Its important to pay attention and follow this guide carefully. Especially with ARB (Anti-Rollback Protection) being introduced in Android Pie. So in this guide we will cover all the most important procedures for Pixel XL owners running Android 9 (Pie), such as unlocking or re-locking the bootloader, installing stock or custom ROMs, custom kernels, custom recovery such as TWRP, and systemless root. Much of the information (such as root procedures) can also work with the Pixel device, if you have the correct files – however, this guide is not intended for use with the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL devices.

Requirements and Downloads

Factory Images

OTA Images:

Driver Binaries

ADB on your PC (See Appual’s guide How to Install ADB on Windows)

Unlocking or Re-Locking Pixel XL Bootloader

Before proceeding, you should seriously create a backup of your internal storage data. Unlocking an Android device’s bootloader will typically perform a factory reset on your data, thus you need something to restore all your apps and other important files from. When your phone reboots, you may disconnect your USB cable. You will need to go through the Android setup wizard, since your phone was reset. Note: After unlocking your bootloader, you’ll see a warning: Your device software can’t be checked for corruption. Please lock the bootloader. You will see this warning until, you re-lock the bootloader. Important: Do not re-lock your bootloader until you have returned the device to stock!

Re-Lock the Bootloader

Flashing Stock Factory Image or OTA

If you are performing a major upgrade, such as moving from Android 8.1.0 (Oreo) to Android 9.0.0 (Pie), it is highly recommend to wipe data and do a clean install. Do not dirty flash!

If you want to keep your data:

ADB Sideloading on the Pixel XL

How to Extract and Flash boot.img

Be warned that flashing a boot.img will remove root if your Pixel XL is already rooted.

Rooting with Magisk to Pass SafetyNet

Warning! Please set a PIN on your device before installing TWRP (Settings > Security & Location > Screen Lock > PIN). Also perform a backup of your internal storage and data.

TWRP for Google Pixel XL:

If You Will Install a Custom Kernel, and Want Root

ElementalX Flash Kirisakura-Harmony PureZ NSFW-R25

If You Will Not Install a Custom Kernel, and Want Root

How to Root with Magisk without Installing TWRP

Note: You might have noticed in the ‘Install Custom kernel’ section that some Custom kernels are installed before Magisk while others are installed after Magisk. The best answer we can provide is that when you flash a Custom Kernel using Magisk for root is, if the Custom Kernel modifies/patches the boot image you install Magisk then the Custom Kernel otherwise you install the Custom Kernel then Magisk. Backup your data and Internal storage!

Install Custom Kernel and Root/Reroot (Optional)

exNoShadez: nine7nine/Apps ElementalX Flash Kirisakura-Harmony PureZ NSFW-R25

How to Update Magisk on Pixel XL

Important: If you had the stable version or the official beta installed, you must first un-install the Magisk Manager, only, before you can install the unofficial version, because they are signed with different keys”. The same holds true if, for example, you have @kantjer ‘s build installed and want to try @ianmacd ‘s builds”. See kantjer and martyfender post: [UNOFFICIAL] next version Magisk and MagiskManager snapshots by stangri If Magisk Notification is on. If Magisk Notification is off.

To set the Magisk Notification Update Channel for Unofficial Magisk Builds: Open MagiskManager > Tap menu icon > Settings > Update Channel > Select: Custom > Copy the link address below and paste it on the line: topjohnwu – Canary Debug Channel: https://bit.ly/2MPKGY5 Release Channel: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/topjohnwu/magisk_files/master/canary_builds/release.json When Magisk Manager notifies you of an update:

[Magisk] Systemless Xposed

First, follow the Installation Instructions in the OP of the Custom ROM you are trying to install.

Official

Unofficial

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