Stock fp3(+) (factory reset) boot loop (workarounds in first post)

Help Fairphone 3
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Hi everyone.

Currently, there are three known solutions to this issue. Which one works for you depends on many factors, including how long it takes for your device to reboot after you unlock it.

Solution 1 - Deinstall Google Play Services updates

You can find a great summary with screenshots in EN and DE here, courtesy of @urs_lesse.

Solution 2 (NOT recommended) - Downgrade Google Play Services via adb

While effective, this solution relies on downloading an apk (file used to install an app) from a third party. We cannot guarantee the integrity of the software provided by the third party, and if you choose to try this solution, it is at your own risk. I will not link the instructions in this comment but you can find them in previous comments in this thread.

Solution 3. Manually uninstall Qualcomm Location Services.

This is quite similar to the above because it requires a computer which you can use to run some commands.

Part 1 - Enable USB Debugging

  1. Connect your Fairphone to your computer, using a USB data cable.
  2. On your phone, go to Settings → About phone.
  3. Press Build number seven times until you see a small message telling you that Developer mode is enabled.
  4. Go to Settings → System → Advanced → Developer options and tap on USB debugging to enable it. You will be asked to confirm that you want to enable it, as well as to allow debugging on this computer. Make sure to select “Always allow from this computer” and press Allow.

Can’t get to all the settings fast enough? You can save some time by opening the Settings from your lock screen. Before unlocking, swipe down to open the notification bar and tapping on the “Settings” wheel icon. You will be prompted for your unlock method and this will be the moment when the timer to restart starts running.

Part 2 - Install the command line tool ADB on the computer.

  1. Download ADB from here.
  2. Locate downloaded archive.
  3. Extract the “platform-tools” folder from the archive and move it do your desktop.
  4. Start a command line app - Command Prompt (Windows) or a Terminal (macOS/Linux).
  5. In the command line, type cd FolderLocation and press the “Enter :leftwards_arrow_with_hook:” key.
    Instead of “FolderLocation”, type in the location of the folder on your desktop. It should look something like this:
    • Windows: cd C:\Users\MyUserName\Desktop\platform-tools
    • MacOS & Linux: cd ~/Desktop/platform-tools

Part 3 - Uninstall Qualcomm Location Services

In the command line, run the following two commands:

adb shell
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.qualcomm.location

Note: If you’re running macOS or Linux, use ./adb shell above instead.

That’s it! Reboot your phone once more for good measure and the issue should be resolved.

If you cannot enable USB debugging because your phone restarts too quickly, or if you’re having trouble with the steps which require a computer, you have two options:

  1. Contact a Fairphone Angel (if there is one nearby). They might be able to assist you.
  2. Perform a Factory reset and go back to Solution 1 above.

We will continue to actively monitor the situation and share updates if there’s new information.

Thank you.

 
P.S. Other brands were also affected.

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