Unbrick device: missing files? - Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite Questions & Answers

Hi
Weeks ago I started a thread at a more general level, and got no answer, so I presume my question/request should have been more device-focused.
My problem: unlock pattern is not accepted, at boot stage, after having fastboot flash_all_except_storage.sh, so it cannot decrypt userdata, therefore it doesn't boot. Not to say I cannot access my data.
Device: Xiaomi MiA2 Lite. Bootloader unlocked. Magisk rooted
What I did:
- "Justification": I just came from a trip with no connectivity, too tired (without giving a second thought), resolved several family tech issues, and as I've had not problem upgrading the same device from a relative with the same configuration, I made no backup of mine.
- I was trying to upgrade from 10.0.10.0 to 10 10.0.12.0, but OTA was sistematically failing, despite I'd followed the same recommended procedure than in my relatives':
the Magisk uninstall - OTA_update - Magisk install_on_empty_slot procedure.
- I first tried flashing stock boot, in order to override the OTA error. What I got is the system destroy message!
- At that moment I only new about the fastboot file from xiaomi, that only shows 10.0.9.0.
Downloaded it, and ran (downgraded) the flash_all_except_storage.sh of this version.
It seemed to work well until I got stuck in "incorrect pattern" (previous to the full boot)
What I tried:
- I repeated the flashing, just in case, with no success.
- Also tried to access userdata with twrp-3.3.0-0 and 3.3.1-dees_troy. No success.
- Then, too late (don't know why this xiaomi doesn't upload the latest), I found at xda-dev newer fastboots images (10.0.10.0 and 10.0.12.0). Tried to flash_all_except_storage, but not changes at all.
- I have no doubt on my pattern
- Important: I got the warning of 9 attempts left (hope that the ones within TWRP do not count).
So my "request":
- The most important: any help on how could I regain access to my userdata partition?
Let me add that I have a previous unencrypted TWRP userdata backup (only that partition), from a few months before. It contains a /persist/data directory
Could I get any file from it that is part of the encryption process? (I can see, for instance, keymaster64)
In this case, what should I do?
- and, secondly, (I guess some of you have a good level, obviously not me): what could have broken the access to the userdata? In my previous mobiles, flashing boot, system or vendor caused not problems to me. I ask it because it's not my first problem rooting this 2 slot device.
Thanks in advance

Related

[RECOVERY][Unofficial][amami] TWRP 3.4.0

Finally there is a TWRP capable of decrypting /data on android versions > nougat.
Big thanks @NeoArian
I haven't tested everything in detail as I mostly focused on decryption. If you experience issues or can confirm something working that's not green in the table down below, please share.
Code:
#include <std_disclaimer.h>
/*
* Your warranty is now void.
*
* We are not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards,
* thermonuclear war or you getting fired because the alarm app failed. Please
* do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this ROM
* before flashing it! YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if
* you point the finger at us for messing up your device, we will laugh at you. Hard & a lot.
*
*/
Status
List template by TWRP
Code:
[B]Blocking checks[/B]
- [COLOR="green"]Correct screen/recovery size[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]Working Touch, screen[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]Backup to internal/microSD[/COLOR]
- Restore from internal/microSD
- [COLOR="green"]reboot to system[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]ADB[/COLOR]
[B]Medium checks[/B]
- update.zip sideload
- [COLOR="green"]UI colors (red/blue inversions)[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]Screen goes off (and on :))[/COLOR]
- F2FS/EXT4 Support, exFAT/NTFS where supported
- [COLOR="green"]all important partitions listed in mount/backup lists[/COLOR]
- backup/restore to/from external (USB-OTG) storage
- backup/restore to/from adb
- [COLOR="green"]decrypt /data[/COLOR]
- Correct date
[B]Minor checks[/B]
- MTP export
- [COLOR="green"]reboot to bootloader[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]reboot to recovery[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]poweroff[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]battery level[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]temperature[/COLOR]
- encrypted backups
- [COLOR="green"]input devices via USB (USB-OTG) - keyboard, mouse[/COLOR]
- USB mass storage export
- [COLOR="green"]set brightness[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]vibrate[/COLOR]
- [COLOR="green"]screenshot[/COLOR]
Limitations
Following limitations are known:
none
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
prerequisites
For reboot to recovery from your android system (and OTA updates) your ROM needs the following patches 1, 2 and 3. Following ROM's currently support this:
AICP 14
AICP 15
LineageOS 15
LineageOS 16
LineageOS 17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For correct time inside TWRP your ROM needs the following patch. Following ROM's currently support this:
AICP 15
LineageOS 16
LineageOS 17
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download
SourceForge
AndroidFileHost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to build
https://github.com/115ek/manifest#build-twrp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XDA:DevDB Information
[RECOVERY][Unofficial][amami] TWRP 3.4.0, Tool/Utility for the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Contributors
115ek, NeoArian
Source Code: https://github.com/115ek/twrp_device_sony_amami
Version Information
Status: Beta
Created 2019-08-25
Last Updated 2020-08-22
Changelog
15.09.2020 3.4.0-1
again: fix non working OTA update in rare cases (rebooting to recovery and stucking there unable to install update automatically)
22.08.2020 3.4.0-0
latest TWRP changes
29.02.2020 3.3.1-0.4
display sony bootlogo at boot
show version number
remove TWRP app
19.09.2019 3.3.1-0.3
fix non working OTA update (rebooting to recovery and stucking there unable to install update automatically)
05.09.2019 3.3.1-0.2
enable reboot to bootloader (fastboot mode) (you have to connect the phone via usb BEFORE rebooting)
25.08.2019 3.3.1-0.1
decrease size
allow decryption in any case of patchlevel value
25.08.2019 3.3.1-0
initial release
Reserved
Backup to microSD seems to be working fine (haven't restored anything yet):good:
I uploaded a new build 3.3.1-0.1 with decreased size and a "more clean" way to allow /data decryption.
Furthermore I thought about getting this official.
BTW: You won't see the increased version number in TWRP. It's still 3.1.1-0
115ek said:
I uploaded a new build 3.3.1-0.1 with decreased size and a "more clean" way to allow /data decryption.
Furthermore I thought about getting this official.
BTW: You won't see the increased version number in TWRP. It's still 3.1.1-0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thank you for this build. I was waiting to try Pie on my z1 compact and I'm glad I did because the version of TWRP was blocking my use of encryption.
Sadly I didn't have luck installing the latest builds (the ones from 3 days ago and one week ago) on my Z1 Compact. I got this error:
Code:
fastboot: core/libsparse/sparse.cpp:131: int write_all_blocks(struct sparse_file *, struct output_file *): Assertion `pad >= 0' failed.
When trying to flash to recovery partition. The same command worked to flash back to 3.2.3 (not sure if necessary, done just in case). If there's any way you could look into these builds I'd appreciate it!
bananabytes said:
Hi, thank you for this build. I was waiting to try Pie on my z1 compact and I'm glad I did because the version of TWRP was blocking my use of encryption.
Sadly I didn't have luck installing the latest builds (the ones from 3 days ago and one week ago) on my Z1 Compact. I got this error:
Code:
fastboot: core/libsparse/sparse.cpp:131: int write_all_blocks(struct sparse_file *, struct output_file *): Assertion `pad >= 0' failed.
When trying to flash to recovery partition. The same command worked to flash back to 3.2.3 (not sure if necessary, done just in case). If there's any way you could look into these builds I'd appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What command did you use?
Code:
fastboot flash recovery
or
Code:
fastboot flash FOTAKernel
Do you have the newest bootloader installed? So can you boot directly into recovery with VOL down and power pressed (with 3.2.3 version where flashing was successful)?
Or do you use the method with pressing VOL down when the LED lights up?
EDIT:
By looking at your error code I get the feeling it has something to do with fastboot directly. libsparse is a build dependency of the fastboot binary.
What version of fastboot are you using?
I'm using fastboot installed from the packetmanager with
Code:
apt install fastboot
.
Code:
fastboot --version
gives fastboot version 1:8.1.0+r23-5~18.04.
This would mean 27.0.0 or 27.0.1 according to this scheme. I don't know why they are using different naming schema
However, I'd guess you're using an outdated version (or a very current one - but I don't think so).
115ek said:
What command did you use?.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used fastboot flash recovery, with the newest bootloader. This time I got into recovery by selecting it in my older TWRP because I always get the up/down method mixed up, I have done it before it's just easier that way.
115ek said:
By looking at your error code I get the feeling it has something to do with fastboot directly. libsparse is a build dependency of the fastboot binary.
...
However, I'd guess you're using an outdated version (or a very current one - but I don't think so).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am actually indeed using a very current version, 29.0.2 (so your second less likely guess was correct!) I'm on Manjaro/Arch so we get the bleeding edge updates unlike if you are on a Debian/Ubuntu system that's tied to a lot of different libraries and held back. This is exactly why I stopped using those distros but this is the first time I've had the problem in reverse. I don't know if this is a bug that was introduced into fastboot or what. I do see that the more recent versions have things to do with partitioning. This may be a bug to open with fastboot or to look into further with them? But if it's not a bug with them it would be good to have the build working on the latest fastboot.
bananabytes said:
I used fastboot flash recovery, with the newest bootloader. This time I got into recovery by selecting it in my older TWRP because I always get the up/down method mixed up, I have done it before it's just easier that way.
I am actually indeed using a very current version, 29.0.2 (so your second less likely guess was correct!) I'm on Manjaro/Arch so we get the bleeding edge updates unlike if you are on a Debian/Ubuntu system that's tied to a lot of different libraries and held back. This is exactly why I stopped using those distros but this is the first time I've had the problem in reverse. I don't know if this is a bug that was introduced into fastboot or what. I do see that the more recent versions have things to do with partitioning. This may be a bug to open with fastboot or to look into further with them? But if it's not a bug with them it would be good to have the build working on the latest fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please verify that you also fail with the fastboot binary from here
It's also 29.0.2 and it works fine for me.
I have tried this version with LOS 16 and it worked well. Some things to improve
boot to fastboot is not possible
backup and restore of boot is not possible
good catch with encryption, I have give it up :good:
Micha_Btz said:
boot to fastboot is not possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I actually didn't know this was possible in earlier versions. However it should work now --> see the changelog
You have to connect usb cable before rebooting to bootloader, otherwise it won't work and just reboot the system.
Micha_Btz said:
backup and restore of boot is not possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't confirm that. What exactly was the problem for you? Backing up or restoring? Did you got any errors?
Have had a look yesterday, Backup and restore of boot is possible (don't now what happends)
@115ek,
I have a mysterious problem with 3.3.1-0.0.and 3.3.1-0.1:
I used all twrp versions before without problems and now your twrp did not show the correct date (1970-xx-xx) and time (7-8 hours back).
I tried the following several times:
1. reflash your twrp, clear recovery and flash again,
2. flash older versions: date and time was wrong even after reboot
The only way to get the correct date/time back in twrp was (at least for me) flash stock ROM with EMMA and after flashing twrp 3.2.3 my backup.
I do not want to repeat this as this is a lot of work incl. copying back the internal storage.
tramp20 said:
@115ek,
I have a mysterious problem with 3.3.1-0.0.and 3.3.1-0.1:
I used all twrp versions before without problems and now your twrp did not show the correct date (1970-xx-xx) and time (7-8 hours back).
I tried the following several times:
1. reflash your twrp, clear recovery and flash again,
2. flash older versions: date and time was wrong even after reboot
The only way to get the correct date/time back in twrp was (at least for me) flash stock ROM with EMMA and after flashing twrp 3.2.3 my backup.
I do not want to repeat this as this is a lot of work incl. copying back the internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you try the latest version?
At first you have to set the right timezone in TWRP settings.
The time is stored in a real time clock (RTC) which runs even if the device is powered off. Setting and reading it's value is done by a kernel driver. If you set the right time in android system it gets stored in the RTC. Then, if you boot into TWRP, the time is read again. And for me this works fine. However it takes some seconds (there's a wrong time at the beginning).
115ek said:
Can you try the latest version?
At first you have to set the right timezone in TWRP settings.
The time is stored in a real time clock (RTC) which runs even if the device is powered off. Setting and reading it's value is done by a kernel driver. If you set the right time in android system it gets stored in the RTC. Then, if you boot into TWRP, the time is read again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I know this all, I tried reset to default in TWRP and set TZ etc. but these two mentioned TWRP versions do not read the RTC time (AICP ROM).
All TWRP versions before were ok. I tried this several times.
I noticed this "bug" on my Z1c after a backup with your TWRP (Date from 1970 and a complete false time even after setting the TZ).
Even after flashing one of the older TWRP date/time are wrong (only in TWRP), after booting to Android date/time is correct until I boot to TWRP again.
As I wrote the way back to a correct date/time in TWRP was for me flashing stock ROM with EMMA.
Where is this "kernel driver"? In your TWRP version or in a hidden partition? Sorry I do not know much of these internals.
I assume you did not change in the newest version something regarding this problem.
I have not the time to try the last version for now
Generic question re: encrypting this device
Installed this twrp version and (unlike others) I don't see anything strange. Only thing I haven't tried so far is restoring a nandroid backup I created with this twrp release.
A few days back after I had installed this the first time Itried to encrypt my phone; after a while I received the message that encryption was completed.
Then upon reboot of the device I had to unlock it even before boot sequence had started. Aftter unlocking booting resumed and from then on everything appeared to be as before.
This surprised me a bit because on my other phone (OnePlus6 running stock OOS Pie) I have to unlock after boot sequence has completed. But OK, this may be the LOS 16 way.
Then I devided to unencrypt the phone (this is my secondary device and I only use it for playing around a bit, until I decide to sell it, maybe). Again, from my OP6 I'm used to the fact that if I remove any device locking pattern encryption is gone. But obviously not on my Z1c: after I had removed the security pattern (= set security to nothing) everything appeared to be normal. But after the next reboot all data were gone.
Question: is there a supported way to unencrypt this phone without losing any data?
If there isn't such a way: what happens to my Nandroid backups I took while the phone was encrypted? Are they still usable e.g. after I install a ROM update?
tramp20 said:
Thank you. I know this all, I tried reset to default in TWRP and set TZ etc. but these two mentioned TWRP versions do not read the RTC time (AICP ROM).
All TWRP versions before were ok. I tried this several times.
I noticed this "bug" on my Z1c after a backup with your TWRP (Date from 1970 and a complete false time even after setting the TZ).
Even after flashing one of the older TWRP date/time are wrong (only in TWRP), after booting to Android date/time is correct until I boot to TWRP again.
As I wrote the way back to a correct date/time in TWRP was for me flashing stock ROM with EMMA.
Where is this "kernel driver"? In your TWRP version or in a hidden partition? Sorry I do not know much of these internals.
I assume you did not change in the newest version something regarding this problem.
I have not the time to try the last version for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing stock ROM isn't necessary - I'm 99% sure. Maybe you can get a log with
Code:
adb pull /tmp/recovery.log
while your in TWRP and connected to a PC...
The kernel driver is - as the name says - located in the kernel, which is part of the recovery.img
So everyone flashing this image should have the same functionality (in theory). As it works for me (and some others) I'm just wondering.
lm089 said:
Installed this twrp version and (unlike others) I don't see anything strange. Only thing I haven't tried so far is restoring a nandroid backup I created with this twrp release.
A few days back after I had installed this the first time Itried to encrypt my phone; after a while I received the message that encryption was completed.
Then upon reboot of the device I had to unlock it even before boot sequence had started. Aftter unlocking booting resumed and from then on everything appeared to be as before.
This surprised me a bit because on my other phone (OnePlus6 running stock OOS Pie) I have to unlock after boot sequence has completed. But OK, this may be the LOS 16 way.
Then I devided to unencrypt the phone (this is my secondary device and I only use it for playing around a bit, until I decide to sell it, maybe). Again, from my OP6 I'm used to the fact that if I remove any device locking pattern encryption is gone. But obviously not on my Z1c: after I had removed the security pattern (= set security to nothing) everything appeared to be normal. But after the next reboot all data were gone.
Question: is there a supported way to unencrypt this phone without losing any data?
If there isn't such a way: what happens to my Nandroid backups I took while the phone was encrypted? Are they still usable e.g. after I install a ROM update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The behaviour is totally expected as amami uses the deprecated full disk encryption (FDE). Most likely your oneplus 6 is using file based encryption (FBE). That's the reason it can boot to your lockscreen because some files necessary for booting aren't encrypted (or not encrypted using your password...). To boot a device with fully encrypted /data you have to decrypt it first. If you're interested in details have a look here.
The other thing sounds a bit strange. However I don't know if it's possible to remove the FDE completely. Maybe the device just sets a default password then?
Concerning your question:
What definitely should work is taking a backup in TWRP (of course need to decrypt /data before), then format /data and restore the backup. Anyhow - I didn't test such a case so far.
115ek said:
Flashing stock ROM isn't necessary - I'm 99% sure. Maybe you can get a log with
Code:
adb pull /tmp/recovery.log
while your in TWRP and connected to a PC...
The kernel driver is - as the name says - located in the kernel, which is part of the recovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing stock ROM was the only way that all older TWRP could read the correct date again after trying your twrp version.
I will try to get a log if I have enough time.
So the recovery.img = twrp.img or at least a part of it?
Thank you.
New update:
As I had problems with installing OTA updates (especially with /data encrypted, but not limited to) on LineageOS 16.0 I came up with a fix.
Download Currently only on sourceforge - android filehost is buggy at the moment...
19.09.2019 3.3.1-0.3
fix non working OTA update (rebooting to recovery and stucking there unable to install update automatically)
Edit:
As reminder for me / interested guys: This commit breaks the OTA updating in some cases (when mmap isn't sufficient). The buildflag
Code:
-D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64
doesn't work as intended on my setup. Maybe I missed something.
tramp20 said:
@115ek,
I used all twrp versions before without problems and now your twrp did not show the correct date (1970-xx-xx) and time (7-8 hours back).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the same time/date problem with twrp-3.3.1-0.3-amami.img
recovery.log >> https://pastebin.com/rBdHAmz2
Also does not reboot into the recovery from system (AICP 14), just shutdown and then power+volume down works.

[TWRP][JOAN][V30/V30+/V30S][UNOFFICIAL] 3.3.1-2, 2020-2-23, Pie Decryption, for N/O/P

This is the new thread for Pie & 10 TWRP Recovery 3.3.1-x​
Feature list:
- Pie stock ROMs are fully decryptable with this TWRP, either protected with secure startup or without :good: OREO encrypted userdata is not decryptable with 3.3 . However, if you're on encrypted oreo and update to pie stock, either via zip or kdz, crypto gets migrated and you're good to go in terms of access to your encrypted data with 3.3. So, with this recovery, the urgent need for flashing no-verity-opt-encrypt zip isn't really there anymore
- everything working: backup & restore even with encrypted userdata, no matter if it's from oreo or pie. If you restore a backup containing an encrypted userdata, you'll need to format userdata before, for crypto removal. But only when coming from another encrypted ROM, otherwise you can just restore, boot up (it will use the encryption settings you"ve set up) ; decryption; time & dat; mtp; adb; installing of ROMs and zips in general; themeable; .........
- Possibility to leave out lockscreen settings when restoring a backup (sometimes you were forced to delete them manually, otherwise no login into your restored ROM possible -.- You can bypass this with this. Note: lockscreensettings ≠ encryption pin/pw/pattern.)
- Time and date is shown correctly, independent of /data. This should work after a few boots of ROM and TWRP, TWRP needs to get the data once and later on it will then be calculated from persist's settings file.
- modem image support: backup, restore, flashing of modem images either taken directly from kdz or diskdump. Same for OP partition (not present on USA and some others possibly)
- For removing encryption completely you can now do it as already known, via format userdata. Crypto is removed with it now again.
- busybox instead of toolbox/toybox, for better zip compatibility as it looks for now
- Pie 3.3.1-x: compiled with full 9.0 TWRP sources
- capable of installing every ROM and zip files
- some extra partitions (see below)
Don't forget your timezone settings after flashing. Also there are some extra partitions you can mount/backup/flash/explore, like LAF, persist-LG and OP configs. There's the thought of some people to flash TWRP as a second copy to LAF partition to be on the sure side when it comes to ROM switching or sth like that. You can do this, anyway it's not really recommended (by me and some others) because you'll lose download mode, but you now have the option.
For extra partitions: Some of them are needed for decryption (modem / persist-lg (drm)), some are for VoLTE (OP), time is stored on /persist/time (and /data/vendor/time), modem should be known and the LAF partition should be known already too (described above).
For decryption: it works as it should. Therefore it is a little bit tricky to restore a backup of a ROM which had encrypted userdata, when you'd installed any other ROM in between. There are some points to remember when restoring, a little guide is available in old thread's third post (https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77839649&postcount=3), and some tipps too.
Some instructions:
How to flash?
If starting fresh with an unmodified phone, this thread should help you installing it
When you already have TWRP installed, you can flash this recovery from within TWRP:
- Copy the new image file to one of your phone storages
- Tap "Install"
- Tap "Install image" button, located down right
- Locate your downloaded image and select it
- Select "recovery" from the list which shows up then
- Install; and reboot to recovery after installing immediately, don't use it for any other tasks until rebooted pls, as it may not function. Things can go bollox when phone wasn't rebooted to recovery after installing.
And of course you can flash it via fastbootmode. Reboot to bootloader (adb reboot bootloader; when magisk is installed, you can use magisk manager => module => menu on the top right => reboot to bootloader. You can reboot to recovery from there too) and then:
fastboot flash recovery <twrp-image-name.img>
How to (re)boot to TWRP?:
If your phone is rooted:
- Magisk has options to reboot to different targets like bootloader or recovery, but this menu is a little bit hidden: you can access it by starting Magisk.Manager, going to the "Module" menu, tapping on the three dot menu on the top right. Then select your target
- If a terminal emulator is installed, open it, type "su" followed by enter and type "reboot recovery"
- You can do the same with an adb shell, open a shell and type the commands from above, they're the same
- There also are apps for rebooting to recovery or other targets. Just search around in PlayStore
- The good old "button dance" When phone is powered off, press the volume down key and power button at the same time. When a first sign of life is seen on display, immediately release the power button, but just to instantly press it again. A menu will show, which wants you to do a factory reset: do it You have to confirm this two times, and afterwards TWRP will boot without performing a factory reset. TWRP is compiled with a flag which recognizes this procedure and hinders the bootloader to pass the command for factory resetting.
This time no optional version of TWRP is available, it's "one for all". This TWRP works for every V30 model, and only for them. I removed vendor partition too btw, there isn't any active development about that, so it's useless and only confuses ppl. DataImage function is available.
If you want to use data_image, system_image or internal storage included in data backup, first check your filesystem on your external sdcard. It needs to be capable of writing big files, which isn't the case with fat/fat16/fat32. You need exFAT (for stock) or ext4/ntfs (only available with custom kernel and/or AOSP based builds).
CHANGELOG:
February 23rd, 2020, TWRP 3.3.1-2:
- corrected blocksize for formatting crypto related partitions
- included timezone data, maybe helps some ppl with time still not showing correct; should speed up time calc
- used pre-compiled full mke2fs and e2fsdroid binaries
- enabled ntfs experimental support (rw in kernel, NTFS_3G flag in twrp / ofox)
- minimal tweaks
- enabled F2FS and NTFS support
January 1st, 2020, TWRP 3.3.1-1:
- Formatting problem solved, TWRP now removes crypto as it should when user initiates a data format
- small fixings like checkbox layout in restore menu
- Moved a LOGERR to LOGINFO: "E: Unable to decrypt FBE device". Couldn't get rid of it with our needed config...
Dec. 30th, 2019, TWRP 3.3.1-0:
- initial first version
- almost everything working like in 3.2 oreo TWRP
- Formatting your device doesn't remove crypto from disk, so a "fresh" (formatted) userdata gets disturbed by old security lock
DOWNLOADS:
Nougat, Oreo and Pie capable 3.3.1-0 TWRP, but decrypting support only for PIE (AOSP untested, stock confirmed):
Download links below (always the latest and newest only; one version for all):
File name: TWRP-JOAN-3312_2020-02-23.img
MD5sum: 2fd78a606b65274977f1cd63080d5f23
MAIN Download: MEGA, TWRP-JOAN-3312_2020-02-23.img
As always: Use it at your own risk! You are the one who changes stuff on your phone, I'm not responsible for anything which happens to your phone. TWRP is powerful, be careful at what you do with it :good: And it just works.
All you need to compile this yourself:
[url]https://github.com/seader/android_device_lge_joan-twrp[/url]
[url]https://github.com/minimal-manifest-twrp/platform_manifest_twrp_omni[/url]
[url]https://github.com/seader/android_kernel_lge_msm8998[/url] (not really needed as a prebuilt kernel is used)
[url]https://github.com/seader/bootable_recovery-twrp[/url] (copy of twrp recovery with the stuff added. Pie is "encrypt-9.0" branch. omni's android-9.0 branch almost fully compatible, beside not being able to remove crypto (dirty hack, sry )
Much appreciated for your hard work. Twrp after all is the base for all customization
Thanks!
sure, enjoy it
btw, is there someone with oreo encrypted...? would be nice to know if it's decryptable with this new twrp too, and we therefore only need this one (and the other one can be archived...?)?
which is spoken very early, there's a lot left to do for 3.3 running really flawlessly. but, of course, this will be continued and being further worked on :good: starting right now xD
@ChazzMatt: it will take a while until wtf can be updated with this new one here. this is in an late beta stage, it works but has some quirks left. nothing that can destroy a phone but this twrp isn't fully working at this point of time and therefore not possible to use "in productive threads".
Everything works as well as the previous stable recovery.
I have tried:
1. backing up and restoring ROMs
2. Flashing, ROMs(stock pie and aosp Q), kernels and other mods.
Big thanks ??
In my case time is still not correct, I have to choose a different timezone compared to actual.... When booted up normally, it is correct.
kanehun said:
In my case time is still not correct, I have to choose a different timezone compared to actual.... When booted up normally, it is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it needs some boots and reboots to recovery. after setting up everything it showed in twrp as it should :good: i'll add the tzdata back, a registry of all timezones, used for calculation of time, maybe it helps.
Time zone is beyond screwed up, 3 hours off without DST. Also, I'm on Oreo and it's asking for the decrypt password to access internal SD.Going back to 3.2.3-7.
ldeveraux said:
, I'm on Oreo and it's asking for the decrypt password to access internal SD.Going back to 3.2.3-7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using the Pie compatible Decryption Disabler and then Reformatting data...
Have you tried flashing the @Zackptg5 Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019 (encryption disabler) before reformatting?
Flash Magisk,
Flash Pie-compatible encryption disabler,
Flash JohnFawkes Root Checker disabler,
Reformat data (where you type yes),
Reboot to recovery from within TWRP,
Flash Magisk AGAIN,
Reboot phone.
See this post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79972563&postcount=107
_____________
7. MORE TWRP ACTIONS - Now turn off data encryption and install essential items… all in TWRP:
(This is not a "menu" in TWRP, it's merely a list of what you NEED to do before booting to the OS)
a. Wipe Data – Factory Reset
b. Install – set storage to the External SD (if you have a microSD card) OR drag necessary files over from PC once in TWRP.
c. Install the Magisk zip. (This is to give the encryption disabler root privileges)
d. Install @Zackptg5 Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019 (encryption disabler).
e. Install @JohnFawkes AnyKernel 3 RCTD Remover (root checker disabler); this disables LG's firmware root checks, which may impede performance.
f. FORMAT DATA (Select WIPE, then FORMAT DATA, then select yes.)
Do NOT delete your OS, but you do need to FORMAT your data , not just "wipe" it this time. Otherwise you may get an encryption error when you boot up the first time. If you get any red mount errors, go back to the TWRP reboot menu and select reboot to recovery and try to FORMAT DATA again. Then, after successfully formatting...
g. Reboot – "Reboot Recovery" from TWRP reboot menu (choose to reboot back to Recovery). Now that the data partition has been formatted, TWRP needs to reload the recovery partition for usage. If you skip this step, when Magisk is installed again below, it may think that /data is still encrypted and set "preserve force encryption". This is also a good sanity check that LG encryption has been removed from /data.
h. Re-flash the Magisk zip again. (This is to make sure, due to Pie changes.)
i. Reboot – to System (NOW you are finally rebooting your phone! Until now this whole section has been done within TWRP.)
ChazzMatt said:
Try using the Pie compatible Decryption Disabler and then Reformatting data...
Have you tried flashing the @Zackptg5 Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019 (encryption disabler) before reformatting?
Flash Magisk,
Flash Pie-compatible encryption disabler,
Flash Root Checker disabler,
reformat data (where you type yes),
reboot to recovery from within TWRP,
flash Magisk AGAIN,
reboot phone.
See this post: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79972563&postcount=107
_____________
7. MORE TWRP ACTIONS - Now turn off data encryption and install essential items… all in TWRP:
(This is not a "menu" in TWRP, it's merely a list of what you NEED to do before booting to the OS)
a. Wipe Data – Factory Reset
b. Install – set storage to the External SD (if you have a microSD card) OR drag necessary files over from PC once in TWRP.
c. Install the Magisk zip. (This is to give the encryption disabler root privileges)
d. Install @Zackptg5 Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_08.18.2019 (encryption disabler).
e. Install @JohnFawkes AnyKernel 3 RCTD Remover (root checker disabler); this disables LG's firmware root checks, which may impede performance.
f. FORMAT DATA (Select WIPE, then FORMAT DATA, then select yes.)
Do NOT delete your OS, but you do need to FORMAT your data , not just "wipe" it this time. Otherwise you may get an encryption error when you boot up the first time. If you get any red mount errors, go back to the TWRP reboot menu and select reboot to recovery and try to FORMAT DATA again. Then, after successfully formatting...
g. Reboot – "Reboot Recovery" from TWRP reboot menu (choose to reboot back to Recovery). Now that the data partition has been formatted, TWRP needs to reload the recovery partition for usage. If you skip this step, when Magisk is installed again below, it may think that /data is still encrypted and set "preserve force encryption". This is also a good sanity check that LG encryption has been removed from /data.
h. Re-flash the Magisk zip again. (This is to make sure, due to Pie changes.)
i. Reboot – to System (NOW you are finally rebooting your phone! Until now this whole section has been done within TWRP.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that's an insane amount of hassle for no apparent gain! I'm just sticking with the older TWRP [emoji6]
ldeveraux said:
No, that's an insane amount of hassle for no apparent gain! I'm just sticking with the older TWRP [emoji6]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you already on a decrypted ROM using the older version of TWRP? Trying to figure out if the same encrypted internal storage situation will happen to me if I bother to try this Pie version of TWRP. Just would stick with Oreo TWRP if it's going to be this whole hassle to upgrade.
Thanks!
:victory: thank you seadersn!
ldeveraux said:
No, that's an insane amount of hassle for no apparent gain! I'm just sticking with the older TWRP [emoji6]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the exact steps people have to do when installing TWRP to work with bootloader unlocked Pie KDZ.
We needed new Encryption Disabler and we needed new Root Checker Disabler and we needed to flash Magisk twice.
The order of steps had to be rewritten besides new files.
Those have been in effect ever since EU H930 got Pie. Works on Oreo AND Pie bootloader unlocked KDZ.
drewcu said:
Were you already on a decrypted ROM using the older version of TWRP? Trying to figure out if the same encrypted internal storage situation will happen to me if I bother to try this Pie version of TWRP. Just would stick with Oreo TWRP if it's going to be this whole hassle to upgrade.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the TWRP flashable US99820H, so no clue
ChazzMatt said:
It's the exact steps people have to do when installing TWRP to work with bootloader unlocked Pie KDZ.
Those have been in effect ever since EU H930 got Pie.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess. I don't have Pie and don't plan on updating soon. I don't even know what the decryption password was all about. My TWRP was working fine, I've learned one thing with Android: if it ain't broke...
ldeveraux said:
I'm on the TWRP flashable US99820H, so no clue
I guess. I don't have Pie and don't plan on updating soon. I don't even know what the decryption password was all about. My TWRP was working fine, I've learned one thing with Android: if it ain't broke...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any TWRP flashable ROM was likely decrypted and is similar to my situation (except I'm on Pie VS99630c). Sounds like upgrading to TWRP 3.3.1 Pie is more hassle than it's worth and I'll stay put.
Thanks.
ldeveraux said:
I'm on the TWRP flashable US99820H, so no clue
I guess. I don't have Pie and don't plan on updating soon. I don't even know what the decryption password was all about. My TWRP was working fine, I've learned one thing with Android: if it ain't broke...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure. I'm still on stock rooted Oreo firmware, also.
But those two new files, different order of steps work with both Oreo AND Pie Bootloader Unlocked KDZ with 3 2.3.7 -- whereas the older method and (with original decryption and root check disabler files) were in place before Pie.
WTF has always had decryption and root check disabler files and reformat of data to install TWRP.
What's different now is newer files to be effective on Pie KDZ as well as different order of steps -- as well as flashing Magisk at the beginning and again at the end.
I am hoping those files and steps also work with this new TWRP 3.3.1.
---------- Post added at 05:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
drewcu said:
Any TWRP flashable ROM was likely decrypted and is similar to my situation (except I'm on Pie VS99630c). Sounds like upgrading to TWRP 3.3.1 Pie is more hassle than it's worth and I'll stay put.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those files and steps I posted work with all Pie KDZ on 3.2.3.7. If they don't work on this 3.3.1 that's strange.
ChazzMatt said:
Sure. I'm still on stock rooted Oreo firmware, also.
But those two new files, different order of steps work with both Oreo AND Pie Bootloader Unlocked KDZ with 3 2.3.7 -- whereas the older method and (with original decryption and root check disabler files) were in place before Pie.
WTF has always had decryption and root check disabler files and reformat of data to install TWRP.
What's different now is newer files to be effective on Pie KDZ as well as different order of steps -- as well as flashing Magisk at the beginning and again at the end.
I am hoping those files and steps also work with this new TWRP 3.3.1.
---------- Post added at 05:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
Those files and steps I posted work with all Pie KDZ on 3.2.3.7. If they don't work on this 3.3.1 that's strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on John Fawkes' Pie VS99630c TWRP flashable ZIP using TWRP 3.2.3.7. The concern is whether upgrading TWRP to 3.3.1 is as simple is flashing the IMG file within TWRP 3.2.3.7, or whether we'll have to reflash multiple things in a whole list of steps. If it's the latter, then why not just stay on TWRP 3.2.3.7 which seems to do everything we need in terms of flashing Pie ROMs?
ChazzMatt said:
Those files and steps I posted work with all Pie KDZ on 3.2.3.7. If they don't work on this 3.3.1 that's strange.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's only formatting data switched to "fastboot -w" (reformats cache and data) or "fastboot erase userdata" (reformats data). both remove eventually present encryptions. everything else works like in the default wtf recovery :good: and that's really an enerving point... i want to simply format my userdata in twrp and not have to switch to fastboot...
formatting now works :good:
drewcu said:
I am on John Fawkes' Pie VS99630c TWRP flashable ZIP using TWRP 3.2.3.7. The concern is whether upgrading TWRP to 3.3.1 is as simple is flashing the IMG file within TWRP 3.2.3.7, or whether we'll have to reflash multiple things in a whole list of steps. If it's the latter, then why not just stay on TWRP 3.2.3.7 which seems to do everything we need in terms of flashing Pie ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's the first: flashing image easily. only thing is, as described above, removing encryption requires fastboot. atm not possible to do this in recovery as usual. therefore nod suitable for wtf thread, but for anybody else, especially the ones who have pie installed and want to acces their data in twrp when encrypted. i'll test oreo decryption compatibility soon, zip needs downloading time lol
oreo decryption compatibility not given with 3.3 but: you can easily migrate from encrypted oreo via fw zip to pie, it adopts the storage encryption then and 3.3 is able to unlock :good: i've got a solution for 3.3 not being able to remove encryption: i keep a copyof 3.2.3-7 image on external sd and install it when formatting needed xD then back to 3.3 and good to go.
workaround no more needed, working now

[SOLVED] Help Flashing Lineage OS

EDIT:SOLVED -- READ BELOW:
I finally got it flashed by following a few guides here which I will link, and try to break it down easier for someone else to come across and follow. I thought I bricked my phone (flashed LineageOS then rebooted, phone did not show anything on screen, full black screen) but after following a few guides I got it solved.
If you get bricked, or just want to follow a clean perfect install, please start below (Skip to step 2 if you are starting fresh, if you have soft-bricked your device start from step 1)
1. Bricked it and had to execute QDLoader 9008 fix again.
Tutorial is easier than it looks, do not fear, if you have soft-bricked your device and see a black screen, go ahead and go through the qdloader brick solution.
2. From factory recovery updated to Version WW-16.1220.1909.193.
If you have started fresh, I would highly recommend updating to the more updated firmware first. For me this worked, and I suggest updating to get a more current kernel, which may play better with Lineage OS install. To install a newer stock firmware linked above, download the ~2GB Firmware above, and save it to your Minimal ADB / Fastboot folder. Power off your device, after it has been successfully restored (if you bricked it) or you want to start off fresh and get the install right the first time. With your device powered off, Hold Volume UP and then Hold Power Button until the Fastboot menu appears. Use your volume keys to select Recovery, then press Power button to enter the STOCK Recovery (we are still on stock firmware with stock recovery). When in stock recovery select install from ADB. We are going to push the install via ADB (I tried dragging the firmware to the internal and selecting install ZIP and that didnt work).
Go into your Minimal ADB / Fastboot folder on your computer and open command prompt by holding Shift+Control and Right clicking and then selecting open command prompt here.
Now, enter the following command in the command prompt and hit enter:
adb devices
This command will show if any fastboot device is connected. If it doesn’t show, then please check the drivers are installed properly and try again.
If your device is listed, then type the command given below and press enter:
adb sideload File_name.zip
^^This will be the ~2GB Firmware file downloaded above
Wait until the installation process completes.
Once the installation process is complete, restart your device.
Done. You have successfully upgraded the Asus ZenFone 6 to the newer firmware, please continue.
3. Downloaded OTA 16.1220.1909.193 to 16.1220.1909.194, renamed it to UL-ASUS_I01WD-ASUS-16.1220.1909.194-1.1.1-user.zip and placed into root of internal memory.
When I disconnected USB cable (or rebooted, not sure), I was prompted with update notification. I have updated it. Either way, reboot your device if you don't see the notification, and look in your notifications to see something saying: System Update Detected Proceed with Update - and select it and update.
4. Now that your phone is 100% Updated with the newest firmware, let's follow another guide I found here:
I assume you're on a fresh Android 9 stock ROM, or just finished restoring your phone with the Flashall_AFT.cmd from this tutorial.
You should at least boot once on the system, and disable any PIN or password to unlock your phone (hence putting a default password for the FBE).
Download the latest OFFICIAL TWRP.x.x.img (which we'll use to boot on it), and it's installer to install it later (TWRP.x.x.zip) if you want to use it.
LineageOS installation steps :
Reboot to bootloader (=fastboot mode), connect to your PC and boot on TWRP :
Command:
fastboot boot TWRP.x.x.img
Once on TWRP, you can see that we're on slot A (Menu > Reboot). Now go to wipe > factory reset and then wipe system (technically I suspect this only wipes slot A, but do it anyway, don't worry about the errors!)
Now go to Install > flash the newest official LOS_latest.zip. What happens here is that the LOS installer will flash LOS on the inactive slot (slot B in our case). And will also install the LOS recovery (on both slots it seems).
Reboot to recovery : your phone automatically switches slots and will boot the LineageOS recovery (Don't fear, we don't need TWRP right now, just go along with this step) on slot B.
On the LineageOS recovery, do factory reset (which seems to be a full /data format in fact, thus removing any previous encryption AND all your data on internal storage). If you want to use Magisk, go to the recovery's install menu and sideload it now
Use code:
adb sideload Magisk-v20.3.zip
Now reboot to system. It might take a while (one or 2 loops in my case), but your phone should boot, or in some cases will end up on LOS recovery asking for a 'factory data reset' (then do it and reboot again).
Once booted on your LOS rom, you can define a pin or password to lock your phone (that'll be the FBE decryption password).
Now if you want to use TWRP, reboot to bootloader and boot again on TWRP.img (step 1)
From TWRP > Install > flash TWRP.x.x.zip (that is, the TWRP installer). It installs on both slots by default. If you had installed Magisk, you have to flash it again (because anything modifying the boot.img - like the TWRP installer in our case - will erase it).
You can now reboot to system and enjoy LOS
Thanks for the nice documentation. I've recently also struggling with installing a custom ROM and this clears some things up.
Wanted to ask, if you also have the audio issue that 1) callers hear an echo of themselves, and 2) the bottom speaker is active when receiving a call?
Thanks.
abprie said:
Thanks for the nice documentation. I've recently also struggling with installing a custom ROM and this clears some things up.
Wanted to ask, if you also have the audio issue that 1) callers hear an echo of themselves, and 2) the bottom speaker is active when receiving a call?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't actually put my sim in yet to make calls, will let you know later today, sorry about the delay!
I had previously attempted this a number of months ago, and managed to soft brick my Zenfone 6 several times, eventually kind of giving up and just using the stock firmware.
I tried again back on Memorial Day in the US. This time around, I bricked it hard. Could not get device to power on in any fashion. PC would not "see" USB connection at all.
I returned it to ASUS for service, and they've charged me a little over $200 to repair it. The only problem they noted was, "Device is rooted/unlock". So I have no way of knowing if their diagnosis is based on actual inspection of the device, or if they're just replacing the SOC on the basis that I used their official bootloader unlock tool, thus registering my phone's S/N.
Just a little caveat emptor for anyone attempting to use this guide. I was able to get TWRP to load, and succesfully updated the stock firmware, but any and all attempts to load the Lineage image failed.
Eventually one of them soft bricked my phone as before, and I think my mistake was interrupting the soft brick rewrite procedure by prematurely unplugging my phone from the PC.
I had a similar issue: Bricked and totally unresponsive phone (or so I thought until I realised the screen was flashing very faintly when I switched off the lights - I could only tell in the dark due to how dim the flashing on the display was) where de "Powered by Android" logo kept flashing for a millisecond and in a loop. None of the button combinations worked so I couldn't switch completely off, access recovery/fastboot, and my computer wouldn't recognise the phone when I connected it via USB. I ended up buying an EDL cable for deep flashing Qualcomm phones (€9) and within minutes I was back up and running. All solved.
~SilverLad~ said:
I had a similar issue: Bricked and totally unresponsive phone (or so I thought until I realized the screen was flashing very faintly when I switched off the lights - I could only tell in the dark due to how dim the flashing on the display was) where de "Powered by Android" logo kept flashing for a millisecond and in a loop. None of the button combinations worked so I could switch completely off, access recovery/fastboot, and my computer wouldn't recognize the phone when I connected it via USB. I ended up buying an EDL cable for deep flashing Qualcomm phones (€9) and within minutes I was back up and running. All solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you post a link to where you purchased the cable?
abprie said:
Can you post a link to where you purchased the cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it from Amazon. The one I bought is out of stock now, but there are a lot of them available (from other brands/sellers). This one for example - is the one that most resembles the one I actually bought: https://www.amazon.es/ASHATA-tel%C3%A9fono-reparaci%C3%B3n-Adaptador-Engineering/dp/B086WZMFKW/ref=sr_1_18?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=cable+edl&qid=1597417614&sr=8-18
Since the thread is already on topic, could I flash lineage os while being on a custom rom? I have Bliss ROM on partition A and stock on B. Is it possible to have both Bliss and Lineage in dual boot?
Also, maybe a little off topic, the partition A/B scheme was intended to be used as a dual OS boot like normal PCs? Because right now I can select A and boot Bliss, select B and boot stock, I don't get why the procedure for flashing Lineage OS is so convoluted(requires having stock both on B and A?!) since both partition seems to be standalone and separated from each other.
~SilverLad~ said:
I bought it from Amazon. The one I bought is out of stock now, but there are a lot of them available (from other brands/sellers). This one for example - is the one that most resembles the one I actually bought: https://www.amazon.es/ASHATA-tel%C3%A9fono-reparaci%C3%B3n-Adaptador-Engineering/dp/B086WZMFKW/ref=sr_1_18?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=cable+edl&qid=1597417614&sr=8-18
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there, what's the process around using this cable?
vikashhero said:
Hey there, what's the process around using this cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cable itself (on its own), doesn't seem to "do" anything, but is paramount in reaching the right area, in order to fix the problem by means of the appropriate instructions and files. I can't recall where I ended up getting the right instructions from - as I researched quite a bit, and did a lot of "trial an error" before getting it right - so I'm sorry but I can't refer you directly to them via link (so that whoever posted them originally gets the credit they deserve), but this is what I ended up doing (on a WINDOWS machine) based on said instructions:
DOWNLOADS:
- Qualcomm drivers: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=11410963190603857508
- Firmware with scripts: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=1395089523397969054
- Latest official ASUS firmware from the ASUS webpage (download and place it in a memory card)
- (If you don't already have it on your WINDOWS machine): download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package
PROCEDURE:
1- Install the Qualcomm drivers
2- Unpack the downloaded firmware containing the scripts
3- Place the memory card in the phone's slot (with the latest official ASUS firmware already in it)
4- Power off the phone by VolumeDown + Power buttons (keep them pressed for about <25 seconds)
5- Connect the phone to the computer via the EDL cable and press the button on the EDL cable (there was an extra bit on what to do with a archive from the drivers file if your computer doesn't recognise the port straight away, but it wasn't necessary in my case so I didn't keep that step/archive name in my notes... I'm afraid you will have to search for it like I did if you come across that issue).
6- Start update_image_EDL.bat script from the unpacked firmware
7- After the script in step 6 finishes, start script flashall_AFT.cmd
8- Start bootloader
9- Go to stock recovery mode and install the ASUS firmware from the memory card
X- (Instructions also suggested to repeat steps 8 & 9 again at this point - for a second time - but in my case it wasn't needed)
I hope this helps.
~SilverLad~ said:
The cable itself (on its own), doesn't seem to "do" anything, but is paramount in reaching the right area, in order to fix the problem by means of the appropriate instructions and files. I can't recall where I ended up getting the right instructions from - as I researched quite a bit, and did a lot of "trial an error" before getting it right - so I'm sorry but I can't refer you directly to them via link (so that whoever posted them originally gets the credit they deserve), but this is what I ended up doing (on a WINDOWS machine) based on said instructions:
DOWNLOADS:
- Qualcomm drivers: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=11410963190603857508
- Firmware with scripts: https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=1395089523397969054
- Latest official ASUS firmware from the ASUS webpage (download and place it in a memory card)
- (If you don't already have it on your WINDOWS machine): download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Service Pack 1 Redistributable Package
PROCEDURE:
1- Install the Qualcomm drivers
2- Unpack the downloaded firmware containing the scripts
3- Place the memory card in the phone's slot (with the latest official ASUS firmware already in it)
4- Power off the phone by VolumeDown + Power buttons (keep them pressed for about <25 seconds)
5- Connect the phone to the computer via the EDL cable and press the button on the EDL cable (there was an extra bit on what to do with a archive from the drivers file if your computer doesn't recognise the port straight away, but it wasn't necessary in my case so I didn't keep that step/archive name in my notes... I'm afraid you will have to search for it like I did if you come across that issue).
6- Start update_image_EDL.bat script from the unpacked firmware
7- After the script in step 6 finishes, start script flashall_AFT.cmd
8- Start bootloader
9- Go to stock recovery mode and install the ASUS firmware from the memory card
X- (Instructions also suggested to repeat steps 8 & 9 again at this point - for a second time - but in my case it wasn't needed)
I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey buddy, I appreciate your reply. The cable is on its way but I got a bit fiesty and opened up the phone to short the two contacts. This did the trick for me, got me back into EDL mode, and I was able to flash the latest firmware. On that topic, I'm trying to find the most suitable firmware version to run LineageOS 17 on the phone. I grabbed Mauro's TWRP to temporarily boot into which allowed me to flash the latest Asus image from their site. I guell I'll just carry on from there.
vikashhero said:
Hey buddy, I appreciate your reply. The cable is on its way but I got a bit fiesty and opened up the phone to short the two contacts. This did the trick for me, got me back into EDL mode, and I was able to flash the latest firmware. On that topic, I'm trying to find the most suitable firmware version to run LineageOS 17 on the phone. I grabbed Mauro's TWRP to temporarily boot into which allowed me to flash the latest Asus image from their site. I guell I'll just carry on from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I understand, that's pretty much what the cable does actually... I also came across that method along my research, but I didn't want to risk opening the phone up. Since you are in the "flashing state": be careful with some of the instructions out there - I flashed through TWRP as I have been doing all these years with other phones, following specific instructions for each ROM I've tried, and I had nothing but issues until I flashed through ADB. I still don't know why I was getting the "No OS" warning all the time despite flashing correctly from TWRP (contemplating the A/B partitions matter), but none worked...
~SilverLad~ said:
As far as I understand, that's pretty much what the cable does actually... I also came across that method along my research, but I didn't want to risk opening the phone up. Since you are in the "flashing state": be careful with some of the instructions out there - I flashed through TWRP as I have been doing all these years with other phones, following specific instructions for each ROM I've tried, and I had nothing but issues until I flashed through ADB. I still don't know why I was getting the "No OS" warning all the time despite flashing correctly from TWRP (contemplating the A/B partitions matter), but none worked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciated but I'm all sorted. I believe my pitfall was not using the copy-partitions .zip file detailed in the instructions. I had no idea that was a thing. Was extra careful this time and now I'm on the ROM I need.
I ****ing hate A/B partitioned phones, makes custom ROMs such a chore. Sort of getting fed up with phones in general but at least this is working well for now.
vikashhero said:
Appreciated but I'm all sorted. I believe my pitfall was not using the copy-partitions .zip file detailed in the instructions. I had no idea that was a thing. Was extra careful this time and now I'm on the ROM I need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy to hear that Indeed be careful - this is a tricky phone...
vikashhero said:
I ****ing hate A/B partitioned phones, makes custom ROMs such a chore. Sort of getting fed up with phones in general but at least this is working well for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. It was so easy to do the Samsungs "back in the day", and you always had ODIN as a fallback if things went south. But this "A/B" partition nonsense (as well as other useless changes they introduce every time they "upgrade" Android, or certain structure modifications every so often when a new phone comes out) are a pain in the butt! Changes clearly aimed at making things more annoying/difficult for us people who don't want standard/corporate/unnecessarily bloated phones... Actually (as a former Blackberry user) I was tempted to get one of these Android based Blackberrys (the KEY2), but I didn't in the end precisely due to the fact that the bootloader can't be touched, and it can be rooted...
vikashhero said:
Appreciated but I'm all sorted. I believe my pitfall was not using the copy-partitions .zip file detailed in the instructions. I had no idea that was a thing. Was extra careful this time and now I'm on the ROM I need.
I ****ing hate A/B partitioned phones, makes custom ROMs such a chore. Sort of getting fed up with phones in general but at least this is working well for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to switch to because the latest security update (August 2020) by Asus is soft bricking the phone for many users,
but I am seeing a few reports about some bugs (like the phone is stuck in the lineage boot symbol and cellular errors) in lineage os and also seeing few post with a lot of installation errors (like soft and total bricking) etc. and for me in developers options I'm not seeing the OEM and advanced boot options.(in my asus stock os) I just found out that I have to download the Unlock Boot loader apk separately from asus and install it using command prompt so I don't know how to proceed.
Can you please elaborate on how you actually did it with your Asus Zenfone 6(2019), I am a total noob in this and I also couldn't understand the partition a and b parts too.

RN8P unknown baseband version

Love (how the hell can you love a machine??? - sorry, I guess I have NO imagination, maybe you can ...) this phone. BUT!! After backing up and restoring using LR TWRP a number of times, then using fastboot to flash_all the original ROM a number of times when I got into flashing problems, my cavalier approach backfired in one of these repetitive actions. Surprisingly, at least to me, I have both IMEI's listed on the status page, but a constant "unknown baseband" version. SIM setting is grayed-out, and I am only on WiFi. Flashing the original ROM (V 10.4.2.0) fixed nothing. Tried V 10.4.1.0, but I can't downgrade: luckily the phone wasn't bricked. Flashed Havoc V 2.9, hoping all partitions would be overwritten, then flashed MIUI V 10.4.2.0, but no change.
Have found no solution from Hovatek (stated flashing original ROM usually repairs the unknown baseband issue), or other sites searched from Google. Any procedure to solve this MTK issue on this phone would be most appreciated.
fastboot flash_all IS already deleting & overwriting all partitions, but I found sth interesting going on both my RN8P:
1. Sometimes both of the bluetooth MAC is gone on normal reboot, replaced by generic one 00:00:46:00:00:01 (yes, both got identical MAC).
2. One of the phone can't recognize SIM card after reboot, need another reboot to fix it.
Turned out that somewhere in upgrading to MIUI 11 Android 10 ver, it's corrupting some partitions: nvcfg, ncdata, nvram, vendor, persist, misc, cust.
Here's my fix:
1. Boot to TWRP
2. Mount those partitions then go to Advanced > Terminal, issue: mount to list the ID of the partitions
3. Unmount all partitions
4. Back to terminal, issue: e2fsck -fy /dev/block/sdcX where X is the parition ID corresponding to the list of mount above
5. It'll show that some partition is getting fixed, if done, just issue: sync
6. Reboot to MIUI, let it sit for 5 minutes, then reboot to TWRP again, redo all steps & you'll see it's still getting some errors, it's normal. Redo for 2 more times, it'll get fixed for good.
Something in the systems doesn't right, it kinda needs to readjust all the fixed partitions but in the process it also corrupting it again, therefore needing 2 - 3 more e2fsck as I said above.
Oh, if you're rooted & using AdGuard, NEVER USE Move Certificate module in the Magisk, it's the one contributing to those corruption.
Wow!! Thank you so much! I will follow each step and report what I've found.
So impressed with the detail you have given; thanks to have experts such as you willing to share.
Later ....
Crescendo Xenomorph said:
fastboot flash_all IS already deleting & overwriting all partitions, but I found sth interesting going on both my RN8P:
1. Sometimes both of the bluetooth MAC is gone on normal reboot, replaced by generic one 00:00:46:00:00:01 (yes, both got identical MAC).
2. One of the phone can't recognize SIM card after reboot, need another reboot to fix it.
Turned out that somewhere in upgrading to MIUI 11 Android 10 ver, it's corrupting some partitions: nvcfg, ncdata, nvram, vendor, persist, misc, cust.
Here's my fix:
1. Boot to TWRP
2. Mount those partitions then go to Advanced > Terminal, issue: mount to list the ID of the partitions
3. Unmount all partitions
4. Back to terminal, issue: e2fsck -fy /dev/block/sdcX where X is the parition ID corresponding to the list of mount above
5. It'll show that some partition is getting fixed, if done, just issue: sync
6. Reboot to MIUI, let it sit for 5 minutes, then reboot to TWRP again, redo all steps & you'll see it's still getting some errors, it's normal. Redo for 2 more times, it'll get fixed for good.
Something in the systems doesn't right, it kinda needs to readjust all the fixed partitions but in the process it also corrupting it again, therefore needing 2 - 3 more e2fsck as I said above.
Oh, if you're rooted & using AdGuard, NEVER USE Move Certificate module in the Magisk, it's the one contributing to those corruption.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay,
No luck here:
I have not upgraded to MIUI 11 Android 10. Still on MIUI 10 Android 9.
LR. TWRP has no mount for NVRAM or for MISC. What version of TWRP do you have?
No error messages for the other remaining sdc's - sync after each e2fsck commands. Reboot to system and still unknown baseband - repeated procedure twice, after waiting 5 and 7 minutes.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Move Certificate module and AdGuard - never installed it as it seemed to be not for Xiaomi.
ppthom said:
Okay,
No luck here:
I have not upgraded to MIUI 11 Android 10. Still on MIUI 10 Android 9.
LR. TWRP has no mount for NVRAM or for MISC. What version of TWRP do you have?
No error messages for the other remaining sdc's - sync after each e2fsck commands. Reboot to system and still unknown baseband - repeated procedure twice, after waiting 5 and 7 minutes.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Move Certificate module and AdGuard - never installed it as it seemed to be not for Xiaomi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is indeed not possible to mount an NVRAM partition, maybe the one referred to is the Mount System, you must first check the mount system to restore or backup.
for TWRP files you can adjust to your current Android Version, please check the following post.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/re...overy-twrp-recovery-redmi-note-8-pro-t4033695
Coffeemi said:
it is indeed not possible to mount an NVRAM partition, maybe the one referred to is the Mount System, you must first check the mount system to restore or backup.
for TWRP files you can adjust to your current Android Version, please check the following post.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/re...overy-twrp-recovery-redmi-note-8-pro-t4033695
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always find out something new. Thank you. No mount NVRAM partition. As far as mount, I thought that SYSTEM partition was always auto-mounted. Not so, it is DATA and CACHE. I have backed-up and restored with this understanding. My bad, again.
Also LR. TWRP is the 1104 version, my goto recovery, as I am always able to get out of trouble using it, except now with no baseband version. However, after using Flash_all, I have to boot into the basic system to make changes before I can restore one of my backups. In this default setup, the status lists no baseband and no IMEI. It is only on restore to my latest backup that both IMEI's are also restored, but not the baseband.
ppthom said:
I always find out something new. Thank you. No mount NVRAM partition. As far as mount, I thought that SYSTEM partition was always auto-mounted. Not so, it is DATA and CACHE. I have backed-up and restored with this understanding. My bad, again.
Also LR. TWRP is the 1104 version, my goto recovery, as I am always able to get out of trouble using it, except now with no baseband version. However, after using Flash_all, I have to boot into the basic system to make changes before I can restore one of my backups. In this default setup, the status lists no baseband and no IMEI. It is only on restore to my latest backup that both IMEI's are also restored, but not the baseband.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have properly saved a backup file of all modem and IMEI partitions, all modem data will definitely be restored, I'm sure not all of the modem partitions have been successfully backed up.
for the modem partition, sensor and IMEI, here are the names of the partitions.
- nvcfg
- nvdata
- nvram
- persist
- protect_f
- protect_s
make sure all the partition names are in your TWRP backup file.
Sent from my Redmi Note 8 Pro using XDA-Developers Legacy app
You should be able to do a DD if=/image.bin of=/dev/block/sdcX to fix if you don't have a TWRP backup
- nvcfg is sdc7
- nvdata is sdc8
- nvram is sdc18
- persist is sdc10
- protect_f is sdc11 labelled protect1
- protect_s is sdc12 labelled protect2
I assume protect_f and protect_s is protect1 and 2 but hopefully someone can confirm.
Coffeemi said:
if you have properly saved a backup file of all modem and IMEI partitions, all modem data will definitely be restored, I'm sure not all of the modem partitions have been successfully backed up.
for the modem partition, sensor and IMEI, here are the names of the partitions.
- nvcfg
- nvdata
- nvram
- persist
- protect_f
- protect_s
make sure all the partition names are in your TWRP backup file.
Sent from my Redmi Note 8 Pro using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have NOT "properly saved a backup file" with the modem partitions, and that is where my trouble lies. I am also not being reminded to set the SIM card info when booting up after flashing the stock 10.4.2.0 ROM, which is strange, because a week ago I was able to go back-and-forth between my restored backed-up files and the stock ROM. On first booting the stock ROM, I was reminded every 10 seconds that my SIM card was not correct (my card is only 3G and the default SIM setup was for LTE), interferring with setting up my WiFi for authenticating my Xiaomi account. Now, with an unknown baseband, the SIM is not recognised by the stock ROM, I can enter my WiFi account without interference; and there no entry for the baseband and nothing for the IMEI numbers.
As soon as my "not proper backup" is restored, the IMEI numbers are set correctly, but no baseband.
My goodness, I will see if anyone online can flash the stock zip file remotely and see if that corrects the problem.
Hey, thank you for paying attention to my problem, and I very much appreciate your time on this.
wang1chung said:
You should be able to do a DD if=/image.bin of=/dev/block/sdcX to fix if you don't have a TWRP backup
- nvcfg is sdc7
- nvdata is sdc8
- nvram is sdc18
- persist is sdc10
- protect_f is sdc11 labelled protect1
- protect_s is sdc12 labelled protect2
I assume protect_f and protect_s is protect1 and 2 but hopefully someone can confirm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you fellow Canadian :good:; I will try this as well. So great to have all these suggestions from people who know a hell of a lot more than I do. Thank you both Coffeemi and wang1chung.
ppthom said:
Okay,
No luck here:
I have not upgraded to MIUI 11 Android 10. Still on MIUI 10 Android 9.
LR. TWRP has no mount for NVRAM or for MISC. What version of TWRP do you have?
No error messages for the other remaining sdc's - sync after each e2fsck commands. Reboot to system and still unknown baseband - repeated procedure twice, after waiting 5 and 7 minutes.
Thanks for the heads-up on the Move Certificate module and AdGuard - never installed it as it seemed to be not for Xiaomi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better to use LR TWRP, it's the best for Xiaomi phone.
Sadly it's only available for Android 10 version. Better upgrade as Android 10 still way better than their 9 (too much bug).
Link to A10 LR-TWRP: https://mega.nz/file/Ad4TUTTA#_xT16vOzYK-O8qaWEHPYxfdi4wNpK5Ang9maN5iO_-U
If no error being corrected then sadly I dunno more except for hardware issue (baseband chip is broken, I saw one case in Mi Community forum). Hope not this case. :crying:
You're welcome friend. The Move Certificate module is for AdGuard actually, its to clear those network being monitored notification when you use AdGuard's HTTPS filtering.
Thank you Coffeemi, wang1chung and of course Crescendo Xenomorph. You've all paid attention to this problem, and it is very much appreciated.
Ok, ok. Not sure how I did not stumble accross this before, or, more likely, not paid attention to this procedure .
I choose to use RN8P with Miui V10.4.2.0 ROM. Gives me the most flexibility. Later Android versions restrict my wants, including using TWRP - just a personal opinion; yours may vary ...
Erased NVRAM and nvdata in this ROM, after having flashed it and rooted it, then installing X-plore File Manager apk (most other rooted file managers would work as well, if not better).
Rebooted, and the unknown baseband problem was solved, at least for me.
Then restored my latest TWRP backup of Data, Boot, System image, Vendor image and Cust image.
All seems well. No more unknown baseband, IMEI's listed as well as Bluetooth. Whew. So many good people out "there", and so many experts to thank. Thank you:good:.
ppthom said:
Ok, ok. Not sure how I did not stumble accross this before, or, more likely, not paid attention to this procedure .
I choose to use RN8P with Miui V10.4.2.0 ROM. Gives me the most flexibility. Later Android versions restrict my wants, including using TWRP - just a personal opinion; yours may vary ...
Erased NVRAM and nvdata in this ROM, after having flashed it and rooted it, then installing X-plore File Manager apk (most other rooted file managers would work as well, if not better).
Rebooted, and the unknown baseband problem was solved, at least for me.
Then restored my latest TWRP backup of Data, Boot, System image, Vendor image and Cust image.
All seems well. No more unknown baseband, IMEI's listed as well as Bluetooth. Whew. So many good people out "there", and so many experts to thank. Thank you:good:.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you provide me the steps. Because I'm having the same vesion but with IMEI Invalid. My phone accidently got update to MIUI 11 and the Baseband got ruined.!!!
Somehow Android 10 in this phone will corrupt something in nvdata if you do modification on the fly (somehow like they unable to load it properly, thus no baseband with corrupted BT MAC).
How to know if your BT MAC is corrupted? It'll default to 00:00:46:00:00:01.
BT MAC should be one step above WIFI MAC (if your WIFI MAC is AC:1C:05:AC:43:01, your BT should be AC:1C:05:AC:43:02).
Found the culprit: any Magisk version greater than 20.3 will cause this error on MTK devices.
Solution: use Magisk 20.3 stable, it's the only fix till the devs come up with the fix.

[GUIDE] [ROOT] Fix the Qualcomm CrashDump: Keep your data, apps and retain root.

This will not work if your phone bricked after updating to Android 12. You should use the MSM in this case. This guide details downgrading to an earlier version of Android 11 FROM a newer Android 11. You have been warned.
This evening after updating my phone (installing to inactive slot + flashing with Magisk as I have done many times before), I restarted only to receive a Qualcomm CrashDump.
Unlike what I've read online, my one seemed to be a bit more severe. I could not boot into recovery mode (black screen; had to power phone off) and entering Fastboot did not fix the issue. After spending several hours reading through XDA, Stack Overflow, various other sites etc I finally managed to get it fixed. Not only that, but I kept ALL my data AND my root. It's like nothing ever happened.
The issues I faced:
- Mistakenly had USB debugging off (which cannot be enabled when your phone is soft bricked). This made using ADB for initial diagnostics virtually impossible
- Recovery mode showed a black screen; not accessible.
- Installing TWRP, only to find my device passcode (PIN) wasn't allowing me to decrypt my phone data so I could make a backup
- My phone was buggered
How I solved it: Given recovery mode was blank, I flashed TWRP to my recovery drive via Fastboot to bring it back. Because USB debugging was OFF and TWRP wasn't decrypting my data (meaning I couldn't back up any data or download the ROM to my internal storage without wiping it), I activated ADB Sideload within TWRP and then used this to downgrade my version of OxygenOS! After a reboot I received the Qualcomm error one more time, before it continued to boot into OxygenOS with all my data intact.
Your bootloader should already be unlocked. If it isn't, chances are you will be saying goodbye to your data
These steps may not work for everybody, but I wanted to give back what I learned from this, and it was rather unconventional and against the grain of what others have suggested. With that said, do so at your own risk.
This is a simple guide. I will explain the tools you will need and how to fix the issue. Anything beyond that (i.e. installing SDK platform tools) can be researched.
This is written assuming you are on Windows, although the steps are generally quite similar.
Tools Needed:
A computer to download and install:
- SDK Platform Tools/ADB (https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools)
- TWRP for OnePlus 8 Pro (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...wrp-for-oneplus-8-8pro-official-beta.4341707/)
- OnePlus 8 Pro Drivers (You will need this installed if it isn't already for your phone to appear in SDK Platform Tools. You may need to disable driver signature enforcement on Windows 10)
- The version of OxygenOS you were running before the CrashDump occurred (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/oneplus-8-pro-rom-ota-oxygen-os-repo-of-oxygen-os-builds.4084315/)
Steps to take - Initial Setup and Installation of TWRP:
1. Download everything above and then install SDK Platform Tools + OnePlus 8 Pro Drivers if you don't already have them.
2. Enter Fastboot mode on your phone and then connect it to the computer.
3. Ensure the TWRP .img file is in the same directory as your SDK Platform Tools install
4. Open up command prompt with SDK Platform Tools installed and type in
Code:
fastboot devices
Confirm your device ID appears along with "fastboot" beside it.
4. If the device is being recognised, we're ready to install TWRP. Note: Remember your Bootloader must be unlocked for the next steps. While in Fastboot mode, your phone will tell you if your bootloader is locked or unlocked. Now that we've confirmed it is unlocked, Type in:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery_a twrpname.img
followed by:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery_b twrpname.img
5. You can now boot into recovery mode! On your phone, use the volume keys to navigate and choose Recovery so you can enter TWRP
Downgrading to an older version:
When I installed TWRP, I was horrified to see that I couldn't decrypt my phone with my pin code. Apparently this is an ongoing problem with TWRP and the ability to decrypt your phone data varies between devices and builds of TWRP.
1. Now that you have entered TWRP, enter the "Advanced" settings and enable "ADB Sideload".
2. On the computer, type in
Code:
adb devices
. You should see your device appear.
3. Ensure the OxygenOS file is in the same directory as your SDK Platform Tools install
4. Type in
Code:
adb sideload updatename.zip
and let it flash to your phone.
And that's it! Reboot your phone. You may receive the Qualcomm error one last time, so kiss that sucker goodbye with a final reboot (I pressed power + volume up but then it continued to boot as normal; much to my surprise) and you should be good to go.
Hope this helps. This is my first ever guide, but my phone bricked itself this afternoon and it took me 3-4 hours of research to figure out what to do. This community played its role in helping me, and I'm sure someone out there will appreciate this information - definitely wanted to give back. I didn't see any information like this outside of wiping the phone entirely... I'm pretty stubborn and didn't want to do that.
This is definitely a "dirty flash", although given I couldn't even boot into the updated version, I would say a downgrade is definitely just fine in this instance.
I assume that you where using Android 11?
Because in the current situation with android 12 and hard bricking your phone with fastboot flashing this guide is potentially dangerous. As far as i know you should not flash twrp to android 12 right now.
Please correct me if i mixed things up here or if i am wrong. Its better to loose data and use MSM if you are concerned.
You might wanna include this guide in case someone needs to read it before doing anything.
[GUIDE] How to Avoid Killing Your OnePlus 8 Pro / 8T / 9R with OxygenOS 12 / ColorOS 12
As You can see, recently we started seeing more and more threads complaining about OxygenOS 12 killing people's devices. I lost my 8 Pro the same way few months ago and we finally know what caused this! ANSWER - THE BOOTLOADER! Massive Update...
forum.xda-developers.com
Anyway thanks for your effort here.
xtcislove said:
I assume that you where using Android 11?
Because in the current situation with android 12 and hard bricking your phone with fastboot flashing this guide is potentially dangerous. As far as i know you should not flash twrp to android 12 right now.
Please correct me if i mixed things up here or if i am wrong. Its better to loose data and use MSM if you are concerned.
You might wanna include this guide in case someone needs to read it before doing anything.
[GUIDE] How to Avoid Killing Your OnePlus 8 Pro / 8T / 9R with OxygenOS 12 / ColorOS 12
As You can see, recently we started seeing more and more threads complaining about OxygenOS 12 killing people's devices. I lost my 8 Pro the same way few months ago and we finally know what caused this! ANSWER - THE BOOTLOADER! Massive Update...
forum.xda-developers.com
Anyway thanks for your effort here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you and you're right. I've added this warning to the top of the post!

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