In continuing the series of created Android images, I’d like to announce an Android Pie (9.0) image is now available for download. Unfortunately, I had to retire the LG Nexus 5X (it topped out at Oreo), so this time I used a Google Pixel 3. The image contains user-populated data within the stock Android apps and 24 non-stock apps. It includes some new, privacy-centered messaging apps: Wickr Me, Silent Phone, and Dust.
As with the Nougat and Oreo images, this one includes robust documentation; however, there are some differences in the files being made available. First, there is no .ufd file. Second, there is no takeout data. It appeared, based on the traffic for the last two images, there was little interest, so I did not get takeout data this time. If enough interest is expressed, I will get it.
Third…and this is a biggie…there are multiple files. The first file, sda.bin (contained within sda.7z), is an image of the entire phone. This file contains all of the partitions of the phone in an unencrypted format…except for the /data partition (i.e. sda21 or Partition 21), which is encrypted. I tried every method I could think of to get a completely unencrypted image, but was unable to do so. I suspect the Titan M chip may have something to do with this but I need to study the phone and Android Pie further to confirm or disprove. Regardless, I am including this file so the partition layout and the unencrypted areas can be studied and examined. I will say there are some differences between Pie’s partition layout and the layout of previous flavors of Android.
The sda.bin file is 64 GBs in size (11 GB compressed), so make sure you have enough room for the decompressed file.
The second file, Google Pixel 3.tar, is the unencrypted /data partition. Combined with the sda.bin file, you have a complete picture of the phone.
And finally, there is a folder called “Messages,” which contains two Excel spreadsheets that have MMS and SMS messages from the Messages app. There were way too many messages for me to type out in the documentation this time, so I just exported them to spreadsheets. I can confirm that both spreadsheets are accurate.
This image is freely available to anyone who wants it for training, education, testing, or research.
Once Android Q gets further along in beta I will began work on an image for it, so, for the time being, this will be it. 🙂
Please note the images and related materials are hosted by Digital Corpora. You can find everything here.
