User jAm-0 has issues getting into and out of his phone’s bootloader. He attributes this to the bootloader being corrupt and wants to replace it.
User return.of.octobot provides instructions to allow reflashing the bootloader. One of the steps is to run fastboot flashing unlock_critical
, which allows the bootloader to be overwritten.
Overwriting the bootloader is the only way to hard brick most devices, and fastboot flashing unlock_critical
tells Android you don’t care and are willing to take the risk. Hard bricking makes a device unfixable on the software level.
jAm-0 has another question and receives responses from return.of.octobot and another user, nrage23. Again, no disclaimers are given and the word “brick” isn’t even brought up.
jAm-0 hard bricks their phone.
Sees the word “critical” in a command, doesn’t think to look up what might just be “critical” about the command…