Flashing GSI via DSU Loader: Device Stuck in Fastboot Mode [Fix]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the issue of the device being stuck in Fastboot Mode after flashing a GSI ROM via DSU Loader. With Android 10, Google introduced the concept of Dynamic System Updates and for the end users, its first applicability was to be seen in the next iteration of the OS. If you ever stumbled upon the Developer Options on your device running Android 11+, then you would come across a feature titled DSU Loader.

This feature comes preloaded with a few GSI files from Google that you could download and install onto your device right away. After all, who wouldn’t like to welcome a new ROM without the need to execute those technical ADB and Fastboot Commands on their PC? However, this is just half the story. Before you could try out any of the GSI ROMs from DSU, you will first have to unlock the device’s bootloader.

Unfortunately, this is one fact that isn’t mentioned anywhere- neither in the DUS Loader section nor even on Google’s DSU Requirements page. As a result of which, users end up flashing it on their locked bootloader and they are then stuck either in the Fastboot screen or with a “Your device is corrupt” error screen. If you are also in the same boat, then this guide shall help you out. Follow along for the fixes.

Flashing GSI via DSU Loader: Device Stuck in Fastboot Mode

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

FIX 1: Switch Slots

In most cases, it’s just the issue of your current active partition being corrupted. So all that you need to do is switch over to the working inactive slot and then make it the active one. Here’s how it could be done

1. Download and extract the Android SDK Platform Tools.
2. Then connect your device to the PC via USB cable.
3. Now boot your device to Fastboot Mode [Power and Volume Up or Down for 10+ seconds].
4. Then execute the below command to change slots:

   fastboot set_active other

   

5. Finally, use the below command to boot your device to the OS

   fastboot reboot

6. Check if it fixes the device being stuck in Fastboot Mode after flashing a GSI ROM via DSU Loader.

FIX 2: Flash Stock Firmware [When OS is not accessible]

If your device is stuck in a bootloop and is unable to boot to the OS, then you have no choice but to flash the stock firmware on your Pixel device. Generally, there are three different methods through which you could carry out the said task- via ADB Sideload, using Fastboot Commands, and via the Android Flash Tool.

But as of now, you cannot use Android Flash Tool as it requires you to enable USB Debugging which is not possible due to your current state of the device. So ADB Sideload and Fastboot are the only two methods that you could opt for. In this regard, if you could access the stock recovery, then you could use the ADB Sideload method. However, if you could only access the Fastboot Mode, then you have no choice but to try out the Fastboot method.

Now it comes down to two scenarios- a locked and unlocked bootloader. If your device’s bootloader is unlocked, then you could easily flash the stock firmware via the Fastboot Commands/flash-all.bat file. However, if the bootloader is locked, then it might be a tough job in unlocking it since you wouldn’t be able to enable OEM Unlocking. Anyways, we would still recommend you give it a shot and if it works out, then you would then be able to easily carry out the flashing process.

How to Unlock the Bootloader on Google Pixel 6A
How to Unlock Bootloader on Google Pixel 6/6 Pro

How to Use ADB Sideload in Android [Stock and TWRP Recovery]
Flash Stock Firmware on Google Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands
Flash Stock Firmware on Pixel 6A via Fastboot Commands

As soon as you flash the stock firmware, your device will boot to the OS. And this should fix the issue of the device being stuck in Fastboot Mode after flashing a GSI ROM via DSU Loader.

FIX 3: Using ADB Commands [When OS is accessible]

While this is the easiest method to remove the Warning message, however, it will only work on devices that could be booted to the OS. In the current state,  that might not be the case with most of you out there. That’s why I have listed this fix in the end. Anyways, here’s how you could give it a try.

STEP 1: Install Android SDK

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging

Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging so that your device is recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.

STEP 3; Execute the ADB Command

1. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter.
3. This will launch the Command Prompt. Type in the below command [double quotes are mandatory]

   adb reboot "dm-verity enforcing"

   

4. Your Pixel 6 Pro will now boot to the OS and you will no longer get the ‘Your device is corrupt It can’t be trusted’ error.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the issue of the device being stuck in Fastboot Mode after flashing a GSI ROM via DSU Loader. We have listed three different methods for the same. If you have any queries concerning any of these three methods, then do let us know in the comments section below.

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