Relocking bootloader for ota updates - Google Pixel 3 XL Questions & Answers

Anyone have issues doing ota updates after relocking bootloader? I unlocked my bootloader. Installed magisk for root. Did modifications to by pass wifi hot spot authentication. Installed squeeze gesture for different actions. And now I want to revert back. Was still on stock.
Uninstalled magisk. Factory reset. Relocked boot loader. Then tried to install ota which would sit at 0% downloading and eventually fail.

My method, because I can't wait for OTA notifications:
1. Tap on the Complete Uninstall of Magisk and reboot.
2. Download OTA full image and install it using adb sideload.
3. Reinstall Magisk and patch the boot image (Need to download new factory image and unzip file).
4. Use fastboot to flash patched boot image and reboot.
5. Finished.

I would flash the factory image (of course you have to unlock the bootloader again) before locking it

y2whisper said:
I would flash the factory image (of course you have to unlock the bootloader again) before locking it
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Thanks. Noob question. Keep seeing people say its very easy to brick my phone when I try to relock bootloader.. Does factory image mean the very first version released? Pixel 3 xl -9.0.0 (PD1A.180720.030, Sep 2018). Then after I will be able to ota update to current version? Or are all crosshatched files considered factory image. So any image will work?

Nevermind, I got it to go through. First time I actually used the newest feb 05 2019 file to flash. After I relocked my boot loader, I loaded a backup from my google account. That seems to kick me back down to jan 05 2019 security update version. This first time the ota would get stuck @ 0% and not do anything. I redid the whole thing using a dec 2018 file. After I relocked my boot loader and reloaded my backup from my google account. I was back at jan 05 2019.. prob due to reloading a backup. Now the ota feb 05 2019 is actually installing. Might've been a fluke. Thanks.

ychongy13 said:
Thanks. Noob question. Keep seeing people say its very easy to brick my phone when I try to relock bootloader.. Does factory image mean the very first version released? Pixel 3 xl -9.0.0 (PD1A.180720.030, Sep 2018). Then after I will be able to ota update to current version? Or are all crosshatched files considered factory image. So any image will work?
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Click to collapse
...very easy to brick my phone...
It means if you relock the bootloader and you are not 100% stock (No Custom ROM, Custom Kernel, T.W.R.P, Magisk, etc., residual files remain on your phone). You run the risk of bricking your phone.
Two ways to return the phone to stock:
- flash-all with the -w
- Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset)

Related

Google Pixel, OTA, and Root

I'm on the google play pixel xl... So when I go to update to oreo, I will need to revert to stock, then update, then re-root and unlock bootloaders again correct? Would it throw me into a boot loop if I just take the OTA while unlocked/rooted? I will wait for a few weeks until the bugs get worked out probably, and the SkipSoft ToolKit gets updated anyway but I was just curious. Thanks for the help!
in_dmand said:
I'm on the google play pixel xl... So when I go to update to oreo, I will need to revert to stock, then update, then re-root and unlock bootloaders again correct? Would it throw me into a boot loop if I just take the OTA while unlocked/rooted? I will wait for a few weeks until the bugs get worked out probably, and the SkipSoft ToolKit gets updated anyway but I was just curious. Thanks for the help!
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So if you are just going to flash the factory firmware, you dont need to return to stock.
I would remove -w from the flash all bat
flash in both slots on the device
boot into recovery
fastboot boot twrp
factory reset
let device boot once
fastboot boot twrp
flash super su (or whatever you use)
Nothing can relock your bootloader except for the fastboot command initiated by you.

[Q] Updating to Feb. Security Patch

I started the process of updating to Feb security patch. It fails just before it finishes installing. Is this because I have the bootloader and cridical bootloader unlocked? Would relocking them both fix this issue?
No I have a full unlocked bootloader, if it failed, more than likely you are not stock.
dratsablive said:
No I have a full unlocked bootloader, if it failed, more than likely you are not stock.
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I do believe I am on stock. This happened last month. I ended up having to use the tool kit to flash the Jan factory image. Rather not do that again and start from scratch. Plus I do not want to do this every time there is an update.
How can i make sure I am 100% stock, or get myself back to 100% stock?
chadhoard said:
I do believe I am on stock. This happened last month. I ended up having to use the tool kit to flash the Jan factory image. Rather not do that again and start from scratch. Plus I do not want to do this every time there is an update.
How can i make sure I am 100% stock, or get myself back to 100% stock?
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If your rooted or have twrp installed, the OTA will fail. Do you have either of those?
Badger50 said:
If your rooted or have twrp installed, the OTA will fail. Do you have either of those?
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I was rooted with twrp, but when I flashed the factory image last month, I believe I removed twrp and went back to stock recovery. I have yet to re-root since all of that mess last month.
chadhoard said:
I was rooted with twrp, but when I flashed the factory image last month, I believe I removed twrp and went back to stock recovery. I have yet to re-root since all of that mess last month.
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Ok. If you have run both bootloader unlock commands.....
fastboot flashing unlock
And
fastboot flashing unlock_critical
Then why not just fastboot the factory image? You can do it without wiping data :good:
Badger50 said:
Ok. If you have run both bootloader unlock commands.....
fastboot flashing unlock
And
fastboot flashing unlock_critical
Then why not just fastboot the factory image? You can do it without wiping data :good:
Click to expand...
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Sorry, don't remember why I did what I did last month. I just want to get up to date with Feb. and not have to deal with it failing next month. I am pretty certain I am not root and have stock recovery. I am debating if I should relock the bootloader.
chadhoard said:
Sorry, don't remember why I did what I did last month. I just want to get up to date with Feb. and not have to deal with it failing next month. I am pretty certain I am not root and have stock recovery. I am debating if I should relock the bootloader.
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Click to collapse
Relocking the bootloader will not help you. In fact, if you relock the bootloader, you are removing your ability to correct whatever is causing the update to fail. Also, unlike some older devices, relocking will wipe your data, so there's that. Based on what you've said so far, I'm not quite sure why the update is failing, so I echo the recommendation that has been made already to use the factory image to update. Just remove the -w flag in the batch file before using it to avoid wiping your data.
Anyone getting Bluetooth Audio issues of the FRb security patch? Not sure if it's the update or the EX Kernel but my bluetooth earbuds keep disconnecting the audio is staticky and "skips" My garmin watch seems to stay connected fine and the headphones connect fine to another phone.
chadhoard said:
I started the process of updating to Feb security patch. It fails just before it finishes installing. Is this because I have the bootloader and cridical bootloader unlocked? Would relocking them both fix this issue?
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What is the exact error you are getting, and what are the exact steps you are taking?
uicnren said:
What is the exact error you are getting, and what are the exact steps you are taking?
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It just stated that the install failed. It gave me the option to retry.
Last night I was able to ADB into recovery. Then ADB sideload the OTA.
chadhoard said:
It just stated that the install failed. It gave me the option to retry.
Last night I was able to ADB into recovery. Then ADB sideload the OTA.
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Follow these steps, I've been using them since early 8.0 and never had an issue.
If you want to remain 100% stock, ONLY fastboot the Feb factory image and skip the rest of the steps.
If you want to be fully loaded' Feb update, TWRP, Cust Kernel, Root, follow all the steps
They're pretty detailed, and easy to follow.

Android 8.1 March Security Update OTA Fail Message

Just unlocked, rooted (w/Magisk), and installed TWRP about a week ago. I'm on the stock ROM with the Feb security update. The March security update is pushing to my phone but fails install due to the previous mentioned items. I'm reading that a few problems are popping up that are contributed to the update so I'm holding off on installing it for now. How can I get it to quit trying to install it and showing the notification in the status bar? You can't dismiss the notification and if you reboot it tries to install the update again..
How did you install TWRP and keep it across updates?
Thanks for the response! I'm not 100% sure what you're asking, but I installed TWRP and magisk while on 8.1.0 and the Feb 2018 security update. A week or two later the March security update was released and pushed to my phone as an OTA but it fails install due to (and I'm guessing) the unlocked bootloader and root. Now I constantly have a failed install message in my notification bar and it won't go away. How can I keep the phone from attempting to install the OTA Update knowing it will fail?
the ota update is failing to install because your phone is rooted. the bootloader can be unlocked, but otas will fail to install if the os is not completely stock.
if you manually flash the march update, whether it's the ota or the full factory image, the notifications about an update being available or the failed install will go away.
altwu said:
the ota update is failing to install because your phone is rooted. the bootloader can be unlocked, but otas will fail to install if the os is not completely stock.
if you manually flash the march update, whether it's the ota or the full factory image, the notifications about an update being available or the failed install will go away.
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I understand the reason it's failing. I don't really want to install the the OTA as I'm reading it has created additional problems. Is there anyway to keep the phone from checking for an update and subsequently failing and showing the notification?
Gulfstream 650 said:
I understand the reason it's failing. I don't really want to install the the OTA as I'm reading it has created additional problems. Is there anyway to keep the phone from checking for an update and subsequently failing and showing the notification?
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When I got the notification to update, I just long pressed on it and hit the toggle to turn off notifications from whatever it was that it said it was coming from...Google play services I think?
Sent from my Pixel XL using XDA Labs
I flashed the full March Factory Image using the bat.all script (-w removed to keep data), then fastbooted into twrp 3.2.0.0 and flashed magisk. No additional problems or any issues at all.
kboya said:
I flashed the full March Factory Image using the flash-all.bat script (-w removed to keep data), then fastbooted into twrp 3.2.0.0 and flashed magisk. No additional problems or any issues at all.
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Did you try turning off automatic update in Developer mode.
No, to me that is a no no especially if you have Flashfire installed
Gulfstream 650 said:
I understand the reason it's failing. I don't really want to install the the OTA as I'm reading it has created additional problems. Is there anyway to keep the phone from checking for an update and subsequently failing and showing the notification?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kboya said:
I flashed the full March Factory Image using the bat.all script (-w removed to keep data), then fastbooted into twrp 3.2.0.0 and flashed magisk. No additional problems or any issues at all.
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same here. no problems with the march update + magisk. i've never updated using an ota. i always flash the full factory image.
Gulfstream 650 said:
Thanks for the response! I'm not 100% sure what you're asking, but I installed TWRP and magisk while on 8.1.0 and the Feb 2018 security update.
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Let me elaborate:
Right now, if you install TWRP permanently, you don't get any OTAs. So you must install a full image. When you install the full image, TWRP get's wiped. So you always have to install TWRP using your computer. That's a real hassle for me.
Or is there any easy way how you can install a full image, while keeping TWRP or reinstalling TWRP on top without using a computer?
fiverings said:
Did you try turning off automatic update in Developer mode.
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I'm not sure if this is a question to me or the OP!
Me? No, there's no need as once flashed any OTA notification is redundant and no longer displayed. Anyway, I usually dl and flash the new factory image when it's posted online. The whole process takes maybe 20 mins including the dl time. Also, if there are any "new issues" with a release, as the OP is suggesting, it's just as easy to go back a month with the previous factory image (easier as it's already dl'd)
kboya said:
I'm not sure if this is a question to me or the OP!
Me? No, there's no need as once flashed any OTA notification is redundant and no longer displayed. Anyway, I usually dl and flash the new factory image when it's posted online. The whole process takes maybe 20 mins including the dl time. Also, if there are any "new issues" with a release, as the OP is suggesting, it's just as easy to go back a month with the previous factory image (easier as it's already dl'd)
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Good point, it's fairly easy to revert to the previous version if problems crop up. I'm going to go ahead and make the plunge. **edit** installed the March image and reinstalled TWRP and Magisk, so far so good.
Cool. Hope it stays that way.

OTA failed on rooted device

Hi, I just tried to install the September OTA update based on the Magisk OTA installation tips however the installation of the update fails during step 1. At least I am still rooted on the August patch level. How can I update my phone without losing data? I thought about reflashing system and trying the steps again but I don't know where to get the factory images for 9.6.6.0 (August) or 9.6.8.0 (September). This is my first A/B phone by the way. Thanks in advance.
rfkd said:
Hi, I just tried to install the September OTA update based on the Magisk OTA installation tips however the installation of the update fails during step 1. At least I am still rooted on the August patch level. How can I update my phone without losing data? I thought about reflashing system and trying the steps again but I don't know where to get the factory images for 9.6.6.0 (August) or 9.6.8.0 (September). This is my first A/B phone by the way. Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
You can check @BubuXP's reply here it might help you out. :good:
On this page only the ROM for 9.6.4.0 (July) can be downloaded. Later versions are not available anywhere? If not I have to flash July with fastboot, root again and retry the OTA update?
rfkd said:
On this page only the ROM for 9.6.4.0 (July) can be downloaded. Later versions are not available anywhere? If not I have to flash July with fastboot, root again and retry the OTA update?
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Click to collapse
No, the only fastboot image at the moment is this. It should be not a problem downgrading, as long as the same Android version is involved (Oreo 8.1 in this case).
And yes, you can flash that fastboot image and then follow my guide to install Magisk, and then install the OTA update always following my guide, just to test that everything is working as intended.
This did not work. Seems like using flash_all_except_storage.bat was not the right choice, my unlock pattern during booting is not accepted.
rfkd said:
This did not work. Seems like using flash_all_except_storage.bat was not the right choice, my unlock pattern during booting is not accepted.
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So you must use flash_all.bat, but you will lose your data. At the moment the data is in the phone memory, but is encrypted and you probably lost the decryption key when you flashed the other partitions, so not a great lose anyway.
I don't know if there is a way to get your data back.
Yes, I already did this. Had forgotten to disable the pattern.

pixel 2xl unlocked bootloader Security patch update problem

Hello, I have pixel 2xl with unlocked boodloader, and my security patch is stack on 05. September... When I check for updates it says that my software is latest... But in security settings it says that security patch is old...should I lock bootloader? Will I receive OTA updates normaly etc
In CPY Z says that my device is not rooted, thanks in advance...
markokrstic0507 said:
Hello, I have pixel 2xl with unlocked boodloader, and my security patch is stack on 05. September... When I check for updates it says that my software is latest... But in security settings it says that security patch is old...should I lock bootloader? Will I receive OTA updates normaly etc
In CPY Z says that my device is not rooted, thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a few options. You could factory reset, then see if you get your OTA. You could also lock the bootloader, which wipes your device as well, then, yes, you will get normal OTA's. Or, you can adb side load the OTA zip from October, then November, then December to be up to date. Or, you can fastboot the factory images to get up to speed. Or, you can fastboot into twrp, then flash the OTA zips. And there ya go
Badger50 said:
You have a few options. You could factory reset, then see if you get your OTA. You could also lock the bootloader, which wipes your device as well, then, yes, you will get normal OTA's. Or, you can adb side load the OTA zip from October, then November, then December to be up to date. Or, you can fastboot the factory images to get up to speed. Or, you can fastboot into twrp, then flash the OTA zips. And there ya go
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Tnx for fast reply
@Badger50: He doesn't have to install all three, but only the December OTA. Since the OTA zips Google makes available for download are full images they include all the patches from previous months.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
@Badger50: He doesn't have to install all three, but only the December OTA. Since the OTA zips Google makes available for download are full images they include all the patches from previous months.
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Click to collapse
Roger that my friend. I've just seen some folks have trouble when updating after a few months :good:
@Badger50: Understood there. I should have known there was a reason for you mentioning it.
I had the same problem when i buy my used pixel 2 xl, i solved the problem by this way
visit: https://www.google.com/android/beta
and unsubscribe my device from beta program. After some hours i receive ota
I have done factory data reset and there is an update, but it can't install, instalation problem... And its trying every few hours but it cant... Bootloader still unlocked
markokrstic0507 said:
I have done factory data reset and there is an update, but it can't install, instalation problem... And its trying every few hours but it cant... Bootloader still unlocked
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Click to collapse
Have you flashed TWRP? If so, you cannot update via OTA. This only works with the stock recovery.
You have to flash a full OTA via TWRP or flash the factory image with fastboot if you are using TWRP.
And if you don't use TWRP, you still can update manually. Why are you waiting for the automatic update in the first place?
I have unlocked bootloader, my phone is not rooted, when I try to update my phone tru settings and Sysrem update it starts and than stops (couldn't install update)
BabelHuber said:
Have you flashed TWRP? If so, you cannot update via OTA. This only works with the stock recovery.
You have to flash a full OTA via TWRP or flash the factory image with fastboot if you are using TWRP.
And if you don't use TWRP, you still can update manually. Why are you waiting for the automatic update in the first place?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have unlocked bootloader, my phone is not rooted, when I try to update my phone tru settings and Sysrem update it starts and than stops (couldn't install update)
markokrstic0507 said:
I have unlocked bootloader, my phone is not rooted, when I try to update my phone tru settings and Sysrem update it starts and than stops (couldn't install update)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This has nothing to do with root, but with TWRP. Have you flashed it or not?
You can try to flash the boot.img again, too. Extract it from the factory image and flash it with fastboot. Of course this only helps if you have messed around with it.
If this doesn't work you can try a factory reset or flash the update manually. See https://developers.google.com/android/images for instructions.

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