OTA from ZUI 1.9 vs QFIL - thoughts? - Lenovo Zuk Z2 Pro Questions & Answers

Okay, so. I'd like to rope @weimerd and @MRDA1981 into a discussion here, because I know you guys have views on doing a full OTA update from a QFIL flash of ZUI 1.9.
But that's not very practical to do, takes a long time, and probably isn't a sustainable solution since Lenovo is trying to phase out the ZUK brand and I can only assume that they won't run the OTA servers forever.
I know that, obviously, the ZUI 1.9 QPST files include at least one more partition than later versions because they re-lock the bootloader (at least, they include a fresh bootloader). So yes, for the sake of completion, if one is trying to eliminate all possible leftover garbage and do a completely clean bring-up to a custom ROM to stick with for a while, I can understand beginning with flashing ZUI 1.9 QPST package via QFIL. I've done that too.
I'm not even going to touch on just doing the baseband flashes via TWRP; that might be fine, but if I already have QFIL set up and official ZUI firmware QPST packages then I think it's safer to just use those.
My specific question that I'd like you to discuss is: what's the practical difference between doing OTA updates after a 1.9 QFIL flash (which would require a good internet connection for several LARGE downloads and sideloading VPN software to get the latest versions, trusting that Lenovo keeps the OTA servers available for our phone, and takes a LONG time), vs. doing successive version QFIL flashes - that is, flash 1.9 and boot, then either go successively through 2.3, 2.5, and 3.1 or going straight from 1.9 to 3.1 (which doesn't require Lenovo's OTA servers to keep working or VPN, and the only internet connection you need is a little bit of data use for initial setup of the phone each time, and is MUCH faster). If the goal is to make sure that we didn't "miss anything" by doing OTA updates, wouldn't successively flashing QPST packages via QFIL do exactly that, in a fraction of the time?
I look forward to your insights, thanks folks.

You can flash 1.9.104 st and then 3.1.194 st by qfil . You don't have to use ota . Besides , I think that 3.5 with android 8 will relock bootloader as well .

mar.ur said:
You can flash 1.9.104 st and then 3.1.194 st by qfil . You don't have to use ota . Besides , I think that 3.5 with android 8 will relock bootloader as well .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Relocking bootloader isn't an issue; it's just two more fastboot commands to unlock it again (and I assume EVERYONE here is being very careful to save their unlock file and making backups, riiiiight?). Doing 1.9 and then straight to 3.1 QPST packages via QFIL (well then going to 3.5 dev leaks if my goal is an Oreo-based ROM) and then unlocking bootloader, setting up VoLTE in ZUI, and then going to town with TWRP, wiping internal storage/data/system/cache/dalvik and installing custom ROM/gapps/magisk has been my standard bring-up procedure for custom ROMs, and it seems to work well - I don't get wifi/bluetooth problems now, VoLTE works, and with AEX 5.1 I even have wifi calling working at home. I just thought it was good to compare vs. OTA updating, because that seems more & more to be unnecessary to be sure you're "doing it right".

All full zui roms flash all partitions . Zui 1.9.104 is not special . It' s the same . Only one difference is that relocked bootloader . I tried relock bootloader by twrp and was successed . The point is to unroot zui and flash stock recovery from zui you have . But when you back from custom the best way is flash 1.9 . That's all .

From my experience, performing the manual flash gave me the dreaded camera shake issue. Then again, the last QFIL load I did was via OTA and the problem sometimes resurfaces when starting up the Google Camera Mod. A firm tap usually gets rid of it, but it's bloody irritating all the same.
Recently, I've encountered the issue of my USB 3.0 ports/cable not reading my connection as USB 3 (which is far easier to flash 1.9 with without Sahara errors), so manual might be my only go-to should I ever need to flash back to ZUI again.

Related

N950F Exynos how to root Oreo please?

Good Morning,
I have a carrier unlocked Australian N950F Exynos Note 8 running 7.1.1 with OEM Unlock showing in developer settings (took a week or so). My phone has downloaded but not yet installed this OTA:
N950FXXU3CRC7/N950FOLN3CRC7/N950FXXU3CRC7 (1021.03MB)
I think it'll be Oreo but I haven't checked which exact version.
I have not installed TWRP or rooted this phone yet but I'd like to do so. I'd also like to move to Oreo before I proceed as my battery life could be better.
What is the best way to proceed? I've read through some long threads and ended up confused about exactly what's the best procedure.
Is some kind or decryption required at some point? Will I lose the data currently on my phone?
I haven't installed the OTA update yet.
Thank you.
CRC7 is Oreo, 8.0 which is currently the latest for Note8 (8.1 may be a long while out if we even get it officially).
The process for rooting Oreo is basically the same as Nougat, for Oreo just be sure you are using the updated TWRP that fixes the data mount issue.
If you root Nougat first, you won't be able to update OTA so you'll then need to install a custom rom to get Oreo.
You can update to Oreo via OTA first & your data will be intact but regardless if Oreo or Nougat, after installing TWRP you'll need to wipe data to remove encryption. So yes, you will loose data. You won't loose internal or external storage unless you choose to format them but it's a good idea to make a backup of them just in case.
As for data, you'll need to use smart switch, helium, etc if you want to back it up. I have no experience with backing up data without root so I'm not sure what methods work best.
It seemed to work. I restored all my contacts, apps etc in Oreo. When I went to restart the phone and enter TWRP to flash magisk I get a message about only official binaries are allowed. Now the phone won't even boot. I'm guessing I now need to re-flash official firmware with odin just to get my phone working? Another week for OEM unlock? I waited this long because I thought the problem was resolved
Unfortunately if you have the OEM lock issue, that will never go away. So yes, you have to flash official firmware to boot again. If you were on Oreo, you can try flashing Nougat to see if you might get lucky & get OEM unlock back.
Since you have the OEM lock issue, remember to always flash the RMM state fix even if you flash a custom rom that has the fix built in. Always flash RMM fix right after flashing a custom rom. If not flashing a custom rom, flash RMM fix before booting to system after you install TWRP.
Thanks for the reply.
Was I supposed to install Samsung AntiRoot Removal and RMM State Bypass as per this guide? Is this guide the correct method?
galaxynote8root.com/galaxy-note-8-root/how-to-root-galaxy-note-8-on-android-8-0-oreo/
I'm currently downloading Oreo 8.0 XSA (unbranded Australian rom) to reload my phone and wait another week.
I would like to use the XSA Samsung rom rather than a custom rom. Is OEM Unlock available in Oreo after a week?
Thank you
I use the method listed in any of the TWRP threads. I've never heard of Samsung Anti Root Removal. By the sound of it on the page it sounds like dm no verity. You need to flash that & RMM state fix. Flash the XSA firmware you want to use. Log into your Samsung account, don't reboot for 168hrs & OEM unlock should appear. Then follow a guide for installing TWRP.

Looking to flash OK Pie on P9 Any help would be appreciated.

Hi guys, like the title says. I'd like to flash OK Pie onto my old but still working P9 but after so, so much time i have forgotten everything I did to my phone to get to where I currently am. I've been searching for specifics to my situation but the guide to go from EMUI 8 to OK Pie is complicated enough as it is. If I have to factor in the "back to stock" procedure etc I think my brain would explode xD
So I'm looking for any links, guides, personal help or WHATEVER may help me at least get to chinese OREO 9I think I'm capable of taking it from there)
My current setup:
EVA-L09
Build number: EVA-L09C432B378
EMUI version: 5.0
Android: 7.0
My phone is from Latin America, So IIRC I unbranded it, changed it to cust 432 and flashed the latest (stock) firmware which at the time was B378.
I also have TWRP (the latest one) installed. If I got it right, I THINK I need to go back to stock recovery, flash the latest FW and go to Chinese OREO from there before trying to flash OK Pie, right?
Could somebody please be so kind as to either help me or at least point me to a thread/guide made for idiots such as myself xD that can walk me through the steps of going from my FW to stock recovery and stock latest FW?
I'll manage to get to oreo and custom after that.
I appreciate your help in advance.
Thanks.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that yes. I kept my unlock code so thats no problem
Thanks again!
SideSkroll said:
Hi guys, like the title says. I'd like to flash OK Pie onto my old but still working P9 but after so, so much time i have forgotten everything I did to my phone to get to where I currently am. I've been searching for specifics to my situation but the guide to go from EMUI 8 to OK Pie is complicated enough as it is. If I have to factor in the "back to stock" procedure etc I think my brain would explode xD
So I'm looking for any links, guides, personal help or WHATEVER may help me at least get to chinese OREO 9I think I'm capable of taking it from there)
My current setup:
EVA-L09
Build number: EVA-L09C432B378
EMUI version: 5.0
Android: 7.0
My phone is from Latin America, So IIRC I unbranded it, changed it to cust 432 and flashed the latest (stock) firmware which at the time was B378.
I also have TWRP (the latest one) installed. If I got it right, I THINK I need to go back to stock recovery, flash the latest FW and go to Chinese OREO from there before trying to flash OK Pie, right?
Could somebody please be so kind as to either help me or at least point me to a thread/guide made for idiots such as myself xD that can walk me through the steps of going from my FW to stock recovery and stock latest FW?
I'll manage to get to oreo and custom after that.
I appreciate your help in advance.
Thanks.
EDIT: Forgot to mention that yes. I kept my unlock code so thats no problem
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
General link for Open Kirin ROMs
https://openkirin.net/user_guide/openkirin-rom-installation-instructions/
P9 thread for OK ROMs (under the P9 ROMs, Kernels... collection)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/roms-openkirin-aosp-collection-t3828806
In short:
1) You must rebrand and update your L09c432 Nougat to AL10c00 Oreo, it is PRECISELY explained in the OP posts (mainly the post #2, but read #1 - #5 to get better picture) in the corresponding thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/rebrand-update-tool-hwota7-p9-eva-t3820849
2) Once you will be on EVA-AL10c00b540 Oreo, you have to follow the OK installation guide from the first link.
You will have to install OK Omni Pie for Android 8, not for Android 9 (there is no stock Pie for P9)
If you search for Pie in the given two XDA threads (Search box at top- right on any XDA page), you will find that many people have undergone (and some returned back from OK Pie to stock Oreo) with no problems - but it is important to carefully follow the guides, first for rebranding and installing the Chinese stock Oreo, then to install OK ROM EXACTLY as described on their site (common guide for all OK ROMs and for all Huawei phones when already updated to the stock Oreo)
zgfg said:
General link for Open Kirin ROMs
https://openkirin.net/user_guide/openkirin-rom-installation-instructions/
P9 thread for OK ROMs (under the P9 ROMs, Kernels... collection)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/roms-openkirin-aosp-collection-t3828806
In short:
1) You must rebrand and update your L09c432 Nougat to AL10c00 Oreo, it is PRECISELY explained in the OP posts (mainly the post #2, but read #1 - #5 to get better picture) in the corresponding thread:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/p9/development/rebrand-update-tool-hwota7-p9-eva-t3820849
2) Once you will be on EVA-AL10c00b540 Oreo, you have to follow the OK installation guide from the first link.
You will have to install OK Omni Pie for Android 8, not for Android 9 (there is no stock Pie for P9)
If you search for Pie in the given two XDA threads (Search box at top- right on any XDA page), you will find that many people have undergone (and some returned back from OK Pie to stock Oreo) with no problems - but it is important to carefully follow the guides, first for rebranding and installing the Chinese stock Oreo, then to install OK ROM EXACTLY as described on their site (common guide for all OK ROMs and for all Huawei phones when already updated to the stock Oreo)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for replying. I'm aware of the PROCEDURE not so sure about the "how to".
Thats why I posted. Your post basically told me what I already knew (and talked about in my post)
What I'm looking for is help going from my current TWRP/STOCK/ROOTED FW. Back to full stock so I can start updating the ORIGINAL FW. I can't find any info on how to go back to stock recovery for instance. Do I need a specific recovery for the FW I'm running? Is it generic? Where do I find it? How do I flash it? Where do I get the stock firmware? (Huawei firmaware finder?) Which one do I flash? Does flashing the stock firmware automatically flashes the stock recovery? Things like that. I appreciate you trying to help but I already read and knew the things you linked to. My issue is, like I said: going back to stock before I can follow any guide to go up to oreo.
Thanks anyway!
SideSkroll said:
Hi, thanks for replying. I'm aware of the PROCEDURE not so sure about the "how to".
Thats why I posted. Your post basically told me what I already knew (and talked about in my post)
What I'm looking for is help going from my current TWRP/STOCK/ROOTED FW. Back to full stock so I can start updating the ORIGINAL FW. I can't find any info on how to go back to stock recovery for instance. Do I need a specific recovery for the FW I'm running? Is it generic? Where do I find it? How do I flash it? Where do I get the stock firmware? (Huawei firmaware finder?) Which one do I flash? Does flashing the stock firmware automatically flashes the stock recovery? Things like that. I appreciate you trying to help but I already read and knew the things you linked to. My issue is, like I said: going back to stock before I can follow any guide to go up to oreo.
Thanks anyway!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If rooted by Magisk, there is Uninstall option in Magisk Manager, it will unroot.
Similarly SuperSU had an Unroot/Unistall option.
In both cases you can flaslh back the stock Boot partition but it is cleaner to unroot by using their Uninstall options.
From TWRP or Fastboot you have to flash stock Recovery (corresponding to your current stock Nougat firmware) to revert back from TWRP
Generally, if you download from FirmwareFinder update.zip corresponding to your current stock Nougat (must be from FullOTA-MF or FullOTA-MF-PV), unzip, then by using Huawei Update Extractor, you can extract Boot.img and Recovery.img that you can flash then from Fastboot or from TWRP to go back to stock Boot and to stock Recovery
Once you go back to stock Boot and Recovery, you can boot to eRecovery (switch off, connect to charger, keep pressing Vol+ and boot by Pow) and choose Download latest firmware and recovery
----
But in fact, since you already have TWRP, use the HWOTA method from this post to update to c432b504 or b505:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75787151&postcount=2
You can do the same with HWOTA7 from the corresponding thread I gave you (before you will go to rebrand to AL10c00b399).
In both cases, you have to download three update*.zip files for eg L09c432b504 (must be FullOTA-MF), rename one or two of them as described in the OP posts (be careful, some people have Windows 10 that hides zip extension and they wrongly rename files to have double zip extension and then HWOTA/HWOTA7 scripts cannot find the file and fail to flash resulting with half-brick), put them to DLOAD file on the SD card and follow the guides
zgfg said:
If rooted by Magisk, there is Uninstall option in Magisk Manager, it will unroot.
Similarly SuperSU had an Unroot/Unistall option.
In both cases you can flaslh back the stock Boot partition but it is cleaner to unroot by using their Uninstall options.
From TWRP or Fastboot you have to flash stock Recovery (corresponding to your current stock Nougat firmware) to revert back from TWRP
Generally, if you download from FirmwareFinder update.zip corresponding to your current stock Nougat (must be from FullOTA-MF or FullOTA-MF-PV), unzip, then by using Huawei Update Extractor, you can extract Boot.img and Recovery.img that you can flash then from Fastboot or from TWRP to go back to stock Boot and to stock Recovery
Once you go back to stock Boot and Recovery, you can boot to eRecovery (switch off, connect to charger, keep pressing Vol+ and boot by Pow) and choose Download latest firmware and recovery
----
But in fact, since you already have TWRP, use the HWOTA method from this post to update to c432b504 or b505:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=75787151&postcount=2
You can do the same with HWOTA7 from the corresponding thread I gave you (before you will go to rebrand to AL10c00b399).
In both cases, you have to download three update*.zip files for eg L09c432b504 (must be FullOTA-MF), rename one or two of them as described in the OP posts (be careful, some people have Windows 10 that hides zip extension and they wrongly rename files to have double zip extension and then HWOTA/HWOTA7 scripts cannot find the file and fail to flash resulting with half-brick), put them to DLOAD file on the SD card and follow the guides
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Thats exactly what I was looking for. I really appreciateyour help.
Btw, no one should have the "hide extensions for known file types" checkbox marked...
Edit: Should I flash the same FW version Im currently using and then update regularly? To prevent any issues? (Cause i noticed there are some rules as to the version jumps that can be made flashing like this...
SideSkroll said:
....Should I flash the same FW version Im currently using and then update regularly? To prevent any issues? (Cause i noticed there are some rules as to the version jumps that can be made flashing like this...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must be the same model and cust, c432, but safer if you also apply the same build number (b387 ?)
Once you are back on stock you should start receiving OTA updates (have WiFi and a valid SIM card). Give it some time but check also manually from Settings / System updates.
As mentioned in my previous post, you can also use eRecovery / Install latest fw and recovery (if OTA coming slow), and there is a similar option in HiSuite. You will probably not need to use HWOTA or HWOTA7 to jump from clean stock b386 up to b50x
SideSkroll said:
Thats exactly what I was looking for...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you go for OK Pie (or you stayed on Nougat, or in between on stock Oreo b540), was it Okay?
zgfg said:
It must be the same model and cust, c432, but safer if you also apply the same build number (b387 ?)
Once you are back on stock you should start receiving OTA updates (have WiFi and a valid SIM card). Give it some time but check also manually from Settings / System updates.
As mentioned in my previous post, you can also use eRecovery / Install latest fw and recovery (if OTA coming slow), and there is a similar option in HiSuite. You will probably not need to use HWOTA or HWOTA7 to jump from clean stock b386 up to b50x
Did you go for OK Pie (or you stayed on Nougat, or in between on stock Oreo b540), was it Okay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi again. First of all I would like to thank you agaib for your help. You made the process so much sinpler and quixk for me and I do apprexiate it.
Second, I updated to the latest "original" fw for my c432 phone OTA but then had to modify the HWOTA7 procesa so I could dl and install the latest/latest fw (because it wouldnt even register when searching for it) I used huawei fw finder to verify it and dl.
After that I went to chinese Oreo, flashed the network fixes and installed a TINY OTA update which fixed some sexurity issues apparently (thankfully it went Ok cause I THINK flashing OTA in a "converted" phone is a big nono?)
Anyways, I ended up on omni pie (the latest beta whixh is 5.2 I believe) as going AOSP was the whole point of this endeavor.
So far I'm LOVING it. Its such a refreshing thing not having to deal with all the bs OEMs bake into their roms... But Im experiencing a couple of issues as well. Not sure if its the rom, my phone or the android version (particularly my issue with battery life since I was having issues with the duration way before I updates, actually that was one of my motivations for updating since I read that pie had better battery management)
Anyway, my issues are as follow. Hope you can help (once again)
Battery life SUCKS (like really, it went from bad to terrible... Not sure if stock oreo would make it better, or perhaps omni pie needs some optimizations?)
The camera (huawei one, not sure about the aosp) has issues. Multiple issues. The biggest one being that if I try to go from back to front camera the app locks in a black screen and I have to go into the app, delete data, reboot the phone and relaunch it (and that doesnt fix it everytime)
The last issue is with pop messages from apps and/or settings. Sometimes, when installing and app and/or changing aome setting a white popup shows up with ONLY an OK option. I cant read anything on the popup. Everything is white. Not sure if its an issue with the theme (I changed from default to "hell" or something like that) but it is VERY annoying not knowing what youre agreeing to.
Last but not least I have a question about the stock rexovery, factory reset and flashing new versions of omni (if and wheb they come out)
In one of the steps for flashing omni the guide asks to perfomr a factory reset from the stock rom. Thing is, it doesnt work. I mean, when I confirm the factory reset the process starts and approximately at 15% an exclamation sign appears and the process percentage stops working. I can reboot the system and everything works fine (using the phone to post this actually) but Im left with that feeling of not knowing why something failed... You know what I mean? Is that nornal?(the failure to factory reset, not the feeling ) also, does factory wiping the phone removes root access? Or does it only renove magisk manager?
Also, if I ever wabt to update the rom (not change it mind you, but flash the next beta or stable or whatever they come up with) do I need to flash the stock recovery again? (Currently rooted with magisk) or is it a separate partition? (Sinxe I had to modify the ramdisk and not flash a custom recovery) also, will I need to do the whoooole thing again? (Backup everything, restore tk factory etc etc) or is it just like with lineage for exanple where you could flash and updatr and keep your data untouched?
Thanks for EVERYTHING my friend. And I hope you can answer my questions (particularly the ones about battery life and thebfactory reset issue since Im planning on doing one last factory reset before settling with the rom. Just waiting for my new micro sd. The one that will stay in the phone)
Sorry for the typos. Writing this huge post on a phone is a PITA.
SideSkroll said:
Hi again. First of all I would like to thank you agaib for your help. You made the process so much sinpler and quixk for me and I do apprexiate it.
Second, I updated to the latest "original" fw for my c432 phone OTA but then had to modify the HWOTA7 procesa so I could dl and install the latest/latest fw (because it wouldnt even register when searching for it) I used huawei fw finder to verify it and dl.
After that I went to chinese Oreo, flashed the network fixes and installed a TINY OTA update which fixed some sexurity issues apparently (thankfully it went Ok cause I THINK flashing OTA in a "converted" phone is a big nono?)
Anyways, I ended up on omni pie (the latest beta whixh is 5.2 I believe) as going AOSP was the whole point of this endeavor.
So far I'm LOVING it. Its such a refreshing thing not having to deal with all the bs OEMs bake into their roms... But Im experiencing a couple of issues as well. Not sure if its the rom, my phone or the android version (particularly my issue with battery life since I was having issues with the duration way before I updates, actually that was one of my motivations for updating since I read that pie had better battery management)
Anyway, my issues are as follow. Hope you can help (once again)
Battery life SUCKS (like really, it went from bad to terrible... Not sure if stock oreo would make it better, or perhaps omni pie needs some optimizations?)
The camera (huawei one, not sure about the aosp) has issues. Multiple issues. The biggest one being that if I try to go from back to front camera the app locks in a black screen and I have to go into the app, delete data, reboot the phone and relaunch it (and that doesnt fix it everytime)
The last issue is with pop messages from apps and/or settings. Sometimes, when installing and app and/or changing aome setting a white popup shows up with ONLY an OK option. I cant read anything on the popup. Everything is white. Not sure if its an issue with the theme (I changed from default to "hell" or something like that) but it is VERY annoying not knowing what youre agreeing to.
Last but not least I have a question about the stock rexovery, factory reset and flashing new versions of omni (if and wheb they come out)
In one of the steps for flashing omni the guide asks to perfomr a factory reset from the stock rom. Thing is, it doesnt work. I mean, when I confirm the factory reset the process starts and approximately at 15% an exclamation sign appears and the process percentage stops working. I can reboot the system and everything works fine (using the phone to post this actually) but Im left with that feeling of not knowing why something failed... You know what I mean? Is that nornal?(the failure to factory reset, not the feeling ) also, does factory wiping the phone removes root access? Or does it only renove magisk manager?
Also, if I ever wabt to update the rom (not change it mind you, but flash the next beta or stable or whatever they come up with) do I need to flash the stock recovery again? (Currently rooted with magisk) or is it a separate partition? (Sinxe I had to modify the ramdisk and not flash a custom recovery) also, will I need to do the whoooole thing again? (Backup everything, restore tk factory etc etc) or is it just like with lineage for exanple where you could flash and updatr and keep your data untouched?
Thanks for EVERYTHING my friend. And I hope you can answer my questions (particularly the ones about battery life and thebfactory reset issue since Im planning on doing one last factory reset before settling with the rom. Just waiting for my new micro sd. The one that will stay in the phone)
Sorry for the typos. Writing this huge post on a phone is a PITA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This small OTA bringing Patch02 over b540 installs even over TWRP (but that was not the case for OTA from eg b535 to b540)
Cannot discuss/compare battery for Omni Pie, since not using Omni
Problem with Camera app does not show on stock Oreo. Even if the app was somehow ported from Huawei, there are maybe problems with integration to Omni.
Various Huawei/Mate models come with different cameras, but there is only one OK Omni ROM (with one Camera app) given to work on all Huawei/Mate models
Btw, somebody else also complained about issues with Camera (and GPS) and decided to go back to stock Oreo.
Similarly, issues you described about black notifications or so must be related to the custom ROM, theme or so.
As a general rule:
- for installing OK ROM, you flash System partition, and nothing else
- you also wipe Data partitiom (containing all your installed apps, incl Magisk Manager, also containing your user settings)
It does not affect any other partition.
Therefore, changes given by NW patch persist - without, you will have (also in that OK ROMs) problems with SIM card(s) and connecting to the network
Also, Magisk, which was flashed to Ramdisk, persists. You must only install Magisk Manager again, because it is user apo, installed to Data partition that was wiped
You must check on the OK side how they advice installing the updates of OK ROMs
(It is questionable if they will get updates any more, since OK team switched to development of ROMs which install over the stock Pie, whereas on P9 you have no stock Pie - only Oreo, and most likely, we will never see stock Pie for P9.
Just check when OK team released last ROM for stock Oreo, and compare with their releases of OK ROMs for stock Pie:
https://openkirin.net/download/
Hence IMO, for updating the OK ROM (if/when it comes), you will again just need to flash its System and to wipe Data (and then to reinstall user apps like Magisk Manager).
Hopefully, you can backup and restore some apps and settings by Titanium.
Whether you don't need to wipe Data for such update - check from the OK support.
On the Open Kirin site you will find Support pages (Faq, HowTo) and also a link to the live Telegram channel

OK so; in my world I gummed up my Global MI 9 with a softbrick, hopefully im wrong

OK so I finally got my dev unlock after one week. I immediately installed TWRP and was in awe as I did my first TWRP 64 bit backup and watch in amazment as I backed up everything. Having a global version is obviously a big mistake if I want to use roms though as I tried XOSP, and Pixel PI and had nothing but errors. I then tried to use the Chinese TWRP version as advised by someone and reflash the rom. This amounted in a big mistake as everytime as it would only reboot to TWRP.
Next I noticed that all files in the File Manager were garbled (encrypted?) so I started panicing and trying different TWRP's and wipes as per different instructions. In the end my stupid ass is stuck with fastboot lock out; no recovery and now I can't even flash recovery from fastboot ?!?
Next : I tried MIflash wont take the latest global rom files extracted to folder (missing flash all .bat) nor Mimanger wants me to log in. Nor latest Miflash.
Have I softbricked ? I feel really dumb right now. Though to be fair to me, the forums are really convelioted with many half way attempts and 3 different varients with people experimenting swapping this for that. I just wanted to get this phone to have the XDA full experience I have had for years and now I think I really messed up ...
HELPP !!!! If you are able to thanks ..
used cepheus_global_images_9.6.27_20190627.0000.00_9.0_global ; this worked... ran the .bat file : Old MiFlash doesn't work, newer ones have windows library stop errors (Java, .net missing ...probably ? ) None of the tools out seemed to work and downloads I assume were only updates (but there wasn't clear indication of this. It wasn't until I found that particular build that I could find the flash_all.bat in root. I guess that is the best option despite all these pretty tools..

Good low effort way of keeping a rooted stock Mi 9T Pro up to date?

Hello,
I bought a 9T Pro in Europe for my wife and until it arrives I'm trying to research and come up with a low effort process of keeping the stock ROM up to date and rooted for her. I'm confident in manually installing and updating custom ROMs, rooting and dealing with custom ROM issues, but she is not. Therefore I thought the best thing is to use the stock ROM - not custom - since it may be the most stable experience and for me to update and re-root it for her regularly. root is mandatory because we need AdAway and other things. As I understand it, as soon as we unlock and root the phone, OTA updates for stock are impossible and maybe even dangerous. I've tried researching here but am bit struggling to come up with the right infos and I'd be glad for any advice.
Of course I have seen the great thread about unlocking, rooting, etc, but It seems that that deals with non-standard Chinese firmware pre-installed, which is probably not the case on our device. Since it's bought in Europe, I think it will probably come with some Global or EU ROM. And it doesn't answer some of my other questions.
So far my idea is roughly like this:
Phone arrives
Immediately update it via built-in OTA to latest official stock ROM
Unlock, install TWRP, root with Magisk
Use the phone
Whenever a new stock ROM comes out, download it from XDA
Flash new ROM in TWRP and root again with Magisk
Repeat 4-6 as new stock ROM versions are released
Of course regularly backup with Titanium Backup and TWRP
First of all, would this work or did I misunderstand something fundamental?
How does low level firmware / modem update come into play? Would that be included in the stock ROM packages I find here? Or do I need to manually update that separately? How do I know when I have to, since there is no custom ROM maintainer telling me when it's needed?
Is there an easier way of doing this? This process requires me to regularly check for a new stock ROM, then borrow the phone from the wife for some time to backup, update, re-root and so on. Not that convenient but it would work if there is no better way.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd be very thankful for any advice or ideas. I did quite some research, but if all this info is already available and I missed it, my sincere apologies. It's a lot of info about a new device to take in. :silly:
derfraenk said:
Hello,
I bought a 9T Pro in Europe for my wife and until it arrives I'm trying to research and come up with a low effort process of keeping the stock ROM up to date and rooted for her. I'm confident in manually installing and updating custom ROMs, rooting and dealing with custom ROM issues, but she is not. Therefore I thought the best thing is to use the stock ROM - not custom - since it may be the most stable experience and for me to update and re-root it for her regularly. root is mandatory because we need AdAway and other things. As I understand it, as soon as we unlock and root the phone, OTA updates for stock are impossible and maybe even dangerous. I've tried researching here but am bit struggling to come up with the right infos and I'd be glad for any advice.
Of course I have seen the great thread about unlocking, rooting, etc, but It seems that that deals with non-standard Chinese firmware pre-installed, which is probably not the case on our device. Since it's bought in Europe, I think it will probably come with some Global or EU ROM. And it doesn't answer some of my other questions.
So far my idea is roughly like this:
Phone arrives
Immediately update it via built-in OTA to latest official stock ROM
Unlock, install TWRP, root with Magisk
Use the phone
Whenever a new stock ROM comes out, download it from XDA
Flash new ROM in TWRP and root again with Magisk
Repeat 4-6 as new stock ROM versions are released
Of course regularly backup with Titanium Backup and TWRP
First of all, would this work or did I misunderstand something fundamental?
How does low level firmware / modem update come into play? Would that be included in the stock ROM packages I find here? Or do I need to manually update that separately? How do I know when I have to, since there is no custom ROM maintainer telling me when it's needed?
Is there an easier way of doing this? This process requires me to regularly check for a new stock ROM, then borrow the phone from the wife for some time to backup, update, re-root and so on. Not that convenient but it would work if there is no better way.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd be very thankful for any advice or ideas. I did quite some research, but if all this info is already available and I missed it, my sincere apologies. It's a lot of info about a new device to take in. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't keep stock MIUI long enough to know definite answers, but from what I remember, this is my understanding.
OTA will still work and shouldn't cause any issues, just that you will lose TWRP and root whenever you do this.
The steps you give are the normal way to update with TWRP and root.
However, OrangeFox recovery (a heavily modified version of TWRP) is often used instead of TWRP in this circumstance. It is built specifically for MIUI devices and with a little bit of work, I believe that it is able to survive OTA updates. Have another dig around for OrangeFox in this forum section and hopefully you'll find details on how to set it up so that you can still take OTA updates.
Edit:
Found this guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/k2...efox-recovery-mi-9t-pro-t3980579/post80480669
It seems OrangeFox it's a bit hit and miss.
Also Xiaomi.eu ROMs are another alternative to look into.
Robbo.5000 said:
I didn't keep stock MIUI long enough to know definite answers, but from what I remember, this is my understanding.
OTA will still work and shouldn't cause any issues, just that you will lose TWRP and root whenever you do this.
The steps you give are the normal way to update with TWRP and root.
However, OrangeFox recovery (a heavily modified version of TWRP) is often used instead of TWRP in this circumstance. It is built specifically for MIUI devices and with a little bit of work, I believe that it is able to survive OTA updates. Have another dig around for OrangeFox in this forum section and hopefully you'll find details on how to set it up so that you can still take OTA updates.
Edit:
Found this guide https://forum.xda-developers.com/k2...efox-recovery-mi-9t-pro-t3980579/post80480669
It seems OrangeFox it's a bit hit and miss.
Also Xiaomi.eu ROMs are another alternative to look into.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that's a lot of helpful info, thanks a lot for pointing me into these directions. I will definitely look into Xiaomi.eu, I that sounds promising!
Get phone. Apply for unlock. Unlock.
You can use my guide bit.do/raphaelguide
Use orangefox 10.8 use magisk.
You can flash eu ROM. Stable version. From xiaomi.eu
Eu rom installs official twrp after install. You are familiar with that
Once you have eu ROM ( same as stock, better performance, minimal bloat, no ads, no tracking)
Eu ROMs gets OTA, keeps root. This is exactly what you want. Just press update in settings as normal ota. It'll do normal ota update by itself, no titanium, migrate hassle.
Join telegram group if you want or on me for any help.
Sandeeep Kiran said:
Get phone. Apply for unlock. Unlock.
You can use my guide bit.do/raphaelguide
Use orangefox 10.8 use magisk.
You can flash eu ROM. Stable version. From xiaomi.eu
Eu rom installs official twrp after install. You are familiar with that
Once you have eu ROM ( same as stock, better performance, minimal bloat, no ads, no tracking)
Eu ROMs gets OTA, keeps root. This is exactly what you want. Just press update in settings as normal ota. It'll do normal ota update by itself, no titanium, migrate hassle.
Join telegram group if you want or on me for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazing, I have taken a look at Xiaomi.eu already and decided to try that. But what you're saying sounds even much better than what I expected. Thank you very much too, I will definitely go that route.

Question Flashing stock firmware - Mi 11 Venus

Hi! I have been racking my brain at trying to figure out how to rollback to stock firmware because I have a faulty camera module so I cant take pictures of x1 zoom without it becoming a blurry mess.
The device is under warranty and they told me that I can send it in. However right now I have the latest xiaomi.eu rom weekly rom and I am under the assumption that you have to go back to stock before sending it in for warranty.
I have downloaded the latest version of Miflash 20220507 and downloaded the latest stock rom I could find but it ended up giving a error message. I tried the other method of using TWRP but that also ended in error, I have tried using both the global and EEA rom.
The only guides I can find says to use Miflash and find the approiate rom so not much guidance there.
Try searching that error code you've got in miflash
Which version of the rom should I apply (From Sweden) Global or EEA?
Been using this website for the Stock ROM - https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com/miui/venus/
Thanks for taking your time to reply so far!
Gus1994 said:
Hi! I have been racking my brain at trying to figure out how to rollback to stock firmware because I have a faulty camera module so I cant take pictures of x1 zoom without it becoming a blurry mess.
The device is under warranty and they told me that I can send it in. However right now I have the latest xiaomi.eu rom weekly rom and I am under the assumption that you have to go back to stock before sending it in for warranty.
I have downloaded the latest version of Miflash 20220507 and downloaded the latest stock rom I could find but it ended up giving a error message. I tried the other method of using TWRP but that also ended in error, I have tried using both the global and EEA rom.
The only guides I can find says to use Miflash and find the approiate rom so not much guidance there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not on MI 11 but Mi 11 Lite 5G NE, but method is the same
Install the following app to download the correct FASTBOOT (tgz) ROM type for your phone - choose Global or EEA (India, etc, as you wish):
MIUI Downloader - Apps on Google Play
MIUI upgrade app for Mi users.
play.google.com
To uncompress, you first need to un-gzip and then to un-tar
Copy the uncompressed content to your adb/fastboot folder on the PC
You will see three BAT scripts (for Linux users SH scripts)
You need to use the following (to flash and FORMAT, but WITHOUT relocking Bootloader):
flash_all.bat
(read the rest before flashing)
Why not relocking BL - bcs, if anything goes wrong and you already relock BL, you will have a bricked phone that requires paid EDL support to fix (not covered by warranty)
You can relock later:
fastboot oem lock
when you make sure that stock ROM works correctly - if you really want so (not sure if relocking is required for warranty).
As long as BL is not locked, you still have chances to flash again or different ROM until you get everything ok
Hence open thar bat file in Notepad and check its last lines, that script does not relock BL (before it's last command to reboot the phone) - if the script wants to relock, delete that line
Also, in the Notepad inspect first three or four lines of the script. They are about anti-rollback. Since you are coming back from Xiaomi.eu, might be that anti-rollback will block you to proceed with flashing
Carefully inspect those first three or four first lines (you don't need to be a programmer to understand), and remove them
(I cannot give you more precise details, I would have to download again 3.5 GB tgz file, uncompress, etc - I WON'T do that again, when I needed for myself I did and then cleaned almost 20 GB from my PC)
Then run that edited BAT script. It will flash the full stock ROM (without bothering about anti-rollback), and will not relock your BL. Reboot (if script does not automatically) and configure your 'new' stock
Which is mandatory to be under warranty - Global or EEA - you said to pick as you wish but I am just making sure its all in order before going forward - I will start downloading it now and trying it out! Thanks for your help thus far.
Gus1994 said:
Which is mandatory to be under warranty - Global or EEA - you said to pick as you wish but I am just making sure its all in order before going forward - I will start downloading it now and trying it out! Thanks for your help thus far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I know how/where did you buy your phone and what is mandatory for your warranty?
Usually, it would make sense that you put the same, Global or EEA that was on your phone when you bought. You should know what did you have
My apologies for not mentioning it, but its bought in Sweden, (Europe), and reading the warranty rules; it says no modifications allowed to the phone, but I am not reading anything about software. Xiaomi.EU did, however, mention that you should flash stock. I cant remember what was on the device originally as I did a fastboot flash.
Having EU means you've unlocked your bootloader. It shouldn't be a big deal tho, you will be able to get it repaired under warranty because Xiaomi doesn't really go into details of unlocked bootloader.
Please post the error code/screenshots from MiFlash for the errors you faced.
Also, it's pretty easy to figure out whether you had a Chinese or global variant. If the box and all the info on it was English, you can flash any of the Global versions (EEA, MI, IN, etc)
It doesn't matter really as long as your phone was a Global variant and not a Chinese one.

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