Updating to Stock Pie without a PC while rooted? - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

Currently running Oreo 8.1 with magisk root and TWRP installed. I have access to no other devices other than my pixel XL.
Is there a way to update to Stock 9.00 in this situation without losing TWRP or the ability to root with magisk?

Flash ota with twrp.
Then flash twrp and magisk and reboot.
Probably will want to wipe and start 9.0 clean.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

lafester said:
Flash ota with twrp.
Then flash twrp and magisk and reboot.
Probably will want to wipe and start 9.0 clean.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I am being dense, but how would he flash TWRP (after flashing the OTA with TWRP the 1st time) without a computer to then fastboot boot the twrp.img? The OTA will revert recovery to stock, so he won't be able to flash the twrp.zip and magisk.zip.

You are still in twrp, so just flash the zip.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

lafester said:
You are still in twrp, so just flash the zip.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said I might be dense. I haven't flashed anything in TWRP without rebooting immediately in a long time since I remember folks having issues flashing Magisk after the TWRP.zip (or flashing anything after an OTA) without a reboot. Good call though. It's worth a try.

sliding_billy said:
Maybe I am being dense, but how would he flash TWRP (after flashing the OTA with TWRP the 1st time) without a computer to then fastboot boot the twrp.img? The OTA will revert recovery to stock, so he won't be able to flash the twrp.zip and magisk.zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he first would have to download Full OTA from google, not the incremental ota that he receives in the phone. He also could download the incremental ota, but that he would need to capture that incremental ota url. So, it's much easier to download the full ota because the links are publicly shared by google.

onesolo said:
he first would have to download Full OTA from google, not the incremental ota that he receives in the phone. He also could download the incremental ota, but that he would need to capture that incremental ota url. So, it's much easier to download the full ota because the links are publicly shared by google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gotcha. I have done the full OTA through TWRP (mostly just to see if it worked), but it has been well over a year since using OTA through TWRP quit working for at least one TWRP build. When that happened, I quit playing with it at all and have used nothing but the flash-all (minus the -w of course) since then. I just remember there being a bunch of errors if you continued to install in TWRP without doing a reboot device after an OTA (and even other zip installs).

Related

How I can apply Security Patches on a Rooted Rom?

Hi, I have a Nexus 5X with unlocked bootloader and with rooted. Since some days ago, I have a notification with a security update, but with the custom recovery it is not automatically installed.
Is there any way to install this OTA updates?
If you install TWRP (which you should, IMHO), it is easy. I'm not at all experienced, but I did it without losing any data. But with TWRP, you can do a full backup first. Everything I've done came from this single guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206930
martyfried said:
If you install TWRP (which you should, IMHO), it is easy. I'm not at all experienced, but I did it without losing any data. But with TWRP, you can do a full backup first. Everything I've done came from this single guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206930
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have TWRP ... and when try to install the updade i end up in recovery mode - after rebooting nothing changed ant the ota update notification is still there
Reyengine said:
i have TWRP ... and when try to install the updade i end up in recovery mode - after rebooting nothing changed ant the ota update notification is still there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The updates will not install on a rooted phone. Updates check if your software is stock and if not it will not update, includes recovery partition. Your best bet is to just update the ROM you're on. The ROM developer typically updates his base on a regular basis especially if it's one of the more active ones like Pure Nexus or Chroma among others.
If you really need Google updates to happen then you must go back to stock image and updates will work then.
Edit #2: If you are rooted but stock w/ TWRP, just unroot and flash stock recovery and the updates will work or you can ADB sideload the update zip w/ TWRP.
Reyengine said:
i have TWRP ... and when try to install the updade i end up in recovery mode - after rebooting nothing changed ant the ota update notification is still there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link I provided has explicit instructions. I remembered wrong, though. You don't need TWRP, you need to do it in Fastboot mode, so you need to find the latest Fastboot program, or install the Android SDK. Then follow step 10 in the link I provided.

Update TWRP and OOS

I installed TWRP from blu_spark and magisk the first day my 5T arrived.
Now there is the official TWRP and an OOS update.
How do I go ahead to flash the real TWRP and update OOS without wiping all my data? And do I have to re-flash Magisk?
Thanks for your help.
just flash OOS, magisk and then the official twrp .... done
75markus said:
just flash OOS, magisk and then the official twrp .... done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that order I won't lose any files?
And can I just use the OTA or Incremental zip or do I have to download and flash the full zip?
And since I am already on it, can I just flash a custom kernel afterwards without losing data?
Bronduin said:
In that order I won't lose any files?
And can I just use the OTA or Incremental zip or do I have to download and flash the full zip?
And since I am already on it, can I just flash a custom kernel afterwards without losing data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Full zip.
No data loss.
Kernel is fine.
1. flash the official twrp image using blu_spark
2. flash the full OTA zip from official twrp
3. flash magisk
Just to add to the original question (and my case is with official TWRP), an Oxygen OS update notification just popped today.
I have read at multiple places that incremental zips don't work with custom recoveries.
Just wanted to confirm: even though the update notification pops-up, I cannot (am not supposed to) update the phone with the OTA, can I?

TWRP & Root

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!

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

Rooted P2XL with stock recovery

Hey everyone, I have a pixel 2XL rooted with stock recovery (and stock firmware).
I was wondering if I can get OTA updates ? I thought I could receive them and install them (and then re-root of course), but I still haven't received the March OTA yet.
Thanks!
youssefkr said:
Hey everyone, I have a pixel 2XL rooted with stock recovery (and stock firmware).
I was wondering if I can get OTA updates ? I thought I could receive them and install them (and then re-root of course), but I still haven't received the March OTA yet.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll likely get the notification, and it might even download, however, it won't install. But no biggie, you can either fastboot the monthly updates, or flash the OTA zip in twrp. Either way, you'll still have root it again :good:
Badger50 said:
You'll likely get the notification, and it might even download, however, it won't install. But no biggie, you can either fastboot the monthly updates, or flash the OTA zip in twrp. Either way, you'll still have root it again :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I thought the whole point of keeping the stock recovery is that I could install OTA directly ?
In that case I should probably flash TWRP.
youssefkr said:
Thanks, but I thought the whole point of keeping the stock recovery is that I could install OTA directly ?
In that case I should probably flash TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock recovery yes, however, root is the ota killer as well :good:
There was a moment that flashing twrp would brick the phone and that they made it where you couldn't flash twrp anymore
Looks like they found a work around
If you accidently flash TWRP to your device using fastboot instead of temporarily booting the image, you will need to download the latest factory image for your device and reflash the boot image.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

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