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[GUIDE] NOOB-Friendly STEP-BY-STEP Instructions to Install Monthly OTA updates on Rooted Essential PH-1

Introduction: I know there are many threads already posted that answer how to install OTA on rooted devices but unfortunately they get lost in massive threads that are often not NOOB friendly. I do not claim to be an expert but I have spent a long time reading threads and found the method I will detail below the easiest for me to follow on a monthly basis. I will do my best to give credit where credit is due to the original authors but my apologies in advance if I miss anything.

Just to start the prerequisites I have are a Windows 10 PC, Essential PH-1, with Stock OS and stock unlocked Bootloader. I have tried using TWRP in the past but I found this method simpler. I don't know whether my instructions will work for you or not if you already have TWRP installed but I can let one of the experts respond and I will be happy to update the guide based on feedback.

Part 1 - Downloads

Start by downloading the following items and storing them locally on your PC if you don't have them already

Download the latest OTA Monthly build from here: https://www.essential.com/developer/current-builds Note: Just check off that you are looking for "Current Builds" and click "Submit Form" and then click "Download (OTA)" link beneath the newest release you want.

Download the newest stock boot image here from bmg1001's google drive Credit:bmg1001

(FIRST TIME ONLY) Download and install the Windows driver (if you don't already have on your computer) from here: https://storage.googleapis.com/essential-static/Essential-PH1-WindowsDrivers.exe

(FIRST TIME ONLY) Download ADB tool (if you don't have already on your computer) from here: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html This link is directly from Essentials site here in their "Before Sideloading" section it is the link entitled "You'll need the latest ADB tool"

To continue you must have developer options USB Debugging enabled which I presume was already done previously if your phone is rooted but if not you must do so before proceeding.

To Enable Developer Options: Settings App> System> About Phone> Scroll Down to Bottom and tap 7 times on the "Build Number"

To Enable USB Debugging: Settings App> Developer Options> USB Debugging (Set to Enabled)

Part 2 - Sideload the OTA Update

DISCLAIMER: This method if done properly should not wipe any of your data, however I take no responsibility and it is always advisable to back up your data before proceeding with any updates if you wish. I will be honest that I have now done this several times and never had any issues.

Unzip the ADB tool (link above in downloads section is for "platform-tools") and save it to a folder easily accesible on your computer (for this demonstration I will use "C:\platform-tools")

Copy the OTA update file to your ADB folder i.e. "C:\platform-tools" and rename it "OTAupdate.zip" (it is not necessary to rename it, just makes this simpler for the guide)

Verify the checksum of the image. I use hashtab which allows you to right click on any file and click properties and see the hashes as a tab in the properties menu. The SHA-256 is listed right under the OTA download link just copy and paste it in to the hashtab to verify

Remove your PIN / Password before sideloading by going to Settings> Security & Location> Screen Lock> Set it to None (this probably isn't necessary I just do it as a precaution)

Plug Essential Phone into computer and make sure that it says USB Debugging Enabled

Open the folder "C:\platform-tools" in Windows File Explorer and hold shift and right click in the window and you select the option "Open Powershell window here" from the context menu (works in Windows 10 can't speak for earlier Windows versions). If you don't see it the first time Shift+right click on a different part of the empty white window and you should see it appear.

Verify your device is properly connected by typing

adb devices

and you should see your device listed

Type

adb reboot recovery

Note:If you're unable to use ADB to reboot into recovery, you can use the key combination for your device. While device is off to boot into Recovery mode, press and hold Volume-Up button while pushing Power button to boot.

Your device is now in Recovery mode. An Android logo with red exclamation mark should appear on screen. Hold the Power button, then press the Volume-Up button one time. When the menu appears, select Apply update from ADB.

Run the following command:

adb devices

Then check that your device shows up with “sideload” next to its name

Run the following command:

adb sideload OTAupdate.zip

where OTAupdate.zip is the name of the file you downloaded and verified

Once the update finishes, select Reboot system now to reboot your phone

At this point you should have a stock updated essential device but without root. The remainder of this guide will use Magisk to restore your device to root.

Part 3 - Re-root your Device with Magisk

Copy newest boot image from here that you downloaded earlier to a folder directly on your phone. I personally put it in my "Download" folder on my phone so I can find it easily

Open Magisk Manager and click Install>Install>Patch Boot Image

Select the boot image from step 1 and then let Magisk proceed in creating a patched image file

Copy the file "magisk_patched.img" file that Magisk just created from your device back to the computer and put it in the ADB folder "C:\platform-tools"

Plug in phone and open powershell same as before (shift+ right click> Open Powershell window here)

Type

adb reboot bootloader

to reboot your phone into fastboot

Confirm your phone is in fastboot by typing

fastboot devices

Then check that your device shows up with “fastboot” next to its name

Execute the command

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

Restart your phone and you are done! Don't forget to put your phone PIN/Password back if you disabled security in the earlier step.

You should now have a successfully updated phone with full ROOT access with Magisk. I know that this guide seems like a lot of steps but it really goes very quickly, I just tried to be detailed and NOOB-Friendly.

Hope this helps all of my fellow XDA members!! Please share any and all feedback. Thanks!

Full credit goes to this thread for helping me with everything: [GUIDE] Rooting your Essential PH-1