How to Install OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro [Video]

In this guide, we will show you four different methods to install OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro devices. Now that the sixth iteration of the Pixel series is live, users could get acquainted with a plethora of new and intriguing features. The major hardware redesign, Android 12 out of the box, in-display fingerprint sensor ( which seriously needs to perform better !), and the in-house Tensor chip are some of its noteworthy features.

Along the same lines, the latest additions to the Pixel lineup have carried forward the legacy of the OEM’s active participation in custom development. As a result of which, gaining administrative privileges is now a possibility. However, rooting both these devices, as of now, wouldn’t take the general approach of simply flashing the patched boot.img file.

This time around, you will also have to disable the verity check otherwise, you will end up with the “ failure to load/verify boot images ” error. Well, we have already discussed all this in the linked guides, so our next course of action should be to install OTA updates on rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro devices. Since the process to root is different, installing OTA on rooted will also be a tad different than what the general procedure is . So with that in mind, let’s get started.

• Installing OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro: What’s the Fuss All About?
• How to Install OTA Updates on Rooted Google Pixel 6A/6/Pro [Video] Method 1: Via Direct OTA Method 2: Via ADB Sideload [OTA] Method 3: Via Factory Image [Recommended] Method 4: Via Android Flash Tool
• FAQ 1: How to Fix Pixel 6A/6/Pro Stuck in Bootloop
• FAQ 2: Issues in Installing OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro For Method 1 and Method 2: For Method 3:
• FAQ 3: Do I need to Perform a Factory Reset before installing ‘Every’ Monthly OTA?

Installing OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro: What’s the Fuss All About?

Just to get a quick recap, in order to root your Pixel 6/Pro device, you will have to disable the Verified Boot. This could be done by flashing the stock vbmeta file along with the –disable-verity and –disable-verification flags. However, after rooting the device, if you download the OTA update and then reboot the device to install it, it would re-enable the Verified Boot. In such a situation, the only way out is to completely wipe your device which will then disable the Verified Boot as well.

So how could you then install OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6/Pro devices without facing any troubles as such? Well, what you need to do is install the latest OTA update [but don’t boot to OS]> Boot to Fastboot and disable Verified Boot > Boot to OS > Patch and Flash boot.img = Success!. The below step-by-step instructions shall make it all clear. So without any further ado, let’s get started.

How to Install OTA Updates on Rooted Google Pixel 6A/6/Pro [Video]

Given here are four different methods to carry out the said tasks. All these methods only differ in the process of installing OTA and disabling the vbmeta check, whereas the process of patching the stock boot.img and then flashing it via Magisk remains the same across all these methods. With that in mind, 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.

Method 1: Via Direct OTA

This is the easiest and shortest method out of the four when it comes to installing OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro. Here’s what you need to do:

1. To begin with, launch the Magisk App, go to the Modules section, and disable all the modules.
2. Then come back to the Magisk home page and tap on Uninstall Magisk > Restore Images.
3. Then go to Settings > System > System Update and download the available update.
4. Once downloaded, do not reboot your device. Rather, launch the Magisk App.
5. Then tap on Install next to Magisk. After that, select Install to Inactive Slot.
6. You will now get a prompt, tap OK. Magisk will now be installed to the inactive slot.
7. Once done, your Pixel 6A/6/Pro will automatically restart to the updated and rooted OS! You may now re-enable all the modules as well.

Method 2: Via ADB Sideload [OTA]

1. To begin with, download the Android SDK Platform Tools. Then extract it to any location on your PC. Doing so shall give you the platform-tools folder, which we will be using throughout this guide.
2. Next up, download the OTA image for your device from below: OTA Images for: PIXEL 6A | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro
3. Now extract the boot.img from the Images ZIP file and transfer it to your device. If the OTA is in a paylod.bin format, then you could use the Fastboot Enhance Tool to unpack it and extract boot.img
4. Next up, transfer the OTA file to the platform-tools folder as well. Also, make sure to rename the downloaded the file to ota, so that the complete name becomes ota.zip.
5. After that, enable USB Debugging on your device [Settings > System > Tap on Build Number 7 Times > Settings > System > Developer Options > USB Debugging].
6. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter.
7. This will launch the Command Prompt. Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Recovery Mode adb reboot recovery
8. Now use the Volume Keys to select Apply Update via ADB and hit the Power key to confirm it.
9. Then head over to the Command Prompt that is opened inside platform-tools and execute the below command to flash the OTA file: adb sideload ota.zip
10. Once the flashing is complete, use the Volume key to select Reboot System now and hit the Power key to confirm it.
11. Now install the Magisk App onto your device. Then launch it and tap on the Install button next to Magisk.
12. Then choose Select and Patch a File. Navigate to the boot.img file and select it.
13. Then tap on the Let’s Go button situated at the top right to patch the file.
14. Once done, connect your device to the PC via USB. Then transfer this patched boot.img to the platform-tools folder. Likewise, rename it to magisk_patched_boot.img.
15. Now use the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode: adb reboot bootloader
16. Now execute the below command to boot your device via the patched boot.img using the below command: fastboot boot magisk_patched_boot.img
17. If everything is working well and good, then you could proceed for permanent root. This could be done by launching the Magisk App, then tap on Install > Direct Install > Let’s Go.
18. Now, wait for the process to finish. Once done, tap on the Reboot button situated at the bottom right. That’s it

So this was the second method to install OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro. Let’s now make you aware of the other two methods.

Method 3: Via Factory Image [Recommended]

This is the lengthiest of the four methods but is also the most safest one, so it’s usually the recommended approach.

1. To begin with, download a text editor like Notepad++ on your PC.
2. Then download and extract the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
3. Now download the factory image for your device from below and extract it inside the platform tools folder. Factory Images for: Pixel 6A | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro
4. Then go to the Images folder and extract the boot.img file. Now transfer this file to your device.
5. Now launch the Magisk App, tap on Install next to Magisk, and tap on Select and Patch a File.
6. Now select boot.img file and hit the Let’s Go button situated at the top right.
7. The file will now be patched and placed in the Downloads folder on your phone.
8. Transfer it to the platform-tools folder on your PC and rename it to magisk_patched_boot.img.
9. Now enable USB Debugging on your device and connect it to your PC via a USB cable.
10. Then launch CMD inside the platform-tools folder and type in the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode: adb reboot bootloader
11. Now go to the extracted firmware folder, right-click on the flash-all.bat file, and select More Options > Edit with Notepad++.
12. Move your cursor over to the fastboot -w update image-filename.zip and delete the -w keyword. Now hit the Ctrl+S to save the changes. The line should now look something like this: fastboot update image- filename .zip
13. Now run this flash-all.bat file. The flashing will now start and during the process, your device will automatically reboot to Fastboot and FastbootD Modes, that’s completely normal.
14. Once done, your device will boot to the OS. Now enable USB Debugging and execute the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode: adb reboot bootloader
15. Now execute the below command to boot your device via Magisk patched boot.img: fastboot boot magisk_patched_boot.img
16. If everything is working well and good, then you could proceed for permanent root. This could be done by launching the Magisk App, then tap on Install > Direct Install > Let’s Go.
17. Now, wait for the process to finish. Once done, tap on the Reboot button situated at the bottom right. That’s it.
18. Once your device boots to the OS, you could now verify root via Magisk and then re-enable all the disabled modules [do so one module at a time].

This was the third method to install OTA Updates on Rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro. Let’s now make you aware of the final method to carry out this task. But before that, let’s discuss something interesting.

NOTE: We first flashed the factory image file [STEP 8], booted our phone to OS, patched the stock boot.img [STEP 11 ], then booted to Fastboot [STEP 14], and finally booted our phone via the patched boot [STEP 15]. But, apart from that, there exists another method of getting this job done. namely,

1. You could first patch the stock boot.img via Magisk and place it in the platform-tools folder,
2. Then boot to Fastboot Mode and flash the update.ZIP file but instruct it not to boot to the OS
3. This could be done by modifying the flash command to fastboot update –skip-reboot image.zip
4. So once the OTA gets flashed, you will still be in the Fastboot Mode and you could then directly boot using the Magisk patched boot file via fastboot boot magisk_patched_boot.img
5. Once done, you could then perform the Direct Install to obtain permanent root.

Method 4: Via Android Flash Tool

1. To begin with, download the Android SDK Platform Tools. Then extract it to any location on your PC. Doing so shall give you the platform-tools folder, which we will be using throughout this guide.
2. Next up, download the factory images for your device: Factory Images for: Pixel 6A | Pixel 6 | Pixel 6 Pro
3. Now extract the boot.img file from the Images ZIP file and transfer it to your device.
4. Next up, connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter.
5. 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
6. Now head over to the Android Flash Tool site and proceed with the on-screen instructions to flash the firmware. You could also refer to our standalone guide that has detailed instructions and screenshots: How to Flash Firmware on Pixel via Android Flash Tool . Reference Image
7. There’s just one important thing to keep in mind- at the Selected Build screen, expand the Advanced options section and checkmark “only” the Disable Verity and Disable Verification.
8. As soon as the flashing is complete, your device will boot to the OS. Now install the Magisk App onto your device.
9. Then launch it and tap on the Install button next to Magisk.
10. Then choose Select and Patch a File. Navigate to the boot.img file and select it.
11. Then tap on the Let’s Go button situated at the top right to patch the file.
12. Once done, connect your device to the PC via USB. Then transfer this patched boot.img to the platform-tools folder. Likewise, rename it to magisk_patched_boot.img.
13. Now use the below command to boot your device to Fastboot Mode: adb reboot bootloader
14. Now there are two approaches that you could. The first one is to execute the below command and directly flash the magisk patched boot.img file to your device (not usually recommended): fastboot flash boot –slot=all magisk_patched_boot.img
15. The second approach (recommended) is to first boot your device via the patched boot.img using the below command: fastboot boot magisk_patched_boot.img
16. If everything is working well and good, then you could proceed for permanent root. This could be done by launching the Magisk App, then tap on Install > Direct Install > Let’s Go.
17. Now, wait for the process to finish. Once done, tap on the Reboot button situated at the bottom right.

If your device is stuck in a bootloop after trying out Method 2, 3, or 4, then it might be due to disabling of vbmeta [Method 1 doesn’t use vmbeta]. To rectify it, you will have to force reboot your device to Fastboot Mode . Then carry out the entire process as listed before, but this time, do not flash the vbmeta.img file. To be more specific:

• In Method 2, skip the “fastboot flash vbmeta –disable-verity –disable-verification –slot=all vbmeta.img” command.
• In Method 3, instead of “fastboot update –disable-verity –disable-verification image.zip”, you should execute the “fastboot update image.zip” command [without double quotes].
• In Method 4, uncheck Disable Verity and Disable Verification.

If you are facing an issue or two in installing OTA on your rooted Pixel 6/Pro device, then there’s one additional step that you need to try. However, that involves a factory reset of your device. So take a backup beforehand and then refer to the below steps (the underlying concept is the same for all three methods, just the steps are different)

For Method 1 and Method 2:

1. Right after you disable the verified boot by flashing the vbmeta.img file (fastboot update –disable-verity –disable-verification image.zip), you will have to execute the below command to perform a factory reset: fastboot -w
2. Once that is done, you may then perform the rest of the steps of patching and flashing the boot.img file as mentioned in their sections.

For Method 3:

Apart from checking the Disable Verity and Disable Verification, you will also need to checkmark the Wipe Device option and then proceed with the rest of the steps as listed in that section.

No , you don’t have to. Performing the factory reset is only needed the first time after you disable the verified boot. For subsequent OTA updates, you only need to disable the verified boot via the fastboot update –disable-verity –disable-verification image.zip and then proceed with the patching and flashing of the boot.img. No need to reset your device before installing every OTA update on your rooted Pixel 6A/6/Pro device.

• How to Unbrick Google Pixel 6/Pro via Fastboot Commands
• How to Pass SafetyNet in Rooted Google Pixel 6A
• OEM Unlock greyed out in Pixel 6A | Cannot Unlock Bootloader [Fix]
• Pixel 6/Pro Device was locked manually: Enter PIN instead of Fingerprint

• J 4 years ago Reply Appreciate the tutorial & multi methods. I tried to follow from rooted > sideload OTA > flash vbmeta but somehow became boot-looped. Recovered from it with factory image .bat (subtracting -w to preserve data.) I tried the disable verity/verification thing again & bootlooped. Factory image .bat once again & straight to flash both slots patched boot & all well. Guess I’m still questioning the deal with the vbmeta business…
• Dovie Weinstock 4 years ago Reply For some reason, the direct install option wasn’t there. Was using Method 3

(Cancel Reply)

Δ

Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working: How to Fix

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue. The latest offerings from the Silicon Valley giant have bought in a plethora of new goodies. Right out of the box, you will notice a completely revamped design, which was literally the need of the hour for this series. Then there are quite a few nifty camera tweaks as well which is generally along the expected lines for this lineup.

Apart from that, you will now also be getting three years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Moreover, the sixth iteration has welcomed an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is a first for any Pixel device. However, as opposed to other flagships that have straightaway opted for the 3D ultrasonic scanner, Google decided to stick with the old 2D optical scanner. And this isn’t proving to be the right decision.

A slew of complaints are getting accrued where users have voiced their concerns that the under-display fingerprint scanner isn’t working along the expected lines. Considering the money being spent on purchasing these flagships, and the issue gets all the more worrisome. Well, if you are also getting bugged with this issue, then fret not. In this guide, we will make you aware of various methods that shall help you fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

• How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working Add the Same Fingerprint Twice Give it An Additonal Second Apply Optimal Pressure Use Dry Hands Clean your Screen Use a compatible screen protector Re-Add Your Fingerprint Install Pending Updates Give AI some time! Contact Google

How to Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working

Do note that there’s no universal fix as such. You will have to try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and see which one works best in your favor. So keeping that in mind, let’s get started.

Add the Same Fingerprint Twice

An old trick out of the books, adding the fingerprint of the same finger twice or thrice will make the job of the scanner a little bit easier in reading those fine prints. So head over to Settings > Security and fill up two-three slots of fingerprints using the same finger. Then check out if it manages to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

Give it An Additonal Second

Optical under the hood fingerprints are a tad bit slower than the ultrasonic scanner. So bearing that fact in mind, consider giving an additional second to the scanner so that it is able to efficiently scan your prints.

Apply Optimal Pressure

While it isn’t documented anywhere as such, but these in-display fingerprints (especially the 2-D ones) work best when you apply the pressure in an increasing manner. However, the increase should be done gradually and lightly. So try it out and then see if it is able to fix the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue.

Use Dry Hands

It’s no hidden secret that the scanner wouldn’t be able to read the fingerprints if your hands are wet. This is because the moisture would end up creating an additional layer between the scanner and your fingerprints, thereby preventing a successful scan. So make sure to remove such roadblocks before proceeding ahead.

Clean your Screen

Not only your hands but the screen should be cleaned as well, especially the bottom half of the screen where the scanner is located. Even the slightest of dust particles are enough to create hurdles in successful scans. So clean your screen via a cloth or fabric and then verify if the Pixel 6 fingerprint sensor not working issue has been fixed or not.

Use a compatible screen protector

Not all screen protectors are created equally! While they might cause any issues in the normal usage of the device, but they sure could cause conflict with the in-display fingerprint scanner. So if you ever plan to replace your Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection with a third-party one, make sure to go for a tried and trusted name.

Re-Add Your Fingerprint

Since the optical scanner flashes a bright light underneath to read your fingerprints, it might not have been able to register your fine prints correctly during the setup process. So consider removing the registered fingerprint via Settings > Security and then perform a re-scan to re-add your fingerprints. Check if this gives out any favorable results or not.

Install Pending Updates

While the software upgrades might not necessarily add new features to your device, they surely optimize and improve the overall functioning of the OS as well as your device. Along the same lines, they also iron out all the bugs and issues. So make sure to download and install all pending updates via Settings > System > System Update and then verify if it ends up rectifying the issue or not.

Give AI some time!

Well, Artificial Intelligence does take some time to adapt and adjust, after all. So on continued usage of these scanners, they will ultimately learn and optimize themselves according to the use case scenario. So consider letting go of the initial hiccups for a better journey ahead!

Contact Google

If none of the aforementioned tweaks managed to work out in your favor, then you should consider contacting Google and then chalk out the best route forward. We aren’t still implying that it’s a hardware issue, it’s just that contacting the manufacture will give you a clearer picture.

• Scrolling Screenshot Not Working in Android 12: How to Fix
• How to Change Icon Shapes in Android 12?
• Can we change the Lock Screen Clock Size in Android 12
• Bring Back the WiFi toggle in Quick Settings on Android 12

(Cancel Reply)

Δ

Pixel 6/Pro Device was locked manually: Enter PIN instead of Fingerprint

The sixth iteration of the Pixel series beholds quite a few nifty features up its sleeves. Right out of the box, you will witness completely redesigned hardware and camera modules. On the software side, you get the latest Android 12 and a ton of Pixel exclusive goodies. Moreover, these devices are the first in the lineup to have an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is itself giving quite a hard time to the end-users.

While the clouds of uncertainty regarding its inefficient optical scanner were about to settle, there has been a new entry in this list. Quite a few Pixel 6/Pro users have voiced their concern that they are getting the Device was locked manually prompt on their device. As a result, they have to use their PIN/Password instead of their fingerprint. Just to get things straight- this prompt appears on nearly every Android device.

As soon as you restart your device, the OS would prevent the usage of fingerprint and would rather ask you to type in your password or pin. This is done from the security point of view. However, the thing is this only happens the first time your device boots up after a. But that isn’t the case with the latest Pixel series. All the users who are currently facing this issue have reported that they are seeing this prompt randomly after every few hours, even though their device hasn’t undergone a reboot.

So is there any method to fix the issue of the Pixel 6/Pro “Device was locked manually” wherein you are required to manually type in your PIN/Password instead of using the fingerprint? Unfortunately, the answer is in a negative tone as of now. Though some users have reported that disabling the Smart Lock location did work out in their favor, but the majority of them spelled out a disappointment. Anyways, if you wish to try it out, then proceed ahead with the below-listed steps.

How to Fix Pixel 6/Pro Device was locked manually

1. To begin with, head over to the Settings menu on your device.
2. Then go to Security and select the Smart Lock option.
3. After that, type in your password/pin to verify the credentials.
4. Now disable the toggle next to On-body detection, Trusted Places, and Trusted devices.
5. Check if it manages to fix the Pixel 6/Pro “Device was locked manually” issue.

Send Feedback to Google from your Pixel 6/Pro

If you are still getting bugged with this issue, then the only way out is to send the feedback to Google, right from your device itself. Here’s how:

1. To begin with, head over to the Settings menu.
2. Then scroll to the end of the page and go to Tips and Support.
3. Now tap on the Send Feedback option situated at the end.
4. Explain the issue in detail and then tap on the Send button situated at the top right.

The Silicon Valley giant might take a couple of days to respond to your query. In the meantime, you could also share your queries or just upvote the OP in the first and second Google Support Forums that have been made specifically for this issue.

So with this, we round off this guide on the Pixel 6/Pro “Device was locked manually” issue. As and when there’s further development regarding this issue or any related workaround makes its way, we will update this post accordingly.

• Fix: Google Assistant Quick Phrase not available in Pixel 6/Pro
• Fix: Pixel 6 Screen randomly wakes up even if AOD is Disabled
• How to Install OTA Updates on Unlocked Verizon Pixel 6/6 Pro
• Pixel 6 Fingerprint Sensor Not Working: How to Fix
• How to Use Pixel 6 Magic Eraser on older Pixels Devices

(Cancel Reply)

Δ