yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
I'm sure if someone had we would know about it by now. I don't have a backup phone to go to so I can't take the leap just yet. The good news is that regardless of what happens we can restore the phone with the factory images. We just need a brave soul/souls that are willing to try. The only way for us to get root is to keep trying all possible options as they present themselves.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
well twrp booted and i could sideload flash SR5-SuperSU-v2.82-SYSTEMMODE.zip. phone booted but root was undetected by supersu app
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] CapnShiner:
No, I don't think think SMS messages get backed up by Google to the cloud. My SMS messages did transfer, but that could be because I use Textra. If you use Hangouts, then they might be synced to the cloud, but I'm not sure. I only use Hangouts for SMS with my Google Voice number, but those are in the cloud,for whatever it's worth.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] NTchrist:
No decryption, as in it cannot decrypt the system partition. It does not work.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bajasur:
Top John has commented on the situation and made a detailed guide on how to port to Pixel 2 XL.

https://twitter.com/topjohnwu/status/925436251414544384

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=74361728&postcount=13
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
FYI someone in [MENTION=5169465]DespairFactor[/MENTION] 's telegram group has the regular pixel 2. they claim they are able to root with magisk by building a kernel with selinux disabled and use the twrp alpha to sideload magisk 14.3 beta
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
This much news in the span of a day for TWRP and Magisk really looks good. Who all is working on the pixel 2XL as far as we know?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
There are individuals in the group trying to build a permissive kernel now for 2 XL as we speak
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
We didn't have much success on the XL. It always ends in a bootloops or just simply not rooted. I think we're done for the night. It seems that twrp may have a flag set for the wrong device on the XL. Not sure if that will be the fix but we have been testing for hours. Big props to [MENTION=5169465]DespairFactor[/MENTION] for continuing to help for the XL even though he doesn't have the device. User Bite Ye was actually the first to root the P2. He documented it on his GitHub.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] eqbirvin:
I have tried this and no luck.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] radionerd:
I know Topjohnwu is very busy with school studies. My last donation to him I put Pixel2-XL in the note ;) Anyone else want to send some encouragement?

https://www.paypal.me/topjohnwu
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
Here is latest Magisk 14.4 beta built with newest commits

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1My3ELWb01vRVFJd2x0WHdmLU0/view?usp=drivesdk

EDIT: still bootloops when flashing on permissive kernel :(
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] psychotropic:
Trying to flash Magisk beta with the new Snoke kernel R8 I saw released (it'll probably blow up, but I'm dangerous). How do I disable encryption on my Pixel 2 XL? Do I gotta wipe and start fresh?

I'm still using my S7 Edge, so wiping this thing isn't the end of the world.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
Yes but it loops. Start fresh with no security or accounts.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Lawlrus:
Apparently. People.have said that once you add a Google account that it encrypts it. Guess that's something that needs to be fixed by deestroy
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] psychotropic:
You smell that sh** wind, Randy? Looks like Google is setting us up as sh** puppets in their sh** show. Seems we'll have to let the liquor do the thinking. (By your icon, I presume you'll get my references)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
If you add the account after you've installed a custom kernel it will stay unencrypted.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] dadoc04:
lmao.... the good ole lahey sh*t references
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ne0ns4l4m4nder:
Haven't heard any news, hoping your new phone didn't blow up on you, I'm running the snoke kernel lmk how it went for you
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
How to disable encryption, you need to go through Google set up and Skip everything. Except, the unlock Theft Protection. It will then ask you if you want to add the Google account and you say no. If at any point you say yes to something or add a pin / fingerprint it will encrypt. Then you need to reboot to the bootloader and run, fastboot format userdata then, Boot and Skip through the set up again and you will stay unencrypt it unless you add a pin / password. Also, this will work on the stock boot in image.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] cedargreen:
Does the extra step of fastboot format userdata allow Magisk to install? Or just disable encryption?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
Just remove encryption. We are still stalled on root with magisk. Just bootloops.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] TTA1326:
Ok, slightly OT, but... Does the Snoke Kernel stop the encryption? If so, is it possible to write to the build.prop file without loosing the changes on boot? If I could set global tether_dun_required to 0, and net.tethering.noprovisioning to true, I could at least use this device while I wait on the development work. I don't need a pin, password, or fingerprint for now. My Black XL 128 is still sealed in the box lol...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
Fstab is not in kernel so it won't disabled encryption. And I don't think anyone has been able to disable dm-verity so we can makes changes to /system that actually stick when we boot
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
You don't need the Snorke Kernel. You can remove encryption with the stock boot.img as well. You can however user snorke if you like.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] cedargreen:
I've gotten past the encryption but, yes, unable to make any changes to build.prop for tethering purposes.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
For anyone wanting to discuss decryption I started a new thread. -> https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-remove-encryption-pixel-2-t3699766
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
Let me make sure I'm understanding this.

I already set up my 2 XL with pin and fingerprint, so now it's encrypted making seeing root file tree impossible (like sdcard, download folder).

If I reset my device, and say NO to everything requiring pin or fingerprint on the device, I can set it up normally and still have access to the root file tree?

So long as I don't password, pin, fingerprint protect the device, I'll continue to have access to these files, right?

Edit: I just saw the link to the decryption thread after I posted this, my bad... Taking this over there :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bajasur:
It's ok AZ, it is as crazy as it seems [emoji12]
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Golf c:
So, I will have no Google account. Can I sync my Apple account and stay unencrypted? Lol

?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
I think I'll wait for stable TWRP and root...

It IS weird because this is the FIRST device I've owned since being with Xda that hasn't been rooted the next day after getting it :p

Hope things have been well for you, nice to be sharing the same device, again, as well!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Alxoom33:
I'm in the same situation. Info, if you want to now clear encryption you will need to wipe/format your internal data. I'm waiting for the next TWRP iterations, as well.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] danon.brown:
You can add an account if you have a custom kernel. There is only one at the moment. It won't encrypt if you just add an account. No security
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Golf c:
Great, now we just need root. I suppose I could live without security for awhile. Just doesn't seem practical with no Gaccount. Already running R8
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] northmendo:
You understand correctly. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not a factory reset will be enough. We used format userdata in fastboot to achieve it. It may be a good test to see if simply linking a Google account will trip encryption.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bryantjopplin:
You making roms still????

---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ----------

Yes not sure if factory reset is good enough but should be. But here is a pretty good explanation of what we seen.

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=74404941
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Itachisasuke:
Hopefully this will get us a working Magisk faster on the 2 XL.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
It looks like that was 2 days ago. Has he released anything since that would include the new patch method?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bryantjopplin:
Not yet. We are adding logging to the magiskinit.c to hopefully tell us what is going on.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] xbellox:
I think developers are one step closer...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ProAm500:
This gets me one step closer to taking the p2xl out of the box permanently :cool:. Where should I send tips for coffee for the work thats being done?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vanydotk:
https://www.paypal.me/topjohnwu
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Quinny899:
https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/development/2017-11-6-root-pixel-2-xl-t3701176
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
What file from the taimen zip do we use? Is it the nested boot.img?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] dredq:
I believe it is the bootloader.img that you extract from the factory image.zip. BUt this did not work for me. I am not sure what I did wrong.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] txyaloo:
Yes, it's the nested boot.img
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
Should we close this thread or repurpose for TWRP updates now?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] matslarson:
Yes

Nope, it's the boot.img not bootloader, that's why it didn't work.

Probably close, not really a WIP anymore.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bigv5150:
How do you pull the boot img
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
Stock boot img? You can just download it

https://desktop.firmware.mobi/device:1810/firmware:13749
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bryantjopplin:
P2 XL??
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] EvilDobe:
Download the official update package corresponding to the Android version you're using & use something like 7zip to extract all the contents to a folder. Navigate to the folder of the extracted zip & drill down until you get to another zip file (in version 8.1 that file is called "image-taimen-opp5.170921.005.zip"). Again use something like 7zip to open the package & look for a file called "boot.img" and drag it to your desktop 'er where ever you want it.

8.0 images: https://developers.google.com/android/images?csw=1#taimen

8.1 images: https://developer.android.com/preview/download.html#images
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bryantjopplin:
You want to pull the updated image from Nov correct?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bigv5150:
Thanks that was very easy now I'm rooted will this survive an update i haven't gotten the nov security update yet
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] slothdabski:
No, it will not survive. Update will flash new stock boot img
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bigv5150:
That's what I thought but all we should have to do is pull the boot img and do the process all over correct
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
When you download the factory image files there is a zip folder inside the zip you downloaded that contains the necessary boot.img
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] bigv5150:
Thanks I really want the new update but want to keep root.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] loganfarrell:
I updated to the 8.1 developer preview and rooted again
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] dr_rick13:
can anybody shed some light on how I can root if I'm already on November security update?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mngdew:
https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/development/2017-11-6-root-pixel-2-xl-t3701176
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KKenna:
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but...

I have successfully rooted and installed TWRP on my Pixel 2 XL. One of the things I can't seem to get right is Substratum. I have Andromeda running and can execute the Windows batch file and theme my phone just fine. What I'd like to do is to sh a local script in terminal emulator (with elevated privileges) to be able to apply updates to my device without the need to tether. There is a script published in the github for this (Andromeda_local.sh), but it doesn't seem to work for me.

Does anyone following the instructions in this thread for root have the in device Andromeda script working?

Sorry if this isn't the right place to ask...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Quinny899:
If you're rooted you can just use substratum without Andromeda I believe, Andromeda is for non-root devices. Uninstall both and reinstall substratum, it should work
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] CyberpodS2:
Correct, if you are rooted it'll work as it should.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
Sorry, if this has already been asked.

2) I'm assuming if I update to 8.1 my phone will factory reset? Then I'll have to extract the new boot image and flash Magisk again. I previously updated to the 8.1 beta and my phone got wiped plus I had to extract the new boot image. Instead I just reverted back to 8.0.

Is there a way I can update my system without losing my data? Should I flash TWRP to back up my data?

2) I previously had a Note 4 with a SD card where I could store my backups, so wouldnt a backup on the Pixel 2 XL (without a SD card) delete the backup if my phone factory resets?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
If unlocked_critical already, your good. If not, might as well do that, it'll wipe your phone! However, before you do, make a TWRP backup of boot, system, data, and vendor. Download the factory image, unzip and all that. Edit the flash-all.bat file and remove the -w. Put all the factory image stuff in your platform tools folder, double click the flash-all.bat script and let it rip! Make sure you uninstall all substratum themes, and remove all fingerprint and pin security before you begin. After you've updated, then fastboot twrp.img, enter twrp and flash the twrp.zip and magisk 14.5. Your root and twrp will then be back.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] an21281:
You can update w/o wiping and loosing your data by flashing Dec firmware using flash-all with - w removed(open flash-all.bat file with notepad, need to remove -w towards the end and save file)

Once you dl the firmware make sure to unzip it, then inside the folder there will be another zip you need to unzip. Place all files in your adb/fastboot directory including the modified flash-all and open cmd in this same folder/location. Type flash-all
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
Try these steps :D

Updating to 8.1 factory image with the "-w" removed won't wipe internal (sdcard)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Oh..oh..you mean like a dirty flash! :silly:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
I don't have TWRP installed. I looked at their XDA thread and there was a note saying that if i was currently rooted, i'd have to reflash the stock boot image which would wipe my phone. Could I still follow your steps given earlier w/o backing up via TWRP? I have a Titanium backup alternative called Swift Backup, hopefully this app would restore my backed up user data.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
If you want to update to 8.1, download the factory image, unzip it, place all the appropriate contents in your platform tools folder. Then, using your notepad, edit the flash-all.bat scrip and remove the -w that is in the last line of the code. This will update you to 8.1 without losing any data at all! After that, you can fastboot the twrp beta2.img file. This will take you to a temporary twrp where you can flash magisk 14.5 to achieve root. There is also a twrp.zip file that you can flash in temporary twrp to make it stick :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
I understood the updating to 8.1 steps completely. Only thing that's quite confusing is the TWRP. I've flashed the TWRP image now, which would load but get stuck at the loading screen - i don't get enter a password etc. Is it because i haven't removed the fingerprint and pin before flashing?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
That's exactly why you don't get prompted for a password. After you boot up and setup with a pin, then the next time you go to twrp, you'll be prompted to enter that pin. Sounds like your ready to go my friend :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
My friend you have misunderstood me. I don't get promoted to enter the initial password when first installing TWRP. I tried again with fingerprint and pin removed and still it doesn't work.

I will try to flash TWRP at a later date.

I'm now trying to flash 8.1. I've removed the whole line with fastboot -w. Now what? What code of line to do I type in? For example a boot image would be ./fastboot boot etc.

I'm on Mac, so I can't open the bat file so instead it's the .sh file. What is the prompt: ./flash-all.sh? The directory is the platforms folder.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Ah crap my friend, sorry I'm not catching your drift. When you get to the temporary twrp, the screen is just frozen?? As far as using a mac with the .sh file...I'm not sure. I think there are instructions on the home page of the factory images. Also, the only thing you need to remove out of that flash-all.sh file is just the -w not the whole line. Sorry I can't help on the command line.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
It says my phone is corrupted and my phone doesnt boot up. Tried flash the boot.image, system, vendor, bootloader but nothing works. Neither does factory reset.

Did i just brick my £900 device?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
As long as you can get into bootloader mode, your not bricked. You may just have to flash the factory image with the -w included in the script. Unfortunately, it will wipe your phone. I'm sorry your having so much difficulty getting this working. I don't know if it's because your using a mac or what, but it shouldn't be this much trouble. My old windows 7 pc works like a charm with this stuff. There is a recovery thread out there for the P2XL. If you need the link for it, I'll find it for you if you need it.

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/development/tool-deuces-bootloop-recovery-flashing-t3704761
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Yourboymusti:
The main problem is that the script for flash all wont work. Neither on my Mac or my Windows 10. On windows i get the command isnt recognised because its not on the internal or external etc.

I tried flashing via minimal adb, but that cant access my files, zips. I keep facing roadblocks. Please link me to the recovery thread or whatever helps.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
On your windows machine, just double click the flash-all.bat file to get it started vs manually entering the command.

You have all the necessary files in your platform tools folder correct?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Richard Robertson:
Check to see that you downloaded the right images from Google. I had an issue where I accidentally downloaded the Verizon rom once but I don't have the Verizon phone. On the factory images page there is a description next to each download link.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ScottIsMyName:
The steps in the first post contain the steps that you need to do to flash magisk. Those will not change barring something is drastically different with this device. I did change the title to remove the word Guide since that seems to bother you so much.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Born<ICs:
.

In your op you said

"The bad news is that so far I am unable to get Magisk to work. Anyone else get it to work yet?"

Give that, what was the point of creating this thread?

When one Has a solution in hand or collects actual working steps to "get somewhere", then assembling a Guide might be appropriate. To simply throw up a "guide" thread hoping to fill in the blanks later = lame. ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ScottIsMyName:
Wow, some people are pretty ungrateful. Like I said, these steps are the same steps that will be taken once Magisk works correctly. I listed all of the things you will need to do, and that will not change.

Anyways, I'm done arguing semantics on this topic, and as I stated earlier, I have labeled this thread WIP. Maybe now we can continue the discussion of how to get Magisk to work on our devices.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] abuttino:
So, what is the proper version to install? 14.0 or .3?

T.B.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] gakio12:
[MENTION=2133630]skaforey[/MENTION] Have you tried simply unpacking and repacking the stock boot.img then flashing it? That would eliminate one case (if it boots, then repacking isn't the issue). I don't get my Pixel 2 XL until next week, so I can't really help out much yet. If you get the unpack and repack case tested, that's puts [MENTION=2614896]DaMadOne[/MENTION] one step closer.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Born<ICs:
.

Maybe someone has a guide you can follow. ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ScottIsMyName:
At this point, neither version works.

I have successfully unpacked the image, but not sure what the proper steps are for repacking it. I would be willing to try though if you are familiar with the process.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mac796:
Appreciate you guys trying to get it to work. And I'm glad you made it into public discussion maybe I'll learn something.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] murphyjasonc:
The OP also states what he tried and what the results were. Which by definition is what a WIP is and when it's done will be a guide. These are the first steps in getting root to work. It just doesn't magically appear. This is a developer thread and it takes trial and error. Every error is a success by itself and moves rooting a little closer. If you can't understand that then XDA is not the place for you especially if you don't have anything positive to offer.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Born<ICs:
.

Right ok, I can't offer a solution. (except maybe try recoveryless installation first go)? Or maybe try flashing via twrp v3.x instead of mm? Maybe gubacsek modified v of twrp which Wu suggested for pixel.

Dev only released official support for xl a month ago and has yet to mention (as far as I can tell) anything on 2 xl. Boot img came available a few days ago so hopefully a solution not too far out.