Google Android 16 init_boot.img (GKI 2.0)

How to root the Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL & 11 Pro Fold with Magisk

Early rooting guide for Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold (announced August 12, 2026). Covers Tensor G6 Cortex-C1-Ultra architecture, mandatory 16KB page kernel, codenames (cubs / grizzly / kodiak / yogi), init_boot Fastboot patching, and Play Integrity Fix with Shamiko for banking app compatibility.

At a glance

Device family	Google Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL & 11 Pro Fold
Launch software	Android 16 (QPR2, 7-Year Update Lifecycle, Gemini AI on-device inference)
Chipset	Google Tensor G6 (3nm, Cortex-C1-Ultra @ 4.11GHz + Cortex-C1-Pro x4 @ 3.38GHz + Efficiency x2 @ 2.65GHz, PowerVR CXTP-48-1536 GPU)
Root partition	`init_boot.img (GKI Architecture - Tensor G6 uses generic kernel with init_boot ramdisk separation)`
Firmware format	Official Google Factory Image Zip (image-cubs-.zip / image-grizzly-.zip / image-kodiak-.zip / image-yogi-.zip) - Monitor developers.google.com/android/images for initial release
Bootloader unlock	Developer Options OEM Unlocking + `fastboot flashing unlock` (Factory-unlocked / Google Store units only; Tensor G6 MediaTek modem integration may affect carrier unlock timelines)
Warranty / security impact	Unlocking the bootloader wipes user data and may disable some hardware-backed features. It can usually be re-locked and re-flashed to stock.

Rooting method

Step 1. Download the stock firmware or factory image that matches your exact build (Official Google Factory Image Zip (image-cubs-*.zip / image-grizzly-*.zip / image-kodiak-*.zip / image-yogi-*.zip) - Monitor developers.google.com/android/images for initial release).
Step 2. Extract init_boot.img from the package.
Step 3. Copy init_boot.img to the phone, open the Magisk app, tap Install → Select and Patch a File and choose it. Magisk writes magisk_patched.img to your Download folder.
Step 4. Copy the patched image back to your computer.
Step 5. Reboot to the bootloader and flash it, then reboot the device.

Flash command

fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img fastboot reboot

For the full workflow and prerequisites, see the installation guide and boot image patching guide.

If the device bootloops

Recovery

Hold Power + Volume Down -> Fastboot -> fastboot flash init_boot stock_init_boot.img. Factory images available at developers.google.com/android/images once published.

More options: fix a Magisk bootloop.

Keeping root across updates

Magisk App -> Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA). Due to Tensor G6 MediaTek modem, verify modem compatibility after each major OTA before rebooting.

See the OTA survival guide for the full procedure.

Google rooting hub

Hub

All Google models covered on this site.

Play Integrity Fix

Module

Restore device integrity for Google Wallet and banking apps after rooting.

Shamiko

Module

Hide root from apps that perform detection checks.

Root method checker

Tool

Confirm which partition to patch and generate the flash command.

Independently written from public upstream documentation. Verify every command against the official Magisk documentation and your exact device firmware before flashing. Not affiliated with the Magisk project.