Call for testing: Google/Huawei Nexus 6P (angler) owners

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 01:32

@kz6fittycent Flash 4-core TWRP with script so it doesn't bootloop. Then wipe all partitions in TWRP (data, dalvik, system, cache, etc).

Then install factory 7.1.2, being sure to do the usb debug, MTP, and accept this computer prompt as described above. Then load 4-core TWRP and wipe dalvik, data, and cache

At this point try the installer in recovery, or flash halium, rootfs, etc manually as per instructions above

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 01:55

@rocket2nfinity

Okay, so, as I mentioned, the manual flash instructions are a hot mess - hard to read and definitely not clear cut. At least the one's I found here: https://pad.ubports.com/p/nexus-6p-alphatesting

I didn't see any others about manual installation. You posted several threads/posts but each one has some difference in the instructions/methods - leading to some confusion and likely issues.

Basically, need something very clear cut - exactly what order things are done and what is done - maybe even with screenshots. I realize that this can be a tall order during the testing phase but in my line of work (dev-ops), I have to clearly outline each step taken in order to determine any deviation that may have occurred on the user's end that would lead to failures or issues. Given the current state, it's kind of all over the place.

Please don't think I'm being a jerk, or overly critical, I'm trying the help the project along and I am going to assume that there is some dummy out there like me facing similar issues.

Now, on to the next bit:

When using the installer, this is what I see (screenshot). What I need to know is, do I tick both blocks in the ubports-installer? See screenshot.

Because if I do, it just BLODs. If I don't tick the bootstrap box, it just fails to load the OS. Basically just quits.

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 01:58

@kz6fittycent PM me and I'll try to help you

augustblake · 4 Dec 2020, 02:48

@kz6fittycent are you on windows? ubuntu? i used ubuntu 20.10 and downloaded the .deb form. snap usually is slow and buggy from my experience with brave browser and other apps. i was also having problems with ubports on the snap version. not sure if that helps

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 02:51

@augustblake Pop! 20.04 - I'm actually a snap "developer", too. Snaps work fine for me - this one is no exception. The .deb didn't work either. Tried the AppImage, too. Same results.

I think the problem is either the phone or some step that's getting missed or misunderstood on my part.

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 03:10

This is where I'm at using the manual setup instructions provided (thanks @rocket2nfinity ).

I: Unmounting images
I: Pushing rootfs and android image to /data via ADB
I:    Pushing rootfs to /data via ADB
adb: error: failed to copy '.halium-install-imgs.RNTTa/rootfs.img' to '/data/rootfs.img': remote couldn't create file: Permission denied
.halium-install-imgs.RNTTa/rootfs.img: 0 fil... pushed. 43.1 MB/s (2752512 bytes in 0.061s)
I:    Pushing android image to /data via ADB
adb: error: failed to copy '.halium-install-imgs.RNTTa/system.img' to '/data/system.img': remote couldn't create file: Permission denied
.halium-install-imgs.RNTTa/system.img: 0 fil... pushed. 59.3 MB/s (2621440 bytes in 0.042s)

Followed this set of instructions:

./halium-install-standalone.sh -p ut ubports-touch.rootfs-xenial-armhf.tar.gz system.img
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash boot halium-boot-8-cores.img
fastboot reboot

/data, dalvik, and cache were wiped so I don't know what would cause this.

I ran the script with sudo as I was getting permission denied previous to do anything without it. Should I have su'd to root?

All very odd to me.

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 03:39

Alright everyone - I got it.

I was misunderstanding what was being said - this is how I did it:

Download files needed here
Flash 7.2.1 (stock ROM from Google)
Flash 4-core TWRP after flashing stock image
Boot into android
Enable USB Debugging in Developer menu < - this wasn't needed because I did the rest via TWRP
Boot into TWRP
Wipe dalvik, data, and cache
Reboot into recovery (TWRP)
Run manual installation steps:

sudo apt install qemu-utils binfmt-support qemu-user-static e2fsprogs sudo simg2img binutils

cd /path/to/files/

./halium-install-standalone.sh -p ut ubports-touch.rootfs-xenial-armhf.tar.gz system.img

adb reboot bootloader

fastboot flash boot halium-boot-4-cores.img

fastboot reboot

I now have a working installation of UBPorts on my angler

Thanks all!

P.S. I have extra files on my NC server that I needed, including the 4-core.img, the 7.2.1 files from Google, TWRP-4-core and it's associated boot script. - if you need them, I have them. Otherwise, they should all likely be hosted by the team in one spot.

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 03:59

@kz6fittycent Don't remember how old the image is you used. If your build does not have update channels, running the installer will bring you up to date.

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 04:05

@rocket2nfinity said in Call for testing: Google/Huawei Nexus 6P (angler) owners:

@kz6fittycent Don't remember how old the image is you used. If your build does not have update channels, running the installer will bring you up to date.

Do I need to run through the entire installation process again (via the UBports Installer)? It is still giving me grief when trying to push the new update over - did not tick the bootstrap button.

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 04:09

@rocket2nfinity said in Call for testing: Google/Huawei Nexus 6P (angler) owners:

@kz6fittycent Don't remember how old the image is you used. If your build does not have update channels, running the installer will bring you up to date.

That's the same cable I used to flash it manually - good cable - bad installer?

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 04:17

@kz6fittycent That is just odd. The installer worked fine for upgrading for me. I have no idea why you can do it manually, but the installer hangs.

You can update to the latest rootfs manually. Also in the collection of links I posted above. Just flash individuallly with fastboot using the commands I provided you in PM (which you posted).

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 04:21

https://ci.ubports.com/job/xenial-hybris-edge-rootfs-arm64/lastSuccessfulBuild/artifact/out/ubuntu-touch-hybris-xenial-edge-arm64-rootfs.tar.gz

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 04:22

@rocket2nfinity PM'd you

rocket2nfinity · 4 Dec 2020, 04:24

And Flohack's latest system image if you didn't already use it

sbearg · 4 Dec 2020, 07:46

I have been trying several times for the last few weeks and I cannot get it to work (from mac).

I think is thread has gone out of control and a lot of us will benefit from a new thread with up to date instructions and links to all files in a single post.

In my case:

Install 7.1.2
Install TWRP (either 4 cores or not)
delete encryption
run installer
screen shows installing update
BLOD
I understand I'm missing hallium files and roofts (no idea which files)

There are a few links to NextCloud files but unsure which one contains the correct files as none match the content of the post instructions with the files in links (at least as today).

I use ubports on a nexus 4 on the side as well.

flohack · 4 Dec 2020, 15:42

I agree, lets make a new thread in the Devices subforum, what dou you think guys?

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 15:44

@Flohack yes and I'd start it out with everything one would need to get the OS flashed - everything...

kz6fittycent · 4 Dec 2020, 16:35

@Flohack can you provide the latest system.img and rootfs so I can flash to a new version that would allow me to perform updates more easily? I have used these files to get to where I'm at.

flohack · 5 Dec 2020, 21:10

@kz6fittycent you can always get the latest images from our CI as follows:

The rootfs is built multiple times by day and can be downloaded here: https://ci.ubports.com/job/xenial-hybris-rootfs-arm64/
The system image is built daily but it does not change very often, probably you dont need to replace it that much. Download this here: and then extract it from the archive from this location https://ci.ubports.com/job/Device Compatibility Images/job/halium-angler/ , and put it in the very same location in /system/var/lib... or, if you use the halium install only, just put it into /data partition - anyways just overwrite it, dont create an additional one somewhere

E.g.:

Does this answer your question? Not the rootfs is then what you would have in the devel channel. There is no direct download for RC or stable, but we are quite stable also in devel ^^

kz6fittycent · 5 Dec 2020, 23:42

@flohack said in Call for testing: Google/Huawei Nexus 6P (angler) owners:

@kz6fittycent you can always get the latest images from our CI as follows:

The rootfs is built multiple times by day and can be downloaded here: https://ci.ubports.com/job/xenial-hybris-rootfs-arm64/

The system image is built daily but it does not change very often, probably you dont need to replace it that much. Download this here: and then extract it from the archive from this location https://ci.ubports.com/job/Device Compatibility Images/job/halium-angler/ , and put it in the very same location in /system/var/lib... or, if you use the halium install only, just put it into /data partition - anyways just overwrite it, dont create an additional one somewhere

E.g.:

Does this answer your question? Not the rootfs is then what you would have in the devel channel. There is no direct download for RC or stable, but we are quite stable also in devel ^^

Thanks! Will I need to wipe before installing these coming from the older files or just flash over them?