In need of assistance updating. - Google Pixel 2 XL Questions & Answers

I'm fairly new to the XL 2, coming form a Nexus 6P this is quite the learning curve.
I'm looking to update to Oreo 8.1 now that it's live. I'm currently bootloader unlocked (not critical), twrp not installed, November update, rooted with magisk, stock kernel. What would be my best course o f action to update to 8.1? Thanks in advance for the help.

Triscuit said:
I'm fairly new to the XL 2, coming form a Nexus 6P this is quite the learning curve.
I'm looking to update to Oreo 8.1 now that it's live. I'm currently bootloader unlocked (not critical), twrp not installed, November update, rooted with magisk, stock kernel. What would be my best course o f action to update to 8.1? Thanks in advance for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Former 6p guy as well. The learning curve isn't that bad, just takes a lot of reading is all. As far as updating, you'll need to unlock critical so you can update your bootloader. Unfortunately, it'll wipe your phone. After that, since your phone has been wiped, might as well flash the new 8.1 with the flash-all.bat script in fastboot mode. Then, after you set up your phone, go ahead and root it again :good:

Related

Best method for taking updates?

So I might have gotten a nice stroke of luck here. Got a Pixel XL from Verizon with no intentions to do any modifying of any kind. I took the OTA update to 7.1.1. A few weeks later, I finally dove into the forums to see what kinda development we got going for this phone. I read that the bootloader is forever locked. Since buying the phone, I had tons of freezes, crashes, and reboots. I sent the phone in to Verizon and got my replacement with 7.1! I unlocked the bootloader and I couldn't hold true to my initial plans of not modifying it. Currently I have a Verizon Pixel XL, bootloader is unlocked, twrp, franco r6 kernel, root. On build NMF26O. What is the best/quickest method for updating with these monthly security patches and such?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886
Step 9
joooe said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-how-to-unlock-root-flash-pixel-xl-t3507886
Step 9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Either I'm going crazy or just plain dumb, but there's only 8 steps when I go to that link
jdpro22 said:
Either I'm going crazy or just plain dumb, but there's only 8 steps when I go to that link
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right LOL. There is no Step 9 :laugh:
I myself am not clear yet, but I think you need to flash stock recovery and kernel and then you could take the OTA update and install it. That will be the easiest. But I always like to do it clean, so I download the OTA and then sideload it via ADB. Obviously I take a backup before and then restore it.
But just make sure that there is a way to restore stock recovery, I am not clear about that part, stock boot.img is easy to find and flash, I don't know whether that restores the stock recovery too or not.
Start at step 4 here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/info-how-restored-to-stock-soft-t3494478
Just remember to delete "-w" from flash-all.bat so your data is not wiped!

Return Verizon Pixel XL to Stock

It's been a while since I did this or even worked on my phone so my memory is foggy.
Plus I have used dPixel8 to unlock my bootloader for my Verizon Pixel XL and put on Pure Nexus... but that hasn't been updated since July
Anyway, can anyone tell me exactly how to return my Pixel XL to stock.?
I honestly don't have the time or energy to fiddle with it anymore and it's been so long since a PureNexus update, I just don't care to wait any longer for Oreo.
fsuagentsmith said:
It's been a while since I did this or even worked on my phone so my memory is foggy.
Plus I have used dPixel8 to unlock my bootloader for my Verizon Pixel XL and put on Pure Nexus... but that hasn't been updated since July
Anyway, can anyone tell me exactly how to return my Pixel XL to stock.?
I honestly don't have the time or energy to fiddle with it anymore and it's been so long since a PureNexus update, I just don't care to wait any longer for Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jist install 8.1 factoy image .No need to relock your bootloader none of that bull****. As an unlocked bootloader will not void warranty
fsuagentsmith said:
It's been a while since I did this or even worked on my phone so my memory is foggy.
Plus I have used dPixel8 to unlock my bootloader for my Verizon Pixel XL and put on Pure Nexus... but that hasn't been updated since July
Anyway, can anyone tell me exactly how to return my Pixel XL to stock.?
I honestly don't have the time or energy to fiddle with it anymore and it's been so long since a PureNexus update, I just don't care to wait any longer for Oreo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, update your ADB tools to today's version.
Then, go here and get the December Marlin zip. https://developers.google.com/android/images
Info on setting up ADB and how to flash newest Oreo on this page as well as the download.
Open up and expand the zip contents in your ADB tools folder.
In Windows Explorer, double click on flash-all.bat and it will make your phone like new.
It will wipe your phone, so backup whatever you need before.

Vzw pixel xl update to newest stable release.

Hello All,
It been a while since I've been lurking on the forums. Last time I was here was just after when I got the pixel xl and needed to root and unlock it, and was looking for how to update.
Back then when the update past 7.1.1 released they were having issues keeping root and unlocked status after the update.
I'm looking to update my phone now to the newest, stable release, that will let me keep root and unlocked bootloader on a Verizon Google pixel xl.
Here is where I'm currently at:
Verizon Google pixel xl.
Rooted
Unlocked bootloader
7.1.1 (NOF27B) stock image
Flash fire installed
Twrp installed
As of late I've had the common battery issue with this version get worse as the phone ages and now after landing in Indianapolis a few hours ago I'm having radio issues that I'm hoping a fresh install or update will fix.
I'm just looking for some direction on what steps I need to do to update and not lose root or unlocked bootloader.
I need to get full functionality of my phone back asap, so I appreciate all of your help with this.
Thank you
Hobocoe said:
Hello All,
It been a while since I've been lurking on the forums. Last time I was here was just after when I got the pixel xl and needed to root and unlock it, and was looking for how to update.
Back then when the update past 7.1.1 released they were having issues keeping root and unlocked status after the update.
I'm looking to update my phone now to the newest, stable release, that will let me keep root and unlocked bootloader on a Verizon Google pixel xl.
Here is where I'm currently at:
Verizon Google pixel xl.
Rooted
Unlocked bootloader
7.1.1 (NOF27B) stock image
Flash fire installed
Twrp installed
As of late I've had the common battery issue with this version get worse as the phone ages and now after landing in Indianapolis a few hours ago I'm having radio issues that I'm hoping a fresh install or update will fix.
I'm just looking for some direction on what steps I need to do to update and not lose root or unlocked bootloader.
I need to get full functionality of my phone back asap, so I appreciate all of your help with this.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This excellent guide by HomeBoy76 should give you all the info that you need....
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/guide-pixel-xl-android-8-1oreo-unlock-t3715279
Hobocoe said:
Hello All,
It been a while since I've been lurking on the forums. Last time I was here was just after when I got the pixel xl and needed to root and unlock it, and was looking for how to update.
Back then when the update past 7.1.1 released they were having issues keeping root and unlocked status after the update.
I'm looking to update my phone now to the newest, stable release, that will let me keep root and unlocked bootloader on a Verizon Google pixel xl.
Here is where I'm currently at:
Verizon Google pixel xl.
Rooted
Unlocked bootloader
7.1.1 (NOF27B) stock image
Flash fire installed
Twrp installed
As of late I've had the common battery issue with this version get worse as the phone ages and now after landing in Indianapolis a few hours ago I'm having radio issues that I'm hoping a fresh install or update will fix.
I'm just looking for some direction on what steps I need to do to update and not lose root or unlocked bootloader.
I need to get full functionality of my phone back asap, so I appreciate all of your help with this.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not think there is anyway to upgrade the 7.1.1 firmware to 8.10 firmware and not lose root. I would suggest you use my guide and Do #4 wipe data and then do #7 root.
Why wipe data? There have been a lot of changes to the firmware since 7.1.1 (NOF27B) stock image.
Note: Copy/Backup the information on your internal storage you want to keep to your computer i.e., pictures SMS, files etc. Why? Because using flash-all with the -w will wipe your internal storage.
It's actually pretty simple, just download the latest factory image of either Oreo,. Flash the flash all script included with fast boot. Afterward boot into the system without setting up a pin or password or anything, set it up, then reboot into boot loader and boot the latest TWRP, then within TWRP flash TWRP zip file and Magisk root. Reboot system.
Homeboy76 said:
I do not think there is anyway to upgrade the 7.1.1 firmware to 8.10 firmware and not lose root. I would suggest you use my guide and Do #4 wipe data and then do #7 root.
Why wipe data? There have been a lot of changes to the firmware since 7.1.1 (NOF27B) stock image.
Note: Copy/Backup the information on your internal storage you want to keep to your computer i.e., pictures SMS, files etc. Why? Because using flash-all with the -w will wipe your internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you everyone for the responses. Homeboy 76, I just had a quick question regarding your guide. The steps for the bootloader. Are you just showing all 3 options (unlock, lock, stock) for thurougness? Or do I have to return the bootloader to stock and lock it before I can install the update and root again?
Also I should test a factory reset before I try updating to see if my radio problem is worse than I expected. If I just go into the system and do a factory reset, besides losing root will it be fine doing that? Or does that get it into a weird root/stock limbo and brick it? Or prevent me from installing the update?
Thank you for your help with this. I just don't want to brick my phone while trying to fix it.
Hobocoe said:
Thank you everyone for the responses. Homeboy 76, I just had a quick question regarding your guide. The steps for the bootloader. Are you just showing all 3 options (unlock, lock, stock) for thurougness? Or do I have to return the bootloader to stock and lock it before I can install the update and root again?
Also I should test a factory reset before I try updating to see if my radio problem is worse than I expected. If I just go into the system and do a factory reset, besides losing root will it be fine doing that? Or does that get it into a weird root/stock limbo and brick it? Or prevent me from installing the update?
Thank you for your help with this. I just don't want to brick my phone while trying to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"...for thurougness?
Yes
Or do I have to return the bootloader to stock and lock it before I can install the update and root again?
No, Do not lock the boot loader.
Also I should test a factory reset before I try updating to see if my radio problem is worse than I expected. If I just go into the system and do a factory reset, besides losing root will it be fine doing that?
Yes
If it locks the bootloader, go here to unlock it:
[How-to] Unlock bootloader on Verizon Pixel/XL by burduli
Or does that get it into a weird root/stock limbo and brick it? Or prevent me from installing the update?
No, No.
Homeboy76 said:
"...for thurougness?
Yes
Or do I have to return the bootloader to stock and lock it before I can install the update and root again?
No, Do not lock the boot loader.
Also I should test a factory reset before I try updating to see if my radio problem is worse than I expected. If I just go into the system and do a factory reset, besides losing root will it be fine doing that?
Yes
If it locks the bootloader, go here to unlock it:
[How-to] Unlock bootloader on Verizon Pixel/XL by burduli
Or does that get it into a weird root/stock limbo and brick it? Or prevent me from installing the update?
No, No.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you homeboy for the assistance. It's much appreciated. Luckily my phone issues were related to the location I was in. Indianapolis doesn't like my phone number for some reason.. But ill still be updating either way.
Thanks again.
Hobocoe said:
Thank you homeboy for the assistance. It's much appreciated. Luckily my phone issues were related to the location I was in. Indianapolis doesn't like my phone number for some reason.. But ill still be updating either way.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome

Update from 8.1 to 9.0 while rooted?

How do I update to android pie 9.0 from oreo 8.1 while being rooted. I would like to clean flash but don't know if i should do it in TWRP (since i have it installed) or if i should install and update directly from phone updates and then re-root the phone?
I know this might seem dumbfounded. Appreciate the help!
I think there's a guide on the magisk GitHub. Check there first.
I got through it.
factory reset and fastboot flashed everything
WillowTree said:
I got through it.
factory reset and fastboot flashed everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how I would do it.
One of the best things about Nexus / Google phones is the quick availability of the latest firmware and that one can go forwards AND backwards with versions.
I was rooted on 8.1 and got an update notification to pie. I took it, "knowing," it was gonna fail like all the previous updates. Much to my chagrin, it took! I was surprised to say the least. I was rooted again in less than half an hour...

Question Should I upgrade before rooting my Pixel 6 Pro?

Hey, I'm on 210817.036 (Nov. 2021) on an unlocked Pixel 6 Pro.
I was finally able to unlock it today from AT&T and wondering if I should update to the latest Android update before rooting.
Thanks for any advice!
I wouldn't bother, because OTAs take longer than flashing full firmware. i.e. As part of the rooting process, I would go ahead and flash the latest full firmware instead.
SDK Platform Tools
Get the Google USB Driver
Official Google Android Flash Tool
Oh OK! I didn't realize I could flash the full image of a higher version directly over an older version as part of this process. Thank you!
Oh and also I didn't know if patches above Nov. 2021 made things worse or not.
DevanteWeary said:
Oh OK! I didn't realize I could flash the full image of a higher version directly over an older version as part of this process. Thank you!
Oh and also I didn't know if patches above Nov. 2021 made things worse or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome!
I never had any issues at all, even with the fingerprint reader, from the end of October when I received mine through the second February patch. Hopefully, yours will be the same way.
At worst, once you unlock the bootloader if you have any issues with how things run, you can always flash any firmware you like. Be careful. You can also accidentally flash the wrong firmware. Coincidentally, I accidentally gave you a link to the official flashing site, which is good for staying stock unrooted, but if you're going to be rooted, I actually recommend the Pixel 6 Pro Factory Images. Just only ever use images that have Raven in the name as flashing the wrong thing can make it so that your phone would be unrecoverable.
Forgive me if I'm repeating anything you already know.

Categories

Resources