[Updated] Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a bricking after factory reset, Google investigating

Update 22/07/24: Google has updated its official statement with the following notice:

We’ve identified a solution for people experiencing issues after factory resetting your Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a. Please contact us via phone or chat for additional support.

However, I did spot a Reddit thread where users are discussing their experience with the problem. Google’s customer support response has been largely unsatisfactory, with representatives offering various excuses and, in some cases, quoting high repair costs. This has led to widespread frustration among users, with many expressing reluctance to purchase Pixel phones in the future.

While some users, particularly those in countries with strong consumer protection laws, have successfully obtained replacements, others have been left seeking alternative solutions. These range from using the Pixel Repair Tool to attempting to install custom ROMs, though such methods may be limited by locked bootloaders. The situation has also sparked discussions about consumer rights in different regions and highlighted the disadvantage Pixel users face due to the lack of physical Google stores or widespread authorized repair centers compared to competitors like Apple and Samsung.

Update 03/07/24: Google has released the following statement:

Hi Pixel Community,

We’ve recently received reports from some users who have run into issues factory resetting their Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a after they take the latest system update. We understand that factory resetting isn’t something many users do regularly, but because we care about your experience and want to keep you informed, we would like to share these additional details with you:

• To avoid this issue, we recommend leaving your device powered on and idle for 15 minutes after it has rebooted following a system update. After that time you may factory reset your device. Alternatively, you can factory reset your device before taking the latest system update.

• If you’ve already factory reset your Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a and are experiencing issues, stay tuned to this thread for further information and updates. The team has identified the root cause of the issue and is working on developing the best possible solution.

Our teams are actively working to fix this issue. We appreciate your patience and support.

Thanks,

The Google Pixel Support Team

Original article follows:

A growing number of Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a users are reporting a troubling issue where their phones are bricking and becoming unusable after attempting a factory reset. The problem seems to have surged recently, with numerous threads appearing on Reddit and the Google Pixel support community.

Affected users are encountering an error message during the reset process, often mentioning “Unable to enable ext4 verity” and a missing “tune2fs” file. After this error, the phone either gets stuck in Android Recovery mode or enters a bootloop, rendering it unusable.

The issue is not limited to a specific model or software version, with reports coming from users across the entire Pixel 6 lineup and various Android updates. This has led to speculation that a recent software or firmware update might be the root cause.

Frustratingly, many affected users have found themselves out of warranty, with Google offering costly paid repairs or replacements, citing motherboard issues. This has sparked outrage among users who believe the problem is software-related and should be covered by Google. Below is a video shared by one of those affected:

However, there’s a glimmer of hope. In the Google Pixel support community, a product expert has confirmed that the issue has been escalated to the relevant team, and it is currently under investigation. While no official solution or timeline has been provided yet, this acknowledgment offers some reassurance to affected users.

For now, Pixel 6 users may want to avoid factory resetting their phones until further notice. If you have already encountered the issue, reaching out to Google support or visiting an authorized repair center might be your only options.

The Pixel 6 series, powered by Google’s first custom Tensor chip, was already facing criticism for various bugs and performance issues. This latest problem further tarnishes the reputation of the once-promising flagship line.

As the investigation unfolds, Pixel 6 users will be hoping that their devices can be restored to functionality without incurring hefty repair costs.

Featured image: Amazon