Hi.
I enabled encryption in CM10.2.1 (it used only /data encryption, and no SD card encryption, or so I understood), all was fine, I could do NANDroid backup/restores with TWRP, modify encryption password with CryptFS Password app, and all was good.
Today, I desided to upgrade to CM11 M6, so I boot to recovery, used my password to unlock partitions, wiped data, system, cache, and installed CM11 M6. All is good and nice.
When I booted to CM11, it promted me for the old password, all fine, then, i gone to Security Settings, in a look for SD card encryption. I didn't find any' as It was shown as already encrypted, with no options.
I decided to change encryption password using the CM11 in Security menu, to hopefully reinvoke encryption of SD card.
Anyways, I rebooted, this time I used the NEW password to boot the phone, all fine.
Then, I booted to Recovery, and TWRP doesn't accept my new password!!?!?! I can boot to system with it, but not the recovery.
I thought maybe it's CM11 bug on how it changes the encryption, so I've downloaded CryptFS Password app I used before, and changed my password back to old one.
But I still can't unlock /data in TWRP!!:crying:
I can't restore back to 10.2, can't wipe.
I tried to flash Stock ROM with ODIN, but it failed with an error, and phone won't boot besides Download Mode,
so I reflashed TWRP via ODIN, then it booted to samsung logo, promted for password, but just as TWRP it doesn't recognize it.
I went back to TWRP and installed CM11, since it matched the data partition, I can successfully boot to CM and it accepts the password (but not in recovery:crying
Bottom line: I need somehow get back a working recovery, by either flashing stuff and removing encryption or anything else...
So i any of you folks can any idea ho to make that happen, I'd be very very glad to hear suggestions....
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
smartxdev said:
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked man, I love you !!!
smartxdev said:
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked great, different device M8 running Cm 11. Thanks
smartxdev said:
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping & Formatting are entirely different; wiping simply deletes files and folders and makes all space in the partition available for writing to, whereas formatting prepares a partition in a particular way, for use as if for the first time, which will also cause any data that was there to be deleted too. Formatting will simply overwrite stuff whether it is encrypted or not.
MarkAndroid.UK said:
Wiping & Formatting are entirely different; wiping simply deletes files and folders and makes all space in the partition available for writing to, whereas formatting prepares a partition in a particular way, for use as if for the first time, which will also cause any data that was there to be deleted too. Formatting will simply overwrite stuff whether it is encrypted or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I'm well aware about the terminology.
The thing is that such terms are loosely used all over the place and it often hard to guess the actual intention behind the brief description.
There are plenty of programs that kind of "delete" full partition content by actually formatting it, programs that "wipe" data by again, formatting the drive and rewriting the data.
While some of the programs "format" partitions/drives by rebuilding the file system tables without wiping the actual data. And programs that "wipe" properly by leaving the file system intact.
Hence was my confusion about it...
Anyways, eventually I've figured out how it works, and it seems to be helpful to others as well
smartxdev said:
Hi, I'm well aware about the terminology.
The thing is that such terms are loosely used all over the place and it often hard to guess the actual intention behind the brief description.
There are plenty of programs that kind of "delete" full partition content by actually formatting it, programs that "wipe" data by again, formatting the drive and rewriting the data.
While some of the programs "format" partitions/drives by rebuilding the file system tables without wiping the actual data. And programs that "wipe" properly by leaving the file system intact.
Hence was my confusion about it...
Anyways, eventually I've figured out how it works, and it seems to be helpful to others as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really? Examples?
MarkAndroid.UK said:
Oh really? Examples?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, really.
And if you are so obsessed with this pointless discussion, look it up on your own.
No Joy
smartxdev said:
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't work for me. Says success in TWRP for the format, but still can't see USB Storage. Still encrypted. Any suggestions?
jbwhit41 said:
Didn't work for me. Says success in TWRP for the format, but still can't see USB Storage. Still encrypted. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if USB Storage is related, The procedure I mentioned formats the build-in phone memory, not external USB. Maybe you have problem accessing USB storage from TWRP, and this is whole other issue.
If you can install a new ROM and boot into it without any "enter password to decrypt storage" prompts, then you've removed the encryption from the device, regardless of USB storage state.
smartxdev said:
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Format Data" worked for me. Thanks!
Format data worked for me too! Thanks mate!
smartxdev said:
It's kinda silly, but I found a solution... So if anyone wonders the same question as me, here it is.
And actually, it was there all the time:
In TWRP, under "Wipe" menu, there is "Format Data" function, which will effectively remove the encryption from the device
(alongside with all the data of course)
I always used "Advanced Wipe" to try to format before, but it didn't removed the encryption, and always failed to format /data.
So, I didn't think that "Format Data" would be any different, but it was..
And seems, like it actually is there to remove the encryption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked for me, too.
kwaxi said:
This worked for me, too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Format Data worked for me as well. For anyone experiencing similar issues, make sure you choose the FORMAT option, and the wipe one.
I had tried all kinds of previous solutions prior to that, including formatting the partitions through adb, with no luck.
Absolutely couldn't decrypt my Redmi 4 Prime for some time no matter what I tried, it would just boot into TWRP when selecting factory reset and nothing else worked. And somehow I didn't notice the second glaring button after Advanced Wipe which was FORMAT DATA. Failed to mount data once for some reason on my first attempt, rebooted the recovery, it didn't actually ask me for a PIN after the reboot which was a massive "whew, finally" moment for me at that point. Ran it again, formatted internal storage nicely, as a small added bonus removing all the bloat (I don't wipe it very often) from past installations and MIUI (currently on an RR ROM) and gaining some performance.
Thanks a lot.
I was attempting to install the Begonia Recovery Project for Miui 12.5 (android 11) using the fastboot method. But when I reboot into this new recovery and look inisde the "install" tab, all my folders from my main storage are made up of random letters and numbers.
I assume that this means that my files are still encrypted but I am not sure how to decrypt them.
I am running MIUI 12.5.3 Global edition on android 11 and the Begonia Recovery Project version I downloaded and installed was from this website : https://www.pling.com/p/1556862/
Furthermore, I have a unlock pattern on my phone but when I boot into the custom recovery, it doesn't ask me for my unlock pattern. Could this be the reason all my files are named with random letters and numbers?
It won't let me boot back into my operating system and when I try, I get an warning saying "No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?". Rebooting leads me right back into the custom recovery, with all files still named with random characters.
I would prefer to be able to boot back into my system without having to lose any of my personal files on my phone (if that is possible).
Any help is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance
Sqorpz said:
I was attempting to install the Begonia Recovery Project for Miui 12.5 (android 11) using the fastboot method. But when I reboot into this new recovery and look inisde the "install" tab, all my folders from my main storage are made up of random letters and numbers.
I assume that this means that my files are still encrypted but I am not sure how to decrypt them.
I am running MIUI 12.5.3 Global edition on android 11 and the Begonia Recovery Project version I downloaded and installed was from this website : https://www.pling.com/p/1556862/
Furthermore, I have a unlock pattern on my phone but when I boot into the custom recovery, it doesn't ask me for my unlock pattern. Could this be the reason all my files are named with random letters and numbers?
It won't let me boot back into my operating system and when I try, I get an warning saying "No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?". Rebooting leads me right back into the custom recovery, with all files still named with random characters.
I would prefer to be able to boot back into my system without having to lose any of my personal files on my phone (if that is possible).
Any help is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the reason why everyone recommends taking a backup of your files and resetting your device prior to such attempts. Unfortunately, most likely you will lose part, if not all of your files.
That No OS Installed error is normal since MIUI is a system on root OS and TWRP isn't able to detect them.
That random named folders is your internal storage but it's encrypted. You'll need to enter your passcode every time you boot to TWRP. If it doesn't ask you go to Mount and select Decrypt Data
To disable encryption you'll need to format data and install Disable ForceEncrypt. Doing this will erase EVERYTGHING. (except Find Device,IMEI's etc)
I would recommend you to install this TWRP to decrypt them.
If your device boots back to TWRP, it might be triggering Rescue Party. (click the 3rd button on the bottom of the screen to view the logs)
Fytdyh said:
This is the reason why everyone recommends taking a backup of your files and resetting your device prior to such attempts. Unfortunately, most likely you will lose part, if not all of your files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had installed twrp like this before and never had this type of error. But yes, the smart thing would definately be to always have backups. Lesson learned for next time!
Canny1913 said:
That No OS Installed error is normal since MIUI is a system on root OS and TWRP isn't able to detect them.
That random named folders is your internal storage but it's encrypted. You'll need to enter your passcode every time you boot to TWRP. If it doesn't ask you go to Mount and select Decrypt Data
To disable encryption you'll need to format data and install Disable ForceEncrypt. Doing this will erase EVERYTGHING. (except Find Device,IMEI's etc)
I would recommend you to install this TWRP to decrypt them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the fast reply.
I installed the twrp that you recommended. TWRP still isn't asking for my passcode and I can't find a "Decrypt Data" option in the Mount section. The only checked options in Mount are "Data", "Cache", and "Micro SD Card".
Is Disable ForceEncrypt needed in order to be able to boot back into my operating system? Is there any way to boot back into my OS without this?
Thanks again for the fast reply!
Sqorpz said:
Thank you for the fast reply.
I installed the twrp that you recommended. TWRP still isn't asking for my passcode and I can't find a "Decrypt Data" option in the Mount section. The only checked options in Mount are "Data", "Cache", and "Micro SD Card".
Is Disable ForceEncrypt needed in order to be able to boot back into my operating system? Is there any way to boot back into my OS without this?
Thanks again for the fast reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That zip can only be used if your data is formatted. If you flash it without formatting data you'll be making the situation even worse because it won't allow you to decrypt anymore. (it makes the phone think data isnt encrypted tho it clearly is encrypted)
Also did you check the logs as i suggested to determine the reason why the phone is not booting?
Canny1913 said:
That zip can only be used if your data is formatted. If you flash it without formatting data you'll be making the situation even worse because it won't allow you to decrypt anymore. (it makes the phone think data isnt encrypted tho it clearly is encrypted)
Also did you check the logs as i suggested to determine the reason why the phone is not booting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops, I used the twrp you recommended without formatting the data. Does this mean my data is forever undecryptable?
I checked the logs and indeed it is triggering the Android Rescue Party.
It suggests possible solutions that are
wipe caches, and/or
Format data, and/or
Clean-flash your ROM.
The reported problem is :
'--reason=enablefilecrypto_failed'
Sqorpz said:
Whoops, I used the twrp you recommended without formatting the data. Does this mean my data is forever undecryptable?
I checked the logs and indeed it is triggering the Android Rescue Party.
It suggests possible solutions that are
wipe caches, and/or
Format data, and/or
Clean-flash your ROM.
The reported problem is :
'--reason=enablefilecrypto_failed'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No i didnt meant that, i said the Disable ForceEncrypt zip needs data to be formatted.
The reported problem unfortunately means your phone cannot setup encryption. (thats why twrp won't decrypt it)
The only solution is to format data to make the phone usable again.
(you might as well flash the disable encryption zip after formatting the data since encryption on android is a pain in the ass and it makes the phone a bit faster)
By the way, do not wipe data, just click Format Data and format it since it doesn't get rid of the encryption properly.
T
Canny1913 said:
No i didnt meant that, i said the Disable ForceEncrypt zip needs data to be formatted.
The reported problem unfortunately means your phone cannot setup encryption. (thats why twrp won't decrypt it)
The only solution is to format data to make the phone usable again.
(you might as well flash the disable encryption zip after formatting the data since encryption on android is a pain in the ass and it makes the phone a bit faster)
By the way, do not wipe data, just click Format Data and format it since it doesn't get rid of the encryption properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your informative responses.
Apologies, I thought you meant that flashing different twrp would lead to undecryptable files.
By formatting data do you mean the parition on my phone called "data"?. I forgot to add that files in my "data" folder have sensible names and don't look encrypted. Is it normal for it to just encrypt my internal storage?
By the sounds of it, I think I will proceed with your suggestion of formatting the data. Just to clarify, will this method also remove everything in my internal storage, eg pictures, music, videos?. Is there a way to continue with this method without having to lose those?
I appreciate your help greatly.
Sqorpz said:
Thank you so much for your informative responses.
Apologies, I thought you meant that flashing different twrp would lead to undecryptable files.
By formatting data do you mean the parition on my phone called "data"?. I forgot to add that files in my "data" folder have sensible names and don't look encrypted. Is it normal for it to just encrypt my internal storage?
By the sounds of it, I think I will proceed with your suggestion of formatting the data. Just to clarify, will this method also remove everything in my internal storage, eg pictures, music, videos?. Is there a way to continue with this method without having to lose those?
I appreciate your help greatly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They actually encrypted the whole partition till Android 10. This required you to enter a password before the phone boots up but now they only encrypt the internal storage,apps and app data so you don't have to enter a password anymore before the phone boots-up.
Yes formatting the data will erase everything on your device including the internal storage.
Because they are encrypted just like the other part of data there's no way to save them.
Canny1913 said:
They actually encrypted the whole partition till Android 10. This required you to enter a password before the phone boots up but now they only encrypt the internal storage,apps and app data so you don't have to enter a password anymore before the phone boots-up.
Yes formatting the data will erase everything on your device including the internal storage.
Because they are encrypted just like the other part of data there's no way to save them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. So could this have been avoided if I had flashed the twrp after disabling my password? Is it a smart practice to disable your password before doing stuff like flashing a custom recovery?
Obviously losing all my data and internal storage is definately a kick in the nuts. But it is also my fault for not backing up my data before experimenting like this.
Could you please send me an oultine of the steps I need to follow in order to proceed with your method of getting my phone working again. Frankly, I have little experience in this area and I'm afraid i'll make a mistake in the process. I also trust in your expertise and experience far greater than mine.
Thank you again!
Sqorpz said:
I see. So could this have been avoided if I had flashed the twrp after disabling my password? Is it a smart practice to disable your password before doing stuff like flashing a custom recovery?
Obviously losing all my data and internal storage is definately a kick in the nuts. But it is also my fault for not backing up my data before experimenting like this.
Could you please send me an oultine of the steps I need to follow in order to proceed with your method of getting my phone working again. Frankly, I have little experience in this area and I'm afraid i'll make a mistake in the process. I also trust in your expertise and experience far greater than mine.
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple, enter TWRP, go to Wipe, click Format Data, type yes then hit enter. Your data will be wiped. reboot the phone in Recovery mode (not to the normal OS or else the phone will encrypt again) again so the internal storage gets created.
Plug your phone into a PC, download this:https://zackptg5.com/downloads/archive/Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_11.02.2020.zip
copy it to your phone and install it. If you want to use Magisk, install Magisk first then this zip file. The encryption will be completely disabled.
To answer your first question, It wasn't your fault because i have no idea why your storage got corrupted in the first place but you should definitely disable the password (or disable the encryption if you want to use a password) before doing anything.
Canny1913 said:
Simple, enter TWRP, go to Wipe, click Format Data, type yes then hit enter. Your data will be wiped. reboot the phone in Recovery mode (not to the normal OS or else the phone will encrypt again) again so the internal storage gets created.
Plug your phone into a PC, download this:https://zackptg5.com/downloads/archive/Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_11.02.2020.zip
copy it to your phone and install it. If you want to use Magisk, install Magisk first then this zip file. The encryption will be completely disabled.
To answer your first question, It wasn't your fault because i have no idea why your storage got corrupted in the first place but you should definitely disable the password (or disable the encryption if you want to use a password) before doing anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I am reseting my phone to its factory settings, I researched into some ROMs that I may use instead of MIUI. I came across the Pixel Experience ROM and I'm considering installing it.
I read somewhere that flashing a ROM involves having to disable encryption every time you flash a new ROM or something along those lines. Will installing the Disable ForceEncrypt disable encryption permanently or will I have to considering installing it again if I want to flash the Pixel Experience ROM?
Sqorpz said:
Since I am reseting my phone to its factory settings, I researched into some ROMs that I may use instead of MIUI. I came across the Pixel Experience ROM and I'm considering installing it.
I read somewhere that flashing a ROM involves having to disable encryption every time you flash a new ROM or something along those lines. Will installing the Disable ForceEncrypt disable encryption permanently or will I have to considering installing it again if I want to flash the Pixel Experience ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to install it again if you install a new ROM or kernel since it modifies both of them (they both get wiped if you install or update the ROM.
I recommend you follow their install guide since a lot of people get confused when they see errors.
Flashing PE A12
1. Flash latest Firmware. 2. Flash latest Dynamic TWRP. 3. Reboot to Dynamic TWRP. 4. Flash latest PE rom zip and then format data. 5. Reboot and enjoy. Links Here: Dynamic TWRP: TWRP For A12 Note: If you see any red line errors on twrp just ignore them and continue flashing. Also before...
telegra.ph
Canny1913 said:
You will have to install it again if you install a new ROM or kernel since it modifies both of them (they both get wiped if you install or update the ROM.
I recommend you follow their install guide since a lot of people get confused when they see errors.
Flashing PE A12
1. Flash latest Firmware. 2. Flash latest Dynamic TWRP. 3. Reboot to Dynamic TWRP. 4. Flash latest PE rom zip and then format data. 5. Reboot and enjoy. Links Here: Dynamic TWRP: TWRP For A12 Note: If you see any red line errors on twrp just ignore them and continue flashing. Also before...
telegra.ph
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all your help. It was probably simple and easy for you but for me, I had no idea what I was doing and would never have done the steps that you suggested so thank you. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.
I just have one last request that is : do you know any good backup services for android? I know about services like google photos for backing up photos and videos, but I was wondering if there were any that backed up the android as a whole, including app data/progress, photos, videos, notes etc.
Thank you again for all your support and making this process very simple and easy and wish you all the best.
Sqorpz said:
Thank you for all your help. It was probably simple and easy for you but for me, I had no idea what I was doing and would never have done the steps that you suggested so thank you. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.
I just have one last request that is : do you know any good backup services for android? I know about services like google photos for backing up photos and videos, but I was wondering if there were any that backed up the android as a whole, including app data/progress, photos, videos, notes etc.
Thank you again for all your support and making this process very simple and easy and wish you all the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google One app can backup photos,SMS, phone call history and redownloads all of the apps (except apps that were installed from an apk file)
Pixel Experience actually bypasses the Google Photos storage limit so you can backup your entire gallery without problems.
For notes just use Google Keep, it syncs the notes to your Google account.
App data can be backed up by Titanium Backup or Migrate. (i suggest you test them before backing up your entire app data as suggested by Migrate developer)
I don't exactly recommend backing up Data as a whole since your only option is TWRP and TWRP loves to complain when it comes to backing up and restoring.
Thanks for the best wishes and i wish you all the best too. Have a good one.