I think this thread is obsolete now, please go to
[DEV][REF] El Grande Partition Table Reference
instead, which contains more facts
Hi,
I want to create a list of Android partitions, to collect information for different purposes.
My current cause of investigation is about repartitioning emmc bricked Samsung phones, but the guide could collect all kinds of information (in short form, eventually with links to deeper investigations).
I want to format this as a living post, with new information added where appropriate (I assume the wiki would fit better, but I don't see a section to put this, also I don't know if fitting to Samsung only or Android in general until enough information is collected).
So let's start:
So let's visit partitions one by one:
GANG
* has zero size in PIT, seems to be hidden in the following unused area
* no real partition, but included in PITs
BOOT
* has zero size in PIT, seems to be hidden in the following unused area
EFS
* mounted on /efs
* contains many personalized information
* IMEI
* bluetooth MAC etc.
* restoration only possible with JTAG
* should be backuped!!!
SBL1, SBL2
* BL = boot loader
* S = Secondary?
* why do we have SBL1 *and* SBL2?
PARAM
* currently I don't know anything about this
KERNEL
* contains kernel (obviously)
* also contains recovery on some/many Samsung Galaxy phones (e.g. N7000)
* read only
RECOVERY
* seems to be unused on Samsung Galaxy N7000, KERNEL comes with recovery integrated
* read only
CACHE
* mounted on /cache
* temporary data
* can be cleared without loosing any important data
MODEM
* modem software for cell phone
* can be flashed from stock file
* read only?
FACTORYFS, system
* mounted on /system
* main OS code
* system apps
* read only
DATAFS, data
* mounted on /data
* user apps
* read/write
UMS, userdata
* mounted on /sdcard, sometimes /emmc
* sometimes called internal sd
HIDDEN, PRELOAD
* mounted on /preload
* purpose?
FOTA
* F = Factory?
* OTA = Over The Air
* may be used for Updates by stock ROM
Here are also some general thoughts about repartitioning these partitions to be mixed into the list later if it fits (just as a reminder):
* if you have a brick in a partition you cannot create a backup to restore afterwards
* partitions which have stock contents (not personalized) will be easy
* EFS cannot be restored without having a backup,
it contains nearly all really personalized information, with the most important data being the IMEI, which is unique to your phone. You find it printed on a sticker on your phone, but currently no one seems to be able to patch it into a generic copy of the EFS.
* some partitions will be needed to boot into recovery and/or download mode
I would assume BOOT, SBL1 and/or SBL2 are involved.
Some may be needed to boot into both recovery *and* download mode.
Some may be needed only for one of them.
If a PIT would move these, you cannot enter download and/or recovery again, thus your phone is nearly dead and only recoverable by JTAG.
* what about PARAM?
[DEV][REF] El Grande Partition Table Reference
instead, which contains more facts
Hi,
I want to create a list of Android partitions, to collect information for different purposes.
My current cause of investigation is about repartitioning emmc bricked Samsung phones, but the guide could collect all kinds of information (in short form, eventually with links to deeper investigations).
I want to format this as a living post, with new information added where appropriate (I assume the wiki would fit better, but I don't see a section to put this, also I don't know if fitting to Samsung only or Android in general until enough information is collected).
So let's start:
So let's visit partitions one by one:
GANG
* has zero size in PIT, seems to be hidden in the following unused area
* no real partition, but included in PITs
BOOT
* has zero size in PIT, seems to be hidden in the following unused area
EFS
* mounted on /efs
* contains many personalized information
* IMEI
* bluetooth MAC etc.
* restoration only possible with JTAG
* should be backuped!!!
SBL1, SBL2
* BL = boot loader
* S = Secondary?
* why do we have SBL1 *and* SBL2?
PARAM
* currently I don't know anything about this
KERNEL
* contains kernel (obviously)
* also contains recovery on some/many Samsung Galaxy phones (e.g. N7000)
* read only
RECOVERY
* seems to be unused on Samsung Galaxy N7000, KERNEL comes with recovery integrated
* read only
CACHE
* mounted on /cache
* temporary data
* can be cleared without loosing any important data
MODEM
* modem software for cell phone
* can be flashed from stock file
* read only?
FACTORYFS, system
* mounted on /system
* main OS code
* system apps
* read only
DATAFS, data
* mounted on /data
* user apps
* read/write
UMS, userdata
* mounted on /sdcard, sometimes /emmc
* sometimes called internal sd
HIDDEN, PRELOAD
* mounted on /preload
* purpose?
FOTA
* F = Factory?
* OTA = Over The Air
* may be used for Updates by stock ROM
Here are also some general thoughts about repartitioning these partitions to be mixed into the list later if it fits (just as a reminder):
* if you have a brick in a partition you cannot create a backup to restore afterwards
* partitions which have stock contents (not personalized) will be easy
* EFS cannot be restored without having a backup,
it contains nearly all really personalized information, with the most important data being the IMEI, which is unique to your phone. You find it printed on a sticker on your phone, but currently no one seems to be able to patch it into a generic copy of the EFS.
* some partitions will be needed to boot into recovery and/or download mode
I would assume BOOT, SBL1 and/or SBL2 are involved.
Some may be needed to boot into both recovery *and* download mode.
Some may be needed only for one of them.
If a PIT would move these, you cannot enter download and/or recovery again, thus your phone is nearly dead and only recoverable by JTAG.
* what about PARAM?
Last edited: