The latest Android 11 is released and the same is now available for Pixel 2 via an Android 11 custom ROM build. This is a step-by-step guide that explains how to update Pixel 2 to Android 11.
[su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]DISCLAIMER:Installing a custom ROM requires advanced knowledge to modify the underlying firmware on your phone, such as bootloader unlock, custom recovery installation etc.
If not done properly it may leave the phone unusable temporarily or permanently![/su_note]
Android 11 Download for Pixel 2
Below are the Android 11 custom ROMs available for Pixel 2. Each link has it’s own set of guide that explains how to install the custom ROM on the phone.
Download the respective ROM build and then follow the instructions (written below) to update the Pixel 2 to Android 11.
- Pixel 2 LineageOS 18 – Android 11 ROM
Other Requirements to Install Android 11 on Pixel 2
To be able to install any Android 11 ROM build on the phone, it must have an unlocked bootloader and a compatible custom recovery installed.
So, to make it easier for you, we have included appropriate guides on the above two, in the below sections.
Plus, the custom ROMs usually lack any Google Apps like: Google Play, Google Maps, etc. out of the box. So, the post installation requiremnt is, GApps for Android 11, which is also included in the below guide.
How to Update Pixel 2 Android 11?
Installing Android 11 requires an unlocked bootloader and a custom recovery installed on the phone. This is the reason the entire installation guide is divided into three parts as below:
- Unlocking bootloader on the phone
- Installing Custom Recovery on the phone
- Installing the Android 11 ROM on the phone
Pixel 2 Bootloader Unlock
Pixel 2 bootloader unlock guide. A step-by step guide that explains how to unlock bootloader of Pixel 2.
[su_note note_color=”#FBF4DD” text_color=”#A38C68″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]The bootloader must be unlocked on the phone before you can flash the Android 11 custom ROM build![/su_note]Install custom recovery on Pixel 2
Custom recoveries are needed to flash any of these Android 11 ROM on Pixel 2. Below is a list of step-by step guides that explains how to install custom recovery such as TWRP or OrangeFox recovery on Pixel 2.
- TWRP for Pixel 2 – Follow this guide that explains how to Install TWRP
Install Android 11 on Pixel 2
- Download one of the available custom ROM of Android 11 for Pixel 2 and copy it into the phone or keep in the PC if you intend to install using ADB sideload.
- Enter into recovery mode and Wipe data, Cache, System and clean Dalvik cache.
– Make sure you don’t wipe or format Internal memory here. Otherwise you will lose all your phone data! [su_note note_color=”#D7E3F4″ text_color=”#728095″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wipe data using TWRP recovery[/su_note] [su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]This step will erase the current firmware and may erase all data from the phone. You may choose to keep a backup of important data and the relevant boot and system partition so that you can rollback if the new build doesn’t work properly.[/su_note] - Install Android 11 using TWRP recovery
(OR)
Use ADB Sideload to install the Android 11 ROM zip file.
[su_note note_color=”#D7E3F4″ text_color=”#728095″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]You can use any one of the above mentioned method to install the zip file on the phone.[/su_note] - Download and Install Android 11 GApps for this ROM.
[su_note note_color=”#D7E3F4″ text_color=”#728095″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]- This is a guide that explains how to install Android 11 GApps using custom recovery.
– Basically, The GApps package provides basic Google Play Services, Play Store application and other Google Applications.[/su_note] - Once done, reboot the Pixel 2 Android 11 update.
Post Installation Downloads for Android 11
Well, after installing the Android 11 zip file you are done with the Android 11 installation for your phone. But, there are few add-on packages that you can install to unleash the real capabilities of your phone.
Below are some of the extra little things which you can install on top of the Android 11 ROM on your Pixel 2.
Rooting on Android 11
Currently, Magisk is the only thing that is actively developed and supports Android 11 rooting.
You can either follow this Android 11 Rooting guide or the Magisk rooting guide to enable root.
Google Camera for Android 11
– GCam for Pixel 2
If the above link does not contain a useful GCam port then search here for a compatible Google Camera APK or visit this Android 11 GCam page to download a GCam port for your phone that may run on Pixel 2 Android 11.
Visit the Pixel 2 (walleye) page to get other Android 11 ROMs or other device specific topics.