How to Root Pixel C

Rooting Nexus line of devices has always been simple, and even though Pixel C tablet carries a different name, it’s still very much a Nexus device. But you can’t mistake Pixel C as a device easier to root.

There’s reason Google named the Pixel C Android tablet differently (not a Nexus). The tablet is destined to be merged into Chromebook experience either today or in the next generation of it. So there a ton of Chrome OS leftovers on the Pixel C tablet code that doesn’t allow you to root it easy with Chainfire’s systemless root.

Thankfully, we’ve folks like cheep5k8 over at xda forums, who developed an unofficial TWRP recovery and a modified stock kernel for the Pixel C tablet so that we can root and have fun with the tablet.

Rooting Pixel C involves a series of processes, but nothing too harmful to run away from. We’ll guide you through the entire process in the step-by-step guide below, you be sure to follow each step to the word.

Downloads

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Pixel C modified stock kernel

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download su.img

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Superuser.apk

How to Root Pixel C

1. Unlock bootloader on your Pixel C.
2. Install TWRP Recovery on your Pixel C.
3. Setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
4. Download the modified stock kernel, su.img and Superuser.apk file to a separate folder on your PC.
5. Open a command window on your PC inside the folder where you saved the downloaded files in the step above. To do this, “Shift + Right click” on an empty white space inside the folder and select “Open command window here” from the context menu.
6. Enable USB debugging on your Pixel C:
   1. Go to Settings » About tablet » and tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer options.
   2. Go back to Settings » select Developer options » enable USB debugging.
7. Once you’ve USB debugging enabled, connect your Pixel C to the computer with a USB cable.
   └ If a prompt appears on your Pixel C, asking for your permission to allow USB debugging, select “Ok”.
8. Boot your Pixel C into bootloader mode. TWRP recovery with following command:

   adb reboot recovery

9. Once in TWRP recovery, select “Wipe” and then “Format data”. You’ll be asked to type Yes, do it.
   └ This will wipe your tablet. Wait for the process to finish.
10. Once format is complete, boot into bootloader mode by issuing the following command:

    adb reboot bootloader

11. Once in bootloader mode, fastboot flash the modified stock kernel using the following command:

    fastboot flash boot dragon-boot-encryptable-rooted-01092016-1.img

12. Now issue the following command to boot into system:

    fastboot reboot

    └ Your Pixel C might reboot twice, it’s okay.

13. Once your tablet has booted, set it up and enable USB debugging once again (refer Step 6 above).
14. Now boot into TWRP recovery once again using the command below:

    adb reboot bootloader

15. In TWRP recovery, select “Mount” and tick only “Data”.
16. Now push the su.img to /data partition using the command below:

    adb push su.img /data

17. On TWRP, go back to Mount options and untick “Data”.
18. Reboot your tablet. Select Reboot » System from TWRP recovery.
19. Once rebooted, issue the following command to install Superuser.apk:

    adb install Superuser.apk

    └ This will install SuperSU on your Pixel C and you’ll finally have root access.

That’s all. Your Pixel C should be rooted now. To verify, download/install root checker app from the Play Store.

Happy Androiding!

via xda