[Guide] Root Pixel 3 XL Android 12 Unlock/Lock Bootloader + Install/Flash Custom ROMs
Introduction
- This Guide is for Pixel 3 XL owners that want to Instal a Custom ROM, and enjoy the benefits of rooting it. The Guide is divided into three parts: Information, Instructions, and Other.
- Disclaimer
- I assume no responsibility for the malfunctioning/bricking of your phone.
- The order of listed items i.e., Custom Kernels, Custom ROMS, etc. Does not indicate my preference for them. It is your responsibility to do the research before selecting an item.
- Prerequisites
- A Pixel 3 XL phone with an unlocked bootloader.
- The latest Custom ROM.
- A Computer with the latest SDK Platform-Tools: r33.0.3 installed.
- Important Notes:
- Update Platform Tools, regularly, for optimal performance.
- Need Google's USB Drivers for your Pixel Phone?
- NEW
- Waiting . . .
- Update(s)
- Magisk Alpha - app-release_555a54ec-alpha.apk 2 Sep
- Magisk Beta - 25.2 21Jul
- Magisk Canary - app-release_a468fd94-25205.apk 11Oct
- Magisk Delta - app-release
- Magisk Stable - 25.2 21Jul
- TWRP - Waiting for Android 12 T.W.R.P
- SafetyNet - SafetyNetFix v2.3.1 (Zygisk) 27Jun
- SDK Platform-tools - r33.0.3 11Aug
- Custom Kernels
Note: If you want to use a Custom Kernel, please follow the Installation instruction in the OP of the Custom Kernel you want to install.[[/I][/U]a. [Kernel][10.06.2022][4.9.317][Android 12]Kirisakura_S 5.1.1 for Pixel 3/XL aka Bluecross by Freak
b. Elemental X - check the Elemental X Kernel Manager for updates - Custom Android 12.x ROMs
[ROM] [UNOFFICIAL] [blueline/crosshatch] [Android12] LineageOS 19.1 Nightly by razorloves - Custom Android 13 ROMs
b. [ROM][13 BETA][blueline/crosshatch] PixelExperience [AOSP][OFFICIAL] Nightly by ReallySnow
- My Other Guides
- Credits/Thanks/Recognitions
- Those I may have, inadvertently, forgotten.
(The Instructions listed below are not steps, they are individual sets of instructions.)
- Open a Command Prompt/Boot Fastboot Mode/Boot Recovery
- Open a Command Prompt on Computer
- Open File Explorer, click the platform-tools folder ==> click the folder icon (left side of address bar) to highlight it type cmd and press enter.
- Open a Powershell Command Prompt on Computer: Open File Explorer, click the platform-tools folder ==> click the folder icon (left side of address bar) to highlight it type powershell and press enter.
- Notes:
- Enable USB Debugging, on your phone: Settings ==> System ==> Advanced ==> Developer options ==> Scroll down to USB debugging and enable it.
- When using the Powershell Command Prompt Commands must be preceeded with ./: i.e, ./fastboot devices
- If you do not want to open a Command Prompt every time you want to use the fastboot command, add the path to the Platform-tools folder to Windows environment variables.
- Boot fastboot mode (bootloader):
- Power off phone, press and hold the power and volume down buttons until you see Start.
- Boot Recovery
- Power off phone, press and hold the power and volume down buttons until you see Start. Use volume up/down button until you see Recovery mode. Press power button.
- Open a Command Prompt on Computer
- Test fastboot
- Enable Developer Options - Tap Settings > About phone > Build number 7 times or until you should see 'you are a Developer'.
- Enable USB Debugging - Tap Settings > System > Advanced > Developer options >
Enable USB Debugging. - Open a Command Prompt on your computer in the Platform-tools folder.
- Boot fastboot mode on your phone (#1)
- Connect the phone to the Computer.
- At the prompt type:
fastboot devices
to verify communication with phone. It should return your phone's serial number.
- Unlock Bootloader/Return Phone to Stock/Lock Bootloader
- Unlock Bootloader
- This will erase all user data from the device!
- Backup your data
- Activate Developer Options: Tap Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times or until you see you are a Developer. Tap back > System > Advanced > Developer Options. Enable OEM Unlock and, USB Debugging.
- Boot fastboot mode
- Connect the phone to the Computer with USB cord.
- Open a Command Prompt on your computer and type
fastboot flashing unlock
and press enter. - You should see a request for confirmation on your phone, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to select.
- Allow the process to complete and then type
fastboot reboot
at the Command Prompt and press enter. - When your phone reboots disconnect your usb cable.
Notes: After unlocking your bootloader, you'll see a warning: The bootloader is unlocked and... You will see this warning until, you relock the bootloader.
Do not relock your bootloader until you have returned the device to Stock.
- Return Phone to Stock
- Backup your data/Internal storage
- Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Erase all data (factory reset)
- Log in
- Set up phone
- Lock Bootloader
- Do not lock the bootloader until you have returned the phone to stock. Failure to do so causes bricked phones.
- This will erase all user data from the device!
- Boot fastboot mode
- Open a Command Prompt and type this at the Prompt:
fastboot flashing lock
- You should see a request for confirmation on your phone, use the volume keys to scroll and the power key to select.
- Allow the process to complete, then type this at the Command Prompt:
fastboot reboot
- Enable Developer Options: Settings > About phone > Tap Build number 7 times or until you see 'you are a developer'.
- Tap Back > Developer options and toggle OEM Unlock off.
- Unlock Bootloader
- Install/Flash Custom ROM with @badabing2003 PixelFlasher
- ADB Sideload
- Stock Recovery
- Custom Recovery - TWRP
- Waiting for Android 12 TWRP
- Stock Recovery
- Set Magisk App Update Channel/Update Magisk
- Set Magisk App Update Channel
- Open Magisk App > Tap menu icon > Settings > Update Channel > Select Stable, Beta Canary or Custom.
- Update Magisk
- When Magisk App notifies you of an update:
- Tap install.
- Select, Direct Install (Recommended)
- When it finishes installing
- Tap, Save Log
- Log location: /storage/emulated/0/MagiskManager/logs/install_log_
- Tap, Reboot
- Done
- Set Magisk App Update Channel
- Install/Update Magisk Modules
- Download Modules
- Install Modules from Storage
- Open Magisk
- Tap the Modules icon
- Tap Install from storage
- Navigate to the folder with the Module you want to install.
- Tap the Module to highlite it and tap Select.
- After it installs, tap the Disc Icon to save the install log.
- Tap Reboot
- Install Modules from Fox2Code/Fox Magisk Module Manager
- Open Fox2Code/Fox Magisk Module Manager
- Tap the Modules icon
- Locate the Module you want to install
- Tap Install
- After it installs, tap the Disc Icon to save the install log.
- Tap Reboot
- Update Modules
- Open Fox2Code/Fox Magisk Module Manager
- You, will see the Modules that have Updates.
- Tap the Module you want to update.
- Tap install.
- After it installs, tap the Disc Icon to save the install log.
- Tap Reboot
- Download Modules
- Custom ROMs
- Need help with a Custom ROM?
- If you are you are trying to install or have installed a Custom ROM, read and follow the Installation Instructions in the OP of the Custom ROM thread.
- Search the thread of the Custom ROM you are trying to install or have installed for answer(s)/solution(s) to your question(s)/problem(s): If you don't find a answer(s)/solution(s) to your question(s)/problem(s). Post your question(s)/request(s) for help in the Custom ROM thread you are trying to install or have installed.
- If you are trying to install a Addon(s) {Custom Kernel, Magisk, etc.} to the Custom ROM you installed: Search the thread of the Custom ROM you installed or the thread of the Addon you want to add to your Custom ROMfor answer(s)/solution(s) to your question(s)/problem(s). If you don't find an answer(s)/solution(s) to your question(s)/problem(s). Post your question(s)/request(s) for help in the Custom ROM or Addon (Custom Kernel, Magisk, etc.) thread.
- ROMs
- Alpha/Beta
- Official
- Unofficial
- None
- Alpha/Beta
- Need help with a Custom ROM?
- Mods
- Tulsadiver's Mods
- None . . .
- Others
- Tulsadiver's Mods
- T.W.R.P. Backup/T.W.R.P Update
- Waiting for Android 12 T.W.R.P
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