Reports have recently surfaced on the internet from Pixel 6 owners claiming that their device suddenly bricks after performing a factory reset. Doing so results in an error message stating that the Android system cannot be loaded and that the smartphone's data may be corrupted.
This isn't an issue exclusive to the standard model, though. Several Reddit posts show the Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 Pro are also affected, while older and newer Pixel lines appear to be working fine.
The error message recommends performing another reset to wipe all user data. But according to YouTuber OF Tech, who experienced this issue on his device, restarting it a second time doesn't work. The phone remains inoperative.
OF Tech eventually shared his experience on the Pixel Phone help page, stating that he tried other solutions, though none of them worked. He tried using Google’s Android Flash Tool, but it failed because his Pixel 6 is OEM-locked.
Lost Files
It is not known what is behind the crashing issue, though there are clues. OF Tech shared close-up photos of his phone's screen and the error indicates that a file called “tune2fs” is missing. tune2fs is a Linux command line that allows administrators to configure file system parameters. Others have also reported that the same file is missing.
The cause of tune2f2’s disappearance is a complete mystery in itself, but many agree that it may have to do with an Android 15 beta build. Which version is to blame is a matter of debate, though. Some point to the second beta build, while others point to the third and stable build. Or, as 9To5Google points out, it may not even be an Android issue, as many reports fail to mention the operating system.
Needless to say, it's a huge mess, because people are trying to get to the bottom of things.
How to avoid bricking
Fortunately, Google is fully aware of the situation and is currently working on a fix. The patch may take some time to roll out, as the company has not provided a release date. Therefore, to help Pixel 6 owners, Google has published recommendations on what users can do to prevent their smartphones from getting bricked.
They suggest “leaving the device on and idle for 15 minutes after it has restarted following” an update. You can proceed to factory reset your Pixel 6 without any issues once the time is up. Conversely, you can reset it before installing a patch. For people whose phone is already bricked, they’ll have to wait for the fix to arrive whenever it may be.
We reached out to Google for more information on when users can expect the patch. Unfortunately, they didn't give us much information, as they directed us to the same recommendations page on their help website for Pixel phones.
Be sure to check out TechRadar's list of the best Pixel phones for 2024.
