[Nexus 6P General] XCnathan32:
Read First: This method is relatively drastic, and will hurt device performance some. You should only use this as a last resort, if the more basic methods of fixing a soft brick didn't work (e.g, factory reset, flash stock firmware, etc.)​

*Update 8/22: Android O is working with 4 Cores now! Big thank you to [MENTION=2004880]xls654[/MENTION] for finding out how to get Android O to work.

*Petition:

I made a petition for Google to officially release and sign modified boot.imgs, so that people with locked bootloaders can fix their devices too. Check it out here. (I apologize for dumbing it down so much, I wanted to make sure everyone could understand it)

*Changelog:

8/25 - EX kernel for Android O added.

8/22 - Android O DPR6 boot.img and source added.

8/16 - Started making this fix open-source, source code section added in OP. Also uploaded modified Franco and Flash kernel & source.

8/10 - Added PA 7.2.2 and DarkROM boot images.

8/08, 2nd change - Uploaded modified boot.img for firmware 48C.

8/08 - Updated EX kernel to version 4.1.2. This updated zip adds the CPU utilization patch to the init.elemntalx.rc, instead of removing the old init.angler.rc and copying the new init over. That should mean more compatibility with Roms/kernels that modify the init.angler.rc. I also modified the camera-daemon to use cpus 0-3 instead of 0-2, so hopefully this should make the a camera bit faster too.

8/07 - Added boot.img that only uses 1 core. Someone suggested I make a boot.img that only uses 1 core, just to see if it works for devices that didn't work with the 4 Core fix.

7/30 - Added universal EX zip, this zip should modify your kernel to use only 4 cores, and it should modify it to utilize all 4 cores. You can flash this over most ROMs and it should work. Also added a donation url, and this changelog.

7/29, 2nd change - Added Pure Nexus and PA dev version boot images, modified to use 4 cores, and utilize all 4.

7/29 - Updated this fix to greatly improve performance. Before this fix, the device was only using 1 core for foreground tasks, now it will use all 4 cores. Also revamped OP.

7/21 - Fix created, stock boot.img, TWRP image, and EX kernel modified to use 4 cores.

*What this fix does, and how to apply it:

The problem:

The problem with most of the devices in a BLOD, is that a hardware failure related to the BIG cluster has occurred. This fix remedies the problem by disabling the BIG cores. Unfortunately, this does mean that you will take a performance hit. However, I am continually working on ways to improve the device's performance.

The update: If anyone remembers device performance with the first fix, it was hurt a lot, however, after finding out that the device was only using 1 core for all foreground tasks, I modified the ramdisk to utilize all 4 cores more effectively, and it helps

a lot.

Requirements: For this fix to work, you need:

A brain

A computer

A bootlooping 6P

with an unlocked bootloader/OEM unlocking enabled

The modified files of your choice

Fastboot on your computer (preferably installed system wide). If you do not know what this is, or do not have it, look at this post. Answer yes to all of the prompts to install it.

How to apply the fix:

Boot your phone into bootloader (hold power and volume down).

Connect your phone to the computer.

Go to the folder where you have the modified files, then hold shift and right click in a blank space, click on "open command prompt here" in the menu that pops up.

In the command prompt: type "fastboot flash boot [name of the file here]" and then press enter. If you're flashing TWRP, replace boot with recovery. (Linux users, make sure you're running as root)

Edit: With the new EX zip, you shouldn't need to flash the boot.img anymore, you can just flash twrp, and then flash EX in twrp.

Boot up your phone, and hopefully it should work!

*If your phone is bootloader locked/OEM locked:

You can try to get your phone to boot long enough to enable OEM unlocking. Some users have reported success by freezing their phone for a bit, then booting it. Others have let their battery drain all the way, and then tried to boot their phone, but the most successful method seems to be heating up your phone (a lot).

If you do attempt any of these methods, make sure you have time and patience, as it will take a long time.

To enable OEM unlocking and unlock bootloader:

Go to settings.

Go to developer options, if you do not see that, go to "about phone", scroll to build number, and then tap it 7 times. You should now see developer options in settings.

Once you're in developer options, click on "OEM unlocking" and accept the prompt.

Now reboot your phone to bootloader, connect your phone to the computer, and type "fastboot flashing unlock" Your bootloader should now be unlocked.

*Downloads:

Boot.img from stock 6.17, 8.0 firmware: Download | Mirror. This Image is the from the first official release of Android O, and is modified to use 4 cores. It also disables forced encryption as a bonus. Thank you to [MENTION=2004880]xls654[/MENTION] for figuring out how to get Android O to work.

Boot.img from stock 48C, 7.1.2 firmware: Download | Mirror. This Image is modified to use only 4 cores, and is modified to utilize the 4 cores more effectively. I have had multiple people say that first boot takes a while after flashing this, so just wait about 20 minutes before you declare something is wrong with it.

Boot.img from stock 48B, 7.1.2 firmware: Download |Mirror. This Image is modified to use only 4 cores, and is modified to utilize the 4 cores more effectively. I have had multiple people say that first boot takes a while after flashing this, so just wait about 20 minutes before you declare something is wrong with it.

TWRP version 3.1.1: Download | Mirror. This TWRP image is modified to use only 4 cores.

EX kernel version 5.03: Download | Mirror. EX kernel 5.03 works with android 8.0.0. This zip applies the 4 cores patch, but you will need to flash it over an already modified boot.img to work.

Elemental X kernel version 4.12, universal zip: Download | Mirror. This zip is EX kernel, modified to use only 4 cores. Update: I modified it to apply the CPU utilization patch too, so now this is a universal zip, flash it over almost any ROM, and you should now have the BIG cores disabled fix, and the little core utilization fix.

Flash kernel version 2.5: Download | Mirror. This zip is modified to use only 4 cores, and utilize all 4. Works with android 7.1.2. You can flash this over almost any ROM, including stock, and it should boot again.

Franco kernel r55: Download | Mirror. This zip is modified to use only 4 cores, and utilize all 4. Works with android 7.1.2. You can flash this over almost any ROM, including stock, and it should boot again.

You will most likely not need these images. It will be much easier, and much more universal to flash one of the custom kernel zips above ^^^

PA boot.img from PA version 7.2.2, build 8/10: Download | Mirror. Uses only 4 cores, and has core utilization patch.

PA boot.img from PA version 7.2.1: Download | Mirror. Boot.img from PA dev preview 7.2.1, uses only 4 cores, and is modified to utilize 4 cores more effectively. Flash it after you flash the PA zip, either with fastboot, or TWRP image flash.

Pure Nexus boot.img from Pure Nexus 7/25 build Download | Mirror. This image is modified to use only 4 cores, and it has a tweak to utilize the 4 cores more effectively. Flash it after you flash Pure Nexus, either with fastboot, or TWRP image flash.

DarkROM boot.img from 7/21 build: Download | Mirror. This image is modified to use only 4 cores, and has the utilization patch.

Boot.img modified to use only 1 Core. Some people were reporting that the 4 core images weren't working for them, someone suggested that I make a 1 core version to see if that helps at all. Edit: seems not to help unfortunately. Here it is: Download | Mirror

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get Android O working yet, but I am working on it right now.

If you have a favorite custom ROM or kernel you want to ported over to use 4 cores, let me know, and I'll put it up.

*Source code:

Flash kernel: source | Flash ramdisk/AK2: source.

Franco kernel: source | Franco ramdisk/AK2: source.

Android O boot.img: source.

p-0000000000000000000000000000007 (sorry that was my kitten)

*Tested custom ROMS/kernels

I have used Pure Nexus by flashing the modified EX zip over it, it has notably better performance than the stock ROM, and very good battery life. It's a clean, stable ROM, with plenty of good features that are actually useful.

I have also used Paranoid android dev preview, very good performance, definitely my favorite as of now. Battery life leaves something to be desired, but I have not tried a custom kernel yet. Also, 7.2.1 seemed smoother to me than 7.2.2.

If you have a custom ROM/kernel that worked for you, let me know and I'll put it up here.

*To improve performance slightly:

Flash a custom kernel. I will upload more kernels as I test more, so stay tuned.

Overclock the little cores. It can slightly help offset the lost performance, on my 6P, I have mine overclocked to 1632MHz, and it works perfectly for me. Edit: I actually recommend not overclocking. Many people have reported their Little cores failing, so I would go for longevity on this device, and keep it at stock clocks, or even underclock it. The speed difference you get from overclocking is negligible anyways.

Disable animations in developer options. Seriously, as soon as I found out about this tweak, I've used it on ever single device I've owned, it helps a ton.

Turn resolution down to 1080p. On a small screen, the difference in between 1080p and 1440p is not very noticable. To do this, first get root access, then download a terminal emulator. In the terminal, type "su" and grant it root access, then type "wm size 1080x1920", and finally, change the density "wm density 400". Personally, I like my density at 400, but you can expieriment with it. Lower density=Smaller items and text, Higher density=Bigger items and text. Also [MENTION=8081245]Adithya FRK[/MENTION] mentioned that you also want to put density in build.prop so apps display correctly. Change ro.sf.lcd_density=560 to your density, if you changed it.

*Credits:

[MENTION=4533695]rchtk[/MENTION], His post here gave me the idea for how to modify the images.

[MENTION=4684315]flar2[/MENTION], He built the Elemental X kernel for this device, I merely made a small modification to his kernel to use 4 cores. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work.

The TWRP development team, they built the TWRP recovery for this device, I merely made a small modification to their recovery to use 4 cores. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit their work.

[MENTION=4580116]tr1gg3r.man[/MENTION], He made the the PA kernel, I just added a couple modifications. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work.

[MENTION=4395895]BeansTown106[/MENTION], He made the Pure Nexus kernel, I just added a couple modifications. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work.

[MENTION=5445418]Dark_Eyes_[/MENTION], He made the DarkROM kernel, I just added a couple modifications to it. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work.

[MENTION=6842057]

The Flash

[/MENTION], He made The Flash kernel, I just made a couple modifications to it. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work. His posts have also helped me a lot with learning how to build a kernel from source, understanding how to use git more, etc. I recommend you check them out if you are interested in getting started with android development.

[MENTION=3292224]franciscofranco[/MENTION], He made Franco kernel, I just made a couple modifications to it. In no way am I trying to steal and/or discredit his work.

[MENTION=2004880]xls654[/MENTION], He found out how to get Android O working with 4 cores.

FAQs

What's the password for TWRP/Why is TWRP asking for a password? - In android 7.0, Google added forced encryption to the data partition. To get around this, click cancel when TWRP asks you for a password, and then factory reset the device. Then you can flash EX kernel/Magisk to disable forced encryption.

Why am I getting an error when I try to flash the images? - Your bootloader is probably not unlocked, try running the command "fastboot flashing unlock", If you get an error there too, then you will have to enable OEM unlocking before you can continue.

It's not working for me, how do I fix it? - My only advice for that is: "Flash the stock firmware for whatever version image you're trying to flash, then reflash the images again" If you're stuck on the boot animation, wait at least 20 minutes before you declare it's not working. If none of that works, chances are your device may have a different problem.

Does EX kernel have the new speed fix? - Yep, you can flash this over just about any ROM, and it should patch it to use only 4 cores, and use them well.

I would like to help as many people as I can, however, I am much more likely to be able to easily help you/reply to your post if you clearly state your problem and the steps you attempted to fix it. I will be much less likely to reply to posts such as "omggg i flashed the image and my phone won't boot helppp" Please read through post first, I did not spend time typing up this OP for no one to read it. If I can see that you read through the OP and have attempted all the steps, then I will be much more willing to help you.

I set up donations on my profile, for those of you who want to donate. I have spent countless hours modifying, flashing, testing, and helping, don't get me wrong, I love doing this and helping y'all out, but donations really keep me motivated to keep going, and donations also will help me fund new equipment and devices that will help further my android development. Every single donation is appreciated :) Donate to me here!

If this guide helped you, please click thanks, it means a lot to me :)