I use /e/OS for some years now on different devices. I like it very much and actually only buy /e/OS compatible devices.
I was reluctant to update a Pixel 4a (sunfish) from /e/OS 1.21 to v 2.0 because it doesn’t work over OTA.
About phone: Pixel 4a
/e/OS version: 1.21-r-20240323388914-stable-sunfish, Android 11
Now I finally want to do it as described in Pixal 4a OTA to 2.0 seems to not work even though it says it is available - #22 by BST at the bottom. This approach appeals to me, because I don’t want to wipe the phone and loose all data which I cannot backup. Unfortunately the files e-2.0-t-20240508399779-dev-sunfish.zip and recovery-IMG-e-2.0-t-20240508399779-dev-sunfish.zip are not available anymore on /e/OS dev sunfish download . Does anybody know where I can download them, or is there another safe way to update the device without losing data? I also want to update the phone then from 2.0 to the current version, which should work OTA.
As far as I understand the upgrade process, it is not possible for a Pixel 4a to go directly from version 1.21 to 3.2 without a clean install, where one loses all data. V 1.21 does not provide the local update option, and from reading the forum the upgrade to v 2.0 seems to be crucial for upgrading to anything higher. So my plan is to upgrade step by step to the current version and keeping my data. If there is anybody who has a different experience, I would be grateful to hear about.
Just back up the data. What do you have for data on the phone? Doing it the way you want to do it is not really recommended. Use a PC to explore into the phone and get your data.
What data do you need to back up like photos, messages excreta?
Plug your USB cable into the PC and phone. Now go to phone settings and the search USB. You will see “USB controlled by” now select “File Transfer”. You now have access to your files. depending on the operating system of the PC you will have to explore to the files. You will see a new drive or device in the explorer. Pictures are located in DCIM folder of the phone. Let me know other file locations you want to find.
You can back up messages to a folder in the phone and explore to them also.
Of course not,
because the /data partition where most apps files are stored is not available for a “normal user” without root permission,
only available is the /data/sd_card folder that is called “INTERNAL STORAGE” in the UI.
and and the /data/external_sd folder that is called “SD-CARD” in the UI.
You need to also be aware of a complication I think not so far mentioned. You are running a stable build, this is now called official. Now only available is community (used to be called dev).
So you are potentially compromised by this change of Build type, and the possibility of use of different keys. You should aim to be confident of your backup of essentials in case Format data is forced on you during the upgrade.
try first to clean cache and storage of the system updater app in -->settings → app → show also system app → system updater → storage, you may be abble to see the update after doing that
Edit : there are nomore “stable / official” build available, only “dev / community”
2 years ago the change from official/stable to community/dev worked, didn’t find any problems back then. But I was also using builds from then, not sure if newer builds are used if it behaves the same
Thank you all for your support so far. @piero I will try the dirty update. But first I will backup as much data as possible in case it doesn’t work. I will report how it went the next days.
What apps do you have that have data that can’t either be backed up or exported? Can you not just reinstall most apps and re-login to the apps in question.
I did a Moto Edge last night backing up Signal, Messages, Newpipe (data). I also backed up my pictures, notes, download and docs, but the cloud restores them anyway.
As for my apps I just reinstall them and log back in as needed. Weather Canada, I had to add location individual. The whole operation took maybe two hours.
All my devices get a complete back up and full reset/reinstall of the OS no mater a phone, PC, Laptop or even TV box. I just find this good practice, it helps to but all the electronic bits in good order.
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