Hey, all! I am very new here, although I always use this forum as reference, including for my previous smartphones: Xpera Z3 Dual and Galaxy S3.
But now I have a Pixel 2 XL (taimen) with the latest stock ROM (February 9, 2019 Android 9 Pie). I want a Custom ROM with no Google apps included whatsoever, could somebody help me out and give some directions? I have spent hours trying to flash a CarbonROM with no success. I don't want root, I just don't want Google Apps. A few questions:
- Is unlocking the bootloader mandatory to flash any Custom ROM?
- If I am on Android 9 Pie and the custom ROM is based on 8 Oreo, is it mandatory to flash the Oreo factory image from Google? If so, can I do it by simply using the OTA sideloading? I couldn't flash with the fastboot script.
- Is TWRP mandatory in this case? Is root mandatory?
I am really thankful for this community and appreciate any help you can give me.
abbluiz said:
- Is unlocking the bootloader mandatory to flash any Custom ROM?
- If I am on Android 9 Pie and the custom ROM is based on 8 Oreo, is it mandatory to flash the Oreo factory image from Google? If so, can I do it by simply using the OTA sideloading? I couldn't flash with the fastboot script.
- Is TWRP mandatory in this case? Is root mandatory?
I am really thankful for this community and appreciate any help you can give me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Yes
- Yes; No
- Yes, for flashing custom rom. Root is not mandatory.
Hey guys ,
i am using pixel experience 8.1 right now and some where i read "you have to update your bootloader to flash new android pie roms i dont know my bootloader version plz help me ..?
note -- i flashed pixel experience 8.1 on indian Z2plus ZUI 2.0.093_ST_16081
hit and trial
affaan007 said:
Hey guys ,
i am using pixel experience 8.1 right now and some where i read "you have to update your bootloader to flash new android pie roms i dont know my bootloader version plz help me ..?
note -- i flashed pixel experience 8.1 on indian Z2plus ZUI 2.0.093_ST_16081
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i suggest you to try flashing the new roms and in case you get a blue screen , qfil latest firmware to update bootloader , i dont think theres another way to check the bootloader version .
And dont worry getting a blue screen wont brick the device or anything , if you get it just boot back to twrp and follow the procedure for updating the bootloader through qfil (there are plenty of instructions available ,read em carefully and you will be fine).
PS: you need an updated bootloader only for roms which ship with latest kernel 4.4 and not 3.18 .
so yeah you can try pie roms which have 3.18 kernel without hesitation.
Also keep in mind that if you do decide to update the bootloader and flash roms with latest kernel , you need to flash vendortofactory.zip and new factory twrp due to new implementation so DO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY IN THE THREAD OF WHATEVER ROM YOU FLASH !
Mine is 3.18 kernal I guess I have to update my bootloader using qfil if want to flash pixel experience 9 pie
Can you send me the link for required files to update bootloader thanks ?
affaan007 said:
Hey guys ,
i am using pixel experience 8.1 right now and some where i read "you have to update your bootloader to flash new android pie roms i dont know my bootloader version plz help me ..?
note -- i flashed pixel experience 8.1 on indian Z2plus ZUI 2.0.093_ST_16081
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've needed to update to ZUI 4.0 before installing Android 9.0 Pie ROMs.
Hello friends
I'm trying to flash custom Q roms in TWRP on my S9 (SM-G960F), but have received the same error message for any Q rom:
ERROR:
Vendor image on the device
is NOT compatible
Expected Android 10 vendor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've only been able to successfully flash P roms, namely the Pie-based LightRom.
Based on the error message, it seems I need to update the firmware to Q before installing custom Q roms?
I've also seen some roms note installation requirements like "ROM Firmware Required: OneUI 2.x", which is new to me (have not seen a TW/OneUI ver requirement for roms I've used on S4, S7, N8).
May I ask someone to explain the steps required to install Q roms (eg, Havoc-OS) coming from P firmware? There seems to be some assumptions in most install instructions I'm not aware of, maybe since I am on older FW. (I am asking here, since I did not find instructions in any of the Q roms I tried)
So far, all I have done to the phone since unboxing it was to install TWRP 3.4.0, following the official guide for Exynos S9.
I am guessing I need to download latest official firmware image from sammobile or something for my device, and flash it in Odin. Is this correct?
If so, can someone explain the steps so that I can have latest FW for my device while maintaining TWRP and not bricking the device?
Thank you for your help
Extra info
(Snapshot from LightRom rom)
One UI version: 1.0
Android version: 9
Baseband version: G960FXXU6CSG4
Kernel version: 4.9.59
Android security patch level: 1 October 2019
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE:
I installed latest firmware from Sammobile, flashed it through Odin following their instructions, reinstalled TWRP, and am now able to flash Q roms.
For those who have stock rom < Q, I would suggest updating firmware through OTA before flashing TWRP. If you cannot OTA, download the latest firmware from Sammobile and flash it through Odin following their instructions, then flash TWRP, then you can flash Q roms.
So:
Update firmware through OTA or via Odin with latest firmware from Sammobile.
Flash TWRP
Flash whatever rom you want.
Update:
Stable update has been released.
Xiaomi announced they’ll upgrade the Redmi Note 8 Pro to Android 11 late last year. They have gone to update the global models, leaving the European variants waiting for some time now. Of course, the update was going to arrive, and perhaps, the company needed some time to address a few issues before the European release. Meanwhile, as expected, the Redmi Note 8 Pro Android 11-based MIUI 12.5 update in Europe is now available to select users.
The Redmi Note 8 Pro is receiving both Android 11 and MIUI 12.5 simultaneously, unlike the Redmi Note 8, that’s currently pushing Android 11 only. It is seeding with a version number – MIUI 12.5.2.0 RGGEUXM – and weighs in at 2.2GB. Coming along with the update are the features of the new MIUI OS to improve device performance and address some problems introduced by MIUI 12. Interestingly, the Android security patch level is pushed to July 2021 to increase system security and stability.
Of course, the update brings a stable MIUI based on Android 11, meaning that you get the features of the current Android OS as well. However, some known bugs are affecting all MIUI Android 11 builds. They include third-party launcher compatibility, ugly square chat bubbles, floating windows conflicting with keyboards, glitches, and lags. Luckily, you can improve the device’s performance by performing a factory reset after upgrading. However, that won’t fix the problems with the launcher as you need to revert to the MIUI system launcher.
Again, the Redmi Note 8 Pro Android 11-based MIUI 12.5 is a limited rollout. Those in Indonesia are also receiving the build with a version number – MIUI 12.5.2.0 RGGIDXM. It brings features of the new MIUI OS and a stable MIUI based on Android 11. Also, the Android security patch level has been pushed to July 2021 to increase system security and stability.
DOWNLOAD THE REDMI NOTE 8 PRO ANDROID 11-BASED MIUI 12.5 UPDATE IN EUROPE
Device Name: Redmi Note 8 Pro
Version: MIUI 12.5.2.0 RGGEUXM
Codename: begonia
Type: Stable Beta
Region: Europe
Android version: 11
Android security patch level: July 2021
Download Link: Recovery (found here)
INDONESIA MODELS
Device Name: Redmi Note 8 Pro
Version: MIUI 12.5.2.0 RGGEUXM
Codename: begonia
Type: Stable Beta
Region: Indonesia
Android version: 11
Android security patch level: July 2021
Download Link: Recovery
Flash at your own risk. I haven't got time yet to try myself. Please report bugs.
Link to article
UPDATE12.5.3.0 has been released.
Changelog:
Optimization: Updated Android Security Patch to August 2021.
Increased system security.
Official download here.
I get the info first time from Xiaomi Firmware Updater by @yshalsager
Cross finger though, the Redmi Note 8 had already Chinese stable A11 since Feb 2021, per today it hasn't got any global A11.
x3r0.13urn said:
I get the info first time from Xiaomi Firmware Updater by @yshalsager
Cross finger though, the Redmi Note 8 had already Chinese stable A11 since Feb 2021, per today it hasn't got any global A11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A11 will most likely be the last official update for this device, wouldn't be surprised if it will take till end of this year.
This works in global variant via TWRP, but I don't recommend it. I could not find a way to install Google Play, even though i tested a lot of tutorials, magisk, appstores.
donkyshot said:
A11 will most likely be the last official update for this device, wouldn't be surprised if it will take till end of this year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not really since they re-release the RN8 variant....
might be A12 like the case with RN5
Global variant finally.... MIUI12.5 A11 Global sucks no fastboot so I guess you have to flash some MIUI version and then update, coming from POSP and not happy about it but oh well. Will post after I flash it and see how it is. Probably end up back on a custom ROM dislike MIUI bloated bs....
dcindallas said:
Global variant finally.... MIUI12.5 A11 Global sucks no fastboot so I guess you have to flash some MIUI version and then update, coming from POSP and not happy about it but oh well. Will post after I flash it and see how it is. Probably end up back on a custom ROM dislike MIUI bloated bs....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock MIUI is horrendous. Bloatware, permissions etc. I can't stand it.
I'm on PE+ 11 but would prefer an official LineageOS release (no such thing available for now). I would also consider a xiaomi.eu release but they dropped support for Begonia/Begoniain.
Compass.
Global variant finally.... MIUI12.5 A11 Global sucks no fastboot so I guess you have to flash some MIUI version and then update, coming from POSP and not happy about it but oh well. Will post after I flash it and see how it is. Probably end up back on a custom ROM dislike MIUI bloated bs....
nah don't.... this version is bootlooping on me....
Crescendo Xenomorph said:
Global variant finally.... MIUI12.5 A11 Global sucks no fastboot so I guess you have to flash some MIUI version and then update, coming from POSP and not happy about it but oh well. Will post after I flash it and see how it is. Probably end up back on a custom ROM dislike MIUI bloated bs....
nah don't.... this version is bootlooping on me....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks, I haven't had time to flash it let me see what's up later today.
dcindallas said:
That sucks, I haven't had time to flash it let me see what's up later today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seems it's for Mi Pilot only.... that's why it's bootloop
Actually, it's bootlooping due to custom recovery..
I just did it like this:
- Download MIUI 12.5 Global from xiaomifirmwareupdater
- Reboot to recovery
- Flash from recovery
- Reboot to bootloader (using adb reboot bootloader or just boot to fastboot mode by rebooting and holding down the VOL_DN)
- Flash stock recovery (get it from xiaomifirmwareupdater, download previous ROM and extract recovery.img)
And with above I'm currently running MIUI 12.5.1. It's basically updated, I've lost no data.
I'm gonna dig in tomorrow for flashing custom recovery if i can find some working with this..
EDIT:
It may be that in order for TWRP to work on this ROM, a full wipe will need to be performed.
It's bootlooping due to patched vbmeta (vbmeta flashed with --disable-verity --disable-verification). So I'm unable to get TWRP to work. We might need some developer assistance ?
maretodoric said:
Actually, it's bootlooping due to custom recovery..
I just did it like this:
- Download MIUI 12.5 Global from xiaomifirmwareupdater
- Reboot to recovery
- Flash from recovery
- Reboot to bootloader (using adb reboot bootloader or just boot to fastboot mode by rebooting and holding down the VOL_DN)
- Flash stock recovery (get it from xiaomifirmwareupdater, download previous ROM and extract recovery.img)
And with above I'm currently running MIUI 12.5.1. It's basically updated, I've lost no data.
I'm gonna dig in tomorrow for flashing custom recovery if i can find some working with this..
EDIT:
It may be that in order for TWRP to work on this ROM, a full wipe will need to be performed.
It's bootlooping due to patched vbmeta (vbmeta flashed with --disable-verity --disable-verification). So I'm unable to get TWRP to work. We might need some developer assistance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it to install no issues I had to flash whatever the latest A10 MIUI ROM is from fastboot then it updated to 12.5 on its own. I am back on POSP I really just hate MIUI its bloated and slow, not worth the time or effort to be honest IMHO
dcindallas said:
I got it to install no issues I had to flash whatever the latest A10 MIUI ROM is from fastboot then it updated to 12.5 on its own. I am back on POSP I really just hate MIUI its bloated and slow, not worth the time or effort to be honest IMHO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is Google Assistant and Android Auto working fine on that ROM? I've tried couple of A11 custom ROMs, they have issues with either GA or AA or both.
maretodoric said:
Actually, it's bootlooping due to custom recovery..
I just did it like this:
- Download MIUI 12.5 Global from xiaomifirmwareupdater
- Reboot to recovery
- Flash from recovery
- Reboot to bootloader (using adb reboot bootloader or just boot to fastboot mode by rebooting and holding down the VOL_DN)
- Flash stock recovery (get it from xiaomifirmwareupdater, download previous ROM and extract recovery.img)
And with above I'm currently running MIUI 12.5.1. It's basically updated, I've lost no data.
I'm gonna dig in tomorrow for flashing custom recovery if i can find some working with this..
EDIT:
It may be that in order for TWRP to work on this ROM, a full wipe will need to be performed.
It's bootlooping due to patched vbmeta (vbmeta flashed with --disable-verity --disable-verification). So I'm unable to get TWRP to work. We might need some developer assistance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my suspicion confirmed coz the old ROM zip got recovery image but the A11 ROM doesn't have so many files in it including recovery.img.
Thanks for confirmation & guide....
So, basically there's no way to root it for noW?
Crescendo Xenomorph said:
So my suspicion confirmed coz the old ROM zip got recovery image but the A11 ROM doesn't have so many files in it including recovery.img.
Thanks for confirmation & guide....
So, basically there's no way to root it for noW?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP A11 file from telegram begonia group, magisk app patch boot.img and flash patched .img file
maretodoric said:
It's bootlooping due to patched vbmeta (vbmeta flashed with --disable-verity --disable-verification). So I'm unable to get TWRP to work. We might need some developer assistance ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but without patching vbmeta, it'll just bootloop even with A11 ver TWRP, right?
one more question: can you activate Google Discovery feed on MIUI12.5 or it's stuck on App Vault?
Crescendo Xenomorph said:
but without patching vbmeta, it'll just bootloop even with A11 ver TWRP, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i patched vbmeta before flashing twrp_A11, no reboot loop.
try format data
sigma9988 said:
i patched vbmeta before flashing twrp_A11, no reboot loop.
try format data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice, I'll try this tom...
so, flash the full fastboot A10 latest then A11, patch vbmeta, flash TWRP-A11 + magisk, then all is OK?
maretodoric said:
Is Google Assistant and Android Auto working fine on that ROM? I've tried couple of A11 custom ROMs, they have issues with either GA or AA or both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Work perfect and yes I feel ya I HATE that Google assistant doesn't work on most custom roms. Let me say this POSP is updated weekly, stable, smooth and everything works. Everything. My phone will like die with this time installed. Hoping the maintainer does A12 soon.