Download and Install Lineage OS 18.1 for Pixel 2 / 2 XL
In this tutorial, we will show you how to download and install Lineage OS 18.1 onto your Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL devices. The Google-owned OS is open source in...
Abd Razaaq
Last updated on February 27, 2025
Abd Razaaq
Author
I'm a Tech Content Writer and Full-Time blogger. Since I love Android and Google's device, I started my career in writing for Android OS and their features. This led me to start "GetDroidTips". I have completed Master of Business Administration at Mangalore University, Karnataka.
In this tutorial, we will show you how to download and install Lineage OS 18.1 onto your Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL devices. The Google-owned OS is open source in nature. This allows the userbase to try out tons of customizations and modifications onto your devices. For the starters, they could install themes, icon packs, and launchers from the Play Store. But this is just the beginning. There are a plethora of other tweaks that you could try out on your device.
All that is required is an unlocked bootloader, and then you could easily set your feet in the custom development for your Pixel 2 / 2 XL. From installing a custom recovery like TWRP to gaining root access via Magisk, the possibilities are endless. Along the same lines, you could also try out a customized Android OS in the form of custom ROMs. And in this guide, we will be discussing just that. Today, we will show you the steps to install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Pixel 2 / 2 XL device.
Lineage OS 18.1 with Android 11 Features
Among all the custom ROMs available for our device, Lineage has been among the oldest player. In its early days, it was known as CyanogenMod and now this ‘lineage’ seems to have been rightly carried forward. Based on the Android Open Source Project, you will be able to welcome a few handy customization options to your device. The ROM isn’t known to offer a plethora of features, rather it maintains an equilibrium with the stability front.
As far as the latest LineageOS 18.1 is concerned, it is based on the latest Android 11 that has just been released. This in turn translates to the user getting blessed with some noteworthy features. These include a separate Conversation section, OneTime Permissions, and the new Notification History. Likewise, there has been the introduction of Chat Bubbles and a native Screen Recorder. The Media Player has now also been moved to the Quick Settings with some handy Media Controls options.
Refer to our detailed instructions on how to install lineageOS 18.1 onto Pixel 2 / 2 XL.
Warning
Before we begin with this procedure, I would strongly recommend you to create a backup of your device storage and all your files stored on your device. Moreover, it is advised to follow the steps mentioned in this post very carefully to avoid permanent damage or to brick your device. If anything goes wrong the author or GetDroidTips is not responsible for it.
How to Install LineageOS 18.1 on Pixel 2 / 2 XL
Before we list the instructions, there are a few points worth discussing. We would like to state that the ROM is an unofficial build and in the beta stage. So you could face a few stability issues as well as bugs. On that note, here are all the working features and the bugs present in this ROM:
Screenshots
So if you are ready to install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Pixel 2 / 2 XL device, then here is all the required information. Let’s start with the requirements set.
Prerequisites
First and foremost, create a complete device backup. This is because we will be wiping the data partition which will format your device.
Also, enable USB Debugging on your device so that it gets recognized by your PC in the ADB Mode. For that, head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
Next, up, download and install the Android SDK Platform Tool on your PC. This will provide you with the necessary binary files.
Finally, download the LineageOS 18.1 for Pixel 2 / 2 XL:
Latest Lineage OS 18.1.0 (taimen)
Latest Lineage OS 18.1.0 with gapps (taimen)
Latest Lineage OS 18.1.0 (walleye)
Latest Lineage OS 18.1.0 with gapps (walleye)
Credits for the ROM goes to XDA Recognized Developer Eamo5.
For More Development and Latest Download: Check XDA Forum
If you want Google Apps as well, then download the Android 11 GApps file
That’s it. You may now proceed with the installation steps.
Instructions to Install LineageOS 18.1 on Pixel 2 / 2 XL
Transfer the downloaded ROM and the GApps file to the Internal Storage of your device.
Now connect it to the PC via USB Cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
Head over to the platform-tools folder on your PC, type in CMD in the address, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt window.
Execute the below command in the CMD window to boot your device to TWRP Recovery
adb reboot recovery
TWRP Home
Now that your device is booted to TWRP, head over to the Wipe section and tap on Advanced Wipe.
Then, select the System, Vendor, Data, and the Cache partition and perform a right swipe to format the selected partitions.
After this, go to the Install section of TWRP. Navigate to the downloaded LineageOS 18.1 ZIP file, select it and perform a right swipe to install it.
The process might take a few minutes. When the flashing is complete, go back to the Install section and this time select the GApps package. Perform a right swipe to install this file as well.
Likewise, you should also wipe the cache partition. You could either use the Wipe Cache button that would be available after flashing GApps. If not, then head over to Wipe, select the Cache partition and perform a right swipe to wipe it.
You may now reboot your device to the newly installed OS. For that, head over to Reboot and select System.
With this, we conclude the guide on how to install LineageOS 18.1 onto your Pixel 2 / 2 XL device. Do let us know your views about this ROM in the comments section below. Furthermore, you could also drop in your queries in the comments. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that deserve your attention as well.
