Frustrating install experience, please help

tac

new-graphene-user I don't know about the web installer as I've never used that but command-line flashing is quite straightforward, and should take no longer than 10 minutes, so if I were you I'd just do it the OG way.

DeletedUser370

Unless you're familiar with a terminal and adb usage, the web installer is definitely easier than the command-line method. @new-graphene-user Please ignore the advice about using the command line.

tac

DeletedUser370 It might have been easier had it worked for them. They're trying something and it isn't working, hence their post. Might as well give an alternative approach a chance then.

People have been flashing all kinds of firmware long before such functionality could even be offered through a browser, things went fine for them, and somehow the world didn't end. So how about we just let @new-graphene-user decide what they want to do for themselves?

Let's not exaggerate the difficulty of ensuring the connection to device is established, followed by running a batch script to reflash it. If you have a car, have you ever looked under the hood? This is the equivalent of refilling the washer fluid. In both cases, the associated knowledge may come in handy one day as well.

Separately, since ADB is not necessary for command-line installation at all, you're clearly not familiar with the process. One could then write: "please ignore the uninformed statement of opinion posted above" but how about we instead, in the spirit of civility, acknowledge it is OK for people on an Internet message board to hold differing views and express them, especially if they can substantiate them, without trying to enforce a consensus upon one another.

In this case, the classic method would also be beneficial because it separates (1) the downloading of a release, (2) verifying its integrity, (3) unpacking it and finally (4) flashing it into distinct, separate steps. Doing it this way, in the unlikely case the process fails at some stage, there will at least be a more precise indication as to where the problem is.

However, if @new-graphene-user is really determined to get the Web method to work (which admittedly should be working to begin with), I'd suggest starting with a clean download of Ungoogled Chromium with an empty profile (best to use a portable version so as not to clutter the system, everything can then be deleted afterwards). I'd also try replacing the USB cable, maybe testing it first by attempting to transfer a large file to or from the device over MTP to rule out a physical connection problem. Actually, before even doing that, I'd make sure the fastboot devices shows a connection in bootloader mode: but if you can do that from the scary command line, why not just flash the whole thing directly while at it – which brings me to my original point.

tac

@other8026 I don't think anyone here is disputing the Web installer might be easier to use – when it works. When it doesn't though, it's clearly not as easy to find out why, and that's why this thread was apparently created.

In response to my well-intentioned and factually-substantiated reply (command-line flashing does indeed take about ten minutes, and in any case the process should not drag for hours as reported in the original post), the reputable user whom you personally recognize for the quality of his contributions made the following remark:

DeletedUser370 Please ignore the advice about using the command line.

Beside being needlessly hostile (should one poster really call for another poster's opinion to be "ignored?"), it was also unnecessary, as I'm sure @new-graphene-user has the wherewithal to evaluate all the responses on their merit and draw their own conclusions.

More importantly, the pertinent post was in my view counterfactual scaremongering since (emphasis mine):

DeletedUser370 Unless you're familiar with a terminal and adb usage [...]

The installation process is well-described on the GrapheneOS website step-by-step. You do not need to be familiar with "ADB usage" at all, since this tool does not have to be part of the process in any capacity. Throwing a mysterious (to the uninitiated) three-letter abbreviation into the discussion in such context is not intended to inform but to emotionally play on fear of unknown, and as such contrary to @new-graphene-user's best interests as I understand them, which is to make a rational decision as to what to do next. Hence my response, in which I further substantiated my views, while also in parallel trying to offer other advice should the user decide to keep on trying with the Web installer.

other8026 You joined 8 days ago so I don't know anything about you.

other8026 I think fid02 is very familiar with the process. I've seen them talk about flashing devices with stock and back to GrapheneOS often. I think they're as qualified as you to give advice about flashing, maybe more.

I appreciate what you're doing here as a moderator keeping the place tidy (I can see the spam I reported last night is now gone) and running well. It must be hard work and I don't want to interfere by taking your time. You are obviously correct in that I've just registered my account, so I have no established reputation here at all.

That being said, shouldn't it be beside the point who is more established here in terms of reputation? I don't think any opinion of any stranger on the Internet should be taken at face value, never mind how long ago their account was created. Personally, I'd prefer statements to be evaluated on facts, not on the basis of who made them, and diversity of (substantiated) opinion (within reason) being encouraged not stifled – even if posted from recently-created accounts.

Since you clearly took exception to what I wrote my reply to @DeletedUser370 , wouldn't it be more fair for you to also call out the original, completely unnecessary plea to "ignore" my advice by them?

Again, I most certainly don't want to waste your time or get involved in off-topic conversations but – just as food for thought – being singled out like this makes me feel unwelcome as a new user, never mind if I'm right or wrong, helpful or not, just because I objected to a call for ignoring what I wrote and briefly responded somewhat in kind, while still keeping the remainder of my post strictly on topic.

———

Edit:

new-graphene-user I ended up doing it CLI
new-graphene-user The web installer always lost connectivity on the flashing stage after the first reboot

Great to hear it's been sorted out, and the command-line installation worked for you.

other8026

tac Separately, since ADB is not necessary for command-line installation at all, you're clearly not familiar with the process.

I think fid02 is very familiar with the process. I've seen them talk about flashing devices with stock and back to GrapheneOS often. I think they're as qualified as you to give advice about flashing, maybe more. I don't know. You joined 8 days ago so I don't know anything about you. I do know that fid02 knows what they're talking about here, though.

I've seen people attempt to use the command line and they didn't understand even the most basic commands or even how to navigate their filesystem using the command line. For those people, it's far easier to use the web installer. I'm not sure if in this case new-graphene-user is familiar with the command line or not. If they are, they may consider flashing that way. If they aren't, I'd suggest they stick to the web installer.

And, fun fact, although I'm personally more than capable of flashing using the command line, I didn't want to risk it the first few times I flashed my own devices. I didn't risk the command line install until much later when I flashed an experimental release to my old phone. So maybe keep that in mind when making suggestions. People may want to use the web installer even if they can do the command line install.

DeletedUser370

tac Thank you very much for writing this. I have re-read what I wrote and, trying to see it from the perspective of someone other than myself, I can see that it is disrespectful and dismissive. I felt frustrated about what you suggested, and then made a post in a hurry without considering how it would come across. Clearly it also wasn't helpful to the OP. I truly feel bad about this, and I'm sorry I replied to you in this way.

I also don't think that account age is relevant here. I do not want to get a pass, nor for the moderators to view my posts in a kinder light than they might do with other users, just because I have posted a lot in the past.

However, I'd like to comment on a couple of things, if I may.

tac Separately, since ADB is not necessary for command-line installation at all, you're clearly not familiar with the process.

I actually didn't recall. It's been a while since I flashed using the terminal. Other8026 is right that I've flashed GrapheneOS and Pixel OS dozens of times, but almost always with the web installer – because it's simply more convenient, with fewer button presses and no typing. Again, I clearly wrote in a hurry, without checking the guide or reflecting.

tac The installation process is well-described on the GrapheneOS website step-by-step. You do not need to be familiar with "ADB usage" at all, since this tool does not have to be part of the process in any capacity. Throwing a mysterious (to the uninitiated) three-letter abbreviation into the discussion in such context is not intended to inform but to emotionally play on fear of unknown, and as such contrary to @new-graphene-user's best interests as I understand them, which is to make a rational decision as to what to do next.

This was not at all my intention and not on my mind at all. I did not intend to play on fear or instil fear in anyone. I'm confused about this particular interpretation. What I wrote was rude, but how can you be sure that you know what I intended? I am not intending to scare anyone, and it's very bad if that's the effect of my behaviour.

But I think it's a good point that people may feel intimidated when other people state technical terms that they personally don't understand. That was actually my worry when you suggested that the OP use the CLI method: that they would feel intimidated by merely taking a look at the guide, and decide to give up flashing GrapheneOS at all. I know from personal experience that some people feel intimidated even by the suggestion of using a terminal. I suspect that something like that might have been on the mind of the people that wrote "You can either use the WebUSB-based installer recommended for most users or the command-line installation guide aimed at more technical users." on the GrapheneOS install page.

tac

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to reflect on this. I will try to mentalize more and consider how what I write can come across in the future. It's harder to mentalize when not face-to-face, and it seems easier to just type whatever one's immediately thinking. I'll try not to do that though. I'm not at all glad that you feel unwelcome because of this.

new-graphene-user

Thanks all for the help and hints. I ended up doing it CLI, was a pain but at least the phone never lost adb connectivity to the laptop.

The web installer always lost connectivity on the flashing stage after the first reboot. I panicked thinking I completely killed/bricked it, and did the OE pixel reflash webpage.

NO ISSUES, took 10 mins and I was back on OTA OEM android 15, I guess I just had bad luck.

Definitely lessons learned. Thanks again everyone, appreciate it!

other8026

I might have misread what fid02 said. I reread it and now see that there was a period, not a comma, but I read it as.

Unless you're familiar with a terminal and adb usage, the web installer is definitely easier than the command-line method, new-graphene-user, please ignore the advice about using the command line.

If the "please ignore the advice about using the command line" part was actually its own sentence, then I'd agree that it can come off as rude.

tac That being said, shouldn't it be beside the point who is more established here in terms of reputation? I don't think any opinion of any stranger on the Internet should be taken at face value, never mind how long ago their account was created.

Fair enough. I was just pointing out that you were wrong when you were saying that someone wasn't familiar with a process I know they've gone through many times, many times done just to help people in the community out. You quickly and unfairly judged someone's competence based on which word they used.

tac being singled out like this makes me feel unwelcome as a new user

Sorry you feel that way. I don't mean to single you out. I do appreciate you being forward with me. You do make valid points about what I wrote. I hope that community members feel that I'm approachable enough that they can point out if I've made a mistake. It happens from time to time. I do also see how what I wrote about account age (or as you said, reputation) can be interpreted in some other way than I intended.

Anyway, you're right that this is off topic. You can feel free to contact me privately if you want. I have multiple contact methods listed in my bio here on the forum.

And I see that new-graphene-user was able to flash their device using the command line, so you were right to suggest that after all.

tac

@DeletedUser370 I appreciate your saying all that. I was too quick to assume the least charitable interpretation of what you wrote, which was unwarranted.

And I'm grateful to @other8026 for the detailed explanation of how he saw the whole exchange: it gives me a lot to think about, as I'm definitely not here to judge anyone.

I'm here to learn, and I absolutely don't insist on being right. It's just that in this particular situation, I strongly believed switching to the other installation method would be the most beneficial course of action. However, I could have done a much better job stating my rationale for this view in my initial post – it's just that as I already felt I had been writing too much elsewhere, that one time I wanted to be brief.

This board is notable for its excellent signal-to-noise ratio, which is the reason I've always enjoyed reading it, and eventually decided to register. Although the bar is already very high, I'd only ever wish to play my small part in making it even better, and definitely not cause anything to the contrary as a result of my actions. To that effect, from now on I'll try to make more effort towards assuming good faith on behalf of all the other participants instead of reading between the lines and jumping to unnecessary conclusions.

In the end, what matters most is that through common effort of everyone involved, the issue was resolved, and GrapheneOS now has yet another user onboard. And that is great news.

DirtyDan

@DeletedUser370 @other8026 @tac Still a better love story than Twilight

new-graphene-user

DirtyDan

LOL, yes it is.