/e/ OS installation on CMF nothing phone is stuck

[CRic]

Everything works fine in the early stages when it comes to detecting the phone and starting the download of the /e/ OS, but when we reach the point of unlocking the bootloader using fastloader it gets stuck.

It asks me to press the volume button to unlock the bootloader and it seems to succeed. However, after that the phone stays frozen on the screen shown in the image, and the installer keeps telling me to wait while remaining Stuck, for even an hour.

Obviously the phone gave me confirmation that the bootloader was unlocked, as you can see in the third image.

I’ve tried many times but get the same result.

I’m using Opera on Linux to run the installation, where I’ve installed the Android‑tools package.

I thought Linux might be the problem, so I also tried on two different Windows computers, which gave an even worse issue. The Windows machines don’t detect the device in fastboot mode.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

Edit. The device didn’t bricks. So i can just reboot AMD it return on the standard android system

[piero]

Hello @CRic, Welcome to the /e/ users forum.

@CRic

I thought Linux might be the problem

the problem comes from the web installer

[HOWTO] a Clear Guide to install "IMG-e-builds" when /e/ web installer fails

. in 3 copy / paste actions ! . because even well illustrated, the “web-installer” often don’t work, and because the official documentation is imbuvable for some new users. . . here we take the Fairphone 6 as example, but it is the same logical and quite the same process for all the devices that have : only "IMG-e-xxxxxxxxxxx.zip" file on their download page, no "recovery-e-xxxxxxxxxx.img" file on their download page, no "recovery-IMG-e-xxxxxxxxxx.zip" file on their download page, that…

the following warnings don’t apply to the CMF 1

@piero

Your Stock OS Android version, must be the latest available relative to the /e/OS build you want to install → not higher !

because success was reported even with higher version (not expected on other devices but on this one Yes !)

@piero

If you plan to relock the bootloader after the installlation

(not mandatoty, only available with Official version, why relocking ?)
Most important thing to take care about is the “android Security Update Patch Level” in the already installed Operating System on your device before you start the install process.

It must be OLDER than the “android Security Update Patch Level” included in the /e/OS build you want to install, otherwise you risk to change your device into Brick.

because relocking is not possible on the CMF 1

Install /e/OS on a Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 1 - “tetris”
.
/e/OS official tetris download

[CRic]

Thank you for your reply, @piero. Wow… I’m getting a bit lost. I’m not sure if I understood correctly—could you please confirm the following?

Stock Android version: You said that on the Nothing Phone (CMF 1), it’s possible to install /e/ OS even if the stock Android version is newer than the one specified in the /e/ OS build, without risking a brick. Is that correct?

Security patch level: The security patch level of the currently installed system must be older than the one included in the /e/ OS build I want to install. Can you confirm that this is the only critical requirement to avoid bricking?

Bootloader: You mentioned that on the CMF 1, it’s not possible to relock the bootloader after installing /e/ OS. Does this apply to both official and unofficial builds, or only unofficial ones? Also, could leaving the bootloader unlocked cause any issues?

So, at this point, my only option would be to install /e/ OS from a Linux terminal? And would the preliminary steps require me to downgrade my Nothing Phone back to Android 14?

[piero]

@CRic

I’m getting a bit lost.

i am sorry

@CRic

it’s possible to install /e/ OS even if the stock Android version is newer

yes for this device exceptionally

@CRic

The security patch level of the currently installed system must be older than the one included in the /e/ OS build I want to install.

not relevant as relocking is not possible

@CRic

it’s not possible to relock the bootloader
Does this apply to both official and unofficial builds

official : impossible for this device exceptionally
community : always impossible
unofficial : always impossible

@CRic

my only option would be to install /e/ OS from a Linux terminal?

windows or macOS also works

@CRic

would the preliminary steps require me to downgrade my Nothing Phone back to Android 14?

not for this device exceptionally

[CRic]

Ok, sorry for all this questions but i’m fucking scared of bricking my phone. So i have just to follow this guide?:

Install /e/OS on a Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 1 - “tetris”

I don’t have to use any custom build in my case am i right?

I’ll use linux. I hate Apple

Edit. What should I be careful about to avoid bricking my phone?

[piero]

@CRic

What should I be careful about to avoid bricking my phone?

no worries with this device, just don’t try to relock.

[CRic]

THank you.
Anyway, what about this?

Install /e/OS on a Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 1 - “tetris”

Do i have just to follow this guide?

[piero]

@CRic

Install /e/OS on a Nothing Nothing CMF Phone 1 - “tetris”

Do i have just to follow this guide?

yes of course it is the official one
this other one can help [HOWTO] a Clear Guide to install "IMG-e-builds" when /e/ web installer fails

[CRic]

I did it!!! it works! thank you very much @piero