how to keep data while unlocking bootloader - Xiaomi Redmi 8 Questions & Answers

hi, i wanted to unlocked the bootloder of my note 8,
is there any way to retain data and unlock bootloader?
or create a image of /data to restore later?
i just need my data to survive any how.

Not really, you need good backups.
AFAIK you need a custom recovery, meaning an unlocked bootloader, to create a full partition backup, there are people claiming you can make a partial backup through adb but I've never tried it.
Just back as much of your data as you can to google and make a local backup file from settings and every app that has that option and hope you won't loose much.

vinay said:
hi, i wanted to unlocked the bootloder of my note 8,
is there any way to retain data and unlock bootloader?
or create a image of /data to restore later?
i just need my data to survive any how.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simple answer: NO.
Bootloader is locked for security purpose. When you unlock it you get a back door(kind of). Which gives you access to data and other stuffs. That is why backing up data before unlocking bootloader is not possible.
But you can backup photos, videos, whatsapp chat things like these.

Related

Does Unlocking bootloader also wipe your data?

Hey folks. Got a Dev edition here, which as I understand is easy to unlock. Question is must I lose my data when doing so? And if yes, how can I backup before unlocking? If I had root, I would run titanium backup, but given that I can't get root until I unlock, this seems like a chicken and egg problem....
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Free mobile app
Yes, doing the. Mfastboot oem unlock will factory reset the phone. You will lose apps and data. I am not familiar with a way (while not rooted) to back up everything and restore after unlocking such that everything is the same.
I may be wrong.....just going from memory of what I've read, but I think an app called helium can backup without root. Then you'd need to transfer the backup off the phone, cause everything is gone when you unlock. Pics too.
Hm. Can anyone confirm this happens for sure? On the Galaxy Nexus, people said the same thing but it turned out that if you just typed fastboot oem unlock without flashing any partitions that no data was actually erased. I just can't understand why unlocking would be linked to erasing.
Thanks!
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Free mobile app
zAlbee said:
Hm. Can anyone confirm this happens for sure? On the Galaxy Nexus, people said the same thing but it turned out that if you just typed fastboot oem unlock without flashing any partitions that no data was actually erased. I just can't understand why unlocking would be linked to erasing.
Thanks!
Sent from my XT1053 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking erases everything. On any device I've owned. The x for sure.
Why? Dunno. Lol
Unlocking the bootloader will reset the phone back to factory fresh condition as stated. When I unlocked my Moto X it was factory reset. Same for when I unlocked the bootloader in my Nexus 10, Droid Razr M, Incredible and Eris. I think this is the normal behavior.
There are ways to back up your data and apps even without an unlocked or rooted phone. There is a toolkit in this forum somewhere for the Moto X that will do that as well as a market app (Helium?). I used the toolkit here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x/development/tool-moto-x-toolkit-v1-2-1-t2477132
But I did that while at 4.4, before the OTA update to 4.4.2.
Any tool to recover files from a recently formatted device by unlocking the bootloader? thanks.
No. "Format" means "Blotto Everything". That's exactly what happens.
IMO seems to be a commercial "feature" more than a technical limitation. The simply want to discourage you to unlock the bootlader. All along the process, there is a warning message telling you that unlocking the bootloader will make the phone less secure. A subliminal message from Xiaomi : Blessed be the freely included uninstallable without root - and by extention unlocking the bootloader... D'oh!- bloatware package ! Or go to hell with your data if you dare to spit on it!
If you are able to install twrp, does that mean that the phone is already unlocked? I've already deleted my stock android and I couldn't see any options there at all of unlocking the oem directly in the settings, but I was able to install twrp itself (2.6).

Clarification on Losing DRM

So the root process is a matter of unlocking the bootloader and flashing a new boot.img that includes CWM.
You're supposed to backup your TA partition to preserve your DRM keys.
There's some talk about a bunch of things that can be lost with the DRM keys -- camera quality, Triluminos, Bravia, etc.
Are these lost when the bootloader is unlocked, or only if TA is not restored?
If I backup TA, then unlock the bootloader, then dd TA image back into the partition (after rooting, I presume?), will that restore the camera quality, Triluminos, etc.? Is it possible to root without losing those things, or is it a choice? Because I don't think I want to root quite that badly...
This is my first sony phone so I don't know too much about backing up and flashing things on this particular phone yet, but it is my understanding that there is no way to root without unlocking the bootloader at this time. Unlocking the bootloader wipes the TA partition so that's where the loss of the DRM keys comes in. Unfortunately, in order to back up the TA partition, you need root. So, right now, it's a catch 22 until someone can figure out how to root the device without unlocking the bootloader. I'm personally going to wait it out. There's too much about this phone that I like about the stock sony experience with this device to lose a lot of functionality and have degraded camera quality. The only reason I would root is to be able to backup certain things and run xposed. Not worth unlocking the bootloader just to have those things IMO.
In order to get root access, right now you have to unlock the bootloader. In doing so, you erase the TA partition. So, once you have root access, you don't have a TA partition to backup anymore.
If you care about your TA partition, then wait for an exploit to be found that enables root access without the need of unlocking the bootloader. When (not if, problem is just when) this happens, you can have root access, unlocked bootloader and TA partition altogether. (that is, unless you've already unlocked the bootloader... in that case, you don't have a way to restore your TA)
Ah. So we cannot even read the partition without root?
So yes, then I will just have to wait until someone finds an exploit.
This rises another question for me.
Assumed there is a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. If one does
* backup the TA partition
* unlock the bootloader
* install a custom recovery
* restore the TA partition (bootloader locked again)
Is the phone still rooted? And, even more important, is the custom recovery still there?
I guess this can be answered by someone having experience with earlier Xperia devices like the Z, Z1 or Z2. I've already been searching for the answer, but couldn't find it so far.
Cypher_01 said:
This rises another question for me.
Assumed there is a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. If one does
* backup the TA partition
* unlock the bootloader
* install a custom recovery
* restore the TA partition (bootloader locked again)
Is the phone still rooted? And, even more important, is the custom recovery still there?
I guess this can be answered by someone having experience with earlier Xperia devices like the Z, Z1 or Z2. I've already been searching for the answer, but couldn't find it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might be better served visiting other sections of XDA, such as the Z1 Compact and Z2 forums here on XDa. They will be able to give you a little better glimpse into the future for how things are done.
Cypher_01 said:
This rises another question for me.
Assumed there is a way to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. If one does
* backup the TA partition
* unlock the bootloader
* install a custom recovery
* restore the TA partition (bootloader locked again)
Is the phone still rooted? And, even more important, is the custom recovery still there?
I guess this can be answered by someone having experience with earlier Xperia devices like the Z, Z1 or Z2. I've already been searching for the answer, but couldn't find it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Relocking the bootloader when a modified stock firmware and a stock kernel with recovery is installed results in a device that doesn't boot, so I guess no, although I don't know which part exactly breaks in the process.
My understanding is that with a custom/unlocked recovery, you'll lose the TA partition with DRM keys. So you'll lose out on anything that needs the DRM keys. If a root exploit is found, then you could use the standard ROM with root and not touch the bootloader/recovery/TA partition. But as soon as an update rolls out, you'll lose root again (and likely the exploit with it).
Backing up the TA partition means that you can restore it to stock (i.e. to sell or for warranty repair).
Again, as per my understanding - any AOSP/CM based ROM will lose any of the Sony proprietary software and features anyway, no different to Samsung or HTC in that respect. I remember having a HTC One (M7) last year where the camera was worse on CM because HTC used their own post processing software within their camera app.
In theory, it may be possible for someone to come up with a stock based ROM with root baked in that keeps some the Sony proprietary software etc, but this is unlikely I would say.
I'm thinking about buying a Z3c, but it sounds as though there with be no AOSP rom with all the display and camera enhancements. The most concerning thing is that there is no way to go back completely to stock as you can with a Nexus for example. Maybe I should just hope for a Z3c Google Play Edition? I'm going to have to check the other Z phone forums to see how big of a factor this is.

Re Locking Bootloader

I'm just wondering if it's possible to like...
Unlock bootloader then restores your Titanium backup apps and then relock.. or no?
Because as far as I know there's no twrp that can read the encrypted memory and MIUI automatically encrypts the system right?
So basically there's no way to install Magisk ..
If anyone know if it's possible let me know please
I don't understand your question.
I have unlocked my Mi9, installed TWRP,deleted DATA partition, flashed xiaomi.eu,flashed magisk than restored a titanium backup taken from my old phone simply by transfer the folder with pc....
And I don't understand why people wanna relock bootloader!? In most cases you brick your phone, because it's not stock.
Guys I mean with stock global ROM not with xiaomi.eu or any other none official ROM.
I wanna lock bootloader in case my device gets stolen, lost etc.
You never know on which hands it can end.
Relock bootloader only if you flash the stock untouched image. It'useless to have a rooted locked device.... And you may cause a brick.
Yeah as we said... Don't do it if you rooted your device or flashed TWRP or anything. Relock only if it's totally stock. You may risk to brick your phone otherwise.
I was asking if it's possible to root only to being able to restore titanium apps, then remove root and then somehow restore default boot img and re lock bootloader.
PriPhaze said:
I was asking if it's possible to root only to being able to restore titanium apps, then remove root and then somehow restore default boot img and re lock bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't try that. It's maybe possible but it's also possible to brick phone while there is something more changed after root and twrp. I don't know I'm not a Dev.
PriPhaze said:
I was asking if it's possible to root only to being able to restore titanium apps, then remove root and then somehow restore default boot img and re lock bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you will mess the storage due to encription....

How do I backup LITERALLY EVERYTHING?

so, I want to unlock bootloader but that will erase all my data, I haven't found a good way to backup the whole phone (all settings, all files, all photos, etc...), MIUI's built in backup doesn't do ****.
thanks in advance
Rooting is the only way.
VD171 said:
Rooting is the only way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to backup before rooting I just have to lose my data?
XDAC1234 said:
I want to backup before rooting I just have to lose my data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly.
You lose data if you unlock/relock bootloader.
But the device has already unlocked bootloader, you can already root it without losing data.
If the device is not rooted, so you can backup non-root things only.

Question How to lock bootloader without factory reset?

I've an unlocked bootloader on stock MIUI. I know how to lock the bootloader but this does a factory reset. Is there a workaround so I don't lose all data?
I've seen some older posts for unlocking without losing data, by NOT clicking reboot but turning phone off and on.
Anyone? Thanks heaps.
boland said:
I've an unlocked bootloader on stock MIUI. I know how to lock the bootloader but this does a factory reset. Is there a workaround so I don't lose all data?
I've seen some older posts for unlocking without losing data, by NOT clicking reboot but turning phone off and on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK you really can't relock bootloader without format data. Either lock it and face format data or keep it unlocked and move to a custom ROM. There are many ways to backup your data but the best method for me is backing up through PC or SD card. If you're worried that having bootloader unlock can prevent you from using certain apps then you can always root and (somewhat) hide that.
BigChungus321 said:
AFAIK you really can't relock bootloader without format data. Either lock it and face format data or keep it unlocked and move to a custom ROM. There are many ways to backup your data but the best method for me is backing up through PC or SD card. If you're worried that having bootloader unlock can prevent you from using certain apps then you can always root and (somewhat) hide that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I've moved away from custom ROMs as it's just too time consuming for me.
Google Pay doesn't work when the bootloader is unlocked. Yes, I can install Magisk and Magisk Hide, but with Magisk installed OTA are no longer possible.
boland said:
Thanks. I've moved away from custom ROMs as it's just too time consuming for me.
Google Pay doesn't work when the bootloader is unlocked. Yes, I can install Magisk and Magisk Hide, but with Magisk installed OTA are no longer possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still possible but the method is now manually flashing instead of just download and reboot.

Categories

Resources