GoKawiilOne of my everlasting fears when I join a new Android beta is the risk of bricking my phone by applying a corrupt update from Google. We’ve seen so many bootlooping Pixels over the years, with some updates or beta versions being pulled or delayed while Google fixes the issues and re-releases a proper version.
But a bootlooping Pixel is not the end of the world. There are two official online tools that can help you save your bricked Pixel — the Android Flash Tool and a lesser-known Pixel Update and Software Repair Tool.
Here’s when and how you can use these tools.
The Android Flash Tool
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
If you’ve ever flashed a Pixel from scratch, you’re probably familiar with the ADB method, or you might have used the Android Flash Tool. This official website saves you from setting up ADB and using a terminal interface (if, like me, you’re not comfortable with it) and democratizes the flashing process.
Google walks you through the entire process, explaining how to install the required Google USB Driver (only on Windows — Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS work out of the box), unlock your bootloader, connect your phone to the computer, and once it detects it, it lets you pick the exact build you want to flash and applies it.
It’s essentially as straightforward as that, but you need to keep a few requirements in mind. You might have to put your Pixel in Fastboot (turn it off, then turn it back on while pressing the volume down button) to help the Flash Tool detect it properly, especially if it’s bootlooping. You could also run into connectivity issues with USB hubs and cables; the best thing is to avoid all hubs and intermediaries and connect your phone directly to your computer. Try different cables if the site doesn’t detect your phone.
But this is the most important limitation: because this tool flashes a complete Android factory image, it will erase all data and requires your phone’s bootloader to be unlocked. If your Pixel just started bootlooping and you didn’t unlock the bootloader in Developer Options beforehand, you won’t be able to do much. It won’t work if your phone is carrier-locked and the operator greys out bootloader unlocking, either. In those cases, the second website is your friend.
Google Pixel Update and Software Repair
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