Last fall, Team Win introduced the 2.0 version of its Android recovery interface. Team Win Recovery Project (or TWRP for short) replaced the iconic volume-rocker scrolling list recovery and replaced it with large buttons, a lockscreen option in recovery, and batch support for more involved installation activities. Better yet, TWRP 2.1 is also now fully open source; there's nothing in the code that's not up for community input and involvement.
Download Links
HTC EVO 3D CDMA - HRC EVO 3D GSM - HTC EVO Shift 4G - HTC Vivid - HTC Sensation - HTC Thunderbolt - Motorola Atrix 4G - Motorola Photon 4G - Samsung Galaxy Nexus CDMA - Samsung Galaxy Nexus GSM - Samsung Nexus S - Samsung Nexus S 4G - Acer Iconia Tab A500 - Kindle Fire - Nook Color - HP TouchPad
What's New in Build 2.1
The Changelog for TWRP 2.1 is fairly hefty, but it documents some great functionality that's been added into the mix. We've filtered the improvements by category to make it easier to understand just how much improvement has taken place with this release.
Functionality
- Zip files may be queued for less interactive installation (i.e. ROM, Kernel, GApps)
- Dual Storage Capable - Backup, Restore, or Install from either internal or external storage
- Slider control - swipe to confirm major tasks such as wiping data or installing zip files
- Lock Screen - protects your recovery session from accidental button presses
- Basic file manager functionality - Copy, move, delete, and chmod any file
- Support added for devices with /data/media (Honeycomb and ICS devices)
- Support added for the following phones: Acer Iconia Tab A500, HTC Vivid, Motorola Defy, Galaxy Nexus Toro, Galaxy Nexus Maguro
- Displays sizes of each partition in the backup menu
- Added listbox GUI element (currently used for listing time zones)
- Updated stock XML layouts to be more consistent and easier to port to different resolutions
- XML layout files are significantly smaller
- Partitions available backup are more accurate for some devices
- Removed unneeded error messages (/misc errors, unable to stat sd-ext, etc.)
- Fixed a bug with blkid detection code
- Fixed bug where a blank line was inserted between every line of text during zip installs
- Fixed a bug during zip installs where an invalid zip would cause TWRP to get stuck in the zip install
- Added setting for themers to toggle simulation mode to make theming easier
- Added support for .jpg images in the theme engine
- Changed images for stock tablet theme - makes tablet builds about 500KB smaller
- Removed unneeded non-GUI images from GUI - makes all builds about 100KB smaller
Image Previews:
TWRP Phone Edition on the left, TWRP Tablet Edition on the Right
One of the hallmarks of the new Team Win Recovery Project build is its new scripting engine, named OpenRecoveryScript. Using this new engine, an app can send a series of commands to the recovery to perform during start-up. Ultimately, the user will be able to select a series of zip files (ROM, kernel, Google Apps) and actions (make a nandroid; wipe data, cache, and Dalvik; install zip files; automatically reboot when done), reboot, and have nothing more to do until the phone has cycled through the commands and fully rebooted. OpenRecoveryScript is currently implemented in the new GooManger 2.0 application that also released this morning.
Team Win is not content to hold exclusivity over their improvements in the recovery interface. In the spirit of openness that is a hallmark of the Android community, the OpenRecoveryScript system has already been ported over to ClockworkMod Recovery and the code is being submitted to CyanogenMod's repository for potential inclusion so that any application will be able to take advantage of the same scripting support in ClockworkMod Recovery or TWRP as well.
When asked about the implementation of the OpenRecoveryScript in light of methods currently available, Team Win's Dees-Troy had the following to say:
GooManager has a great setup for ROM makers that will notify users automatically when there's an update to their ROM. Combined with the recovery support, this allows users to update their software similar to a normal "OTA" update from their carrier in a simple, seamless install process. The goo.im website has a fantastic developer portal that makes it easy for ROM makers to upload new ROMs and provides free, fast hosting for developers. The GooManager app will also continue to remain free.Some may now be wondering why we didn't just use the "extended commands" feature that already exists in ClockworkMod Recovery. Unfortunately, recent builds of ClockworkMod Recovery have been locked down to only work with ROM Manager, so other apps like GooManager are unable to make use of this feature.
In the future we will be working hard to make TWRP easier for other developers to compile. We eventually plan to get a gerrit instance running to let anyone submit patches to the project. We may be looking for other talented developers, themers, and device maintainers if they are interested in helping with a free, open source project.
- Dees-Troy
Galaxy Nexus Support: A Work in Progress Now Fully Functional!
The Galaxy Nexus Toro and Maguro builds have been updated to full 2.1 status. Screen size issues and slow boots are now a thing of the past.
Installation
There are currently two installation methods available. To install TWRP 2.1 manually, visit the Team Win website, choose your phone from the drop-down menu, and follow the instructions specific to your handset or tablet. The automatic option involves downloading the new release of GooManager Beta and selecting "Install OpenRecoveryScript" from the app menu. While GooManager will select the appropriate file for your device automatically, it is always good practice to check the file name and confirm that your device is listed. A few button presses granting installation permission later and your recovery will be replaced with TWRP 2.1.
Following the installation of TWRP 2.1, downloading any ROM via GooManager will automatically invoke the OpenRecoveryScript and allow you to set up your recovery work. If you choose to download a ROM from somewhere else, just reboot into recovery and find your file as normal using TWRP's file manager.
Next Stop: Anywhere
Team Win has thrown down the gauntlet to ROM and app developers everywhere. By making TWRP 2.1 fully open source, the recovery portion of your phone can now be as personalized as the Android OS itself. By implementing OpenRecoveryScript and making it widely available, Team Win stands to make flashing ROMs, making nandroids, and performing other low-level system tasks much easier and less intimidating for the novice enthusiast and a much more rich experience for the veteran user.
If you'd like to give Team Win Recovery Project 2.1 a try, download GooManager Beta from the Play Store and follow the instructions listed above or visit the Team Win project site for device-specific instructions. Be sure to let us and Team Win know what you think in the comment section below.
