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in 3 copy / paste actions !
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because even well illustrated, the “web-installer” often don’t work,
and because the official documentation is imbuvable for a new user.
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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 contains an install script named like
flash_FP6_factory.sh.
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(for devices that have "recovery-e-xxxxxxxxxx.img" or "recovery-IMG-e-xxxxxxxxxx.zip" file on their download page, use this :
[HOWTO] an Unified Install Guide Project for /e/)
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.
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Windows Guide :
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Expand
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the “Unlocking the bootloader” step may differ, so to be safe, allway have a read on
“Smartphone Selector” → “Official or Community install doc” for your device → “Command line” install page for your device !
.
.
according to Install /e/OS on a Fairphone The Fairphone (Gen. 6) - “FP6”
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 Stock OS “android Security Patch Level” already installed on your device before you start the install process.It must be OLDER than the “android Security Patch Level” included in the /e/ build you want to install, otherwise you risk to change your device into Brick.
- You will find this information about stock OS on the device :
settings --> about phone --> android version 15 --> android security update
- you will find this information about /e/OS build on the install instructions page for you device if your device is supported by /e/
- but also on the release article about the /e/OS version you want to install even if you device have no instructions page :
the title of the article need to match both “/e/OS version” and “android level”,
currently"e-3.2-a15"
Releases · e / os / 
Releases · GitLab
more detailled explications here : (answered) Install /e/ on FP5 with newer Security Patches
.
.
other things you must take care about
Your Stock OS Android version, must be the latest available relative to the /e/OS build you want to install → not higher !
Use a USB-A to USB-C cable on a rear USB port (no hub even internal if possible)
.
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Unlocking the bootloader
.
Get the Unlock code from Fairphone before proceeding with the next steps
on your device, enable USB debugging and allow OEM unlocking .
On your PC, install Git-bash, and confirm all preselected options.
download the “platform-tools for windows”, and just extract the .ZIP, not more.
open the newly created “platform-tools” folder in your file manager, then
- use the right clic of your mouse, and choose
open Git Bash here.you will get something like :
.
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Reboot the device to bootloader mode with the command
adb reboot bootloader,
or with the device powered off - hold Volume Down + Power
- Ask for unlock by copy this command and paste it in the terminal :
.\fastboot flashing unlock
- Approve with volume + then power
- The device proceed with a factory reset, and automatically reboots
Reboot again into bootloader
- Unlock critical by copy this command and paste it in the terminal :
.\fastboot flashing unlock_critical
- Approve with volume + then powe r
- The device proceeds with a factory reset, and automatically reboots
the Bootloader is now unlocked
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Installing /e/OS
.
Again reboot the device into bootloader mode.
on your PC, take latest /e/OS official FP6 download and just extract it, not more.
From the newly created folder
/IMG-e-3.2-a15-20251022539003-official-FP6,
right clic with your mouse, and choose
open Git Bash here.copy this command and paste it in the git-bash terminal :
chmod +x flash_FP6_factory.sh && ./flash_FP6_factory.sh
you will get something like :
you are done with installing /e/OS
.
.
Finaly,
only if the android security update in the previously installed Stock OS was older
than the android security update included in the /e/ build you want to install
you will be abble to relock the bootloader according to instructions at the bottom of the device install page (only available with Official version)
.
.
[Solved] Windows does not see my phone in Fastboot mode because needed drivers are not correctly installed
if not properly "installed in your path” as explained in Installing adb and fastboot on Windows PC , simply add .\ at the beginning of all your adb or fastboot commands
.
.
.
Linux Guide :
.
Expand
.
the “Unlocking the bootloader” step may differ, so to be safe, allway have a read on
“Smartphone Selector” → “Official or Community install doc” for your device → “Command line” install page for your device !
.
.
according to Install /e/OS on a Fairphone The Fairphone (Gen. 6) - “FP6”
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 Stock OS “android Security Patch Level” already installed on your device before you start the install process.It must be OLDER than the “android Security Patch Level” included in the /e/ build you want to install, otherwise you risk to change your device into Brick.
- You will find this information about stock OS on the device :
settings --> about phone --> android version 15 --> android security update
- you will find this information about /e/OS build on the install instructions page for you device if your device is supported by /e/
- but also on the release article about the /e/OS version you want to install even if you device have no instructions page :
the title of the article need to match both “/e/OS version” and “android level”,
currently"e-3.2-a15"
Releases · e / os / Releases · GitLab
more detailled explications here : (answered) Install /e/ on FP5 with newer Security Patches
.
.
Another thing you must take care about
Your Stock OS Android version, must be the latest available relative to the /e/OS build you want to install → not higher !
Use a USB-A to USB-C cable on a rear USB port (no hub even internal if possible)
.
.
Unlocking the bootloader
.
Get the Unlock code from Fairphone before proceeding with the next steps
on your device, enable USB debugging and allow OEM unlocking .
download the “platform-tools for Linux”, and just extract the .ZIP, not more.
open the newly created “platform-tools” folder in your file manager,
- use the right clic of your mouse, and choose
open in a terminal.you will get something like :
.
.
Reboot the device to bootloader mode with the command
./adb reboot bootloader,
or with the device powered off - hold Volume Down + Power
- Ask for unlock by copy this command and paste it in the terminal :
./fastboot flashing unlock
- Approve with volume + then power
- The device proceed with a factory reset, and automatically reboots
Reboot again into bootloader
- Unlock critical by copy this command and paste it in the terminal :
./fastboot flashing unlock_critical
- Approve with volume + then powe r
- The device proceeds with a factory reset, and automatically reboots
the Bootloader is now unlocked
.
.
Installing /e/OS
.
Again reboot the device into bootloader mode.
on your PC, take latest /e/OS official FP6 download and just extract it, not more.
From the newly created folder
/IMG-e-3.2-a15-20251022539003-official-FP6,
- right clic with your mouse, and choose
open in a terminal.- copy this command and paste it in the terminal :
chmod +x flash_FP6_factory.sh && ./flash_FP6_factory.sh
you will get something like :
you are done with installing /e/OS
.
.
Finaly,
only if the android security update in the previously installed Stock OS was older
than the android security update included in the /e/ build you want to install
you will be abble to relock the bootloader according to instructions at the bottom of the device install page (only available with Official version)
.
.
What could go wrong
if not properly "installed in your path” as explained in Installing adb and fastboot on Linux PC , simply add ./ at the beginning of all your adb or fastboot commands
.
.