Update 03/07: Google recently released a statement regarding this issue, as well as advice on how to avoid this issue. [Google Pixel 6 users should refrain from performing a factory reset.

Originally spotted by Tech-Issues today, some Pixel 6 users have reported on Google's support forum that their phones went into boot loop after factory resetting their phones. According to the forum thread, when they try to boot their phone, they get an error message that reads, "Unable to load Android system. Data may be corrupted. If you continue to receive this message, you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all user data stored on this device."

If the user receives an error message, they can try again, but this second attempt is However, this second attempt is rarely successful. Another problem is that attempts to revert to factory conditions often result in more alarming messages, such as critical files such as "tune2fs" not being on the device or "enable ext4 verify" failing. Both of these systems are critical to the operation of the phone.

It appears that this is not a one-time glitch, as users on Reddit have begun reporting the same problem. The number of people having this glitch indicates that it is a software issue, not a hardware issue like the volume button glitch on the Google Pixel 7. According to a thread on their support page, Google is aware of this glitch and is investigating the issue. We have reached out to Google for comment and will update when we get a response.

Thankfully, the Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 Pro do not currently appear to have the same glitch, and there are no signs of the glitch appearing in current models like the Pixel 8.

While this type of news is often concerning, there is a good chance that a quick solution will be issued by Google. For now, we recommend that you refrain from factory resetting your device until a solution is available. Alternatively, if you decide to switch to a new phone, here is a list of the best Android phones to help you choose your next device.