Hot Google Pixel Bootloader IC Explained – Bootloader Info is Saved in Dedicated IC

[GuDron]

Google Pixel Bootloader IC Explained – Bootloader Info is Saved in Dedicated IC​

Many technicians wonder where the bootloader lock/unlock status is stored on Google Pixel phones, especially when troubleshooting phones stuck in fastboot or trying to revive dead units.
The answer: The bootloader info is stored in the dedicated Bootloader IC.

Reference Image (Pixel 6 example):​

This image shows the exact Bootloader IC location on a Pixel 6 board. This chip is responsible for storing secure boot parameters, including bootloader status, critical security fuses, and potentially rollback protection.

Why This is Important:​

Direct hardware tie-in: Bootloader status is not just software-based; it's hardcoded/stored in the IC.

Data persists across wipes or flashes — that’s why even after full firmware flashing or fastboot erase commands, bootloader state remains unchanged.

Tamper resistance: Helps prevent unauthorized downgrades or unlocking without proper credentials.

Replacing this IC (or motherboard) will change or reset the bootloader status. In some cases, you may lose access to OEM unlock ability.

Tips for Technicians:​

When working on dead boot or bootloader-locked Google Pixel devices, remember:

Replacing or corrupting this IC may trigger “Can’t load Android system”, or “Device is corrupted” errors.

Bootloader unlock status is not stored in eMMC/UFS only — it’s tied to this chip.

Bypassing this protection is not possible via software alone on newer Pixel models.

Common Questions:​

Q: Can we unlock bootloader by writing firmware dumps from another Pixel?
A: No, because the bootloader info is hardware-bound and not transferable between units.

Q: Can MOBILedit or forensic tools read this IC?
A: Only partially, and not without specialized hardware — this is a secure element (often fused/OTP).

Let’s Discuss:​

Have you worked on unlocking or replacing this IC?
Drop your experience, dumps, or failed attempts below — let's grow this thread as a reference for all Pixel technicians.

Follow @uFixerTeam for more teardown insights, dumps, and forensic repair guides.​

Knowledge is power — especially in hardware forensics


#GooglePixel #BootloaderIC #RepairGuide #MobileTech #uFixerTeam #PixelRepair #HardwareForensics #MobileUnlock #ICRepair #Pixel6 #AndroidTech

 

[Asadsoftware]

Hi brother ,

i get device pixel 6 ( oriole )

came to me for frp , i remove ufs and ufs was dead


then i change ufs from same device . after writing dump now device stuck on second logo . i think due to rpmb

even after flash it with from recovery .


can you tell me what to do

 

[GuDron]

[SOLVED] Pixel 6 (Oriole) Stuck on Second Logo After UFS Change – Explained with Fixes​

User Case:
Device came in for FRP reset, but the UFS is dead during the chip off.
After replacing UFS with another (from donor Pixel 6) and writing back the full dump, the phone got stuck on the second logo, even after full flashing.

Root Cause: RPMB & Titan M Security
Pixel devices like the Pixel 6 store critical security data in:
RPMB (Replay Protected Memory Block) – part of UFS, OTP-secured
Titan-M Security Chip – hardware-backed trust zone
These two are cryptographically tied. If you swap UFS without matching the original RPMB, authentication fails silently, and the boot process hangs at the logo.

What Won’t Work:
Writing full firmware dump
Factory reset via recovery
Flashing stock firmware via fastboot
These don’t touch or fix the RPMB mismatch issue

Working Fixes:
Option 1: Restore Original UFS (If Possible)
Try to read RPMB from the dead UFS using UFI, Easy JTAG, or similar.
Clone RPMB to the new UFS (if the tool allows).
Then write a full dump and flash the firmware.

Option 2: Clean UFS + OEM Unlock
Install a clean working UFS chip (from an empty or wiped Pixel 6).
Boot to Fastboot Mode
Run: fastboot flashing unlock
(Only possible if OEM Unlock was previously enabled on the logic board)

Option 3: Use ENG Firmware ( Hot - ENG Firmware Collection – Google Pixel Devices (Engineering ROMs) )
Flash engineering boot, vbmeta, and dtbo images.

Disable AVB verification:

fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

This may bypass some AVB/RPMB checks (not always successful on production builds).

Final Notes:
RPMB is not readable/writable by normal firmware tools
Copying dump from another device = soft brick due to unique RPMB keys
Only the original UFS with a valid RPMB or full OEM unlock can bring the device back to life

If you’re stuck in Fastboot, share your fastboot getvar all output here — we’ll try to guide you based on the state of your Titan-M chip and bootloader lock.

Tools you may need:
UFI Box / Easy JTAG / Flash 64 (for UFS RPMB access)
Google Factory Images ( Factory Images for Nexus and Pixel Devices | Google Play services | Google for Developers )
Fastboot / ADB
Clean the UFS chip

Tags:
#Pixel6Repair #PixelBootFix #RPMBIssue #TitanMSecurity #UFSChange #FRPFix #AndroidRepair #uFixerTeam #GooglePixel6 #FastbootFix #BootloaderUnlock #StuckOnLogo #ICReplacement