How to Flash DivestOS on Pixel Devices and Relock Bootloader!

Sadique Hassan•Updated Oct 29, 2024

In this guide, we will show you the steps to flash the DivestOS on your Pixel device and then relock the bootloader. So without any further ado, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

What are the Features of DivestOS

Here are some of the noteworthy features that the DivestOS ROM beholds:

Tracker Blocker

It can block over 900,000 advertising and tracking servers.

Privacy Enriched Browser

It comes in-built with Mull, a privacy-focused browser from Mozilla.

FDroid

It also comes with FDroid, the app catalog that specializes in the delivery of FOSS apps.

Robocall Blocker

Thanks to the presence of Carrion, it can automatically block all calls with spoofed caller ID.

Android Eraser

It helps prevent deleted files from being recovered [one of its best use-case scenarios is when you’re about to sell your device].

Malware Scanner

The open-source Hypatia malware scanner is also included in this ROM.

Monthly Updates

All supported devices receive monthly security updates.

Relock Bootloader

You can even relock the bootloader after flashing the ROM. This will give you a more secure environment and also prevent you from having to deal with various drawbacks that an unlocked device brings in with itself such as Widevine degraded from L1 to L3 and issued with Play Integrity].

Now that you are aware of the DivestOS feature set, let’s list out the steps to flash it on your Pixel device. Follow along for the instructions.

Pixel Bootloader Relocking Status for DivestOS

Here’s the bootloader relocking status for the various Pixel devices. Go through it once and then make your decision accordingly.

Pixel 2 XL Tested, Confirmed
Pixel 2 Tested, Confirmed
Pixel 3 Yes, Untested
Pixel 3XL: Reported, Working
Pixel 3A: Reported, Working
Pixel 4a 5G: Yes, Untested
Pixel 4A: Reported Working
Pixel 4 XL: Yes, Untested
Pixel 4: Tested, Working
Pixel 5A: Reported, Working
Pixel 5: Yes, Untested
Pixel 6A: Tested, Working
Pixel 6: Tested, Working
Pixel 6 Pro: Tested, Working
Pixel 7A: Yes, Untested
Pixel 7: Yes, Untested
Pixel 7 Pro: Yes, Untested

How to Flash DivestOS on Pixel Devices and Relock Bootloader

The below process will wipe off all the data from your device, so please take a complete device backup beforehand. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

NOTE: Relocking the bootloader is a highly risky approach and could result in a bootloop or even a bricked device. So if you don’t wish to take any risk, then it’s better to leave the bootloader unlocked. On the other hand, if you wish to relock the bootloader, then make sure to keep the OEM Unlock toggle enabled at all times. This is because if something goes wrong, then you can boot your device to Fastboot Mode, unlock the bootloader, and flash the firmware to unbrick it.

First off, download DivestOS for your Pixel device from below:
```
DOWNLOAD LINK
```
Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
Now enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device.
After that, unlock the bootloader via the below command:
```
fastboot flashing unlock
```
After that, open Command Prompt inside the platform-tools folder.
Now type the below command to boot your device to Fastboot mode.
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
Then verify that you are getting a serial ID via the below command:
```
fastboot devices
```
If you aren’t getting any ID, then install Fastboot Drivers on your PC.
Now do a format data via the below command:
```
fastboot -w
```
Then download the AVB key for your device [avb_pkmd.bin] from below
```
DOWNLOAD LINK
```
Now use the below command to erase the existing AVB key:
```
fastboot erase avb_custom_key
```
Then type in the below command to flash the new custom AVB key :
```
fastboot flash avb_custom_key avb_pkmd-device.bin
```
Now reboot to bootloader via the below command
```
fastboot reboot bootloader
```
Rename the ROM to rom.zip and transfer it to the platform tools.
Now flash the DivestOS ROM on your Pixel via the below command [make sure to flash the Fastboot Version]:
```
fastboot update rom.zip
```

NOTE: If you receive a board mismatch but are sure you have the right file, then try the below fixes:

FIX 1: fastboot update --force [...].zip
FIX 2: edit the android-info.txt file in the .zip file to match your board

Once the flashing is done, your device will boot to the OS. Make sure to re-enable USB Debugging.
NOTE: The below steps 19 to 23 are only required for devices that have a custom recovery. Since Pixel devices don’t have one, therefore, we have chalked those steps below. You should start off with STEP 24.
~~Once the flashing is complete, reboot to recovery via the below command~~
```
fastboot reboot recovery
```
~~Then select “Apply update” > “Apply from ADB”.~~
~~Now type in the below command in the CMD window to sideload the ROM [make sure to sideload the Recovery version]~~
```
adb sideload rom.zip
```
~~Once the flashing is done, do a Factory Reset from the recovery.~~
~~After that, select Reboot System Now to boot your device to the newly flashed OS.~~
We will now start with relocking the bootloader. Proceed with caution!
First off, enable USB Debugging and then type in the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode:
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
Next up, verify the relocking eligibility:
```
fastboot flashing get_unlock_ability
```
If the output is 1, you can relock the bootloader. If it is 0, then you cannot.
Now, type in the below command to relock the bootloader
```
fastboot flashing lock
```
Use the Volume keys to highlight Relock the Bootloader and hit the Power key to confirm.
Finally, use the below command to boot your device to the newly flashed OS:
```
fastboot reboot
```

That’s it. These are the steps to flash the DivestOS on your Pixel device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.

Tags:

Custom ROMPixel Devices