can I install custom bootloader without losing data

[sdxda]

My pixel 3 is not booting up right now. Asks me to do a factory reset. Can I install a custom bootloader like twrp now without losing my data? I want to mount the data partition, backup my files and then do a factory reset. The phone is stock and locked right now, have never installed a custom rom/bootloader on it.

 

[dcarvil]

My pixel 3 is not booting up right now. Asks me to do a factory reset. Can I install a custom bootloader like twrp now without losing my data? I want to mount the data partition, backup my files and then do a factory reset. The phone is stock and locked right now, have never installed a custom rom/bootloader on it.

If you are still on Android Pie and have an unlocked bootloader, you should be able to install TWRP. If your bootloader is still locked, you can't install a custom bootloader until you unlock the bootloader. Unlocking it will wipe the phone. If you have Android 10, you can't install TWRP. TWRP does not work on a Pixel 3 with Android 10.

 

[sdxda]

If you are still on Android Pie and have an unlocked bootloader, you should be able to install TWRP. If your bootloader is still locked, you can't install a custom bootloader until you unlock the bootloader. Unlocking it will wipe the phone. If you have Android 10, you can't install TWRP. TWRP does not work on a Pixel 3 with Android 10.

Thanks, I'm on 10 and unlocked :/

 

[dcarvil]

Thanks, I'm on 10 and unlocked :/

What happens when you boot to recovery mode? You might have to wait a really long time (30 to 60 minutes) for it to recover.

If that doesn't work, and you enabled USB debugging when you unlocked the boot loader, you should be able to flash a factory image. Be sure to edit flash-all.bat (or flash-all.sh if on Linux) to remove the -w from the flashboot command at the bottom of the file. Removing the -w will prevent it from wiping your data. Be sure you execute the edited file, and not the original file. Also, be sure to get the factory image, not an OTA image, and to download the latest platform-tools. This thread is a good guide to follow to flash the image. https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3/how-to/complete-pixel-3-how-to-guide-newbie-t3922269

I'd try to flash an Android 10 image and recover the data instead of trying to downgrade to Android Pie and install TWRP.

 

[sdxda]

What happens when you boot to recovery mode? You might have to wait a really long time (30 to 60 minutes) for it to recover.

If that doesn't work, and you enabled USB debugging when you unlocked the boot loader, you should be able to flash a factory image. Be sure to edit flash-all.bat (or flash-all.sh if on Linux) to remove the -w from the flashboot command at the bottom of the file. Removing the -w will prevent it from wiping your data. Be sure you execute the edited file, and not the original file. Also, be sure to get the factory image, not an OTA image, and to download the latest platform-tools. This thread is a good guide to follow to flash the image. https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-3/how-to/complete-pixel-3-how-to-guide-newbie-t3922269

I'd try to flash an Android 10 image and recover the data instead of trying to downgrade to Android Pie and install TWRP.

Recovery mode is fine. I sideloaded the latest ota 10.0.0 (QP1A.191105.003, Nov 2019).. it's 1.3 gigs. Still didnt help. Should I try an older OTA version before trying the factory image?

And my bootloader is locked, so can I flash the factory image? I'm getting the image now and will try anyways, just not sure if I want to try an older OTA first.

 

[sdxda]

Recovery mode is fine. I sideloaded the latest ota 10.0.0 (QP1A.191105.003, Nov 2019).. it's 1.3 gigs. Still didnt help. Should I try an older OTA version before trying the factory image?

And my bootloader is locked, so can I flash the factory image? I'm getting the image now and will try anyways, just not sure if I want to try an older OTA first.

okay so can't flash without unlocking. Going to try an older ota.

 

[dcarvil]

okay so can't flash without unlocking. Going to try an older ota.

I don't think an OTA will fix a boot problem. According to https://developers.google.com/android/images you have to unlock the bootloader to flash a factory image. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your data. I'm not sure the unlock command will work if you have not enabled OEM unlocking in Developer Options.

Sorry, I don't see any way to preserve your data. Maybe someone smarter than me will have some ideas.