So I got my shiny new device today, and it feels really nice. I worked with the launcher it came with, tried another one, and realized that yep, I gotta root and install a new rom. The notification bar just annoys me too much as I'm used to having quick actions and other things in there.
So, I followed a few guides, and finally worked my way through to having my command line find my device and can successfully reboot it into fastboot mode.
At that point, I realized that I can boot into recoveries without flashing them first (essentially trying them out to see how it works). However, I tried the 4 official version on the twrp site, and one made by a user here (cuoco92). They all successfully boot into the recover using the command "fastboot boot nameOfFileHere.img". At this point, every single recovery failed to respond to touch and volume presses. I can press the power button to turn off the screen, and pressing power to turn the screen back on shows a locked recovery screen, but I can't slide the screen to unlock it.
This is quite concerning to me. I don't want to flash a recovery for good if it's not working properly. I hope this makes sense. Or, is it normal to just flash a recovery and hope for the best? Do recoveries work with just booting to them without being flashed?
I haven't rooted and/or flashed any devices in about 5+ years, the last being a phone from virgin mobile that supported sd cards. When installing new roms, do we store the zips in the root of the phone, or does this get cleared out/deleted when doing the wipe cache/dalvik/etc?
Personally, I just want to make sure I don't rush into this, as there seems to be fragmented results when searching around for twrp not working with touch. I know these things have been asked before plenty of times, and I hope I don't come across as another "ugh, this again" post. I really appreciate any responses!
you never did, then just leave it as it is...its a nice phone eui is not bad... take it easy
Try booting the official TWRP recovery. As far as I remember, some of the versions tweaked by Cuoco92 had issues with the touch panel.
Anyway, EUI is not that bad, as your were told. While I used it, I also used an app called "Notification Toggles", which lets you get Quick Settings like toggles on notification area. It's nice and easy to set up, and the results, although not the same as having the AOSP toggles, is quite nice and convenient.
BTW, which stock ROM did your phone come with?
I have tried 4 different official twrp files (all from the twrp site). My phone is an x820 6gb/64gb and came with EUI version: 5.8.019S (Stable). EUI is nice, very fast and sleek. Maybe I do just need to get used to it, or maybe it's just me itching to try out the different options available since I finally have a phone is not carrier/manufacturer locked down.
Heyyo, hmm that's very odd indeed! I wonder if maybe by temporary booting Cuoco92's TWRP it could have messed up your recovery hmm...
I'd recommend first to flash the stock recovery over your current one and then reboot to fastboot and then flash TWRP. Hopefully this will erase any problem that Cuoco92's recovery could have caused.
This was the guide I followed and it worked flawlessly for me
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/how-to/protocol-backup-stock-rom-flash-stock-t3517151
I never actually flashed any of them. I have only ever just tried booting into them using "fastboot boot recovery name.img". I have not used the fastboot flash command for any of the files.
The only thing I can do after booting the recoveries is hold the power button and eventually the phone will boot up normally.
Remember that I just wanted to boot them to make sure they worked before flashing them. I'll be checking out the guide you linked shortly.
Haven't flashed any of them eh? Hmm should work just fine then... Have you tried TWRP 3.0.2-0 ? I know that one was built with Marshmallow sources
As for which ROM to try? I'd recommend OmniROM if you want to try a custom Nougat ROM.
If you want to see why I think so? I made a massive post or two about it here heh
https://forum.xda-developers.com/le-max-2/help/party-rom-best-help-t3691165/
Thank you so much for the guide you linked. I'm making a little bit of progress here.
I found a twrp recover by cuocos92 that is labeled V3 (apparently from what I read in other threads, V3 seems to be good with the 6gb/64gb models). This recovery allows the use of the touchscreen . Remember that I am only using the "fastboot boot" command so no flashing yet.
Now that I am in a working recovery, I kept hitting "keep read only" so that the stock recovery would not be replaced. I set out to make a backup. Well that kept failing with attempts of trying to mount /system and such. Off to more reading, found out that using the Wipe->Swipe to Factory Reset inside twrp fixes this. I did that. I successfully created a backup.
Now to try to flash the SuperSU zip I have, which was previously copied to the root of the phone from my pc. Can't see any zip files on the internal storage. Reboot the phone (forgetting that it takes a long time after the wipe). Copy the backup to my pc. Copy the SuperSU back to root of phone. Restart the process of adb and fastboot -> back into the cuocos92 V3 recovery. Still no zip to be found. Couldn't mount system again...
Did some more reading. I just attempted the Wipe->Format data. I am currently rebooting back into the phone to set it up again. Apparently, a lot of people say this needs to be done if we did not reboot after unlocking the bootloader. Since twrp has been asking for a password each time I entered it, the format data is supposed to solve this.
I'll edit/post again with more steps or results.
I apologize for the second post here, but this seems more than should go into an appended edit:
After doing the Wipe->Format data, it's advised to reboot back into the recovery. Without flashing the twrp cuocos92 recovery, my thoughts are it would just be back into the stock recovery. At least the twrp version works, so I have no problems with flashing it. And then I'll have to Wipe->Format data again, reboot back into recovery, and then I can flash my SuperSU zip. But how can I get my SuperSU zip on the phone?
Doesn't Wipe->Format data remove it? Everytime I reboot my phone after that the SuperSU on the root of the phone is gone. I can't seem to mount to my pc from the recovery either, clicking the usb storage just unchecks itself right away, and clicking the enable MTP doesn't seem to do anything. So, even if I flash the recovery, Wipe-Format data again, reboot back into the recovery, I still don't see a way of getting the SuperSU zip onto the phone anyways.
I know it probably sounds like I'm whining by now about how things aren't as easy as it seems. I'm trying to be descriptive in what I am doing and what's happening.
Hmm by chance are you using Windows 10? At least I've noticed for me it fails to properly mount the correct drivers for ADB and MTP for TWRP. I'd recommend checking device manager.
If I remember correctly here's what mine looked like at first
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wXaqbi3OeH3bKEf62
Select MTP > update driver > browse my computer > let me pick > (standard MTP Device) > MTP USB Device
Sorry I'm not in front of my PC but I'm sure it's something like that to solve it
If that doesn't work? You can always use...
Code:
adb push ROM.zip /sdcard
Which will copy the zip file to the root of your data storage (on the Le Max 2 much like the One Plus 3 they use /Sdcard as a shortcut since we don't have external Sdcard hardware).
As for system read only? Swipe to allow modifications. Can't flash a ROM properly if the system is read only eh? Hence the failed to mount system.
It's really just there as a disclaimer to cover their ass in case people use TWRP improperly and brick their device. Following green man gaming's guide is safe as I've used it plus many other people as you'll see in his replies
I'd also recommend following the guide and flashing TWRP to your recovery. I only did boot recovery image for backup and then booted to EUI and copied that backup to my PC.
Format data is handy to get rid of encryption and also give you full access to your storage capacity because when I didn't before I didn't get 54.43GB of data storage only something like 40GB.
Tbh I haven't used any custom EUI ROMs but if you're fighting with TWRP? I know Cuoco92's eui has a fastboot installable version
Hope this helps
Well thank you so much for the information. I am running windows 10, but never saw mtp under portable devices, only the phone name Le Max 2. That's ok, as I booted (still not flashed) into recovery and this time I swiped to allow modifications. I still couldn't mount /system but I was able to use the adb push command and the SuperSU file appeared inside the /sdcard directory when looking under Install inside twrp. I swiped to flash the zip, then hit reboot system. Looking in the SuperSU app, I noticed that the setting "Install SuperSU into /system" is greyed out. Well, at least I think it worked.
At this point in time, since things appear to be working, I'll be flashing the recovery and installing OmniRom (it was either this or Resurrection Remix). I think if the play store just works on OmniRom like people mention, it'll be worth it.
So, my steps will be to:
adb -> fastboot -> fastboot flash recovery fileName.img
recovery -> wipe -> factory wipe (using factory to get rid of system encryption) -> reboot back into recovery
recovery -> wipe -> dalvik/cache (do i still need to do this after factory wipe?)
adb -> adb push romFileName.zip /sdcard
adb -> adb push gapps.zip /sdcard
recovery -> install -> /sdcard -> romFileName.zip
recover -> install -> /sdcard -> gapps.zip
At any point do I need to flash SuperSU again? I guess I should after flashing the rom/gapps because, afterall, SuperSU is an app.
Once again, thank you so much for all the information that you have already provided!
Heyyo, it's always recommended to do a full wipe when installing a different ROM so you should format data, wipe system, data, dalvik and cache and then install the ROM of choice with Gapps of choice
Wiping system is OK when flashing a ROM as it'll write into system.. plus there's always the risk of instability if system is not wiped if a Gremlin setting is left over from previous ROM
I'd recommend using Magisk v14.3 over SuperSU as SuperSU doesn't have the same functionality as Magisk for passing SafetyNet...
Plus Magisk is full open source software (FOSS) where as SuperSU is closed source so gotta love that open source (this part is more personal preference since Android is built upon open source and people working together).
Plus there's really cool Magisk modules you can do like ART Optimizer and so fourth if you check the XDA forum section for it
Also, you're welcome! We all had our start on XDA at different points and passing on the knowledge I find is just as important as the ROMs we love
Don't use SuperSU. Magisk is the way to go for rooting nowadays. Easy, systemless, updated frequently to pass safetynet. It's a no brainer.
Related
I've gone through numerous threads about "unbricking" but I have not been able to find any specific instructions for what to do in my situation. I have installed Ubuntu on a USB drive in order to access ADB/Fastboot and have allowed myself to spend a few days troubleshooting the problem myself, but must admit that I am in over my head and require some sort of guidance if possible. Any insight or help is appreciated.
How I got to where I am:
I believe when I installed TWRP I had to use the build prop exploit, but I can't remember clearly
At some point after installing TWRP, I believe I removed SafeStrap
I installed the CM-11 ROM and used it for a period of time without issue
CM-12 for Thor was released, so I installed it over the CM-11 installation I believe
I realized that by installing CM-12, I had made my gf's save files for Final Fantasy inaccessible
I tried to restore to a backup I had made of CM-11 and was met with a bootloop
By trying to "start from scratch", I wiped all options allowed without realizing the consequences
Any reboots of the device brings it to a black screen after the gray Kindle Fire logo
Here are some observations I have made while trying to figure out a solution:
In TWRP, ADB shows the device as being in "recovery"
In "adb shell" with the device booted into TWRP, the command "su" produces "/sbin/sh: su: not found"
I am allowed to drag .zip files into "Internal Storage" for the device, but flashing "13.3.1.0.zip" or "cm-12 ... .zip", for example, leads to the device booting into a black screen (I have tried mounting /system in TWRP)
Fastboot commands tend to hang on the linux terminal with the device not responding to commands
EDIT: After a little dicking around, I found out how to make the device show up under Windows 8.1 by using a guide outlined here: http://forums.team-nocturnal.com/index.php/topic/1362-how-to-adb-fastboot-in-windows-xp-7-81-10/
I am now familiarizing myself with ADB/Fastboot commands a bit more to see if I can figure anything out on my own.
I haven't been able to figure this out on my own - is there anyone who could give me some advice about my situation?
Basically TLDR is that I did a factory reset on TWRP, I can boot into TWRP but can't seem to flash anything, though I can put zips on my internal storage.
aimlessanomaly said:
I haven't been able to figure this out on my own - is there anyone who could give me some advice about my situation?
Basically TLDR is that I did a factory reset on TWRP, I can boot into TWRP but can't seem to flash anything, though I can put zips on my internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sound like you either lost write permissions on the system partition or the partition contents are corrupt. I have also heard problems within the data partition can create flashing problems. Have you tried the advanced wipe functions in twrp? You'll need to do a little poking around to determine which items are safe to wipe. Obviously you don't want to touch boot and recovery but (intelligently) neither is an option in twrp.
Davey126 said:
Sound like you either lost write permissions on the system partition or the partition contents are corrupt. I have also heard problems within the data partition can create flashing problems. Have you tried the advanced wipe functions in twrp? You'll need to do a little poking around to determine which items are safe to wipe. Obviously you don't want to touch boot and recovery but (intelligently) neither is an option in twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get a lot of errors involving /system when I try to mount and then repair or flash anything. Also, when I reboot it often says "Your device does not appear to be rooted - Install SuperSU now?" When I swipe to install it just restarts normally to my white kindle fire logo.
EDIT: I somehow was able to flash the cm11 ROM onto my kindle, rebooted, and my tablet is working again! I tried a bunch of different repair options and even used the option that makes you type out "yes" ( can't remember the name, need to sleep atm), but somehow got it working. Thanks for the help so far.
A while back, Amazon automatically pushed an update to my kid's Fire HD 6. Since then, the device will boot up and then it just freezes. The screen stays on the device is unresponsive. I am able to get in to recovery on the device, and that all seems to work fine, but booting in to Android is useless because it just locks and you cannot do anything with it.
I have been trying to go through this forum to see what my options are for sideloading another firmware or TWRP or anything like that.. and the posts here are not entirely helpful (for me at least). I'm used to going in to recovery and flashing some zip files to install TWRP, Cyanogenmod or GAPPS or anything like that... but the instructions I see for installing TWRP and the like do not seem to be the traditional methods. From what I think I am seeing, to install TWRP you need shell access to the tablet and then you can use dd to write TWRP to the correct storage space.
What are my options for doing things through recovery with adb? Or can I load an old firmware and then go from there? Any help is appreciated - would really love to get CM12 on this thing in the end if I could.
ganiman said:
A while back, Amazon automatically pushed an update to my kid's Fire HD 6. Since then, the device will boot up and then it just freezes. The screen stays on the device is unresponsive. I am able to get in to recovery on the device, and that all seems to work fine, but booting in to Android is useless because it just locks and you cannot do anything with it.
I have been trying to go through this forum to see what my options are for sideloading another firmware or TWRP or anything like that.. and the posts here are not entirely helpful (for me at least). I'm used to going in to recovery and flashing some zip files to install TWRP, Cyanogenmod or GAPPS or anything like that... but the instructions I see for installing TWRP and the like do not seem to be the traditional methods. From what I think I am seeing, to install TWRP you need shell access to the tablet and then you can use dd to write TWRP to the correct storage space.
What are my options for doing things through recovery with adb? Or can I load an old firmware and then go from there? Any help is appreciated - would really love to get CM12 on this thing in the end if I could.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your understanding of TWRP is right. Basically, we dd the twrp image with OS 4.5.3 bootloaders (the only bootloaders that will boot unsigned recovery) and then before leaving TWRP flash back (almost) current bootloaders and recovery.
You should be able to adb-sideload the OS 5.1.2 update to fix the freeze. Was device rooted before it updated? Do you know what OS it was on? If you have adb access while device is frozen, run these commands for current OS info:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.fireos
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.number
No CM12 available. Mostly-working CM11 is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-hd/orig-development/rom-cm-11-kindle-hd6-t3270138
BTW, I assume you tried wiping cache and/or factory reset in recovery. If not, I'd do that first.
I just rooted my phone lenovo k4 note using golden twrp and flashed resurrection remix with open gapps. Unfortunately the gapps zip file was corrupted and I wasn't able to fix that.
So I booted my phone to the new os , took the new feeling but later realised the gapps are mandatory.
So I downloaded a new file and tried to go to twrp recovery mode. But I wasn't able to. I thought the bootloader must've locked itself up so I unlocked it again, flashed the twrp recovery IMG file with adb and booted my phone to recovery. But still twrp didn't start.
BUT THEN I SAW THAT I HAD NO INTERNAL STORAGE
Just the SD card
Later I was able to wipe the custom rom from twrp and I flashed the resurrection remix and gapps.
Still internal storage was missing. Can anybody help me please?
ParagTheGre8 said:
Later I was able to wipe the custom rom from twrp and I flashed the resurrection remix and gapps.
Still internal storage was missing. Can anybody help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try flashing the stock ROM, see if your storage reappears on your stock ROM.
Also, do you get any information about your internal storage in Settings>Storage on your current ROM?
I don't know if it will help, but in TWRP recovery, go in Advanced>Fix permission
I feel like the OS doesn't have permission to internal storage, in the best case it will fix your issue in the worst case it will do nothing
But safest and easiest way to fix those kinds of issues is to wipe every thing and flash official ROM
Andrew_Geo said:
Try flashing the stock ROM, see if your storage reappears on your stock ROM.
Also, do you get any information about your internal storage in Settings>Storage on your current ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings>Storage just shows the is size that's is roughly around 7gb
It says 7.11gb used of 7.15gb.
It should have been 16gb
I usually have around 10 GB free internal storage
DevALT said:
I don't know if it will help, but in TWRP recovery, go in Advanced>Fix permission
I feel like the OS doesn't have permission to internal storage, in the best case it will fix your issue in the worst case it will do nothing
But safest and easiest way to fix those kinds of issues is to wipe every thing and flash official ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I tried to go to twrp, but the same problem occurred.
It seems my phone is unable to go to recovery.
I did the one with power button and volume keys, and it tries to go to recovery but the ROM boots up.
I also used the is function of reboot to recovery but by this too the ROM boots up and not twrp
ParagTheGre8 said:
So I tried to go to twrp, but the same problem occurred.
It seems my phone is unable to go to recovery.
I did the one with power button and volume keys, and it tries to go to recovery but the ROM boots up.
I also used the is function of reboot to recovery but by this too the ROM boots up and not twrp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok first of all makes sure ADB is enabled in your settings just in case something goes wrong you will be able to fix it without swearing
Once ADB connect your phone to your PC and use CMD/terminal command to reboot your phone in bootloader
Then reflash TWRP using the CMD/terminal
Once it's done reboot your phone and try to go to the recovery
EDIT: I made some search
And I need you to provide me some more information
RR ROM you flashed, I need the Android version (Lollypop/5.x or Marshmallow/6.x.x or Nougat/7.x.x)
And please provide me the link to the TWRP recovery you used (if you found the TWRP recovery not on XDA, DM me the link instead, follow the rules.)
I might need the phone model/or code if applicable
(Ex: I have a Huawei Nexus 6P but codename is angler) you can see this in the bootloader
EDIT 2: seems like your issue already been answered heads on this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/k4-note/how-to/fixed-missing-internal-storage-nougat-t3657798
DevALT said:
Ok first of all makes sure ADB is enabled in your settings just in case something goes wrong you will be able to fix it without swearing
Once ADB connect your phone to your PC and use CMD/terminal command to reboot your phone in bootloader
Then reflash TWRP using the CMD/terminal
Once it's done reboot your phone and try to go to the recovery
EDIT: I made some search
And I need you to provide me some more information
RR ROM you flashed, I need the Android version (Lollypop/5.x or Marshmallow/6.x.x or Nougat/7.x.x)
And please provide me the link to the TWRP recovery you used (if you found the TWRP recovery not on XDA, DM me the link instead, follow the rules.)
I might need the phone model/or code if applicable
(Ex: I have a Huawei Nexus 6P but codename is angler) you can see this in the bootloader
EDIT 2: seems like your issue already been answered heads on this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/k4-note/how-to/fixed-missing-internal-storage-nougat-t3657798
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help but I found what was the concern (my problem is not fully solved)
The recovery was very stubborn to just start up.
So I used the official twrp app and flash booted through my phone.
Fortunately it worked.
I wiped everything including internal storage and the storage just showed up in my pc.
I flashed the ROM and Gapps again and the problem got solved.
There just one thing now, the internal storage is there when I go to Settings>Storage but cant access through File Explorer or pc.
The apps got downloaded to the internal storage only so its not much of a problem though.
I am having the same issue.
DevALT said:
Ok first of all makes sure ADB is enabled in your settings just in case something goes wrong you will be able to fix it without swearing
Once ADB connect your phone to your PC and use CMD/terminal command to reboot your phone in bootloader
Then reflash TWRP using the CMD/terminal
Once it's done reboot your phone and try to go to the recovery
EDIT: I made some search
And I need you to provide me some more information
RR ROM you flashed, I need the Android version (Lollypop/5.x or Marshmallow/6.x.x or Nougat/7.x.x)
And please provide me the link to the TWRP recovery you used (if you found the TWRP recovery not on XDA, DM me the link instead, follow the rules.)
I might need the phone model/or code if applicable
(Ex: I have a Huawei Nexus 6P but codename is angler) you can see this in the bootloader
EDIT 2: seems like your issue already been answered heads on this thread
https://forum.xda-developers.com/k4-note/how-to/fixed-missing-internal-storage-nougat-t3657798
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a huawei Gr5 KII-L21 / kiwi mobile. Initially there was 16GB internal memory now it is just showing 2GB internal memory. I flashed stock rom yet the problem is there. I tried to flash stock rom in bootloader mode from window command prompt. Is there any method to get bak my internal memory?
This is basically a copy of my Z380M TWRP thread adopted for the ZenPad 10. I decided to start a new one since the OP of justshaun's original recovery/rooting thread has gone stale, even as I had posted several new releases of TWRP over the months. Its instructions are also a little outdated. I've also compiled a version for the new Z301M(F) models and needed a place to post it. This is where I will be posting TWRP updates from now on.
In addition to this thread, referring to the Z380M TWRP thread and the original Z300M thread (links above) may be helpful. These models share the same hardware and software base, so most things that apply to one tablet also apply to the others.
DISCLAIMER
As usual, you do anything described in this post at your own risk. No one but you is responsible for any data loss, bricking or damage of your device.
REQUIREMENTS
Windows or Linux PC
SP Flash Tool version 5.1532 (only this version will bypass security checks)
MediaTek VCOM drivers (available through Windows Update)
ZenPad 10 scatter file for SPFT, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
Recovery image, attached (choose the one for your tablet)
ZenPad Z300M, Z301M or Z301MF tablet upgraded to Android N
This won't be a guide on how to use SP Flash Tool. There are plenty of good guides out there like this one on how to set up drivers, load scatter files, flash and make backups with SP Flash Tool. If you're not familiar with this software or how to flash MediaTek devices in general, please do your research before attempting this. I will just get straight to the specifics about the ZenPad 10.
FIRST TIME INSTALLATION
For a locked bootloader:
At this point you should have your tablet powered off, the drivers installed, all of your data backed up, and SP Flash Tool v5.1532's Download tab open and loaded with the tablet's scatter file. Open the download agent file DA_PL.bin, replacing the default MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin. (You can use the AllInOne DA if you want, but the procedure involves extra steps as described below.) Load the extracted TWRP recovery image for your device (twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img) under the recovery partition line in the partition table. Click the Download button inside SPFT. Now just connect the USB cable to your tablet and your computer's USB port. It should start the download process automatically and disconnect when finished.
Alternative Method:
If you're using MTK_AllInOne_DA.bin, you have to hold the Volume Up key as you insert the cable, which puts the device into an emergency download mode. In addition, you will need to have the stock preloader*.bin file loaded inside SPFT for it to be able to communicate with your tablet. The preloader is available inside the official zip file download. Do not flash the preloader (untick the box) or any partitions other than recovery. You just need to have a valid bin file selected under the Preloader line.
For an unlocked bootloader:
If you have used the Asus unlock tool to unlock your device, you will still not be able to use fastboot flash to install a custom recovery. However, you can do a "hot boot" or a tethered boot of TWRP. This method doesn't require SP Flash Tool. Download the TWRP image, put your tablet in fastboot mode and connect to PC. Then run this command to boot TWRP dynamically:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img
Once inside TWRP, flash twrp-3.2.1-0-z30*m.img to Recovery using Install -> Install Image. Then reboot to recovery. You may be able to use TWRP in the tethered boot mode, but that could result in glitches due to different parameters passed by the bootloader to the kernel. That's why flashing is recommended.
To update from your installed TWRP version to a new one, just transfer the image to your tablet, then boot to TWRP and install it by going to Install -> Install Image and flashing to Recovery.
START RECOVERY
With the tablet powered off, hold the Volume Up and Power keys together until you get to a menu where you can select "recovery". On the Z301M/Z301MF, that option is labeled Factory Reset. Use Vol. Up to scroll and Vol. Dn to select. If you have a locked bootloader, it will show a Yellow State message because the recovery is not signed by the OEM. Just press volume up to boot it. On the welcome screen of TWRP it will ask you about modifying the system partition, I suggest you go with Keep System Read-only. Doing otherwise will complicate your OTA updates.
WARNING: Never start the stock recovery from the bootloader menu on this device. It is programmed by the bootloader to instantly wipe your data without any warning. Also, be aware that Android installs the stock recovery at every normal boot cycle. So you either have to flash the TWRP every time you want to run it, or disable the automatic recovery installation in the stock firmware. Any kind of mod to the boot image will prevent the automatic recovery installation. If you're not sure which recovery you have installed, you can always do a 'adb reboot recovery' from Android without risk of data loss.
WARNING 2: Make sure you use the correct scatter file for your device (i.e. don't mix up the Z300 and Z301 files). For the initial flash, there is no check for scatter file correctness. If you use the wrong one, SP Flash Tool will alter and lock your GPT to that scatter file layout, possibly bricking your device. It will not be easy to restore it. Flashing with the correct scatter file later on will not work because Flash Tool will not allow you to use a different file than the one you used initially.
What works: Basically everything... access to major partitions, decrypted userdata partition, decrypted adoptable storage, external SD card, ADB, USB-OTG, touch interface, splash screen, installing stock Asus OTA/web FW updates
What doesn't work: (no known problems yet, but please report any)
Not guaranteed to work: factory reset
DOWNLOAD
SP Flash Tool v5.1532
Z300M Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for other models
Z300M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 15, 2018
Z301M(F) series Scatter file for all storage sizes (right click, Save link as...) -- do not use for Z300M or other devices
Z301M TWRP 3.2.1-0 image -- updated March 13, 2018
Z301MF TWRP 3.2.3-0 image -- updated August 29, 2018
Development and experimental files
Source code
P.S. The thanks button doesn't bite.
Heya, thanks for the new thread..
Stupid question(coming from Samsung flashing)
Ive got Zenpad S3 10 P027, is this TRWP not ideal for this?
Currently, have some su (root) issues. Recovery shows Android icon chest with ! and says "No Command"
When running su in Terminal ADB via PC, says command not recognized.
Looks like I need to reflash recovery. When in TRWP (launched via fastboot boot twrp on PC) I flashed stock recovery but had system mounted read only. Could that be the problem?
Bro, I think you need to do some more homework on root, su, dm-verity, mods, etc. and read the instructions more carefully before applying these hacks. You are making a lot of simple mistakes and ending up shooting yourself in the foot for it. I don't think there's anything wrong with the Z500 TWRP. It can handle installing the stock firmware just fine. The problem is elsewhere. The unlock tool also works fine in TWRP as well in my testing.
The No Command screen is normal. That's been answered many times... you need to hold power+vol. up (or down) to get to the menu. There is no way the stock recovery image can be broken and still boot up.
The su thing, IDK what the problem is, but I'm sure if you install Magisk Manager and make your own patched image from your currently installed firmware, and fastboot-boot with it, you will have su functionality. Just like what it says in the unlock tool instructions.
Lastly and most important, never mount system in read-write mode, as I've repeated several times and exactly as it says in the directions:
7. At the TWRP welcome screen, do not select to modify the system partition and touch Keep System Read-only instead. Doing otherwise will render your tablet unbootable.
8. Mount system in TWRP (in read-only mode)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only time you can mount it in read-write mode is when you are absolutely sure you have disabled dm-verity in your boot image.
I've successfully installed TWRP on Z301M using the instructions from the first post, but then I somehow managed to lose the system. Yes, I should have backed up like the OP suggests.
I thought I should be able to reinstall the original firmware downloaded from Asus (e.g. UL-ASUS_P028_1-WW-3.3.12.0-user.zip) but both the 'adb sideload' method and the TWRP failed to install that firmware zip. My device looks bricked. The only thing I can do is to boot into TWRP (I actually need to select Factory Reset on the bootloader screen to get into TWRP). The folder 'system' is empty.
Can anyone suggest what I am doing wrong when trying to restore the Asus firmware?
When I try to sideload the zip, setting TWRP in the sideload mode, the computer begins uploading but after a few seconds gives the message "Total xfer: 0.01x" and stops, while Android errors with "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
When I install the firmware zip from TWRP it also starts installing fine but shortly gives the same error "set boot part fail. can not open misc-sd".
Thanks
@ahacker, first of all, thank you for the feedback on the Z301M platform. You are literally the first person to have said anything about that version of TWRP.
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that? If not, I suggest mounting it read-only. If there was any corruption on it, then reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it. The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
At which point did it stop booting? Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? And can you tell me if the touch screen works fine in TWRP on your tablet?
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
diplomatic, thanks for replying!
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
To see the files on system, you first have to mount the system partition. Did you do that?
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Click to collapse
I do mount the system partition. It appears empty. When I reboot into system TWRP says that the OS is not installed.
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
I would indeed try to mount the system read only. This is not the first Android system I rooted (maybe fifth), and I was always able to restore the system either from sideload or recovery. But here it seems Asus is making us jump extra hoops to do that.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Reinstalling the firmware should have fixed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
The "misc-sd" errors are normal. Pretty sure they happen on stock recovery too. The stock firmware does not have dm-verity enabled, so letting TWRP modify system to prevent overwriting recovery should not have caused any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the information.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
Also, did you use the scatter file from first post? Does the touch screen work fine in TWRP on that tablet?
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Click to collapse
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
diplomatic said:
[MENTION=4776997]
I'm not sure what the deal is with adb sideload. I don't think I've ever actually tried it....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 AM ----------
Now system refuses to mount
ahacker said:
I don't remember the details of how I lost the system partition. First time I entered into TWRP it asked for a password, probably to mount some partition. I pressed cancel or something. Then I might have cleaned the caches. But I am sure I haven't wiped system. I might have pressed Factory Reset somewhere, because I don't have any data yet on the new tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er, the password should have been for decrypting your userdata. If you didn't have one set up, there might be something wrong there.... Or possibly just unformatted.
ahacker said:
That seems to be my main problem now. I cannot reinstall the Asus firmware. It may look like I might be installing a wrong version, but I am positive that I have Z301M tablet. This is what I bought and what the boot-loader says. I download Z301M firmware from the Asus website (e.g.). So it must be a correct firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that has to be the right one. The installation script has to match the model name reported by the recovery. Otherwise it would simply abort.
ahacker said:
Yes. I found that to be the only scatter file that worked. I tried scatter.txt from the firmware zip, but the Flash Tool refuses tio pick it up. TWRP seems to be working fine with touches working as expected.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! Guess my kernel patch was on the dot and the partition layout has not changed from the Z300.
ahacker said:
This is the unbricking method described here. It probably does the same thing as the "Install Zip" from recovery, because the errors that both methods give are the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
diplomatic said:
When you installed the zip, did you unmount system completely? BTW, when you mentioned the errors, the installation does keep going for like 5 to 10 minutes afterwards, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried both ways, with and without system mounted, a few times. The installation would fail after something like 5 seconds.
diplomatic said:
If you still can't resurrect it, please post or send me the recovery & kernel log that has your installation attempt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I am giving up on this cheap tablet. I cannot even format it in the Flash Tool: it says "To format code area is forbidden on this phone". Asus is forbidding too much for me to ever buy it again. Attached the logs.
Thanks, diplomatic
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
diplomatic said:
OK, found the problem. Check your PMs, ahacker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have replied (twice), but the reply does not appear in my Sent Items. I hope it has reached you. If not, I'll paste the reply here, if you don't mind.
i not understand... i have Asus ZenPad 10 LTE Z301MFL.. a root method has been released ???
@diplomatic
Would this be compatible with Z0310M ? can't find anything for this damn model...
Hi, NeBouse,
Are you sure you have the correct information? It looks like just a misspelling of Z301M, aka P028....
I have z301m.
One thing that was a surprise for me is that the TWRP recovery flashed with the method described in the original post does not stick. You have to flash it each time you use it. If you are like me this information is important, because the original recovery plainly wipes your data without asking or warning.
After you have flashed TWRP on the device, to go to the recovery mode you have to chose "Factory Reset" in the bootloader. Then it will complain about wrong OS, which is the sign that flashing TWRP worked; choose 'yes'. The first thing you should do in TWRP is a ful nandroid backup. (Not listening the OP's advice about backing up when Installing TWRP with a wrong scatter file almost cost me the device. Thankfully diplomatic managed to remotely fix my problem, probably spending a lot of his personal time. The scatter file in the original post is a correct one now.)
Creating a nandroid backup in TWRP takes unusually long time, I even once decided that it hanged. Taking long time, like 10-30 minutes, for a full backup is normal.
Asus Z300M , Magisk 16.3 (beta) and FW 5.3.19 WW now works!
z301m, WW-3.3.12.0 firmware
For rooting I've installed in TWRP Magisk v15.3 (diplomatic warned against 16.x, someone else against 15.4) - link.
Installed in TWRP xPosed framework 88.2 - link, and xPosed Installer apk from within Android - link.
So far, so good.
What I've found is that TWRP seems to have problems with external sd cards (lots of fs corruption). I found it safer to unmount by hand by unticking the sd card checkbox in "Mount". Not very conclusive about this though.
Thanks, ahacker. Good feedback. Although to be fair, I didn't say to avoid Magisk 16.x. I said 16.0. I'm pretty sure whatever bug it had is already fixed in the latest version.
Now that you've installed root, TWRP will stick around on the emmc. The stock recovery only gets installed if you have the original unpatched boot image on it. I mean, this is not unique to these devices. That's been standard Android functionality since some 4.x or 5.x version. And this is essentially what's in the warning on the OP.
The backup I'm talking about in the installation method is done with the SP Flash Tool readback function. That will pull the partition tables and your device's "metadata" that's unique to your unit. I don't think nandroid covers that...
Oh, and what is this SD corruption you're talking about? What file system is it formatted in? Have you checked your card for errors in Windows?
Asus releases so many difference Z301M model, so I am curious if this also works on Z301MF model?
Notice Z300MF has the MTK8163BA (or MTK8163A?) CPU model while Z301M uses : 8163B
Anyone tested that already? Thanks.
my zenpad 10 has frp lock. it this a solution to remove the frp lock?
Pls help how i flash original software via fastboot ?????
Hi everyone!
I'm using a Samsung gt-n8010. It could be done for due to the age, but maybe there is still hope.
My problem is that the tablet boots always to TWRP recovery and I can switch to download mode as well. Everything seems all right, internal storage and sd card shows exactly how they should, BUT... I can't do anything in TWRP. If I have the Keep system partition read only unticked, it still says the storage is read only and /data/media is not accessable. I can see it and access it with TWRP File manager. I tried flashing ROM and Recovery, also stockROM with Odin, but Failed. Clearing Cache, Data, Dalvik... also ends up with error. Format Data works, and also changing the partition types, but when I reboot device, it all comes back the same as before, no changes take effect. In Download mode I tried to use Adb from computer terminal, but it was stuck saying 'Waiting for device'. If Tab is in Recovery my PC shows both internal storage and sd card, but the internal storage is empty when I open it.
For details: I use Lineage OS 18.1 with TWRP 3.6.1_9-0. On my computer I use Linux Mint 20.3, but I tried with a laptop using Win10 as well, no success.
I've read many solutions on 'Unmodified system partition' or some had 0MB internal storage problem, but in my case that is different, as I have them all, but it seems all is read only and not accessable. I even tried to have the last Backup (2 month old) set using Restore of TWRP, but during the process, the tablet reboots and TWRP comes up again. I can't even turn it off, as TWRP comes up after some minutes.
Please help me somehow to be able to use the Tablet. If you need any further details, just tell me.
TWRP is not out yet on android 12, if you have it as of writing it wont be able to unencrypt your device. So all you can do is use it to install roms (YOU MUST FIRST FACTORY RESET THE DEVICE).
I also have never used odin as I have prefered adb
Code:
adb shell
/sbin/recovery --wipe_data
/sbin/recovery --update_package=SDCARD:romname.zip
adb should work in twrp?
I see your point. I intended to change/downgrade LineageOS version, but I was not successful. Now I am not able to do a factory reset either with success from TWRP, but I give a try to your adb codes. Give me some time
leathan said:
TWRP is not out yet on android 12, if you have it as of writing it wont be able to unencrypt your device. So all you can do is use it to install roms (YOU MUST FIRST FACTORY RESET THE DEVICE).
I also have never used odin as I have prefered adb
Code:
adb shell
/sbin/recovery --wipe_data
/sbin/recovery --update_package=SDCARD:romname.zip
adb should work in twrp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I gave a try to that code both on TWRP and Linux terminal (from PC). But no effect First I did a FactoryWipe (successful) and went back to the Terminal each time. I tried with ROM zip and TWRP img as well, but after rebooting, TWRP 3.6.1 comes back again. I downloaded Lineage OS 17.1 (with GAPPS pico) and TWRP 3.5.0-9. It seems somehow I got stuck with that TWRP 3.6 and all I get on every attempt of flashing or wiping is it can't see '/data/media (No such file or directory)' or 'Unable to make /cache/recovery: Read-only file system'. I hope there would be a solution to get my system out of Read-only state
Nektarin87 said:
Hi, I gave a try to that code both on TWRP and Linux terminal (from PC).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have adb installed and do you see your phone when you type "
Code:
adb devices
"
Usually its as simple as just booting into TWRP -> Factory reset then install the rom and done.
Maybe you do need odin but im pretty sure you can use adb instead like I outlined above, I hated using odin but if you find the right file it should also fix your issue.
What is the codename for your tablet? I cant find it on lineageos's site, what guide did you use its an official lineageos im assuming?
leathan said:
Do you have adb installed and do you see your phone when you type "
Code:
adb devices
"
Usually its as simple as just booting into TWRP -> Factory reset then install the rom and done.
Maybe you do need odin but im pretty sure you can use adb instead like I outlined above, I hated using odin but if you find the right file it should also fix your issue.
What is the codename for your tablet? I cant find it on lineageos's site, what guide did you use its an official lineageos im assuming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I have adb installed, but as my Tablet can only load in recovery it says like these:
adb devices
List of devices attached
4107cd04a2b611b5 recovery
When I load Odin or fastload mode (Download mode as tablet says) I can not list it with 'Fastboot device" command. It says 'waiting for device'.
My tablet is Samsung gt-n8010 (10.1) and I follow this thread to make changes:
LineageOS 16.0 Android 9 for GT-N8000 GT-N8010 GT-N8013 GT-N8020 FINAL VERSION EOL
/* * Your warranty is now void. * * I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards, * thermonuclear war, or you getting fired because the alarm app failed. Please * do some research if you have any concerns about features included in...
forum.xda-developers.com
I had Lineage OS 18.1 installed and maybe what caused the issue is that I did not update the TWRP, or we do not have a TWRP ready for it yet, but currently I have TWRP 3.6.1_9-0 installed and stuck with. As I mentioned, on rebooting tablet always starts with TWRP, asking if I want system read only or not with an Unmodified system partition heading. I can not boot OS at all, I can go to Download mode, but Odin always failed indicating my system is read-only.
Ok yes your device is listed as recovery because it has not booted anything. I'm not sure if the commands I gave work without the system actually booting however.
After you entered adb commands there was no error text?
Also if you cant get odin to recognize your phone (RUN IT AS ADMINISTRATOR) you should figure out that first as thats a last resort fix when you really mess things up which I dont think you have yet. I think you must have something off in your configuration if its not reading anything make sure u can access another phone to rule out your pc, but get this working asap.
Usually if your device boot loops you can wipe the cache, and now days remove magisk modules.
If your device still boots straight to recovery It should be as easy as I outlined above, try not isntalling the apps/plugins after the initial rom, and again make sure you wipe cache/data before hand.
If your device boots straight to the bootloader then your left with Odin.
Man I hate video guides. But it looks good (unless he forgot to wipe) should have been as simple as that. He does not however provide you with the firmware (not rom) file that I believe you are going to need if you improperly downgraded the android a full version number. Post on his youtube and find that firmware file and fix your odin connection and flash it. If odin is also dead I have no idea but I have never in nearly 20 years had a phone fully brick even when I try to brick them. But I know it can be possible but your most likely going to recover from this.
If he doesn't respond just read more and learn, you may need some specific large file though to flash over what I believe may now be missing partitions entirely.
Maybe someone else here can help too. Good luck!
leathan said:
Man I hate video guides. But it looks good (unless he forgot to wipe) should have been as simple as that. He does not however provide you with the firmware (not rom) file that I believe you are going to need if you improperly downgraded the android a full version number. Post on his youtube and find that firmware file and fix your odin connection and flash it. If odin is also dead I have no idea but I have never in nearly 20 years had a phone fully brick even when I try to brick them. But I know it can be possible but your most likely going to recover from this.
If he doesn't respond just read more and learn, you may need some specific large file though to flash over what I believe may now be missing partitions entirely.
Maybe someone else here can help too. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, I actually find some videos or instructions useful and some helped me out a lot. But as always, things can only be proper if anyone is qualified to do it or when you have the exact same issue on the device. Now back to my case...
I tried many ways, many aspects, but none helped me out. There was this good and working Samsung 10.1 gt-n8010 and one afternoon I found it turned off. When I charged it for a while I turned it on and all it could load is TWRP and I could not do anything. It seems to be working, but I could not see internal storage, while it showed all the 12 GB amount I had, so the issue is not that it shows 0 GB like in many videos. I tried to wipe cache, data, system, even change partition types, all ended with a fail saying my 'system is read only'. I also tried to use Odin and Heimdall to flash new recovery and ROM, also gave a chance to stockRom with android 4.1 or 4.4, but in all cases it said FAILED. To conclude all: I think it could be a hardware issue and as the machine is more the 10 yrs of age, it would not be a surprise, but it's a same it can't be flashed.
If anyone had a similar issue or may have suggestions I'm all ears and the thread remaines, but I am out of ideas at the moment and put my Samsung tab on the shelves.