# Pixel 7 can't relock bootloader after iodé install **URL:** \ **Category:** Installation Help\ **Created:** [5 March 2025 14:50 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604 "2025-03-05T14:50:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gvgndr](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@gvgndr](https://community.iode.tech/u/gvgndr)\ **Post date:** [5 March 2025 14:50 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/1 "2025-03-05T14:50:33Z")
Hello there, I have successfully installed iodé on a Pixel 7, following the officials instructions and using the latest build (iode-6.0-20250131-panther-fastboot.zip). It went well, except the bootloader can’t be locked. `fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability` returns `get_unlock_ability: 1`. But when I run `fastboot flashing lock` I get ```auto FAILED (remote: 'invalid android images, skip locking') fastboot: error: Command failed ``` I see that on the /e os install guide for the device there is an AVB custom key to download and flash with fastboot ([Install /e/OS on a Google Pixel 7 - “panther”](https://doc.e.foundation/devices/panther/install)). I can confirm that /e os is able to lock the bootloader on this device. But I guess this key will only work with /e, right? ---
**Author:** ![anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/u/anon69256621)\ **Post date:** [9 March 2025 17:48 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/2 "2025-03-09T17:48:19Z")
I have actually the same problem that I can not lock the bootloader but my device Google Pixel 7 Pro works without any issues. I am not in a bootloop. Only one thing does not work: Relocking the bootloader, that I would be fine. If I try to relock the bootloader, I get the feedback as follows: ~$ fastboot flashing lock FAILED (remote: ‘invalid android images, skip locking’) fastboot: error: Command failed I have installed it via installer. For this issue I already have opened a thread: > [@Can not lock bootloader after installation of Pixel 7 Pro](https://community.iode.tech/t/can-not-lock-bootloader-after-installation-of-pixel-7-pro/5619): > > Hi, I just have installed iodé on my Pixel 7 Pro with the installer and it worked fine till the “failed” at the end. At first I was shocked about the “failed” because the complete installation details have been with “OK” and have been successful. At the end I will paste the Installation details. Once I have quit the installer the phone started after I pushed the button in the bootloader from the Pixel 7 Pro. So I am in the iodé on my Pixel 7 Pro and it looks fine. I could ignore the “failed”… Would be so great to get that problem solved. Do you have found a solution? ---
**Author:** ![AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/alphaelwedritsch/32/496_2.png) [@AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/u/AlphaElwedritsch)\ **Post date:** [10 March 2025 06:38 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/3 "2025-03-10T06:38:39Z")
Unzip your fastboot zip file. You will find your avb\_custom\_key there reboot your phone in bootloader ```auto adb reboot bootloader ``` Erase old (if exist) custom\_key ```auto fastboot erase avb_custom_key ``` Flash correct custom\_key ```auto fastboot flash avb_custom_key avb_custom_key-panther.bin or fastboot flash avb_custom_key avb_custom_key-cheetah.bin ``` Relock bootloader ```auto fastboot flashing lock ``` Follow instructions on phone display * * * > **[Files · master · ota / release · GitLab](https://gitlab.iode.tech/ota/release/-/tree/master/)** > > GitLab Community Edition The fastboot zip file is the correct, not the ota ---
**Author:** ![anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/u/anon69256621)\ **Post date:** [10 March 2025 12:07 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/4 "2025-03-10T12:07:02Z")
> [@AlphaElwedritsch](#): > > `fastboot flash avb_custom_key avb_custom_key-cheetah.bin` Thx. for your feedback but this still does not work ☹ Erasing has been done: Erasing ‘avb\_custom\_key’ (bootloader) avb custom key: erase done OKAY [0.067s] Finished. Total time: 0.068s Flashed correct custom key: fastboot flash avb\_custom\_key avb\_custom\_key-cheetah.bin Warning: skip copying avb\_custom\_key image avb footer (avb\_custom\_key partition size: 0, avb\_custom\_key image size: 1032). Sending ‘avb\_custom\_key’ (1 KB) OKAY [0.001s] Writing ‘avb\_custom\_key’ (bootloader) avb custom key: flash done OKAY [0.059s] Finished. Total time: 0.062s Locking still not working: fastboot flashing lock FAILED (remote: ‘invalid android images, skip locking’) fastboot: error: Command failed What could be the problem with the warning? “Warning: skip copying avb\_custom\_key image avb footer (avb\_custom\_key partition size: 0, avb\_custom\_key image size: 1032).” I have enough free space on the phone and on the laptop. I changed to the right directory in that my files are: /home/…/Downloads/iode-6.1-20250303-cheetah-fastboot Please help, what could be the problem. ---
**Author:** ![AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/alphaelwedritsch/32/496_2.png) [@AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/u/AlphaElwedritsch)\ **Post date:** [10 March 2025 12:24 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/5 "2025-03-10T12:24:40Z")
the developer @vince31fr should comment on this ---
**Author:** ![vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/vince31fr/32/13_2.png) [@vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/u/vince31fr)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 18:46 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/6 "2025-03-11T18:46:57Z")
I confirm the issue. New builds will be released soon to fix that problem. ---
**Author:** ![vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/vince31fr/32/13_2.png) [@vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/u/vince31fr)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 19:08 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/7 "2025-03-11T19:08:46Z")
New builds are available as OTA. ---
**Author:** ![anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/u/anon69256621)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 19:32 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/8 "2025-03-11T19:32:40Z")
Hi Vince, thanks for your feedback. So that means I only need to make a over the air update on my iodé on my Pixel 7 Pro and then I can close the bootloader without a error? Or should I re-install the OS from scratch? ---
**Author:** ![vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/vince31fr/32/13_2.png) [@vince31fr](https://community.iode.tech/u/vince31fr)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 19:36 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/9 "2025-03-11T19:36:33Z")
An OTA is enough, provided that you didn’t erase the avb key. In that case you reflash it manually. ---
**Author:** ![anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@anon69256621](https://community.iode.tech/u/anon69256621)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 19:41 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/10 "2025-03-11T19:41:29Z")
Ok, thanks Vince, I have to reflash it manually because I have deleted yesterday the key. My plan was yesterday to update the key but it didn‘t worked. ---
**Author:** ![AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/user_avatar/community.iode.tech/alphaelwedritsch/32/496_2.png) [@AlphaElwedritsch](https://community.iode.tech/u/AlphaElwedritsch)\ **Post date:** [11 March 2025 20:58 UTC](https://community.iode.tech/t/pixel-7-cant-relock-bootloader-after-iode-install/5604/11 "2025-03-11T20:58:13Z")
Please give feedback here