Owning a Google Pixel has always meant accessing every firmware update. The phone is designed in such a way that it receives minimal OTA updates regularly, however, not every user is likely to interact with these firmware updates. When it comes to restoring stock updates, even a normal user requires OTA updates.
To install an OTA update, users need to follow some steps, but they cannot. Because of this, the integral procedure is a bit difficult. There are many things to consider when sideloading. But once you understand the process, you will be a pro. For this purpose, below we are going to discuss sideloading OTA updates on Google Pixel smartphones.
How do I install and sideload OTA updates on a Google Pixel?
The rooting process involves modifying the integral system of smartphones. This is because it provides more in-depth access to the system, thus making it impossible for a normal person to use it. In response to this, OTA (over-the-air) updates are incremental add-ons that every smartphone receives.
Meanwhile, OTA updates add-ins that are more difficult to remove. For this, you need to first unlock your bootloader and root your smartphone. After that, your computer must have access to the ADB and Fastboot binaries. For a quick overview, check the minimal pre-requirements.
- Unlock the bootloader.
- Rooted with MagiskÂ
- ADB and Fastroot binaries.
- Back up your data.
Once you meet these minimum requirements, you are eligible to sideload and install OTA updates on your Pixel smartphone. Again, you need to follow some steps. In the following steps, we will show you how to sideload an OTA update on a Google Pixel.
- Simply navigate to Settings > About Phone and note down the text under the Build Number section.
- Next, restore the untouched boot image corresponding to the installed build.
- Then download the fastboot-flashable factory image corresponding to the current Android build number for your Google Pixel phone on your PC.
- Now open the factory image and locate the image-<device codename>-<build number>. Zip file and extract the boot.img file from it.
- After that, install the stock boot. img of the current Android build number.
- Then head to Settings > System > System Update > Check for updates.
- Next, patch the boot image with Magisk and reboot your phone.
- That’s it. Your Google Pixel is now running the latest OTA update.
Conclusively, these are the most straightforward steps required to sideload an OTA update on a Google Pixel. You can also install an OTA update using a similar procedure. But we found the above steps to be the most appropriate and prudent. But if you want more comprehensive details, you can do this. With regards to the above guide, if any users have questions, please let us know in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the OTA update important?
Ans. OTA updates keep an IoT deployment viable by improving performance, making it easier to add new services, and enabling devices to stay in the field for extended periods.