[GUIDE] Unlock/Flash/Root for the Pixel 2 XL (taimen)

[Az Biker]

.........................

[/COLOR]I'm planning to buy today a used pixel 2xl which I got for a bargain and will root it for different reasons, but before doing so I need to clarify some points since I know nothing about Google phones and I've been using another brand for the past decade
I honestly tried to search in forums and the web, I might have come across the solution, but since English is not my primary language I might have misunderstood some answers.
1- How to know that my phone is not linked or locked to another carrier? In my country all phones are unlocked but we have no store for Google phones so I don’t know where this device came from. If I simply insert my SIM card and was able to make call, does that mean I’m good to go?
2-Software build number is : QQ2A.200501.001.B3, does this mean it’s the international version?
3- Once rooted, do I lose device encryption? If yes can I enable it back again or does it come with drawbacks
2- If rooted, how to update to a new release without losing root or do I just have to flash the new factory image (while removing the –w flag) and then re-root again. Do I still keep my data or only the unlock step or the clean flashing factory do erase the data?

1. I use this LG IMEI checker look for anything that shows a carrier's name
2. indicated the May 2020 factory OS image
3. I have never run encrypted, so verify this before taking it as gospel; but I believe once you root, you lose encryption initially, but I think you can flash an older version to unencrypt. There is a way to run encrypted after rooting, just not sure what it is.
4. Updating requires flashing magisk again, but it's easy and there is a simple step by step in my sig for the 2 XL. As you stated, leaving the -w in the flash-all file erases everything back to factory, removing the -w leaves your data intact.


As you probably know, if you want to root, DO NOT purchase a device that advertises "unlocked"... this is NOT pertaining to the bootloader (ability to root), it is pertaining to the ability to be used on any carrier.

 

[Lughnasadh]

I'm planning to buy today a used pixel 2xl which I got for a bargain and will root it for different reasons, but before doing so I need to clarify some points since I know nothing about Google phones and I've been using another brand for the past decade
I honestly tried to search in forums and the web, I might have come across the solution, but since English is not my primary language I might have misunderstood some answers.
1- How to know that my phone is not linked or locked to another carrier? In my country all phones are unlocked but we have no store for Google phones so I don’t know where this device came from. If I simply insert my SIM card and was able to make call, does that mean I’m good to go?
2-Software build number is : QQ2A.200501.001.B3, does this mean it’s the international version?
3- Once rooted, do I lose device encryption? If yes can I enable it back again or does it come with drawbacks
2- If rooted, how to update to a new release without losing root or do I just have to flash the new factory image (while removing the –w flag) and then re-root again. Do I still keep my data or only the unlock step or the clean flashing factory do erase the data?

1. I use this LG IMEI checker look for anything that shows a carrier's name
2. indicated the May 2020 factory OS image
3. I have never run encrypted, so verify this before taking it as gospel; but I believe once you root, you lose encryption initially, but I think you can flash an older version to unencrypt. There is a way to run encrypted after rooting, just not sure what it is.
4. Updating requires flashing magisk again, but it's easy and there is a simple step by step in my sig for the 2 XL. As you stated, leaving the -w in the flash-all file erases everything back to factory, removing the -w leaves your data intact.


As you probably know, if you want to root, DO NOT purchase a device that advertises "unlocked"... this is NOT pertaining to the bootloader (ability to root), it is pertaining to the ability to be used on any carrier.

I'll just add that when you flash Magisk to root you will stay encrypted.

EDIT: I should point out however, that there is a bug in the latest TWRP where it won't decrypt /data while in TWRP unless you remove your lockscreen security before booting into TWRP. There is a method by which you can avoid this here... https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=81230489&postcount=2933

EDIT 2 (lol): I should also point out that it's always best to remove the lockscreen security before updating monthly security, at least when flashing the factory images (which is what I normally do with the -w removed).

 

[tcables]

Easiest way, over anything else, is to have the seller open the developer settings, and see if the OEM unlock option is available to be ticked, and is not greyed out. (Completely gray, not unticked Greg)

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Easiest way, over anything else, is to have the seller open the developer settings, and see if the OEM unlock option is available to be ticked, and is not greyed out. (Completely gray, not unticked Greg)

This actually isn't a bad idea, given some refurbished devices direct from Google were bootloader locked.

I would use this in conjunction with the IMEI.

 

[failax]

Have you managed to sideload last June update?To me it says sideload connection failed.
Can I flash the zip file through TWRP directly?

 

[Edmontonchef]

Have you managed to sideload last June update?To me it says sideload connection failed.
Can I flash the zip file through TWRP directly?

Yeah, you can flash the June OTA with twrp.
Did it yesterday and works fine

 

[failax]

Yeah, you can flash the June OTA with twrp.
Did it yesterday and works fine

I tried ota.zip and twrp doesn't flash it.

 

[Edmontonchef]

I tried ota.zip and twrp doesn't flash it.

https://developers.google.com/android/ota
Make sure you flash the OTA and not factory image

 

[dyoghenes]

Anybody has any idea installing Magisk without TWRP on the latest June Update? After I patch the boot image and try to flash it, it corrupts the file system and I have to flash the factory boot image to make to phone usable again. I checked the checksum of the factory image and it is the correct one. Anybody had any luck with this?

Edit: tulsadriver's clock mod caused the problem, disabling it solved it

 

[Will008]

Can anyone confirm if flashing the factory image resets any adb mods I've done to the phone?

Specifically to adb shell settings put secure sysui_*******

 

[Will008]

Can anyone confirm if flashing the factory image resets any adb mods I've done to the phone?

Specifically to adb shell settings put secure sysui_*******

Anyone...

 

[Digital DJ]

I believe this thread has seen it's last day. Most seemed to have moved on to the Pixel 4. I myself am likely going to the GP4 but I will never again root my device. It has been fun doing this stuff, but I no longer desire root or care for it. Good luck to all of you.

 

[Reechings]

I believe this thread has seen it's last day. Most seemed to have moved on to the Pixel 4. I myself am likely going to the GP4 but I will never again root my device. It has been fun doing this stuff, but I no longer desire root or care for it. Good luck to all of you.

Happy trails!

 

[jayloofah]

How do some phones like the Galaxy S3 get Lineage 17 and the Pixel 2 doesn't even have a reliable bl unlock method.

 

[Lughnasadh]

How do some phones like the Galaxy S3 get Lineage 17 and the Pixel 2 doesn't even have a reliable bl unlock method.

There is an unofficial Lineage 17.1 for this phone and the bootloader is really easy to unlock (unless you have a Verizon variant).
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/how-to/guide-unlock-flash-root-pixel-2-xl-t3702418
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/development/rom-lineage-os-17-t3984909

 

[nullness]

Google just updated the online flash tool to include pixel 2 firmwares all the way back to Oreo. Doesn't that mean we can revert back to a vulnerable bootloader and unlock now?!?!! You can legit go from Android 10 back to Oreo according to what I'm reading.

 

[GenuineDickies99]

Does DSU Loader being available in developer options change anything?

 

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

Google just updated the online flash tool to include pixel 2 firmwares all the way back to Oreo. Doesn't that mean we can revert back to a vulnerable bootloader and unlock now?!?!! You can legit go from Android 10 back to Oreo according to what I'm reading.

I'm fairly certain downgrading the bootloader won't be possible on a Verizon device.

Does DSU Loader being available in developer options change anything?

Probably not as we never needed it with Google devices, and it still likely will not help Verizon owners in any event.

 

[jayloofah]

Just to comment, I tried the online flash tool with my Pixel 2 and they say any downgrade requires an unlocked bootloader.

 

[CamoGeko]

Just to comment, I tried the online flash tool with my Pixel 2 and they say any downgrade requires an unlocked bootloader.

Any kind of flash requires an unlocked bootloader afaik.