Updating firmware: volume down not entering download mode

[burrito]

I have a Flow that was previously paired to an Android phone I no longer have.

Saw the January update added iPhone support.

Trying the instructions here: https://www.vive.com/us/support/flow/category_howto/how-to-update-vive-flow-to-support-iphone.html

However, holding Volume Down button and plugging device into USB-C cable connected to macOS laptop never enters download mode as described in that page.

Instead, it just shows the screen saying to install the Android app.

I've tried resetting to factory settings but no change.

The Vive app on iPhone detects the Flow but cannot connect to it.

Thanks for any help!

[burrito]

Hm, ok if I hold down power AND volume down I can get into a mode which has the following:

* system info

* show barcode

* reboot to bootloader

* reboot to download mode

* reboot

* power down

 

`adb devices` still doesn't list anything though, so the flash script fails.

This must be download mode, since choosing "reboot to download mode" comes back to this screen.

 

Choose "reboot to bootloader" gets me to bootloader screen, which has more choices, like "reboot to recovery".

`adb devices` in bootload mode still doesn't list anything, so the flash script fails.

 

Going into recovery mode, more interesting choices:

* Apply update from ADB

* Apply update from SD card

* Wipe data/factory reset

* Wipe cache partition

* Run graphics test

* Run locale test

 

Choosing "Apply update from ADB" sounded promising, so chose that, and sure enough the devices shows up in adb device list now, but with the word "sideload" next to it, and no other adb commands work.

 

Feels closer anyway. I wonder if maybe there's a way to sideload the update ROM?

At the least, the support document should be updated to say to hold down power and volume down, not just volume down.

[crispy71]

I have exactly the same problem - only that I don't manage to even get the recovery mode. Are you pressing the volume down & power button while connecting the Flow to your Mac? Or do you first connect and then press&hold the 2 buttons?

 

[burrito]

@crispy71 I tried again yesterday, and I was able to complete the device update.

A red herring was that I was attempting to determine device connectedness using adb, but that doesn't work w/ devices in fastboot mode.

Enter download mode via the following steps:

* unplug Flow

* hold down power and volume down

* plug in flow, without letting go of the buttons

It then entered the first state described in my second comment above.

I was able to update the device using the firmware and flashing process linked in my initial comment above.

Note - I had to run the flash script and force-kill it (ctlr/cmd+C) a couple of times before it got far enough along. Seems to hang on the battery check command on my device. Maybe doesn't happen for everyone.

In fact, IIRC I opened up the script and run some of the commands manually without the battery check line. Sorry, don't remember exactly.