yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Go here...https://dl.twrp.me/taimen/

You need to download both the twrp installer zip, and the twrp image file. The version you want is..twrp-3.2.3-1. They are the 1st and 9th ones on the link I gave you. From there, you put the installer.zip on your internal phone storage. You put the twrp.img file in your platform-tools folder.

You then put your phone into fastboot mode, open up your command prompt, and type: fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-1-taimen.img

That should then boot you into twrp, where you will swipe to allow modifications, then flash your twrp installer.zip to keep twrp as your recovery. :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Yeah ok, that's how I used to so it, put the twrp image on internal storage lol. I guess I thought there was a different process now. Imma try this out.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
The twrp image file goes in your platform-tools folder. The twrp.zip file goes on your phones internal storage :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Ok, thanks, I have the twrp.zip on my internal phone storage. Which one is the image file?

EDIT: sorry found it. I was looking in the wrong place...

---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 PM ----------

Ok, thank goodness TWRP IS FLASHED!

---------- Post added at 09:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 PM ----------
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Yes, magisk goes on internal and you install it with twrp. Looked like you where waiting and badger looked off line. Didn't mean to butt in.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Is there a button combo I have to use to get into twrp on my phone? Not having to use cmd everytime?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Not unless you install twrp. You want to boot into twrp with fastboot as you did before. Then install the twrp zip if you want to replace the stock recovery with twrp. After that then, yes, you can boot into the bootloader and use the vol keys to get to recovery.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
It's cool jd, the more the merrier :good::cool:

---------- Post added at 03:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:57 AM ----------

Or, you can use an app like quick reboot, or magisk manager to boot into recovery :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
I'll butt out for now.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
yeah no worries for butting in. I appreciate it.

I've booted into twrp using fastboot and I have installed it on my device. I would like to boot into recovery like I used to, to flash roms and such. HOw would I go about that? I've tried several different combos of volume and power buttons, but its not going there.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Oh heck no my friend. A second set of hands is always welcome :good::laugh:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Of course I'll keep an eye on you, lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
With the phone on or off, hold the power and volume down buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds until you see the fastboot screen. Then just scroll down to recovery and hit the power button :good:

---------- Post added at 04:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:04 AM ----------

Lord knows I need it!! ??
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Oh, I think you're pretty capable on your own. But it's always good to see you.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Ok, everytime I try to reboot into recovery I get the little green android with the yellow triangle of death
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Oh right! Shoot, I could mess up the Missouri river in a row boat! ?

---------- Post added at 04:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 AM ----------

Then you likely didn't flash the twrp installer zip, after you fastbooted into twrp.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
ooookkkkkk I'm fastbooting into twrp now...

If i remember right, twrp installer zip has to be on root of internal storage?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Yep. Put it in a file or whatever, so you can find it in order to flash it. I made a file called "Root" in which I keep my twrp.zip, kernels, and magisk files for easy access :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
My eyes are buggin out of my head. I'm not seeing it on the root of my internal when I'm in twrp.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Well where did you put it? Your pc will only see your internal storage folders, not the root tab. Put it in your download folder, or make a new one :good:

---------- Post added at 04:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:33 AM ----------

Oh wait...it's in there. Sorry, my bad. Didn't look close enough :(
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
In the pic above you can see that I put the twrp installer on the root of my device storage. When I fastboot into twrp, I can't find the installer to flash.

I will say that when I first fastboot into twrp, I am prompted to enter a password. I just hit cancel and move on. I don't know if I'm supposed to enter some password or not. I don't see how that makes a difference. Anyway, I'm just not seeing the twrp installer zip file when I fastboot into twrp.

I have put Magisk APK on my device and tried installing magisk v18.0 but I can't see that either in twrp. I feel like I've overlooked something
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
That's why you can't see it, twrp isn't decrypting your data. When twrp prompts you for your password, enter your screen lock pin, or whatever you have it set at.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Well gee-whiz, when did this start happening? lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Oh...about 14 months ago :silly:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
lol I haven't rooted a device since the Galaxy Note 3

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

I still can't get Magisk APK to grant me recovery mode

---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------

I don't like having to fastboot everytime

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------

It's 11pm here so I'm calling it a night. Thanks so much for your help.

I was able to Flash Twrp and am now Flashing Magisk v18.0. I'll update later. Thanks again guys!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Magisk won't grant recovery mode until your rooted, nor will any other app. Your almost there bruh. Now hit me up with dat tanks button :laugh::silly:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
I'm stuck in Twrp. Every time I restart the system, it restarts into twrp. All I have done is flash twrp and the Magisk zip.

I'm a little stuck here. As of now, I can only get into recovery from fastboot, but I can't do really much there. When I try to reboot, it takes about 5 minutes, like if I just flashed a ROM, then goes right back into twrp.

I'm bummed, I really thought I'd have root by now. I can't get out of the Twrp. I'm not even sure TWRP is flashed properly to my device. The only way I can access it is via Fastboot.

Here's what I've done so far:

1: Installed Fastboot and ADB

2: Unlocked Bootloader

3: Flashed Factory Image (I chose the Wipe Everything option)

4: Flashed TWRP (can't get into recovery from phone so I'm not sure TWRP is flashed properly or if it even took)

5: Put Magisk v18.0 on the root of my device but when I flashed that is when I started having trouble. I can reboot my device but it only goes to TWRP.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
That's actually a pretty common thing when your trying to root the first time. Do you have the magisk uninstaller zip? You'll need to get that little gem.

There are several sequences that you can try to get root to stick. And, sometimes a custom kernel can help. Read over that guide thread I linked you too earlier, and you should see various methods to get root enabled. :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Well Good morning =)

I don't have the magisk uninstaller zip yet or a kernel.

---------- Post added at 06:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 AM ----------

How do I get the kernel or magisk uninstaller on my device at this point? I can't access anything except TWRP from fastboot
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Will008:
I was in the exact same boat when I flashed greenify. And u can't access storage from TWRP which sucks, luckily I have ex kernel zip on the phone and flashed it which removed root then I was able to access the system and fix it.

Try flashing stock boot.img from fastboot it'll flash the stock kernel and remove root.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Then I guess I'm bricked. I don't have a custom kernel or magisk uninstaller on my device. This sucks, guess I'm off to buy a new device.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Mornin :laugh: I've been an early bird since birth I think! Here is the magisk uninstaller.zip...https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rEjavHcKmDTKPJ2F38Jk_VrxiRteadBG/view?usp=drivesdk

Your stuck in the "twrp bootloop", don't fret, it happens a lot on the P2XL the first time you try to root. Try this:

Fastboot into twrp

Flash the twrp installer zip

Then flash the magisk uninstaller zip, and see if you can boot to the OS. Let me know what happens.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Badger, I've done this exactly:

from cmd I've fastbooted into twrp then I flashed the trwp installer then I flashed magisk v18.0. I tried to reboot device and it goeas back into twrp. I can't seem to load anything onto my device. I'm guessing I can't at this point. But I'm stuck in twrp bootloop now.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Lets see if we can get you to the OS. On your pc, pull the boot.img from that secondary zip in the factory image file. I believe you already unzipped that file from the pic you posted earlier. Put that file in your platform-tools folder. Put your phone into bootloader mode and type: fastboot flash boot boot.img

When that's done, then see if it boots to the OS. Let me know what happens b
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
To be clear, you want me to pull the boot.img from the secondary image zip file (image-taimen-pq1a.190105.004[which is a zipped file]) and drop it in the platform-tools folder then put my device into bootloader mode? I just want to make sure I understand.

I have two folders that are taimen images in platform-tools. One is zipped and one is extracted.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Correct. It's the one not highlighted at the top of the pic. The boot.img is in that folder. :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Here are my results. Nothing happened to the phone. I'm still in BL with the Green Android and the open chest plate. Above the is the Option to START. Below the android is Press volume keys to scroll, and press power to select. Just making sure I'm in the right place when typing this cmd.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
trying to reboot now and it looks like I'm in OS.

Awesome, so at least it's not a brick. I've never had this much trouble in the past rooting any device.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Nikos2k:
Ah the last couple of pages is the story of "All possible mistakes and things that can go wrong when flashing/rooting pixel 2 xl" ...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Will008:
Kind of a dumb question, but was never in this situation before. I currently have an issue with swift installer where I can't change my theme and the only way to fix that is flash the stock image. Now my question is if I flash stock image with removing the "-w" from the flash-all.bat to not wipe internal storage, does it keep my apps installed (like sideloading OTAs) or will it wipe my apps?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Cool...welcome to the P2XL! It happens! Ok, now disable your screen lock, and set it to swipe.

Make sure you have all your necessary files in one folder on your internal storage, as in:

Your stock boot.img you just fastbooted

Your magisk 18.0 and uninstaller zips

Custom kernel, if you so choose, I recommend Ex kernel.

And your twrp installer zip.

Fastboot into twrp, you shouldn't get any prompts since you disabled screen lock. Then flash the twrp installer zip, then custom kernel zip(optional) and boot up to the OS. If it boots, then go back into twrp, and flash the magisk installer zip and see if it boots up. If it does, your rooted.

---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------

Amen to that brother :laugh:

No, it won't wipe anything. However, your substratum overlays will be gone, and that's about it.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
I won't begin to tell you how dumb I feel. But a lot of these helpful tips [MENTION=3730810]Badger50[/MENTION] is giving me aren't in the OP.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Nikos2k:
Data partition and internal storage are not wiped if you remove the -w switch
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Not in this threads OP. But in the other thread I linked you to, are a bunch of tips from several other users. This thread was created by Nathan Chance. The semi-retired kernel ninja Dev :cool:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
I see the party is still going on. [emoji16]
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Join the party bruh. I'm about to start my babysitting gig. So I'll be MIA here and there. And thank you :good::cool:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Yeah I remember Nathan. Like I said, it's just been a few years since I last rooted as my business took off. In my slow as crap season now so I have some time, and I wanted to explore this. Be back after bus stop.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
[MENTION=3730810]Badger50[/MENTION] when you say Fastboot into TWRP, I'm guessing you mean using cmd right?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Yes, he does. fastboot boot twrp.img
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Yep :good:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Ok so I flashed the TWRP installer zip then I flashed the custom kernel (ElementalX-P2-2.10.zip) and I received a message

Zip Signature Verification failed!

Error installing zip file '/sdcard/PixelROOT

ElementalX-P2-2.10.zip

Now what....? lol

The good news is I can now get into recovery from my phone. Yay!

---------- Post added at 08:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 AM ----------

Actually, I see that nothing will install. I'm getting the same error message when trying to install the magisk and the magisk uninstaller as well. Hmm...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Are you on pie or Oreo?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Pie
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
He should be on Pie judging from factory image he downloaded. I'm wondering if he checked off zip verification in twrp when he first installed it?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Do you mean check the box for zip verification before I flash twrp?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
That's interesting. The error you got usually is because your flashing something that's not compatible with the device or firmware version you're on. Here is what I'd do and it's taking a few steps back and starting over.

Boot back into the boot loader and flash the stock boot image. Use

fastboot flash boot --slot all boot.img. This will flash the boot image to both slots

Then boot to system to make sure everything is working

Then boot back in to twrp. fastboot boot twrp.img

Then install the twrp zip file in twrp.

Then from twrp boot to recovery

Then in twrp install elementalx

Boot to system to make sure that's working

Then boot back into twrp by booting to the bootloader and using the vol keys to recovery

Then install magisk

I know it's a lot of monkeying around but you'll be able to see where something is failing.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
No, don't check the box. Did you change anything when you first fastbooted into twrp?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
You gotta work to do that, lol
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
hey guess what, I unchecked the stupid F%#??%$ Zip Sig box and it's installing the kernel now...

Oh somebody kill me please,

Somebody kill me plee-ase,

I'm on my knees,

Pretty pretty please kill me.

I want to die.

Put a bullet in my head.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Alright then :laugh:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
We've all been there, don't worry. Just think how much you've learned.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
To be honest, I'm laughing at how much I've forgotten. I should never have stopped. I got upset that a Dev decided to no longer support a ROM he released and I decided to stop rooting after that. Anyway, I'm back now and trying to pack this stuff back in my head.

---------- Post added at 09:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------

Make sure you have all your necessary files in one folder on your internal storage, as in:

Your stock boot.img you just fastbooted

Your magisk 18.0 and uninstaller zips

Custom kernel, if you so choose, I recommend Ex kernel.

And your twrp installer zip.

Fastboot into twrp, you shouldn't get any prompts since you disabled screen lock. Then flash the twrp installer zip, then custom kernel zip(optional) and boot up to the OS. If it boots, then go back into twrp, and flash the magisk installer zip and see if it boots up. If it does, your rooted.

Well, I flashed Magisk v18.0 and it keeps booting back into TWRP. I fell oddly like I'm going in circles...
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Do I need to do this all over again?

---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 AM ----------

Ok, I went through the process again of flashing TWRP installer and the EX kernel. Rebooted successfully then flashed Magisk v18.0 and Magisk uninstaller then system rebooted and it went to OS. I thought this was great until I check my root check app only to see that I still haven't achieved root.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
You won't have root if you flashed the uninstall magisk zip last. If I'm reading what you did correctly. You just unrooted.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Haha, so what do I need the Magisk Uninstall for?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
I only use that when I'm going to flash a monthly ota with twrp. You want to flash the magisk 18 zip to achieve root.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Yep I see my mistake now. I was defintely flashing the magisk v18 then the magisk uninstaller. lol

Can we all just pretend the last few messages don't exist?

---------- Post added at 10:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 AM ----------

Well, I just keep booting into TWRP

---------- Post added at 10:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:31 AM ----------

I restarted the process. Flashed TWRP installer/EX kernel then rebooted, but it rebooted into TWRP again. So I flashed Magisk v18.0 and I am stuck in TWRP bootloader again.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
This is where the uninstaller comes into play. Go back to twrp, flash magisk, then flash the magisk uninstaller, then flash magisk again. Hopefully it'll boot up and you'll be rooted.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Ugh, went into TWRP again. I flashed Magisk v18 then Magisk uninstaller then magisk v18 again. I'm starting to think I can't root. It's been over 24 hours since I started this process.

I wonder how many times I'll have to do this before it actually takes?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Badger50:
Took me a but load of times too. There's lots of different sequences to try. I just don't have time atm. My 5 month old grandson takes a fair amount of time right now :laugh:
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Go back to that rather long process I laid out earlier today. But rather than do the fastboot flash boot --slot all boot.img just run the flash all batch file with the -w removed. This will get you back to a clean slate and start the process all over. Sometimes there are left over remnants messing up things after all the stuff you've done so far.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Well, I think my device is now a brick. It has been stuck on the Google screen for some time now. Like over 20 minutes. It's not looking good.

Yeah this isn't good at all. I've tried everything I can think of to reboot to OS. In cmd, adb can't find it
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Hold the power and volume down keys. It should boot back into the bootloader in about 15 secs.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
I somehow held the power and volume up button before you posted and got into recovery. I had to hold those buttons for about 45 seconds\
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
It's just about impossible to really brick this device so don't panic. Go through the process I described and let's get this puppy rooted!
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] clothednblack:
Maybe you have a bad magisk download, try downloading it again. Flash the magisk uninstall zip, reboot. Once back in the OS, boot back to twrp and flash magisk.
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
Whoa!

So I booted back into bootloader and flashed the stock boot image using fastboot flash boot --slot all boot.img. Then I rebooted the system and got a totally different screen:

Android Recovery

google/taimen/taimen

9/PQ1A. 190105. 004/5148680 user/release-keys

Use volume up/down and power.

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.

Try again

Factory data reset

I'm thinking I may need to factory data reset?
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jd1639:
Give that a try. It might fail though. If it does run the factory image, flash all batch file. Do you have anything on the device you want to keep? If not I'd do the factory image with the -w not removed.

PS, if it makes you feel any better I got where you are right now on my pixel 3
[Google Pixel 2 XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Digital DJ:
It worked. Starting the device over as if brand new. Then I'm going to go through your instructions.

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

Hey from here I'm confused. I thought TWRP was recovery?

Then boot back in to twrp. fastboot boot twrp.img

Then install the twrp zip file in twrp.

Then from twrp boot to recovery

Then in twrp install elementalx

---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 PM ----------

This is hands down the hardest most difficult root I've ever done.

---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 PM ----------

I've re-downloaded Magisk v18.0 four different times. So if it's bad, then I don't know what to do.