If you’ve made any modifications to the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL then you can follow this guide to revert back to stock so you can accept OTA updates again.
I recently showed you how to install TWRP on the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL so you that you can flash various mods onto the device. However, things like TWRP and other non-systemless mods will prevent you from accepting an OTA update from Google.
This is typically a big deal for Pixel owners as the company pushes out a new security update every month and a lot of people buy smartphones and tablets from Google for their update policy.
Depending on what system mod you have installed, you may be able to just uninstall it through conventional means. This isn’t alway the case though as some mods will leave files and changes behind even if you proceed to uninstall them. So if for whatever reason you feel the need to revert back to stock Android on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL then you can follow this guide down below. You should be aware though that this will wipe all of the data you have stored on your device.
Pixel 2 Returning to Stock Android
- Download the factory images for your device (Pixel 2 – Pixel 2 XL)
- Extract these individual files into the same folder as your ADB and Fastboot tools
- Boot the Pixel 2 into Fastboot Mode
- Connect the Pixel 2 to the PC with a USB cable
- Launch a Command Prompt in the same directory as your ADB and Fastboot tools
- Type the following into the Command Prompt. . .
- flash-all.bat
- . . .and then press Enter on the keyboard
- Wait for the script to complete and return the device to stock Android
- Unplug the USB cable from the Pixel 2 after it reboots on its own
- Activate Android like you normally would when it finishes the boot process
Explanation
If you have ever returned any Pixel or Nexus smartphone or tablet back to stock Android with Google’s factory images then you’ll feel right at home here. This does require that you have your bootloader unlocked but this is something you would have already done if you have installed a system modification on the device. You can choose to lock the Pixel 2 bootloader after you return to stock Android though which is likely a good idea if you’re selling it or simply want to use Android Pay again.
So to start, you’ll first need to download the factory images from Google for your Pixel 2 smartphone. Google has implemented ways to prevent people from downgrading though so you’ll want to download the same version of Android that you’re currently on. With that file downloaded, go ahead and extract its contents on your PC. This ZIP file contains a folder and inside that folder are a number of files. It’s these individual files that you will want to move/copy to the same folder your ADB and Fastboot tools are in.
With that done, we can boot the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL into Fastboot Mode and then connect it to the PC with a USB cable. We’ll then want to launch a Command Prompt within the same directory as our ADB and Fastboot tools. From here, go ahead and execute the flash-all.bat command and then we just need to be patient. You can follow along with the embedded video above if you would like, but this process will take a few minutes to complete.
Once all of the partitions have been returned back to stock Android then the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL will automatically reboot. Once you can see the phone starting to boot back up, you can then unplug the USB cable as it is no longer needed. The first boot cycle will take longer than normal but it isn’t something that will take a ton of time. You’ll be taken directly to the typical Android activation screen so you can connect your account back to it.
Once all of that is setup, you should then be able to accept OTA updates directly from Google on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
