How to image/“nandroid” an unrooted nexus? (dd? adb? something else?) - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've been trying to find information on how to make some sort of restorable image of my stock phone (nexus 5x) before I do anything to it. I don't want to root it so that seems to really limit my options as most of the imaging options seem to involve rooting.
I was hoping to be able to use something like dd, someone suggested over on android forums which seems logical to me but I have run into another problem that everytime I boot into recovery adb on my computer (Lubuntu v17 if that helps) stops seeing my phone (ie adb devices yeilds nada) and even when it does see my phone there is nothing in the /dev/blocks/ dir that resembles what I think my phone should look like, its all symb links named like 7:0-8:82 pointing to things like loop and sda.
I am guessing that my phone is one of the sd?s (there is sda-sdf) but as adb is not seeing any devices I get "no such file or dir" when I try something like
dd if=/dev/block/sdf of=nexus5x.pit bs=4096
I would really like to make a clean image of this phone before I try anything so any thoughts would be appreciated!

Related

[Q] Major Problem, Need Major Help!

Today I tried to flash the CyanogenMod 9 Nightly 06-30-12, coming from Build 35 of AOKP and after factory resetting and clearing Dalvik I went to install the zip and while flashing it I got a build-prop related error!
All of my NANDROIDS gave me a data error when flashing and now I am pretty f'd! I /really/ need to fix this ASAP but have no idea how.
-Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wifi-
-CWM 4-
On a second note, does anywhere know where I can get my screen replaced for cheap? I dropped my tab a few months back and the screen got MAJOR cracked, though it still does technically work (I still use the screen, it works but it's cracked is all...) and after calling Samsung and waiting for over 1 and a half hours they told me they wanted $150 to fix it, which if I recall is about half of what I payed for it anyway...
To be honest, I'd be lying if I said I was happy with Samsung over all.
I mean, bad customer support, the proprietary connection cable, and lack of official updates (along with the ugly TouchWiz that I'm not sure /who/ likes ) don't make me that happy...
Anyway, can anyone help me please?
Thanks in advance!
Update your recovery: http://droidbasement.com/db-blog/?p=2655
If you have a GT-P7510 (p4wifi), in this post are flashable zips (with your current recovery) of CWM and TWRP, in case you prefer this method: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28051448&postcount=29
After that, flash your ROM like always.
Yeah, thanks, were it so easy. I fired up ODIN multiple times, no matter what, unsuccessful. Like always, my computer would not recognize my tablet. Yes, I have the bloody Samsung drivers, yes I've tried reinstalling them (several times in the last few months), yes I've tried using different USB ports! And what? Nothing. Nothing at all. For the last few months I have not been able to transfer movies/music to my tablet via file transfer and I can't even get the stupid odin download thing to work. To be honest, I really am pissed off with this broken pile of trash. Would trade it in for a similar tablet any time.
Did you try any of the flashable zips for a new recovery?
About the USB, it sounds like a different problem, but for the file transfers, are you sure you have MTP selected? (answer #5 --> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1642009 )
If you haven't tried it yet, you could use a different computer, another OS (some Linux distro and check that adb works), change the USB cable.
I can't use a flashable zip since I can't copy files onto the tablet >.>
Also, yes, for file transfers I /do/ have MTP selected always and it doesn't work eitherway.
Essentially, I am stuck with a $300+ ugly and broken thing that I can only use as a paperweight for the huge mess I call my desk. Yay.
>Rage sidenote; Samsung, go take the money I payed for **** and shove it.
And I guess you don't have your old ROM (AOKP build 35) in your tab.
Try with adb (in recovery), but if you can't get a working USB connection (using other computers or OS), maybe there's something physically wrong with your tablet.
No, I don't. I'm stupid enough to delete the ROM zip after flashing it to save space on the tablet...
How do I do this ADB thing? I've heard of it before alot but never used it or looked into it...
Read this: for windows -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1387527 , for Ubuntu -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=921169
After everything is installed, boot your tablet into recovery and try running in your command line application (CMD for windows):
adb devices
If it shows that a device (and ID number and the actual state, e.g. recovery) is connected, your golden!
If you have another android device, try it too, to be sure that is working.
To transfer a file the command is
adb push /path/to/file /path/in/tablet
In windows I guess is something like this:
adb push C:\path\to\file /path/in/tablet
so I'd do something like
adb push C:\ADB\CWM-5.5.0.4-p4wifi.zip mnt/sdcard/ ?
Im dling the ADB files right now
adb push C:\ADB\CWM-5.5.0.4-p4wifi.zip /mnt/sdcard/
You need the slash at the star and end of the path of the tablet.
While installing PdaNet it failed, said it couldnt connect through to the device or w/e
Also,I don't recall having ADB on when I had the tablet. I might've but I don't think I kept debugging on for the general time...
This is so frustrating >.>
I'm not sure about that error in PdaNet, I can help you with adb but I don't use Windows, so there's things I can't test.
If you didn't select ADB debugging in your ROM it doesn't matter, you're doing this from recovery.
BTW, do you have other android device?
adb seems to be working and copying, but I can't find the file in Recovery while doing choose a zip to apply!
Yes, I have an LG Optimus V on Virgin Mobile running tdm's AMAZING Quattrimus Alpha 10 on Ice Cream Sandwich/ Android 4.0.4
this is what I get
C:\Users\Mikoyan Gurevich\Desktop\LG Drivers>adb devices
List of devices attached
43C800340009517 recovery
C:\Users\Mikoyan Gurevich\Desktop\LG Drivers>adb push C:\CWM-5.5.0.4-p4wifi.zip
43C800340009517\sdcard\download
1328 KB/s (4147569 bytes in 3.048s)
C:\Users\Mikoyan Gurevich\Desktop\LG Drivers>
If you connect your phone and execute
adb devices
What's the output?
If you do the same with your tablet, what's the output?
with the tablet it's
C:\Users\Mikoyan Gurevich\Desktop\LG Drivers>adb devices
List of devices attached
43C800340009517 recovery
with my phone it doesn't wanna show up in Recovery or not.... Hmm.
Well, it shows fine, then you should be able to transfer the files
First, in your recovery, go through the steps to install some zip file, but just go as far as selecting the directory, then go back
Now in your PC try running something like this, change your path in windows:
adb push C:\CWM-5.5.0.4-p4wifi.zip /sdcard/
The in your recovery, select install and should show there. The thing is that most likely the sdcard wasn't mounted in your tab
Edit, to mount your sdcard in recovery do: mounts and storage > mount /sdcard > Go back
The do the transfer in your PC.
Hmm
While I was holding it to my gut, pushing the end of the cable into my stomach (It was the only way to get it to be recognized) I fooled around and went into download mode, hoping that on the contrary I could do that, turn it off, and when I went back into Recovery it would be there when it finally said the cable WAS connected and then I rushed to open Odin and wrote it through, and it frickin' wrote CWM v5 right on and it worked, I'll be damned!
Maple, I can not thank you enough for helping me with this, I am in great debt.
You're welcome, I'm glad it worked. Knowing how to use adb is really useful. And now you know that something is wrong with your cable.
Or in the connector pins or w/e of the tablet... The cable works fine for charging though....
You are my savior, bro.

[Q] Rock Jaw Vi

Hi guys, I have the Rock Jaw Vi phone which by all sense and purpose seems to be a clone of the HTC One. It's Quad Core with 2 mega pixel camera on the front and 8 mega pixel on the back. The case and all outward appearances are that of the HTC, the phone info screen displays the following ...
Model Number = RJViJGTL32SM
Andoid version 4.2.1
Baseband version = moly.wr8.w1248.md.wg.mp.v6.p8,2013/08/12 15:55
Kernel version 3.4.5 [email protected] #1 Mon Aug 19 16:54:14 CST 2013
Build Number = 0502H026_20130819
I can get into the boot options screen by doing the On/Volume Down press but the menu's are all in Chinese and just seem to go through self diagnostics and tests. I can drag n drop file from Mac OSx but none of the apps I have found so far will communicate with the phone via USB. I am trying to get root so i can do a full back-up and then to try and put HTC Android 4.3 on it.
Do you guys have any idea on how I can achieve this or to get the phone to display it's boot options in English ?
I am pretty much clueless and stuck, any advice, tips, hacks etc would be really appreciated
I did follow a link at one stage on the web that went to SRSroot but their tool was windows only
Hmmm More messing with the phone has revealed power on with volume up depressed gets me to some very small text menu with the options;
Boot Normal
Fastboot
Boot(UART)
Boot UART is all the test screens that I was getting in Chinese but now they are touch screen buttons and labeled in english ao that's good to know.
Using fastboot-mac from HTCRootOne tries to talk to it but comes back with error: could not clear input pipe; result -536854449, is this something that's platform specific, ie it's not a true HTC so the version of fastboot-mac is no good and needing a non specific version ?
Ok that error is generated to the oem get_identifier_token...
If i do a fastboot-mac devices i get the reply "mt6589_phone_720pv2 fastboot" ...
I'm getting there slowly
Done some more digging with the phone attached to the Mac here and checking my systems profile I see that the phone is listed under usb connections as seen in the screen grab, still referring the as a HTC. Getting a new usb cable delivered to see if the phones usb cable provided is for charging only. If anyone here has any other suggestions I would be all ears or eyes as the case might be
Done more grubbing around and have found it to be a HDC One, HTC One clone .... Now to go see if any are rooted on here
Can anyone help me
Well i am pretty much stuck here so if anyone is reading this and wants to offer some help and advice I could do with it
I have looked around on the phone and can't see any bin or system folders even with show hidden i can't find them.
adb wont give me a remote shell, it complains that there is no bin/bash
when i try and do an adb backup i get 0 byte files grrrrr!!
I still need to find a way of getting root
This phone is a tricky beast for a learner - lol
Install some file explorer that allows you to browse from the top folder (/). I'm pretty sure you'll find at least /system there.
gbl08ma said:
Install some file explorer that allows you to browse from the top folder (/). I'm pretty sure you'll find at least /system there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Gbl08ma - I have have it opened in Mac osx finder with show all files hidden or otherwise - The phone shows as two "No Name" devices and get mounted immediately on connection ....
I used sideload to push a package file over using adb and then went back to use Finder, and I can't see the file anywhere - hidden partition perhaps ? Can you do that with Android ?
Even the Android SDK file transfer app wont see the phone when it's connected, I am all very confused - lol
Thanks for the reply - Wonder if i can use disk utility to so some probing and at least get an ISO image file incase I goof things real bad - lol
TpwUK
tpwuk01 said:
Thanks Gbl08ma - I have have it opened in Mac osx finder with show all files hidden or otherwise - The phone shows as two "No Name" devices and get mounted immediately on connection ....
I used sideload to push a package file over using adb and then went back to use Finder, and I can't see the file anywhere - hidden partition perhaps ? Can you do that with Android ?
Even the Android SDK file transfer app wont see the phone when it's connected, I am all very confused - lol
Thanks for the reply - Wonder if i can use disk utility to so some probing and at least get an ISO image file incase I goof things real bad - lol
TpwUK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/ does not get mounted over USB so you won't see /bin, /system, /data or anything other than the SD card and the internal FAT32 "user" partition when entering USB transfer mode.
You must do it on the device. And for adb to work, USB debugging must be enabled in the settings.
gbl08ma said:
/ does not get mounted over USB so you won't see /bin, /system, /data or anything other than the SD card and the internal FAT32 "user" partition when entering USB transfer mode.
You must do it on the device. And for adb to work, USB debugging must be enabled in the settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already had the phone in usb debug mode. Had to set the phone to use usb as MTP and not mass storage device connection type. Now it allows me to get in to the blighter with adb, fastboot still errors with pipes. That method allows me to get adb shell running and i can get android file transfer .... back to the reading part again
Thanks for the information gbl08ma - if i can find a way to back-up the rom i will share it somewhere
Hmm yummy - lots of interesting things in there .... Forgive my ignorance again please, but if i can create an update.zip file from the shell on the device that compresses all files from \ and all subdirs would that be the same thing as a safe ROM backup ? i wanna be safe before i attempt to root the phone as someone on here has a lower spec version of this phone and says it's a partial brick now.
TpwUK
Rooted
This phone is easily rooted with the motochopper
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=40747604
Now should I push my luck further and go for the ROM - lol
TpwUK
I believe i own the same mobile
@tpwuk01
I also asked the same here; http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2180425&page=92
but i was only able to root using frama root app, and it worked like a charm, but thats the only thing i could achieve, dont know but it seems theres no official thread of developement going on for any cloned device, mine runs the MOLY.WR8.W1248.MD.WG.MP.V6.P8 2013/08/12 15:55 Baseband.
After root i just installed some root apps, ads blockers, cant get any recovery to work, (Playing safe actually not to brick this now, since no support yet) but would have appreciated trying out kitkat on it, using antutu to view up specs, its impressive, i got to find out our 13MP camera at the back can do a great job than it currently is we only need to figure out how to change the image compression, the one i stumbled upon online was the blast, the 13MP was great also the flash light was tweaked to be 50X its current brightness, our 1GB application space was increased to 3.5GB, GPS and the rest was also modded to work really great.
Would like to hear any new updates you stumble upon bro.
Still a nice and featured packed device.

Need help to backup my pictures and video from my keeping restart kindle fire HDX 8.9

My device is Amazon Kindle Fire HDX GU045RW 64GB Black 8.9" Wifi 3rd Generation Tablet, and it has had a keeping restart issue since last week, the device is not rooted, and firmware version is 4.5.5.2. I think a factory reset might bring it back to work, but I forgot to back up my pictures and videos in the DCIM folder.
so far the device can start the fire OS for around 10 seconds and restarts again when it is powered by a PC, which recognizes it as a portable device and I can explore the internal storage for a very short time, but when it is powered by a charger, it rarely enter into the main menu, looks like the USB storage enumeration would pend the restart a little bit longer, I am not sure if such info is helpful to narrow the possible causes, just hope anyone who met similar issue would give me some hint about it. Thanks in advance for any comment!
I have managed to install the kindle adb driver on my laptop, and could run "adb devices" and serial number showed , is there any adb command I could use to diagnose my device? Thanks in advance for any suggestion
godhand_sh said:
My device is Amazon Kindle Fire HDX GU045RW 64GB Black 8.9" Wifi 3rd Generation Tablet, and it has had a keeping restart issue since last week, the device is not rooted, and firmware version is 4.5.5.2. I think a factory reset might bring it back to work, but I forgot to back up my pictures and videos in the DCIM folder.
so far the device can start the fire OS for around 10 seconds and restarts again when it is powered by a PC, which recognizes it as a portable device and I can explore the internal storage for a very short time, but when it is powered by a charger, it rarely enter into the main menu, looks like the USB storage enumeration would pend the restart a little bit longer, I am not sure if such info is helpful to narrow the possible causes, just hope anyone who met similar issue would give me some hint about it. Thanks in advance for any comment!
I have managed to install the kindle adb driver on my laptop, and could run "adb devices" and serial number showed , is there any adb command I could use to diagnose my device? Thanks in advance for any suggestion
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough nut to crack. There is no adb magic that will assist in diagnosing/remedying the situation without root access. You can not utilize adb nor see the DCIM folder unless FireOS is running and USB debugging enabled; I believe the latter resets on every reboot. Given the stability window (10-15 sec) there is barely sufficient time to navigate to the option under settings before the device restarts. You could root and unlock but the limited FireOS run time presents an insurmountable obstacle as the procedure takes some time.
I don't think a factory reset will resolve the issue but is likely the only recourse. Sorry to share the bad news ...
Davey126 said:
Tough nut to crack. There is no adb magic that will assist in diagnosing/remedying the situation without root access. You can not utilize adb nor see the DCIM folder unless FireOS is running and USB debugging enabled; I believe the latter resets on every reboot. Given the stability window (10-15 sec) there is barely sufficient time to navigate to the option under settings before the device restarts. You could root and unlock but the limited FireOS run time presents an insurmountable obstacle as the procedure takes some time.
I don't think a factory reset will resolve the issue but is likely the only recourse. Sorry to share the bad news ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information! I have connected my device with adb shell command, and also measured the time from adb server on to device reset, it was around 30 seconds, is it enough to perform the root with adb assistance? I think 30 seconds is enough for moving the jpg files out one by one, but might be insufficient for the mp4 files because some of them are over 1GB.
I can make the device enter FireOS original recovery and it never restarts, so I am thinking maybe it is possible to replace it with some custom recovery like TWRP which supports mount function and adb connection as well, but per my research from the forum, the custom recovery needs a unlocked bootloader, which needs the device to be rooted at first.
BTW, I found the jpg and mp4 files in /sdcard/DCIM/Camera, would it be affected by the factory reset? Or just data and cache would be affected? I know TWRP can perform a factory reset without affecting the internal storage, but not sure what the original recovery would do. Please kindly refer to the attached snapshot for more details.
Thanks in advance for any help
godhand_sh said:
Thanks for the information! I have connected my device with adb shell command, and also measured the time from adb server on to device reset, it was around 30 seconds, is it enough to perform the root with adb assistance? I think 30 seconds is enough for moving the jpg files out one by one, but might be insufficient for the mp4 files because some of them are over 1GB.
I can make the device enter FireOS original recovery and it never restarts, so I am thinking maybe it is possible to replace it with some custom recovery like TWRP which supports mount function and adb connection as well, but per my research from the forum, the custom recovery needs a unlocked bootloader, which needs the device to be rooted at first.
BTW, I found the jpg and mp4 files in /sdcard/DCIM/Camera, would it be affected by the factory reset? Or just data and cache would be affected? I know TWRP can perform a factory reset without affecting the internal storage, but not sure what the original recovery would do. Please kindly refer to the attached snapshot for more details.
Thanks in advance for any help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, your research is accurate. Device must be rooted (and usually unlocked) to install a custom recovery. Rooting requires a functioning ROM and typically takes some time (more than 10-30 sec) to complete.
As I recall a stock factory reset is comprehensive including contents of the DCIM folder. So you'll want to move out whatever you can before going that route. I also think the chances are small a reset (basically a user app/data wipe) will resolve the looping problem as it does not touch the system partition.
As a test turn off your AP before powering up the HDX. Outside chance establishing a WiFi connection is somehow contributing to the boot loop. Graphing at straws - not much else you can do in the absence of root.
I would also reach out to Amazon given the value of the device ($400+ USD). While likely out of warranty they may provide some accommodation if you play your cards right and get a compassionate agent. Highly unlikely you'll get anything close to full value but perhaps something.
Davey126 said:
Unfortunately, your research is accurate. Device must be rooted (and usually unlocked) to install a custom recovery. Rooting requires a functioning ROM and typically takes some time (more than 10-30 sec) to complete.
As I recall a stock factory reset is comprehensive including contents of the DCIM folder. So you'll want to move out whatever you can before going that route. I also think the chances are small a reset (basically a user app/data wipe) will resolve the looping problem as it does not touch the system partition.
As a test turn off your AP before powering up the HDX. Outside chance establishing a WiFi connection is somehow contributing to the boot loop. Graphing at straws - not much else you can do in the absence of root.
I would also reach out to Amazon given the value of the device ($400+ USD). While likely out of warranty they may provide some accommodation if you play your cards right and get a compassionate agent. Highly unlikely you'll get anything close to full value but perhaps something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion! I have moved all the pictures and part of mp4 files out of that device by adb pull command, and I found the time from adb connection built to device restarting allows around 300MB data transfer, so the mp4 files more than 300MB are still left in the device. I am thinking if it is possible to copy busybox into my device, and use split command to divide large files into files less than 300MB. Is it ok to use the one from https://busybox.net/downloads/binaries/1.21.1/ directly? Thanks in advance for any comment
godhand_sh said:
Thanks for the suggestion! I have moved all the pictures and part of mp4 files out of that device by adb pull command, and I found the time from adb connection built to device restarting allows around 300MB data transfer, so the mp4 files more than 300MB are still left in the device. I am thinking if it is possible to copy busybox into my device, and use split command to divide large files into files less than 300MB. Is it ok to use the one from https://busybox.net/downloads/binaries/1.21.1/ directly? Thanks in advance for any comment
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shouldn't be a problem download from that source. Splitting large files is a good idea.
Regardless of what eventually happens with your device I suspect there will be a take away regarding performing regular backups against personal files. Even something simple like drag/drop of important files/folders on occasion.
Davey126 said:
Shouldn't be a problem download from that source. Splitting large files is a good idea.
Regardless of what eventually happens with your device I suspect there will be a take away regarding performing regular backups against personal files. Even something simple like drag/drop of important files/folders on occasion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah! I did it! Thanks for the powerful busybox, which can continue to split large files even when it is interrupted by device restarting. With this feature I could pull any file out of a keeping restart device given there is enough disk space for storing the split files. The following shares my process & scripts used in the backup. Hope that helps others might meet the similar case.
1. move busybox in the device
adb push busybox /data/local/tmp/
adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/busybox
2. split the large file
adb shell /data/local/tmp/busybox split -b 300m /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/%%i /sdcard/tmp/split /*used in a DOS bat file*/
3.pull the files out
for /f %%i in (%1) do if not exist .\kindle\tmp\%%i adb pull /sdcard/tmp/%%i .\kindle\tmp\ /*used in a DOS bat file*/
4.combine the split files into what it should be.
cat splita* > a.mp4

Non-Phone/Tablet Android Inquiry

Hello all,
I did a lot a searching but cant seem to find much in terms of what I am looking for, though who knows maybe I am looking for the wrong thing. If so, hopefully can direct me to the correct place.
So I have a device, lets call it a TV for arguments sake. It runs a manufacturers custom android OS. It uses / runs on nvidia jetson architecture. I have successfully gained access to the device via ADB but when I attempt to get it to go to a bootloader, it doesnt seem to have one? Which I know is wrong from my reading but when I do either of the following two commands: adb reboot bootloader / adb reboot recovery, I result at a blank screen indefinitely.
So the question I have is I must be doing something wrong to be unable to find the bootloader. Is there a place in the file structure I can confirm/look?
End goal: So Id really like this device to run a full android or some type of android where I can utilize typical android apps instaed of the locked down shell of an OS the manufacturer has put on. I am open to this being accomplished in any way really whether, booting from USB to android stored on USB, dual booting (both manufacturers OS and full android being available), wiping current OS and only having android, etc. Open to any options really.
Mainly looking for some guidance on how to figure out what this actually runs and how to replace it/modify it.
Thanks in advance for any pointers!

Ulefone Armor x5 boot-debug.img

Ok, I get that boot-debug has been around for years... since android 10 for me, before that, it was variant=user, or variant=eng(ineer).
Strange how after I show boot-debug.img, magisk chooses this very path, but only after. Keeping in mind many people come here asking questions, and all those that know sit back and say nothing. Until they dont like what they see.
If you know better, and cant help, please keep your comments to yourself. This thread is intended to HELP, and is targetted toward those who CHOOSE to HELP because they CAN.
How I got su to work. Is this root? Now this is a good question. I dont want ANY overlaid system in my fone. I want to write to system like many others want to.
Not some google way of forcing us to use their mirrored online version of a locked filesystem already on my f'n.
Priority 1: I want to root my f'n without internet. Period. I do NOT want magisk using my credit. This proves we pay for magisk. I sometimes live so far from the world wide web, that offline is the only way to work. So I need to be able to root without google or THEIR employees offerings.
Priority 2: RW-able system.
So, I discover boot-debug.img for my f'n. Had it for a year, before I discovered it. Yeah, I discovered it after a year here asking, and getting NO replies that worked. Only after I'm vindicated to the naysayers 'thats been around forever...' yeah, try helping instead of useless comments.
In the end, I learned so much in such a short time. Constructive critiscism is NOT insulting. Magisk kills root in MY f'n. PERIOD. Camera does not work, location does not work, and I cant make/receive calls. But hey, it's an overlaid file system, of course it wont ALL work, I mean, I'd expect to lose a lil functionality, but disabling the GSI ability in dev options? I dont think so.. Worse, lack of adb or fastboot is produced in my f'n when using magisk, so tata magisk.
My logs actually explain all, so no more crappy adb logs. Yeah, I like simple adb, it works, or I'll MAKE it work.
Like this:
Attempt every possible method of flashing magisk according to tut's, nada. 3 different paths lead me to...?
1: The note9 recovery I found, that lopstom was kind enough to twrp for me (well appreciated) is the KEY to gaining root on my ulefone armor x5 mt6765. It turns out that the note9 recovery is actually an android 9 os, with a 'super' .img - and being android 9, the bootloader I used is an OLD bootloader, in particular, the variant=eng type. Note this, this is key.
2: With the note9 flashed to recovery I can RW system in android 10 properly, but only in twrp.
3: Discover boot-debug.img - yup, it's not quite a variant=eng build, but it does work for the following:
Flash boot-debug.img. By doing so, you get the adb root command, and the disable-verity options, way better than wiping vbmeta, which contains the 'is it rw, or ro' of every file in every partition to be mounted in their own partitions, but what most dont know, is each file mounted in it's own mountpoint also has the information contained by vbmeta, but for each seperate file. So unless you add the /null (one for system, the other for vendor) after the disable-verity...
Nah, wipe most of your directory structure, then wonder why in a RW-able system, it still dont work. Because each file in it's own mountpoint knows if the system directory SHOULD be ro or rw. That's EACH and EVERY stock file in it's OWN mountpoint, has the RW or RO inf for the system & vendor directory, ie, is system RW?
Example: Camera wont work, get it?
In the end, this is how I went about installing su.
Flashed boot-debug.img did NOT flash recovery. Flashed meefik busybox-arm64 to f'n, but did NOT install it, instead, I opened it to install it, top left, saved the busybox-arm64 and then flashed twrp, and while there, flashed the system_rw, to defeat the system_RW saying not enough space, I chose 1024, did the copy over of super_fixed, then rebooted, enabled system, THEN flashed the busybox-arm64 from twrp, and rebooted.
Results: I copied the busybox-arm64 su, from xbin to system. In order to defeat the system_RW saying not enough space, I chose 1024. Round numbers matter with system_RW, same senario as memory, so use sizes equal to how memory works. ie, 32, 64, 128, and multiples of.
Look at the adb posts in my closed thread.
With Su installed, I have to type exit TWICE to exit. without su in system, exit only needs typed once.
Now here is why I continue. I found root, but dont have the experience, but it's like this:
See all those lovely new file that end in .cel? Mine says platinum. That means I AM ROOT. By swapping out .cel files, I have all the access magisk denies me. .cel files... get on it devs... swap them out, try try try... find what I found.
I dont actually need su, but i need it for some apps. What I have proven, is that SU does NOT kill android 10_Q.
variant=user or variant=eng, is NOW dependant on .cel files, like, say, boot-debug.cel.
Have a nice discovery... I hacked googles latest offering my-cel-f
Edit: Cel files are found in the bootloader, a zero byte file, the file NAME decides what the loader can or cant do, PERIOD.
New root tools only require swapping these out, as well as a few system edits when done.
Ok, slight mistake in spelling so I'll add the following for you to 'see'..
userdebug_plat_sepolicy.cil
So it's not cel as I wrote in the first post, my point being just as valid.
Platinum clearly states there are more who's names I have yet to obtain...
Theoretically in my mind, if I swap the .cil file in the bootloader for say hypothetically:
engdebug_plat_sepolicy.cil... with the few edits seen in the android 10 notes I posted from china, the one where people say 'too much hassle' - I say, for them. Those notes show the rest of the cil files, so yeah, I got root OPTIONS to play with
Stay tuned for more scottish inventor style NOTES.
Edit: for the record: https://source.android.com/compatibility/vts/vts-on-gsi

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