Possibilty of Data/Storage Recovery? - Google Pixel 3a XL Questions & Answers

Hey there,
let me start off by saying that I don't own an XL, but a non-XL 3a. Since my question seems to apply to both devices (similar/same components), I'll try my luck here.
Recently, my 3a got stuck in SystemUI crashes and I tried every solution that came to mind and others suggested over at the 3a section (check my profile if curious, basically locked BL, fully stock, no ADB), but nothing solved the issue.
However, I didn't factory reset yet, but I'm confident that it would fix it. On the other hand, It'll also wipe my storage.
----
Long story short, the only option I can think of is to recover my files with a data recovery app/program after I have wiped/factory reset my phone.
Did anybody ever successfully used such an app on a Pixel or similar (A/B) partition layout? Is it even possible/viable? Are there special prerequisites to consider?
It goes without saying I'll make sure to overwrite as few sectors as possible, if any. I can accept some files getting lost in the process, but want to keep whatever I can recover.
Thank you for reading.

Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.

Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.

xnifex said:
Your biggest issue is going to be the fact that the storage is encrypted. So even if you do wipe the phone, I don't think anything will be recoverable since it won't be readable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
acejavelin said:
Your data will not be recoverable after the factory reset... because it was encrypted. Part of the factory reset will wipe the encryption key (that will not be recoverable since it will be regenerated on the first boot) so your data is surely lost. You are in the worst possible scenario for data recover, honestly your best bet is probably just factory reset and accept that the data is gone forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, damn. Thanks nonetheless, I didn't even think about that.
I'll try to fiddle with the phone one last time, maybe I'll get it unlocked somehow (I can only get 7 or 8 dots
of my pattern connected before the UI crash kicks in...). This is literally the only thing that separates me from the storage.
This has to be the most infuriating small obstacle with the biggest effect for me.

Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/

brandontowey said:
Since you're stock, might get lucky if your software is good on your second slot. You'll have boot into fastboot mode abs try the command "fastboot continue" from command line on a computer. Plenty of fastboot guides online if you've never used it.
Credit to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/5cbc9m/bricked_pixel_xl/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, if that works out, I'd be insanely glad. Have to get my hands on my friend's laptop first though.
I mean, the UI just started crashing after I checked for an OTA without downloading, then changing the wallpaper. That was literally it. Hadn't I rebooted, I would have been able to still unlock with my fingerprint between each crash.
Here's hoping that ADB sideloading OTAs left that slot option intact.
Will definitely update this post; at the very least, thank you for your suggestion.
Update: "fastboot continue" as well as switching boot slot parameters aren't allowed on this locked bootloader.
ADB sideloading caused slots to switch anyway, and both slots seemed to be affected from the SystemUI crashing. Will edit my original thread with a conclusion now.

Related

Factory Restore an Encrypted Galaxy S3

Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.
I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.
Eddie,
Thanks for your response.
1) I used stock method for encryption
2) Decrypt the phone is not possible apparently,only way is to factory restore the phone apparently
3) I went to the AT&T store and they were unable to factory restore (using the standard methods). They offered an exchange but since I purchase over the phone at a discounted price, I have to do the exchange using that method. Before shipping back the phone, I was wondering if I could fix it myself with the help of knowledgeable people.
CZ Eddie said:
I have never encrypted an Android phone before. But maybe your response to these questions will serve as a "bump" to this thread.
1) What method did you use to encrypt the phone? Stock or 3rd party encryption?
2) Doesn't that same method also offer you the offer to unencrypt the phone?
3) If you used a stock method of encrypting the phone, then I'd assume your provider (AT&T?) tech support should be able to help you unencrypt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never used the encryption but if the phone can turn on and is usable, cant you go into the encryption settings and turn encryption off? then you should be able to do anything (may be best to start with a factory restore first just so you have a fresh slate to work with)
1ofAKind said:
Model: Samsung Galaxy S3 AT&T i747
Hi!
I was forced to encrypt my galaxy s3 in order to receive corporate emails on my phone using the stock email app. However I never imagined that encrypting the phone would literally lock the memory and options to customize the phone.
I tried to root the phone to benefit from more flexibility and also debloat the phone. However during the rooting process, I could not mount /emmc/ when using ClockWorkRecovery in the startup menu. Based on what I found on the web, I figured it was due to the encryption.
I then tried to factory reset the phone to get rid of the encryption but I simply can't hard reset the phone from the OS or the startup menu. When doing the reset from the startup menu, the errors are "Can't mount /sdcard/". The reset continues but when the phone reboots, all my applications and personal data are there and the phone is still encrypted.
I read a lot about flashing a custom recovery via flashboot or ADB but I am reluctant to do it without guidance from the experts (you guys).
I deleted my corporate email account (It is my personal phone, I am not required to install exchange on it).
I tried to use an external sd card but as soon as the phone recoginizes it, I have to encrypt the card as well as a result from the corporate policies. I ejected the card and did not encrypt it.
I am new to android (long time iPhone user) and I would really appreciate your guidance on the methods to factory reset my phone or a different technique to get rid of the encryption because I am really stuck right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1ofaKind,
Had EXACTLY the same thing happen to me. Encrypted my S3 in order to access work exchange server. Tried CWM but cannot mount /emmc/ problem after booting into recovery. Have not tried to factory reset yet as I am wanting to learn more before I go that route. But basically I am in the same boat as you. The only difference is I was not required to encrypt an external SD card when I put it in my phone. Read about flashboot as well...maybe the only way to actually factory reset after encryption??
Sorry I cannot offer any solutions at the moment...but I will keep scouring the forums looking for a way.
If I learn something valuable, I will try to post it here to help ya out.
EDIT: Maybe you have read these threads, but there is some decent info in them. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1451655 & http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1392037
good luck
Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
I'm in the same boat here - had to encrypt my GS3 in order to receive corporate (Exchange Server) emails. Now can't update the OS on the phone which is more important to me than receiving corporate emails on the device.
Can someone tell me how to decrypt (UN-encrypt) the phone? Everything I've read says that a factory reset won't do it.
Please help!
CZ Eddie said:
Look into using Odin to restore a factory image.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone tried this? If so, did it work?
I clicked install rom from sd card in cwm selected f/w which i had copied into internal memory. Did factory reset in recovery.
Odin it back to stock.
This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.
sid9102 said:
This might be too late to help you guys, but here's what worked for me. I odined it back to stock. Then I went into recovery (volume down, power and home button) and selected wipe data/factory reset. This does of course erase all your data, so try to copy whatever you can onto a computer or something before doing this. You should end up with an unencrypted storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.
tamon77 said:
ODIN will not recognize my phone when it is in download mode ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ODIN (for me at least) wont see anything since im using Windows 8. On Windows 7, however, it works just fine.
Factory reset encrypted phone
hi,
I'm using CM11 as a rom.
I didn't want to reinstall stock rom, just to root it again later.
Installing updated version from external SD didn't work (updated the ROM but no decryption)
Tried to factory reset from recovery - didn't work, as the internal storage is encrypted it can't mount /sdcard/
however, from within settings menu, in backup&restore there's an option to do a factory reset - this is formatting internal memory altogether.
worked like a charm.
oxidase said:
After you hit start, unplug then replug the usb from the computer. I had some issues with it not recognizing it either to flash stock, but when i messed with the cord, it made the noise that i unplugged and it started working. Same thing with the root injected, only this time i fully unplugged it when the fiddling with it didnt work. Make sure you replace it into the same com port.
so, i seem to be having the same problem as all of you, only i encrypted to protect my data from agents. So, right now, i am *hopefully* :fingers-crossed: installing the root injected JB now. I had many issues. TWRP and CWM were no help, couldnt see phone to add new roms to it. ODIN was the only hope. I booted into recovery after going back to stock, did a new factory reset and am installing the stock with root. When i let it boot, it didnt go to encryption this time, but the first time i flashed the stock, it did. This is a mess to say the least.
EDIT: YEAH! done. No encryption and i got root. i used the image from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1968625 DLK3 worked for me. Good luck. i hope this helps. Ill be happy to explain more if you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand this is very old but I am going to make a note here in case anyone else gets into this problem. When you go back to stock, do the factory reset using the STOCK recovery. Don't install TWRP or anything else until you have cleared the encryption. At least, that's what worked for me.

Device encryption

Has anyone noticed any issue on their h815 with regards to encrypting the phone? Mine does not work; full or quick option. Has unlocking the bootloader caused this to stop working? I have got root and twrp recovery. Could the custom recovery be causing the phone to get stuck on rebooting to encrypt? The lg website says certain features no longer work after the bootloader is unlocked; maybe this is one of those? All just guess work atm, any help would be appreciated.
v1ne said:
Has anyone noticed any issue on their h815 with regards to encrypting the phone? Mine does not work; full or quick option. Has unlocking the bootloader caused this to stop working? I have got root and twrp recovery. Could the custom recovery be causing the phone to get stuck on rebooting to encrypt? The lg website says certain features no longer work after the bootloader is unlocked; maybe this is one of those? All just guess work atm, any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
i do not know, as I do NOT (yet?) own the device! But I would love to know! Any unlocked + encrypted phones out there? I would be interested how many of the geeks around here encrypt their phones?
For me, these days, I do not own a single device (PC, Notebook, Smartphone whatever) that is NOT encrypted. The more easy you loose the device, the more encryption should be a standard.
What is the reality? And does it work with the unlocked bootloader?
v1ne said:
I have got root and twrp recovery. Could the custom recovery be causing the phone to get stuck on rebooting to encrypt? d.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the same here! I would be very happy if someone could help me out, maybe by looking at some logcat files? The device is rooted after all. Just tell me what log files you would need?
I would like to try to flash the stock recovery. Delete TWRP as I think this could be the culprit. I read about bringing the device back to stock but I am unsure what files I do need exactly and how to proceed. I downloaded the LG Flash tool. Any help would be very much appreciated!
I just got this phone, rooted, unlocked BL, installed Xposed. I tried to encrypt phone, but when I started the process, it rebooted and now it's at the white T-Mobile splash screen. There's no progress indication anywhere and it has been almost an hour. I think I'll have to pull battery.
v1ne said:
Has anyone noticed any issue on their h815 with regards to encrypting the phone? Mine does not work; full or quick option. Has unlocking the bootloader caused this to stop working? I have got root and twrp recovery. Could the custom recovery be causing the phone to get stuck on rebooting to encrypt? The lg website says certain features no longer work after the bootloader is unlocked; maybe this is one of those? All just guess work atm, any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you (or fpsq) manage to do this in the end (and if yes, how)? I have the same issue I think... rooted the phone with the method here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/g4/general/lg-g4-100-root-success-directives-root-t3180586
and now the phone gets stuck on the initial reboot after launching encryption. It works if I unplug the battery, which shows it doesn't even start the process.
Thanks for any help.
It didn't get anywhere, so I tried it again with quick encryption. Same white screen. I rooted with a huge pre-rooted system image. using dd. Did you unlock boot loader, install custom recovery, or install Xposed?
OGIGA said:
It didn't get anywhere, so I tried it again with quick encryption. Same white screen. I rooted with a huge pre-rooted system image. using dd. Did you unlock boot loader, install custom recovery, or install Xposed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No to all three. I also used dd but first dumped my system partition, injected the root files, and then rewrote it (rather than the main method that you used, writing the ready-made image). See the thread I linked earlier for details.
It really seems the root is the problem here. fpsq seems to have gotten it working in a roundabout way:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=62156629&postcount=1468
but I don't understand exactly what he did, I PMed him to ask.
WARNING: Once you encrypt your phone/sdcard you can NOT cancel the process. After you encrypt your phone/sdcard, if you forget your password, you will have to factory reset (wipes /data) and/or format your sdcard (wipes /external_SD) to get a useable phone. Your data WILL be lost!
Also TWRP can not read encrypted volumes other than some Nexus devices, so make a backup BEFORE you encrypt it or the internal/external sdcard.
Overview: You have to kill the SuperSu daemon (temporarily unrooting it) and THEN start the stock encryption process.
1. Install Busybox (need the pkill utility)
2. Open Terminal Emulator and:
Code:
$ su
# pkill -KILL daemonsu
$ exit
NOTE: You'll notice that the # changed back to $. This means that you are no longer the root user and the SuperSu daemon is not running. Do NOT open any other apps, including the SuperSu app.
3. Now go to Settings ---> Security ---> Encrypt Phone.
IMPORTANT: Make sure your phone charger is plugged in. Go through the prompts to encrypt your phone and/or sdcard and the phone will reboot. It will stay at the bootscreen for about a minute and then you will see the white encryption screen. it will ask you for an encryption password. Once you set that, write it down, email it to yourself, whatever you have to do to remember it because if you forget it, there is no helping you. You will have to factory reset (wipes /data) to get a useable phone. Your data WILL be lost!
It will run until it gets to 100% and the phone will reboot. Once it comes back up with the white screen, enter your password and the boot phone will finish booting. To check that the phone/sdcard is encrypted, go to Settings ---> Security and under Encrypt Phone and Encrypt SD card storage, you should see "Encrypted".
Hope this helps.
barcodelinux said:
You have to kill the SuperSu daemon (temporarily unrooting it) and Then start the stock encryption process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works! And it's so clear why it works, now why didn't I think of this?
Thanks a lot for figuring it out and posting it here, you really helped me! Phones hold so much private data nowadays and are so easy to lose that I was really uncomfortable using it unencrypted.
OGIGA said:
I just got this phone, rooted, unlocked BL, installed Xposed. I tried to encrypt phone, but when I started the process, it rebooted and now it's at the white T-Mobile splash screen. There's no progress indication anywhere and it has been almost an hour. I think I'll have to pull battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there - did you get any luck with this? My G4 updated to MM last week, and now I'm trying encryption - but it's been sitting on the initial boot screen for over an hour (not a loop, just that one screen), with no progress bar or screen.
No idea what it's doing, but hoping that pulling the battery out won't brick it completely!
PS. my phone isn't even rooted, so it can't be THAT causing a problem
Thanks,
J
jasonnm said:
Hey there - did you get any luck with this? My G4 updated to MM last week, and now I'm trying encryption - but it's been sitting on the initial boot screen for over an hour (not a loop, just that one screen), with no progress bar or screen.
No idea what it's doing, but hoping that pulling the battery out won't brick it completely!
PS. my phone isn't even rooted, so it can't be THAT causing a problem
Thanks,
J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed Marshmallow last week and took a stab at encryption again. I installed TWRP 2.7.8.1, by the way. What I also did was flash what I think is the original boot.img. I think this would have un-rooted my device and maybe un-Xposed too, but I forgot because I was really sick last week.
Anyway, the standard device encryption actually worked. I opted for /data encryption instead of full device. Funny thing was that the first time I did it, it was stuck at the boot screen, but was actually encrypting. I didn't know that, so I took out the battery and it screwed up my /data, so the OS made me wipe /data. Fortunately, I backed up right when I did Marshmallow, so I restored my /data. I went to encrypt again and waited this time. Eventually, the screen went from boot screen to the encrypting screen starting at like 60% finished. It finished and my /data was encrypted!
I went to TWRP but TWRP could not decrypt my /data no matter what password I tried. Since my /system and /boot were not encrypted, SuperSU installation was easy. I got the password screen at boot like expected.
However, when I installed Xposed, the password screen would keep popping up with "_____ has stopped" persistently and I had to time it right hit each key of the password. When I uninstalled Xposed, the popups stopped. Installed Xposed again, popups were back. After struggling to enter the password and booting up, everything works fine.
That's how much I have experienced so far.
OGIGA said:
I just installed Marshmallow last week and took a stab at encryption again. I installed TWRP 2.7.8.1, by the way. What I also did was flash what I think is the original boot.img. I think this would have un-rooted my device and maybe un-Xposed too, but I forgot because I was really sick last week.
Anyway, the standard device encryption actually worked. I opted for /data encryption instead of full device. Funny thing was that the first time I did it, it was stuck at the boot screen, but was actually encrypting. I didn't know that, so I took out the battery and it screwed up my /data, so the OS made me wipe /data. Fortunately, I backed up right when I did Marshmallow, so I restored my /data. I went to encrypt again and waited this time. Eventually, the screen went from boot screen to the encrypting screen starting at like 60% finished. It finished and my /data was encrypted!
I went to TWRP but TWRP could not decrypt my /data no matter what password I tried. Since my /system and /boot were not encrypted, SuperSU installation was easy. I got the password screen at boot like expected.
However, when I installed Xposed, the password screen would keep popping up with "_____ has stopped" persistently and I had to time it right hit each key of the password. When I uninstalled Xposed, the popups stopped. Installed Xposed again, popups were back. After struggling to enter the password and booting up, everything works fine.
That's how much I have experienced so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the extra info - need to try again when I get a bit more time, but I eventually pulled the battery (risky, I know!) and put it back in and everything was normal, like nothing had changed. Certainly no encryption anywhere.
Will update when I give it another try.
Thanks again!
So if I had my SD card encrypted, and my phone puked, I get another G4 and want to use my old SD card (I have the password) how can I access the files on the SD card ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Stuck at lockscreen (pattern not recognised)

Three days in with a replacement Pixel C, it has stopped recognising my lockscreen pattern. I know it is correct as I use the same pattern on my phone. Wiping the cache has no effect.
I can't use Android Device Manager to set a new password as it detects that the lock screen is already active.
Is there any option other than a factory reset?
PriyanPhoenix said:
Three days in with a replacement Pixel C, it has stopped recognising my lockscreen pattern. I know it is correct as I use the same pattern on my phone. Wiping the cache has no effect.
I can't use Android Device Manager to set a new password as it detects that the lock screen is already active.
Is there any option other than a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In this case, even a factory reset might not help.
Just to confirm, should anyone else have the same issue, a factory reset did solve the problem and the error has not returned. Still no idea what could have caused it though.
Solution
I had this problem also just hold the power button down for like a minute.
I'm having the same problem, was working fine a few hours ago then not recognizing the pattern. I've tried holding the power button but that just powers it off. When I turn it back on it asks for my pattern to power the device back on and it recognizes the pattern then just fine but once it power's up and I try to put the same pattern in to unlock the screen it says wrong pattern!! What the hell is going on here? Any help please?
This happened to me and Google RMA'd the unit. I had to factory reset it, but if you want to retain the data on it I strongly recommend installing something along the lines of Airdroid so that you can access the file hierarchy remotely even if the device is locked.
Airdroid has its benefits in other areas, however I found it a lifesaver for that one incident which allowed me to pull my files prior to the factory reset.
NJ72 said:
This happened to me and Google RMA'd the unit. I had to factory reset it, but if you want to retain the data on it I strongly recommend installing something along the lines of Airdroid so that you can access the file hierarchy remotely even if the device is locked.
Airdroid has its benefits in other areas, however I found it a lifesaver for that one incident which allowed me to pull my files prior to the factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll have to check into that app. I already did a factory reset this time and it worked but I'm just curious what caused it and if I should just not use a screen lock on it anymore? So when you say you RMA'd the unit you mean Google swapped the unit out for another one? Or they recommended you to do a factory reset? Thanks again for the advice.
1barlog17 said:
Thanks I'll have to check into that app. I already did a factory reset this time and it worked but I'm just curious what caused it and if I should just not use a screen lock on it anymore? So when you say you RMA'd the unit you mean Google swapped the unit out for another one? Or they recommended you to do a factory reset? Thanks again for the advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Google sent me a new unit. They didn't advise to do a factory reset, they just advised to return the unit. Part of their RMA process is that they recommend you wipe data (for data protection) so I ended up doing both.
I imagine that there are other apps which would offer access to your device data without unlocking, I just have experience with Airdroid.
I also had this problem, but I was using a pin instead of a pattern. Very concerning to be locked out of your own tablet. Had the tablet for about 3 months before it happened. Factory reset fixed it, hasn't returned since but only time will tell. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in the device knowing that maybe you could get locked out at any moment.
The same problem has been found on the Nexus 6p. Lockscreen not unlocking with the correct pin/password, appears to be a problem with the lockscreen as the phone can be booted or decrypted with the correct password.
The suggested fix was to ensure you have prey or another similar program installed. Changing your unlock password remotly via prey fixes the problem allowing you access to your phone.
Just had this problem today. Went to login with the same pattern I've been using for the past 3+ months, and it said "Wrong Pattern" over & over again. I tried to reboot and try again, same story. I used Android Device Manager to lock it & entered a password. Then my Pixel C confirmed that it was locked via the Android Device Manager, but when I went to log in, it asked me for a pattern, not a password! (Bad sign!) And, of course, I entered the right pattern and it told me it was the wrong pattern.
The Google support rep said I had to do a factory data reset. It is indeed disconcerting and frustrating. Next time I'll use Backup!
are you guys rooted? I had this problem on my N5X during rooting and trying to install ROMs. wiping data helped but I simply reset the device anyway. I noticed this also happened on some devices when an incompatible version of SuperSU was installed. If not rooted then you got me.
I am not rooted. I haven't done anything to the tablet except install & use apps and install a p12 certificate (which, I believe, unfortunately, requires you to use some kind of lock screen).
So, I used Android Device Manager to erase my tablet & the problem went away. Yay! I changed to using a PIN instead of a pattern. Now, today, just over a week later, the problem has recurred. <sob!> It says "Wrong PIN" when I try to login, even after powering off & on again, and I am facing the prospect of having to go through all that again.
Just had the same issue, tablet not rooted no developer options unlocked/used just left as factory with apps installed from play store.
Factory reset in progress...
Just happened to me (on the official beta ROM)
This just happened to me today on my Pixel C. I found threads on Google Forums that this has been happening for over a year without a fix.
If your bootloader is unlocked, you can always boot TWRP, Advanced > File Explorer, change to /data/system and delete locksettings.db, locksettings.db-wal and locksettings.db-shm.
Does anybody has an idea here? I'm confronted with this issue: Wrong PIN. No matter how many times i give the correct PIN
restarting Pixel C does not help. Is there any other way to fix this issue?
Shame on Google for this!
farsiray said:
Shame on Google for this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually: did Google forget your PIN? As far as I am concerned: Google still knows your PIN. It's you that doesn't.
bornheim2 said:
Actually: did Google forget your PIN? As far as I am concerned: Google still knows your PIN. It's you that doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks you have no clue what you're talking about. Do some more reading before you give a useless comment.
This is an issue with Pixel C since 2016, Google still hasn't fixed it.
https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/62404336
https://productforums.google.com/fo...ce=footer#!msg/nexus/ImQsmQ8-8JA/n-1kqOv9AwAJ

Use TWRP to flash 8.1 update

I feel like I should know how to do this and I just can't think right now...
I have 8.0 and the latest TWRP installed. Root with Magisk as well. I want to update to 8.1 but I don't want to have to factory reset the phone by flashing 8.1 to it and then reflashing root & TWRP. There's a way to do this that I'm not thinking of, right?
I read another post about using FlashFire but regardless of where I put the factory image, the app doesn't see it. So I feel like I'm at a loss right now.
Am I missing something? Thanks in advance!
WyldOne91 said:
I feel like I should know how to do this and I just can't think right now...
I have 8.0 and the latest TWRP installed. Root with Magisk as well. I want to update to 8.1 but I don't want to have to factory reset the phone by flashing 8.1 to it and then reflashing root & TWRP. There's a way to do this that I'm not thinking of, right?
I read another post about using FlashFire but regardless of where I put the factory image, the app doesn't see it. So I feel like I'm at a loss right now.
Am I missing something? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how I upgraded to 8.1, my setup before I upgraded was the same as yours.
1. Bootloader and unlock_critical both unlocked?
2. Download and extract the factory image, and place all contents in your SDK platform tools folder.
3. Edit the flash-all.bat file and remove the -w in the last line of code. (This prevents your data from being wiped)
4. Double click the flash-all.bat file to start the process. It'll take a little while, so be patient.
5. Once it's done, get back to bootloader mode.
6. Flash the twrp.img file. This will take you to temporary twrp.
7. Once in twrp, flash the twrp.zip, then flash custom kernel.zip(optional) then flash your magisk.zip.
8. Reboot and done.
Couple of caveats, make sure your using a good USB transfer cable, and it's recommended to remove your finger print and/or password/pin, and uninstall any themes you have installed. Hope all goes well for you :good:
Badger50 said:
This is how I upgraded to 8.1, my setup before I upgraded was the same as yours.
1. Bootloader and unlock_critical both unlocked?
2. Download and extract the factory image, and place all contents in your SDK platform tools folder.
3. Edit the flash-all.bat file and remove the -w in the last line of code. (This prevents your data from being wiped)
4. Double click the flash-all.bat file to start the process. It'll take a little while, so be patient.
5. Once it's done, get back to bootloader mode.
6. Flash the twrp.img file. This will take you to temporary twrp.
7. Once in twrp, flash the twrp.zip, then flash custom kernel.zip(optional) then flash your magisk.zip.
8. Reboot and done.
Couple of caveats, make sure your using a good USB transfer cable, and it's recommended to remove your finger print and/or password/pin, and uninstall any themes you have installed. Hope all goes well for you :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thank you I will give this a shot later tonight! One question, what is "unlock_critical?" I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere else before.
WyldOne91 said:
Cool thank you I will give this a shot later tonight! One question, what is "unlock_critical?" I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere else before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pic is from the Google factory image page. Unlock_critical must be performed on the P2XL to allow the bootloader to be updated with future monthly security or software updates. This does not apply to the standard P2. Be advised, this WILL wipe your phone. However, you really don't have much choice if you want to flash monthly factory images.
Badger50 said:
The pic is from the Google factory image page. Unlock_critical must be performed on the P2XL to allow the bootloader to be updated with future monthly security or software updates. This does not apply to the standard P2. Be advised, this WILL wipe your phone. However, you really don't have much choice if you want to flash monthly factory images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh crap... I only ran the OEM unlock. Welp, looks like I'm going to end up wiping anyways. Thanks for the info though. This is definitely one of those situations where I assumed I knew what I was doing and ran with it without actually reading the process.
WyldOne91 said:
Oh crap... I only ran the OEM unlock. Welp, looks like I'm going to end up wiping anyways. Thanks for the info though. This is definitely one of those situations where I assumed I knew what I was doing and ran with it without actually reading the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem my friend. There's a lot to learn on these new pixel devices. There are plenty threads on these forum with tons of info on whatever topic you may have questions about. Just takes time, patience, lots of reading, and a willingness to learn :good:
WyldOne91 said:
Oh crap... I only ran the OEM unlock. Welp, looks like I'm going to end up wiping anyways. Thanks for the info though. This is definitely one of those situations where I assumed I knew what I was doing and ran with it without actually reading the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are rooted, and already have the mindset that all is or will be lost you have the opportunity to try a couple options that if fail nothing lost...
After doing away with screen security and any themes, do Full backup in TWRP and also use TiBu to back up all your apps and then move them off the phone until after you do your thing.
After you do the critical unlock and get 8.1 installed and rooted you could try restoring the TWRP data partition and see what happens. Worst case it's either not booting or just acting funky. Do a factory wipe and not much lost.
Or... Use TiBu to save some time restoring all your apps. While I have had pretty good luck with restoring data on most apps, a few either won't restore or are boned in some way. Some other folks had a really hard time with restoring data so maybe just restore the apps without data. I run over 100 apps and have been through some version of this many times while playing around. With my crappy internet out here in the boonies it took 4 hours for google to restore all my apps and that's with hardly no data. It took about 20 minutes to restore most everything through TiBu. I would not restore data in the big initial bulk restore but instead go back and cherry pick the data restore on the things you need.
Again worst case all lost but you assumed that anyway and maybe you can save some time and effort if either option works.
Badger50 said:
No problem my friend. There's a lot to learn on these new pixel devices. There are plenty threads on these forum with tons of info on whatever topic you may have questions about. Just takes time, patience, lots of reading, and a willingness to learn :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah for sure. I'm always willing to learn!
CyberpodS2 said:
Since you are rooted, and already have the mindset that all is or will be lost you have the opportunity to try a couple options that if fail nothing lost...
After doing away with screen security and any themes, do Full backup in TWRP and also use TiBu to back up all your apps and then move them off the phone until after you do your thing.
After you do the critical unlock and get 8.1 installed and rooted you could try restoring the TWRP data partition and see what happens. Worst case it's either not booting or just acting funky. Do a factory wipe and not much lost.
Or... Use TiBu to save some time restoring all your apps. While I have had pretty good luck with restoring data on most apps, a few either won't restore or are boned in some way. Some other folks had a really hard time with restoring data so maybe just restore the apps without data. I run over 100 apps and have been through some version of this many times while playing around. With my crappy internet out here in the boonies it took 4 hours for google to restore all my apps and that's with hardly no data. It took about 20 minutes to restore most everything through TiBu. I would not restore data in the big initial bulk restore but instead go back and cherry pick the data restore on the things you need.
Again worst case all lost but you assumed that anyway and maybe you can save some time and effort if either option works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I actually already ran a backup with Titanium Backup and moved it to my PC last night just in case I did something stupid haha but I appreciate the tips!

Help a girl not lose her last words with her dad

Hey people,
Last night when trying to turn on my phone (Mi A2 lite) after plugging it to charge, I got this message and have been stuck ever since.
Android RecoveryXiaomi/daisy/daisy_sprout10/QKQ1.191002.002/V11.0.7.0.QDLMIXMuser/release-keysUse volume up/down and power.Can't load Android system. Your data may be corrupt. If you continue to get this message, you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all user data stored on this device.
- Try again
- Factory data reset
Supported API: 3
I would not mind rebooting from factory settings, but my Whatsapp account was still linked to a number that I don't have access to anymore. I do not want to lose the last conversation I had with my dad before he passed away even though I have the back up in my google drive, I know it is encrypted and cannot be retrieved unless verified through the number.
Have I tried getting my number reactivated/ a SIM with my number reissued? Yes, but Vodafone (specifically VOXI) said it was not possible.
Is there any way to contact Whatsapp directly? I did, they were not helpful.
I am posting here because I have honestly scourged the internet for a possible solution, but I am still confused about what my options are here.
Hi,
I'm not specialist but what about reflash the fastboot ROM with xiaomiflash and the save user data option selected?
Not sure about myself so wait for other ideas/informations but maybe it's a 1st way.
Good luck btw!
Antho02 said:
Hi,
I'm not specialist but what about reflash the fastboot ROM with xiaomiflash and the save user data option selected?
Not sure about myself so wait for other ideas/informations but maybe it's a 1st way.
Good luck btw!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.
IlSaro said:
I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried flashing it with MiFlash, but I got an error saying my bootloader is locked. Specifically, it said: error: Erasing 'boot_a' failed (Device is locked. Cannot erase.)
You could try to do this https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-bootloader-erasing-t3878453 but it seems risky. If you fail to do it correctly it might erase your user data and with it all hopes of restoring the desired data.
IlSaro said:
I can confirm that the reinstallation of the last available Rom, previously copied to the SD card, does not erase the data and unlocking the bootloader is not necessary.
Of course it is always advisable to keep your fingers crossed ...
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should give a try at this 1st, no data lose, no unlocking, sounds good!
plus someone just posted the last one : https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=83099721&postcount=15
Hi everyone, so I tried flashing it through MiFlash and all. First, I had the bootloader locked problem. After briefly fixing that though the ./fastboot.exe oem unlock command, I was able to flash it. Nonetheless, despite ticking the save user data option, it factory reset my phone .. at least I tried, I hope this info is useful to everyone else tho :'(

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