Develop Bugs

[Q] GPE 5.0.1 Bricked my phone - can anybody help?

Hello everyone
So I have a m8 and converted it to the GPE edition. I changed my CID & MID and installed 4.4.4. My phone was rooted and I installed custom recoveries and went back to the stock recovery.. Here is what went wrong.
Today the update 5.0.1 came, when I tried to install it the update was failing and said my Version is not the right one. So I found out, that I flashed an old recovery and because of that it could not install it. Ok, downloaded the original OTA of 4.4.4 extracted the recovery.img and flashed that one. Now the verification check went trough..
It startet installing and after 5 minutes the update failed! Saying something like, it could not create symlinks on the system... I tried again, and now it stops with this error:
fileexist(): check the existence of /system/lib/libgoogle_recognizer_jni_1.so failed, error no such file or directory() installation aborted...
My system partition is broken now and i cannot start any system anymore...
I would like to save my data or install anything that my phone is working again, but I want to keep my data.. My phone is encrypted! :/ I tried with custom recoveries, but they apparently don't support disk encryption on the m8...
I think I cannot flash 4.4.4 with RUU as this would also delete the data... adb backup only works if the system is up, because the shell command tells me that a system dialog will appear and ask me for my password....
Anybody has any suggestion how to save my data?
Thanks!

should be in Q&A mate
I have requiested the mods to move this

So first things first. You are not bricked, you are just stuck. Bricked means your device cannot boot, cannot turn on, cannot access any bootloaders or recovery.
You messed something up and it is failing to boot, it isnt bricked.
Second, running disk encryption on rooted devices is especially dangerous for these scenarios. Disk encryption attempts to prevent many of the things running roms, custom recoveries and such put on the device.
Now, I cannot recall if a full GPE version can do this or not, but from Fastboot you should be able to flash just the system partition. But being you are encrypted it may fail to access your old data. The command for that would be:
Fastboot flash system system.img (if you were able to obtain a system.img)
Again that works on Nexus devices, I cant recall if the GPE fastboot accepts it as well.
Wish you well, but honestly I would expect to lose your data. The reason the update failed the second time was because you are Rooted. 5.0+ has a new OTA system where any changes to the system partition can/will fail the OTA.

tschakk said:
Hello everyone
So I have a m8 and converted it to the GPE edition. I changed my CID & MID and installed 4.4.4. My phone was rooted and I installed custom recoveries and went back to the stock recovery.. Here is what went wrong.
Today the update 5.0.1 came, when I tried to install it the update was failing and said my Version is not the right one. So I found out, that I flashed an old recovery and because of that it could not install it. Ok, downloaded the original OTA of 4.4.4 extracted the recovery.img and flashed that one. Now the verification check went trough..
It startet installing and after 5 minutes the update failed! Saying something like, it could not create symlinks on the system... I tried again, and now it stops with this error:
fileexist(): check the existence of /system/lib/libgoogle_recognizer_jni_1.so failed, error no such file or directory() installation aborted...
My system partition is broken now and i cannot start any system anymore...
I would like to save my data or install anything that my phone is working again, but I want to keep my data.. My phone is encrypted! :/ I tried with custom recoveries, but they apparently don't support disk encryption on the m8...
I think I cannot flash 4.4.4 with RUU as this would also delete the data... adb backup only works if the system is up, because the shell command tells me that a system dialog will appear and ask me for my password....
Anybody has any suggestion how to save my data?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, your phone isnt bricked, its not bricked as long as you can access HBOOT, second, why would you encrypt your phone? uhg... I dont know what to tell you, try RUUing to stock, but dont expect to keep your data...

I also had the idea with just flashing the system.img from fastboot. but that doesn't work..
target reported max download size of 1830617088 bytes
erasing 'system'...
FAILED (remote: not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.010s
i now try to flash it with dd directly to the block..

tschakk said:
I also had the idea with just flashing the system.img from fastboot. but that doesn't work..
target reported max download size of 1830617088 bytes
erasing 'system'...
FAILED (remote: not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.010s
i now try to flash it with dd directly to the block..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can only flash boot and recovery individually, you would have to put system.img and android-info.txt in a zip and flash in ruu mode

UNBELIEVABLE!
I could restore the system with dd... Just copied the system.img from Android 4.4.4 to the block device.. now the phone is booting up and i can see my data... uffff.. :victory:
so now i will do a backup and then go on...

Solution
If someone should encounter the same issue, this is what I have done to fix it:
I didn't want to lose my data, so I did not reinstall the RUU.. I couldn't get my data with ADB backup, because you need a system display to do it. And I also couldn't find any recovery which supported device encryption for the m8.. So I thought to backup my data partition with 'dd' to an external SD card and then if necessary I would reinstall the full system with RUU..
Code:
$ cat /fstab.qcom #to find the needed partitions
$ dd if=</dev/block/DATA-DEVICE> of=/external-sd/backup.bin
Now I knew I had a backup and was on the safe side. So I wanted to try to rewrite the system partition with the system.img from 4.4.4 GPE RUU. But fastboot flash didn't work. I always got this error message:
Code:
$ fastboot flash system system.img
...
erasing 'system'...
FAILED (remote: not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.010s
So what the hell, I used 'dd' also for this... :
Code:
$ cat /fstab.qcom #again to find the needed partitions
$ dd if=/external-sd/system.img of=</dev/block/SYSTEM-DEVICE>
And this actually worked, my m8 booted up with Android 4.4.4. First thing I did when Android booted was a full Android backup with adb.. To be safe to have my data back, because I didn't really know how to extract my encrypted data from the bin file I've created before... Then I just installed the update to 5.0.1 and this time it worked...

LG G4: Installing SuperSU through TWRP renders device unbootable

FOR LG-H815, bought in Germany.
a) Went through the effort and unlocked the bootloader through LG's official method.
b) Confirmed, several times, that the bootloader is indeed unlocked.(via 'fastboot getvar unlocked' and verifying that the response is "unlocked: yes")
c) Tried to swap the Stock Recovery Mode with TWRP, using 'fastboot flash recovery twrp-2.8.6.0-h815.img'. The process ends in 1 sec. After booting in recovery mode, I find out it doesn't actually flash it.
d) Inside cmd: adb reboot bootloader
fastboot boot twrp-2.8.6.0-h815.img
At this point I am trying to boot TWRP for a one-time job of rooting the device.
-Install>>Select UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip>>Swipe to Install>> Reboot System
e) After reboot: PERMANENTLY STUCK, will not boot past LG's Logo. It is still possible to enter the Stock Recovery Mode, and Stock Download Mode.
I have repeated the process twice, reflashing the stock ROM, to the same effect. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You're flashing outdated versions of TWRP and SU...

I helped with this problem about 100 times now but I will do it one more time...
Firstly, reflash the stock MM ROM again.. Then download the better looking TWRP 3.0.2-0 from official twrp site -> https://dl.twrp.me/h815/twrp-3.0.2-0-h815.img.html
Now a little explanation. As far as I know in 6.0.X Google changed their policy a bit and the option to root the phone/ flash recovery is locked even though you have unlocked bootloader, and as well system root doesn't work, so instead of old SuperSU 2.46 you want to download newest systemless root zip -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133 . Now, since there is no stock modified boot.img for G4, you have to download and unpack the custom kernel like SimpleGX and take it's boot img that you want to flash via fastboot, or you can try flashing boot.img from the Autoprime's V20D flashable zips, I didn't try that one and I will not be able to because my G4 got a bootloop issue that I recovered it of by my self but I cannot boot it up on Marshmallow stock firmware. Anyway once you flashed the modified boot img you should be able to flash recovery and boot it up normally, then flash systemless root and if you used boot.img from custom kernel, flash the full package because you did not flash all the stuff from the package what may cause software problems in the long term I suppose. I think that's all you need to do to root it on MM.

Adam Myczkowski said:
I think that's all you need to do to root it on MM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you would be correct. Although I have to wonder why guides on XDA don't even mention flashing a custom kernel like SimpleGX_KERNEL_H81520X_v1.3.2.zip
Additional steps for installing ROOT/TWRP on LG G4:
Inside CMD:
C:\adb>adb reboot bootloader
error: device '(null)' not found
C:\adb>adb devices
List of devices attached
LGH81539bf5a8e device
C:\adb>adb reboot bootloader
C:\adb>fastboot boot twrp-3.0.2-0-h815.img
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [ 0.956s]
booting...
OKAY [ 0.028s]
finished. total time: 1.000s
Inside TWRP: Install>>Select SimpleGX_KERNEL_H81520X_v1.3.2.zip>>Swipe to the right>>Reboot // .zip file is ~19MB
Inside CMD:
C:\adb>adb reboot bootloader
C:\adb>fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.2-0-h815.img //now attempting to overwrite the stock recovery
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'recovery' (31652 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.969s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [ 0.378s]
finished. total time: 1.365s
C:\adb>fastboot reboot
rebooting...
finished. total time: 0.002s
C:\adb>adb devices
List of devices attached
LGH81539bf5a8e device
C:\adb>adb reboot recovery //to verify that TWRP has been installed.
Inside TWRP:
Install>>Select BETA-SuperSU-v2.71-20160331103524.zip>>Swipe to the right>> Reboot
DONE.

[GUIDE] How to root your Asus Zenfone 6 without TWRP | Info about A/B

Hey guys and girls,
This is a bit of copy and paste for from my guide for the HTC U12+. I thought it might be helpful to people here too.
If you find mentions of the HTC U12+ please notify me and I will correct them.
I couldn´t find any guide on how to root the Asus Zenfone 6 without twrp yet, so I thought maybe it´s good to have one. It´s also useful for people who don´t like to boot/flash the recovery but want root access.
I also decided now to do a little write up about the A/B slot partition system.
General Information about the A/B slot partition system and seamless updates
Google firstly introduced seamless updates on the Pixel Phones and with it the A/B partition system.
So this means, contrary to non A/B devices, there are two copys of most partitions except userdata.
We have two system (system_a and system_b), two boot (boot_a and boot_b) and two vendor (vendor_a and vendor_b) partitions, amongst others (can be found further down in the partition list but let´s concentrate on these).
When booted in the OS, one slot is actively used and the other is "inactive".
The main advantage that emerges now is, that in case an OTA arrives the "inactive" partitions get updated, while the OS is running. That means while the actual OTA is happening you can use your phone just like you always do.
The following reboot will boot into the former "inactive" slot and use the seamless updated partitions. This happens seamless and just with a reboot. So OTAs are much faster!
If you are interested further here are some links:
https://www.xda-developers.com/list-android-devices-seamless-updates/
https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/ab/
https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/ab/ab_faqs
Here’s another writeup from the XDA portal!
https://www.xda-developers.com/how-...ess-updates-affect-custom-development-on-xda/
But here are a few tips and tricks:
How to reboot to bootloader to be able to use fastboot:
From booted OS with buttons: Press and hold power down until the screen goes black, then press and hold power and vol up to enter bootloader
non responding and the phone isn´t booting: press and hold power plus volume up to enter bootloader
From the OS or recovery via ADB (requires USB Debugging enabled in dev options):
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
How to get the active slot:
Code:
fastboot getvar current-slot
How to set the active slot:
A word of advice. If you don´t know what you´re doing you should probably not change slots. Because my U12+ only has a working A Slot. The B slot is without the first OTA or flashing a RUU unbootable.
Set active slot to a:
Code:
fastboot --set-active=a
Set active slot to b:
Code:
fastboot --set-active=b
How to extract the boot.img from a firmware.zip
1. Download the firmware zip from here : https://www.asus.com/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/HelpDesk_Download/
2. Follow the steps described here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/nokia-7-plus/how-to/guide-how-to-extract-payload-bin-ota-t3830962
3. Obtain your boot.img
How to root your phone without TWRP
Prerequisites:
- unlocked bootloader
- USB-Debugging in developer options enabled
- latest adb and fastboot binaries (can always be found here
- working adb and fastboot environment
- magisk-patched boot.img
How to:
1. Download the latest magisk manager from here and install it on your phone: https://github.com/topjohnwu/MagiskManager/releases
2. Get a boot.img that fits your current firmware. Look at the point above, how to extract it from an Asus firmware zip.
Important: if you decide to use a pre-patched boot.img (available below), download it and place it in your fastboot folder, then skip to step 11!
3. Copy the extracted boot.img to your phone
4. Open the magisk manager app and tap two times on install
5. Now choose patch boot.img file and select the previously extracted boot.img you copied to your phone in the upcoming file chooser
6. Wait for the boot.img to be patched
7. Now connect your phone to your pc and make sure usb debugging is enabled in developer options
8. Open up a terminal in your fastboot folder and make sure adb is working by typing
Code:
adb devices
into terminal which should return your serial number
9. Pull the patches boot.img to your fastboot folder via:
Code:
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched.img
10. Reboot to bootloader:
Code:
adb reboot bootloader
11. Flash the magisk patched boot.img:
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
12. Congratulations you´re now rooted.
Pre-Magisk-Patched boot.imgs
Important: Make sure to download the correct version, that matches your firmware.
Downloads: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=295609

Is it possible to do this and still get OTA updates from ASUS?

sidamos77 said:
Is it possible to do this and still get OTA updates from ASUS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock the bootloader for this which will prevent you from getting ota updates automatically from asus. But you can install updates manually.

Ok, great, thank you.

Remember, this will void your warranty (as per Asus' own definition). Sad, but true.
I would root it in an instant, but am hesitant due to warranty being void.

Any way to unofficially unlock the Bootloader?

vasra said:
Remember, this will void your warranty (as per Asus' own definition). Sad, but true.
I would root it in an instant, but am hesitant due to warranty being void.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Europe unlocking the bootloader and rooting doesn't legally void warranty. It was ruled this way a few years ago.

Freak07 said:
[...]
Pre-Magisk-Patched boot.imgs
Important: Make sure to download the correct version, that matches your firmware.
Downloads: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=295609
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The folder WW_PHONE-16.1210.1904.75-0 which is the firmware my device has, is empty. Do you still have the prepatched boot.img of that version ? ASUS doesn't have that version for download anymore.
Thanks in advance.
If not: how can I update manually since I do not get any OTA Updates with a locked Bootloader ?

GRöder said:
how can I update manually since I do not get any OTA Updates with a locked Bootloader ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://swedroid.se/forum/threads/snabba-fragor-snabba-svar-zenfone-6.165775/page-26#post-2433773
https://swedroid.se/forum/threads/snabba-fragor-snabba-svar-zenfone-6.165775/page-37#post-2442236
Use Translator.

I managed to update my device using the stock recovery. (There is a option like "apply update from sdcard") Now it is on the -133 Firmware, so I should've been able to use the existing, pre-patched boot of that firmware. When I tried to flash it, I got the following error:
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
target reported max download size of 805306368 bytes
sending 'bootb' (47064 KB)...
OKAY [ 1.094s]
writing 'bootb'...
FAILED (remote: (bootb_b) No such partition)
finished. total time: 1.106s
the getvar command returns the following output:
Code:
fastboot getvar current-slot
current-slot: b
finished. total time: 0.009s
Do you have any advice for me ?
Edit:
After being curious and trying
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched.img
which worked, I tried to flash it at the active slot b explicitly:
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b magisk_patched.img
which worked, too. I'm having root, now.
The point is, to specify the partition precisely (e.g. with _a or _b).
Thank you for the guide, maybe you could add my findings to make it easier for others to root their devices, @Freak07 .

GRöder said:
I managed to update my device using the stock recovery. (There is a option like "apply update from sdcard") Now it is on the -133 Firmware, so I should've been able to use the existing, pre-patched boot of that firmware. When I tried to flash it, I got the following error:
the getvar command returns the following output:
Do you have any advice for me ?
Edit:
After being curious and trying which worked, I tried to flash it at the active slot b explicitly: which worked, too. I'm having root, now.
The point is, to specify the partition precisely (e.g. with _a or _b).
Thank you for the guide, maybe you could add my findings to make it easier for others to root their devices, @Freak07 .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download the latest adb and fastboot binaries from the link I provided in the OP?
Or did you use already existing ones or from a toolkit/easy installer etc. from somewhere on xda?
To me it sounds you were using outdated binaries.
Fastboot flash boot boot.img detects the active slot automatically if you’re on the latest binaries. Did it like this on the zenfone like on all other A/B devices I’ve owned so far and it works just fine.

Freak07 said:
Did you download the latest adb and fastboot binaries from the link I provided in the OP?
Or did you use already existing ones or from a toolkit/easy installer etc. from somewhere on xda?
To me it sounds you were using outdated binaries.
Fastboot flash boot boot.img detects the active slot automatically if you’re on the latest binaries. Did it like this on the zenfone like on all other A/B devices I’ve owned so far and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might have been the the point. In fact, I did download them, but I used (definately outdated, because on my pc since literally years) a minimal adb and fastboot installation.
I didn't think about it, as this is my first A/B device.
I won't try it now with the latest ones, because it worked and I don't want to destroy something (since we still dont have a working TWRP for backup & recovery) but I guess you're right, and the problem were the outdated binaries.
Thank you.

GRöder said:
If not: how can I update manually since I do not get any OTA Updates with a locked Bootloader ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the new Firmware from Asus and copy it to the root of sdcard. Unplug the usb cable or reboot or search for update in settings. It will find the update file and display a notification.

isthisadagger said:
Download the new Firmware from Asus and copy it to the root of sdcard. Unplug the usb cable or reboot or search for update in settings. It will find the update file and display a notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact, I tried that before I tried the stock-recovery-method (found it at the ASUS FAQ-pages), but it didn't work, even after a reboot, no notification showed up.

GRöder said:
I managed to update my device using the stock recovery. (There is a option like "apply update from sdcard") Now it is on the -133 Firmware, so I should've been able to use the existing, pre-patched boot of that firmware. When I tried to flash it, I got the following error:
Code:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
target reported max download size of 805306368 bytes
sending 'bootb' (47064 KB)...
OKAY [ 1.094s]
writing 'bootb'...
FAILED (remote: (bootb_b) No such partition)
finished. total time: 1.106s
the getvar command returns the following output:
Code:
fastboot getvar current-slot
current-slot: b
finished. total time: 0.009s
Do you have any advice for me ?
Edit:
After being curious and trying
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched.img
which worked, I tried to flash it at the active slot b explicitly:
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b magisk_patched.img
which worked, too. I'm having root, now.
The point is, to specify the partition precisely (e.g. with _a or _b).
Thank you for the guide, maybe you could add my findings to make it easier for others to root their devices, @Freak07 .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry guy,
how you unlocked the bootloader ? for me official tool asus doens't work. error due to internet connection is the message.
please can you explain every step ? thanks

Ya how do we unlock the bootloader without asus knowing it

MirkoMirko9 said:
sorry guy,
how you unlocked the bootloader ? for me official tool asus doens't work. error due to internet connection is the message.
please can you explain every step ? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nikhil18 said:
Ya how do we unlock the bootloader without asus knowing it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the official app, while the device was connected to the internet. So yes, ASUS knows that I unlocked the device.
The device was still at the -75 firmware, when I did it.
 @MirkoMirko9 If you can live with asus knowing that you unlocked the device, try it again with active internet connection.
As far as I know, there is no other method yet.

unable to unlock bootloader with the official unlock device tool, it is showing network error although my network is alright. Any workaround?

QuazIqbal said:
unable to unlock bootloader with the official unlock device tool, it is showing network error although my network is alright. Any workaround?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79817571&postcount=31

magisk_patched boot.img for .156 firmware is uploaded to the patched boot.imgs folder

Question about rooting with Magisk

I have successfully unlocked the Pixel 2 XL and installed the official release 8.0.0 / OPD1.170816.010 from Sep 2017. I downloaded Magisk and transfered the image to the phone and extracted the files on the phone.
According to the official guide, I have to patch the boot.img, but the image only contains a bootloader.img. When I use the "fastboot flash boot boot.img" command, it also tells me "No such partition".
How do I properly patch the official file and root the Pixel 2 XL without bricking it? Am I doing something wrong?

Venomiz said:
I have successfully unlocked the Pixel 2 XL and installed the official release 8.0.0 / OPD1.170816.010 from Sep 2017. I downloaded Magisk and transfered the image to the phone and extracted the files on the phone.
According to the official guide, I have to patch the boot.img, but the image only contains a bootloader.img. When I use the "fastboot flash boot boot.img" command, it also tells me "No such partition".
How do I properly patch the official file and root the Pixel 2 XL without bricking it? Am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you unzipping the second folder as well?
Factory Image .zip > unzip to factory image folder > unzip to 2nd factory image folder > boot.img
Curious as to why you're flashing 8x instead of android 10?
If you still hit a wall, check out the step by step instructions linked in my sig, near the bottom is an upgrade from os to os section ( 9x to android 10).

Az Biker said:
Are you unzipping the second folder as well?
Factory Image .zip > unzip to factory image folder > unzip to 2nd factory image folder > boot.img
Curious as to why you're flashing 8x instead of android 10?
If you still hit a wall, check out the step by step instructions linked in my sig, near the bottom is an upgrade from os to os section ( 9x to android 10).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. In the folder are the following files:
bootloader-taimen-tmz10n.img
flash-all.bat & .sh
flash-base.sh
radio-taimen-g8998-.....
And I overlooked the image-taimen-opd1.170816.010.zip
So, I patched with magisk the wrong file but it was successful (at least if I trust the onscreen text). I will now transfer the boot.img to the pixel, patch it, transfer it back, and flash. I will reply after doing so
PS: Android 8 is easier to use if you do something you should not in Pokemon Go... :silly:
And the

Why patch the boot image manually, flashing magisk via TWRP as it works fine. Ive never used the patch boot image method ever on any of the devices ive owned.
1) Flash ROM
2) Boot TWRP
3) Flash TWRP (optional)
4) Flash Magisk
5) Reboot

Hi folks, this is the current status.
I patched the boot.img and tried the following:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'boota' (25632 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.542s]
writing 'boota'...
FAILED (remote: No such partition.)
finished. total time: 0.548s
What did I miss here?

Venomiz said:
Hi folks, this is the current status.
I patched the boot.img and tried the following:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'boota' (25632 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.542s]
writing 'boota'...
FAILED (remote: No such partition.)
finished. total time: 0.548s
What did I miss here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's start over from scratch because you're not following the instruction being posted, so maybe you are trying to accomplish something else.
What state is your device currently in and what are you trying to accomplish? I was under the impression you simply want to flash the last 8x factory image to your device, is that correct?

Az Biker said:
Let's start over from scratch because you're not following the instruction being posted, so maybe you are trying to accomplish something else.
What state is your device currently in and what are you trying to accomplish? I was under the impression you simply want to flash the last 8x factory image to your device, is that correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm not really. As I said in the title, I want to root the Pixel 2 XL with Android 8 and Magisk.
So what I did so far is:
- Unlocked the bootloader and applied the Android 8 image
- Downloaded and installed magisk
- Unzipped the original rom wice to get the boot.img, transfer it to the phone, patched it with magisk and transfered it back to the PC.
When now trying to flash it with fastboot, the output above showed up.

Venomiz said:
Uhm not really. As I said in the title, I want to root the Pixel 2 XL with Android 8 and Magisk.
So what I did so far is:
- Unlocked the bootloader and applied the Android 8 image
- Downloaded and installed magisk
- Unzipped the original rom wice to get the boot.img, transfer it to the phone, patched it with magisk and transfered it back to the PC.
When now trying to flash it with fastboot, the output above showed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fastboot do the following:
flash your factory 8 image (leave the -w intact to wipe your device, remove the -w to keep your data)
after your device boots up, get back to bootloader and fastboot the TWRP img from platform folder
once booted into TWRP, flash TWRP.ZIP to install cust recovery
in twrp flash cust kernel (optional)
reboot and allow the OS to fully settle in ( 1-2 minutes after bootup)
boot into TWRP and install magisk
reboot
These same instructions are found in much more detail in the link in my sig. I use this method every month for the latest update, and it's never failed. No patching images, no booting to diff slots, just follow the simple steps.

Az Biker said:
In fastboot do the following:
flash your factory 8 image (leave the -w intact to wipe your device, remove the -w to keep your data)
after your device boots up, get back to bootloader and fastboot the TWRP img from platform folder
once booted into TWRP, flash TWRP.ZIP to install cust recovery
in twrp flash cust kernel (optional)
reboot and allow the OS to fully settle in ( 1-2 minutes after bootup)
boot into TWRP and install magisk
reboot
These same instructions are found in much more detail in the link in my sig. I use this method every month for the latest update, and it's never failed. No patching images, no booting to diff slots, just follow the simple steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked perfectly, thank you!

Help with root for Alldocube M5X Pro

I am in over my head once more and could use help from someone more experienced.
The problem?
I bought an Alldocube M5X Pro tablet for my kids. First thing I did was root it using Magisk. I found the stock ROM, extracted the boot.img file, patched it with magisk manager, unlocked the bootloader and then used the fastboot command to flash the modified boot.img. Smooth sailing, worked flawlessly, kids were happy. 2 kids, 1 tablet, the happiness didn't last too long. They both wanted to use the tablet all the time. So when I found a sales promotion for the same model tablet, I decided to buy one more. Tablet #2 arrives, also an Alldocube M5X Pro, model T1006, Kernel version 3.18.60, Android version 8.0.0, same as tablet #1. I go through the same steps, but when I try to flash the modified boot.img file on the new tablet, it tells me Remote: Flash WRITE failure.
Here's what I did, step by step:
1. I verified that the 2nd tablet had the same build number as the 1st tablet. It did: T1006_V1.01_20200504
2. I enabled USB debugging in developer options and set the OEM Unlock option to ON
3. I trusted the connected computer in order to use the adb commands
4. I rebooted to the bootloader and executed the command Fastboot OEM unlock
C:\adb>fastboot oem unlock
...
(bootloader) Start unlock flow
OKAY [ 7.825s]
finished. total time: 7.826s
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Click to collapse
5. I executed the command Fastboot Flash boot magisk_patched.img with the img file in the path from where I'm running the command
C:\adb>fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
target reported max download size of 134217728 bytes
sending 'boot' (10253 KB)...
OKAY [ 0.468s]
writing 'boot'...
FAILED (remote: flash write failure)
finished. total time: 0.633s
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Click to collapse
6. I've tried erasing the cache and user data partitions from the stock recovery and repeating step 5, but received the same error.
And that's where I'm stuck. The tablet can reboot from there, will detect tampering and proceed to run an erase command and starts with the Android Setup tutorial.
Just for the hell of it I tried flashing the stock ROM using the SP Flash tool for Mediatek devices, which works just fine. I then tried tried flashing an older build (0304) but still received the same error when trying to flash the boot.img
I also tried flashing a custom recovery as well as booting a recovery.img but in both cases the tablet ends up booting normally, I assume because the custom recovery isn't compatible with this device.
Everything I find online about flash write failure errors seems to indicate a defective emmc however most of those are specific to the Nexus 5 phone. The difference here seems to be that I can unlock the bootloader just fine, it stays unlocked as far as I can tell and I can overwrite with a new ROM, so I'm thinking the emmc is fine.
I'm just trying to puzzle this together from what I can find online, but I could really use the help of someone with more insight into the inner workings of Android.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

After flashing 4 different ROMs, formatting the emmc completely and doing lord knows what else, it finally dawned on me that I could simply flash the patched boot image using the SP Flash tool instead of via Fastboot. It does wipe the data, and starts the Android setup wizard, but once that is completed, I was able to install Magisk Manager and download the missing files. The device rebooted after that and came back with systemless root.
Problem solved.