Bootloop: ADB sideload fails, 1sec timestamp diff (downgrade not allowed)

lucama

Hi everyone,

I'm experiencing a sudden bootloop on my Pixel 6 (oriole) and I'm desperately trying to save my internal data before resorting to a factory reset.

Context: The phone completely froze out of nowhere while I was using the Brave browser. After a few seconds, it rebooted to the standard "loading a different operating system" warning screen, and since then it has been stuck in a continuous bootloop (Boot -> Google logo -> GrapheneOS logo -> repeat).

What I've tried:
I managed to get into Recovery Mode (via Rescue mode/Fastboot). I downloaded the latest Stable "Signed update package" (version 2026021200) from the official releases page to perform an adb sideload to hopefully fix the OS without wiping my data.

The Problem:
The sideload process starts via PC, verifies the package, but aborts at the very end with this error:

ERROR: recovery: Update package is older than the current build, expected a build newer than timestamp 1770935118 but package has timestamp 1770935117 and downgrade not allowed.

It seems my corrupted system has a timestamp that is exactly 1 second newer than the official OTA file available on the website. I have checked the Alpha and Beta channels, but they currently share the exact same version/build.

(the picture of the recovery screen showing the exact error:

My question:
Is there any known workaround for this specific 1-second timestamp mismatch? Is it possible to get an OTA package with a slightly higher timestamp to push via ADB, or is there any other method to recover my internal data before I am forced to wipe everything?

Thank you in advance for any help!

lucama

lucama
picture seems broken, so:

Waiting for rescue commands...
ERROR: recovery: Timeout waiting for messages from minadbd

Install from ADB complete (status: 1).

Now send the package you want to apply
to the device with "adb sideload <filename>"...
Supported API: 3
Finding update package...
Verifying update package...
Update package verification took 112.5 s (result 0).
Installing update...
ERROR: recovery: Update package is older than the current build,
expected a build newer than timestamp 1770935118 but
package has timestamp 1770935117 and downgrade not allowed.

Install from ADB completed with status 1.
Installation aborted.

Johnnyloans

lucama

You probably enabled security preview releases. Download 2026021201 not 2026021200 (Same link but manually type in the 1)
https://releases.grapheneos.org/oriole-install-2026021201.zip

The forum's picture feature hasn't worked for me. upload the picture to a picture hosting website and paste the link here.

You probably already did this: Don't have it continuously boot loop.

Probably9857

Johnnyloans The forum's picture feature hasn't worked for me.

It's intentionally disabled.

lucama

"You were absolutely right about the 2026021201 version, that explains the timestamp mismatch! However, after force-rebooting the phone a few times, the A/B partition fallback triggered and the phone booted successfully into the previous slot. I'm backing up my data right now. Thank you so much for the quick help!"

Johnnyloans

Probably9857

Thank you good to know.

I originally wrote "doesnt work" but edited my phrasing due to only knowing that it doesnt work for me and a hunch.

Novalissoide

Johnnyloans
https://imgur.com/

The top left white 'arrow out of a bucket' icon launches your stock Files app, select a picture. Copy the new webpage address. Paste it anywhere desired.