Noob, messed up my download

de0u

AndyKay Try installing the Windows driver from Google? It is less necessary than before but may help.

https://grapheneos.org/install/web#connecting-device

AndyKay

de0u Thanks de0u, definitely worth a try. It will be a day or so before I can get back to this but I will let you know how it goes.

AndyKay

de0u

I installed the driver in Windows10 but nothing changed.

However, there is an error message on Pixel startup directing me to g.co/ABH, and following this advice leads me to conclude that the underlying problem here is that the bootloader is unlocked on Pixel startup. Their advice is to restore the original Google OS and a link is provided that takes me to https://developers.google.com/android/images.
Sadly I can't make any sense of the process described on this web page, but it seems to me that the underlying problem here is that the bootloader is unlocked on startup.

Is there a simpler way to lock the bootloader in the Google OS on the Pixel 6a other than to restore the entire operating system?

Perhaps I need to divert to a Google forum to get further help here, so I'd like first to say how much I appreciate the help offered on this forum.

AndyKay

de0u
I found this "step by step guide" to locking the bootloader but it seems to be missing a few steps lol!

https://www.progeeksblog.com/lock-bootloader-google-pixel-phone/

de0u

AndyKay However, there is an error message on Pixel startup directing me to g.co/ABH, and following this advice leads me to conclude that the underlying problem here is that the bootloader is unlocked on Pixel startup.

If the screen showing you g.co/ABH also shows a yellow triangle and says "Your device is loading a different operating system", that indicates only that the device has a non-Google operating system installed. Since GrapheneOS is a non-Google operating system, that message is expected every time GrapheneOS boots. My device displays that every time it boots. Please check whether the Verified Boot key hash displayed on that screen matches the values on the GrapheneOS web site.

AndyKay

de0u

On starting up the Pixel 6a I get the following message: "The bootloader is unlocked and software integrity cannot be guaranteed. Any data stored on the device may be available to attackers. Do not store any sensitive data on the device. Visit this link on another device: g.co/ABH"

I'm beginning to suspect I that I have to re-install the entire Google OS before I can have another run at installing Graphene. To this end I've posted on Android Enthusiasts (Stack Exchange) looking for guidance, since I have a choice of Factory Image or OTA Image and I'm not sure which one would be appropriate given that the bootloader is already unlocked.

Thanks for the heads-up on expecting the message when I do eventually get Graphene installed.

de0u

AndyKay I'm beginning to suspect I that I have to re-install the entire Google OS before I can have another run at installing Graphene.

That should not be necessary. Try this:

Unplug phone
Reboot phone, tap power button to pause
Plug phone in
Launch browser
Start web installer

What happens?

AndyKay

de0u

I followed your instructions then clicked on "Unlock bootloader" in the Graphene web installer and got a pop-up window saying "No compatible devices found" and an error message stating "Error: Failed to execute 'requestDevice' on 'USB': No device selected."

So I clicked on "Download release" and got the same window showing "No compatible devices found" and an error message stating "Error: Failed to execute 'requestDevice' on 'USB': No device selected."

Many thanks for your perseverence.

de0u

AndyKay Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't have sent instructions from memory and before coffee. How about:

Unplug phone from everything
If phone is on, tell it to reboot; as soon as it starts to shut down, press and hold the volume-down button, and hold it continuously even while the screen is black for something like 15 seconds, until the screen lights up.
If phone is off, press and hold the volume-down button, then press the power button until the screen lights up.
Either way, you are hoping for a red triangle and a line of red text that says "Fastboot mode".
Plug phone into computer
Launch browser
Start web installer

What happens with the installer?

Since you're running Windows, I believe that when you plug the phone in the system should react somehow (e.g., making a noise). Does that happen?

AndyKay

de0u

Progress! But not there yet.
Installer tells me bootloader is already unlocked, which means they're talking.
I clicked on "Download release" and it downloaded bluejay-install-2024120200.zip
This is good, but then I click on "Flash release" and I get a message saying "Error: You need to download a release first!"

GOS21606 has suggested I use Brave instead of Vivaldi, so I repeated the procedure in Brave and on clicking on "Unlock bootloader" the installer brought up a window identifying the Pixel 6a and asking me to confirm. I confirmed and received message: "Error: Failed to execute 'claimInterface' on 'USBDevice': Unable to claim interface."

I clicked on "Download release" and got the same error message.

AndyKay

de0u

I've gone through the process on Vivaldi, Brave, and Edge without success, but I also have a Chromebook so I went through it again on that and it has started flashing! I'll keep you informed.

AndyKay

de0u

GrapheneOS is now installed and running.
I'm at a loss to know how to thank you for your assistance and perseverence.

GOS21606

Did you use Vivaldi Browser? Maybe that is your problem?

That s not a recommended Browser, you should use Chrome, Brave.. etc.

AndyKay

GOS21606

Thanks GOS21606. I tried this but still get stuck as outlined in my reply to de0u.

Stephan-P

AndyKay Vivaldi failed on me as well back in June. Edge worked perfectly then. So, try another browser.

AndyKay

Stephan-P

I tried Brave as suggested by GOS21606 but still no luck.
I've now tried Edge as well and the results are the same as for Brave.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

DeletedUser69

AndyKay I recently tried installing GrapheneOS on my Pixel 9 Pro XL from previous GrapheneOS device using Vanadium and Brave. No amount of trying helped. When I was literally giving up hope, I connected my phone to my son's relatively low end Android tablet and web installer on Chrome worked on the first try. Talk about relief.

de0u

AndyKay I'm glad it worked!

GOS21606

AndyKay

Which browser did you use to install GOS correctly?

AndyKay

GOS21606

After your information about Vivadi I tried Brave and then Edge to no avail, but I also have a Chromebook with the Chrome browser and it went through without a single objection. Thanks for pointing that out.