[Google Pixel XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Homeboy76:
Mod edit: Thread closed on request of OP! Oswald Boelcke, Senior Moderator

[Guide] Pixel XL Android 8.0.0 (OREO) Unlock/Lock Bootloader + Install Stock Images/Custom kernels/TWRP Recovery/Systemless ROOT + November Security Patch

Other Pixel XL Guides:

Android 9.0.0 (Pie), Android 8.1.0 (Oreo), Android 7.1.2 (Nougat)​

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'.

This Guide also works for the Pixel: If, you download the

correct files

for the Pixel.

Disclaimer

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

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 Android8/Oreo Factory Image

Pixel XL (Fi/Canada) - marlin-opr1.170623.032-factory-990d8d51.zip

Pixel XL (other carriers) - marlin-opr3.170623.013-factory-af0b6564.zip

Note: If you want the latest

OTA or Binaries

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

Full OTA Images

or

Driver Binaries

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

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

Need help installing Android SDK or using SDK Platform tools

:

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

Using the SDK Platform-Tools

Credits/Thanks/Recognitions

TWRP

TEAM TWRP -

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL

Special thanks to @gubacsek - for [MOD][RECOVERY] Working TWRP recovery for Pixel/Pixel XL on Android O

SuperSU/suhide/Flashfire

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

SuperSU v2.82-SR5 and suhide v1.09 Released Notes

[Android 4.2+][ROOT][2017.09.21] FlashFire v0.73 by Chainfire

FlashFire Documentation

Magisk/MagiskManager

[BETA][2017.11.24] Magisk v14.5 (1456) by*topjohnwu

[DEV] [Magisk] Official Pixel (XL) Support is Here! by topjohnwu

Magisk Manager Releases topjohnwu

[2017.10.15] Magisk v14.0 - Root & Universal Systemless Interface [Android 5.0+] by topjohnwu - Magisk-uninstaller-20171123.zip

Special thanks to @goodwin_c - for [Unofficial] Google Pixel family support

Custom Kernels

[KERNEL] [November 16] ElementalX 2.03 (Oreo) by flar2

[KERNEL][28.11.2017] Kirisakura-Harmony-O 2.12 [3.18.84][ANDROID OREO][SCHEDUTIL] by Freak07

[KERNEL/ROM]Sharkey Kernel and Uberstock for Pixel/Pixel XL by DespairFactor

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

Custom ROMs

[ROM][Pixel-XL][8.0.0_r17] Pixel Dust OREO for marlin [ALPHA] by spezi77

Other

spaceman860 - TWRP 3.1.1-1 Backup

Special Thanks to LeMoise - for the Root with Magisk remain Stock - Pass SafetyNet and

Receive OTA Updates

. It was nice while it lasted. Sorry, it stopped working with the November Security Patch.

Those I may have, inadvertently, forgotten.

Index

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 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. Use 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 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 USB cable.

Type this at the prompt and press enter to test

fastboot

.

fastboot devices

It should return your device serial number.

Unlock 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:

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 reads

'Your device software can't be checked for corruption. Please lock the bootloader'

You will receive this warning until, you relock the bootloader.

Important:

do not repeat do not relock your bootloader unless your phone is fully stock

. You must flash the factory image 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 #13 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 appropriate Factory/System Image for your phone and carrier.

Unzip factory Image

Copy the following files to the Platform Tools folder 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-aaa9.999999.999.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following and press enter.

flash-all

Install Factory Image and

keep

data

Important:

If upgrading to Android8/Oreo from Android7/Nougat 7.x.x

. Do #4 - Install Factory Image and

wipe

data

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 Tools folder on your Computer

flash-all.bat

Edit

flash-all.bat:

remove -w

bootloader-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

radio-marlin-9999-999999-9999999999.img

image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following and press enter.

flash-all

Install Custom Kernel

Flash with TWRP

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

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

Factory Image for Nexus/Pixel Devices to your Computer

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL

Custom Kernel - to your Phone

[KERNEL] [November 16] ElementalX 2.03 (Oreo) by flar2

[KERNEL][28.11.2017] Kirisakura-Harmony-O 2.12 [3.18.84][ANDROID OREO][SCHEDUTIL] by Freak07

[KERNEL/ROM]Sharkey Kernel and Uberstock for Pixel/Pixel XL by DespairFactor

SuperSU - to your Phone

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

SuperSU v2.82-SR5 and suhide v1.09 Released Notes

Fastboot the boot.img

.

Use a File Explorer to extract the contents of your factory image.Open the folder it creates and, extract the second archive

(image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip)

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

Boot Bootloader

Connect the device/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, and leave your phone in bootloader mode, and connected to your Computer.

Install TWRP

Place twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img in your platform-tools folder and Rename it

twrp.img

Type the following command at the prompt:

fastboot boot twrp.img

Flash Zips

.

When TWRP boots on your phone, Tap the Install button, and select twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.2.0-0.zip

Reboot Recovery

Tap the Install button, and select a

Custom Kernel

ElementalX-P-2.03.zip

Kirisakura-Harmony-O-2.12_3.18.84.zip

Sharkey.R3.marlin.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Reboot System

Boot Recovery

Tap the Install button, and select SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Note: The sequence of flashing the zips is important

Reboot System

Install BusyBox to/sbin/supersu/xbin.

Flash with Flashfire

Warning: "FlashFire is an extremely powerful application, it should be used with caution. Data loss, soft-bricks, and even hard-bricks are possible if used incorrectly. Unless you are an expert user, consult FlashFire's website and this thread before doing anything potentially destructive."

Backup your data and Internal storage

Install Application:

Install Flashfire Application from Google's Play Store

Open Flashfire Grant Root

Tap Plus Sign (+)

Tap Flash ZIP or OTA

Locate/Navigate to ZIP File location

ElementalX-P-2.03.zip

Kirisakura-Harmony-O-2.12_3.18.84.zip

Sharkey.R3.marlin.zip

Tap file

ElementalX-P-2.03.zip

Kirisakura-Harmony-O-2.12_3.18.84.zip

Sharkey.R3.marlin.zip

Check the

Restore boot and recovery images

box

Tap Checkmark (Top right corner)

Verify before you Flash

Flash ZIP or OTA - Has the file you want to flash and

✓ Restore boot and recovery images

is present.

If not repeat 2. Flash with Flashfire d through h above.

EverRoot -

✓ Inject SuperSU

is present.

If not, Tap EverRoot Select Inject SuperSU

Reboot should default to

✓ Normal

.

Tap Flashfire symbol to Flash file

Root with

SuperSU

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

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL

[BETA][2017.10.01] SuperSU v2.82 SR5 by Chainfire to your Phone

SuperSU v2.82-SR5 and suhide v1.09 Released Notes

Copy the following file to the platform-toolsfolder:

twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img and

Rename it twrp.img

Boot Bootloader

Connect device/phone to Computer

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following command at the prompt and press enter.

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots on your phone, tap the Install button, and select

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.2.0-0.zip

Reboot Recovery

Tap the Install button, and select

SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Reboot System.

Note: Install BusyBox to/sbin/supersu/xbin.

Root with

SuperSU

- Pass Safetynet

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

Note: If you did #6 - Install Custom Kernel or #7 - Root with

SuperSU

, above you already have root.

Start at m.

.

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL

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

SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip to your Phone

UPDATE-suhide-v1.09-20171001222116.zip to your Phone

SuperSU v2.82-SR5 and suhide v1.09 Released Notes

Busybox

There are several different versions (Free and Pro, see

Credits/Thanks/Recognitions

above) find one that works for you.

Copy the following file to the platform-toolsfolder:

twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img and

Rename it twrp.img

Boot Bootloader

Connect device/phone to Computer

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Type the following Command at the prompt and press enter.

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots on your phone, tap the Install button, select twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.2.0-0.zip

Reboot Recovery

Tap the Install button, select SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SR5-20171001224502.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Reboot System.

Boot Recovery

When TWRP boots on your phone, tap the Install button, Select

UPDATE-suhide-v1.09-20171001222116.zip

Swipe the slider to install.

Reboot System

Note: Install BusyBox to /sbin/supersu/xbin.

Root with

Magisk

- Pass SafetyNet

Important: I haven't tested Magisk 14.5 or Magisk Manager 5.4.3. If you have problems redo #9 substitute Magisk 14.3 for Magisk 14.5 and Magisk Manager 5.4.0 for Magisk Manager 5.4.3.

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

Install TWRP, Custom Kernel, Magisk, and Busybox.

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL

twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img to your Computer.

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.2.0-0.zip to your Phone.

Custom Kernel (Optional)

- to your Phone

[KERNEL] [November 16] ElementalX 2.03 (Oreo) by flar2

[KERNEL][28.11.2017] Kirisakura-Harmony-O 2.12 [3.18.84][ANDROID OREO][SCHEDUTIL] by Freak07

[KERNEL/ROM]Sharkey Kernel and Uberstock for Pixel/Pixel XL by DespairFactor

Magisk

[BETA][2017.11.24] Magisk v14.5 (1456) by*topjohnwu

Magisk-v14.5 (1456).zip to your Phone.

[2017.10.15] Magisk v14.0 - Root & Universal Systemless Interface [Android 5.0+] by topjohnwu

Magisk-uninstaller-20170928.zip to your Phone

Flash boot.img

.

Use a File Explorer to extract the contents of your factory image. Open the folder it creates and, extract the second archive

(image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip)

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

Boot Bootloader

Connect the device/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, leave your phone in bootloader mode and connected to the Computer.

Copy the following file to the platform-toolsfolder:

twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img and

Rename it twrp.img

Type the following Command at the prompt and press enter.

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots on your phone, tap the Install button, select

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.2.0-0.zip

Swipe the slider to install

Reboot Recovery

Tap Install, select

Custom kernel

(Optional)

Note: If you do not want to install a

Custom Kernel

go to

n

below.

ElementalX-P-2.03.zip

Kirisakura-Harmony-O-2.12_3.18.84.zip

Sharkey.R3.marlin.zip

Swipe slider to install

Reboot System

Boot Recovery

Tap Install, select Magisk-v14.5 (1456).zip

Swipe slider to install.

Reboot System

Install BusyBox

(Optional)

Open Magisk Manager, tap Menu, tap Modules, verify Busybox for Android NDK is checked.

Root with

Magisk

- Pass SafetyNet

without installing TWRP

thanks stryker09

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

Backup your data and Internal storage

Read/Do (as applicable) #1 - Command Prompt/Boot Bootloader/Boot Recovery; #2 - Testing ADB (Android Debug Bridge)/fastboot; #3 - Unlock Bootloader; #5 - Install Factory Image and

keep

data; and Tips and Tricks -OTA Installation Tips

Download files:

TWRP 3.2.0-0

for Google Pixel XL to your Computer.

[BETA] Magisk v14.5 (1456) by topjohnwu

Magisk-v14.5 (1456).zip to your Phone.

Flash boot.img

.

Use a File Explorer to extract the contents of your factory image. Open the folder it creates and, extract the second archive

(image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip)

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

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to your Computer via USB cable.

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, leave your phone in bootloader mode and connected to the Computer.

Copy the following file to the platform-toolsfolder:

twrp-3.2.0-0-marlin.img and

Rename it twrp.img

Type the following Command at the prompt and press enter.

fastboot boot twrp.img

When TWRP boots up, tap Install, select Magisk-v14.5 (1456).zip

Swipe Slider to Install

Reboot System

Install BusyBox

(Optional)

Open Magisk Manager, tap Menu, tap Modules, verify Busybox for Android NDK is checked.

Custom ROMs for Pixel XL

[ROM][Pixel-XL][8.0.0_r17] Pixel Dust OREO for marlin [ALPHA] by spezi77

Other - TWRP Backup

Boot Recovery.

Tap Backup and select Partitions to backup

Boot

System Image

Vendor Image

Data (Optional)

Swipe Slider to backup

Reboot System

Your backup will be stored in /Storage/Emulated/0/TWRP/...

Return to Stock and Lock Bootloader

Return to Stock

Backup Internal storage

Download the appropriate 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

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-aaa9.999999.999.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect phone to Computer with USB cable

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.:

Type the following command at the prompt, and press enter.

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 command 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

Audio Mod

[GUIDE] How to install ARISE sound on 8.0 Magisk by kingbri

[GUIDE] ARISE magnum OPUS on magisk android 8.0 by kingbri