In this guide, we will show you the steps to fix the issue of Magisk Restore Images not working and instead being greeted with the Stock backup does not exist error message. While there exists a plethora of tweaks and tricks to carry out, but gaining administrative privileges by rooting the device still stands at the top of the priority queue for tech enthusiasts. And the reason for the same is hardly a secret either.
When you are able to welcome abode a plethora of modules and at the same time, access the system partition, then there’s not much left to ask. On the flip side though, rooting does come with its fair share of downsides as well, the primary among which is the tripping of Play Integrity test. While that is indeed the major cause of concern, however, it isn’t the only one out there.
One of the most infuriating and equally challenging issues that rooted users have to face is the installation of the OTA updates. Since the stock boot/init_boot has been replaced by a patched one, you cannot directly install the updates onto your device. Instead, you’ll first have to restore the stock boot/init [without uninstalling Magisk], then install the update, perform an Install to Inactive Slot, and then finally restart your device from the Settings menu.
While all this might look like quite an effort-taking task, but carrying it out is more easier than it looks. Moreover, you’ll only need to do it once a month when an update arrives, so that should be worth the effort given the output that is at stake. So on that optimistic note, let’s get started with the instruction steps.
Fix Magisk Restore Images not working: Stock backup does not exist
Before you get started, there’s an important point worth keeping in mind. You should use either the boot or init_boot, depending on which file you initially used for rooting. [While there’s no hard and fast rule, but devices launched with Android 12 or older version generally use boot.img whereas those launched with Android 13 or higher builds use the init_boot file for rooting].
Moreover, before starting, please take a backup of all the data on your device, just to be on the safer side. 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 stock firmware for your device.
- It should be of the same version which is currently installed.
- Next up, extract it and get hold of the boot/init_boot.img file.
- For extraction, you may use the Fastboot Enhance Tool.
- Transfer this file to your device, but not inside any folder.
- Enable USB Debugging and connect your device to a PC.
- Then download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools.
- Now open the Command Prompt inside the platform tools.
- Then type in the below two commands, one after another:
adb shell su
- You might get a SuperUser request, tap on Grant/Allow.
- Now type in the below command to bring the partition table
ls -la /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name
- Note down the block address of boot_a/boot_b or init_boot_a/init_boot_b.
- In our case, they are:
init_boot_a -> /dev/block/sde32 init_boot_b -> /dev/block/sde63 - Then type in the below command and replace “address” with the block address of your boot_a/boot_b or init_boot_a/init_boot_b
dd if=/sdcard/boot.img of=/dev/block/address --> for boot_a dd if=/sdcard/boot.img of=/dev/block/address --> for boot_b dd if=/sdcard/init_boot.img of=/dev/block/address --> for init_boot_a dd if=/sdcard/init_boot.img of=/dev/block/address --> for init_boot_b
- In our case [init_boot_a and b], the above commands will transform to:
dd if=/sdcard/init_boot.img of=/dev/block/sde32 dd if=/sdcard/init_boot.img of=/dev/block/sde63 - The above command will flash the boot/init_boot to their respective slots.
- Now launch Magisk, tap on Install, and select Direct Install. Once done, hit Reboot.
- Upon reboot, you should still be rooted and have the stock init_boot installed.
- Moreover, now that you have the Restore Images option up and working, you can use it to install OTA updates on your rooted device.
That’s it. These were the steps to fix the issue of the Magisk Restore Images option missing/not working along the expected lines. 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 at the earliest.
