How to Root Google Pixel 7 with Magisk: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated on by Admin

Have you ever thought about taking complete control of your phone, but felt it might be too complicated or risky? Well, you’re not alone. But with this guide, you’ll see that rooting your Pixel 7 is not as hard as it seems. Let’s get started!

Compatibility:
This guide works for the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. However, if you have a Verizon model, you might face challenges since the bootloader is locked, making rooting difficult.

Table of Contents

Prerequisites

Before you begin, it’s important to have everything ready. Missing something can cause delays or even problems during the rooting process.

  • A PC with ADB and Fastboot installed.
  • The latest version of Magisk installed on your Pixel 7.
  • The factory image for your specific Pixel 7 model.
  • A reliable USB cable to connect your Pixel 7 to your PC.

Note: These steps work for both Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, except for Verizon models with a locked bootloader.

Rooting Google Pixel 7 with Magisk

Now that you have everything you need, let’s move on to rooting your phone. By the end of this section, your Pixel 7 will be rooted, and you’ll have full access to it.

Unlock the Bootloader

Unlocking the bootloader is a necessary first step. This allows you to install custom software on your device.

  1. Enable Developer Options:
    Go to Settings > About Phone > and tap Build Number seven times. A message will appear, saying that Developer Options have been enabled.
  2. Turn On OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging:
    Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options, and switch on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
  3. Connect Your Phone to Your PC:
    Use a USB cable to connect your Pixel 7 to your PC.
  4. Unlock the Bootloader:
    Open a command prompt in the folder where you have ADB and Fastboot installed. Enter these commands:

    adb devices
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock

    Follow the instructions on your Pixel 7 to confirm the unlock.

  5. Reboot Your Device:
    After the unlock, your device will reset. Set it up again, and you’ll be ready for the next step.

Download and Prepare the Factory Image

With the bootloader unlocked, it’s time to prepare the init_boot.img file, which you will need for rooting.

  1. Download the Factory Image:
    Get the factory image for your device from the official Google Factory Images page.
  2. Extract the init_boot.img File:
    Unzip the factory image on your PC. Find the init_boot.img file and transfer it to your Pixel 7.

Patch the init_boot.img with Magisk

This is where you make your phone ready for rooting by modifying the init_boot.img file.

  1. Install Magisk:
    Open the Magisk app on your Pixel 7.
  2. Patch the init_boot.img:
    In Magisk, tap Install, then select Select and Patch a File. Choose the init_boot.img file you transferred earlier and let Magisk do its job.
  3. Move the Patched init_boot.img Back to Your PC:
    Once patched, the file will be saved in your Pixel’s Downloads folder. Transfer it back to your PC.

Flash the Patched init_boot.img File

Flashing the patched init_boot.img is the final step to getting root access.

  1. Boot into Bootloader Mode:
    Use adb reboot bootloader to enter bootloader mode.
  2. Flash the Patched init_boot.img:
    In the command prompt, type the following:

    fastboot flash init_boot_a magisk_patched.img
fastboot flash init_boot_b magisk_patched.img
  3. Reboot Your Device:
    Use the command fastboot reboot to restart your device. Congratulations! Your Pixel 7 is now rooted.

Updating Your Rooted Pixel 7

If an update becomes available, you’ll want to keep your root access intact. Here’s how you can do that.

  1. Download the OTA Update:
    Get the specific OTA update for your device from Google OTA Updates.
  2. Apply the OTA Update:
    Enter recovery mode and select Apply update from ADB</ code>. Then, type the following command:

    adb sideload ota_update.zip
  3. Reflash the Patched init_boot.img:
    After the update, repeat the steps from the “Rooting Google Pixel 7 with Magisk” section to re-patch and flash the init_boot.img file.

Troubleshooting:

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to handle some common issues you might face during the rooting process.

  • Stuck in a Boot Loop:
    If your device won’t start up normally, try flashing the stock init_boot.img from the factory image.
  • SafetyNet Checks Failing:
    Install the Universal SafetyNet Fix module in Magisk to pass SafetyNet checks.
  • Phone Not Recognized in Fastboot:
    Make sure your USB drivers are correctly installed. If they aren’t, download and reinstall the Google USB Drivers.

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