In this guide, we will show you a nifty method to fix the OTA Root issue wherein the Install to Inactive Slot is not working on the Pixel 7/8 series. Gaining administrative privileges by rooting the device via Magisk allows you to bring in a slew of modules onto your device. However, on the flip side, it does have its fair share of issues and complications as well, most primarily among which is the tripping of SafetyNet.
Apart from that, you cannot simply install the OTA updates as you do so in the case of non-rooted devices. In this regard. you’ll first have to restore the stock boot image, install the OTA update, then instruct Magisk to Install to Inactive Slot, and then perform a restart. Your device will now restart to the inactive slot where the new update as well as Magisk is installed. However, this flow doesn’t seem to be working with the latest Pixel as well as its predecessor.
Numerous users have voiced their concern that the Install to Inactive Slot feature of Magisk is not working on the Pixel 7/8 and hence, they are unable to install OTA updates on their rooted devices. This process is working well and good till the Pixel. 6 series, so it’s definitely something to do with how Magisk is currently handling the init_boot file. Until that is rectified, let’s make you aware of a handy workaround that should help you mitigate this issue. Follow along.
Fix OTA Root: Install to Inactive Slot not working with Pixel 7/8 Pro
As of now, your only course of action is to manually install the latest OTA update/factory image, then extract the init_boot, patch it via Magisk, and flash it via Fastboot Commands. This is the same process that you would use for rooting your device for the first time. While it does require the use of a PC and is slightly lengthy, but this is our best bet. So do check out our guide on Root Pixel 7A/7/Pro via Magisk Patched Init_Boot AND Root Pixel 8/Pro via Magisk Patched Init boot.
[If you try out the Install to Inactive Slot method, then your device will end up in a bootloop/soft brick and you’ll have to flash the stock boot.img to fix it]. If you wish to automate this process, then you could also check out the Pixel Flasher Tool that beholds a slew of ADB and Fastboot functionalities wrapped inside an easy-to-use GUI.
So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the OTA Root issue wherein the Install to Inactive Slot is not working on the Pixel 7/8 series. As and when there are any further developments surrounding this topic, we’ll update this post accordingly. Stay tuned.
