Develop Bugs

Wiping internal storage?

I followed This Guide to get temp root on my Verizon M8 in order to get s-off with sunshine. The SuperSU apk the guide requires is hosted on an iffy looking file hosting site. I'm worried that it could've been infected with malware, which would've gotten root access.
After getting s-off, I followed the guide to install the DigitalHigh GPE ROM HERE. First I had to flash the 5.1 GPE firmware, and then the ROM itself. Would doing both of these things remove any infections, if that apk was infected? If not, what should I do? If it had root access, it could have installed as a system app. I'm assuming that flashing either the 5.1 firmware or the ROM would've overwritten system apps, but I'd like to be sure.
If I wipe internal storage, will I still have s-off and be able to flash the firmware through adb or sideload a ROM?

TheLeshii said:
I'm assuming that flashing either the 5.1 firmware or the ROM would've overwritten system apps, but I'd like to be sure.
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Firmware doesn't touch system partition; but a ROM flash wipes it and flashes the new ROM to the system partition.
TheLeshii said:
First I had to flash the 5.1 GPE firmware, and then the ROM itself. Would doing both of these things remove any infections, if that apk was infected?
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I can't claim to have the technical knowledge to really say. But I suppose theoretically its possible some malicious code can reside on other partitions. But it probably unlikely for an infection to be that sophisticated, when there is lower hanging fruit to be had. I'd guess that you are correct, that most malware is installed in system partition or as an app in user data.
TheLeshii said:
If I wipe internal storage, will I still have s-off and be able to flash the firmware through adb or sideload a ROM?
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Yes, yes, and yes.
The only thing that can make the phone s-on again, is you manually making it so.

So if I do wipe internal storage, would I be able to do everything without a microSD, being that I can't enable USB debugging with no OS? If so, would it be as simple as rebooting to fastboot, then RUU mode, flashing a firmware zip, and then maybe pushing the ROM?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app

TheLeshii said:
So if I do wipe internal storage, would I be able to do everything without a microSD, being that I can't enable USB debugging with no OS? If so, would it be as simple as rebooting to fastboot, then RUU mode, flashing a firmware zip, and then maybe pushing the ROM?
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I'm not sure I follow. Wiping internal storage doesn't affect the ROM. Or are you thinking of wiping everything (internal storage, system, etc.) again.

Wouldn't wiping internal storage take out everything, including the ROM? I'd just like to my sure my phone is clean of malware.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app

TheLeshii said:
Wouldn't wiping internal storage take out everything, including the ROM? I'd just like to my sure my phone is clean of malware.
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"Internal storage" specifically just means the user-accessible storage partition (also called the "virtual SD" by some), which is /data/media. That one partition, that's it. No other partitions are touched, including system (ROM) partition, as I already mentioned.
Now, there are options to wipe other partitions, such as in the Advanced Wipe options in TWRP. If you select the system partition, than that will wipe the ROM. But again, its a completely different option and partition than internal storage.

If I wipe the OS completely, would I still be able to access the device with adb? Or would wiping /system definitely get rid of all possible malware?

TheLeshii said:
If I wipe the OS completely, would I still be able to access the device with adb?
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You should be able to use adb while booted into TWRP. Fastboot commands will work without OS (boot into bootloader-fastboot mode).
TheLeshii said:
Or would wiping /system definitely get rid of all possible malware?
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"Definite" is a tough term. In the grand scheme, in theory you can have malware on your phone and computer from any number of sources. But its a matter of probability. I'd say if you've already replaced your ROM, wiped user data, and you wipe internal storage; the probability of malware is rather low.

redpoint73 said:
"Internal storage" specifically just means the user-accessible storage partition (also called the "virtual SD" by some), which is /data/media. That one partition, that's it. No other partitions are touched, including system (ROM) partition, as I already mentioned.
Now, there are options to wipe other partitions, such as in the Advanced Wipe options in TWRP. If you select the system partition, than that will wipe the ROM. But again, its a completely different option and partition than internal storage.
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Sorry to ask again, seems I have to do it because my internal storage is almost full because of unnecessary "things".
So if I wipe the internal storage from TWRP, it will not affect the ROM, etc? So I don't need to flash any ROM again after wiping the internal storage?
Thank you, sir!

pryg said:
Sorry to ask again, seems I have to do it because my internal storage is almost full because of unnecessary "things".
So if I wipe the internal storage from TWRP, it will not affect the ROM, etc? So I don't need to flash any ROM again after wiping the internal storage?
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ROM is on the "system" partition, which is completely separate from internal storage. You will only wipe the ROM if you specifically choose to wipe the system partition in Advanced wipe options.
You will however, lose all personal data on internal storage if you wipe it, including TWRP backups. So its advised you copy TWRP backups to your computer or removable SD before wiping. You should always have a known good TWRP backup available, in my opinion.
ROM zips also take up a lot of space. If you've been doing a lot of ROM flashing you might clear up your storage problem simply by moving unneeded TWRP backups and ROMs to your computer.

redpoint73 said:
ROM is on the "system" partition, which is completely separate from internal storage. You will only wipe the ROM if you specifically choose to wipe the system partition in Advanced wipe options.
You will however, lose all personal data on internal storage if you wipe it, including TWRP backups. So its advised you copy TWRP backups to your computer or removable SD before wiping. You should always have a known good TWRP backup available, in my opinion.
ROM zips also take up a lot of space. If you've been doing a lot of ROM flashing you might clear up your storage problem simply by moving unneeded TWRP backups and ROMs to your computer.
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Thank you, sir. Where can I find the TWRP backups?

pryg said:
Thank you, sir. Where can I find the TWRP backups?
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TWRP>Backups>Serial number

will this work? twrp backup/restore

I'm on 4.7.6 and backup everything with twrp except system (use system img instead) then flash ob1 and say I don't like it. Can I clean flash 4.7.6 full zip then re flash twrp then restore the backup? Will this work without data loss?

I didn't test it myself but it definitely should. Make sure to use the same TWRP you backed it up with at the beginning and keep in mind that Non-OxygenOS Oreo builds might use keystore3 (making some TWRPs unable to decrypt /data).
Remove any PIN or password before you restore the backup and you should be fine
And don't forget that TWRP doesn't save the SD card or internal storage. Only /data without /data/media

Macusercom said:
I didn't test it myself but it definitely should. Make sure to use the same TWRP you backed it up with at the beginning and keep in mind that Non-OxygenOS Oreo builds might use keystore3 (making some TWRPs unable to decrypt /data).
Remove any PIN or password before you restore the backup and you should be fine
And don't forget that TWRP doesn't save the SD card or internal storage. Only /data without /data/media
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Yeah I'll be sure to remove the pin/pw. I'm using cordworkx uniserval twrp. Seems to be fine on 4.7.6 with flashing things.
Yeah data is what I need backed up. /data/media shouldn't be wiped anyway in any of this? I'll make a backup on my pc just in case.
Thanks for the reply

Problem after flashing wth global rom

Hello,
I get Xiaomi mix 2s global with:
-Unblocked bootloader
-Installed OrangeFox Recovery
-Installed some Android 10 pixel experience rom
I wanted back to original global rom with stock recovery and reblock bootloader, so i download Global Stable ROM V11.0.5.0.QDGMIXM, put to internal storage and install from OrangeFox.
And now, when I turn on the smartphone, it’s starts, restart and go again to OrangeFox recovery.
In log I have: “Android Rescue Party trigger! Wipe data and caches and/or clean-flash you ROM!"
OrangeFox disables forced encryption by default, and now I need to enabled encryption? How to do it?
So, How to fix it?
I want to back to original global rom with stock recovery and reblock bootloader, bu first I have t turn on system.
Thanks
EDIT:
After installatin PixelExperience_polaris-10.0-20200528-1111-OFFICIAL from OrangeFox, smartphone starts normally, now I want to back to stock rom, recovery and reblock bootloader.

If your bootloader unlocked try formatting your data in orange fox recovery and reboot and see if that fixes it. Just remember formatting data partition wipes everything on your device so anything you want to save be sure and transfer over to your PC first.

doesntwork
flash713 said:
If your bootloader unlocked try formatting your data in orange fox recovery and reboot and see if that fixes it. Just remember formatting data partition wipes everything on your device so anything you want to save be sure and transfer over to your PC first.
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I got the same error - Android Rescue Party trigger..." and bootlop.
EDIT:
But I wiped:
Dalvik / ART Cache
Cache
System
Data
Didn't wipe: Internal storage and Vendor.
After that, i installed Global stable V11.0.5.0.QDGMIXM and get the same error, but some settings have been saved - for example my pattern for unlocking.
EDIT:
I did: wipe all, reboot to twrp, flash ROM, and when I try format data, I get error:
Formatting Data using mke2fs...
mke2fs -t ext4 b...
Proces ebded with ERROR: 1
Unable to wipe Data.
Unable to format to remove encryption.
EDiT3:
Success!
I tried once more, and it's ok.
Solution:
1. Wipe all via recovery
2. reboot to recovery
3. flash rom
4. Format data partition (format, no wipe, if mke2fs doesn't work, try with rm-f)
5. Reboot system.
After that everything is ok, at the end uploading stock recovery via adb went without a any problem.
Thanks!

Just to help many others. The trick here, is to format data, not just wipe data from TWRP. You need to hit format data from the wipe menu and type "yes" to confirm. Some things need to be said in plain English.

MetallicGR said:
Just to help many others. The trick here, is to format data, not just wipe data from TWRP. You need to hit format data from the wipe menu and type "yes" to confirm. Some things need to be said in plain English.
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Thank you so much. I had formated the internal memory and working, no bootloop into recovery.

master_lam said:
Thank you so much. I had formated the internal memory and working, no bootloop into recovery.
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i did all the steps you did and i still had problems, any other solution?
Forget it, your steps worked for me too!

Unable decrypt FBE device

I flash rom EU stable v12.0.3 on my redmi note 9 pro 5g, after time of used, i wiped dalvik, cache, data without sign out of my google account. The system reboot and show a notice that my decive was not certified by play protect.
I flash china rom v12.0.3 by miflash and flash twrp 3.5.2. But it cannot decrypt storage.
I flash china rom and twrp again, the same result. What's happen with my device and what can i do now. Thanks for your help so much.

Did you format data? This is different from wipe data
Format data is the option on the right next to advanced wipe option.
Formatting data removes encryption so backup anything on internal storage first
After formatting data reboot back to recovery
If all else fails flash stock firmware via fastboot and start again

TheFixItMan said:
Did you format data? This is different from wipe data
Format data is the option on the right next to advanced wipe option.
Formatting data removes encryption so backup anything on internal storage first
After formatting data reboot back to recovery
If all else fails flash stock firmware via fastboot and start again
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After many times format data and try to connect with 3 pcs, i had an eu dev rom on my device. Because stable eu rom still notice about play protect. Hope that next eu stable rom will fix it.
Thanks bro alot!

[Q] How to decrypt data partition without losing data?

Hi there,
My phone doesn't boot to android and returns to recovery every time, after doing a dirty installation from ArrowOS 11 encrypted to 12 also encrypted.
I made a backup, but I selected the internal storage by fault.
And now TWRP doesn't ask me for a password, so I can't decrypt the data partition.
What I tried to fix the issue:
I tried to install more than one TWRP version included [Orange fox, PBRP, and a one called twrp_ginkgo-willow-3.4A9_23-12-2020_BL.img (this was one I used before with ArrowOS 11]
installed the last working firmware and the latest ArrowOS 11 as I can't find older versions.
decrypting the data with this command: "ADB shell twrp decrypt mypincode"
The last time this happened to me, I followed those steps:
I had to wipe all partitions and clean install the same previous ROM
Then I created the same pin code as my previous one
I created a backup of boot, Dtbo, and recovery
restored my data backup through TWRP
restored the boot, Dtbo, and recovery
wiped the Dalvik / Art Cache and Cache
The problem now is that I created the backup on the internal storage by fault. If someone made the same pin code as mine and created a backup of the boot, Dtbo, and recovery for me is it going to work?
Is there anything else I can do to recover my data?

QuietLife said:
The problem now is that I created the backup on the internal storage by fault. If someone made the same pin code as mine and created a backup of the boot, Dtbo, and recovery for me is it going to work?
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No, decryption key is unique
QuietLife said:
Is there anything else I can do to recover my data?
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If you already (sometime in the past) flashed DFE wih format data , then just flash DFE and clear chache/dalvik + reboot
if you never did it then i'm afraid there is no solution ,you have to format
Ask in DFE topic to make sure

loopypalm said:
No, decryption key is unique
If you already (sometime in the past) flashed DFE wih format data , then just flash DFE and clear chache/dalvik + reboot
if you never did it then i'm afraid there is no solution ,you have to format
Ask in DFE topic to make sure
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I didn't use it, but last time I didn't use it also and I restored my data, so I think I might have a chance.
Is there a way to backup the current encrypted data partition to a PC or a memory card?

QuietLife said:
I didn't use it, but last time I didn't use it also and I restored my data
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Some roms does not encrypt data by default, that was the case i think
QuietLife said:
Is there a way to backup the current encrypted data partition to a PC or a memory card?
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I never tried it (i never encrypt) so i'm not sure
you can change the bkp path in Ofox to USB (OTG) or SDCard and see if it work