How to unlock the bootloader and root the Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro with Magisk - XDA Developers

Some radical can’t ideate utilizing Android without root access. While the Google Pixel smartphones are among the easiest devices to unlock the bootloader, root, and instal aftermarket software, it mightiness travel arsenic a astonishment that the emblematic footwear representation patching method is nary longer applicable to the latest Pixel 7 series.

If you bought the Pixel 7 oregon the Pixel 7 Pro and privation to larn however to basal it, we’ll amusement you however successful this tutorial. You’ll request to person your PC useful and cognize your mode astir ADB.

Google Pixel 7 XDA Forums || Google Pixel 7 Pro XDA Forums

Navigate this article:

• How to basal the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
  • Step 1 – Get the banal init_boot image
  • Step 2 – Patch the banal init_boot representation utilizing Magisk
  • Step 3 – Enable OEM unlocking and unlock the bootloader
  • Step 4 – Flash Magisk-patched init_boot image
• What’s next?

How to basal the Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro

Before we get into however to basal the Pixel 7, retrieve to take an off-device backup. That’s due to the fact that the rooting process requires wiping each the information connected your phone, including the files connected the interior storage.

Step 1 – Get the banal init_boot representation for the Pixel 7/7 Pro

For devices launching with Android 13 similar the Pixel 7 series, the generic ramdisk is removed from the footwear representation and placed successful a abstracted spot called “init_boot.” The boot.img lone holds the Generic Kernel Image (GKI).

As a result, patching the boot.img for basal entree won’t enactment for these devices. Rather, we request to get our hands connected the representation corresponding to the init_boot partition that matches the existent bundle physique the telephone is running.

Fortunately, we don’t request immoderate specialized instrumentality to rip the init_boot representation from the people device. It tin beryllium easy extracted from the Google-published mill representation for the Pixel 7/7 Pro.

To marque definite you download the close mill image, you request to cheque which bundle mentation your telephone is presently running. To cheque this, spell to Settings > About phone. At the bottom, look for the Build number section. Find the matching physique fig connected the mill representation download leafage and download that file.

Download Android 13 for Google Pixel phones

Next, unpack the mill representation ZIP file. Locate the image-[device codename]-[version].zip record (yes, there’s a ZIP wrong a ZIP) and extract the init_boot.img record from it. This is the record that you request to transportation to your phone’s interior retention for patching.

Step 2 – Patch the banal init_boot representation utilizing Magisk

Now that we person our hands connected the init_boot image, we tin easy spot it with Magisk. In fact, you tin spot it connected a antithetic Android instrumentality than the Pixel 7, but you request to instal the Magisk app connected the secondary instrumentality arsenic well.

While the existent unchangeable mentation of Magisk tin spot the Pixel 7’s init_boot image, you mightiness privation to opt for the bleeding borderline Canary physique of Magisk for further fixes.

Download Magisk: Stable || Canary

After installing the Magisk APK, unfastened the app, and find the Install button connected the topmost card. Choose Select and Patch a File under Method, and prime the banal init_boot image. This volition unfastened the Android record picker. Go up and find the init_boot.img you transferred from your PC and prime that. The Magisk app volition spot the representation to the Download folder connected the phone. You indispensable transportation this patched record (should beryllium named “magisk_patched_[random_strings].img”) backmost to your PC due to the fact that next, we’re going to unlock the bootloader which volition hitch each information arsenic we warned previously.

Notably, if you browse the XDA Forums for the Pixel 7 oregon 7 Pro, you whitethorn beryllium fortunate capable to find a pre-patched init_boot image. That being so, we ever urge grabbing the authoritative firmware and patching the banal footwear representation yourself to debar unforeseen glitches owed to representation mentation mismatch.

Step 3 – Enable OEM unlocking and unlock the bootloader

In bid to flash third-party bundle connected the Pixel 7, we person to unlock the bootloader. To bash so, spell to Settings > About phone > Build number and pat connected this introduction 7 times to enable Developer options. After enabling it, spell backmost to the main settings leafage and pat on System, past spell to Developer options. From there, toggle the OEM unlocking option. Keep successful caput that you request to participate your password/pattern/PIN to validate immoderate of the actions.

It is important to enactment that immoderate US carriers similar Verizon don’t let bootloader unlocking astatine all, making it intolerable to basal your phone. Sometimes, though, radical find unofficial workarounds, and we’ll fto you cognize if immoderate are found.

After enabling OEM unlock, crook disconnected your phone. Hold some the Volume down and Power buttons to crook your telephone backmost connected and footwear into the bootloader menu. Assuming you person the latest ADB and Fastboot binaries installed already, you tin besides usage the pursuing bid to reboot to the bootloader mode straight from Android.

Make definite to support your telephone plugged into your PC/Mac/Chromebook. Next, successful a terminal window, type:

You volition spot a surface telling you that you are astir to initiate the bootloader unlocking process. Use the measurement fastener to navigate and the powerfulness fastener to accept. Again, this volition hitch each the information connected your phone, truthful marque definite you person your information backed up earlier proceeding.

Step 4 – Flash Magisk-patched init_boot image

After the bootloader of your Pixel 7 (or 7 Pro) is unlocked and the init_boot representation is patched, you are conscionable 1 measurement distant from root.

As soon arsenic the bootloader unlocking process completes, the telephone volition footwear backmost up aft a fewer minutes. Skip the setup wizard astatine this signifier and crook disconnected the phone. You present privation to footwear backmost into the bootloader by holding the measurement down and powerfulness buttons again. Once you are there, link the telephone to your PC/Mac/Chromebook and execute the pursuing command:

As soon arsenic you deed Enter, the patched init_boot representation volition beryllium flashed to your phone. Next, reboot utilizing fastboot reboot and the Magisk app should look connected your location surface and/or app drawer. If it doesn’t (e.g. you tin lone spot a stub icon), conscionable instal the Magisk APK manually. You’re present rooted!

Keep successful caput that you’ll person to repetition steps 1, 2, and 4 each clip you update your telephone due to the fact that the init_boot representation changes with each update. To cognize more, instrumentality a look astatine our tutorial connected how to instal OTA updates and support basal connected your Google Pixel phone.

What’s next?

Once your Pixel 7 is rooted, you unfastened up the instrumentality to immoderate absorbing modifications specified arsenic Magisk modules and Xposed modules. Of course, determination are already a ton of things you tin bash without basal connected Google devices, but having basal entree is an added payment nonetheless, particularly if you see the best basal apps.