yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Google Pixel Fold] AXP:
Posting here steps so they may help someone.

Not going to make a detailed guide. All details can be taken from Pixel 7 pro guide.

What I did to root my Pixel Fold:

1. Went to developer settings and enabled OEM unlocking

2. Rebooted to fastboot (power button + volume down) and unlocked bootloader with `fastboot flashing unlock

3. After rebooting (fastboot reboot), enabled developer settings one more time

4. In developer settings disabled auto update

5. In developer settings enabled USB debugging

6. Downloaded factory image for felix from google

7. Extracted init_boot.img

8. Installed latest magisk canary from official github

9. Pushed init_boot.img to device: adb push init_boot.img /sdcard/

10. Patched it with Magisk (install => patch)

11. Downloaded it back to PC: adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk* ./

12. Rebooted device to fastboot: adb reboot fastboot

13. Flashed init_boot: fastboot flash init_boot --slot all magisk_patched-26103_2bDKD.img

14. Rebooted device: fastboot reboot

Done, I have root now.
[Google Pixel Fold] GlitchMob:
Awesome. Any luck with magisk and mods? Trying to get rid of gesture bar.
[Google Pixel Fold] AXP:
Magisk works just fine like on any other android. Installed couple of modules I always use - no issues.

SafetyNet certification fix from 7Pro topic also works.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Yes can confirm it worked fine for me. Looks like it was magisk alpha that caused all my problems
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Now have google wallet and both my banking apps working with Magisk stable so am very happy. Thanks @AXP , only reason I was trying Magisk alpha was because it seemed to have better luck with banking apps
[Google Pixel Fold] maverixz:
All done successfully! Thank you!
[Google Pixel Fold] snovvman:
Thanks @AXP! What about Safetynet? I am using @Displax's fork of the Universal SafetyNet Fix on my P6P and it works fine. I'm curious about other root sensitive apps like Netflix, etc.

@andy242 please post which banking apps are working and if you did anything more than just root.

Perhaps we can keep a running list of root-sensitive apps that are working.

Thanks all.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
I'm using magisk hide with Displax safetynet fix. Wallet, MBNA, TSB,Lloyds, PayPal,Curve all work. Tbh not had an app not work but I did have to clear data from Lloyds and setup again to make it work.

Root apps I've only installed iconify reapainter and project themer so far. Don't think I'll install lsposed as I know a lot of bank apps detect it

Edit

Installed YouTube abd YouTube music magisk modules and pixel launcher mods all working fine.

Actually got the fold looking really nice and themed now
[Google Pixel Fold] AXP:
I use same fork on my pixel fold. No issues. Netflix, Wallet, GPay, banking apps - all work good
[Google Pixel Fold] binary**#:
true to my knowledge, this command should boot the device to FastbootD. So are we actually flashing the patched init_boot in the FastbootD Mode instead of the usual Fastboot?
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
The July drop is out, any chance of updating the op with instructions on how to sideload the OTA and keep root?

Be nice if our forum had its own guide as a sticky
[Google Pixel Fold] GlitchMob:
I second this. A sticky would be great that also points to Pixel Flasher thread.

I ended up using Pixel Flasher to achieve root. Way easier than ADB commands. Just need to figure out how to flash update without losing root. Might just give it a go later today.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
I'm just a bit confused about flashing to both slots and whether it's better to flash the full factory image and re root or flash the it's and re root
[Google Pixel Fold] THEbigSWEEN:
Going off the top of my head, so may not be 100%, but if I remember right you could previously just edit the script for the flash all (for Windows) and take out "-rw" so that it would flash the new factory image without wiping. After that root like normal. Will find out for sure this evening when I'm home from work.

As for the active slots, there are commands to set active or say which slot to flash to. Again, don't remember them off the top of my head or know if they still apply to the PFold.
[Google Pixel Fold] jacobchins:
EDIT: Just ran the PixelFlasher with the July update and have had no issues. I patched and flashed the June factory image through the program, wiping my data, then patched and flashed the July OTA update as well.

Any updates on flashing? I flashed MicroG apps to give them a try on my rooted device and now Google apps are crashing all the time but the phone is usable. I'd love to flash back to Google apps easily, and get the July update but don't know the full steps yet, as I haven't rooted in 5+ years and a lot has changed without TWRP.
[Google Pixel Fold] rbrown24:
So I went to developer settings and my oem unlock option is greyed out. It says "Unavailable on carrier-locked devices". Any thoughts on how to get rid of this?
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
AFAIK you have to ask your carrier to unlock which they might not do until the phone is paid off
[Google Pixel Fold] rbrown24:
Whelp. Found out the hard way lol I'm coming from 10+ years with Samsung. Haven't rooted in about as long. Only reason I got this phone was to root and mess around. Guess I should've done my research lol
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
Are you within your return window?
[Google Pixel Fold] rbrown24:
I am. But I'm paying it monthly. Didn't really wanna pay $1800 up front 😞
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Google FI, you'll get your root, 700 to 1k off depending on trade/no trade, and can pay monthly. *whistles tunelessly*

Remember: Your carrier would see you dead if it paid; you owe them nothing.
[Google Pixel Fold] snovvman:
My information might be old for take it for what it's worth.

First some definitions:

Carrier lock--keeps you from using the phone with another carrier, can be unlocked if you own the phone and ask the carrier to unlock it so you can switch carriers

Bootloader lock--keeps you from flashing non-factory images.

Carrier lock and bootloader lock are not one in the same

In recent years, Pixels that are sold by the carriers (i.e., Verizon), including those purchased from Google or BestBuy (if they are the Verizon model) cannot be bootloader unlocked even if you buy the phone outright. This is why it's so important to buy an unlocked, non-carrier branded Pixel if you plan to root. Unlocked Pixels are shipped with bootloader locked but they can be easily unlocked. Be aware that once you unlock the bootloader, the phone will reset and wipe on the first reboot.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
You got it right, these are fundamentals that haven't changed.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Is there not an option to buy it on finance from Google? In the UK I get 24 month's interest free credit from Google
[Google Pixel Fold] rbrown24:
Didn't get approved. So basically even if I pay this off and get it unlocked, I still won't be able to unlock the bootloader. Makes sense. It's my fault, I've been off the scene since 2015, and didn't do my research
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
Looks like you bought it through AT&T, so you're probably stuck with no root.

I bought an unlocked Fold through Google Fi, which uses TMobile & AT&T(? from memory) towers and they had a good deal, $500-800 back, but the credit is monthly over 2 years. Because of that, I also financed monthly, so I figure that's a wash. My plan for 3 phones on their cheapest plan, is $72/month.

I declined the trade in offer of my 7P due to the Fold arriving after the 30 day max time for my trade in, so will sell it for $100 more on Swappa (once I know the Fold won't die after 4 days).
[Google Pixel Fold] gcounts:
Really....you're a senior member and you are asking about carrier locked?
[Google Pixel Fold] rbrown24:
😭😭 I've been out of the game since 2015. It was like a whole different world then
[Google Pixel Fold] gcounts:
Me too, but carriers have been locking devices for ages. I've been stuck on Samsung for years now and accepting the fact that I can't unlock bl and root only because of the way Samsung has provided a way to theme to my preference. Root hasn't been a concern for a while for me, but now, the pixel fold is appealing. I have Galaxy fold 3 and enjoy the s pen as it is used daily in my line of work. Can't wait for the pixel fold to offer a pen option, I'll switch right away.
[Google Pixel Fold] cm0002:
Carrier unlock and bootloader unlock are different as others have said, but they ARE linked. When you carrier unlock it the bootloader will also become available for unlock. Depending on your carrier, simply asking to unlock is enough and they'll do it. You could always make up a story, like you're travelling abroad for a few months but will be returning stateside after or that you are a developer and need carrier unlock to unlock the bootloader.

For T-Mobile this has worked pretty reliably through T-Force customer support on twitter @T-MobileHelp even when the phone HASN'T been paid off, other carriers though are pretty hit or miss
[Google Pixel Fold] snovvman:
Is this always true across all carriers? As far as I know, a carrier unlocked VZ phone still does not allow bootloader unlock.
[Google Pixel Fold] cm0002:
I don't know, i've been with T-Mobile for over a decade at this point, but I do know that VZ has been very anti-fun and against bootloader unlocks for a long time where TMO is generally the opposite (For a while you didn't even need carrier unlock, they just left it up to the manufacturer if you could or couldn't unlock the BL) and ATT was somewhere in the middle. So it wouln't surprise me if they did.

There's also such a thing as a "Temporary Carrier Unlock" that they will sometimes attempt to do, but that won't trigger the BL unlock, it has to be a "Permanent Carrier Unlock"

My 2cents if you have any desire whatsoever to root now or in the future: Leave VZ forever and goto TMO and stay away from Samsucks
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
Just wanted to confirm with @snovvman that carrier unlocked VZ variant device will

still

not allow an unlocked bootloader. I'm been with Verizon since '02, so I know this very well.

If you can get it financed (credit score, I imagine), you can do what most VZ customers (like me) do and finance an unlocked variant (normally from Google, but I imagine there are other ways) for much the same rate as VZ (2 years of payments; although I believe VZ now does 3 years) and can easily be able to root.

From what I've read, temp carrier unlock was enough in the past, but no longer...
[Google Pixel Fold] snovvman:
Thank you @simplepinoi177 for confirming. I wanted to ensure that people get the correct information.
[Google Pixel Fold] rodken:
I can still remember the letter from Verizon to FCC Details on their stance on Bootloaders.
[Google Pixel Fold] snovvman:
Lol I recall that too. Of course, the recent Samsungs are not [easily] rootable no matter how carrier unlocked it is.

I am actually surprised to hear that Tmo variants will bootloader unlock when it is carrier unlocked. I assume this does not apply to Samsungs.
[Google Pixel Fold] THEbigSWEEN:
Unfortunately, no. At least not for the Z Fold 3. I had carrier unlocked on Fi, and when I looked into it the only thing I could find was some possibly sketchy way to unlock/root where if I remember right you had to let someone remote to your computer to unlock it for you because they didn't want to distribute the unlock tool. I think it was like $100 too. I still thought about it, but decided against it. Thank god for Pixels
[Google Pixel Fold] cm0002:
Yea, TMO's current stance, is carrier unlock is required if the manufacturer wants to allow BL unlock. TMO does not care either way what the manufacturer does with BL as long as their one condition is met and Samsuck is very anti-BL-unlock. Hell even when you can root/unlock the BL their thing the past couple years is to restrict the battery to 80% capacity if the BL is unlocked for no good reason
[Google Pixel Fold] Slicc98:
You might have just sold me on this. They aren't taking my phone but the 700 and selling it on the street for 500 would have me sitting pretty at 1200 off.

Do they do a credit check for this? My credit is dooky butter right now. If they don't, I'm doing this TOMORROW.
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
I'm unsure of Google Fi specifically, but financing through the Google Store (which I imagine is the same) does credit check; it determines how much they'll finance you (split up to 24 months) -- so if they approve you for below purchase price, you may not be able to use the financing option. I was off by $300 and was hoping to find a way to finance what I could and pay the outstanding, but could never figure/find-out how to make it work like this at the Google Store checkout...

But I did also drop my jaw when my friend told me of that deal....considering the hefty price tag, it is very tempting...
[Google Pixel Fold] Slicc98:
Can you imagine if they threw in the Pixel Watch too? That would be CRAZY.
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
The deal of purchasing the Pixel 7 and getting a $300 Google Store discount (has to be used within a year) making the Pixel Watch $50 was a tantalizing deal....so, yes, "CRAZY" (especially to be paired with the Fold)...

I wanted the kinks made out of the 1st gen of Google smartwatch before taking the plunge and getting the watch (I'm hoping I can apply the discount to presale of Watch 2)....
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
That's the same plan I had. Got the phone on Wednesday. Next week I'll sell mine on Swappa for $500. Financed the phone for 24 months and credit for 2 years on Fi.
[Google Pixel Fold] fred2546:
Seems I may be in the market for rooting since some of my older apps do not seem compatible with the Fold.

One in particular that I will miss is a game called Word ZigZag. It is an Adobe Air game and someone suggested it might be a 32 bit app. Apparently, 32 bit apps no longer run on the Fold (7's) out of the box but rooting can restore this function.

So, can this OLD (and I'm not kidding) dog learn new tricks? I'm now closer to 100 than to 50!!!! Is it hard or potentially deadly? Former computer programmer but very old school - Cobol if that helps date me!

There you have it, folks. Need help or advice...
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
Cobol? I remember that, but much better than RPG. My first time through pre-engineering, we had slide rules. (I'm a professional student.)
[Google Pixel Fold] fred2546:
I have a BS in Biology. I periodically had to learn how to use a slide rule and just as quickly forgot it. I am now a professional retiree - quite skilled at it, too.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Cobol, got some 70s vibe there :)

I'm getting up there myself and I figured it out; it's not particularly difficult. Make sure you read through all the steps for the entire process before starting. Follow your instructions in exacting detail. Be aware of what needs to be done after you root; you'll need to take steps to get your banking and some other apps working.

It's all easily and quickly done after you've been through it a few times. Your first time though, you'll want to set aside a little block of time without grandkids and other distractions to screw you up.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
I'd been out of the root loop since the Samsung note 4. Do some reading on pixelflasher, once you get accustomed to it PF makes rooting and updating a breeze.

Also bear in mind rooting will break most banking apps but using safety net fix or similar you can get most things working while still having root.

There's a thread in the pixel 7 pro forums about enabling 32 bit apps that's full of information
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
I did med school too. Funny to hear about the Krebs Cycle in YT videos. Can't count how many times I had to draw it. I'm 69 y.o., but no way ready to retire. As long as work is fun and the money is good, I'm avoiding it.

+1 on the Pixel Flasher. I used it once on my P7 (already rooted and updated) just to see how it worked. Then rooted and updated my new Fold, then today to reroot after installing the beta. I'm used to updating and re-rooting using ADB/Fastboot commands from a command prompt, so PF makes me feel lazy.
[Google Pixel Fold] krabman:
Hello old people! I thought I was quite the outlier but as it turns out I'm not alone. There's some comfort in that.

I have to confess that I started flashing ROMs back in the Palm days, moved to the old Windows Phone and was flashing those, then when Android came out I moved to it and started flashing it. I've flashed a few devices. :oops:
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
I congratulate you for not shying away from it and picking it up! I know another senior (@Skuddle) picking up new things -- I'm inspired by you two...

It is just as andy242 says though....it is possible, but I just wanted to give you a bit of forewarning if you do decide to use THIS (the P7P thread mentioned)...there is more considerations than simply rooting -- the most noteworthy being that wiping your device is necessary (although it does seem that you will have to wipe your device for both methods, so at least you wouldn't have to use & develop your device just to wipe it again [but with root access, backing up and restoring is a lot less painless and more thorough than before unlocking your bootloader]).

Also, again as andy242 mentioned, if you use banking, contactless pay, or business software (like Microsoft Teams), you will have to research and implement hiding root detection methods to get them working properly....

But I wish & hope you get good luck!
[Google Pixel Fold] AjBeld:
Hey , just curious if anyone has tried to enable 32-bit app support after rooting their device. I'm curious if this will work and if so would the process be similarly to the Pixel 7's process?
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
Not tried it yet but reading the thread on the pixel 7pro forums unless we're running a 64bit only build then it should work. My only concern is the more mods etc you have installed the more chance of your Banking apps failing. The xposed mod app settings reborn broke my banking apps
[Google Pixel Fold] AjBeld:
Hmm yeah that's a good point. I guess the only way to know is to try ahaha. Do you know if there is a Magisk only method for applying the 32-Bit app support? Could make it easier to enable/disable if it does indeed break compatibility with Banking apps.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
I've not read anything about that mod causing issues just something to be mindful of. It's easy to uninstall if it does.
[Google Pixel Fold] squidbutt:
So mine was the same..but i returned it and they sent it back to me. Now OEM unlocking is turned ON and greyed out,also the bootloader is now unlocked
[Google Pixel Fold] にっし～:
MOD TRANSLATION (from translate.google.com)

"thank you"

**************************

ありがとう
[Google Pixel Fold] にっし～:
MOD TRANSLATION (from translate.google.com)

"thank you very much"

*******************************

ありがとうございます
[Google Pixel Fold] squidbutt:
So I bought a pixel fold a few months ago through spectrum which i chose to finance. Because OEM unlocking was greyed out and i couldnt carrier unlock it for metro pcs I decided to return it. A few weeks later they mailed it BACK to me with the bootloader unlocked. Now OEM unlocking is still greyed out but its turned on. I called them to try and get it carrier unlocked and the lady said it was paid off but had to be on spectrums service for 60 days before they could carrier unlock it. Someone in returns messed up or something and unlocked the bootloader and marked it as paid off? Im not sure what to do at this point because i cancelled the spectrum service and the guys on reddit say theres no carrier unlock service for the pixel fold yet. I have it running the latest android 14 beta but havent tried to root it. ITs basically a fancy tablet i use for facebook and other apps. Suggestions?
[Google Pixel Fold] Colchiro:
I wish I had a quarter for every post I've seen where someone couldn't root because they bought a phone with a locked bootloader.
[Google Pixel Fold] rodken:
Try to talk to Spectrum again. Explain the situation to a different representative and see if they can make an exception for you. You may be able to convince them to carrier unlock the phone, even though you're not currently on their service.

Try to find a 3rd party carrier unlocking service. There are a number of companies that offer carrier unlocking services for a fee. However, it's important to note that these services are not always reliable, and there's a risk that they could brick your phone.
[Google Pixel Fold] Draco32:
Hi There,

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here but I'm trying to figure out if there's a custom recovery I can use for the pixel fold? Can anyone point me in the right direction for this?

Or is there an alternative way of doing this now basically I want to flash a .zip to change the model from Japanese to US. Any assistance would be appreciated.
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
There is no custom recovery for anything newer than the Pixel 5 (I believe the last time TWRP supported was Android 12 in a rather limited fashion; but I might be misremembering and it could've gone to Pixel 6 -- but if there's none for the Pixel 7, I doubt there is for the Pixel Fold)....

I've seen threads and such attempting to change the model; sorry if I can't say what they are exactly....

Hope this helps some...
[Google Pixel Fold] lossderks:
Is region change possible?

Living in Australia, the only way to get a PF was grey import but it seems as though I've been sold a Japanese model. Works great, I love it but the camera shutter is always active (and loud). I'm hoping some XDA guru could advise as to whether...

xdaforums.com
[Google Pixel Fold] squidbutt:
This worked for me the only thing i did differently is i just transfered the files instead of adb push and pulling them.

Also I checked my imei its clean
[Google Pixel Fold] squidbutt:
Installed magisk

extracted init_boot.img

transferred init_boot.img via usb cable

patched with magisk

transferred patched boot.img via usb

adb reboot bootloader

fastboot flash init_boot --slot all magiskpatchedimg.img

fastboot reboot

open magisk

magisk install direct slot

reboot
[Google Pixel Fold] simplepinoi177:
That all seems just about right (considerably simplified; i.e. no mention of platform-tools, version of platform-tools, where & how to get/extract init_boot.img)...

but the second to the last line "magisk install direct slot" is redundant because you already do the fastboot flash init_boot --slot all magiskpatchedimg.img ; which accomplishes the same thing. I believe the "install direct slot" process/selection is either left over from past AndroidOS's where Magisk could easily apply the patched image over the boot partition from within the OS and/or on devices where this is still achievable; it seems most other devices wouldn't have this work either. I imagine it's comparable to the fact that you cannot achieve OTA updating while retaining root (install to inactive slot) from the Pixels 7 and newer...
[Google Pixel Fold] Asafaviv:
Im on android 14 stable im trying to root but

The firmware that i download not contain any init boot please help

Do i need to downgrade to 13?
[Google Pixel Fold] badabing2003:
It's in the payload.bin for an OTA download.
[Google Pixel Fold] Asafaviv:
And how do you open that file?
[Google Pixel Fold] badabing2003:
You have few choice.

- You can use PixelFlasher (link in my signature) which will do it for you and then some.

- You can use Payload dumper and extract it, there are few versions available on the net

- You can instead of OTA download factory firmware which does not put it inside a payload.bin

- You can transfer it (zip or payload.bin) to the phone and Magisk will do it for you.
[Google Pixel Fold] sawdoctor:
The master himself replied to you 😀. If you use his app (pixelflasher) it makes the whole process so simple for you. I get it, it's nice to know how things work and do things manually but pixelflasher makes it so easy