Install /e/OS on a Fairphone FP3/3+ - “FP3”

The instructions in this guide will assist you to install /e/OS on your FP3. 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.
  • 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.

  • Your device requires a code to unlock the bootloader. Get the code here before proceeding with the next steps

  • 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 FP3/3+ specific topic on our community forum.

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

Downloads for FP3

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

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

Unlock the bootloader

  • Allow the bootloader unlocking by following the official FP3 unlock documentation
  • Reboot the device on fastboot mode by running adb reboot bootloader (or press Power + Volume - if your device is off)
  • Once on fastboot mode, unlock the device by running fastboot flashing unlock

    On previous versions of fastboot, the command is fastboot oem unlock

  • The device will ask you to confirm the unlocking. Confirm by selecting UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER and confirm with Power
  • The device reboot automatically. Press and hold Volume Down + Power buttons, to boot to Fastboot Mode.

Installing /e/OS

Tip: For Windows users, we advise to use Git Bash. For more info about Downloads and Installation see Official Documentation

Let’s proceed with the installation:

  1. Unzip the file you downloaded from the link in the Downloads for FP3 section above.

     unzip <fileyoudownloaded>

    In the command given above, replace <fileyoudownloaded> with the name of the file you downloaded. You can unzip the file using a File Manager/File Explorer.

  2. Confirm that the folder where you unzipped the files contains the following :

    • bin-linux-x86 directory - which contains linux tools including fastboot and adb
    • bin-msys directory - which contains Windows tools including fastboot and adb
    • .img files - The .img files that are to be flashed onto the device.
    • flash_FP3_factory.sh - The installer script.

  3. Next boot your FP3 into bootloader/fastboot mode using this key combination

    • With the device powered off
    • hold Volume Down + Power

  4. Now we will run the installer script in a terminal on a Linux PC or in Git Bash UI if the desktop OS is Windows.

    • Make sure you are in the current directory which contains the flash_FP3_factory.sh file.

    • To execute the chmod command as suggested in the next step you may require root or sudo privileges.

    • Linux
      • Right click -> Open terminal here
      • Execute the following command which makes the file executable and starts the installation process

      chmod +x flash_FP3_factory.sh && ./flash_FP3_factory.sh

    • Windows
      • Right click -> Git Bash here
      • Execute the following command which makes the file executable and starts the installation process

      chmod +x flash_FP3_factory.sh && ./flash_FP3_factory.sh

  • After installing all the required files the device will reboot.

Locking the Bootloader

After you have completed the installation and verified it starts up successfully, you can lock the bootloader on your FP3.

Warning: Running the below commands will factory reset your device and wipe all data.
Warning: The bootloader is lockable in official builds only. The procedure to lock the bootloader will not work on community builds.
  1. Reboot your device into bootloader, via a key combination:
    • With the device powered off
    • hold Volume Down + Power
  2. In the command prompt, lock critical partition with the following command
    • fastboot flashing lock_critical
    • Approve with Volume + then power
  3. In the command prompt lock the device with the following command
    • fastboot flashing lock
    • Approve with Volume + then power
Success: Congratulations !! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS !!

Still need help to complete the installation ?

Check out this document: An install Guide for the FP3

Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the FP3/3+ specific topic on our community forum.

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