Pixel 2 XL stuck at boot screen

[quietlybrilliant]

My Pixel 2 XL filled up with photos and videos while I was traveling and roaming (I didn’t realize that I had to specifically enable back up while roaming, in addition to backup over data) and when it was too full, all apps started crashing and when I restarted it because it became unresponsive it got stuck on the boot screen. I tried waiting over night, etc.

My suspicion is that this problem is because there is not enough space to write and copy certain files required during boot. This suspicion was corroborated by a technician by a service Google support recommended to me. But that technician did not know what to do and it appears he has to do the same research I have to do.

I asked the question on Google support forum and the only answer was that there may be a way to avoid factory reset by “side loading an OTA update”. Can someone tell me more about this option and how to do it and how safe it is (in terms of not erasing my data)?

Alternatively, are there any other things I could try?

 

[Mike Dee]

I've never heard of a phone not booting because of little memory left... Not saying it's impossible just never heard that one.
Can you try to get it into Safe Mode if you haven't already tried?

 

[quietlybrilliant]

Do you mean Recovery mode? I tried that by pressing the volume down button while booting, then selecting Recovery. There is a dead droid appearing, then multiple options become available after pressing volume up and power again. One option is factory reset, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid because it erases all data.

I’m pretty sure that it has to do with the phone being absolutely full. There was no storage left, all apps started crashing, I could not erase files fast enough before apps started crashing again and again.

I just don’t want to loose those photos and videos. Unless the OS erased data on the device (for which there is NO reason to believe), there must be a way to access these media but there is ZERO information about this on the internet.

 

[TraderGary]

Safe mode will do a boot without loading anything other than what is absolutely necessary.

1. Press and hold the physical START button on the side of the Pixel.
2. When the menu comes up that says "Power Off" and "Restart" tap and hold "Restart".
3. A dialog box will appear describing safe mode. Press OK.

Hopefully there will now be enough memory for you to recover.

 

[Mike Dee]

Do you mean Recovery mode? I tried that by pressing the volume down button while booting, then selecting Recovery. There is a dead droid appearing, then multiple options become available after pressing volume up and power again. One option is factory reset, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid because it erases all data.

I’m pretty sure that it has to do with the phone being absolutely full. There was no storage left, all apps started crashing, I could not erase files fast enough before apps started crashing again and again.

I just don’t want to loose those photos and videos. Unless the OS erased data on the device (for which there is NO reason to believe), there must be a way to access these media but there is ZERO information about this on the internet.

No...safe mode as described by TraderGary

 

[quietlybrilliant]

2. When the menu comes up that says "Power Off" and "Restart" tap and hold "Restart".

Sadly that menu doesn't come up for me when I press and hold the power button on the side of the pixel. I think that's only the case when one presses and holds the power button while the phone is on and one is logged in, but I can't get it to that state.

 

[TraderGary]

Have you tried a USB connection to your PC?

 

[quietlybrilliant]

Have you tried a USB connection to your PC?

Yes, Android File Transfer on my Mac does not see the device. My best guess is that one needs to be logged in on the phone for the phone's file system to be visible from the Mac.

I could cry right now. And I'm also so puzzled because if the files are still on the phone, how can it be that one can't somehow take them off? Rip out the physical memory, hook it up to a computer, provide the pass code, done? Someone in the world, possibly at Google, must be able to do this. I'd pay more than the price of the phone to get there...

 

[TraderGary]

When talking to Google have you asked for the highest level of support? Try asking for a manager and tell him/her your situation.

 

[TraderGary]

Have you fully charged your phone as it will charge when off?

 

[GSDer]

I'm also so puzzled because if the files are still on the phone, how can it be that one can't somehow take them off?

The filesystem is encrypted - unless the device boots to the point where you can enter your PIN/Password/Pattern to unlock it you aren't getting access to any of the files on the device. No one else, including Google, is going to be able to access it either (not without a warrant anyway).

When the device is booting it needs to copy files from ROM to storage, along with creating temporary files for use during the session. If you have filled storage to the point where that can't happen then bad things start occurring: device slowdown, apps crashing and finally OS failure. You should have received warnings that your device was getting full.

 

[quietlybrilliant]

Why can’t Google access it if I give them my PIN?

Alternatively, why can’t I enter it when using another method to access the data, not relying on the working phone?

I don’t understand how the data are tied to the hardware, but I do understand how they are tied to my PIN.

 

[Mike Dee]

Why can’t Google access it if I give them my PIN?

Alternatively, why can’t I enter it when using another method to access the data, not relying on the working phone?

I don’t understand how the data are tied to the hardware, but I do understand how they are tied to my PIN.

If you're referring to your unlock pin that is only to get into your phone from the lock screen.

 

[quietlybrilliant]

OK so the consensus is that there is no way to access the data on my phone, even when they're still intact? It just seems preposterous to me.

 

[TraderGary]

Were you able to get in touch with Google highest level support? I'd want to hear what they say. Don't settle for the first level who only know how to read to you what it says on their support sheets for standard problems.

 

[TraderGary]

I wonder what would happen if you got a replacement and then tried to load the data to the new phone?

 

[Mike Dee]

OK so the consensus is that there is no way to access the data on my phone, even when they're still intact? It just seems preposterous to me.

I know it's frustrating but as indicated by others before the data is encrypted and if you can't get past boot up nothing is recognized anyway.

 

[Mike Dee]

I wonder what would happen if you got a replacement and then tried to load the data to the new phone?

If that could be done we wouldn't have to wait for a new phone. We could just load it onto a PC. As a simple explanation, the problem is nothing is recognized until it gets past the boot up stage.

 

[TraderGary]

You're right. It's a Catch 22. He first has to be able to boot.

 

[TraderGary]

The only thought I have is that you have made certain it is fully charged?