S9+ SM-G965F Stuck in reboot loop after software update (Google Play)

[Members_nQ5Z1es]

Hi,

I've got issue with S9+ that stuck in rebooting loop after regular overnight software update via Google Play. After turning on, it works for like a minute - more or less - and reboot. And again, and again... You've got the idea.

What I've tried already is:

- Phone Health checking

- Soft reset (clear cache partition in recovery mode)

Only turning on in Safe Mode (volume down during booting) has stopped the reboot loop. However, it's hard to use the device in this mode.

Apps that got updated during the night are: Android Auto / Google Drive / X / Signal / Brave / MS One Drive / Google Lens / Canva / Google Tasks / Google Keep / Meta Business Suite / Google / TikTok

Do you have any idea is any of them has any known issue with similar outcome?

About device:

One UI 2.5 / Android 10 - I'm aware it's an old phone but it works perfectly fine for my mom.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[arianwen27]

Safe mode working is a good sign.

Might be worth trying to reset it. If you can't reset it in safe mode, the recovery menu should work for you. Just be sure to use smart switch to backup your data first

With current devices I usually have an idea of known issues. Though since that device is on the older side, it's not familiar to me.

[AndrewL]

@Members_nQ5Z1es: If your S9+ is working as expected in Safe mode, then this does suggest that the issue is stemming from a third party app. While you're in Safe Mode, head to Settings > Apps > Uninstall any apps that you have added to the phone since you first encountered the issue, then restart the phone as normal to see if it boots up. 

[Members_nQ5Z1es]

I thought about that - however, I can't backup data in Safe Mode. When I'm trying to use Smart Switch it forces me to turn off Safe Mode since the Smart Switch is treated like a 3rd party app I guess.

And when I turn off Safe Mode - the rebooting happen before I do the backup. So it's kinda dead end - at least in a way I do it. Maybe you've got some walkaround.

Also though about deleting apps that were updated - however, these are not like Uber or something that has no data on the phone itself and works mostly in the cloud - and I'm a bit worried about losing data.

[Members_nQ5Z1es]

Here's the thing - the apps that were updated are kinda core to the system, and the best I can do is rollback them to the base version (i.e can't uninstall Google). And I don't really know which one of them.

Also - rollback means losing data, right?

[arianwen27]

Ah that is annoying. For something that should work, you should hopefully be able to use a usb cable and a pc to copy your images and videos to a pc. That should save at least some important things.

For more drastic things. As Andrew said, you could try deleting apps. If resetting will wipe app apps anyway, you might as well try manually deleting apps hoping one of them is causing the issue.

You could also try resetting parts of your phone, such as settings. Maybe some setting is causing the crashes.

Now if you're quick, you might be able to backup a little more. Try and do a smart switch backup but only select a few things to be backed up. Photos and video you hopefully got earlier, apps are too big. But texts, calls and other things might be quick enough to finish before a crash

[Members_nQ5Z1es]

Actually good idea. I can access to both phone and SD storage (well I could just take out the SD card) via USB.

So at this point I only need some way to backup data without any app involved. Since I'm not into Android - does hard copying of what's in the phone storage will do the job for text messages, contacts and other app data? Or not really?

And for the settings part - you mean hard reset or any settings in specific?

[JanFra]

Hello! I can't unlock S21 FE 5G. When actual pin is inputted the 'OK' is not light up

[JanFra]

I've restarted mobile with sane issue

[JanFra]

Just noticed the 0 responses on here so no support. Ok