Device corrupt - locked boot loader = bricked device? FP6

Using /e/OS Setup
1

Hi!

After trying out e/OS for a few days I realized that I needed to re-google in order to function properly in my everyday life at this point, and get back to e/OS (when done with some of my google components in my home).

I used t his guide: https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/18896094650513-How-to-manually-install-Android-on-your-Fairphone

Installation of Android went smooth, but after relocking the boot loader, a message saying something like “device corrupt, will not boot” came up.

I have tried re-opening the boot loader, but this seems impossible.

This is what ADK says;

platform-tools % ./fastboot oem device-info

(bootloader) Verity mode: true

(bootloader) Device unlocked: false

(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: false

(bootloader) Charger screen enabled: true

Should I just order a new phone or is there still hope?

2

platform-tools % ./fastboot flashing unlock

FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Unlock is not allowed

')

fastboot: error: Command failed

3

Sorry to hear this. Where the phone is compromised by rollback error Fairphone will reimage; a cost may have been mentioned not long ago of ~60€. Before accepting for repair they should go through with you if reimage is the correct way forward.

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4

Oh my, I was certain I would have to buy a new phone.

I have sent in a support ticket, thanks for your reply :slight_smile:

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5
6

The Fairphone is an a/b-device. You can try to switch to the other slot and boot.

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7

Any instructions for a newcomer on that? :slight_smile:

8

Is it worth giving it a shot even though the bootloader is already locked?

9

Boot device in fastboot mode.

Enter

fastboot getvar current-slot

If you get

current-slot: a

enter

fastboot set_active b

otherwise a and reboot.

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10

Thanks!

Seems impossible since bootloader is locked..

set_active b

Setting current slot to ‘b’ FAILED (remote: 'Slot Change is not allowed in Lock State

')

11

Try

fastboot --set-active=b

Commands vary from device to device.

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12

Its the same.. “not allowed in locked state”

platform-tools % ./fastboot --set-active=b

Setting current slot to 'b'                        FAILED (remote: 'Slot Change is not allowed in Lock State

')

fastboot: error: Command failed
13

If I recall correctly then with locked bootloader a switch is not possible.

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14

It depends on the locked state of the specific device. On the Fairphone 3 the change of slot is possible (tried it for myself due to a failed /e/OS upgrade) because the critical section is never locked.

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15

It seems partition b would be bootable if I could only change it;

./fastboot getvar all

(bootloader) current-slot:a

(bootloader) has-slot:boot:yes

(bootloader) slot-retry-count:b:7

(bootloader) slot-unbootable:b:no

(bootloader) slot-successful:b:no

(bootloader) slot-retry-count:a:6

(bootloader) slot-unbootable:a:yes

(bootloader) slot-successful:a:yes

(bootloader) slot-count:2

Such a shame.

However thanks a lot for your help guys, really appreciate it

16

Obviously you have to switch the slot in edl mode.

E.g.

    edl getactiveslot [--memory=memtype] [--loader=filename] [--debugmode] [--vid=vid] [--pid=pid] [--portname=portname] [--serial]  [--devicemodel=value]
    edl setactiveslot <slot> [--loader=filename] [--debugmode] [--skipresponse] [--vid=vid] [--pid=pid] [--portname=portname] [--serial]  [--devicemodel=value]
    setactiveslot               # Set partition as active (Slot A/B)
.
.

In absence of a firehose loader this have to be done by Murena, Fairphone, Cordon, … But am afraid, that the data will be lost, because they will flash simply a stock OS on the phone.

Edit:
Depending on where you purchased your phone from, you may send the phone to Cordon. The fee for installing the OS is about 50.- €. But you need to have a proof of purchase.

17

Yeah, Fairphone replied this morning and confirmed that I could send in the device for them to repair it.

It sucks that I will have to wait for the phone while getting a repair but it was an interesting experience so not a total waste of time.

18

What the Fairphone Guide did not mentioned is the SPL and the rollback protection. I’m not sure, if that relevant for reinstalling the stock OS, but the /e/OS installation guide clearly states

Caution: Your phone has a security feature called anti-rollback protection. This prevents installing older software versions once a newer one is installed. If you try to install an older software version while your bootloader is locked, you may trigger an anti-rollback error and brick your device.

Maybe you stumble over that SPL.