Download and Install TWRP Recovery on Google Pixel Phones

In this guide, we will show you how to install TWRP recovery on Google Pixel phones and Nexus Phones. Are you looking to flash a custom ROM on your Pixel phone or are trying to root it, then Team Win’s Custom recovery is just the custom recovery you need. It provides various features and functionalities that every developer and Android enthusiast looks for. Along with installing third party zip files and software on your phone, it is also used for full TWRP backups that makes it the ideal custom recovery for every enthusiast. If you own a pixel phone, then this guide will show you how to install TWRP recovery on Google Pixel.

In order to install TWRP recovery on Google Pixel / Nexus devices, you need to make use of ADB and Fastboot tools which eventually means that you will be needing a computer for this process. Once you have installed TWRP recovery on Google Pixel phones, you can do many things such as rooting your phone, flashing custom ROMs, installing third party files and flashing other system Mod packages on your Google Pixel phone. You can also try other TWRP recovery features like TWRP backup. In this guide, we have included the steps for download and installation of TWRP recovery on compatible Google Pixel / Nexus phones.

Why Install TWRP Recovery on Google Pixel Phones for Root?

Google Pixel devices or Nexus phones have always been known as phones made for developers or for Android enthusiasts. Google makes sure to provide it’s users with the best hardware and software through these phones. Furthermore, as Google are the creators of Android itself, so all of the latest software updates and newest security updates are provided first to Google Pixel and Nexus devices.

Even though the experience of the official firmware from the manufacturer is important, Android enthusiasts always look forward towards improving their experience further by trying to root the phone and modifying the phone’s software as they like. In these cases, a custom recovery, like TWRP recovery comes into use. With a custom recovery like TWRP recovery, you get the power to further modify your phone’s system by installing third party files, installing custom ROMs etc. In addition to that, you also get other additional bespoke features with TWRP such as advance data partition formatting and system backup.

Download TWRP for Google Pixel Phones

Below listed, are the TWRP packages for various Google Pixel devices. Download them from the list given below and then install them using the guide further in the article:

Installation Zip Files:

For some of the devices, it is integral to flash installation zip files after you have flashed TWRP recovery. From the links provided below, download the installation zip file and place it in your phone’s internal storage.

How to Install TWRP Recovery on Google Pixel Phones

Once you have downloaded the TWRP image for your Google Pixel / Nexus phone, you can proceed to the installation part here. Below mentioned, is the complete tutorial on how to install TWRP recovery on Google Pixel phones. Before actually implementing the guide, you should read through it first. There are a few important things as well that you should also go through, before starting the process.

Things to Remember:

• You need to make sure that your phone has an unlocked bootloader
• You also need to make sure that your computer is configured with the appropriate USB drivers for Google Pixel phones.
• You also need to have Developer options enabled on your phone. You can do this by going to Settings>About Phone and then tapping on the Build Number of your phone several times.
• You also need to have USB Debugging enabled on your phone. You can do this by going to Settings>Developer Options. Over there, make sure that USB Debugging option is checked.
• You also need to take a backup of all your data as installing a custom recovery deletes all of the data.
• And as a precaution, make sure that your phone is charged up to at least 50% battery so that it does not turn off between the procedure or it might harm your device.

Step by Step Guide: 

STEP 1: First you need to download ADB / Fastboot – Android SDK Platform Tools separate package and install it on your computer.

STEP 2: Then you have to connect your Google phone to your computer using a USB cable.

STEP 3: After that, download the TWRP packages from the links provided to you above and then place it in the same directory as where you placed the extracted ADB / Fastboot package files.

STEP 4: Find your way to the same directory where you have Fastboot installed. On Windows, you can search for the directory by opening the command prompt ( Shift + Right-click > Open Command Prompt). On MacOS and Linux systems, use Terminal to navigate to this directory.

STEP 5: Key in the following command and then press Enter:

adb reboot bootloader

STEP 6: Now wait until your phone boots into bootloader mode. You can also boot your phone into Fastboot mode by pressing and holding Volume Up + Power key together.

STEP 7: Once your phone has completely booted into Bootloader mode, type in the following command and then press Enter to continue:

For Google Pixel devices:

fastboot boot FILE-NAME.img

For Nexus Devices:

fastboot flash recovery FILE-NAME.img

NOTE: Make sure to replace the FILE-NAME inside the command with the actual name of the TWRP image that you downloaded for your phone.

STEP 8: The above command will make your phone enter into TWRP mode. Now your phone is in TWRP mode. From here, you can install the Installer Zip file on your Google Pixel phone. In the case that you own a Nexus device, you just need to enter the given command:

fastboot reboot

Now your phone should have successfully been booted into TWRP mode. Now you can install all the third party apps that you like, install custom ROMs and even root your phone. We hope that you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or queries regarding this, feel free to reach in the comment section below.