yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Liaoyiwa:
Hello I just buy a Google pixel ,

1.Should I unlock my pixel? Will I lost ota ?

2. And is the custom ROM worth to flash? Is it better than stock Android?

3.i heard news that someone lost there data after ota, is it a common phenomenon?

(So many noob questions ???)

Thank you!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] danyw:
Wired USB car connection

Hi folks, I'm new to Pixel XL but long time user of Android phones. I previously had a Samsung Note 4, Xperia Z2 and Z5. They all worked when connected to my car JVC stereo by USB connection. I was able to use the FF and RW buttons on the JVC to skip tracks back and forth on Spotify. Now that I have Pixel XL it doesn't work anymore. I have now replaced the JVC with a Pioneer unit, but it's still not working. I have tried using the JVC and Pioneer Arc apps but still no go. I have also tried different cables, including the ones that came with the phone. No luck.

Here's where I am a complete noob. I have no idea how Android connects to car stereo, i.e what protocol. Is there a standard protocol? How did my JVC control FF and RW on my Z5? Is there a standard protocol that is implemented across various car stereos? That phone was running Nougat and using micro-USB. How does that impact my Pixel XL, with Oreo and USB-C? I don't even know where to begin on this. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] L3TH4L:
Deleted - started new thread.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
depends on what you are trying to accomplish. you need to unlock if you want to flash a custom rom (as noted in #2 below).

no

subjective question. depends on which additional features you want. i recommend that you read through some custom rom threads on xda to get a sense of whether the custom roms have features that you want that arent provided via stock rom. the ops will have a detailed list of all the features on the rom along with pictures. also youtube some videos of custom roms - usually the video provides some description of the benefits/drawbacks of the custom rom versus those of stock rom.

not common to my knowledge.

all good - no such thing as a noob question. only noob answers.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Liaoyiwa:
thx a lot!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
I didn't set a pin lock, I backed out of the fingerprint process before I set one up. Now I cannot set any security up because of I have to enter a pin in.Fixed Help.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
you can do reflash the factory image and start all over. however, if you do so, all your data will be deleted.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
delete

delete
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Valkyrie743:
currently on stock rom (january security) with magisk for root. trying to update via settings app. update fails even after restoring stock boot image with magisk manager before hand.

downloaded the OTA zip from google and tried to update via twrp but does not work get an error.

how can i update without having to do a dirty flash with full image?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
recommend posting this quedtion in the appropriate magisk [beta] thread. i had the same experience and had to flash full factory image and start from scratch. but smarter folks may have an easier solution.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
HELP!!

I cannot see storage .... I am in TWRP and ADB sideloaded BenzoROM and cannot see it on the phone. I can get into BL and TWRP. Any ideas how to fix, flash, format internal storage, fix contexts, partition SD card or ADB BenzoROM?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
very specific question... may be better suited to ask in the rom forum https://xdaforums.com/nexus-6p/development/rom-benzo-rom-t3264478
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
Thanks PeterLee, NOT ROM related. I cannot get into storage. Regardless of ROM. Is there anything I can flash from the factory image that would help my situation?

---------- Post added 27th February 2018 at 12:02 AM ---------- Previous post was 26th February 2018 at 11:53 PM ----------

It has been fixed!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
I've given up, wanting to go back to stock. I am getting this error on FB flashing image.

wiping userdata...

CreateProcess failed: The system cannot find the file specified. (2)

error: Cannot generate image for userdata

Press any key to exit...

Any ideas?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
are you trying to flash factory image? if so:

1) are you using the latest platform tools downloaded?

2) do you have the latest usb drivers installed?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
Yes, I have flashed this exact IMG before. Now I am getting this error.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
hmm... so you have the latest platform tools, usb drivers, and factory image. booting into bootloader and running flash-all.bat file (of course backing up all files/data beforehand) amd getting that error?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
Unfortunately, yes.

---------- Post added at 02:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------

When I attempt to restore in TWRP a backup I get an error extract tar fork process ends in with error 255

I have attached logs.. https://goo.gl/jd4VdR
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
twrp back restores have been fickle depending on twrp/android versions. this seems like a non-noob question - may be worth posting in ur phones q&a section.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
As you probably have seen I have been gouging my eyes out lately. I shall do.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
sorry i couldnt be more help. good luck :)
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Scottay5150:
Not having an unnecessary comment is helpful! Thanks.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] monkey116:
I have the Google pixel XL 8.1 Verizon model is there a root method for it and a way to unlock the boot loader
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
apparently a guy named smail amzdak on facebook can do it. i have read mutiple posts that have confirmed the authenticity of this guy. most i have heard him charge is usd$30. good luck.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] monkey116:
So once I unlock the boot loader do you have any suggestions on what thread I should follow to be able root and customize the os
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] peterlee928:
root:

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886

or...

https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/beta-magisk-v13-0-0980cb6-t3618589/page552

customization depends on what youre looking to do. recommend you do research on xda, youtube, and google.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] jurington:
Delete
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] brightjh01:
I have a new to me pixel XL Oreo 8.1 stock rooted with twrd. It does not see a flash drive that was working fine on a nexus 6.

I have tried 2 different usb-c to usb micro adapters both work fine when I use and old nexus 6 cable to the computer, adb and fastboot work, windows and Linux see phone and I can mount phone like a drive and pass file back and forth. But the pixels well not see or mount a flash drive. Do I have hardware or a kernel problem?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Homeboy76:
What version of twrp?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] brightjh01:
twrp 3.2.1
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fiverings:
The twrp you should be on is version 3.2.1-2 also I would install Twrp 16.0

I would also install Es File explorer

Also you have to fastboot twrp.img and flash twrp installer.zip

You can try this. It's what I have and my xl is running great. When you plug in flash drive, go to es file explorer and you should see it there, then open it.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] brightjh01:
TWRP 3.2.1-2

Terpsichore working fine

just not seeing anyusb drive plugged into USB. like the nexus devices did.

so I could make backup to USB.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Homeboy76:
Twrp 16.0:confused:

---------- Post added at 07:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 AM ----------

Terpsichore:confused:

Did you format the USB with your Pixel XL?

Plug otg USB device into your Pixel XL: Tap Settings > Storage > SdCard Icon > 3 dot menu > Settings > format
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fiverings:
Sorry, I made a mistake. It's Magisk 16 for root
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] brightjh01:
No the pixel can't see the USB . USB seen fine by Nexus 6 when Nexus 7 or Nexus 9

---------- Post added at 02:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:08 PM ----------

yes Terpsichore is confusing typeO .

I think I was trying to say

usb otg to computer works fine.

I am thinking I have a hardware problem with my refurbished pixel XL.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Homeboy76:
Me too, via should be with lol

---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Ok.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] fiverings:
My xl works fine with us flash drive, don't even need to format the drive. I can plug in right in phone with no cable. Mine drives you can slide the connector right out.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Homeboy76:
Yes, some otg USB do not need formatting. The formatting suggestion was a "shot in the dark". :)
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] TheAtheistOtaku:
so ive been a long time xda and custom rom user. But since ive gotten my pixel xl about half a year ago i cant bring myself to flash anything because of how you have to flash things nowadays because of project treble.

it just seems too tedious and too many things can go wrong. so my question is will things always be this way (as in, booting and flashing some things to slot a, rebooting, flashing other things to slot b, rebooting. then flashing other things because you can only after first boot)?

or is this because project treble is still new and the process still hasnt been automated. i just wanna be able to flash what i need and go, without having to worry about which thing goes into which slot when
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] xNotta:
Does anyone have any experience with making a claim with Assurant Insurance for screen burn in?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] milestyler:
My google pixel xl internal storage is empty. when i boot into twrp and click install theres nothing there in the files. vendor is empty, sdcard is empty, system is empty. all files are empty i have no idea what to do please help!!!!!!!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Phalanx7621:
Reboot into recovery, plug phone into computer , look at internal storage, unplug from computer, reboot recovery. The files are still there most likely or TWRP couldn't boot. (Unless you're fastbooting it)
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
Just follow the directions on the Pixel images site at the top to flash the image. It is pretty thorough. Then I personally would do another factory reset from stock recovery after the image flashes. Probably an unnecessary step since the flash all script executes the -w command wiping the device. But I do it anyways myself.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] thawte:
Thank you for the advice. I ran the supersu app to unroot without restoring the boot image, then i flashed the stock image, which factory reset it. After that I did one more factory reset from the OS. Then i did the fastboot oem lock and once again it factory reset. I am upgraded to NDE63X as well now and all is good. Thanks again!:good:
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
Everyone I try to side load the OTA it fails and says bad alloc on adb. Wtf am I doing wrong. Adb seems to only work to reboot device
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
Boot into stock recovery. Select "apply update from adb". Go to command prompt and navigate to directory where the image is located. Type adb devices to make sure you are connected. Then type "adb sideload OTA.zip" OTA obviously being replaced with the name of the file. That's all it takes. You may need to add adb to path or just add it to system variables and it can be run anywhere in command prompt. Also may need to update platform tools to version 25
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
I have tried exactly that and I am version 25. I think I may have bad download....getting frustrated though. One thing nice about Samsung devices..Odin always worked. Never had so many problems. I soft bricked the other day a d it took like 4 hours to flash stock image....crazy

---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

So adb connects but once in recovery mode if I check devices nothing comes up. This is crazy I e been trying to update for hours now, this **** shouldn't be this hard. Can someone help me. I don't know what else to do
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
Did you grant authorization from the phone when you used adb to connect? It's a little hard to help you when you are so upset. Give more details about everything you have tried calmly. ADB is not a hard tool to use. Have you also updated your Google drivers from SDK manager?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
Yes I granted adb on phone. It works when I reboot recovery. Once in recovery i select install adb. Then I type adb side load and file. Hit enter. It fails and say bad alloc. I updated drivers. One thing and not sure what it means when I start adb and check devices it gives me a message about adb server 31 and daemen 38. I have all the lastest installed through SDK . I agree it's not hard to use,its just not working.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
If you are on windows 10 uninstall the kedacom KDB interface drivers. When you enter sideload open device manager. go to the Kedacom tree and uninstall the device. Select to delete the drivers when uninstalling. You should see it installing new drivers for Pixel XL. May have to unplug and plug back in to activate it. then once its installed adb devices will return a serial number.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
OK will try tomorrow I'm tapped out for tonight and getting a head ache but thank you

that worked, it now shows device but ota still failed. redownloading now to see if i had bad download, but in now sees device in sideload so a step further..thank you

---------- Post added at 12:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:06 AM ----------

Nope still failed ...attached a screenshot
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
Here
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
You messed up your ADB environment pretty bad. It looks like you have more than one version trying to start. You need to wipe all versions from your system and system variables. Then start fresh with the android sdk platform tools. This can all be googled. Im not going to go into it here. There is plenty of good guides on XDA and around the web.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] canemaxx:
Looks like I didn't have to unroot , I received an update last night but I haven't downloaded it yet. But I didn't think an update would come in if I was rooted? Now I'm confused
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
Will do.... thank you sir for your time
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] cwalker0906:
So I uninstalled Android studio, SDK manager, deleted every Android folder and my computer and feels loaded and installed new platform tools and every thing worked flawlessly. Thank you sir for your help
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] canemaxx:
I have the download for the update pop up on my phone and I am rooted and unlocked Verizon. Will I even be able to install or should I side load the update? If side loading where can I find the file and the command prompts?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] sonnycohopie:
So I have a Verizon Pixel XL that was locked. I used depixil8 to unlock bootloader. I had NDE63P and successfully side loaded the NDE63X update. I wasn't sure if I would be able to since I unlocked my bootloader. I wasn't sure if there would be issues and I couldn't find a post saying wether or not it would work.

I wanted to post that it worked great for me. No issues , just a long reboot.

Hope this helps someone. ????

---------- Post added at 05:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:44 AM ----------

www.androidexplained.com/pixel-sideload-update/
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] canemaxx:
I have tried to sideload and it keeps saying cn not read ota.zip. do I need to extract the zip in the minimal add folder? any help would be appreciated
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
You just need to be in the same directory as the file. Then just check your spelling. You could type "dir" to get file name and just copy paste. Or actually rename it to ota so it's easy to type in CMD.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] canemaxx:
I renamed it ota.zip and moved it to the minimal adb folder where adb and fastboot is and keep getting the same message
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Gizmoe:
Your CMD prompt needs to be in the same directory of file regardless of location. Also did you rename it just ota since windows hides the extension. Or did you name it ota.zip? If so then it would be ota.zip.zip. Navigate to directory and type "dir" to see it's name.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] monoquilmes:
I have a Pixel XL 128gb version bought on December 2017. I've updated to Android P a few weeks ago. I don't have any issues but some apps that keep crashing. I wish to go back to Android Oreo but I just want to do it in a safer way. I read that there are a lot of issues with the 128gb version.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Phalanx7621:
Just use fastboot to flash back to stock. Make sure to grab the full package not the OTA version if you're gonna fastboot.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] xray49er:
Anybody know how to remove the permanent alarm icon in the latest developer preview. Before I could hold the settings icon for the secret menu but that has been removed. Any help is greatly appreciated
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] andrew2432:
I just got my sprint pixel xl today. I began looking at it, prior to activation, it and OEM unlocking is greyed out, imagine that. I didn't set anything or connect to WiFi to start, there's also no sim card, just wanted to see about the OEM unlocking option. Do I need to have some of those things prior to attempting the unlock?

Will I need to follow vzws unlocking method? Should I activate the device with sprint first? It was sold as network unlocked and factory unlocked but the option is greyed out. Its currently on an 8.0 build, would flashing a new stock help? Thanks guys!

Edit: I have the g-2pw2100-021-b model which appears to in fact be the Verizon branded device according to a quick google, can someone confirm? So then I need to follow the vzw unlock method, will it work? Yes hopefully?! Thanks again!!

Edit2: vzw unlock method.

Must I now side load or twrp otas/new stock images?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] krabban:
Need help choosing my next smartphone, im standing between the oneplus 6 and Pixel XL.

things i care about with a smartphone: Good batterylife, Great camera, performance, updates, screen.

i never had an pixel devices before, so need som advice from you guys! is it wort it buying the Pixel XL in 2018?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] andrew2432:
I like mine, still wanted that essential phone I think but it certainly has those 5 things mentioned
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] krabban:
the thing is , that its pretty expensive! and almost no used are sold aswell in sweden. but what the heck i need a good camera, cant stand Onepluses bad cameras..
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] andrew2432:
I went the cheaper route and grabbed a 32gb pixel xl. The 128gb pixel xl was about the same as the essential-the few on eBay I found (which had camera issues, but I was after hardware and XDA community) so I wanted the essential. I like my pixel xl so far and the camera on stock is pretty amazing I think!
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] krabban:
i also have looked at that alternative, in sweden it is great pricing.

32GB model for 400dollar and

128 GB model for 450
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] bobby_sucker:
So...

How to get rid of that noise while recording video?

Has anyone faced it before?
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] easyrider77:
Question before I venture into buying this phone.

My phone specs are pretty well kinda picky, and limit my choices, namely the screen size. I prefer 5.5" and I think that's about my max, unless it's 18:9 ratio, in wich case I could probably do 5.7" screen.

That being said, I'm curious about rooting this phone. I had someone I chatted with and if I recall right he was saying it sucked to root. Not the root process itself, which is kinda a pita honestly, but more he was saying when he unlocked the bootloader, installed twrp he had to re-install twrp after every rom flash, because the phone some how lost recovery, and reverted back to stock.

Basically 2 questions:

1: Is the flash process for doing twrp as follows: reboot fastboot > fastboot reboot the flash img file > reboot recovery > flash the twrp img file > reboot recovery > install rom and root....is that correct?

2: Is he right and you lose twrp recovery at each custom rom flash and you have to do the above all over each and every time you flash a custom rom?? I've had a lot of phones, and I do mean a lot :).......but I've never once had to go thru all that when 1: flashing twrp, 2: flashing a custom rom. Once I flashed twrp recovery it was as easy as format all, and flash custom recovery + root (magisk or supersu) + gapps.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] andrew2432:
[MENTION=2189617]easyrider77[/MENTION]

1. boot bootloader with phone buttons, fastboot twrp with adb, flash twrp installer zip in twrp as any zip.

2. Yeah kinda, but you don't lose it and have to boot again. Steps usually are boot recovery (after installed with zip), wipe, flash ROM, flash twrp installer zip, reboot to recovery using twrp, flash gapps

I had never used adb but its been super easy. Just installed RR 8.1 and testing it out!

When you flash a ROM and reinstall the twrp zip, its literally just another zip file that takes like a minute max to install. Then twrp is reinstalled. Make sure to get adb running on your device before stuff. I forget sometimes. Its a few extra steps and as I used Odin tool with my Samsung I had hardly and adb experience. Its pretty easy just follow the instructions you find exactly!

This thread for reference:

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-pixel-xl-android-8-1oreo-unlock-t3715279/page48
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] easyrider77:
Cool, sounds easy enough on #1, but #2 that kinda sucks honestly. I guess because I'm not used to it is probably why. Doesn't sound overly complicated just an extra step of installing the twrp zip every time is all.

I guess I'm spoiled lol

Been checking online at a couple of different places, amazon and swappa. Seems like swappa would be my better choice if I was to buy this phone. After reading on amazon, there are a few nightmare stories about the phone, and that it's a 3rd party seller through amazon.
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] andrew2432:
It seems like it at first, but I read the thread and some problems with ROMs and it was seriously no problem at all. Only troubleshooting I had to on my own was move all the stock files into the adb tools folder so the flash all bat would work correctly, isn't spelled out explicitly but kinda obvious when I look back.

Way worth it I think, I got mine on eBay for not too bad! All the bootloaders can now be unlocked too
[Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers] Phalanx7621:
Swappa is XDA's new version of Marketplace. Never had a experience buying from Swappa.

Edited for spell errors