The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the latest additions to the Google Pixel family. In addition to design refinements, the newer Pixel phones have the best software experience—a major improvement from the Pixel 6, one of the buggiest phones Google has ever produced. The Pixel 7 family is equipped with the second generation of Google’s Tensor chipset, another good upgrade.
Although the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro ship with the latest Android 13 OS and a truckload of useful features, if you’re an Android enthusiast like me, you’d want to get the most out of your phone by unlocking the bootloader. Check out the next section to learn more about unlocking the bootloader’s benefits and risks.
What Are the Pros and Cons of an Unlocked Bootloader?
Unlocking the bootloader unlocks the most advanced ways of customizing your Android phone. Installing a custom ROM can change your phone’s layout and get new features. One step further, you can root your phone via Magisk and flash Magisk modules and Xposed frameworks to add new functionalities to your phone. Some modules can increase the CPU clock speed. Sound super exciting? Can’t wait to enjoy these benefits? Hold on! there are some risks associated with unlocking the bootloader, which you should know.
Unlocking the bootloader can wipe all the data from your phone. Hence, back up your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. One of the major risks involved with bootloader unlocking is that this process can void your device’s warranty. If you want to play a safe bet here, unlock the bootloader once the warranty period ends. After unlocking the bootloader, some banking apps may not work if you root your phone. Though, there exist ways to fix it. If you are okay with these warnings, check out the next steps to know the required steps to unlock the bootloader on your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro.
Here’s How to Unlock the Bootloader on Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
If you follow this step-by-step guide, unlocking the bootloader on your Google Pixel should not be difficult. Make sure not to skip any steps. We’ll be using a Windows PC in this process.
Disclaimer:
The process of unlocking the bootloader may void your Google Pixel warranty. We at GetDroidTips won’t be responsible for any damage/error to your handset while/after following the guide. Make sure to take a full backup, as we mentioned in the requirements for safety.
Step 1: Back Up Your Google Pixel
Take a complete backup of your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro and save it to your PC or cloud storage. Don’t know what to back up or how to back up your Android phone? Please read our detailed guide on how to take a full backup of any Android device.
Step 2: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking On Your Pixel
To unlock the bootloader on your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro, you must turn on the USB Debugging and OEM unlocking options. The USB Debugging option helps create a successful ADB connection between your phone and PC. Both options are inside the Developer options menu, which is hidden by default on all Google Pixel phones. Here’s how to enable Developer options:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Click About phone.
- Tap 7 times on the build number. It will unhide the Developer options menu.
- Go back to the Settings page.
- Tap on System and click Developer options.
On the Developer options page, find USB debugging and OEM unlocking. Enable the two options to proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Install Android SDK on Your PC
You’ll need to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer to make an ADB connection between the two devices. This is critical to running ADB and Fastboot commands. Go ahead and download the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
Step 4: Boot Your Google Pixel to Fastboot Mode
To boot your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro to the Fastboot mode, follow the steps:
1. Connect your phone to the PC through a USB cable. If a dialogue box opens on your phone to verify the ADB connection, verify it.
2. Go to the platform tools folder on your PC, type CMD in the address bar, and hit the Enter button to launch the Command Prompt.
3. Run the following command to check if the ADB connection is successful.
fastboot devices
If the command returns a random string of numbers and letters, the ADB is connection is successful. The random string is nothing but your device ID.
4. Type in the following command on the Command Prompt and hit Enter to boot the phone into the Fastboot mode.
adb reboot bootloader
Your Google Pixel should have booted to the Fastboot mode.
Step 5: Unlock the Bootloader
This is the final step you need to perform to unlock the bootloader on your Google Pixel.
1. Run the following command to unlock the bootloader:
fastboot flashing unlock
2. Your device will display a warning message. Use the volume keys to navigate to the Unlock the bootloader option, and press the power button to select it.
3. Your device will return to the Fastboot screen. Check the Device status; it should be unlocked.
4. If the device does not reboot to the system automatically, press the power button or run the following command:
fastboot reboot
You now have an unlocked bootloader on your Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. What next? Read our article on installing a custom ROM—facing errors or problems while unlocking the phone? Please let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Hi,
Do you know if you can unlock the bootloader on Verizon’s version of the pixel 7? I’ve heard that Verizon can be hard to unlock. Thanks