[Solved] HELP! Phone won't boot from twrp!

[Stefano Barbotto]

I've unlocked the bootloader, flashed twrp from pc and I was going to flash the supersu zip. Unfortunately, when I went in recovery (twrp) and flashed the supersu zip(installation process didn't show any problem) I clicked reboot and the phone didn't boot! It just turns off(no led or similar). I have fastboot and twrp access, I tried flashing omnirom using the adb sideload command, everything went fine but still when pressing reboot nothing happens! I even tried to boot manually (after flashing the ROM) with the physical button but still nothing(this time the led blinked twice).
I used the latest version of twrp for Athene, version 2.82 of supersu if this could help.

Edit: was it necessary to flash a different kernel, as it was a nougat rom? The rooting guide I followed didn't mention that.
Edit: Everything worked fine before Supersu, the problem must be related to Supersu but how can I solve?

 

[echo92]

Generally, on stock Nougat ROMs (not custom ROMs in general), you will need a custom kernel if you want to root. Else, the strict anti rooting protections in the stock Motorola kernel on Nougat devices will trip and stop you from booting your device.

You could try clearing the misc partition as described here (I've not tried it, so be very careful) https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325 to try to reset the boot issue.

If that doesn't work, we may have to repair with a stock ROM flash via fastboot. Can you remember what stock ROM you last had?

I appreciate there are a lot of rooting guides (albeit most are out of date), for future reference, here's a guide that still works: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...de-root-moto-g4-plus-supersu-android-t3587918

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Generally, on stock Nougat ROMs (not custom ROMs in general), you will need a custom kernel if you want to root. Else, the strict anti rooting protections in the stock Motorola kernel on Nougat devices will trip and stop you from booting your device.

You could try clearing the misc partition as described here (I've not tried it, so be very careful) https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4/help/troubleshooting-twrp-boot-loop-ota-t3714325 to try to reset the boot issue.

If that doesn't work, we may have to repair with a stock ROM flash via fastboot. Can you remember what stock ROM you last had?

I appreciate there are a lot of rooting guides (albeit most are out of date), for future reference, here's a guide that still works: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...de-root-moto-g4-plus-supersu-android-t3587918

The stock rom was the stock one with android Nougat 7.0, I don't remember any other information Moreover there is a omni rom now, as i wrote before.

Edit:
The device is Motorola Moto G4 XT1622

 

[echo92]

The stock rom was the stock one with android Nougat 7.0, I don't remember any other information Moreover there is a omni rom now, as i wrote before

When you flashed omnirom via ADB side load, did you erase /system, /data, cache and dalvik before flashing omnirom?

Latest stock ROM for EU is here by the way https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

When you flashed omnirom via ADB side load, did you erase /system, /data, cache and dalvik before flashing omnirom?

Latest stock ROM for EU is here by the way https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138

No I didn't, I know I should have done this, though
Edit: So, should I try with the partitions or directly flash stock rom? What do you suggest? The xda page related to partitions was related to another issue....

 

[echo92]

No I didn't, I know I should have done this, though
Edit: So, should I try with the partitions or directly flash stock rom? What do you suggest? The xda page related to partitions was related to another issue....

Okay, the partitions page was an idea to get you out of the TWRP boot issues you had.

For now though, the priority is to get your device running, you could try reflashing omnirom after erasing /system, /data, /dalvik and /cache ( so removing your stock system and data, I hope you backed up). Try booting with the custom ROM. Since you've got TWRP access, this would be easiest, you can always copy files to your device whilst in TWRP and connected via USB.

If that doesn't get your device running or you want to revert back to stock, them flash the stock ROM in fastboot.

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Okay, the partitions page was an idea to get you out of the TWRP boot issues you had.

For now though, the priority is to get your device running, you could try reflashing omnirom after erasing /system, /data, /dalvik and /cache ( so removing your stock system and data, I hope you backed up). Try booting with the custom ROM. Since you've got TWRP access, this would be easiest, you can always copy files to your device whilst in TWRP and connected via USB.

If that doesn't get your device running or you want to revert back to stock, them flash the stock ROM in fastboot.

I didn't even back up the rom from twrp, I totally forgot. I only have information backed up from the motorola account(which is not the back up of the rom, of course). Anyway, I'll try flashing and tell you, thanks for the help

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Okay, the partitions page was an idea to get you out of the TWRP boot issues you had.

For now though, the priority is to get your device running, you could try reflashing omnirom after erasing /system, /data, /dalvik and /cache ( so removing your stock system and data, I hope you backed up). Try booting with the custom ROM. Since you've got TWRP access, this would be easiest, you can always copy files to your device whilst in TWRP and connected via USB.

If that doesn't get your device running or you want to revert back to stock, them flash the stock ROM in fastboot.

Tried to flash the stock rom you seggested in fastboot mode (followed the instructions in the link you provided), everything worked fine but the phone dosn't boot and remains connected and blinks....I don't know what else to do.

 

[echo92]

Tried to flash the stock rom you seggested in fastboot mode (followed the instructions in the link you provided), everything worked fine but the phone dosn't boot and remains connected and blinks....I don't know what else to do.

Hmm, what outputs did you receive from the flashing commands, were they all reporting [OKAY]? How long did you leave your device to boot?

Are you still able to boot to bootloader? If so, can you re-connect your device to your computer, and in the ADB terminal, type 'fastboot getvar all' (without the quotes) and post the output here please? You may wish to omit your IMEI that's included in these device variables.

Can you hold down the power button for 2-3 minutes, try a hard shutdown, then try to reboot?

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Hmm, what outputs did you receive from the flashing commands, were they all reporting [OKAY]? How long did you leave your device to boot?

Are you still able to boot to bootloader? If so, can you re-connect your device to your computer, and in the ADB terminal, type 'fastboot getvar all' (without the quotes) and post the output here please? You may wish to omit your IMEI that's included in these device variables.

Can you hold down the power button for 2-3 minutes, try a hard shutdown, then try to reboot?

Here is the output from the command "fastboot getvar all":

C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot getvar all
(bootloader) slot-count: not found
(bootloader) slot-suffixes: not found
(bootloader) slot-suffixes: not found
(bootloader) version: 0.5
(bootloader) version-bootloader: moto-msm8952-B1.06
(bootloader) product: athene_13mp
(bootloader) board: athene_13mp
(bootloader) secure: yes
(bootloader) hwrev: P2A
(bootloader) radio: 3
(bootloader) storage-type: emmc
(bootloader) emmc: 16GB SAMSUNG QE13MB RV=08 PV=07 FV=0000000000000007
(bootloader) ram: 2GB SAMSUNG LP3 DIE=8Gb M5=01 M6=05 M7=00 M8=1F
(bootloader) cpu: MSM8952
(bootloader) serialno: ZY2239WC6B
(bootloader) cid: 0x0032
(bootloader) channelid: 0x40
(bootloader) uid: A40BEC0000000000000000000000
(bootloader) securestate: flashing_unlocked
(bootloader) iswarrantyvoid: yes
(bootloader) max-download-size: 536870912
(bootloader) reason: Volume down key pressed
(bootloader) imei: 354123071313730
(bootloader) meid:
(bootloader) date: 06-02-2016
(bootloader) sku: XT1622
(bootloader) battid: SNN5970A
(bootloader) iccid:
(bootloader) cust_md5:
(bootloader) max-sparse-size: 268435456
(bootloader) current-time: "Thu Apr 21 5:47:54 UTC 2016"
(bootloader) ro.build.fingerprint[0]: motorola/athene/athene:7.0/NPJS25.
(bootloader) ro.build.fingerprint[1]: 93-14-10/10:user/release-keys
(bootloader) ro.build.version.full[0]: Blur_Version.25.221.10.athene.ret
(bootloader) ro.build.version.full[1]: ail.en.US
(bootloader) ro.build.version.qcom: LA.BR.1.3.6-01710-8976.0
(bootloader) version-baseband[0]: M8952_70030.25.03.62.01R ATHENE_EMEA_D
(bootloader) version-baseband[1]: SDS_CUST
(bootloader) kernel.version[0]: Linux version 3.10.84-g9b51918 (hudsoncm
(bootloader) kernel.version[1]: @ilclbld26) (gcc version 4.8 (GCC) ) #1
(bootloader) kernel.version[2]: SMP PREEMPT Mon Aug 28 09:30:48 CDT 2017
(bootloader) sbl1.git: git=MBM-NG-VB1.06-0-g57d1343
(bootloader) rpm.git: git=MBM-NG-VB1.06-0-ga970ead
(bootloader) tz.git: git=69dd24b-dirty
(bootloader) hyp.git: git=69dd24b-dirty
(bootloader) keymaster.git: git=69dd24b-dirty
(bootloader) cmnlib.git: git=69dd24b-dirty
(bootloader) aboot.git: git=MBM-NG-VB1.06-0-g0edfb0d
(bootloader) qe: qe 0/0
(bootloader) frp-state: no protection (77)
(bootloader) ro.carrier: reteu
all: listed above
finished. total time: 0.422s

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Hmm, what outputs did you receive from the flashing commands, were they all reporting [OKAY]? How long did you leave your device to boot?

Are you still able to boot to bootloader? If so, can you re-connect your device to your computer, and in the ADB terminal, type 'fastboot getvar all' (without the quotes) and post the output here please? You may wish to omit your IMEI that's included in these device variables.

Can you hold down the power button for 2-3 minutes, try a hard shutdown, then try to reboot?

As for the outputs of the flashing commands, I couldn't copy them, as I used the OEM flash provided by the author of the post(the window opened and closed automatically) rather than manually inputing the commands in the prompt. I'll try manually and tell you

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Hmm, what outputs did you receive from the flashing commands, were they all reporting [OKAY]? How long did you leave your device to boot?

Are you still able to boot to bootloader? If so, can you re-connect your device to your computer, and in the ADB terminal, type 'fastboot getvar all' (without the quotes) and post the output here please? You may wish to omit your IMEI that's included in these device variables.

Can you hold down the power button for 2-3 minutes, try a hard shutdown, then try to reboot?

As for the outputs from the flashing commands, I wasn't able to copy them, as I used the "OEM flash" file (from the author of this link :https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138) which automatically opened and closed the prompt

 

[echo92]

As for the outputs from the flashing commands, I wasn't able to copy them, as I used the "OEM flash" file (from the author of this link : https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/stock-rom-npjs25-93-14-4-march-1-t3608138) which automatically opened and closed the prompt

Okay, that script should work and looking at the getvar log, it looks like the firmware flashed okay (your bootloader, baseband and system all match), so I'm confused as to why your device is failing to boot...

Can you try manually flashing and reporting back if you get all [OKAY] responses? By manually flashing, I mean copying each command into the ADB terminal in sequence, then executing each command, seeing the [OKAY] before proceeding. That way, we can be sure we have stock fully and no trace of root which might be tripping the checks. I'd like to see the output if possible

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Okay, that script should work and looking at the getvar log, it looks like the firmware flashed okay (your bootloader, baseband and system all match), so I'm confused as to why your device is failing to boot...

Can you try manually flashing and reporting back if you get all [OKAY] responses? By manually flashing, I mean copying each command into the ADB terminal in sequence, then executing each command, seeing the [OKAY] before proceeding. That way, we can be sure we have stock fully and no trace of root which might be tripping the checks. I'd like to see the output if possible

I really, extremely apologize for being so dumb : I forgot to unzip the stock rom file, so the files weren't recognised while I was entering the commands. The phone is now perfectly working, thanks again for the great help!

By the way, If I wanted to to root the device, how should I install another kernel?

 

[strongst]

I really, extremely apologize for being so dumb : I forgot to unzip the stock rom file, so the files weren't recognised while I was entering the commands. The phone is now perfectly working, thanks again for the great help!

By the way, If I wanted to to root the device, how should I install another kernel?

If you flashed TWRP you can install the kernel with twrp.

 

[echo92]

I really, extremely apologize for being so dumb : I forgot to unzip the stock rom file, so the files weren't recognised while I was entering the commands. The phone is now perfectly working, thanks again for the great help!

By the way, If I wanted to to root the device, how should I install another kernel?

Woo, we got your device working

If you're still interested in rooting on stock Nougat and flashing a custom kernel (I use ElementalX here for reference, but other custom kernels suitable for Nougat 7.0 stock Motorola athene ROMs should work, like vegito), assuming your bootloader is unlocked:

1)Download ElementalX and your choice of root manager onto your device. ElementalX v1.04 is designed for stock Motorola 7.0 ROMs : https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/kernel-elementalx-g4-0-01-t3424836

2)Flash or boot TWRP. Up to you which TWRP build you use, I prefer shreps' TWRP 3.1.1 athene (https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...covery-twrp-3-0-2-r3-moto-g4-g4-plus-t3494337 ) but the official builds should suffice.

Boot your device to the bootloader and connect your device to your computer. In the ADB terminal, flash TWRP to your recovery partition if you see yourself using TWRP a lot, remember to boot into recovery after flashing to ensure TWRP is not overwritten by the stock recovery (assuming your device is still in the bootloader mode following the flash, use the volume keys on your device after flashing TWRP to select Recovery on your device, then press Power to boot into recovery). You may boot as normal afterwards.
Alternatively, you can temporarily boot in TWRP, which should keep your recovery partition stock but mean you'll have to require a computer to use TWRP.
To boot into TWRP, boot your device to the bootloader and connect to your computer. Copy the TWRP image to your ADB folder. In the ADB terminal type:

 fastboot boot <name of TWRP image>

The <name of TWRP image> should be the full file name (without the greater than/less than signs), you can start typing the first letters of the image name and press Tab on your keyboard to auto-complete if the file is present in the same folder (which it should be if copied to your ADB folder). Ensure that the file name has the correct file name extensions, you may wish to enable file extensions in Windows File Explorer to check, tab auto-complete will do this for you.

3)In TWRP, back up your device using the Backup option (usually everything except cache which should be the default selection).
3a)Also, make a separate backup of the boot partition - this 16 MB partition contains your clean, stock kernel (if you fully flashed the stock firmware).

4)Tap Install in TWRP, and navigate to your Download folder or wherever your ElementalX zip is stored. Flash ElementalX as directed by the installer. After flashing, wipe cache/Dalvik (should appear as an option on screen).

5)After flashing ElementalX, you can choose to flash your choice of root manager or reboot first to check your device is still running. If it's still working, then you can reboot to TWRP (either by rebooting to recovery or using a PC to temporarily boot). Flash your root manager in TWRP (same way as you flashed ElementalX) and then reboot, you should have a stock ROM rooted and booting

A few things to note:

As you'd have TWRP and root, OTA stock updates won't work, and taking an OTA update would soft bootloop your device in TWRP. There are ways to get around this, but you may wish to disable the Motorola updater to stop you being nagged/accidentally downloading the OTA update https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/help/how-disable-notification-update-t3459587

If you want OTA updates, you'd have to revert to stock fully, but we'll get to that when the time comes.

Rooting with SuperSU may mean that SafetyNet fails - this is Google's anti-tamper/anti-rooting detection, and thus some apps may fail to work. You may use SuperSU hide https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/suhide-lite-t3653855 or magisk's built-in magiskhide to hide the root manager from detection.

If you have any issues whilst rooting, you may choose to use the backups you made in 3)

If you want to switch custom kernels or change root manager, then I recommend:
a)Uninstall root via your root manager's uninstall procedure. For example, SuperSU has an uninstall function in the SuperSU app, magisk requires a TWRP flashable uninstaller.
b)Reboot into TWRP (if not already in TWRP)
c)Restore the stock kernel backup you made above in 3a). This should remove traces of root from your kernel that may conflict with your new kernel and cause chaos.
d)Flash your new custom kernel of choice followed by your root manager.
e)Wipe cache/Dalvik and reboot.

Good luck

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

Woo, we got your device working

If you're still interested in rooting on stock Nougat and flashing a custom kernel (I use ElementalX here for reference, but other custom kernels suitable for Nougat 7.0 stock Motorola athene ROMs should work, like vegito), assuming your bootloader is unlocked:

1)Download ElementalX and your choice of root manager onto your device. ElementalX v1.04 is designed for stock Motorola 7.0 ROMs : https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/kernel-elementalx-g4-0-01-t3424836

2)Flash or boot TWRP. Up to you which TWRP build you use, I prefer shreps' TWRP 3.1.1 athene (https://forum.xda-developers.com/mo...covery-twrp-3-0-2-r3-moto-g4-g4-plus-t3494337 ) but the official builds should suffice. Flash TWRP to your recovery partition if you see yourself using TWRP a lot, remember to boot into recovery after flashing to ensure TWRP is not overwritten by the stock recovery (use the volume keys your device after flashing TWRP to select Recovery on your device, then press Power to boot into recovery). You may boot as normal afterwards.
Alternatively, you can temporarily boot in TWRP, which should keep your recovery partition stock but mean you'll have to require a computer to use TWRP.
To boot into TWRP, boot your device to the bootloader and connect to your computer. Copy the TWRP image to your ADB folder. In the ADB terminal type:

 fastboot boot <name of TWRP image>

The <name of TWRP image> should be the full file name (without the greater than/less than signs), you can start typing the first letters of the image name and press Tab on your keyboard to auto-complete if the file is present in the same folder (which it should be if copied to your ADB folder). Ensure that the file name has the correct file name extensions, you may wish to enable file extensions in Windows File Explorer to check, tab auto-complete will do this for you.

3)In TWRP, back up your device using the Backup option (usually everything except cache which should be the default selection).
3a)Also, make a separate backup of the boot partition - this 16 MB partition contains your clean, stock kernel (if you fully flashed the stock firmware).

4)Tap Install in TWRP, and navigate to your Download folder or wherever your ElementalX zip is stored. Flash ElementalX as directed by the installer. After flashing, wipe cache/Dalvik (should appear as an option on screen).

5)After flashing ElementalX, you can choose to flash your choice of root manager or reboot first to check your device is still running. If it's still working, then you can reboot to TWRP (either by rebooting to recovery or using a PC to temporarily boot). Flash your root manager in TWRP (same way as you flashed ElementalX) and then reboot, you should have a stock ROM rooted and booting

A few things to note:

As you'd have TWRP and root, OTA stock updates won't work, and taking an OTA update would soft bootloop your device in TWRP. There are ways to get around this, but you may wish to disable the Motorola updater to stop you being nagged/accidentally downloading the OTA update https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/help/how-disable-notification-update-t3459587

If you want OTA updates, you'd have to revert to stock fully, but we'll get to that when the time comes.

Rooting with SuperSU may mean that SafetyNet fails - this is Google's anti-tamper/anti-rooting detection, and thus some apps may fail to work. You may use SuperSU hide https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/suhide-lite-t3653855 or magisk's built-in magiskhide to hide the root manager from detection.

If you have any issues whilst rooting, you may choose to use the backups you made in 3)

If you want to switch custom kernels or change root manager, then I recommend:
a)Uninstall root via your root manager's uninstall procedure. For example, SuperSU has an uninstall function in the SuperSU app, magisk requires a TWRP flashable uninstaller.
b)Reboot into TWRP (if not already in TWRP)
c)Restore the stock kernel backup you made above in 3a). This should remove traces of root from your kernel that may conflict with your new kernel and cause chaos.
d)Flash your new custom kernel of choice followed by your root manager.
e)Wipe cache/Dalvik and reboot.

Good luck

Just a question: I already have twrp on my device(I normally access by powering off phone, then power+volume down keys, then I select recovery from the menu and I am in twrp), how do I know if it is already flashed to my recovery partition? Should I flash twrp from pc in fastboot mode again and then boot into recovery after flashing, as you wrote? Thanks in advance for the reply

 

[echo92]

Just a question: I already have twrp on my device(I normally access by powering off phone, then power+volume down keys, then I select recovery from the menu and I am in twrp), how do I know if it is already flashed to my recovery partition? Should I flash twrp from pc in fastboot mode again and then boot into recovery after flashing, as you wrote? Thanks in advance for the reply

If you've already got TWRP on your device and can not into it, then it's already flashed to your recovery partition. No need to flash it again.

Just boot into TWRP and follow from step 3 (backing up your device)

 

[Stefano Barbotto]

If you've already got TWRP on your device and can not into it, then it's already flashed to your recovery partition. No need to flash it again.

Just boot into TWRP and follow from step 3 (backing up your device)

I can into it via the fastboot menu but not directly with the combination of power + volume down buttons(this sends me in fastboot mode). If I haven't misunderstood, this means it's already flashed to my recovery partition, is it right?

 

[echo92]

I can into it via the fastboot menu but not directly with the combination of power + volume down buttons(this sends me in fastboot mode). If I haven't misunderstood, this means it's already flashed to my recovery partition, is it right?

Volume down and power button combinations should always send you to the bootloader/fastboot mode (won't let you boot directly to recovery), then you can select recovery from the fastboot menu. If it's as you described, then yes, you already have TWRP flashed to your recovery partition and you're doing things correctly.

What I wrote in step 2) assumed your device was already booted into the bootloader mode to flash/boot TWRP. Hence, you can use the volume and power keys as you described to boot into TWRP recovery. I'll add that to make the procedure clearer

For clarity's sake:
Powered off device > Pressing the power and volume down keys > Bootloader/fastboot mode.
In bootloader/fastboot mode, select recovery from the fastboot menu with the volume keys. Press Power key to select
If you see:
TWRP logo - you have TWRP flashed to your recovery partition
OR a green Android on its back with No Command - that's stock recovery.