Hi everybody,
After the cm13 on my Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML / Z200A) crashed down with no recent backups, I decided to upgrade to Lineage OS 14 now that I had to reinstall the ROM anyways. And now I'm stuck:
My device is encrypted (as it always has been). Since the first boot of Lineage OS the encryption method seems to have changed to an Android Nougat - specific encryption method. That means:
My installed TWRP 3.0.2 is now unable to decrypt the phone (known issue, as I found out).
The TWRP version 3.1 that would be able to decrypt it, is however not available for my Zenfone 2.
Even without a screen password, PIN or pattern set, TWRP still promts for a decryption password.
Without the TWRP working, I believe I cannot make any changes to the system, e.g. downgrading back to cm13, without wiping the entire internal storage.
The only thing that does seem to work is ADB sideload, but even so, Google Play Services installed from a side-loaded GAPPS e.g. doesn't work.
Now, how can I restore a state on that phone model where I have a working TWRP recovery that can modify the system partition?
Is there maybe an unofficial TWRP 3.1 for the Zenfone 2 or an alternative recovery that does handle the Nougat encryption?
Or is it somehow possible to downgrade back to cm13 without decrypting yet without losing all data on the internal storage?
I'm scared of trying to compile TWRP 3.1 from the source code myself as I have no experience "building" whatsoever.
Thanks for your help!!
Have you tried 3.0.3 available in the LinOS thread?
Sent from my ASUS_Z00A using Tapatalk
Yes, as available on theflamingskull.com. Either version cannot decrypt the phone (even when re-installed).
This one works for my encrypted phone (encrypted with CM14.1):
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=457095661767154983
Even with encrypted f2fs (changed to f2fs with this one).
Z200A is Z00A Essentially, right?
If yes: https://infinitus-rom.com/devices/asus/asus-z00a
You can download TWRP 3.1.0 there
I use this one too, it works flawlessly
Thank you!! Those worked! For some reason I always flashed version 3.0.3-M3 without noticing the M3 at the end. Starting with version 3.0.3-M4 as you linked, I was able to get back into recovery decrypting my phone! :good:
So, I've tried booting (fastboot boot twrp***.img) all 3 alternate TWRP versions found on XDA for my Z2 Play. On all 3 versions, the TWRP logo comes up and the phone immediately freezes. I've waited over 5 minutes on each and it's definitely frozen up. My goal is to make a full backup, then flash 64-bit TWRP and unofficial LOS 15.1 builds with Moto mod support.
I want to be able to make a full backup of my stock recovery before permanently flashing TWRP so I can, in theory, fully return to stock if something goes wrong or I'm not happy with the LOS ROM. From the many threads I've browsed, it appears TWRP may have some limited write permissions while only temporarily booted vs permanently flashed, but should still boot and provide enough access to make a backup on internal storage. I'd imagine I could just flash TWRP and it would work. But I'd really like the peace of mind of having a backup of stock recovery prior to flashing.
I have also seen some stock firmware posted. Could I just flash back to stock using that? I'm on the latest build and security patch, NPSS26.118-24-29 with Feb. 1, 2018 security patch.
Thanks for any help! I've done plenty of flashing ROM's, but the Z2 Play is a little more complex with DM Verity and forced encryption, along with much more limited dev support than other models I've flashed.
I suppose before somebody has to ask... The bootloader is unlocked. It does say "Bad Key" on the warning screen upon boot. Is that normal?
DeadEye J said:
I suppose before somebody has to ask... The bootloader is unlocked. It does say "Bad Key" on the warning screen upon boot. Is that normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can only say, if you have not tripped DM verify, it would not say 'Bad key'.
I personally backup the whole thing except recovery on mine. I believe that should be enough. I had to reset once with the original firmware people posted here, and also with my backup, it worked fine.
But for your information, my phone was not on Feb update but the previous one, so I don't know if the new one breaks stuffs. Maybe someone with more experience here has the answer.
The below is a guide to installing GSI images on the Mi 8 Pro. I specifically have experience with the PixelExperience 9.0 (Unofficial) but have had other GSI ROMs booting and working. I hope this is useful for some.
GSI (Generic System Image) ROMS can be flashed to any Project Treble enabled device. These devices have either an A/B partition layout (these allow for seamless updating as the system can boot from A or B partition) or just an A only partition layout. The Mi 8 Pro is an arm64 a only device and support project treble ROMs. You can choose from suitable ROMs listed here and here.
The instructions given below are for Android Pie (9.0). The same basic setup can be used for Android Oreo (8.0, 8.1) ROMs, but the Mi 8 Pro should be flashed with the appropriate Xiaomi base ROM first before flashing any 8 based GSI ROM
As the ROM development for the Mi 8 Pro is basically dead, I decided to buy a OnePlus 6T and sell my Mi 8 Pro. However, due to having my new OnePlus 6T stolen, and due to a lack of funds to buy a new device, I have revived my Mi 8 Pro to try to get something other than MIUI working on it. I now have The PixelExperience (Unofficial) GSI ROM running very smoothly on my Mi 8 Pro.
As the PixelExperience team has stated they will be delivering GSI images again, if there are enough of us asking, we could get better support for things like the fingerprint sensor, for a more complete experience.
Some of the below steps may be unnecessary, but are there for a complete beginner's guide to doing this and getting the right results.
Working:
WiFi
Bluetooth (with APTX)
NFC (Including Google Pay)
RIL
Mobile data (LTE / HSPDA / 3G / EDGE)
GPS
Camera (with camera built in to ROM, as well as some GCAM implementations)
Video Camera (not working on GCAM implementations tested so far - only working on Camer built in to ROM)
Flashlight
Sound / Vibrations
Face Unlock
Hotspot
Not Working:
VoLTE (I have had it working, but unable to end phone calls and problems receiving SMS messages, so reverted)
Fingerprint (There is some support. The fingerprint area of the screen lights up when trying to enrol a new fingerprint. The screen dims when a finger is placed on the sensor, and a green light us emitted from the sensor area, but it does not register the fingerprint and this is not currently working.)
Notification LED
You Tell Me
How to install
Flash the latest Fastboot Global Stable Android PIE (9.0) ROM for the Mi 8 Pro. (eg. equuleus_global_images_V10.3.4.0.PECMIXM_20190712.0000.00_9.0_global_9a181f79c1.tgz) using the Xiaomi Tool.
Update: Use the latest MIUI system. The contents of the vendor partition are important. The most compatible vendor partition as of 2019-08-19 is from equuleus_global_V10.3.5.0.PECMIXM. You can download and flash that vendor independantly, if you have already set up your GSI image.
Reboot and finish basic MIUI setup.
Reboot to recovery.
[*]Format data (Wipe - Advanced - format data - confirm by typing yes)
DO NOT FORMAT DATA. Just perform a factory reset. Formatting data can cause issues and prevent booting.
Wipe Cache - Dalvik Cache and System
Reboot recovery
Use adb to push PixelExperience GSI image (img file extracted from download) and latest version of Magisk to root of SDCard. (Empty due to formatting data).
("adb push c:\path\system.img /sdcard/" and then "adb push c:\path\Magiskv19.3.apk /sdcard/")
Flash the image to system partition by taping INSTALL and then on the "Install Image" button (to toggle between flashing zip and img files). Do not reboot yet.
Flash magisk zip in the normal way (hit the same button as in previous step to show zip files to flash. (This is necessary to avoid bootloops)
Reboot, and enjoy.
You can now set up your "PixelExperience" device with your apps and settings, including registering a face for face unlock.
To pass cts validation for the safetynet and to allow service such as Google Pay to work
In Magisk, under settings - Find “Magisk Hide” and toggle the switch on
Magisk restarts. Go to Magisk Hide from the Magisk menu and ensure that...
Google Pay
Google Play
Google Play Services
Google Service Framework
Any Banking Apps
...are checked so that they cannot see Magisk (canont see phone as rooted).
Now go to downloads and install the SafetyPatch v3 module (created by hackintosh5).
Reboot.
Open settings - go to apps and notifications - and find the above apps to clear all data.
Enjoy your rooted safetynet compliant, as close to stock as possible Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro.
nice work thanks for this great notice, i will test PixelExperience, how work the face unlock? i use the finger print very much, all day, but not work i will use the facial unlock. Then i wanna know how work this.
thanks!!
axelgrox said:
nice work thanks for this great notice, i will test PixelExperience, how work the face unlock? i use the finger print very much, all day, but not work i will use the facial unlock. Then i wanna know how work this.
thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Face unlock works fine. I have it paired with Pick to wake phone - so when I pick it up it wakes up to allow face unlock.
However, be prepared for some investment of time (not for face unlock).... I am a bit stuck now and cannot reproduce the above to get this working. Sometimes the results are different depending on base ROM etc.
Share how you get on and anything you may need to do to get this working.
Thanks
Nice work, i will try it .
The mi8 pro 's fingerprint is so bad which can be ignored, and the face unlock is the mostly used, hahahah
thank you very much for your work
Hi, I am waiting to unlock bootloader. Need 148hrs. Will install this. Thanks for sharing.
Quick update: There are some issues with GSI ROMs and the Mi 8 Pro. SOe of these relate to the SIMcard settings - and selection of preferred SIM for data, calls etc.
My experience shows that the vendor image from equuleus_global_V10.3.5.0.PECMIXM fixes many of these. The vendor image from the original MIUI ROM is used with the GSI system image to make the whole Project treble stuff work. I advise flashing this latest vendor image for maximum compatibility.
Do you know what issues remain after flashing the latest vendor image?
Does the face unlock on Pixel Experience work with IR camera or front cam?
I tried installing this and it got stuck on the loading screen with the Google logo. I tried following your instructions and a few other ways and couldn't get it to work at all i'm also not able to root my phone at all. When ever I try rooting my phone just reboots to twrp until I reflash the ram or flash the magisk uninstaller.
Do you have any tips, tricks, or suggestions I might try?
Thanks!
eremeya said:
I tried installing this and it got stuck on the loading screen with the Google logo. I tried following your instructions and a few other ways and couldn't get it to work at all i'm also not able to root my phone at all. When ever I try rooting my phone just reboots to twrp until I reflash the ram or flash the magisk uninstaller.
Do you have any tips, tricks, or suggestions I might try?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have experienced this on occasion also.
What GSI image have you tried? after my multiple efforts, I would recommend... in this order: Omni. HavocOS, Descendant(no future updates), PIxelExperience. I am hopeful about the PixelExperience team who have made an announcement that as of August they will no longer produce CAF versions of PixelExperience, and that they will maintain regular GSI builds also. PE official GSI - I am full of hope.
Anyway, back on topic: Try this.
Follow the instructions - a few precisions:
Use XiaoMiFlash to flash the equuleus_global_images_V10.3.4.0 as a base. You can update the vendor partition once you have GSI up and running, but don't let the MIUI update to 10.3.5. Ensure you define a PIN to make sure that data partition is encrypted. (everyone should use encryption nowadays, and besides, I have had bad experiences whn using a xiaomi eu or mi-globe ROM (unencrypted) as the base
Reboot and finish basic MIUI setup. - What I mean here is to let the ROM boot, don't have to sign in to Google or Mi, but get to the home screen after the initial setup.
Then reboot fastboot and flash TWRP 3.3.0. Search for TWRP-3.3.0-0504-XIAOMI8UD-CN-wzsx150.zip.
Boot to TWRP. Make sure that you are able to decrypt the data partition with the PIN you set earlier. If TWRP does not ask you for the passcode / PIN - something is wrong. Try again. ONce all is OK in TWRP, perform factory reset. (DO NOT FORMAT DATA for the aforementioned encryption reason).
adb push the img file.
adb push the Magisk 19.3 zip.
Flash both in TWRP
Reboot TWRP
Reboot system. If it appears to hang, after 5 minutes you can force restart with the power button. I have had the ROM boot OK after second boot only?
Pretty sure that if you strictly follow the above you should get a working GSI image on Mi 8 Pro. Let me know...
It's a bit flaky to set up, but once set up, apart from fingerprint sensor not working, very stable and lovely to have the stock ish android system on a MIUI phone!
Be careful with preferred network type for mobile network as some selections have messed up incoming SMS messages for me... a dealbreaker.
What happens when you flash Magisk? What does TWRP say? Have you tried flashing Magisk, rebooting TWRP, and flahing Magisk again? It may be a TWRP version issue?
Thanks for your reply!
The version of twrp you mention is what I have used. I have not tried installing then rebooting to twrp so I try that.
When flashing magisk it usually flashes fine (I have had a couple times where it just throws an error) then when I reboot the phone will boot past the Mi logo the the Android boot logo then after 10-15 sec. it just reboots to twrp.
I was finally able to get the twrp to stick across boots by flashing twrp, signing boot image, removing twrp then reboot to Miui.
Do I need to adb push the GSI image or should it be fine to install from a USB drive?
The SMS issue isn't really a big deal for me as I use Google Fi routed through hangouts for one sim and a local sim where I'm living for mostly data and a few phone calls for the second one
Thanks so much for this post. I was completely oblivious to the fact that the Mi 8 Pro would actually be different to the Mi 8 when it comes to custom roms. When I decided on my next phone, I read the positive reviews and saw enough Mi 8 roms to be willing to make a switch to Xiaomi. Until I read your post I was close to despairing as I don't want a Xiaomi rom on my phone for various reasons (among them is the fact that I don't trust them and the way they have decided to collect user data).
I've tried to follow your guide in every step (I've also flashed the updated vendor.img), but unfortunately I have not been able to install the Pixel Experience rom on my device. I do see the boot animation but it never stops, I'm forever stuck with the Google-G and the progress bar below it. Has anyone else managed to install the Pixel Experience rom on the Mi 8 Pro? If yes, did you follow the guide here or did you do something else?
Also, in your initial post you write that we should wipe the system in TWRP but as far as I can tell GSI roms need you to wipe data, cache and dalvik cache but not the system partition (if you do it, you also don't get asked for your PIN code in TWRP any more, which - as you said - indicates that something went wrong).
Did you install a particular version of the Pixel Experience rom? Maybe that might be part of my issue?
I have try many times installing it. Didn't manage to boot it up.
Finally, tested with Miroom ROM as base then flash the system.img manage to boot up.
Don't know why it didn't boot but at lease any one who have issue booting may want to try using Miroom rom as base.
tllim73 said:
I have try many times installing it. Didn't manage to boot it up.
Finally, tested with Miroom ROM as base then flash the system.img manage to boot up.
Don't know why it didn't boot but at lease any one who have issue booting may want to try using Miroom rom as base.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you do to install miroom? I've been trying to install it and it just stays on the boot screen. The only non-official from I've been able to install and boot is the unofficial LineageOS rom by fenix-UK.
eremeya said:
What did you do to install miroom? I've been trying to install it and it just stays on the boot screen. The only non-official from I've been able to install and boot is the unofficial LineageOS rom by fenix-UK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I install it using twrp 3.3.0 version. Build 0503. But before that I have install the stock rom goble stable version 10.3.5.0. update FW & Vendor using the same twrp.
tllim73 said:
I install it using twrp 3.3.0 version. Build 0503. But before that I have install the stock rom goble stable version 10.3.5.0. update FW & Vendor using the same twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Is your phone a Chinese version or EU version? Were you able to root global stock rom?
eremeya said:
Thanks.
Is your phone a Chinese version or EU version? Were you able to root global stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am using a Chinese version. But once you unlock it you will be able to flash any version with the twrp.
I try rooting it with magisk but unable to boot up. That's why I turn to Miroom Rom. They have done something which can boot it up.
tllim73 said:
Hi, I am using a Chinese version. But once you unlock it you will be able to flash any version with the twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also using the Chinese version but no matter what I try I cannot root the global version of the rom. I can root the Chinese version fine.
eremeya said:
I'm also using the Chinese version but no matter what I try I cannot root the global version of the rom. I can root the Chinese version fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be the developer version is only for the Chinese Rom. Anyway I am happy now running with GSI Rom.
eremeya said:
I'm also using the Chinese version but no matter what I try I cannot root the global version of the rom. I can root the Chinese version fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of TWRP are you using?
So it's been awhile since I've had a phone I cared to get into installing root and custom stuff but I just bought a 7t and am trying to get it all working. I have the bootloader unlocked and the latest version of TWRP flashed but every time I'm in TWRP it shows up as 0mb and can't mount the storage. I tried "fastboot format userdata" in adb and it worked for one boot cycle but once I rebooted TWRP after that I was back to the 0mb and can't mount storage (I also still cannot format storage from TWRP before anyone tells me to try that) so what gives? What am missing?
You're missing the search functionality of the forum.
TWRP does not currently support reading data partition when encrypted by OOS. It does work, however, for custom ROMs, as long as you don't use a PIN, but a pattern. It also does not support formatting data partition, regardless of the ROM you're using.
morphvale said:
You're missing the search functionality of the forum.
TWRP does not currently support reading data partition when encrypted by OOS. It does work, however, for custom ROMs, as long as you don't use a PIN, but a pattern. It also does not support formatting data partition, regardless of the ROM you're using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that's disappointing. So it sounds like there's really not too much point to it then. So I'm assuming there's a guide on how to install root and magisk via fastboot commands?
Again, you're missing the search functionality.
You can see it on the home page of the 7T, under ONEPLUS 7T GUIDES, NEWS, & DISCUSSION, third topic right now..
morphvale said:
Again, you're missing the search functionality.
You can see it on the home page of the 7T, under ONEPLUS 7T GUIDES, NEWS, & DISCUSSION, third topic right now..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still leaving trouble using the search function to find what I want but I'll figure it out. So is it worth installing a custom rom on this phone or should I just try and root the phone on the stock OS? I'm very new to this phone and everything that goes along with it.
Justin541 said:
Still leaving trouble using the search function to find what I want but I'll figure it out. So is it worth installing a custom rom on this phone or should I just try and root the phone on the stock OS? I'm very new to this phone and everything that goes along with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Justin541 - If you need any help just PM me. Ill get you going.. As long as your bootloader is unlocked, the rooting process is easy. All you have to do is:
- Install magisk manager (here)
- Download a patched boot.img from here(try to find the boot.img that matches the build your on, all though it probably doesnt matter)
- Boot into bootloader (adb reboot bootloader) and BOOT(dont flash) the patched boot.img (fastboot boot patched_boot.img)
- When phone is booted, open up magisk manager and do a direct install. Booting the patched boot.img is what you gives you a temporary root to be able to install magisk.
Moto G Stylus Metro PCS brand:
I'm brand new to this subject so please forgive any ignorance. I'm decent with linux but new to android stuff.
Tried flashing the latest weekly build of OmniROM - now seems to be stuck at boot screen and won't go past. I am coming from latest OTA update from Motorola.
Phone was not rooted prior to starting this.
I also accidentally wiped slot A with my factory image on it (oops).
TWRP did not ask for any decryption key so I ran:
fastboot erase userdata
and this seemed to fix errors that I was getting while flashing with respect to denying access.
What I've done:
-Unlocked bootloader
-Installed TWRP 3.5.0-10 from the g-stylus forum.
-wiped and formatted via TWRP
-flashed 5/23 weekly build of OmniROM
Now no matter what I do or what slot I flash to it will not get past the Omni boot load animated screen. I've run this for almost 2 hours and nothing happens.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
nutsnax said:
Moto G Stylus Metro PCS brand:
I'm brand new to this subject so please forgive any ignorance. I'm decent with linux but new to android stuff.
Tried flashing the latest weekly build of OmniROM - now seems to be stuck at boot screen and won't go past. I am coming from latest OTA update from Motorola.
Phone was not rooted prior to starting this.
I also accidentally wiped slot A with my factory image on it (oops).
TWRP did not ask for any decryption key so I ran:
fastboot erase userdata
and this seemed to fix errors that I was getting while flashing with respect to denying access.
What I've done:
-Unlocked bootloader
-Installed TWRP 3.5.0-10 from the g-stylus forum.
-wiped and formatted via TWRP
-flashed 5/23 weekly build of OmniROM
Now no matter what I do or what slot I flash to it will not get past the Omni boot load animated screen. I've run this for almost 2 hours and nothing happens.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Weekly builds may be unstable. I'm actually curious on how you got a hold of such build for the this device. Most, if not all ROMs are unofficial for the stylus and updates for each rom varies by contributed developers.....
However, you say you're decent with Linux. I'm sure there's some developers here that would help you with various tools to learn on how to make your own version of any type of OS.
As for OmniRom, I'd probably ask @vache for some help, for he has his own unofficial version.
Also, I recommend that you have the latest platform tools and the moto software tool if you don't have these yet...
nevermind I got it working. I was flashing p2pstate.bin directly (somehow this works?) when instead I was supposed to extract the image files and flash the respective files.
Seems to boot up now. Thanks!
nutsnax said:
nevermind I got it working. I was flashing p2pstate.bin directly (somehow this works?) when instead I was supposed to extract the image files and flash the respective files.
Seems to boot up now. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good you got it to work. One developer once told me, when all else fails, think outside of the box. You'll eventually get it to work somehow
I have your solution cuz I went through the same thing.. you have to start out with stock Android 10 so you have to be bootloader unlocked and rooted that way you can downgrade your software and it's only the super images that you have to downgrade.. so just flash your supers and you'll be fine but they have to be stock Android 10 it doesn't matter what firmware version because you're keeping the same modem file