The best thing about owning the latest Google Pixel device is its regular updates. Google’s Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A are currently available in both online and offline markets. Users who already have these devices must have received new software updates, and the procedure to update them is pretty simple. Android 11 requires the users to approve the update before download and installation. Just like previous Android versions, Android 11 doesn’t get downloaded itself. So if anyone needs some guidance to update their Google Pixel devices, here’s what they have to do.
How to Update the Software on Google Pixel via OTA
- Open Settings from the Homepage.
- Slide down to the bottom and click on the System tab.
- Click on Advanced.
- Hit the System Update.
- Now click on Check for the update.
- The system will take some time to check if the update is available.
- If the update is available, the system will show the arrival date of the update.
Once the download is complete, the device will notify the user to reboot the device to install the update.
Sideloading Android Build
Enabling Developer Settings as well as USB Debugging
- Open Settings, and move into the System tab and click About Phone.
- Now rapidly tap on Build number 7 times.
- The dialogue box will say you are now a developer.
- Return to the System tab, and there an option will appear named Developer options.
- Keep the developer options turned on including USB debugging.
- Stay in developer options and turn on OEM unlocking.
- Now connect the device to the OC using USB and press OK. Press Allow USB debugging.
Unlocking the Bootloader
Pixel devices that are directly brought from Google already have a bootloader that users need to unlock. It will be in use when using manually flash software.
To make this happen, first, boot it in the bootloader. For doing it, users can turn off their device or directly press the power and volume down button to access the bootloader section. Keep the device connected to the computer correctly, and start updating the device.
./adb devices
Now to enter the Bootloader menu, follow the command.
./adb reboot bootloader
At the lower side of the display, several listed things will appear including the lock state of the connected device. If the bootloader is locked, it will say locked, and to unlock the bootloader, follow the following commands. Unlocking the bootloader will factory reset the device, and things that are not backed up will be lost. To unlock the bootloader, type:
./fastboot flashing unlock
Now a small dialog box will appear that confirms unlocking the bootloader. Press the power button.
./fastboot reboot-bootloader
Flashing the Stock Firmware Image
Once the bootloader is unlocked, get ready to flash the latest firmware. Locate the system images in the Factory Images section, look for your device, and begin downloading the new factory image. To begin the flashing, stay in the bootloader section of the device. If the serial number of the device is appearing as connected, begin the updating process.
./fastboot devices
Now follow the following commands to flash the updated bootloader.
./fastboot flash bootloader [bootloader file].img
Now nothing will appear on the screen, but there will be a command prompt. Once the flashing is done, users should reboot the device to the bootloader to check everything is working properly.
./fastboot reboot-bootloader
This is for flashing the updated radios, and it is important for those devices that have built-in firmware update cellular radios.
./fastboot flash radio [radio file].img
./fastboot reboot-bootloader
Now flash the actual system image on the Pixel device.
./fastboot -w update [image file].zip
When this step is done, the device will restart itself and will boot up normally. The process will clear the device’s data and apps. It will take some time to start, and once the device starts, check the new software version of the device.
Conclusion
While downloading and installing the flash file, users must keep their device connected to the computer. Any problem during flashing the bootloader and installing the firmware will harm the bootloader. So if possible, try the regular OTA method to update the software.
