Question Renaming a system file?

[groston]

I have a rooted Pixel 7 and It was suggested that I rename a system file to prevent the system from updating itself (despite my having turned off all such options). My first attempt was to merely try renaming the file, but that didn’t work because the file systems in mounted RO.

I did some looking around, and the common approach to dealing with this issue is to remount the file system. Following is a ‘screen grab’ of my abd session:

cheetah:/ $ su
cheetah:/ $ ls /product
  app  etc  fonts  framework  lib  lib64  lost+found  media  overlay  priv-app  tts  usr  wallpaper
  (this has the directory I want, so this file system)
cheetah:/ $ mount | grep product
  /dev/block/dm-15 on /product type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
  (this is a mounted file system)
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount -t ext4 /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/dm-15 /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
  (three attempts to remount – all failed)

So, now what should I try?

 

[Lughnasadh]

I have a rooted Pixel 7 and It was suggested that I rename a system file to prevent the system from updating itself (despite my having turned off all such options). My first attempt was to merely try renaming the file, but that didn’t work because the file systems in mounted RO.

I did some looking around, and the common approach to dealing with this issue is to remount the file system. Following is a ‘screen grab’ of my abd session:

cheetah:/ $ su
cheetah:/ $ ls /product
  app  etc  fonts  framework  lib  lib64  lost+found  media  overlay  priv-app  tts  usr  wallpaper
  (this has the directory I want, so this file system)
cheetah:/ $ mount | grep product
  /dev/block/dm-15 on /product type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
  (this is a mounted file system)
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount -t ext4 /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
cheetah:/ # mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/dm-15 /product
  '/dev/block/dm-15' is read-only
  (three attempts to remount – all failed)

So, now what should I try?

I haven't used this, but maybe it can help you.

 

[groston]

I haven't used this, but maybe it can help you.

Thank you. Seems like this might work, but after reading several pages, I am not sure how to install/use overlayfs. I have a Windows system - any chance you could point me to something that provides some guidance?

 

[Lughnasadh]

Thank you. Seems like this might work, but after reading several pages, I am not sure how to install/use overlayfs. I have a Windows system - any chance you could point me to something that provides some guidance?

I've never used this before but I believe once you flash the module it makes the /system RW so you can start making modifications. There's a README that provides some information. I don't know of any other guides besides the information on that Github page.

 

[simplepinoi177]

Checking out the thread below might reveal a solution and/or give a clue or hint...

Pixel 7 Pro Stuck in read only mode (rooted with magisk 26.1) Am I missing something? HELP

Everything ive tried in FX Explorer fails. No matter what I try, for example editing build.prop or anything else, it constantly says read only. i cannot use any method to allow write access. Did i miss something when i rooted with Magisk? I dont...

forum.xda-developers.com

 

[groston]

Checking out the thread below might reveal a solution and/or give a clue or hint...

Pixel 7 Pro Stuck in read only mode (rooted with magisk 26.1) Am I missing something? HELP

Everything ive tried in FX Explorer fails. No matter what I try, for example editing build.prop or anything else, it constantly says read only. i cannot use any method to allow write access. Did i miss something when i rooted with Magisk? I dont...

forum.xda-developers.com

Good suggestion. I installed FX File Explorer, gave it the appropriate permissions, but was unable to change the /product filesystem to read/write.

 

[simplepinoi177]

Good suggestion. I installed FX File Explorer, gave it the appropriate permissions, but was unable to change the /product filesystem to read/write.

When you say "gave it the appropriate permissions", just to confirm -- that doesn't mean that you changed the security permissions on the folder & files, correct? I hope it means you did not do what the OP in that thread had done and actually did enable root access particularly (hoping that's what you meant on "gave it appropriate permissions").
Because, in certain cases, I've changed permissions on files/folders vs. simply enabling root access mode....

Apologies in advanced if my inquiry seems fairly obvious (to the point of insulting maybe; it is not meant to be), but you never know and many foolish things has been done/assumed on this site that missed many (obvious) things because it wasn't confirmed....