Root Google Pixel 3a/3a XL Android 10 using Magisk

To cover the Mid-range phone users, Google released Pixel “a” variant. I Know, the prices are not like Mid-Range. But, It is Google’s mid-range price. You will get Google’s camera on Pixel 3a and 3a XL. You will also get regular patch updates and Major upgrades from Google like other pixel devices. As per this promise, it recently got the Android 10 version. It is excellent for all users. But, Developers have to do further steeps for their developing processes like Rooting methods, TWRP, and Custom ROMs. After the Android 10 version, Google added some extra security measures that made the root process not easy. It does not mean, We can’t root our mobile. We have to do some additional steps, compare with Old methods. The following method is based on Magisk. It means You can’t do all operations like TWRP. But, You can use root apps and Magisk Modules. When you are a regular user, you know why you bought this mobile. It has a Mid-Range processor; you can’t squeeze a lot of performance from that. You already have well-optimized Stock Android from Google.

After the Root, you will not get official updates from Google. You have to flash the Stock firmware again to get the updates and stay with the latest version. So, I advise until you have a proper reason, don’t root your mobile. If you are a Developer or Regular root apps user, you can follow the below guide to achieve root on your mobile.

Why should you Root Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL?

We thank XDA Developers- topjohnwu and nsx2brz (Who successfully tested this method) Without their hard work, We can’t make this method. Coming to root, you should have a proper reason, and you know what you are doing. Yes, with a minimum of 4 GB RAM and Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 processor, You can use this mobile without root for 3-4 Years If you use correctly. Software is better compared with other manufacturers, Custom skin OS. Don’t root because everybody is saying when root your mobile it can become fast. No. Rooting is to extract some performance from the device. But, you already have Optimized Powerful specs and software. So, If you are addicted to some root apps, you can root. But, if you want to test, I won’t recommend it.

How to Root Google Pixel 3a/3a XL Android 10 (International versions)

Google Pixel 3a XL International Variants comes with a flexible bootloader other than some carrier locked devices. This means that different smartphone variants can be easily rooted. Also, the device can accept to install TWRP recovery or any other custom recovery file/app alike.

But In the below method, we are going to Root this device by using Magisk. You can install Official TWRP using the official App when it is released. TWRP recovery is a custom recovery file that must be installed on your devices because you can root them successfully. In this article, we explained the easiest method to follow and install Magisk on Google Pixel 3a XL. However, the tool required for rooting this device is the Magisk App.

You can flash TWRP once it is available. With the help of TWRP Recovery, you can quickly flash the Custom ROMs into your Pixel 3a and 3a XL. Before sharing the tutorial, you may want to know that, with the Magisk present on your device, you can easily install any root apps. Does it seem complicated? Relax, everything will be explained succinctly in bullets.

Things to check out for;

• Make sure your device battery is charged above 50%

• Backup your current files and data, full data loss process (save them on external storage).

Pre-Requirement Steps

• Enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock on your mobile. To do this; go to settings >>> about >>> Tap on the “Build Number” 7-10 times consistently to enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode, OEM Unlock. There is no complicated process in Google Pixel 3a/3a XL.

• Download the ADB drivers. Install it on your PC.
• Also, download the regular Partition Fastboot drivers Install It on your PC. Use these drivers to flash the Boot image file.

Unlock Bootloader using ADB and Fastboot

• Switch off your device. Then, enter into Fastboot mode. To do this- Press and hold down the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time for some time and connect your mobile with PC.

• Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.

• Now, connect the Google Pixel 3a XL mobile to the computer via USB cable.

• Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type below command.

• fastboot devices

• It should display the connected devices. If you didn’t get the device, restart the command prompt and Disconnect and Connect your Google Pixel 3a XL. If you are detected, type below command and Hit Enter.

• fastboot flashing unlock

• Confirm unlock Bootloader in your Mobile Screen.

• After the successful unlock, your device will automatically reboot to the standard OS.

• Check again enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode, OEM Unlock. Sometimes they disabled themselves after the boot.

Preparing Patched Boot Image file

• Download Google Pixel 3a XL Firmware and save it on your PC (Factory Image file, not OTA). Your Current OS version and Downloaded Version should be the Same.

• You can use Phone Info to know your firmware version.

• Download 7Zip-ZS Install on your PC. Extract the files in downloaded firmware using 7Zip-ZS. You will get a lot of data. You should extract another .zip file inside the already extracted firmware to get the boot file. Copy boot.img file to your mobile.

• Download Magisk Manager (Download Latest version) or Magisk canary and Install it on your mobile. Open Installed Magisk and Select Install in Magisk; it will ask For zip file and Patch Boot Image File. Select the Boot Image file.

• Navigate to your copied Boot Image File and patch the file as .img format.

• Wait for the process to complete, In the end, you will get magisk patched .img file. The .img file will be in the same folder where you have the boot.img.

• Copy magisk_patched.img file to your PC. Rename the file to boot.img again.

Flash Patched Recovery Image using ADB and Fastboot

• Switch off your device. Then, enter into Fastboot mode. To do this- Press and hold down the Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time for some time.

• Press the Volume Up button to continue when you see the warning message.

• Now, connect the Google Pixel 3a XL mobile to the computer via USB cable.

• Launch the fastboot on your computer. Open a Command prompt on your PC and type below command.

• fastboot devices

• It should display the connected devices. If you didn’t get the mobile, restart the command prompt and Disconnect and Connect your Google Pixel 3 XL. If you are detected, type below command and Hit Enter.

• fastboot flash boot boot.img

• After the process complete, Press Volume Down+ Power button to exit Fastboot mode. When the screen goes off, Immediately Press Volume Up + Power buttons to boot into Recovery mode.

• After entering into Stock recovery mode, Go to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and Select Yes to wipe data. It will erase your saved data in your device. Don’t Boot into OS, Read below Boot stages before booting.

Boot into Rooted OS

• Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release all the keys once the Bootloader warning appears. You have to set up your device like a new device. You can select the root status using the Root Checker.

• Stock Recovery Boot – Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release keys while you hold the Volume Up key.

• You will see Magisk Manager in your App drawer. If you can’t find the app, you can install Magisk Manager on your mobile.

Selva Ganesh

Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.