Stuck on Fastboot Mode

Ingolf

Dear Community,
I was trying to install GOS on a new Pixel 8 today, using a laptop running on Windows 11. Going into developer mode and starting the bootloader interface was pretty straightforward, but the the instructions on grapheneos.org didn‘t work anymore. The option „Unlock bootloader“ doesn‘t appear, just can toggle throughthe menu with volume keys, but nothing relevant comes up, just „Start“, which opens the normal home screen, and „Restart bootloader“, which restarts the same interface.
Can anybody help?

spring-onion

Hello! You need to interact with the buttons on the web installer now. If you click the unlock bootloader button there it will send the command to the phone.

Ingolf

Thank You! But "Unlock bootloader" is disabled on the web installer, the buttons appear grey.

spring-onion

The installer relies on web usb functionality that isn't supported by Firefox, switch to a chromium based browser.

Ingolf

Thanks, great! I'm just installing Chrome and will try again using it.

Ingolf

Looks better with Chrome, "Unlock bootloader" and "Download release" are enabled now. But now there's another error message: Even though the Pixel 8 is in Fastboot Mode and connected by USB, the web installer says "no compatible devices found".

mmobder

Ingolf if you've missed the fact FF isn't supported, you better read the installation instructions carefully from the beginning

Ingolf

mmobder Thanks, I see what you mean. I went through the instructions several times, got a Pixel to enable installing GOS and brought a Windows 11 laptop home from work, but there still seem to be several issues that could cause problems, perhaps I have to make do with Android for the time being.... But thank you anyway ...

Ingolf

I paired phone and laptop, but still no success, neither with USB nor with bluetooth, a new window says "no compatible device found" and under "Unlock bootloader" it says "Error: Failed to execute 'requestDevice' on 'USB': No device selected."

spring-onion

Connect the pixel to your laptop with the included usb-c cable if possible, it's known to be compatible with the installation. Maybe try another port too.

Do you have a second Android phone in reach? If you do, chances are you can use that as the host device and perform the installation that way. Simply open the web installer on the second phone and connect the two phones with each other. This method is generally less prone to problems.

Ingolf

Great, thanks a lot, I'm going to try it once I have access to another Android phone.

NetRunner88

Your work laptop is surely locked in some sort so you can not proceed to achieve GOS installation

Ingolf

Thanks, you‘re probably right, there may well be an issue with the office laptop, I‘m going to try on a different Windows or Andtroid device, once I get hold of it (only have very outdated Apple devices at home).

Ingolf

Thank you, Springonion, Mobder and Netrunner, for you time and your valuable advice! I‘m sure the installation will work eventually once a have a suitable device at hand.