How to Unlock Bootloader and Root Pixel 7a with Magisk

Looking to root your new Google Pixel 7a? Follow the step-by-step 100% working and tested guide on how to unlock bootloader and root Pixel 7a with Magisk.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process, beginning with unlocking the bootloader, a crucial initial step before rooting. Rooting your device using Magisk opens up a world of opportunities, granting you full control over your device, allowing you to customize it to your liking, remove unwanted pre-installed apps, and significantly enhance its performance.

Requirements:

Before we begin, first download the following files and move them a new folder on your desktop.

• Download Google Platform Tools folder
• Download Google OEM USB Drivers
• Donwload Google Factory Image file
• Download Magisk Apk

How to root Pixel 7a

Follow the instructions to properly install root access on your Google Pixel 7a with Magisk v26.1. Before getting started with the rooting process, I highly recommend you to backup your phone and charge your battery to at least 50% level.

Step 1: Unlock Bootloader Pixel 7a

Before we begin, make sure you’ve unlocked the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader is essential part of rooting your phone.

ow to root your device, it is really essential to unlock the bootloader first. This process will wipe all of the data on your device, so make sure you have backed up your data before proceeding.

1. Enable developer options on your device. To do this, go to Settings > About phone > Build number and tap it seven times until you see a message saying “You are now a developer!”
2. Go to Settings > System > Developer options and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your Pixel 7a in fastboot mode to your computer with a USB cable. Power off and press and hold the Volume down + Power keys together:
   
4. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and navigate to the directory where you installed the Android SDK Platform Tools folder. See screenshots I have given 2 methods:
   You can also Hold Shift key and right click in the folder and click on “Open PowerShell window here“.
   
5. Enter the following command: adb devices to make sure your device is detected.
6. Enter the following command to reboot your device into bootloader mode: adb reboot bootloader
7. Once your device is in bootloader mode, enter the following command to unlock the bootloader: fastboot flashing unlock
8. Follow the on-screen instructions on your device to confirm the bootloader unlock. This will wipe all data on your device and reboot it.

Step 4: Patch the INIT_Boot.IMG with Magisk

Now that we have unlocked the bootloader, we can proceed to patch the boot image with Magisk.

1. Extract the factory image file in the same folder on your PC.
2. Open the extracted directory and locate the init_boot.img file.
3. Copy the init_boot.img file to your phone’s internal storage.
4. Open the Magisk Manager app on your device and click on “Install”.
5. Click on “Install” again and choose “Select and Patch a File”.
6. Navigate to the init_boot.img file you copied to your phone and select it.
7. Magisk will patch the boot image and create a new file named “magisk_patched.img” in the Downloads folder of your device.
8. Transfer the patched init_boot.img file to PC again and follow the step 5 to flash it using fastboot command.

Step 5: Flash the Magisk Patched Boot Image

Now that we have the Magisk patched boot image, we can proceed to flash it to our device.

1. Connect your Pixel 7a to computer with a USB cable in fastboot mode.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and navigate to the directory where you installed the Android SDK Platform Tools.
3. Once your device is in bootloader mode, enter the following command to flash the Magisk patched boot image: fastboot flash boot /path/to/magisk_patched.imgReplace “/path/to/magisk_patched.img” with the actual path to the Magisk patched boot image file. For example, if you copied the patched boot image to the Downloads folder on your phone, the command would look like this: fastboot flash boot /Download/magisk_patched.img.
   
4. Once the flashing process is complete, reboot your device by entering the following command: fastboot reboot.

Step 6: Verify Root Access

After your device reboots, you should now have root access. To verify this, you can use an app like Root Checker from the Google Play Store.

1. Download and install the Root Checker app.
2. Open the app and click on “Verify Root”.
3. If the app displays a message saying “Congratulations! Root access is properly installed on this device”, then you have successfully rooted your Pixel 7a.

Congratulations! You have successfully rooted your Google Pixel 7a with Magisk. With root access, you can now install custom ROMs, modify system files, and take full control of your device.