How To Guide [GUIDE] Pixel 6 "oriole": Unlock Bootloader, Update, Root, Pass SafetyNet

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xabier-bo

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
150
29
Updated the image,

I did try a USB C to C cable to see but i've mainly been using the one that came with it in the box as well as one i already had and on all the USB ports i have. I have a 3.0 Cable coming in to see if that fixes anything

Unfortunately, I do have those drivers already installed prior to the process
I went crazy while, after a failing update, fastboot didn't see my device via USB-C to USB-C cable.
Then, by chance, I tested a USB-A to C, and it worked.

After that, can't tell you why, fastboot works fine again with the USB-C to USB-C cable. In my case no need to update drivers
 

Nightf0x_007

Senior Member
Nov 5, 2012
741
84
Im failing device play integrity & cts profile safetynet tests here, i didnt do anything apart from updating to february update, im using magisk delta (riru)
 

kiwigi

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2012
184
26
LineageOS
Google Pixel 6
I have missed out on the January update due to being away a lot and have now the following questions;
Do I need to update each month's or the latest (February)only?
Or would be there be somewhere the update only, which could be flashed?
If I update with an OTA image, does it mean I have to reinstall apps which I have additional to the standard( Signal and others)?
As much as I remember I need to disable the Magisk modules before starting the process?
Thanks!
 

V0latyle

Forum Moderator
Staff member
I have missed out on the January update due to being away a lot and have now the following questions;
Do I need to update each month's or the latest (February)only?
Or would be there be somewhere the update only, which could be flashed?
The latest release includes all previous updates, you don't have to install them consecutively
If I update with an OTA image, does it mean I have to reinstall apps which I have additional to the standard( Signal and others)?
No. OTA update keeps data and updates the inactive slot. The only thing that will cause a data wipe is if you use the flash-all script in the factory update; if you flash the image without using the script, data wipe is up to you
As much as I remember I need to disable the Magisk modules before starting the process?
Thanks!
Not always but it's generally a good idea
 
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kiwigi

Senior Member
Oct 4, 2012
184
26
LineageOS
Google Pixel 6
The latest release includes all previous updates, you don't have to install them consecutively

No. OTA update keeps data and updates the inactive slot. The only thing that will cause a data wipe is if you use the flash-all script in the factory update; if you flash the image without using the script, data wipe is up to you

Not always but it's generally a good idea
I have started the process of updating with PixelFlasher and as there is a "flash to inactive slot" I am not sure if I tick that or not?
 

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lackalil

Member
Mar 10, 2011
39
10
I have an unlocked phone on Mint (T-Mobile network). Regarding the 20230205 update, I wasn't sure whether to go with the standard build or the T-Mobile/T-Mobile MVNO version. But the release notes say Google Fi rather than MVNOs in general. https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/200738915/google-pixel-update-february-2023?hl=en

Anyway, I decided to try the normal version first and am not having any issues. Does anyone have any idea what the difference is? There's a T-Mobile variant on all Pixels from 4a 5G on so it must have been somewhat significant.
 

V0latyle

Forum Moderator
Staff member
I have an unlocked phone on Mint (T-Mobile network). Regarding the 20230205 update, I wasn't sure whether to go with the standard build or the T-Mobile/T-Mobile MVNO version. But the release notes say Google Fi rather than MVNOs in general. https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/200738915/google-pixel-update-february-2023?hl=en

Anyway, I decided to try the normal version first and am not having any issues. Does anyone have any idea what the difference is? There's a T-Mobile variant on all Pixels from 4a 5G on so it must have been somewhat significant.
The only difference is in the modem firmware. The system image should be the same.
 
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Anyone else got a magisk canary update, but won't open after installation?
yes and apparently it's a known "issue" that occurs when you blindly tap on the update notification without unhiding magisk first. No clue how to fix, will try with pixel flasher.

EDIT: not fixed after updating to feb update via pixelflasher. No clue how to restore magisk atm.

EDIT 2: known issue with the latest canary build. Either install the debug build for now, or wait for a fix.
 
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Xpargas

Member
Sep 11, 2011
6
1
I'm having trouble rooting my pixel 6.
I rooted it a long time ago, but then I had to wipe it and it hasn't been rooted since.
Bootloader is still unlocked.

I extracted and patched the boot.img for the build I currently have installed (TQ1A.230205.001.D2, Feb 2023, T-Mobile, T-Mobile MVNOs).
Transferred the patched boot.img back to my computer, rebooted to recovery, and then did the fastboot flash boot command.
After rebooting, the phone just boot loops. I'm able to flash the stock boot.img back and it boots again.
I've tried it several times and with Pixelflasher, but I just keep going into a boot loop. Not sure what i'm doing wrong.

Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to add that i'm using the latest Debug build of magisk. Tried the stable build also.
 

aimsjahan

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2013
111
38
OnePlus X
OnePlus 5
I'm having trouble rooting my pixel 6.
I rooted it a long time ago, but then I had to wipe it and it hasn't been rooted since.
Bootloader is still unlocked.

I extracted and patched the boot.img for the build I currently have installed (TQ1A.230205.001.D2, Feb 2023, T-Mobile, T-Mobile MVNOs).
Transferred the patched boot.img back to my computer, rebooted to recovery, and then did the fastboot flash boot command.
After rebooting, the phone just boot loops. I'm able to flash the stock boot.img back and it boots again.
I've tried it several times and with Pixelflasher, but I just keep going into a boot loop. Not sure what i'm doing wrong.

Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to add that i'm using the latest Debug build of magisk. Tried the stable build also.
Just get the boot.img from factory zip (same build version of course, i.e. qpr or monthly) of Pixel 7. Patch it and flash usually.
 

Lughnasadh

Senior Member
Mar 23, 2015
5,159
6,031
Google Nexus 5
Huawei Nexus 6P
I'm having trouble rooting my pixel 6.
I rooted it a long time ago, but then I had to wipe it and it hasn't been rooted since.
Bootloader is still unlocked.

I extracted and patched the boot.img for the build I currently have installed (TQ1A.230205.001.D2, Feb 2023, T-Mobile, T-Mobile MVNOs).
Transferred the patched boot.img back to my computer, rebooted to recovery, and then did the fastboot flash boot command.
After rebooting, the phone just boot loops. I'm able to flash the stock boot.img back and it boots again.
I've tried it several times and with Pixelflasher, but I just keep going into a boot loop. Not sure what i'm doing wrong.

Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to add that i'm using the latest Debug build of magisk. Tried the stable build also.
You should be in fastboot mode, not recovery, to flash the patched image, but I'm assuming you are since you were able to flash the stock boot.img.

Do you happen to have any Magisk mods still installed? If you have one that needs updating, that will cause a bootloop.
 
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Xpargas

Member
Sep 11, 2011
6
1
You should be in fastboot mode, not recovery, to flash the patched image, but I'm assuming you are since you were able to flash the stock boot.img.

Do you happen to have any Magisk mods still installed? If you have one that needs updating, that will cause a bootloop.


THANK YOU.
Forgot I had some old modules installed. Did adb wait-for-device shell magisk --remove-modules and it booted and is rooted.
 
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  • 2
    Thanks for replying here...
    So long story short...
    I need to unlock the bootloader its obvious... And I need a root...
    Are these commands are just enough?
    1. adb reboot bootloader
    2. fastboot flashing unlock
    3. Now I have downloaded ota and also factory image what exactly I have to do after unlocking the bootloader.... Patching by masgisk boot.img from factory zip>update.zip to device and pc and then flash?
    4. Now if yes, then what I have to do? And where and why I use the active slots commands?
    You don't need to mess with the slots, unless the device is on Android 12, in which case you'll want to flash the new bootloader to both slots.

    Again, the instructions on updating and rooting your device are in the first post of this thread. Go back and read it, please. If you have questions about something specific, I'll be happy to help, but I took the time to write an exhaustive guide, and I would appreciate it if you used it instead of asking me to give you answers that are already readily available.
    1
    Weird, i restarted my PC, and now it detects the Device again, flashing to slot A is also working.
    Have never seen that before, what could have been the problem?
    1
    Hey guys, I got a fresh Pixel 6 that I already updated via OTA to Android 13. I want to root, so before I start, I just want to check in quickly to summarize if I understood the steps correctly and make sure this works with a device that's already on 13.

    What I need to do:

    1. Download latest factory image: 13.0.0 (TQ2A.230505.002, May 2023)
    2. Download Magisk canary (because stable doesn't work for 13, that still the case?) from OP link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/topjohnwu/magisk-files/canary/app-release.apk
    3. Perform unlock bootloader steps
    4. extract device-image-buildnumber.zip from the factory image and extract boot.img from that.
    5. push boot.img to device.
    6. patch the boot.img on the device using the Magisk canary.
    7. pull the patched boot.img back to the PC.
    8. flash the patched boot.img. The whole factory image is never actually flashed, right?

    Sorry, if this seems like rehashing the OP, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Thanks for your help!
    Steps are correct, if you are already on May release, then correct, no need to flash full factory, otherwise you need to as you're using May boot.img.

    As for
    Download Magisk canary (because stable doesn't work for 13, that still the case?) from OP link:
    I don't believe that is true, where did you read that?
    1
    Hey guys, I got a fresh Pixel 6 that I already updated via OTA to Android 13. I want to root, so before I start, I just want to check in quickly to summarize if I understood the steps correctly and make sure this works with a device that's already on 13.

    What I need to do:

    1. Download latest factory image: 13.0.0 (TQ2A.230505.002, May 2023)
    2. Download Magisk canary (because stable doesn't work for 13, that still the case?) from OP link: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/topjohnwu/magisk-files/canary/app-release.apk
    3. Perform unlock bootloader steps
    4. extract device-image-buildnumber.zip from the factory image and extract boot.img from that.
    5. push boot.img to device.
    6. patch the boot.img on the device using the Magisk canary.
    7. pull the patched boot.img back to the PC.
    8. flash the patched boot.img. The whole factory image is never actually flashed, right?

    Sorry, if this seems like rehashing the OP, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Thanks for your help!
    In addition to what @badabing2003 said, also make sure both slots have the A13 bootloader on them before modifying your device. See this for more information. Wasn't clear how many updates you took since updating to A13 and if both slots indeed have the A13 bootloader on them already.
    1
    Re: Magisk version:

    All official Magisk builds have a build number. 26.1 is 26100. Canary/debug builds are between the official releases. Refer to the Magisk releases page for the main releases.

    25.2: 25200
    Canary/debug: 25201 to 25999
    26.0: 26000
    Canary/debug: 26001 to 26099
    26.1: 26100

    If you have no reason to use a previous version of Magisk, just use 25.2 or 26.1; 26.0 is known to have problems.

    If for whatever reason you use older Magisk releases, be aware that the fixes necessary for the Pixel 6 series were incorporated at 23016, meaning any version prior to those won't work properly.
  • 51
    ⚠️⚠️⚠️WARNING! IF YOU ARE UPDATING TO ANDROID 13 FOR THE FIRST TIME, READ THIS FIRST! ⚠️⚠️⚠️

    If you are looking for my guide on a different Pixel, find it here:
    For best results, use the latest stable Magisk release.
    Discussion thread for migration to 24.0+.
    Note: Magisk prior to Canary 23016 does not incorporate the necessary fixes for Android 12+.


    WARNING: YOU AND YOU ALONE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DEVICE. THIS GUIDE IS WRITTEN WITH THE EXPRESS ASSUMPTION THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH ADB, MAGISK, ANDROID, AND ROOT. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

    Prerequisites:


    Android Source - Setting up a device for development


    1. Follow these instructions to enable Developer Options and USB Debugging.
    2. Enable OEM Unlocking. If this option is grayed out, unlocking the bootloader is not possible.
    3. Connect your device to your PC, and open a command window in your Platform Tools folder.
    4. Ensure ADB sees your device:
      Code:
      adb devices
      If you don't see a device, make sure USB Debugging is enabled, reconnect the USB cable, or try a different USB cable.
      If you see "unauthorized", you need to authorize the connection on your device.
      If you see the device without "unauthorized", you're good to go.
    5. Reboot to bootloader:
      Code:
      adb reboot bootloader
    6. Unlock bootloader: THIS WILL WIPE YOUR DEVICE!
      Code:
      fastboot flashing unlock
      Select Continue on the device screen.

    1. Install Magisk on your device.
    2. Download the factory zip for your build.
    3. Inside the factory zip is the update zip: "device-image-buildnumber.zip". Open this, and extract boot.img
    4. Copy boot.img to your device.
    5. Patch boot.img with Magisk: "Install" > "Select and Patch a File"
    6. Copy the patched image back to your PC. It will be named "magisk_patched-23xxx_xxxxx.img". Rename this to "master root.img" and retain it for future updates.
    7. Reboot your device to bootloader.
    8. Flash the patched image:
      Code:
      fastboot flash boot <drag and drop master root.img here>
    9. Reboot to Android. Open Magisk to confirm root - under Magisk at the top, you should see "Installed: <Magisk build number>

    1. Before you download the OTA, open Magisk, tap Uninstall, then Restore Images. If you have any Magisk modules that modify system, uninstall them now.
    2. Take the OTA update when prompted. To check for updates manually, go to Settings > System > System Update > Check for Update
    3. Allow the update to download and install. DO NOT REBOOT WHEN PROMPTED. Open Magisk, tap Install at the top, then Install to inactive slot. Magisk will then reboot your device.
    4. You should now be updated with root.

    1. Download the OTA.
    2. Reboot to recovery and sideload the OTA:
      Code:
      adb reboot sideload
      Once in recovery:
      Code:
      adb sideload ota.zip
    3. When the OTA completes, you will be in recovery mode. Select "Reboot to system now".
    4. Allow system to boot and wait for the update to complete. You must let the system do this before proceeding.
    5. Reboot to bootloader.
    6. Boot the master root image (See note 1):
      Code:
      fastboot boot <drag and drop master root.img here>
      Note: If you prefer, you can download the factory zip and manually patch the new boot image, then flash it after the update. Do not flash an older boot image after updating.
    7. Your device should boot with root. Open Magisk, tap Install, and select Direct Install.
    8. Reboot your device. You should now be updated with root.
    Note: You can use Payload Dumper to extract the contents of the OTA if you want to manually patch the new boot image. However, I will not cover that in this guide.

    Please note that the factory update process expects an updated bootloader and radio. If these are not up to date, the update will fail.
    1. Download the factory zip and extract the contents.
    2. Reboot to bootloader.
    3. Compare bootloader versions between phone screen and bootloader.img build number
      Code:
      fastboot flash bootloader <drag and drop new bootloader.img here>
      If bootloader is updated, reboot to bootloader.
    4. Compare baseband versions between phone screen and radio.img build number
      Code:
      fastboot flash radio <drag and drop radio.img here>
      If radio is updated, reboot to bootloader.
    5. Apply update:
      Code:
      fastboot update --skip-reboot image-codename-buildnumber.zip
      When the update completes, the device will be in fastbootd. Reboot to bootloader.
    6. Boot the master root image (See note 1):
      Code:
      fastboot boot <drag and drop master root.img here>
      Note: If you prefer, you can manually patch the new boot image, then flash it after the update. Do not flash an older boot image after updating.
    7. Your device should boot with root. Open Magisk, tap Install, and select Direct Install.
    8. Reboot your device. You should now be updated with root.
    Note: If you prefer, you can update using the flash-all script included in the factory zip. You will have to copy the script, bootloader image, radio image, and update zip into the Platform Tools folder; you will then have to edit the script to remove the -w option so it doesn't wipe your device.
    The scripted commands should look like this:
    Code:
    fastboot flash bootloader <bootloader image name>
    fastboot reboot bootloader
    ping -n 5 127.0.0.1 > nul
    fastboot flash radio <radio image name>
    fastboot reboot bootloader
    ping -n 5 127.0.0.1 > nul
    fastboot update  --skip-reboot <image-device-buildnumber.zip>
    Once this completes, you can reboot to bootloader and either boot your master patched image, or if you patched the new image, flash it at this time.

    PixelFlasher by @badabing2003 is an excellent tool that streamlines the update process - it even patches the boot image for you.
    The application essentially automates the ADB interface to make updating and rooting much easier. However, it is STRONGLY recommended that you still learn the "basics" of using ADB.

    For instructions, downloads, and support, please refer to the PixelFlasher thread.

    1. Follow the instructions on the Android Flash Tool to update your device. Make sure Lock Bootloader and Wipe Device are UNCHECKED.
    2. When the update completes, the device will be in fastbootd. Reboot to bootloader.
    3. Boot the master root image (See note 1):
      Code:
      fastboot boot <drag and drop master root.img here>
      Note: If you prefer, you can download the factory zip and manually patch the new boot image, then flash it after the update. Do not flash an older boot image after updating.
    4. Your device should boot with root. Open Magisk, tap Install, and select Direct Install.
    5. Reboot your device. You should now be updated with root.

    SafetyNet has been deprecated for the new Play Integrity API. More information here.

    In a nutshell, Play Integrity uses the same mechanisms as SafetyNet for the BASIC and DEVICE verdicts, but uses the Trusted Execution Environment to validate those verdicts. TEE does not function on an unlocked bootloader, so legacy SafetyNet solutions will fail.

    However, @Displax has modified the original Universal SafetyNet Fix by kdrag0n; his mod is able to force basic attestation instead of hardware, meaning that the device will pass BASIC and DEVICE integrity.

    Mod available here. Do not use MagiskHide Props Config with this mod.

    This is my configuration that is passing Safety Net. I will not provide instructions on how to accomplish this. Attempt at your own risk.

    Zygisk + DenyList enabled
    All subcomponents of these apps hidden under DenyList:
    • Google Play Store
    • GPay
    • Any banking/financial apps
    • Any DRM media apps
    Modules:
    • Universal SafetyNet Fix 2.3.1 Mod - XDA post
    To check SafetyNet status:
    To check Play Integrity status:
    I do not provide support for Magisk or modules. If you need help with Magisk, here is the Magisk General Support thread. For support specifically with Magisk v24+, see this thread.

    Points of note:
    • The boot image is NOT the bootloader image. Do not confuse the two - YOU are expected to know the difference. Flashing the wrong image to bootloader could brick your device.
    • While the Magisk app is used for patching the boot image, the app and the patch are separate. This is what you should see in Magisk for functioning root:
      screenshot_20230323-072859-3-png.5870161
    • "Installed" shows the version of patch in the boot image. If this says N/A, you do not have root access - the boot image is not patched, or you have a problem with Magisk.
    • "App" simply shows the version of the app itself.
    • If you do not have a patched master boot image, you will need to download the factory zip if you haven't already, extract the system update inside it, then patch boot.img.
    • If you prefer updating with the factory image, you can also extract and manually patch the boot image if desired.
    • Some Magisk modules, especially those that modify read only partitions like /system, may cause a boot loop after updating. As a general rule, disable these modules before updating. You are responsible for knowing what you have installed, and what modules to disable.


    Credits:
    Thanks to @badabing2003 , @pndwal , @Displax , @Az Biker , @ipdev , @kdrag0n , @Didgeridoohan , and last but not least, @topjohnwu for all their hard work!
    7
    Magisk Canary was updated to 23016 last night. This includes a fix for the vbmeta header issue, meaning that disabling verity/verification should no longer be required, and we should be able to root as we did before. This needs testing, make sure you back up your data and photos before you do this!

    Additionally, for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, fstab will now load from /system/etc which should fix the root issue many of you were having.

    Q: "If verity/verification are disabled, do I need to enable them now?"
    A: No. The only thing you have to do is update to Magisk 23016.
    Q: "Will enabling verity/verification wipe my data?"
    A: No.

    I will be updating the OP to reflect this.
    5
    Magisk 24306 (release notes) is now available on the canary channel, and I can confirm that the installation to the inactive slot OTA method is working for the April update.
    5
    Interesting. How did you command the reboot?

    When I tried to update this way on my wife's 5a, it bootlooped back to the original slot.
    I always follow these steps once I know the OTA is available:

    1. Open Magisk and select 'Uninstall Magisk -> Restore Images'
    2. Open Settings and Download/Install OTA *DO NOT REBOOT*
    3. Go back to Magisk and select 'Install -> Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)' *DO NOT REBOOT*
    4. Go back to Settings and 'Reboot' to finalize the OTA
    5
    So, if I use this tool after rooting OTA updates will work and I'll still have root?

    Edit: And can you explain more clearly the process on how to do this?

    No, the tool does nothing to maintain root. It simply allows you to take the OTA. You will still need to reboot into fastboot and flash or boot from a patched boot image.

    The steps would be:
    1. Restore boot in the Magisk app
    2. Restore vbmeta in Vbmeta Patcher
    3. Take the OTA in System Updater
    4. Patch vbmeta in Vbmeta Patcher
    5. Patch the new boot image in the Magisk app and copy it to your computer
    6. Reboot into fastboot
    7. Boot from the new patched boot image
    8. Direct Install Magisk in the Magisk App
    As I noted the quote post, this process should be considered experimental until it has been more thoroughly tested. You should consider backing up any critical data before attempting it, in case something goes wrong.

    I'm working on another tool to make it a bit easier to acquire the new boot image in step 5, but that will likely be a few days. Hopefully we'll be able to install Magisk to the inactive slot on Pixel devices again in the future, which would consolidate steps 5-8.