How to rescue phone if keyboard fails

logsmarter44

Hello there

I have a Google Pixel 8 Pro with the latest stable GrapheneOS installed (2025052000).

I used the latest beta version of Heliboard (HeliBoard 3.1-beta1; https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard) and updated just recently today. The keyboard doesn't show up anymore after rebooting. After about 10min or so I get a toast: "App Heliboard crashed" (or similar) and then the dialogue to chose from close app or app info. So it's definitively Heliboard not working anymore.

USB-c port is set to charging-only. So I cannot connect a keyboard to the phone.

What are my options to:
1) boot into another mode (which mode?)
2) unlock there the owner profile (what would the command be?)
3) remove the Heliboard app with adb (no problem)
4) enable the GrapheneOS keyboard app with adb (no problem)
5) set the GrapheneOS keyboard as the default keyboard with adb (no problem)

Is there any boot mode that would work or any completely different approach I could use that doesn't rely on adb?

fid02

logsmarter44 USB-c port is set to charging-only. So I cannot connect a keyboard to the phone.

I'm sorry, but you can't. You can't bypass the USB-C port security setting in any mode. If you cannot enter your unlock credentials, you're locked out.

Your remaining option is to boot into safe mode and see if the system keyboard app is available in that mode: https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139
Edit: mod beat me to it.

User-installed keyboard apps are not available in safe mode when in the before first unlock state, so you won't be able to check whether or not Heliboard crashes in safe mode.

If the keyboard is not available in safe mode, your only option is to wipe ("factory reset") the device from recovery: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/9538-how-to-factory-reset-from-recovery-mode/2

treequell

I would first try booting into safe mode. Instructions are given here:
https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2852139

logsmarter44

@treequell @fid02 Thank you for the extremely fast replies. Saved me a good amount of time back then.

I tried to boot into safe mode. Heliboard seems to be deactivated, no crashing. However, since I deactivated the system keyboard, it's not useful. Same issue.

Ended up restoring backups, no data loss, just many hours of time.

GrouchyGrape

logsmarter44 it was a good lesson on why it's not a good idea to disable system apps. We all learn by breaking things haha

user539

logsmarter44 what did you use to make a phone backup

logsmarter44

@GGrouchyGrape In my codebase, I have a package called adb-bootloop that I developed specifically to create a copy of a read-only filesystem from an ancient Android device stuck in a bootloop (no dd, no rsync, reboots every 5-10 seconds), analyze it for vulnerabilities, gain root access, then remount the filesystem and restore a system app I uninstalled before. All that said, it's still in a bootloop.

There are so many bad decisions on all sides regarding this particular issue with the missing keyboard. It really shows that you can't rely on anything. One has to learn to live with these uncertainties and take precautions.

But I do agree, I for sure won't ever again disable a system app on GrapheneOS.

logsmarter44

user539

SeedVault with everything enabled, including all folders from the file system. I write backups to the phone itself and then upload them via Zimly to an S3 bucket. (Images/Downloads/Videos)
Cryptomator with an S3 bucket to store all my documents and sensitive data, e2e-encrypted.
Ente for syncing images and videos e2e-encrypted, which also uses S3.
About a dozen apps are configured to write automatic backups to Backups/[app-name]. This was crucial because some critical apps (like note-taking) weren’t successfully restored by SeedVault in my experience. These backups are later synced with SeedVault from the filesystem.
For apps that don’t support automatic backups but offer manual backups (e.g., calendar apps, keyboard settings, or music players), I back them up only after changing settings—which is rare. These backups have been necessary in at least two instances where SeedVault failed. They also get synced with SeedVault eventually.
Some apps sync e2e-encrypted directly to a server I control.
All passwords and keys are stored in a password file, which is also backed up via SeedVault. This is important because most credential-storing apps don’t restore properly with SeedVault alone.
I used to back up my app list using an app that exports installed apps to a file. Now, I simply back up Obtainium since I source all my apps from there. For the few apps I used from Aurora Store, I’ve configured Obtainium to monitor them as well. This way, I maintain a complete list of installed apps in Obtainium—essential because SeedVault can’t back up all apps.
I previously backed up the filesystem separately, but SeedVault now seems reliable for this. Still, I recommend verifying backup integrity by deleting local copies and redownloading them from external storage.

Finally, I automate backups of all S3 buckets to multiple locations and keep at least one offline. The server I run has a proper backup strategy too. Just setup every possible backup strategy you can find for all apps and then make sure to keep the backups distributed too.

UndercoverBozo

This is happening to me as well. Safe mode no keyboard pops up. It happened earlier in the week, after some time and spamming buttons it fixed it self and popped up. I made sure the aosp keyboard was enabled after this and now it's happening again. There is a keyboard button to press where entering the password but this also visibly glitches and won't let me choose another keyboard. I'm going to keep troubleshooting in hopes it fixes it self but definitely a problem with heliboard crashing/system not letting me switch keyboards.

I will be uninstalling heliboard after this and just want to warn others.