yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] RhapsodyK:
Hi Nate,

Thank you so much for your amazing work. May i ask several questions before updating to Feb update as well as 2.16 kernel? I want to make sure i'm on the right path. My device is stock rom rooted with magisk 15.3, twrp and Flash Kernel 2.15. In order to update to Feb security patch and 2.16,

do i need to:

1. Remove the pin

2. boot to bootloader

3. Flash stock recovery in order to sideload OTA

4. fastboot flash boot twrp.img

5. install twrp.zip

6. flash 2.16

7. flash magisk zip and profit?

Thank you so much for your assistance. :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Here's what I do and recommend everyone else do (you must use the latest fastboot and if on Windows, be using Google's USB driver):

1. Download the factory image

2. Open the flash-all script corresponding to your OS (sh for macOS and Linux, bat for Windows)

3. Remove the -w flash in the last command

4. Run the flash-all script

5. Let it boot up (and removing your security until TWRP is updated)

6. Fastboot boot TWRP

7. Flash TWRP, Flash, then Magisk

8. Reboot

That process has never failed me for the past three updates.

If you are more comfortable with your process, flash the stock boot and dtbo images then sideload the OTA. Everything else looks correct.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] CyberpodS2:
That's exactly how I did my update. I highly recommend the factory image routine as layed out above instead of messing around with the OTA. Much less to go wrong imo.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Schroeder09:
I have some quick questions regarding terminology that have been battling me since I joined these forums and have been trying to follow this kernel thread. Don't get me wrong, the same terms are mentioned in all these kernel threads.

What is"dirty flashing?"

What is"side loading?"

I consider"flashing" the same as "installing". Is this correct though?

[MENTION=6842057]nathanchance[/MENTION], you say to remove the"-w flash" from the script. Isn't it just the "-w?"
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Dirty flashing is removing the -w from the flash-all.bat script so as not to wipe your data.

Side loading is flashing/installing the OTA through stock recovery using adb commands.

Flashing and installing are synonymous. However, many use the term "fastbooting" when using fastboot to install factory images. Flashing would more refer to installing kernels, mods, and root using a custom recovery like TWRP.

Yes, just remove the -w from the flash-all.bat script. That was probably just a typo.

There ya go ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sharkie405:
The term dirty flashing typically refers to flashing a custom ROM without wiping (factory reset) your existing ROM first, or without flashing a stock ROM first then flashing the new custom ROM over top of an already installed custom ROM.

Sideload means using ADB to install something. I'm not overly familiar with it as I never sideload anything. I always only flash things.

Flashing is somewhat the same thing as installing, although flashing implicitly means that you are using a custom recovery to do so, whereas installing could be just normally installing an APK.

Edit: they beat me to it!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Dielahn:
Yes, if there is any confusion there is a well written guide pinned in the guides for exactly what your asking.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Update!

Went a little harder on this update in terms of commits added, pulling in all of the work that has been done with EAS on kernel/common. I have not had any performance or battery regressions (nor have any of my testers), which is great! Additionally, Linux 4.4.99 was released a few hours ago. Greg Kroah-Hartman, the main stable maintainer, was rather happy that I merged upstream :) must mean I'm doing something right. Enjoy!

Remember any and all bug reports need to include logs and clear steps to reproduce (see the info in the OP). You should also know what version it started with. If you want to be a tester and get builds before they are released here or just hangout, feel free to stop by Telegram!

Short changelog

Linux 4.4.99

EAS 1.4 from kernel/common

Downloads

Primary: http://nchancellor.net/downloads/kernels/

Mirror: https://github.com/nathanchance/fk-zips

Commits

Kernel: https://github.com/nathanchance/wahoo/commits/8.0.0
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jbarcus81:
Excuse my ignorance... Is the latest in the stable folder or beta?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] MikereDD:
The stable folder has the latest stable.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jbarcus81:
Do I have to patch both .img files to obtain and keep root? Promise, last stupid question...
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] MikereDD:
Patch this file with magisk

Flash-Taimen-v1.02-boot.img

Pull the patched_boot.img from sdcard

adb pull /sdcard/MagiskManager/patched_boot.img

adb reboot bootloader

Then

fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img

fastboot flash dtbo Flash-Taimen-v1.02-dtbo.img

fastboot reboot
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jbarcus81:
Thank you! Just making sure I didn't have to patch both.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] KHANrad_SIN:
Is there a possibility that things like vibration strength control and sound control (to increase decibels of speakers) will be implemented eventually? Was a huge fan of those features on this kernel on the Nexus 6P
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Probably? I've been out of town since Tuesday evening so I've had zero time to attempt to look into any features
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] LLStarks:
Whoa... Greg wants to mainline the device tree?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] frank604:
Hey Nathan. Just dropping in to say..... Hi. Finally got a pixel 2 xl in Canada. Looking forward to the work.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Well ideally yes, all kernel work should be done in upstream but no, he wants to merge the 4.4 linux-stable branch into the Pixel 2 tree like I have done (taking it from 4.4.56 to 4.4.99).

Glad to see you here :)
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] KHANrad_SIN:
okay cool cool, no rush. Glad to see you here on the Pixel 2 XL! Nice work!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] LLStarks:
I expect at least one kernel jump in the phone's lifetime. I don't expect it to stay on 4.4, especially with Treble.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] scloutkst:
Sorry to go slightly off topic.

Is it possible to tweak charging capabilities with a custom kernel? Like changing the 12 watt cap the 2 xl has.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
I doubt it. If Google hasn't done 4.4 on the Pixel 1 which is on 3.18, I don't think they'll do anything more here either.

Maybe? Not sure though.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] scloutkst:
Thanks for your prompt reply Nathan. I wasn't sure if this was possible, but it sure would be neat if we could.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Will add it to my list of things to look into for sure :) I just got back from a five day trip and I had to go see the doctor so I'll need a little time to recoup.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] scloutkst:
That would be amazing. Thank you again for your prompt replies, as well as your willingness to look into this. Mighty kind of you.

Take care of yourself first and foremost. Here's to a speedy recovery.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] LLStarks:
What does the kernel need in order to do band locking in Network Signal Guru? I remember early Snoke builds being able to do it.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] RhapsodyK:
Flawlessly done! Greatly appreciate you Sir :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Az Biker:
+1111111111
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Schroeder09:
Thanks guys!!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] bigknowz:
Google Screen

After update, my phone happened to get stuck at Google screen, no big deal if it happens to any of you out there. Hold power button down, phone will restart and boot fine.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] t0pstar:
Is there any way to flash kernel without a pc and working twrp (touchscreen don't work) ?

Gesendet von meinem Pixel 2 XL mit Tapatalk
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
If you already have twrp installed, remove all your lock screen security, boot into twrp, flash the kernel, then magisk, reboot, done. Then add your security back in. Until twrp is fixed, this is what we have to do.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] t0pstar:
Thanks ,but don't work . ..

My problem is I forgot to flash the kernel on first boot ,..so twrp have touchscreen issues ,...

Gesendet von meinem Pixel 2 XL mit Tapatalk
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Bummer man. Have you tried booting into twrp a few times with lock screen security removed? I've seen instances where people have had to do that a few times to get twrp working again.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
No. If you have a PC though, boot TWRP and run the following commands.

adb push FlashKernel-Taimen-v2.16.zip /tmp
adb shell twrp install /tmp/FlashKernel-Taimen-v2.16.zip
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] darby427:
Outstanding advice. The only thing I would add - from experience :) - make sure you get rid of all the old fastboot and adb files. Had an old fastboot and adb on the pc and it was actually using those instead of the latest. After an hour of pulling my hair out, soft bricking the phone with the "your phone is corrupt message" and swearing I had the right platform tools.. I got smart and rooted out the old adb and fastboot :) and what do you know.. worked fine :)

Many thanks to natahanchance for his outstanding guides and kernel!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
I pushed a hotfix for 2.16 in the form of 2.16.1 as Google enabled some drivers in the February security update and I missed enabling them in my own config. I don't believe this is mission critical but I didn't want to hold out on it. Enjoy!

2.16 release post: https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=75460757
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Az Biker:
Crack-flashers of the world UNITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Nathan!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Already there! ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] pvtjoker42:
Haha! yes! my daily fix!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] darby427:
Had TWRP installed (do not use fingerprint or pin) - downloaded 2.16.1, flashed it in twrp, flashed magisk in twrp, rebooted. Hung on splash screen.. gave it 15 minutes. Powered down and rebooted again - all is well.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] pvtjoker42:
my phone seems to do that pretty regular, doesn't seem to matter if i'm flashing a kernel update or a magisk update.

Been thinking about starting fresh with the Feb update and see if it still does it.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] darby427:
Interesting.. mine was clean flashed sunday morning - dirty flashed .018 and kernel this morning.. no hang. Dirty flashed 2.16.1 kernel this afternoon - hang
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] CyberpodS2:
My 2.16 hung also, but the reboot was all good. Man there seems to be all kinds of variables still lingering on this phone... Lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] markjh01:
Do you guys clear cache/dalvic after flashing? If so, don't do it or the phone hangs on boot.

Gesendet von meinem Pixel 2 XL mit Tapatalk
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] cmo220:
I've noticed this problem quite a bit on this phone. It seems random but has happened on 2.16 and 2.16.1. But it's happened on Magisk, or modules, or other mods too. This is without wiping cache.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Az Biker:
I don't clear it and I get random hangs on the G screen. A long press on the power button usually resolves this for me.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] CyberpodS2:
Funny thing I just noticed. (well just connected the dots) I also lose my default keyboard (actually have no active keyboard) after each monthly OS update. I use swype but also have gboard and SwiftKey installed. I need to go change to a different one then back to swype to fix it. Just another quick to work out. Lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
My smart keyboard pro remains as my default even after an update. Probably because I set it to default ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] State.of.mind:
I've always booted into recovery and just flashed the updated kernel. I never removed any fingerprints, and I have not had any problems. Did the process change with the release of 2.16?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Nekromantik:
Nothing to do with kernel.

if you updated to Feb Security patch then you wont be able to decrypt data in TWRP if you have lock screen pin/pattern until they release new version of TWRP. Remove lockscreen pattern etc and then flash kernel.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
The process didn't change, google changed. Twrp will no longer accept your 4 digit pin when you boot into it. So it won't decrypt data. We have to remove our lock screen security in order to flash our kernels. It works, but we're gonna have to wait for TWRP to update to get back to normal.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] State.of.mind:
Thanks so this means that if I update to 2.16 then I will also be upgrading to the Feb security patch correct?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Nekromantik:
no

its 2 different updates.

you need to download and install February OTA and intall for security update.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Az Biker:
Follow these steps, you'll be good.

Just remember until TWRP fixes the security issue, REMOVE all security BEFORE you update your device, then re add the security stuff after you reboot.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] MrBrady:
Brilliant work around. Thank you!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Nikos2k:
I flashed this kernel and enabled DT2W via kernel adiutor

When i use dt2w, it also vibrates

Is there a way to drop this vibration?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
I don't remember if KA has this setting, but your looking for gesture vibration. Like you see here in the EXKM app.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jlee08517:
When your phones hangs which my phone does quite a bit... Make sure you give it plenty of time. One time I power cycled too quick and my storage got corrupted. The only solution was a full format of the device...
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] laxattack:
I don't know what changes made my Android auto connection work better with this latest update but thank you!!!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Pkt_Lnt:
Android Security Bulletin shows the Android Auto changes made in the February update.

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2018-02-01
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Prattham:
[MENTION=6842057]nathanchance[/MENTION] any custom settings you are using?

Cheers ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
None at all, I run the kernel completely stock.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Prattham:
Seems like those 6p days are over then:p
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Az Biker:
I'd be willing to bet since he built the kernel, "completely stock" IS what his custom settings were, only now they're stock :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Yeah haha, I don't see a need to tweak anymore.

Sort of, I change a few things in the source from true stock but other than that, it's very plain.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] bobbarker2:
Hey Nathan, any idea what the drivers do?

CONFIG_MNH_THERMAL_HOST=y

CONFIG_MNH_PCIE_MULTIPLE_MSI=y
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
It looks like stuff for the Pixel Visual Core according to the Kconfig help entries. I'm guessing they were enabled because of the enabling of the PVC for all apps.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Prattham:
Will using black theme save battery? Amoled it was recommended not sure on POLED
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Mrcactuseater:
As OLED is the underlying technology is both cases, I don't see why it shouldn't save a marginal amount of battery
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jlee08517:
It should but I also heard things are pretty efficient now days that the difference is max 2-3 percent of each battery cycle.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Pkt_Lnt:
#WhiteUIMustDie!

Phone. tablet, watch, desktop! :good: :cyclops: :cowboy: :angel:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Prattham:
Haha yes i can't stand that white anymore especially on this phone with black background the color shift is 95%not visible

Cheers ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sirxdroid:
With TWRP not yet being able to decrypt on Feb updates, do we even need to be able to decrypt to Flash a custom kernel?

What about Magisk? I assume to flash it from TWRP it needs to be able to decrypt user data?

I read about the workaround to remove security, but I do have other apps that make use of the fingerprint too so I'd have to go through each one and reconfigure fingerprint for them too (some are a pain like banking apps, 2-step verification, etc)

Is there another way to do it? It seems that you can get the kernel image, patch it with Magisk and then flash it from bootloader. Is my understanding correct? Thanks!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Twrp will decrypt your data, you just can't have your lock scree security enabled when you enter twrp. Using that method, many of us have flashed the twrp.zip, kernels, and the magisk.zip without issues. I don't know. About the banking apps, I don't use them, I'm still an old school check writer, however, your idea about setting them up again seems plausible. You could still patch the stock boot.img with magisk and fastboot it if you'd like, however, some of the kernel Devs are only offering them in zip format. Flash still offers the .img version though. Hope this helps ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jlee08517:
You can still fastboot magisk and flash kernel so we can still work around that.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sirxdroid:
What does it mean to "fastboot magisk" -- can you please expand on that?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] jlee08517:
You can find more in the magisk thread. Basically you can grab the boot file from the system image zip and using magisk manager app you can patch the boot to have magisk. And with the patched boot you can fastboot flash and you will have magisk without twrp!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Yes, you can use fastboot to flash the boot and dtbo images.

The 2.16 update post has one other method for how to update: https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=75460757

If you have more specific questions, please feel free to ask them.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sirxdroid:
Could you please clarify method #2?

"Push the files (zip and md5 + Magisk if you want it) to the /tmp folder using adb push"

What mode is the phone in when you push? TWRP booted via fastboot even though it cannot decrypt? Thanks.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
Yes, just booted TWRP (or installed TWRP, I don't think it should matter).

adb push FlashKernel-Taimen-v2.16.1.zip /tmp

You can push the latest Magisk zip the same way and either flash it using the TWRP GUI (just navigate from /sdcard to /tmp) or adb shell:

adb shell twrp install /tmp/FlashKernel-Taimen-v2.16.1.zip

Neither of these zips rely on anything in the data partition so it doesn't matter if you can't decrypt, just as long as you can get the zips onto the device.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sirxdroid:
Aweseome. Love the adb shell twrp install tip!
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] krweby:
So the partition doesn't need to be decrypted in TWRP to flash a kernel with it? Or do you still need to remove password protection for this to work?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] joetheshmo:
You don't need to remove password because you don't need to decrypt.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] krweby:
Great then this will definitely save time until they can get TWRP sorted. :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] sirxdroid:
Indeed. It works, just did it, no decryption necessary, so TWRP can stay broken for the purpose of flashing kernels and Magisk, though it's not ideal that we can't take a backup. Or what happens if we back up user data with encrypted files? It's probably better for security to not have a backup file with clear data in it. But would it work to then restore it, would the OS still be able to decrypt it?

---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:39 AM ----------

@nathanchance what kernel management app do you use/recommend? Is EXKM a good one? Or is there a specific app to manage your Flash kernel?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Just my opinion, but the EXKM app is hard to beat! Probably the best out there, and well worth the money ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] joetheshmo:
+1
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] nathanchance:
I only recommend EXKM. However, I also personally believe you don't need to tweak the kernel unless you're enabling a specific feature.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Roger.T:
Yep. Flash kernel out of the box is perfect ?

There is nothing to complain about...
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Badger50:
Mr. Wallpaper! How you doing my friend? ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Roger.T:
Wallpapers, bootanimations..

There is always a lot to do..?

And test my new Pixel 2 XL...

And otherwise everything is in the green..?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] p70shooter:
Don't forget your recent hobby of benchmarking.
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Roger.T:
Hahaha!

This happens at most once per device or when I have changed a lot...

Just because I'm curious ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Alxoom33:
Any new booot animations for the Pixel 2 XL?
[Google Pixel 2 XL ROMs, Kernels, Recoveries, & Oth] Roger.T:
No specials..

Only for requests from ROM Devs...?