In this guide, we will show you the steps to flash the Radioactive Kernel on your Pixel 7/Pro. The devices from the Silicon Valley giant have always been among the most popular players in custom development. Whether it’s for gaining administrative privileges by rooting the device via Magisk patched init_boot, flashing tweaks such as AOSP mods, or flashing custom kernels, there’s a lot to look forward to.
If we talk about the latter now, then there are already quite a few noteworthy players in this domain, including the likes of Kirisakura and Despair. And now, there has been the addition of another popular name to this category. You could now welcome abode the Radioactive Kernel on your Pixel 7/Pro. This will then allow you to overclock or underclock the device’s CPU/GPU or select from a plentitude of CPU governor profiles. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
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How to Flash Radioactive Kernel on Pixel 7/Pro [2 Methods]
There exist two different methods through which you could flash this kernel- manual and automatic. The latter is the easier and shorter way of getting this job done whereas the former gives you more granular controls. We have listed both these methods below, you may refer to the one that is in sync with your requirement.
Moreover, the process will also wipe the data [when disabling verity/verification], so take a backup beforehand. Likewise, you need to be on the latest January 2023 firmware as well. If that’s well and good, then let’s get started. 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.
STEP 1: Install Android SDK
First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide to flash the Kirisakura custom kernel onto your Pixel 7/Pro.
STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. The former will make your device recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode. On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is required to carry out the bootloader unlocking process.
So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
STEP 3: Unlock Bootloader on the Pixel 7/Pro
Next up, you will also have to unlock the device’s bootloader. Do keep in mind that doing so will wipe off all the data from your device and could nullify its warranty as well. So if that’s all well and good, then please refer to our detailed guide on How to Unlock the Bootloader on Pixel 7/Pro. [Advice: Once unlocked, do not restore the data now as we will be resetting your device in the subsequent steps. So it’s better to restore at the end only].
STEP 4: Root your Pixel 7/Pro
Your device needs to be rooted via Magisk patched init_boot. If you haven’t done so, then please refer to our guide on How to Root Pixel 7/Pro via Magisk Patched Init_Boot.
STEP 5: Download RadioActive Kernel for Google Pixel 7/Pro
- You may now grab hold of the latest version of the Kirisakura Kernel and Powerhint Module for your Pixel 7/Pro device from the below link.
RadioActive Kernel: Download Link Credits: XDA Recognized Developer acuicultor
STEP 6: Boot to Fastboot Mode
- To begin with, connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
- Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
- Now type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
adb reboot bootloader
STEP 7: Disable Vbmeta flag for verity/verifications
- You would need the vbmeta file to disable verification as well as the verity checks.
- So grab hold of your device’s stock firmware [factory image] from below:
Pixel 7 Pro [cheetah]: Download Link Pixel 7 [panther]: Download Link
- Once downloaded, extract it and then extract the image.zip file within it.
- You will get the vbmeta.img, transfer it to the platform-tools on your PC.
- Now execute the below command to flash vbmeta and disable verity:
fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
- Once done, you will now have to factory reset the device via the below command
fastboot -w
- Now, if you want to try out STEP 8A [automated], then reboot to the OS. However, if you want to try out STEP 8B [manual], then remain in the Fastboot Mode.
STEP 8A: Auto Flash Radioactive Kernel on Pixel 7/Pro
- Download any kernel manager app of your choice [such as EX Kernel Manager].
- Then launch the app and tap Grant in the SuperUser request that appears.
- Now flash the Radioactive Kernel ZIP file via it and then restart your device.
STEP 8B: Manual Flash Radioactive Kernel on Pixel 7 Pro
- To begin with, extract the downloaded kernel to the platform tools folder on your PC.
- From Fastboot Mode, execute the below command to boot your device to FastbootD Mode
fastboot reboot fastboot
- Then type in the below command to flash the vendor_dlkm file
fastboot flash vendor_dlkm vendor_dlkm.img
- Now execute the below command to boot your device back to Fastboot Mode
fastboot reboot bootloader
- Then execute the three commands to flash boot.img, dtbo.img, and vendor_kernel_boot.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img fastboot flash vendor_kernel_boot vendor_kernel_boot.img
- Finally, reboot the device to the OS via the below command:
fastboot reboot
That’s it. These were the two different methods to flash the Radioactive Custom Kernel on your Pixel 7 Pro. 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.