Fairphone 5 bricked while attempting to install Ubuntu Touch

iz_zi

Greetings UBports Community,

While attempting to install Ubuntu Touch my Fairphone 5 was not responding to the bootloader being unlocked so I thought that locking it and then unlocking it would resolve the issue.

Upon reboot the phone said that the bootloader was not trusted and proceeded to become stuck in fastboot with no access to recovery.

I attempted to use…
fastboot flashing unlock
fastboot flashing unlock_critical
fastboot oem unlock

to no avail.

Currently I have reached out to Fairphone Support and am hoping to hear back to if they can help me with this issue.

Hope that people will some how avoid this in the future.

kugiigi

If it still boots to fastboot then I guesd you can run the installer again? If the screen says it's "untrusted" then it means it's already unlocked.

sixwheeledbeast

It doesn't seem bricked from what you have said.
If bootloader is unlocked try the installer again, maybe from another machine or try another port or usb lead.

iz_zi

@kugiigi @sixwheeledbeast

Fastboot says that the phone is locked.
I locked it without thinking that the bootloader could be corrupt after flashing the phone with a fresh copy of Fairphone Android 13 before installing ubtouch.

I’ve tried reflashing with Fairphone Android 13 multiple times and the flashing cannot take place with a locked bootloader.

I am able to put the device into EDL mode but the lack of a public loader is what makes that difficult.

I’ve attempted other EDL loaders that are from chips that are similar to the the qcm6490 with no success.

Keneda

@iz_zi
I guess you downgraded your Fairphone 5 from 14 to 13 for installing UT.

Sad you didn't get the info before but :

You MUST let bootloader unlocked for being able to install AND run Ubuntu Touch on most devices (I think only volla devices sold preinstalled with UT have bootloader locked and can run like that).

When you downgrade Android version on recent android devices like FP5, YOU MUST NOT relock bootloader, because of the "anti rollback protection" google imposed on recent devices specifications.
There is a warning for that particular case ("downgrading", which can be on the same android version, because most important here is the security patch date) on the Fairphone website downgrade/manual install tutorial.

Sadly your only way now is to contact FairPhone support.

kaelte

Welcome to the club.
Being afraid by the security warning, I locked the bootloader after having had installed Ubuntu Touch.

Solution
Contact the Support via Chat and ask them to create a return request for you.

Unfortunately, it seems that installing a third party operating system (OS) has damaged critical system files on your Fairphone. This means that standard commands cannot be used to unlock it or install another OS.

The good news is that we can fix this in our repair center in France. We have access to special tools which allow us to install new software even on a locked device. Keep in mind that since the damage was caused by a third party OS, this repair will not be covered by your manufacturing warranty.

The costs will be between €25 - €35 for Assessment & handling costs. Shipping costs are separate and vary by country (Read more about shipping costs).

I paid €50 including shipping from Germany to France via UPS.

arubislander

The Fairphone 5 has anti-rollback protection, which will be activated if the bootloader is relocked at any time after downgrading from Android 14. So it is critical not to relock the bootloader at any point in the process or after.

Mario.CH

@ the readers

By the way, in this context: Warning message after unlocking the bootloader.

Although most people would disagree with the following statement, I would like to publish this comment.
In our market economy, warnings from manufacturers are primarily legal safeguards and only secondarily warnings to consumers.
So don't panic as long as you know what you are doing and why you are doing something that contravenes the warning.
=> Please note (my safeguard ) It's your own fault, it may cost you something if you do it!

Nevertheless, have fun tinkering with your devices.

Greetings Mario

Keneda

@arubislander said in Fairphone 5 bricked while attempting to install Ubuntu Touch:

which will be activated if the bootloader is relocked at any time after downgrading from Android 14

Important to say that even if not downgraded from 14 and UT directly installed on a "native" android 13 FP5 (FP5 shipped with A13), bootloader must not be relocked, because UT's not signed on FP5.

arubislander

@Keneda Sure, but in such cases unlocking the bootloader again restores function. In case of triggering the anit-rollback protection, the device is well and truly bricked.