How Do We Test Direct Boot?

Question

According to the N Developer Preview documentation, we can set up Direct Boot support on Android N through Settings > Developer Options > Convert to file encryption. I cannot find this option on a Nexus 6 running NDP2, nor on an NDP2 emulator.

According to that same documentation, we can also set this up by running adb reboot-bootloader and fastboot --wipe-and-use-fbe in a terminal window. This bug report suggests that this too is broken, along with the first option.

So, how do we test this? Specifically:

• Has anyone gotten either of the above options to work, on a device or emulator?

• Has anyone tried the "emulated Direct Boot mode" (adb shell sm set-emulate-fbe true), and does that work? And did you try that on a device or emulator?

• Are there any any known side effects of trying this stuff (e.g., you're likely to brick your device)?

Answer 1

It only works on 6P and 5X, via dev options. The '--wipe-and-use-fbe' option seems not be available yet. FBE appears to work OK, you can always format userdata to revert.