How to root your Pixel 3a/3a XL WITHOUT TWRP

[PhoenixPath]

ok, so maybe someone here can help me out, I don't get it, why I cant unlock the bootloader on my 3a xl.
I could enable OEM unlock and USB debugging in developer settings.
"adb reboot bootloader" sets it into fastboot mode. But the command "fastboot flashing unlock" does in fact nothing.
I dont even get an error message?!

I exit out with "fastboot reboot". That does work. Could it be that Google has blocked it somehow until the 15 days return window? (Bought the 3a xl in the german google online store)

I am not 100% certain, but try it through CMD, rather than powershell. Powershell has always had weird issues for me when using adb/fastboot.

 

[jcrompton]

I am not 100% certain, but try it through CMD, rather than powershell. Powershell has always had weird issues for me when using adb/fastboot.

Mine worked through a CMD window

 

[poncespr]

Thanks
Did install successfully.
But I'm not familiar with that build .... Is there a way to load old saved profiles? I can't find that in the some what different UI

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I don't have an answer to your question. Can't help you there.
Sorry.

 

[Displax]

ok, so maybe someone here can help me out, I don't get it, why I cant unlock the bootloader on my 3a xl.
I could enable OEM unlock and USB debugging in developer settings.
"adb reboot bootloader" sets it into fastboot mode. But the command "fastboot flashing unlock" does in fact nothing.
I dont even get an error message?!


I exit out with "fastboot reboot". That does work. Could it be that Google has blocked it somehow until the 15 days return window? (Bought the 3a xl in the german google online store)

Update your utilities: https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools

 

[Fentadroid]

3) extract the boot.img and copy it to your Pixel

4) open Magisk and select install then write to a file. Select boot.img

5) wait for it to finish then copy the patched boot image back to your PC

Tried to patch a boot.img on a 3a
That's the Magisk Manager log:

- Device platform: arm64-v8a
- Existing zip found
- Copying image to cache
1022+1 records in
1022+1 records out
1047368 bytes transferred in 0.004 secs (261842000 bytes/sec)
- Unpacking boot image
Parsing boot image: [/data/user_de/0/com.topjohnwu.magisk/install/boot.img]
! Unsupported/Unknown image format
! Installation failed

Any idea?

EDIT: got it Solved

 

[frank the crank]

I am not 100% certain, but try it through CMD, rather than powershell. Powershell has always had weird issues for me when using adb/fastboot.

ok, nevermind, i tried the updated adb/fastboot versions etc. In fact i switched to another pc and tried there, well, it worked.. so no idea, whats wrong with my main pc
thanks nevertheless

 

[seniorstew]

ok, nevermind, i tried the updated adb/fastboot versions etc. In fact i switched to another pc and tried there, well, it worked.. so no idea, whats wrong with my main pc
thanks nevertheless

You need to Uninstall your existing drivers first

 

[doubledragon5]

Just picked mine up from Sprint.. I knew the bootloader couldn't be unlocked.. I did it because of my other lease phone I purchased. I returned it after 5 days, as I was not impressed.. One thing I can say about this for a carrier locked device. This is the first phone owned through a carrier, that did not have any bloat of any kind.. I'm not sure if there is really a reason, for me to want the bootloader unlocked, other than because I can...

 

[felt26]

Just wondering, will TWRP support 3a xl at some point?

 

[Matt4542]

Just wondering, will TWRP support 3a xl at some point?

Most definitely. Give them some time, it's still early for the 3a. We may even see some unofficial versions before it gets properly maintained by TWRP.

 

[PhoenixPath]

If I recall correctly, it took just under a month for the Pixel 3. We've still got some time. It'll happen.

 

[SurNubs]

got my phone officially unlocked and only had it for 4 days let the fun begin but in order for the fun to begin how do i patch the image inside magisk

---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------

never mind found out how to do it everything is good now

 

[sic0048]

got my phone officially unlocked and only had it for 4 days let the fun begin but in order for the fun to begin how do i patch the image inside magisk

---------- Post added at 01:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------

never mind found out how to do it everything is good now

I was going to say........ the directions are literally in the first post of this thread, but it seems you figured it out.

 

[SurNubs]

I was going to say........ the directions are literally in the first post of this thread, but it seems you figured it out.

yup lol i was like damn it but trust me took me literally all day to get my phone unlock code but this rep was amazing she did everything and said ill give it the go lol so now quick question what are some good magisk modules to install to be honest i hate the navbar lol.

 

[pbanj]

i have it linked in my thread for the non xl 3a so figured i would mention it here so @seniorstew could add it to his post. this is a semi-auto/auto method of getting Gpay to work https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79538450&postcount=58 and this is the manual method https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/magisk-google-pay-gms-17-1-22-pie-t3929950

 

[vicmora5]

I'm coming into this as a complete noob that hasn't messed with any android modding since the note 3, how do you know if your bootloader is able to be unlocked? Also, from what I understand modules are sort of like tweaks?

 

[josh3794]

**Your Bootloader MUST be unlocked**

**does not work on Android Q**

1) Download Magisk APK from https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 and install the APK

2) download your system image from https://developers.google.com/android/images Make sure you check settings-->about phone to get your current software version to your PC

3) extract the boot.img and copy it to your Pixel

4) open Magisk and select install then write to a file. Select boot.img

5) wait for it to finish then copy the patched boot image back to your PC

6) open a powershell window from the folder you copied the patched boot image to and either ADB reboot bootloader or turn off your phone and hold the volume down and power key until your in fastboot mode, plug it in and run "fastboot getvar current-slot"

7) take note which boot letter pops up either A or B

8) run "fastboot flash boot_<Letter> <patched_image_name>.img

9)"fastboot reboot"

PROFIT

This also appears to break Google Pay even though Magisk Hide is enabled. If anyone has a work around please share!

Link to the newest Google USB drivers:
https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb

For Clarity. The only Magisk apk available is the Magisk manager. Am I installing that and then installing magisk to the boot.img?

Thanks

 

[seniorstew]

For Clarity. The only Magisk apk available is the Magisk manager. Am I installing that and then installing magisk to the boot.img?

Thanks

Install the magisk apk then patch the boot image you downloaded and extracted

 

[pbanj]

Install the magisk apk then patch the boot image you downloaded and extracted

did you see my post with the fixes to get gpay to work

 

[seniorstew]

did you see my post with the fixes to get gpay to work

Yes thank you havnt had a chance to test it yet