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Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
Tinkering with Android phones<\/a> has become an increasingly complex endeavor, as phone brands and Google step up software protections. Unfortunately, it sounds like owners of older Pixel phones<\/a> are facing a dead-end with their bricked devices.<\/p>\n Redditor Special-Lecture7984<\/a> claimed that they\u2019ve encountered dozens of bricked old Pixel phones at their repair store in Russia and over 100 at partner stores. These devices include the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 range, and Pixel 8 family. The user also pointed to a Google Issue Tracker thread<\/a> that started way back in March.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Redditor claims that these devices are bricked in one of four ways: when users try \u201cswitching slots,\u201d flashing certain Android ROMs, downgrading the OS, or after installing the June 2025 update. The latter issue is particularly concerning as it suggests that some older phones might be bricked due to Google\u2019s own update.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the user claims that Google isn\u2019t providing the recovery bootloader images that would unbrick these devices. They claim that Google cited \u201csecurity reasons\u201d for the refusal to provide these images.<\/p>\n Have you ever bricked your smartphone?<\/p>\n 12 votes<\/p>\n Yes, more than once<\/p>\n 17%<\/p>\n Yes, but only once<\/p>\n 25%<\/p>\n No, I haven’t<\/p>\n 58%<\/p>\n I’m not sure<\/p>\n 0%<\/p>\n \u201cMany users have questioned this explanation, noting that recovery bootloaders are generally identical to shipped bootloaders except for the signature, so no new attack surface would be introduced,\u201d the user asserted.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve asked Google about this issue and whether it plans to offer recovery bootloader images. We\u2019ll update the article as soon as the company responds to our email. Nevertheless, we hope the company takes some concrete action, especially for people who may have had issues after installing the June 2025 update. But this would also be a major help for tinkerers or people who simply aren\u2019t happy with the latest update.<\/p>\n