In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the latest LineageOS 19 based on Android 12 onto your Pixel 5/5A. Both these devices from the Silicon Valley giants were among the most popular ones in this price segment, and their popularity hasn’t seen any major dents right to this date. While it is always among the favorites for general users, it also has plenty in store for tech enthusiasts as well. Once you have unlocked the device’s bootloader, you will be in a position to welcome a truckload of tweaks onto your device.
Among them, it is the ability to install customized firmware that has always been at the top of the bucket list for many users. If you also echo this thought, then you will be glad to know that one of the most popular players in this domain, LineageOS, is now live for your device. Offering a perfect balance between the feature set and device stability, it’s no hidden secret why this ROM is among the most sought-after names. So if you are willing to try out it, then this guide will show you the steps to install LineageOS 19 based on Android 12 onto your Pixel 5/5A. Follow along.
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How to Install LineageOS 19 [Android 12] on Pixel 5/5A
Before starting, make sure that you are on the latest Android 12 firmware. If that is not the case, then flash the latest factory image via Fastboot Commands [Pixel 5 and 5A] or Android Flash Tool. Moreover, take a data backup beforehand as the process will reset 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.
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: Download LineageOS 19 [Android 12] ROM
Next up, get hold of the ROM for your device from below. Along with that, make sure to download its associated vendor_boot.img file as well. Moreover, if you want Google apps and services, then download the GApps as well. Regarding which, there are many different GApps providers, as for this guide, we are using the NikGApps, you are free to use the one that you prefer.
Pixel 5 [Redfin]: ROM | VENDOR_BOOT Pixel 5A [Barbet]: ROM | VENDOR_BOOT GApps: NikGApps
Once you have downloaded all the three files [ROM, Recovery, and GApps], transfer them to the platform-tools folder on your PC. Likewise, rename the LineageOS 19 ROM to rom.zip, the LineageOS vendor_boot file to vendor_boot.img, and the GApps package to gapps.zip.
STEP 3: 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 4: 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 of Google Pixel Devices.
STEP 5: Boot to Fastboot Mode
- Connect your device to the PC via 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.
- After that, 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
STEP 6: Install LineageOS Recovery on Pixel 5/5A
- Execute the below command in the CMD window to flash the vendor_boot file
fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img
- Now use the Volume keys to bring up the Recovery option and hit the Power key to confirm it.
- Your device will now boot to the LineageOS Recovery.
STEP 7: Install LineageOS 19 ROM on Pixel 5/5A
- To begin with, go to Factory Reset > Format Data/Factory Reset > Format Data.
- Your device will now undergo a reset. Once done, you will get the Data Wipe complete message.
- Now go to the recovery’s home page and select Apply Update > Apply from ADB.
- After that, execute the below command that is opened inside the platform-tools folder.
adb sideload rom.zip
- The ROM will now be flashed. Once done, you will get the Total xfer: 1.00x message.
NOTE: In some cases, the process will stop at 47% and report adb: failed to read command: Success. Likewise, it could also report adb: failed to read command: No error or adb: failed to read command: Undefined error: 0. All these messages signify that the flashing has been successfully completed.
STEP 8: Install GApps on Pixel 5/5A
If you want to Google apps and services, then you will have to flash GApps right now, you cannot do so at a later stage. So refer to the below instructions to flash it.
- From the LineageOS recovery, go to Advanced > Reboot to Recovery.
- Once your device reboots to recovery, go to Apply Update > Apply from ADB.
- After that, execute the below command to flash the GApps package
adb sideload gapps.zip
- You might get a signature verification failed message, reply YES [any file that hasn’t been signed by Lineage will throw this error, it is completely normal].
- Once the flashing is complete, go to the recovery home page and select Reboot System Now. Your device will now boot to the newly installed OS.
That’s it. These were the steps to install the latest LineageOS 19 onto your Pixel 5/5A. 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.
