Hi! I was on the February update and was trying to update to the March update using the factory images.
While updating I was faced with sparse file too big or invalid error. Then my device was stuck at bootloader. After that, I proceeded to stupidly change my active partition from b to a. Now my device won't boot at all. Is there any way I can recover from this? Or is there a chance at all?
Xeust said:
Hi! I was on the February update and was trying to update to the March update using the factory images.
While updating I was faced with sparse file too big or invalid error. Then my device was stuck at bootloader. After that, I proceeded to stupidly change my active partition from b to a. Now my device won't boot at all. Is there any way I can recover from this? Or is there a chance at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot to fastboot mode and install TWRP or any custom recovery on both slots.
Now reboot to recovery and change the active partition.
Xeust said:
Hi! I was on the February update and was trying to update to the March update using the factory images.
While updating I was faced with sparse file too big or invalid error. Then my device was stuck at bootloader. After that, I proceeded to stupidly change my active partition from b to a. Now my device won't boot at all. Is there any way I can recover from this? Or is there a chance at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happens when you turn your device on? Are you able to boot to bootloader? Does the screen turn on at all?
If the file size was wrong, you were probably using the wrong file...although there's been issues with the latest Platform Tools, and bad USB cables can cause problems too.
TheMystic said:
Boot to fastboot mode and install TWRP or any custom recovery on both slots.
Now reboot to recovery and change the active partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP isn't really relevant to A/B devices unless installing a custom ROM. If he's able to get into bootloader, TWRP isn't going to be any more help than reflashing the factory image.
V0latyle said:
TWRP isn't really relevant to A/B devices unless installing a custom ROM. If he's able to get into bootloader, TWRP isn't going to be any more help than reflashing the factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case of a bootloop, one can boot into recovery if it is installed on both slots. And from there the active partition can be changed, and this is possible only using custom recovery.
This is my understanding. I could be wrong because it's been a while since I got away from all these stuff, which are also becoming increasingly complex for no proportionate returns.
TheMystic said:
In case of a bootloop, one can boot into recovery if it is installed on both slots. And from there the active partition can be changed, and this is possible only using custom recovery.
This is my understanding. I could be wrong because it's been a while since I got away from all these stuff, which are also becoming increasingly complex for no proportionate returns.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is, the recovery kernel is packaged into the boot image alongside ramdisk and the system kernel. Most A/B devices like Pixels do not have a recovery partition. TWRP does not support the compression that's used for the stock recovery as packaged, and if you flash the TWRP image to /boot, it overwrites everything else - meaning that your system will only boot to TWRP, because that's the only thing in /boot.
You could potentially live boot TWRP since this doesn't flash the boot partition, but again this is generally unnecessary and won't be of much help when you can simply reflash the original boot image
V0latyle said:
The problem is, the recovery kernel is packaged into the boot image alongside ramdisk and the system kernel. Most A/B devices like Pixels do not have a recovery partition. TWRP does not support the compression that's used for the stock recovery as packaged, and if you flash the TWRP image to /boot, it overwrites everything else - meaning that your system will only boot to TWRP, because that's the only thing in /boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are all these done to enhance security or discourage custom mods? Or both?
For a short time when I had rooted my OnePlus 8T, I would flash TWRP on the inactive slot. That's because Oxygen OS would replace any custom recovery with its own recovery during boot, so this allowed me to boot into the inactive slot (which now has TWRP) and then run commands from there, so I don't have to use a PC each time.
TheMystic said:
Are all these done to enhance security or discourage custom mods? Or both?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neither. It's just compression to reduce the amount of space the recovery kernel takes up in the boot image. If TWRP supported this compression we could potentially replace the stock recovery with TWRP. But, there isn't really much need to do this; most custom ROMs for the Pixel series just flash everything via web ADB.
TheMystic said:
For a short time when I had rooted my OnePlus 8T, I would flash TWRP on the inactive slot. That's because Oxygen OS would replace any custom recovery with its own recovery during boot, so this allowed me to boot into the inactive slot (which now has TWRP) and then run commands from there, so I don't have to use a PC each time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the case here. The boot slot cannot be changed without booting into TWRP. You could potentially install TWRP to boot_b, then set slot B as active; upon the next boot, the device will load TWRP. You could then do whatever you need to in TWRP, then set slot A as active, but you'd have no way of getting back to TWRP.
Xeust said:
Hi! I was on the February update and was trying to update to the March update using the factory images.
While updating I was faced with sparse file too big or invalid error. Then my device was stuck at bootloader. After that, I proceeded to stupidly change my active partition from b to a. Now my device won't boot at all. Is there any way I can recover from this? Or is there a chance at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The likely reason this occurred is because you used Platform Tools 34+. These 34 versions can't boot into fastbootd. For now you should be using Platform Tools 33.0.3.
You can't just switch slots and boot up the slot you switched to. You can only boot into the slot where the last firmware was flashed to. Therefore, when you changed your slot from b to a, you would have to flash the firmware onto slot a before it would boot into that slot.
If you can still get into the bootloader/fastboot mode, try flashing the factory image or using Android Flash Tool.
Lughnasadh said:
The likely reason this occurred is because you used Platform Tools 34+. These 34 versions can't boot into fastbootd. For now you should be using Platform Tools 33.0.3.
You can't just switch slots and boot up the slot you switched to. You can only boot into the slot where the last firmware was flashed to. Therefore, when you changed your slot from b to a, you would have to flash the firmware onto slot a before it would boot into that slot.
If you can still get into the bootloader/fastboot mode, try flashing the factory image or using Android Flash Tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now its not booting at all. My pc can still detect it for a moment while I'm holding the power button but its not booting into bootloader so I can't do anything at the moment afaik.
V0latyle said:
What happens when you turn your device on? Are you able to boot to bootloader? Does the screen turn on at all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Nothing and as I mentioned above, my pc only detects it while I hold the power button. Aside from that, its only a black screen.
Is there any way to flash the firmware or change the partition through other means that does not require bootloader/fastboot?
Xeust said:
For now its not booting at all. My pc can still detect it for a moment while I'm holding the power button but its not booting into bootloader so I can't do anything at the moment afaik.
Nope. Nothing and as I mentioned above, my pc only detects it while I hold the power button. Aside from that its only a black screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. It sounds like the bootloader can't start, so the device is probably in QUSB mode. Unfortunately your only recourse is to have it repaired, as the files and tools you'd need to fix this are not publicly available. While it's possible to find the software (QPST/QFIL) you won't be able to find the necessary binary images to reflash your device.
Xeust said:
For now its not booting at all. My pc can still detect it for a moment while I'm holding the power button but its not booting into bootloader so I can't do anything at the moment afaik.
Nope. Nothing and as I mentioned above, my pc only detects it while I hold the power button. Aside from that its only a black screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There have been several people who have ended up like you after using Platform Tools 34+. None have been able to recover that I know of. The issue is known to Google (they are working on a fix). Can you confirm you were indeed using Platform Tools 34.0.0 or 34.0.1?
Lughnasadh said:
There have been several people who have ended up like you after using Platform Tools 34+. None have been able to recover that I know of. The issue is known to Google (they are working on a fix). Can you confirm you were indeed using Platform Tools 34.0.0 or 34.0.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it was the 34.0.1
V0latyle said:
Ah. It sounds like the bootloader can't start, so the device is probably in QUSB mode. Unfortunately your only recourse is to have it repaired, as the files and tools you'd need to fix this are not publicly available. While it's possible to find the software (QPST/QFIL) you won't be able to find the necessary binary images to reflash your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If there's nothing I can do on my own, is it still possible to get it repaired? Or my only option is to send it back to google?
Xeust said:
Yes it was the 34.0.1
If there's nothing I can do on my own, is it still possible to get it repaired? Or my only option is to send it back to google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're still under warranty, try to get repair that way. Warranty or no warranty, Google will probably refer you to a repair center like uBreakiFix.
V0latyle said:
If you're still under warranty, try to get repair that way. Warranty or no warranty, Google will probably refer you to a repair center like uBreakiFix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not under warranty anymore. And its hard to reach google. or ubreakifix from my country :/
Thank you everyone. I conclude that my chances are pretty slim so I guess I'll consider getting a new phone.
Xeust said:
Unfortunately not under warranty anymore. And its hard to reach google. or ubreakifix from my country :/
Thank you everyone. I conclude that my chances are pretty slim so I guess I'll consider getting a new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you do end up contacting Google, you can refer them to this issue. Frankly it's there fault. They know their current Platform Tools are borked and yet still leave them up on the site for people to download and use.
Anyway, I wish you luck.
For those of you having the Platform Tools 34+ bug, as I did because I'm old and stupid at times, you may want to go thank this guy since using the 33.0.3 version of the PLatform Tools
did the trick for me.
V0latyle said:
Neither. It's just compression to reduce the amount of space the recovery kernel takes up in the boot image. If TWRP supported this compression we could potentially replace the stock recovery with TWRP. But, there isn't really much need to do this; most custom ROMs for the Pixel series just flash everything via web ADB.
That's not the case here. The boot slot cannot be changed without booting into TWRP. You could potentially install TWRP to boot_b, then set slot B as active; upon the next boot, the device will load TWRP. You could then do whatever you need to in TWRP, then set slot A as active, but you'd have no way of getting back to TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, hold up. TWRP? On the Pixel 6? That exists?
(edit: nevermind, think I misread)
Deleted, since it's not for here.
Jaitsu said:
Wait, hold up. TWRP? On the Pixel 6? That exists?
(edit: nevermind, think I misread)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That What I want to know!
Related
Hello,
I've unlocked my bootloader and subsequently had installed TWRP (months ago).
Not long after, I decided to go back to stock for a while, and went back to CM a month ago.
However, I realized back then that I was loading into stock recovery even after taking the steps to install TWRP (http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-5x/development/root-kiw-l24-usa-kiwi-t3305190)
During these steps, there were no errors (fastboot/adb logs show all things were done successfully).
However, some funky quirk (that I don't remember) got me loaded with TWRP once, which gave me the window to install CM (I remember it involving having to be connected to the PC).
Now I'm trying to install a new CM build, but I can't get it loading TWRP.
I've downloaded the TWRP Manager App, which tells me that I have TWRP 3.0.0.0, but when I reboot to recovery, I am given the stock EMUI recovery.
Does anyone know what is happening in this case? Has anyone experienced a similar issue?
Thank you!
undesputed said:
Hello,
I've unlocked my bootloader and subsequently had installed TWRP (months ago).
Not long after, I decided to go back to stock for a while, and went back to CM a month ago.
However, I realized back then that I was loading into stock recovery even after taking the steps to install TWRP (http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-5x/development/root-kiw-l24-usa-kiwi-t3305190)
During these steps, there were no errors (fastboot/adb logs show all things were done successfully).
However, some funky quirk (that I don't remember) got me loaded with TWRP once, which gave me the window to install CM (I remember it involving having to be connected to the PC).
Now I'm trying to install a new CM build, but I can't get it loading TWRP.
I've downloaded the TWRP Manager App, which tells me that I have TWRP 3.0.0.0, but when I reboot to recovery, I am given the stock EMUI recovery.
Does anyone know what is happening in this case? Has anyone experienced a similar issue?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reinstallt it try this TWRP http://www.mediafire.com/download/15g5i63gke9ddgp/kiwi_twrp_3-21_recovery.img its version 3.0.2.0 (Most recent)
The most recent is 5-14 (also based on v3.0.2.0 ).
TWRP 5.14
3-21 was built on March 21, and 5-14 on May 14.
mooms said:
The most recent is 5-14 (also based on v3.0.2.0 ).
TWRP 5.14
3-21 was built on March 21, and 5-14 on May 14.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just for the record I'm using a even newer one than the 5-14 posted above
@yuweng posted a version of 3.0.2.0 that will make images of many partitions on the phone that even 5-14 ignores
you can download it here >> https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24588212152305793
please note it was discovered early on that you cannot share the oeminfo partition on the phone, it's locked to your device and can / will brick a phone it's not from. just be careful what you restore with such a powerful version of TWRP.
@undesputed
I have seen this before where flashing TWRP does not seem to stick.
boot to the bootloader and see if frp is unlocked ... if not you need to
boot to your OS and remove your google account from the device
reboot to the bootloader and attempt the flash again. if it still fails to stick you can always just use
fastboot boot twrp.img and it will work just fine... just not installed
Arobase40 said:
Do you mean 3.0.2.0 is newer and supports more partitions than 5-14 ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their both 3.0.2.0 the one I just posted has more features
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
clsA said:
Just for the record I'm using a even newer one than the 5-14 posted above
@yuweng posted a version of 3.0.2.0 that will make images of many partitions on the phone that even 5-14 ignores
you can download it here >> https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24588212152305793
please note it was discovered early on that you cannot share the oeminfo partition on the phone, it's locked to your device and can / will brick a phone it's not from. just be careful what you restore with such a powerful version of TWRP.
@undesputed
I have seen this before where flashing TWRP does not seem to stick.
boot to the bootloader and see if frp is unlocked ... if not you need to
boot to your OS and remove your google account from the device
reboot to the bootloader and attempt the flash again. if it still fails to stick you can always just use
fastboot boot twrp.img and it will work just fine... just not installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@clsA
frp is labeled as "UNLOCK" as oppsed to bootloader labeled as "UNLOCKED".
If it's just about removing my google account, will this be resolved the next time I do a factory reset?
Nevertheless, thank you so much for the command fastboot boot twrp.img, I realized that that was what I had used the last time.
I'm currently able to boot into TWRP this way. Awesome!
@clsA
Thanks for the link & infos.
Can you tell which features are added in this new TWRP ? name of the partitions ?
Thanks.
mooms said:
@clsA
Thanks for the link & infos.
Can you tell which features are added in this new TWRP ? name of the partitions ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would be much easier to just install it and test it for yourself
I did find a bug it would not backup to my OTG stick
clsA said:
it would be much easier to just install it and test it for yourself
I did find a bug it would not backup to my OTG stick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use all the features, so i will maybe miss the changes.
Never used OTG to made a backup (I use ext_SD), I don't know if it works with other builds of TWRP.
mooms said:
I don't use all the features, so i will maybe miss the changes.
Never used OTG to made a backup (I use ext_SD), I don't know if it works with other builds of TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB-OTG works flawlessly on the 5-14 version I was not able to use it with the newer one @yuweng posted in his guide
the screen shots show all the partitions it's able to work with
Arobase40 said:
I thought 3.0.2.0 was just an interim version between twrp_2-27 and twrp_5-14... ^^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your confusing TWRP versions with TWRP release dates
2-27 and 5-14 are release dates where as 3.0.2.0 is the version of TWRP not the date
the first version of TWRP for this device was actually 2.8.7.0 and was released on 2-16-2016
Same issue
Hey so I have the same exact issue umm did you ever resolve this problem becuSe I can't seem to crack it and it's a bit frustrating cuz by no means am I a pro but coming from using the OnePlus one the OnePlus 2 the OnePlus x and the Nexus 6 rooting them and restoring them after many failed attempts resulting in bricking my phone and even eventually unbrick them I do know a thing or two and I am stumped please help you are the only other person in this world other then my self that seems to be having this issue if you don't mind would you be so kind and email gmail me cuz I don't use or check this forum often thanks millerfamily805
clsA said:
Just for the record I'm using a even newer one than the 5-14 posted above
@yuweng posted a version of 3.0.2.0 that will make images of many partitions on the phone that even 5-14 ignores
you can download it here >> https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24588212152305793
please note it was discovered early on that you cannot share the oeminfo partition on the phone, it's locked to your device and can / will brick a phone it's not from. just be careful what you restore with such a powerful version of TWRP.
@undesputed
I have seen this before where flashing TWRP does not seem to stick.
boot to the bootloader and see if frp is unlocked ... if not you need to
boot to your OS and remove your google account from the device
reboot to the bootloader and attempt the flash again. if it still fails to stick you can always just use
fastboot boot twrp.img and it will work just fine... just not installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can it be used with other honor devices?
Got my answer... Thanks...
Sent from my PLK-L01 using XDA Labs
It depend on the device
My attempt to root my H930 went very wrong... So I started by unlocking the bootloader and flashing TWRP. After that I didn't manage to get in to TWRP. Instead it started to boot, but froze eventually. Now I can't get it to boot (It gets stuck on initial LG V30 screen), and I can't power it off. I can get into stock recovery (apparently it got far enough to replace TWRP) and download mode with hardware button combinations. But the download mode seems to be different from fastboot mode (looks different on phone, and fastboot can't find it) so I can't try to flash TWRP again. I also managed to get it into a check IMEI + S/N mode by holding all buttons at once...
I've tried flashing H93010f_00_OPEN_EU_OP_0925.kdz with LG UP/Uppercut (since I can get to download mode). It went fine but the situation is the same - no boot, no way to power off.
A factory reset from stock recovery doesn't help either.
Please advice..
Alright, I acually got in to fastboot mode even though I'm not quite sure how.. I basically first went in to download mode, and then pressed vol down + power to reboot, and ended up in fastboot mode. From there I flashed twrp again. And this time I managed to get in to TWRP. Since I didn't have a working ROM I went ahead and wiped all but external sdcard and tried flashing Boombox. It resulted in an "Error: 1"..
So I tried flashing H93010f_00_OPEN_EU_OP_0925.kdz from LGUP again, and now I'm back to a device that doesn't boot again.
Which root are you trying to flash? TWRP also is in alpha at the very best at this point. Can you extract the KDZ and use fastboot to flash the .img files inside, assuming they have .img files inside of the KDZ?
jcsww said:
Which root are you trying to flash? TWRP also is in alpha at the very best at this point. Can you extract the KDZ and use fastboot to flash the .img files inside, assuming they have .img files inside of the KDZ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not trying to flash any root. I was planning on flashing Magisk but never got that far. At this point I'm just trying to get a working phone. I read about extracing img files from kdz but the tool didn't work in my virtual WinXP machine so I'm trying to fire up a Win10 machine now (I'm on mac).
Meanwhile I tried flashing boot and system from "LGH930GAT-00-V10c-222-01-OCT-12-2017+0.zip" but that resulted in the phone automatically booting into TWRP... That can't be good.
egendomligt said:
I'm not trying to flash any root. I was planning on flashing Magisk but never got that far. At this point I'm just trying to get a working phone. I read about extracing img files from kdz but the tool didn't work in my virtual WinXP machine so I'm trying to fire up a Win10 machine now (I'm on mac).
Meanwhile I tried flashing boot and system from "LGH930GAT-00-V10c-222-01-OCT-12-2017+0.zip" but that resulted in the phone automatically booting into TWRP... That can't be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With some other phones, like Nexus devices. Flashing older boot images can cause bootloops. I don't know if this is the case with your device but it might be something to consider. Have you tried flashing the complete latest factory image to see if that solves the bootloop?
jcsww said:
With some other phones, like Nexus devices. Flashing older boot images can cause bootloops. I don't know if this is the case with your device but it might be something to consider. Have you tried flashing the complete latest factory image to see if that solves the bootloop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I haven't been able to get able to get a hold of a KDZ other than for 10f. I'd like to try 10v.
I got the extraction tool working in a Win10 box now, and I'm trying to extract boot and system images from the 10f KDZ...
egendomligt said:
Unfortunately I haven't been able to get able to get a hold of a KDZ other than for 10f. I'd like to try 10v.
I got the extraction tool working in a Win10 box now, and I'm trying to extract boot and system images from the 10f KDZ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best of luck!
Nope, that didn't work either. fastboot threw an error telling me the system image was too big for the partition.. At least the system image from the 10c dump fit properly..
So I guess my best bets right now are to either get a hold of a 10v KDZ, or wait for something flashable through TWRP.. :/
Is there like a lastlog for system boot that would be reachable from TWRP/adb..? It would sure be nice to see whats going wrong...
egendomligt said:
Nope, that didn't work either. fastboot threw an error telling me the system image was too big for the partition.. At least the system image from the 10c dump fit properly..
So I guess my best bets right now are to either get a hold of a 10v KDZ, or wait for something flashable through TWRP.. :/
Is there like a lastlog for system boot that would be reachable from TWRP/adb..? It would sure be nice to see whats going wrong...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No clue!
Ok, I got it to boot again!
* I formatted data (not wiped) inTWRP - Not sure if this step was relevant
* Flashed stock recovery/boot/system from a KDZ dump called "LGH930GAT-00-V10c-222-01-OCT-12-2017+0" - found the link in some other thread here
* Rebooted and watched it boot - went in to "Android is upgrading..."-screen - rebooted - then booted normally.
Thanks for the help and a special thanks to @Perkash who helped me out through PM.
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?
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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 ?????
In August, I bought this tablet, Lenovo TAB M10 (TB-X505F), to read and study for University. I rooted the device with Magisk. I also bought a 64 GB SD Card, which I installed and configured to expand the internal memory. About a month later, an OTA update failed to install; I removed the SD card, the OTA installed and the tablet went back to factory defaults; not pleasant, but not terrible. I reconfigured it, and kept using it.
Last couple of weeks, a new OTA was released. it tried to install a few times, and failed; just rebooted the OS with a generic failure message. One morning, it tried to update during the night, and I found it on the Recovery menu; a generic error message said it couldn't update. The OTA tried to update some more times, rebooting to the OS or going to the Recovery screen.
Yesterday, I removed the SD card and tried to install the OTA update; it failed, and sent the tablet again to factory defaults. Something happened, I can't tell what it was, and now the tablet is screwed. It won't boot; it won't go to recovery. I have no ADB, but I have Fastboot.
I worked with tablets and phones many times before: recovering, rooting, flashing, upgrading, downgrading, unlocking, unbricking, etc. I have the original ROM, and also the latest. I have the original boot.img, and the modified by Magisk. I tried to fastboot flash boot, recovery, and TWRP; it flashes "OK", but nothing happens: it won't boot to recovery. I tried to fastboot flash system, but it didn't do anything. This is a "system_1.img", "system_2.img", "system_n.img", not a ".sparsechunk"; I never had to deal with this one, I might be doing something wrong. I tried to fastboot flashall; nothing seems to work, although it looks like it is flashing ok. I don't know what to do or try anymore. Any help will be greatly appreciated. NB: I'm in Linux; I'll prepare a Windows box, in case it is needed.
Thank you very much. Best regards.
I suggest you to re-flash tablet's Stock ROM to bring tablet back to its original state.
FYI: Installing official updates from your manufacturer or carrier is not supported by TWRP.
jwoegerbauer said:
I suggest you to re-flash tablet's Stock ROM to bring tablet back to its original state.
FYI: Installing official updates from your manufacturer or carrier is not supported by TWRP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thank you for your suggestion. Any ideas on how? I got the stock ROMs, but when I re-flash each partition, it says "flash OK", except with the System partition, which fastboot seems to not being able to handle this "system_1.img", "system_2.img", "system_n.img" format... Besides, the recovery partition flashed OK, but I'm not able to boot to recovery mode. The flashall didn't work either, with or without the -w argument. I'm on a Linux machine.
farotta said:
Yes, thank you for your suggestion. Any ideas on how? I got the stock ROMs, but when I re-flash each partition, it says "flash OK", except with the System partition, which fastboot seems to not being able to handle this "system_1.img", "system_2.img", "system_n.img" format... Besides, the recovery partition flashed OK, but I'm not able to boot to recovery mode. The flashall didn't work either, with or without the -w argument. I'm on a Linux machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a Lenovo smart assistant PC program
That can reflash firmware for some devices try the flash rescue option.
There is a link to download in my LMSA thread.
My thread is written for Motorola devices and I haven't used any Lenovo devices.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/update-moto-lenovo-moto-smart-assistant-t3951714
Sent from my ocean using XDA Labs
sd_shadow said:
There is a Lenovo smart assistant PC program
That can reflash firmware for some devices try the flash rescue option.
There is a link to download in my LMSA thread.
My thread is written for Motorola devices and I haven't used any Lenovo devices.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/update-moto-lenovo-moto-smart-assistant-t3951714
Sent from my ocean using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your response. I'm assuming is a Windows tool... I'm finishing setting up a Windows box to test; I'll take a look at it as soon as I have it; I'll test it and post the results.
farotta said:
Yes, thank you for your suggestion. Any ideas on how? I got the stock ROMs, but when I re-flash each partition, it says "flash OK", except with the System partition, which fastboot seems to not being able to handle this "system_1.img", "system_2.img", "system_n.img" format... Besides, the recovery partition flashed OK, but I'm not able to boot to recovery mode. The flashall didn't work either, with or without the -w argument. I'm on a Linux machine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not re-flash the Stock ROM by means of "adb sideload" instead of "fastboot ..."?
jwoegerbauer said:
Why not re-flash the Stock ROM by means of "adb sideload" instead of "fastboot ..."?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I didn't have adb, only fastboot.
sd_shadow said:
There is a Lenovo smart assistant PC program
That can reflash firmware for some devices try the flash rescue option.
There is a link to download in my LMSA thread.
My thread is written for Motorola devices and I haven't used any Lenovo devices.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/update-moto-lenovo-moto-smart-assistant-t3951714
Sent from my ocean using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THIS THING WORKED LIKE MAGIC! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
It was more difficult to set up the Windows box to make it work, than the rescuing of the tablet with this tool. A few clicks, wait for the image to download, follow some easy and clear instructions, and my device is alive, again. I feel I can't thank you enough.
I am stuck with unlocked bootloader and not able to lock it back. When I do, I see the "destroyed boot/recovery image" error screen.
Though I have stock boot.img, I don't have the stock recovery.img. Or both should help, just to be sure!
If anyone has it saved, please share, I would like to try locking it again.
sako21 said:
I am stuck with unlocked bootloader and not able to lock it back. When I do, I see the "destroyed boot/recovery image" error screen.
Though I have stock boot.img, I don't have the stock recovery.img. Or both should help, just to be sure!
If anyone has it saved, please share, I would like to try locking it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash latest A13 update u will get stock recovery
pankspoo said:
Flash latest A13 update u will get stock recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying!
I did that today. It wasn't happening, it was failing with error - boot partition has expected contents.
Did a lot of erase and restores of partitions from rom backup with TWRP. Finally got through it somehow and it got installed with System Updates feature.
Now that it is flashed, can I simply try fastboot flashing lock and it will go through?
Not willing to spend too much time with trying it as it might wipe data (not sure of it though), hence asking here.
Or will it result into "destroyed boot/recovery image"?
sako21 said:
Thanks for replying!
I did that today. It wasn't happening, it was failing with error - boot partition has expected contents.
Did a lot of erase and restores of partitions from rom backup with TWRP. Finally got through it somehow and it got installed with System Updates feature.
Now that it is flashed, can I simply try fastboot flashing lock and it will go through?
Not willing to spend too much time with trying it as it might wipe data (not sure of it though), hence asking here.
Or will it result into "destroyed boot/recovery image"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just try keep unrooted boot. Img backup of your current rom.
Then go ahead though it's got currpted (one person faced that at insta but he used that commnads when he has twrp it must work with stock recovery) but after restoring boot imgae all was fine.
But try at u r own risk later don't tag [email protected] pankspoo - guide
Thanks. Will try that out.
And yes, wont tag you!
sako21 said:
Thanks. Will try that out.
And yes, wont tag you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait u want to relock bootloader?
You need a otg adapter. Put Stock boot.img and the last ota update file to the usb storage.
flash stock boot.img via FKM
go to developer settings and lock oem
uninstall magisk with restore all (not image)
start phone in bootloader
fastboot flash relock
fastboot reboot recovery
select update from storage
use otg adapter with ota file
install
restart
done
For any assistance contact @sakarya1980
sako21 said:
Thanks. Will try that out.
And yes, wont tag you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you get the relock bootloader?
If you're still searching for the stock recovery, I've attached the .img file (unzip it first)