[Solution/Solved] Pixel Bootloop After Rooting Chainfire/Flashing boot-to-root.img

[AlexCoetzee]

I stupidly tried to use Chainfires root method on my pixel by flashing boot-to-root.img. I am now stuck in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it. I can get into the fastboot page I think it is called by holding the volume down and power buttom. How can I fix this? Sorry if it is a dumb question. I tried using adb but don't know how it works and I get the error 'error: device '(null)' not found' when trying to do 'adb reboot bootloader'.

I really appreciate if anyone can help me. I am freaking out :laugh:


Edit: CHECK THE COMMENTS FOR SOLUTION

 

[GuestK00143]

I stupidly tried to use Chainfires root method on my pixel by flashing boot-to-root.img. I am now stuck in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it. I can get into the fastboot page I think it is called by holding the volume down and power buttom. How can I fix this? Sorry if it is a dumb question. I tried using adb but don't know how it works and I get the error 'error: device '(null)' not found' when trying to do 'adb reboot bootloader'.

I really appreciate if anyone can help me. I am freaking out :laugh:

Try downloading the stock image and installing that from fastboot. If you are on a Verizon one and on 7.1.1 you are out of luck for root if you bootloader isn't unlocked.

 

[TonikJDK]

I stupidly tried to use Chainfires root method on my pixel by flashing boot-to-root.img. I am now stuck in a bootloop and I have no idea how to fix it. I can get into the fastboot page I think it is called by holding the volume down and power buttom. How can I fix this? Sorry if it is a dumb question. I tried using adb but don't know how it works and I get the error 'error: device '(null)' not found' when trying to do 'adb reboot bootloader'.

I really appreciate if anyone can help me. I am freaking out :laugh:

Ok, stop freaking, this is very fixable. Assuming you have the Google version, or the Verizon version unlocked.

Short answer, we are going to get it into fastboot mode and we are going to flash you back to stock and probably save your data.

First, we need to make sure you have the correct version of Fastboot/ADB. It must be from GOOGLE.

https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html

Unzip that onto a spot on your desktop.

Then go here and download the latest image for the Pixel. I am assuming you are in the US, get 7.1.1 (NOF26V, Feb 2017) for the Pixel.

https://developers.google.com/android/images#sailfish

Unzip that into a the Platform folder you made above with the fastboot tools. When you are all done it should look like the picture below. The highlighted items are the items that came from the Factory Image you extracted in step two. Everything else is from the platform tools.

Now RIGHT click 'flash-all.bat' and edit it. Near the end...look for the -w and take it out and save it. Removing that is what is going to save your data.

Power down your phone, restart it in bootloader mode. Power and Vol Down. Connect it to your computer and then double click 'flash-all.bat'.

That will take you back to stock unlocked and all your data and settings will be there.

Get past that and let us know. Then we will get you properly rooted. Yea, you used the wrong root process.

 

[AlexCoetzee]

I love you <3

Thank you so much. I stupidly was trying to flash a file that wasn't an image file! I really appreciate your help man I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for you.

 

[TonikJDK]

Thank you so much. I stupidly was trying to flash a file that wasn't an image file! I really appreciate your help man I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for you.

You are most welcome. Do you need help rooting now?

 

[AlexCoetzee]

You are most welcome. Do you need help rooting now?

No thank you! I figured that out pretty quickly with TWRP and I am happily rooted now Quite a different process after jailbreaking iOS for 8 years. Thanks for your help!

 

[Tulsadiver]

Try downloading the stock image and installing that from fastboot. If you are on a Verizon one and on 7.1.1 you are out of luck for root if you bootloader isn't unlocked.

Glad to see you are still out there @Misterxtc
Seems like you've been a mainstay almost everywhere I've been and I've relied on your threads and guides for a long time.

 

[GuestK00143]

Glad to see you are still out there @Misterxtc
Seems like you've been a mainstay almost everywhere I've been and I've relied on your threads and guides for a long time.

Good to see you here too. It feels great to be free of TouchWiz!!

 

[Tulsadiver]

Good to see you here too. It feels great to be free of TouchWiz!!

And how. I'm done with Samsung.

 

[stpbby]

Thanks for the straightforward instructions!

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 AM ----------

You are most welcome. Do you need help rooting now?

Do you have a link to rooting with TWRP? I've found several rooting posts but most talk about rooting via fastboot.

Thanks!

 

[TonikJDK]

Thanks for the straightforward instructions!

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 AM ----------



Do you have a link to rooting with TWRP? I've found several rooting posts but most talk about rooting via fastboot.

Thanks!

No link handy, but here is how I do it. And yes, it is via fastboot, only way I know of at this point.

Download 2.7.9 SR3 SuperUser and copy it to your phone.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133

Download TWRP RC1 and copy it to your fastboot folder.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/development/twrp-alpha1-pixel-devices-t3500312

Using other versions than above will bootloop you. Reboot the phone into bootloader mode. Power and Vol down.

fastboot BOOT twrpFilename.img Where twrpfilename.img is the name of the TWRP file you just downloaded. Note is says boot in the command, not flash.

That will boot the phone into TWRP. Select Install and install the SU zip you copied to the phone above. And reboot the phone, done.

 

[stpbby]

Thanks! That worked.

 

[gandhi98]

I need help with unlocking bootloader and rooting phone

No link handy, but here is how I do it. And yes, it is via fastboot, only way I know of at this point.

Download 2.7.9 SR3 SuperUser and copy it to your phone.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133

Download TWRP RC1 and copy it to your fastboot folder.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/development/twrp-alpha1-pixel-devices-t3500312

Using other versions than above will bootloop you. Reboot the phone into bootloader mode. Power and Vol down.

fastboot BOOT twrpFilename.img Where twrpfilename.img is the name of the TWRP file you just downloaded. Note is says boot in the command, not flash.

That will boot the phone into TWRP. Select Install and install the SU zip you copied to the phone above. And reboot the phone, done.

I have completed the steps that you listed however the phone did not do a thing. Is it not possible to unlock the bootloader on 7.1.2? Am I doing something wrong? I can elaborate more if you need.

 

[piperx]

I have completed the steps that you listed however the phone did not do a thing. Is it not possible to unlock the bootloader on 7.1.2? Am I doing something wrong? I can elaborate more if you need.

If your on Verizon, no, you can't unlock the bootloader

 

[TonikJDK]

I have completed the steps that you listed however the phone did not do a thing. Is it not possible to unlock the bootloader on 7.1.2? Am I doing something wrong? I can elaborate more if you need.

If it is a Verizon phone, no you can't unlock it. If it is a Google phone to unlock...below is a decent link on how to. Except use the ADB Fastboot tools I link to in the third post of this thread.

https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/unlock-bootloader-your-google-pixel-pixel-xl-0174627/

And be aware, when you unlock it...it will wipe all the data on your phone.

 

[moeREM]

My pixel (stock, not rooted) is boot looping after the May OTA updates. Google support says to take it back to the store as it's still under warranty. Would the above fix work for my phone? Is it worth it, or should I just get a new one? This is already my second pixel as the first one died abruptly after 3 months.

 

[TonikJDK]

My pixel (stock, not rooted) is boot looping after the May OTA updates. Google support says to take it back to the store as it's still under warranty. Would the above fix work for my phone? Is it worth it, or should I just get a new one? This is already my second pixel as the first one died abruptly after 3 months.

Is the bootloader unlocked? If so I would certainly try flashing stock first. It can't hurt, and moments ago my Nexus 6 that I keep for backup was doing the same thing after the OTA. I just reflashed stock and it is fine now.

 

[moeREM]

Is the bootloader unlocked? If so I would certainly try flashing stock first. It can't hurt, and moments ago my Nexus 6 that I keep for backup was doing the same thing after the OTA. I just reflashed stock and it is fine now.

I think so, but am not 100% sure. Was bought unlocked from a retail shop. (Sorry, am a bit of a newb!)

 

[TENN3R]

So please let me understand
I am on 7.1.2 april (N2G47E), and if I want to update to may N2G47O the steps are:
- sideload ota
- flash new bootloader from may factory image
- twrp RC1 and supersu 2.79 sr3

Does this work or do I have to make something different?

 

[mark7807]

So please let me understand
I am on 7.1.2 april (N2G47E), and if I want to update to may N2G47O the steps are:
- sideload ota
- flash new bootloader from may factory image
- twrp RC1 and supersu 2.79 sr3

Does this work or do I have to make something different?

I'm having bootloops at the initial white google logo screen with SR3-SuperSU-v2.79-SR3-20170114223742.zip flash method on 7.1.2-May

Re: https://theunlockr.com/2017/02/01/root-google-pixel-pixel-xl/2/