yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
You either had it unlocked or something is amiss. EVERYONE in this forum, including myself, says critical factory resets the phone.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
unlock_crtical definitely wipes /data regardless of whether you have/have-not done regular unlock command. Both commands wipe /data period.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] rank78:
Just figured I'd wait for final TWRP since I'm not even rooted yet and its still beta.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
Thanks for the correction

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:20 PM ----------

Who cares?

Honestly, don't flash it, just boot from it.

Fastboot boot twrp.img

Nothing that we have available is worthy of flashing other than root and dtbo.

I commend most developers for staying well away from Pixel (1 and 2) ROM development. Kernels are where it's at, and, when Xposed comes to Oreo, there is no reason to root.

I've had both Pixel XL and now 2XL. Before that, a Nexus. None of which really needed a hand up, other than a Kernel.

If you want to install Magisk, just get your boot.img from the factory image, have Magisk patch it and fastboot flash boot patched-boot.img

I am promising this: If developers saw there was some sort of short sighted things in the ROM (other than kernel), they would hop on it like stink on sh*t.

I have rooted everything from my first Droid (read Verizon) to Pixel 2 XL. Google is taking strides to make sure we don't need root.

Before my ambition to never charge above 80%, I didn't need root. Andromeda took care of theming and a simple ADB procedure made it so I have WiFi calling preferred, instead of Cellular Preferred

If you have root, why take away the greatest functions of the Google ecosystem? Isn't that what you got the phone for?

Care to chime in?

[MENTION=2376614]jcase[/MENTION] [MENTION=4684315]flar2[/MENTION] [MENTION=6842057]nathanchance[/MENTION] [MENTION=5238657]bryantjopplin [MENTION=3297454]thedude420[/MENTION]

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Speak for yourself bro. Maybe you don't need root. TWRP v3.1.1.0-beta2 is plenty stable to flash. /data decryption works, nandroid backup/restore works, root terminal works, flashing works, wipe/format works. The only things that I see that aren't 100% are, no MTP (this is just a convenience feature, adb push/pull works just fine), Wipe Dalvik/Cache doesn't fully work(not a HUGE deal, you can do it via fastboot command or root terminal if you need), and the clock is a little off. Flash it and don't worry.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
Isn't that what I JUST said?

We haven't gotten to see 3.2 but everything else I said mirrors your post

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
I am pretty sure you just said, you only need to flash dtbo and root and then once xposed is released for Oreo, you won't even need root anymore.

TWRP is a Recovery replacement (obviously), and it is there for when **** goes sideways. Nandroid/Root Terminal/Substratum Rescue/Etc. Etc.

I will never roll out the house with only 1 phone on me if it doesn't have TWRP.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] chief1978:
Root is needed for some... one word for me : Backup....
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
Never heard of Titanium backup?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Which needs root.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] chief1978:
That needs root.......... :confused:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
I absolutely did not say that.

To those of you who do not know of my contributions, please be kind and understand that I'm not just a schmuck.

Been in this a while.

I figured people would speed read that post and, I have no interest in defending it.

Truth is all there.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------

Yes. Why did you not think I said that Magisk and kernels will be all you need?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
Okay I must've had it unlocked already then, but does unlocking the bootloader also unlock the critical area as well? I unlocked the bootloader weeks ago and have been using my phone ever since and only yesterday did I unlock the critical partition with fastboot and after flashing it, it went back to bootloader without wiping data at all..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Normal unlock command does not unlock the bootloader. I suspect you don't actually have the bootloader unlocked. But I guess you will find out when you go to flash a bootloader.img
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
I do have the bootloader unlocked lol, but now I'm not so sure I have the critical partition unlocked
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
I am not meaning to insult you, I just never see a point EVER, where I don't have root access, where I don't have TWRP or equivalent. And it is really difficult living without Xposed. I haven't had it since Nougat first dropped (so over a year and I am still hurting). As far as ROMs go, I have never been into them. Only on non-google devices have I ever cared about ROMs. Nexus/Pixels have always been stock for me with Custom Recovery/Custom Kernel/Root and Xposed. I just don't see that EVER changing. EVER.

---------- Post added at 06:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

fastboot flashing unlock

allows you to flash boot/data/system/vendor/etc but does not allow you to flash bootloader

fastboot flashing unlock_critical

allows you to flash bootloader

So if you want to call the first one unlocking your bootloader, go ahead. But your bootloader isn't unlocked until you have done both of them.

Also after you run each command you have to confirm it on the device itself with vol/pwr buttons. The /data wipe happens when you reboot to system.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
Why do you need constant access to twrp?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Because I spend weeks at a time without reliable internet or access to my PC.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Military my friend?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Not anymore. Now it is working offshore.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Stay safe out there bro. Big Blue can bite you when you least expect it! :cool:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
Yeah, pretty much... Root and recovery is all I really need with a google device. Only thing I miss from a rom is the advanced reboot options... But obviously there are many ways to achieve that, like restart + volume down lol...

I have actually found myself using Android pay from time to time... It's a pretty novelty feature atm as not everyone accepts it, but still fun none the less...

The day I got my 6P I really stopped caring about custom roms. I do miss the flash-aholic days a little though and helping with development; but I also really like having a solid aosp done for me by google :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
A perfect reason to keep on the ota path with Magisk!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Never taken an OTA in my life. Not going to start now. OTAs are for my wife's phone.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] v12xke:
Agreed. Never have OTA'd. Ever. :)
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
If you are offshore or something they prohibits you from a laptop, and the best/only root is Magisk, why do you need to flash TWRP?

I don't get it. Everything can be flashed in Magisk, including OTA updates.

So, if you are away from a laptop and you use Magisk for root, what do you other things do you need?

If you want an OTA or image when they appear in the site, you'll still need a laptop.

So, I digress.

What do you need to flash TWRP for?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
turns out I do have both already unlocked :confused:

So now, how can I get my nandroid to restore properly?? Any other ideas?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
What partitions were backed up and what partitions are you trying to restore?

My suggestion would be to flash_all.bat the factory image that matches the build your nandroid was made on. Then after phone boots to setup screen, reboot to bootloader.

fastboot boot twrp3.1.1-beta2.img

Restore Boot/Data/System-Image

If you did not backup System Image, then restore Boot/Data/System

Wipe Dalvik/Cache and reboot to system.

Let me know how it goes.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
LMAO :laugh:

A big 10-4 buddy!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
[MENTION=3462805]nldxda[/MENTION]

Oh **** I forgot a step. I hope you have that Nandroid backed up on your PC.

You are going to need to adb push your nandroid backup back to your phone once you are in the fastboot booted TWRP.

The flash_all.bat will have wiped /sdcard
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
TWRP is in read-only mode and I haven't found the option to "swipe to allow modifications". I've temporary booted twrp more than once and still no option. How can I bring back the option?

I don't have system image backed up so I'll restore Boot/Data/System as soon as I get into TWRP properly.

Thanks again
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Mount -> uncheck mount system in read only -> tap system checkbox
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
ok got it, but after doing "Restore Boot/Data/System-Image" and "Wipe Dalvik/Cache and reboot to system", I get the red exclamation point screen saying my device is corrupt and then next the yellow exclamation screen saying the bootloader is unlocked and then finally gets stuck on the white google screen..

Now what?? :eek:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Unfortunately, it sounds like your nandroid got corrupted or something went wrong when you were making your backup.

As a last resort, you can try doing all of the steps over, but only flashing Data this time. To be honest, I don't really know what problems you will or won't have if that is successful.

If that doesn't work, then you just have to start fresh. Do the flash_all.bat and then setup your phone like you just pulled it out of the box.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
The backup went smoothly.. no clue what's going on here. Could it be Slot A or B related?

I'll try doing it all over again but only flashing data. If that doesn't work, then factory fresh it is..

Thanks again
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] abuttino:
This is a **** show. Please help them out.

[MENTION=3297454]thedude420[/MENTION]

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
It could be, what slot is active? Use

fastboot --set-active=a

or

fastboot --set-active=b

to switch slots, depending on which slot is currently active, and try again.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
just did "flash-all" and am about to restore my nandroid once again .. What point should I check to see what slot I'm on? Before AND after the nandroid restore?

Edit: I'm on Slot A before restoring the nandroid and while having a fresh flashed full factory image

Edit 2: ok before restoring the nandroid, I switched to Slot B and then restored only to find the same corrupt screen and stuck Google screen after restoring the nandroid..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] bggold:
Maybe you can help. I am trying to restore to another pixel 2 xl and the finger print reader does not enroll after restore. I have tried removing all security before the backup and I just tried prepping the phone with your instructions up top.

Restore works fine like always but I still get cannot enroll fingerprint.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking it's an issue with twrp and it not prepping the keystore property.

Thanks
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
no, dont use the flashall command. Ok, let's start over.

Download the factory image from this page: https://developers.google.com/android/images

if you downloaded the OTA from this page: https://developers.google.com/android/ota YOU ARE WRONG

extract that zip to a folder somewhere (if you have your android platform tools folder added to your Path System Variables)

otherwise, extract the CONTENTS OF THE FIRST FOLDER inside that zip to the folder where your adb.exe and fastboot.exe's are

Now, in the folder where your adb.exe and fastboot.exe are, you should have a flash_all.bat file

Open a command prompt in that folder. do this by left clicking once on some whitespace in that folder to ensure you don't have a file/folders selected. Then, hold Shift and Right Click once somewhere in the whitespace

In the Context Menu there will be an option to Open PowerShell window here. Select that

type cmd and hit enter

then type flash_all.bat (with your phone plugged in and powered on to the bootloader) and hit enter

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

I read about this problem somewhere before. Maybe it was you? From what I remember reading, that happened when you made a backup on one phone and then tried to restore it on a different phone. I do not know of a solution to that issue.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
Rite on... Well its about half past drunk:30 here but I will try to add the experience I have had here...

So if you are doing an adb push... from my experience (which was post 8.1) you have to do this....

when I say adb push I am referring to pushing your twrp backup back to the device so you can restore in twrp...

power off, pull your sim, factory flash with wipe (obviously after a twrp data+sdcard backup, that's all you need)then...

reboot without sim... and skip all the crap... All of it. Set a pin for encryption obviously... but skip adding an account and all the jazz. Let google install their fun stuff and then... only then... reboot bootloader twrp img/install twrp... reboot to installed recovery and at that point you can successfully decrypt/ ... adb push .\sdcard dir on machine /

now / will place push files to root based off of working dir. So you need to rename your twrp folder on desktop to sdcard.

so command prompt from sdcard dir on say desktop... desktop\sdcard.... you would issue adb push .\sdcard /

that should place your sdcard desktop dir to /sdcard on device properly... maintainging /sdcard/twrp/backups/whatever plus all other sdcard backup file in their proper folders....

Again, burbon:30. Is this what you guys are asking about?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] bggold:
That was probably my post. Will have to wait for the next twrp or others to report when they start restoring to replacement devices.

Thanks
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
Does this flow chart make sense?

should have underlined working directory in command prompt with red... must be in that dir in cmd

Another edit....

You have to have your phone *setup* and booted for the first time with a pin or you will never successfully push your sdcard backup back to the device... It will always time out and give you reset by client error... Super annoying.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
I am wondering if restoring System-Image instead of System would fix/prevent your issue? I am assuming you restored Boot/Data/System?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
ok I double clicked the flash-all.bat and have installed the fresh rom...
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Did it boot successfully to the Factory Setup Screen?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
yea..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
ok, reboot to bootloader,

fastboot boot twrp.img

and continue from there from the steps I posted earlier.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
Join telegram channel...

https://t.me/pixel2xlxda
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
These steps?

fastboot boot twrp3.1.1-beta2.img

Restore Boot/Data/System-Image

If you did not backup System Image, then restore Boot/Data/System

Wipe Dalvik/Cache and reboot to system.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
Yes.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
ok, performed all the steps and now I'm back at the corrupt screen :(
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
I don't know what to tell you man. You can try going back to the bootloader, changing active slot, and then go through the whole process again. Flash factory image, boot phone, reboot to bootloader, boot TWRP, restore nandroid.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
well thanks for trying.. Tried doing all this on slot b earlier as well and it too gave the same error/problem.. I'm going to try making a new nandroid just to see if that one will restore properly..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] clothednblack:
Quick question.... How do you change the active slot so we can flash to both? I'm not finding the answer by searching.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
fastboot --set-active=a

or

fastboot --set-active=b

or

There is an option in TWRP to change slots.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] clothednblack:
Right, I saw the twrp option and tried that route for flashing dtbo and boot img so I could flash a kernel and root (all because I wanted the dumb corrupt pop-up gone) and ended up screwing everything up lol. Just had to start over with a fresh install of 8.1. Now I want to add a kernel and magisk again, but don't want to screw it up again.... Not tonight lol.

Thank you
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
Whats all the a/b stuff? I mean I get it but I don't. If the active slots are out of wack just flash factory image without wipe (no -w in flash-all.bat) and it will reset your jazz. Then proceed on. If you are looking for inclusive information on this then look here https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/ab_updates . This is all thoroughly documented by google. Its no mystery. Anyway, if you guys want to chat and keep it real then hit everyone up here https://t.me/Pixel2XLXDA on telegram. I screwed up the first time and started a channel. Now its a group thing hehe ;) I can try to answer questions if I know how. Or everyone else can :)
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Always like seeing the "OH **it" comment. I've had about a thousand of those over the years! Can't you just remove the -w from the flash-all.bat script to achieve what you want?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] bggold:
I tried both system and system image. Yes on the boot and data.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] clothednblack:
Lol, all this A/B stuff is because it's starting to become a part of our daily words list. Now we need to flash to A and B if we want pop-ups to not return AND have a kernel, or root or twrp ?. It seems as we progress forward, we are also having to add steps to the equation in order to achieve we required less steps in the previous Android version. I had to start over last night (my own fault, too many files on my pc) so now I just have root so I can theme. Would like to flash a kernel again but seems the old way has been replaced and I haven't needed to change from A to B or B to A to make things work. So I asked how do we do this exactly as it's now a new needed step for us OCD peeps. ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
There is no doubt the process has become more convoluted. We will evolve with it though and find solutions.

I am not sure I understand what you are asking though :confused:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] clothednblack:
Like in this pic, flash to both slots. Since I am now rooted again, do I need to flash both slots manually in order to add a custom kernel, twrp and magisk again and avoid the corrupt popup after booting up?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] TheDude:
no. just make sure the official magisk manager is not installed... flash boot/dtbo and then boot twrp, install twrp, reboot recovery and install kernel then unofficial. Should move this conversation to unofficial thread...
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] clothednblack:
My question was posted in the unofficial, 13hrs ago, it got answered faster here lol. Thanks, moving back over to the other thread
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Huggsboson:
Build.prop

Can anyone explain to me why edits to build.prop with magisk root work but the same edits via twrp don't? I tried adding the noprovisioning flag to both slot a and slot b (confirmed by looking at /proc/mounts) and it doesn't have the intended effect, whereas people making the same change using root access in magisk have had success.

Oddly with twrp the system mount ends up under /system/system, is this a pixel thing?

Is the kernel doing a checksum on build.prop and using some alternate version if it doesn't match and magisk hides it?

Note: my changes to build.prop survive multiple reboots so they aren't being overwritten by anything they are just being ignored.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
Okay I got my nandroid restored!

First I did the flash-all.bat for 8.0.0 Nov patch. Then I restored my 8.0.0 Nov patch nandroid but only data as you suggested and viola, it works and without a corrupt message.. Finally I sideloaded the OTA to 8.1 =]

I have no idea what the underlying problems were, but at least I've got my phone restored.. Thanks again!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
That's great news, I am glad you got it to work.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
Another thing to note is that I didn't even need to delete the lock screen security files within the nandroid...

I left them there in the nandroid and restored it, and once the phone booted, I could use the fingerprint scanner just the same as before making the nandroid.. No changes or re-entering fingerprint data needed..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Did you backup/restore...system, data, boot? Or add other stuff. Those were the 3 I used on my 6p.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nldxda:
Backed up just system, data, and boot but restored only data..
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] XDA451:
Hey everyone, I was about to update my phone to 8.1, but before doing so I thought I'd backup everything through TWRP first...

Well, my steps and results are as follows:

download twrp zip to phone through twrp manager

fastboot boot twrp image

flash twrp zip through twrp installer

backup all partitions

And now... I can't boot to my rom? Every time I reboot it goes straight to recovery!?! What the hell did I do? Help would be appreciated.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] ACiDxCHRiST:
You typed fastboot flash boot twrp.img instead of

fastboot boot twrp.img

To fix it, get factory image

Extract it

Extract zip from extracted factory image

Fastboot flash boot boot.img
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] XDA451:
Thanks, I'll try that now.