Rooting Pixel Devices Running Android 13 via Magisk

Our need for gadget personalization and control grows along with technology. Rooting a smartphone is a popular way to unlock its full potential, something that many Android aficionados hunt for ways to accomplish. Since Android 13 was just released, Pixel users have been itching to experiment with the new features and improvements.

Using Magisk, a potent and popular rooting tool, we will take you step-by-step through the entire process of rooting your Pixel device running Android 13. Those who depend on root programs and wish to take advantage of the extra features offered by the Android 13 version may find this article to be extremely helpful.

A Brief Overview of Android 13

The relevance of Android 13 must be understood before beginning the rooting process. This version was just released and brings a ton of new features that improve the user experience. Improved fast settings, third-party app support, a redesigned system photo picker, and the option to customize language preferences for individual apps are among the noteworthy enhancements.

But with the recent release of Android 13, there are less modifications and mods available, particularly in custom ROMs for Pixel devices. On your Pixel smartphone, rooting becomes a useful way to unlock more features and customization possibilities.

Step 1: Setup Environment

Configuring the environment is the initial stage in the rooting process. Make sure your device has enough charge to prevent any disruptions during the process. Furthermore, since the rooting procedure requires modifying the system partition, it is imperative that you create a backup of your data to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Once your gadget is ready, move on to the following step.

Step 2: Unlock Bootloader

Before rooting any Android device, even Pixel models, the bootloader must be unlocked. To unlock the bootloader on your Pixel running Android 13, follow these steps:

Go to Settings > About Phone > tap on ‘Build Number’ seven times to unlock Developer Options.
In Developer Options, enable ‘OEM Unlocking.’
Use a USB cable to connect your Pixel device to your computer.
Ensure that ADB and Fastboot tools are installed on your computer. Open a command prompt or terminal window.
Enter the following command to reboot your device into fastboot mode:

adb reboot bootloader

Execute the command to unlock the bootloader:

fastboot flashing unlock

Follow the on-screen instructions on your device to confirm the bootloader unlocking process.

Step 3: Configure Boot Image

With the bootloader unlocked, the next step is to configure the boot image. This involves patching the boot image using Magisk to enable root access. Follow these steps:

Visit the official Magisk website and download the Magisk Manager APK from Google.
Open Magisk Manager and select ‘Install’ > ‘Install’ > ‘Patch Boot Image File.’ Choose the boot image file specific to your Pixel device and let Magisk patch it.
Once patched, transfer the patched boot image back to your computer.

Step 4: Root Android 13 via Direct Install

Now that the boot image is patched, it’s time to root your Pixel device running Android 13. Follow these steps:

Boot into Fastboot Mode: Reboot your device into fastboot mode using the previously mentioned command:

adb reboot bootloader

Flash Patched Boot Image: Execute the following command to flash the patched boot image:

fastboot flash boot [patched_boot_image].img

Replace “[patched_boot_image]” with the actual filename of your patched boot image.
After flashing, reboot your device:

fastboot reboot

Common Issues and Solutions

Boot Loop or Device Not Booting

After attempting to root your Pixel smartphone using Magisk, if you discover that it is stuck in a boot loop or does not boot at all, the problem can be caused by an incompatible version of Magisk or a damaged installation. Re-flash Magisk by carefully following the installation instructions to fix this.

Make sure you are using the appropriate Magisk version for your firmware and device, and confirm that any extra modules you may have added are compatible.

Loss of Data or Apps

Inadequate backup practices or incompatible Magisk modules may be the reason for data loss or missing apps. Restore your device from the Nandroid backup that was made prior to the rooting procedure to fix this.

Reinstall any missing applications and check the installed Magisk modules, eliminating any that don’t need to be there or are incompatible.

Rooting Failure

Consider problems like using the wrong Magisk ZIP, firmware incompatibility, or issues with the custom recovery if your effort to root the device fails. To fix this, download the appropriate Magisk version, confirm that the firmware is compatible, and then reinstall the custom recovery.

Performance Issues

After rooting, an overloaded system with superfluous modules or incompatible modifications may cause performance problems. Remove any superfluous Magisk modules, adjust system preferences for peak efficiency, and keep a careful eye on your device’s reactivity in order to solve issue.

Reverting to Stock Configuration

Restoring Nandroid Backup

If issues arise, boot into custom recovery and restore the Nandroid backup created before the rooting process to revert to the previous state.

Flash Stock Firmware

Download the official stock firmware for your Pixel device and use the appropriate tools to flash it, completely returning your device to a stock configuration.

Locking Bootloader

Relock the bootloader if required to return the device to its original factory configuration. Remember that there’s a chance that this action will erase data.

Uninstall Magisk

To effectively remove root access, use the Magisk Manager software to uninstall Magisk and restore the stock boot image.

Factory Reset

To restore the device to its factory condition as a last option, use recovery to execute a factory reset. Be cautious because this will remove all user data from the device.

Final Words

You may install custom ROMs, utilize root apps, and completely personalize your smartphone with root access, opening up a world of possibilities. Remember that there are hazards associated with rooting, and that meticulous execution of the procedure is necessary to prevent problems. You may finally take advantage of your Pixel device’s full capabilities on Android 13 thanks to our thorough guide.