Restore factory OS after installing a ROM - Essential Phone Questions & Answers

Hi,
I have not yet done so, but I plan on installing e.foundation's OS to my Essential Phone. Before I start, I would like to ensure that I can reinstall or switch back to Android, in case I muck it up. Is there a way to backup the installed Android or switch back?
I've heard of Nandroid (https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=459830), but I'm not sure if it will do what I need (A full backup and restore over another ROM). For example, if on Linux, I could use "dd" to copy an entire partition, and write it back later.
Also, as I understand it from (https://mata.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), the phone contains two sets of partitions (slots). If I install the custom ROM to one slot, can I switch back to Android by executing the adb command to change the active slot?
Thanks in advance for help on this. I would very much like to avoid bricking my phone.
Cheers.

neXussT said:
Hi,
I have not yet done so, but I plan on installing e.foundation's OS to my Essential Phone. Before I start, I would like to ensure that I can reinstall or switch back to Android, in case I muck it up. Is there a way to backup the installed Android or switch back?
I've heard of Nandroid (https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=459830), but I'm not sure if it will do what I need (A full backup and restore over another ROM). For example, if on Linux, I could use "dd" to copy an entire partition, and write it back later.
Also, as I understand it from (https://mata.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), the phone contains two sets of partitions (slots). If I install the custom ROM to one slot, can I switch back to Android by executing the adb command to change the active slot?
Thanks in advance for help on this. I would very much like to avoid bricking my phone.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would HIGHLY recommend not installing /e/
It is old... And unsupported.. and unless your tinfoil hat is itchy...
It's just LineageOS and MicroG...

rignfool said:
I would HIGHLY recommend not installing /e/
It is old... And unsupported.. and unless your tinfoil hat is itchy...
It's just LineageOS and MicroG...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not unsupported. It is not old (though it is Nougat). Constantly updated. Is more than just LineageOS and microG.
Do not spread FUD. Seriously.
@neXussT, I would suggest downloading the latest various stock ROMs, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, whichever or all. Have them at the ready on your PC/laptop. You could always fastboot flash the originals if things don't work out.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3701681
[STOCK][DUMPS][FIRMWARE] Essential stock firmware and rom dumps
You'll have to downgrade to Nougat firmware first before trying /e/OS anyway so I doubt you can have Pie or Oreo on one slot and /e/OS on the other.
I have /e/OS on the Essential and Axon 7 (multiboot with other ROMs). Last update was about a day ago.
Essential PH-1, /e/OS 0.7-n ROM, microG (NoGapps), XDA Legacy

Thanks marcdw. Those are good tips. I would never have thought of a version difference causing issues. Cheers.

marcdw said:
It is not unsupported. It is not old (though it is Nougat). Constantly updated. Is more than just LineageOS and microG.
Do not spread FUD. Seriously.
@neXussT, I would suggest downloading the latest various stock ROMs, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, whichever or all. Have them at the ready on your PC/laptop. You could always fastboot flash the originals if things don't work out.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3701681
[STOCK][DUMPS][FIRMWARE] Essential stock firmware and rom dumps
You'll have to downgrade to Nougat firmware first before trying /e/OS anyway so I doubt you can have Pie or Oreo on one slot and /e/OS on the other.
I have /e/OS on the Essential and Axon 7 (multiboot with other ROMs). Last update was about a day ago.
Essential PH-1, /e/OS 0.7-n ROM, microG (NoGapps), XDA Legacy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see your definition of old (3 versions behind) is different than mine...
Also... Merging 2 year old security patches and updating that which even CAF has moved on from... Is what I would call unsupported...

Alrighty then.
I personally don't adhere to the notion that folks must run the latest and (not so) greatest because it's there. Let folks run what they want to run, be it old or new. Discouraging folks doesn't seem too cool. IMNSHO of course.
Moto G5s Plus XT1806, OmniROM 8.1.0, NanoDroid, MultiROM, XDA Legacy

Related

No oddities at all

Got my Mix yesterday - set it up last night.
I was apprehensive with everyone talking about different ROMs, unlock codes, rooting, throttling, etc etc.
Mine came with MIUI Global 8.0.7.0.0 with Google appstore already installed. The packaging was sealed.
Downloaded apps at about 3.5 megabytes per second (as shown by the notification bar connection speed widget).
SMS works fine.
Calling works fine.
I even get 4G on O2 (in the UK). I live in Leeds so it's one of those cities where O2 are using 1800 mhz for 4G as well as the usual 800 Mhz which Mix can't do.
All my banking apps work fine.
I've got Nova Prime on it. MIUI has some nice tweaks built in. There's no bloatware on it at all.
Also, compared to the Lumia 950XL I had for a year, it's about 2 mm wider and that's about it.
I've been using an S7 Edge for the last couple of months and set up wise, there's no difference. Everything just works out of the box. No flashing, tweaking, rooting etc.
Fingerprint reader is faster than S7. It can also wake the phone as well. Double tap to wake is there too.
If I didn't know better, I'd say this was just any other Android phone bought in the UK, instead of a China import where people have been talking about flashing EU ROM etc and having other issues.
Funniest thing about it is that once you get over the initial WOW factor of the screen, you just get used to it. It's only when you look at other phones you think, haha your phone looks like it's from the 1970s.
Only thing I haven't really tried is the camera. Pretty sure it won't be up to 950XL or S7 standards but I've installed Snap Camera so let's see if it's half decent.
Great phone so far.
Just depends if your happy with vendor rom and no updates as long as you own the phone, I removed vendor rom and have had 2 updates since with like yourself no issues.
Where did you get your Mix? Mine also had that ROM but I flashed the China ROM since it wasn't getting OTA updates. Your Mix might be fine for now but I hear the spyware/malware stuff works like a trojan horse, I'd recommend flashing now, your bootloader is probably already unlocked. Just install the China ROM and skip the EU ROM or rooting if you want.
slitz123 said:
Where did you get your Mix? Mine also had that ROM but I flashed the China ROM since it wasn't getting OTA updates. Your Mix might be fine for now but I hear the spyware/malware stuff works like a trojan horse, I'd recommend flashing now, your bootloader is probably already unlocked. Just install the China ROM and skip the EU ROM or rooting if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed and I skipped rooting and EU (for now)
jazz452 said:
Agreed and I skipped rooting and EU (for now)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.
Hid Sugiura said:
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me, they probably aren't allowed to mess with official ROM and keep the same numbers plus updates would probably mess up Google apps.
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum. I installed Google apps from the mi store with no issues once all permissions were granted.
jazz452 said:
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so this ROM I have is some sort of weird ROM put on by Gearbest (where I got it from). Who developed it and has it been confirmed that there is malware on it?
Reading up on it, I can see how to install: China stable V8.0.12.0.MAHCNDI
Download ROM. Copy to root directory of phone.
Go into Settings/updates/reboot to recovery mode and install the Zip.
Is that right? Since it's not an update, do I have to wipe the phone in recovery?
I'm a bit loathed to do it cos:
a) This is a rather expensive phone from China which makes it a bit hairy. I've flashed ROMs on cheaper devices before but...
b) It's currently running dandy.. everything is fast and smooth and everything WORKS but this thing about spyware and malware I find worrying (even tho I can't seem to find any proof of this.) But yeah, lack of updates is a problem.
Does anyone have a link on an idiots guide on how to go from Vendor to China Stable Official?
There's a thread on this forum about this but it kinda says you need TWRP and Root etc.
If I put China Stable, do I need to root it to put on Gapps?
Will China ROM stop my banking apps to work?
jazz452 said:
Don't think they do put spyware on never found anything, no updates is the killer for me, they probably aren't allowed to mess with official ROM and keep the same numbers plus updates would probably mess up Google apps.
I went with stable China as it has English language and didn't want to TWRP at the moment. OTA updates aren't available on EU ROM ATM although first custom ROM is out with OTA based on EU ROM see forum. I installed Google apps from the mi store with no issues once all permissions were granted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?
Hid Sugiura said:
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The updater app has been disabled on this ROM, there is a guide (under guides) how to flash from vendor rom to China stable mine came from gearbest and was unlocked. No need TWRP or root. No rush your home won't set on fire with vendor rom just read a few times till you are sure of what you are doing. mi flash is used for flashing ROMs with xiaomi.
Hid Sugiura said:
I'm really confused now.
I thought my Global 8.0.7 ROM was the 'normal' China ROM.
Is it a VENDOR ROM? Is it obvious because it came with Gapps installed?
Also, how do you know this has malware on it? Kaspersky doesn't find anything on it.
Anyway, I better flash the official China ROM now - the EU one sounds more suitable (since I'm in the UK) but it's not official is it so ANYTHING might be in that.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use Malwarebytes on the Vendor ROM, it flags the MIUI Notes app as "Agent.downloader.Trojan". Check it out! I didn't even sign in on the phone until I could get the EU ROM flashed. Not saying that Vendors deliberately inject their ROMS with malware. Just saying there can always be that one hacker dude who is compiling these ROMS for the vendors.
From what it looks like, most vendors are given a flashable signed zip file that can be flashed using official recovery, the file is named MIUI Global 8.0.7.0 or 8.0.8.0 (Mine came with 8.0.8.0).
So when most vendors receive stock, guess they unbox it, flash this zip file most probably via the official MIUI recovery, run the diagnostic test and if everything passes, they box the item and ship it out. Most vendors may have staff who are trained to copy the flashable zip file via MTP, boot stock recovery and flash! It doesn't take a genius to do that and its done it 5 minutes.
I am on the EU ROM. Even though unofficial, these MIUI EU ROMS have been there since the beginning of MIUI and no one ever had any reliability issues with the EU ROM. The ROM has no bloatware and comes with GAPPS pre-installed.
---------- Post added at 02:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 AM ----------
Hid Sugiura said:
Another question... since I have the Vendor ROM on it, does it mean that my bootloader is unlocked already?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily! Mine came with a vendor ROM and bootloader locked. This is why I assume that Vendors are given a Signed ROM file which can be flashed using the official MI Recovery. I don' t think every vendor has the skills to unlock bootloader and flash a vendor ROM after installing a custom recovery. Its a time consuming process.
If they already have a Signed customized ROM file that can be flashed using the official recovery, its as easy as copying the ZIP file to the phone and flashing it via the recovery. Takes hardly 5-10minutes.
Thank you very much for your replies - much appreciated.
As soon as I read your post, I did Malwarebytes and that found nothing - apart from saying I should switch off NFC so that's a little more comforting. As I said, Kaspersky hasn't found anything.
So, the China Stable is the ONLY official ROM there is - the vendor and EU ones are equally unofficial and neither have OTA updates.
OK more questions:
Some people say China Stable is the way to go cos of the updates.
1) Is the bloatware that bad? Can't I just ignore it? haha
2) Does it need rooting to put Gapps on it? Rooting is a no no for me cos certain apps won't run with it.
If I go the EU ROM, cos of the built in Gapps, can it be updated without wiping every time?
Thanks for all your help.
Hid Sugiura said:
Thank you very much for your replies - much appreciated.
As soon as I read your post, I did Malwarebytes and that found nothing - apart from saying I should switch off NFC so that's a little more comforting. As I said, Kaspersky hasn't found anything.
So, the China Stable is the ONLY official ROM there is - the vendor and EU ones are equally unofficial and neither have OTA updates.
OK more questions:
Some people say China Stable is the way to go cos of the updates.
1) Is the bloatware that bad? Can't I just ignore it? haha
2) Does it need rooting to put Gapps on it? Rooting is a no no for me cos certain apps won't run with it.
If I go the EU ROM, cos of the built in Gapps, can it be updated without wiping every time?
Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should go with EU rom, or custom rom which is starting to appear now. The worst rom to go for imo is the China one, and I find it a bit strange some people want to go for that due to OTA update. OTA update is not such a big deal, you get more update with EU or custom rom and no, you don't need to wipe data, it is so simple and easy to do manual update.
If you are totally beginner then maybe you find the OTA update easier, but at the same time if you are totally beginner you will find it hard to get china rom to become stable and usable. By the way the new custom rom also has OTA update, if you really want that.
So in short, I see almost no reason to stay in China rom, unless you find selecting zip file and flashing rom "too hard". But it's really quite easy to learn.
Mine from gearbest has unlocked bootloader but slightly different number than yours 8.0.8, it's easy to check from fastboot plenty of threads on here.
---------- Post added at 11:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 AM ----------
satishp said:
If you use Malwarebytes on the Vendor ROM, it flags the MIUI Notes app as "Agent.downloader.Trojan". Check it out! I didn't even sign in on the phone until I could get the EU ROM flashed. Not saying that Vendors deliberately inject their ROMS with malware. Just saying there can always be that one hacker dude who is compiling these ROMS for the vendors.
From what it looks like, most vendors are given a flashable signed zip file that can be flashed using official recovery, the file is named MIUI Global 8.0.7.0 or 8.0.8.0 (Mine came with 8.0.8.0).
So when most vendors receive stock, guess they unbox it, flash this zip file most probably via the official MIUI recovery, run the diagnostic test and if everything passes, they box the item and ship it out. Most vendors may have staff who are trained to copy the flashable zip file via MTP, boot stock recovery and flash! It doesn't take a genius to do that and its done it 5 minutes.
I am on the EU ROM. Even though unofficial, these MIUI EU ROMS have been there since the beginning of MIUI and no one ever had any reliability issues with the EU ROM. The ROM has no bloatware and comes with GAPPS pre-installed.
---------- Post added at 02:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 AM ----------
Not necessarily! Mine came with a vendor ROM and bootloader locked. This is why I assume that Vendors are given a Signed ROM file which can be flashed using the official MI Recovery. I don' t think every vendor has the skills to unlock bootloader and flash a vendor ROM after installing a custom recovery. Its a time consuming process.
If they already have a Signed customized ROM file that can be flashed using the official recovery, its as easy as copying the ZIP file to the phone and flashing it via the recovery. Takes hardly 5-10minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi hate vendor ROMs that's why they lock bootloader, no one wants a bad name with spyware installed on their phones.
RIGHT! Thank you again for all your replies and advice.
I'm gonna do:
1) Find out if it's unlocked and get that done if necessary.
2) Install the EU one knowing now that updates don't wipe the phone.
My fear is that somewhere in between having an unlocked bootloader (which I might have already) and having the EU ROM, I lose the ability to use my Barclays Banking apps. I definitely know that it won't work with root but I also know that unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs aren't the same as being rooted.
However, the fear of this vendor ROM being a security hazard gives me the heebie jeebies so I'll follow the kind advice given and put on the EU ROM.
Thanks for now!
Hid Sugiura said:
RIGHT! Thank you again for all your replies and advice.
I'm gonna do:
1) Find out if it's unlocked and get that done if necessary.
2) Install the EU one knowing now that updates don't wipe the phone.
My fear is that somewhere in between having an unlocked bootloader (which I might have already) and having the EU ROM, I lose the ability to use my Barclays Banking apps. I definitely know that it won't work with root but I also know that unlocked bootloaders and custom ROMs aren't the same as being rooted.
However, the fear of this vendor ROM being a security hazard gives me the heebie jeebies so I'll follow the kind advice given and put on the EU ROM.
Thanks for now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck! Just to let you know i am on EU ROM with bootloader unlocked and rooted, i can still use Paypal and HSBC Banking apps. I don't use Barclays so can't comment on that.
OK I'm following the guide on XDA under Guides: Guide: Flash Global/China ROM.
I've checked that the bootloader is unlocked - which it is.
I've done point 7:
copy the latest xiaomi.eu rom zip to your device (which you can see in your computer's explorer as a device)
But when I use the command to get the phone into TWRP, the screen is unresponsive so I can't Swipe to Unlock.
I've waited for minutes as suggested on other sites but to no avail.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Hid Sugiura said:
OK I'm following the guide on XDA under Guides: Guide: Flash Global/China ROM.
I've checked that the bootloader is unlocked - which it is.
I've done point 7:
copy the latest xiaomi.eu rom zip to your device (which you can see in your computer's explorer as a device)
But when I use the command to get the phone into TWRP, the screen is unresponsive so I can't Swipe to Unlock.
I've waited for minutes as suggested on other sites but to no avail.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't root remember to flash dm-verify before you boot phone or will boot loop. TWRP unresponsive is known have a search
Again, thanks for helping me.
So, found the right TWRP for my phone. For others having the same non-responsive screen, don't install the TWRP that has RC1 or RC2 EU in the file name.
Thanks to the guy above for telling me to install dm-verity before rebooting. I would never have known that.
It installed - but there was a slight strangeness.
I expected the phone to be totally wiped and set to default but everything was as I had set it.
I checked the About Phone and it is now MIUI 8.2 by xiaomi.eu 6.12.29 Beta.
Everything works and is set up as before when I was on Vendor Rom.
Am I safer now?
Hid Sugiura said:
Again, thanks for helping me.
So, found the right TWRP for my phone. For others having the same non-responsive screen, don't install the TWRP that has RC1 or RC2 EU in the file name.
Thanks to the guy above for telling me to install dm-verity before rebooting. I would never have known that.
It installed - but there was a slight strangeness.
I expected the phone to be totally wiped and set to default but everything was as I had set it.
I checked the About Phone and it is now MIUI 8.2 by xiaomi.eu 6.12.29 Beta.
Everything works and is set up as before when I was on Vendor Rom.
Am I safer now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was fate TWRP failed, could of been in a whole heap trouble, although not to the point of brick
Good stuff that you managed to get the EU ROM on. You didn't actually need to install TWRP if you just wanted to flash the China ROM though, EDL mode with the stock image on full clear would've been fine but don't worry about it. Gearbest get their stock from other suppliers who are the ones that put the vendor ROM on apparently, but I can't confirm that.
A good order to do things if you've identified you have a vendor ROM would be:
Flash the China ROM with EDL mode with the flash tool set to Flash all (using other options will keep your apps and settings on the vendor ROM but I have no idea if that means it'll keep any trojans or spyware installed)
Boot up the phone and set it up
If you're happy with the China ROM then call it a day then optionally use the Google Installer v2 from the Xiaomi forums if you need GApps (you may have to tinker with the GApps permissions if some things aren't syncing right).
If not then you could flash twrp-3.0.2-0-rc2-eu-lithium.img, flash on the EU ROM and optionally SuperSU for root and also optionally Xposed, then enjoy a preconfigured GApps with no Chinese apps that you aren't too likely to use plus extra languages!
If you are rooted then I'd recommend adding the following line in your build.prop to enable the Camera2 API:
Code:
persist.camera.HAL3.enabled=1
Personally, I'm still waiting on a CM port though, MIUI is too aggressive in killing my apps even though I have like 4.2 GB of RAM free even with all the relevant power settings, app settings, app locks, dev settings etc off. Android Wear functions better after disabling those power settings at least, I sat there scratching my head for a while wondering why the heck my watch wasn't showing any notifications.

Stock vs Lineage ROM

Considering modifying stock HTC 10 with Lineage. I don’t use Google. Unfortunately that’s tied to Pay by phone. The only feature I miss. Other than that what benefits do people find going through the root/install Lineage option? Sprint makes it difficult due to firmware, but I can deal with that if there are enough payoffs. Reasons to install Lineage these days?
I love using LOS and it is the pinacle of ROMs for any phone. For Sprint and HTC there are a few different options that you can use with this phone. However if you are new to phone modding and rom flashing, I would approach this topic gently and start with something more fundamental. OMJ makes great stock roms for your phone that you may want to try flashing first just to learn. Moving to lineage os will take quite a bit more knowledge and practice with ROM flashing and phone modding. You will have to have sunshine first of all and you will have to have modded your firmware to go straight to LOS. If you are comfortable with those things, LOS 15.0 for example will take the stock rom size of 3.2gb down to about 450mb for a bare bones aosp stock rom. I love LOS and it is where I want to be with my devices for unbloated roms without any bloat. They are fast, snappy, have great battery life, unlocked tether, and you will reap the benefits of having a bloat free rooted and unlocked device without all that sprint spamware. Using a tool like magisk or xda on a pure android phone unlocks tremendous potential and many options for your device like audio engine mods, theming, gps spoofing, the options are limitless. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will do my best to help.
Well, I'm not new to flashing ROMs. Would i still be able to use Pay? I realize i'd need a slim version of Gapps. This is the only feature i'd like to keep. I don't use it, have used it and it's quite useful in case i lose my wallet. Know what i mean?
I mean, i've done quite well without Google. Here's my apps...without ever logging into a G sccount.
Well, I've taken the first steps. Unlocked bootloader, Installed TWRP and rooted. Seems phone makers have made ROM installs more complicated these days. What's a good source for getting around the firmware issue on these sprint phones when installing Lineage? Is there a good solid tutorial? I mean, the Lineage OS site is good, but points out the firmware issue and says to search XDA. I can't seem to find a simple tutorial on that aspect. Thx.
Oh, also... I'm no longer on Sprint with this phone. I've had them unlock the sim and I'm on Simple Mobile. Does that make a difference? Is this still considered a Sprint phone as far as flashing goes?
OK, I installed Lineage OS. Weird that Oreo version isn't available. Anyhow. Everything seems to work fine except home button/Reader. Not a deal breaker as onscreen buttons work fine. Is this because I'm on different firmware? I'm on stock Oreo firmware?
Great to hear that your making progress with no hiccups. I'm just patiently waiting for the Pi update for lineage on this device. Now if you want root, you can flash magisk and even start playing around with substratum to do some theming!
Thanks. Does your home button/reader work?
I guess the issue could have been avoided if I'd RUU'd back to N before installing Lineage. Are there any other issues I might have? If not, I can live with onscreen buttons and wait patiently for Lineage on Oreo update.
Well, that didn't last long. I was getting the dreaded password upon entering recovery. When backing up I noticed could not mount data. So I've taken the plunge and installed unofficial lineage for 8.0. Seems okay. Got my home button and fingerprint reader back.
KEB64 said:
Well, that didn't last long. I was getting the dreaded password upon entering recovery. When backing up I noticed could not mount data. So I've taken the plunge and installed unofficial lineage for 8.0. Seems okay. Got my home button and fingerprint reader back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least it keeps you off the streets!
:laugh:
Hahaha
Well, I'm back on Official 14.1
I need my speakers and there are too many crashes for me to use 15.1 as a daily. I do understand that 15.1 is not even beta yet. That guy has obviously done quite a bit of work. Nice to see the HTC 10 has not been forgotten.

Multiple issues - Advise on clean-slate reset?

Apologies for cryptic title. My Mi A1 has multiple issues and a patchy update history. I don't know how to narrow this down to a single, simple question. Hope someone can help to make sense of this.
History: Bought new with stock Android One, Oreo. Few months later updated to Android One, Pie (official update). This caused big problems with wifi (connections constantly dropped and VERY slow downloads). Thought about reverting to Oreo, but decided to change to Lineage (which at the time was Oreo). So I downgraded from Android One Pie to Lineage 15 (Oreo). Generally worked OK, but with 3 big problems:
1. No sound during phone calls (I can't hear them, they can't hear me). Found a workaround involving editing the build.prop file (sorry, can't post link), but fix is temporary and needs regular re-boots.
2. Fingerprint sensor not working (no options to set fingerprint).
3. Camera app lost functionality related to dual lens.
I subsequently updated from LOS 15 (Oreo) to LOS 16 (Pie). Issues still there.
I wonder if I have some missing/incompatible vendor firmware components, but I don't really understand how this works. If I download and install, say, a LOS rom, does it contain EVERYTHING my phone needs to work, or do I need to already have some proprietary bits somewhere on the phone?
Is my best bet to start afresh (clean slate) and if so what would you recommend? Any help/insight greatly appreciated!
Hey pal, the Android Pie Firmware has some kind of anti-roll back protection, so when you install a non-pie ROM such as LOS 15 using Pie Firmware you'll have that problems like no-fingerprint, no incall audio, etc. If you install an Oreo Firmware with an Oreo ROM, you'll have fingerprint but no IMEI/Signal (and other problems).
You have 2 options:
1) Update your firmware to the latest Pie version and install a ROM like Pixel Experience or HavocOS (both Pie) and you're set, IMEI, Signal, Audio and Fingerprints will be working OK.
2) Install the latest Pie compilation using MiFlash and leave it stock.
Greetings.
Thanks for prompt reply! Can you spell something out for me please?
Regarding 1) I have already updated to LOS 16, which is Pie. Is that what you meant by "update your firmware to the latest pie"? Or do you mean a stock firmware? If the latter, then I could find a MIUI rom (from en.miui.com) but not Android One.
Regarding 2) Again, by "latest Pie compilation" do you mean the stock rom, like the MIUI mentioned above?
Thanks

Any 8.1 Oreo Roms with updates and vendor image question

I was basically wondering if yall could put me onto roms which are 8.1 oreo based but which are still updated regularly for example like the Lineage OS 15.1 roms. Also I had a question about vendor images, from what I understand these are where the security updates and that stuff is stored, would it be possible to somehow use different vendor images with more recent updates on older roms which come with older versions, would it be possible to restore a newer vendor image using TWRP recovery or something like that on an older rom?
Thanks yall.
TaZeR369 said:
I was basically wondering if yall could put me onto roms which are 8.1 oreo based but which are still updated regularly for example like the Lineage OS 15.1 roms. Also I had a question about vendor images, from what I understand these are where the security updates and that stuff is stored, would it be possible to somehow use different vendor images with more recent updates on older roms which come with older versions, would it be possible to restore a newer vendor image using TWRP recovery or something like that on an older rom?
Thanks yall.
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Security updates are not stored on the vendor. If that was the case even los wouldn't be able to apply security updates then, AFAIK they are kernel based. The only 8.1 ROM still being up date is los which you already know.
Oh I see that makes sense. I guess back porting security fixes to older ROMs is a lot of hard work then I won't even bother.
TaZeR369 said:
Oh I see that makes sense. I guess back porting security fixes to older ROMs is a lot of hard work then I won't even bother.
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I've never even heard of anyone trying this. You wouldn't "back port security updates" you would take the most current ROM source and make a new build. When los stops making upstream changes to a ROM you wouldn't even be able to do that. You would have to take their old source and merge the security updates in yourself, since they don't any more, then make a build and hope there's no build errors for you to fix.

Android 12.1 ROM comparisons.

I have the unofficial LOS 19.1 currently installed. Other than the lack of TWRP, I'm satisfied with it. But I see there are two other options available. official and crDroid. Is there any reason I should switch to one of those two? Are there differences in the recovery versions? If TWRP was available, I'd just make a backup of my current ROM and give the other two a try. But as it stands, getting back to my working current version isn't that simple.
Why do you have unofficial?
Wobbo-Q said:
Why do you have unofficial?
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Because it came out first and I haven't been given a sound reason to switch. Why fix what ain't broken?
I like to use the official version. They provide weekly firmware updates.
Wobbo-Q said:
I like to use the official version. They provide weekly firmware updates.
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To each his own. Personally, I don't care about weekly updates. Unless an update fixes something that I use, or it includes a major security update, I don't care about it. Manually updating every couple of months does it for me.
I am also in unofficial build for now but the official thing is making me wanna try it...but should we just flash it and format data or should be flash recovery provided too?
I would follow LineageOS guide. You will use something other than TWRP. You then use one of LineageOS. This one is quite limited but looks nice (not very important). But I don't need all the features of TWRP, I don't understand it anyway. LOL
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gta4xl/install

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