Google Pixel Bypass Factory Reset

momo55

I know this isn't GrapheneOS-related, but I'm desperate and don't know where else to ask. Please excuse the off-topic post.

Setup:
Pixel 6
Android 15

I forgot my PIN and also can't remember which email I used on this phone. I did a factory reset thinking it would wipe everything — but I was wrong. The phone is still asking me to enter the old PIN, which I no longer remember.

Is there anything I can do, or is my phone effectively bricked?

fid02

momo55 Is OEM unlocking enabled? If yes, you can flash GrapheneOS, which will erase the factory reset protection data… stuff. And then you can flash back to stock PixelOS if you want that.

KleinesSinchen

Welcome to the wonderful world of FRP!
Unfortunately any discussion about bypassing this questionable (anti-)feature of ~~artificial obsolesce~~ ahem theft deterrent is problematic due to what FRP allegedly is supposed to achieve. I wasn’t successful at finding anything (and have no idea if sharing such bypasses would be within the forum rules)

My personal guess is that many millions of devices have been prematurely scrapped because of this while having zero impact of theft rates.

Well. Success on bypassing FRP depends on the SoC, the phone manufacturer and on patchlevel/Android version. For currently supported Pixels the prospects look bad. I’ve searched an hour and got little more than click bait videos on YouTube (100% working, no PC, latest security patch… I you understand what I mean) and automated fake blog entries advertising shady to scammy software that won’t help.
The comments below several video state that the presented loopholes do not exist anymore on Android 15 despite some video titles promise otherwise.
Admittedly I’m not the best in searching up such things.

All that is left is the usual: “Contact manufacturer or authorized repair with proof of ownership and pay an unreasonable amount for getting rid of the lock.”

Now that I think about this: Maybe you are able to somehow recover access to the Google account. If you used real data when setting it up the Google support might be able to help. Did you sign up with the gmail address anywhere else? Maybe you can find your gmail name somewhere.

Good luck!

momo55

KleinesSinchen I haven't used the email anywhere else unfortunately. Oh man that fucking FRP sucks big time

charles25565

The only option to circumvent FRP is to replace the motherboard. I've had a bricked Pixel for another reason but uBreakiFix wanted to charge more than what I bought the phone for to replace the motherboard.

You might want to check with various repair shops in your area.

KleinesSinchen

fid02 Doesn't OEM unlocking disable FRP anyway? When you can unlock the bootloader, you can flash anything you want → FRP would be useless.
I don't have a Pixel on stock OS at hand but other devices on stock show a warning when toggling OEM unlock that "device protection" will be unavailable.

fid02

KleinesSinchen Doesn't OEM unlocking disable FRP anyway?

I don't know.

KleinesSinchen I don't have a Pixel on stock OS at hand but other devices on stock show a warning when toggling OEM unlock that "device protection" will be unavailable.

That has always been there.

Viewpoint0232

I don't know how they did it, but when I gave my turned-off and bootloader-locked GrapheneOS phone to the repair shop for a new screen, they returned it with a factory reset and the original Google OS on it. I asked here in the forum and was informed that GrapheneOS does NOT protect from theft like an iCloud lock does with iPhone for example; it's still possible to reinstall the OS without knowing the PIN. But again, not sure what they used, I assume there's some kind of official reset tool from Google for "flashing" back to "stock ROM"?

fid02

Viewpoint0232 But again, not sure what they used, I assume there's some kind of official reset tool from Google for "flashing" back to "stock ROM"?

Yes: https://flash.android.com

OEM unlocking needs to be enabled.

ryrona

Viewpoint0232 I don't know how they did it, but when I gave my turned-off and bootloader-locked GrapheneOS phone to the repair shop for a new screen, they returned it with a factory reset and the original Google OS on it.

They pressed Power+Volume Down to power on the device into fastboot mode. Then selected Recovery. Then Power+Volume Up to show list of actions, then Factory Reset. After that they booted normally, and went through the GrapheneOS first time wizard to set their own PIN. Then they went to Settings, About, and clicked the version number 7 times, entered PIN, then went to Settings, System, Developer Options, and selected to do OEM unlocking. Then they rebooted the device into fastboot mode again, and ran "adb flashing unlock". Pretty much.

GrapheneOS does not hinder anyone from factory resetting your device, GrapheneOS will just guarantee that all user data from the phone is wiped before any access to fastboot unlocking is possible. Same on Stock OS. However, stock OS has Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which GrapheneOS does not. And this is the issue OP has. The factory reset protection means the first time wizard is forcing you to enter your old PIN from before the factory reset to prove you are you, making the device unusuable for others.

KleinesSinchen

Viewpoint0232 But again, not sure what they used, I assume there's some kind of official reset tool from Google for "flashing" back to "stock ROM"?

Since GOS doesn't have FRP the repair shop can just reset from recovery and enable OEM unlock the normal way.
That does not say if Google/authorized repair has a low level flashing tool for software bricked devices.

momo55

KleinesSinchen The os was not GOS it was stock android 15