Question Root's not working, and I'm lost - Google Pixel 6 Pro

Coming from a Pixel 3 XL, which has been rooted since I got it (same with the Pixel XL before it). I tried fastboot boot magisk_patched (used 23011 as suggested in another post) I get a boot failure, and it kicks me back into fastboot. If I do the /vbmeta command, then I get the "can't load Android System, your data may be corrupt" error. If I sideload the OTA (latest on the Google website, not the day one patch), I can get back into Android, but still unrooted. I was rooted once, pretty sure I just flashed the modified boot.img, then installed in Android, but I wanted to see if I could root via the OTA, and here we are again. I did find this website, however, I'm concerned if I use the fastboot -w command, won't that wipe the device again? I've already lost a lot of stuff from my Pixel 3 XL due to negligance on my part (deleting files after I thought I was setup, then completely wiped the old phone), so I'd rather not do a 4th setup if possible.

[CLOSED] Firmware is out! Get your root on!
Update 12/15/21: Magisk 23016 incorporates fixes for vbmeta header patching; disabling verity/verification is no longer necessary. Update and root should work as it always has - simply patch and flash the boot image. Any update method can be...
forum.xda-developers.com
PERMANENT ROOT CURRENTLY REQUIRES A DATA WIPE.

KiLLiNGDAY said:
[CLOSED] Firmware is out! Get your root on!
Update 12/15/21: Magisk 23016 incorporates fixes for vbmeta header patching; disabling verity/verification is no longer necessary. Update and root should work as it always has - simply patch and flash the boot image. Any update method can be...
forum.xda-developers.com
PERMANENT ROOT CURRENTLY REQUIRES A DATA WIPE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so each OTA/monthly patch I have to wipe my phone? That'll get old super fast. I already wiped it once when I first rooted...

Tmender said:
so each OTA/monthly patch I have to wipe my phone? That'll get old super fast. I already wiped it once when I first rooted...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It appears so, at least at this point. Maybe people will find a way to circumvent this.
Even though - with a decent root backup like swift - it shouldn't be that big a hassle, but it's troublesome for sure.

Morgrain said:
It appears so, at least at this point. Maybe people will find a way to circumvent this.
Even though - with a decent root backup like swift - it shouldn't be that big a hassle, but it's troublesome for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
swift? Here I've been using Titanium Backup for years...

check out and decide:
https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/gvdnf1

Related

Nvidia Experience 5.2 ROM

I have not been able to update my shield tv 2015 16gb device to 5.2.
The device is rooted with latest 3.1.1 TWRP recovery. Each time I select upgrade with the stock settings it will reboot into recovery and won't update.
Does anyone have a link to the latest ROM or know where Nvidia stores the OTA file? I would rather flash the image my self if I can find get the ROM.
I'm sure this we'll help a few other people I can't be the only one with this issue. Need the 5.2 image not the 5.0.2 which is the previous version of Shield experience update.
you should not flash TWRP to your device reflash original recovery and remove su then try update again
BTDTGTTS Simply unrooting, and replacing TWRP with a Stock Recovery. Will not sadly be enough. The only way out is to Factory Reset. Which, in my case (Pro Owner), means a Two Hours of down time. While the Shield is busy away at nuking the /data Partition. Only after that will you be fully unrooted. Of course if you are using TWRP as your Recovery, you WILL have to replace it with a Stock Recovery for your Update to work.
It's a real PItA for just some extra (Non-working) Plex Channels, and making the needed edits to settings.db to prevent it from kicking iPlayer off after each Power Cycle / IP Address reset. (Though that last one... Has more legs on it then just the Plex Channels.)
Ichijoe said:
BTDTGTTS Simply unrooting, and replacing TWRP with a Stock Recovery. Will not sadly be enough. The only way out is to Factory Reset. Which, in my case (Pro Owner), means a Two Hours of down time. While the Shield is busy away at nuking the /data Partition. Only after that will you be fully unrooted. Of course if you are using TWRP as your Recovery, you WILL have to replace it with a Stock Recovery for your Update to work.
.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didnt know that :good:
but if he has TWRP installed couldnt he format data pation from TWRP thus saving hours of thumb twiddling
Ichijoe said:
BTDTGTTS Simply unrooting, and replacing TWRP with a Stock Recovery. Will not sadly be enough. The only way out is to Factory Reset. Which, in my case (Pro Owner), means a Two Hours of down time. While the Shield is busy away at nuking the /data Partition. Only after that will you be fully unrooted. Of course if you are using TWRP as your Recovery, you WILL have to replace it with a Stock Recovery for your Update to work.
It's a real PItA for just some extra (Non-working) Plex Channels, and making the needed edits to settings.db to prevent it from kicking iPlayer off after each Power Cycle / IP Address reset. (Though that last one... Has more legs on it then just the Plex Channels.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously thats a much longer and worse route.
afgok said:
you should not flash TWRP to your device reflash original recovery and remove su then try update again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have upgraded the shield tv many times with OTA updates. Shouldn't need to be stock just to do this. So your saying root has more restrictions....
TWRP is much better than stock recovery, now it might not be finding the OTA update when it gets pushed to recovery.
The other option I mentioned in the original post was for manually selecting the OTA image with TWRP and flashing.
Does anyone one know where the temp folder is for OTA files or a direct link online?
On another thread looks like others are having this same issue with only this version 5.2.. ill just wait for the Dev Images to show up hopefully soon.
I unrooted but still got the same issue, it wont install. But I also have another issue, i can't restore my 2015 shield 16gb by using official recovery rom and official tutorials. It consistently fails to flash system.img and vendor.img by saying that the data is too large. The only way I got my system back was by flashing this file https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/general/shield-tv-2015-ota-5-1-feb-17-zip-file-t3559062 through twrp
Diehardshorty said:
Obviously thats a much longer and worse route.
I have upgraded the shield tv many times with OTA updates. Shouldn't need to be stock just to do this. So your saying root has more restrictions....
TWRP is much better than stock recovery, now it might not be finding the OTA update when it gets pushed to recovery.
The other option I mentioned in the original post was for manually selecting the OTA image with TWRP and flashing.
Does anyone one know where the temp folder is for OTA files or a direct link online?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again TWRP can not be used to flash an OTA Update. I mean sure feel free to knock yourself out. But, in the end it will fail. (Error 7 IIRC), As it is it seems that it will only work on a stock Recovery, and not on TWRP. I mean if it were this easy, everyone would be doing it. And again if the Update were working over TWRP, we wouldn't have a constant update loop. (e.g. Download Update, restart Shield, wait forever for the Shield to try (and, fail!) at applying said Update, rebooting, and wash rinse, repeat).
BTW: I never said that my way* was the 'best' way, or indeed the 'only' way. Its just the only way I know of to Nuke it from orbit all the time, everytime. And, yes it is a huge PITA. If you count a /system root as being more restrictive. In the case of Netflix making active noises about blocking rooted Devices. Then yes slowly I would say that rooting has more restrictions than stock.
*My way being to Factory wipe the Shield (Pro) which in the case of the Pro most likely means a Two plus Hours of dead time. I would assume it's much MUCH quicker for our 16GB eMMC Cousins though. But, not having One, I'm unable to confirm it.
P.s. You have also mentioned the fact that you have managed to update your rooted Shield TV on multiple occasions. Would you care to share this info with us? I for One would love to know how to do this. As having to Factory Reset the Device is a real time waster. Because after the reset, comes the rebuild. And, thats an even bigger *****.
Ichijoe said:
Again TWRP can not be used to flash an OTA Update. I mean sure feel free to knock yourself out. But, in the end it will fail. (Error 7 IIRC), As it is it seems that it will only work on a stock Recovery, and not on TWRP. I mean if it were this easy, everyone would be doing it. And again if the Update were working over TWRP, we wouldn't have a constant update loop. (e.g. Download Update, restart Shield, wait forever for the Shield to try (and, fail!) at applying said Update, rebooting, and wash rinse, repeat).
BTW: I never said that my way* was the 'best' way, or indeed the 'only' way. Its just the only way I know of to Nuke it from orbit all the time, everytime. And, yes it is a huge PITA. If you count a /system root as being more restrictive. In the case of Netflix making active noises about blocking rooted Devices. Then yes slowly I would say that rooting has more restrictions than stock.
*My way being to Factory wipe the Shield (Pro) which in the case of the Pro most likely means a Two plus Hours of dead time. I would assume it's much MUCH quicker for our 16GB eMMC Cousins though. But, not having One, I'm unable to confirm it.
P.s. You have also mentioned the fact that you have managed to update your rooted Shield TV on multiple occasions. Would you care to share this info with us? I for One would love to know how to do this. As having to Factory Reset the Device is a real time waster. Because after the reset, comes the rebuild. And, thats an even bigger *****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dirty flashing a dev image is they way I have managed to update my shield but right now the dev images are not updated, still the 5.1.0
If you're rooted, the right answer is to wait for Nvidia to release the 5.2 image.
If you absolutely need 5.2 right now for some reason, several people said that doing a factory restore worked. Just unrooting and restoring stock recovery won't do it, you need to do a full restore.
Diehardshorty said:
Dirty flashing a dev image is they way I have managed to update my shield but right now the dev images are not updated, still the 5.1.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Dev images are quite a bit different, and are also on an entirely different timeline to either the Preview, (Which I'm on), or the most current version.
But, yeah I could see how those would work. Alas mores the pitty that the rooted asspects of those Dev Images, only go as far as ADB, and not say a full /system wide root. Than again... It's probably for the best that way.
But, that doesn't really change the answer if you want / need to update (From root), than you are going to have to bite the big One, and run a Factory Reset. Which again, on the Pro, means a 2h+ reformating (zeroing out), of the /data Partition.
16gb version doesn't take as long to format but I've always remember flashing SuperSU.zip after ROM just incase. Short response for now at work.
Diehardshorty said:
The other option I mentioned in the original post was for manually selecting the OTA image with TWRP and flashing.
Does anyone one know where the temp folder is for OTA files or a direct link online?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use to be here:
/data/data/com.nvidia.ota/app_download
You obviously need root to reach that folder...
If i have time i will upload later this small OTA update to MEGA.
I uploaded the 5.2 small update OTA for Shield TV 2015 (NON-PRO):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/general/shield-tv-2015-small-update-ota-5-2-t3621886
sammarbella said:
I uploaded the 5.2 small update OTA for Shield TV 2015 (NON-PRO):
https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/general/shield-tv-2015-small-update-ota-5-2-t3621886
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet thanks I'll give that a try from the sounds of it it might not work but I'll give a shot after work. Thanks
No luck flashing my own OTA zip I took it out of data\data\com.nvidia.ota flashed it with TWRT 3.1.1.
I might end up doing the factory restore then updating and root. Wouldn't mind a new clean OS
Diehardshorty said:
No luck flashing my own OTA zip I took it out of data\data\com.nvidia.ota flashed it with TWRT 3.1.1.
I might end up doing the factory restore then updating and root. Wouldn't mind a new clean OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/general/how-to-update-ota-5-2-2017-update-t3622540 just posted a guide on how to update
Cameron581 said:
Check out https://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tv/general/how-to-update-ota-5-2-2017-update-t3622540 just posted a guide on how to update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only difference there is that your using flashfire instead of TWRP. I can't see how that may work but worth a shot.
Diehardshorty said:
Only difference there is that your using flashfire instead of TWRP. I can't see how that may work but worth a shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just make sure you flash the right update, and it's because the ota provided by the devs don't support ota due to device fingerprint issues along with partition finding stuff found inside the meta-inf, the reason you can't sideload the room via stock is because there is a check for modified system tables. Granted you could take out that comment and rezip it then it will fail for zip verification, after that I had tried to sign the package to regain that but then it failed due to it only signed the packages not the entire system. Long story short it's super duper picky and ChainFire made one that pleases all of the variables or ignores then.
Cameron581 said:
Just make sure you flash the right update, and it's because the ota provided by the devs don't support ota due to device fingerprint issues along with partition finding stuff found inside the meta-inf, the reason you can't sideload the room via stock is because there is a check for modified system tables. Granted you could take out that comment and rezip it then it will fail for zip verification, after that I had tried to sign the package to regain that but then it failed due to it only signed the packages not the entire system. Long story short it's super duper picky and ChainFire made one that pleases all of the variables or ignores then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhhhh that missing point for "error 7".
So the new app bypass that problem!
Thanks for posting it. :good:

ideas when root will come?

Any ideas when root will come? What was last year's track record? I'm really anxious to root and get rid of this tethering bypass get titanium arise Etc
we should have root when either:
1) google releases factory images. then we can use magisk manager to patch stock boot image and flash with fastboot, even if we don't have twrp yet.
2)TWRP gets built
my money is on #1 happening first
That is correct. Last year root and recovery took a long time for a couple of reasons.
First, this was the first device with two slots for boot, system, etc.
Second, it was the first device to use file based encryption.
Lastly, there is no true recovery partition. Recovery is contained within the boot partition, so that makes everything more complicated and why flashing things still requires very specific ordering.

General help with bootloader & flashing (coming from Sony phones)

Any help is greatly appreciated, I have no experience with Google phones, I was years into Sony.
I have just bought a Pixel 2 XL from a local shop in Greece, and of course, I want to root it and be able to install custom roms etc.
I have a few questions that I am searching everywhere recently and I would really appreciate if someone can make it clear to me:
1) I have read that you have to buy your phone from Google so you are able to unlock it? Can someone explain this to me? (My phone is not a specific carrier) How do I know if I am able to unlock my bootloader?
2)I have flashed roms and kernels in the past on my Sony phones, however I haven't really messed with the bootloader other than just unlocking it in the beginning. So now on the Pixel 2 XL I am reading so much about the unlock_critical vs the normal unlock, and I can admit I cannot understand the difference. Why does someone want to flash a bootloader? ( I do not understand what does "flash a bootloader" mean)
What I want to be able to do is flash custom roms, flash factory images to revert back to stock whenever I want, flash custom kernel, flash stock kernel, make a nandroid backup with twrp and restore a nandroid backup with twrp. That is all I want to be able to do without facing any errors with the bootloader,so do I need the unlock_critical ? And why?
3)If I unlock the bootloader with any of the two ways, am I able to re-lock it like nothing has happened? For example if the screen has dead pixels for some reason and I want to send it back for warranty but the bootloader is unlocked, can I lock it without it being logged? Or once unlocked, there is no going back to the warranty by re-locking? On many Sony phones we could do that.
4)If I unlock the bootloader and install TWRP I read that I will not be able to receive official updates from settings any more (OTA):
"NOTE #1: If you have mounted /system as rw at any point (like in TWRP), you must upgrade using the factory image method. OTAs will fail because they cannot verify the integrity of the disk since its verity data has been changed."
My question is, if I flash a stock image, does that get fixed? ( so if I flash 8.1.0 stock manually, will I be able to get an official update e.g. 9.0.0 from settings?)
Or if I just grab the stock boot.img of my current version of android and flash it with fastboot, then will I be able to get official updates from settings normally again?
5)Can I do the following on this order? :
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
Unlock the bootloader (either critical or normal, whatever works)
Boot into Fastboot
Boot the twrp image from fastboot to the device
Flash the twrp zip to the phone to install TWRP
Flash the magisk zip so I root the device
Reboot and everything works? (Or do I need a custom kernel for TWRP or Magisk to work?)
Is there any issue you see with the above plan of mine?
6) Before I tweak my device in any way, is it okay if I update the device fully? So can I install any update available (OTA) and then unlock the bootloader and root etc? Or do I have to be on a specific version and not on the latest?
7)I have read something about 2 different slots on some flashing forums here, slot a and slot b, but it is not clear to me what that is. Does anyone know what that is? At which point may I face this?
Thank you very much.
A quick and not complete response to get you going
Plan 5 seems solid, unlock the bootloader to allow custom stuff. At boot you will get a warning screen to let you know.
I forgot if I only unlocked the bootloader or also the critical, try it etc.
Personally I never had to tinker with the A/B slots, within TWRP you can choose which to use.
Before Magisk, I used to flash another recovery like cwm or twrp but it is not required. You must however boot to twrp.img to flash the magisk zip.
As far as I know it is indeed the altering of the /system folder that denies future OTA (when using factory image). A manual flash (of future OTA) is easy but may require altering (removing) a switch command in the install.bat file to remove the -w (wipe).
As to the custom kernels, I never noticed the need and am running the latest v10 image with only Magisk flashed to get root.
My main goal is to get rid of ads. I use AdAway.
To get that to work in v10 you need to enable systemless host module im the Magisk manager app (reboot after).
A final feedback; when you get to sideload and need to get to recovery you may get the screen 'no command' or so; press volume-up and click power or power->click volume.
Let us know if you worked it etc!
arismelachrinos said:
Any help is greatly appreciated, I have no experience with Google phones, I was years into Sony.
I have just bought a Pixel 2 XL from a local shop in Greece, and of course, I want to root it and be able to install custom roms etc.
I have a few questions that I am searching everywhere recently and I would really appreciate if someone can make it clear to me:
1) I have read that you have to buy your phone from Google so you are able to unlock it? Can someone explain this to me? (My phone is not a specific carrier) How do I know if I am able to unlock my bootloader?
2)I have flashed roms and kernels in the past on my Sony phones, however I haven't really messed with the bootloader other than just unlocking it in the beginning. So now on the Pixel 2 XL I am reading so much about the unlock_critical vs the normal unlock, and I can admit I cannot understand the difference. Why does someone want to flash a bootloader? ( I do not understand what does "flash a bootloader" mean)
What I want to be able to do is flash custom roms, flash factory images to revert back to stock whenever I want, flash custom kernel, flash stock kernel, make a nandroid backup with twrp and restore a nandroid backup with twrp. That is all I want to be able to do without facing any errors with the bootloader,so do I need the unlock_critical ? And why?
3)If I unlock the bootloader with any of the two ways, am I able to re-lock it like nothing has happened? For example if the screen has dead pixels for some reason and I want to send it back for warranty but the bootloader is unlocked, can I lock it without it being logged? Or once unlocked, there is no going back to the warranty by re-locking? On many Sony phones we could do that.
4)If I unlock the bootloader and install TWRP I read that I will not be able to receive official updates from settings any more (OTA):
"NOTE #1: If you have mounted /system as rw at any point (like in TWRP), you must upgrade using the factory image method. OTAs will fail because they cannot verify the integrity of the disk since its verity data has been changed."
My question is, if I flash a stock image, does that get fixed? ( so if I flash 8.1.0 stock manually, will I be able to get an official update e.g. 9.0.0 from settings?)
Or if I just grab the stock boot.img of my current version of android and flash it with fastboot, then will I be able to get official updates from settings normally again?
5)Can I do the following on this order? :
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
Unlock the bootloader (either critical or normal, whatever works)
Boot into Fastboot
Boot the twrp image from fastboot to the device
Flash the twrp zip to the phone to install TWRP
Flash the magisk zip so I root the device
Reboot and everything works? (Or do I need a custom kernel for TWRP or Magisk to work?)
Is there any issue you see with the above plan of mine?
6) Before I tweak my device in any way, is it okay if I update the device fully? So can I install any update available (OTA) and then unlock the bootloader and root etc? Or do I have to be on a specific version and not on the latest?
7)I have read something about 2 different slots on some flashing forums here, slot a and slot b, but it is not clear to me what that is. Does anyone know what that is? At which point may I face this?
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The reason for this is Google had an exclusivity contract to sell through the US cellular company, Verizon; much like the original Apple iPhone did (at first) with AT&T. And, for reasons that are most likely stupid, foolish, and unconvincing in its justifications, Verizon locks their device's bootloaders. So, not that it's "locked" or "unlocked" in terms of carriers, but more-so whether a device is "locked bootloader" or unlockable because it was purchased from Google (or elsewhere, but at least originally Google) and not from Verizon. If you're wondering further, getting it from Verizon would allow Verizon subscribers and customers to be able to "lease" and pay the Pixel off in increments with their usual cell phone bill; but it's not all too exclusive because Google offers to lease if you purchase from them also! The only caveat is you have to pass a credit check when leasing from Google; but, then again, you have to pass a credit check when signing up for a Verizon cell plan as well!
2) So, with my limited understanding between the difference between just a regular "unlock" and an "unlock_critical" is that it might be that a regular unlock allows you to get a R/W access (root access) to the various vital partitions (i.e. system, data [not to be confused with userdata], even boot to a degree) while unlock_critical allows you to straight modify and replace partitions (i.e. what would've been the recovery partition [but now there's no such thing and recovery just resides in the boot partition], the whole system & data partition to have/run custom ROMs, bootloading screen, etc.). But it all is rather convoluted that Google probably agreed and, so you can/should be aware, they updated things within the past few months (I'm guessing June or July) where they rid the need to "unlock_critical" and bootloaders that are newer than a certain point/month no longer needs that fastboot command to unlock the bootloader and everything else in order to flash custom anythings...
3) Okay, so here's a very tricky thing to this.... Technically, yes you can relock the bootloader as well as there have been many who have successfully done so; BUT there are so many more that have COMPLETELY and permanently bricked their device attempting to do so and most (if not all) the experts here would advise anyone to just leave well enough alone. But, if it is insisted and must be, the way to do it is to remove all Magisk modules (because, for whatever reason, these modules can survive a complete flashing of a Full Factory stock image), run a Full Factory image where the flash-all command is left intact (meaning “-w” is unedited; I’ll go more into this later), running it through the initial set up process, then (for good measure, this step might not be at all absolutely necessary) switch slots and run the flash-all command on the other slot, running the initial set up process again, then rebooting to Bootloader Mode and running the fastboot locking command, then unticking (if wished and insisted) unticking the OEM unlocking. Again, a word of warning, that so many have relocked the bootloader and unticked the OEM unlocking which allows the unlocking of the bootloader, then find that their device goes into a bootloop; and since they had just locked the bootloader in 2/all different ways, it leaves rescuing the device with all but the fewest options – usually because it’s forgotten in one way or another returning all of the device back to stock.
If anything, what has been said around these forums is that, if returning to Google, there hasn’t been an (proven) instance that Google refused to repair/replace it because it had its bootloader unlocked. But it’s usually for that fear or re-selling the device in which this is usually sought; but in most (if not all) cases (the experts here figure), having the bootloader unlocked would be refused or looked down upon.
4) So, most of what you assumed here is correct; but may be a bit misguided due to not knowing some things – which, of course, can be expected since you had just said you just moved to this device from a totally different manufacturer (Sony). If you are rooted (Magisk), there is absolutely no way you can update via the regular System Update from an OTA from within the Settings in the OS. And even having just an unlocked bootloader will cause OTAs to not work -- but there are conflicting reports stating differently, but I, personally, am under the understanding that even at that point you cannot.
But here’s the key thing; there really isn’t any reason to install updates by download and using OTAs anyways. Most (if not all) the experts here actually forego the OTAs and merely download the Full Factory stock images from Google’s Developers website and flash those. Here’s the reason; in the “olden days”, flashing a stock Full Factory image would erase absolutely everything and return the device to a complete factory state. But Google, in their “infinite wisdom”, allowed it to be possible to flash this but still withhold and save/keep all of one’s apps, settings, and data – essentially leaving both device data and userdata untouched! This is achieved by simply editing a batch file called “flash-all.bat” (or “flash-all.sh” for Linux and MacOS) and removing the 3 characters “-w” (3rd character would be a space “character”) from within its code. In this manner, OTAs can be considered a “dirty flash” because, while a Full Factory will completely overwrite (I could be wrong, but I believe it erases and formats it) the system, radio, bootloader, boot, etc., which would/should take care of any erroneous bugs or glitches, while OTA’s do not necessarily do this and just “modifies” the existing data; and therefore bugs and glitches may still remain being more on the root of things and/or OTAs would just modify “on top” or elsewhere where those glitches may reside.
And in either/both cases, one would still be required to reflash/reinstall everything root.
But, if insisted, there are multiple methods to achieve a state where you can run an OTA; either downloading an OTA image from Google and manually flashing it (“sideloading”), or unrooting temporarily to be able to use & download the regular System Updater (can be found HERE : https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/blob/master/docs/tutorials.md#ota-installation under the “Devices with A/B Partitions” which is my preferred method if I was to do this sort of thing, but I have never done this so I’m unsure if it even is successful in our device). I even wrote out an in-depth and step-by-step guide, but it is rather convoluted and was written in the beginnings of our taimen and there are most likely more updated methods now; but if you want to check it out, you can HERE.
But, to answer your questions directly; No, flashing the stock image will not allow you to user the stock System Updater; although there are conflicting reports, I am under the impression that anything other than a locked bootloader will allow the stock System Updater to work.
5)More correctly, you boot into “Bootloader Mode” to be able to use the “fastboot” commands. And no, you do not need to permanently flash a custom recovery (TWRP), a custom kernel, or anything else to achieve root – although I do highly recommend it – as you can temporarily boot into TWRP (by downloading the TWRP image file (*.img) and install Magisk in that manner – I do not suggest you root/install Magisk using the app. Other people have had success, but many (most?) have issues that you wouldn’t run into if you installed it via TWRP – but here’s a key thing; no matter what you intend to flash and install, unless you need to have root for it to already be installed, you should always flash Magisk last. Moreso, as the great Az Biker of ‘round thes’ parts greatly suggests, you should even reboot to bootloader after each and every flash separately. Explanation is, for whatever reason and even though many claim to be able to “detect” and modify their flash for an already modified boot and dtbo (where modifications must happen for root access), most don’t play well with Magisk and Magisk must modify the boot and dtbo after all other modifications or else problems can arise (or at least it has for me).
Just keep these things in mind, but, for the most part, your “order” of things will do well enough. Again, just keep in mind that if you are going to install a custom recovery or kernel, try to do that before Magisk as well as if you can avoid it, don’t use the Magisk app to install or manually flash any boot.img if you can help it.
6)No, you don’t have to stick to a specific version; it might even be suggested to update it stock before doing anything. BUT (of course there is a caveat), consider this; many things (especially anything root and specifically TWRP) aren’t really “playing nice” with Android Q/10; so, if you update and go to the most up to date, but don’t wish to run into those glitches/bugs and wish to “hold off” (like I am, actually and for the same reasoning), then of course you should only go up to August (I believe that was the last before the upgrade to Q/10) Full Factory.
7) There are many great resources on the information on having the 2 different slots; I apologize if I can’t recall where I even saw them – other members (maybe an RC or Mod even) input a URL to read and I can’t for the life of me recall where it possibly could be. But, for the most part, you would really only run into identifying and manually changing to a specific one if you were attempting to rescue or deeply modify your device; I can say that me and the great @Az Biker have never felt the necessity to manually change or choose a certain, specific slot. And, my guess, is that, because the coding and flashing output when running the Full Factory states something about “system_other” or a “system_b”, but while the main system can be close to 3GB, the system_other is closer to 300MB, and that boot, dtbo, vendor, and something called lafb has a “_b” partition, I’m thinking it’s something as a safety or backup, maybe something like what used to be in old laptops a sort of RAM to help load things up faster. In any case, it seems that going from one to the other, a to b or vice-versa, doesn’t seem to be too key or much of a hassle, so….take that for what you will.
Alright…hopefully I was able to answer all your inquiries. And, if you have any more, please feel free to ask them…that’s what we’re all about here. And I know I can run on and get wordy, so thank you for bearing with me with all of this.
I mean, it’s really good to have a user/member who really does their research, reading, and due diligence before getting into their new device; there are so many instances here and in my own experience where the “…if I only knew that beforehand…” would be supremely helpful, and supremely easier on everyone else! So that’s to be commended and reinforced…!
Hope this helps and welcome to your Pixel and this taimen forum!
I really cannot thank you enough for your time. I truly appreciate it very much.
1) Very clear.
2) Do you happen to have a link or do you know how to check if my phone supports unlock_critical? How can I check if I have that newer bootloader? Or do you remember where did you learn this?
3) Thank you so much about that. Very clear aand you just saved my phone
4) Very clear.
5) Thank you for the info! Interesting, I was searching on how to root the device running Android 10 (I have fully updated and I really am not going back to Android 9 ), and I saw that you have to patch your boot.img with the Magisk app, and then flash it with fastboot. So first you get the factory image from google and you extract the boot.img and insert it to the phone. Then you load it into Magisk app and patch it. Then moving the patched to the PC, booting to bootloader and flash it on boot partition. This is the way I saw on how to get root working fine with Android 10, not sure if it is the best method or the worst.
6) What do you mean with "go up to August"? Do you mean that the "oldest" image I can flash is "9.0.0 (PQ3A.190801.002, Aug 2019)"? So one cannot go back to 8.0.0 and Google has done something to prevent us from doing that? Also, if I wanted to go back to that August image or any "compatible", the procedure is just to run the flash-all.bat file of that image?
I used to experement a lot with custom roms, custom kernels and mods with my Sony devices, but that was mainly because I wanted stock android and some more features. The thing is that I have almost anything I need with this device, with some minor wishes. So I can leave without flashing custom roms and kernels, but I wanted to just root and at least install Adaway(!!!!!! I cannot leave with those ads!!!!!!), Titanium Backup and some other similar root apps that don't really do any harm. Have you tried rooting Android 10 and it was unusable? Do you suggest that it is not really worth it? The thing is that I love Android 10, the gestures and all the features, and I could not go back to Android 9, even though I only used the phone for a week, I am used to it and really like the way it currently is.
7)Hmm okay so I should not really mess with that. Maybe as I saw online, when flashing stock or unrooting, it is best to flash the same thing to both a and b slots, seems a bit complicated but whatever
Thank you for being so helpful!!
arismelachrinos said:
I really cannot thank you enough for your time. I truly appreciate it very much.
1) Very clear.
2) Do you happen to have a link or do you know how to check if my phone supports unlock_critical? How can I check if I have that newer bootloader? Or do you remember where did you learn this?
3) Thank you so much about that. Very clear aand you just saved my phone
4) Very clear.
5) Thank you for the info! Interesting, I was searching on how to root the device running Android 10 (I have fully updated and I really am not going back to Android 9 ), and I saw that you have to patch your boot.img with the Magisk app, and then flash it with fastboot. So first you get the factory image from google and you extract the boot.img and insert it to the phone. Then you load it into Magisk app and patch it. Then moving the patched to the PC, booting to bootloader and flash it on boot partition. This is the way I saw on how to get root working fine with Android 10, not sure if it is the best method or the worst.
6) What do you mean with "go up to August"? Do you mean that the "oldest" image I can flash is "9.0.0 (PQ3A.190801.002, Aug 2019)"? So one cannot go back to 8.0.0 and Google has done something to prevent us from doing that? Also, if I wanted to go back to that August image or any "compatible", the procedure is just to run the flash-all.bat file of that image?
I used to experement a lot with custom roms, custom kernels and mods with my Sony devices, but that was mainly because I wanted stock android and some more features. The thing is that I have almost anything I need with this device, with some minor wishes. So I can leave without flashing custom roms and kernels, but I wanted to just root and at least install Adaway(!!!!!! I cannot leave with those ads!!!!!!), Titanium Backup and some other similar root apps that don't really do any harm. Have you tried rooting Android 10 and it was unusable? Do you suggest that it is not really worth it? The thing is that I love Android 10, the gestures and all the features, and I could not go back to Android 9, even though I only used the phone for a week, I am used to it and really like the way it currently is.
7)Hmm okay so I should not really mess with that. Maybe as I saw online, when flashing stock or unrooting, it is best to flash the same thing to both a and b slots, seems a bit complicated but whatever
Thank you for being so helpful!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It’s really my pleasure! And I’m just as thankful that you/anyone would even go through the trouble of reading all of that…!
1) Thank you for the compliment
2)Usually, if your bootloader version is within a certain version – which you can find when in bootloader mode – then you either do or do not need unlock_critical. I can’t remember how many months prior to Android 10/Q, it was within 6 I believe, so any bootloader version from 5 or 6 months ago to now, and obviously if you’re on 10/Q, you would not need to run the command unlock_critical. But, if anything, you don’t have to have any fear of it, whether you need to or not, or don’t know your bootloader version, running the “fastboot flashing unlock_critical” when you don’t need to will just amount to a simple error and nothing bad will happen. And if it does end up doing something, well, then that’s a good thing. It almost amounts to unlock_critical-ing twice, the second on will just state that it’s already unlocked and that’s it.
If anything, I believe I found the resource here from the great Az Biker: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78908055&postcount=2843
If you are very curious, it should address much of what you’re seeking and/or at least point you to where you might find that information.
3) You’re very welcome. It really is a good thing that saves you in the future, and saves those who try to help some grief as well.
4) Thank you for the compliment.
5) I would say that the process you described is certainly doable, but is far from the best/easiest. From my experience helping many here on this forum, many bugs or things go wrong when loading the stock boot.img to the phone, having Magisk modify it, then getting the modified boot.img and successfully flashing it. More often than not, one ends up having a device turn into a boot loop and are usually forced to flash the stock boot.img and have to give it a number of tries.
The best way (subjectively) is to download the Magisk installation .zip. Then boot into TWRP (which doesn’t mean you have to replace the stock recovery since you can temporarily boot into it), and “Install” it using the .zip. Then everything is automated and done for you, if anything goes wrong you have an output log you can use to troubleshoot, but it seems best to leave it to the experts who created all this than us manually attempting to ourselves.
Oh and AFAIK this method still works on Android 10/Q as it has for Pie and Oreo.
6) I meant that, if you did not wish to update to 10/Q, then you shouldn’t do anything newer than from August’s security update/patch, since all the Full Factory images and updates are of 10/Q. But, if you go to Google’s Developers site, you’ll see that they pretty much list and make available all the Full Factory images ever published; to the point that there are some that go back to Oreo!
And everything you’ve said is understandable. And I kinda feel the same way. For me, in my humble opinion, it is supremely good idea to root and for whatever issues you get doing that, the returns are incalculable. It is most definitely worth it/rooting! The extra options and customizations and modifications all make it worth while and more! And, even if rooting gives the capability of rendering the device rather unusable, take confidence in that Google, in all their “infinite wisdom”, gave us “Bootloader Mode”…and pretty much, as long as you can get into Bootloader Mode and successfully connect to a computer, your phone would never be considered too far lost/gone. I’ve only witnessed that be opposite on less than a handful of cases.
But, most importantly, and if you have been in the rooting and ROMing game, you should well know this, but the most vital part of having root access is the ability to make the best backups! So, as long as you make sure to backup (Nandroid is best) and key times, running into some pitfalls here and there shouldn’t take you all the way out of the game….
7) Yeah…I mean, it is rather fascinating, and when up against an issue and you have an idea that deals with it, that’s when you can read up and learn about it and experiment I imagine. But for me and one of the great ones here in all of XDA, we’ve done all the custom ROM, custom recovery, custom kernel, Full Factory recover, root, Magisk modules, theming, Xposed, and countless other things, and all without the need to ever mess with manually or forcing an assignment between the two.
Again, it’s my pleasure. And if you any further questions or thoughts, bring them on! I’d be happy to address them…
Hope these are helpful….
arismelachrinos said:
I really cannot thank you enough for your time. I truly appreciate it very much.
1) Very clear.
2) Do you happen to have a link or do you know how to check if my phone supports unlock_critical? How can I check if I have that newer bootloader? Or do you remember where did you learn this?
3) Thank you so much about that. Very clear aand you just saved my phone
4) Very clear.
5) Thank you for the info! Interesting, I was searching on how to root the device running Android 10 (I have fully updated and I really am not going back to Android 9 ), and I saw that you have to patch your boot.img with the Magisk app, and then flash it with fastboot. So first you get the factory image from google and you extract the boot.img and insert it to the phone. Then you load it into Magisk app and patch it. Then moving the patched to the PC, booting to bootloader and flash it on boot partition. This is the way I saw on how to get root working fine with Android 10, not sure if it is the best method or the worst.
6) What do you mean with "go up to August"? Do you mean that the "oldest" image I can flash is "9.0.0 (PQ3A.190801.002, Aug 2019)"? So one cannot go back to 8.0.0 and Google has done something to prevent us from doing that? Also, if I wanted to go back to that August image or any "compatible", the procedure is just to run the flash-all.bat file of that image?
I used to experement a lot with custom roms, custom kernels and mods with my Sony devices, but that was mainly because I wanted stock android and some more features. The thing is that I have almost anything I need with this device, with some minor wishes. So I can leave without flashing custom roms and kernels, but I wanted to just root and at least install Adaway(!!!!!! I cannot leave with those ads!!!!!!), Titanium Backup and some other similar root apps that don't really do any harm. Have you tried rooting Android 10 and it was unusable? Do you suggest that it is not really worth it? The thing is that I love Android 10, the gestures and all the features, and I could not go back to Android 9, even though I only used the phone for a week, I am used to it and really like the way it currently is.
7)Hmm okay so I should not really mess with that. Maybe as I saw online, when flashing stock or unrooting, it is best to flash the same thing to both a and b slots, seems a bit complicated but whatever
Thank you for being so helpful!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As @simplepinoi177 said, I'm part of the community that just let's the factory image flash the slot it needs/wants to, and it's never once been an issue.
Look at it like this; some people prefer to simply copy/paste a link or block of text in the PC, some people prefer to CTRL + C then CTRL + V.... BOTH take you to the same end.
Plus, knowing me, the more I manually mess with Slot A vs Slot B, the more chance there is for me to screw something up
Best of luck with your 2 XL, it's a FICKLE device, but it's a really, really great device once you get it as you want it.
Thank you all very much! I am pretty busy these days so once I find some time I will do more research and root it.
@simplepinoi177
I am not sure if your paypal address works, I felt like buying you a coffee earlier, the least I could do with all the time you spent explaining
Oh forgot to ask some minor things,
to make a nandroid backup, I just send twrp.img via fastboot to the phone and boot into it and make it? And if I want to revert back I do the same and restore it?
Also if TWRP asks me the question about if I want to enable modification to the system, what do I answer? Either for the nandroid backup, the restore or for flashing magisk.zip? Do any of those require that enabled?
Lastly, I understood that just unlocking the bootloader alone can result in no OTAs. But, will I keep getting the security updates? I heared something about security updates that are frequently available from the playstore or something like that but I have the phone for less than a week and haven't gotten anything. No OTAs mean no security updates as well? Or they are irrelevant and I will keep getting those security updates once rooted?
arismelachrinos said:
Oh forgot to ask some minor things,
to make a nandroid backup, I just send twrp.img via fastboot to the phone and boot into it and make it? And if I want to revert back I do the same and restore it?
Also if TWRP asks me the question about if I want to enable modification to the system, what do I answer? Either for the nandroid backup, the restore or for flashing magisk.zip? Do any of those require that enabled?
Lastly, I understood that just unlocking the bootloader alone can result in no OTAs. But, will I keep getting the security updates? I heared something about security updates that are frequently available from the playstore or something like that but I have the phone for less than a week and haven't gotten anything. No OTAs mean no security updates as well? Or they are irrelevant and I will keep getting those security updates once rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, about booting TWRP...
You can temporarily boot into TWRP just the one time if you wish. If you are using the newest version of TWRP (for the Pixel 2), they actually give an option to flash and replace the recovery with TWRP from within their recovery environment; I'm guessing they use the temporarily booted twrp.img to install. In any case, you can find the option in the Install section. In any case, it's up to you whether you install it as your custom recovery, but it's easy enough to restore it back to stock recovery either by manually flashing the stock boot.img (and maybe dtbo.img for good measure, as I'm unsure...) and/or if you update your device via a Full Factory (or even a downloaded OTA) image, as that will update and replace the boot partition regardless...
So, about the alert for enabling modification to the system; In the past, I had always enabled it. Of course you would want to have r/w and mounting capabilities towards the device's system and data partitions. But keep this in mind...until the TWRP team updates the latest version, there is no write capabilities/permissions. It will pull up an error that it either can't mount or doesn't write -- For this reason, I'm holding off so I don't have firsthand experience... -- but installing and flashing and backing up from within TWRP does work even if it spits up some errors. What you should be careful about is if/when it asks to install it as a "system service" or something, as general consensus says at no circumstance should you do this as it "forks" up many other things while at it.
But, to answer your question directly, I'm unsure whether you can or cannot install Magisk root or restoring without enabling this "modification" capability, but I say it can't hurt.....
As for your inquiries on OTAs, as I understand it (so anyone please correct me if I'm wrong), but the monthly security updates come with the OTAs (also monthly, so I believe they may be one in the same). I'm unsure about the whole seeing the security updates on the Play Store or something like that, but I highly doubt that is the case. Conventional knowledge says that you can only get these either from the stock System Updater or if you download them yourself and either sideload or "flash-all" it. That's why many (most) experts will download the Full Factory image every month (usually first Monday of the month) and we have this whole step-by-step process in updating platform-tools, unregistering Magisk modules and screenlocks/fingerprints, running the flash-all, temporarily booting TWRP, installing all custom modifications (Magisk last), rebooting after each and every flash/install, then going back into the OS and resetting up the screenlock/fingerprints and Magisk modules. As it would be nice if we could simply and always use the stock System Updater, but in any case, one would need to re-install all the custom modifications anyways. So, it is one of the sacrifices/compromises having a rooted Pixel 2….
But it is peculiar that you haven’t gotten any alert (unless you inadvertently updated to the latest already), for it still should alert you that there is an update available, and usually, if you have unlocked your bootloader, while it’s downloading and attempting to install, it will throw up an error; but everything would look like normal up to that point. But, then again, Google notifying updates on their various devices are intermittent at best. It would be simpler and best if you just keep it in mind that there’s usually the monthly update on/after the first Monday of the month and do what we all do and have to manually install the updates to keep most up to date.
If there’s anything else, you know you can ask…
Good luck and hope this helps…!
I'm on 10 with an unlocked bootloader, 1st gen Pixel. I still get security updates. Twrp doesn't mount /system or /vendor, so I take system/vendor IMAGE backups with no issue. Not sure if I'll get updates still after unrooting. I've always flashed factory after rooting. Theoretically it should return to stock if you flash the Magisk uninstaller. The boot image (boot + recovery + base system) will be restored. You should then be able to get OTA updates. They will be installed to the OTHER slot, so if the phone fails to boot (3 times?) it will switch back to the first slot. If you have issues and want to go back, you can manually switch slots in fastboot or go into twrp, tap reboot, tap the other slot, then reboot system. It will show a message that the slot has changed. You can of course always check the active slot in fastboot to make sure. If you want to roll back an OTA update, reboot to twrp, change the active slot, then reboot system, and it should boot to the older version. Make sure to turn off automatic updates or else it will redownload the same update again. I believe I've lost twrp by installing an OTA update, which installs to the inactive slot, which overwrites recovery, and then boots to that slot. Meaning if you don't have a pc to switch slots in fastboot, you can't go back to the first slot which still has twrp. The command is fastboot set_active, something like that. Quick google search.. No pc means no restore if something goes wrong while you're away from a computer. The only way I know of to change slots at that point is to hard reset 3 times, which will trigger the phone to switch slots. ALWAYS reboot after flashing bootloader/radio. I'm decently sure that the bootloader has to match the system, so if you install lineage Pie, you need to flash the bootloader/radio from Pie or the phone won't boot. Flash bootloader, reboot, flash radio, reboot, flash matching rom. It is technically possible to have dual boot, where one slot is lineage and the other is stock, as long as they're the same Android versions. Lineage Pie/stock Pie for example, because the bootloader won't match if you flash Lineage Oreo/stock Pie. Keep in mind OTAs will overwrite twrp with stock recovery, so if you reboot, you might lose access to twrp, and I don't know of a way to OTA and reboot on the same slot. I don't know if there is an app or command for this, WHICH WOULD BE REALLY FREAKING NICE. Also, when restoring boot from twrp, I always reflash twrp to make sure. It will install to both slots. You can keep a copy of twrp on your data partition. To reflash twrp from within twrp, Install > Select Image > find twrp.img > flash to RAMDISK. If you flash to boot, it will overwrite system, and leave you with only twrp. When installing in older twrp's, I believe it will install to the same slot. With newer twrp's that specifically support Treble, it will flash to the other slot. Don't quote me on that. Due to the single data partition, there's a chance Lineage will have issues with stock data. I've never seen it though. I've dirty flashed a couple times with few issues. I think I've even dirty flashed different OS versions. If you get app crashes, open that app's info, delete its storage/cache, and reopen the app. Most of the app data is the same across versions anyway. The Pixel is a complete pain in the ass when coming from non Treble phones. Sorry if this is repeated info, the posts above are LONG lol. Hope this helps.
Edit- not sure if relevant to you, but I get bootloops when flashing twrp to the ramdisk. There should be an option in twrp to fix it. I always do this after flashing twrp this way.

General Had issue with OTA sideload of 2nd February update, device is corrput, now working

I had a strange and new issue for me today. Went to sideload the OTA update (2nd February 2022 update). I have been doing it this way for the last few, with no issues. All seemed fine, but got an error when trying to flash the new magisk boot.img. Tried again and seemed to go thru. Rebooted then to bootloop. Keep trying and nothing, tried to get back in and flash again, also tried flashing stock boot to all slots, nothing.
So I had to resort to using the flash tool (in chrome). I assumed I would lose all and had made backups prior, so I would make it work. Using the flash tool, got in, got device connected. Then I selected the .004 build and unchecked all options. I can't remember for sure but I think I also unchecked the force flash all partitions/slots (I think that is what it was called). The flash tool did its thing and came back online, and seemed like no data loss, which was great. I then re-downloaded platform tools, factory image and OTA, got fresh boot.img, patched in magisk, flashed it and all good. After that, I did the direct install too, just in case, but I don't think that is needed, but doing so didn't mess anything up.
Not sure if this is normal, or helpful to anyone, but in my frantic searching, I didn't see a ton on this, so thought I would share it in case it happens to anyone else.
I have a feeling I should do what I normally do, reboot my pc and then download all items needed and flash away. I usually do that and haven't had issues to date. All ended up being good. If anyone runs into this, hope this helps you out.
Thanks for all the info on this forum, it is a great help to keeping my phone updated and running.
I had same problem
I had no issues. Same process... Recovery, ota sideload, reboot, let it finish setting up, patch boot.img extracted from full image, reboot into bootloader and flashed boot sector. All is fine.
I know this is a little dumb but this is my first pixel and I usually restored my samsung phones with odin. Does anyone have a guide how to unroot the Pixel 6 Pro and flash stock firmware incase I need this in future instances, All I can seem to find is Rooting guides.
DirtyPISTOLA said:
I know this is a little dumb but this is my first pixel and I usually restored my samsung phones with odin. Does anyone have a guide how to unroot the Pixel 6 Pro and flash stock firmware incase I need this in future instances, All I can seem to find is Rooting guides.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you can just use the flash tool. Check the appropriate options and it should wipe everything and return it to stock. It looks like you can even use it to lock bootloader again, if you wanted to. This was my first time using it. I may play around with it on one of my old pixels. Never had a use for it before, but came in very handy this week. Probably good for me if I know a bit more about it and how to use it.
DirtyPISTOLA said:
I know this is a little dumb but this is my first pixel and I usually restored my samsung phones with odin. Does anyone have a guide how to unroot the Pixel 6 Pro and flash stock firmware incase I need this in future instances, All I can seem to find is Rooting guides.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Within the guide is this post and I'm sure many other posts.
[GUIDE] Pixel 6 "oriole": Unlock Bootloader, Update, Root, Pass SafetyNet
⚠️⚠️⚠️WARNING! IF YOU ARE UPDATING TO ANDROID 13 FOR THE FIRST TIME, READ THIS FIRST! ⚠️⚠️⚠️ If you are looking for my guide on a different Pixel, find it here: Pixel 3 Pixel 3XL Pixel 3a Pixel 3aXL Pixel 4 Pixel 4XL Pixel 4a Pixel 4a (5G)...
forum.xda-developers.com
Here's the guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-root-pixel-6-oriole-with-magisk.4356233/
Thank you all, I figured out that online flash tool is a thing. I got it now.
hpower1 said:
I had a strange and new issue for me today. Went to sideload the OTA update (2nd February 2022 update). I have been doing it this way for the last few, with no issues. All seemed fine, but got an error when trying to flash the new magisk boot.img. Tried again and seemed to go thru. Rebooted then to bootloop. Keep trying and nothing, tried to get back in and flash again, also tried flashing stock boot to all slots, nothing.
So I had to resort to using the flash tool (in chrome). I assumed I would lose all and had made backups prior, so I would make it work. Using the flash tool, got in, got device connected. Then I selected the .004 build and unchecked all options. I can't remember for sure but I think I also unchecked the force flash all partitions/slots (I think that is what it was called). The flash tool did its thing and came back online, and seemed like no data loss, which was great. I then re-downloaded platform tools, factory image and OTA, got fresh boot.img, patched in magisk, flashed it and all good. After that, I did the direct install too, just in case, but I don't think that is needed, but doing so didn't mess anything up.
Not sure if this is normal, or helpful to anyone, but in my frantic searching, I didn't see a ton on this, so thought I would share it in case it happens to anyone else.
I have a feeling I should do what I normally do, reboot my pc and then download all items needed and flash away. I usually do that and haven't had issues to date. All ended up being good. If anyone runs into this, hope this helps you out.
Thanks for all the info on this forum, it is a great help to keeping my phone updated and running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check the downloaded files via checksum?
If you update via OTA, whether via delta or sideload, you CANNOT interrupt the boot process, otherwise the device assumes the update has failed.
Additionally, if you try to use an older boot image, you'll get the same result.
The recommended means of update is either delta OTA + install to inactive slot in Magisk, or factory image + patch new boot image in Magisk.

Magisk can't find stock image, how can I upgrade and fix this issue?

I'm not sure why i have Magisk installed in a way that it cannot find the stock boot image, but that seems to be the case.
a quick search didn't turn up the stock boot image for my existing ROM version (IN2025_11_f.15)
I figure it may be easier to just update and lose root, then re-root with the new boot image, but I've had some issues doing what I thought would be easy, but turned into big issues, so before I start down this path, I wanted to ask what may be the best way to go from where I am...
(rooted with Magisk, but no stock boot.img, running build number IN2025_11_F.15, Baseband version Q_V1_P14)
...to getting onto the latest version my phone is offering (IN2025_11.F.62_2620_202301162204) and get Magisk fixed so that it then has a stock boot image, so I can update later by just uninstalling/restoring images, installing the update, then rebooting to the inactive slot, which worked fine for years.
Thanks in advance for any help/guidance doing so.
Hmmm, I've never uninstalled/restored boot image when updating. I simply disable/uninstall those modules that might cause issues (like Substratum/themes), download the full rom zip file and place it in the root of my internal and make a backup of my apps with Migrate.
Then I do the local upgrade WITHOUT rebooting. Back in Magisk I hit install after the Magisk version -> hit again install -> hit "install to inactive slot.
THEN I reboot.
Afterwards I enable/reinstall my Magisk modules and that's it.
But I just found your stock boot image in our OP 8 group too and am attaching it, in case you want to do it your way lol
XDA didn't like file upload so I put it on GDrive for you. Let me know when you've grabbed it so I can delete it
Nimueh said:
Hmmm, I've never uninstalled/restored boot image when updating. I simply disable/uninstall those modules that might cause issues (like Substratum/themes), download the full rom zip file and place it in the root of my internal and make a backup of my apps with Migrate.
Then I do the local upgrade WITHOUT rebooting. Back in Magisk I hit install after the Magisk version -> hit again install -> hit "install to inactive slot.
THEN I reboot.
Afterwards I enable/reinstall my Magisk modules and that's it.
But I just found your stock boot image in our OP 8 group too and am attaching it, in case you want to do it your way lol
XDA didn't like the .img ending so I had to rename it to .zip - just remove that and you'll be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never done it that way myself. By just restoring images in magisk, I can do a "normal" update, from settings, and it will download just the update, in this case, about 700MB, then Install to inactive slot in Magisk and done.
This avoids me needing to find the full update to download. Probably not a big deal, but this has always worked fine in the past.
I guess i just installed Magisk incorrectly the last time I wiped, which is now causing me this issue.
I appreciate your suggestion, and perhaps that is the better way moving forward.
I didn't see your attachment, but as I'm typing this, i see you edited to say you renamed it, so I'll see if I see it now.
Thank you for your help.
Nimueh said:
Hmmm, I've never uninstalled/restored boot image when updating. I simply disable/uninstall those modules that might cause issues (like Substratum/themes), download the full rom zip file and place it in the root of my internal and make a backup of my apps with Migrate.
Then I do the local upgrade WITHOUT rebooting. Back in Magisk I hit install after the Magisk version -> hit again install -> hit "install to inactive slot.
THEN I reboot.
Afterwards I enable/reinstall my Magisk modules and that's it.
But I just found your stock boot image in our OP 8 group too and am attaching it, in case you want to do it your way lol
XDA didn't like file upload so I put it on GDrive for you. Let me know when you've grabbed it so I can delete it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just downloaded it, thank you again!
Note: I've never upgraded this device.
Uninstalling Magisk from the app restores the stock boot: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...epo-of-oxygen-os-builds.4084315/post-87931933
Primokorn said:
Note: I've never upgraded this device.
Uninstalling Magisk from the app restores the stock boot: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...epo-of-oxygen-os-builds.4084315/post-87931933
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but that is the issue. I don't seem to have the stock image on the device, so I can't "uninstall Magisk" to restore the stock image.
Once I make the time to deal with this, I believe the stock image Nimueh shared will let me fix this, but I don't have time to troubleshoot this if it doesn't go smoothly, so it needs to wait a bit longer.
JustinChase said:
Thank you, but that is the issue. I don't seem to have the stock image on the device, so I can't "uninstall Magisk" to restore the stock image.
Once I make the time to deal with this, I believe the stock image Nimueh shared will let me fix this, but I don't have time to troubleshoot this if it doesn't go smoothly, so it needs to wait a bit longer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I thought Magisk handled the backup of the stock boot.
I'm not in hurry to upgrade lol
Primokorn said:
OK I thought Magisk handled the backup of the stock boot.
I'm not in hurry to upgrade lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It normally does, but I apparently installed it 'abnormally' last time, so I didn't have/save the stock boot image.
I just need to research the best way to get the downloaded stock image onto my phone so that Magisk knows and can use it, without screwing something up, and having to wipe and reinstall everything (again).
I'm not in a huge hurry to upgrade either, but I do like to be on the latest security patches; especially considering the news with the Exynos chips' vulnerability to WiFi calling issues.
JustinChase said:
I'm not in a huge hurry to upgrade either, but I do like to be on the latest security patches; especially considering the news with the Exynos chips' vulnerability to WiFi calling issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Luckily that doesn't apply to our devices though - according to the articles I've seen it only affects these devices:
Samsung Galaxy S22, M33, M13, M12, A71, A53, A33, A21s, A13, A12 and A04 series.
Vivo S16, S15, S6, X70, X60 and X30 series.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series.
Any vehicles that use the Exynos Auto T5123 chipset.
Nimueh said:
Luckily that doesn't apply to our devices though - according to the articles I've seen it only affects these devices:
Samsung Galaxy S22, M33, M13, M12, A71, A53, A33, A21s, A13, A12 and A04 series.
Vivo S16, S15, S6, X70, X60 and X30 series.
The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series.
Any vehicles that use the Exynos Auto T5123 chipset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I'm more concerned about the unpublished vulnerabilities that may exist, that we just don't know about yet.
I figure that if I keep my device updated with security patches, that's better than finding out the hard way I could have prevented an issue.
JustinChase said:
I agree. I'm more concerned about the unpublished vulnerabilities that may exist, that we just don't know about yet.
I figure that if I keep my device updated with security patches, that's better than finding out the hard way I could have prevented an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use my device much and mostly at home on my wifi, so I'm not overly worried. I'm still on the last OOS 11 version mysel, mostly because 1 mod I use only exists for OOS 11. I'm sure I'll update eventually but for now I'm ok with old security patches.
#priorities and all that

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