TWRP & Root - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

I'm so confused with this phone. Google sent me a 128gb Pixel XL which I activated on my Sprint account. I'm fairly comfortable with rooting, flashing, TWRP, SuperSU, etc., however for the life of me I cannot get TWRP to stick.
Background...
Phone came to me straight from Google, and updated to 8.0 immediately (this was in August). Since, the phone doesn't appear to have been updated as I was still on 8.0 from August I believe
Here's what I did...
Unlocked the phone, using TWRP image, boot to it via fastboot, flash the installer TWRP zip, and then issues happen.
On 3.2.1.0-0 it reboots to system (even if I go back into TWRP's main setting and Reboot Recovery). If I use 3.2.0.0-0, it gives me an ERROR 1 code. I've tried using systemless root method (with the modified TWRP img, Aroma Installer for SU, etc.). I've tried using the 2 most recent TWRP images from their website. I initially started with this guide ([GUIDE] Pixel XL Android 8(OREO) Unlock/Install Stock Images + Kernels/Recovery +). I then tried this method using Systemless root ([Guide] How to systemlessly root your Pixel XL on Android 8.0 (SuperSU)).
I even tried flashing the OTA manually, which caused other issues, mainly bootloops. I finally got the most recent 8.0 OTA to work after multiple errors (which appear to be caused by outdated platform_tools). When trying to flash the OTA, only OPR1 would flash, OPR3 would always just hang or throw errors (sorry, no changelog, which I know is not helpful). Am I not correct that OPR3 is what is needed for a Sprint (US carriers) based phone? Regardless, everything is up, and running now in 8.0, however I can't take the OTA (it fails when trying to download), and I still can't get TWRP to stick.
Is there anything obvious I'm missing? I can boot to TWRP, but can't flash it, regardless of what I do. I've searched and most issues I've found in getting TWRP to stick either has to do with flashing the boot.img from an OTA or using 3.2.1.0 instead of 3.2.2.0. Funny thing, I don't see the 3.2.2.0 img file, just the flashable zip. Someone please help me, even if it is to tell me I'm in over my head and should stick to a stock rom.

I think you should simplify your life.
Each month grab the full image. Edit the flash-all bat file and remove the -w you will see near the end. Reboot the phone into fastboot mode and run the flash-all bat file.
That will update your phone, but leave settings a data in tact. Again, remove the -w so you don't wipe user data.
Then boot to TWRP and root it. Skip installing TWRP, too many hassles on this phone.
FYI, on the January update SuperSU no longer works, you will need to root with Magisk.
I do it each month this way. It takes 15 minutes and I have zero problems.

To make your life even more simplicit, you can use Skipsoft Toolkit. Its automated and does all the heavy lifting for you. I have TWRP install without any issue.

TonikJDK said:
Each month grab the full image. Edit the flash-all bat file and remove the -w you will see near the end. Reboot the phone into fastboot mode and run the flash-all bat file..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying grab the Full OTA? Should I start with the last month before the version I'm on? Currently on OPR1.170623.023 (Nov 2017). Does it make a difference that I'm a Sprint service, as in using OPR1 vs OPR3?
TonikJDK said:
Then boot to TWRP and root it. Skip installing TWRP, too many hassles on this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So fastboot into TWRP img everytime I want to flash a custom ROM?
TonikJDK said:
FYI, on the January update SuperSU no longer works, you will need to root with Magisk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
January update of SuperSU or the OTA? I was under the impression Magisk couldn't be flashed on stock kernels, I'm guessing this changed?
Chance Ill said:
To make your life even more simplicit, you can use Skipsoft Toolkit. Its automated and does all the heavy lifting for you. I have TWRP install without any issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try this. Between yours and Tonik's advice, one of these is bound to work, right?

vestaviajag said:
So you're saying grab the Full OTA? Should I start with the last month before the version I'm on? Currently on OPR1.170623.023 (Nov 2017). Does it make a difference that I'm a Sprint service, as in using OPR1 vs OPR3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So fastboot into TWRP img everytime I want to flash a custom ROM?
January update of SuperSU or the OTA? I was under the impression Magisk couldn't be flashed on stock kernels, I'm guessing this changed?
I will try this. Between yours and Tonik's advice, one of these is bound to work, right?[/QUOTE]
2 different methods, same result. Make sure to thoroughly follow instructions with whatever method you try and you'll be fine.

vestaviajag said:
So you're saying grab the Full OTA? Should I start with the last month before the version I'm on? Currently on OPR1.170623.023 (Nov 2017). Does it make a difference that I'm a Sprint service, as in using OPR1 vs OPR3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So fastboot into TWRP img everytime I want to flash a custom ROM?
January update of SuperSU or the OTA? I was under the impression Magisk couldn't be flashed on stock kernels, I'm guessing this changed?
I will try this. Between yours and Tonik's advice, one of these is bound to work, right?[/QUOTE]
I use the full image, after taking out the -w from this link. Since you are flashing the whole image you can just get the latest.
https://developers.google.com/android/images
I can't help you on ROMs, I don't do them. Are there any 8 ROMs for this phone?
But I would never flash anything on this phone without being near a computer. So I skip flashing TWRP. Just as easy to fastboot it.
SU is not being updated any more. So I mean the Google January update breaks SU. I have been using Magisk on stock for several months now. If you want to stick with SU you will need to flash December Google.

TonikJDK said:
So fastboot into TWRP img everytime I want to flash a custom ROM?
January update of SuperSU or the OTA? I was under the impression Magisk couldn't be flashed on stock kernels, I'm guessing this changed?
I will try this. Between yours and Tonik's advice, one of these is bound to work, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the full image, after taking out the -w from this link. Since you are flashing the whole image you can just get the latest.
https://developers.google.com/android/images
I can't help you on ROMs, I don't do them. Are there any 8 ROMs for this phone?
But I would never flash anything on this phone without being near a computer. So I skip flashing TWRP. Just as easy to fastboot it.
SU is not being updated any more. So I mean the Google January update breaks SU. I have been using Magisk on stock for several months now. If you want to stick with SU you will need to flash December Google.[/QUOTE]
Hmmmm.......SU not being updated anymore? I've been using magisk for awhile now so I haven't been keeping up. What's your source?

Chance Ill said:
I
Hmmmm.......SU not being updated anymore? I've been using magisk for awhile now so I haven't been keeping up. What's your source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SU beta thread, Chainfire announced he is no longer involved at all. He stopped by a few days ago, got rather upset at some of the posts. We have not heard a word from the new owners in two years.....

TonikJDK said:
SU beta thread, Chainfire announced he is no longer involved at all. He stopped by a few days ago, got rather upset at some of the posts. We have not heard a word from the new owners in two years.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. I do remember coming across Chainfire's announcement awhile ago but was unaware that the new owners hadn't been active with the community. That's disappointing to say the least.

Chance Ill said:
To make your life even more simplicit, you can use Skipsoft Toolkit. Its automated and does all the heavy lifting for you. I have TWRP install without any issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this, for some reason wouldn't work. Tried the TWRP and it wouldn't due to OpenSourceScript or something. Then tried rooting and installing busybox, it wouldn't do this either. It attempted to flash it to sd card, another place, and finally in the right storage for this device, and it wouldn't for some error. No specifics on the error were given.
TonikJDK said:
I use the full image, after taking out the -w from this link. Since you are flashing the whole image you can just get the latest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this next, removed the -w, and used flash-all in fastboot. This worked, however after I upgraded to 8.1 OPM1, I left it alone. Will try again tonight to root, and attempt flashing magisk for the first time.
Thanks for all the advice!

Related

Step by step update instructions please.

Hi. Thoroughly confused on how to update my phone since this Google signature nonsense started in May.
I have TWRP 3.1.0-0RC2 installed.
Running May 2017 build for Verizon NHG47L.
Super User 2.79 SR3.
Can someone please give a detailed set of instructions on how to properly update my phone to the current build.
Thanks.
defens23 said:
Hi. Thoroughly confused on how to update my phone since this Google signature nonsense started in May.
I have TWRP 3.1.0-0RC2 installed.
Running May 2017 build for Verizon NHG47L.
Super User 2.79 SR3.
Can someone please give a detailed set of instructions on how to properly update my phone to the current build.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only needed the boot sig file for the May bootloader. It hasn't been necessary for the June or July bootloaders so the instructions should be the same as you already know but simpler because you don't need to flash the boot sig file at all.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-updates-unlocked-bootloader-root-t3530088
this, I think, is what you want
y2grae said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-updates-unlocked-bootloader-root-t3530088
this, I think, is what you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That's what I was looking for. For some reason I lost TWRP and couldn't get it to stick. So I was just using the ADB sideload method. Now, for whatever reason, TWRP is back on my phone so I'd like to try to use TWRP to sideload the OTA. I've never done that before.
Thanks.
defens23 said:
Yes. That's what I was looking for. For some reason I lost TWRP and couldn't get it to stick. So I was just using the ADB sideload method. Now, for whatever reason, TWRP is back on my phone so I'd like to try to use TWRP to sideload the OTA. I've never done that before.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
order i did was
*fastboot boot twrp.img (i lost on last install)
flash twrp proper
reboot to recovery
flash ota
flash elemental 14 (i was on 12...!)
flash magisk
flash twrp again
boot into system
profit

Keep Magisk/Root and Take Updates?

On OG Pixel XL, I used to be able to follow this guide to take OTA updates and retain Magisk/root:
https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md
It was the BEST! Super quick, small delta file download, one reboot and DONE. No PC needed, no full system image (1.6GB) download required.
But it hasn't worked with Pixel 2 XL (or maybe it's Magisk 15.x that broke this process?). Now any time I try this I get boot loops and end up having to download the full system image, flash-all.bat (remove -w) and then copy the boot.img, patch it in Magisk, and reflash via fastboot. I'd really love a way to be able to take OTA updates without having to get to a PC.
Is there an easier way?
I should mention the ONLY reason I use Magisk is to hide the fact I have an unlocked bootloader and allow things like Android Pay/Samsung Pay (which is broken with latest update anyway - detects Magisk). Any recommendations?
wy1d said:
On OG Pixel XL, I used to be able to follow this guide to take OTA updates and retain Magisk/root:
https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md
It was the BEST! Super quick, small delta file download, one reboot and DONE. No PC needed, no full system image (1.6GB) download required.
But it hasn't worked with Pixel 2 XL (or maybe it's Magisk 15.x that broke this process?). Now any time I try this I get boot loops and end up having to download the full system image, flash-all.bat (remove -w) and then copy the boot.img, patch it in Magisk, and reflash via fastboot. I'd really love a way to be able to take OTA updates without having to get to a PC.
Is there an easier way?
I should mention the ONLY reason I use Magisk is to hide the fact I have an unlocked bootloader and allow things like Android Pay/Samsung Pay (which is broken with latest update anyway - detects Magisk). Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure about your way anymore cuz I always install it with TW RP but if you don't need root and you're just wanting to hide your unlocked Bootloader you can just flash a custom kernel and be done with it.
mac796 said:
I'm not sure about your way anymore cuz I always install it with TW RP but if you don't need root and you're just wanting to hide your unlocked Bootloader you can just flash a custom kernel and be done with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Thanks for the quick reply. Wouldn't flashing a custom kernel be the same cat and mouse since the OTA would flash a new kernel? I'd need to have a mechanism for flashing the kernel which I'm guessing means TWRP.
I always ran a custom recovery before Pixel so I'm familiar with TWRP but having a custom recovery means you can't take OTA. What is your process for flashing the updates in TWRP? I thought you had to have a flashable .zip file specifically meant to be flashed in a custom recovery. Are you now able to flash system images from there? Do you just reflash Magisk after each time? I'm guessing that means you have to download the full 1.6G image since Google doesn't post the delta file?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
wy1d said:
Hey! Thanks for the quick reply. Wouldn't flashing a custom kernel be the same cat and mouse since the OTA would flash a new kernel? I'd need to have a mechanism for flashing the kernel which I'm guessing means TWRP.
I always ran a custom recovery before Pixel so I'm familiar with TWRP but having a custom recovery means you can't take OTA. What is your process for flashing the updates in TWRP? I thought you had to have a flashable .zip file specifically meant to be flashed in a custom recovery. Are you now able to flash system images from there? Do you just reflash Magisk after each time? I'm guessing that means you have to download the full 1.6G image since Google doesn't post the delta file?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always Flash the factory image I don't take the OTA. And then I fastboot the TWRP boot image and then install the twrp zip. After that you'd Flash the magisk zip inside TWRP. But if you're just looking to hide the bootloader you can fastboot the custom kernel on stock with no root I Believe In The Flash thread he has both files the fastboot and the Zips for TWrp. But yeah every month you want to flash an updated kernel. Nate actually keeps up on the security updates so he has a new ones quite often.
Edit. Yes so if you wanted to take the OTA I believe you would have to flash the factory boot image to wipe out that kernel and then you could take the following months OTA
mac796 said:
I always Flash the factory image I don't take the OTA. And then I fastboot the TWRP boot image and then install the twrp zip. After that you'd Flash the magisk zip inside TWRP. But if you're just looking to hide the bootloader you can fastboot the custom kernel on stock with no root I Believe In The Flash thread he has both files the fastboot and the Zips for TWrp. But yeah every month you want to flash an updated kernel. Nate actually keeps up on the security updates so he has a new ones quite often.
Edit. Yes so if you wanted to take the OTA I believe you would have to flash the factory boot image to wipe out that kernel and then you could take the following months OTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you do the full download and flash it from your PC every month?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
wy1d said:
So you do the full download and flash it from your PC every month?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's how I do it I edit the flash all bat remove the - w
So it doesn't wipe your data. It's pretty much like taking the OTA the manual way. But if you don't want to do that. And just take the OTA and you installed TWRP or if you just installed a custom kernel with fastboot. You just fastboot Flash the boot image of the month you're on and then you should be able to take your new OTA. I'm fairly sure you can do it that way I haven't done it that way in a long time.
mac796 said:
Yeah that's how I do it I edit the flash all bat remove the - w
So it doesn't wipe your data. It's pretty much like taking the OTA the manual way. But if you don't want to do that. And just take the OTA and you installed TWRP or if you just installed a custom kernel with fastboot. You just fastboot Flash the boot image of the month you're on and then you should be able to take your new OTA. I'm fairly sure you can do it that way I haven't done it that way in a long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really isn't any quicker than what I'm doing now. I was hoping for a way to do it without needing a PC and fastboot although it does sound like that might prevent having to download the whole factory image (assuming TWRP can extract / backup the stock boot image?).
Seems like Flashfire or something like that was able to do this before - flashing the new image without a PC.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
wy1d said:
That really isn't any quicker than what I'm doing now. I was hoping for a way to do it without needing a PC and fastboot although it does sound like that might prevent having to download the whole factory image (assuming TWRP can extract / backup the stock boot image?).
Seems like Flashfire or something like that was able to do this before - flashing the new image without a PC.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've always been told never install an OTA with Flashfire or TWRP, especially if it has a new updated bootloader. Because if something goes wrong you're done. But I know people do it all the time
There's even a warning in Flash fires directions about it
mac796 said:
I've always been told never install an OTA with Flashfire or TWRP, especially if it has a new updated bootloader. Because if something goes wrong you're done. But I know people do it all the time
There's even a warning in Flash fires directions about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such a bummer the Magisk method doesn't work anymore. It's definitely the safest and most graceful.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Ota update for pixel 2 xl with magisk and twrp already installed

I am sure this has been asked and answered 100 times but for the life of me I can't find a definite answer. I have a Pixel 2 XL and it is rooted and I have Magisk and TWRP installed on it. I want to be able to install the OTA for this month, but I do not want to lose anything on the phone. I also would rather not lose Magisk or TWRP. Normally on my android phones I use ROMs and can just update through TWRP, but I want to stay on stock because I don't want to lose Active Edge. So can someone please help me by giving me step by step instructions or point me to instructions that are simple to follow so I can take the OTA?
I really appreciate the help.
I was having the same problem and was helped by some of the members here.. Best way is to flash the firmware after removing the -w from the flash all file. Then flash twrp and magisk.
Ota
Thanks for your help. I will try that.
magicmaker said:
Thanks for your help. I will try that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's a quick little guide I made for updating monthly factory images. Hopefully it'll help you out :good:
Sorta related...
Are there any ROMS that come rooted so I don't have to go through the monthly process of backup/unroot/update/root/restore?
Would love to just flash a ROM update and be done.
rank78 said:
Sorta related...
Are there any ROMS that come rooted so I don't have to go through the monthly process of backup/unroot/update/root/restore?
Would love to just flash a ROM update and be done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I'm aware of, but maybe some on the horizon...
Badger50 said:
Here's a quick little guide I made for updating monthly factory images. Hopefully it'll help you out :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, quick question
I am only able to do them steps above if I have done 'fastboot unlock_critical'? I have only done 'fastboot unlock'
Also I would need to boot into TWRP and flash a kernel + magisk to retain root?
You have to issue the "fastboot unlock_critical" command in order for the bootloader to update, since the bootloader is included in both factory images and full OTAs. Speaking of full OTA's, one of our recognized developers, @elliwigy, revealed (thread here) that it is possible to flash a full OTA image through TWRP, which eliminates the need to open the factory image and remove the -w flag from the last line. Flashing the OTA works because TWRP doesn't check signatures like the stock recovery. You will lose both root and TWRP upon reboot however, so you will still need to connect to a PC in order to reinstall TWRP so you can subsequently replace the stock Kernel with the Flash Kernel and then root.
I can verify this works, as I tried it with the May update.

Is there an easy way to update an unlocked/rooted Pixel 3a XL?

I unlocked my bootloader and rooted my Pixel 3a XL as soon as I got it. But I've been unable to install the OTA and security updates since (September 2019). I've been digging around in the forum trying to figure out how to load the updates. I was really hoping Flashfire would work, but it gives me errors - something about the root not being available or right... but my root works for everything else I've tried (maybe its an issue with Magisk)...
Anyway, I was hoping to find a simple way to install the updates. Help!
Thanks in advance,
Tom
Tom2112 said:
I unlocked my bootloader and rooted my Pixel 3a XL as soon as I got it. But I've been unable to install the OTA and security updates since (September 2019). I've been digging around in the forum trying to figure out how to load the updates. I was really hoping Flashfire would work, but it gives me errors - something about the root not being available or right... but my root works for everything else I've tried (maybe its an issue with Magisk)...
Anyway, I was hoping to find a simple way to install the updates. Help!
Thanks in advance,
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen postings about people fastboot flashing back the original boot.img, then taking the ota then repatching the new boot image and flashing it via fastboot. Not as simple as you hoped i am sure but it works.
The other way is to download the full image, remove the -w option in the flashsall.bat and then run the modded flashall file. You then need to patch the new boot image as above and fastboot flash that to regain root. I have not found any other ways to get updates besides doing one of the 2 above every month
Thanks, adm1jtg! I appreciate the help.
Unfortunately, I tried the second method you mentioned on my own... but I missed the part about removing the -w from the flashall.bat. Faaaaaaaaaaaqqqqqqqq!!! And ended up wiping my phone.
But now I think I'll remember that -w trick! I love learning things the hard way. LOL
I'm still going to hold out hope that someone will come along and make an app like FlashFire to script the process for us.
Tom2112 said:
Thanks, adm1jtg! I appreciate the help.
Unfortunately, I tried the second method you mentioned on my own... but I missed the part about removing the -w from the flashall.bat. Faaaaaaaaaaaqqqqqqqq!!! And ended up wiping my phone.
But now I think I'll remember that -w trick! I love learning things the hard way. LOL
I'm still going to hold out hope that someone will come along and make an app like FlashFire to script the process for us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wouldn't you just side load the OTA and be done with it?? Easy instructions where you'll download the OTA image. Easier than what your currently doing
thatsupnow said:
Why wouldn't you just side load the OTA and be done with it?? Easy instructions where you'll download the OTA image. Easier than what your currently doing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sideloading the ota would be a great option EXCEPT he said he was on a much older version... Like sept.
My understanding is that the ota for dec would only contain changes implemented for the month of December, this in this scenerio he would not get the patches for October and November with your method and i am not even sure if it would boot after that mismatch
It's really not saving much work if any over flashing the full version, and with the full version they're is no potential for bootloop due to missing some patches or updates. It's just much safer.
thatsupnow said:
Why wouldn't you just side load the OTA and be done with it?? Easy instructions where you'll download the OTA image. Easier than what your currently doing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um... prolly because I'm dumb... and maybe a little because I couldn't find instructions on how to do it properly. I don't suppose you happen to have a link to how to do the OTA sideload thing properly?
Tom2112 said:
Um... prolly because I'm dumb... and maybe a little because I couldn't find instructions on how to do it properly. I don't suppose you happen to have a link to how to do the OTA sideload thing properly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://developers.google.com/android/ota
The most simple way to update while keeping root would be to follow the instructions for "Devices with A/B Partitions" at the following link in the Magisk documentation:
https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/tutorials.html#ota-installation
Basically, Magisk allows you to restore the original boot image to the current partition so you can take the OTA when it arrives on your phone. Before rebooting you install Magisk to the inactive slot so that when the phone restarts you retain root without having to mess with Fastboot.
Delete Me!
Think all you have to do is click uninstall magisk, dont reboot... Take ota, but before reboot click install magisk/ install to empty slot...
Oops didnt see the reply above
OK, so when this month's security update came out, I tried to following the Magisk instructions (uninstall Magisk, restore stock boot, flash OTA, etc...) but when I went to uninstall Magisk and restore the stock boot, it tells me there is no stock boot image to restore! Dammit. Now what?
Tom2112 said:
OK, so when this month's security update came out, I tried to following the Magisk instructions (uninstall Magisk, restore stock boot, flash OTA, etc...) but when I went to uninstall Magisk and restore the stock boot, it tells me there is no stock boot image to restore! Dammit. Now what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should be a one time issue. One of the latest versions of Magisk changed the default location of the boot.img backup. They released it in December after most of us had already upgraded to the December Pixel update. This means we used the older version of Magisk when we installed the Dec update and it saved the backup to the old/original location. We then updated Magisk sometime later in December, but the Magisk update doesn't move the backup file to the new location (a poor execution from the Magisk team IMHO). Because we are now on the updated version, it expects the boot.img backup to be in the new location, but it is still in the old location and Magisk doesn't check that old location (again, a poor execution from the Magisk team IMHO).
To fix this you have several options.....
Option one is to find the original backup location that Magisk used for the boot.img and move it to the new backup location that Magisk uses. Unfortunately, I don't know where those backup locations are and didn't feel like researching it, so I used one of the other methods.
Option two is to "reinstall" Magisk (choose the patch file option and select the stock boot.img that may still on the phone from whatever the last update was (if you sideloaded the update and then had to rerooted the phone)- or download it from the applicable factory image and move it to the phone) to force Magisk to backup the current boot.img file to the new location. Stop after this initial step (ie you don't actually need to flash the patched file because it has already been done). Then you should be able to follow the normal Magisk update process to move to the January update.
That being said, I have horrible success being able to take the updates OTA (they usually fail) and usually end up sideloading the update. That is the final option - sideload the Jan update and then reroot the phone using the normal root method (ie getting Magisk to patch the stock boot.img file and then flashing the patched file).

Android 10 root/twrp

Hey guys. I accidentally (don't ask) installed the update for Android 10 from 9 stock and lost my twrp and root. Is there any way to at least get root back without having to reinstall everything?
More details will be needed to help. Bootloader unlocked? Guessing yes since you say you had twrp. Check the guide section for root instructions.
Yes I have it unlocked. I looked at the guide and it looks like I will have to reflash the stock rom which I'd like to avoid.
Kreuger said:
Hey guys. I accidentally (don't ask) installed the update for Android 10 from 9 stock and lost my twrp and root. Is there any way to at least get root back without having to reinstall everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since, twrp is not available yet for Android 10 (Q), I suggest one of the three following options:
1. If you have to re-flash the Pixel 3 XL Android 10 (Q) Factory image, do #4 'keep data' in this Guide.
2. If your Pixel 3XL has the latest Android 10 (Q) Factory image installed, just do #9 A. in this Guide to root.
3. If you are on a Custom ROM follow the OP Instructions in the Custom ROM thread to root.
Apparently I have the Sept update (QP1A.19711.020.C3) but I currently have no available updates. Am I good to just use your step 2?
Kreuger said:
Apparently I have the Sept update (QP1A.19711.020.C3) but I currently have no available updates. Am I good to just use your step 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes!
Why not do #1 update your Pixel 3 XL to the February Factory image (QQ1A.200205.002). You will not lose your data (need to reinstall anything). Then do #2 to root.
I guess I can do it that way. Thanks.
Edit: Do I need to use a custom kernel? I don't really require one. Also in magisk manager, theres no way to select the canary channel. All I see is stable, beta and custom.
Kreuger said:
Also in magisk manager, theres no way to select the canary channel. All I see is stable, beta and custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people are reporting that issue. You can set the custom channel to canary/canary debug manually. Check the magisk thread.
Thank you. I tried to find it on the github site and found nothing.
Kreuger said:
Thank you. I tried to find it on the github site and found nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is under the magisk files repo.
Kreuger said:
I guess I can do it that way. Thanks.
Edit: Do I need to use a custom kernel? I don't really require one. Also in magisk manager, theres no way to select the canary channel. All I see is stable, beta and custom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kernel/Kernel Managers are optional. #10 B ,in the guide, updated.
Hey so I patched the image and flashed the file, I'm stuck on the screen with the google logo and progress bar. Also, does it matter that I used adb reboot fastboot to get to the fastboot menu? I noticed it said fastbootd which ive never seen before. It seemed easier to do it that way.
Edit: Ive decided to try flashing another rom.
Kreuger said:
Hey so I patched the image and flashed the file, I'm stuck on the screen with the google logo and progress bar. Also, does it matter that I used adb reboot fastboot to get to the fastboot menu? I noticed it said fastbootd which ive never seen before. It seemed easier to do it that way.
Edit: Ive decided to try flashing another rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For flashing boot.img you should reboot bootloader. Fastboot is a separate thing now for system files to be flashed. Boot, bootloader, and radio are flashed in bootloader, others in fastbootd.
wangdaning said:
For flashing boot.img you should reboot bootloader. Fastboot is a separate thing now for system files to be flashed. Boot, bootloader, and radio are flashed in bootloader, others in fastbootd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah I was unaware. Thanks

Categories

Resources