No password to decrypt at boot - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

I noticed that my Pixel is not requiring a password at boot for encryption before Android starts, unlike every other Google phone. Is this normal?
Encryption and screen lock are enabled

I beloved Nougat is using direct boot where it boots into the OS but until you enter your login info the device status fully encrypted. After you boot the Pixel or Pixel XL and log into the device after reboot you notice it takes a few moments for everything to show up, that's because it's decrypting the device.

Interesting. Must be a Pixel thing, because my 6P with Nougat decrypts before boot. And I don't notice a delay on the Pixel

NWTSCL said:
I noticed that my Pixel is not requiring a password at boot for encryption before Android starts, unlike every other Google phone. Is this normal?
Encryption and screen lock are enabled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Fingerprint and 8 digit pin and when my phone starts I have to enter Pin before phone to decrypts.
Sent from my SM-T713 using Tapatalk

cmhjr said:
I have Fingerprint and 8 digit pin and when my phone starts I have to enter Pin before phone to decrypts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be clear, do you mean at power up, or after Android starts?

NWTSCL said:
Just to be clear, do you mean at power up, or after Android starts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm looking for an answer to this as well.
On my 6P when booting it would load to a point then stop, ask for pin, then after that would start android. On my Pixel it loads all the way to the lockscreen, then asks for pin.
Question is, is this the same thing???

AndrasLOHF said:
I'm looking for an answer to this as well.
On my 6P when booting it would load to a point then stop, ask for pin, then after that would start android. On my Pixel it loads all the way to the lockscreen, then asks for pin.
Question is, is this the same thing???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume so since a lot of the features don't work until that first pin is put in, like you will never be on wifi or data until that first PIN is entered, so I would assume it has changed so if your phone restarts for any reason you don't miss a call, but it locks you out of most other things until a PIN is entered. also likely the reason you can't use a fingerprint on startup since it is likely still encrypted.

NWTSCL said:
Just to be clear, do you mean at power up, or after Android starts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AndrasLOHF said:
I'm looking for an answer to this as well.
On my 6P when booting it would load to a point then stop, ask for pin, then after that would start android. On my Pixel it loads all the way to the lockscreen, then asks for pin.
Question is, is this the same thing???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Nexus 6p / Nexus 6, it boots to a point, and asks for a pin, and then continues loading the OS.
On Pixel, it looks like it skips the initial pin entry (before loading the OS) - but it won't let you use the fingerprint to log in. It will ask you to enter the pin after a cold boot. So, in other words, after power off, when you press the power button, you'll see the "Google" logo (on an insanely bright screen), then, the 4 animated dots, and then you get to the pin entry screen. At this point, you will need to enter the pin and it will almost instantly show you your homescreen. Now, if you press power off (to go to standby), and then power on, you'll see the pin entry screen again - but this time, your fingerprint will get you in.

Belimawr said:
I would assume so since a lot of the features don't work until that first pin is put in, like you will never be on wifi or data until that first PIN is entered, so I would assume it has changed so if your phone restarts for any reason you don't miss a call, but it locks you out of most other things until a PIN is entered. also likely the reason you can't use a fingerprint on startup since it is likely still encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm finding that I can connect and disconnect from all networks (wifi, LTE, bluetooth, hotspot enable) without ever entering that PIN.
Decrypting after boot has me a bit concerned, because obviously some things would not be encrypted.

NWTSCL said:
Just to be clear, do you mean at power up, or after Android starts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry and accept my apologies but you are correct.
I just tested it on my phone and did not request Pin, I was confusing it with my Nexus 6 which I was factory resetting at the same time I was setting up my Pixel.
I just completed a support chat to check. The encryption is different on the Pixel with 7.1 and secure startup was removed.
On previous Nexuses it may still have it because it's encryption was whole disk but the Pixel is using a different method.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

cmhjr said:
On previous Nexuses it may still have it because it's encryption was whole disk but the Pixel is using a different method.
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Click to collapse
This is troubling. The Pixel will automatically connect to any open wifi that it has connected to previously. Think of what will happen if someone nearby is using something like the wifi pineapple.
And without whole encryption, how can anyone trust that the sensitive data we want to be secure really is?
Apparently Google and the Pixel team lost their thinking cap.

NWTSCL said:
This is troubling. The Pixel will automatically connect to any open wifi that it has connected to previously. Think of what will happen if someone nearby is using something like the wifi pineapple
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was a pain in the support chat to get them to understand Secure Startup because they kept confusion it with Sim Lock or Pin/Password Lock until I finally had them understand Startup Pin blocked Android.
I started checking online after chat about Pixel Encryption and it seems to be file level and maybe App specific (API for developers). But just started checking.
Also checking up on wifi assistant security because I avoid open wifi because of your same worries.
Just received this from Google support, secure startup may return.
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Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

cmhjr said:
Just received this from Google support, secure startup may return.
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Click to collapse
I wonder if they said that just to keep you from returning your phone.

NWTSCL said:
I wonder if they said that just to keep you from returning your phone.
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Click to collapse
Not sure but they removed double tap to wake before the Pixel released and allegedly that is going to be released in a future update.
There is no telling what features of Android were removed before the release because they were not working properly and plan to reintroduced in future updates.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

It's called file based encryption. On your 6P, the entire data partition is encrypted so to boot you must enter your PIN, pattern, etc or the phone won't even know basics like being able to read (or rebuild) the Dalvik cache.
On the Pixels, they are using file based encryption so each file on the data partition can be encrypted, or not, individually. This has numerous advantages like allowing the phone to boot with no password, since the Dalvik cache doesn't have to be encrypted. Or allowing 911 calls in an emergency (phone owner unconscious?).
Your data is still secure since the files containing that information are still encrypted. That's why you must still unlock the phone using your PIN, etc on first boot. To get all that data that's still encrypted.

Belimawr said:
I would assume so since a lot of the features don't work until that first pin is put in, like you will never be on wifi or data until that first PIN is entered, so I would assume it has changed so if your phone restarts for any reason you don't miss a call, but it locks you out of most other things until a PIN is entered. also likely the reason you can't use a fingerprint on startup since it is likely still encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
romracer said:
It's called file based encryption. On your 6P, the entire data partition is encrypted so to boot you must enter your PIN, pattern, etc or the phone won't even know basics like being able to read (or rebuild) the Dalvik cache.
On the Pixels, they are using file based encryption so each file on the data partition can be encrypted, or not, individually. This has numerous advantages like allowing the phone to boot with no password, since the Dalvik cache doesn't have to be encrypted. Or allowing 911 calls in an emergency (phone owner unconscious?).
Your data is still secure since the files containing that information are still encrypted. That's why you must still unlock the phone using your PIN, etc on first boot. To get all that data that's still encrypted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yet that makes a man in the middle attack extremely easy because anyone who can turn it on can it can connect it to a nearby wireless network. And who knows what else is store elsewhere unencrypted. The new method makes no sense.
And if your data is still secure, how did it access my secured WiFi network? Unless the login info isn't secure.

Related

[Q] any tech details for galaxy nexus full disk encryption ?

i am using a nexus S with whisper systems whisper core
it has real luks based AES full disk encryption and the ability to selectivity revoke application permissions
there seems to be no public info on the encrytion on ice cream sandwich
can anyone comment on it?
Anyone?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
thanks for the replys
I got my LTE Galaxy Nexus today by far the best android device ever
I enable encryption
and it works fine
I wonder how long till theres a story about cops unable ( or able ) to get into someones phone because of encryption..
You must use a password/pin to encrypt. Swipe and face unlock are not a option. In cant be more than 16 characters. The same password used to encrypt the device must be used to unlock the screensaver. VERY annoying. You can however change your pass code/pin used to encrypt the device after encrypted nearly instantly. I'm not sure how its able to do this without a complete re-encryption of all encrypted blocks?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
gophet said:
You must use a password/pin to encrypt. Swipe and face unlock are not a option. In cant be more than 16 characters. The same password used to encrypt the device must be used to unlock the screensaver. VERY annoying. You can however change your pass code/pin used to encrypt the device after encrypted nearly instantly. I'm not sure how its able to do this without a complete re-encryption of all encrypted blocks?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if you encrypt you have to enter your PIN to start the phone AND unlock the phone?
The information I read says you only need the PIN when you "turn on" your phone...
That would be okay but not for unlock too...
Yes your pin (or pass code) is used both to turn on the device and unlock the lock screen... I initially created a long random hard to type string of characters for my password but when I figured out I'd have to type it in for my unlock code also I quickly change into a numerical pin the fact I could change it without re encrypting the the tire device leave me to believe encryption keys for the entire disk is stored in small separate encrypted file somewhere.
Still wondering if this is AES or something else? And what partitions exzatly is encrypted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
gophet said:
Yes your pin (or pass code) is used both to turn on the device and unlock the lock screen... I initially created a long random hard to type string of characters for my password but when I figured out I'd have to type it in for my unlock code also I quickly change into a numerical pin the fact I could change it without re encrypting the the tire device leave me to believe encryption keys for the entire disk is stored in small separate encrypted file somewhere.
Still wondering if this is AES or something else? And what partitions exzatly is encrypted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification... that sucks...
Ive been begging for this option on my Nexus One and now that ive upgraded are there any negatives to doing this? any negative performance hits etc.
What happens when you connect the Nexus to a computer? Can you see the contents of the internal memory via MTP, ei. pictures?
bunklung said:
What happens when you connect the Nexus to a computer? Can you see the contents of the internal memory via MTP, ei. pictures?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can.
gophet said:
You must use a password/pin to encrypt. Swipe and face unlock are not a option. In cant be more than 16 characters. The same password used to encrypt the device must be used to unlock the screensaver. VERY annoying. You can however change your pass code/pin used to encrypt the device after encrypted nearly instantly. I'm not sure how its able to do this without a complete re-encryption of all encrypted blocks?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can change the password quickly because it does not reencrypt the whole storage. the actual key used for encryption is static, the password encrypts the key itself, not the storage.
it's a common theme in encryption schemas, truecrypt does the same thing. you generate strong keys once, and protect them with passwords. PGP does the same thing to your private key...
gkaugustine said:
Ive been begging for this option on my Nexus One and now that ive upgraded are there any negatives to doing this? any negative performance hits etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whisper system whispercord does FDE on nexus one and S
no notable performance issues - have not run any benchmarks
mvorbrodt said:
you can change the password quickly because it does not reencrypt the whole storage. the actual key used for encryption is static, the password encrypts the key itself, not the storage.
it's a common theme in encryption schemas, truecrypt does the same thing. you generate strong keys once, and protect them with passwords. PGP does the same thing to your private key...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah thats what i kinda figured - now i wonder what file it is that hold the key and how it is encrypted
Petrovski80 said:
Yes you can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does MTP or Windows prompt you for a password?
Does your phone need to be unlocked for the MTP drive to show? If you lock your phone does a file transfer stop?
Thanks again.
Do you know if the encryption slow down the phone?
It must encrypt every new file. Does this result in slower operations?
sblantipodi said:
Do you know if the encryption slow down the phone?
It must encrypt every new file. Does this result in slower operations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The overhead will be when writing to and reading to the block device. There will be very few scenarios where you are maxing io (aka writing/reading) and the cpu at the same time. And that's the only scenarios where you'd really notice any slowdown.
There will be some increased cpu usage while writing to/reading from file though, so you could take a theoretical battery usage hit. But I doubt you'll notice it.
//edit, I should also point out that even if you find a game that's bothered doing background loading and pushing some cpu task in parallel, the phone has 2 cores.
//edit 2, some more digging:
http://source.android.com/tech/encryption/android_crypto_implementation.html
So we're talking dm-crypt with aes-cbc-essiv 128bit keys and sha256.
thanks! just what i was looking for
I had encryption on for a while. It took 45mins to encrypt my device when first activated. If I rebooted my phone it would take 3mins to boot up during which time I would be asked for my sim pin, encryption pin and finally the SIM pin again. The screen would repeatedly turn off during this time. In the end I removed encryption (factory reset is the only way to do this).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
How does this work for flashing/upgrading the rom? I suppose it would need be be re-encrypted each time, however is the pin entered even before fastboot?
you cant backup a encrypted running system
you can only do a wipe
taking the galaxy nexus back as my nexus S seems to do most everything the galaxy nexus does only slower and smaller

Phone got stolen. Need help with privacy!

My girlfriend got her one x stolen by some loser. after the incident she did everything that can be done about her privacy details.
the first thing she did was to get her line suspended from the service provider, then she went home immediately and changed all her passwords from facebook, ubersocial, gmail etc.
However, the problem now is that we figured that the thief would still have access to all that if he or she did not sign out. I tried searching for many ways to remotely log out and only manage to get facebook out of the way as they provide the option to log out of every other devices once we change the password. However, as for gmail and ubersocial.. we didn't find a possible way to do so.
IWe tested it through my S3. I went on my dlaptop and change my password for ubersocial and then I turned off and on my phone again only to find out that I can still tweet and read tweets even after my password was changed. It's very frustrating to know that the thief still has access to her privacy despite all her actions. if it helps, I'm from Malaysia.
PS: I tried androidlost but it requires me to send an sms to her phone to authenticate however she already terminated her line. she does not have phone lock, or any apps like lookout installed. So yeah, please help asap.
Thank you in advance.
What firmware was the phone running??I ask Bcoz the latest firmware 2.17 has a rescue app which erases all the phones data and does a factory reset..
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
But you stilul need the phone to acces it. And it requieres some pin code.
Also go to pc sign in her google account..go to android market in pc and install this remotely to phone..maybe if thief gets online through WiFi or anything this will track the phone down..
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lookout.labs.planb
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 02:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 AM ----------
uqadwe said:
But you stilul need the phone to acces it. And it requieres some pin code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope its done remotely and u need to get contact with HTC service center to do that..
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Just press continue and see...
I'm sure changing the password forces the app to makes you have to re-log again.
sumeshd said:
What firmware was the phone running??I ask Bcoz the latest firmware 2.17 has a rescue app which erases all the phones data and does a factory reset..
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rescue app is not for the purpose. It remote app for the customer services to fix your phone, not for wiping. User must enters PIN manually as inform by CS...
Perhaps it's too late to tell OP to used LockOut Plan B App..
Best option would have been.. install an app like android lost from play.google.com remotely and then control the phone from their website androidlost.com
You might even have got your phone back.
However since you have already changed your passwords, installing apps remotely won't probably be possible, still give it a try see if it works.
+1 for plan b.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
flame10 said:
Best option would have been.. install an app like android lost from play.google.com remotely and then control the phone from their website androidlost.com
You might even have got your phone back.
However since you have already changed your passwords, installing apps remotely won't probably be possible, still give it a try see if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
google play will still install apps on the phone when u ask to install from ur pc
since the phone hasnt bien erased an that phone was the last one online on google play
Plan B and hope it's still attached to your Google account.
RoflcopteRDowN said:
My girlfriend got her one x stolen by some loser. after the incident she did everything that can be done about her privacy details.
the first thing she did was to get her line suspended from the service provider, then she went home immediately and changed all her passwords from facebook, ubersocial, gmail etc.
However, the problem now is that we figured that the thief would still have access to all that if he or she did not sign out. I tried searching for many ways to remotely log out and only manage to get facebook out of the way as they provide the option to log out of every other devices once we change the password. However, as for gmail and ubersocial.. we didn't find a possible way to do so.
IWe tested it through my S3. I went on my dlaptop and change my password for ubersocial and then I turned off and on my phone again only to find out that I can still tweet and read tweets even after my password was changed. It's very frustrating to know that the thief still has access to her privacy despite all her actions. if it helps, I'm from Malaysia.
PS: I tried androidlost but it requires me to send an sms to her phone to authenticate however she already terminated her line. she does not have phone lock, or any apps like lookout installed. So yeah, please help asap.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best app for this is gotya security app it will take photos if wrong lock key is entered and send it to your Gmail or Facebook with location. You can also play with the thief by sounding alarms, force your phone to ring any number, request location, display a lock screen message, take photos, and even unlock your phone all by sms commands and lots more its only £2 on market and has had 2 people arrested for stealing my phone not only that its handy when you think someone is snooping thru your phone at work
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
the thief would've sold ur phone to a shop anyway.
why worry lol
once he sold that phone, and once someone buys the phone, and the gps satellite gets activated (after the buyer inserts his simcard) , then u can track ur phone remotely. make a police report and keep the case on ongoing status.
No chance.
The phone will be wiped so any tracking app will be gone.
i use Zoner Antivirus since i got my HOX, to hunt eventually thieves down.. you can track via GPS and sent SMS with coords to another (chosen) phone number. it also notices you when some1 switches sim card
Good luck with urs!
e: i read that https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=de this app is the best anti theft thing.. its free and should be the best (4,7 out of 5) maybe it'll help u to install via Playstore or sth like that
Mal'akh said:
i use Zoner Antivirus since i got my HOX, to hunt eventually thieves down.. you can track via GPS and sent SMS with coords to another (chosen) phone number. it also notices you when some1 switches sim card
Good luck with urs!
e: i read that https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=de this app is the best anti theft thing.. its free and should be the best (4,7 out of 5) maybe it'll help u to install via Playstore or sth like that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know it doesn't help the OP now,
But phone locator pro is what you should have.
Makes it difficult to uninstall
Locks your phone by text
Phone automatically locks if a different sim is used.
Takes a picture of your thief & emails it you
Locates your phone, even if data WiFi is disabled (it will turn it on)
Etc etc.
---
Because OP had no safe guards, I think IMEI block is the best he can hope for.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Cerberus rules.
mickfitz said:
Cerberus rules.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked that app, has all the same features as PhoneLocator Pro - so, either will do.
Edit: Cerberus doesn't work properly on the HOX, first thing I noticed was the 'lock with pass code' doesntnwork at all.
The 'enter your pass code' screen doesn't show n the HOX, and then user just needs to swipe to unlock. - so, its not locked at all.
-----
I tested this app on the Nexus 7, and everything works as it should.
This app definitely has issues on the HOX.
Phone locator pro works perfectly on the HOX, but not at all on the Nexus 7. (Its not available in the play store, probably as its 'phone locator' )
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

"Unlock for all features and data" and Find My Device

Hello,
When my phone boots up after restart, the lock screen shows up requesting PIN entry. You cannot use fingerprint to unlock after boot up, you have to use PIN for this first unlock.
On this same screen, at the bottom, it says "Unlock for all features and data".
So, until you unlock, mobile data is not activated.
Without mobile data, Find My Device cannot work.
Is there something I'm missing here? This design seems strange to me.
If your phone is stolen, and the device is restarted, the thief cannot get into your phone without your PIN and all your user data remains encrypted. Great.
But you also cannot use Find My Device to locate your device.
Or if the phone is lost and the battery dies, and a good Samaritan eventually finds it, and charges it. Same problem.
Just wanted to get thoughts on this issue. Thanks.
Yes I find this quite annoying as well. I am surprised not one person has information or experienced the same.
GPS probably still works.
So you're saying you're tried to locate your phone, on a computer, you've gone to https://android.com/find and it doesn't work if your phone isn't unlocked? That's a new one on me.
Phalanx7621 said:
So you're saying you're tried to locate your phone, on a computer, you've gone to https://android.com/find and it doesn't work if your phone isn't unlocked? That's a new one on me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that makes no sense "find my phone" works off the IMEI.. so if someone takes out your sim you can still erase your phone
Post deleted.

Question Boot Loop when attempting to access Call Forwarding settings via Phone App (after Sim Swap to eSim)

Hey All, Greetings from Australia.
I am facing some serious issues with my Pixel 6 Pro (well my 2nd brand new device). Looks like I have found a bug which causes the phone to enter a boot loop with no way to fix it. see below steps.
I have done the initial setup on the phone, entered my google account details, phone did its restore thing with no issues.
I activated my eSim service on the device, that seemed to work with no issues (data & calls working as should)
When entering the Call Settings via the Phone App, it immediately crashed, and displayed a Factory Data Reset screen.
It then displayed a recovery screen saying the OS is corrupt, and to perform a factory reset, when attempting this again, it will display multiple errors and continue to restart the phone and prompt for another factory reset
Not sure if the above makes sense, however this seems to be a serious flaw/bug with the new phone/OS, I've attached some pictures for reference and can provide a video of the boot loops.
To repeat, this is my 2nd Pixel 6 Pro device and the first phone was refunded due to the same above issue.
Has anyone experienced this behaviour before, as the phone is still relevantly new, I'm struggling.
Google Support are being absolutely useless thus far.
Looking at the attached video, you can see the eSim service turning off and on, IMO it seems that the eSim component / hardware on the phone is corrupt.
Troubleshooting Steps Perforemed.
1. Performed Full Factory Reset in recovery menu attached
2. Performed a full flash of the Factory Image using the Online Flash Tool - https://source.android.com/setup/contribute/flash
3. I have attempted Erasing the eSim in the Reset Menu, however this does absolutely nothing.
Thoughts??
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Your browser is not able to display this video.
I just tried to recreate this and I did not get a crash. I'm also using an eSim. Its a weird bug for sure. Maybe it has to do with your carriers eSim. I'm using Google Fi.
Edit*
Just watched your video, that's crazy. Looks like a defective unit in my opinion, but what are the chances you got 2 of them. Have you tried setting it up on wifi, do app updates, then activate service?
eg1122 said:
I just tried to recreate this and I did not get a crash. I'm also using an eSim. Its a weird bug for sure. Maybe it has to do with your carriers eSim. I'm using Google Fi.
Edit*
Just watched your video, that's crazy. Looks like a defective unit in my opinion, but what are the chances you got 2 of them. Have you tried setting it up on wifi, do app updates, then activate service?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey eg1122
Thanks for attempting to replicate this , I would have felt horrible if you encountered the same issue, but thankfully not.
This definitely seems to be an issue with both my Carrier and eSim provisioning on the device.
To confirm, the behaviour was identical with both phones
Only solution I can think of is a physical sim card, at least until your carrier and/or Google fix it.
simon_mx5 said:
Hey All, Greetings from Australia.
I am facing some serious issues with my Pixel 6 Pro (well my 2nd brand new device). Looks like I have found a bug which causes the phone to enter a boot loop with no way to fix it. see below steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This just happened to me....aaaarrrrggg...now dealing with google support. Did you ever find a solution? I am with Telstra...so frustrating.
Update: Went to Telstra got a replacement physical sim and phone is back to working as it should...no more esim's for me. I hope this helps someone else.
OzBoy1 said:
This just happened to me....aaaarrrrggg...now dealing with google support. Did you ever find a solution? I am with Telstra...so frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No solution unfortunately, I just gave up on the idea of an e-sim
Not sure how this happened I had used call forwarding before with no issue but this time it was a PITA! I spent a couple of hours with google support and they couldn't help, a replacement was the option they provided.
The physical sim is the fix, I am not sure if you have to use the one that is associated with the eSim account (I did it worked) however I think it just needs a different sim to the eSim to use as set up. When setting up make sure you use the physical sim, not the eSim otherwise back to the boot loop. Once you get the phone set up go to Settings/System/Reset Options/Reset wifi, Mobile and Bluetooth then check the Erase downloaded SIMs, this will remove the problem.
I hope this helps someone else as it was a pain to reset and all the time lost when it was a pretty simple solution to fix....well as long as you have a physical sim handy!
Did you try the dialer commands for call forwarding?
cabagekiller said:
Did you try the dialer commands for call forwarding?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Phone/Settings/Calls/Call Fowarding.
I had major issues with this. Everything was working ok until i turned on call forwarding which sent the phone into a bootloop as above. I needed to insert a physical sim to get through the factory reset as it hung onto the esim otherwise and went back into another bootloop. Once the factory reset was done, i did another with sim data erase checked - and then when back up and running re-added the Telstra esim.
Whilst things where partially working i still had issues. I noticed that navigating to "Phone -> Settings -> Calling accounts" would crash the phone app.
I also noticed that the Telstra esim appeared as "null" in some places as it was unnamed. I gave the esim a name and now everything is working fine - i can access the Calling accounts menu.
Maybe the blank name causes the issues? This was on a Pixel 6 (not pro)
fish0 said:
I had major issues with this. Everything was working ok until i turned on call forwarding which sent the phone into a bootloop as above. I needed to insert a physical sim to get through the factory reset as it hung onto the esim otherwise and went back into another bootloop. Once the factory reset was done, i did another with sim data erase checked - and then when back up and running re-added the Telstra esim.
Whilst things where partially working i still had issues. I noticed that navigating to "Phone -> Settings -> Calling accounts" would crash the phone app.
I also noticed that the Telstra esim appeared as "null" in some places as it was unnamed. I gave the esim a name and now everything is working fine - i can access the Calling accounts menu.
Maybe the blank name causes the issues? This was on a Pixel 6 (not pro)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear about this, I know how frustrating this is. This issue did not go away for me, had ongoing issues, Ended up having to contact google support and they replaced the phone, haven't gone back to esim since. Good luck.

Black screen with working touch, data recovery

Hi, few weeks ago my mom dropped her phone (samsung galaxy a50) and the screen turned black. I need a way to enter and recover the data.
The touch is working, the phone makes sound (when i plug in the charging cable for exemple).
- The phone has as its screen lock the pattern code (that i know), so I trivially tried to insert it blindly, even though I couldn't see what I was doing.
- I tried to log into "find my samsung", that has several option as "Unlock the phone", but it cannot be unlocked, it gives me few errors.
- I tried then with an HDMI adapter connected to phone and an external monitor, but i can't see anything on the monitor (I think for security reasons the screen is not shown if it is locked).
Since I know the password, I wonder if there is a way to brutally enter it even without seeing the screen, so I can connect the phone to a screen and retrieve the data.
So I ask you if you have any advice or know what I can do to unlock the phone and recover the data.
Thank you for your time.
ps: i'm new here so i don't know if i post this in the right place
Welcome to XDA.
Is the display cracked?
The easiest way at this point is to repair the damage without a factory reset is my thought.
If the display shows no signs of physical damage it may be a connector simply got displaced.
If it is the display that's damaged you could replace it but bare in mind it could the mobo that was damaged or a combination of both.
If you really need the data recovered your best shot in a professional data recover service. Expect to pay around $800 if they can retrieve it.
Always redundantly backup critical data regularly. Always use a good case to protect the device from direct impact and high G loading if dropped. If you have expandable storage use it as a data drive; all critical data goes there, then back it regularly...
blackhawk said:
Is the display cracked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the display is fine, no signs of physical damage. Had installed a good cover and the protective screen glass .
blackhawk said:
If the display shows no signs of physical damage it may be a connector simply got displaced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I better try to open it up to see if there is anything disconnected?
blackhawk said:
If it is the display that's damaged you could replace it but bare in mind it could the mobo that was damaged or a combination of both.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whats "mobo"?
Replacing the screen is another option I thought about, before I tried it I wanted to see if there were other ways to recover the data.
Thank you for the answers.
quirohn02 said:
No, the display is fine, no signs of physical damage. Had installed a good cover and the protective screen glass .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The glass screen protector does little to limit G loading on impact. A 4 foot drop unprotected can cause internal damage to chipsets from excessive G loading.
quirohn02 said:
So I better try to open it up to see if there is anything disconnected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Or have a good repair shop evaluate it, that may be the best course of action. Samsung repair service will factory reset it if they repair it, so... they aren't an option.
quirohn02 said:
Whats "mobo"?
Replacing the screen is another option I thought about, before I tried it I wanted to see if there were other ways to recover the data.
Thank you for the answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Motherboard.
At this point your options are very limited unless you can connect to the device which seems unlikely.
You're welcome, good luck... you might get lucky.
emmacole said:
1. Connect the phone to a computer: You can try connecting the phone to a computer using a USB cable. If the phone is set to "File Transfer" mode, you should be able to access the device's internal storage and copy the data to your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already tried connecting the phone to do a data transfer with "Android File Transfer" but it fails to connect showing me this error: "Unable to connect to the device. Try reconnecting or restarting the device"
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
it's in Italian sorry. i just want to share the type of error.
So I think the phone is not set to "File Transfer" mode and since I can't see anything on the screen I can't unlock the phone "blindfolded", so i can't enable "File Transfer" mode and debugging.
emmacole said:
2. Use Samsung Smart Switch: Samsung Smart Switch is a free software application that allows you to transfer data from one Samsung device to another. You can download and install Samsung Smart Switch on your computer, connect the phone to the computer, and use the software to transfer the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem always remains in unlocking the phone and seeing the actions.
emmacole said:
3. Use Samsung Find My Mobile: If the phone is registered with Samsung Find My Mobile, you may be able to unlock the phone remotely. To do this, go to the Find My Mobile website and log in with your Samsung account credentials. From there, you can select the option to "Unlock" the phone remotely. If this option is not available, you can try other options provided by Samsung Find My Mobile, such as backing up data or wiping the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As i said in the first post I already tried to log into "find my samsung", but it cannot be unlocked, it tells me that the "remote unlocking" is not enable.
From the same menu I also tried to backup the files, but it says without unlocking the phone you can't backup.
emmacole said:
4.Use Android Debug Bridge (ADB): If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can try using this tool to access the phone's files. You will need to connect the phone to a computer and enable USB debugging on the device. From there, you can use ADB commands to access the phone's files and retrieve the data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here, i can't unlock the phone and enable USB debugging.
Thanks for answers.
Yes, you're starting to see the depth of your predicament. You could try making templates to unlock and navigate it. Even with another working same model phone this will be difficult.
That's all assuming the password wasn't corrupted from the impact...
blackhawk said:
Yes, you're starting to see the depth of your predicament. You could try making templates to unlock and navigate it. Even with another working same model phone this will be difficult.
That's all assuming the password wasn't corrupted from the impact...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering if there is a way to "enter" a certain unlock pattern from the outside.
Sort of a "brute force attack" where I already have the lock pattern so just entering the right one would be enough.
I don't know if i have explained myself and if it is a possible thing to do.
quirohn02 said:
I'm wondering if there is a way to "enter" a certain unlock pattern from the outside.
Sort of a "brute force attack" where I already have the lock pattern so just entering the right one would be enough.
I don't know if i have explained myself and if it is a possible thing to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that I'm aware of... if you can't connect with the PC. As long as it locked it's data is encrypted and not accessible.
blackhawk said:
Not that I'm aware of... if you can't connect with the PC. As long as it locked it's data is encrypted and not accessible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought so, thank you very much.
If you really need the data and it's the OLED broken, maybe an option is switching to a cheap LCD, as they aren't much expensive and it's a lot cheaper than taking it to a service repair so they get the data. I can't think of another way to do it

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