Reboot loop after update 1.2.8 - userdata access still possible?

Help Fairphone 2
8

Sorry, @Mixn, I’ve been busy these days. Hope I’m not late.

I think you have some misconception about TWRP. It is a little recovery system that should be installed on the device. The Fairphone Team has adapted this software to the FP2 and ships it in FP Open OS by default. For installing TWRP, you should put your phone into a passive mode called “fastboot mode”, and commmunicate with it from your computer through a little command line program called, fastboot.

Here’s a step-by-step guide. I assume you have little-to-nothing knowledge of computers and I’m writing this as clear and easy as I can. If you are not sure about some step/s, ask before taking the risk. Better safe than sorry.

Prerequisites

  • Latest fastboot command installed on your computer.
    • If you are using any version of Windows, I suggest this minimal ADB and fastboot installation. Jump to the Downloads section, download and execute the exe file and follow instructions.
  • Get fastboot images of FP Open OS from here. Jump to the Method 2: Using fastboot section and download the zip file.

Installation of TWRP without erasing userdata partition

Installing the complete FP Open OS erases all your data, so we’ll install only the part we want, the TWRP recovery.

  1. Boot your phone into fastboot mode: hold the Volume Down button while you power on the phone until you see a black screen with the Fairphone logo on the middle.
  2. Connect the phone to a computer using a USB cable.
  3. Extract the contents of the zip file (right-click on the file and select the Extract here option).
  4. Open a command-line shell inside that folder.
  • A quick way to get to the command prompt in Windows is to hold down the
    Shift key and right-click inside a folder (when no
    files are selected) and select the Open command window here.
  1. Run fastboot devices to check if your phone is listed.
  2. Then run fastboot flash recovery recovery.img and wait until it finish.

Recovering the data through TWRP and MTP

Last section left your Fairphone in “fastboot mode”. We’ll reboot the phone to the “recovery mode” (where TWRP system resides) and copy the data to a computer through cable (via MTP).

  1. Hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until the phone reboots and you see a black screen with the Fairphone logo on the middle. Afterwards, the phone will boot into TWRP.
  • TWRP has a lock screen feature. The screen will switch off after some seconds. Don’t worry, just unlock it normally: press the Power button and swipe to unlock.
  1. With the phone connected to a PC, open your file manager on the latter. Your phone should be listed somewhere as a removable device, like a camera or a USB drive.
  2. Search for your files or photos: copy them to your computer normally. Photos should be on the path DCIM/Camera/. WhatsApp pictures and videos are stored on the WhatsApp/Media/ folder.
  3. Power off the phone: tap on the “Reboot” option and tap again on “Power Off”.

Good luck recovering your photos! If you need further instructions restoring your system, just tell me, :wink:

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