Resolving ADB Remount Failures: ‘System’ Not in /proc/mounts

Resolving ADB Remount Failures: 'System' Not in /proc/mounts

21 May 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Encountering the error “mount: ‘system’ not in /proc/mounts” while attempting to remount your Android device’s system partition can be frustrating. This guide aims to provide a clear solution to this common issue.

Understanding the Issue

The core problem arises when the system partition is not properly mounted, restricting write access. This situation is often encountered during development or when making modifications to the system files.

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

  1. Mount the Root Partition

    First, remount the root (/) partition with read-write permissions:

    adb shell mount -o rw,remount /

    This command allows you to write to the system partition. After making your changes, it’s crucial to reset the state to read-only:

    adb shell mount -o ro,remount /
  2. Disable Verification

    For devices with verified boot enabled, you might need to disable verification:

    adb root
    adb shell avbctl disable-verification
    adb disable-verity
    adb reboot

    Reboot the device after running these commands to apply the changes.

  3. Remount and Push Files

    Once the device has rebooted, you can proceed to remount and push files to the system partition:

    adb root && adb remount
    adb push  /system/app/

Additional Tips

If you continue to face issues, consider the following:

  • Ensure you are using an emulator system image that is not labeled “Google Play” for root access.
  • If working with an emulator, try using an Android Pie system image instead of Android Q, which may have restrictions.
  • For physical devices, using a custom recovery like TWRP can provide additional control over the file system.

Leveraging Repeato for Automated Testing

For developers looking to streamline their testing process, Repeato offers a powerful solution. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android, designed to create, run, and maintain automated tests efficiently. Utilizing computer vision and AI, Repeato simplifies the testing workflow and integrates ADB commands seamlessly. This ensures that tests are executed in the correct sequence, improving reliability and speed.

Explore our detailed documentation for more insights on virtual test devices and running test batches.

By incorporating Repeato into your development pipeline, you can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your testing procedures, ultimately delivering more robust applications.

For more information, visit our blog or contact us directly.

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