[FIXED] How to remove data encryption in TWRP

[dwapking]

Users of TWRP 3.1 on Doogee Mix (including myself) faced the mammoth problem of an encrypted storage after unlocking the bootloader and flashing the custom recovery. This problem is not peculiar to the Doogee Mix, any other device with TWRP 3.1+ will likely face the same issue and the solution preferred here would work.

By default, your device storage is encrypted (Settings > Security > Encryption) and any TWRP from 3.1+ respects that protocol.
This means that the internal storage would be showing 0mb because it can't be mounted, (no) thanks to the encryption.
Previous versions of TWRP (eg 3.0.3) could easily decrypt the device using the default password but from version 3.1, things changed.

SOLUTION
Needed:
1. An unlocked bootloader
2. TWRP installed (download from the TWRP thread)
3. An SD CARD (or USB OTG)
4. Magisk.zip (latest version, copy it to the SD card)

NOTE: Copy/Backup your files from your internal storage into your PC as this process would wipe everything from the internal storage.

STEPS
> With the bootloader unlocked and TWRP flashed, boot into recovery.
> The screen might be dark when in recovery, just press the power button and the the vol- button, it'll turn ON. Then swipe to unlock.
> You can change the language to English by clicking on the 2nd rectangle by the right above the swipe function.
> Tick "do not show again" and the swipe to allow modification.
> Confirm device encryption by clicking "Backup" or "Install", if the storage size is 0mb or no folder is showing while trying to install, then the device is encrypted.
> Go back, click "Wipe"
> You can choose to Factory reset, Format data or Advanced wipe > tick /data. Either way, it's going to wipe EVERYTHING in the internal storage (that's the purpose of device encryption, to prevent unauthorized access to the storage). However, I recommend you choose "FORMAT DATA"
> If you chose "Format data", then type yes in the next screen and swipe to format.
> When completed, go home, click Reboot and choose Recovery to boot into recovery (very important, do not reboot the phone into system otherwise you'll start all over. Reboot into recovery, not system).
> When in the recovery, click install > select storage > SD card (or USB OTG) (note that the internal storage will display as normal but remember it is now empty following the data reset)
> Navigate to the Magisk in /Sdcard (or USB OTG) and install.
> When completed, you can now reboot safely into system.
> Complete the phone setup and Open Magisk Manager. Notice that Magisk is now installed and "Preserve force encryption" is now unticked". You can also go to Settings > Security > Encryption and notice that it will ask you to encrypt your device, meaning it is decrypted now.
> The next time you will boot into recovery, TWRP may still be in Russian language, just change it one more time and you are good to go.
> Now you can flash anything you want including Xposed (download latest version from the official Xposed thread/website).


That's all. Cheers! Happy tweaking

 

[dwapking]

If you try to install font, module, busybox or any other system framework/tweak without success, then change the installation mode to recovery.

Recommended:
iFont
Busybox for Android or the busybox from Magisk Repo

iFont: switch to "My" tab > Settings > Installation mode > Recovery
Busybox for Android: tap settings (top right) > Installation mode > Recovery

 

[TheSpartanM4]

I love you broo!!

I was like 5 hours with this encryption problem without being able to solve it, Thank you very much. I LOVE YOU! Hahaha :good::victory::victory::fingers-crossed:

 

[dwapking]

Cheers!

 

[Ersid Kapaj]

If you try to install font, module, busybox or any other system framework/tweak without success, then change the installation mode to recovery.

Recommended:
iFont
Busybox for Android or the busybox from Magisk Repo

iFont: switch to "My" tab > Settings > Installation mode > Recovery
Busybox for Android: tap settings (top right) > Installation mode > Recovery

How to you get OTA update when you are rooted? I can't

 

[mrmazak]

If you try to install font, module, busybox or any other system framework/tweak without success, then change the installation mode to recovery.

Recommended:
iFont
Busybox for Android or the busybox from Magisk Repo

iFont: switch to "My" tab > Settings > Installation mode > Recovery
Busybox for Android: tap settings (top right) > Installation mode > Recovery

Your screenshot of the about phone page, shows you are on kernel 3.18, thought device had kernel 4.4?

 

[dwapking]

How to you get OTA update when you are rooted? I can't

Being rooted shouldn't prevent you from getting the OTA.
OTA's arrive based on System language, region, model/variant, etc.
If you still can't get the OTA and your language is set to "English (US or UK)", then download the latest flashable ROM and flash via PC. It should help for subsequent OTA's.
If you have done this before and still stuck, then just download the local update file and install.

 

[Ersid Kapaj]

Being rooted shouldn't prevent you from getting the OTA.
OTA's arrive based on System language, region, model/variant, etc.
If you still can't get the OTA and your language is set to "English (US or UK)", then download the latest flashable ROM and flash via PC. It should help for subsequent OTA's.
If you have done this before and still stuck, then just download the local update file and install.

That's the problem. When i click check for update it says "Root detected" and then it says that my system is up to date. I don't want to delete anything from my phone, that's why i don't do it via PC.

 

[TheSpartanM4]

have another problem witch F2SF I cant flash any modules in magisk

Magisk.img mount failed do you have this problem?

 

[dwapking]

That's the problem. When i click check for update it says "Root detected" and then it says that my system is up to date. I don't want to delete anything from my phone, that's why i don't do it via PC.

I have root, and I don't get any such errors when I check for updates. Perhaps you should just backup ur apps/OS (with TB & TWRP) and files in a PC then flash a clean updated ROM.

 

[dwapking]

Your screenshot of the about phone page, shows you are on kernel 3.18, thought device had kernel 4.4?

The kernel version is correct. The 4.4 is only shown in CPU_Z app

 

[dwapking]

have another problem witch F2SF I cant flash any modules in magisk

Magisk.img mount failed do you have this problem?

Yes... Some modules (Viper4Android, Busybox NDK) did flash successfully (though not mounted in Magisk modules section but are working just fine) while many others refused to install.
I am currently trying to verify the cause. For now, no solution yet.

 

[Ersid Kapaj]

I have root, and I don't get any such errors when I check for updates. Perhaps you should just backup ur apps/OS (with TB & TWRP) and files in a PC then flash a clean updated ROM.

I have downloaded the update once but when i try to install it says the it's rooted and can't install. Since then it's the same problem.

 

[dwapking]

Yes of course, before any update is installed, root integrity check is performed. Once any modifications has been detected, it will abort.
That's why I said you should flash back your STOCK SYSTEM, RECOVERY AND BOOT, since they're the partitions affected by the root.
Don't forget to wipe the data of "Wireless Update" before proceeding to install.

 

[dralokyn]

ok, i'm gonna give this a try once i'm properly awake. i had been trying to install magisk via adb push and it would not work, so we'll see how this does. thanks!

 

[exciter0]

Does safetynet pass for anyone? MobileIron still detects the phone as rooted with Magisk installed...

 

[dralokyn]

I got it to work! I have TWRP installed, I have Magisk working, and Safetynet check passes. I can't post screenshots because I don't have enough posts, but I suppose I have root now! ...it's not nearly as exciting on a non-bloated phone with no available roms. But I think we're maybe ready to say we officially have root? I can't learn coding or I'd try to make my own rom.

 

[dwapking]

Cheers!

 

[Fstop]

Doogee Mix only reboots to Doogee Splash which warns: Orange State
Your device has been unlocked and can't be trusted. YOur device will boot in 5 seconds. Then TWRP boots in English instead of Russian. Thats all I get. Is there a custom ROM for Doogee Mix? Did I wiped the OS? Thank you for getting me out off the Encryption - loop.

 

[Fstop]

Can someone please help me understand why I can only boot into TWRP Recovery now???