Fairphone 4 update to iodéOS 7.4

Installation Help
1

The procedure described in News does not seem to work in most cases, so we are providing some additional details here. Updating from version 6 to version 7.4 poses no problem if the bootloader is unlocked, and does not require formatting the data.

If the bootloader is locked, a factory reset (data format) will be required and the procedure described in News may not work. In that case there are two options for performing the update using a computer:

1. Completely reinstall the system by following these instructions starting from step 2, which requires bootloader unlocking (and, if wanted, relocking).

2. Flash the OTA update in recovery mode, which does not require bootloader unlocking:

  • Download the OTA update file.
  • Reboot in recovery mode: type on computer adb reboot recovery if you activated USB debugging, or reboot the system and hold on ‘Volume down’, then select ‘Recovery mode’.
  • Go to ‘Apply update’, then ‘Apply from ADB’.
  • Type on computer adb sideload iode-7.4-20260405-FP4-ota.zip. At the end answer ‘No’ to the question asked (reboot to recovery to install additional packages).
  • Go to ‘Factory reset’, then select ‘Format data/factory reset’.
  • Reboot to system.

In both cases you will have to download platform tools, and USB drivers if using Windows.

We are very sorry for the disagreement.

4 Likes
FP4: Iode 7 status / Issue Tracker?
2

If I flash 7.4 via ADB, do I still have to factory reset?

I confirmed that my bootloader is locked (adb reboot bootloader then fastboot getvar all) so I have no choice but to factory reset?

Thank you for the clarifications,

Best regards

3

Sorry, but there is no way to not wipe your userdata either via factory reset through Recovery after you sideload the OTA update (option 2 you are asking about), or instead by clean installation (option 1). I am assuming this is the reason you are asking :frowning:

4

ok, thanks for the information, I’m sure it’s out of your hands, all my updates so far have been seamless.

Any tips / tricks on a way to restore apps after an upgrade to 7.4, or is that entirely out of the question and I’ll be manually downloading all apps again?

Best regards,

5

Please use Seedvault! It is built in, will handle all app reinstalls (and even several system settings, etc.). But it will not restore app data for encrypted apps (messaging apps, thunderbird, etc. also I saw AntennaPod not restore). However, all of the apps that don’t restore data that I know of do have built-in app backup / restore options (or have cloud based configuration stored, so just need to re-login to them after restore).

Backup Steps:

  • Get all the backups from inside the apps you care about copied off the device
  • Get all the files you care about (pictures, documents, etc.) backed up off the device
  • Use “System Settings > System > Seevault” to make a backup and save it off the device
  • THEN after you are sure, back it all up again :slight_smile:

Restore Steps after upgrade / reinstall:

  • Copy Seedvault backup to phone and restore (restores apps)
  • Copy files (pictures, documents, etc.) back to phone
  • For apps with data not restored: copy app backups to device and restore from within apps
  • Login to other apps
  • Hopefully are you sitting good with a fresh system and all your data again!

Note: after apps are installed by Seedvault, the first time they have an update from Aurora they will not auto-update. You will have to tap “update” in Aurora for this time only (Aurora will only auto-install updates for apps installed within Aurora… but after the first manual update then the app will be seen as installed by Aurora and auto-update for the following updates).

1 Like
6

Is there any possible disadvantage of option 2 over 1? I always fear unlocking and relocking the bootloader with the FP4. I did it twice so far, so at the moment the bootloader is locked.

I prefer sideloading if there is no potential issue.

7

I’ve an esim in my phone, is seedvault working to restore it after update ? My provider do not allow to do a reactivation in my case (since I’m abroad)

Thanks for your answer

8

Is anybody else experiencing issues with telephony after upgrading to 7.4? Neither my eSIM nor my regular SIM are working for making or receiving calls. SMS and mobile data are unaffected.

9

Could it be related to APN settings?

Also just to know:

Did you had to reinstall your esim after update?

10

No clue about APN settings, never had to fiddle with those. I did not need to reinstall the eSIM. Though I did because I thought it would fix my phone issues.

11

For the APN settings, you can check on your phone provider documentation (APN + phone provider name on a search engine). Normally they are explained clearly!

Great for the eSIM not disabling after upgrading! Thanks for the info
Were your bootloader unlocked or locked?

12

As far as I can tell, there’s nothing wrong with the APN settings.

I was locked, though I took the route of unlocking and installing the fastboot package via ADB, then re-locking.

13

Okay that’s strange for the phone calls

Maybe with another phone app?

Thanks for the eSIM infos, I’m happy to see that I’ll be able to do the upgrade without loosing it!

14

Yeah I already tried a different phone app, same issue. Thanks for your suggestions anyway!

15

Hey,

I already updated to version 7.4

Now in updates there is shown an available version 7.4 from the 5th of April. My version seems to be from the 2nd of April.

What will happen if I install that upade?

16

I updated with option 2 and everything went smooth. eSIMs are there and telephone with the standard app and a regular SIM works.

I used the seedvault backup for the first time and was surprised how much it could recover. Nevertheless since it recovers a lot but not everything it is still a search through everything.

Thank you very much for keeping also the FP4 up to date!

1 Like
17

Hello,

The option n° 2 is working. No problem.

Thanks !