Probably about to brick my Pixel 2, how should I prepare?
Asked by
capet (
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August 9th, 2023
I’m about to try to use the Tasker Permissions app (https://tasker.joaoapps.com/userguide/en/help/ah_secure_setting_grant.html) to run some ADB commands that will affect my (factory reset) Pixel 2. It seems really safe, but I’m just assuming that I will mess it up and brick it somehow. I don’t have any important data on this phone.
Do you have any special precautions I should take before doing this? I was thinking I should make a Nandroid backup or something like that, and possibly perform certain unlocking-type steps on my phone while it’s still working.
More importantly, are there any likely brick scenarios that I should prepare for?
I was thinking that the easiest way might be to prepare to flash a factory image using instructions like this https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-unlock-flash-root-for-the-pixel-2-xl-taimen.3702418/), or potentially create a backup using instructions like this ((https://www.getdroidtips.com/twrp-root-pixel-2-pixel-2-xl/). Can you recommend any references to me? Am I headed in the right direction?
You’re probably thinking that I don’t have the skill level to be dealing with ADB commands and such like. Fair enough, but that’s why I wanted to use the Tasker app to sort of hold my hand through some minimal tweaks, rather than do something more complex myself.
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5 Answers
I’ve been using ADB since the original Pixel, but I have never seen a need to use Tasker; everything I did was with ADB’s command line structure. And I have been installing ROMs all the way back to the Nexus (pre Pixel) days.
YES to the nandroid backup. Absolutely 100%. And upload it to your PC or workstation for safekeeping.
Be patient – especially on a phone that old. Some processes take forever to finish and install before the phone is usable. The one time I cam close to bricking my phone was when it was taking too long (in my opinion) to load, and I power reset my phone, but it was actually trying to install the /system partition. I was able to recover (thank goodness for recovery mode and backups) but it was touch and go for a while.
The XDA link you pointed to is correct; I have followed that (or similar) processes forever. It will work.
As with anything of the sort, back up anything you are worried about loosing to two different locations.
Thanks @elbanditoroso ! I have a big favor to ask, you can say no if you want.
Could you explain the steps I would need to take in order to do this Nandroid backup? Or can you point me to a source that tells me EVERYTHING I need to do, and doesn’t assume I already have some other thing?
Maybe this is a good guide? https://www.getdroidtips.com/twrp-root-pixel-2-pixel-2-xl/
The absolute best guides that I have seen are on XDA-DEVELOPERS.COM – go to the forums, find your make/model of phone, and read all about what to do. Each phone model is a little different and has to be dealt with in an model-by-model way. For instance, Pixels are pretty simple, while Sanyo is a royal pain in the ass.
So I can give you broad outline, but the specific details are up to you.
1. Get the version of TWRP which is correct for your phone. https://twrp.me/
2. Root your phone https://magiskmanager.com/
3. Do a backup (part of TWRP)
4. Install new firmware if you want.
Thanks again @elbanditoroso! I think there’s a chance I will brick my phone when trying to root. Is there a way to create a backup without first rooting? I was hoping that I would be able to get away with unlocking the bootloader but not rooting, but I don’t really know what I’m talking about.
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