Install Pixel Experience GSI ROM on any Device [2 Methods]

Sadique Hassan•Updated Jun 21, 2023

In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the Pixel Experience GSI ROM based on Android 13 onto your device. Custom ROMs give you the perfect gateway to break free from the shackles of the stock ecosystem and welcome abode a plethora of goodies and a completely new UI/UX onto your device. However, as unfortunate as it may sound, not every device is lucky enough to get blessed with a custom ROM. Well, if your device falls in that bracket as well, then fret not.

This is where the Generic System Image comes into the picture. Every device that is launched with Android 8.0 and above is Project Treble compatible and this in turn will make your device GSI compatible. As a result of which, you could now welcome a slew of ROMs from numerous developers, including the ever-so-popular Pixel UI. So without further ado, let’s get started with the steps to install the Pixel Experience GSI ROM based on Android 13 onto your device.

Table of Contents

Install Pixel Experience GSI ROM via DSU Sideloader

Before starting, please take a backup of all the data on your device. 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.

To begin with, unlock the bootloader on your Android device.
Then install the Treble Check app and check out the results under the CPU Architecture section.
Now download and install the Shizuku app from Play Store.
Then launch it and tap on Pairing > Developer options.
Now enable the toggle next to Wireless Debugging.
Then checkmark Always allow on this network and hit Allow.
Now go back to the app and tap on Pair device with pairing code.
You will now get a six-digit code as well as a prompt from Shizuku to type in that code.
So type in the code in that prompt and hit Enter. You should now get the Paring Successful message.
Now go back to the app’s home screen and tap Start. It will now start the service and will notify you of the same.
To verify, make sure you are getting the “Shizuka is running” message on its home page.
Now download and install the DSU Loader App from GitHub.
Then launch DSU Loader, you’ll get a Shizuku prompt, tap Allow.
Now download the Pixel Experience GSI for your device from here: DOWNLOAD LINK
Make sure to download the GSI that corresponds to your CPU Architecture [see STEP 2 above].
Then create a new folder in the Internal Storage, name it GSI, and place the downloaded GSI ROM there.
Now go back to the DSU Loader App. You’ll now get the Missing Permission prompt, tap Grant.
Once done, tap on Select a file to be installed. Then navigate to the downloaded GSI ROM and select it.
By default, the GSI ROM will be given a data partition of 2GB. If you want to expand it, then enable the toggle next to Userdata size and type in the desired value in gigabytes.
While you could grant it as much storage as you want [the more the better], however, some Android device limits the storage to 40% of the total storage value.
Once that is done [Image Size should be left untouched], hit Install > Proceed.
You will now get a prompt, tap Allow one-time access and hit Try Again. The flashing will now start and it could take a few minutes.
Once done, just restart your device. Your device will now reboot to the newly installed GSI. Set it up as per your convenience and install the apps of your choice.
Once you are done using the GSI ROM, just do a restart and you will be back to the stock ROM. To go back to the GSI ROM once again, simply do another restart!
All the files, apps, and data stored in the GSI data partition could only be accessed when you are booted to the GSI ROM. It could not be accessed from the stock ROM [and vice versa].
Moroever, if you want to make your device always boot to the GSI ROM [Pixel Experience] instead of the base firmware, then do check out the instructions given here.

That’s it. These were the steps to install the latest Pixel Experience GSI ROM based on Android 13 on your Android 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.

Install Pixel Experience GSI ROM via Fastboot Commands

If you are planning to take a more technical approach, then you could also flash the Pixel Experience ROM via Fastboot Commands. As before, take a complete device data backup beforehand.

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 install Pixel Experience on your device.

STEP 2: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

Next up, you will also 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.

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 Bootloader of Any Android Device.

STEP 4: Download Pixel Experience GSI ROM

Grab hold of the GSI ROM for your device from the below link.
```
Pixel Experience GSI ROM: DOWNLOAD LINK
```
Now extract it via 7-ZIP to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
This will give you the system.img file, which will act as our GSI ROM.

STEP 5: Download vbmeta

First off, download the stock firmware for your device from here.
Then extract it, go to the Images folder, and copy the vbmeta.img.
Now transfer the vbmeta.img to the platform-tools folder on your PC.

STEP 6: Boot Device to Fastboot Mode

First off, 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.
Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
To verify the Fastboot connection, type in the below command and you should get back the device ID.
```
fastboot devices
```
If you are not getting any serial ID, then please install the Fastboot Drivers on your PC.

STEP 7: Disable Verity Check

Type in the below command to flash the vbmeta and hence disable the verification check of the vbmeta partition on your device

fastboot --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img

STEP 8: Flash Pixel Experience ROM via Fastboot

As of now, your device will be in the Fastboot Mode. So type in the below command to boot to FastbootD Mode
```
fastboot reboot fastboot
```
Now delete the logical partition to free up some space on your device:
```
fastboot delete-logical-partition product_a
```
You may now flash the GSI ROM via the below command [system.img is the name of the GSI ROM]
```
fastboot flash system system.img
```
Once done, you’ll now have to do a format data, so use the below command
```
fastboot -w
```
Finally, reboot your device to the newly installed OS via the below command
```
fastboot reboot
```

That’s it. These were the steps to install the Pixel Experience GSI ROM on your device via Fastboot Commands. 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. And do check out the below-linked guides to fix numerous GSI-related bugs and issues.

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