Prerequisites
In order to complete the steps below, you need to have the Android SDK installed. The SDK contains the latest version of adb and fastboot, which you will need for flashing files and issuing commands. You will also need a MicroUSB cable to execute adb sideload, fastboot flash, and other commands. You also need to unlock your bootloader - a process that wipes your data.
Enable Developer options by going to the Settings -> About screen and tapping Build number until the OS unlocks the hidden Developer options menu. Now go to Developer options and make sure you have USB debugging turned on. For security purposes, you can turn it off after we're done.
To unlock the bootloader, if you haven't already done so:
Reboot into the bootloader by issuing an adb reboot bootloader command on your computer or holding VolDn+Power while booting (power off, hold VolDn, then hold Power).
Warning: This will wipe your data. Type in fastboot oem unlock on your computer. Agree to the unlock by selecting Yes on your tablet (VolUp, then Power).
You have now unlocked your bootloader (and the data partition was wiped clean). Verify by rebooting to the bootloader again and looking at Lock State.
wm_IMG_20130809_162939
The Steps
Download the full factory image corresponding to your exact model (for example, 2013 Nexus 7 Wi-Fi is razor), which includes the full system, bootloader, recovery, kernel (boot.img), and radio (radio not included for Wi-Fi-only variants). It's a clean slate for these components - they'll flash cleanly over anything you have now.
Unpack the tgz (tar/gz) archive into its own directory. I use Total Commander, but you can use any tool that reads gz and tar, like 7-Zip:
image
Proceed with this step if you want to keep your data intact. If you skip this step, your data will be wiped. With your favorite text editor, edit (be careful not to run it by accident instead of editing) flash-all.bat (if you're on Windows) or flash-all.sh (Mac, Linux) and remove "-w" from the fastboot update command. For example, if the line reads fastboot -w update image-razor-jss15j.zip, it should now read fastboot update image-razor-jss15j.zip. The -w option instructs fastboot to wipe data.
Reboot into the bootloader and run the appropriate flash-all script:
8-9-2013 5-20-09 PM
That's it, you're done. In my case, the Nexus 7 is now running stock Android 4.3:
wm_Screenshot_2013-08-09-16-32-51
Note: The above procedure restored the factory recovery, so if you want a custom one, you can flash one now (see below).
For better security, you can relock the bootloader by issuing fastboot oem lock while booted to the bootloader. This will, however, mean that if you ever want to do anything that requires an unlocked bootloader, you will lose your data in the unlock process.
Rooting
Rooting a Nexus 7 is very easy. It requires an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery. I recommend using TWRP.
Flash TWRP from here (Reboot into the bootloader as before and then fastboot flash recovery FILENAME.img).
Reboot into recovery (adb reboot recovery or hold VolUp and Power while booting).
Flash SuperSU from this post. To do that, download the zip, then put the recovery into adb sideload mode (in TWRP, it's under Advanced), and then do adb sideload FILENAME.zip. I've seen some people complain that doing so via CWM doesn't work, but flashing through TWRP and selecting Fix Superuser Permissions at the end does the trick.
You should be rooted.
Reboot, head to the Play Store, and update SuperSU.
wm_IMG_20130809_172741
To see full article with pictures go to source : cloudandro.com//revu_2_en.html
This is Nvidia's own instruictions which I just followed works great! For new members please be aware that you may have to edit a command given in the instructions below which I will point out (depends on what OTA you have downloaded) for example
fastboot flash dtb tegra124-tn8-p1761-1270-a04-e-battery.dtb Highlighted in red is the name you may have to change within the extracted ota, Just look in the extracted file and locate the .dtb now just copy and paste the name of your .dtb and change the fastboot command --> example--> fastboot flash dtb tegra144-tn8-p1761-1270-a04-xda-battery.dtb
Please Read Carefully!
Follow here to get OTA
http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/general/shield-tablet-otas-t2847116
What you must have
You need a unlocked boot loader instructions further below.
Also in cmw recovery, please wipe all partions! and reboot in to fastboot mode whilst still in recovery!
SHIELD RECOVERY IMAGE FLASHING INSTRUCTIONS
To follow the instructions in this guide, you will need adb and fastboot.
These tools are provided as part of the Android SDK:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
or you can just download this little .exe Minimal ADB and Fastboot this is what I used.please extract your recovery.zip into where you have installed Minimal ADB and Fastboot example c:\program files x86\Minimal ADB and fastboot.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1S0LCuXCnnmSWh6NGJmSE1BUWc/edit?usp=sharing
Before flashing this recovery image to your SHIELD, connect your SHIELD
via USB to the PC where you downloaded this recovery image example same as above c:\program files x86\Minimal ADB and fastboot.
Next, put your SHIELD into fastboot mode using one of the following methods:
SW method 1:
- Boot to android home screen
- Connect the device to linux/windows system
- Open terminal (on linux); command prompt (on windows).
- Type "adb reboot bootloader" in terminal/command prompt
HW method 2 :
- Turn off the device
- Press and hold "Back"+"Home"+"SHIELD" buttons till device boots
To flash this recovery image to your SHIELD, run the following commands from
the directory where you extracted the recovery image package. If this is the
first time you have done this procedure, you must unlock the bootloader (see
below):
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash staging blob
fastboot flash dtb tegra124-tn8-p1761-1270-a04-e-battery.dtb <---------------------------------------------------------------------
Now restart your device
now wait a min or two and you have just returned to stock!
Unlocking the Bootloader
Your SHIELD may have shipped with a locked bootloader. To update the device,
you must unlock the bootloader using the following:
- fastboot oem unlock
- Press the Home button on the device to highlight "Unlock".
- Press the Shield button to confirm the unlock. Your device's bootloader is now unlocked.
Also worth noting that on Linux, you can install the "android-tools" package that gives you ADB and Fastboot anywhere.
For example, on fedora 20, run:
$ sudo yum install android-tools
Make sure you run fastboot with su- privileges (not doing this caused me no end of frustration before finding out why my device wasn't detected).
MRobbo80 said:
This is Nvidia's own instruictions which I just followed works great! For new members please be aware that you may have to edit a command given in the instructions below which I will point out (depends on what OTA you have downloaded).
Unlocking the Bootloader
Your SHIELD may have shipped with a locked bootloader. To update the device,
you must unlock the bootloader using the following:
- fastboot oem unlock
- Press the Home button on the device to highlight "Unlock".
- Press the Shield button to confirm the unlock. Your device's bootloader is now unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm having a little trouble unlocking. Am I to understand that you unlock with the device turned on ? because otherwise there isn't a home button...and where is the shield button ? I only have power and volume
buttons. This looks like the unlock method for the Shield not the Shield Tablet.
Sent from my Shield Tab
Wulfpk said:
Umm having a little trouble unlocking. Am I to understand that you unlock with the device turned on ? because otherwise there isn't a home button...and where is the shield button ? I only have power and volume
buttons. This looks like the unlock method for the Shield not the Shield Tablet.
Sent from my Shield Tab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your device should first be turned on. Then connect to PC and open a command prompt in your Android tools folder (where the ADB file resides) and type, "ADB reboot bootloader" (without the quotation marks).
Can I flash a ROW image in a US device?
[SIZE=+3]Heisenberg's How-To Guide For Beginners[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Nexus 5X[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=+1]Intro[/SIZE]
This thread will serve as a location for basic how-to guides for the Nexus 5X. I'm going to start off with a couple of the more obvious ones and go from there. If anyone has any suggestions for additions please feel free to let me know.
If you're unsure about something please read the FAQ section in post #2 before creating a post to ask a question.
[size=+1]Prerequisites[/size]:
You'll need a working adb/fastboot environment on your PC to get through some of these guides. Below are two options for install.
Please do not install adb/fastboot via any means other than the Android SDK, using other tools (like Minimal adb & fastboot) can lead to an outdated setup and various problems with flashing. You've been warned, other tools will not be supported in this thread.
Option A
Google hosts ADB/Fastboot (platform-tools) for Windows, OSX, and Linux. This is a minimal download, in contrast to Option 2. These links and file sizes may be updated periodically by Google. If using Windows, download the Google USB Driver and follow the driver install instructions. Once you have downloaded the platform-tools zip, extract the file then transfer the platform-tools folder to your desktop. The platform-tools folder contains adb, fastboot, and several other files. Note that clicking any link for platform-tools will immediately start a download.
*Windows: platform-tools. Google USB Driver install.
*OSX: platform-tools. For additional details on how to use OSX and adb/fastboot commands, see post #3.
*Linux: platform-tools.
See Option B below for old method to install adb/fastboot:
Option B
Go here to download the Android SDK, which will give you most updated version of adb and fastboot. Scroll to the bottom of the page and find Other Download Options>SDK Tools Only, and grab the right version for your OS. While it's downloading create a folder in C:\ called SDK (C:\SDK). Once you've downloaded the zip you can extract it into your C:\SDK folder. Navigate to C:\SDK\android-sdk-windows and open SDK Manager.exe. In SDK Manager you need to install the following packages:
Tools> Android SDK Tools, Android SDK Platform-tools
Extras> Android Support Repository, Google USB Driver
Once you have installed those, inside C:\SDK you should see some new folders, one of them will be called platform-tools, within that folder you should see fastboot.exe and adb.exe. I'll refer to this as your fastboot folder/directory or working folder/directory during this guide.
For Option A and B, make sure adb is correctly installed. Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (hold shift + right click, select open command prompt here) and issue this command:
Code:
adb version
If it returns a version number for Android Debug Bridge then you're good to go.
You can test adb by connecting your device to your PC while booted into Android (making sure that adb/usb debugging is enabled in Settings>Developer Options) with the screen unlocked and issuing this command:
Code:
adb devices
It should return your device serial number, if so, adb is working.
You can test fastboot by connecting your device to your PC while booted into the bootloader (power + volume down) and issuing this command:
Code:
fastboot devices
It should return your device serial number, if so, fastboot is working.
By attempting any of the processes listed this thread you accept full responsibility for your actions. I will not be held responsible if your device stops working, catches on fire, or turns into a hipster and claims to have been modified before it was cool.
[SIZE=+1]Quick Tips[/SIZE]
How to boot into the bootloader:
Power off your device. Once it's powered off hold power + volume down and the phone will boot into the bootloader. You can also use the following adb command:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
You can also use an app called Quick Boot to boot into the bootloader directly from Android (root required).
How to boot into recovery:
Boot into the bootloader (see above), use the volume keys to scroll through the options and use the power button to select the recovery mode option. You can also use the following adb command:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
You can also use an app called Quick Boot to boot into the recovery directly from Android (root required).
[SIZE=+1]Index[/SIZE]
How To Unlock Your Bootloader
How To Install A Custom Recovery On Your Device
How To Decrypt Your Data Partition
How To Make A Nandroid Backup With TWRP Recovery
How To Make An EFS Backup With TWRP Recovery
How To Root
How To Install A ROM with TWRP Recovery
How To Install A Custom Kernel With TWRP Recovery
How To Update To A New Build Of The Stock ROM
How To Flash The Factory Images (Return To Stock)
How To Flash The Factory Images (Return To Stock But Leaving Internal Storage Intact)
FAQ can be found in post #2!
[SIZE=+1]1. How To Unlock Your Bootloader[/SIZE]
Go into Settings/About Phone, scroll down and click on ?build number? continuously until you see a toast notification telling you that you've enabled Developer Options. Go back to your Settings menu and enter Developer Options, scroll down and click on the ?Enable OEM Unlock? checkbox, also make sure you enable USB Debugging while you're in the Developer Options menu.
Power off your phone then boot into the bootloader (power + volume down).
Connect your phone to your PC via usb cable.
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here).
Check your fastboot connection by issuing this command:
Code:
fastboot devices
It should return your device serial number, if not you need to make sure your drivers are installed correctly.
Once you've confirmed your fastboot connection issue this command:
Code:
fastboot oem unlock
This will erase all user data from the device!
You should now see a screen on your phone asking you to confirm this action, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to confirm if you're sure you want to go ahead.
Allow the process to complete and then issue this command:
Code:
fastboot reboot
Allow everything to go ahead and once finished you can disconnect your usb cable.
Important: do not relock your bootloader unless your phone is fully stock. You must flash the factory images first in order to remove root and custom recovery (if you have them), if this precaution isn't taken you may end up with a brick. Please see section 10 of this guide for full instructions on how to return to stock.
[SIZE=+1]2. How To Install A Custom Recovery On Your Device[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1). Please read FAQ #7 if using TWRP 3.0.2-1 or 3.0.2-2.
Download TWRP Recovery onto your PC.
Make sure you check the md5 to verify its integrity (where possible).
Place the file in your fastboot folder (this is where fastboot.exe is located on your PC).
Power off your phone then boot into the bootloader (power + volume down).
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here), enter this command:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery filename.img
(The recovery filename in the command will change depending on which recovery you're flashing)
Use the volume keys to scroll and power key to select the Reboot Bootloader option. Once the phone has booted back into the bootloader, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to boot into your newly flashed recovery. It's now safe to disconnect your usb cable. If using Nougat 7.0 or newer, you must now boot directly into TWRP and flash SuperSU (or your preferred root alternative) so that TWRP will persist between reboots.
When TWRP boots up you'll be asked whether you want to allow system modifications or to keep it read-only, choose to allow system modifications, there's no benefit to keeping it read-only.
Do not flash the version of SuperSU that TWRP offers to flash for you in order to give you root, it is not compatible and will cause problems. When you attempt to reboot out of TWRP it will tell you that it's detecting that you don't have root and it will offer to root for you, skip past this.
Some users need a custom recovery for a temporary period, so they live boot the recovery. In this scenario, the custom recovery replaces the stock recovery until a reboot is performed. Place the file in your fastboot folder then enter this command:
Code:
fastboot boot filename.img
(The recovery filename in the command will change depending on which recovery you're flashing)
[SIZE=+1]3. How To Decrypt Your Data Partition[/SIZE]
This is no longer necessary as long as you use TWRP 2.8.7.1 or newer
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1).
TWRP recovery cannot decrypt your data partition at this stage. In order for TWRP to be able to read/write on your data partition (to root or create a nandroid backup) you will need to format it, a format will remove encryption.
Boot into the bootloader and connect your phone to your PC via usb cable.
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here), enter this command:
Code:
fastboot format userdata
Please note: this will erase all user data from the device!
Once the process has completed you can either reboot normally:
Code:
fastboot reboot
Or you can reboot back to the bootloader in order to undertake another task:
Code:
fastboot reboot-bootloader
[SIZE=+1]4. How To Make A Nandroid Backup With TWRP Recovery[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1), TWRP recovery (section 2).
A nandroid backup is a very important thing to have before installing any custom software on your device. It's basically a backup of your stock system that you can fall back on if anything goes wrong or if you just want your stock ROM back. You can also use the backup tool to create a backup of your favourite ROM set up exactly the way you like it. The backup you create can be easily restored using the restore tool in TWRP recovery.
Boot TWRP recovery, select the backup option from the TWRP home screen, check the system/data/boot boxes, and swipe to backup. The process will take a few minutes.
[SIZE=+1]5. How To Make An EFS Backup With TWRP Recovery[/SIZE]
An EFS backup is very important to have, if your EFS partition becomes corrupt you will have no IMEI, and therefore will not be able to use the phone as a phone. Making an EFS backup is insurance against this catastrophic event. Without a backup, restoring your EFS can be extremely difficult or impossible. The backup you create can be easily restored using the restore tool in TWRP recovery.
Please read FAQ #7 if using TWRP 3.0.2-1 or 3.0.2-2. Boot into TWRP and select the backup option from the TWRP home screen, make sure only the EFS box is selected, and swipe to backup. The process will take a few seconds. Keep a copy of the backup on your phone and also keep another copy somewhere safe.
[SIZE=+1]6. How To Root[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1), TWRP recovery (section 2).
Download the latest root method of your choosing to your phone:
Magisk
SuperSU Stable
SuperSU Service Release (SuperSU beta channel)
Or to root Android Nougat 7.0 visit this thread: Use SuperSU 2.78 or newer.
[WIP] Android N Preview
Boot into TWRP recovery and enter the install menu.
Navigate to where you have SuperSU stored on your internal storage and select it.
Swipe to install.
Once you've installed SuperSU you'll have an option to wipe cache/dalvik and an option to reboot system. Wipe the cache/dalvik, hit the back button, and hit the reboot system button. That's it.
Do not flash the version of SuperSU that TWRP offers to flash for you in order to give you root, it is not compatible and will cause problems. When you attempt to reboot out of TWRP it will tell you that it's detecting that you don't have root and it will offer to root for you, skip past this. You do have root, ignore this every time it comes up.
[SIZE=+1]7. How To Install A ROM with TWRP Recovery[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1), TWRP recovery (section 2), vendor.img (section 9).
Installing a ROM is a straight forward and easy process. Before you install anything you should make a nandroid backup (instructions above). Next, install the vendor.img that matches the Google security OTA that the ROM you want to install is based on. Find the vendor.img inside the factory images provided by Google then flash this file with fastboot (section 9).
Download a ROM and appropriate Gapps package and place on your device.
Boot into your custom recovery.
Select the wipe option from the TWRP home screen.
Perform a Factory Reset.
Select advanced wipe.
Check the system, data, cache, and dalvik cache options.
Swipe to wipe.
Install the ROM.
Select the install option from the TWRP home screen.
Navigate to where you have the ROM zip stored on your sd card and select it.
Swipe to install.
Most ROMs will run an installer script at this point but some ROMs have what is called an Aroma Installer which allow you to choose some install options before the script runs.
You will also need to install the appropriate gapps package directly after installing the ROM.
Once you've installed all necessary zips you'll have an option to wipe cache/dalvik and an option to reboot system. Wipe the cache/dalvik, hit the back button, and hit the reboot system button.
[SIZE=+1]8. How To Install A Custom Kernel With TWRP Recovery[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1), TWRP recovery (section 2).
A custom kernel can open up a new level of control over your device, such as overclocking/underclocking, undervolting, changing governors, changing I/O schedulers, adjusting colour calibrations, adjusting sound calibrations, and many other options.
Download a kernel that is compatible with your current ROM.
Check the md5 to verify its integrity.
Enter TWRP recovery.
Select the install option from the TWRP home screen.
Navigate to the kernel and select it.
Swipe to install.
You'll have an option to wipe cache/dalvik and an option to reboot system. Wipe the cache/dalvik, hit the back button, and hit the reboot system button.
Once your phone has booted up you can use a kernel tuning app to change governors, I/O scheduler, clock speed, and other options. Some of the popular kernel apps are Kernel Auditor, EX Kernel Manager, Trickster Mod, No Frills, Kernel Tuner, and many more.
[SIZE=+1]9. How To Update To A New Build Of The Stock ROM[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1).
This method does not wipe your data, so you will keep your apps and settings. You should have no problems, however, if you experience problems you may need to perform a factory reset and flash again. Make a backup first and transfer it to your PC.
Download the latest build via the appropriate factory images for your model (Nexus 5X/Bullhead) here.
Note: Android 7.1.2 and newer factory images do not contain cache.img. Do not wipe the cache.img for this process when using or moving to Android 7.1.2 or newer. If you have wiped cache.img, download the most recent Android 7.1.1 factory image and flash the cache.img from that zip archive.
Unzip the bullhead-xxxxxx-factory-xxxxxxxx (x's replace variables) into a directory on your PC (for this guide we'll use C:\bullhead\).
Once unzipped you should have a folder named bullhead-xxxxxx (x's replace variables). Open it and move the following files to a new directory named C:\bullhead\images\:
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
(Please note that radio and bootloader naming changes from build to build so the filenames and below commands will change with them)
Within C:\bullhead\bullhead-xxxxxx\ you'll see another zip archive named image-bullhead-xxxxxx, unzip the contents of that zip into the C:\bullhead\images\ folder we created before. Now within C:\bullhead\images\ you should have the following files:
android-info.txt
boot.img
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
cache.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
recovery.img
system.img
userdata.img
vendor.img
Boot into the bootloader and connect your phone to your PC via usb cable.
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here), enter these commands to flash:
Code:
fastboot flash bootloader C:\bullhead\images\bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash radio C:\bullhead\images\radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash boot C:\bullhead\images\boot.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash cache C:\bullhead\images\cache.img
fastboot flash recovery C:\bullhead\images\recovery.img
fastboot flash system C:\bullhead\images\system.img
fastboot flash vendor C:\bullhead\images\vendor.img
You can skip flashing the recovery if you wish, but even if you do the stock recovery may be patched on the first boot anyway. So you'll need to flash TWRP and SuperSU again if you need/want those, as well as any other system modifications you may have had.
You'll have to flash SuperSU again now, plus add any mods that you previously had.
[SIZE=+1]10. How To Flash The Factory Images (And Return To Stock)[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1).
This section will explain how to return the phone to be like it was when it came out of the box. This will wipe everything from the phone. If you wish to flash the factory images without wiping your personal data from the internal storage please move on to the next section.
Note: Android 7.1.2 and newer factory images do not contain cache.img. Do not wipe the cache.img for this process when using or moving to Android 7.1.2 or newer. If you have wiped cache.img, download the most recent Android 7.1.1 factory image and flash the cache.img from that zip archive.
Go to Settings/Backup & Reset and perform a factory data reset. This will remove all of your user data from the device (apps, settings, photos, music, etc).
Download the appropriate factory images for your model here.
Unzip the bullhead-xxxxxx-factory-xxxxxxxx (x's replace variables) into a directory on your PC (for this guide we'll use C:\bullhead\).
Once unzipped you should have a folder named bullhead-xxxxxx (x's replace variables). Open it and move the following files to a new directory named C:\bullhead\images\:
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
(Please note that radio and bootloader naming changes from build to build so the filenames and below commands will change with them)
Within C:\bullhead\bullhead-xxxxxx\ you'll see another zip archive named image-bullhead-xxxxxx, unzip the contents of that zip into the C:\bullhead\images\ folder we created before. Now within C:\bullhead\images\ you should have the following files:
android-info.txt
boot.img
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
cache.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
recovery.img
system.img
userdata.img
vendor.img
Boot into the bootloader and connect your phone to your PC via usb cable.
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here), enter these commands to flash:
Code:
fastboot flash bootloader C:\bullhead\images\bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash radio C:\bullhead\images\radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash boot C:\bullhead\images\boot.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash cache C:\bullhead\images\cache.img
fastboot flash recovery C:\bullhead\images\recovery.img
fastboot flash system C:\bullhead\images\system.img
fastboot flash vendor C:\bullhead\images\vendor.img
If you wish to you can also relock the bootloader with this command:
Code:
fastboot oem lock
(This command will wipe all user data from the device)
Important: do not lock the bootloader unless you have first flashed the stock images. Locking the bootloader while you have a custom recovery installed can result in a brick. Please also note that the locking procedure will wipe all data on an encrypted device.
Once all commands/flashes are complete you can reboot the device:
Code:
fastboot reboot
[SIZE=+1]11. How To Flash The Factory Images (Return To Stock But Leaving Internal Storage Intact)[/SIZE]
Prerequisites: unlocked bootloader (section 1), TWRP recovery (section 2). Note: Android 7.1.2 and newer factory images do not contain cache.img. Do not wipe the cache.img for this process when using or moving to Android 7.1.2 or newer. If you have wiped cache.img, download the most recent Android 7.1.1 factory image and flash the cache.img from that zip archive.
This section will explain how to return the phone to be like it was when it came out of the box, except it will not wipe any of your personal data (photos, music, etc) from the internal storage.
Download the appropriate factory images for your model here.
Unzip the bullhead-xxxxxx-factory-xxxxxxxx (x's replace variables) into a directory on your PC (for this guide we'll use C:\bullhead\).
Once unzipped you should have a folder named bullhead-xxxxxx (x's replace variables). Open it and move the following files to a new directory named C:\bullhead\images\:
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
(Please note that radio and bootloader naming changes from build to build so the filenames and below commands will change with them)
Within C:\bullhead\bullhead-xxxxxx\ you'll see another zip archive named image-bullhead-xxxxxx, unzip the contents of that zip into the C:\bullhead\images\ folder we created before. Now within C:\bullhead\images\ you should have the following files:
android-info.txt
boot.img
bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
cache.img
radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
recovery.img
system.img
userdata.img
vendor.img
Boot into TWRP recovery and enter the wipe menu, select advanced wipe, check only the data box and swipe to wipe.
Go to the TWRP main menu and enter the reboot menu, select bootloader. The phone will now boot into the bootloader, once it has you can connect your phone to your PC via usb cable.
Open a command prompt from within your fastboot folder (navigate to where you have fastboot.exe located on your PC, shift + right click anywhere within that folder, select open command prompt here), enter these commands to flash:
Code:
fastboot flash bootloader C:\bullhead\images\bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash radio C:\bullhead\images\radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
fastboot flash boot C:\bullhead\images\boot.img
fastboot erase cache
fastboot flash cache C:\bullhead\images\cache.img
fastboot flash recovery C:\bullhead\images\recovery.img
fastboot flash system C:\bullhead\images\system.img
fastboot flash vendor C:\bullhead\images\vendor.img
Once all commands/flashes are complete you can reboot the device:
Code:
fastboot reboot
FAQ can be found in post #2!
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[size=+1]Frequently Asked Questions[/size]
1. How do I boot into the bootloader?
Power off your device. Once it's powered off hold power + volume down and the phone will boot into the bootloader. You can also use the following adb command:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
You can also use an app called Quick Boot to boot into the bootloader directly from Android (root required).
2. How do I boot into recovery?
Boot into the bootloader (see above), use the volume keys to scroll through the options and use the power button to select the recovery mode option. You can also use the following adb command:
Code:
adb reboot recovery
You can also use an app called Quick Boot to boot into the recovery directly from Android (root required).
3. When issuing the fastboot flashing unlock command it doesn't work, I only get a list of possible commands. What's going on?
This is usually due to having an outdated adb/fastboot setup. If you installed adb/fastboot by any means other than via the Android SDK this is probably the cause. Visit the prerequisites section in the beginning of this guide to properly install adb/fastboot and ensure that it's up to date.
4. How do I take an OTA or update if I have root or other system modifications on the stock ROM?
You can't take an OTA update while you have root or any system modifications. You'd need to use fastboot to flash the system, boot, and recovery images. It's much easier to just flash the newer build with fastboot, see section 9 of this guide for full instructions.
5. Does taking an OTA update wipe my user data?
No, it doesn't.
6. Do I need to make an EFS backup?
Absolutely yes. An EFS backup is extremely important. If your EFS partition becomes corrupt, your IMEI will disappear and you will not be able to use the phone as a phone. Without a backup it can be extremely difficult (or impossible) to restore your EFS. See the next question for an EFS backup related issue and solution.
7. I have a bootloop after restoring my EFS backup in TWRP 3.0.2-1. What can I do?
TWRP 3.0.2-1 and 3.0.2-2 are the first official TWRP releases with Nougat 7.0 or newer compatibility. Unfortunately, there are separate bugs affecting TWRP 3.0.2-1 and 3.0.2-2. A member of the TWRP development team details these issues right here. This link redirects to a thread in the Nexus 6P forums but also applies to the Nexus 5X. Read the original post of that same thread to learn how to resolve this EFS restore bootloop. You must use ADB and the phone must be booted in TWRP to resolve this issue. These ADB commands work on the Nexus 5X and 6P.
8. Can I flash just the xxxxxx.img from the factory image without losing my data?
Flashing userdata.img will format your entire phone (personal data including SMS/MMS, pictures, downloaded files, etc). You can flash any combination of these partitions (boot, system, vendor, radio, or bootloader) and this will leave your personal data intact. However, any mods that you have installed into system, vendor, or boot will be overwritten and returned to the default factory image setup when you flash these partitions. Flashing recovery.img or a newer version of your custom recovery will replace your existing recovery.
9. After updating my ROM, I get this message on every boot: "There's an internal problem with your device. Contact your manufacturer."
This warning indicates a mismatched vendor and system partition. The vendor partition was formerly integrated in the system partition for previous Nexus devices but is now a separate partition that must be flashed for each Google security update. Download a factory image and update your vendor partition using fastboot so that it matches your rom's OS build and monthly security update. If you have a file explorer installed on your phone, you can determine which vendor.img is installed by navigating to /vendor/build.prop and clicking on the build.prop. The specific vendor installed will be a combination of six numbers and letters listed in all capitals (example: NMF26F) in the ro.vendor.build.fingerprint line. These will always match up with the factory image of the same Android build (six digit alphanumeric name) for this device.
Vendor.img is specific to each OTA and contains proprietary binaries for the phone that regularly receive updates to resolve security risks. If you are a custom rom user, make sure that you flash the vendor.img for the Google monthly security update that you are moving to. Be aware that sometimes AOSP roms utilize the AOSP master branch which has a newer Android build than the monthly security update for this device. You will still need to install that month's vendor.img.
The phone will fail to boot if you mismatch the vendor.img with a different Android version. For instance, a 6.0 Marshmallow vendor.img will not allow your phone to boot on 7.0 Nougat. The vendor.img is typically not included in the custom rom zip but is often available as a separate download in the custom rom thread's first post.
Reserved #2
Reserved #3
OSX, ADB and Fastboot commands!
So you use OSX and would like to use ADB/fastboot, unlock, root, or simply have a working knowledge of your phone. Welcome! Most of the information in the guide above applies to OSX, however there are a few key changes.
Google hosts ADB/Fastboot (platform-tools) for Windows, OSX, and Linux. This is a minimal download, however these links and file sizes may be updated periodically by Google. Download the OSX platform-tools. Note that clicking the link for platform-tools will immediately start a download.
*OSX: platform-tools.
Once you have downloaded the platform-tools zip, extract the file then transfer the platform-tools folder to your desktop. The platform-tools folder contains adb, fastboot, and several other files.
To make sure your ADB is installed correctly, open a terminal command prompt and issue this cd command (change directory) to the platform-tools folder:
Code:
cd /users/username/desktop/platform-tools
then issue this command to check your adb version:
Code:
./adb version
If it returns a version number for Android Debug Bridge then you're good to go.
Using ADB/Fastboot commands
OSX natively requires "./" to prefix any ADB or Fastboot commands. If following the guide in post #1, commands issued in OSX must be written as follows ./adb [command] or ./fastboot [command]. Below are example scenarios.
To check if your device sees ADB, enable USB Debugging from within Android in Settings/Developer options. Go into Settings/About Phone, scroll down and click on build number continuously until you see a toast notification telling you that you've enabled Developer Options. Go back to your Settings menu and enter Developer Options, scroll down and enable USB Debugging.
Code:
./adb devices
It should return your device serial number, if so, adb is working.
Reboot into the bootloader:
Code:
./adb reboot bootloader
Reboot into the recovery:
Code:
./adb reboot recovery
Fastboot commands must be performed while in the bootloader. Power off your phone then boot into the bootloader (power + volume down). Below are some example OSX fastboot commands that can be used throughout the guide:
Check if your device sees fastboot:
Code:
./fastboot devices
Install a factory image:
cd into the platform-tools folder with the following command:
Code:
cd /users/username/desktop/platform-tools
Now enter commands to flash a factory image:
Code:
./fastboot flash bootloader /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/bootloader-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
./fastboot reboot-bootloader
./fastboot flash radio /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/radio-bullhead-bullhead-xx.xx.img
./fastboot reboot-bootloader
./fastboot flash boot /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/boot.img
./fastboot erase cache
./fastboot flash cache /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/cache.img
./fastboot flash recovery /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/recovery.img
./fastboot flash system /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/system.img
./fastboot flash vendor /users/username/desktop/bullhead/images/vendor.img
@Heisenberg you mind if i create an index thread?
reyscott1968 said:
@Heisenberg you mind if i create an index thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go right ahead, first in best dressed as far as I'm concerned. It is a fair bit of work to keep an index maintained though, as long as you're aware. There's a new template for indexes too, using your Google goggles you should be able to track it down pretty easily.
Heisenberg said:
Go right ahead, first in best dressed as far as I'm concerned. It is a fair bit of work to keep an index maintained though, as long as you're aware. There's a new template for indexes too, using your Google goggles you should be able to track it down pretty easily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
il take note.. il update the thread once im back on my pc.. now still at work ...
Deleted...
Should have read the first lines in the OP
Cant wait, should have mine around october 30th.
Might want to point out the cable /adapter required to connect to pc. (I just saw that it's not included with the phone.)
AquilaDroid said:
Might want to point out the cable /adapter required to connect to pc. (I just saw that it's not included with the phone.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked up a few of these to get me by for now until the price of Type-C goes down a bit http://www.ebay.com/itm/381344035966
I ordered one along with my phone, will be helpful for flashing.
Thanks, a friend of mine pre order this phone, I'll follow these steps
Thanks for starting this, these were some of the most helpful threads in the N5 forum.
For Mac users who have upgraded to El Capitan, the adb/fastboot installation doesn't necessarily work perfectly right now. I'm sure the Android SDK package will update for this, but in the mean time:
Install adb/fastboot as usual similar to this thread, or for specifics:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1917237
but, once you test this with [adb devices] or [fastboot devices] you'll most likely get a command not found error.
You'll need to add a line to your ~/.bash_profile, per this reddit thread
add the following line to your ~/.bash_profile, changing username to your mac username
Code:
export PATH="/usr/local/lib/node_modules:/usr/local/apache-maven-3.0.3/bin:/Users/[B]username[/B]/.composer/vendor/bin:/Users/[B]username[/B]/Library/Android/sdk/platform-tools:$PATH"
exit, save, then run
Code:
source ~/.bash_profile
then adb/fastboot should be good to go like before!
OP has best username ever
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Doesn't work!
Code:
C:\Users\Kevin\Downloads\Nexus 5x>fastboot oem unlock
...
FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.017s
C:\Users\Kevin\Downloads\Nexus 5x>fastboot flashing unlock
...
FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.014s
C:\Users\Kevin\Downloads\Nexus 5x>fastboot flashing unlock_critical
...
FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.011s
C:\Users\Kevin\Downloads\Nexus 5x>fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability
...
(bootloader) get_unlock_ability: 0
OKAY [ 0.020s]
finished. total time: 0.022s
The-Kevster said:
Doesn't work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you allow OEM Unlock in developer options?
Go into Settings/About Phone, scroll down and click on “build number” continuously until you see a toast notification telling you that you've enabled Developer Options. Go back to your Settings menu and enter Developer Options, scroll down and click on the “Enable OEM Unlock” checkbox, also make sure you enable USB Debugging while you're in the Developer Options menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the 5X have the hardware QFuse that that pops when you unlock the bootloader like the 6P?
KidWave said:
Does the 5X have the hardware QFuse that that pops when you unlock the bootloader like the 6P?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They both use Qualcomm based chips so yes the same thing would happen on the 5X.
Orea beta is great but battery drain so much.
for 30 min of screen use it used 11%, is it normal ?
and I am looking to go back to Nougat, could any one please tell me how can I go back.
Thank you.
are this instructions for downgrading ?
Set up your computer for flashing
Download the fastboot tool from the Android SDK Platform-Tools package
Add it to your path so the flash scripts can find it
Connect your Essential phone to your computer with a USB cable
Enable unlocking
Before you can flash a new image, ensure Developer options are enabled and OEM unlocking is turned on. To do this:
Tap Settings, then tap System > About phone
Scroll to the bottom of the page, then tap Build number multiple times until you see the pop-up message “You are now a developer” (It usually takes seven taps)
Go back one screen to System, then tap Developer options
Find the option: OEM Unlocking and turn it on
Fastboot mode
Put your Essential Phone into fastboot mode by doing either of the following:
Use the ADB tool packaged above to run the command: adb reboot bootloader
Reboot your phone while holding the Volume-down button
Unlock your bootloader
NOTE: Installing the factory image will erase all information from your device. So remember to backup your phone before continuing.
Run the command: fastboot flashing unlock
Press the Volume-down button to navigate to the YES option, then press the Power button to confirm
Flash your factory image
Download the factory image to your computer
Unzip the downloaded file
Go to where you unzipped the images
For Linux / Mac OS X - Run the command: flashall.sh
For Windows - Run the command: flashall.bat
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/help
Yup those are them, I just did it yesterday.
Just an FYI, I found that putting Oreo on the phone resulted in ADB not working 100% anymore, such as attempting to reboot into recovery/etc. It would just reboot back into the O.S..
Here is what I did.
- download the current release you want to flash. (e.g. NMJ32F), then unzip it into a new folder.
- on your phone, verify that USB debugging and OEM unlocking are turned on in the developers menu.
- reboot your phone into the fastboot mode (power and volume down buttons)
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot flashing unlock
- This will make your phone show a new screen asking if you want to unlock the bootloader. Use the volume down to select YES, and hit the power button. It will now reboot and erase the phone. It will eventually end up booting up too request you setup the phone. (that is what it did for me.)
- reboot the phone back into the fastboot mode (power and volume down buttons)
- you should now see the bootloader listed as unlocked (vs locked)
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot devices (which should show your phones serial number and fastboot next too it.
- on your computer, using the command line, go to the unzipped folder of the NMJ32F build you downloaded
- in the folder there is a batch file you will run called flashall.bat. run it
- your phone will start flashing the NMJ32F build
- when it completes it will reboot a couple of times, erase the phone, and end up at the "lets get started" screen.
- reboot the phone back to the fastboot mode
- from your adb command line: type: fastboot flashing lock
- select the option to lock your bootloader. The phone will reboot/erase I believe, and then end up back to the "lets get started" screen.
- after you setup your phone, you can go back into the developers menu to turn off the oem unlocking
The above steps pretty much follow essentials instructions. (the essential instructions don't give some specifics.)
You are all done. (I recommend you review my instructions and the essential instructions carefully, don't copy paste commands as I may have spelled something wrong, etc.. Just wanted to give you a flow of the process.)
vjyrdy said:
are this instructions for downgrading ?
Set up your computer for flashing
Download the fastboot tool from the Android SDK Platform-Tools package
Add it to your path so the flash scripts can find it
Connect your Essential phone to your computer with a USB cable
Enable unlocking
Before you can flash a new image, ensure Developer options are enabled and OEM unlocking is turned on. To do this:
Tap Settings, then tap System > About phone
Scroll to the bottom of the page, then tap Build number multiple times until you see the pop-up message “You are now a developer” (It usually takes seven taps)
Go back one screen to System, then tap Developer options
Find the option: OEM Unlocking and turn it on
Fastboot mode
Put your Essential Phone into fastboot mode by doing either of the following:
Use the ADB tool packaged above to run the command: adb reboot bootloader
Reboot your phone while holding the Volume-down button
Unlock your bootloader
NOTE: Installing the factory image will erase all information from your device. So remember to backup your phone before continuing.
Run the command: fastboot flashing unlock
Press the Volume-down button to navigate to the YES option, then press the Power button to confirm
Flash your factory image
Download the factory image to your computer
Unzip the downloaded file
Go to where you unzipped the images
For Linux / Mac OS X - Run the command: flashall.sh
For Windows - Run the command: flashall.bat
https://forum.xda-developers.com/essential-phone/help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot get past the flashall.sh command, says permission denied everytime. I am able to execute every command to that point with out any issues. I have downloaded the latest android platform tools, and my mac is on the latest version of macOS . I have also tried to flash every single image that is available on the essential dev webpage. Any ideas would be awesome, is in possible to side load using the adb commands from the recovery menu and avoid the fastboot mode all together.
swagglepuff said:
I cannot get past the flashall.sh command, says permission denied everytime. I am able to execute every command to that point with out any issues. I have downloaded the latest android platform tools, and my mac is on the latest version of macOS . I have also tried to flash every single image that is available on the essential dev webpage. Any ideas would be awesome, is in possible to side load using the adb commands from the recovery menu and avoid the fastboot mode all together.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unlock_critical.
You can't flash all the partitions is you have not performed and unlock AND and unlock_critical.
tech_head said:
unlock_critical.
You can't flash all the partitions is you have not performed and unlock AND and unlock_critical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have ran both unlock commands successfully and still get permission denied
swagglepuff said:
I have ran both unlock commands successfully and still get permission denied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you checked the OEM unlock in developer options?
Hmmmm
tech_head said:
And you checked the OEM unlock in developer options?
Hmmmm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue has something to do with Mac and the platform tools. I was able to downgrade with no problem using a friend's Windows PC.
Sorry for the silly question, but what does this statements means?
"Add it to your path so the flash scripts can find it"
Is there any better instructions for first time user which dont include instructions like above? Thanks.
trizon2016 said:
Sorry for the silly question, but what does this statements means?
"Add it to your path so the flash scripts can find it"
Is there any better instructions for first time user which dont include instructions like above? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing confusing about that statement for Windows, MacOS or Linux.
A command path needs to exist so that when you type the command it can be found.