Introduction: Taking Back Control of Your Hardware

You bought the best Android phone available—a pure Google Pixel. Yet, you still feel restricted. That’s because you are. You’re operating in a system where Google, not you, holds the master keys.

Rooting is the process of seizing control. It’s gaining “superuser” access—the ultimate administrative power to command the entire operating system, from the smallest file to the core hardware. It’s the difference between being a user and being the owner.

In this comprehensive, direct, and step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the proven method to Root Google Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9, or Fold series device using Magisk. We will use the Patched Boot Image method, which is the only stable way to bypass the security checks on these modern devices with their seamless update system (A/B partitions). We are going to perform surgery on the core boot files themselves.

Note: This guide is for the newer Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel Fold series. These phones use a different system structure with the required init_boot.img file. If your phone is a Pixel 5 or older, this process will not work and could brick your device.

Why Rooting your Google Pixel? The Real Technical Advantage

Why go through the effort? Because rooting gives you unlocked performance, real control, and essential repair access that the stock software keeps hidden.

Unlocking System Capabilities

1. Magisk Modules for Custom Features (System Overhaul): Magisk is the core engine here, and it works systemlessly, meaning it makes changes in a clean, separate layer without messing with the core files. This is how you bypass security checks. Magisk Modules are small packages that plug right into this system, allowing you to:

   • Boost Performance: Tune the Tensor chip’s thermal behavior and CPU settings for consistent, higher speeds, which is great for high-demand games.

   • Enhance Functionality: Enable features Google hides, like advanced high-quality audio formats, or even trick Google Photos into giving you unlimited original-quality backups.

   • Bypass Security: Use modules to pass Google’s SafetyNet or the newer Play Integrity API. This is non-negotiable if you want apps like your banking apps, Google Pay, and streaming services to work after rooting. They check for root; Magisk hides it.

2. Block System-Wide Ads and Maximize Privacy (The Clean Internet): Built-in ad-blockers only work in your browser. With root access, you can use tools like AdAway to block advertising domains at the DNS level.

   • This instantly creates a faster, cleaner phone experience by preventing ad data from even downloading.

   • It cuts off data usage from ads and seriously improves your privacy by blocking many tracking domains across all your apps, not just the browser.

3. Flash Custom ROMs & Kernels (Deep Personalization): If stock Android isn’t enough, root access lets you install:

   • Custom Kernels: Access the core layer between the software and hardware. You can overclock the CPU for speed or underclock it for maximum battery life. You get to control the phone’s fundamental power usage.

   • Custom ROMs: Swap out the entire operating system for alternatives like LineageOS or CalyxOS, which offer different feature sets, new looks, or a focus on deep, enhanced privacy.

4. Fix IMEI & CPID Issues (The Technician’s Tool): For advanced users and repair techs, root access is the first mandatory step to fix catastrophic software failures. When a Pixel update or crash causes an “IMEI 0” or “IMEI Null” error, the only way to restore the baseband data, fix the Chip ID (CPID), and get the phone to connect to the network again is by using specialized repair software that requires full root privileges to access the locked modem partitions.

Essential Requirements: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

Do not start this guide until you have confirmed every item on this list. Skipping one means failure.

Requirement 1: Unlocked Bootloader (The Security Gate)

This is the required step that allows you to flash custom images.

• The Truth: Unlocking the bootloader is a permanent action and will immediately trigger a Factory Data Reset (FDR), wiping all data on your phone. This is a security feature built by Google. Back up everything now.

Requirement 2: Magisk Manager (The Program)

Make sure you have the absolute latest version of the Magisk application (the APK).

• The Reason: Newer Pixels and Android versions require the latest Magisk version to correctly patch the two required files, especially the specialized init_boot.img.

Requirement 3: Stock Firmware for Your Pixel (The Perfect Match)

This is the most critical requirement. You must download the EXACT factory image that perfectly matches the software build number currently running on your phone.

• The Warning: If you flash a boot file that is from a different security patch or build number, the system will detect the signature mismatch and enter an immediate, non-recoverable Boot Loop. This will force you to spend hours flashing the full stock firmware to fix the phone. Get the correct file right now.

Requirement 4: ADB & Fastboot Tools (The PC Connection)

You need the official Platform-Tools package from Google, which contains:

• Fastboot: The tool we will use to flash the patched files onto the device’s partitions when the phone is in Bootloader Mode.

• Pro-Tip: Download the small Platform Tools ZIP and extract it to a simple folder on your C: drive, like C:\platform-tools.

Requirement 5: Android USB Drivers (The Handshake)

Your computer needs the proper drivers to talk to the phone in all modes. Windows often installs generic drivers that work for file transfer but fail when the phone is in the critical Fastboot Mode.

• If your PC cannot see the device when you type fastboot devices, the driver is wrong, and the entire process stops. You must install the dedicated Google USB Drivers.

Step-by-Step: How to Root Google Pixel with Magisk

This is the four-step procedure. Follow every command exactly.

Step 1: Unlock Bootloader (The Data Wipe Command)

WARNING: All data will be wiped in this step.

1. Enable Developer Options: On your Pixel, go to Settings > About phone. Tap the Build number 7 times.

2. Enable OEM Unlocking: Go back to Settings > System > Developer options. Toggle OEM unlocking to ON. If it’s greyed out, your phone is carrier locked.

3. Enter Fastboot Mode: Shut the phone down completely. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together. Hold them until the phone displays the Bootloader screen.

4. Connect to PC: Connect your phone to your PC with a reliable USB cable.

5. Open Command Prompt: Go to your Platform Tools folder (e.g., C:\platform-tools). Click in the address bar, type cmd, and hit Enter to open the command prompt in the correct location.

6. Verify Connection: Type the command: fastboot devices You must see a serial number. If you see nothing, fix your drivers now.

7. Run the Unlock Command: This starts the irreversible wipe and unlock: fastboot flashing unlock

8. Confirm on Device: On your phone screen, use the Volume keys to select the option to Unlock the bootloader, and press the Power button to confirm.

9. The device will factory reset and reboot to the initial setup screen. The bootloader is now unlocked.

Step 2: Patch the Boot Image with Magisk (File Injection)

We are using the Magisk app on your phone to modify the official boot files.

1. Extract the Correct Files: Take the stock firmware ZIP file that matches your phone’s build number. Extract it. Inside, you’ll find a second ZIP file (e.g., image-device.zip). Extract this second ZIP file as well.

2. Copy Files: From that final folder, find and copy the two critical files onto the internal storage of your Pixel phone:

   • boot.img
   • init_boot.img

3. Install Magisk: Re-install the Magisk Manager APK on your phone and open it.

4. Patch the First File (boot.img):

   • In the Magisk app, tap Install.
   • Select the option “Select and Patch a File.”
   • Find and select boot.img from your phone’s storage.
   • Tap “Let’s go.” Magisk patches the file.
   • The new file will be in your Downloads folder. Rename it to magisk_patched_boot.img.

5. Patch the Second File (init_boot.img):

   • Repeat the process. Tap Install > “Select and Patch a File.”
   • Find and select init_boot.img.
   • Tap “Let’s go.”
   • Rename this file to magisk_patched_init_boot.img.

6. Transfer Back: Copy both of these newly created, patched files from your phone’s storage back to your PC, placing them directly into your Platform Tools folder.

Step 3: Flash the Magisk Patched Image (Final Execution)

This is the final execution step. Pay attention to the order.

1. Enter Fastboot Mode: Get your phone back into Fastboot Mode (Power + Volume Down) and connect it to the PC.

2. Open Command Prompt: Make sure your command prompt is open in the Platform Tools folder.

3. Flash the init_boot Image First: fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched_init_boot.img Wait for the “Finished” message.

4. Flash the boot Image Second: fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_boot.img Wait for the “Finished” message.

5. Reboot to Recovery (MANDATORY STEP): Do NOT skip this. You must reboot into recovery to correctly set the A/B partition flags and prevent an immediate boot loop: fastboot reboot recovery

6. Final Factory Reset (Highly Recommended):

   • The phone will be in the Recovery Menu.
   • Select “Wipe data/factory reset.” Confirm the reset. This ensures a clean file bind and prevents almost all stubborn post-root boot errors.

7. Reboot System: Select “Reboot system now.” The first boot will take 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Verify Your Root (Confirmation)

Once the phone boots up and you complete the initial setup, check your work.

1. Check Magisk Status:

   • Re-install the Magisk Manager APK if the final reset removed it.
   • Open the app. It should show a green status: “Magisk is installed” with a version number. If it prompts you for an “Additional Setup,” follow the instructions and reboot again.

2. Double-Check:

   • Install a Root Checker app from the Play Store.
   • When you run the app, a pop-up window from Magisk will appear. This is the proof. Tap Grant to give the app Superuser access.
   • The app will confirm: “Congratulations! Root access is properly installed on this device!”

How to Root Google Pixel: Step by Step Video Guide

For those who need a visual reference, here is the full, direct video walkthrough of the entire process from start to finish. This video confirms the steps outlined above, including the critical init_boot.img patching process. i have used google pixel 7 for this tutorial, running on android 15.. but the method for android 16 is also the same.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting (The Reality Check)

Things do not always go perfectly the first time. As a developer, you need to know how to fix the inevitable mistakes. Here is the direct guide to solving the most common failure points.

Problem A: Device is stuck on the Google logo (Boot Loop).

The Cause: The most common failure. The boot files you flashed either do not match your current software build number or were corrupted. The system fails its integrity check and restarts endlessly.

Solution A (The Quick Slot Switch):

1. Enter Fastboot Mode: Shut the phone down. Boot it up by holding Power + Volume Down.

2. Try flipping the active slot: fastboot set_active other then fastboot set_active current then fastboot reboot

3. If it still loops, proceed to Solution B.

Solution B (The Clean Re-Flash):

1. Enter Fastboot Mode and connect to your PC.

2. Find the original, unpatched boot.img and init_boot.img files you saved.

3. Flash the clean, working files back: fastboot flash init_boot init_boot.img then fastboot flash boot boot.img then fastboot reboot The device will now boot into a clean, unrooted state. Re-attempt the root process from Step 2.

Problem B: The fastboot command is not recognized or found.

The Cause: Your computer’s command prompt (CMD or PowerShell) cannot find the fastboot.exe file. This means the CMD window is not open in the correct directory.

Solution:

1. Go Directly to the Folder: Open File Explorer and navigate directly to your Platform Tools folder (e.g., C:\platform-tools).

2. Open CMD from Folder: Click in the address bar at the top, type cmd, and hit Enter.

3. The new command prompt will open in the correct path. The command will now be recognized.

Problem C: PC isn’t detecting the phone in Fastboot mode (No device in fastboot devices).

The Cause: This is a driver failure. Windows sees a connected device but does not have the correct low-level Google USB Driver to communicate with it in the critical Fastboot state.

Solution (The Hard Driver Fix):

1. Open Device Manager on your PC.

2. While your phone is in Fastboot Mode and connected, look for an entry, usually under “Other devices,” marked with a yellow exclamation point, or sometimes under “Android Device” as “Android Bootloader Interface.”

3. Right-click the problem device and select “Update driver.”

4. Choose “Browse my computer for drivers.”

5. Select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.”

6. Scroll down to “Android Device” and force the installation of the “Android Bootloader Interface” driver provided by Google.

7. Once forced, the fastboot devices command will work.

Problem D: Magisk Manager says “N/A” after flashing.

The Cause: The patched files were flashed, but the Magisk application didn’t install correctly or its configuration files were corrupted during the final reset.

Solution:

1. Manual Re-Install: Go to Settings > Apps and Uninstall the Magisk Manager app.

2. Re-Install: Re-install the latest Magisk Manager APK from scratch.

3. Run Additional Setup: Open the newly installed app. It will detect the Magisk files on the boot partition and prompt you for an “Additional Setup” or “Direct Install.” Select this option. Magisk will finalize the setup and prompt for a Reboot.

4. After the reboot, Magisk should show the green “Magisk is installed” status. If it fails again, you must re-flash the original stock boot images and start the patching process over.

Risks and Warnings to Root Google Pixel (The Full Disclosure)

Rooting is a powerful administrative action that carries technical risks you must understand.

Risk 1: Data Loss is Guaranteed (The Irreversible Action)

The act of unlocking the bootloader is a hard reset that wipes all your data. The second factory reset recommended in Step 3 ensures cleanliness but confirms the data loss. Backup is mandatory.

Risk 2: Warranty Void (The Permanent Flag)

Unlocking the bootloader is a permanent, logged action in the device’s security memory. If you send the phone in for repair, this flag will be detected by technicians, and Google or its partner will use it as grounds to void your warranty for software tampering.

Risk 3: Security & Malware Exposure (The Unlocked Door)

Rooting bypasses Android’s fundamental security isolation. Any malicious application that gains root access can now do anything it wants—steal data, log keys, or install itself permanently. Only grant Superuser permissions to apps you absolutely trust.

Risk 4: Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates are Broken (The Manual Life)

Your rooted device will no longer accept automatic OTA updates. The system check will fail because your boot image is modified. Every time a new monthly patch or Android version releases, you must manually download the new stock firmware, re-patch the new boot files, and re-flash them to update and re-root your phone.

Download Links: Get the Files