Got a Pixel XL - root/recovery question

[sefirosu0522]

Hi guys,

I bought a PXL. It's coming in the mail tomorrow. I know I want to root it, add recovery, and add Pure Nexus Project. Is this the thread I should be following?

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886

Is there a newer method of rooting and adding TWRP? Is there a root kit like Wug's Nexus Toolkit for the Pixel? And lastly, still true you shouldn't re-lock the boot loader?

Thanks for any info.

 

[5.1]

Hi guys,

I bought a PXL. It's coming in the mail tomorrow. I know I want to root it, add recovery, and add Pure Nexus Project. Is this the thread I should be following?

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886

Is there a newer method of rooting and adding TWRP? Is there a root kit like Wug's Nexus Toolkit for the Pixel? And lastly, still true you shouldn't re-lock the boot loader?

Thanks for any info.

Hello,

IF you want to install Pure Nexus, you'll have to do it slightly differently... Also you need to have basic knowledge of ADB/fastboot. I don't use toolkit myself. So either use this method which is ok, or search for toolkit. In this case, i'll be of no help for you

Download latest platform tools from google and extract the folder: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools.html

First unlock your bootloader... You can find infos from the link you posted... Once you re unlocked, reboot to system. Go in developer options and enable USB debugging.

Download latest Pure Nexus and corresponding Vendor IMG ((NHG47K) here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/development/rom-pure-nexus-substratum-fi-wifi-t3533539

Those can be found in the first post.

Go on twrp website and download twrp: https://dl.twrp.me/marlin/twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img
And: https://dl.twrp.me/marlin/twrp-pixel-installer-marlin-3.0.2-0-RC1.zip

Download this version of SuperSU: https://download.chainfire.eu/1021/SuperSU/SR3-SuperSU-v2.79-SR3-20170114223742.zip

Place the Pure Nexus zip, SuperSU zip, TWRP zip and Vendor img in the root of your phone's internal storage.

Go in the platform-tools folder you extracted and place it the TWRP img. Press tab on your keyboard, right click and choose: Open a command prompt here and issue:

adb reboot bootloader

This one is self explainatory, it will reboot to bootloader. Since you copied TWRP img in the platform-tools folder, issue:

fastboot boot twrp-3.0.2-0-RC1-fastboot-marlin.img

In twrp, tap install, select:

Pure Nexus zip > swipe to install
Go back in home menu, select install and choose TWRP zip > swipe to install.
Once done, go back to home menu > reboot > Recovery.
Again, select install > At bottom, choose "install image", select NHG47K Vendor img and choose install > vendor partition > swipe to install.
Now, reboot to system. On Pure Nexus, you have an advanced reboot menu, long press power, select reboot > Recovery.
From TWRP, select install, choose SuperSU zip > swipe to install.

Once finished, select reboot system. It will restart once or twice, this is normal, don't panic.

You have installed Pure Nexus, TWRP and Root. Enjoy... :good:

Don't ever relock your bootloader... In case something goes wrong, you're screwed.

Cheers...

 

[sefirosu0522]

Once finished, select reboot system. It will restart once or twice, this is normal, don't panic.

You have installed Pure Nexus, TWRP and Root. Enjoy... :good:

Don't ever relock your bootloader... In case something goes wrong, you're screwed.

Cheers...

Wow. Thank you for all of this. I'm going to try and follow it.

 

[5.1]

Wow. Thank you for all of this. I'm going to try and follow it.

Hey,

Sure, go ahead. I think it's all there. Be careful and follow steps in order. Should get you where you want. If you still have doubts, just use the search function. If you can't find the answer, post here and I'll try to answer...

Good luck...

 

[sefirosu0522]

Hey,

Sure, go ahead. I think it's all there. Be careful and follow steps in order. Should get you where you want. If you still have doubts, just use the search function. If you can't find the answer, post here and I'll try to answer...

Good luck...

I'm holding off for now. Looks like the May update is breaking TWRP and root.

 

[5.1]

I'm holding off for now. Looks like the May update is breaking TWRP and root.

Hey,

Yes it does. And it might break it for a while. Only way is to keep April bootloader at the moment...

Cheers...

 

[sefirosu0522]

Hey,

Yes it does. And it might break it for a while. Only way is to keep April bootloader at the moment...

Cheers...

So in the guides to unlock the bootloader, what has to change? Where do I get the April bootloader?

 

[5.1]

So in the guides to unlock the bootloader, what has to change? Where do I get the April bootloader?

Unlocking bootloader only requires to issue from bootloader:

fastboot flashing unlock

Check your phone, choose yes with volume rocker and press power to launch the process. Backup beforehand. It will wipe your phone...

Also, this is Pure Nexus Androidfilehost profile: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?a=show&w=files&flid=138509

You can find Vendor, Radio, Pure Nexus Rom and bootloader. He updates it regularly.

Download latest bootloader available...

You may flash it on both slots, just to be sure...

boot into bootloader and issue:

fastboot flash bootloader bootloader img (name of file)

switch slot (you can see active boot slot in bootloader= a or b):

fastboot --set-active=b (if active slot was a)
fastboot --set-active=a (if active slot was b)

fastboot reboot bootloader

repeat with bootloader flash:

fastboot flash bootloader bootloader img (name of file)

From here you can start with fastboot boot ...., etc...

Easy isn't it?

Cheers...

 

[sefirosu0522]

Unlocking bootloader only requires to issue from bootloader:

fastboot flashing unlock

Check your phone, choose yes with volume rocker and press power to launch the process. Backup beforehand. It will wipe your phone...

Also, this is Pure Nexus Androidfilehost profile: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?a=show&w=files&flid=138509

You can find Vendor, Radio, Pure Nexus Rom and bootloader. He updates it regularly.

Download latest bootloader available...

You may flash it on both slots, just to be sure...

boot into bootloader and issue:

fastboot flash bootloader bootloader img (name of file)

switch slot (you can see active boot slot in bootloader= a or b):

fastboot --set-active=b (if active slot was a)
fastboot --set-active=a (if active slot was b)

fastboot reboot bootloader

repeat with bootloader flash:

fastboot flash bootloader bootloader img (name of file)

From here you can start with fastboot boot ...., etc...

Easy isn't it?

Cheers...

I was just reading this and realized that I don't think I switched from a to b. Will that cause an issue?