Pixel 4 stuck on boot -- What options do I have for data recovery? - General Questions and Answers

I have a stock (not modded, rooted, etc in any way) Google Pixel 4 that is stuck on the 'G' logo. I have rebooted, powered down, plugged in, attempted safe mode (never showed up), and noodled around in the fastboot menu. I seem to be stuck, with my next possible option being a full device reset.
Before I do that, is there any way to access the file system of the user? I'd really like to try to rescue my images (which are backed up to Google Photos, but not at original resolution). Or, are there any other tricks folks would recommend to get this device to boot?
Thanks for any suggestions you've got.

In case ADB ( read: USB debugging ) got enabled then there might be the chance to pull out the data of interest.

USB debugging had been enabled, but I still can't do much with ADB tools. I can sideload an OTA, but I can't get to ADB shell.

ADB hasn't / isn't a shell.
Check whether you can access device's Android by means of ADB or not:
Code:
adb devices

Yup, my device is listed, with a 'sideload' after it. From what I can tell, it seems I can only push OTA updates to it.

To exit sideload mode you run
Code:
adb reboot

Related

How do you backup data in a rooted phone using adb twrp?

I have a Galaxy Note 5 and I have important data in it. The screen is broken so I can't do anything, but I see recovery listed with a bunch of characters when I do
Code:
adb devices
. I can run some adb commands, adb root tells me I have root, I can do "id" inside of adb shell. Though, whenever I try running any twrp commands inside adb shell, it says "TWRP does not appear to be running. Waiting for TWRP to start."
What can I do here? I also see SAMSUNG Android under devices on this linux distro I'm running but I am getting an mtp error whenever I try connecting to it.
Sorry to hear that. If your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 can be detected by the computer via USB cable connecting, and the USB debugging on it is enabled, try Coolmuster Android Backup Manager. Its free backup function can help transfer data to the computer for backup directly. It's easy and safe. Good luck to you.
nazhai said:
Sorry to hear that. If your Samsung Galaxy Note 5 can be detected by the computer via USB cable connecting, and the USB debugging on it is enabled, try Coolmuster Android Backup Manager. Its free backup function can help transfer data to the computer for backup directly. It's easy and safe. Good luck to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't seem to be working, well at least not when the phone's in recovery. I'm not sure if I can boot it up normally.
tesiz22 said:
I have a Galaxy Note 5 and I have important data in it. The screen is broken so I can't do anything, but I see recovery listed with a bunch of characters when I do
Code:
adb devices
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indicates your phone boots into Recovery mode and not into Normal ( ADB ) mode.
To get rid off of booting into Recovery mode you run
Code:
adb devices
adb reboot
Once your phone boots into Normal mode you can pull out the data of interest: take note that adb pull has a size limit, hence probably
Code:
adb pull /sdcard C:\PULLED-DATA
doesn't work as expected if amount of data to pull is >= 2GB in total ( e.g. a stored movie file may have up to 8GB ). That means, to be on safe side, you have to pull the files of interest one-by-one.

How to escape TWRP? Activate ADB w/ broken screen?

So my screen broke on my Note 10+, leaving only the top 15% with display and the bottom 60% with touch. I am trying to activate ADB on it so that I can backup my internal storage.
I booted into TWRP so that I could backup the rest of my system, which I did successfully, but because of the bad touch screen I am unable to hit the ADB side load button. I'd like to reboot into the system because I have ADB enabled there, however I also cannot click the reboot to system button, only reboot to download and shutdown. Since I can't see most of the screen, it is also not possible to access the terminal and work from there.
Anybody know how I can escape TWRP or otherwise activate ADB? Thanks for the help.
Once USB Debugging successfully got enabled on Android device, ADB is supported as soon as device successfully booted up.
To turn device into ADB Sideload mode you run commands
Code:
adb devices
adb reboot sideload
jwoegerbauer said:
Once USB Debugging successfully got enabled on Android device, ADB is supported as soon as device successfully booted up.
To turn device into ADB Sideload mode you run commands
Code:
adb devices
adb reboot sideload
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, I'm unable to boot into the system right now because I am stuck in TWRP. ADB is not enabled in TWRP upon boot, you have to press the ADB side load button, which I am unable to do.
AllanRSS said:
Like I said, I'm unable to boot into the system right now because I am stuck in TWRP. ADB is not enabled in TWRP upon boot, you have to press the ADB side load button, which I am unable to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To boot into NORMAL mode ( i.e. ADB mode ) you enter on Windows command prompt these commands, one-by-one
Code:
adb devices
adb reboot
jwoegerbauer said:
To boot into NORMAL mode ( i.e. ADB mode ) you enter on Windows command prompt these commands, one-by-one
Code:
adb devices
adb reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can not use ADB. It is for this very reason I am asking how to enable ADB. But thank you for these valuable ADB commands, I'll be sure to reboot my system once I enable ADB

Can't connect to Pixel 3a in fastboot mode

Hi guys
First things first: yes I have searched and tried various things to fix this problem before asking.
USB debugging and OEM unlock is activated, of course.
When I connect my Pixel 3a (in regular Android mode) via USB to a PC, I can see the device via adb and run commands such as adb reboot bootloader. Once the device enters fastboot mode, the connection is gone. adb devices -l and fastboot devices both come back with an empty list.
I've tried with Windows 10 and Ubuntu 20LTS, on 2 different computers and with different cables. The Pixel runs on Android 12 beta.
What I'm ultimately trying to archieve is installing GrapheneOS on it.
Any ideas?
Thanks a ton in advance!
Christian
Update: ok, after trying several things I've got it running on Linux. apt-get update + upgrade did the job. Thought my system was already up to date, but not up to date enough obviously.
You don't use ADB for communication in fastboot, you use fastboot
for example
adb devices will see the device with USB Debugging and powered on fully
fastboot devices shows devices connected in fastboot mode
Download Google Chrome and use Graphene's on-site installer rather than downloading the ZIP. Way easier for those who don't generally flash stuff day to day
Chrisp3 said:
Hi guys
First things first: yes I have searched and tried various things to fix this problem before asking.
USB debugging and OEM unlock is activated, of course.
When I connect my Pixel 3a (in regular Android mode) via USB to a PC, I can see the device via adb and run commands such as adb reboot bootloader. Once the device enters fastboot mode, the connection is gone. adb devices -l and fastboot devices both come back with an empty list.
I've tried with Windows 10 and Ubuntu 20LTS, on 2 different computers and with different cables. The Pixel runs on Android 12 beta.
What I'm ultimately trying to archieve is installing GrapheneOS on it.
Any ideas?
Thanks a ton in advance!
Christian
Update: ok, after trying several things I've got it running on Linux. apt-get update + upgrade did the job. Thought my system was already up to date, but not up to date enough obviously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Windows, make sure your phone is connected and you can run ADB commands. Enter Device Manager in Windows and verify that there is a listing for Android ADB Interface.
I just connected to a new computer and I could do ADB but not Fastboot. Discovered that instead of ADB Interface in Device Manager, it just said "Pixel 3a."
If this is the same for you, go install the Android USB drivers.
KaptinBoxxi said:
You don't use ADB for communication in fastboot, you use fastboot
for example
adb devices will see the device with USB Debugging and powered on fully
fastboot devices shows devices connected in fastboot mode
Download Google Chrome and use Graphene's on-site installer rather than downloading the ZIP. Way easier for those who don't generally flash stuff day to day
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yop, tried fastboot as well and didnt work either. Installation via Chrome is a good point. Finally did that and agree that its far more comfortable!
Chrisp3 said:
Yop, tried fastboot as well and didnt work either. Installation via Chrome is a good point. Finally did that and agree that its far more comfortable!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue with the fastboot method (realized this when I upgraded to Win11 Beta) is the ADB Quick Installs are missing some stuff, and cause certain flash methods to not work via flash-all.bat's from Google or Graphene or others.
When I install ADB System Wide, I also download the platform-tools from Google, and over-write everything in the c:\adb folder, also adding the stuff missing. Idk why the adb quick installers don't just download from google directly, would save a lot of headaches

How to use full adb command set in TWRP recovery mode?

My screen broke and I can't access the regular menus to enable adb debug mode. I can get into TWRP recovery or fastboot/odin mode which does enable MTP, so I've been able to access files on the data partition. I want to be able to access my app data though. If I can use adb backup I can make a backup and mount it offline or restore to an identical model and get access to my app data that way, but adb seems to not be enabled in TWRP. TWRP has a pretty simple menu so I could maybe fudge my way through by blind clicking, but even looking at a working model I can't find any menu option to enable adb in TWRP 3.1.1-0. Do I need a different version? The closest I can find is to enable adb sideload, but that's limited to only sideload and it doesn't work anyway. The device always shows as "offline". Seems my PC needs to be included in a trusted devices file. I've seen some clever instructions on overwriting the file containing trusted devices, but it requires the system partition is mounted, which if I could do that I'd have access to the app data anyways.
Is there some way to get access to this data? I looked at apps like vysor which work as an external display for the device which could allow me to work around the broken screen, but that seems to require adb debug is enabled, which it isn't.
Only if ADB got successfully enabled on a phone you can run Android shell-commands via ADB when phone is booted into recovery mode.

Pixel 6 Pro full backup to different phone

So I had a pixel 6 pro and unfortunately my wife got mad and threw it against the wall a few times, causing the frame to bend and entire back glass to shatter. The front LCD didn't break, but glue came apart and it separated from the frame.
I had all my 2fa accounts on there, as well as very valuable data that I need to recover.
The phone still powers on, but there's nothing visible on the screen. A local repair shop advised we start by replacing the screen and then work on transferring everything out.
I have a replacement pixel 4a and want to be prepared for when my phone comes back online.
What's the best way to backup my 6 pro and restore on the 4a?
I need everything copied as a whole image, and restored on the 4a. I want to be able to boot up my 4a, open my authenticator app, and have all my accounts listed there.
Someone please tell me this is possible, and if so, please post instructions.
Thank you in advance.
I doubt 1:1 image cloning is possible because encryption is hardware-backed and therefore device-unique. it's not even possible to restore backup on origin device after factory reset since android apps can use keystore in TEE.
side note: you could connect HDMI multiport usb-c otg adapter to TV and mouse so you have access to phone at least
aIecxs said:
I doubt 1:1 image cloning is possible because encryption is hardware-backed and therefore device-unique. it's not even possible to restore backup on origin device after factory reset since android apps can use keystore in TEE.
side note: you could connect HDMI multiport usb-c otg adapter to TV and mouse so you have access to phone at least
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HDMI multiport didn't work. Nothing was displayed. I don't know if it's because my phone is badly damaged, or if the pixel 6 doesn't support HDMI out over USB C
I tried this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081VBSNRZ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_5NF5RPBKZ97YW4KFW9AX
What are my other options?
the best option would be previously unlocked bootloader, so you can have full access. but you did not unlock bootloader so this is no option for you, because unlocking will factory reset device.
HDMI might require some setting or app installed on device. apps can installed remotely from PC google play with proper google play account. not sure how to start an app though, but guess app can autostart.
at least usb keyboard is working, you could try to navigate blind and enable usb-debugging, this would allow you to use scrcpy. maybe connect headphones or use talkback to get some kind of audio feedback.
of course both methods requires some information from another identical device and need to tested on fully functional pixel 6 pro before..
some (not) useful apps
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/i-broke-my-screen-and-digitizer.4436261/#post-86791963
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/broke-the-display-of-my-phone.4424413/#post-86676229
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...asily-manage-multiple-android-devices.2707556
Anyone else have suggestions?
AcuraKidd said:
Anyone else have suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a full backup, but it might help you interactively recover some items without replacing the broken screen. Also, assuming this is something you're still looking to solve...
If you have adb debugging enabled, you can try to use https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy to interact with your phone over USB from a computer.
If you do not have adb debugging enabled, you can try to enable it via Recovery Mode. The steps to enable Recovery Mode below are from https://www.tenorshare.com/android/how-to-enable-usb-debugging-on-android-with-black-screen.html (I have not tried these steps).
Less:
To enable ADB without a screen:
1. Download the ADB toolkit for your computer and extract its contents to a folder.
ADB toolkit can be found at https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
ADB requires you have USB debugging enabled on your phone.
Since your phone has a black screen, reboot your phone into recovery mode to accomplish this.
Press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time to enter recovery mode.
2. Connect your phone to your computer, open a Command Prompt window in the ADB folder, and type the following command.
adb devices
3. You should see your device listed there.
Run the following commands one by one.
adb shell
mount data
mount system
4. Use the following command to pull the persist.sys.usb.config file from your phone to the PC.
adb pull /data/property/persist.sys.usb.config C:\Users\[your-username]\Desktop\
5. Access the persist.sys.usb.config file on your computer with a text editor and edit it to mtp,adb.
6. Run the following command to send the file back to your device.
adb push "C:\Users\[your-username]\Desktop/persist.sys.usb.config" /data/property
7. Download the build.prop file from your phone by using this command.
adb pull /system/build.prop C:\Users\[your-username]\Desktop\
8. Launch the build.prop file in a text editor like NotePad++ on your computer, and add the following code to it.
persist.service.adb.enable=1
persist.service.debuggable=1
persist.sys.usb.config=mtp,adb
9. Save the file and transfer the file back to your device using this command.
adb push "C:\Users\[your-username]\Desktop/build.prop" /system/
10. Reboot your device using the following command.
adb reboot
11. You are all set. Your phone will boot up with USB debugging enabled.

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