Android 14 is full of new features, including AI enhancements, the ability to use your phone as a webcam, and security upgrades. However, it apparently ships with a bug that can cause some Pixel phones to lose access to media storage, as well as potentially get stuck in a bootloop.
A bootloop occurs when a device cannot fully boot up. It attempts to, then something stops it from doing so, forcing it to try booting up again. This loops continues on and on, hence, bootloop. This particular Pixel bug stems from certain Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 devices that had multiple user profiles set up before updating to Android 14.
Luckily, Google has already addressed both issues. The company’s latest November update patches the media storage bug, so if that’s the only issue with your phone, you should be able to restore access after installing the update. However, for those suffering from the bootloop issue, an OTA update won’t be enough to shake your Pixel free. Instead, you need to manually install the patch using Google’s Pixel Repair Tool.
As reported by 9to5Google, Google released the patch on Friday, stating it can help both recover partial data for Pixels stuck in a bootloop, as well as let those devices access the November system update. It isn’t clear exactly what data will be recovered in this patch, but at least there is a solution for any Pixel affected.
How to break your Pixel out of this Android 14 bootloop
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The tool won’t be the same for all Pixel devices. Depending on which model you have, you’ll need to use one of two links:
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If you have an AT&T Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, or a Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, or Fold on a Japanese carrier, use this link.
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For any other model of Pixel or carrier, use this link.
Once on the Pixel Repair Tool page, hit “Get Started.” Once you do, the site will walk you through the steps necessary to set up your Pixel, including entering Fastboot mode, choosing Rescue mode, then plugging in your phone to your computer via USB. Once everything is in line, the site should detect your Pixel, and should allow you to begin installing the patch.
If you don’t feel comfortable using the Pixel Repair Tool yourself, you can reach out to Pixel Support for help. If you reached out to Google about the November update, you may hear from Pixel Support directly to help walk you through the process.