The Google Nexus 5X smartphone from 2015 features a mediocre processors, a pretty good camera, and all the perks that generally come with a Nexus device, including stock Android software and OS updates delivered directly from Google.

Unfortunately, it also has a reputation for developing a “bootloop” problem, where the phone reboots and fails to get past the Google logo. The issue may be hardware-related, but it also apparently affects some Google Nexus 6P phones, even thought that device was built by a different manufacturer.

Now it looks like xda-developers forum member XCnathan32 has found a fix… although it’s an imperfect one

First up, this will only work on a device that already has an unlocked bootloader. Second, if it does work, you’ll end up with a phone that may be noticeably slower… but at least it’ll work.

So XCnathan32 suggests proceeding with his bootloop fix only if you’ve tried everything else you can think of (like performing a factory reset) with no luck.

So here’s the deal: the Nexus 5X has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 hexa-core processor and the Nexus 6P has a Snapdragon 810 octa-core chip. Both use ARM’s big.LITTLE technology, which means they have 4 low-power CPU cores paired with 2 or 4 higher-powered “BIG” cores.

This fix disables the BIG cores, which seems to allow the phones to boot properly. But you won’t get the same balance of power consumption/performance that you normally get with big.LITTLE chips.

You can follow XCnathan32’s guide for fixing the Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X for step-by-step directions. But in a nutshell, the process involves flashing a modified boot image and a modified version of TWRP custom recovery. There are also custom kernels designed to use 4 cores instead of 6 or 8.

If your phone is still under warranty, you should probably just contact LG, Huawei, or Google to see if you can get it repaired or replaced. But if it’s out-of-warranty, 4 working cores may be better than 8 non-working ones.

via /r/Android

 

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7 replies on “Now you can “fix” a bootlooping Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P”

  1. “If your phone is still under warranty, you should probably just contact LG”

    Now THAT is a funny joke! Hilarious!

  2. This is both good and bad… For one, some people can at least get some of their data back. Then again, it sounds like some defective Nexus phones are about to start hitting ebay in 3…2…1…

  3. Thankfully I haven’t experienced this yet with my 6P, but I have had the random shut down/battery issue which got me a replacement from Google. Then that replacement failed just recently when my LTE radio stopped working so I am awaiting delivery of yet another replacement unit. Glad to get timely replacement, but pretty disappointing quality IMO (especially with the battery since that seems to effect a number of users per threads on Reddit and elsewhere).

    1. I loved my 6P. Premium look and feel. Fast and smooth operation. Very good low light camera. I paid $450 for the 64gb, new from B&H. I kept reading these horror stories about the mic problems and bootloop problems so after 4 1/2 mths I sold it to a guy who had his 5X go into bootloop mode. I got $380 for it and 2 cases so I can’t complain about that. I will not pay what Google wants for a Pixel, especially with only 2 yrs of support. If Google wants a premium price than they need to do some things that Apple does. The ability to purchase a second year of warranty AND the warranty goes with the phone and doesn’t end when the original owner sells it and longer support. Apple currently supports its phones for 5 years.

  4. The “fix” is to contact Google: even though my 5X was out of warranty, they replaced it…
    That’s great customer service you won’t get from Apple!

    1. I had a friend who bought a used iPhone 4 for very cheap because it had a broken home button and scratched camera. It was 13.5 months old, out of warranty. No receipts.

      He took it into an Apple store.
      They agreed to fix it, and fix it for free.
      Instead Apple took his phone, and gave him a Brand New one.

      People can say what they want to say; Apple truly is the king when it comes to smartphone support.

  5. These are the type of community mods that got me excited about XDA Developers in the first place!!!

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