GSIs (Generic System Images) are AOSP-based system images designed to boot on any Project Treble-compliant Android device.
While they work out-of-the-box on some phones, others need fixes, patches, or hacks to make them usable.
This guide shows how to patch, flash, and fix GSIs for real-world use.
Make sure to match:
arm64-ab, arm64-aonly, etc./data from recoveryfastbootd if using dynamic partitions```bash fastboot reboot fastboot fastboot erase system fastboot flash system system.img fastboot –disable-verity –disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img fastboot reboot
Replace vbmeta.img with one from your device’s stock firmware.
🛠 Common Fixes After Flashing
Issue Fix
Bootloop Use correct vbmeta, check dtbo No SIM / RIL Patch GSI with stock lib64/lib*ril.so No Wi-Fi / BT Use GSI Fix Magisk module Camera crashes Add camera blobs from stock GApps issues Use GSI with GApps or flash separately System not writable Use phh-su + adb remount Encryption errors Use decrypted userdata (Guide 10)
🧪 Debugging
adb logcat > log.txt adb shell dmesg > dmesg.txt adb shell getprop ro.treble.enabled
Check:
Is ro.treble.enabled= true?
Are HALs missing? (Wi-Fi, camera, etc.)
Do init.rc logs show denied mounts?
🔧 Patch GSI with GSI Kitchen (Optional)
Use GSI Kitchen to:
Add or remove GApps
Add custom boot animations, props
Patch VNDK/lib compatibility
Mount /product, /odm dynamically
🔗 https://github.com/eremitein/gsi-kitchen
💡 Tips for Successful Boot
Match system image type (a-only, ab)
Flash proper vbmeta.img
Disable encryption (forceencrypt, verity)
Patch with Magisk modules if needed
Avoid kernel mismatches
✅ Summary
Step Tool / Fix
Flash GSI fastbootd or recovery Fix no SIM RIL libs from stock Fix Wi-Fi/Bluetooth GSI Fix module or vendor blobs Decryption error Format /data + use DFE GSI modding GSI Kitchen, Magisk modules
🚀 GSIs are a powerful way to try AOSP/Pixel-based ROMs without building from source — just patch smartly and test often!