How To Clean Flash Android P Beta? - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

I'm having some issues work the P Beta mostly around Bluetooth that others say they are not so I was thinking about flashing the beta with a clean flash instead of just accepting the OTA. Can anyone tell me how to do this. I can flash a normal system image but don't know if this is different. If I wanted to leave the beta could I just opt out online or would I need to flash the Oreo system image again? Where would I get the Beta files to flash that way?

I could have sworn I read that flashing the factory images would not get ota updates.
Edit for picture.

acheney1990 said:
I'm having some issues work the P Beta mostly around Bluetooth that others say they are not so I was thinking about flashing the beta with a clean flash instead of just accepting the OTA. Can anyone tell me how to do this. I can flash a normal system image but don't know if this is different. If I wanted to leave the beta could I just opt out online or would I need to flash the Oreo system image again? Where would I get the Beta files to flash that way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash the factory images, and let it wipe user data. If you have to unlock the bootloader to flash, it will wipe during that process.
https://developer.android.com/preview/download
In the future of the P betas (if you wish to use them) you can sideload OTAs if you dont get them automatically.

Related

[Q] Going from JSS15R to KTU84P on rooted flo with TWRP 2.6.0.0

I tried flashing the KTU84P zip using TWRP, but that didn't work. From what I've read, I apparently need to flash stock recovery, do the OTA update, then flash TWRP again? Won't that get rid of my root?
Ideally, I don't want to lose my data or have to excessively fiddle around with tools to get root again, if possible. I've kept my tablet at 4.3 for months because I didn't want to do a ton of research for this, but WiFi issues forced me to try upgrading.
archer007 said:
I tried flashing the KTU84P zip using TWRP, but that didn't work. From what I've read, I apparently need to flash stock recovery, do the OTA update, then flash TWRP again? Won't that get rid of my root?
Ideally, I don't want to lose my data or have to excessively fiddle around with tools to get root again, if possible. I've kept my tablet at 4.3 for months because I didn't want to do a ton of research for this, but WiFi issues forced me to try upgrading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update TWRP, link in signature.
Download factory image, link in signature.
Flash all img files manually except userdata.img and recovery.img. Delete those two.
Read my post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789463
Aerowinder said:
Update TWRP, link in signature.
Download factory image, link in signature.
Flash all img files manually except userdata.img and recovery.img. Delete those two.
Read my post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2789463
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I was under the impression that I could just flash the zip since 4.x updates seemed much more incremental than 1.6 to 2.2 and then 2.2 to CyanogenMod on my old CDMA HTC Hero. I guess that isn't the case though.
Mostly I didn't want to re-arrange my icons but thinking about it I can probably get Titanium Backup to back up everything in my tablet so that flashing a Google factory image won't be a pain...
archer007 said:
Thank you! I was under the impression that I could just flash the zip since 4.x updates seemed much more incremental than 1.6 to 2.2 and then 2.2 to CyanogenMod on my old CDMA HTC Hero. I guess that isn't the case though.
Mostly I didn't want to re-arrange my icons but thinking about it I can probably get Titanium Backup to back up everything in my tablet so that flashing a Google factory image won't be a pain...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't lose any data if you don't run the flash-all batch/script, and don't flash userdata.img.

Rooted 5.01 want to flash 6.01 - will i lose root?

I have 5.01 and I want to update to 6.01. I want to wipe it clean. Got factory image from Google site.
What's the difference between the OTA and factory downloads?
I can just flash the factory in TWRP right? Will I lose root, or will TWRP ask if I want to keep root?
I still have boot loader unlocked.I just can't remember for the life of me, haven't done flashing etc in a few years.
Thanks!
So...not a single person can tell me if I lose root, or if TWRP will re-root?
Please?
N7 is no longer supported by Google and there will be no more OTA.
You can't flash the entire factory image directly from TWRP (but it is doable).
When you flash the factory image, you will lose root, TWRP and all your data.
NRT can simplify flashing, rooting and restoring TWRP.
You have unlocked boot loader
Just fastboot flash all as yiu want clean install
After that fastboot flash twrp
After that flash superSU
Done.
No need for any toolkit's, try to stay away of them and do it manually.
Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
k23m said:
N7 is no longer supported by Google and there will be no more OTA.
You can't flash the entire factory image directly from TWRP (but it is doable).
When you flash the factory image, you will lose root, TWRP and all your data.
NRT can simplify flashing, rooting and restoring TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it isn't supported anymore. They still have the image's though.
Im just confused... Long time ago when I was really into all this, I just went to Googles page, downloaded the .zip and flashed it in TWRP. Now, the Google page is different and there isn't just 1 anymore. Can I just open the factory image and unzip the update part and flash that in TWRP?
The OTA files are only for updating from version to version correct? Can't go from what I'm on, 5.01 to the current 6.1 right? That's what I talking about and why I'm so confused now
Googles page used to have the OTA zip to update from prior newest to newest(5.0 to 5.01 for example) but than they also had the full OTA so you could do a 4.0 to 5.1 or whatever. Why they change the site? Which one do I use now to go from my 5.01 to current 6.1?
atifsh said:
You have unlocked boot loader
Just fastboot flash all as yiu want clean install
After that fastboot flash twrp
After that flash superSU
Done.
No need for any toolkit's, try to stay away of them and do it manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the pronlem, normally yes I would do that no problem. I'm in the middle of upgrading my PC after had a surge or something and fried my ****.
That's why I want to do it via TWRP like I always did before. Every time TWRP asked if I wanted to retain root after updating also. So what in the world happened in the last year that It doesn't seem like I can now? Like I said above, I can't find a full update OTA on!y the incremental OTAs...
Syntax323 said:
I know it isn't supported anymore. They still have the image's though.
Im just confused... Long time ago when I was really into all this, I just went to Googles page, downloaded the .zip and flashed it in TWRP. Now, the Google page is different and there isn't just 1 anymore. Can I just open the factory image and unzip the update part and flash that in TWRP?
The OTA files are only for updating from version to version correct? Can't go from what I'm on, 5.01 to the current 6.1 right? That's what I talking about and why I'm so confused now
Googles page used to have the OTA zip to update from prior newest to newest(5.0 to 5.01 for example) but than they also had the full OTA so you could do a 4.0 to 5.1 or whatever. Why they change the site? Which one do I use now to go from my 5.01 to current 6.1?
That's the pronlem, normally yes I would do that no problem. I'm in the middle of upgrading my PC after had a surge or something and fried my ****.
That's why I want to do it via TWRP like I always did before. Every time TWRP asked if I wanted to retain root after updating also. So what in the world happened in the last year that It doesn't seem like I can now? Like I said above, I can't find a full update OTA on!y the incremental OTAs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok yes that's possible
If you have twrp already
Check development forum and choose one of the ROM.
Download it to your tablet plus gapps
Wipe system, cache and data leaving internal storage.
Flash ROM reboot, come back to twrp and flash gapps. ( Can do ROM + Gapps in one go)
Download SuperSU and flash to get root.
You can't flash stock image / OTA via twrp.
While you're doing all this try the 7.0 ROM its good enough now.
atifsh said:
Ok yes that's possible
If you have twrp already
Check development forum and choose one of the ROM.
Download it to your tablet plus gapps
Wipe system, cache and data leaving internal storage.
Flash ROM reboot, come back to twrp and flash gapps. ( Can do ROM + Gapps in one go)
Download SuperSU and flash to get root.
You can't flash stock image / OTA via twrp.
While you're doing all this try the 7.0 ROM its good enough now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh what happened??? Why can you not flash them with TWRP???
Thats what I used to do no problem. Not referring to custom roms either.
I am wanting stock rooted.
I used to download the update when one was released from Google's site, put the update.zip in main directory, go in recovery and flash update.zip. TWRP would ask me if I wanted to keep root, I say yes, reboot, update installs... than i'm on the new Android version still rooted.
How is that not possible now?
I am so annoyed... I never had to go through ADB or fastboot to update to latest. I did everything on my N7, it kept root for me and everything.
I feel so dumb right now its ridiculous lol
So than what way can I go about updating my N7 2013 Wifi, which I currently have 5.01. I am Rooted w/ unlocked bootloader.
What is the best way not using ADB, or a PC at all for that matter to update to the latest, 6.01. If possible, how can I keep root, if not i'm not worried about it, i'll just re-root myself.
I appreciate all the responses, sorry if i'm just being an idiot. I just know for a fact I never had to use ADB or my PC to update and keep root...
I'm not familiar with Stock OTA done with twrp (if that's even possible)
Already told you get a custom ROM, get the one mostly stock or if there's a stock ROM in zip format available.
In future you might need to update that bootloader of yours for newer ROMs
Sorry if this sounds harsh why are you so into keeping root as you can't do it again? It's simple as flashing SuperSU. Root method changed after 6 you cant have old methods with 6.
Best bet for you at the moment.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3219148
Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

Accept OTA or Flash entire ROM?

Hello all-
I have looked everywhere for clarification on this to no avail. I am currently UN-rooted, Unlocked Bootloader & TWRP (OOS 4.0.3, 12/1/16 Android Security patch). Can I take the OTA for OOS 4.1.3 or will that make me lose TWRP? I know there are instances when you can take the OTA and where you have to flash the entire ROM but I can't locate the differences and which route I need to take? Please advise if you know this answer.
Thank you!
I'm not sure, but, you can just flash the ota in twrp and make sure to flash the twrp img after flashing the ota. And, always make a twrp backup
AFAIK you need stock recovery for OTA to work (not 100% sure).
If downloading whole 1.4GB ROM is not a big issue, it's safer to dirty flash the whole ROM. Otherwise you could flash back stock recovery, install small OTA, then flash TWRP again. A bit more work, but less downloading.
Sent from my OnePlus 3 using Tapatalk
This question doesn't belong in this section. @Stephen please move this to the Q&A section. Thanks.
DroidJay123 said:
Hello all-
I have looked everywhere for clarification on this to no avail. I am currently UN-rooted, Unlocked Bootloader & TWRP (OOS 4.0.3, 12/1/16 Android Security patch). Can I take the OTA for OOS 4.1.3 or will that make me lose TWRP? I know there are instances when you can take the OTA and where you have to flash the entire ROM but I can't locate the differences and which route I need to take? Please advise if you know this answer.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me make it clear, the full rom flash is a better option and you can do so from twrp. You would not loose twrp after the flash and need not flash the recovery again. SuperSU/Magisk flash is optional after the ROM flash. I see that you are running 3.0.4-1 which is a 7.1.1 compatible TWRP so there is no need to worry of any data loss. TWRP is also able to flash the OTA's provided you have not made any changes to your system partition and have remained unrooted.
You can come to General / OOS thread and ask there for further understanding :fingers-crossed:
You can flash OTA as long as your kernel is on default, what I mean is stock/untouched which is basically same situation as yours since youre unrooted. ? So yes you can flash OTA no need for full flash
If me, i like waiting full ROM zip release and do clean install.
Sometimes, flash OTA getting error (cause root, bla bla bla hahaha )
Yeah, it could be lazy gonna install back all apps at least you backup it
My advice, if you update same Android version, no problem to do a dirty flash (same ROM like LOS 14 to LOS 14, but if different ROM, i suggest better do clean install)
But if different version, mean 7.0 to 7.1.1, better clean install (dirty also no problem, but wonder in future got problem)
But hey, different people, different way right? This just my 2cent
It is my understanding that when moving from whole version number changes (6 to 7, 7 to 8) etc that a clean install is definitely way to go but even from 7.0 to 7.1? Also when you download the OTA, is the file saved somewhere so you can then locate it in TWRP for flashing? I don't want to allow the system to install the ota automatically correct?
DroidJay123 said:
Hello all-
I have looked everywhere for clarification on this to no avail. I am currently UN-rooted, Unlocked Bootloader & TWRP (OOS 4.0.3, 12/1/16 Android Security patch). Can I take the OTA for OOS 4.1.3 or will that make me lose TWRP? I know there are instances when you can take the OTA and where you have to flash the entire ROM but I can't locate the differences and which route I need to take? Please advise if you know this answer.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is best to clean flash if you've major upgrade like 6->7 or 7>8 something like that but if as your question you're still on marshmallow so you can flash OTA zip through twrp and make sure after OTA you've to flash twrp again to maintain it. If the system shows OTA it can't flash it via open recovery on twrp, you must have stock recovery to do it.
This thread is not for ROM development. Please get a mod move this thread to the Q&A section.

Help updating ROM please

Hi guys, I'm on the international beta rom but it's quite outdated now and I'd like to get up to speed with the OTA's.
I download the full version for flashing in TWRP as i'm rooted but it asks for a password everytime.
Apparently I need to format the internal storage to get past this, but I don't want to lose all my apps and setup etc. Is there anyway to update without losing root and files etc?
Thank you in advance,
Andy
The beta is based on Android 7 Nougat, right? And the stable is currently still based on 6.0.1. If you mean you'd like to get back to the stable channel I think a clean flash is the only option. You might be able to restore your data via TWRP but I'm not sure if that's OK when downgrading from 7 to 6. Maybe someone else can confirm this.
I'd say the best option would be a fastboot clean flash of the full ROM and go from there. Then you can reflash TWRP.
thank you for your reply, but I'm not on nougat at the moment, I'm happy sticking to the beta channel but as I'm rooted I can't OTA update to newer beta version which would be nougat.
Cheers,
Andy
andypa1 said:
thank you for your reply, but I'm not on nougat at the moment, I'm happy sticking to the beta channel but as I'm rooted I can't OTA update to newer beta version which would be nougat.
Cheers,
Andy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, follow the steps I mentioned but using the Beta Fastboot ROM using the Mi Flash tool. Make sure you select "flash_all_except_storage.bat" and you'll keep your data and apps during the process. Once the device is booted, just make sure not to root and you'll be able to OTA to new beta roms when they are released.
Here's a link to the full list of Fastboot flashable ROMs. You didn't mention whether you're on Helium or Hydrogen, so make sure to pick the correct ROM for your device.
Good luck!

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

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