How to Root the Google Pixel 4a with Magisk?

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ADB & Fastboot Tutorial - • Installing Minimal ADB...
Developer Mode - • How to Enable Develope...
1. Intro [00:00]
2. Unlock the bootloader - • Complete Google Pixel ...
3. Download and install Magisk Manager [01:54]
4. Download the Google Pixel 4a firmware images - developers.google.com/android...
5. Extract the boot.img file from the firmware file [03:53]
6. Copy the boot.img file to the Google Pixel 4a [05:14]
7. Patch the boot image file with Magisk Manager [05:35]
8. Copy the magisk_patched.img file back to the PC [06:29]
9. Boot the Google Pixel 4a into Fastboot Mode - • How to Boot the Google...
9. Open a Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or Terminal in the same folder as the patched boot image and the ADB & Fastboot files
10. Execute the required Fastboot command [07:41]
11. Then reboot the Pixel 4a back into the Android OS [09:26]
12. And check to see if Magisk is installed [10:20]
#GooglePixel4a #Pixel4a
Gaining root access to the Google Pixel 4a is something many of us aim to do the first moment we pull the phone from the box. Without root access, we can't install popular mods and modules that we enjoy so much.
With Magisk, the Google Pixel 4a can use root apps like Switch Backup, Titanium Backup, Kernel tweak apps, full battery usage monitor apps, and more.
Before you can complete the Google Pixel 4a root tutorial though, you first need to unlock the bootloader (which resets your data) so go ahead and do that when you first get your phone.

[@pawa303]

Useful video. Thanks a lot!

[@scottmumford8295]

I'm always so relieved when you've posted a tutorial for my latest phone! 👍

[@rankit1123]

I followed the same instructions that you provided but after patching through fast boot. it gives me that no valid slot to boot and it des not start at all and stays in the fastboot mode. any help appreciated.

[@ggkameleon1]

Hi ! I've broke my Xiaomi mi 8 this week and do buy another but can you said me which is better ? I like Screen "amoled" don't play game but use it 5/7H sot and like photos. I like Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pixel 4a or Poco F2 Pro. Which is better for you ? Thanks

[@Cyrus120z]

So Android 12 just released for the Pixel4a. I had just got this phone in order to root with Android 11 on it. Am I still able to do this or will I have to wait until an Android 12 build shows up?

[@ruben79nyc]

Great video. Thank you!

[@ExplainingAndroid]

You are welcome :D thank you for the feedback (and the longtime subscription)

[@ruben79nyc]

@@ExplainingAndroid Definitely. I'm thankful for your up to date guide on a topic that not many are even speaking on. I'm looking forward to sharing this video with others.

[@jtgruber980]

im at around 10:00 in the video and my phone is stuck on the google logo after starting it. it also says "Your Device is Corrupt. It cant be trusted and may not work properly before starting."

[@lam5988]

thanks a lot

[@seediddy]

Hi will this work on a pixel 4a from Koodo Mobile - a Canadian carrier?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

I'm not familiar with that model, but this root guide is entirely dependant on you having the bootloader unlocked. if you can unlock the bootloader then this video will work perfectly for you

[@stanisawbolek9488]

9:09 i get the massage any help?

[@duocipher4117]

Can this method use on Samsung?

[@brandonarnold4965]

When doing this, I get "no valid slot to boot". I've tried various combinations of flashing to boot_a and boot_b, and setting my active slots to each one, and seem to get the same thing no matter which combination.

[@itreallyisanika]

Same thing happens to me. Did you happen to find a fix or is root not possible?

[@brandonarnold4965]

@@itreallyisanika The issue for me ended up being a combination of issues. I believe the "no valid slot to boot" was from me using the wrong version of Fastboot. Additionally, 2 weeks ago Magisk was still on V20 which didn't support Android 11 yet. V21 has since been released which has Android 11 support. I am now successfully rooted.

[@Nak1312]

@@brandonarnold4965 i still got the problem.... how did you solved it ?

[@Nak1312]

The flashing of the patched magisk boot worked but now i got stuck in fastboot "no valid slot to boot"

[@Absarock1]

Same issue is with me. I have unbricked it but still cant root yet

[@TheUltimateYouTuberyay]

@@Absarock1 You need the beta version of Magisk, not the stable version. The stable version doesn't support Android 11

[@techtricksnepal3344]

Please help me someone have img file give me only img file

[@zack9790]

Does this process work on the pixel 5?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

yes

[@Alexanderrox2010]

Does this work on Android 11 or will I have to downgrade to Android 10?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

it works on Android 11. Just make sure you are installing Magisk v21 (not v20.4 or whatever is currently on the stable channel). You may have to switch to the beta channel in Magisk Manager settings to get that set right. But yea, I just used this 2 days ago to root the phone in preparation for the new security update

[@Absarock1]

@androidExplained. Could you please tell how to install magisk 21. Everytime i flash the patched.img using magisk 20.4 my phone bricks.

[@ExplainingAndroid]

@@Absarock1 if a version of Magisk doesn't work for you, use the version that does work

[@Absarock1]

Well i figured out how to use beta version. Thanks for the video and timely reply. Could you assist us on how do we update android once its available?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

@@Absarock1 I recorded a video weeks ago to show how to update the Pixel 4A while rooted, keeping your data and keeping root during the process. This has been possible on Pixel devices for a while now but Google changed some things with the 4a and caused the Magisk developer to remove/hide the feature that allows this to happen (install magisk to the other partition) So for now, I'm just waiting on the Magisk dev to look into the issue, roll out a fix, and then I'll publish the video. Since as of right now, it isn't as straight forward as it normally is

[@TheUltimateYouTuberyay]

This worked for me. But I had to do it on Linux. For some reason, fastboot on Windows couldn't detect my phone, it could on Linux though.

[@ExplainingAndroid]

which version of Fastboot are you using? Was it a new install or an older one? You can use the command "fastboot --version" to return the version number

[@TheUltimateYouTuberyay]

@@ExplainingAndroid 30.0.5-6877874

[@JingJing113]

Will the file disappear after Root?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

no, you won't lose that patched file

[@yessir-pi9fz]

I'm getting No such file or directory when flashing the magisk file

[@yessir-pi9fz]

UPDATE: I had to type the directory path into cmd/fastboot

[@goodvibessubliminal7542]

Do you know how to unlock the oem button, I cant find it

[@ExplainingAndroid]

this guide walks you through the OEM Unlocking/bootloader unlock process - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYu1ipdqebOhapY

[@goodvibessubliminal7542]

Android Explained can it be used on a us version Samsung?

[@zhukie]

@@goodvibessubliminal7542 The video is titled "Pixel 4a"

[@JoshF151Tech]

Gonna wait until Android 11 comes out to Root mine I have the Pixel 3a on Android 10 Rooted so it's no rush I might as well wait no sense in Rooting my 4a twice.

[@ExplainingAndroid]

that's understandable, but there should also be a way to install an OTA update (while rooted) and keep root when you reboot into the new update. i've done videos about this before so it should be the same for the Pixel 4a as well. stay tuned

[@JoshF151Tech]

@@ExplainingAndroid Oh ok but with the Pixel 4a you'd need a Custom Recovery to install the latest Android Update and there's no Custom Recovery available not even for the Pixel 3a.

[@ExplainingAndroid]

Are you sure? On the Pixel 2 XL I could uninstall Magisk. Download and install the OTA update. Then tell Magisk to install itself on the newly installed OTA update. Before rebooting into that other partition with the new update. This was best done when you had stock recovery. Does it no longer work? I know Google is now using virtual partitions (I think is the term) so does that no longer work?

[@JoshF151Tech]

@@ExplainingAndroid Not sure I'd have to test it but probably best to just wait until Android 11 is released since it's expected to be out in a few weeks.

[@ExplainingAndroid]

@@JoshF151Tech we'll see when the next security update comes out. I'll put out a video on it if it works

[@Absarock1]

How do we update a rooted pixel 4a?

[@ExplainingAndroid]

The only method I know of, right now, is to uninstall Magisk through Magisk Manager, and then install the OTA update like normal. We used to be able to select a 'install on other partition' option within Magisk Manager (after the uninstall, and install of the OTA update) which would let you install that OTA update and keep root. But since Android 11, the developer of Magisk has removed this option due to system changes the Android 11 update made. It conflicted with this update flow (to let us keep root), so the dev removed it. I do hope the feature comes back. But we need to wait patiently while they work on the issue (and it's all done in spare time).

[@justinw7323]

The only time I unroot my phone is when I leave the house. Never wanna risk a boot loop in public lol

[@ExplainingAndroid]

lol

[@jondoough]

No google pay warning on every boot, useless