Google Tensor & Qualcomm Pixel Devices

How to Root Google Pixel with Magisk via Fastboot

The ultimate Fastboot rooting guide for Google Pixel devices (Pixel 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, Fold & 5 Series). Learn the crucial partition distinction between init_boot.img and boot.img, how to extract stock images from official Google Factory Images, and how to maintain root across monthly OTA security updates.

Google Pixel Rooting Profile

  • Supported Generations: Pixel 11 (Tensor G6), Pixel 10 (Tensor G5), Pixel 9 (Tensor G4), Pixel 8 (Tensor G3), Pixel 7 & Fold/Tablet (Tensor G2), Pixel 6 (Tensor G1), Pixel 5/4/3 (Qualcomm Snapdragon).
  • Flashing Protocol: Standard Android Fastboot CLI (Google Platform Tools).
  • Target Partition: init_boot.img (Pixel 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 & Fold) or boot.img (Pixel 6 / 5 / 4 / 3).
  • Hardware Security Impact: Zero Hardware Fuse Penalty. Pixels use Android Verified Boot (AVB 2.0). The device can be returned to 100% stock and the bootloader locked at any time without warranty indicators.

Google Pixel Partition Target Matrix: Which File to Patch?

Because Google introduced Generic Kernel Images (GKI 2.0) with Tensor G2, the target partition depends on your Pixel generation:

Pixel Model Generation SoC Processor Stock Firmware Partition Fastboot Flash Command
Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL & 11 Pro Fold Google Tensor G6 (3nm) init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL & 10 Pro Fold Google Tensor G5 (TSMC 3nm) init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL & 9 Pro Fold Google Tensor G4 (4nm) init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 8, 8 Pro & Pixel 8a Google Tensor G3 (4nm) init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel Fold (1st Gen) & Pixel Tablet Google Tensor G2 init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 7, 7 Pro & Pixel 7a Google Tensor G2 init_boot.img fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 6, 6 Pro & Pixel 6a Google Tensor G1 boot.img (Legacy GKI) fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
Pixel 5, 5a 5G, 4a (5G), 4 & 4 XL Qualcomm Snapdragon boot.img (Pre-GKI) fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

Step-by-Step Installation Walkthrough: Pixel Fastboot

Step 1: Unlock the Pixel Bootloader

  1. On your Pixel, open Settings → About Phone and tap Build Number 7 times.
  2. Go to Settings → System → Developer Options and toggle on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
  3. Connect your Pixel to your PC and reboot to bootloader mode:
    adb reboot bootloader
  4. Run the unlock command:
    fastboot flashing unlock
  5. On the phone screen, press the Volume Down key to select "UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER", then press the Power key to confirm. Note: This performs a full factory reset of the device.

Step 2: Download the Official Google Factory Image

  1. Visit the official Google portal: developers.google.com/android/images.
  2. Download the Factory Image archive matching your exact Pixel model and current build number (e.g. tokay-ap2a.*-factory-*.zip).
  3. Unzip the factory image archive. Inside, locate the nested zip file: image-[device]-[build].zip.
  4. Unzip that nested zip file and extract init_boot.img (for Pixel 7/8/9/10/11 & Fold) or boot.img (for Pixel 6 and older Qualcomm models).

Step 3: Patch Image via Magisk App

ADB Commands: Patch & Pull
# 1. Install Magisk APK $adb install -r Magisk-v30.7.apk # 2. Push stock image to phone Download folder (use boot.img for Pixel 6 and older) $adb push init_boot.img /sdcard/Download/ # 3. In Magisk App: Tap Install -> Select and Patch a File -> Choose /sdcard/Download/init_boot.img # 4. Pull the patched image back to your PC $adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_*.img magisk_patched.img

Step 4: Flash via Fastboot

Fastboot Terminal Commands
# Reboot Pixel to Bootloader $adb reboot bootloader # For Pixel 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Series & Fold/Tablet: $fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img # For Pixel 6 Series and older Qualcomm models (Pixel 5/4/3): $fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img # Reboot into Android $fastboot reboot

How to Take Monthly Google Pixel OTA Updates Without Losing Root

Google releases monthly security updates for Pixel devices on the first Monday of every month. Follow these steps to install the update seamlessly without requiring a PC:

Pixel OTA Survival Workflow
# 1. Open Magisk App -> Tap "Uninstall Magisk" -> Select "Restore Images" * CRITICAL: DO NOT REBOOT YOUR PIXEL NOW! # 2. Open Android Settings -> System -> Software Updates -> System Update * Allow the OTA update to download, install, and optimize. # 3. When the update says "Restart now" -> DO NOT TAP RESTART! # 4. Open the Magisk App -> Tap "Install" on Magisk card * Choose "Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)". # 5. When Magisk finishes patching the second slot, tap "Reboot" in Magisk. * Your Pixel will reboot into the updated Android build with 100% root retained!

Passing Google Wallet & Play Integrity on Pixel Devices

Because Google actively checks hardware key attestation on unlocked Pixel bootloaders, you must spoof valid key attestation to use Google Wallet:

  1. Enable Zygisk in Magisk Settings.
  2. Enable Enforce DenyList and add Google Play Services (com.google.android.gms.unstable) and Google Wallet.
  3. Install the latest Play Integrity Fix (PIF) module by chiteroman/osm0sis.
  4. Install Shamiko for stealth root concealment.
  5. Clear storage data for Google Play Store and Google Play Services, then reboot.

Supported Pixel Models & Dedicated Rooting Guides

Select your exact Pixel generation below to view verified init_boot extraction, Fastboot commands, and OTA survival instructions:

Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL & 11 Pro Fold

2026

SoC: Google Tensor G6 (3nm, Cortex-C1-Ultra @ 4.11GHz + Cortex-C1-P...
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI Architecture — Tensor G6 uses gen...

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL & 10 Pro Fold

2025

SoC: Google Tensor G5 (TSMC 3nm, Cortex-X4 @ 3.78GHz + Cortex-A725 ...
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI Architecture — Never patch boot.i...

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL & 9 Pro Fold

2024–2025

SoC: Google Tensor G4 (ARMv9.2-A, Titan M2)
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI Architecture)

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 8, 8 Pro & Pixel 8a

2023–2024

SoC: Google Tensor G3 (ARMv9-A, Titan M2)
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI Architecture)

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel Fold (1st Gen) & Pixel Tablet

2023

SoC: Google Tensor G2 (ARMv8.2-A, Titan M2 Security Coprocessor, Ma...
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI 2.0 Architecture — Do NOT patch b...

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 7, 7 Pro & Pixel 7a

2022–2023

SoC: Google Tensor G2 (ARMv8.2-A, Titan M2)
Target Partition: init_boot.img (GKI Architecture)

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro & Pixel 6a

2021–2022

SoC: Google Tensor G1 (First Gen Tensor)
Target Partition: boot.img (Legacy GKI Architecture)

Action: Open Model Manual →

Google Pixel 5, 5a 5G, 4a (5G) & Pixel 4 XL

2019–2021

SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G / Snapdragon 855 / Snapdragon 730G...
Target Partition: boot.img (Legacy Qualcomm Partition — Pre-GKI archit...

Action: Open Model Manual →

Related Guides & Next Steps

Explore interconnected tutorials, module guides, and developer references related to this topic:

Android 16 Kernel Architecture

Android

16KB mandatory memory page requirements on Tensor G5 & G6 chipsets.

Next Step: Read Guide →

Android 15 Compatibility

Android

16KB memory page size standards on Google Tensor chipsets.

Next Step: Read Guide →

Universal Fastboot Guide

Install

Core Fastboot flashing CLI workflow across all Android devices.

Next Step: Read Guide →

Play Integrity Fix

Module

Fix Google Wallet, banking apps, and MEETS_DEVICE_INTEGRITY.

Next Step: Read Guide →
Verified Working for Android 16, 15, 14, 13 & 12: Tested across Google Pixel 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, Fold & 5 devices on official factory images. No bootloops or hardware e-fuse penalties when following the documented init_boot extraction steps.