Flashing roms without external sd - Nexus 5X Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Just thought I'd throw this out there since I'm thinking about getting this phone.
How is everybody flashing roms without the external sd? Is it all done thru adb?
Looks like I'll have to learn about the alternatives to using sd's as Google seems determined to abolish them

Download the rom to the phone, boot into recovery and flash
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.

Or get a type C USB flash drive or micro SD adapter and copy the ROM to that. Then flash it from recovery from there. I bought the cheap $16 32gb Kingston one that I use to create backups to.

jss2 said:
to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?

jss2 said:
to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup!
PiousInquisitor said:
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP on my S3 has worked exactly how the above user states and that's from 2012. There's a "Wipe Internal Storage" option on my S3 under "Wipe" that formats the entire storage and leaves nothing behind. Separately, there's a "Factory Reset" option that wipes everything except /sdcard where my pics/vids/files are located. I'm not on the 5X just yet (mine arrived this week) but that's how it should work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

SlimSnoopOS said:
Yup!
TWRP on my S3 has worked exactly how the above user states and that's from 2012. There's a "Wipe Internal Storage" option on my S3 under "Wipe" that formats the entire storage and leaves nothing behind. Separately, there's a "Factory Reset" option that wipes everything except /sdcard where my pics/vids/files are located. I'm not on the 5X just yet (mine arrived this week) but that's how it should work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.

PiousInquisitor said:
Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I remember you! I think I used your nav bar mod on the S3 haha and sorry, autocorrect messed up. I meant to write my 5X "arrives" this week. I have not received it yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the "wipe" option there is an "advanced wipe" option, in there you can select which partition you want to wipe. "Internal storage" is an option, leave it blank so as to not wipe your internal storage in order to flash a downloaded ROM. After flashing a ROM do a factory reset

k.s.deviate said:
In the "wipe" option there is an "advanced wipe" option, in there you can select which partition you want to wipe. "Internal storage" is an option, leave it blank so as to not wipe your internal storage in order to flash a downloaded ROM. After flashing a ROM do a factory reset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I'm looking for the "internal memory" option that doesn't wipe internal storage. Anyway, I'm not having fun trolling jss2 anymore. Good day.
Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk

I have been using TWRP since version 2.1 I think and it's always been like this:
Factory Wipe (default under " Wipe") = wipe /data except /data/media/ where your personal files live
Wipe > Advanced > select Data = same as above
Wipe > Advanced > select Internal Storage = wipe the entire data partition including /data/media/
Wipe > Advanced > Format data = entire data partition will be formatted

PiousInquisitor said:
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how a custom recovery(like twrp) will do it. If you do it from the phone's normal recovery, it will wipe internal storage, I believe. If you hit Factory Reset from twrp, internal storage isn't wiped. If you do that with a stock recovery, everything is wiped.

jackdubl said:
This is how a custom recovery(like twrp) will do it. If you do it from the phone's normal recovery, it will wipe internal storage, I believe. If you hit Factory Reset from twrp, internal storage isn't wiped. If you do that with a stock recovery, everything is wiped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When did "internal memory" = "factory reset"? That is my the issue with jss2's statement.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

PiousInquisitor said:
When did "internal memory" = "factory reset"? That is my the issue with jss2's statement.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I don't know, I'm just giving you the terms that twrp and the phone uses. Usually in twrp anything that will wipe your internal storage has a lot of warnings in red before you actually wipe anything. Here's the gist: it's pretty hard to wipe your internal storage from twrp by mistake, but easy to do with a stock recovery.

jackdubl said:
Yeah, I don't know, I'm just giving you the terms that twrp and the phone uses. Usually in twrp anything that will wipe your internal storage has a lot of warnings in red before you actually wipe anything. Here's the gist: it's pretty hard to wipe your internal storage from twrp by mistake, but easy to do with a stock recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. I have a bit of experience with twrp and with android. No one reads threads anymore do they?
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Related

TWRP wipe

Can anyone confirm the wipe options of newest TWRP ? wipe cache and dalvik cache i know but I am unsure about the "wipe internal storage" and "wipe data" option ? Which option should I choose if i am coming from PA 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 ?
DONT wipe data.. in twrp wiping data will also wipe sdcard.. when flashing roms do a factory reset
Factory reset will delete all the app related data , right ? My contacts, mms , etc will also get deleted ? But the data/media will be intact ?
deepayanneogi said:
Factory reset will delete all the app related data , right ? My contacts, mms , etc will also get deleted ? But the data/media will be intact ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct
Great ,thanks for the quick reply , coming from CWM it was a little confusing for me first , btw is there any need for wiping system ? Any benefits ?
deepayanneogi said:
Great ,thanks for the quick reply , coming from CWM it was a little confusing for me first , btw is there any need for wiping system ? Any benefits ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
twrp is alot better than cwm IMO, its faster and it flashes roms better, i am saying this from experiece when i had a s2 i use to have issues with cwm but twrp never let me down..
and most roms wipe system before installing the rom but i wipe it anyway.. this is how i flash ANY rom, even updates of the same rom, and never have issues
1. factory reset
2. wipe system
3. wipe cache
4. wipe dalvik
5. flash rom
6. flash gapps
7. flash AK kernel(optional)
8. reboot
9. wait 10 mins then do another reboot
10. enjoy :good:
Khizar said:
twrp is alot better than cwm IMO, its faster and it flashes roms better, i am saying this from experiece when i had a s2 i use to have issues with cwm but twrp never let me down..
and most roms wipe system before installing the rom but i wipe it anyway.. this is how i flash ANY rom, even updates of the same rom, and never have issues
1. factory reset
2. wipe system
3. wipe cache
4. wipe dalvik
5. flash rom
6. flash gapps
7. flash AK kernel(optional)
8. reboot
9. wait 10 mins then do another reboot
10. enjoy :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again, for updates for same rom u also factory reset ? That means every time u setup your apps, contact , mms ? That would be painstakingly time consuming .
There are apps that can back up your apps and app data as well as text messages. Its not that time consuming. Some launchers can backup layouts, too, so that cuts down on having to reset your home screens. Contacts can be synced with your Google account, unless I misunderstood the contact comment, so much like your email they are synced when you enter your account details.
Enviado desde mi Nexus
Khizar said:
twrp is alot better than cwm IMO, its faster and it flashes roms better, i am saying this from experiece when i had a s2 i use to have issues with cwm but twrp never let me down..
and most roms wipe system before installing the rom but i wipe it anyway.. this is how i flash ANY rom, even updates of the same rom, and never have issues
1. factory reset
2. wipe system
3. wipe cache
4. wipe dalvik
5. flash rom
6. flash gapps
7. flash AK kernel(optional)
8. reboot
9. wait 10 mins then do another reboot
10. enjoy :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is pretty much the formula I follow.
1) Wipe cache
2) Wipe Dalvik (a little redundant since dalvik resides in /cache)
3) Factory reset
4) Wipe System (like said above, most ROMs wipe /system but I do not anyway)
5) Flash ROM
6) Flash GApps
7) Flash kernel of choice
8) Fix permissions
9) Reboot
10) I immediately install Titanium Backup and batch restore all apps and app data before signing into my Google accounts
11) Reboot back into recovery and fix permissions again
12) Wipe dalvik again so everything is optimized
13) Reboot
14) Set up ROM how you like it.
The other thing I do is copy Nova Launcher into /system/app and get rid of Trebuchet.apk or Launcher2.apk as well as live wallpapers and other things I consider bloat. Nova let's you back up all your configs and settings so I just restore that. I'm usually back up and running in 30 minutes or so, I could pretty much do it in my sleep...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Khizar said:
correct
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/devices/knowledge_base.html?id=51446
Petrovski80 said:
Are you sure? http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/devices/knowledge_base.html?id=51446
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I 100% guarantee you that a factory reset will leave your sd card intact, I do it every day almost. The only way to nuke your internal storage is to wipe data, which nukes /data/media (basically your sd card) and pretty much everything else, or wiping internal storage will also nuke your sd card...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
If I remember there are two options in TWRP , one is wipe data and wipe internal storage , so both do the same work , nukes data/media ? So what is the point of keeping both of them ?
deepayanneogi said:
If I remember there are two options in TWRP , one is wipe data and wipe internal storage , so both do the same work , nukes data/media ? So what is the point of keeping both of them ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internal storage nukes just the sd card, wiping data nukes all internal storage, sd card, system, etc, if you do that you basically have to flash a stock image with fastboot...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
0dBu said:
I 100% guarantee you that a factory reset will leave your sd card intact, I do it every day almost. The only way to nuke your internal storage is to wipe data, which nukes /data/media (basically your sd card) and pretty much everything else, or wiping internal storage will also nuke your sd card...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never tried the factory reset option with my GNEX, but using it on a Galaxy S or Galaxy Ace definitely erased the entire internal storage. It would als mean the factory reset warning is incorrect. Strange stuff.
Petrovski80 said:
I have never tried the factory reset option with my GNEX, but using it on a Galaxy S or Galaxy Ace definitely erased the entire internal storage. It would als mean the factory reset warning is incorrect. Strange stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well those other phones had external sd card slots no?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
0dBu said:
Internal storage nukes just the sd card, wiping data nukes all internal storage, sd card, system, etc, if you do that you basically have to flash a stock image with fastboot...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that is the case then I think the nomenclature is pretty confusing and misdirecting ,
factory reset = only app related data and contacts and mms
wipe data = everything including system also
wipe internal storage = data/media.
As far as I know the factory reset option in the rom itself nukes the data/media and app related data also , what in the case for recoveries are different .Wipe data option shouldn't be there in the recovery as it can be pretty dangerous if someone accidentally does it.
0dBu said:
I 100% guarantee you that a factory reset will leave your sd card intact, I do it every day almost. The only way to nuke your internal storage is to wipe data, which nukes /data/media (basically your sd card) and pretty much everything else, or wiping internal storage will also nuke your sd card...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at the link that Petrovski80 included, you and he are talking about two different "factory reset"s... on that is part of the Android OS and the other that is TWRP...
Trusstopher said:
If you look at the link that Petrovski80 included, you and he are talking about two different "factory reset"s... on that is part of the Android OS and the other that is TWRP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking strictly about TWRP as per OP's question...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
My phone won't turn on
Hello,I'm newbie about this things so,I just Download Twrp and Wipe Cache,Dalvik,Data...How to Open my phone back?I stuck at the Samsung Galaxy Wonder then it Open Twrp back.....How to Fix this?Does anyone know :crying:
neymar12Adli said:
Hello,I'm newbie about this things so,I just Download Twrp and Wipe Cache,Dalvik,Data...How to Open my phone back?I stuck at the Samsung Galaxy Wonder then it Open Twrp back.....How to Fix this?Does anyone know :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not wrong, wiping data means that u have erased your current ROM, and you need to reinstall a new rom.

Wipe data

Before this i am using phone with micro sd extrrnal, so when i full wipe, i know sd not wiped.
So, in gnex, it use internal, so if want to flash new rom, what i need to avoid so data in internal not wiped? Does full wipe erase sd also?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Both "Wipe data/cache" in CWM and "Wipe data" in TWRP excludes internal media (/data/media), so you should be good to go.
CWM is verified on my Nex4 and TWRP is verified on GNex.
Sent from Google Nexus 4 @ CM11
so in cwm, factory reset still not wipe my storage?
vocyber said:
so in cwm, factory reset still not wipe my storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
factory reset will only wipe system and cash partitions.
handofdark said:
factory reset will only wipe system and cash partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And the data partition minus the media directory (SD card)
Sent from my Nexus 5
yeah my bad i knew i was missing something

(Q)Flashing roms/kernals without SD? - Noob Question

Hello! I've only been working with Android for a good year but the only devices I've used have had SD cards so I've only ever backup'd, and flashed via an SD Card.
I understand I must either get an OTG cable or push through ADB to get the files on my device after wiping through TWRP right? I've already unlocked the bootloader, flashed TWRP, and rooted through CF.
Is there anywhere I can move the ROM files too in the phone's internal storage that'll stay there after wiping my System, Data and Cache through TWRP so I can select them to flash right afterwards?
Thanks for helping me, I understand it's a noob question!)
Br4nd3n said:
Hello! I've only been working with Android for a good year but the only devices I've used have had SD cards so I've only ever backup'd, and flashed via an SD Card.
I understand I must either get an OTG cable or push through ADB to get the files on my device after wiping through TWRP right? I've already unlocked the bootloader, flashed TWRP, and rooted through CF.
Is there anywhere I can move the ROM files too in the phone's internal storage that'll stay there after wiping my System, Data and Cache through TWRP so I can select them to flash right afterwards?
Thanks for helping me, I understand it's a noob question!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping data will not wipe your data/sdcard, so you can download the files normally (directly on the device using a web browser, or USB MTP, etc).
Yes, custom recovery is specifically setup not to wipe your internal storage.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
SwoRNLeaDejZ said:
Yes, custom recovery is specifically setup not to wipe your internal storage.
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. So put the files into my SDCard or any internal folder and it should work?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Br4nd3n said:
Awesome. So put the files into my SDCard or any internal folder and it should work?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anywhere on your SD card is safe.
arkolbus said:
Anywhere on your SD card is safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SD card? Nexus 7?
douger1957 said:
SD card? Nexus 7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The internal "sdcard" directory
arkolbus said:
The internal "sdcard" directory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah.
CM's File Manager calls it "internal storage" as does Android. ES File Explorer calls it "SD card." You say "tomato" and I say "tamato..."
At any rate, a factory reset will indeed wipe the internal storage/sd card. The ROM the OP is trying to flash will no longer be there. Ask me how I know this.
For what it's worth, here's how I do it.
1) Back up that which I can't reload. Pictures automatically upload to Dropbox for me. Music I can always resync. Your mileage may vary.
2) Factory reset. If I'm feeling lazy or the ROM developer says it's OK, I'll wipe just the cache and dalvik, then flash away. Feeling lazy usually means more work in the end, so I try to avoid that option.
3) Reboot. Once the setup wizard runs... I do not sign on to Google so that it won't try to restore my apps and settings... I mount the internal storage and transfer the ROM zip to the device. I do not download anything directly to my device, but rather my desktop. First off, I trust the internet connection more, second, I can run the thing past my antivirus before I load it on my device. I then transfer it to the root directory of the device.
4) Boot into recovery and wipe the cache, dalvik and system. I then flash the ROM. If there are other files that need to be flashed before the first boot, I do so one at a time. When I'm done, I'll wipe the cache and dalvik one more time, then boot into the system and run the wizard.
When I first got into Android with the Droid Incredible, I was a flashaholic. It'd be nothing to flash three or four times a week. I quickly learned what worked and what didn't. Knocking on wood, I've never come close to bricking a device and usually don't invite trouble by sticking religiously to my routine. That's not to say that I never got a tightening feeling in my nether regions when a device seemed to hang on the splash screen a bit too long.
ROM development is far more sophisticated now than in those days. With both the Rezound and now the S4, I've pretty much hung with one developer and his product and don't flash nearly as much, especially since the ROMs of today are far more stable. But the basic procedure remains the same. The above procedure is modified from my phones past and present, since the Nexus is the first device I've owned that did not have an external SD card, which isn't wiped on a factory reset. I also don't do a nandroid backup with the Nexus, since it's a fairly simple matter to reload a factory image using Wug's Toolbox. That's how I recovered from doing a factory reset and a system wipe on the Nexus... which also involved some tension in the posterior.
douger1957 said:
Ah.
CM's File Manager calls it "internal storage" as does Android. ES File Explorer calls it "SD card." You say "tomato" and I say "tamato..."
At any rate, a factory reset will indeed wipe the internal storage/sd card. The ROM the OP is trying to flash will no longer be there. Ask me how I know this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
douger: the OP was referring to a factory reset/wipe in TWRP, which does *not* wipe the internal storage. I flash frequently on my Nex7 and LG G2, neither have external SD cards, both have TWRP, and I have never lost my data using this method. If you load TWRP and click [Wipe], the exact text is:
Factory Reset
Wipes Data, Cache, and Dalvik
(not including internal storage)​
arkolbus said:
douger: the OP was referring to a factory reset/wipe in TWRP, which does *not* wipe the internal storage. I flash frequently on my Nex7 and LG G2, neither have external SD cards, both have TWRP, and I have never lost my data using this method. If you load TWRP and click [Wipe], the exact text is:
Factory Reset
Wipes Data, Cache, and Dalvik
(not including internal storage)​
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did indeed blow out my internal storage when I first tried it. When I went to flash, there was nothing in internal storage. None of the usually folders, most certainly not the .zip I was looking for, nothing. Enter tension. :cyclops:
Perhaps the next time I'll try again. It'll save a few steps. I'll have Wug's Toolbox open just in case. :highfive:
In edit: I just looked. In TWRP version 2.7.0.0, I must have hit the "format data" button and didn't catch it. You sir are exactly correct.
douger1957 said:
It did indeed blow out my internal storage when I first tried it. When I went to flash, there was nothing in internal storage. None of the usually folders, most certainly not the .zip I was looking for, nothing. Enter tension. :cyclops:
Perhaps the next time I'll try again. It'll save a few steps. I'll have Wug's Toolbox open just in case. :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP wipe blew out your internal storage, or was it some other process? Your link pointed to a T-mo "master reset", which I'm sure isn't referring to a custom recovery. Unlocking the bootloader on my G2 completely trashed my internal storage, but I was expecting this. IIRC, Nexus devices have been more unlock-friendly, but loading a factory image will wipe everything, including internal sd.
Helpful hint for everyone (esp. the paranoid): get a cheap USB OTG to USB-A (female) adapter, and have a flash drive handy. Newer versions of TWRP can mount USB OTG, so it's a nice plan B if you can't get past recovery. They're cheap (<$5), small, and come in handy pretty often.
Yeah the N7 official TWRP definitely does not wipe internal storage. It says right in TWRP "wiping data without wiping /media" which means without wiping internal storage.
If your TWRP is wiping the internal you should make sure it isn't a modified version and TeamWin official.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
To clarify, wipe data/factory reset wipes your internal storage (/data) but misses /data/media which is your 'sdcard', call it what you like
Assuming a custom recovery, I cannot speak for stock
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
matt4321 said:
To clarify, wipe data/factory reset wipes your internal storage (/data) but misses /data/media which is your 'sdcard', call it what you like
Assuming a custom recovery, I cannot speak for stock
Sent from my Nexus 7 2013 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but your sdcard is to most and many your internal storage... What is factory reset wiping if it avoids everything you have on your sdcard, including files copied to the root of your internal storage?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

phone memory still almost full after wipe

I recently switched roms from Carbon to CM11 trying to find a rom where the bluetooth works. I did the factory reset and wiped everything but even before putting apps back on phone I only had about 2gb of space left. I thought factory reset would format and clean out the phone.
i believe you have to select option 'format sd card' to clean it out. make sure you have a backup of important stuff, i.e. pics, music, etc. or else move to external sdcard. make sure you have a ROM to flash afterwards also.!
err on the side of kindness
Even when I dona full clean install with a wipe of everything, my back up folders remain with a lot of space used in them, especially if you have a large titanium back up folder
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
mrrocketdog said:
i believe you have to select option 'format sd card' to clean it out. make sure you have a backup of important stuff, i.e. pics, music, etc. or else move to external sdcard. make sure you have a ROM to flash afterwards also.!
err on the side of kindness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format sd option I assumed was for the external sd card. I can try re-flashing the rom doing that. As long as it doesn't wipe the external I'm good!
Is there a fix for bluetooth on 4.4.4?
think is option to format either. i dont use bluetooth but you could check your ROMs thread to see if others are having it and if theres a fix.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2682905
err on the side of kindness
mrrocketdog said:
think is option to format either. i dont use bluetooth but you could check your ROMs thread to see if others are having it and if theres a fix.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2682905
err on the side of kindness
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I'll check the cm thread. I know nobody seems to respond in the carbon thread when I asked about it. I really like the carbon better than the cm11. I work outside and live with the bluetooth headset all day long. It socks that I cannot seem to get it working.
When you wipe data its formating the /data partition if you want to wipe internal you have to choose to wipe internal SD card
crazymonkey05 said:
When you wipe data its formating the /data partition if you want to wipe internal you have to choose to wipe internal SD card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, on my next flash it is!
Just to clarify because some of the posts seem a little confusing. ..
If you factory reset from custom recovery it will preserve the internal sdcard. To wipe that you have to choose the format /data option. Wiping sd card I believe is for the external sd only. Ive never used that option though so I suppose I could be a bit off on that point.
Factory resetting from stock recovery formats the entire /data partition. There is no way to preserve the internal sdcard in this case.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Wiping internal storage?

I followed This Guide to get temp root on my Verizon M8 in order to get s-off with sunshine. The SuperSU apk the guide requires is hosted on an iffy looking file hosting site. I'm worried that it could've been infected with malware, which would've gotten root access.
After getting s-off, I followed the guide to install the DigitalHigh GPE ROM HERE. First I had to flash the 5.1 GPE firmware, and then the ROM itself. Would doing both of these things remove any infections, if that apk was infected? If not, what should I do? If it had root access, it could have installed as a system app. I'm assuming that flashing either the 5.1 firmware or the ROM would've overwritten system apps, but I'd like to be sure.
If I wipe internal storage, will I still have s-off and be able to flash the firmware through adb or sideload a ROM?
TheLeshii said:
I'm assuming that flashing either the 5.1 firmware or the ROM would've overwritten system apps, but I'd like to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firmware doesn't touch system partition; but a ROM flash wipes it and flashes the new ROM to the system partition.
TheLeshii said:
First I had to flash the 5.1 GPE firmware, and then the ROM itself. Would doing both of these things remove any infections, if that apk was infected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't claim to have the technical knowledge to really say. But I suppose theoretically its possible some malicious code can reside on other partitions. But it probably unlikely for an infection to be that sophisticated, when there is lower hanging fruit to be had. I'd guess that you are correct, that most malware is installed in system partition or as an app in user data.
TheLeshii said:
If I wipe internal storage, will I still have s-off and be able to flash the firmware through adb or sideload a ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, yes, and yes.
The only thing that can make the phone s-on again, is you manually making it so.
So if I do wipe internal storage, would I be able to do everything without a microSD, being that I can't enable USB debugging with no OS? If so, would it be as simple as rebooting to fastboot, then RUU mode, flashing a firmware zip, and then maybe pushing the ROM?
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TheLeshii said:
So if I do wipe internal storage, would I be able to do everything without a microSD, being that I can't enable USB debugging with no OS? If so, would it be as simple as rebooting to fastboot, then RUU mode, flashing a firmware zip, and then maybe pushing the ROM?
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I'm not sure I follow. Wiping internal storage doesn't affect the ROM. Or are you thinking of wiping everything (internal storage, system, etc.) again.
Wouldn't wiping internal storage take out everything, including the ROM? I'd just like to my sure my phone is clean of malware.
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TheLeshii said:
Wouldn't wiping internal storage take out everything, including the ROM? I'd just like to my sure my phone is clean of malware.
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"Internal storage" specifically just means the user-accessible storage partition (also called the "virtual SD" by some), which is /data/media. That one partition, that's it. No other partitions are touched, including system (ROM) partition, as I already mentioned.
Now, there are options to wipe other partitions, such as in the Advanced Wipe options in TWRP. If you select the system partition, than that will wipe the ROM. But again, its a completely different option and partition than internal storage.
If I wipe the OS completely, would I still be able to access the device with adb? Or would wiping /system definitely get rid of all possible malware?
TheLeshii said:
If I wipe the OS completely, would I still be able to access the device with adb?
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You should be able to use adb while booted into TWRP. Fastboot commands will work without OS (boot into bootloader-fastboot mode).
TheLeshii said:
Or would wiping /system definitely get rid of all possible malware?
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"Definite" is a tough term. In the grand scheme, in theory you can have malware on your phone and computer from any number of sources. But its a matter of probability. I'd say if you've already replaced your ROM, wiped user data, and you wipe internal storage; the probability of malware is rather low.
redpoint73 said:
"Internal storage" specifically just means the user-accessible storage partition (also called the "virtual SD" by some), which is /data/media. That one partition, that's it. No other partitions are touched, including system (ROM) partition, as I already mentioned.
Now, there are options to wipe other partitions, such as in the Advanced Wipe options in TWRP. If you select the system partition, than that will wipe the ROM. But again, its a completely different option and partition than internal storage.
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Sorry to ask again, seems I have to do it because my internal storage is almost full because of unnecessary "things".
So if I wipe the internal storage from TWRP, it will not affect the ROM, etc? So I don't need to flash any ROM again after wiping the internal storage?
Thank you, sir!
pryg said:
Sorry to ask again, seems I have to do it because my internal storage is almost full because of unnecessary "things".
So if I wipe the internal storage from TWRP, it will not affect the ROM, etc? So I don't need to flash any ROM again after wiping the internal storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROM is on the "system" partition, which is completely separate from internal storage. You will only wipe the ROM if you specifically choose to wipe the system partition in Advanced wipe options.
You will however, lose all personal data on internal storage if you wipe it, including TWRP backups. So its advised you copy TWRP backups to your computer or removable SD before wiping. You should always have a known good TWRP backup available, in my opinion.
ROM zips also take up a lot of space. If you've been doing a lot of ROM flashing you might clear up your storage problem simply by moving unneeded TWRP backups and ROMs to your computer.
redpoint73 said:
ROM is on the "system" partition, which is completely separate from internal storage. You will only wipe the ROM if you specifically choose to wipe the system partition in Advanced wipe options.
You will however, lose all personal data on internal storage if you wipe it, including TWRP backups. So its advised you copy TWRP backups to your computer or removable SD before wiping. You should always have a known good TWRP backup available, in my opinion.
ROM zips also take up a lot of space. If you've been doing a lot of ROM flashing you might clear up your storage problem simply by moving unneeded TWRP backups and ROMs to your computer.
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Thank you, sir. Where can I find the TWRP backups?
pryg said:
Thank you, sir. Where can I find the TWRP backups?
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TWRP>Backups>Serial number

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