How To Alleviate The Bootloader On Your Pixel 2 Or Pixel 2 Xl

Root, TWRP, Xposed, Magisk, custom ROMs — afore you can accept any of these, the aboriginal affair you should do is alleviate your bootloader. Thankfully, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are some of the best modder-friendly phones out there, so you alone charge to accelerate a distinct fastboot command to alleviate the bootloader. For the uninitiated, the bootloader is a allotment of software on your phone that endless up the amount OS — anticipate of it like BIOS for Windows. But by default, the bootloader will alone amount official firmware files from the accessory OEM, which agency you can't beam custom accretion images like TWRP to... more

Root, TWRP, Xposed, Magisk, custom ROMs — afore you can acquire any of these, the aboriginal affair you should do is alleviate your bootloader. Thankfully, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are some of the best modder-friendly phones out there, so you alone charge to accelerate a distinct fastboot command to alleviate the bootloader.
For the uninitiated, the bootloader is a allotment of software on your phone that endless up the amount OS — anticipate of it like BIOS for Windows. But by default, the bootloader will alone amount official firmware files from the accessory OEM, which agency you can't beam custom accretion images like TWRP to facilitate added root-level mods. By unlocking the bootloader, however, you can beam any firmware files you want.

What You'll Need

• Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL from the Google Store or Project Fi
• Mac or Windows computer
• USB abstracts cable

Disclaimers

• Unlocking the bootloader will clean your device.
• Your phone will now abort SafetyNet, but Magisk can fix this (in the future).
• This adjustment will not assignment on Pixel 2 models purchased from Verizon.
• Unlocking the bootloader does not abandoned your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL warranty.

Step 1: Accredit Developer Options

First up, you'll charge to accredit the hidden Developer Options card on your phone so you can accredit a ambience that allows bootloader unlocking. To start, arch to the About phone card in Settings, afresh annal bottomward and tap the "Build number" access seven times in accelerated succession. You'll see a acknowledgment bulletin advertence "Congratulations, you are now a developer!"

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Step 2: Accredit OEM Unlocking

Next, aback out one akin to the About phone card again, and now you'll see the "Developer options" menu, so baddest it. From there, accredit the about-face abutting to the "OEM unlocking" setting.

From here, you'll be asked to affirm your lock awning PIN or password. Once you've done that, tap "Enable" on the acceptance popup, and your phone will now be able to acquire the Fastboot command that unlocks the bootloader.

Step 3: Boot into Bootloader Approach & Affix to Your Computer

Next, it's time to put your phone into bootloader mode. You could do this with an ADB command, but there's an alike easier way: Restart your phone, and back the awning goes black, columnist and authority the aggregate bottomward button. Within a few seconds, you'll be greeted by the bootloader menu, which looks like this:

Once you've fabricated it to bootloader mode, don't bother acute any buttons on your phone. Just leave it on the awning depicted at the end of the aloft GIF, afresh affix your phone to your computer with a USB abstracts cable.

Step 4: Install Fastboot on Your Computer

On your computer now, it's time to ADB and Fastboot. We acclaim installing the latest official adaptation from Google, as there's a new command that earlier accoutrement like Minimal ADB & Fastboot don't acquire yet. So if you haven't already done so, arch to this guide for abounding bureaucracy instructions.

Step 5: Accessible a Command Window

This abutting allotment is area best bodies attempt with ADB and Fastboot: Getting a command window accessible to the able directory.
The easiest way I've begin to do this is to locate the platform-tools binder central of your ADB and Fastboot accession directory. For Windows users, this can usually be begin at C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools. For Linux and Mac users, the folder's area will vary, so use your computer's chase action to acquisition the platform-tools folder.
Once you've begin the platform-tools folder, archetype the area from the abode bar at the top of your book browser (e.g., Windows Explorer). Then, accessible a command alert or terminal window. On Windows, columnist the Windows button on your keyboard, afresh blazon in "cmd" and hit access to do so. On Linux or Mac, accessible "Terminal" from your Applications folder.
Once you've got the command window open, you'll charge to change directories to the platform-tools binder afore you can accelerate the Fastboot command to alleviate your bootloader. To do that, blazon "cd" (without the quotes) followed by a space, afresh adhesive in the book area for your platform-tools folder:

Changing directories to the platform-tools binder with the "cd" command.

Step 6: Alleviate the Bootloader

With the command alert or terminal now accessible to the appropriate folder, it's accessible to alleviate your bootloader. For Pixel 2 owners, blazon in the afterward command, afresh columnist enter:

fastboot aflame unlock

For Pixel 2 XL owners, we acclaim application a altered command. Application the aloft command will acquiesce you to beam custom images like TWRP, but you won't be able to beam a new bootloader angel unless you use this newer command. So access the afterward argument into the command prompt, afresh columnist enter:

fastboot aflame unlock-critical

Note: Linux, Mac, and Windows PowerShell users will acquire to add a aeon and a carve (./) to the advanced of the above-listed commands (./fastboot aflame unlock).

Sending the "unlock_critical" command.

Once you've beatific the aloft command, your phone should pop up with a new menu. Use the aggregate keys to highlight the "Unlock the bootloader" advantage on this menu, afresh columnist the ability button to baddest it.

Verifying the bootloader alleviate command on the Pixel 2 XL.

As anon as you affirm your best on the aloft menu, your phone will automatically clean itself and your bootloader will be unlocked. You can abstract your phone from your computer now, but agenda that the aboriginal time your accessory boots afterwards unlocking the bootloader will booty best than usual.
Once your phone finishes booting, go advanced and run through antecedent bureaucracy again. Back you're done there, you'll be accessible to alpha aflame custom images like TWRP as anon as they become available!
Do you acquire any questions about this accomplished process? If so, let us apperceive in the animadversion area below, and we'll do our best to beacon you in the appropriate direction.