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[TUT] What Is ClockworkMod And How To Use It [Complete Guide] [VeNuM]

What Is ClockworkMod Recovery And How To Use It On Android [Tutorial]
ClockworkMod – also known as Clockwork and CWM – is a custom recovery for Android phones and tablets that allows you to perform several advanced recovery, restoration, installation and maintenance operations on your Android device that aren’t possible with the stock recovery. In what follows, we will cover all that this recovery is capable of doing, and how to do it. We do not discuss Touch recovery (and you shouldn’t use it on the ET4G) or Rogue recovery here. Those are different tuts…
All About Android Recovery
All Android devices ship with a recovery console that is basically a partition on the device’s internal memory and can be booted into. The stock recovery of almost all Android devices provides a few basic yet handy options that allow you to factory reset your device and also to recover its operating system using an official ROM in zip format, but that’s all you can do with it. That’s where a custom recovery comes handy.
A custom Android recovery basically replaces the stock recovery with one that lets you do all you can do with the stock recovery, plus a plethora of more options to give you a lot more control on your device. With a custom recovery, you can install official and unofficial ROMs as well as other updates including apps, themes, kernels etc. using zip files, wipe not just user data but pretty much every partition on your device, mount the storage card for USB mass storage access without leaving recovery, partition your SD card, wipe Dalvik cache and battery stats, fix permissions, perform, manage and restore backups and so on.
Introduction to ClockworkMod
ClockworkMod recovery is one of the most widely used custom Android recoveries that is available for most mainstream Android devices. It is the needed recovery for AOKP, AOSP, CM7 and 9. ClockworkMod recovery has been developed by Koushik Dutta (also known as Koush) – the same guy who brought us the Android ROM Manager.
Booting into ClockworkMod
On most Android devices including ones by Samsung, you can enter recovery by powering your device off and then powering it back on while keeping either the ‘Volume Down’ or the ‘Volume-Up’ button pressed, depending on the device (volume up for our phones). This will enter the bootloader from where you can select the ‘RECOVERY’ option by navigating to it with the Volume key and entering it with the ‘Power’ key.
On most Samsung devices specifically Samsung Galaxy S series devices, you must keep both the ‘Volume-Up’ and ‘Home’ keys pressed while powering on the device, to directly enter recovery.
Tour
1. reboot system now
This one is self-explanatory.
2. apply update from sdcard
This can be used for installation of any official or unofficial update, ROM, kernel, theme etc. that is in a zip format installable from recovery, as long as the file is named update.zip and it has been placed on the root of your SD card (i.e. not in any sub-folder). Selecting this option (and most of the options featured below) will bring up a rather annoying confirmation prompt but this has saved us on multiple occasions from a lot of trouble we would have been into due to accidental key presses. This is what we are talking about:
3. wipe data/factory reset
This option wipes all user data on the device as well as cache. Doing this will leave your phone in the state it was in when you bought it or when any custom ROM was first installed. It will also wipe any sd-ext partition that you might have setup (more on this later).
4. wipe cache partition
Wipes the cache partition of the device to clear all the data accumulated there over use. This is often used before installing a new ROM, app, kernel or any similar mod via recovery.
5. install zip from sdcard
This option brings up the following sub-menu:
1. apply /sdcard/update.zip
This one is essentially the same as the ‘apply update from sdcard’ option of the main menu.
2. choose zip from sdcard
Lets you install any zip file (with any name) from any location on your SD card. The file can be for a ROM, a kernel, an application, a theme or any mod as long as it is in recovery-flashable zip format. This is the most widely used option for installing a ROM that you have downloaded and copied to your SD card.
3. toggle signature verification
Turns the signature verification on and off. When signature verification is on, you will not be able to install any custom ROMs that haven’t been signed by the developers (most custom ROMs aren’t signed). Switching it off skips the signature verification check and proceeds with the installation.
4. toggle script asserts
Seldom-used option for a vast majority of users. It simply turns script asserts on or off. If you don’t know about these (we don’t), it’s best not to change this option.
5. +++++Go Back+++++
Takes you back to the main recovery menu, obviously!
6. backup and restore Undoubtedly one of the most important features provided by a custom recovery, the backup and restore feature – also known as Nandroid backup – allows you to take a snapshot of your phone’s entire internal memory including all partitions, and save it on the SD card.
1. Backup
Takes a Nandroid backup, as explained above.
2. Restore
Lets you restore a previously taken backup. Entering this option presents you with a list of existing backups from the SD card that you can choose from for restoration.
3. Advanced Restore
This option is similar to the Restore option but once a backup has been selected to be restored, this option allows you to choose what parts of it to restore. You can choose to restore the boot, system, data, cache and sd-ext partitions.
7. mounts and storage
Allows you to perform maintenance tasks on all the internal and external partitions of your android device
1. mount/unmount /system, /data, /cache, /sdcard or /sd-ext
These options let you toggle between mounting or unmounting these respective partitions. Most users don’t need to change these options.
2. format boot, system, data, cache, sdcard or sd-ext
These let you directly format any of these partitions. Take extreme care with this option as formatting any of these partitions will result in losing all data on them, especially the boot and system partitions. Formatting the system partition will remove your ROM and leave your phone without an operating system while wiping the boot partition may brick your phone unless you restore or flash another one before rebooting your device.
3. mount USB storage
Lets you enable USB mass storage mode for your SD card right from recovery so that you can connect it to your computer via USB and transfer any files to/from it without having to leave recovery.
8. advanced
This section contains a few options most users will not require, though these can come handy quite often, especially wiping Dalvik cache, which is required before most ROM installations.
1. Reboot Recovery
Lets you directly and very conveniently reboot from recovery right back into recovery. This is useful option for certain back-to-back installations that require the device to at least boot once between them.
2. Wipe Dalvik Cache
Allows you to wipe the cache for the Dalvik virtual machine (the custom-built Java virtual machine for Android).This is required before most ROM installations and at other occasions too, for fixing some problems.
3. Wipe Battery Stats
Wipes the saved battery usage statistics and effectively recalibrates the battery. Useful in various scenarios when Android isn’t showing correct battery levels.
4. Report Error
In case of errors, this feature can be used to save a log of recent ClockworkMod recovery operations on the SD card that you can later report from Android using ROM Manager.
5. Key Test
Lets you press any of the hardware keys to see if they are properly functioning, and to see their key codes.
6. Partition SD Card
This option gives you a no-frills way to partition your SD card properly for use with ROMs that support data2ext (a very handy hack for low internal memory devices that enables an /sd-ext partition on the SD card to be used as the internal user data storage i.e. as the /data partition). Once this option is selected, you will be given options to choose the sizes for the /sd-ext partition as well as an optional /swap partition on the SD card, and will then automatically format it for you, leaving the remaining space for normal SD card usage. This option will wipe all data from your SD card so use it with caution!
7. Fix Permissions
Fixes the file permissions for the internal memory partitions back to default. This is very useful as a fix for several errors and Force-Closes that start appearing after you or an application you installed and provided root access end up messing up the permissions of important files.
Using ClockworkMod for ROM, kernel, apps, theme or mod installation
While in the complete feature tour we have already shown you how to install a ROM, kernel, app, theme or any similar mod from a recovery-flashable zip file using the recovery options, those of you who jumped straight to this section expecting to get just this information quickly are at the right place!
This guide is primary focused on a full feature tour of ClockworkMod recovery but in our previously written guide on how to flash a ROM or app from a zip to an Android device file from recovery, we have already covered in detail how to use ClockworkMod for installing any ROM, kernel, app, theme or mod using a recovery-flashable zip file. While that guide is based on an older version of ClockworkMod recovery, everything in it still applies to the latest versions and should work flawlessly.
How To Install A ROM Or App From Zip File To Android Device From Recovery
Please note that the terms ‘installing’ and ‘flashing’ can be used interchangeably here and will mean the same thing.
Disclaimer: Although I have done my best to make the following procedure as safe as possible, you should still follow this guide at your own risk.
Rooting your device renders its warranty void.
ALWAYS take backups before rooting or flashing a custom ROM or app to your phone.
Flashing a defective ROM or app to your phone might brick it so choose the ROMs and software that you flash wisely and never install a ROM or application from an untrusted source.
AddictiveTips will not be liable if your device gets damaged or bricked during the process.
Official ROM updates from device manufacturers or carriers are released in conveniently packaged installation files that you can run on your computer while your Android device is connected to it, and they automatically take care of updating your phone’s system. Similarly, most applications are available directly in the Android Market for easy installation, or come packaged as convenient ‘.apk’ files that you can just run on your Android phone to install. The case is not the same with most custom ROMs and several custom applications, which come in .zip files rather than PC installers or .apk files.
The idea of installing a customized operating system to their smartphone can be quite intimidating for inexperienced users. Though once they get used to it, some of them end up trying out different ROMs for their devices several times a day. While I don’t exactly recommend that you flash every new ROM that is made available for your Android phone, we are here to help you get over the fear of flashing a ROM that enhances the capabilities of your device so that you can use it to its fullest potential.
Here is a quick look at what we will be covering in this guide. Feel free to skip to the real deal if you already meet the prerequisites.
• Before We Begin: Battery Check
• Before We Begin: Unlocking the Bootloader (Stock Android Devices Only)
• Before We Begin: Rooting
• Before We Proceed: Installing a Custom Recovery
• The Real Deal: Installing a Custom ROM to your Phone
• The Real Deal: Installing an App From a Zip File to your Phone
There are certain steps that you might not require, and we shall be mentioning them in each section.
Before We Begin: Battery Check
Before you proceed with any of the following steps, make sure your phone’s battery level is not too low. It is recommended to have it at 50% or more. Do NOT take this lightly. If your phone’s battery runs out while you are attempting to flash a custom ROM, there is a significant chance of your phone getting bricked and becoming unusable PERMANENTLY.
Before We Begin:Unlocking the Bootloader (Stock Android Devices Only)
Note: This step applies only to Android devices with stock version of Android installed. At the moment, Google Nexus One and Nexus S are the only two such devices available. You may skip this step if you are using any other Android device.
Users of stock Android devices such as the Google Nexus One or Nexus S also need to unlock its bootloader before they can proceed. Once you have done this, you may proceed to the next step.
Before We Begin: Rooting
Note: You may skip this step if your device is already rooted, or if you already know how to root it.
Before you can install a custom ROM to your device, your phone needs to be rooted. Rooting is basically administrator or root level access required to perform administrative tasks on your Android device. Once you are done with the rooting process, you may proceed to the next step.
Before We Proceed: Installing A Custom Recovery
Note: You may skip this step if you already have a custom recovery installed on your device.
Rooting grants you the necessary access level to execute administrative tasks on your Android device but it is the recovery that provides the tools necessary to actually perform those tasks. While every Android device ships with a recovery, the stock recovery is quite limited in what it lets you do, and you need a custom recovery image to perform advanced operations on your device. Once you have a custom recovery installed on your phone, you will be ready to proceed to the next step.
The Real Deal: Installing a Custom ROM to your Phone
Now that you have a custom recovery installed on your phone, you can perform all sorts of wonderful advanced operations on your device and this includes the ability to flash a ROM or application from a zip file. The procedure is pretty standard for most ROMs, though there are certain ROMs which require additional steps for their installation. Since those steps differ from ROM to ROM, pay attention to instructions and this includes only the standard instructions here.
• Manually
1. Download the ROM from the link given in the article featuring that ROM. It should be a zip file.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB and mount its storage card.
3. Copy the downloaded ROM to the root of the storage card.
4. Power your phone off and reboot it into recovery. This will involve using a combination of your device’s hardware keys. Once in recovery, you can navigate its menu using the volume up and volume down hardware keys or your phone’s trackball / optical track pad if it comes equipped with one.
5. Use the ‘backup and restore’ feature of recovery to backup your existing ROM installation, software and data. This step is known as performing a nandroid backup. ALWAYS perform a backup before flashing a custom ROM, UNLESS you can afford to lose everything that’s on your phone at the moment.
Note: ALWAYS choose to perform the following steps 6, 7 and 8 UNLESS the ROM you are attempting to flash is an updated version of the same ROM that you are currently using, and is compatible with the current installation’s data. It is usually mentioned with the update whether you can install it over a previous version without wiping its data or not.
6. Get back to the main recovery menu and use the option ‘wipe data/factory reset’. You will be prompted to confirm this action. Select “Yes – Delete all user data”.
7. From the main recovery menu, select ‘wipe cache partition’. You will be prompted to confirm this action. Select ‘Yes – Wipe Cache’.
8. From the main recovery menu, enter the ‘advanced’ menu. From this menu, select ‘Wipe Dalvik Cache’. You will be prompted to confirm this action. Select ‘Yes – Format/System’.
9. From the main recovery menu, enter the ‘Mounts and Storage’ menu. From this menu, select ‘Format/System’. You will be prompted to confirm this action. Select ‘Yes – Wipe Dalvik Cache’.
10. Go back to the main recovery menu by pressing the back button and select the ‘Install zip from SD card’ option.
11. Select ‘choose zip from sdcard’ to get a list of the files and folders on your SD card. Scroll to the ROM’s file that you copied there in step 3, and select it. You will be prompted to confirm this action. Select ‘Yes – Install file_name.zip’ where file_name.zip is the name of the zip file that you are trying to install.
12. Wait patiently while the ROM is flashed to your phone via recovery.
13. Once the installation is complete, head back to the main recovery menu if you aren’t there, and select ‘reboot system now’. Your phone will now boot into the newly installed ROM.
The Real Deal: Installing an App From a Zip File to your Phone
While most apps for Android devices are available at the app store for direct download and installation or as .apk files for direct installation, there are certain apps which are only available as zip files installable from recovery. Their installation procedure is the same as installing a custom ROM that we just featured above. However, there are a few minute differences.
• When installing an app from a zip file, you do NOT need to perform the ‘wipe data/factory reset’ or ‘wipe/system’ step so NEVER do that unless you know what you are doing, have a complete backup and want to start using your ROM as a fresh installation with the new app added.
• You might or might not need to wipe the cache and the dalvik cache for installing apps from zip file. This varies from app to app and the developers of such apps as well as many reviewers including us mention when featuring an app whether it requires a cache and dalvik cache wipe or not. However, it never hurts to wipe these caches anyway, and it does not effect the data on your device or its storage card.
There you go, this concludes the guide on how to flash a ROM or app from a zip file to your Android device using a custom recovery. To try out the skills that you just learned, search our site for custom ROMs for your phone and start flashing, always remembering to take backups first!
Edit- for Nandroid Backup Tut go HERE
By Haroon Q. Raja found (original link HERE), with additions and corrections by VeNuM

Very nice tutorial/guide!
EDIT : First!

Wow this will really help me when i decide to root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

fghjfhjfghjfghjfgjh
10 char

Nice tutorial bro.

Great Guide!!! Wished we had this kind of guide on the fascinate when I started : )
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

jUgGsY said:
Very nice tutorial/guide!
EDIT : First!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you

Me likes it, tank u berry mush

iSaint said:
Wow this will really help me when i decide to root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You

iSaint said:
Wow this will really help me when i decide to root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL!
10char

iSaint said:
Wow this will really help me when i decide to root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who are you rooting for?... Lol.
Thank you Venum for your time putting this together. Hopefully it will answer allot of questions before they are asked in dev thread. I'm sure it will be very helpful to allot of people.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

blackcanopy said:
Who are you rooting for?... Lol.
Thank you Venum for your time putting this together. Hopefully it will answer allot of questions before they are asked in dev thread. I'm sure it will be very helpful to allot of people.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
myself I'm to scared not very edumacated with all this phone stuff
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

iSaint said:
myself I'm to scared not very edumacated with all this phone stuff
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This coming from someone with over 800 thanks. Lol

Thank you for this!

iSaint said:
Wow this will really help me when i decide to root
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahahhaha I was thinking something like that lol

First time user here I wanted to say thank you for this, I found it very easy to read and understand, perfect for helping get threw my first root, recovery, and rom

Could someone please direct me to the version of CWM that is safest for our phones?
Thanks
NM: read the thread again and found it.

Nice Guide.

thanks great guide on installing CWM! will come in handy not just for this device but others

Thanks
Thanks for guide. Defiantly the best CWM guide out there....

Dual-Boot FAQ thread | devil2-kernel by DerTeufel1980 [Note 2]

This thread should clarify the methods you can use to enable dual-boot functionality along with common problems and solutions. Hopefully, the list of questions should help. The initial author of this important thread was RichMD. He has kindly asked me to maintain it further instead of him, as he is too busy for that in the moment. I have accepted it and I do it as of February, 2014. Although I'm an active user of dual boot since I own my N7100, I don't consider myself to be a guru for this and I will highly appreciate any cooperative posts and I will try to add the important information and frequently update this OP.
IMPORTANT: particulary new users, please read especially careful here and mind, as the features of Devil Dual Boot Recovery have been strongly changed between the updates! I have kept first two parts of this OP the way RichMD has written them. So all the information are regarding pre-F2FS recovery versions (until v6.0.4.4). My screenshots also show only UI of the 6.0.4.4 version. From part 3 onwards, th einformation are regarding entirely newer recovery and kernel versions with F2FS support.
LIST OF CONTENTS:
About Devil dual boot recovery
Part 1: FAQs: dual-boot general
Part 2: GUIDE: setup dual-boot
Part 3: FAQs: benefits of F2FS
Part 4: GUIDE: migrate from ext4 to F2FS
Part 5: bootloader info & download links
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About Devil Dual Boot Recovery
A luxory version of CWM based recovery with touch UI
Each choice must be clicked twice by touch navigation (to avoid accidental touch)
Navigation can be done by swiping with finger up or down beyond the menu contents
The navigation bar on the bottom works identic like with PhilZ recovery
SCREENSHOTS: (v6.0.4.4, the last pre-F2FS version)
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: FAQs / dual-boot general
Q.) Can I run all 4.3 and 4.4 AOSP and Touchwiz based ROMs with devil2 dual-boot kernel?
A.) All AOSP ROMs between 4.3 and 4.4.2 will work, but ATM only 4.3 TW based ROMs will boot, 4.4 isn't yet supported.
Q.) Why do I keep getting "Something went wrong..." when trying to install a ROM.
A.) Some people have had this problem when trying to install from the external SD card and the error does not happen after the zip is moved to the SD card. There are additional reasons for that error that I listed below.
Q.) I am having ... problem with the secondary ROM (Play Store FC, no SD card access, no MTP, it fails to install and affects the primary ROM, etc)
A.) 4.2 ROMs do not typically install properly to the secondary partition currently. Additionally, 4.1 roms have a problem with MTP frequently or AROMA roms will fail the ROM to secondary install-script-modification step . Instead, install your desired ROM to primary, boot with the kernel included in the ROM and ensure everything works including MTP. Then flash the dual-boot kernel. Then back it up and wipe the secondary partition. Then restore your backup to the secondary.
Note: DerTeufel has fixed the problem of internal SD card access for 4.2 ROMs for N-7105 (LTE) based phones but N-7100 phones still have the problem. It is being worked on.
Workaround if you can't access the phone via USB
You can load and use easy UMS one time. You will have access to the external SD. Simply reboot and then set the app back to the default MTP mode and both should be accessible. You don't need the app after that. - (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mohammadag.samsungusbmassstorageenabler) and you shouldn't need it anymore.
Q.) Can I revert back to a configuration without dual-boot and how do you do it?
A.) Yes. Use a file manager with root access on the primary ROM to delete the /data/media/.secondrom folder which contains the 1.5GB file and the data folder. Flash another recovery (CWM or TWRP) and flash as you normally would.
Q.) I can't seem to get my nandroid to restore to the secondary partition. What am I doing wrong?
A.) One possible problem is that the secondary /system partition is sized at 1.5GB (recent F2FS kernel version enlarged secondaryFS to 1.9GB). If your nandroid backup has over this amount in /system then it won't work. One possible solution is if you use Titanium Backup (or similar backup program) to do a full backup of apps AND system info. Although it is often written not to restore system info, it is OK if it to the same exact ROM and version. You could then factory reset to wipe it clean, do a nandroid backup and then restore that to secondary. Then install TB and restore selectively only the apps you want. I would probably suggest restoring "missing apps + all system data" but then deselect most of the apps that aren't really necessary. Once that is complete and the configuration is working, you could selectively restore other missing apps and data on a priority basis until you start running low on /system space. TB will show that at the bottom of the initial screen.
Q.) I tried a fresh install to the secondary partition and it completed successfully but now when I boot the primary ROM, I have what I meant to install to the secondary partition. What's wrong?
A.) This will happen if you choose "ZIP to secondary rather than ROM to secondary because of what I listed below in initial setup. Choosing ROM to secondary will cause the installation script to be modified to install to the secondary partition or it will error out with "Something went wrong". Zips installation scripts do not need to be modified because they will reference recovery.fstab which has been modified to support the secondary partition (when you select enable secondary FS.
Q.) Why doesn't vibration work after flashing this kernel?
A.) The default setting for vibration in the kernel is 2%. Use the DevilTools app referenced in DerTeufel's OP and change "Set Vibration Intensity" under the Tweak group.
Q.) Does exFat work?
A.) The kernel supports it but the recovery has not yet been modified to support it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2: GUIDE / how to setup dual-boot
Initial Setup
1) Have you flashed the dual-boot (aka DB ) kernel yet? If yes, go to step 3
2) Flash the DB kernel: Go to the DB OP here and flash the version for your model type - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=40410021&postcount=1 N7100 is for non-LTE models and t0lte is LTE enabled (AT&T, Verizon, etc). The zip will NOT list recovery in the name...
3) Have you flashed the DB recovery? If yes, go to step 5
4) Flash the DB Recovery: Navigate to DB OP listed above and flash the version for your model type (as in step 2 above)
5) Have you created the secondary system partition? If yes, go to step 7
6) Create the secondary partition image: Boot into the DB recovery and select Dual Boot Menu > enable mounting secondary and then select create secondary system image (also under Dual Boot Menu". This will take a couple of minutes. This only has to be done once.
7) Ready to flash primary or secondary ROMs: Note: It is probably a good idea to get in the habit of always selecting the FS (primary or secondary) that you want to affect just to ensure you don't wipe the wrong one, etc. Select Dual boot menu > enable mounting of (pri or sec.)... It stays selected until you boot into recovery and change it. You will see recovery flash (reload) with the appropriate FS selected. Obviously, don't select it again - logic loop...
8 ) You at least need to follow standard ROM installation instructions at this point such as wipe data, etc (as appropriate). Wipe Data/Factory Reset will leave the ROM (typical) and the 2nd option (wipe data-cache-system-preload) will wipe out the ROM completely so you can start "clean". Only the selected FS is modified so the other ROM is not affected. All apps and data are separate for each ROM. SD card storage is common so keep that in mind for an app that exists in both ROMs.
9) Installing to the primary partition does not need any special instructions. You should have already selected "enable primary". Select "Install zip" > Choose zip from sdcard or external > ROM to Primary FS. The difference between the "ROM" and "Zip" selections is that zips do not typically explicitly access the file systems - they use references in recovery.fstab which DerTeufel modified to point to the appropriate locations depending on your selection (primary or secondary). Yes, choosing install zip might work for installing a ROM to primary but NOT to secondary. Also, the intention is to avoid confusion.
10) Installing to the secondary partition MIGHT be more problematic since the zip has to be modified first to replace FS references with the secondary locations. When you select this option, it can take a couple of minutes since it is changing the references and then re-zipping to a modified file on the SD card. Note: The original will be gone (at least if it was originally on the SD rather than the external SD) so make a copy, etc before proceeding if you want it to be available for standard/primary flashing in the future. The modified file will always install to the secondary partition after being modified. Note: Complicated install scripts (such as AROMA) will likely fail. If you want an AROMA based installation then the safest way is to install it to the primary partition, ensure it is working, make a backup and then restore the backup to the secondary partition (using the DB recovery of course). Backup/restore will be detailed below.
11) Recovery does not automatically mount /system, and /data so ensure /cache and these are already mounted before running a zip that will need to modify them
12) Avoiding MTP issues: After flashing a ROM, recovery prompts you to install the DB kernel again. Otherwise, the kernel installed with your ROM will not be able to boot the secondary ROM. However, if you do flash the DB kernel right away (for now at least) you may have a problem with MTP (access from a PC over USB ). If you boot the new ROM (with the ROM's kernel which will work for PRIMARY) then MTP should be working. You can then flash the DB kernel after rebooting to recovery and MTP will still work (afaik). Similar to the AROMA note above, you might want to install a ROM to primary first even if you want it in the secondary partition. The install script will not need to be modified and a normal kernel will boot the ROM so MTP will work. Then you can flash the DB kernel, make a backup and restore to the secondary. Hopefully, this is only temporary but at least this workaround exists.
13) Ready to flash zips to primary or secondary ROMs Flashing gapps, etc. simply requires that the correct FS is enabled, /system and /data (as necessary) are mounted and select your target under "Install zip" > "Choose zip from..." > Zip to (primary or secondary).
Kashortiexda has created another installation process documented in post #13 > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41992232&postcount=13
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3: FAQs about F2FS / benefits of F2FS and dual-boot in f2fs
Q.) What is F2FS?
A.) "The Flash Friendly File System" created by Kim Jaegeuk (Samsung) and released in February 2013. Read more about F2FS here
Q.) Recently, DerTeufel1980 has updated his devil2 dual-boot kernel and recovery and merged F2FS support. What is the benefit of F2FS?
A.) if the internal sdcard is formatted to F2FS, the system is supposed to be up to 2 times faster than on ext4 (default formatting).
Q.) After update to the newest Devil DB Recovery with F2FS support I had problems by installing ROM to the Secondary FS / my nandroid backup was restored with errors
A.) The newest recovery has enlarged Secondary FS image to 1.9GB (earlier was 1.5GB). This can be cause for many errors. So be sure to create a nandroid backup of your Secondary ROM before you erase /secondrom partition from data/media and to create it again with the new recovery. This is very important to do after the recovery update.
Q.) What should I do to be able to use the benefits of F2FS on my device?
A.) Five steps! First: flash new DB recovery & new DB kernel with F2FS support. Second: create nandroid backup(s) of your ROM(s). Third: move all your data from internal sdcard and save them elswhere, as the formatting to F2FS will erase your entire internal sdcard. Fourth: format in recovery mode all the (internal) sdcard partitions to F2FS one by one. Fifth: restore your ROM(s) and data.
Q.) Can I revert from F2FS back to ext4?
A.) Yes. You can use either of Devil DB Recovery versions to revert back to ext4 (in the new version you will can choose between F2FS or ext4) or you can simply flash any other recivery that doesn't support F2FS and format with it all the partitions. It will format all back to ext4 (you will have to repeat the procedure like described in the question right before).
Q.) After return to ext4 I couldn't format /cache back to ext4
A.) Formatting back to ext4 seems to not work reliably with the newest Devil Touch recovery for N7100. If it is only /cache, it doesn't matter as everything seems to work normally. You can use any other non-F2FS recovery (like TWRP 2.6.3.x or PhilZ touch 6.12.8 to format cache back to ext4)
Q.) Can I with F2FS update my ROM(s) normally with any nightly build?
A.) No, it is not recommended, as the nightlies will ATM reformat some of the partitions back to ext4. Well, yes, in fact you can update, but it is quite complicated way around, therefore, F2FS is more practical for those who want to stick longer time with their ROMs and use benefits of very fast performance of their device on F2FS.
Q.) I've got error message after migration to F2FS when I tried to restore my nandroid backup
A.) This happens occasionally mostly there is a "can't mount /data" error message. Don't worry about that, simply reboot recovery, format again all to F2FS and restore your nandroid backup then.
Q.) After migration to F2FS, I can't reach my Secondary FS partition under "dual boot menu", why?
A.) If the recovery displays "Only with Devil Kernel available" (altough it is flashed already), simply reboot into the Primary FS and reboot into the recovery right after that. Then you will be able to create again the Secondary FS partition and restore your nandroid backup.
It has been reported at least by one user that System, Data, EFS, & Storage had to be remounted manually every time for successful boot up by switching from Primary to Secondary FS and vice versa.
DerTeufel1980's features description just after updating kernel and recovery for t0lte to F2FS (N7100 update was released about one week later):
What's new:
kernel:
added new f2fs filesystem support (supposed to be up to 2 times faster than ext4)
introduce the BFQ-v6r2 I/O sched for 3.3
block, bfq: add Early Queue Merge (EQM) to BFQ-v6r2 for 3.3.0
enable CGROUP_BFQIO by default
backport SLUB from Linux 3.3 (thanks to faux123)
afsync: replace fput() with fput_light() accordingly
cfg80211: Fix memory leak
mm: implement WasActive page flag (for improving cleancache)
fix triangle away
usb: fix 'adb root'
recovery:
completed the rework of recovery ui (primary and secondary rom need to be selected once in dualboot menu) if you can't access dualboot menu, please boot primary or secondary rom with the new kernel once
resized secondary system image to 1.9 gb
possibility to flash roms to secondary without modifying the zip (you HAVE TO CHOOSE ROM). if this fails, select use workaround (this is the old method) next time
added support to format and mount f2fs formated partitions (/system, /data and /cache)
if you format data to f2fs (this gives the maximum performance, you have to select primary rom in dualboot menu, then the option will be in mounts and storage: format /data, /data/media and secondary (please backup before, this wipes your internal sdcard as well)
You only can format data to f2fs, when you select to manage primary Filesystem, because it formats the entire partition, including your internal sd card (which also includes your second rom partitions). Formatting data gives you a complete clean data partition, and you need to backup/restore data, and sdcard (if you backup the sdcard with custom nandroid to external sdcard, you can restore it afterwards, which also restores the secondary rom).
The kernel 2.4.5b for t0lte fixes boot on Omnirom, as well as fixes Selinux on Samsung rom. By default Selinux is set to "enforcing" now, for Samsung as well as for AOSP roms.
If one wants to completely disable selinux, you need to create the file: "/.secondrom/.selinux_disable" (if you are currently booted into secondrom, otherwirse the path would be "/data/.selinux_disable" (both is the same file, and creating it, disables selinux for both roms, once rebooted). selinux stays disabled until the file gets deleted again, and the device rebooted.
On some Sammy roms FC may occur with enforced selinux with the warning: "smartcard service has stopped". Except the fact that only few may know what this service does, usually nothing bad will happen (this message appears once once after boot up)
WARNING: After "fixing" booting on Omnirom, DerTeufel1980 has warned that f2fs only seems to be working properly on CM11 based roms. Samsung ROMs are at least working with selinux disabled, but Omni ROM breaks baseband if selinux disabled!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4: GUIDE / ext4 to F2FS migration
New Devil Touch-DB-recovery v6.0.4.5 has some new features:
Instead of double amount of options (for primary FS or secondary FS, respectively) now there is "dual boot menu" where we can choos which FS to manage
Menu text of the secondary FS is displayed now in red color
The size of secondary FS partition is now 1.9GB so even big ROMs can be installed as secondary FS
SCREENSHOT: (new Devil Touch v6.0.4.5 with f2fs support)
As described above under F2FS FAQ, we will migrate to F2FS in five steps:
Step 1/5: flash Devil Touch v6.0.4.5 recovery & kernel with F2FS support for your device (check the download links on the bottom of this post)
flash Devil Recovery with F2FS support for your device (download links are on the bottom of this post)
reboot recovery (under "power options" on the bottom of the main menu)
for single-boot: flash Devil2-F2FS-kernel.zip to your ROM (2.4.5b for t0lte and Verizon / 2.4.6 for N7100)
for dual-boot: if you are already dual-boot user, now flash Devil2-F2FS-kernel.zip to both your ROMs: primary FS and secondary FS
Step 2/5: create now nandroid backup(s) of both your ROM(s):
under "Backup and Restore" choose "Custom Backup and Restore"
in this sub-menu, choose "Custom Backup to /sdcard1" or optionally: "Custom Backup Job"
check for backup only: /system and /data and then >>Start Custom Backup Job<<
as the final step choose "Backup to /storage/sdcard1" option (your external micro SD card)
repeat the same procedure for your second ROM
OPTIONALLY: under this step you can also create a full nandroid backups, but just make sure that you then after migration to F2FS restore only /system and /data in "Custom Restore Job"!
Step 3/5: move all your data from internal sdcard and save them elsewhere, as the formatting to F2FS will erase your entire internal SDcard!
use either external SD card, or your PC as storage, as the entire internal phone memory will be erased in the following step.
mind that this step can take some time, regarding size of the data that has to be copied (20-30 min)
Step 4/5: reboot into the recovery to fs=1 (primary) and format under "Mounts and Storage" following partitions to F2FS:
format /system
format /data, /sdcard and secondrom (this step will destroy the /.secondrom partition)
Step 5/5: restore your ROM(s) and data.
reboot recovery
restore your primary FS
flash Devil-DB kernel
reboot to system and back to recovery
create secondary FS partition
restore your nandroid backup to secondary FS (if you have used "Custom Backup Job")
flash Devil-DB kernel again
OPTIONALLY: if you have made full nandroid backups under step 2/5 now at this point don't miss that you should restore only /system and /data with "Custom Restore Job" option!
Finished! Enjoy F2FS
reverting from F2FS back to ext4
Repeat whole the procedure, just choose under formatting always "ext4" instead of "F2FS"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5: download links / troubleshooting
DOWNLOAD LINKS:
Latest versions of the kernel and recovery without F2FS support for Note 2:
Devil2 dual-boot kernel MAIN THREAD
Note 2 kernel and recoveries with F2FS support:
n7100 Devil2 kernel: download here
n7100 recovery: download here
t0lte Devil2 kernel: download here
t0lte recovery: download here (this one works also for Verizon)
The newest Devil3 hybrid kernel for N7100 and t0lte: download here
BOOTLOADER check
Regarding the fact that Devil2-recovery boots 4.3 and 4.4 ROMs, owners of the Note 2 should mind, that many recent custom ROMs are designed to work flawless only with the recent JB bootloaders. Custom ROMs don't update your bootloader, so your bootloader was flashed together with your latest stock ROM that you were using. While ICS bootloaders are nearly completely outdated, now also earliest JB bootloaders might cause problems and malfunctions. If so, some users will have to consider to update the bootloader.
Experienced users know: this is a damn risky task, as if Odin fails so that the old bootloader gets erased and new doesn't get properly flashed, only JTAG will be able to revive your device.
I have made a little guide and provided download link how to flash a knox-free 4.3 MJ5 bootloader for N7100: CLICK HERE
This 4.3 bootloader will boot any 4.3 or 4.4 OS, but it still has the charging issue (Sammy's fault) if the device is turned off. All the newer 4.4 bootloaders where the issue is solved are KNOX'ed, so bootloader downgrade won't be possible anymore if you use any of the later bootloader versions.
CAMERA APP TROUBLESHOOTING:
All who use AOSP custom ROMs (especially CM based ones) on their Note 2 devices might face the "ERROR: can't connect camera" issue. This problem is not devil2 kernel related. The Camera app is crashy on numerous devices. We can have our Camera working reliably, just mind that it is utterly important to keep the phone in clearly defined position when starting the camera (horizontal/vertical) and to be careful by each change of the axis rotation. Also don't view freshly shot photo in your camera app, but close the Camera and use Gallery for that.
Should you still face the nasty "can't connect..." error, instead of rebooting the OS use either of those apps, that can successfully restart the camera with one click (my N7100 needed to have both apps installed to make reset working, now either works fine):
Camera (CMFix) app from Play Store
Restart Camera.apk from HERE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Devil-DB-Recovery screenshots (v6.0.4.4):

Nice work m8!! Appreciate the time in you explaining the processes involved:thumbup:
Sent from my SGH-I317M using Tapatalk 2

Very detail write up Rich. Double:thumbup::thumbup:
Thanx
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

Thanks RichMD, appreciated "how-to" guide.
However a few remarks:
Similar to the AROMA note above, you might want to install a ROM to primary first even if you want it in the secondary partition. The install script will not need to be modified and a normal kernel will boot the ROM so MTP will work. Then you can flash the DB kernel, make a backup and restore to the secondary. Hopefully, this is only temporary but at least this workaround exists. Hopefully, this is only temporary but at least this workaround exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It means that in the future we won't need to backup then restore Roms which have to be installed with a Aroma Installer?
In your guide I suggest to add the following b4 Step 5:
Make a Nandroid backup to save our current configuration! If you don't manage to install DB or if we aren't convinced by DB benefitis we can come back to an "one ROM boot".

totelysw classical
Sounds good so far hope to be able to install to external sd storage instead of the internal

Sometimes this process will need extras. At least it did for me, and more than once. Most probably because recovery is trying to replace or prevent original kernel of the second rom to be installed and causing mishaps..
So my additions are:
After flashing second rom howsoever, reflash dualboot kernel.
Reboot rom if stuck get into recovery and wipe cache and dalvik.
I had the issue of cm roms to use partitions, i had to fix permissions (for sec fs) and also once i had to log into recovery, then advanced menu and select /data location..
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

Memphis_ said:
Thanks RichMD, appreciated "how-to" guide.
However a few remarks:
It means that in the future we won't need to backup then restore Roms which have to be installed with a Aroma Installer?
In your guide I suggest to add the following b4 Step 5:
Make a Nandroid backup to save our current configuration! If you don't manage to install DB or if we aren't convinced by DB benefitis we can come back to an "one ROM boot".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I plan to add a "How do you completely remove dual-boot" even if you didn't make a nandroid first but I will add a comment similar to what you mentioned.

Awesome!
great work cheers!:fingers-crossed:

myaslioglu said:
Sometimes this process will need extras. At least it did for me, and more than once. Most probably because recovery is trying to replace or prevent original kernel of the second rom to be installed and causing mishaps..
So my additions are:
After flashing second rom howsoever, reflash dualboot kernel.
Reboot rom if stuck get into recovery and wipe cache and dalvik.
I had the issue of cm roms to use partitions, i had to fix permissions (for sec fs) and also once i had to log into recovery, then advanced menu and select /data location..
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the DB kernel again is required after flashing primary or secondary. My comments are simply that you may not want to do it immediately and let the (primary partition ROM only) boot initially with the ROM included kernel to ensure MTP works. You then need to flash the DB kernel after if you ever want to boot the secondary ROM. If you just finished flashing a ROM to secondary then I "believe" you would need to flash the DB kernel before you could ever boot that ROM. However, MTP (at this point) might not work. If it doesn't then the workaround I listed would help. Does that answer your question/comment?
I will add more to the post on fixing permissions, etc. I need a bit more detail on what your process for CM was. You installed CM to secondary and it wouldn't boot so you went into recovery and advanced > fixed permissions (secondary FS was already enabled)?. I'm not sure what your comment about /data means other than you went to mounts and storage and mounted /data. Is that what you meant?

RichMD said:
Flashing the DB kernel again is required after flashing primary or secondary. My comments are simply that you may not want to do it immediately and let the (primary partition ROM only) boot initially with the ROM included kernel to ensure MTP works. You then need to flash the DB kernel after if you ever want to boot the secondary ROM. If you just finished flashing a ROM to secondary then I "believe" you would need to flash the DB kernel before you could ever boot that ROM. However, MTP (at this point) might not work. If it doesn't then the workaround I listed would help. Does that answer your question/comment?
I will add more to the post on fixing permissions, etc. I need a bit more detail on what your process for CM was. You installed CM to secondary and it wouldn't boot so you went into recovery and advanced > fixed permissions (secondary FS was already enabled)?. I'm not sure what your comment about /data means other than you went to mounts and storage and mounted /data. Is that what you meant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it is the other way around. Everything worked fine, CM booted perfectly, settings were to be applied easily. Gapps flashed well and worked without glitch. However, file managers, play store or anything trying to access fs couldnt manage to do so.. I first changed my ROM tried old sentinel (4.5) then paranoidandroid and then new sentinel.. But same thing happened. Then I booted reflashed DB and fixed permissions. Rebooted CM, still no access. Afterwards, I rebooted into recovery re-fixed permissions but this time under the advanced menu (surely after activating second partition from dualboot menu) I set the storage to /data/media/0 .. rebooted 2nd rom. this time everthing worked fine.
Aforementioned are all for 2nd rom. 1st rom worked like a charm except for the MTP

I would love to see this on the tmobile s4
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda premium

Strange behaviour on my N7100
After I flash the Devil dual-boot kernel (either the current - Devil-n7100-DUAL-0.21.3_20130529.zip or the previous version) this is happening to my device:
0. flashing is succesful and I reboot
1. the logo "Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100" stays on screen for approx. 4 or 5 minutes. Initially I believed it's completely frozen
2. the ROM specific logo (CyanogenMod or Samsung) appears on screen and ROM is loading shortly
3. everything works perfect, except touchscreen with fingers. Only S-Pen is working. I can check the kernel and it's the version I've flashed. Also when I press Home button 4 times, screen colors becomes negative, as it should.
4. if device enters in Sleep (screen off), the notifications are working (eg. new mail)
5. if phone gets an incoming call or if I wake the phone from sleep, the screen stays on for less than a second, then forcibly reboots
6. back to step 1.
Have anyone encountered this problem? This is happening with either Samsung stock 4.1.1 firmware rooted or with Cyanogenmod 10.1 nightly from last days.
I would love to have this kernel working...

RichMD
sorry to hijack your thread, delete if you need.. here's what works for me, several times ( I used your and Der Teufel guide as reference) just put it in a step by step guide
After a lot of reading and some tinkering, I've got PACMAN 4.2.2 PA /AOKP /CM10 1on ROM1 and 4.1.2 Mike1986 ARHD17 Sammy on ROM2.
Adb, MTP, Trickster works fine on both.
Working great. Even managed to get Simplistic Framework and Xposed working on rom 2 (Sammy)
simply
(a) first put the rom you want as PRIMARY on your ext sd card, either a flashable zip or a CWM nandroid backup (NOT TWRP).. you will need this later in step 32
1 on your existing rom and kernel combination , flash DT recovery,
2 reboot to recovery
3 go to dual boot options in recovery
4 create second partition
5 reboot to first rom
6 check MTP
7 reboot recovery
8 dual boot menu
9 enable mount primary ( second on list of 3 options )
10 go back, Mounts and storage
11 mount efs, system, data, ext sdcard
12 go Back, wipe data (2nd option for FULL wipe)
13 check mounts again and remount as above
14 flash the rom you want to be as SECOND rom
15 do all your fancy mods now (Xposed etc)
16 check mounts, remount if necessary
17 flash DT dual boot kernel with "flash kernel" option
18 reboot
19 check MTP
20 go to step 7 and repeat 7-11 inclusive
21 do a backup to ext sd
to move the rom to second rom position..
22 dual boot menu
23 enable mount secondary ( third/last on list of 3 options )
24 go back, Mounts and storage
25 mount efs, system, data, ext sdcard
26 go Back, wipe data (2nd option for FULL wipe)
27 go to Backup and Restore
28 restore the rom you made in step 21 from the ext sd
29 reboot to second rom (allow full boot)
30 check MTP, should work
31 do steps 7-13
32 flash, or restore the rom you placed on your ext sd card in the very beginning step (a) ie the one that you want to be as FIRST/PRIMARY rom
33 Reboot
Done
DO NOT FLASH ANY KERNEL AFTER STEP 33 ( the kernel will show in primary rom settings as unavailable but check with Trickster Mod or CPU spy, it will show you that it is DT dual boot kernel)
The above has worked for me several times now, and some steps are overkill..
The 0 folder from 4.2.2 is visible from the Sammy rom but the Sammy files are not visible from 4.2.2 that's why I recommend using the ext sd for the above procedures as a failsafe
Sent from my dual boot GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

kashortiexda said:
RichMD
sorry to hijack your thread, delete if you need.. here's what works for me, several times ( I used your and Der Teufel guide as reference) just put it in a step by step guide
After a lot of reading and some tinkering, I've got PACMAN 4.2.2 PA /AOKP /CM10 1on ROM1 and 4.1.2 Mike1986 ARHD17 Sammy on ROM2.
Adb, MTP, Trickster works fine on both.
Working great. Even managed to get Simplistic Framework and Xposed working on rom 2 (Sammy)
simply
(a) first put the rom you want as PRIMARY on your ext sd card, either a flashable zip or a CWM nandroid backup (NOT TWRP).. you will need this later in step 32
1 on your existing rom and kernel combination , flash DT recovery,
2 reboot to recovery
3 go to dual boot options in recovery
4 create second partition
5 reboot to first rom
6 check MTP
7 reboot recovery
8 dual boot menu
9 enable mount primary ( second on list of 3 options )
10 go back, Mounts and storage
11 mount efs, system, data, ext sdcard
12 go Back, wipe data (2nd option for FULL wipe)
13 check mounts again and remount as above
14 flash the rom you want to be as SECOND rom
15 do all your fancy mods now (Xposed etc)
16 check mounts, remount if necessary
17 flash DT dual boot kernel with "flash kernel" option
18 reboot
19 check MTP
20 go to step 7 and repeat 7-11 inclusive
21 do a backup to ext sd
to move the rom to second rom position..
22 dual boot menu
23 enable mount secondary ( third/last on list of 3 options )
24 go back, Mounts and storage
25 mount efs, system, data, ext sdcard
26 go Back, wipe data (2nd option for FULL wipe)
27 go to Backup and Restore
28 restore the rom you made in step 21 from the ext sd
29 reboot to second rom (allow full boot)
30 check MTP, should work
31 do steps 7-13
32 flash, or restore the rom you placed on your ext sd card in the very beginning step (a) ie the one that you want to be as FIRST/PRIMARY rom
33 Reboot
Done
DO NOT FLASH ANY KERNEL AFTER STEP 33 ( the kernel will show in primary rom settings as unavailable but check with Trickster Mod or CPU spy, it will show you that it is DT dual boot kernel)
The above has worked for me several times now, and some steps are overkill..
The 0 folder from 4.2.2 is visible from the Sammy rom but the Sammy files are not visible from 4.2.2 that's why I recommend using the ext sd for the above procedures as a failsafe
Sent from my dual boot GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I certainly don't see that as a "hijack". The intent of the thread is to help anyone that is having a problem with the installations. Having multiple methods to try just helps ensure success if they keep trying.

n4553 said:
After I flash the Devil dual-boot kernel (either the current - Devil-n7100-DUAL-0.21.3_20130529.zip or the previous version) this is happening to my device:
0. flashing is succesful and I reboot
1. the logo "Samsung Galaxy Note II N7100" stays on screen for approx. 4 or 5 minutes. Initially I believed it's completely frozen
2. the ROM specific logo (CyanogenMod or Samsung) appears on screen and ROM is loading shortly
3. everything works perfect, except touchscreen with fingers. Only S-Pen is working. I can check the kernel and it's the version I've flashed. Also when I press Home button 4 times, screen colors becomes negative, as it should.
4. if device enters in Sleep (screen off), the notifications are working (eg. new mail)
5. if phone gets an incoming call or if I wake the phone from sleep, the screen stays on for less than a second, then forcibly reboots
6. back to step 1.
Have anyone encountered this problem? This is happening with either Samsung stock 4.1.1 firmware rooted or with Cyanogenmod 10.1 nightly from last days.
I would love to have this kernel working...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to confirm, this looks like you aren't trying to do anything with dual-boot - just using his dual-boot kernel on a solitary ROM - correct? If you can flash other custom kernels successfully (perseus, sabre, soap, etc.) then I don't know what to tell you. What recovery are you using to flash it?

HI RichMD,
I am getting error at step 6.
it fails to mount Primary Files.
I tried following
Reloaded Recovery -in duel boot menu -enable mounting of Pri File.
thn i tried to create secondary System image. Still m getting same error.
am i missing something .
Also i noticed that i am not able to mount SDCARD in menu Maount and Storage
regards
JoyMoro
---------- Post added at 11:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 AM ----------
JoyMoro said:
HI RichMD,
I am getting error at step 6.
it fails to mount Primary Files.
I tried following
Reloaded Recovery -in duel boot menu -enable mounting of Pri File.
thn i tried to create secondary System image. Still m getting same error.
am i missing something .
Also i noticed that i am not able to mount SDCARD in menu Maount and Storage
regards
JoyMoro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pls ignore it,. I got it working.
regards
JoyMoro

RichMD said:
Just to confirm, this looks like you aren't trying to do anything with dual-boot - just using his dual-boot kernel on a solitary ROM - correct? If you can flash other custom kernels successfully (perseus, sabre, soap, etc.) then I don't know what to tell you. What recovery are you using to flash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, for now I haven't installed the second rom, however this is what I want to achieve, dual-boot. But firstly I wanted to make sure the kernel is working. I am using Devil recovery, when I flash other things with it, there are no problems...

I am getting error at step 6.
it fails to mount Primary Files.
I tried following
Reloaded Recovery -in duel boot menu -enable mounting of Pri File.
thn i tried to create secondary System image. Still m getting same error.
am i missing something .
Also i noticed that i am not able to mount SDCARD in menu Maount and Storage
Pls ignore it,. I got it working.
How did u get it working since i got the same issue here?

Is it only me who cannot get play store to work on sec.rom or anyone else have the same issue
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

no prob
myaslioglu said:
Is it only me who cannot get play store to work on sec.rom or anyone else have the same issue
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Play store works fine for me on second rom

[RECOVERY][CWM][2013-12-20][SS] Stock kernel with CWM 6.0.4.5 [Unlocked BL]

I just built a new CWM recovery from source and have it combined with stock kernel and ramdisk.
This image contains the kernel from Build 15.1.C.2.8 (dumped from C1905), the stock ramdisk, the CWM ramdisk and a custom root to select which system to boot.
Please backup your data before proceeding! I am not responsible for any data loss!
I've tried on my own Xperia M (C1905) and it can boot, but I haven't tried to restore a backup. You are warned! Not tested on C1904, but it should work though I cannot guarantee anything.
** You need unlocked bootloader to use this. Before you unlock the bootloader, you need to backup all your data and remove the SD card because everything will be deleted! **
Known problems:
If you mount /data, you cannot unmount it from the interface (the CWM code is designed to not allow unmounting it). You can, though, execute `adb shell umount /data` to unmount it if you really do need to.
(Only applicable to CWM 6.0.3.7) There is no "mount USB storage" (connect SD card to computer) function.
Install instructions (skip to step 5 if you already unlocked bootloader, rooted and installed busybox):
Install the latest Android SDK platform tools on your computer.
Root: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2457174
Backup TA partition: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598 (do this if you want to relock in the far future)
Unlock bootloader: All data will be lost! SD card will be formatted!
Download the attached zip and extract the boot image.
Power off your Xperia M, hold the Volume Up button and connect USB cable, release button when blue LED is on.
Execute:
Code:
fastboot flash boot combined-xperia-m-boot.img
Wait for it to show finished.
Disconnect USB cable.
Boot instructions:
Power off your Xperia M.
Power on by holding the power button. Your Xperia M should vibrate once like normal boot
Note that when the LED turns pink, press Volume Up once (no need to hold down).
LED should then turn cyan
You have booted into CWM!
Report bugs here!
Thanks:
CyanogenMod and ClockworkMod for obvious reasons[/url]
Also: Pack any Xperia M kernel with CWM
Check this tool: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2481864
Technical information:
The Xperia M doesn't have a recovery partition, therefore the recovery is packed into a boot image. There is an init script which checks whether it should boot into recovery, and if it should, the script will extract the recovery ramdisk and boot it. Otherwise it will extract the boot ramdisk and boot Android normally. The packer linked above is designed to pack the boot image.
Changelog:
2013-12-20
Updated to CWM 6.0.4.5
For whatever reason, mounting sdcard as USB storage now works.
Busybox mount now works like typical CWM
The kernel has kexec-hardboot support
Brightness is tuned down so that it won't hurt your eyes that much in bed
2013-11-15
Updated kernel and ramdisk with the one from firmware 15.1.C.2.8
2013-10-19
Compiled with cm-10.2 sources, CWM 6.0.4.4
Major changes in partition table format to allow CWM 6.0.4.4
Allow mounting external USB storage (using OTG cable) so backup can be stored on USB flash drives
2013-10-15b
Fixed screen shift issue!
2013-10-15
Use the zimage of the stock kernel instead of the uncompressed kernel
2013-10-14
Updates init script
Recompiled recovery to use device-specific key mapping (camera focus key = back)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source code:
Device files: https://github.com/alvinhochun/cyanogenmod_device_sony_nicki (Note: CWM 6.0.4.4 is built using the `cm-10.2` branch)
cm-10.1 branch only tested on cm-10.1, cm-10.2 branch only tested on cm-10.2
Also, I don't update the cm-10.1 branch anymore...
Prebuilt kernel is extracted from stock ROM.
Kernel source: https://github.com/alvinhochun/sony-xperia-m-kernel
To build, use `lunch cm_nicki-eng` and then `make combinedimage`. Boot image is output as `combined.img`.
If you want to use your custom kernel and ramdisk, simply replace `kernel` and `stock-boot-ramdisk.gz`.
Extra notes:
***: as obvious as the filename
combined-xperia-m-boot-2013-10-19.img.zip is the newer CWM 6.0.4.4 version, with kernel/ramdisk from 15.1.C.2.8.
combined-xperia-m-boot-2013-10-15b.img.zip is the older CWM 6.0.3.7 version.

The combined boot image is updated. Please check the first post.

Thanks it's very useful, i've tried first version without light notify.

Jack.daniel said:
Thanks it's very useful, i've tried first version without light notify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcomed. No need to say thanks, just press the "Thanks" button of the post.

I've fixed the screen shift issue! Please flash the new version!

i find problem when backing-up data
when the backup almost done, error notif suddenly appear
"error while making backup image of /data"

xzn said:
i find problem when backing-up data
when the backup almost done, error notif suddenly appear
"error while making backup image of /data"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you choose to backup to sdcard or external sd? Only external sd will work. "sdcard" will not work because it is actually the internal storage.

xzn said:
i find problem when backing-up data
when the backup almost done, error notif suddenly appear
"error while making backup image of /data"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
u should have did it in internal sd card. external will work fine!

alvinhochun said:
Did you choose to backup to sdcard or external sd? Only external sd will work. "sdcard" will not work because it is actually the internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, its work :good:

I noticed some issue with recovery, when I enter recovery from Advance Power Menu, I can't reboot onto system anymore, I tried anyways, reboot system, power off, reboot to bootloader (on this way device entering fastboot mode). This issue dissapear when I wipe cache & dalvik-cache.
for notice, i use recovery that packed on ElixER1.0 kernel, not tried Elixer1.3 yet because there is some bug on wi-fi.
Sorry for my bad English

AyamPushUp said:
I noticed some issue with recovery, when I enter recovery from Advance Power Menu, I can't reboot onto system anymore, I tried anyways, reboot system, power off, reboot to bootloader (on this way device entering fastboot mode). This issue dissapear when I wipe cache & dalvik-cache.
for notice, i use recovery that packed on ElixER1.0 kernel, not tried Elixer1.3 yet because there is some bug on wi-fi.
Sorry for my bad English
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, if whatever tool creates `/cache/recovery/boot` to trigger enter recovery, for once the script won't work because it didn't remove that file afterwards.
But I remember I've already fixed it in a previous version. Are you using the latest version?
Sorry about that. I was constantly fixing bugs and had released a few version of the CWM files. Even I myself may have messed up some files, so if you notice that the problem is still there in the newest version, please inform me of that.

alvinhochun said:
Yeah, if whatever tool creates `/cache/recovery/boot` to trigger enter recovery, for once the script won't work because it didn't remove that file afterwards.
But I remember I've already fixed it in a previous version. Are you using the latest version?
Sorry about that. I was constantly fixing bugs and had released a few version of the CWM files. Even I myself may have messed up some files, so if you notice that the problem is still there in the newest version, please inform me of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use that I got from ElixER1.0 kernel package, so I didn't try newest version ( on ElixER 1.3 I tought), because I backward to ElixER 1.0
Let wait for icoolguy1995 fix the kernel and I will tell you

Does anyone know if CM is being ported???
Sent from my C1905 using xda app-developers app

7lucky7 said:
Does anyone know if CM is being ported???
Sent from my C1905 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
Sent from my Sony Xperia M (C1905)

I've compiled a CWM 6.0.4.4. This version supports mounting external USB storage connected via an OTG cable, so if you don't have a big SD card you can use an USB flash drive to perform backup.
But still, I haven't tested the restore function of this CWM yet, so if someone tried it please report back.

tried the new one. looks clean tried taking a backup, worked perfectly. dint try restoring yet.
y the storage/sdcard0 storage/sdcard1instead of internal and external storage?

ramprasad5394 said:
tried the new one. looks clean tried taking a backup, worked perfectly. dint try restoring yet.
y the storage/sdcard0 storage/sdcard1instead of internal and external storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The internal storage is `sdcard0` and the external is `sdcard1`, while the USB storage is `usbstor0`. I am not sure how I am supposed to do that, I just referred to some other devices and that is what it seems to be, although none of the devices I've looked into actually has the internal storage.
I dug into the code a little bit and it seems that what I did should be fine, so I did it this way.
It may require some modifications before it can be used with CyanogenMod 10.2, but it currently works with CWM alone. It works anyway so I am going to stick with it at the moment.

plz provide for xperia m dual c2004..
thanks in advance.

alvinhochun said:
The internal storage is `sdcard0` and the external is `sdcard1`, while the USB storage is `usbstor0`. I am not sure how I am supposed to do that, I just referred to some other devices and that is what it seems to be, although none of the devices I've looked into actually has the internal storage.
I dug into the code a little bit and it seems that what I did should be fine, so I did it this way.
It may require some modifications before it can be used with CyanogenMod 10.2, but it currently works with CWM alone. It works anyway so I am going to stick with it at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried restoring nandroid, worked perfectly

Can I flash your recovery on my C1904 running C2005 4.2.2 firmware?

Updating from CyanogenMod

Hi,
currently I am running CyanogenMod 13 on my Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (serranoltexx). Now, as it get's outdated and insecure, I am about to update it to LineageOS. But I am worried, because I can't just flash the ROM over CM, but I have to wipe everything. Sure, I can take backups of all my data, but my question is:
What do I have to select in Clockworkmod Recovery in order to clean up for LineageOS? And the second point is that I parted my SD-Card to use Android's option to emulate one partition as internal storage. So if I wipe, can I keep the partitions and what do I have to save before?
Oh and.. I have tried to do a Nandroid Backup, but I can't copy it onto my PC because the storage is mounted differently within CyanogenMod (the 2 partitions I wrote about) and ADB doesn't work for this either.
I hope somebody can help me

Done! /ReqClose
Hi,
I'm glad to say that I have done it yesterday. The thread can be closed and for all who have the same questions I had:
First of all I took a backup of all my data (Apps, Music, Photos etc) and put LineageOS, GApps & SuperSU on my SD-Card. Then I booted into my recovery (CWM) and wiped all data. Unfortunately it didn't work (CWM said something like "error in lineageos.zip") so I decided to use TWRP for it. There was just an unofficial build but I didn't care too much, so I used this one. It was an img file, so I needed to convert it to .tar.md5 first using a tool I found in the Internet. So I flashed TWRP then using Odin. When I booted into TWRP everything seemed to work, but when I tried to install the zip file it just rebooted immediately without an installation. So I finally used ADB sideload, and it finally worked! Now my phone is working fine!
Hope this helps someone!!

Installed the Begonia Recovery Project and all files in my main storage have random letters

I was attempting to install the Begonia Recovery Project for Miui 12.5 (android 11) using the fastboot method. But when I reboot into this new recovery and look inisde the "install" tab, all my folders from my main storage are made up of random letters and numbers.
I assume that this means that my files are still encrypted but I am not sure how to decrypt them.
I am running MIUI 12.5.3 Global edition on android 11 and the Begonia Recovery Project version I downloaded and installed was from this website : https://www.pling.com/p/1556862/
Furthermore, I have a unlock pattern on my phone but when I boot into the custom recovery, it doesn't ask me for my unlock pattern. Could this be the reason all my files are named with random letters and numbers?
It won't let me boot back into my operating system and when I try, I get an warning saying "No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?". Rebooting leads me right back into the custom recovery, with all files still named with random characters.
I would prefer to be able to boot back into my system without having to lose any of my personal files on my phone (if that is possible).
Any help is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance

Sqorpz said:
I was attempting to install the Begonia Recovery Project for Miui 12.5 (android 11) using the fastboot method. But when I reboot into this new recovery and look inisde the "install" tab, all my folders from my main storage are made up of random letters and numbers.
I assume that this means that my files are still encrypted but I am not sure how to decrypt them.
I am running MIUI 12.5.3 Global edition on android 11 and the Begonia Recovery Project version I downloaded and installed was from this website : https://www.pling.com/p/1556862/
Furthermore, I have a unlock pattern on my phone but when I boot into the custom recovery, it doesn't ask me for my unlock pattern. Could this be the reason all my files are named with random letters and numbers?
It won't let me boot back into my operating system and when I try, I get an warning saying "No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?". Rebooting leads me right back into the custom recovery, with all files still named with random characters.
I would prefer to be able to boot back into my system without having to lose any of my personal files on my phone (if that is possible).
Any help is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the reason why everyone recommends taking a backup of your files and resetting your device prior to such attempts. Unfortunately, most likely you will lose part, if not all of your files.

That No OS Installed error is normal since MIUI is a system on root OS and TWRP isn't able to detect them.
That random named folders is your internal storage but it's encrypted. You'll need to enter your passcode every time you boot to TWRP. If it doesn't ask you go to Mount and select Decrypt Data
To disable encryption you'll need to format data and install Disable ForceEncrypt. Doing this will erase EVERYTGHING. (except Find Device,IMEI's etc)
I would recommend you to install this TWRP to decrypt them.

If your device boots back to TWRP, it might be triggering Rescue Party. (click the 3rd button on the bottom of the screen to view the logs)

Fytdyh said:
This is the reason why everyone recommends taking a backup of your files and resetting your device prior to such attempts. Unfortunately, most likely you will lose part, if not all of your files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had installed twrp like this before and never had this type of error. But yes, the smart thing would definately be to always have backups. Lesson learned for next time!

Canny1913 said:
That No OS Installed error is normal since MIUI is a system on root OS and TWRP isn't able to detect them.
That random named folders is your internal storage but it's encrypted. You'll need to enter your passcode every time you boot to TWRP. If it doesn't ask you go to Mount and select Decrypt Data
To disable encryption you'll need to format data and install Disable ForceEncrypt. Doing this will erase EVERYTGHING. (except Find Device,IMEI's etc)
I would recommend you to install this TWRP to decrypt them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the fast reply.
I installed the twrp that you recommended. TWRP still isn't asking for my passcode and I can't find a "Decrypt Data" option in the Mount section. The only checked options in Mount are "Data", "Cache", and "Micro SD Card".
Is Disable ForceEncrypt needed in order to be able to boot back into my operating system? Is there any way to boot back into my OS without this?
Thanks again for the fast reply!

Sqorpz said:
Thank you for the fast reply.
I installed the twrp that you recommended. TWRP still isn't asking for my passcode and I can't find a "Decrypt Data" option in the Mount section. The only checked options in Mount are "Data", "Cache", and "Micro SD Card".
Is Disable ForceEncrypt needed in order to be able to boot back into my operating system? Is there any way to boot back into my OS without this?
Thanks again for the fast reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That zip can only be used if your data is formatted. If you flash it without formatting data you'll be making the situation even worse because it won't allow you to decrypt anymore. (it makes the phone think data isnt encrypted tho it clearly is encrypted)
Also did you check the logs as i suggested to determine the reason why the phone is not booting?

Canny1913 said:
That zip can only be used if your data is formatted. If you flash it without formatting data you'll be making the situation even worse because it won't allow you to decrypt anymore. (it makes the phone think data isnt encrypted tho it clearly is encrypted)
Also did you check the logs as i suggested to determine the reason why the phone is not booting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoops, I used the twrp you recommended without formatting the data. Does this mean my data is forever undecryptable?
I checked the logs and indeed it is triggering the Android Rescue Party.
It suggests possible solutions that are
wipe caches, and/or
Format data, and/or
Clean-flash your ROM.
The reported problem is :
'--reason=enablefilecrypto_failed'

Sqorpz said:
Whoops, I used the twrp you recommended without formatting the data. Does this mean my data is forever undecryptable?
I checked the logs and indeed it is triggering the Android Rescue Party.
It suggests possible solutions that are
wipe caches, and/or
Format data, and/or
Clean-flash your ROM.
The reported problem is :
'--reason=enablefilecrypto_failed'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No i didnt meant that, i said the Disable ForceEncrypt zip needs data to be formatted.
The reported problem unfortunately means your phone cannot setup encryption. (thats why twrp won't decrypt it)
The only solution is to format data to make the phone usable again.
(you might as well flash the disable encryption zip after formatting the data since encryption on android is a pain in the ass and it makes the phone a bit faster)
By the way, do not wipe data, just click Format Data and format it since it doesn't get rid of the encryption properly.

T

Canny1913 said:
No i didnt meant that, i said the Disable ForceEncrypt zip needs data to be formatted.
The reported problem unfortunately means your phone cannot setup encryption. (thats why twrp won't decrypt it)
The only solution is to format data to make the phone usable again.
(you might as well flash the disable encryption zip after formatting the data since encryption on android is a pain in the ass and it makes the phone a bit faster)
By the way, do not wipe data, just click Format Data and format it since it doesn't get rid of the encryption properly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for your informative responses.
Apologies, I thought you meant that flashing different twrp would lead to undecryptable files.
By formatting data do you mean the parition on my phone called "data"?. I forgot to add that files in my "data" folder have sensible names and don't look encrypted. Is it normal for it to just encrypt my internal storage?
By the sounds of it, I think I will proceed with your suggestion of formatting the data. Just to clarify, will this method also remove everything in my internal storage, eg pictures, music, videos?. Is there a way to continue with this method without having to lose those?
I appreciate your help greatly.

Sqorpz said:
Thank you so much for your informative responses.
Apologies, I thought you meant that flashing different twrp would lead to undecryptable files.
By formatting data do you mean the parition on my phone called "data"?. I forgot to add that files in my "data" folder have sensible names and don't look encrypted. Is it normal for it to just encrypt my internal storage?
By the sounds of it, I think I will proceed with your suggestion of formatting the data. Just to clarify, will this method also remove everything in my internal storage, eg pictures, music, videos?. Is there a way to continue with this method without having to lose those?
I appreciate your help greatly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They actually encrypted the whole partition till Android 10. This required you to enter a password before the phone boots up but now they only encrypt the internal storage,apps and app data so you don't have to enter a password anymore before the phone boots-up.
Yes formatting the data will erase everything on your device including the internal storage.
Because they are encrypted just like the other part of data there's no way to save them.

Canny1913 said:
They actually encrypted the whole partition till Android 10. This required you to enter a password before the phone boots up but now they only encrypt the internal storage,apps and app data so you don't have to enter a password anymore before the phone boots-up.
Yes formatting the data will erase everything on your device including the internal storage.
Because they are encrypted just like the other part of data there's no way to save them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. So could this have been avoided if I had flashed the twrp after disabling my password? Is it a smart practice to disable your password before doing stuff like flashing a custom recovery?
Obviously losing all my data and internal storage is definately a kick in the nuts. But it is also my fault for not backing up my data before experimenting like this.
Could you please send me an oultine of the steps I need to follow in order to proceed with your method of getting my phone working again. Frankly, I have little experience in this area and I'm afraid i'll make a mistake in the process. I also trust in your expertise and experience far greater than mine.
Thank you again!

Sqorpz said:
I see. So could this have been avoided if I had flashed the twrp after disabling my password? Is it a smart practice to disable your password before doing stuff like flashing a custom recovery?
Obviously losing all my data and internal storage is definately a kick in the nuts. But it is also my fault for not backing up my data before experimenting like this.
Could you please send me an oultine of the steps I need to follow in order to proceed with your method of getting my phone working again. Frankly, I have little experience in this area and I'm afraid i'll make a mistake in the process. I also trust in your expertise and experience far greater than mine.
Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple, enter TWRP, go to Wipe, click Format Data, type yes then hit enter. Your data will be wiped. reboot the phone in Recovery mode (not to the normal OS or else the phone will encrypt again) again so the internal storage gets created.
Plug your phone into a PC, download this:https://zackptg5.com/downloads/archive/Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_11.02.2020.zip
copy it to your phone and install it. If you want to use Magisk, install Magisk first then this zip file. The encryption will be completely disabled.
To answer your first question, It wasn't your fault because i have no idea why your storage got corrupted in the first place but you should definitely disable the password (or disable the encryption if you want to use a password) before doing anything.

Canny1913 said:
Simple, enter TWRP, go to Wipe, click Format Data, type yes then hit enter. Your data will be wiped. reboot the phone in Recovery mode (not to the normal OS or else the phone will encrypt again) again so the internal storage gets created.
Plug your phone into a PC, download this:https://zackptg5.com/downloads/archive/Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt_11.02.2020.zip
copy it to your phone and install it. If you want to use Magisk, install Magisk first then this zip file. The encryption will be completely disabled.
To answer your first question, It wasn't your fault because i have no idea why your storage got corrupted in the first place but you should definitely disable the password (or disable the encryption if you want to use a password) before doing anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since I am reseting my phone to its factory settings, I researched into some ROMs that I may use instead of MIUI. I came across the Pixel Experience ROM and I'm considering installing it.
I read somewhere that flashing a ROM involves having to disable encryption every time you flash a new ROM or something along those lines. Will installing the Disable ForceEncrypt disable encryption permanently or will I have to considering installing it again if I want to flash the Pixel Experience ROM?

Sqorpz said:
Since I am reseting my phone to its factory settings, I researched into some ROMs that I may use instead of MIUI. I came across the Pixel Experience ROM and I'm considering installing it.
I read somewhere that flashing a ROM involves having to disable encryption every time you flash a new ROM or something along those lines. Will installing the Disable ForceEncrypt disable encryption permanently or will I have to considering installing it again if I want to flash the Pixel Experience ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to install it again if you install a new ROM or kernel since it modifies both of them (they both get wiped if you install or update the ROM.
I recommend you follow their install guide since a lot of people get confused when they see errors.
Flashing PE A12
1. Flash latest Firmware. 2. Flash latest Dynamic TWRP. 3. Reboot to Dynamic TWRP. 4. Flash latest PE rom zip and then format data. 5. Reboot and enjoy. Links Here: Dynamic TWRP: TWRP For A12 Note: If you see any red line errors on twrp just ignore them and continue flashing. Also before...
telegra.ph

Canny1913 said:
You will have to install it again if you install a new ROM or kernel since it modifies both of them (they both get wiped if you install or update the ROM.
I recommend you follow their install guide since a lot of people get confused when they see errors.
Flashing PE A12
1. Flash latest Firmware. 2. Flash latest Dynamic TWRP. 3. Reboot to Dynamic TWRP. 4. Flash latest PE rom zip and then format data. 5. Reboot and enjoy. Links Here: Dynamic TWRP: TWRP For A12 Note: If you see any red line errors on twrp just ignore them and continue flashing. Also before...
telegra.ph
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all your help. It was probably simple and easy for you but for me, I had no idea what I was doing and would never have done the steps that you suggested so thank you. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.
I just have one last request that is : do you know any good backup services for android? I know about services like google photos for backing up photos and videos, but I was wondering if there were any that backed up the android as a whole, including app data/progress, photos, videos, notes etc.
Thank you again for all your support and making this process very simple and easy and wish you all the best.

Sqorpz said:
Thank you for all your help. It was probably simple and easy for you but for me, I had no idea what I was doing and would never have done the steps that you suggested so thank you. I really appreciate all the help you've given me.
I just have one last request that is : do you know any good backup services for android? I know about services like google photos for backing up photos and videos, but I was wondering if there were any that backed up the android as a whole, including app data/progress, photos, videos, notes etc.
Thank you again for all your support and making this process very simple and easy and wish you all the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google One app can backup photos,SMS, phone call history and redownloads all of the apps (except apps that were installed from an apk file)
Pixel Experience actually bypasses the Google Photos storage limit so you can backup your entire gallery without problems.
For notes just use Google Keep, it syncs the notes to your Google account.
App data can be backed up by Titanium Backup or Migrate. (i suggest you test them before backing up your entire app data as suggested by Migrate developer)
I don't exactly recommend backing up Data as a whole since your only option is TWRP and TWRP loves to complain when it comes to backing up and restoring.
Thanks for the best wishes and i wish you all the best too. Have a good one.