yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] sic0048:
So you cannot boot normally at all? Is that correct?

When it boots into the bootloader, what partition does it show on the phone? (It will list the active partition on the phone's screen). If Duh1 is correct in saying that the active partition shouldn't be updated to the newer boot.img file (that doesn't sound right - I trust he is correct but have never personally tested it), then the fact that you flashed the boot.img file from the June update to both partitions is what is causing your issues. I would recommend that you pull the stock boot.img from the March stock factory images (probably the .032 version) and flash that to the partition that is listed as active on the bootloader. Hopefully that will allow you to boot correctly into the new OTA update and change partitions automatically.

If it doesn't work and you still cannot boot normally after doing this, I'm afraid you will likely have to flash the June update using the full factory image downloaded from here. You can try modifying the flash-all.bat file (if using a Windows computer - or the flash-all.sh file if you are using an Apple or Linux computer) in the factory update by removing the "-w" command in the last line. This will prevent the phone from doing a factory reset and hopefully you will maintain your data. Worse case scenario is that you will have to flash the full stock factory image with the -w command and simply start over with a freshly reset phone.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] duh1:
Moved post to [Guide] forum...
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] duh1:
Btw June is buggy for this device, see Reddit forums. Stick with March for now...
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Holysmoke99:
It sure is! Man I was starting to think it was me. Where do I find March bin?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] duh1:
You'll have to backup your apps and settings...

https://developers.google.com/android/images
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Holysmoke99:
Working as it should now back to March. Can you post a link to the reddit threads?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] duh1:
Reddit doesn't have a 3a forum, just a general Pixel forum with hundreds of threads, so on a bored night, I read through a lot of the 3a updates threads. I got the impression of general glitchyness, random shutdowns, playing music on boot, camera and wifi issues.

June combined 3 months of updates into one package without any of the incremental beta testing and bug fixes. Got to figure it'll take a while to work out the issues. I'm patient and usually the last in line to update once it's clear all the kinks have been worked out...
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Mechanio:
Any chance you could, you know, share how you solved your problem?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Fentadroid:
Sure... I was trying to patch simply the wrong file ?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] John728:
I just bought a Pixel 3a XL today. I tried to root using this guide:

https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/root-your-pixel-3a-with-magisk-0198663/

I used the 9.0.0 (PD2A.190115.032, Mar 2019) image file.

I used the Magisk Manager to create a patched image file.

While I was rooting, it apparently installed the OTA update. It said my phone had been updated and prompted me to restart, which I did.

I used Powershell and typed:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

Now the phone won't boot. It's stuck on the startup screen with a "G" and an animation of a line.

What do I do? I can get back to fastboot mode. I'm reluctant to try to do more without someone walking me through it because I already screwed it up once.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] thereal_bigjake:
Sounds like your phone updated to the June update then you flashed the march boot image when it should have been the June boot image. I would download the June factory image and flash the June boot image in fastboot. If it boots then you can patch the June boot image with magisk and flash it. I would always test the magisk patched boot image first by using this fastboot command "fastboot boot magisk_patched.img" to make sure it works before flashing it ?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] poncespr:
I had the exact same issue and I'm pretty sure I patched the June boot.img.

I could root the stock Android that the device came with, but decided to update and root again. I downloaded the June factory image, updated the phone, and then followed the same instructions. Afterwards the phone would get stuck on the loading white screen with the G logo and a white stripe that seemed to indicate it was doing something..

This happened twice so I finally decided to flash stock and haven't tried again.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] John728:
I tried flashing the June boot.img and that didn't work. Then I tried flashing the original version of boot.img and that didn't work either. Any more ideas?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] thereal_bigjake:
Well I'm glad I didn't update to the June image. Like I mentioned I'd always try just booting the patched boot image before flashing. Maybe magisk needs updated or you needed to use a different version of magisk manager.

---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 PM ----------

I guess flash the factory image with the -w removed from the script. You could probably flash back to the march image and turn off automatic updates. Also make sure you are using the latest platform tools as I noticed it updated a couple times recently.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] John728:
I tried flashing the factory image but it just keeps saying:

'fastboot' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
Make sure you are using the latest ADB platform tools version 28.

Make a CMD short cut to the platform tools folder.

Try this command and see what happens.;

adb devices
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] thereal_bigjake:
The latest platform tools is now 29.0.1
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] John728:
I opened a command window and navigated to the platform-tools folder. I typed "adb devices". It said "List of devices attached" but my device is not listed.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] duh1:
No devices means not ADB is not set up correctly. Check device drivers and ADB executables for latest versions. Check that your using a working data cable, not just a charging cable. Check USB debugging is turned on in developer options...
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] stevew84:
I'm on the regular pixel 3a but I think my question will still apply.

Is this method supposed to work with custom roms? I ask because I'm on one, and I used THAT boot.img rather than the stock boot. I followed the steps listed and rebooted just fine, but Magist still shows that it isn't installed. The manager is, but not Magisk itself.

Is there a way to flash the zip file for Magisk rather than modifying a boot.img?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Antonyo13:
Yes, it will work on custom roms.

No, there is not a way to flash magisk.zip without twrp.

So the process for a custom rom...

Fastboot flash the custom rom as instructed by the maintainer to install

Boot the phone up

Install Magisk Manager

Copy the boot.img (from the custom rom) onto your devices storage

Open Magisk Manager

Install - Select and Patch a File

Navigate to the custom rom boot.img you copied over

Let it patch

Move the patched boot.img to your computer (magisk_patched.img)

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

fastboot reboot
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] carnivalrejectq:
Any way to root without a PC?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] alphahere:
Nope. At least for the first time. You need fastboot to install patched boot image.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] carnivalrejectq:
Damn. I wanna get back in the game lol. No PC though ehh.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] thereal_bigjake:
If you have another rooted Android you might be able to use the adb and fastboot magisk module to flash the boot.img. I've done it to flash my Taimen many times from my 6p. Might be risky though if something goes wrong and you can't get access to a pc
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] carnivalrejectq:
I don't unfortunately anyway, but that is interesting.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] mbk17:
Installed viper magisk and it says "No" for both driver and processing. I also tried installing the XDA labs APK and got the same result. Anyone got this working?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jmcandrews83:
Not exactly sure what I'm doing wrong
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] seniorstew:
Since Twrp is here I would temp boot it and use it to install magisk via the usual method ?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] poncespr:
Do not use the Magisk module. Download version. 2.7.1.0 from xda labs, and before installing the viper driver, remember to give it storage permission. Otherwise driver installation will fail.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] thetastycat:
Hey all - rooted with this method on a new 3a XL a month ago and loving it! Today in an effort to get a banking app to work I did the Magisk checkroot, everything looked OK, but the next time I looked at my phone it was the dead Android guy and "no command." I held all the buttons down until it restarted with the bootloader warning, with "press power button to pause", then it shows the white Google logo for about a second before returning me to dead Android guy. I'd like to reflash factory to redo everything but I'm not sure how I'd even get to the bootloader - I would be very grateful for any ideas!

UPDATE: Finally figured out how to hard reset (hold power and tap volume-up) and was able to get into bootloader! Factory flashed and now getting everything redone.

---------- Post added at 12:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------

OK guys, I am drawing a complete blank - what is the best way to install Magisk?? I literally can't remember what I did last time. I got the Magisk Manager working but now do I need to install Magisk itself with TWRP?

Sorry for such a dumb question - my brain is absolutely fried......

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:57 PM ----------

Think I got it figured out, sorry :)
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Ravoz88:
I'd like some clarification on flashing the modified boot.img, and dealing with A/B slots. I've been reading about dealing with this new A/B method and how it works.

In the OP instructions, you use "fastboot getvar current-slot" to see which slot you are currently using. Lets just say for example it says "A". I'm currently on the stock July update. That would mean that on my phone, slot "B" would be last months stock June update, and slot "A" is my current July update correct?

After reading about how the A/B method works, it would seem that any time you flash something new, after rebooting, your current slot, which in this example was "A", now becomes inactive, and the phone switches to the previously inactive slot, which in this example was "B". Now making "B" the current "active" slot.

So...

When running "fastboot getvar current-slot" and it says "A", do you flash to "A" still? Or "B" the inactive slot? Does the phone switch to B automatically after "fastboot reboot"?

Or does only flashing a modified boot.img not activate the alternate slot?

In which case, in this example my active slot was "A", so I run "fastboot flash boot A modifiedboot.img"?

"fastboot reboot" and then the phone reboots with the still current slot "A", which now has a modified boot image?

In the OP, it sounds like after getting your current active slot, that is the slot you flash the modified boot image to. I read all the post in this thread, and quite a few people had issues, and understanding which slot to flash to was hazy.

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!

EDIT: I just finished flashing the modified boot image. Everything appears to have gone just fine. I can confirm that when I checked which slot was active, mine was "A". I then flashed the boot image to "A" and rebooted. I'm still on the July patch, and the "A" slot is still active, the phone did not switch slots.

Thanks all.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
I just do the following ;

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

And if the above boot loops, I just re flash the stock image with the -w removed in the flash. bat
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Ravoz88:
I just ran through the instructions, and can confirm that the phone does not switch slots when flashing the modified boot.img. All is well. I just needed to run through it to get familiar with how to do this. Thanks for your recommendation.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] neshipda:
never had issues following the tips in the op time ago when no twrp was available…

anyway for understanding better how a/b partitions work take a look at this very well done explanation: https://www.xda-developers.com/how-...ess-updates-affect-custom-development-on-xda/

ps: if you need to check which your current slot is, even without fastbooting, i simply open a terminal and type getprop|grep slot ;)
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Giocarro:
OK, guys, this weekend I'm gonna try to root my device.

Just a quick question: in the official Magisk support page they say that if one device can boot TWRP the installation is as easy as boot TWRP - Flash Magisk ZIP - Reboot.

Is it a valid procedure also for our bonito or not? I'd prefer the TWRP method because I find it a bit quicker than messing around with patched boot image.

Thanks in advance!
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] sic0048:
Yes it is that simple. However you are asking the question in the "root without TWRP" thread. There are plenty of other threads that will walk you through rooting using TWRP.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] seniorstew:
Thinking about having a mod close this tread since TWRP as been released what do you guys think?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Dixon Butz:
No
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] alphahere:
No
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Golf c:
Yes
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
YES! [emoji469]
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Giocarro:
Yes
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] googlephoneFKLenAsh:
The mod should close the forum for pixel 3a/XL, because pixel 4 is coming out and we don't need pixel 3a anymore.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] s@ilor:
Because of this thread i discovered excellent method for device to be rooted. It just works! Thanks Dev. As for TWRP - my opinion it is not so much helpful and important as before, as it was initially designed for backup/restore actions..
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
It has been canceled. [emoji6]
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
Can beta 6 be rooted?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] alphahere:
Yes. rooted easily here.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
Awesome thanks I assume it's the same steps
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
Read the first post and you will be good to go.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
Ok coo I was rooted on pie but decided to give q a try
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] suzook:
After you root the stock kernel, you flash custom rooted kernel through exkernel manager. Working great.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
Yea I followed the steps after rebooting says magisk not installed
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] suzook:
Explain exact steps. Obviously your missing something. I've been on rooted flar kernel on q beta for days. Running excellent. Batt life on q is insane
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
I patched the boot from the beta 6 put it where my adb files are at on pc, rebooted to bootloader put in the command to get the correct slot fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched.img

---------- Post added at 01:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

Do I need to use a certain magiskaybe canary builds

---------- Post added at 02:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:58 PM ----------

Maybe I'm on the wrong magisk
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] suzook:
Yes, need to use canary build.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Texus915:
Figured as much thanks for the help[emoji16]
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] samkottler:
Sorry if this is a dumb question. The google developer page for unlocking the bootloader also has instructions for relocking. Is this a thing I can/should do after install the modified rooted boot image? I know I definitely don't want to lock it if I haven't checked that it boots properly, but once it does boot and everything works is there any reason to leave the bootloader unlocked?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] sic0048:
Do not relock your bootloader unless you have installed a completely stock OS version from Google and didn't root or otherwise modify it. In other words, if your phone isn't 100% stock, don't lock the bootloader.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] samkottler:
Great. Thanks for the help.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ezril:
For some reason I'm having trouble booting the patched boot.img Magisks outputs.

The device attempts to boot and then sends me to an error page telling me it's corrupted.

Magisks patches the file and it seems to go fine without errors. At least nothing looks amiss to me, I can post the Magisks log if needed.

I'm using the same image as the build for my phone (PQ3B.190801.002) and the latest version of the Magisks manager.

One thing I am noticing is the patched boot file is only 27MB whereas the original is 64MB. Is that to be expected?

I've tried patching it a few times and it always ends up as a 27MB file.

I feel like I'm missing something obvious

Any thoughts?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
27mb is correct size.

You my need to run the Magisk uninstaller to get rid of the corrupt files.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ezril:
Thanks! Sure enough that was it, it seems to be taking the new image now.

Oddly though as I was attempting to get Magisk to work I noticed I can only boot on the _a slot

If I try to boot off of boot _b I get stuck at a loading screen.

I'd rather have a working _b just as a backup.

I've tried erasing it with "fastboot erase boot_b"

and flashing a stock boot.img to the _b slot without success.

I'm not sure what else to try to get that slot to be bootable?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] DanHakimi:
I followed all these steps, and got my phone to boot, and... the touch screen stopped working.

I got into recovery, got past the "no device" screen, wiped data, rebooted, and... the tooch screen still doesn't work.

Does anybody know why that might be, or how I might go forward from here?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
hi i have all the required stuff taken care of but it says directory doesnt exist....may i please have some help?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
Put the patched image in the fastboot directory, if that is what you are asking.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
I have it in the fast boot directory. I have it right in the root part of the folder.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
i have tried that and it still is giving me the same issue
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
You can have the file anywhere. All you need to do is fastboot flash boot (then drag the file into the terminal).
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
I tried that
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
Then something is being missed. What OS is the PC youre using to fastboot using? Please state the exact steps youre using and the exact message(s) youre getting. Screenshots could also be helpful. I fastboot dozens of boot.img's a week while doing kernel development on both Linux and Windows.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
I have Windows 10. I was following the exact directions using command prompt. I open command prompt I did the fast food VAR command. It gave me that it was using slot b then I did fast food flash and then slot b and then I just dragon dropped and it still wouldn't work
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
On Windows all you should need to do is type fastboot flash boot (then drag the file into the terminal). Ive never seen an error doing that.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
All right I'll try it again. I'll get back to you in a few minutes on the details
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
Dont put any letter in there (I suspect thats the issue youre running into) just fastboot flash boot and it will flash the partition thats currently being used.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
hm ok i ll try again

---------- Post added at 04:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:42 PM ----------

just tried that and it bricked the phone...i m currently trying to reflash the firmware
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
And you're flashing the correct boot.img for the build you're on?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] daede86:
hey guys! thanks :)

is there a way to fix google pay?!
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] alphahere:
https://xdaforums.com/apps/magisk/magisk-google-pay-gms-17-1-22-pie-t3929950/page55

https://github.com/stylemessiah/GPay-SQLite-Fix/releases/tag/v1.7
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] raver445:
Yes and also I was able to get it rooted but the fact that I was not able to control which LTE bands the phone connected to it kind of turned me off and I unrooted
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] ctfrommn:
How would rooting it affect LTE?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] MrPhilo:
Has anyone had the Google play device not certified? I've hidden it with Magisk and cleared data from playstore
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Skittles9823:
I had it a while ago but it seems to have fixed itself when Google hit the CTS reset switch due to the Huawei mess.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jsminnis:
How do I root android q? I'm having trouble finding a guide.
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
Same as post #1
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] jsminnis:
Thank you, I just noticed the second sentence in the op was "does not work on Android q"
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] vandyman:
Making a Magisk patched boot image does work with Q.

Install Magisk.apk and make the patched image.

Use fastboot on your PC to install to your phone.

Use the same steps in post #1
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] Antmcr:
Sorry to be a pain, but can anyone let me know if this would work having updated/installed the October patch?

Also, would I need to do a factory reset to unroot?

Edit: My phone is locked to EE, would it still work?
[Google Pixel 3a XL Guides, News, & Discussion] nsx2brz:
Worked with Magisk 20 on latest October on mine.