[Nexus 6P General] dave457:
Installing Stock Oreo 8.1.0 on Nexus 6P with Root

This is a quick guide on how to install and root stock Oreo 8.1.0 on a Nexus 6P.

The main problem I came across was trying to find a modified bootloader for Oreo 8.1.0, so instead I replaced the stock kernel with ElementalX-N6P-6.01 kernel. This alleviated the need for a modified bootloader. The reason this is required (or a modified bootloader) is to prevent the stock rom from replacing the custom recovery with the stock recovery on every boot. In addition, there is a need to remove the forced encryption of the data partition that is used in MM, Nougat and Oreo. Installing ElementalX kernel resolved both of these issues plus several other benefits including colour calibration plus plenty more.

This is not a beginner’s guide so I will assume you have the correct drivers and SDK tools installed on your PC (or Mac). Perform the following:

1.	Enable USB Debugging (Developer Options)

2.	Allow OEM Unlock (Developer Options)

3.	Boot into download mode and unlock the bootloader with fastboot oem unlock

Downloads

1.	Download the official stock firmware, currently “8.1.0 (OPM5.171019.014, Jan 2018, Softbank)” from here https://developers.google.com/android/images

2.	Download “twrp-3.2.0-0-angler-4core.img” from https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=745849072291692306

3.	Download “ElementalX-N6P-6.01.zip” from https://elementalx.org/devices/nexus-6p/

4.	Download Magisk (Latest version) from https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445

Method

Have your phone switched on.

1.	Within the downloaded stock firmware file there is a “flash-all.bat” file. Run this batch file. The phone will reboot into bootloader mode and flash the stock image.

2.	When finished reboot the phone and finish the setup. No need to set up too much at this point as it will all be erased again shortly. Now you’re on stock rom 8.1.0. Again,ensure the following:

Enable USB Debugging (Developer Options)

Allow OEM Unlock (Developer Options)

At the moment the data partition is encrypted (default with Oreo, Nougat and MM) and this is not good for TWRP or rooting, so this needs to be changed.

5.	Boot the phone into download mode, connect to your PC and flash TWRP

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.0-0-angler-4core.img

6.	Boot your phone into recovery. TWRP will now load but will ask for a password because the data partition is encrypted. Press “Cancel” in TWRP.

7.	Slide the bar to allow modification to the system partition when asked by TWRP.

8.	To decrypt the data partition, go to Wipe > Format Data and enter “Yes” in the provided field. It should not take more than a few seconds and then reboot into recovery again. This time it will not ask for a password and you should have access to the storage area of the phone from your PC.

9.	Remain in TWRP and copy “ElementalX-N6P-6.01.zip” from your PC to the phone and install it.

10.	While still in TWRP, install Magisk.

11.	Wipe Cache/Dalvik cache and the reboot into the system.

Extras

•	Check the colour calibration within ElementalX

•	Viper4Android can be installed via Magisk downloads. Use the version for Magisk 15. It works.