How to Root Android Google Pixel and Pixel XL

How to Root Android Google Pixel and Pixel XL. The latest Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, developed by Google and manufactured by HTC, are now available in stores. The smaller version, known as the Google Pixel, features a 5-inch AMOLED screen. It is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 CPU and Adreno 530 GPU for processing power. Additionally, it has 4GB RAM and comes with either 32GB or 128GB of internal storage. On the other hand, the Pixel XL offers similar specifications, except for its display. The Pixel XL boasts a 5.5-inch QHD display. Another distinction between the two phones is their battery capacity, with the Pixel XL having a 3450 mAh battery and the Pixel having a 2770 mAh battery.

Upon their release a month ago, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL faced difficulties in regards to obtaining root access and custom recoveries. However, it didn’t take long for renowned root developer Chainfire to overcome these barriers and successfully root both Pixel models. Chainfire also updated his SuperSu application, which allows users from around the world to easily root their devices. One notable aspect of the new SuperSu is its systemless root feature, which avoids modifying or altering the phone’s system and instead modifies the boot file.

If you happen to own a Pixel phone and are interested in exploring different modifications or installing the Xposed framework to customize your device, you will require root access, which is readily available. By following a few simple steps, you can easily achieve this. In our forthcoming guide, we will provide detailed instructions on how to root the Android Google Pixel or Pixel XL running on the Android 7.1 Nougat operating system.

Pre-rooting Instructions

Ensure that your phone is either an international Google Pixel/XL or a Verizon Google Pixel/XL, as the bootloader of these specific smartphones can be easily unlocked.
To prevent any power-related difficulties during the rooting process, it is advised to ensure that your phone’s battery is at least 50% charged.
Before unlocking the bootloader, it is crucial to back up all of your data. Unlocking the bootloader will result in the deletion of your phone’s contents, making this step essential.
You can proceed to unlock the bootloader of your Google Pixel phone.
In your phone’s developer options, make sure to enable USB debugging and enable OEM unlock.
Please download and install the necessary Google USB drivers.
Download and set up the Minimal ADB & Fastboot drivers. If you are a Mac user, you can refer to this guide for installing ADB & Fastboot drivers.

How to Root Android Google Pixel and Pixel XL

Choose and download the appropriate root file for your specific device.
- Google Pixel: root-sailfish-pixel.zip
- Google Pixel XL: root-marlin-pixelxl.zip
Extract the downloaded root file, which will result in obtaining the boot-to-root.img file.
Move the boot-to-root.img file to the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder located in the C drive > Program Files.
Within the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder, hold down the shift key and right-click on an empty area within the folder. From the resulting options, select “Open command window here.” Mac users can refer to the Mac guide for the corresponding file they need to open.
Power off your phone completely, and then turn it on by simultaneously pressing and holding the Volume Down + Power key. This action will boot your phone into bootloader mode.
Now, proceed to connect your phone to your PC.
In the command window, enter the following command:
fastboot boot boot-to-root.img
Install the boot-to-root.img file on your Google Pixel or Pixel XL and wait for your phone to boot up. Check the SuperSu app in the app drawer to verify root access using Root Checker. That’s all.