Not able to install any other OS on FP4

luemn_a

I've installed UT on my wife's FP4, she doesn't like it, arghh
I've tried to install FP factory OS but no luck. Device is unlocked

The following is the error given:

ERROR: The critical partitions are not unlocked.
Please refer to our support articles for help.
ERROR: Aborting now (press Enter to terminate).

So I though that I could try something else and this time I've tried CalyxOS and come up with another error:

5.1. Please use the volume and power keys on the device to unlock the bootloader (critical) -

Failed to unlock (critical) FP4 ed42d694 bootloader

TheVancedGamer

@luemn_a You can unlock critical partitions by executing fastboot flashing unlock_critical, then reflash FPOS and go on about installing any other OS.

luemn_a

said in Not able to install any other OS on FP4:

fastboot flashing unlock_critical

Thanks @TheVancedGamer

FAILED (remote: 'Flashing Unlock is not allowed')
fastboot: error: Command failed

MrT10001

Did you lock the bootloader when you had UT installed?

stanwood

@TheVancedGamer said in Not able to install any other OS on FP4:

Yes, maybe try in this order (in fastboot mode)

fastboot flashing unlock
fastboot flashing unlock_critical

The problem is that the "fastboot flash unlock" commands induce a complete deletion of Android data, whether it is the stock ROM or a custom ROM.

The present problem is that there is no Android ROM on this Fairphone.

Moreover, the system is equipped with an "anti rollback" feature that determines not to allow the installation of a ROM for which security patches are older than the previous one.

In addition, Ubuntu Touch uses recovery for OTA updates.

For all these reasons you should never relock a bootloader on a device running Ubuntu Touch.

I hope you'll manage to unbrick your device! If not, I suggest to call the Fairphone community on their dedicated forum. Others have experienced the same problem.

luemn_a

@luemn_a No, I don't recall that. Cheers

luemn_a

@MrT10001 "relock a bootloader on a device running Ubuntu Touch"

I haven't see that option after rebooting, its just plain and simple stuff using the GUI, I'm so confused :astonished_face:

MrT10001

@luemn_a What happens is you boot to the bootloader and run the command:

# WARNING: Do not execute the following command!!
# It is included only for information purposes only.
./fastboot oem lock

or

# WARNING: Do not execute the following command!!
# It is included only for information purposes only.
./fastboot flashing lock

This will lock the bootloader, and cause loads of problems to the point of bricking the device.

This question has been asked before in these forums along the line - if I have UT installed can I lock the bootloader?

If you do so you will find UT won't boot and likewise may have difficulty getting a ROM, even a stock ROM back on the device due to the bootloader version or as @stanwood pointed out, the anti rollback feature. (I have a moto g that I acquired that won't allow the bootloader to be unlocked as it has already been done and then relocked by the previous owner).

arubislander

@MrT10001
I added warnings to the commands in your post in case someone thinks they are to be executed.

MrT10001

@arubislander Thanks, I thought I had made it clear in the line I have just edited in bold..

I would not take the risk of locking the bootloader at all, to ensure the device is not bricked.

Some will and it will be fine, but a lot is down to which device. So far the only bricked devices I have are Nexus 5 and that is down to the eMMC failure and my lack of a reflow machine and micro solder skills!

arubislander

@MrT10001 said in Not able to install any other OS on FP4:

Thanks, I thought I had made it clear in the line I have just edited in bold..

The edit does make it stand out more.