Category News, Tips

[Update: NMF26O] How to Unlock Bootloader on Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL using dePixel8

Author Shivam Malani Published on
  Update 2 (Dec 5th, 2016): Verizon is rolling out an update to Pixel and Pixel XL with build NMF26O. It’s believed that this update will patch the dePixel8 bootloader unlock tool. Do NOT install the update if you haven’t unlocked the bootloader yet.
  Update (Nov 8th, 2016): DePixel8 still works on the November security update NDE63X for Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL.

Although a Google device, the Verizon variants of Pixel and Pixel XL ship with locked bootloaders and there’s no official way to unlock the bootloader on these devices, nor is it allowed.

However, thanks to developer beaups who found an exploit on the Verizon Pixel phones that can be used to unlock the booltoader. Initially, beaups and his team members said they may or may not release the unlock tool publicly but looks they just did.

The Verizon Pixel bootloader unlock tool is being called dePixel8 by the devs and has been released over at the team’s official website Sunshine. You can download dePixel8 unlock script from the link below and follow the instructions to unlock bootloader on your Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL.

NOTE: All data on your phone will be wiped/deleted when you unlock the bootloader. Make sure you backup important files on your device before proceeding.

How to Unlock Bootloader on Verizon Pixel using dePixel8

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download dePixel8 unlock script

  1. Setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
  2. Download and save the dePixel8 file to a separate folder on your PC from the link above.
  3. Enable Developer options and USB debugging on your phone.
  4. Connect your Pixel phone to the PC.
  5. Now open a command window inside the folder you saved dePixel8 file into in Step 2 above. To do that, “Shift + Right click” on any empty white space inside the folder and then select “Open command window here” from the context menu.
  6. Once command window is opened, issue the following commands one-by-one to unlock bootloader: 
    adb push dePixel8 /data/local/tmp
    adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/dePixel8
    adb shell /data/local/tmp/dePixel8
  7. Your phone will automatically boot into bootloader mode. If it doesn’t, wait for a while (play with your favorite apps). If it absolutely doesn’t, then reboot the phone and start over again from Step 5.
  8. Once phone is in bootloader mode, issue the following command to unlock the bootloader: 
    fastboot oem unlocking
  9. You’ll get a confirmation screen on your Verizon Pixel. Press Volume Up button to highlight Yes and press Power button to select it. This will begin bootloader unlocking process, which shouldn’t last more than couple of minutes.
  10. Once bootloader is unlocked, your device will reboot into bootloader mode. You need to boot into system now, either press Power button to reboot OR issue the following command: 
    fastboot reboot
  11. During reboot, your Pixel device will go through a factory reset and then finally boot into system.

TIP: If you get an error about unlocking not allowed on the device, then try again the whole process again. It should work.

Enjoy unlocked bootloader on your Verizon Pixel and Pixel XL. Cheers!

Posted by
Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: shivam@theandroidsoul.com

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28 Comments

  6. I had the same problem – I cannot select OEM Unlocking, which is greyed out. Any way around this?

  7. I had the same problem – I cannot select OEM Unlocking, which is greyed out. Any way around this?

  8. This is not working for me at all.

    I get the following
    [+] starting
    [+] getting there, about 20 more seconds please
    [-] it didn’t work out this time :< [-] after your device reboots, please try again I have repeated the process 10+ times. Purchased the Google Pixel 128 from a "NON-Retail" Verizon store It has not been activated, has not done any OTA updates has Build number: NDE63N Security patch level: Ocober 5, 2016 Android version: 7.1

  9. This is not working for me at all.

    I get the following
    [+] starting
    [+] getting there, about 20 more seconds please
    [-] it didn’t work out this time :<
    [-] after your device reboots, please try again

    I have repeated the process 10+ times.
    Purchased the Google Pixel 128 from a "NON-Retail" Verizon store
    It has not been activated, has not done any OTA updates
    has Build number: NDE63N
    Security patch level: Ocober 5, 2016
    Android version: 7.1

  14. I have installed the adb drivers and it recognized my device and installed drivers. I have enabled debugging. I use the commands for dpixel8. adb push dePixel8 /data/local/tmp
    adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/dePixel8
    adb shell /data/local/tmp/dePixel8

    It reboots the device but does not reboot into bootloader as it is suppose to. It just reboots into normal mode. Any suggestions. Please give me a step by step on how to unlock and root my phone. Thanks

  16. I have installed the adb drivers and it recognized my device and installed drivers. I have enabled debugging. I use the commands for dpixel8. adb push dePixel8 /data/local/tmp
    adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/dePixel8
    adb shell /data/local/tmp/dePixel8

    It reboots the device but does not reboot into bootloader as it is suppose to. It just reboots into normal mode. Any suggestions. Please give me a step by step on how to unlock and root my phone. Thanks

  17. I did that already. Someone told me the bootloader on 7.1.1 could not be exploited

  18. Not working. Build number: NDE63P, Android version: 7.1, and Security patch level: Oct 5, 2016.

  19. Not working. Build number: NDE63P, Android version: 7.1, and Security patch level: Oct 5, 2016.

  20. Update:

    It didn’t work while using my Windows 10 (x64) laptop; nonetheless, for some reasons, it worked after I switched to a Windows 7 (x64) laptop. So my suggestion is to try on different computer if you’re having difficulty. It’s really easy!!

  21. Update:

    It didn’t work while using my Windows 10 (x64) laptop; nonetheless, for some reasons, it worked after I switched to a Windows 7 (x64) laptop. So my suggestion is to try on different computer if you’re having difficulty. It’s really easy!!

  26. i was having the same error under windows 10. i downloaded dePixel8 from sunshine site and noticed the file size was just a hair larger. i ran it again in windows 10 and this time it worked perfect. just got the device today like an hour ago. was the black xl 128gb and had 7.1 from oct on it. i thought i was going to be screwed since its been out for awhile now. going to finish root then see if i can update without loosing the bootloader unlock

  27. i was having the same error under windows 10. i downloaded dePixel8 from sunshine site and noticed the file size was just a hair larger. i ran it again in windows 10 and this time it worked perfect. just got the device today like an hour ago. was the black xl 128gb and had 7.1 from oct on it. i thought i was going to be screwed since its been out for awhile now. going to finish root then see if i can update without loosing the bootloader unlock

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