In this guide, we will show you the steps to update the GSI ROM without using the FastbootD Mode. While on the one hand, the likes of Poco and OnePlus are being blessed with tons of custom ROMs, on the other hand, there are some less fortunate OEMs out there that hardly get a ROM or two. For them, a Generic System Image comes to the rescue.
As is evident from its name, it is a Generic image that can be flashed across all the Project Treble devices [aka devices that came with Android 8+ out of the box]. As far as their installation is concerned, it is somewhat different from the normal ROMs. Here, you’ll first have to disable the verity check, then boot to FastbootD Mode, delete the product partition [to make space for the ROM], and finally flash GSI.
While it’s manageable once or twice, but carrying out these steps every time an update is rolled out calls for quite a lot of time and effort. So can’t you simply download the update from the Settings menu? Well, in most cases, you can but there are a few GSIs that don’t have the Phh Treble settings page.
In those cases, you’ll have to manually flash the latest build via the FastbootD Mode. Or is there any other way out? Well, it turns out. you can update your GSI ROM even without booting to the FastbootD Mode. And in this guide, we will show you how this could be achieved. So without any further ado, let’s check it out.
How to Update GSI Without FastbootD Mode
Before starting, please take a backup of all the data on your device. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.
- To begin with, download the latest update file for your GSI ROM.
- Then rename it to system.img. Now root the GSI ROM via Magisk.
- Next up, download the LionFish module and flash it using Magisk.
- It will create a Lionfish folder. Transfer the system.img file there.
- Now download and install the Termux app. Once done, launch it.
- Now type the below command [you’ll get SU request, hit Grant].
su -c lionfish.sh
- Hit Enter key and the script will start the phh-ota-make process.
- Once done, your device will automatically boot to the updated OS.
That’s it. These were the steps to update the GSI ROM without using the FastbootD Mode. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.
