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

[Guide] Pixel XL Android 9.0.0 (Pie) Unlock/Lock Bootloader + Install Stock Images/Custom kernels/TWRP Recovery/Systemless ROOT

Security Patch - December 2019​

Introduction

This Guide 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 XL'.

This Guide also works for the Pixel owners: If, they download the

correct files

for their phone.

This Guide is

not

for use with the Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3a, or Pixel 3a XL phones.

NEW

Android 11 (R) ROM

Update(s)

Factory/OTA Images - 12/02

Magisk Stable - Magisk-25.2

Magisk Beta - Magisk-25.3

Magisk Canary - Magisk-25205

T.W.R.P - twrp-3.4.0-0-marlin.img/zip[/URL]

SDK Platform-tools - r33.0.3

Custom Kernels

No Updated Custom Kernels

Custom ROMs Android 10 (Q)

Pixel Experience 10/25

Custom ROMs Android 11 (R)

[UNOFFICIAL][ROM][11][Marlin/Sailfish] LineageOS 18.0 [06/10/2020] by*Lunarixus

Disclaimers

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

The order of listed items i.e., Custom Kernels, Custom ROMS, etc.

Does not

indicate my preference for them.

It is your responsibility to do the research before selecting an item

.

Prerequisites

A Google Pixel XL or Verizon Pixel XL phone with an

unlockable bootloader.

The latest Android 9.0.0 (Pie) Factory or OTA Image: "

marlin" for Pixel XL

Factory Image

10.0.0 (QP1A.191005.007.A3, Dec 2019)

OTA Image

10.0.0 (QP1A.191005.007.A3, Dec 2019)

Computer - With the latest SDK Platform-Tools: r30.0.5 installed.

Important:

Update Platform Tools, regularly, for optimal performance.

Need help installing or using SDK Platform tools

: Easiest-way-to-install-androids-adb-and-fastboot

Other Pixel XL Guides

Pixel XL Android 10 (Q)

Credits/Thanks/Recognitions

Heisenberg RETIRED FORUM MODERATOR - He set the standard for creating, detailed, Guides.

Those I may have, inadvertently, forgotten.

Index

(NOTE: These are not steps 1-13, they are individual sets of information/instructions).

Open a 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 the 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.

Notes:

If your computer only has

'open powershell here'

in the

context menu.

Use option 2.

If you do not want to open a Command Prompt every time you want to use fastboot, add the path to the Platform-tools folder to Windows environment variables.

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.

Test 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 the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Type this at the prompt and press enter to test

fastboot

.

fastboot devices

It should return your device serial number.

Unlock Bootloader/Return Phone to Stock/Lock Bootloader

Unlock Bootloader (Google Pixel XL)

Backup your data/Internal storage

Activate Developer Options: Tap Settings > System > About Phone > Tap

Build Number

until you see you're a Developer. Tap back > Developer Options. Enable OEM Unlock and, USB Debugging.

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer and type fastboot flashing unlock and press enter.

This will erase all user data from the device!

You should see a request for confirmation on your phone, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to select.

Allow the process to complete and then type fastboot reboot at the Command Prompt and press enter.

When your phone reboots disconnect your usb cable.

Note: After unlocking your bootloader, you'll see a warning:

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

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

Important:

Do not relock your bootloader until you have returned the device to Stock.

.

Return Phone to Stock

Backup your data/Internal storage

Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Erase all data (factory reset)

Log in

Set up phone

Lock Bootloader (Google Pixel XL)

'B'

must

be completed before performing this step!

Boot bootloader

Open a Command Prompt and type this at the Prompt: fastboot flashing lock

You should see a request for confirmation on your phone, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to select.

Allow the process to complete, then type this at the Command Prompt: fastboot reboot

Set up your phone.

Enable Developer Options: Settings > System > About phone > Tap

Build number

7 times.

Tap Back > Developer options and toggle

OEM Unlock

off.

Install Factory Image

keep

or

wipe

data

When doing a major upgrade, Android 8.1.0 (Oreo) to Android 9.0.0 (Pie).

I suggest wiping data/Clean Install.

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download the appropriate Factory Image: "marlin" for Pixel XL to your Computer.

Extract the factory Image to the platform-tools folder or the folder that has

fastboot

in it.

Keep

Data

Open the folder you extracted the Factory Image to and Edit the

flash-all.bat file to remove -w

from this command:

fastboot -w update image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip

Note: If you do not remove the

-w

not only will your data be erased but also your internal storage will be erased.

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.:

Type flash-all at the Command Prompt and press enter.

Reboot

Do #7 or #8 to root/reroot

Wipe

Data

Open the folder you extracted the Factory Image to and Verify the

flash-all.bat file has the -w

in this command:

fastboot -w update image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.zip

Note: This will erase your data and internal storage.

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.:

Type flash-all at the Command Prompt and press enter.

Reboot

Do #7 or #8 to root/reroot

ADB Sideload

Boot Recovery

-- On the Computer

Connect the phone to the Computer.

Open a Command Prompt.

-- On the Phone

Boot recovery

Tap Advanced > ADB Sideload.

Swipe the slider to start the ADB connection.

-- Sideload the ZIP

Copy and paste the Zip file you want sideload to the Platform-tools folder or the folder that 'adb.exe' is in.

At the Command Prompt type: adb sideload <space> <file name>

Example: adb sideload example.zip

Press enter to begin the sideloading process.

When, you see a Reboot System button, tap it.

Extract/Flash

boot.img

Extract boot.img

Use a File Explorer to extract the boot.img from the Factory Image.

Extract the Factory Image file (marlin-opm-9.999999.999-99a-factory-a9a9999.zip) to a folder.

Open the folder and, extract the Image file (image-marlin-aaa9.999999.999.99a.zip).

Flash boot.img

Note: Flashing this file removes root.

Open the folder you extracted the 'image file' to and copy the boot.img file to the platform-tools or to the folder that has

fastboot

in it.

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer

Open a Command Prompt and type the following command at the prompt:

fastboot flash boot boot.img --slot all

Reboot

Install T.W.R.P.

/Root/Reroot with Magisk and Pass SafetyNet.

Important:

Set Pin

before installing TWRP:

Settings > Security & location >Screen lock > Pin

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

The files listed below are used with 7 and 8.

TWRP

TWRP 3.3.1-3

for Google Pixel XL

twrp-3.4.0-0-marlin.img -

Download to your computer

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.4.0-0.zip -

Download to your phone

Magisk -

Download to your phone

The latest

Stable/Beta

Magisk Manager from Magisk by topjohnwu

[DEV] Magisk Canary Channel - Bleeding Edge Builds by topjohnwu

Custom kernels -

Download to your phone

No Updated Custom Kernels

Kernel Managers -

Download to your phone

EX Kernel Manager

FK Kernel Manager

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Copy twrp-3.5.0-0-marlin.img to the platform-tools folder or folder that has

fastboot

in it and

rename it twrp.img.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

At the Command Prompt type: fastboot boot twrp.img and press enter.

When TWRP boots, disconnect phone from computer.

Swipe to allow modifications.

Tap Install select

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.4.0-0.zip

Swipe the slider to install

Reboot Recovery

If you are rerooting, tap Install, select the latest Magisk's uninstaller.zip, and Swipe the Slider to Install.

Note:

If you have Modules installed,

please read these posts by @jcmm11 'RC' before flashing/installing Magisk's Uninstaller.zip:

Post 329 and Post 333

Install Custom Kernel and Root/Reroot

(Optional)

Note(s):

Some Custom Kernels can be updated by flashing via twrp or Kernel Manager without losing root. Check the Custom Kernel thread (OP - Installation/Instructions) to find out which Custom Kernels.

Some Custom Kernels can also be Flashed with a Kernel Manager

.

If you want to flash the kernel via the Kernel Manager instead of twrp skip #7 L1 do #7 L2 then install kernel via Kernel Manager.

Yes

No Updated Custom Kernels

No

Tap Install, select Magisk-20.4.zip - Stable/Beta

Swipe Slider to Install

Save Log

Reboot System

Boot T.W.R.P.

/Root/Reroot with Magisk and Pass SafetyNet.

Important:

Remove Pin

before booting TWRP:

Settings > Security & location >Screen lock > None

Backup your data and Internal storage

Download files:

See #7 - Skip the

twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.4.0-0.zip

Boot Bootloader

Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.

Open a Command Prompt on your computer.

Copy twrp-3.4.0-0-marlin.img to the platform-tools folder or the folder that

fastboot

is in and

rename it twrp.img

Type fastboot boot twrp.img at the Command Prompt and press enter.

When TWRP boots, disconnect phone from computer.

If requested Swipe to allow modifications.

If you are rerooting, tap Install, select the latest Magisk's uninstaller.zip, and Swipe the Slider to Install.

Note:

If you have Modules installed,

please read these posts by @jcmm11 'RC' before flashing/installing Magisk's Uninstaller.zip:

Post 329 and Post 333

Install Custom Kernel and Root/Reroot

(Optional)

Note(s):

Some Custom Kernels can be updated by flashing via twrp or Kernel Manager without losing root. Check the Custom Kernel thread (OP - Installation/Instructions) to find out which Custom Kernels.

Some Custom Kernels can also be Flashed with a Kernel Manager

.

If you want to flash the kernel via the Kernel Manager instead of twrp skip #8 I1 do #8 I2 then install kernel via Kernel Manager.

Yes

No Updated Custom Kernels

No

Tap Install, select Magisk-20.4.zip - Stable/Beta

Swipe Slider to Install

Save Log

Reboot System

Set Magisk Manager's Update Chanel/Update Magisk

Set Magisk Manager's Update Channel -

Stable/Beta/Custom

Open Magisk Manager > Tap menu icon > Settings > Update Channel > Select

Stable

,

Beta

or

Custom

.

Custom

is used to switch to Canary. Paste the URL below in the

Custom Channel

: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/topjohnwu/magisk_files/canary/debug.json

Update Magisk

When Magisk Manager notifies you of an update:

Tap install.

Select, Direct Install (Recommended)

When it finishes installing

Tap, Save Log

Log location: /storage/emulated/0/MagiskManager/logs/install_log_...

Tap, Reboot

Done!

Custom ROMs for Pixel XL

Need help with a Custom ROM?

First, follow the Installation Instructions in the OP of the Custom ROM you are trying to install.

Second, if you have a problem Installing it, Search the thread of the

Custom ROM

you want to install for solutions to problem before posting a request for help on their thread.

Alpha/Beta

None

Official

None

Unofficial

[ROM][10.0][marlin] Pixel Experience [AOSP][2020/10/25] by*PixelBoot

Audio Mod

ViPER4Android FX/XHiFI, [MOD]Audio Modification Library , and Audio Compatibility Patch.

Note: These Mods can be installed via Magisk Manager: Tap Magisk Manager > Tap Menu > Tap Downloads > Select Mod > Tap Install.

Other: TWRP Backup/TWRP Update

TWRP Backup

To Internal Storage

Boot bootloader

fastboot boot twrp-3.4.0-0.img
[*]When twrp-3.4.0-0 boots, tap Backup and select Partitions to backup
[LIST="(1)"]
[*]Boot
[*]System Image
[*]Data
[/LIST]
[*]Tap Select Storage ==> internal storage
[*]Tap ok
[*]Swipe Slider to backup
[*][B]Your backup will be stored in /Storage/TWRP/...[/B]
[/LIST]
[/HIDE]
[*]To OTG-USB Storage
[HIDE]
[LIST="a"]
[*]Boot fastboot mode (#1B)
[*][ICODE]fastboot boot twrp-3.4.0-0.img
[*]When twrp-3.3.1-3 boots, tap Backup and select Partitions to backup
[LIST="(1)"]
[*]Boot
[*]System Image
[*]Data
[/LIST]
[*]Insert USB-OTG
[*]Tap Select Storage ==> OTG-USB
[*]Tap ok
[*]Swipe Slider to backup
[*][B]Your backup will be stored in /Storage/TWRP/...[/B]
[/LIST]
[/HIDE]
[/LIST]
[/HIDE]
[*][B]Update[URL="https://twrp.me/google/googlepixelxl.html"]TWRP[/URL][/B]
[/LIST]
[/HIDE]
[/LIST]