How I installed /e/OS 3.7 DEGOOGLE system on Fairphone 6 (Android 16 stock) – complete walkthrough & fixes
Hi everyone,
I want to share my experience installing /e/OS 3.7.3 (Android 15) on a Fairphone 6 that came with Android 16 (build FP6.QREL.16.69.0, security patch May 5, 2026). It was a bit with some difficulties, but I finally succeeded. This post is not only about the technical steps – it also shows how an AI assistant gave contradictory, wrong, and sometimes dangerous advice. Hopefully this helps others avoid the same traps.
Very quick summary of what I did before the big problems
These steps were fine – no issues here:
- Prepared the Ubuntu computer
sudo apt install android-sdk-platform-tools- Verified
adbandfastbootwork.
- Unlocked the bootloader
- Enabled OEM unlocking and USB debugging in developer options.
adb reboot bootloader→fastboot flashing unlock→ confirmed on phone.- Everything was erased – expected.
- Downloaded and verified the ROM
IMG-e-3.7.3-a15-20260506618655-official-FP6.zip- Checked MD5 and SHA256 sums (they matched official values).
- Tried to flash
/e/OScd ~/Descargas/eos_fp6→sudo ./flash_FP6_factory.sh
And here is where the nightmare began.
What went wrong (and what I learned)
- Web installer is a trap – It always gets stuck at step 22/92% on FP6…
- I almost believed my phone was bricked – Some suggested paying 50€ to Fairphone support. But my phone was detected in fastboot,
Device unlocked: true,get_unlock_ability: 1. That means it’s NOT bricked. - Bootloop after flashing – The phone kept rebooting between Fairphone logo and bootloader warning.
- No access to Recovery Mode – Selecting “Recovery mode” from fastboot just returned to the same menu.
What finally worked (manual method – no web installer)
I used a good USB data cable (not a charging‑only cable) and a USB 2.0 port on my computer. I did the normal installation These are the steps that saved my phone:
1. Check device state
bash
fastboot devices
fastboot oem device-info
fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability
2. Change active slot (this fixed the bootloop!)
bash
fastboot set_active other
fastboot reboot
If it still doesn’t boot, continue with manual flashing.
3. Flash essential partitions (assuming slot a is active – adjust letter if needed)
bash
fastboot flash boot_a boot.img
fastboot flash vendor_boot_a vendor_boot.img
fastboot flash dtbo_a dtbo.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_a vbmeta.img
fastboot flash vbmeta_system_a vbmeta_system.img
fastboot flash super super.img
fastboot flash init_boot_a init_boot.img # if present
fastboot flash recovery_a recovery.img
4. Wipe user data
bash
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase metadata
5. Reboot
bash
fastboot reboot
After first boot – important step
- Insert your SIM before the first boot (or immediately after, then reboot). This helps the system configure APNs automatically.
Bootloader – DO NOT LOCK IT
I left the bootloader unlocked. The warning message at startup is harmless and doesn’t affect daily use. Locking it with a ROM that has an older security patch could cause a real brick.
Tools that helped
fastbootcommands – manual flashing is more reliable than the web installer.- A spare USB cable and trying different ports solved many “stuck” errors.
sudo killall fastboot adbbefore retrying a failed flash.
Final thoughts
I’m now running /e/OS on my Fairphone 6 with ZERO Google! and everything works!! If you’re stuck in a bootloop, don’t panic – first try changing the active slot. Don’t trust any assistant that says your phone is bricked without running fastboot oem device-info. And please avoid the web installer on FP6.
I hope this helps someone. Thank you for your attention and remember to help Free Palestine, support Resistance, support Justice.
