Root a Google Pixel 2 Xl

happyappytech · May 22, 2018

I have a Google pixel 2 xl. I want to root it to use adaway. Would this void my warranty?

bcrichster · May 22, 2018

happyappytech said:
I have a Google pixel 2 xl. I want to root it to use adaway. Would this void my warranty?

Always

El Presidente · May 22, 2018

Unless you live in the EU, then yes it would void your warranty.

happyappytech · May 22, 2018

Ok thanks

bcrichster · May 22, 2018

El Presidente said:
Unless you live in the EU, then yes it would void your warranty.

Special warranty privileges over there?

El Presidente · May 22, 2018

bcrichster said:
Special warranty privileges over there?

Yeah, rooting doesn't automatically void your warranty over here. If it's within the first 2 years of purchase, the manufacturer/network has to prove that it was modified software which caused the issue. If you return your device to stock and whatever the issue was persists, it's deemed an underlying hardware fault that was present from the start.

I've sent back countless rooted devices to many different OEMs and never had any issues.

Brian706 · May 23, 2018

I would have rooted anyway, but with the release of Pixel 2, I confirmed with Google support that rooting will not void the warranty. I've been rooted since day one.

As long as you have the ability to return the device to stock and relock the bootloader, they will not void your warranty.

If you actually break the device from rooting, to where it's unusable, they will not cover that. Pretty much impossible to do.

Here is my conversation with Google support:
https://androidforums.com/threads/rooting-and-your-warranty.1198525/

zandersig · Jun 10, 2018

Hey Guys, I'm about to buy a Pixel 2 XL (128 GB) all black that is refurbished.
Now... It comes with Verizon apps on it but it's supposed to be unlocked. Can i get it turned on at Cricket? Or can I take the sim card out of my current Nexus 5 phone that is linked to the Cricket network and turn on the P2 XL phone?
I'm told that it doesn't have any Version branding on the phone itself which is a great thing.
Now, when I get it the first thing I want to do is unlock the bootloader and root it and install a fresh FW image that is the exact same thing that would come on it if I bought it straight from Google (I can't pay $1,499 from Google for a phone).
Is this possible?
How does it compare to my current phone which is a Google bought 'Nexus 5'?
Is it worth buying the Pixel 2 XL (128 GB storage) now or is Google about to come out with another phone that blows the Pixel 2 XL out of the water?
If everything works out I'm gonna need some help rooting it, etc. I did my Nexus 5 by myself and someone also made a Windows program that did all kinds of things including rooting my Nexus 5. The program was designed especially for the Nexus 5.
That was a while back and I've forgotten stuff and I don't know how hard it us to bust open the P2 XL.

How does the P2 XL compare to my Nexus 5?
Thanks guys and Gals!
~ Alex

Brian706 · Jun 10, 2018

zandersig said:
Hey Guys, I'm about to buy a Pixel 2 XL (128 GB) all black that is refurbished.
Now... It comes with Verizon apps on it but it's supposed to be unlocked. Can i get it turned on at Cricket?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can.

Or can I take the sim card out of my current Nexus 5 phone that is linked to the Cricket network and turn on the P2 XL phone?

You can't do that because the Nexus 5 used a micro SIM and the pixels use nano SIM. And not sure if all carriers support it yet but it is also e-sim capable. Meaning you can activate without sim card installed. I do that with mine on Project Fi.

I'm told that it doesn't have any Version branding on the phone itself which is a great thing.
Now, when I get it the first thing I want to do is unlock the bootloader and root it and install a fresh FW image that is the exact same thing that would come on it if I bought it straight from Google (I can't pay $1,499 from Google for a phone).
Is this possible?

This isn't going to be possible. If you're buying a Verizon version of the Pixel 2 XL, you won't be able to unlock the bootloader or root. It's locked down tight. If that's important to you, I'd try to find a refurbished one that came straight from Google.

How does it compare to my current phone which is a Google bought 'Nexus 5'?

Blows it out of the water. I have both of them. I loved my n5, but it will be a big step up.

Is it worth buying the Pixel 2 XL (128 GB storage) now or is Google about to come out with another phone that blows the Pixel 2 XL out of the water?

Pixel 3 rumors and info are already spreading. I don't think it will make the P2 irrelevant though. Another option might be to wait for the pixel 3 release and try and get a discounted pixel 2 as they are clearing stock.

If everything works out I'm gonna need some help rooting it, etc. I did my Nexus 5 by myself and someone also made a Windows program that did all kinds of things including rooting my Nexus 5. The program was designed especially for the Nexus 5.
That was a while back and I've forgotten stuff and I don't know how hard it us to bust open the P2 XL.
How does the P2 XL compare to my Nexus 5?
Thanks guys and Gals!
~ Alex

Rooting this device isn't too difficult. But again, you are going to need a Google variant ansnnot a Verizon variant. Avoid Verizon devices at all costs. Especially if you aren't a Verizon user.

And compared to the n5? I mean... The n5 is 4-5 generations old now. I think you will be blown away by the responsiveness of the Pixel. I have nothing but love for my old N5, but it just can't hang anymore. And it's so tiny. I'd never be able to go back.

zandersig · Jun 10, 2018

Brian706 said:
Rooting this device isn't too difficult. But again, you are going to need a Google variant ansnnot a Verizon variant. Avoid Verizon devices at all costs. Especially if you aren't a Verizon user.
And compared to the n5? I mean... The n5 is 4-5 generations old now. I think you will be blown away by the responsiveness of the Pixel. I have nothing but love for my old N5, but it just can't hang anymore. And it's so tiny. I'd never be able to go back.

You know when the P2 XL candy out I looked on Google Play Store to see if they were selling the Nexus 5X for cheap and I found out that when they come out with a me phone they take the older ones down and you can't buy them from Google.
What's wrong with getting a unlocked Pixel 2 (best buy)? I talked to them about buying it and getting it turned on at Cricket (which is who I have) and they said it shouldn't be any problem.
Can I not change the firmware from Verizon to the firmware software that comes on the Pixel 2 XL from Google?

zandersig · Jun 10, 2018

Brian706 said:
Rooting this device isn't too difficult. But again, you are going to need a Google variant ansnnot a Verizon variant. Avoid Verizon devices at all costs. Especially if you aren't a Verizon user.
And compared to the n5? I mean... The n5 is 4-5 generations old now. I think you will be blown away by the responsiveness of the Pixel. I have nothing but love for my old N5, but it just can't hang anymore. And it's so tiny. I'd never be able to go back.

These are refurbished. Take a look and you can see that Best Buy says it's unlocked. I circled it in red. If it doesn't work I have 14 days to get a refund.

Brian706 said:
Rooting this device isn't too difficult. But again, you are going to need a Google variant ansnnot a Verizon variant. Avoid Verizon devices at all costs. Especially if you aren't a Verizon user.
And compared to the n5? I mean... The n5 is 4-5 generations old now. I think you will be blown away by the responsiveness of the Pixel. I have nothing but love for my old N5, but it just can't hang anymore. And it's so tiny. I'd never be able to go back.

These are refurbished. Take a look and you can see that Best Buy says it's unlocked. I circled it in red. If it doesn't work I have 14 days to get a refund.

Brian706 said:
Rooting this device isn't too difficult. But again, you are going to need a Google variant ansnnot a Verizon variant. Avoid Verizon devices at all costs. Especially if you aren't a Verizon user.
And compared to the n5? I mean... The n5 is 4-5 generations old now. I think you will be blown away by the responsiveness of the Pixel. I have nothing but love for my old N5, but it just can't hang anymore. And it's so tiny. I'd never be able to go back.

These are refurbished. Take a look and you can see that Best Buy says it's unlocked. I circled it in red. If it doesn't work I have 14 days to get a refund.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/google...ne-just-black-verizon/6163985.p?skuId=6163985

zandersig · Jun 10, 2018

Where can I find a refurbished Pixel 2 XL with 128GB if storage that is from Google? I've looked and looked and the Best Buy refurbished phone was all I could find that was unlocked.
Plus it's sold out again anyhow. But it seems like every 2-4 days they get in another one. Strange huh?

Brian706 · Jun 10, 2018

Yeah that's definitely a Verizon variant. You should be able to use it on another carrier no problem but you won't be able to change the firmware because the Verizon variant has a locked bootloader. There's no method of unlocking it. So that means no rooting or chsnhich the firmware because you can't even unlock the bootloader.

I'm not sure where to find a refurbished Google version. Maybe Amazon? I saw you previously said something about it costing $1400. It's not quite that much but it is expensive, brand new. Just under $1000.

I'll kelean eye out for refurbs and see if I can spot one.

codesplice · Jun 11, 2018

When a product listing indicates that it is "unlocked", 99.9999% of the time that means "carrier unlocked." All Pixel devices are carrier unlocked (they can be used on any carrier), but ones made for use on Verizon are not able to be bootloader-unlocked. You generally won't see that information in a product listing because it's kind of a nerdy topic.

Unless the listing specifically indicates that it is a non-Verizon phone, assume that it is.

Some users at XDA claim to have found a way to unlock the bootloader on Verizon devices:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/how-to/how-to-unlock-bootloader-verizon-pixel-t3796030

Your mileage may vary, and I wouldn't recommend purchasing a Verizon device with the intention of unlocking/rooting it... but if that's what you end up with, this might work. No guarantees.

Brian706 · Jun 11, 2018

Nice! I hadn't seen that. Looks like someone may have finally cracked it.

zandersig · Jun 12, 2018

Brian706 said:
Yeah that's definitely a Verizon variant. You should be able to use it on another carrier no problem but you won't be able to change the firmware because the Verizon variant has a locked bootloader. There's no method of unlocking it. So that means no rooting or chsnhich the firmware because you can't even unlock the bootloader.
I'm not sure where to find a refurbished Google version. Maybe Amazon? I saw you previously said something about it costing $1400. It's not quite that much but it is expensive, brand new. Just under $1000.
I'll kelean eye out for refurbs and see if I can spot one.

Yeah the 64gb on Google play store is $1,399! I was going to get one from Best Buy for $699. You can't even buy the 128gb from Google anymore. The b@stards!! LOL!
I guess I'll sTick with my Nexus 5 even though no one can hear me talk. Ughhh. I'm staying to hate technology!
Cell phones are the Devil's Intercom!
😊

codesplice · Jun 12, 2018

zandersig said:
Yeah the 64gb on Google play store is $1,399!

Umm I'm seeing the 128GB Pixel 2 XL for $949 on the Google Play Store:

(64GB for $849)

Am I missing something?

Brian706 · Jun 12, 2018

codesplice said:
Umm I'm seeing the 128GB Pixel 2 XL for $949 on the Google Play Store:
View attachment 132867

(64GB for $849)

Am I missing something?

Lol, I just took screenshots of the same thing and was about to post, buy you beat me to it. The 128 brand new comes to $949 straight from Google.

@zandersig where are you seeing the 64 for $1400??

Just for confirmation, I'll post mine too.

zandersig · Jun 15, 2018

About 3 weeks ago it was $1,399 dollars... Weird. I couldn't even find the 128gb when I was looking at it 3 weeks ago.
Now it's 949... Wow! Plus the financing is back. Strange...
Thanks guys for the help! When was the P3 supposed to come out?

zandersig · Jun 15, 2018

I was going to do the trade in but they only go back to the Nexus 5X... :'(

codesplice · Jun 15, 2018

zandersig said:
When was the P3 supposed to come out?

Google typically has a hardware announcement event in early October, with devices actually being available a couple of weeks later.

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