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Install UBports on Xiaomi Mi A2

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Xiaomi Mi A2
xiaomi mi a2ubports-install
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    • R Offline
      Rafa
      last edited by Rafa 12 Oct 2021, 07:53 10 Dec 2021, 07:49

      Hello,

      It would be useful to find synthetic and updated instructions to install UBports on the page of the device: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/jasmine-sprout/
      In the same way as the "Preparatory steps" paragraph for the Sony Xperia X: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/suzu/

      Others before me have posted their experience in installing UBports on Xiaomi Mi A2:

      • https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6951/ubports-quick-and-simple-install-on-xiaomi-mi-a2
      • https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6933/mi-a2-installing-using-the-ubports-installer
      • https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6922/mi-a2-installing-ut-over-android-one-the-bootloader-issue
      • https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6840/ubports-install-fails-with-permission-error-on-the-device
      • https://forums.ubports.com/topic/6812/how-to-install-ubuntu-touch-on-mi-a2-by-simple-way

      They helped me but the information is not necessarily up to date or does not correspond to the computer system I used, and information of interest may be hidden in the thread. Moreover the style of this forum which displays only a part of the posts does not help to find (or retrieve) information.

      In my turn I describe (from memory) my experience:

      I started with a phone bought second hand, with Android 10, last update.

      I mainly use a computer with Linux, Debian 11.

      1. I downloaded :
      • Android 9 stock version, suggested by the installer (0.8.9): https://github.com/ubports-xiaomi-sdm660/artifacts/releases/download/v0.1/jasmine_sprout_stock_android9.zip
      • TWRP: last version was twrp-3.6.0_9-0-jasmine_sprout.img https://eu.dl.twrp.me/jasmine_sprout/
      1. On phone: activate the developer mode, USB debugging and bootloader unlock

      2. From the computer I copied Android 9 to a folder on the phone

      3. From the computer I executed the following commands:

      $ adb reboot fastboot
      $ fastboot flashing unlock
      $ fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0_9-0-jasmine_sprout.img
      
      1. In TWRP: install Android 9 by selecting the file already copied in the phone.
        I didn't understand anything about the A/B slots... I validated the default options (installation slot A I think).
        To avoid mistakes and anxieties related to this step, it would be interesting to write a note what this specificity means. I have installed UBports on other phones and I was not aware of this.
        An error message appeared after the installation in TWRP. The phone restarted in recovery mode (I guess) and I validated the reinstallation of android. When it restarted, it was running version 9.

      2. From this step fastboot was not working from my Linux computer:

      $ fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0_9-0-jasmine_sprout.img Sending 'boot.img' (31684 KB) FAILED (remote : 'unknown command')
                    fastboot : error : Command failed
      

      I am stubborn and I tested several reboots, several cables, several attempts from ubports-installer... nothing worked.
      I don't know if it was useful, at one point I ran $ fastboot flashing unlock_critical: this operation worked, but all other commands remained without effect and the device in fastboot mode still not detected by ubports-installer

      1. I managed to finish the installation from a computer with Windows 10: once the phone in fastboot mode and plugged in, in Device Manager it is possible to install a specific driver. Problem described here : https://github.com/ubports/ubports-installer/issues/2330

      2. With the fastboot driver installed, ubport-installer (on Windows) recognized the device in fastboot mode and proceeded to the next steps without problems. On reboot the system works fine.

      3. So far only a few minor bugs

      • photo application got stuck at the first use, it worked after a reboot
      • sound (ringtones, loudspeaker) crackling at high volume
      1. Question: if I didn't have access to a Windows computer, what solution to finish the installation with Debian 11?

      Thanks for your work. Thanks for your help.

      S 1 Reply Last reply 13 Dec 2021, 21:45 Reply Quote 0
      • S Offline
        soulrock @Rafa
        last edited by soulrock 13 Dec 2021, 21:45

        @rafa The answer may be absurd, but try using a liveusb from another Linux distribution. I have been able to install it with debian 10 and Linux mint.

        If you install it in slot B, it will not boot. At least in my case I had to install it on A

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N Offline
          nero355
          last edited by nero355 15 Dec 2021, 18:00

          Kubuntu 20.04 LTS running on my laptop does a very good job at recognizing many phones via ADB without any issue! 🙂

          However when I need some Windows tool(s) for specific phones or issues I use a older laptop that is running Windows 7 Home 64-bit as my "Dedicated Phone Flashing Machine" 😄

          Also :

          After flashing a Custom Recovery you should simply tell the phone to reboot into the OEM Recovery and not from the Image File on your PC 😉
          So try this :

          fastboot oem reboot-recovery
          

          For more info see here for example : https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/recovery-3-4-0-10-davinci-official-unofficial-twrp-for-xiaomi-redmi-k20-stable.3960726/

          My phones :

          • BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Phone Edition - Ubuntu Touch 16.04 LTS
          • ZUK Z2 Pro - ZUI Android 8.x
          • Xiaomi Mi 9T - Jolla SailFish 3.4.x Community Build

          P.S. : I am NOT a developer! ;)

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          • M mkarpicki referenced this topic on 30 Dec 2021, 21:42
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