The Team Win Recovery Project remains one of the more popular custom recovery options for custom ROM enthusiasts, and now the group has updated the core software to version 2.8. Things don't look different on the outside, but underneath we find a ton of new features that only the kind of technical users this tool is aimed at could love.

With this release, TWRP now uses a C++ based MTP implementation so that users can transfer files to both emulated storage and microSD cards alike. Some command line options have appeared, letting people execute various features using adb instead of the touchscreen (only noobs need a GUI, amirite?). The team has also updated the recovery to support the 1440x2560, 320x320, and 280x280 screen resolutions.

What's new:

  • Add MTP support to recovery thanks mostly to bigbiff with a little help from Dees_Troy
  • Add command line capabilities - you can now execute various TWRP features via adb instead of the touchscreen
  • Add support for color in the console and give error, warning, and highlight lines different colors
  • Track backup and restore progress based on file sizes to provide a much more accurate indication of progress
  • Improve handling of /misc thanks to mdmower
  • Improve setting of time on Qualcomm devices thanks to [NUT]
  • Allow using images on slidervalue GUI objects thanks to Tassadar
  • Allow using variables and addition and subtraction in variables for easier theming
  • Add support for 1440x2560, 280x280, and 320x320 resolutions and update 240x240
  • Allow ui.xml file to include additional xml files to help break up the theme and make TWRP easier to maintain
  • Other minor fixes and improvements

Experienced custom ROM users know the routine by now. The standard method of getting everything up and running consists of downloading the appropriate image to your computer, rebooting your phone into fastboot mode, and flashing the file over a USB connection. For more hands-on guidance, hit up your favorite Android user forum.

Note, new recovery builds can occasionally cause problems when installing new ROMs. As always, keep backups and practice safe flashing.

Source: TWRP