Google Pixel 6 is reportedly getting bricked after factory reset

Google Pixel 6 held in hand
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Update 03/07: Google recently made a statement regarding the issue, including advice for how to avoid it.

ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS:

Google Pixel 6 users should hold off on factory resetting their phones due to a recent report from users claiming their phones have been bricked as a result.

Originally spotted by Tech-Issues Today some Pixel 6 users have reported on the Google support forums that their phones have entered a bootloop after factory resetting the phone. According to the forum thread, when trying to boot the phones an error message states “cannot load Android system. Your data may be corrupt. If you continue to get this message, you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all user data stored on this device” 

When users receive the error message, they can try again, but this secondary attempt rarely succeeds. The other issue is that further attempts to factory restore the phone often lead to more alarming messages, including the device missing critical files such as “tune2fs” or the phone failing to “enable ext4 verify.” Both of these systems are crucial to the running of the phone.

Google Pixel 6 bootloop

(Image credit: sadge pixel / Google Pixel Phone forum)

This issue does not appear to be a one-time glitch as users on Reddit have begun to report the same issue. The number of people having the fault would indicate that this is an issue with the software, rather than a hardware issue like the volume button fault in the Google Pixel 7. According to the support page thread, Google is aware of the fault and is looking into the problem. We have reached out to Google for comment and will update you when we have an answer. 

Thankfully, it doesn't appear that the Pixel 6a or Pixel 6 Pro currently have the same fault and there’s also no indication of the bug appearing on more current models like the Pixel 8

This kind of news is often concerning, but it will likely get a quick solution from Google. For now we would recommend holding off on factory resetting your device until there is a solution. Alternatively, if you decide to move to a new phone, we have a list of the best Android phones to help you pick your next device. 

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Mobile Cell Phones
Brand
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 110 deals
Filters
Arrow
Our Review
1
Google Pixel 8 Pro - 128 GB
Verizon
Our Review
2
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 512...
Samsung
Our Review
3
OnePlus 12,16GB...
Amazon
(512GB)
Our Review
5
OnePlus - 12 512GB (Unlocked)...
Best Buy
Our Review
6
Google Pixel 8a 128 GB
Visible
(128GB)
Our Review
7
Pixel 8 Pro Obsidian 128GB...
Google Store NA
Our Review
8
Google Pixel 8 Pro - 128 GB
AT&T Mobility
(256GB Silver)
Our Review
9
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra...
Walmart
(Black)
Our Review
10
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra...
Straight Talk
Show more
Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

Read more
The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix
Google Pixel 4a vs. OnePlus Nord
Google’s battery update is reportedly tanking the Pixel 4a — here’s what we know
Google Chromecast in TV
Chromecast fail — users across the world are saying that their Chromecasts are not working
Google Chromecast
Google has a fix for broken Chromecasts as long as you didn't factory reset
Woman using the Now Playing feature on a Google Pixel phone
Google Pixel’s hidden music identification feature is broken — and fans aren’t happy
Pixel Studio showing people illustration
Pixel Studio can finally generate people — and that's not the only change Google is bringing to Pixel phones
Latest in Google Phones
Google Pixel 9 Pro in hand
Epic Google sale on Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel Watch and more — 9 deals I’d buy with up to $400 off
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders could come with a free Google TV Streamer — what we know
The camera assembly on the Google Pixel 9
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix
Google Pixel 9a render
Google Pixel 9a will have to fix one crucial thing to hold off its low-cost rivals
Google Pixel 5 review
Google Pixel 10 lineup leaked in new renderings — here's what they look like
Latest in News
Hacker typing on laptop in darkened room
Hackers create "BRUTED" tool to attack VPNs – how to stay safe
Malware
Dangerous new password-stealing trojan automatically reinstalls itself on infected PCs
(L-R) Mark Eydelshteyn as Vanya and Mikey Madison as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva in "Anora"
Hulu top 10 movies — here's the 3 you need to stream right now
A detail view of a Wilson basketball bearing the March Madness logo
March Madness LIVE: watch and stream NCAA basketball, odds and build-up to First Four
Twisters movie (2024)
Prime Video just added this action-packed thriller with Glen Powell — stream 'Twisters' now
Gemini screenshot image
Gemini just became the ultimate collaborator — everything you need to know about this huge new upgrade