[Guide] How to systemlessly root your Pixel XL on Android 8.0 (SuperSU)

[GroovinChip]

Hi everyone, first time posting a guide here. I've started writing my own guides for the stuff I do to try and make it a bit more clear for myself, and I've decided to start sharing!

I literally just finished doing this on my own device, and I can confirm that it works with no issues; I'm passing SafetyNet and have root. However, as with all the other posts people make, I'm not responsible for any damage done to your device! I don't think anything will happen, this process is very painless.

EDIT: It's been confirmed that SuperSu Config is not required for Android 8.0, as systemless SBIN is the default for 8.0. I had seen this before, but decided to do it anyway to be extra sure (I like the extra redundancy). I'm leaving the steps in in case others want to be extra sure of this, or want the options provided by the installer.

1) Download the modded TWRP
2) Download SuperSU
3) Download SuperSu Config
4) Download SuHide
5) Copy the modded TWRP to PlatformTools. Rename it however you like. I'm using twrp-oreo for now.
6) Copy SuperSu, SuperSuConfig, and SuHide to internal storage
7) Boot the device into bootloader - adb reboot bootloader
8) Boot into TWRP - fastboot boot twrp-oreo.img
9) Flash SuperSuConfig, then choose add more zips. Choose SuperSU.
10) In the Aroma installer for SuperSuConfig, choose Systemless SBIN. For all other options, I chose let SuperSu decide.
11) Boot to system (Edit 8/28/17: DO NOT install TWRP, just boot to system)
12) Go back to bootloader and boot to TWRP
13) Flash SuHide

And that should do it!

UPDATE 10/2 The links for SuperSu and SuHide have been updated to the latest releases.

 

[raazman]

Hi everyone, first time posting a guide here. I've started writing my own guides for the stuff I do to try and make it a bit more clear for myself, and I've decided to start sharing!

I literally just finished doing this on my own device, and I can confirm that it works with no issues; I'm passing SafetyNet and have root. However, as with all the other posts people make, I'm not responsible for any damage done to your device! I don't think anything will happen, this process is very painless.

1) Download the modded TWRP
2) Download SuperSU
3) Download SuperSu Config
4) Download SuHide
5) Copy the modded TWRP to PlatformTools. Rename it however you like. I'm using twrp-oreo for now.
6) Copy SuperSu, SuperSuConfig, and SuHide to internal storage
7) Boot the device into bootloader - adb reboot bootloader
8) Boot into TWRP - fastboot boot twrp-oreo.img
9) Flash SuperSuConfig, then choose add more zips. Choose SuperSU.
10) In the Aroma installer for SuperSuConfig, choose Systemless SBIN. For all other options, I chose let SuperSu decide.
11) Boot to system
12) Go back to bootloader and boot to TWRP
13) Flash SuHide

And that should do it!

Thank you for this guide! I was wondering if we can use magisk instead of supersu?

Edit: I was not able to root this way. My device says it's not rooted.

 

[GroovinChip]

Thank you for this guide! I was wondering if we can use magisk instead of supersu?

Edit: I was not able to root this way. My device says it's not rooted.

Yeah I'm not sure about Magisk. I do k ow that Magisk needs a custom kernel, so that might be your issue. Did you try flashing something like Franco or ElementalX? Or did you try using my instructions specifically?

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

 

[raazman]

Hi everyone, first time posting a guide here. I've started writing my own guides for the stuff I do to try and make it a bit more clear for myself, and I've decided to start sharing!

I literally just finished doing this on my own device, and I can confirm that it works with no issues; I'm passing SafetyNet and have root. However, as with all the other posts people make, I'm not responsible for any damage done to your device! I don't think anything will happen, this process is very painless.

1) Download the modded TWRP
2) Download SuperSU
3) Download SuperSu Config
4) Download SuHide
5) Copy the modded TWRP to PlatformTools. Rename it however you like. I'm using twrp-oreo for now.
6) Copy SuperSu, SuperSuConfig, and SuHide to internal storage
7) Boot the device into bootloader - adb reboot bootloader
8) Boot into TWRP - fastboot boot twrp-oreo.img
9) Flash SuperSuConfig, then choose add more zips. Choose SuperSU.
10) In the Aroma installer for SuperSuConfig, choose Systemless SBIN. For all other options, I chose let SuperSu decide.
11) Boot to system
12) Go back to bootloader and boot to TWRP
13) Flash SuHide

And that should do it!

Yeah I'm not sure about Magisk. I do k ow that Magisk needs a custom kernel, so that might be your issue. Did you try flashing something like Franco or ElementalX? Or did you try using my instructions specifically?

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

I haven't tried magisk yet. I just tried your instructions specifically. If I wanted to remove the changes I did from your instructions and try again, would this just mean flashing stock boot.img?

 

[Jammol]

Thank you for this guide! I was wondering if we can use magisk instead of supersu?

Edit: I was not able to root this way. My device says it's not rooted.

I've seen some folks report that they couldn't get Magisk to work. I can't confirm that right at this moment though. You can test and see if it'll work by just using the TWRP provided. Not sure if it's based off RC2 or RC1.

 

[GroovinChip]

I haven't tried magisk yet. I just tried your instructions specifically. If I wanted to remove the changes I did from your instructions and try again, would this just mean flashing stock boot.img?

It depends, are you able to boot to system? If not, like you're stuck in a bootloop, I'd suggest flashing completely back to stock. It would mean you'd lose your apps and data, but if you can't boot to system anyway then it doesn't really matter.

If you CAN boot to system, then I'd suggest just starting over and use SuperSu with SuHide. I doubt that any changes actually took place on your device since you didn't flash a custom kernel. But this is only if you can boot to system successfully.

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

 

[Mike02z]

Worked great. Even let's me add a CC to Android Pay. I have not tested if it works yet.

 

[Kisakuku]

3) Download SuperSu Config
9) Flash SuperSuConfig, then choose add more zips. Choose SuperSU.
10) In the Aroma installer for SuperSuConfig, choose Systemless SBIN. For all other options, I chose let SuperSu decide.

SBIN mode is the default one for Android 8.0, so you don't need to use SuperSUConfig at all.

 

[GroovinChip]

Worked great. Even let's me add a CC to Android Pay. I have not tested if it works yet.

Great!

I haven't tested my debit card after adding yet either. Been home the whole time

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

 

[siddhesh.raikar]

@GroovinChip Is your bootloader unlocked?

 

[GroovinChip]

SBIN mode is the default one for Android 8.0, so you don't need to use SuperSUConfig at all.

Ok, I'll edit the OP. I wasn't 100% sure, that's why I did it anyway.

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

 

[XtraArrow]

Hi everyone, first time posting a guide here. I've started writing my own guides for the stuff I do to try and make it a bit more clear for myself, and I've decided to start sharing!

I literally just finished doing this on my own device, and I can confirm that it works with no issues; I'm passing SafetyNet and have root. However, as with all the other posts people make, I'm not responsible for any damage done to your device! I don't think anything will happen, this process is very painless.

EDIT: It's been confirmed that SuperSu Config is not required for Android 8.0, as systemless SBIN is the default for 8.0. I had seen this before, but decided to do it anyway to be extra sure (I like the extra redundancy). I'm leaving the steps in in case others want to be extra sure of this, or want the options provided by the installer.

1) Download the modded TWRP
2) Download SuperSU
3) Download SuperSu Config
4) Download SuHide
5) Copy the modded TWRP to PlatformTools. Rename it however you like. I'm using twrp-oreo for now.
6) Copy SuperSu, SuperSuConfig, and SuHide to internal storage
7) Boot the device into bootloader - adb reboot bootloader
8) Boot into TWRP - fastboot boot twrp-oreo.img
9) Flash SuperSuConfig, then choose add more zips. Choose SuperSU.
10) In the Aroma installer for SuperSuConfig, choose Systemless SBIN. For all other options, I chose let SuperSu decide.
11) Boot to system
12) Go back to bootloader and boot to TWRP
13) Flash SuHide

And that should do it!

Rooted perfect however I cannot uninstall system apps, how come?

 

[cowsquad]

have you tried going into adb shell and type the su command?

 

[XtraArrow]

I'm using the system app remover from playstore. It says failed to uninstall.

 

[y2kbugleung]

Root works. AndroidPay works with SUHide!
Thanks!

 

[raazman]

Ok after reflashing, everything works as intended. Thanks for the guide!

 

[ThePieMonster]

I can confirm this works with the Pixel XL.

 

[Denton.S]

Stupid question but I'm guessing bootloader must be unlocked first correct?

 

[GroovinChip]

Stupid question but I'm guessing bootloader must be unlocked first correct?

Not a stupid question yes, the bootloader mist be unlocked.

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

 

[Denton.S]

Not a stupid question yes, the bootloader mist be unlocked.

Sent from my Google Pixel XL using XDA Labs

I was afraid you were going to say that. For one brief, glorious moment I thought I could get rid of adds without having to deal with this damn locked bootloader. My own mistake for getting the phone from EE direct. Thanks dude, much appreciated though