yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Enc0der:
Hi,

My Pixel 2 XL will arrive in a couple of days. I am not interested in flashing custom kernels / ROMs, all I want is root with Magisk so I'll be able to install its modules. I would like to keep my OTA updates available.

In that case, what is the process I should do, after installing adb and flastboot?

Should I unlock the bootloader with or without "critical" ? (no way to unlock it without wipe?)

Am I suppose to flash a factory image on the next step or is this here just for reference?

Rooting with Magisk: I saw that we have TWRP now, if I don't care about flashing custom kernels/roms - should I care about TWRP? or is it better to continue with rooting according to the instructions in the first post?

Thank you!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jrbxx7:
You can just unlock without doing critical. It will wipe data. You dont need twrp however temp booting twrp is the easiest way to root. Temp boot twrp flash magisk zip 14.4.2 or higher and reboot. Otherwise u need to download the stock boot img, install magisk manager, patch the boot img. Transfer to pc then flash the patched img with adb.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Prattham:
Rooted with twrp :)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] uofirob:
I accidentally clicked on the "Update" button in system settings and now I can't get rid of that prompt. To remove it do I just need to get the latest OTA, flash it via twrp and then reflash the Magisk zip?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Jamalleelee:
I just ran into a similar issue. I got mine to work. It's a known issue on the google forums. Check out these links:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/47012779/fastboot-not-working-on-macos-high-sierra-10-13

https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/64292422#comment8 (I downloaded the platform-tools zip from post #55)

Make sure you are using "./fastboot" if your are using a mac ... that worked for me. Some people also found that using "sudo ./fastboot" worked for them. But if you can do ./fastboot devices, and you see your phone then you're good to go.

Good luck
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Nekromantik:
hi all by mistake I ran unlock critical before unlock.

Will this cause problems?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] drewski_1:
I don't think so, but you could redo the critical to be sure, or try and update Bootloader (w/ DP) and see if it goes through
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Nekromantik:
yeah tried critical and it said already unlocked.

:)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] OneNutShort:
Thank you for your response. Okay, went ahead, disabled all security on my phone, downloaded the latest image of TWRP, connected my phone, booted into bootloader, and then issued the fastboot command to boot into TWRP. Once in TWRP I located the Magisk 1674 zip and flashed it. Then I rebooted. The phone once again got stuck at the G logo. After a few minutes at this screen it automatically rebooted into the stock android recovery and says "Can't load android system. Your data may be corrupt. If you continue to get this message, you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all user data stored on this device." Any idea why this might be, or where I'm going wrong?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Try this. https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/development/2017-11-6-root-pixel-2-xl-t3701176/post77264251
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vermaekansh:
will the root be intact or i again need to flash the twrp and magisk?-- i think probably need to redo the root thing..

Also it is oky to jump directly from 8.1 N (july patch) to 9 P dirty flashing or clean install is recommended.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] OneNutShort:
You're amazing!! Thank you so much totally worked.

For anyone else having trouble, here is a quick step-by-step to make it easy.

-Download Magisk Manager APK (https://******************/downloading-magisk-manager) and tranfer to phone's internal storage

-Downlaod Magisk build 1674 ZIP (https://transfer.sh/YVFdi/Magisk-v16.7-1674-.zip) and tranfer to phone's internal storage

-Download TWRP IMG (https://twrp.me/google/googlepixel2xl.html) and place file into ADB folder on computer

-Disable all security on phone

-Launch ADB and enter following commands

-"./adb reboot bootloader"

-"./fastboot boot twrp-3.2.2-0-taimen.img"

-Install Magisk Uninstaller ZIP in TWRP

-Reboot

-Install Magisk Manager APK inside of Android

-Go back to ADB and enter following commands

-"./adb reboot bootloader"

-"./fastboot boot twrp-3.2.2-0-taimen.img"

-Install Magisk 1674 ZIP inside of TWRP

-Reboot

-Re-enable Security on phone
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mr_blanket:
I'm having the darnest time getting my CPU to actually see my phone to install Pie on my Tmobile Pixel 2 XL.

Using Windows 10, male to male known-good USB cord (USB 3.0, unfortunately) to the USB C adaptor that came with the phone. ADB can't find any devices. Device manager is completely void of anything looking wrong or incorrect. I have USB debug enabled, as well as developer mode. Currently on the latest Android P beta.

I've used every USB port and every USB cable I own. Driving me batty.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
Here's a slightly different option (starting with factory image) that I just followed and worked perfect the first time.

have bootloader and critical unlock already performed

disable all security; patterns, pins, etc.

make sure debugging is on

fastboot 9.0 factory image (removed -w of course)

fastboot into TWRP 3.2.2-0.IMG

Install TWRP.ZIP on sdcard

Ran the magisk uninstaller in twrp,

then flashed Flash kernel 3.0

let it boot up.

Installed MM 5.8.3 APK

then went back to twrp and

flashed magisk zip 1674,

reboot!

Note: as a matter of superstition, I reboot to recovery each time after installing TWRP, cust kernel, and magisk, prior to booting into system. It works :p

Thanks to [MENTION=3730810]Badger50[/MENTION] for figuring out the right steps
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] zard:
Deleted.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vMAC:
Can anyone point me to the tool that allows the opening of payload.bin?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vMAC:
For anyone else looking for this info:

Make you sure you have Python 3.6 installed.

Download payload_dumper.py and update_metadata_pb2.py here.

Extract your OTA zip and place payload.bin in the same folder as these files.

Open PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Terminal depending on your OS.

Enter the following command: python -m pip install protobuf

When that’s finished, enter this command: python payload_dumper.py payload.bin

This will start to extract the images within the payload.bin file to the current folder you are in.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Reechings:
Using Nova and recents stays horizontal as long as you don't disable pixel launcher which will make recents go back to Oreo style.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Ghisy:
I see. Just disable in in apps? Because I think I've seen a post talking about an adb command for this but can't remember where.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Reechings:
I'm rooted so I can just disable with titanium backup if I want. I leave it enabled because I don't mind the horizontal recents.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] peterlee928:
hi all... apologies in advance ify question is addressed elsewhere (if it is, i completely missed it).

if i want to install busybox (stericson), where should i install it? i have read to install in sbin... or xbin... not sure which is correct?

im rooted via magisk 16.7(4), pixel 2 xl.

MUCH thanks in advance!

note: i know osmosis has a busybox in the magisk downloads... long story short, that didnt play well with my phone (likely user error lol).
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Cowbell_Guy:
so Im following all these steps, keep getting the error "flash-all is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file".

Ive done this countless times before with other versions. What gives?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
Sounds like you don't have the flash all files put into the platform tools folder. Just a hunch though.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Sup man! Hope them fires out there aren't putting a hurt on you my friend ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
North, East and South of us, nothing to the west because it's all ocean 2 miles from our town. Worst year yet and it's all thanks to the last laws passed for the forestry department. If they would let them clear dead snags and such.... This wouldn't be happening. But, all good here in my little redneck part of the state ?. Been so dang busy here, haven't chatted with you in a while.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Yeah, I read about that crap. Let's don't clear cut so we can have better fires! Go figure! Glad your doing ok man, stay safe out there my friend. Don't go falling off any poles now! :laugh:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
Lol got my pole climbing recertification at the end of this month.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Well how bout that! Give it hell bruh, but remember, gravity is a *****! ???
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Reechings:
Thumbs up to pole climbing, I do it pretty often myself working for the phone company up in Canada.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
You understand, it's funny how many people stop and look lol. I work for a cable company, pole climbing is safer than the ladder especially in winter ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Reechings:
Yeah I usually use the ladder because I find it quicker and more comfortable if I'm going to be up there a while but it's always fun to break out the spurs.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Can you guys clime like this dude? ??

[youtube]Lw-dtV3EIaM[/youtube]
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
The 1st thing they teach is free climbing, followed by belt climbing, so yeah we can do that but OSHA is totally against that idea lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
OSHA is always against anything fun or productive!!

Bastards were the same way in my physical therapy job for 21 years! Do this, do that, don't do this, don't do that! ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Pkt_Lnt:
I generally agree. If OSHA had been around in my early work years of running jackhammers, working in a rock crusher plant, dynamiting boulders, laying asphalt, I might not have severe hearing loss. Though I guess they would not have warned of all those years growing up wild game hunting for food would have saved me. :rolleyes: :eek:

When I was very young, my Dad was a lineman for Idaho Power Company, building power lines from the many recent hydroelectric dams being built. When I was 7 he transferred to a dam so we did not have to move the trailer every ten days from town to town., and getting me in a new school for two weeks before we moved again.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
I believe you were smart enough to know better as well my friend. While I hate wearing hearing protection when I'm shooting, I do it because I've still got enough sense to know better. However, you'd think I'd be smart enough to do the same with high grade fireworks! ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Pkt_Lnt:
Back then there was a macho redneck attitude about that kind of thing. At 18-20 years of age, that kind of worker peer pressure is tough, especially when getting summer labor jobs that paid well was extremely difficult, but that was the only way I could to college. One guy was fired from a job for using ear plugs because he could not hear the foreman call him. :rolleyes:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] iamjimmy:
Hi - I'm on June security patch for Pixel 2 XL. Do we have to factory reset to install Android 9 Aug Security patch. Or can this be done by flashing the factory images and removing -W to NOT overwrite user data? Thanks.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Yes you can without factory reset :good:

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/how-to/quick-2xl-upgrade-reference-8x-oreo-to-t3826330/post77269862
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] iamjimmy:
''

Thank you so much . Appreciate the quick response.

I read through the steps and just had a couple of questions:

1) Is Magisk uninstaller really required? Previously I used to just flash the factory images (removing -W) and then flash TWRP.Zip, kernel.zip and Magisk.zip in that order in TWRP. No uninstall of Magisk was needed before flashing factory images.

2) Is MM.apk required to be installed separately before flashing Magisk? Previously the Magisk.zip flashed in TWRP would automatically install MM.

Thanks.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Many of us, including myself, had to flash the uninstaller since the method that you, and many of us in the past have used, no longer worked to achieve root.

The MM apk had to be reinstalled since the uninstaller zip removed it, and the 1674 version didn't install it. At least for me it didn't. Then again, I may be wrong because it never booted up after I flashed it in twrp until I did the steps in the guide :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] iamjimmy:
Thanks once again. I really don't mind extra steps as long as it works.

So basically magisk uninstaller has to be flashed from the TWRP recovery. In the past I've noticed that if I reboot to recovery without flashing kernel, magisk etc, I don't reboot to recovery and get stuck on the Google logo screen. How to get around that?

Final question - is it necessary to remove PIN/Fingerprint etc before doing this? Does TWRP still have issues decrypting? I thought those were solved and I never had to remove PIN while upgrading previously.

Have you found any difference in performance in dirty flashing vs Clean flashing of Android 9.0? Thanks.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
After you fastboot the factory image, let it boot up once, then fastboot into twrp to flash the uninstaller. Or just flash it before you Upgrade.

Definitely yes on the FP/pin thing. Just for extra safety.

Can't really say anything about performance. I dirty flashed to 9.0 and everything is working fine :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
Hi,

does the rooting with Magisk method, without installing TWRP still work on 9.0?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] hymnz:
Exactly my question too.. I have been trying the method for the last 4 hours and I get the error "failed" .. Attached the log of the screenshot.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
Seems like it doesnt work ?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Are you guys trying to patch the boot.img I assume?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] hymnz:
Yes. Extracted from the Stock Image zip file.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
This is how this guy was able to do it.

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/how-to/quick-2xl-upgrade-reference-8x-oreo-to-t3826330/post77277984
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
I didnt try it yet, but I want to since I dont need TWRP.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
You could always use temporary twrp as well. My post just above yours also has a link to how another user patched the boot.img :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Reechings:
Yeah it's all fall arrest belts and all that boring stuff these days :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] eruben:
What's the benefit of installing flash kernel? I tried once and noticed my battery got worse.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KennyG123:
Thanks [MENTION=6842057]nathanchance[/MENTION]!

Now that the Pixel 2XL has upgraded to Pie and we lost rootless substratum, I finally had a reason to root.

Worked great but not sure about other carriers, but trying to set up Project Fi ran into a bug where it wanted a QR code for the carrier. After a few minutes with Fi support who did not know much...finally she had me set up device as new and connect to Fi after the installation.

So if anyone else runs into this, just set up as new and connect through Fi app after.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] nathanchance:
Better security and stability due to merging linux-stable, along with some real life performance improvements from Sultanxda.

Kernels don't cause excessive battery drain.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] srqrob:
Switched to Project Fi on my phone and went flawlessly with no SIM. Also asked for code and the Project Fi rep said just use 0000 if you have no code and it connected perfectly. Fi is great so far.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MrMeeseeks:
I'm hesitant to root my 2 XL because the other times I've tried it, it just seemed unstable. I was wondering. With my last device, a OnePlus 3T, I would just push a host file to /system/etc with TWRP and not bother with root. Is that possible on a device with the A/B partition or is root required?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Brenneke:
Would the use of a kernel not affect the operation of the new AI features in 9 Pie? (e.g. new battery-saving strategy)
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] nathanchance:
No, those features still work with custom kernels.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
I tried this method and it didnt work for me, Im stuck in the G Bootloop so I flashed the stock boot.img again.

Do you have a guide with the temporary TWRP and no flash kernel?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
Try following the 9xx guide in my sig, and skip step #7 "install TWRP.ZIP" and step #9 "flash custom kernel".

There are also a few troubleshooting tips for being stuck at the G screen in the guide as well.

Good luck!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] evanw68:
I'm not sure if it's already been asked, but will the method in the op still work on Android Pie, provided I use all of the updated files and whatnot?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Yep, pretty much. However, here's a little bit more of an updated version since rooting Pie is a little more tedious :good:

https://xdaforums.com/pixel-2-xl/how-to/quick-2xl-upgrade-reference-8x-oreo-to-t3826330/post77277984
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
For step 14 "Install magisk zip 1674" I'll do step 6 "Type: fastboot boot <twrpxxx.img name> to boot into TWRP 3.2.2-0.IMG" again?

With which step comes the root? Im a little confused :>
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] post-mortem:
You get root by installing Magisk. If you have skipped installing TWRP, you'll have to fastboot boot trwp (as you said), then use TWRP to to install the appropriate magisk.zip file.

BTW, there is a TWRP 3.2.3-0, but I'm not sure it will make a difference.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
Copy, im still in the "patching the boot.img via magisk" method :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] simplepinoi177:
That's a perfectly acceptable method...

But most the experts agree that installing via the installation .zip is best and do such, and also I personally believe causes less issues leaving the installation .zip commands to do its thing rather than leaving it to me to extract/find the boot.img, patch it, and then replace the stock boot.img.

Some users who are very new to rooting and/or rooting the Pixels are also under the misconception that one has to install TWRP and replace the stock recovery (and its issues with updating via OTA); of course there is a way to merely

temporarily

boot TWRP to just install Magisk and/or a custom kernel thus not replacing the custom recovery....

Just something to think of.....
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
^^^This.

Fastbooting into TWRP.IMG allows you to use TWRP to flash files without TWRP sticking on the next reboot, for those who don't want TWRP permanently.

If you want to keep TWRP, you just flash the TWRP.ZIP file from within TWRP.

As the guide says, I like to always boot back into TWRP before booting into system as a matter of superstition. It has always worked for me :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Superschmiddi:
This just worked very well for me!

Thanks!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KennyG123:
Well it was funny but never had a problem with my P 2XL until I unlocked the bootloader on Pie, rooted and installed substratum because Google blocked rootless Substratum! I had random PIN errors when booting, then updating Pitch Black theme this morning and it went black...totally black! Then it proceeded to go into boot loop of death! ADB would not recognize it, would not go into recovery, just rebooted...over and over. Power Off from bootloader was the only thing that worked.

After 2 hours of trying had Google RMA it. Then after lunch I figured I would try to fastboot the Pie stock firmware...low and behold THAT worked to get a working phone again.

Apprehensive to try everything again...but this frigging white backgrounds are killing me!!!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Dang Mr. Kenny! When you do something, you do it right! If your willing to be adventuresome....again, you can still theme Pie, but you'll need substratum version 998, here...https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S_2XmrGn8l5-zjnE24fvwPt8FiKnnt-b/view?usp=drivesdk

And you'll need a compatible theme like Pitch Black, which is what I use. You'll need to "build and update" your overlays, reboot, then enable them with substratum manager. Best of like my friend :cool:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KennyG123:
Yeah...had all that. Advice I got so far was that I did not remove all security before patching boot image...which may have corrupted it.

On my second attempt...now safetynet was failing but found out it is some Google error and nothing I did wrong (another hour wasted) but have Pitch Black running again and all is well (and not F'ing white!). So fingers crossed my friend!!!

Hopefully they will update substratum soon so that I stop getting the update notification for it :D
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Az Biker:
I only used substratum when it first came out, and didn't like all the build, enable, build, stand on one leg, blah, blah , blah.

If you don't mind, what was your successful process as I'd like a little blackness in my life too :D

Davey would be proud no doubt :p

UPDATE: Never mind, I figured it out... No way it has always been that easy, right?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KennyG123:
Yup... It's that easy! The only pain is the constant Google app updates that make the themers constantly update which makes us constantly build and enable.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] KageBeast:
So i have a question if anyone can answer this. I have a chromebook that has adb and fastboot working and I'm trying to do the step that clean installs a factory image. on my pixel. I tried to install a custom rom earlier and it didnt go so well so here I am. How would I go about doing this? I tried simply going to crosh and running the flash-all.sh command in the op but i get a permission denied error.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MrMeeseeks:
ChromeOS labels certain directories as noexec. This could be your problem. Try running /bin/sh flash-all.sh

This apparently only works if the Chromebook is in Developer mode. I don't have a Chromebook but this is what my research says.