How to Install /e/OS on Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro [De Googled ROM]

This guide will show you the steps to install the /e/OS ROM on Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro. The sixth iteration of the Pixel devices has already been blessed with tons of custom ROMs, with the likes of crDroid, Evolution X, and Project Elixir all reigning supreme. So why is there a need to test out a ROM that isn’t as popular as the ones that we have just mentioned? More importantly, what benefits does it beholds when compared with other custom ROMs? Let’s find out!

What is /e/OS?

Well, this is the million-dollar question that most of you might be having in your mind. So before you proceed to flash the ROM, let’s make you acquainted with the underlying concept of this ROM, the types of apps that it comes preinstalled with, and all its DeGoogled features.

/e/OS is an installable open-source OS for smartphones, which is forked from LineageOS/AOSP, and is completely “deGoogled”, or in other words, without any Google Apps, Services, or Framework. In other words, to remove or disable any feature or code that is sending data to Google servers, or at least to anonymize those accesses AND to offer non-Google default online services, including for search. In this regard, the ROM checkmarks the following prerequisites:

DeGoogled Features of /e/OS

• /e/OS is open source which means it is auditable by anyone with code knowledge
• the Google default search engine is removed and replaced by other services (see below in default apps and services)
• Google Services are replaced by microG and alternative services (see below for more details)
• All Google apps are removed and replaced by equivalent Open Source applications. [The only exception being the Maps Application].
• No use of Google servers to check connectivity
• NTP servers are not Google NTP servers anymore
• DNS default servers are not Google anymore
• Geolocation is using Mozilla Location Services.
• It has its own hosting service Murena Cloud which consists of its own Drive, Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Tasks, and Office. It is built upon NextCloud, Postfix, Dovecot, and OnlyOffice.

List of Preinstalled Apps in /e/OS

• Web-browser: a deGgoogled fork of Chromium, built from Bromite patch-sets, with specific /e/OS settings. It features an ad-blocker by default.
• Mail: a fork of K9-mail for better user experience, some bugfixes and support for oauth, with OpenKeyChain for PGP encryption support
• Message: a fork of QKSMS
• Camera: a fork of OpenCamera
• Dialer: default Android dialer application
• Calendar: a fork of Etar calendar, that fixes crashes with calendar invitations
• Contact: default Android contact application
• Clock: a fork of Android deskclock application
• Gallery: default Android gallery3d application
• Filemanager: Android documentsui application
• Sound recorder: default LineageOS sound recorder
• Calculator: default Android calculator2 application
• Keyboard: default Android keyboard
• App Lounge is the /e/OS application installer, that offers millions applications. Applications are accessed from Google Play Store (commercial apps), F-Droid (open source apps), and also Progressive Web Apps.
• Maps: MagicEarth (as mentioned before, this is the only app which is not open-sourced)
• PDF reader: PdfViewer Plus
• Notes: a fork of NextCloud Notes to support Murena online accounts
• Tasks: OpenTasks

So with this, you would have got a decent idea regarding /e/OS, let’s now make you aware of the steps to install it onto your OnePlus 9/Pro.

How to Install /e/OS on OnePlus 9/Pro [De-Googled ROM]

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. Before flashing, make sure to be on the Android 13 firmware. If you are on Android 14, then downgrade via Android Flash Tool or Fastboot Script.

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.

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

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 Google Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro

STEP 4: Download /e/OS for Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro

1. Now, get hold of the desired ROM and its associated files from below:

   PIXEL 6A: /e/OS ROM | RECOVERY FILES
   PIXEL 6: /e/OS ROM | RECOVERY FILES
   PIXEL 6 PRO: /e/OS ROM | RECOVERY FILES

2. Rename the ROM to rom.zip and transfer it to the platform tools folder.
3. Likewise, transfer the recovery files to the platform tools folder as well.

STEP 5: Boot to Fastboot Mode

1. Connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
3. After that, type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode

   adb reboot bootloader

   

4. To verify the Fastboot connection, type in the below command and you should get back the device ID.

   fastboot devices

   

5. If you’re not getting any ID, then install Fastboot Drivers on your PC.

STEP 6: Install /e/OS Recovery on Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro

1. First off, flash the boot.img file:

   fastboot flash boot boot.img

2. Then flash the dtbo.img file:

   fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img

3. Now flash the recovery to the vendor_boot partition

   fastboot flash vendor_boot recovery.img

   

4. Now boot to the newly flashed recovery:

   fastboot reboot recovery

STEP 7: Install /e/OS ROM on Pixel 6A/6/6 Pro

1. From recovery, select Factory reset -> Format data/factory reset.
2. Once done, go to Apply update -> Apply from ADB.
3. Then type in the below command in the CMD window to sideload the ROM:

   adb sideload rom.zip

   

4. Finally, Reboot to System and your device will boot to the newly flashed OS.

These were the steps to install /e/OS on your Pixel 6A/6/6 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.

Will I Switch to e/OS/?

Unfortunately no. While I’m not doubting the legitimacy and the capability of this ROM, but I am so deeply engrossed in the Google ecosystem that it’s next to impossible for me to step out of this fence. Near about all the tasks that I carry out involve the use of Google Apps, Services, and Framework.

Moreover, while this might come as a surprise to many by this statement, but I still trust Google more than any other open-source ROMs out there. It’s just my personal opinion and you are free to voice your opinions against it. The comment section is all yours!