Develop Bugs

Is it possible to root the OP3 without a custom recovery?

I don't really need a custom recovery (I don't know of any features custom recovery will give me I really need?) and for now I'm fine running stock roms (I always give stock a few weeks just as a baseline before I start custom roms) but I was wondering, how would one go about rooting the OP3 without installing a custom recovery?
Is it possible / easily doable? Or am I better off just to flash some custom recovery and ditch the stock one?
The reason I don't want to go away from stock just yet is I know oneplus is still updating the rom and custom recoveries, historically, have made OTA updates problematic.

Rooting will also mess up Ota too, but if u install a custom recovery, now that we have stock recovery it will be very easy to revert back for OTAs, there should be a way to root without a custom recovery but I am not sure how though, but with how oneplus makes it so easy to unlock bootloader and flash customers stuff there is really no need to stay stock

You can simply connect your OP3 to a PC and boot to TWRP without flashing it:
fastboot boot twrp.img
Then do a backup with twrp before rooting. I use the above method with systemless root
and also don't really need a custom recovery at this point. This might change once CM13 matures on the OP3...
OTAs might work this way in the future. If they don't, restore your system + boot (kernel) partition
and try the OTA again.
edit: implying your bootloader is already unlocked

pileot said:
I don't really need a custom recovery (I don't know of any features custom recovery will give me I really need?) and for now I'm fine running stock roms (I always give stock a few weeks just as a baseline before I start custom roms) but I was wondering, how would one go about rooting the OP3 without installing a custom recovery?
Is it possible / easily doable? Or am I better off just to flash some custom recovery and ditch the stock one?
The reason I don't want to go away from stock just yet is I know oneplus is still updating the rom and custom recoveries, historically, have made OTA updates problematic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, you'd have to have TWRP to get root.
I don't think getting it rooted will mess up the OTA updates, other users sprovide flashable zips for the OTA anyway.. so you can still flash the zips manually with TWRP to keep you updated.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using XDA-Developers mobile app

To get root yes, you would need TWRP to flash to certain partitions but to keep root no. Your phone will operate just fine with root and stock recovery. Check what the user a few posts above mine said about temporary flashing TWRP to achieve your short term goals

AcmE85 said:
You can simply connect your OP3 to a PC and boot to TWRP without flashing it:
fastboot boot twrp.img
Then do a backup with twrp before rooting. I use the above method with systemless root
and also don't really need a custom recovery at this point. This might change once CM13 matures on the OP3...
OTAs might work this way in the future. If they don't, restore your system + boot (kernel) partition
and try the OTA again.
edit: implying your bootloader is already unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So have you actually done this by temporary booting twrp and then using the systemless root and still have stock recovery? Also how do I root systemless? Really wanna know because wanna keep stock recovery and have root

TheSvensson said:
So have you actually done this by temporary booting twrp and then using the systemless root and still have stock recovery? Also how do I root systemless? Really wanna know because wanna keep stock recovery and have root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have the stock recovery and it is rooted.
The recovery partition has nothing to do with all the other partitions except that it can read and write them.
This is the zip I flashed to get systemless root:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24591000424939898
Some users reported that some Root-apps are not supported this way.
I am using Titanium Backup, Adaway, Trimmer and Root Explorer without issues.
Keep in mind that I did not get any OTA so far since running this setup, so I am not sure if official OTAs will or will not work.
All I did was manually flash OxygenOS 3.1.3 in TWRP (not flashed but booted) and reflash the root package afterwards.

AcmE85 said:
You can simply connect your OP3 to a PC and boot to TWRP without flashing it:
fastboot boot twrp.img
Then do a backup with twrp before rooting. I use the above method with systemless root
and also don't really need a custom recovery at this point. This might change once CM13 matures on the OP3...
OTAs might work this way in the future. If they don't, restore your system + boot (kernel) partition
and try the OTA again.
edit: implying your bootloader is already unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlocked bootloader and tried this on my PC:
C:\adb>fastboot boot twrp.img
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [ 0.709s]
booting...
OKAY [ 0.373s]
finished. total time: 1.092s
Nothing happens, bootloader start screen stays frozen. Until I hold down the power button. Might you know why?

AcmE85 said:
You can simply connect your OP3 to a PC and boot to TWRP without flashing it:
fastboot boot twrp.img
Then do a backup with twrp before rooting. I use the above method with systemless root
and also don't really need a custom recovery at this point. This might change once CM13 matures on the OP3...
OTAs might work this way in the future. If they don't, restore your system + boot (kernel) partition
and try the OTA again.
edit: implying your bootloader is already unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tried to boot into twrp recovery with above command, but the phone seems to be stuck in the bootloader and not responding. Any ideas?
edit: comment above describes exact same behaviour, sorry for double post

Sorry, don't know. Booting takes a couple seconds on my device though.
I am using this recovery img: http://www6.zippyshare.com/v/iK6tCE6D/file.html
Got it from XDA, but unfortunately don't know anymore who build it.

AcmE85 said:
Sorry, don't know. Booting takes a couple seconds on my device though.
I am using this recovery img: http://www6.zippyshare.com/v/iK6tCE6D/file.html
Got it from XDA, but unfortunately don't know anymore who build it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that twrp img worked for me. The one I was using didnt allow me to boot to it.

AcmE85 said:
Keep in mind that I did not get any OTA so far since running this setup, so I am not sure if official OTAs will or will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any chance you know if you get OTA by now?
I really like the Op3 and dont wont to change anything except i would like to habe root access. Your method seems to be the best way to achieve that.

hahamuntz said:
Any chance you know if you get OTA by now?
I really like the Op3 and dont wont to change anything except i would like to habe root access. Your method seems to be the best way to achieve that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The updater will recognize root on your device and download the full 1.3 gb Rom file.
But after updating root will be gone, so you will have to reflash root after each ota.

AcmE85 said:
The updater will recognize root on your device and download the full 1.3 gb Rom file.
But after updating root will be gone, so you will have to reflash root after each ota.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick answer
Just to make sure, if I root using this method nothing will change, except I have root access, my bootloader is unlocked and the updates will be big, but I can update the normal way, I will just lose the root access? Is that correct or am I missing something?

hahamuntz said:
Thanks for the quick answer
Just to make sure, if I root using this method nothing will change, except I have root access, my bootloader is unlocked and the updates will be big, but I can update the normal way, I will just lose the root access? Is that correct or am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more thing:
If you have TWRP, automatically installing the big OTA will remove it and go back to the stock recovery.
I always manually move the downloaded ota from android/data/com.oneplus.ota/files/.OnePlusOta
to my download folder, boot into TWRP and flash it + SuperSU on my own.

AcmE85 said:
One more thing:
If you have TWRP, automatically installing the big OTA will remove it and go back to the stock recovery.
I always manually move the downloaded ota from android/data/com.oneplus.ota/files/.OnePlusOta
to my download folder, boot into TWRP and flash it + SuperSU on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have TWRP installed? I thought you won't get OTAs if you have a custom recovery? So i could just flash TWRP and root and still get OTAs?

hahamuntz said:
So you have TWRP installed? I thought you won't get OTAs if you have a custom recovery? So i could just flash TWRP and root and still get OTAs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, OTAs will come and because of Root you will get the full OTA regardless, which does not cause any issues with TWRP.
I tried my previous method and the regular OTA would fail because of root which changes the kernel or the system partition.
OnePlus reacted to this and introduced the full rom OTAs at some point.
So with root on my device this is how I do OTAs now:
- get the OTA notification for the full rom
- download but don't install
- move the downloaded zip from android/data/com.oneplus.ota/files/.OnePlusOta to my download folder
- manually boot into twrp and flash full rom zip + SuperSU

AcmE85 said:
Yes, OTAs will come and because of Root you will get the full OTA regardless which does not cause any issues with TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, thanks so much for your help

Easiest way to apply OTAs on Oreo with TWRP?

I am stock rooted. I got an OTA that I'd like to update but it looks like it doesn't want to flash through twrp. I want to stay stock rooted. Do I need to reflash entire image?

Try Flashfire.

If flashfire doesn't work (like in my case), just flash stock recovery and apply OTA. You'll have stock unrooted ROM and you can follow these steps:
1. have stock rom + stock recovery
2. use "fastboot boot twrp.img" (boots TWRP without flashing it)
3. install magisk from TWRP
When OTA cames in, I just apply it and then repeat steps 2 and 3.

_mysiak_ said:
If flashfire doesn't work (like in my case), just flash stock recovery and apply OTA. You'll have stock unrooted ROM and you can follow these steps:
1. have stock rom + stock recovery
2. use "fastboot boot twrp.img" (boots TWRP without flashing it)
3. install magisk from TWRP
When OTA cames in, I just apply it and then repeat steps 2 and 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know if OTA will work if I have any other system modifications? I pushed some apps to /system for example. :silly:
Thanks for your help!

Ascertion said:
Do you know if OTA will work if I have any other system modifications? I pushed some apps to /system for example. :silly:
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, even mounting system as R/W can prevent OTA update. I wouldn't even try to apply OTA with modified system partition. In your case I would download full factory image, flash everything without data wipe, root as suggested above and apply next OTA without struggles

Ascertion said:
Do you know if OTA will work if I have any other system modifications? I pushed some apps to /system for example. :silly:
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried flashfire? I'd recommend it. You can flash the ota, download the full ota from Google, and retain root and a custom recovery. Support chainfire and get the pro version. Although, functionally there is no difference.

jd1639 said:
Have you tried flashfire? I'd recommend it. You can flash the ota, download the full ota from Google, and retain root and a custom recovery. Support chainfire and get the pro version. Although, functionally there is no difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashfire worked. I had to uninstall SuperSU and reinstall magisk and TWRP but much easier than wiping everything and flashing.
Thanks all for your help! :good:

_mysiak_ said:
If flashfire doesn't work (like in my case), just flash stock recovery and apply OTA. You'll have stock unrooted ROM and you can follow these steps:
1. have stock rom + stock recovery
2. use "fastboot boot twrp.img" (boots TWRP without flashing it)
3. install magisk from TWRP
When OTA cames in, I just apply it and then repeat steps 2 and 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy it WORKS!!!!
Thanks!

magisk on stock rom unrooted

Thats the question, can "easily" install magisk on stock rom (.236) unrooted ? since magisk thread says that root is not necessary, its ask for stock boot img that cant be obtained w/o root

JIJOK said:
Thats the question, can "easily" install magisk on stock rom (.236) unrooted ? since magisk thread says that root is not necessary, its ask for stock boot img that cant be obtained w/o root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never tried, but even though root may not be needed, unlocked bootloader probably is. Magisk non-system works by patching boot img... If you unlock bootloader you probably can use it.

levone1 said:
Never tried, but even though root may not be needed, unlocked bootloader probably is. Magisk non-system works by patching boot img... If you unlock bootloader you probably can use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, can get the image by just unlock the bootloader ? I though root was necessary for that

JIJOK said:
so, can get the image by just unlock the bootloader ? I though root was necessary for that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can unlocked bl by official Sony method, then flash recovery with adb. Boot to recovery and flash Magisk.
Backup ta - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Unlock bl - https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader
Recovery img - https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=961840155545588613
You can try flashing recovery within locked bl, but I don't think it would work.

levone1 said:
You can unlocked bl by official Sony method, then flash recovery with adb. Boot to recovery and flash Magisk.
Backup ta - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Unlock bl - https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader
Recovery img - https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=961840155545588613
You can try flashing recovery within locked bl, but I don't think it would work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if you was wondering it, no, cant flash it with locked bl.
At the moment Backup ta didnt work, will check that thread
And thanx the help, nice to have you on z1c forum :good:

perfect. thx! i was already wondering, if i had to downgrade my z1c in order to get the recovery back. but now, how i do i flash magisk from here?
when i try to flash, i get an error message saying, that the ftf is in sony elf32 format and that i need bootbridge from @AdrianDC to flash.
anyone ever did that or has a better idea?
just tried it now and ended up in a bootlop

It is many months after this post, but in case this helps anyone, here is the answer.
BootBridge method is pretty simple and it worked for me.
On an un-rooted device. (important)
Just rename magisk zip to "install.zip" put it in a folder called install.
Then with 7zip, create a zip-file, include the bootbridge folders, "META-INF" and "scripts" with the "install folder" you just created.
Then name it "anything_you_like.zip" and flash with TWRP
Basically Magisk is SuperSU alternative and provides SuperSU service for your device. ( roots it )
No problems for me at this point. Working on 14.5.A.0.270 and can also get working on 14.6.A.0.236 but have other problems related to getting compatible recovery on 236.
Eventually in recovery, system mount and unmount break for me, then other mounts eventually fail after trying to get Nanodroid working (My Goal to UnGoogle my Z1c) and can't wipe format or anything (only way to fix is reflash with flashtool)
Deodexed ROM seems to be necessary for Nanodroid and this is causing additional problems for me.
If I have to run with unlocked bootloader, I think AOSP may be a better starting point.

Root without custom recovery?

Is it possible to unlock the bootloader and flash via adb magisk in order to root the phone but still able to mentain the oem recovery so i can flash the updates that are coming more easily?

if u r rooted u cannot flash OTA's, so no u can't

Yes it's possible, however when you install the update you will lose root and have to root it all over again.
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

I'm new to Oneplus, but Flashfire has worked for me when twrp cannot be installed.

Bradl79 said:
if u r rooted u cannot flash OTA's, so no u can't
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How?
bkeaver said:
Yes it's possible, however when you install the update you will lose root and have to root it all over again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The process will only be to flash magisk via fastboot, right ?

prologikus said:
Is it possible to unlock the bootloader and flash via adb magisk in order to root the phone but still able to mentain the oem recovery so i can flash the updates that are coming more easily?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't use adb... Patch the boot image with the Magisk Manager and then flash it with fastboot. There are instructions for it in the Magisk release thread.
When updating the OS you'll have to do it again.
In my opinion, the only reason to do it this way is if you've got limited bandwidth and can't download the full OTA zips. Using the full zip is way, way easier... Just download the full OTA file, flash in TWRP and then flash the Magisk zip right after. Done. You don't need a computer at all...

Didgeridoohan said:
You don't use adb... Patch the boot image with the Magisk Manager and then flash it with fastboot. There are instructions for it in the Magisk release thread.
When updating the OS you'll have to do it again.
In my opinion, the only reason to do it this way is if you've got limited bandwidth and can't download the full OTA zips. Using the full zip is way, way easier... Just download the full OTA file, flash in TWRP and then flash the Magisk zip right after. Done. You don't need a computer at all...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give precise instruction hot to flash full ota over twrp???
I Have files... Than... Am on Honor View 10C432B130 wanna go to b140

Question on losing root after OTA

So op 5t released a new update, whenever i open the update screen it says root detected, i would lose my root privileges if I update the phone.
I wanted to know whether i would only lose my root, or entire thing of bootloader getting locked etc?
After updating will I be able to just boot into recovery and flash root file? Or whole process I would have to do again
Thanks

Updates reinstall the stock recovery. You have to flash twrp then root.

virusshah1997 said:
So op 5t released a new update, whenever i open the update screen it says root detected, i would lose my root privileges if I update the phone.
I wanted to know whether i would only lose my root, or entire thing of bootloader getting locked etc?
After updating will I be able to just boot into recovery and flash root file? Or whole process I would have to do again
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you install an OTA it will NOT relock your bootloader, it will reinstall the stock recovery since that is included in the OTA zip and is forced installed to be sure the update installs correctly.
You will lose the root temporarily until you flash a custom recovery again and your root of choice.

Misanful said:
When you install an OTA it will NOT relock your bootloader, it will reinstall the stock recovery since that is included in the OTA zip and is forced installed to be sure the update installs correctly.
You will lose the root temporarily until you flash a custom recovery again and your root of choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to flash TWRP again?

virusshah1997 said:
I have to flash TWRP again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.

Misanful said:
yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, really? https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md#ota-installation-tips doesn't say anything about having to flash twrp again...
When an OTA is available, please go to Magisk Manager → Uninstall → Restore Images. Do not reboot immediately or you will have Magisk uninstalled. This will restore your boot (or dtbo if available) back to 100% untouched stock images in order to pass verifications. This step is required before doing any of the following steps written below!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or does "100% stock images" mean the stock bootloader = flash twrp again?
Just to clearify, updating my phone by an OTA does not lock the bootloader but I'd have to flash twrp and magisk again..?

Yakumichan said:
Wait, really? https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tips.md#ota-installation-tips doesn't say anything about having to flash twrp again...
Or does "100% stock images" mean the stock bootloader = flash twrp again?
Just to clearify, updating my phone by an OTA does not lock the bootloader but I'd have to flash twrp and magisk again..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yee, but after you have used the OTA you will need to flash twrp again since the OTA flashes the stock recovery, or modify your boot image but that is a pain in the ass. :silly:

Misanful said:
yee, but after you have used the OTA you will need to flash twrp again since the OTA flashes the stock recovery, or modify your boot image but that is a pain in the ass. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Means if I'd like to unroot my phone by doing nothing, this is probably the easiest way?