Install /e/OS on a Fairphone FP2 - “FP2”

The instructions in this guide will assist you to install /e/OS on your FP2. Please read through the instructions at least once before actually following them, so as to avoid any problems later.

It is advisable to flash your device only if you know what you are doing and are ok taking the associated risk. All /e/OS builds are provided as best effort, without any guarantee. The /e/OS project and its project members deny any and all responsibility about the consequences of using /e/OS software and or /e/OS services.

Requirements

  • If required take a backup of all important data from your phone on an external storage device before proceeding.
  • Do not take a backup on the same device as some of these actions will format the device and delete the backup.
  • A guide on backing up with TWRP is available here
  • Ensure your phone is charged more than 50%
  • Check that adb and fastboot are enabled on your PC. If not you can find the setup instructions here
  • Download all the files and images mentioned in the download section below before starting the installation
  • Make sure you have a working data cable to connect your device to the PC. There are cables which are only for charging and do not transfer data.

  • Enable USB debugging on your device. You can find the instructions here
  • Make sure that your model is listed in the Smartphone Selector. Check the model supported. Where available, information on the model supported should show as a pop-up when you hover the cursor on the Device name. The model number supported should be the exact same.
  • Boot your device with the stock OS at least once and check every functionality.
Warning: Make sure that you can send and receive SMS and place and receive calls (also via WiFi and LTE, if available), otherwise it will not work on /e/OS as well. Additionally, some devices require that VoLTE/VoWiFi be utilized once on stock to provision IMS.

Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the FP2 specific topic on our community forum.

To report issues in /e/OS please refer this guide

Downloads for FP2

Tip: Please note that the bootloader of the FP2 is unlocked by default.
Tip: Installing a custom recovery or unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device! Take a backup of your data before proceeding!!
  • Custom recovery (not required if you already have it running on your phone)

To understand the difference between /e/OS builds check this guide

Warning: Please note some of the above links can lead to external sites

Installing a custom recovery

  1. Download a custom recovery as linked in the Downloads section above.

  2. Connect your device to your PC via USB.

  3. On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type

    adb reboot bootloader

  4. Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing

    fastboot devices

  5. Flash recovery onto your device

    fastboot flash recovery recoveryfilename.img

    Replace the recoveryfilename with the name of the recovery image you downloaded in the previous section

  6. Now reboot into recovery to verify the installation

Installing /e/OS from recovery

  1. Before proceeding ensure you have downloaded the /e/OS for your device, from the link given in the Downloads section above

  2. If you aren’t already in recovery mode, reboot into recovery mode

    • by typing the below command in the console of an adb enabled PC
     adb reboot recovery
    
  3. In TWRP return to main menu, then tap Wipe

  4. Now tap Format Data and continue with the formatting process.

    Here a new screen may show where you will have to type Yes and confirm the action by clicking a button.

    Caution: Format Data will remove encryption as well as delete all files stored on the internal storage. Remember to take a backup first. Check Requirements section above.
  5. Return to the previous menu and tap Advanced Wipe.

  6. Select the Cache and System partitions to be wiped and then Swipe to Wipe

  7. Sideload the /e/OS .zip package.

    Tip: Sideload requires actions in two places to be done. One on your phone in the TWRP UI and secondly on the connected PC which should have adb enabled. Also note the sideload process while running may stop abruptly around 50%. The console would show a message Total xfer: 1.00x. This would mean that the transfer has successfully completed.
    • On the device in TWRP,

      select Advanced, ADB Sideload, then swipe to begin sideload.

    • On the host machine, in the console , start the sideload of the package by typing
     adb sideload filename.zip
    
    Tip: Change the filename to the name of the file you downloaded
  8. Once installation has finished, return to the main menu, tap Reboot, and then System

Warning: Avoid installing any additional apps or services if suggested by the recovery. They may cause your device to bootloop, as well as attempt to access and or corrupt your data.
Success: Congratulations !! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS !!
To find some troubleshooting tips… click here

adb

  • Getting a Total xFer ':' 0.01x message - Try to upload the /e/OS to internal storage and retry to install
  • adb ':' sideload connection failed ':' insufficient permissions for device error - Try to execute the commands adb kill-server and adb start-server and retry
  • Running adb shell twrp install /sdcard/</e/OS zip package> raise non-existent directory error - Try to check solution here
  • Getting an insufficient permissions error - Try the solution given here
  • When running "adb devices" in bash a device is shown as "unauthorized" - Try the solution given here

TWRP

  • Errors while running TWRP version 3.4.x.x or above - Try downloading and using a previous TWRP version.. below 3.4.x.x
  • In TWRP if this error shows up failed to mount /preload - Try in TWRP wipe screen in advanced menu select preload and swipe to wipe
  • /cache/recovery/xxx -> no such file or directory error while flashing a ROM - On PC run adb shell in the console now create a folder called recovery for e.g. here the devicecode name is violet "violet :/cache# mkdir recovery"

Connectivity

  • Trying to troubleshoot mobile connectivity issues - Read this guide



Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the FP2 specific topic on our community forum.

To report issues in /e/OS please refer this guide

This documentation “Install /e/OS on a Fairphone FP2 - “FP2”” is a derivative of “install LineageOS on FP2” by The LineageOS Project, used under CC BY.