i think i bricked my phone :(

vegandiet

So like I posted the other day I finally pulled the trigger and tried to install GOS on an old Pixel 6a using the web installer on Windows 10.

I don't know what I did wrong, admittedly I didn't make sure the cable was the best one out there, but...

While I was able to successfully unlock the bootloader, the release took ages to download and IIRC the first try I was greeted with this 'error' message, then I tried again and it said download completed. But flashing was impossible.

Now I have an essentially bricked phone. The 'the bootloader has been unlocked' message is all it shows, then if I try to hard reset it's stuck forever on the Google logo... the only options it offers me while on the bootloader screen is to pause/resume via the power button. It's been like this, bootlooping, for two days.

Can anyone help me out? I read here that Pixels are rare to brick, and that people can actually switch browsers/computers between the steps on the web installer... problem is the laptop doesn't even detect the phone now. Anyone can help?

spring-onion

Don't worry, your phone is fine.

vegandiet the only options it offers me while on the bootloader screen is to pause/resume via the power button.

That's not the bootloader (fastboot) screen, but a warning. Shutdown the device by holding the power button for 60 seconds, turn it back on and hold the volume down button while it's starting. It should be obvious when you get there, there's a red triangle, some hardware information, etc. Then redo the installation starting from the download release step. If you have a second Android phone accessible that's not super ancient, you can use that as the host device and perform the installation through it. It's generally less prone to issues compared to using a desktop/laptop computer.

GrapheneOS

vegandiet It's not bricked, you just haven't finished installing. You can complete the installation and it will work fine.

DeletedUser202

vegandiet To add to the mods reasurrances, here's a fun video of Side of Burrito trying (and failing) to brick his phone during installation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik0AiO0WtuU

vegandiet

GrapheneOS what if using a better cable the phone is not detected at this point?

GOS21606

Maybe you are missing the right Windows drivers for android ADB.
I had the same with Linux I can unlock the bootloader but I can´t flash the phone. (Connection Error)

Optional drivers for WIN10/11:

leMobile - other hardware -Android Composite ADB Interface
leMobile - other hardware -Android Bootloader Interface

GrapheneOS

GOS21606 ADB isn't used as part of installing GrapheneOS.

GOS21606

You mean you only need the Android Bootloader Interface ?

Both options are displayed when you plug in your Pixel in Windows. Last weekend I helped a friend with installing GOS and when he installed both drivers and he could flash the phone, it did not work the first time.

I have done it myself a few years ago when I flashed my old 4a.

GrapheneOS

GOS21606 They weren't following the official installation guide if they used ADB. You should only follow the official guide. It only uses the fastboot protocol, not ADB. Use our web installer or official CLI install guide.