Stock Recovery? - Huawei Mediapad M3 Questions & Answers

Does anyone have or know where to get a stock recovery image for the BTV-W09?

When I flashed the US "003" update manually through the dload folder method, my TWRP was replaced by the stock recovery. I have left it there, and since flashed TWRP to recovery2. The update failed, but I ended up with stock recovery and the tablet no longer rooted. I would try that first. If that doesn't work for you and if you are on the US version "002" firmware let me know and I should be able to send you a backup of my recovery partition bit if you need the eRecovery from the recovery2 partition, I will be unable to help you.

I am on the US version “003”, I updated before flashing TWRP and rooting. TWRP was flashed recovery not recovery2. No worries though, Im sure someone will post a recovery as rooted people will be needing to flash OTA updates soon.

If you are on "003", try updating the unzipped "Update.Zip" from the dload file. I found a copy of the update.zip on my internal SD in directory called HwOUC. If you can't find it, I still have my file. The Update will most likely fail, but that should give you the standard recovery back. then I suggest you flash TWRP to Recovery2. TWRP actually is easier to access from Recovery2 becuase all you have to do is hold the volume up key down for a few seconds from the unlocked bootloader screen to boot into TWRP. Once you have TWRP re-installed you can then just flash the super user zip file to regain your root.
I am not sure if it is because I now have unlocked the bootloader, have recovery2 with TWRP or updated the file to enable the 5Ghz modem , but even with having the standard recovery partition back my system did not pass the altered system check and allow me to flash the OTA. I am not quite experienced enough to try and use Flashfire to force the update, since there is a warning about Huawei devices being easy to hard brick. Hopefully someone who has updated and then rooted will post an .img file of the updated system partition so it can be flashed with TWRP (at least I think that is what those of us who have already rooted will need to do).

I looked for the update.zip but it doesn’t exist anywhere. These updates are usually removed after the update completes successfully. Plus I’ve done a factory reset since updating, which may have deleted it. I wanted to see if enabling the 5GHz radio would stick after the reset (it did). The 5GHz radio hack was really my only reason to root. I didn’t alter my system partition with TWRP, so I may still be able to take an OTA update if I had the factory recovery. Ive stopped rooting all of my non Nexus devices. Since Google releases almost monthly security updates which usually unroots anyway it’s just too much hassle to keep root. If you want to post the update.zip somewhere I could give it a try, if not that’s cool. Im sure a factory image will be available at some point.

I have posted the Update.zip file to the following location:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/ug1pe2w38ddkxm9/update.zip
Let me know how things go.

Coming from a Nexus 7 I'm use to many of the img files you flash for restoring.
Using update extractor I now see many of those files (003 update) and some I have no idea about or how to flash them.
BOOT.img - OK
CRC.img - ?
CURVER.img - ?
EFI.img - I know what EFI is just never flashed it on an Android device.
FASTBOOT - OK
FW_HIFI.img - ?
FW_LPM3.img - ?
RECOVERY.img - OK
SENSORHUB.img - ?
SHA256RSA.img - No what it is normally but never flashed.
TEEOS.img - ?
TRUSTFIRMWARE.img - Interesting, but have no idea. - ?
VERLIST.img - ?
XLOADER.img - ?
Like many of us I'm in the same boat. Unlocked, Flashed recovery and rooted and cannot install update 003.
I've flashed the recovery.img from update 03. I've done a factory reset a few times. Odd enough it maintains 5Ghz wifi after doing a reset. I'm stumped and not sure of so many of the other .img files. Might one of them help me get the update to pass if I flash it. That or we wait for a full release and not an OTA to grab all the files we need. Really think I need system.img to make it work but the update doesn't include it.

Thanks johe for providing the 003 update.zip. I may try flashing the recovery.img this weekend. Ill let you know how it goes.
Jmjm003, I believe the issue with updating with the OTA is due to changes detected in the system partition after rooting/unlocking. Im not sure of a way around this other than flashing the full system partition, and we don’t have the factory ROM available yet. Im also new to Huawei devices and their partition structure so hopefully the development community will grow around this device and provide better solutions. I also can confirm the 5GHz stayed enabled after a factory reset, the question remains would it hold after an OTA update.

Related

Can I Ota update while rooted on stock firmware

I am currently on stock rom but rooted. An Ota update popped up can I update without bootloop
I would like to know the same thing
Naruto101 said:
I am currently on stock rom but rooted. An Ota update popped up can I update without bootloop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stkman32 said:
I would like to know the same thing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you can't take an OTA if you have any modifications to /system (root). Have a look at my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
I got an 8MB update for the november patch. Being on TWRP and root i need to convert back to stock before i can have it leave me alone? Is there a way to flash the patch without doing that?
Thanks for answering my question
roughriduz said:
I got an 8MB update for the november patch. Being on TWRP and root i need to convert back to stock before i can have it leave me alone? Is there a way to flash the patch without doing that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No way around it, any modifications will cause the update to fail.
Heisenberg said:
No way around it, any modifications will cause the update to fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.
roughriduz said:
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User data should never be affected during an OTA anyway.
This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle
GloriousGlory said:
This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am rooted now so I'll wait a while before updating an ota until there's a big deal of info. However, in the past if I was sticking with stock there's usually at least one developer who posts the updates with root and stuff built in so you can easily flash with twrp. So I'm kind of waiting for that. That or cataclysm or another awesome rom that's close to stock.
GloriousGlory said:
This is actually the first time I've unlocked a phones bootloader and stuck with the stock rom. I usually use some kind of popular rom with it's own built in OTA (CM/Viper One)
How often do you guys actually update your phones for OTA? It seems like a real hassle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wait for factory image for that build and flash over the new images when they become available (provided that root can still be achieved). Some will do a clean wipe and start fresh with the new build and reload in their apps and user data, others will just dirty flash the updated system (and boot/bootloader or whatever else was changed too).
If you think about it, it really isn't all that different from taking an OTA, the difference is that we're applying the commands to flash instead of having it automated. It's not that big of a trade off in my book.
I have 2 questions...
What is the easiest way to make flashing updates a breeze if I have mods in /system partition? I have heard of "freezing" them. Or is the only option... to delete every mod and flash updates? If so, should I keep a note of every change I make to/system?
And last... Should I make a backup of any file i am replacing or overwriting in /system? And if so, do I have to put them back how they were before flashing an update?
Delete
If you're rooted then you need to download the full factory image, extract system and vendor and flash those. Reflash SuperSU.
roughriduz said:
@amoeller had me flash the modified boot.img for MDB08M then flash the MDB08M system.img and vendor.img from the factory image. I rebooted bootloader, the booted to TWRP and re-flashed supersu. I am now on the November patch without having to remove TWRP and all works well. My user data was also untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit.
This method gives you the latest stock build rooted with TWRP while keeping your data because I hate having to redo my phone.
amoeller said:
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit.
This method gives you the latest stock build rooted with TWRP while keeping your data because I hate having to redo my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!
JimmyJunk said:
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Latest factory image is the latest factory image from the nexus factory images page. It's not an update like ota, but rather the entire image they would return you to stock if all is flashed.
2. Flashing a modified boot does not give you root. You still have to flash SU, so saying the modified boot contains root isn't right.
3. I flash boot first unless there is an updated bootloader.
JimmyJunk said:
A couple questions:
1. Step 1 refers to the latest factory image that contains the update, correct?
2. Step two refers to the boot.img that contains root?
3. At what point in this process do you flash the modified boot.img, before or after applying the other images?
Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. This can be whatever the latest factory image is at the moment. It’s currently MDB08M. All the OTA does is update your phone to whatever build it was made for. Factory images already have previously released updates built into them. You can upgrade but avoid downgrading unless you want to factory reset your phone.
2. I’m referring to the boot.img without root by @mrRobinson found https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24269982086992320 although this process can be used for systemless root also. For systemless root you wouldn’t flash SuperSU in TWRP but instead sideload the SuperSU APK as per Chainfire’s instructions and use the matching systemless root boot.img
3. I don’t think it matters but as long as you have the matching modified boot.img with the system.img installed before you restart, you should be fine.
amoeller said:
It’s probably easier and quicker just to flash stock factory images separately instead of having to jump through hoops with OTAs. Like I told @roughriduz just flash the updated partition(s) that were updated like system.img, vendor.img, or whatever and just flash SuperSU in TWRP after.
The steps @roughriduz took was
1. Download and extract latest factory image.
2. Download matching modified boot.img for that build (For example MDB08M).
3. Flash system, vendor, and any other partitions (like radios, etc) with fastboot if they were updated in the OTA. Don’t bother to flash stock recovery because we’re not using an OTA. Flashing userdata.img is just like a factory reset.
4. Boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU.
5. Reboot and profit..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What the heck did I do wrong here? I just tried to apply the November OTA update to my MBD08K build, it didn't work, and now I am in the process of doing a full reset and rebuild of my phone (flash-all of factory images from Google)
Here are the notes I made as I attempted to follow the procedure in this thread:
Code:
- Download latest build for MBD08K from https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en
- Extract boot.img, system.img, vendor.img to C:\adb (or wherever where adb and fastboot are
installed). You have to
- Right-click, open command window here
- Ensure USB debugging is enabled on phone (grant permissions on phone if you get the popup)
- In command prompt, "adb devices"
- Should see serial number and "device"
- type "adb reboot bootloader"
- Should get to bootloader screen with little android man lying down with hatch open
- type "fastboot devices" - should see your serial # again and "fastboot" beside it.
- type "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
- type "fastboot flash system system.img"
- type "fastboot flash vendor vendor.img"
- Use volume keys to boot into recovery (in my case TWRP)
- Swipe to allow modifications
- Install -> SuperSU.zip that you should have on your phone from last time.
- Reboot system
I saw a red "your phone is corrupt" scary message on startup... took a while to boot. Couldn't get past the dancing circles.
Interrupted boot, rebooted to fastboot, tried to flash old modified boot.img
Booted again, got encryption unsuccessful warning
Flashed most recent boot.img again, stuck booting forever
try again:
- flash system.img
- flash vendor.img
- flash boot.img (modified)
reboot to recovery - your device can't be checked for corruption (yellow warning instead of red)
- swipe to allow modifications
- reboot with TWRP, swipe to install SuperSU
- Encryption unsuccessful. Prompt to factory reset. Click OK. Boots through TWRP.
Give up, start flashing factory images.
EDIT: I might be the stupidest person alive. I think I should have been using the files for MDB08M. Arggghhhh. Someone please confirm I am an idiot.
Edit 2: Factory reset worked, I am at MDB08M. Now rooting again... grr. At least I backed up all my apps & settings to Google Drive with TB.
Edit 3: Rooted and restoring all apps with TB. If anyone has any insight into where I F'ed up I'd appreciate it.

Stock recovery extraced from BTV-W09C233B019 ROM - untested

Hi M3 users,
I'm a long time lurker and reader on XDA. Now it's time to give something back or at least participate
Following my recent M3 purchase a dugg a bit deeper into this topic and tried to get us the stock recovery for our devices.
I'm not really a dev. I just used the information I found here and in the russian forum where greatslon (thank you guy) is posting his work.
If you find an error in the process please let me know. The files have not been tested in any way. I have no idea if this would even work (encryption and so on).
So I managed to extract the recovery.img file from the chinese rom. This method will also work for the LTE variant.
Maybe @greatslon or @somboons can share their view on the topic or maybe @somboons can even use it in his tool.
Resources
http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=780572&st=120
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2433454
http://forum.xda-developers.com/tools/general/huawei-firmware-finder-team-mt-t3469146
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teammt.gmanrainy.huaweifirmwarefinder
Tools used
Huawei Firmware Finder (Team MT)
Huawei Update Extractor
Download
M3_BTV-W09C233B019_recovery.zip
Process
1. Start firmware finder (did use the android version)
2. Change device to BTV-W09C233
3. Downloaded the firmware B019 for BTV-W09C233 (no firmware for other variants present ATM)
4. Extracted and copied update.app to SD card
5. copy to PC
6. Extract recovery.img and recovery2.img using Huawei Update Extractor
Best regards,
Benjamin
Don't quite understand what's this for. First of all, recovery should be the same version as your ROM. I don't know if their mismatch will immediately lead to some malfunction, but some people on 4pda said they should match. Second - stock recovery's functions are limited to factory reset (wiping data, cache, etc.) and installing OTA updates. Without changing OEMINFO (and it's still unconfirmed), you won't be able to install any OTA except those, intented for your model and region, so again there's no need to install a higher version of recovery than your ROM is. But anyway, thank you for the extraction instruction.
P.S. I think there's no need to flash both recovery and recovery2. Recovery2 can be successfully replaced with TWRP and this combination is really great, cause you can launch TWRP by holding Volume Up button only.
And the only reason why you should keep recovery original is that it doesn't really wipe /data - it also creates some files there like custom.bin, containing your regional settings.
Hi Slavon,
Thanks for your highly appreciated comment. @somboons was looking for a stock recovery so I thought this might help.
Your given information are really helpful. I did not know that you could flash TWRP in recovery2 and replace erecovery Handy information.
I'm pretty new to the Huawei structure so always glad to learn something.
EDIT
A lot of good information can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-7/general/dual-recovery-honor-7-t3308398
Thank you very much,
sselpeelsxx
Giving Back
Benjamin,
I've also been a long time XDA lurker. Most of the devices I have owned were mainstream and thus already had a very active XDA developer community; Even if root had yet to be achieved, there would be hundreds of messages on the topic.
It seems the Mediapad M3 is just getting started. I am a developer of over 20 years, but very little android experience. However, I have recently spent a considerable amount of time (about 50-100 hours) working with the low level ADB protocol source code. And I have rooted and flashed no less than 50 devices, everything from cell phones to Android TV devices to routers.
I'm going to take this device on as my first real dev effort in this arena.
I have a few goals:
1. Get working backups for people that soft-brick or need to revert (including myself).
2. Recompile TWRP for the M3 to confirm greatslon's work, and better understand the process.
3. Release a stock rom that's pre-rooted and cleaned up (not that there was a lot of bloat on my device).
4. Release a custom rom that's not MIUI (perhaps based of CyanogenMod).
Since I have virtually no experience, I am sure these goals are quite lofty and will take some time. But hey, you got to have a plan, and I don't have anything else to work on right now.
Let me know if you want to work on anything together, or if you need any help with anything development related.
- 0D0A
Hey hey 0D0A,
I totally agree with you regarding the backups, I think once the first OTA update is pushed for the EU and US devices we have a good and safe way to go back.
Especially the US owners are struggling with greatslons TWRP version, that's the first thing we should tackle after the backup topic is cleared
I will contact you regarding possible work
Best regards,
Benjamin
can flash twrp via fastboot but get error saying and no recovery
hi, first thanks greatslon for doing the work on m3.
i seem to have succeeded in getting stuck and can't get it to boot into your custom twrp. adb on linux was working fine, but no longer. ditto for fastboot just get "waiting for devices" now. i switched to win10 and installed the hisuite app so i can use fastboot but still no adb. so i have tried to flash recovery and recovery2 but when i try to boot recovery i get error "Func NO: 11 (recovery image) ERROR NO: 2 (load failed)."
i then downloaded your custom rom and tried to flash the boot for that still no luck. i can't use adb so i am not sure how to just flash the custom rom with fastboot without being able to get into any recovery.
i did have this all rooted and working with your twrp but kept having issues with dpi and there was an ota update (b003) which wouldn't apply. so i tried to restore backup and it wen't south from there. basically now can't do much other than see the unlock "can't be trusted" page and bootloader.
any suggestions?
Desperately need stock recovery img, not sure exactly what when wrong, but it is stuck in a horrible boot loop. Tried Benjamin's recovery files and they seem to remove twrp and put it somewhat back to normal, but can only access the emui recovery and that fails to load the files. Put twrp back and tried greatslon's ROMs, they load but goes back to boot loop. Wipe and format everything, install my original backup through twrp recovery, it says it works, but again, back to boot loop... at this point I think I'm dead... any ideas, any word on the official recovery img? anything? Help!!
What device do you have? And what version were you on?
sselpeelsxx said:
What device do you have? And what version were you on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the M3, BTV-W09, not sure what version, MM6.0 EMUI 4.1
Anyone have any other ideas on horrendous boot loop?
sselpeelsxx said:
Hey hey 0D0A,
I totally agree with you regarding the backups, I think once the first OTA update is pushed for the EU and US devices we have a good and safe way to go back.
Especially the US owners are struggling with greatslons TWRP version, that's the first thing we should tackle after the backup topic is cleared
I will contact you regarding possible work
Best regards,
Benjamin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I am unlocked, TWRPed, and rooted, but am trying to reverse all of that. My build number is BTV-W09C128B002. Is it safe to download the stock recovery from the OP for my device? Or do I really need the C128 version?
Hello and sorry for the late response, you would need the matching version for your C128 device.
I may be able to extract recovery from an update, I have to look into this tomorrow.
Regards
sselpeelsxx said:
Hello and sorry for the late response, you would need the matching version for your C128 device.
I may be able to extract recovery from an update, I have to look into this tomorrow.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I have been able to use the Huawei Extractor to extract a recovery.img from OTA updates, but have been afraid to try flashing it. It has been recommended to hold off on trying that since that recovery.img is from an OTA and not a FULL update. Any thoughts?

MotoG4+ XT1644 6.01 to 7.0 Saga (for others to avoid)

OK Please note (4-25-17) this message is a work in progress, as I slowly restore my system.
This is a listing and hopefully helpful listing of what I did (right and wrong)
in upgrading my Systemless-rooted (suuser) phone from 6.01 to 7.00 (nougat)
# 1. it did not work, and I went back to 6.01 successfully using the twrp recovery
I have previously used Bender's guid (here) to get the system-less root on 6.01.
essentailly, here's the best plan. Use the Minimal ADB and Fastboot package (MADB &F) (here)
(Explanation: the MADB&FB package will allow you do do LOTS of stuff related to updating your phone, with very little grief.)
it also includes the ability to automatically "push" a package over your usb connection if the ZIP file doesnt load right. **THIS will come in handy later!
Once MADB&F is installed, make note of your directory, and then make sure you start your dos window (for pc users) as an administrator!
BTW, if I HADN'T made the "TWRP backup" of my system, I'd be Sh*t out of luck right now...", because I screwed up the 7.0 upgrade.
the technical problem was that I had no data, no modem, no way of getting data/voice in/out.
SIMPLY using the TWRP restore fixed me!!!
(so far, we have MADB&FB, downloaded and bender's (chainfire) rootless guide.
Next you want to download the current firmware image for your phone. This will be a lifesaver, I promise!
3) Download a TWRP image (this will MAGICALLY load on your pc when you tell it you need help! Look HERE
(Athene is the Motorola Codename for the motoG4+)
3) copy the athene TWRP image into your madb&FB directory to make it easy to load
4) next, (you still haven't touched your phone yet, you realize: (skipping some basics here, you can search here on XDA to find more info)
a) plug your phone into your pc
b) make sure you are a developer
c) make sure your phone shows you are connected to your pc for file transfers, NOT for charging
5) in your MADB&FB directory, (aka a dos/(admin) window) type the following:
all commands at this point will take place in whatever directory you installed Minimal ADB & Fast boot (MADB&FB)
Connect your phone to your PC and open MADB&FB, check the connection with:
adb devices
return should include your "serial-no" and "device".
6) next, on pc, tell the system to reboot your phone to the bootloader!
Reboot into bootloader with:
adb reboot-bootloader
and check again with:
fastboot devices
7) Next you are going to download TWRP to your phone (not permanently, just for a bit!)
fastboot. flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-0-athene.img
Now you have TWRP (Team Windows RECOVERY PROJECT) loaded.
SO.. THIS is where you create a backup of your current stuff using the backup options.
NEXT:
take the suUser2.78 (stateless rooting), and once your backup is done, install it from TWRP
Then (I was) back to 6.01 rooted.
NEXT: 7.0 and then rooting... (will update tomorrow)
did a successful upgrade to 7.0,
then unsuccessfully tried to sideload supersu2.78, which bricked loader
then downgraded again to 6.01 (and rooted again, ok)
will continue tomorrow.
need working phone for now..
cheers to all, and to all, a happy spelunking!
You can't root factory Nougat as is, it is well encrypted.
You need to replace first the kernel with the ElementalX one, or you will end up with bootloops.
Only after that you can do SuperSU, but only with the latest beta.
A few pointers from your story:
1)As you've found out the hard way, you won't be able to update to Nougat if you have root and/or TWRP, because the update requires a stock system - stock recovery, system and no modifications (bootloader status doesn't matter). In other words, you'll need to unroot and restore your stock recovery - might be easier to reflash the stock system, probably the quickest way to flash a stock ROM (and update to Nougat) is to use the fastboot ROM. https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/moto-g4-plus-xt1640-43-athene-npj25-93-t3549369 Of course, this will remove root and TWRP, as well as potentially wipe your data, so back up accordingly. This should flash the NPJ25.93-14 build on your device, which appears to be the latest global build.
1a)Also, if you flash Nougat this way, your bootloader and GPT partitions will be updated, so if you wish to downgrade to Marshmallow at any point, when flashing do not flash these partitions from the Marshmallow ROM. Fastboot should stop you, but a brick may occur if these get flashed.
1b) You may find in the Guides section TWRP backups of Nougat builds, I don't recommend using these to update your system with. Granted, they have most of the Nougat system in a TWRP backup, but some crucial firmware (e.g. the baseband) is not included, and may cause you issues if your device is not formally flashed to Nougat.
2) As SoNic67 has already mentioned, the stock kernel security will cause your device to bootloop should you choose to try to root following the Marshmallow method. If you wish to use SuperSU, follow this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...de-root-moto-g4-plus-supersu-android-t3587918 You may wish to use a more up to date TWRP than the official 3.0.2 (I recommend shrep's TWRP 3.0.3 n4 here:https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...covery-twrp-3-0-2-r3-moto-g4-g4-plus-t3494337) Whatever you do, ensure you flash first the ElementalX kernel before you flash the SuperSU v2.79 SR3 beta (https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133), or apply the systemless fix with earlier SuperSU versions as directed in the aforementioned rooting with SuperSU guide. Else you'll be having bootloops or your device will not boot whatsoever. Here's my steps in successfully rooting Nougat: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71817346&postcount=225. Good luck either way.
echo92 said:
A few pointers from your story:
[...]
1b) You may find in the Guides section TWRP backups of Nougat builds, I don't recommend using these to update your system with. Granted, they have most of the Nougat system in a TWRP backup, but some crucial firmware (e.g. the baseband) is not included, and may cause you issues if your device is not formally flashed to Nougat.
[...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After updating my US retail xt1644 to nougat, by restoring totally-stock marshmallow then taking the OTA, I wiped data and made a *complete* TWRP backup using @Shreps' unofficial 3.1 TWRP build (https://moto.shreps.fr/Moto G4 (athene)/recovery/twrp-3.1.0-athene_shreps.img).
This version of TWRP allows backup/restore of the full set of firmware partitions including baseband, DSP, etc.
In other words, I believe the TWRP backup folder in the following .zip file provides a one-stop path to the latest xt1644 USRET firmware by doing a restore from TWRP 3.1.0.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4XobQzgZVHyRTlmSDMtYkdZeUU/view?usp=drivesdk
My only uncertainly is if the ota process modified the partition table in a way that might make this backup image incompatible with the xt1644 still in the marshmallow state.
I've often wondered if I (or a more skilled enthusiast) couldn't build a TWRP-flashable .zip that would setup the partition table, update the baseband, etc. This is what I've grown used to from devs on other phones I've had, but perhaps there's something about the way moto does things that makes this problematic.
Sent from my Moto G4 Plus using Tapatalk
bmeek said:
After updating my US retail xt1644 to nougat, by restoring totally-stock marshmallow then taking the OTA, I wiped data and made a *complete* TWRP backup using @Shrep's unofficial 3.1 TWRP build (https://moto.shreps.fr/Moto G4 (athene)/recovery/twrp-3.1.0-athene_shreps.img).
This version of TWRP allows backup/restore of the full set of firmware partitions including baseband, DSP, etc.
In other words, I believe the TWRP backup folder in the following .zip file provides a one-stop path to the latest xt1644 USRET firmware by doing a restore from TWRP 3.1.0.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4XobQzgZVHyRTlmSDMtYkdZeUU/view?usp=drivesdk
My only uncertainly is if the ota process modified the partition table in a way that might make this backup image incompatible with the xt1644 still in the marshmallow state.
I've often wondered if I (or a more skilled enthusiast) couldn't build a TWRP-flashable .zip that would setup the partition table, update the baseband, etc. This is what I've grown used to from devs on other phones I've had, but perhaps there's something about the way moto does things that makes this problematic.
Sent from my Moto G4 Plus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice one, hopefully that'll help more XT 1644 users I'm still not sure if TWRP can backup/flash the baseband by itself, but I don't have a XT 1644 to test. I imagine your backup will need a clean flash (wipe data/cache/Dalvik) to work?
The OTA process does update the partition table, but as far as I know, that should not prevent you from flashing back to Marshmallow/Nougat as you wish, so long as you did not try to downgrade the GPT/bootloader.
There was an effort to create TWRP flashables of the stock ROMs a little while ago (you can see the thread here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/development/fxz-athene-twrp-flashable-fastboots-t3562147) which if I understood it created flashable radios and ROMs from the firmware files we have. We can't touch the GPT/bootloader since, as I recall, you need a signed stock firmware to do so (and besides, downgrading GPT might be asking for a brick). I recall some users mention they were able to run Nougat TWRP flashes on the MM bootloader/GPT without issue.
There were issues with simply flashing the Nougat 93-14 radio baseband files for some US users, losing LTE in the process and appears the only resolution was to flash the stock ROM - I don't know what the cause was (perhaps no/incorrect CDMA support in the radio files?). Your TWRP flash is from a US based phone so may have better luck in that department, and will likely behave on your device since that OTA has updated all the firmware on your device that TWRP isn't able to touch. I still am not sure if we can use this TWRP backup to update on a MM device without issue, but only one way to find out...

[Guide]How to get an update if unlocked and rooted, but otherwise on stock EMUI

I just bought the Honor 8 and immediately unlocked and rooted it via Magik. Of course not long after that, I get a notification that there is an update available. You obviously cannot update the phone by simply pressing the "update" button since we have a non-stock recovery. I did a fair amount of research to find out how I could get the update and I wanted to share what I found. All of this information is out there already, but generally speaking it is spread out in many different threads. Hopefully these directions can help someone else.....
First, the usual disclosures.....
Code:
I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards,
thermonuclear war, or you getting fired because the alarm app failed. Please
do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this GUIDE
before flashing it! YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if
you point the finger at me for messing up your device, I will laugh at you.
1) Make a NANDroid backup using TWRP: if the new update locks the phone, you will need this backup to restore data after unlocking it
2) Unroot your phone: honestly I did not do this step myself because I simply didn't think about it. The update process worked for me without unrooting but I am also using Magik which doesn't alter the system files. To ensure success I would definitely recommend you unroot. You will have to reroot the phone after the update regardless if you unrooted or not, so you aren't saving any steps by keeping root at this point. If you have used a different root method besides Magik, you must unroot prior to attempting an upgrade.
3) Obtain stock recovery.img file: the update won't work with TWRP as your recovery, so we need to flash the original Huawei recovery to replace TWRP. If you already have a copy of the stock recovery skip to step 4. If you are like me you don't have a copy of the stock recovery image on hand and we will need to extract it from the stock ROM image. Using a computer (not your phone) download the stock ROM image for your device. This website seems to have a list of recent versions and it is where I downloaded the L14 B389 version that I used.
Download the Huawei Update Extractor software and unzip the folder on the computer. Open the HuaweiUpdateExtractor app and use the software to extract the "Recovery.img" file. Here is a Youtube video showing how to do this. Please note, although the video shows several files being extracted you only need to extract the "Recovery.img" file for our use. Move the stock recovery image to your ADB folder so you can flash it in step 4.
4) Flash the stock recovery image: use the stock recovery file and flash it to recovery using the same instructions as you used to flash TWRP in the first place. If you need a refresher, look at section 2 (parts 1-5) of the first post in this thread. Just make sure you substite the name of the stock recovery image instead of the TWRP.img
5) Reboot into system
6) Install Update: go to the Settings - System Update menu on your phone. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots and it will bring up a menu where you can choose "Download latest full update". Click on this. This will start the update process by downloading the full ROM and not just the smaller update package. For me the package size was approaching 2gb, so make sure you are ready to handle that size transfer. After the download is complete, start the update process. I was nervous at first, but everything went fine. If for some reason the update fails, I would reboot and try again. I did have one failure, but I cannot explain if it was a bad download, or something I did wrong (like not unrooting the phone prior to attempting the update). It worked fine the second attempt.
7) Reboot: the phone will reboot and you should check the status to make sure you are on the latest version.
8) Flash TWRP recovery: I read where people said full updates would lock your phone and you would have to start from scratch unlocking it (and therefore wiping all data). This was not the case for me and this update using this method. I was simply able to flash TWRP again. You should be a rock star at flashing recoveries by now so get to it and flash TWRP again. If your phone is locked, then read the note at the bottom of this post.
9) Reboot into system
10) Flash Magik zip: reboot into recovery and flash Magik zip to get SuperSU.
11) Install Magik modules: reboot into system. Reinstall any Magik modules you use as they don't get carried over from the previous installation.
12) Enjoy your updated phone
If for some reason the full update did lock the phone, then you will need to unlock it again before you can flash TWRP. You have already done this before, so use whatever method was successful for you. Obviously this will fully wipe your phone. After flashing TWRP and Magik, I would make a backup of that raw "stock" image just in case this next step doesn't work. After making the backup, you can try to restore just the data partition of the NANDroid backup you made in step 1 (click restore in TWRP, select the backup made in step 1 but deselect everything except the "data" partition before starting the restore process.) I have never done this, but I have read it will recover all your data (apps, etc) without affecting the system partition and therefore it won't mess up the upgrade. I would not recommend doing this if going from Marshmallow to Nugget or Nugget to Oreo however. In those cases, it is better to simple start fresh and redownload all of your apps.
Thank you for this thread.
Hello sic,
I am having the same issue with my Huawei GR-5 2017 and like you, I have my fair share of researching for weeks now and I was really happy to stumble on this thread.
Before I start with the process, I have a few questions for you. I hope you could help me (even though this thread is half a year ago).
Can you elaborate steps 1 and 2 or could you provide me a link on how to do those?
I got xposed installed im on emui 8 i also tried flashfire but it only turns the phone off.. Ist it eneugh to uninstall xposed? And can i get the recovery img from fullota? And must i restore images in magisk? I will try it without xposed installed. And a theory: is the information abaut bootloader unlock stored in a partition like oeminfo? If it is we could restore oeminfo.

How do I upgrade to latest firmware after a downgrade (bootloader and GPT confusion)

TL;DR
About two years back I upgraded from Marshmallow to Nougat then downgraded back to Marshmallow but didn't flash GPT or bootloader partitions (full details at the bottom)
I want to upgrade to the latest official stock firmware which I believe is this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-moto-g4-g4-oreo-soak-test-update-t3871136
But I don't know where to begin.
If I backup my phone with TWRP can I restore back to it (Marhsmallow) if I decide I don't like Oreo?
Appreciate any help
History:
A while back I upgraded from Marshmallow to Nougat using this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138
I then Flashed the June (2017) OTA update files
Xposed framework wasn't available for Nougat at the time so I downgraded back to Marshmallow; I believe I used the file XT1642_ATHENE_6.0.1_MPJ24.139-48_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip
I THINK I followed this downgrade guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/how-to-downgrade-nougat-to-marshmallow-t3487201
But I vaguely remember not flashing the GPT and bootloader partitions (based on the advice of the wonderful echo92 here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=73031946&postcount=8) but I can't say for sure
I have a few backups from TWRP (https://imgur.com/a/QzgQNbh) from that time with this file structure: https://i.imgur.com/B2cxQvL.png
I blurred out the 10-character 0KB file - it seems unique but I can't remember what it's for
If you're wanting to downgrade back to Marshmallow at some point in the future, I would recommend you flash the TWRP flashable of OPJ28.111-22 https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/rom-oreo-8-1-0-soak-test-t3873367 This TWRP flashable should update your device mostly to Oreo, but not update your GPT/bootloader partitions (your GPT/bootloader would stay on the same version as you are now). Also, you should be able to roll back using your TWRP backup (though I do not know if you'll have issues with the Oreo modem on your Marshmallow device, so you might want to find the modem/fsg files too for Marshmallow)
We found out subsequently that downgrading firmware does not downgrade your GPT/bootloader (fastboot will complain of security downgrade errors otherwise). This poses a big problem when downgrading and using old OTA updates - old OTA updates corrupt your newer bootloader and hard brick your device. By not updating your GPT/bootloader further, you reduce the number of updates that can damage your device, but again, if you roll back to Marshmallow from your TWRP back up, make sure you do not use OTA updates at all.
you might want to find the modem/fsg files too for Marshmallow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely sure what this means or how I do that.
I have XT1642_ATHENE_6.0.1_MPJ24.139-48_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip which contains NON-HLOS.bin and fsg.mbn which I believe are the modem/baseband firmware. I don't really know what to do with them though.
Since I can flash the firmware (zip) directly on the device (and the lack of a recovery.img in the zip) I assume that TWRP stays intact and remains the default recovery?
So, as I understand it, my steps are simply:
Flash TWRP-athene-8.1.0-OPJ28.111-22.zip in TWRP
Flash Magisk stable in TWRP
We found out subsequently that downgrading firmware does not downgrade your GPT/bootloader (fastboot will complain of security downgrade errors otherwise). This poses a big problem when downgrading and using old OTA updates - old OTA updates corrupt your newer bootloader and hard brick your device. By not updating your GPT/bootloader further, you reduce the number of updates that can damage your device, but again, if you roll back to Marshmallow from your TWRP back up, make sure you do not use OTA updates at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first part lost me a bit. Are you just saying, "Do not use OTA updates."?
Oh, and thank you very much for the help
tekwarfare said:
Not entirely sure what this means or how I do that.
I have XT1642_ATHENE_6.0.1_MPJ24.139-48_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip which contains NON-HLOS.bin and fsg.mbn which I believe are the modem/baseband firmware. I don't really know what to do with them though.
Since I can flash the firmware (zip) directly on the device (and the lack of a recovery.img in the zip) I assume that TWRP stays intact and remains the default recovery?
So, as I understand it, my steps are simply:
Flash TWRP-athene-8.1.0-OPJ28.111-22.zip in TWRP
Flash Magisk stable in TWRP
The first part lost me a bit. Are you just saying, "Do not use OTA updates."?
Oh, and thank you very much for the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Pretty much - keep the non-HLOS.bin, and FSG images from your fastboot zip handy. The TWRP flashable of the Oreo firmware contains the modem updates, whilst your TWRP backup likely does not have the modem partition. Thus, if you do downgrade and you get signal issues (don't know of anyone who downgraded from Oreo to Marshmallow, you'd be one of the first) you might have to flash the non-HLOS.bin and FSG via fastboot to downgrade your modem back to Marshmallow. The fastboot commands would be:
Code:
fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2
fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn
Failing that, you could flash this 64 bit TWRP and back up your EFS from both your Marshmallow and Oreo firmwares: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...t/recovery-team-win-recovery-project-t3842903 Then if you do have signal issues, you could try to restore your EFS. Or check out this guide if you have IMEI issues: https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/guide-moto-g4-plus-imei0-issue-t3859068
2)With the TWRP flashable - yes, your TWRP should stay intact and those steps sound good. Backup your existing installation beforehand.
3)If you downgrade your device stock Motorola firmware, do not use OTA updates. Else, you may hard brick your device.
Failing that, you could flash this 64 bit TWRP and back up your EFS from both your Marshmallow and Oreo firmwares: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...oject-t3842903
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got TWRP 3.1.1-0, that looks like it has new features including the ability to do EFS backups now so I'm fine to overwrite my existing Recovery with the one you linked?
I see there's apps that can do EFS backups too. Why TWRP over them?
Thank you very much for your help with this
tekwarfare said:
I've got TWRP 3.1.1-0, that looks like it has new features including the ability to do EFS backups now so I'm fine to overwrite my existing Recovery with the one you linked?
I see there's apps that can do EFS backups too. Why TWRP over them?
Thank you very much for your help with this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be okay to overwrite your existing TWRP with the 64 bit version - you can either install in TWRP or flash TWRP via fastboot.
Alternatively, if you want to keep TWRP 3.1.1, then you can boot the 64 bit TWRP from fastboot (using the fastboot command 'fastboot boot <name of TWRP>', without quotes and where <name of TWRP> is the full file name of the 64 bit TWRP, without the arrows), then back up your EFS with the 64 bit TWRP. When you next reboot, you should still have your TWRP 3.1.1.
Not used those apps, so I can't comment, be up to you which approach to use. I've seen members use this TWRP for EFS backup without issue.
Do I need to wipe before flashing this?
Notes for myself in the future:
Updated my phones recovery partition to TWRP 3.2.3-0:
Installed MotorolaDeviceManager_2.5.4.exe
Copied recovery.img to the same directory as fastboot.exe and ran the line:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
I did a factory reset in TWRP
Downloaded and copied the zip across a few times but I'm just getting "zip signature verification failed".
tekwarfare said:
I did a factory reset in TWRP
Downloaded and copied the zip across a few times but I'm just getting "zip signature verification failed".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, which TWRP zip did you download? You could always go into TWRP settings and turn off signature verification.
Not sure if you needed to do a factory reset, though always useful when updating (hope you had a backup).
TWRP-athene-8.1.0-OPJ28.111-22.zip like you said. It's the one where AFH is crossed out but GDrive is up
Edit: I disabled zip signature verification (even though I didn't want to) and installed it. Setting things up so will see what works and what doesn't.
Thank you very much for the help
tekwarfare said:
TWRP-athene-8.1.0-OPJ28.111-22.zip like you said. It's the one where AFH is crossed out but GDrive is up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the right zip - I'd double check the download went okay, though under TWRP settings there should be an option to turn off zip verification. After that, the zip should flash okay.
Installing magisk via TWRP aslo failed the zip signature verification (just disabled the verification to install things from now on)
Managed to get a few things up and running like ViperFX.
Xposed is constantly causing bootloops (soft brick) and I can't seem to fix it. I managed to get EdXposed working with Sand Hook but it slows the system down noticeably; all I want is gravitybox.

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