Develop Bugs

[Q] Completly erasing data on a Galaxy Nexus

Hello,
So I believe my Galaxy Nexus might be defect. I was using it without problems until last week. The problem is that it seems to not be able to get a good signal from the mobile network. I tried switching 3g/2g on/off, flashing new/old radios, flashing new/old/stock roms and kernel and nothing worked. I used another cellphone and put my sim card in and the signal was perfect. I switched sims in my cellphone and the same signal problem happened. So the only logical explanation I have is hardware failure and decide I will send in my phone for inspection. (I only included this info just in case someone had the same problem and can help me)
Now my problem is, I had "sensitive" information on my cellphone and I dont want anyone getting access to it. I am guessing that the people that work in Samsung are professionals, but I still dont want to take the risk. I have flashed a stock ROM and locked my bootloader (so I am guessing that they wont be able to know that I flashed custom ROMS), because of the flashing all of my data was wiped, but I dont really think this is enough to make the previous data be 100% erased.
So what app or software do you recommend for making sure that the information saved before is no longer accessible for anyone. I am running windows 7 64 bit
Thanks
edit: I am asking for something more than just format and factory reset option

If it's rooted flash the super wipe zip.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

just lock and unlock your bootloader that's the safest way
edit : I see your bootloader its locked just unlock it, read carefully the message that the phone shows when you unlock the bootloader and select t
yes
then relock the bootloader and you are ready to go
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda premium

use this command in fastboot
fastboot erase userdata
this will clear all items in /data/ including the /data/media

just lock and unlock your bootloader that's the safest way
edit : I see your bootloader its locked just unlock it, read carefully the message that the phone shows when you unlock the bootloader and select t
yes
then relock the bootloader and you are ready to go
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only way I know how to lock/unlock my bootloader is with this Galaxy Nexus S toolkit. Does your method work with this toolkit??
use this command in fastboot
fastboot erase userdata
this will clear all items in /data/ including the /data/media
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you mean erase do you mean that the entries in the table are gonna be cleared? or the data itself going to be replaced by 0.
Just one thing I wanted to point out, erasing data doesnt mean that the data isnt still in memory, it just means that the table entries are wiped. I want something that will wirte in ALL the free space gargabe.

axjacosta said:
The only way I know how to lock/unlock my bootloader is with this Galaxy Nexus S toolkit. Does your method work with this toolkit??
When you mean erase do you mean that the entries in the table are gonna be cleared? or the data itself going to be replaced by 0.
Just one thing I wanted to point out, erasing data doesnt mean that the data isnt still in memory, it just means that the table entries are wiped. I want something that will wirte in ALL the free space gargabe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the /data/ folder will be completely empty.
if you want everything to be re-written with 0s, i dont know of any method that does that.
the best is basically erasing the partition as i said. unlocking and relocking the bootloader does the same thing.

axjacosta said:
When you mean erase do you mean that the entries in the table are gonna be cleared? or the data itself going to be replaced by 0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess the way to tell if "fastboot erase userdata" is actually zeroing out the nand, is to try it and see if it takes more than a second or two. If so, then it is zeroing it.

After you factory reset your data is mostly recoverable until you write over it. Format sd card, and data and cache. Then open camcorder and start filming, place in table or in dark quiet room and record until sd is full. Then reformat. Your sensitive data will remain sensitive
Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus CDMA using xda premium

What a waste of time.
Encrypt your device and then do a factory reset. Easiest way.

Factory Restore an Encrypted Galaxy S3

Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.

I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.

Eddie,
Thanks for your response.
1) I used stock method for encryption
2) Decrypt the phone is not possible apparently,only way is to factory restore the phone apparently
3) I went to the AT&T store and they were unable to factory restore (using the standard methods). They offered an exchange but since I purchase over the phone at a discounted price, I have to do the exchange using that method. Before shipping back the phone, I was wondering if I could fix it myself with the help of knowledgeable people.
CZ Eddie said:
I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have never used the encryption but if the phone can turn on and is usable, cant you go into the encryption settings and turn encryption off? then you should be able to do anything (may be best to start with a factory restore first just so you have a fresh slate to work with)

1ofAKind said:
Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1ofaKind,
Had EXACTLY the same thing happen to me. Encrypted my S3 in order to access work exchange server. Tried CWM but cannot mount /emmc/ problem after booting into recovery. Have not tried to factory reset yet as I am wanting to learn more before I go that route. But basically I am in the same boat as you. The only difference is I was not required to encrypt an external SD card when I put it in my phone. Read about flashboot as well...maybe the only way to actually factory reset after encryption??
Sorry I cannot offer any solutions at the moment...but I will keep scouring the forums looking for a way.
If I learn something valuable, I will try to post it here to help ya out.
EDIT: Maybe you have read these threads, but there is some decent info in them. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1451655 & http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1392037
good luck

Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

I'm in the same boat here - had to encrypt my GS3 in order to receive corporate (Exchange Server) emails. Now can't update the OS on the phone which is more important to me than receiving corporate emails on the device.
Can someone tell me how to decrypt (UN-encrypt) the phone? Everything I've read says that a factory reset won't do it.
Please help!

CZ Eddie said:
Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone tried this? If so, did it work?

I clicked install rom from sd card in cwm selected f/w which i had copied into internal memory. Did factory reset in recovery.

Odin it back to stock.

This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.

sid9102 said:
This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...

tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.

tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN (for me at least) wont see anything since im using Windows 8. On Windows 7, however, it works just fine.

Factory reset encrypted phone
hi,
I'm using CM11 as a rom.
I didn't want to reinstall stock rom, just to root it again later.
Installing updated version from external SD didn't work (updated the ROM but no decryption)
Tried to factory reset from recovery - didn't work, as the internal storage is encrypted it can't mount /sdcard/
however, from within settings menu, in backup&restore there's an option to do a factory reset - this is formatting internal memory altogether.
worked like a charm.

oxidase said:
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand this is very old but I am going to make a note here in case anyone else gets into this problem. When you go back to stock, do the factory reset using the STOCK recovery. Don't install TWRP or anything else until you have cleared the encryption. At least, that's what worked for me.

What Gets Erased by Unlocking Bootloader

Hi,
I want to unlock the bootloader on my HTC 10. Yeah, I am going to root, but this is a bootloader question. I need to know what gets erased when one unlocks the bootloader. In particular:
1. Does the ROM get erased?
2. Do the apps get erased?
3. Does the backup of the stock ROM (needed for factor reset) get erased.
I understand that app data gets erased. If the ROM gets erased, the phone is going to be inoperable until I install another ROM. Eventually, I want to root, but I would like to have the option of continuing to run the stock Nougat.
Thanks,
Ndmand

The DATA partition gets erased... Basically it performs a factory reset on the phone as a security measure to make sure someone else isn't unlocking the device to install malware so it does a quick factory reset so any potential customer information is erased.
I believe an app is removed so OTA fails when they do a system check and that app comes up missing. That last part might be an old method since now they might just do a hash check.
1. No
2. If you got them from the Playstore, Yes
3.Phones don't have a stock backup. Unless you make it, but that required you to be unlocked in the first place.

Thanks Tachi,
This helps a lot and gives me a comfort level with unlocking. I was afraid I would lose the ROM and be forced to install a custom ROM, which I might do later anyway.
Thank You,
Ndmand

Technically, nothing gets erased when you unlock the bootloader; however, unlocking the bootloader changes the decryption key used to decrypt the /data partition. As a result, you have to factory reset the phone as /data becomes unreadable. The ROM itself is in the /system partition, which is not encrypted and remains readable.

MehStrongBadMeh said:
Technically, nothing gets erased when you unlock the bootloader; however, unlocking the bootloader changes the decryption key used to decrypt the /data partition. As a result, you have to factory reset the phone as /data becomes unreadable. The ROM itself is in the /system partition, which is not encrypted and remains readable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that explains it even more. I guess that I should stop worrying now. :good:

Mi A2 Lite bricked?

Hi guys,
I'm having trouble with my A2 Lite. Right after unboxing the phone I installed Magisk as described in the guide (https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-install-magisk-device-t3825626), which worked like a charm. Today, I wanted to install a OTA security update. After the update was downloaded I got an error and I remembered that I had to "uninstall" Magisk, as described in "step a" of the guide. So I did exactly as described in the guide. After Magisk was "uninstalled" I closed the app and tried again to install the OTA security ("step b") update. Unfortunately I got the same error message again ("Can't install update"). So I thought f*** it - I skipped "step b" and proceeded to "step c" and installed Magisk into an empty slot. After that I hit "reboot" and now my phone's in a bootloop :-/
bootloader is unlocked, oem unlock and debug usb are activated. I'm able to enter fastboot, but no recovery, whatsoever.
Is there any way to fix this?

just letting you guys know that "fastboot set_active b" did the trick. I don't know what the hell went wrong though. I did everything according to the guide, except for trying to update the ota update (and failing) before uninstalling Magisk.
Now, the phone is booting correctly, but I still can't install the ota update. it says "Couldn't update" and "Installation problem". What the heck...

lunatikk said:
just letting you guys know that "fastboot set_active b" did the trick. I don't know what the hell went wrong though. I did everything according to the guide, except for trying to update the ota update (and failing) before uninstalling Magisk.
Now, the phone is booting correctly, but I still can't install the ota update. it says "Couldn't update" and "Installation problem". What the heck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is probably due to the root as it modified the system partition. Check the thread regarding on how to update without losing root.

fake__knv said:
This is probably due to the root as it modified the system partition. Check the thread regarding on how to update without losing root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you explain further? Will flashing the stock boot.img fix the issue and will I lose all data on the phone after flashing the boot.img?
thanks

lunatikk said:
Could you explain further? Will flashing the stock boot.img fix the issue and will I lose all data on the phone after flashing the boot.img?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please go see my guide, I just added a troubleshooting section that you should check:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-install-magisk-proper-support-ota-t3836952
Your feedback could improve it further.
No, flashing boot.img will not erase any data on the phone. But you must remove any PIN, password or screenlock before proceeding, or you could not access your data anymore (because of encryption).

BubuXP said:
Please go see my guide, I just added a troubleshooting section that you should check:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-install-magisk-proper-support-ota-t3836952
Your feedback could improve it further.
No, flashing boot.img will not erase any data on the phone. But you must remove any PIN, password or screenlock before proceeding, or you could not access your data anymore (because of encryption).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi BubuXP
I followed your troubleshooting guide and flashed the boot.img as instructed. Flashing the boot.img didn't do the trick so I continued with flashing the system.img. I checked for the correct build no. of course and for both boot.img and system.img the active slot "b" was chosen. After flashing the system.img I got stuck at a bootloop. I tried to set the active slot to "a", but that didn't help either: Now it wasn't in a bootloop anymore, but it was stuck at the boot animation (horizontal beam) loading forever. After 10 minutes I tried to restart - still the same problem.
What's going on here??
edit:
I flashed daisy_global_images_V9.6.4.0.ODLMIFF_20180724.0000.00_8.1_4afd3431a2 using MiFlash and the "Save user data" option. It was flashed successfully. However, when I start the phone it askes for a password and won't boot up into android if not entered. What the hell...? I deactivated my screenlock pin before I started all this. Is there a default password or what's the problem here?
regards

lunatikk said:
Hi BubuXP
I followed your troubleshooting guide and flashed the boot.img as instructed. Flashing the boot.img didn't do the trick so I continued with flashing the system.img. I checked for the correct build no. of course and for both boot.img and system.img the active slot "b" was chosen. After flashing the system.img I got stuck at a bootloop. I tried to set the active slot to "a", but that didn't help either: Now it wasn't in a bootloop anymore, but it was stuck at the boot animation (horizontal beam) loading forever. After 10 minutes I tried to restart - still the same problem.
What's going on here??
edit:
I flashed daisy_global_images_V9.6.4.0.ODLMIFF_20180724.0000.00_8.1_4afd3431a2 using MiFlash and the "Save user data" option. It was flashed successfully. However, when I start the phone it askes for a password and won't boot up into android if not entered. What the hell...? I deactivated my screenlock pin before I started all this. Is there a default password or what's the problem here?
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but I don't know anything about that. It's an encryption problem, and that's why I hate data encryption on the phone: my data is not so important to be protected when some hackers physically stole my phone, it's only a nuisance when things like this happens.
I can only suggest to change the active slot, maybe with this you can resolve.
I will also update my troubleshooting section of the rooting guide to make the data backup as the first option to be safe.
If you can sacrifice the data, you can simply format the data partition via fastboot or reflash using the flash_all.bat script.

BubuXP said:
Sorry, but I don't know anything about that. It's an encryption problem, and that's why I hate data encryption on the phone: my data is not so important to be protected when some hackers physically stole my phone, it's only a nuisance when things like this happens.
I can only suggest to change the active slot, maybe with this you can resolve.
I will also update my troubleshooting section of the rooting guide to make the data backup as the first option to be safe.
If you can sacrifice the data, you can simply format the data partition via fastboot or reflash using the flash_all.bat script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also thought that it had something to do with encryption. In the security menu, where I turned off the display lock, it said that the phone is encrypted. However neither pin nor fingerprint could unlock the phone.
I had to go for ultima ratio and flash my device with the newest fastboot image and miflash (save user data option didn't work either, btw.).
I lost all data on the device, but now everything works fine and the OTA update also ran through without any issues.
Now, I'm not sure if I will fiddle with magisk again. I really don't have no clue about what went wrong at all...
Thanks

lunatikk said:
I also thought that it had something to do with encryption. In the security menu, where I turned off the display lock, it said that the phone is encrypted. However neither pin nor fingerprint could unlock the phone.
I had to go for ultima ratio and flash my device with the newest fastboot image and miflash (save user data option didn't work either, btw.).
I lost all data on the device, but now everything works fine and the OTA update also ran through without any issues.
Now, I'm not sure if I will fiddle with magisk again. I really don't have no clue about what went wrong at all...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for sharing.
Maybe something to try for next time to restore data, I don't know.
I haven't tested yet but I did make a backup using the method explained here
https://9to5google.com/2017/11/04/how-to-backup-restore-android-device-data-android-basics/
I have yet to try (or need) the restore function but running that backup created a 6gb file. My understanding is this is the majority of your apps, data, messages, etc
Without twrp I was hesitant to root but with the bit of knowledge and files shared here so far I have moved forward and glad I did. I haven't had to flash the stock image yet but hopefully this backup helps ease the pain. It is nice to be able to modify at will

BubuXP said:
Please go see my guide, I just added a troubleshooting section that you should check:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-install-magisk-proper-support-ota-t3836952
Your feedback could improve it further.
No, flashing boot.img will not erase any data on the phone. But you must remove any PIN, password or screenlock before proceeding, or you could not access your data anymore (because of encryption).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had the same problem. I tried to install the OTA of March, followed the guide to install OTA with Magisk, but after unistalling Magisk, i tried to install the OTA but it gave me this message "installazione riprenderà automaticamente quanto il dispositivo non sarà attivo";
I looked for some help online, but didn't find anything, so skipped to the point c, and i got this bootloop now.
I tried the "set_active b" command, but I'm still in bootloop. I tried to flash the stock rom but apparentrly it's impossible to do it without recovery (which I'm unable to open), so... Help?
EDIT: By using miFlash and using the flash_all command I flashed the most updated ROM I found on MIUI.en, which is the january's one. It worked, even if the build version (10.0.3) is different from the one I had previously (10.0.4). The system says that there's an available update, but i'm too afraid to try it. Suggestion are accepted!

Possibilty of Data/Storage Recovery?

Hey there,
let me start off by saying that I don't own an XL, but a non-XL 3a. Since my question seems to apply to both devices (similar/same components), I'll try my luck here.
Recently, my 3a got stuck in SystemUI crashes and I tried every solution that came to mind and others suggested over at the 3a section (check my profile if curious, basically locked BL, fully stock, no ADB), but nothing solved the issue.
However, I didn't factory reset yet, but I'm confident that it would fix it. On the other hand, It'll also wipe my storage.
----
Long story short, the only option I can think of is to recover my files with a data recovery app/program after I have wiped/factory reset my phone.
Did anybody ever successfully used such an app on a Pixel or similar (A/B) partition layout? Is it even possible/viable? Are there special prerequisites to consider?
It goes without saying I'll make sure to overwrite as few sectors as possible, if any. I can accept some files getting lost in the process, but want to keep whatever I can recover.
Thank you for reading.

Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.

Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.

xnifex said:
Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
acejavelin said:
Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, damn. Thanks nonetheless, I didn't even think about that.
I'll try to fiddle with the phone one last time, maybe I'll get it unlocked somehow (I can only get 7 or 8 dots
of my pattern connected before the UI crash kicks in...). This is literally the only thing that separates me from the storage.
This has to be the most infuriating small obstacle with the biggest effect for me.

Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/

brandontowey said:
Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, if that works out, I'd be insanely glad. Have to get my hands on my friend's laptop first though.
I mean, the UI just started crashing after I checked for an OTA without downloading, then changing the wallpaper. That was literally it. Hadn't I rebooted, I would have been able to still unlock with my fingerprint between each crash.
Here's hoping that ADB sideloading OTAs left that slot option intact.
Will definitely update this post; at the very least, thank you for your suggestion.
Update: "fastboot continue" as well as switching boot slot parameters aren't allowed on this locked bootloader.
ADB sideloading caused slots to switch anyway, and both slots seemed to be affected from the SystemUI crashing. Will edit my original thread with a conclusion now.