothing I tried seemed to work. That is until I found this website that worked to perfection. Hopefully anyone else on a Mac finds it useful as well.
And apparently because I'm a new user, I can't post URL's, so here's the closest I can get you
seo-michael.co.uk/how-to-setup-adb-on-os-x
This phone is dirty cheap now.
i might grab one of these . here in Europe
cheers
Be sure and check the LTE bands before you do. You may not be able use high speed data there.
EDIT: I looked at the work in your signature. I'm pretty sure you know exactly what you are doing / getting yourself into if you do pick one up. I'm just trying to be super newbie friendly over here, hence my response.
Osufever said:
Thank you for the step-by-step guide. It was incredibly helpful and everything worked...expect for downgrading to 4.6.3. It may be because I'm on a Mac, but nothing I tried seemed to work. That is until I found this website that worked to perfection. Hopefully anyone else on a Mac finds it useful as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, ADB is different on every system, and can be a pain in the ass to set up. The Lifehacker article I linked should cover everything, but if Mac users want to delve a little deeper, then the link you followed is a good way to go. I'm glad you were able to get things working!
Changing System/Settings/Items With Root on AFTV2? (Ideas Thread)
Right so first off now we have root/recovery/xposed/working play store i was wondering if we could change some things within the system of the AFTV2? I know that since recovery is loading first & can be accessed via a usb keyboard a backup of the complete system could be reinstalled if something dont work out? So i thought well would these ideas be possible to mod/tweek some items or files within the system?
PLEASE READ
I am not held responsible if you brick using any sillyness or down right stupidity while moddifying any system settings or not using a custom recovery & working backup on your AFTV2 which should be already rooted, i am not forcing anyone to mod/theme there device & you do this at your own risk (you have been warned)
I opened this thread for advice & also for somewhere for others to share or test ideas in (if they would like too?), & report back with there successes or fails? I know there are certain things & files you shouldnt mess with but now we have a backup & working recovery it could be possible to do this now?
We have some great Developers in this thread & many creative people so we could mod/theme us up a nice cool looking device between the lot of us while were waiting for some custom roms to be made.
I dont know if these could be possible but here are a few of mine, if you would like to comment i could add yours in the first post & also include your xda user name next to them. Also i could post successes & fails if you wish?
Pre requests -
Device is a AFTV2 (4K model)
Rooted on 5.0.5 r4 (or latest software)
& have a Custom Twrp recovery
Working Backup (ideally also a saved copy on another storage device just incase)
ADB access already configed before (if needed at a later date to be safer)
My ideas -
1. Change the mouse pointer (various colors or different styles).
2. Amazon Bootanimation (new cool look or many different designs).
3. Get rid of the clicking sound on the main menu of the Amazon pages (settings).
4. Option to change what items or order you see the Amazon selections (search/home/settings).
5. Change or option to hide popups text when powering off.
6. Option to hide items in settings.
7. Custom backgrounds on Amazon home screen.
8. Option to hide apps in Amazon or change size of the apps viewed.
9. Hide any movie/tv show which is non prime (costs money) in the sections.
10. Add a shutdown animation.
PLEASE READ BELOW
If anyone would like to try any of these feel free but please make sure you know what the risks are before you do.... you could end up with a non working device at the end! Always use protection (have a custom recovery installed & a working backup or way back before doing any moddifcations to your system), all i ask is if you do please report back & i will add you to the first page with credit for your work! If you would like to create a thread your self i could add a link to your work (if you want me to?), if not i would respect your wishes.
Stay safe & hopefully we can come up with some great ideas which could be added to a future custom rom or just for our own pleasure on our AFTV2 devices.
Hi,
Somehow I managed to forget my screenlock pattern (freshly changed) on my OnePlus 5T and it seems like my enrolled fingerprints are useless now. I need some help to recover access to my phone (preferably without factory reset).
This is the current situation of my phone:
- Phone Rooted
- TWRP Custom Recovery
- USB Debugging enabled
- WiFi On/Data and GPS OFF
- Currently logged in with my google account on the phone, but can't access it over the google account (i kind of disabled history and other features in my google acc).
- Also "Unknown Sources" is enabled on my phone.
If there is any way to recover the password via ADB, or to unlock the Data, that would be just awesome...
Thanks for any help.
derei said:
Hi,
Somehow I managed to forget my screenlock pattern (freshly changed) on my OnePlus 5T and it seems like my enrolled fingerprints are useless now. I need some help to recover access to my phone (preferably without factory reset).
This is the current situation of my phone:
- Phone Rooted
- TWRP Custom Recovery
- USB Debugging enabled
- WiFi On/Data and GPS OFF
- Currently logged in with my google account on the phone, but can't access it over the google account (i kind of disabled history and other features in my google acc).
- Also "Unknown Sources" is enabled on my phone.
If there is any way to recover the password via ADB, or to unlock the Data, that would be just awesome...
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Bud,
I had a similar issue when I restored a nandroid backup and the password had been glitched so that I couldn't sign into my phone anymore.
Anyways here's a shortened version of a solution I found here: https://forums.oneplus.com/threads/fix-wrong-pin-pattern-when-restoring-twrp-nandroid-backup.452384/
1. Boot into TWRP
2. Open the file manager inside of TWRP and delete (or rename - they get restored whenever the phone is booted so deleting them does no harm) the following files inside "/data/system":
-password.key
-pattern.key
-locksettings.db-wal
-locksettings.db-shm
-locksettings.db
(they might not all be there but whichever ones you can find, delete/rename)
3. Reboot your phone and you should no longer have any kind of pin/pattern on your lockscreen
4. Re-setup your password and don't forget it this time!
Hope this helps :good:
BenisMusical said:
Hey Bud,
I had a similar issue when I restored a nandroid backup and the password had been glitched so that I couldn't sign into my phone anymore.
Anyways here's a shortened version of a solution I found here: https://forums.oneplus.com/threads/fix-wrong-pin-pattern-when-restoring-twrp-nandroid-backup.452384/
1. Boot into TWRP
2. Open the file manager inside of TWRP and delete (or rename - they get restored whenever the phone is booted so deleting them does no harm) the following files inside "/data/system":
-password.key
-pattern.key
-locksettings.db-wal
-locksettings.db-shm
-locksettings.db
(they might not all be there but whichever ones you can find, delete/rename)
3. Reboot your phone and you should no longer have any kind of pin/pattern on your lockscreen
4. Re-setup your password and don't forget it this time!
Hope this helps :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks.
I've been checking that post, but something didn't quite match. The following files are available on my phone ( /data/system):
-gatekeeper.password.key
-gatekeeper.pattern.key
-locksettings.db-shm
-locksettings.db
-locksettings.db-wal
So, as you can see, there are two files with the "gatekeeper" prefix. Are those two supposed to be also deleted (renamed)? Did you have them when you did your fix?
Thanks.
derei said:
Hi, thanks.
I've been checking that post, but something didn't quite match. The following files are available on my phone ( /data/system):
-gatekeeper.password.key
-gatekeeper.pattern.key
-locksettings.db-shm
-locksettings.db
-locksettings.db-wal
So, as you can see, there are two files with the "gatekeeper" prefix. Are those two supposed to be also deleted (renamed)? Did you have them when you did your fix?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man,
When I fixed my issue I didn't touch those - worst comes to worst just rename the files that were on the list I gave and leave the other 2. If it doesn't work then you can try renaming the files you found from my list as well as the two you have highlighted in red.
Give that a try
BenisMusical said:
Hope this helps :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just did the steps (including the gatekeeper. prefixed files) - I just renamed them, so I can revert back. Indeed I was able to get my phone unlocked, but everything is blank. Only a wallpaper, status bar and Nav Bar. No apps, no app drawer, nothing. I can access the Settings, but that doesn't help much... (except that I can set a new password).
Going in Settings -> Apps, shows me all the apps, which is good. But I can't see them on screen.
Also, the following are happening:
- Settings -> Apps -> Defaults: Nothing set up for "Home App". And there is a blank grey menu when I click on it.
- Settings -> Apps -> Application List -> OnePlus Launcher: clicking on Open By Default, crashes the Settings Menu.
Is it possible that I did something wrong here?
derei said:
Just did the steps (including the gatekeeper. prefixed files) - I just renamed them, so I can revert back. Indeed I was able to get my phone unlocked, but everything is blank. Only a wallpaper, status bar and Nav Bar. No apps, no app drawer, nothing. I can access the Settings, but that doesn't help much... (except that I can set a new password).
Going in Settings -> Apps, shows me all the apps, which is good. But I can't see them on screen.
Also, the following are happening:
- Settings -> Apps -> Defaults: Nothing set up for "Home App". And there is a blank grey menu when I click on it.
- Settings -> Apps -> Application List -> OnePlus Launcher: clicking on Open By Default, crashes the Settings Menu.
Is it possible that I did something wrong here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly?
When I followed the method in the link in my previous post I had no issues - I just had to setup a new lock method.
It may have been the gatekeeper files - when I did this method previously I didn't touch those as I didn't know they were there
Do you have a backup from TWRP by any chance that you could restore?
BenisMusical said:
Possibly?
When I followed the method in the link in my previous post I had no issues - I just had to setup a new lock method.
It may have been the gatekeeper files - when I did this method previously I didn't touch those as I didn't know they were there
Do you have a backup from TWRP by any chance that you could restore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restored the gatekeeper files, but no success. Same behaviour. I have a backup, but is only a "initial backup" - sort of how the phone was at first. I was too dumb to do a backup after I set up everything.
It seems my only way now would be to do a factory reset and lose all data.
Unless there would be a way to recover the password from the database? I know is encrypted and salted, but that salt also has to be stored somewhere... maybe there would be a way to revert that hash into a pattern? grr, this is extremely frustrating.
derei said:
Restored the gatekeeper files, but no success. Same behaviour. I have a backup, but is only a "initial backup" - sort of how the phone was at first. I was too dumb to do a backup after I set up everything.
It seems my only way now would be to do a factory reset and lose all data.
Unless there would be a way to recover the password from the database? I know is encrypted and salted, but that salt also has to be stored somewhere... maybe there would be a way to revert that hash into a pattern? grr, this is extremely frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I apologise for possibly making matters worse whilst trying to help but this is beyond my understanding of TWRP's capabilities
It might be worth restoring your previous backup even if it is blank and then setting up your phone again. During the setup choose an option that should be something like: "Restore from the cloud" which will allow google to restore most of your app data. However, your internal storage will be completely wiped . Once that's all good and setup then definitely make a backup - it's a good habit to get into and will save you a lot of hassle in future.
I don't know if there's anything else I can suggest you to do,
hope this doesn't take up too much time - I personally know how infuriating it is to spend hours on something when there's no easy solution. You'd be better starting from a clean flash of OOS.
Sorry, there's nothing else I can think of to help you out
Best of luck bud.
BenisMusical said:
Sorry, there's nothing else I can think of to help you out
Best of luck bud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm grateful for your effort. It offered a solution. It just got more complicated than expected. Probably the last Oxygen update patched some security issues - which is not bad after all (it's just bad for me NOW).
Personal data is encrypted with the screen lock pattern, so your only choice is a factory reset
Alright, this is a weird one! Only of few instances of the mystical "pixel is starting..." screen show up online and I'm mostly out of ideas at this point.
First, some background:
I was still on the December 5th update (QQ1A.191205.008). Stock, unlocked, rooted with Magisk. I hadn't yet flashed the patched Magisk boot image, it was running only by fastboot boot pachted.img. The only root-related App I had installed was Battery Charge Limiter.
What happened:
I created a custom theme & changed my wallpaper. I then used Activity Launcher to launch the "hidden" System UI Tuner. While in there I disabled the clock in the system tray. I also went into the "Plugins" menu and toggled the "enable" toggle on, then off (I thought more plugin options, whatever they may be, were hidden since they were not enabled...). I fiddled with a few more settings hiding/showing icons and hit the home button.
When I returned back to the homescreen, my wallpaper had changed back to the default Pink/purple Pixel 3 wallpaper. "Huh? System UI Tuner must have reset this." I changed the wallpaper again but it didn't even change. After a few more attempts (tried changing just lockscreen wallpaper, just homescreen, both; nothing would actually change), I rebooted the phone.
Upon booting back up, I was greeted with a "Pixel is starting..." screen that won't go away. This occurs before the lock screen, prior to letting me enter my PIN.
Attempted recovery steps already taken
Rebooted many times. (Which which would have booted the factory boot.img; see above background)
Tried booting into "safe mode." (Same "Pixel is starting..." screen comes up with the words "Safe mode" in the bottom left)
sideloaded the most recent OTA for my device (QQ1A.200105.002)
Booted corresponding Magisk patched boot.img
Has this happened to anyone before? Can anyone think of a way recover anything at this point? Luckily I had adb enabled before this happened and it still functions; logcat doesn't show anything that seems helpful, though. Since I cannot unlock the device, I can't use adb to recover any data. I really wish adb had a means of unlocking via PIN!
My next step is likely going to be to flash a factory image (probably QQ1A.191205.008 as that was what I was using prior to this happening) with "-w" removed and praying I can at least unlock the phone.
Data recovered!
Edit: Wow! I wasn't able to fix the "Pixel is starting..." issue, but I was able to use adb to recovery all my data. I will follow up with what I did shortly! Dodged a bullet... unbelievable!
I couldn't fix the "Pixel is starting..." issue. Factory Flashing (after removing -w) QQ1A.191205.008 resulted resulted in being stuck at the "G" screen. I flashed the QQ1A.200105.002 factory image (again with -w removed) and was left in the same "Pixel is starting..." state.
Here is where things get interesting:
Over adb I launched the Settings app:
Code:
adb shell am start -a android.settings.SETTINGS
Next, I went into "Security," which prompted for my PIN, and then removed the screen lock. After doing this, I was able to get into /sdcard in the ADB shell, something that was not possible before.
Back in the settings app, I enabled USB File Transfer and copied all my files & photos off. I was also able to launch apps from within the apps list in Settings. This let me export settings/data from other apps that allowed it. :good:
So it seems that entering your PIN in the Settings app also unlocks the phone!
Thanks for describing this and how you ended up resolving it. I am seeing the same "Pixel is starting". Flashing the (March 2020) factory image didn't fix mine either.
I was able to get into Settings by pulling down the notification shade while the "Pixel is starting" message shows. I removed my fingerprints and PIN.
I don't seem to be able to launch apps from within the apps list in Settings. Can you describe how you did that?
I've tried this:
Settings-->Apps & notifications-->App info--> {select any app and tried clicking on icon at top of screen} Nothing. Poked around a bit and tried various things but couldn't figure out how to launch an app from here. Thanks in advance.
docdl said:
I don't seem to be able to launch apps from within the apps list in Settings. Can you describe how you did that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There should be a "Open" shortcut just below the app icon to the left of "Uninstall" (or "Disable" if it is a built-in app).
_Ra1n_ said:
Alright, this is a weird one! Only of few instances of the mystical "pixel is starting..." screen show up online and I'm mostly out of ideas at this point.
First, some background:
I was still on the December 5th update (QQ1A.191205.008). Stock, unlocked, rooted with Magisk. I hadn't yet flashed the patched Magisk boot image, it was running only by fastboot boot pachted.img. The only root-related App I had installed was Battery Charge Limiter.
What happened:
I created a custom theme & changed my wallpaper. I then used Activity Launcher to launch the "hidden" System UI Tuner. While in there I disabled the clock in the system tray. I also went into the "Plugins" menu and toggled the "enable" toggle on, then off (I thought more plugin options, whatever they may be, were hidden since they were not enabled...). I fiddled with a few more settings hiding/showing icons and hit the home button.
When I returned back to the homescreen, my wallpaper had changed back to the default Pink/purple Pixel 3 wallpaper. "Huh? System UI Tuner must have reset this." I changed the wallpaper again but it didn't even change. After a few more attempts (tried changing just lockscreen wallpaper, just homescreen, both; nothing would actually change), I rebooted the phone.
Upon booting back up, I was greeted with a "Pixel is starting..." screen that won't go away. This occurs before the lock screen, prior to letting me enter my PIN.
Attempted recovery steps already taken
Rebooted many times. (Which which would have booted the factory boot.img; see above background)
Tried booting into "safe mode." (Same "Pixel is starting..." screen comes up with the words "Safe mode" in the bottom left)
sideloaded the most recent OTA for my device (QQ1A.200105.002)
Booted corresponding Magisk patched boot.img
Has this happened to anyone before? Can anyone think of a way recover anything at this point? Luckily I had adb enabled before this happened and it still functions; logcat doesn't show anything that seems helpful, though. Since I cannot unlock the device, I can't use adb to recover any data. I really wish adb had a means of unlocking via PIN!
My next step is likely going to be to flash a factory image (probably QQ1A.191205.008 as that was what I was using prior to this happening) with "-w" removed and praying I can at least unlock the phone.
Data recovered!
Edit: Wow! I wasn't able to fix the "Pixel is starting..." issue, but I was able to use adb to recovery all my data. I will follow up with what I did shortly! Dodged a bullet... unbelievable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! I just ran into the same dilemma. I toggled the "plugins" setting in System UI tuner (by mistake), and my wallpaper went black. Then I decided to just reboot. I'm in the same "Pixel is starting" loop you described. I'm also stock, rooted with Magisk, on the January update. I just found that I can get into adb, but I'm a loss of what do to from here. I can't believe toggling a system UI tuner setting could cause a catastrophic crash. How did you end up solving this? Were you able to flash the full factory image while preserving your data? I honestly have no idea what do to at the moment. I'm gonna have to use an older device and research this more after work.
Edit: I was able to remove my security PIN via launching Settings through ADB, and therefore getting into some apps. I guess I'm more bothered by having to set up the device from scratch then I am losing any data. So time consuming. I'm assuming you ended up wiping the phone entirely and flashing a full factory image in the end? Geez. I miss my Moto devices and TWRP...
Ditamae said:
Hey! I just ran into the same dilemma. I toggled the "plugins" setting in System UI tuner (by mistake), and my wallpaper went black. Then I decided to just reboot. I'm in the same "Pixel is starting" loop you described.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting! Exact same order of events.
Ditamae said:
Edit: I was able to remove my security PIN via launching Settings through ADB, and therefore getting into some apps. I guess I'm more bothered by having to set up the device from scratch then I am losing any data. So time consuming. I'm assuming you ended up wiping the phone entirely and flashing a full factory image in the end? Geez. I miss my Moto devices and TWRP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I wiped completely. Used it as an excuse to flash LineageOS, something I had been planing on doing for a while anyway. I load very little on my devices to begin with so really its just typing in a few passwords.
Since you have root, if you want to mess around with trying to fix it without resetting, does the following directory exist on your device: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner
If so, take a look at the files within; that should be where SystemUI Tuner saves the settings you have selected. Maybe rename the directory & reboot so the settings can't be loaded?
Edit: Don't try messing around with anything until you're sure you got all of the data off the device though!
_Ra1n_ said:
Interesting! Exact same order of events.
Yes, I wiped completely. Used it as an excuse to flash LineageOS, something I had been planing on doing for a while anyway. I load very little on my devices to begin with so really its just typing in a few passwords.
Since you have root, if you want to mess around with trying to fix it without resetting, does the following directory exist on your device: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner
If so, take a look at the files within; that should be where SystemUI Tuner saves the settings you have selected. Maybe rename the directory & reboot so the settings can't be loaded?
Edit: Don't try messing around with anything until you're sure you got all of the data off the device though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a great idea about renaming the directory. When I'm home from work I will try to figure out how to copy internal user data to my PC and then I'll look into that directory. Do you know how to enable file transfer via adb or thru the Settings app (launched via adb)?
I did utilize the system UI tuner to disable my alarm icon from showing in the status bar, so I'm hoping I can perhaps find the file associated with the plugin specifically and rename that. Hmm. Only this is systemless... Might not be possible. This is my first rooted device without full read/write capabilities. Not sure how I feel about systemless.
Otherwise, other than time, the only bummer to all this is that I think I'm going to lose the Magisk module YouTube Vanced, as it's not longer supported.
Anyway, thanks very much for your help so far.
Ditamae said:
That's a great idea about renaming the directory. When I'm home from work I will try to figure out how to copy internal user data to my PC and then I'll look into that directory. Do you know how to enable file transfer via adb or thru the Settings app (launched via adb)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your luck is as good as mine, you should be able to just plug in the device and enable file transfer (Settings > Connected Devices > USB > "Use USB For ... File Transfer."
Note that, as explained above, I had to remove my security PIN in settings before that worked, though.
_Ra1n_ said:
Since you have root, if you want to mess around with trying to fix it without resetting, does the following directory exist on your device: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to backup my data, and use Solid Explorer with root to search through system files. But, I don't see that directory. I see: data/data/com.android.systemui but no systemui.tuner. Any other idea where those systemui tuner files might be lurking? I'm an RN with a kindergartener home from school, and as much as I love tinkering with Android, now is not a good time.
_Ra1n_ said:
Interesting! Exact same order of events.
Since you have root, if you want to mess around with trying to fix it without resetting, does the following directory exist on your device: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wondering if you have any other troubleshooting ideas before I install a full factory image...
My device boots now, partially. It seems that after I disabled lockscreen security, my phone boots, but without all gesture navigation, status bar, notification overlay. Essentially all SystemUI elements appear missing. The devices behaves as it did immediately after I accidentally toggled the UI tuner "plugins" setting, before I rebooted. It's unusable as a daily, but I did get my data. As I said previously, I could not find the directory: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner. Seems odd. I wonder where those setting preferences are hiding. Any help/ideas would be much appreciated.
Ditamae said:
Just wondering if you have any other troubleshooting ideas before I install a full factory image...
My device boots now, partially. It seems that after I disabled lockscreen security, my phone boots, but without all gesture navigation, status bar, notification overlay. Essentially all SystemUI elements appear missing. The devices behaves as it did immediately after I accidentally toggled the UI tuner "plugins" setting, before I rebooted. It's unusable as a daily, but I did get my data. As I said previously, I could not find the directory: /data/data/com.android.systemui.tuner. Seems odd. I wonder where those setting preferences are hiding. Any help/ideas would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the slow reply. Unfortunately I'm mostly out of ideas.
I'd ask in the general Android Help subforum: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help
You'll likely get more eyes on the question (where does SystemUI Tuner store it's settings & how to reset them) and hopefully someone with better knowledge on Android settings/preferences can provide some incite.
Homeboy76 said:
Guide
Do #4 'keep data', then #9 to root.
Make sure you have the latest SDK platform-tools, there is a link in the guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the factory image with -w removed to keep the data won't help. The issue is that SystemUI Tuner saved some setting (related to enabling the mysterious "Enable Plugins" option) that prevents the phone from completely booting up. A factory flash retaining data will retain the setting that SystemUI Tuner screwed up.
_Ra1n_ said:
Flashing the factory image with -w removed to keep the data won't help. The issue is that SystemUI Tuner saved some setting (related to enabling the mysterious "Enable Plugins" option) that prevents the phone from completely booting up. A factory flash retaining data will retain the setting that SystemUI Tuner screwed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Ditamae Rain is correct. I have edited my post.