Fairphone 6 – Unable to Set PIN After Installing /e/OS 3.0.2

/e/OS Devices
1

Device: Fairphone 6
/e/OS Version: 3.0.2 (released June 30, 2025)
Installation method: Manual fastboot flashing (macOS)
Bootloader: properly re-locked, Verified Boot state: green

:mag: Problem Description:
After successfully installing /e/OS 3.0.2, I am unable to set any screen lock (PIN, password, or pattern) during the initial setup.
When I attempt to create a PIN, I receive this error:

“Screen lock was already changed. Please choose a different lock method…”

This prevents me from completing the initial device setup. Even later, in the system settings, I cannot set a lock screen.

:white_check_mark: What I’ve tried:

  • Flashing all required partitions via fastboot, including using fastboot format userdata
  • Re-locked the bootloader (fastboot flashing lock_critical + fastboot flashing lock)
  • Confirmed Verified Boot state = green
  • Performed a full data wipe in recovery after relocking
  • No SIM inserted, no root access, no additional apps, clean install

:speech_balloon: Questions for the community:

  1. Is this issue known for FP6 with /e/OS 3.0.2?
  2. Is there any workaround to successfully set a PIN or password?
  3. Is a fix planned in upcoming builds?

Thanks for any feedback or help!
— Visniques

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

2 Likes
2

I’ve experienced the exact same problem

3

In your case were you working with no SIM card inserted?

4

Yes, there was no SIM inserted. My bootloader was still unlocked, though

5

I stumbled across this post: https://xdaforums.com/t/solved-screen-lock-was-already-changed-try-again-w-new-screen-lock.4679739/post-90161119. The second solution worked for me.

I flashed the original FP6 image, set it up using the PIN I had used before with my Google account. Then I disabled the PIN and reinstalled /e/OS. After that, I was able to set up my device normally, including setting up a PIN.

6

So is this a case that you had a Google A/C on the phone and did not delete your Google A/C before /e/OS install ??

7

I initially linked my Google account. But after reinstalling Fairphone OS and setting it up, I only removed my PIN, not my Google account.

8

This was always regarded as a problem. Did you directly answer my question ??

One should remove the Google A/C before /e/OS install.

… else how will you degoogle the phone ?

9

Great! this worked for me too! Thanks!!!

10

I don´t think that it is neccesary to delete the google account. when you install /e/os you whipe everything google related anyway, right?

11

Thanks for asking. This has been debated on the forum before … and ofc you found a workaround. I do believe that the Google account runs more deep than userdata (which will be formatted by install instructions, in general) but this is only what I seem to have learned from experience.

12

I also cant set a lock screen, on v3.1.3 fp6. Is there any update regarding this or what is this workaround that you mention?

13

Hi @klemcijada welcome to the /e/ forum.

I guess that since asking this question you will now have read the whole thread and the post to which I referred marked Solution.

Recently there have been three cases of FRP. You might check if this might apply to you.

14

Hola. My search had to many keywords so at time of posting this was the only thread I saw. I hoped the solution would be something easier, I hate reflashing stuff and logging in and typing the passwords, the hassle of it and time wasted.

Now I followed the “procedure” I just haven’t locked the bootloader since the new eos version with the newer SPL is unavaliable to download.