Resolving Soft-Bricking Issues with Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 on Pixels

Google rolled out Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 yesterday, introducing numerous bug fixes, enhancements, and a handful of new features. However, shortly after its release, several users on Reddit reported encountering soft-bricking issues with their Pixels after sideloading the update.

According to reports from 9to5Google, attempts to reboot Pixels following the installation of the QPR3 Beta 2 update led to devices becoming stuck on the Google logo. This isn’t the first instance in recent months where Pixel updates have resulted in boot failures.

Commonly referred to as a “soft brick,” resolving this issue typically requires a basic understanding of the Android Debugging Bridge and sideloading techniques.

At AzMo Tech, we’ve updated our Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 6a to the latest beta version without encountering any soft-bricking problems thus far.

In the event that your Pixel becomes soft-bricked during the update process, the solution involves sideloading the previous version’s OTA, namely Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1. Following this process should restore functionality to your Pixel promptly. Below are the outlined steps for the procedure:

Establish a connection between your device and your PC while in Fastboot mode.
In the terminal, type “adb devices” and enable USB debugging on your phone when prompted.
Download the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 OTA package for your Pixel from the provided link onto your PC.
Input the following command in the terminal and hit enter.

adb sideload "name_of_the_zip.zip"

Upon completion, your phone should boot up normally, and there should be no loss of data.

Regarding the enhancements introduced by the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 update, they include:

Fixed crashes occurring during device usage and app updates.
Addressed the issue causing the device screen to go blank or encounter a blank screen after switching users or updating the device.
Resolved the malfunction of the double-tap-to-wake feature when in always-on display mode.
Corrected battery information display across system settings, the status bar, and the lock screen.
Rectified device-to-device backup and restore transfer issues.
Improved system stability, performance, and camera functionality.

Share your opinions on the recurring soft-bricking of Pixels in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your thoughts!