Database Users

Stuck in 'waiting for any device' when trying to flash factory image with fastboot

Hi, I am trying to revert to stock Android (phone is stuck in a boot loop) by flashing the factory images (Heisenberg's thread, point 12) but am getting the 'waiting for any device' message and nothing happens when trying to execute fastboot commands.
The phone is recognized, however, when I get it into TWRP Recovey and type 'adb devices', shows the serial number and recovery status. When I'm in the bootloader the phone isn't recognized, "connect usb data cable" even though it is connected.
I am stuck at this point / out of my depth and out of any further ideas

go to bootloader and type "fastboot devices"

fastboot devices - no value
fastboot devices - returns no value; adb devices still gives me serial of the connected nexus 6p
could this be a driver (on my pc?) issue?
weird that fastboot devices returns no value

ciliax said:
fastboot devices - returns no value; adb devices still gives me serial of the connected nexus 6p
could this be a driver (on my pc?) issue?
weird that fastboot devices returns no value
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like it. Try installing fastboot drivers again.

ok, I give that a shot

OK, so I installed the SDK package on a different PC, tried it with the Google USB drivers and then with the Huawei drivers instead. Same result as before...
ADB Devices shows my phone, fastboot devices returns no value. The phone is only recognized when in recovery Mode (TWRP) - not when in the bootloader.
This is very frustrating.
Any other ideas anyone?

Did you do all the prerequisites from the guide? http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928 Or maybe a java being outdated? Last idea is installing usb drivers manually http://developer.android.com/tools/extras/oem-usb.html#InstallingDriver

ciliax said:
Hi, I am trying to revert to stock Android (phone is stuck in a boot loop) by flashing the factory images (Heisenberg's thread, point 12) but am getting the 'waiting for any device' message and nothing happens when trying to execute fastboot commands.
The phone is recognized, however, when I get it into TWRP Recovey and type 'adb devices', shows the serial number and recovery status. When I'm in the bootloader the phone isn't recognized, "connect usb data cable" even though it is connected.
I am stuck at this point / out of my depth and out of any further ideas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/adb-fine-fastboot-t3297277
long story short, blame windows

If you can boot into TWRP, what about pushing the images into the phone via adb push ?
The new TWRP 3.0.0.0 can flash the .img files, but I am not sure if it will be able to flash the system, boot, and so on images... But I would give it a try though..
If not, please someone correct me.

neisor said:
If you can boot into TWRP, what about pushing the images into the phone via adb push ?
The new TWRP 3.0.0.0 can flash the .img files, but I am not sure if it will be able to flash the system, boot, and so on images... But I would give it a try though..
If not, please someone correct me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If TWRP 3.0 can flash system, boot, radio, vendor, etc image files that would be awesome! OP keep us posted.

Pain-N-Panic said:
If TWRP 3.0 can flash system, boot, radio, vendor, etc image files that would be awesome! OP keep us posted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, quoting the https://twrp.me/site/update/2016/02/05/twrp-3.0.0-0-released.html where it says exactly this: "Flashing of sparse images - On select devices you will be able to flash some parts of factory images via the TWRP GUI" in the 4th dot/part of the "What’s new in 3.0.0-0" section.
So, I guess twrp should be able to do the job.

neisor said:
Well, quoting the https://twrp.me/site/update/2016/02/05/twrp-3.0.0-0-released.html where it says exactly this: "Flashing of sparse images - On select devices you will be able to flash some parts of factory images via the TWRP GUI" in the 4th dot/part of the "What’s new in 3.0.0-0" section.
So, I guess twrp should be able to do the job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! Anyone know what the select "some parts" of the factory image they're referring to?

Pain-N-Panic said:
Awesome! Anyone know what the select "some parts" of the factory image they're referring to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Nexus 5X and 6P, TWRP can flash system.img, boot.img, and vendor.img. TWRP cannot flash bootloader and radio.img.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Help with loss of root/twrp

I need help! Here’s the story. Sorry for the lengthy post. TL;DR at the bottom..
- Was on B32, unlocked BL, TWRP installed, rooted with SuperSU
- Updated to B35, but lost TWRP and root (I don’t know how, but I assume I must have wiped the wrong things? - system? - I’m clearly a novice)
- Now I’m on B35 with an unlocked BL, but despite days of searching and researching, I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get TWRP reinstalled. I want to have TWRP before trying Magisk (have never used Magisk before, but would like to try it this time instead of SuperSU)
- From my Mac, using terminal, adb recognizes my devices.
- “adb reboot boot loader” gets me to a list of options “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”. Choosing fastboot simply restarts the phone. What should “fastboot mode” look like?
- I tried flashing TWRP via adb while on this page and terminal stopped at “waiting for any device” and did nothing
My conclusion is that I need to downgrade to whatever latest version allows fastboot commands to work properly? Is this B15? If so, is the only available B15 zip the one that is on the ZTE website? Do I just wipe data/dalvick/cache and flash this zip?
Do I not need a Bootstock and Systemstock like @DrakenFX usually posts? That’s how I’m used to doing any updates.
Thank you all for your help, both past and present!
TL;DR: Would like to downgrade from B35 to B15 so that I can install twrp and root again. What’s the best way to do this and where can I find the appropriate files?

alajoy said:
I need help! Here’s the story. Sorry for the lengthy post. TL;DR at the bottom..
- Was on B32, unlocked BL, TWRP installed, rooted with SuperSU
- Updated to B35, but lost TWRP and root (I don’t know how, but I assume I must have wiped the wrong things? - system? - I’m clearly a novice)
- Now I’m on B35 with an unlocked BL, but despite days of searching and researching, I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get TWRP reinstalled. I want to have TWRP before trying Magisk (have never used Magisk before, but would like to try it this time instead of SuperSU)
- From my Mac, using terminal, adb recognizes my devices.
- “adb reboot boot loader” gets me to a list of options “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”. Choosing fastboot simply restarts the phone. What should “fastboot mode” look like?
- I tried flashing TWRP via adb while on this page and terminal stopped at “waiting for any device” and did nothing
My conclusion is that I need to downgrade to whatever latest version allows fastboot commands to work properly? Is this B15? If so, is the only available B15 zip the one that is on the ZTE website? Do I just wipe data/dalvick/cache and flash this zip?
Do I not need a Bootstock and Systemstock like @DrakenFX usually posts? That’s how I’m used to doing any updates.
Thank you all for your help, both past and present!
TL;DR: Would like to downgrade from B35 to B15 so that I can install twrp and root again. What’s the best way to do this and where can I find the appropriate files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure where you read all that BS, but if your bootloader is unlocked then you can install TWRP via EDL (Or fastboot if you have it). No need to downgrade for anything :laugh: in the past you would have needed to downgrade in order to unlock the bootloader, now it's not even needed
Download EDL Tool by djkuz and install TWRP with that one. Or you can use axon7tool by tennear, but it's much more finicky and ran entirely by commands (no UI).
And just to avoid more trouble, DO NOT LOCK THE BOOTLOADER! You do that with the system even barely modified and you brick the phone. A bunch of people tried to do something, got scared because they made a simple correctable mistake and just locked the bootloader thinking everything would get restored to stock - doesn't work that way.
Not saying you will do this, but I've seen about 4 or 5 people that started just like you and ended up doing that

Choose an username... said:
I'm not sure where you read all that BS, but if your bootloader is unlocked then you can install TWRP via EDL (Or fastboot if you have it). No need to downgrade for anything :laugh: in the past you would have needed to downgrade in order to unlock the bootloader, now it's not even needed
Download EDL Tool by djkuz and install TWRP with that one. Or you can use axon7tool by tennear, but it's much more finicky and ran entirely by commands (no UI).
And just to avoid more trouble, DO NOT LOCK THE BOOTLOADER! You do that with the system even barely modified and you brick the phone. A bunch of people tried to do something, got scared because they made a simple correctable mistake and just locked the bootloader thinking everything would get restored to stock - doesn't work that way.
Not saying you will do this, but I've seen about 4 or 5 people that started just like you and ended up doing that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thanks so much for responding to this. Sounds like this should be easy! A couple of questions before I go about following your advice:
1). Do I download EDL Tool to my computer or phone??
2). If I'm downloading it to my computer, does it matter that I'm using a mac?
Thanks again for your help!

alajoy said:
Wow, thanks so much for responding to this. Sounds like this should be easy! A couple of questions before I go about following your advice:
1). Do I download EDL Tool to my computer or phone??
2). If I'm downloading it to my computer, does it matter that I'm using a mac?
Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, skipped that part. EDL Tool is a .bat. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to run it on a Mac. If you can find a Windows PC somewhere to do this, it'd be much better...
But there's another way.
Issuing "adb reboot bootloader" effectively sends you into fastboot. That list you mentioned is fastboot (if it says "Start" in green, and you can scroll that, it is fastboot). Just use fastboot from the pc: Put TWRP on the fastboot folder on the PC, then issue "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" with "twrp.img" being whatever the twrp file name is. After that issue "fastboot reboot recovery". And as soon as you are on TWRP, DON'T GET OUT OF IT. Just wipe data, system, caches; then flash a system (e.g. b10 bootstack and stocksystem), then also flash Magisk, and THEN boot to system

Choose an username... said:
Oh, skipped that part. EDL Tool is a .bat. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to run it on a Mac. If you can find a Windows PC somewhere to do this, it'd be much better...
But there's another way.
Issuing "adb reboot bootloader" effectively sends you into fastboot. That list you mentioned is fastboot (if it says "Start" in green, and you can scroll that, it is fastboot). Just use fastboot from the pc: Put TWRP on the fastboot folder on the PC, then issue "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" with "twrp.img" being whatever the twrp file name is. After that issue "fastboot reboot recovery". And as soon as you are on TWRP, DON'T GET OUT OF IT. Just wipe data, system, caches; then flash a system (e.g. b10 bootstack and stocksystem), then also flash Magisk, and THEN boot to system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"adb reboot bootloader" takes me to the start up screen that says "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc. and gives you 5 sec to either press up or down on volume keys to get to list: “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”, but the list is all white. If I select "fastboot" it reboots the phone and starts that cycle over again at the "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc page.
Nowhere am I given a chance to use fastboot commands. I'm never on the page with the green "Start".
..This all seemed a lot simpler on my Nexus 5..
Thanks for your help/patience.

alajoy said:
"adb reboot bootloader" takes me to the start up screen that says "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc. and gives you 5 sec to either press up or down on volume keys to get to list: “power off, restart, recovery, fastboot, back to previous page”, but the list is all white. If I select "fastboot" it reboots the phone and starts that cycle over again at the "your device software cannot be checked for corruption..." etc page.
Nowhere am I given a chance to use fastboot commands. I'm never on the page with the green "Start".
..This all seemed a lot simpler on my Nexus 5..
Thanks for your help/patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you had fastboot since you described the 5 seconds screen and both are very similar. It's normal not to have it though.
I think there's some version of axon7tool for Linux but I'm not sure at all. The best way would be to find a Windows computer.
I wonder how you actually installed TWRP the first time? Via fastboot?
As soon as you get TWRP you should be able to run a few commands to get fastboot back just to have it around.

Choose an username... said:
I thought you had fastboot since you described the 5 seconds screen and both are very similar. It's normal not to have it though.
I think there's some version of axon7tool for Linux but I'm not sure at all. The best way would be to find a Windows computer.
I wonder how you actually installed TWRP the first time? Via fastboot?
As soon as you get TWRP you should be able to run a few commands to get fastboot back just to have it around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have adb and fastboot installed on my Mac and I can't remember how I got it working on my phone in the first place, but I've only ever used a Mac for all this. Terminal recognizes my device and responds to commands until I try "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" then it says "<waiting for any device>" and does nothing.
Thanks again for the help. I'll keep hunting though. I don't have access to any Windows computer.
Cheers

Root & TWRP!

Note: I am no expert at this. I used this to get TWRP and root, but it there is no guarentee it won't brick your phone. Only do this if you know what your doing. Before you start you must have an unlocked bootloader, which will delete all your data. Here's the instructions (If you need help, feel free to post a comment):
Download Magisk's installer zip on your phone from https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 (Google Pay only works with Magisk v19.0+)
Download arter97's kernel .img to your PC. This kernel currently is the only reliable way to get TWRP. https://forum.xda-developers.com/razer-phone-2/development/arter97-kernel-razer-phone-2-t3914996
Reboot your phone into bootloader mode (Turn off then back on while holding vol down).
Make sure your phone is recognized by Windows before proceeding. Follow this guide to setup the proper drivers and fastboot.
Flash arter97's kernel by running
Code:
fastboot flash boot arter97-kernel-*.img
If you run into any issues, then you will probably need to specify the slot to flash. Reboot back into your system.
Turn on Android Debugging and run
Code:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.slot_suffix
and make note if the output is _a or _b
Reboot back into bootloader
If _a use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a arter97-kernel-*.img
if _b use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b arter97-kernel-*.img
Reboot to recovery (either through bootloader mode or hold vol up while rebooting).
Install the Magisk .zip from TWRP.
Be amazed by the possibilities.
Old instructions (Should always work to get root):
Download the factory image from here: https://developer.razer.com/razer-phone-dev-tools/
Extract and copy the boot.img file to your device
Download and install Magisk Manager. If you have an SD card make sure it's installed on your internal storage, not the SD card.
Tap install, select Patch Boot Image File, and select the boot.img (If using the default file manager click the overflow menu and show internal storage)
Copy the patched_boot.img back over to your PC
Flash the patched_boot.img to your device via fastboot (Turn off then back on while holding vol down) and run
Code:
fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
.
If you run into any issues, then you will need to specify the slot to flash.
Turn on Android Debugging and run
Code:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.slot_suffix
and make note if the output is _a or _b
Reboot back into bootloader
If _a use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a patched_boot.img
if _b use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b patched_boot.img
Reboot, and open up magisk manager to confirm everything is working. After an OTA update you may have to re-apply due to it using a different slot.
Note: the phone wasn't properly recognized by my computer when in bootloader mode so I had to install the Google adb drivers and manually set the driver used to Google Bootloader Interface (or something like that)

I found you needed to specify boot_a or boot_b specifically as the bootloader tended to mess up the suffix(it tried "bootb_b"????). So I had to first run "fastboot getvar all" to check the current slot.
I also found the commands are executed much more reliably if you enter the command first and press enter so fastboot goes into the "waiting for device" state and then boot into the bootloader and afterwards plug in the cable so fastboot executes the command as soon as it connects.

figured itd be as easy as that. this will be my first up to date device in years, att sending it to me in the mail. should get it by the 6th . but glad to see theres root! hopefully lineage to follow <3

Twiggy000b said:
figured itd be as easy as that. this will be my first up to date device in years, att sending it to me in the mail. should get it by the 6th . but glad to see theres root! hopefully lineage to follow <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the feeling, my last device was the Nexus 5

my last "decent" device was the essential phone. then i went to the xperia xa2 ultra, then the iphone 6 then.... zte quest. -.-

CurtisMJ said:
I found you needed to specify boot_a or boot_b specifically as the bootloader tended to mess up the suffix(it tried "bootb_b"????). So I had to first run "fastboot getvar all" to check the current slot.
I also found the commands are executed much more reliably if you enter the command first and press enter so fastboot goes into the "waiting for device" state and then boot into the bootloader and afterwards plug in the cable so fastboot executes the command as soon as it connects.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, bootb_b:laugh:. For me at least it worked fine without specifying the slot, though I may change the instructions to specify the slot

CalebQ42 said:
With the release of the factory images we can achieve root via Magisk boot image patching. Note: I am no expert at this. I used this to achieve root, but it there is no guarentee it won't brick your phone. Only do this if you know what your doing. Before you start you must have an unlocked bootloader. Here's the instructions (If you need help, feel free to post a comment):
Download the factory image from here: https://developer.razer.com/razer-phone-dev-tools/
Extract and copy the boot.img file to your device
Download and install Magisk Manager. If you have an SD card make sure it's installed on your internal storage, not the SD card.
Tap install, select Patch Boot Image File, and select the boot.img (If using the default file manager click the overflow menu and show internal storage)
Copy the patched_boot.img back over to your PC
Flash the patched_boot.img to your device via fastboot (Turn off then back on while holding vol down and run `fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img`.
Reboot, and open up magisk manager to confirm everything is working.
Note: the phone wasn't properly recognized by my computer so I had to install the Google adb drivers and manually set the driver to Google Bootloader interface (or something like that)
I also tried to install some Android Pie GSIs, but none of them worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this destroy all data? Do I need to unlock bootloader? Does it matter where I place the boot.img on my device?

CalebQ42 said:
Lol, bootb_b:laugh:. For me at least it worked fine without specifying the slot, though I may change the instructions to specify the slot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. The bootloader isn't exactly what I'd call a masterpiece of coding (weird cause I still maintain the ROM is excellent) so it might have just been a momentary glitch.
---------- Post added at 10:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------
ctakah27 said:
Does this destroy all data? Do I need to unlock bootloader? Does it matter where I place the boot.img on my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, yes and not really (you get a file chooser so you just need to locate it)

I updated the post a bit with instructions on how to flash to a specific slot.
Tonight I'm going to try compiling TWRP for the first time ever (unless someone beats me to in). Wish me luck!

CalebQ42 said:
I updated the post a bit with instructions on how to flash to a specific slot.
Tonight I'm going to try compiling TWRP for the first time ever (unless someone beats me to in). Wish me luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck it's a easier process compare to years ago. I would do it but I have no need for root or custom recovery. If you fail on the TWRP I will do it in time for people.

Is this working on the AT&T version of this phone? Or would you need to flash the global firmware in order for this to work? Looking to upgrade to this phone and I want to be sure I can get root. The rest looks to be coming fairly quickly.

CalebQ42 said:
I updated the post a bit with instructions on how to flash to a specific slot.
Tonight I'm going to try compiling TWRP for the first time ever (unless someone beats me to in). Wish me luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jonchance_84 said:
Is this working on the AT&T version of this phone? Or would you need to flash the global firmware in order for this to work? Looking to upgrade to this phone and I want to be sure I can get root. The rest looks to be coming fairly quickly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have the image for AT&T
EAIaIQobChMIwYzbk7j_3gIVRZRpCh0RMwdoEAEYASAAEgLPifD_BwE

Warrior1988 said:
They have the image for AT&T
EAIaIQobChMIwYzbk7j_3gIVRZRpCh0RMwdoEAEYASAAEgLPifD_BwE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see the separate firmware. I'm only asking because of past shadyness from AT&T trying to tell manufacturers what to do. Years ago on my Xperia x10, if on AT&T firmware, you needed to flash the global generic firmware to get around their crap.

CalebQ42 said:
With the release of the factory images we can achieve root via Magisk boot image patching. Note: I am no expert at this. I used this to achieve root, but it there is no guarentee it won't brick your phone. Only do this if you know what your doing. Before you start you must have an unlocked bootloader, which will delete all your data. Here's the instructions (If you need help, feel free to post a comment):
Download the factory image from here: https://developer.razer.com/razer-phone-dev-tools/
Extract and copy the boot.img file to your device
Download and install Magisk Manager. If you have an SD card make sure it's installed on your internal storage, not the SD card.
Tap install, select Patch Boot Image File, and select the boot.img (If using the default file manager click the overflow menu and show internal storage)
Copy the patched_boot.img back over to your PC
Flash the patched_boot.img to your device via fastboot (Turn off then back on while holding vol down) and run
Code:
fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
.
If you run into any issues, then you will need to specify the slot to flash.
Turn on Android Debugging and run
Code:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.slot_suffix
and make note if the output is _a or _b
Reboot back into bootloader
If _a use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_a patched_boot.img
if _b use
Code:
fastboot flash boot_b patched_boot.img
Reboot, and open up magisk manager to confirm everything is working. After an OTA update you may have to re-apply due to it using a different slot.
Note: the phone wasn't properly recognized by my computer so I had to install the Google adb drivers and manually set the driver to Google Bootloader interface (or something like that)
I also tried to install some Android Pie GSIs, but none of them worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would this procedure be the same as far as mac/win?

I understand all of that, I am simply asking if someone has tried this with the AT&T variant yet. I want to know before I go order this phone.

I love a rooted phone, but as far as I know, if you unlock the bootloader, Netflix will no longer work in HD mode. To me, this is a deal-breaker. If anyone knows about a work-around, I'd love to know.

Razer phone 2 root
so im kinda new to rooting this type of phone and to the android boot scheme in general. i have a razer phone 2 and have attempted (febaly) to root it using this meathod. after installing the google adb drivers i was unable to see the device from my pc when it was in fastboot and unable to send commands, after installing the drivers again with windows update it ran even though no device was detected with this message
">fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
Sending 'boot_b' (19268 KB) OKAY [ 0.523s]
Writing 'boot_b' OKAY [ 0.179s]
Finished. Total time: 0.718s"
it then blackscreened, i then tried a factory reset from recovery, and it is now in a bootloop... any advice?
update: no longer in boot loop but now is full blackscreen after a glitchy install screen

andy1011 said:
so im kinda new to rooting this type of phone and to the android boot scheme in general. i have a razer phone 2 and have attempted (febaly) to root it using this meathod. after installing the google adb drivers i was unable to see the device from my pc when it was in fastboot and unable to send commands, after installing the drivers again with windows update it ran even though no device was detected with this message
">fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
Sending 'boot_b' (19268 KB) OKAY [ 0.523s]
Writing 'boot_b' OKAY [ 0.179s]
Finished. Total time: 0.718s"
it then blackscreened, i then tried a factory reset from recovery, and it is now in a bootloop... any advice?
update: no longer in boot loop but now is full blackscreen after a glitchy install screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since it's already wiped the easiest way to fix it is to probably flash the full factory image. Did you happen to update to the MR2 update prior to following this guide? Doing this on MR2 will soft brick. Not entirely sure in what way, but I assume it would be similar to what you experienced. If you were still on MR0 you can actually just fastboot flash the original kernel image to fix it. I just finished rooting MR2 so I'll post that next

CurtisMJ said:
Since it's already wiped the easiest way to fix it is to probably flash the full factory image. Did you happen to update to the MR2 update prior to following this guide? Doing this on MR2 will soft brick. Not entirely sure in what way, but I assume it would be similar to what you experienced. If you were still on MR0 you can actually just fastboot flash the original kernel image to fix it. I just finished rooting MR2 so I'll post that next
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what im trying to do. however i have no way of flashing to the device as adb is unable to see the device.

andy1011 said:
this is what im trying to do. however i have no way of flashing to the device as adb is unable to see the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Adb and fastboot are separate things. You should only need download mode and fastboot. What are you trying to use ADB for? If in doubt, the guide on Razer's website should be quite sufficient
EDIT: You can get to download mode by holding Vol Down and Power Button while the device is off. You can force reboot by holding down power for approx 15s as well

Google Pixel 3a (sargo) brick - error boot prepare

Hi,
Today I wanted change my recovery. I had the Lineage OS recovery, but i was trying to install the twrp recovery.
So, the guide of twrp says that you should boot the twrp via fastboot boot twrp.img and install via the booted twrp. But I mistaken the command and I wrote fastboot flash boot twrp.img, I tried to reboot and the device booted himself in fastboot with the enter reason "error boot prepare" and I can't boot into the system or recovery.
I tried to flash the official image downloaded from the Google Developers website, but when i run ./flash-all.sh, console get stuck. I waited for about 15 minutes but nothing. I tried even the official Android Flash Tool but after 10 seconds it says "Your device stopped responding. You may have to select restart in the bootloader menu in order for it to be recognised again."
Does anyone know how to help me? Thanks in advance.

GioPan_ said:
Hi,
Today I wanted change my recovery. I had the Lineage OS recovery, but i was trying to install the twrp recovery.
So, the guide of twrp says that you should boot the twrp via fastboot boot twrp.img and install via the booted twrp. But I mistaken the command and I wrote fastboot flash boot twrp.img, I tried to reboot and the device booted himself in fastboot with the enter reason "error boot prepare" and I can't boot into the system or recovery.
I tried to flash the official image downloaded from the Google Developers website, but when i run ./flash-all.sh, console get stuck. I waited for about 15 minutes but nothing. I tried even the official Android Flash Tool but after 10 seconds it says "Your device stopped responding. You may have to select restart in the bootloader menu in order for it to be recognised again."
Does anyone know how to help me? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have tryied to run the official google tool in Windows to try to rescue it?

Estebiu said:
Do you have tryied to run the official google tool in Windows to try to rescue it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I wrote in the post, I tried both the command line tool and the chrome version. Btw i'm on linux

Okay so, I fixed.
For anyone who will have this problem you just need to flash official Android 9 and next Android 10. Only with Android 10 you can use fastboot flash boot recovery.img (you can't use twrp in android 10 with the Pixel 3a)

GioPan_ said:
Okay so, I fixed.
For anyone who will have this problem you just need to flash official Android 9 and next Android 10. Only with Android 10 you can use fastboot flash boot recovery.img (you can't use twrp in android 10 with the Pixel 3a)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try this...

GioPan_ said:
Okay so, I fixed.
For anyone who will have this problem you just need to flash official Android 9 and next Android 10. Only with Android 10 you can use fastboot flash boot recovery.img (you can't use twrp in android 10 with the Pixel 3a)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this work if adb not working? I only have fastboot.

WriteLovey said:
Does this work if adb not working? I only have fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends if your pc were authorized, if it was, you can use fastboot to flash the stock version of Android 9, just running the flash-all(.bat) script.

GioPan_ said:
It depends if your pc were authorized, if it was, you can use fastboot to flash the stock version of Android 9, just running the flash-all(.bat) script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not certain I understand what you mean by PC authorized? I'm using a Windows 10 tablet. When the phone is attached to the computer it sees it as a device that can be disconnected through USB.

WriteLovey said:
I'm not certain I understand what you mean by PC authorized? I'm using a Windows 10 tablet. When the phone is attached to the computer it sees it as a device that can be disconnected through USB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All is well. I'm back on my Pixel, yeah!

GioPan_ said:
It depends if your pc were authorized, if it was, you can use fastboot to flash the stock version of Android 9, just running the flash-all(.bat) script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had an encounter with this. I was rooting my device (Pixel 3A) and messed up my partitions through accidentally attempting a downgrade which broke all my ****. I was unable to easily reset this device to factory, so it took me several days to figure out and root. I'm getting better though as a hacker, because a year ago this would have taken me a month.
I was able to enter recovery mode (lying down Android, NO COMMAND). From this recovery mode, adb devices -l recognized my device, although I was unable to get a shell.
At first, ADB was telling me the device was authorized, but I messed with a bunch of other stuff (tried to flash a bunch of different partitions and monkey around in general trying to install Magisk) and then ADB started telling me it wasn't authorized when I used devices -l.
Once it said unauthorized, I was unable to issue the device any commands with ADB, so I just used hardware keys to get into recovery mode. From there, I selected OTA update, and it got into sideload mode. At that point, I used adb sideload with the OTA package that I downloaded here https://developers.google.com/android/ota
^^^ That operation did successfully restore my device to factory
This following guide here describes the details of how to use hard keys to enter recovery on this phone (don't download anything from there tho, and make sure your adblock is on)
How to Hard Reset your new Google Pixel 3a [Tutorial]
In this article, you will learn how to start your Google Pixel 3a up into the Recovery Mode and perform the Hard Reset to make it work perfectly again.
thedroidguy.com

I just wanted to say, I've been wrestling this hardbrick for a couple of days with my Pixel 3a.
I've finally overcome it by sideloading the most recent OTA update after using a hard key combo to get into recovery mode. The hard key combo is hold Power Button, tap Volume Up, then release both. Then, all you need is to use the command:
adb sideload <OTA.zip>
^^^OTA wasn't the actual filename though, you can download OTA packages for Pixel 3A here: https://developers.google.com/android/ota
the OTA binaries are NOT the same as the factory images, which is here
Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices | Google Play services | Google for Developers
developers.google.com
Sideloading the OTA package brought my phone back from only having fastboot and recovery mode, even when flash-all.sh from the official downloaded firmware failed. Now I know how to undo damage that I cause by rooting this thing. Since I sideloaded newest firmware, it was also like applying an update. I easily got root after that, and I've logged the process. I'll make it into a guide soon

I'll just note that if you accidentally flashed the TWRP boot image instead of simply booting into it, I believe all you have to do is flash the stock boot.img to fix the problem. Obviously you can sideload the entire rom image, but that shouldn't be necessary.
Using the Windows computer (or whatever computer you are sending ADB commands from), download the full stock image directly from Google. Unzip it and then upzip the folder inside. You should find the boot.img file inside that folder. Take that file and then flash it to the phone using the normal ADB command: fastboot flash boot boot.img
While I haven't tried this myself recently, it should work in theory. The command "fastboot flash boot twrp.img" flashes the boot partition with a non-working twrp image, so replacing the faulty image with the stock boot.img should fix the problem.

If I did the same I would first attempt to manually put device in bootloader/aka fastboot mode then fastboot flash the stock boot.img , sudo fastboot flash boot boot.img --slot all
I only read the op (first post here);but I betcha that would have worked. Then sudo ./flash-all.sh and let it do it's thing.

MSM and "the current image have been destroyed and can not boot"

Hey,
so yesterday I tried to install TWRP recovery.
While trying I assume that I hard bricked the phone and got the message that the current image has been destroyed and cant boot.
I've tried using MSM but the device wasnt recognized, I installed the qualcomm usb drivers and it worked for some time but still wasnt recognized in MSM.
Now I have the problem that when I plug it in, it only shows the above mentiond message. When I shut it off and press vol +/- it then goes into fastboot but cycles through it and is still only shown as android device in the device manager.
I'm using the usb 2.0 and original OP cable. Build number was IN2023...c.36, A12 and OOS12
ADB does not work, fastboot commands still work while it is in the fastboot cycle.
Does someone have any solutions for that?
Thanks

How did you "install" twrp?
via fastboot? or through booted twrp? Because from what i read, twrp or orangefox likes to patch boot image instead of flashing recovery partition.
So my suggestion is to flash via fastboot original boot.img and recovery.img

I watched a tutorial for that. I tried to get it running through fastboot but as I mentioned it didnt work out that well.
Do you know where I can get the original boot.img and recovery.img? I found other versions but not the one that I had

w4rdl0rd said:
I watched a tutorial for that. I tried to get it running through fastboot but as I mentioned it didnt work out that well.
Do you know where I can get the original boot.img and recovery.img? I found other versions but not the one that I had
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to download EU OOS12 C36 FULL Package (i found it in this forum here), extract it via payload dumper and after that you will have every .img which is used to flash. Then you will need to go to folder where you have fastboot.exe, click shift+right mouse button and click open command prompt here.
Next: fastboot commands.
First (it's optional, but you will know that your device is "connected" via fastboot)
fastboot devices
you should have output, and if it's that then:
fastboot flash boot <drag boot.img file>
by dragging file, system automatically fill location of this boot file, next
fastboot flash recovery <drag recovery.img file>
and then
fastboot reboot
If you have questions, then ask

Thank you, it finally works

ShadoV90 said:
You need to download EU OOS12 C36 FULL Package (i found it in this forum here), extract it via payload dumper and after that you will have every .img which is used to flash. Then you will need to go to folder where you have fastboot.exe, click shift+right mouse button and click open command prompt here.
Next: fastboot commands.
First (it's optional, but you will know that your device is "connected" via fastboot)
fastboot devices
you should have output, and if it's that then:
fastboot flash boot <drag boot.img file>
by dragging file, system automatically fill location of this boot file, next
fastboot flash recovery <drag recovery.img file>
and then
fastboot reboot
If you have questions, then ask
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm now somehow stuck in recovery. So after I select the language I get the message "system error, after select language, please select Online update". When I try to format data I'm getting back to recovery. Maybe you can tell me how to proceed since I don't really know what to search for

w4rdl0rd said:
I'm now somehow stuck in recovery. So after I select the language I get the message "system error, after select language, please select Online update". When I try to format data I'm getting back to recovery. Maybe you can tell me how to proceed since I don't really know what to search for
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait... system can't boot up?

ShadoV90 said:
Wait... system can't boot up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, it goes always back to recovery

Hmm... Then i'm afraid that MSM is now your only option. Sincerely, i never used that, so i found thread with guide how to do it.
Look please here, read carefully, and i hope you will be able to recovery your device.
I guess it will rollback your system to OOS11.
PS. Give feedback if it was succesfull (or not).

Right now I tried to do again the steps you mentioned. When I dragged the boot file into command prompt I got the message that the .img file is damaged. Maybe that is the reason for not booting up. When I first did it I also received the message but after dragging it a second time over it was still installed.
I also tried downloading the firmware from the op website, extracting everything via the payload dumper and installing everything as you mentioned. Like that I was stuck in fastboot.
Thanks for your help, maybe it will work

w4rdl0rd said:
Right now I tried to do again the steps you mentioned. When I dragged the boot file into command prompt I got the message that the .img file is damaged. Maybe that is the reason for not booting up. When I first did it I also received the message but after dragging it a second time over it was still installed.
I also tried downloading the firmware from the op website, extracting everything via the payload dumper and installing everything as you mentioned. Like that I was stuck in fastboot.
Thanks for your help, maybe it will work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope it will work.
BTW, next time when you will try recovery like twrp or orangefox, don't flash it but boot it via fastboot.
fastboot boot <drag file of twrp/orangefox>
If it will work, and everything will work, then use fastboot flash recovery <drag file of twrp/orangefox>
Don't flash it via twrp/orangefox, because like i said, it will probably try to patch boot partition and in result boot will be unusable.

thanks for the advice, I'll try it next time or when I get it running again

w4rdl0rd said:
thanks for the advice, I'll try it next time or when I get it running again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one more idea. I thought about changing active slots in fastboot. Normally on inactive slot is fully working rom before update to c36. With proper boot etc. So when you change active slot, you should have fully working ROM. Problem is that you must figure out which slot is your active now.
Normally this command is fastboot getvar all and it should show you wall of text and information (bootloader) current_slot: a (or b)
then you can switch active slots (if you see other slot is bootable).
There are two methods:
1. Checking active slots and if current active slot is A then in fastboot type this
fastboot set_active b otherwise fastboot set_active a
2. Idk if it will work here, but there is a command fastboot set_active other which just switch active slot no matter what it was earlier.
But sincerely idk what will happen if you will switch to unpopulated slot. I think if you upgrade your phone normally or didn't erase this inactive slot, it should be populated with previous version of ROM.
When i installed OOS12 and due to destroying my boot image i switched slots i was able to run A11 xD

ShadoV90 said:
I have one more idea. I thought about changing active slots in fastboot. Normally on inactive slot is fully working rom before update to c36. With proper boot etc. So when you change active slot, you should have fully working ROM. Problem is that you must figure out which slot is your active now.
Normally this command is fastboot getvar all and it should show you wall of text and information (bootloader) current_slot: a (or b)
then you can switch active slots (if you see other slot is bootable).
There are two methods:
1. Checking active slots and if current active slot is A then in fastboot type this
fastboot set_active b otherwise fastboot set_active a
2. Idk if it will work here, but there is a command fastboot set_active other which just switch active slot no matter what it was earlier.
But sincerely idk what will happen if you will switch to unpopulated slot. I think if you upgrade your phone normally or didn't erase this inactive slot, it should be populated with previous version of ROM.
When i installed OOS12 and due to destroying my boot image i switched slots i was able to run A11 xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried/am trying to get MSM working. It connected now in edl, in MSM it still freezes. No matter what I do it has the status "waiting for communication".
If I remember correctly then there was somethin with ..._b. But since I've closed the command prompt I can't look it up anymore.
I'll try to change slots and let you know if there will be a result.

With MSM there is one problem. After succesful operation your phone will be locked. I mean bootloader will be locked.

I did as you wrote...it works fine now. I think. There is still A12 and OOS12 installed but it is lagging a bit.
I attached a screenshot of the terminal with the slots. Does having switched them pose some problem? Do I have to switch them back?

Just check if you have an update. If you have, then install it via system update. For now, you have working system. Now you have much more possibilities to use. Like if you don't have update you can apply manually one which you downloaded. In system ofc.

There are no updates, there is the most recent version installed.
Thank you for the help in solving it

w4rdl0rd said:
There are no updates, there is the most recent version installed.
Thank you for the help in solving it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, this is C36 installed?

yeah there is c36 installed