In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the January 2022 OTA Update on rooted Google Pixel 6 and its Pro variant. if you prepare a list of all the buggy updates released by major OEMs to date, then the December update from the Silicon Valley giants for its latest flagships will probably be at the top of this list (no, this isn’t an exaggeration of any sort).
The device crashing to recovery mode, Bluetooth not working, inconsistent network, screen timeout not working, system UI not responding were just some of the noteworthy “features” of the last month’s update. Such was its impact that Google ultimately decided to pull it off the shelves. So the general users had no choice but to wait for the next OTA, which has finally been delivered, after getting delayed by “just” over a month.
On the other hand, the tech enthusiasts went ahead and downgraded their device to the November OTA. Likewise, most of them also gained administrative privileges by rooting their device via Magisk. And now that a new OTA update has made its way, they are looking for a fail-safe approach to update their device. If you are also on the same page, then this tutorial shall help you out. In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the January 2022 OTA Update on rooted Pixel 6/Pro devices. Follow along.
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How to Install January 2022 OTA Update on Rooted Pixel 6/Pro
There exist three different methods to carry out this task- ADB Sideload, Fastboot Commands, and Android Flash Tool. As for this guide, we will be opting for the third method as it is the most straightforward and easy to execute. Moreover, the process will not wipe your data, but it is still highly recommended to take a complete device backup beforehand, just to be on the safer side. 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.
STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging
Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging so that your device is recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode. Likewise, Debugging would also be needed by the Flash Tool. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
STEP 3: Install January 2022 Update on Pixel 6/Pro via Android Flash Tool
We will now be flashing the January 2022 update onto your rooted Pixel 6/Pro via the Android Flash Tool. Follow along.
- With USB Debugging enabled, connect your device to the PC via USB cable.
- Then head over to the Google Factory Image page [Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro] and click on the Flash keyword next to your device’s January Update.
- Now click on the Allow ADB Access button. It will verify the ADB Connection and list your device.
- You will now be taken to the Installing Build page, make sure to uncheck the Wipe Device option.
- After that, expand the Advanced Options section. Make sure that Force Flash All Partitions is unchecked as well.
There is NO need to checkmark the Disable Verity and Disable Verification options as we will be using the Magisk Canary 23016 which should automatically take care of it.
- Now click on the Install Build button and wait for the process to complete.
- Once done, your device will boot to the January 2022 OTA update.
STEP 4: Download Pixel 6/Pro January 2022 Factory Image
- Head over to the Google Factory Image page and download the January 2022 update ZIP file:
- Once downloaded, extract it to any convenient location on your PC.
- After that, extract the Images folder within it. This shall give you all the partition IMG files, including the boot.img.
- Transfer this boot.img file to your device’s internal storage
STEP 5: Patch Pixel 6/Pro January 2022 Boot.img File
- To begin with, install the Magisk Canary 23016 onto your device. We are using the latest Canary build as it comes with the vbmeta header fix, meaning you wouldn’t have to manually disable the verity check.
- Then launch it and tap on the Install button next to Magisk.
- Then choose Select and Patch a File. Navigate to the boot.img file and select it.
- Then tap on the Let’s Go button situated at the top right to patch the file.
- Connect your device and transfer this patched boot.img to the platform-tools folder. Likewise, rename it to magisk_patched_boot.img.
STEP 6: Boot Pixel 6/Pro via January 2022 Patched Boot.img
- Launch the Command Prompt window inside the platform-tools folder.
- Then use the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode:
adb reboot bootloader
- After that, execute the below command to boot your device via the rooted patched boot.img
fastboot boot magisk_patched_boot.img
- With this, you have attained temporary root. Let’s now proceed ahead to permanently root your device.
STEP 7: Root Pixel 6/Pro via Direct Install
- To begin with, launch the Magisk Manager App.
- Then tap on Install > Direct Install and tap Let’s Go situated at the top-right.
- Once done, hit the Reboot button situated at the bottom right.
- That’s it, your device will now boot to the rooted January update.
So with this, we round off the guide on how you could install the January 2022 OTA update on the rooted Pixel 6/Pro devices. 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.
