[General Questions and Answers] nanawa:
Good day, everybody!

So.. here's the deal.

I have a Samsung Galaxy A22, and it's been a while since I've seen the Android 13 update notification, but never had the time to do it (and I wish I never did).

Decided to finally do it on the 1st of January (yk, to start the year right!) and oh boy who knew I'd get stuck on a boot loop. I didn't even do a backup! :(

I've looked for countless how-to's online (on how to get out of the boot loop) and encountered people with my same problem: some advised to go into Recovery Mode and "Remove Cache Partition" and "Repair Apps". Managed to do it, no success.

Some say there's no way of saving the data if I want my phone back, but I've seen some glimpses of hope such as ADB and Fastboot or Odin Mode. Tried the first ones, but if I do "Reboot to Bootloader" I only get a black screen with an "Entering in Fastboot" in red.. and it stays stuck there, is it supposed to? I didn't really get how those work..

While for Odin Mode, I've been suggested to reinstall the OS, but not to downgrade since that would result in a factory reset.

Should I wait for the next android version, so that I can upgrade manually once it's out?

Also, by looking into Odin Mode I've found out about TWRP and how it comes with a working MTP connection and ADB enabled which allows you to extract almost all data stored on your device and even create physical images from them, as long as the device's bootloader (OEM?) is unlocked.

I looked for guides to unlock it buuut they all lead to my phone being on, which I can't do since my phone's on a boot loop.

So, in conclusion, here are my questions:

1- Are other samsung users here having my same issue?

2 - Is there a way, apart from the ones I listed, to get out of the boot loop without having to do a short reset?

3 - How do ADB & Fastboot work and how would they aid me into recovering my media?

4 - Can I unlock my bootloader while stuck on a boot loop?

Thank you everybody, hope someone out there knows a thing or two about this situation!! :)

EDIT 1:

Should anyone need a guide to samsung odin, I've found this very clear one! https://xdaforums.com/t/...unked-noobs-guide-to-samsung-devices.4405681/

As for when I'll flash the next version, I've read that the next Android 13 update will come out with the Samsung S23, whose release date is expected during February 2023. Hopingly, it will soon be extended for other samsung phones as well! I'll make sure to update this thread once it does and how flashing it goes, since that's gonna be the final solution to us "bootlooped phoned" people! ;D

EDIT 2:

Good day everybody! Guess what? I've just found out Samsung has dropped a new firmware like, LONG AGO! Imagine the look of immense surprise in my face when I've seen it after "just wanting to check" moments ago!

Here's how it went:

I downloaded all the files needed from https://samfw.com/firmware/, the one I was looking for was A225FXXU3CWA6! Took a while, but totally worth it. All that was left was to put my phone in odin mode

(HOW TO ENTER ODIN MODE: turn off your phone (if in bootloop, do it forcefully by pressing power off & volume down simultaneously). connect your USB cable to your computer, but not your phone yet. now, press and hold the volume up and volume down buttons and at the same time, connect the USB cable to your phone)

Opened the ODIN3_v3.14.4 program on my computer, put the files accordingly (follow the guide I've mentioned in my first edit! USERDATA must be left empty & only put HOME_CSC where CSC is asked, if you wish to preserve your data!). NOW START!! Took 7:27 minutes!! AND EVERYTHING WAS STILL THERE! photos, music, videos, whatsapp messages, JUST THE SAME! and since it updated it was cooler too!

Patience truly is a virtue! <3 huuuuge thanks to alecxs (hope he doesn't mind me mentioning him!) for helping me through it all, and to the whole XDA community for existing, always eager to help! y'all are the best!! <3

Hope everyone who had my same problem can now sleep in peace and live happier haha! :D