[Google Pixel XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Homeboy76:
[Guide] Pixel XL Android 7.1.2 (OREO) Unlock/Lock Bootloader + Install Stock Images/Custom kernels/TWRP Recovery/Systemless ROOT + August 2017 Security Patch​

Intro

This thread is for Pixel XL owners that want to Root their phone, and enjoy the benefits of rooting it without installing a custom ROM. However, for those that just can't live without a Custom ROM, take a look at 'Custom ROMs for Pixel/Pixel XL'.

It also works for Pixel owners: If, they download the

correct files

for their Pixel.

This Guide is

not

for use with the Second Generation Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL devices.

Update(s):

Other - Added 'Other' after 'Prerequisites'

Disclaimers:

I assume no responsibility for the malfunctioning/bricking of your phone.

The order of listed items i.e., Custom Kernels, Custom ROMS, etc.

Does not

indicate my preference for them.

It is your responsibility to do the research before selecting an item

.

Prerequisites

A Google Pixel XL or Verizon Pixel XL phone with an

unlockable

Bootloader, ([How-to] Unlock bootloader on Verizon Pixel/XL by burduli) - The unlock method was discovered by: Qu3ntin0), and the latest 7.1.2 August 2017, Factory Image (NHG47Q - Verizon; NKG47S - T-Mobile, Fi carriers, and Rogers; NZH54D - Deutsche Telekom; NJH47F - all other carriers).

Note: If you want the latest

OTA or Binaries

. Tap the Menu icon (upper left corner) then tap

Full OTA Images

or

Driver Binaries

PC - With the latest Android SDK or SDK Platform tools installed.

Important: Update Android SDK or Platform Tools, regularly, for optimal performance.

Need help installing Android SDK or SDK Platform Tools

How to Install ADB & Fastboot on Mac, Linux & Windows-(Method 1)

Easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot

Other

Pixel XL Guides: Android 9.0.0 (Pie)Android 8.1.0 (Oreo), Android 8.0.0 (Oreo)

Pixel 3 XL Guide: Android 9.0.0 (Pie)

Credit/Thanks/Recognitions

TWRP

TWRP

for Google Pixel XL

twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img to your Computer.

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.1.0-0RC1.zip to your phone.

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.1.0-0RC2.zip to your phone

SuperSU

[BETA][2017.10.01] SuperSU v2.82 SR5 by Chainfire

Magisk/MagiskManager

[Unofficial] Google Pixel family support by goodwin_c

Custom Kernels

ElementalX kernel

Franco's Kernel

Busybox/Busybox Checker

[MODS] Android Oreo Aroma installer misc. Mods by Tulsadiver

UPDATE-Busybox.Installer.v1.26.2-ALL-signed.zip

meekfik, download from PlayStore

Busybox Free (Stericson), download from PlayStore

[TOOLS][ZIPS][SCRIPTS] osm0sis' Odds and Ends [Multiple Devices/Platforms] by osm0sis

UPDATE-Busybox.Installer.v1.27.2-ALL-signed.zip

Busybox Checker, download from PlayStore

Other

pcriz -Fastboot Slot Commands, Custom ROM installion help, Magisk help, and help on many many other subjects.

Those I may have inadvertently forgotten.

Index

Open Command Prompt/ Boot Bootloader/Boot Recovery

Open Command Prompt on Computer

Option 1 - Open File Explorer, click the platform-tools folder, press shift, right click, and select open command prompt here.

Option 2 - Open File Explorer, click platform-tools folder, highlight the directory information in the address bar or click the folder (left side of address bar) to highlight it type 'cmd' and press enter.

Note: If your computer only has

'open powershell here'

in the

context menu

and you do not want to change it or add

open 'command prompt here'

use use option 2.

Boot Bootloader:

Power off phone, press and hold the power and volume down buttons until you see

Start

.

Boot Recovery

Power off phone, press and hold the power and volume down buttons until you see

Start

. Press

volume Up/Down button

until you see

Recovery Mode

> Press

Power button

.

Testing ADB (Android Debug Bridge)/fastboot

ADB

Enable USB Debugging - Tap Settings > System > About Phone > Developer Options. Enable USB Debugging.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type this at the prompt and press enter to test

ADB

.

adb version

It should return a version number for ADB.

fastboot

Enable USB Debugging - Tap Settings > System > About Phone > Developer Options. Enable USB Debugging.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Boot bootloader.

Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.

Type this at the prompt and press enter to test

fastboot

.

fastboot devices

It should return your device serial number.

Unlock Your Bootloader

Backup your data and Internal storage

Activate Developer Options: Tap Settings > System > About Phone > Build Number. Tap Build Number until you see

you're a Developer

. Tap back > Developer Options. Enable OEM Unlock and, USB Debugging.

Boot Bootloader

Connect your phone to your computer via USB cable.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following at the prompt and press enter:

fastboot flashing unlock

This will erase all user data from the device!

You should see a screen on your phone asking you to confirm this action, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to make your selection.

Allow the process to complete and then issue this command:

fastboot reboot

When your phone reboots disconnect your usb cable.

Note: After unlocking your bootloader, you'll be greeted with a warning that says Your device software can't be checked for corruption. Please lock the bootloader

everytime

you reboot. It's ok, as long as your bootloader is unlocked

it will stay there

.

Important:

do not

repeat

do not

relock your bootloader unless your phone is fully stock. You must flash the factory images first in order to remove root and custom recovery (if you have them), if this precaution isn't taken you may end up with a brick. Please see 9 of this guide for instructions on how to return to stock and lock the boot loader.

Install Factory Image and

wipe

data

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download the factory image for your phone and carrier.

Unzip factory Image

Copy the following files to the Platform Tools folder on your Computer

flash-all.bat

bootloader-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

radio-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

image-marlin-aaa99a.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following at the prompt and press enter.

flash-all

Install Factory Image and

keep

data

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download the factory image for your phone and carrier.

Unzip factory Image

Edit

flash-all.bat: Remove

-w

Copy the following files to the Platform Tools folder on your Computer

flash-all.bat

bootloader-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

radio-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

image-marlin-aaa99a.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following at the prompt and press enter.

flash-all

Install A Custom Recovery and Root with

SuperSU

Important: Set Pin before installing TWRP: Setting > Security > Pin.

Important: Make and restore nandroid backups with TRWP RC1 zip. Some, users have reported problems creating/restoring nandroid backups with TWRP RC2 zip.

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img to your Computer.

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.1.0-0RC1.zip to your phone.

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.1.0-0RC2.zip to your phone.

[STABLE][2017.05.27] SuperSU v2.82 by SuperSU Release to your phone.

Copy the following file to the platform-tools folder: twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img rename it

twrp.img

Boot Bootloader

Connect device/phone to computer

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following at the Prompt.

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots on your phone, tap the Install button, select twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC1.zip

Tap Add more ZIPs button, select SuperSU-v2.82-201705271822.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Reboot system

Install A Custom Recovery and Root with

Magisk

(Clean Install)

Important: Set Pin before installing TWRP: Setting > Security > Pin.

Important: Make and restore nandroid backups with TRWP RC1 zip. Some, users have reported problems creating/restoring nandroid backups with TWRP RC2 zip.

Note:[Substratum] theme Spectrum does not work with Magisk root.

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download the following files:

ElementalX-P-1.14.zip for Pixel XL

twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC2.zip

Magisk-v13.3-Pixel-b4.zip

MagiskManager-5_1_1.apk

Magisk-uninstaller-20170720.zip

Flash Boot.img -

If you have TWRP, SuperSU, or a custom kernel installed

.

Extract the contents of your factory image and open the folder it creates. From there, extract the second archive

(image-marlin-aaa99a.zip)

Then open that folder and copy the boot.img file and paste it into the platform-tools folder.

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to your computer

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following command at the prompt:

fastboot flash boot --slot all boot.img

When it finishes, leave the command prompt window open, your phone in bootloader mode and connected to your computer.

Install TWRP

Place twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img in your platform-tools folder and Rename it

twrp.img

Type the following command at the prompt:

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots, tap the Install button and select twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC2.zip

Swipe the slider to install

Press the back button until you are on TWRP's main menu select Reboot > Recovery.

Flash the ZIPs

Disconnect your phone from your Computer.

Tap the Install button, then navigate to the files you downloaded.

Select the Magisk Uninstaller.zip, tap the Add more ZIPs button.

Select the twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC2.zip.

Swipe to install

Reboot Recovery

Tap the Install button select a Custom Kernel: ElementalX-P-1.1x.zip or Franco's Kernel-r1x.zip.

Tap Add more ZIPs button select Magisk-v13.3-Pixel-b4.zip, tap the Add more ZIPs button and select: twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC2.zip

Swipe to install

Note: During the Installation of ElementalX, ElementalX's AROMA installer interface, will require your input: So, tick I agree, then tap Next a few times and press Install ElementalX when prompted.

When ElementalX AROMA installer finishes, tap Next, and Finish. After, the other ZIPs are installed.

Reboot System

Note: If you're prompted to install the TWRP app at this point, remove check marks from two check boxes and select Do Not Install.

Install MagiskManager

Install Magisk Manager (5.1.1.apk)

Wipe data on Magisk Manager

Enable Magisk Hide

Enable Core Only Mode

Toggle on and off systemless hosts

Reboot system

Check for Latest Version, Root, and Saftey Net.

Update Magisk

Dirty Flash

Download file:

Magisk-v13.3-Pixel-b4.zip or Magisk-v13.4-Pixel-beta2-build1.zip

Flash the ZIPs

Magisk-v13.3-Pixel-b4.zip or Magisk-v13.4-Pixel-beta2-build1.zip, tap the Add more ZIPs button.

Select twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC2.zip.

Swipe to install.

Reboot system

Check for Latest Version, Root, and Saftey Net.

Custom ROMs for Pixel/Pixel XL

[ROM][Pixel-XL][7.1.2_r24]★ Pure Nexus ★ Substratum | Fi | WiFi Calling ★[07/25/17] by BeansTown106

[ROM][Pixel-XL][7.1.2_r33][OMS] Pixel Dust for marlin [FINAL][2017/08/22] by spezi77

[ROM][Resurrection Remix v5.8.3][Android Nougat 7.1.2][OMS][07/24/17] by BDogg718

[ROM][UNOFFICIAL] LineageOS 14.1 Nightlies for the Google Pixel (marlin/sailfish) by invisiblek

Paranoid Android 7.2.1 - AOSPA - Pixel XL by freak_97

ROM][7/21/17][Marlin][7.1.2][WEEKLY]Team OctOs Oct-N by cjkacz

SCREW'D ROM

Install Custom Kernel

Franco's Kernel -

SuperSu

Download file:

The latest Franco's kernel for Pixel/Pixel XL

Boot into TWRP

Press Install button select the file you downloaded

Swipe slider to install

Reboot System

ElementalX-PXL-1.xx by flar2 Kernel -

SuperSU

Download files:

ElementalX kernel

[STABLE][2017.05.27] SuperSU v2.82 by SuperSU Release

Flash ElementalX zip in TWRP recovery (do not flash

SuperSU-v2.82-201705271822.zip

again if you're already rooted).

During the Installation, ElementalX's AROMA installer interface, will require your input: So, tick I agree, then tap Next a few times and tap Install ElementalX when prompted.

When ElementalX AROMA installer finishes, tap Next, and then Finish.

Note: If you're prompted to install the TWRP app at this point, remove check marks from two check boxes and select Do Not Install.

Franco's Kernel or ElementalX-PXL-1.xx by flar2 Kernel -

Magisk

See [Unofficial] Google Pixel family support by goodwin_c for Installation Instructions.

Install Substratum Theme

SuperSU Root

Install Substratum Theme Engine from the play store.

Install [Substratum] Spectrum theme from the play store. Note: I used Substratum theme Spectrum to test the installation of Substratum with SuperSU root..

Magisk Root

Researching Information

Return to Stock and Lock Bootloader

Return to Stock

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download the appropriate factory image for your phone and carrier.

Unzip factory Image

Copy the following files to the platform-toolsfolder on your Computer

flash-all.bat

Verify

-w

is present in flash-all.bat. Example:

fastboot -w update image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip

bootloader-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

radio-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

image-marlin-aaa99a.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following command at the prompt.

flash-all

Lock Bootloader

Phone

Boot Bootloader

Connect your phone to your Computer with USB cable.

Computer

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following at the prompt:

fastboot flashing lock

When it finishes the bootloader is locked.

The next step won't be needed if your Pixel XL reboots into system after bootloader relock.

You need to boot into system now, either press Power button to reboot OR issue the following command:

fastboot reboot

When your phone reboots disconnect your usb cable.

Audio Mod

Weta Audio Mod