yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] Centora:
Hi all, I've been following the Ascend XT threads since Black Friday and am very grateful we now have root! I will try and click thanks to all supportive posts as I will re-read this entire thread again to be informative. I however do have a question:

Is it possible to create a factory image of the entire phone? I don't mean via TWRP. I mean like with Samsung devices Kies/Odin. I'm coming from a Samsung Galaxy Note II so unsure of these newer devices yet. Basically, is it possible to completely wipe the phone if needed (such as a bad rom or other problem), and flash a backup to a fresh out of the box state?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
I had to restore the 6 partitions i backed up in step 7d. Started over and cleared selected dalvik/art cache and another cache box below. I think that put the phone into a boot loop. After restoring the 6 partitions it's stuck in boot screen. Is is bricked? And it doesn't power off when i hold the power button.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
You will create a TWRP back of all partitions except data, which is encrypted if you follow the posted instructions in post 1.

If you want a close to out of box TWRP backup, then after you do the first backup in the instructions, factory reset the phone and do another backup. After that, use the initial TWRP backup to restore and continue rooting from there. I hope that makes sense :) . You should boot the phone up after each restore as a check.

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

It takes about 30 minutes for the restore to be completed. Don't mess with the phone before that. :)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Do you have a backup of all six partitions?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
I thought only a few mins after the restore process. The restore itself took ~170 sec. Should i leave it in boot screen for 30 min? I can restore again. Had to power off in recovery. Wasn't sure if it would ever boot again. Reboot after restore or wipe dalvik/cache?

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 PM ----------

Yes all 6. No errors backing up or restoring.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Yes restore again, and after reboot leave it alone for 30 minutes on charger if necessary.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
it's been almost an hour. I'm not optimistic. i think it's done until a recovery/rom img is available.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
I'd just wait another 20 minutes if you waited this long.

I know if I clear cache/dalvik and reboot, it takes about 30 minutes. Maybe it's doing more now, I really don't know.

Has anyone else here restored their TWRP backup images on XT that can chime in?

BTW: Please don't forget to hit the thanks button for any posts that are helpful to you. ;)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
i can leave it over night. at this point i'm not doing much with it anyway :))) :(((
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] justlovejoy:
Unsure of what hiccups you experienced but I'm thinking you tinkered with something that set your system on the wrong path. Can't recall if you had 130 or 140 before routing or what the uploaded backups are but if it's one of them that is not what you had originally, it may be throwing errors in the background. When you boot up the phone run a logcat and post it to a Google doc and share(reading logcat in a thread becomes insane, especially in tapatalk) if you can't get it running, I saw in the huawei pc application it has an option to restore, think it's listed as recovery. Try that. I'm off on weekends so if anything it's not corrected by then, I'll get ya fixed up I'm sure. Have great night everyone. [emoji123]
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Place your TWRP fold on your external SD card. Boot into TWRP. Ignore the Read only option, slide your finger. Go in to wipe. Go into advanced and put check in all the partitions. Leave the USb OTG thing unchecked. Let it format. Back out with the home key. Go into restore. Pick your media as External SD card. Select your previous restore. Select all partitions. Let it restore. The reason you format is because it eliminates dirty flashing. Let it completed, no more than 30 mins. Reboot. Hopefully you should be back to where you were. On last thing after restore, go into the advanced menu and select "Fix Contents" ignore the message and slide your finger. This fixes permissions for files and partitions. Your in survival mode here.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
I think its because of my su not working properly i decided to reflash it and forgot to hit wipe dalvik/cache. Then went to wipe and selected dalvik/art and anoter cache box below. Then wiped, rebooted, att logo came up for a moment and back to boot screen. It got stuck in a loop. I went back to recovery and restored 6 partitions. Stuck in boot screen. I'll check huawei site for recovery.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
You need to format all partitions. Then restore. After you restore don't reboot. Select wipe, then press the data button on the right, type yes then reboot. What you did was a complete restore, the factory reset before you reboot. This will fix many issues. Hopefully this gets you up and running.

---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 PM ----------
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
Didn't work. Still stuck on boot.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Are you using a restore prior to or after root? Was your restore rooted or unrooted that your using.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
TWRP Backup And Restore Important Information!

Read "What should I back up in TWRP?"

https://twrp.me/faq/whattobackup.html

If you made an initial backup of all the six partitions, (Boot, Cache, Data, Recovery, System, and EFS), I would put them in multiple places including off your phone in case of emergency. SD cards do go bad :) .

If you need to make future TWRP backups, I think Boot, Data, and System is sufficient (unless you have a specific reason to back up the additional partitions).

If you need to do a TWRP restore, unless you have a specific reason to do additional partitions, I would only restore Boot, Data, and System and remember to wipe cache and dalvik before rebooting.

One reason to backup the Recovery partition would be if you just flashed a new TWRP version, for example.

Corrections and discussions welcome :) .
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
Step 8d.

I powered down and put it aside. It wasn't getting out of the boot screen. Then i decided to boot into twrp and flash supesu again. Flashed, wiped dalvik/cache. Rebooted. Att logo came up for a moment and then back to boot screen. Something different this time. Then i decided to reboot again. It worked! I'm setting up now. Cant remember what to do next.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] dabadguycr:
Oh I see so you told people to leave it r/o so they don't jack something up in other words. I thought something was missing up the phone whenever you put it in R/W.

Are we able to remove bloatware apps even when it's R/O? I know my old phone the only way to remove bloatware was ether have a bloatware free ROM or have it r/w.

I pretty much want to remove everything that isn't needed to for the phone to run stable even the messaging apps since I don't like the stock one.

I haven't had the time to root yet. I'm some what waiting as well hoping someone releases a stock bloatware free ROM.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Being R/W during TWRP has nothing to do with systemless root install. SuperSu installs it accordingly. It performs certain checks then determines what works best for your phone. Anything 6.0 and above usually always gets systemless install as that's what Chainfire leans towards. AOSP/CM(Linage) ROMs are complied and setup for system root install. So system install usually works in that case. Most newer stock are systemless.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Keeping the System partition read-only is done to ensure the partition does not get changed to allow OTAs to happen, for those who want that option. Once the System partition is modified, the OTA can fail.

I know some of us don't care about OTAs, but at this point, I'd rather leave it to each person to make that decision.

Also just because the System partition is kept r/o during the root process does not prevent those who later want to from using a root file manager to make changes to the System partition, but at least going the conservative route during TWRP/rooting leaves the option to OTA for those who may want that vs just burning that bridge from the get go.

That's how I understand things. Corrections welcome :) .
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Correct.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] Centora:
Currently, I haven't even unlocked the boot loader yet as it's still running 130 stock. So basicly I want to do the following:

1. Unlock bootloader.

2. Factory reset.

3. Load TWRP via usb cable and ADB.

4. Wipe delvik/cache.

5. Backup all partitions (except for Data).

6. Factory reset.

7. Backup all partitions to be used as the main backup.

8. Feel confident I can root and freeze apps with peace of mind of simply wiping all partitions and restoring the main backup to a working condition.

All-in-all I didn't realize how dependent I was with root, until I went a month and a half now without it. If what I'm asking isn't possible, I can wait until something a little more efficient/noobie friendly is released.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Where do you flash TWRP and SuperSU? What is the difference between backup in 5 and 7?

You may need to Wipe - Format Data (step 8c) and reboot before you can get TWRP to backup the Data partition.

Look at the instructions in post 1 again.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] Centora:
Sorry, I really am a complete noob and soft-bricked past phones before, but luckily development was amazing by then on my Samsung. I don't want a backup with SU installed already... I pretty much want a factory recovery (that Huawei should have posted already). So if the phone dose go into a bootloop or etc, I can reflash the phone back to stock as if I never altered the phone to begin with.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Okay, seems to be fine in that case. :)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] Centora:
Okay great, I'll do as suggested and possibly root over the weekend. I absolutely can't wait to install Xposed and remove "Airplane mode" from the status bar!
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Yeah it's great. You saw my screenshot? :)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] dabadguycr:
I'm some what confused with step 6. I'm thinking about rooting this weekend. This is the only phone I have so I'm a bit worried but I'm sick of not having full screen on a few apps.

6. Confirm phone goes to FASTBOOT & RESCUE mode.

a) fastboot devices (to make sure you device is recognized).

b) fastboot boot TWRP.img (boot the TWRP.img shared in earlier post) is this a adb commands or phone?

c) Phone will boot into TWRP. Always select Keep Read Only from first screen every time you go into TWRP.

Peek around a bit if you want to, then use TWRP to backup your stock recovery to external micro SD.

d) Reboot bootloader from TWRP again to flash this custom recovery image.

e) fastboot flash recovery TWRP.img (flash TWRP recovery)

is this a adb commands or phone? This isn't the backup we just made correct?.

Also do we need to remove the stock back up before playing the rootback up? TWRP. Doesn't need to be on the SD card correct?

I hope someone does and video or picture guide for people that's never rooted.

The only phone I rooted was HTC One M7 and it was all done by a program on my PC.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] powerserge1:
I think the adb commands should be bolded in the instructions to avoid confusion.

6. Confirm phone goes to FASTBOOT & RESCUE mode.

a) fastboot devices (to make sure you device is recognized).

b) fastboot boot TWRP.img (boot the TWRP.img shared in earlier post) is this a adb commands or phone? ADB

c) Phone will boot into TWRP. Always select Keep Read Only from first screen every time you go into TWRP.

Peek around a bit if you want to, then use TWRP to backup your stock recovery to external micro SD.

d) Reboot bootloader from TWRP again to flash this custom recovery image.

e) fastboot flash recovery TWRP.img (flash TWRP recovery)

is this a adb commands or phone? This isn't the backup we just made correct? ADB.

Once twrp is flashed then you can use the button combo (power and vol +) to boot into twrp and you won't need adb
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] dabadguycr:
So D and E should be in the command prompt should be

D) fastboot boot TWRP.img

Once booted into TWRP

E) fastboot flash TWRP.img

Or is it

D) reboot bootloader from the phone

E) from command prompt fastboot flash twrp.img

Disregard what I just said I thought D was bolded.

Thank you for the help!
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
Just something I'm messing with "Adoptable Storage". Still has a few bugs.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Anyone considering using adoptable storage should first understand what it is and know the pros and cons.

Some of the phone companies disabled the ability to use adoptable storage on their phones due to the potential issues.

Read this

http://m.androidcentral.com/inside-marshmallow-adoptable-storage

Be sure to read some of the reader comments in that article.

If you find other informative links, please share them.

Once you have understood what adoptable storage is and its pros/cons, then you can make an educated decision to use it or not on your phone.

As for me, I don't like the risks, so I won't use it. Pay attention to the fact that your phone won't work if the micro SD card goes bad or you remove it, and you can't just copy the files to another bigger micro SD card if you want to upgrade.

That's my understanding. Please correct me. :)

Maybe this topic is a candidate for another new XT thread depending on the number of follow on posts.

---------- Post added at 07:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------

If anyone has never used "adb" or "fastboot" before, they should read something like

http://www.howtogeek.com/125769/how-to-install-and-use-abd-the-android-debug-bridge-utility/

And Google some tutorials on the topic. It's important to know these basics for flashing and debugging on Android devices :) .
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
It can't be force on this device, have to use a work around. Thanks Debbie Downer.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Your welcome! You don't like facts, do you ostrich head :) ?

PS: Did you really need to PM me about this? Grow up man! This is a free speech discussion forum and nobody is stopping you or anyone else here from using adoptable storage, so please go for it.

Consider this a warning with your childish name calling, as I will report it to a moderator next time.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] RN_ReFlux:
How did you get it to work? I couldn't get out to force a hybrid storage so I kinda gave up.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
I'm just saying it can be done just not in the traditional sense. Have to write a script to mount at boot. The facts are it can be done. Some may use it some may not but I'm giving those who do the option. What have you really contributed other than typing up a guide someone else did. Others here see how your coming off, pushy and oblivious to others who intend to help such as myself. Lay off guy.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
You are an amazing individual dragging your negativity to include others like a coward anytime there's a differing view point. I think you need to pull your head out of the sand and realize it's not just your way, once again.

Why don't you create a thread on adoptable storage and take your discussion there, please?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
Set to permissive. In rootchecker SELINUX DISABLED. Tried uninstalling any ATT app. Can't uninstall. Something's wrong.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
How are you doing this? Please provide specifics. What can you do with these apps from phone's app manager?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
installed supersu

in terminal typed 'su'

setenforce 0

getenforce

Permissive

in rootchecker selinux disabled

romtoolbox or root uninstaller > unable to uninstall system app.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] shawnchalfant:
I served my country buddy! Coward.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Try freezing/disabling. If that doesn't work, use a try using a root file manager to delete folders.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
that i could do out of the box without rooting. almost no free internal memory left. need to remove, not freeze.

should i reboot when doing setenforce?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
See my updated reply. I have not been deleted system apps on my phone. Others can provide guidance on that.

---------- Post added at 08:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 AM ----------

No need to reboot.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
ok i'll keep trying. thanks.

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 AM ----------

when i reflashed suspersu i didn't press read only. still unable to remove apps. set to permissive in terminal. none of my apps can remove bloat.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
[INFO] XDA Forum Rules

Here they are:

https://xdaforums.com/announcement.php?a=81
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
mine also greyed out "not currently available in system-less root mode"
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
I hope you understand that deleting files from /system will not increase your user internal storage, so focus on deleting unnecessary stuff out of the Data partition, which includes your user installed apps and files and some AT&T preinstalled Google apps.

You should continue posting in the Debloating thread please.

https://xdaforums.com/android/development/-t3536345
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
can admin move posts to that thread? the idea is to get as much memory as possible, 10-12gb, not 8. that's why i want to remove all bloatware, ATT, gmail, email, amazon, kindle - uninstalling apps think these are most or all system apps.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
They probably can, but you don't have to worry about that unless you want to, in which case you have to give them a list of posts to move. Just post new stuff there is my current thought.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
debloat thread is empty. i'm out of ideas. don't know what to do anymore.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
How much free internal storage do you currently have?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
out of the box ~8gb. now i have nothing since rooting, but before had ~80mb free left.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Can't you move some of your data files to external SD? I have 3.5GB free right now.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] guest_2011:
photo/video yes, some gps maps can install to sd, some can't, depending on app. the rest are apps that can't be moved. i wonder if it has to do with mount namespace separation. unchecked, rebooted, still no go. :(
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] jarrettsuydam:
[MENTION=1128668]shawnchalfant[/MENTION]

And [MENTION=6065620]divineBliss[/MENTION]

I have found the both of you to be very helpful to people and can recall Shawn replying to many of my posts or problems and well as you divinebliss. With both of you submitting good content wether original or not it has helped many people. There is no need for this pissing match as both of you are useful and resourceful to this discussion and device. If y'all wanna continue I personally find no problem in reporting both of you for violating community guidelines then everyone else loses two people that have been and continue to contribute here and none of us want that.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Thanks for posting and that's why I posted the forum rules.

Are you directing this to just me with

"And [MENTION=6065620]divineBliss[/MENTION]"? :confused:

I encourage you and everyone else here to report any violations.

I won't put up with these childish name calling responses and intolerance of opinions of others that's been happening.

If I see something that I feel could harm the performance of a phone in the long term, I will post about it to warn you guys and ultimately you make your own informed intelligent decision afterwards.

Have a great day everyone :) !
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] jarrettsuydam:
No sorry thought I tagged both of you. Will correct. Let's please keep this device oriented. As always opinions and ideas are always welcome. Does anyone happen to know the status of those who are porting or building Roms for our device so far? Idk about y'all but I'm excited.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
I have no problems keeping it device oriented with the understanding that all opinions shall be respected!
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] jarrettsuydam:
:svetius:
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Problem with settings after reboot sometimes

About one out of five times, after I reboot the phone - if I try the settings icon from the quicksettings area, the screen just flashes once and the settings screen never comes up.

Wondering if anyone else has seen this. Now ever time I reboot, I'm checking to see if settings works first. The WiFi icon, etc works still when in this condition.

Thanks! :)

---------- Post added at 11:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------

Does anyone have a 128GB or larger microSD working in the XT? Wondering what the largest verified working is from youz allz. :)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] jg1210:
This would only happen when I installed xposed. I installed xposed on two separate occasions, once after first gaining root and the second time after restoring a backup in TWRP. Haven't had the issue now that I don't have xposed installed. Do you have xposed installed? Maybe xposed is the culprit?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Thanks! Xposed was on my suspect list.

I'll have to check my notes to see what happened when I disabled it for a few runs. I'm running with it enabled because it's very infrequent and easy to remedy by reboot as it only occurs immediately after reboot anywayz ;) .
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] RN_ReFlux:
I was one of them, have been trying to get my computers set up to dual boot how I would like. I've been reading up on compiling and such. Like I said I'm completely new at this. I'm just trying to learn.
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] madvane20:
anyone got any news progress on any of the roms i saw people talking about porting? ty to all who have made it possible for root and twrp i dont have battery issues or any of these other issues people are talking bout. well everyone keep up good work hope to see a rom ported soon. :)
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] dabadguycr:
One last question, Is rooting safe to do on a phone that's been updated to B140?
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] divineBliss:
Been there, done that :) . Yes! But you must follow directions and read carefully. Measure twice, cut once :) .
[Huawei Ascend XT Questions & Answers] dabadguycr:
Alright great!!! I just unlocked the bootloader about to re read the everything and start rooting.

d) Reboot bootloader from TWRP again to flash this custom recovery image.

Custom Recovery is the TWRP(https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B12...w?usp=drivesdk) file correct?