Flash Google Pixel with Factory Images
Google Pixels are the developer's dream phone. Unlocking is painless, factory images are freely available, and Google even provides a web-based flashing tool now.
Whether you're installing a fresh factory image, recovering from a botch, or preparing for custom ROM installation, this guide has you covered.
Why Flash Factory Images?
Reasons to flash factory images:
- Clean slate for custom ROM installation
- Recover from bootloop or soft brick
- Update to specific Android version
- Downgrade to older version
- Test beta releases
- Factory reset without network requirement
Option 1: Android Flash Tool (Easiest)
Google now offers a web-based flashing tool. It's remarkably simple.
Requirements
- Chrome browser (or any Chromium-based browser)
- USB cable
- Pixel phone
Steps
-
Go to: flash.android.com
-
Connect Phone:
Boot to bootloader: - Power off - Hold Power + Volume Down -
Allow USB Connection:
- Browser will request USB access
- Allow it
-
Select Build:
- Choose your Pixel model
- Select desired Android version/build
-
Configure Options:
- Wipe device: Usually yes for clean install
- Lock bootloader: Usually no if you want custom ROMs
-
Flash:
- Click Start
- Wait (5-15 minutes depending on connection)
- Phone reboots when complete
That's it. No drivers, no complex tools.
Option 2: Manual Flash (Traditional)
For more control or if web tool doesn't work.
Step 1: Download Factory Image
Official source: Google Developer Factory Images
Find your device:
- Pixel 9 Pro XL: komodo
- Pixel 9 Pro: caiman
- Pixel 9: tokay
- Pixel 8 Pro: husky
- Pixel 8: shiba
- Pixel 7 Pro: cheetah
- Pixel 7: panther
- Pixel 6 Pro: raven
- Pixel 6: oriole
Step 2: Download OTA Images (Alternative)
If you just want to update without wiping: OTA Images
Step 3: Setup ADB and Fastboot
Windows:
# Download Platform Tools
# Extract to C:\platform-tools
# Add to PATH (or work from that directory)
Mac:
brew install android-platform-tools
Linux:
sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
Step 4: Unlock Bootloader
If not already unlocked:
# Enable OEM unlocking first
# Settings → Developer Options → OEM Unlocking
# Reboot to bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
# Unlock
fastboot flashing unlock
# Confirm on device using volume buttons
Warning: This wipes all data.
Step 5: Extract Factory Image
Unzip the downloaded file. You'll find:
flash-all.bat(Windows)flash-all.sh(Mac/Linux)image-[codename]-xxx.zip(actual images)bootloader-[codename]-xxx.imgradio-[codename]-xxx.img
Step 6: Flash Everything
The Easy Way (full wipe):
Windows:
cd extracted_folder
flash-all.bat
Mac/Linux:
cd extracted_folder
chmod +x flash-all.sh
./flash-all.sh
Wait 5-10 minutes. Phone reboots when complete.
The Manual Way (more control):
# Boot to bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
# Flash bootloader
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-XXX.img
# Reboot bootloader
fastboot reboot-bootloader
# Flash radio
fastboot flash radio radio-XXX.img
# Reboot bootloader again
fastboot reboot-bootloader
# Flash all images (unzip image-XXX.zip first)
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash vendor vendor.img
fastboot flash product product.img
# Optional: Wipe user data
fastboot -w
# Reboot
fastboot reboot
Option 3: OTA Sideload (Update Without Wiping)
Keep your data while updating:
Get OTA Image
Download from Google OTA Images
Boot to Recovery
adb reboot recovery
# OR
# Power off → Hold Power + Volume Down → Select Recovery
Sideload OTA
1. In recovery, navigate to "Apply update from ADB"
2. On computer:
adb sideload ota-file.zip
3. Wait for completion
4. Select "Reboot system now"
Specific Pixel Scenarios
Preparing for Custom ROM
Perfect factory state for custom ROM installation:
# Unlock bootloader (if not already)
fastboot flashing unlock
# Flash stock for clean slate
./flash-all.sh
# After reboot, unlock again if needed
# Then flash custom recovery and ROM
Recovering from Custom ROM
Going back to stock:
# Boot to fastboot
adb reboot bootloader
# Or: Power + Volume Down
# Flash factory image
./flash-all.sh
# Optional: Relock bootloader
fastboot flashing lock
Downgrading Android Version
Yes, you can downgrade on Pixel:
# Download older factory image
# Extract and flash
./flash-all.sh
Note: Major downgrades may require unlocked bootloader.
Beta Testing
Enroll in Android Beta:
- Go to google.com/android/beta
- Enroll your device
- Receive OTA update
Or manually flash beta factory images from Google's site.
Troubleshooting
"No Device" in Fastboot
# Check connection
fastboot devices
# If nothing appears:
# - Try different USB cable
# - Try USB 2.0 port
# - Reinstall drivers (Windows)
# - Try as root: sudo fastboot devices (Linux)
Flash Fails with Error
Common errors:
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| FAILED (remote) | Unlock bootloader first |
| Sparse file full | Not enough storage, try fastboot -w |
| Device locked | Enable OEM unlock in Developer Options |
| Invalid sparse file | Re-download factory image |
Stuck in Bootloop After Flash
# Try flashing again
./flash-all.sh
# If still fails, try older version
# Then update normally
Device Not Booting After Relock
This is serious. If you relocked with unsigned images:
- Boot to fastboot mode
- Unlock again:
fastboot flashing unlock - Flash stock images
- Then relock if desired
Pixel-Specific Tips
Tensor Chips (Pixel 6+)
Newer Pixels with Tensor chips:
- Have additional partitions
- Use updated fastboot commands
- Flash scripts handle this automatically
A/B Partitions
All Pixels use A/B partitions:
- Updates install to inactive slot
- More reliable updates
- Recovery is part of boot image (no separate recovery partition)
Anti-Rollback
Pixels have anti-rollback protection:
- Can't downgrade past certain security patch
- Attempting may fail to boot
- Factory images generally work though
Automation Scripts
Windows Batch Script
Create quick-flash.bat:
@echo off
adb reboot bootloader
timeout /t 10
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader*.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
timeout /t 5
fastboot flash radio radio*.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
timeout /t 5
fastboot -w update image*.zip
pause
Linux/Mac Script
Create quick-flash.sh:
#!/bin/bash
adb reboot bootloader
sleep 10
fastboot flash bootloader bootloader*.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
sleep 5
fastboot flash radio radio*.img
fastboot reboot-bootloader
sleep 5
fastboot -w update image*.zip
What About GrapheneOS?
Pixel users interested in privacy should check out GrapheneOS:
- Maximum security and privacy
- Easy installation: grapheneos.org/install
- Web installer similar to Android Flash Tool
- Pixel-only (requires hardware security features)
FAQ
Q: Will this void my warranty?
A: Flashing factory images shouldn't, but unlocking bootloader might. Relocking returns to stock state.
Q: Can I use this to install custom ROM?
A: Yes! Flash factory image first, then flash custom recovery and ROM.
Q: How long does flashing take?
A: Full flash: 5-10 minutes. OTA sideload: 10-15 minutes.
Q: Do I need to unlock bootloader for factory images?
A: For downgrades or major changes, yes. For same-version reinstall, sometimes not.
Q: Is Android Flash Tool safe?
A: Yes, it's Google's official tool running Google-signed images.
Summary
Need quick setup?
→ Use flash.android.com
Want more control?
→ Manual flash with flash-all script
Just updating?
→ OTA sideload
Going to custom ROM?
→ Factory image → Custom recovery → ROM
Pixels make flashing a pleasure compared to other brands. Google clearly designs them with developers and enthusiasts in mind. Enjoy!
Keywords: flash pixel factory image, google pixel recovery, pixel bootloader unlock, android flash tool pixel, flash stock pixel