Installation Problems

billbadger

A couple of months ago I bought a Pixel 3 in order to try GrapheneOS. I wanted to be sure that I could carry out the installation, with a relatively low financial risk should I brick the phone; and also to experience the OS and to see what worked and what didn't. The installation (via browser) was a breeze, I have learned a great deal (with help from here) and the whole experience was positive.
So now I have a nice, shiny new Pixel 6a and have attempted another browser installation. Unfortunately, I cannot get it to work. With the Pixel 3 I used the first USB cable to hand with my windows PC and an installation of Brave, which worked first time. With the 6a I could not get a working USB connection to the PC at all with any of the several cables I tried.
I then moved to try installing to the 6a via the 3, using Vanadium and the new cable which came with the 6a. All is well up to 'Flashing Factory Images' but I cannot get this stage to complete. Either it hangs at one of the many restarts or Vanadium stops with the message 'Aw, Snap! Something went wrong while displaying this web page'. I have checked Vanadium settings to the limit of my understanding and also cleared all cache etc.
I would be grateful for any advice or help towards successfully finishing this installation.

Standardwaste

Did you download and install the latest Google drivers on your PC?

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/oem-usb#InstallingDriver

And did you check that brave has been updated to the current version?

billbadger

Thank you for your response.

Yes to all of these.

The description I gave above with regards to the PC failure is not accurate. The USB connection works for the bootloader unlocking but when attempting the Release download the only response is 'Error: undefined'.

I am more concerned about the P3/P6a failure since there are no unknowns involved, just two Google devices and a Google supplied cable.

Hulk

billbadger
Hello!

Regarding Pixel 3, please make sure that both phones have more than 60% of battery. Your Pixel 3 needs to have at least 32GB of free memory. Go to Display settings and set your display timeout to 30 mins or never. Reset Vanadium settings to default.

Reboot both phones and make sure that no other app can interfere with the process.

Your Pixel 6 should be updated to the latest version of stock Android.

Keep us posted

MetropleX

billbadger Hulk I can confirm this issue, that the Pixel 3 does indeed crash when using the web installer to flash a Pixel 6a. I tried doing it over the weekend. Had a relative using an old Pixel 2 XL that gave up on them so I donated my 4a to them before I could use it instead. Ended up using my laptop.

billbadger

Thank you for this. I have checked/tried all of these before posting.

'no other app can interfere with the process' How do I make sure of this?

The furthest point I had reached was when Vanadium came up with the 'Aw, Snap!..' error. Is amy one able to interpret this message?

Is it relevant that the 6a is now partially updated? On power up it goes into a loop at trying to load the OS but I can return it to the Fastboot screen using the buttons.

Whilst I am obviously keen to explore all these factors, I am still extremely surprised at the comparison with the straightforward experience with the Pixel 3. Is the 6a really so different? If so, in what way?

Hulk

billbadger
Sorry to hear that.
Try with your PC, I suppose

Hulk

which OS are you using on the PC?

billbadger

Thanks! It was really puzzling me as to why I was having problems with the 'all Google' method. Back to the W10 PC.

MetropleX

billbadger I have mentioned it in our Alpha/Beta testing room looking to have someone else validate the finding too so adjustments can be made to the instructions if necessary.

billbadger

I am very pleased (and relieved) to report that I now have a functioning Pixel 6a running GrapheneOS.

Note that Brave browser on a Windows 10 PC was still unable to make a USB connection, although it had previously worked on my Pixel 3. I installed Chromium on the PC which then allowed the Pixel 6a GOS install to go straight through with no problems.

Thanks to the correspondents above for their help. When I previously installed GOS on the Pixel 3 I was very impressed with the combination of the obviously very high technical level of the product combined with the excellent clarity and simplicity of the documentation and of the web installation. It is rare to see both of these in one place.

In spite of the problems I have had, I still believe that this is the case and that all involved in the project should be congratulated and thanked.

Cahlen

Why is this issue marked Solved? The reporter had to abandon installation from his Pixel 3 in order to install, which means the bug still occurs.

I'm having the exact same issue installing to a Pixel 6 Pro from a Pixel 3a XL.

[deleted]

Cahlen If you have an issue then create a new one .The OPs issue has been solved since he has succesfully installed GrapheneOS.