Pixels don't come with a "Download Mode" like Samsung Galaxy devices, so there's no straightforward way to send firmware files or low-level commands from your computer. However, they do offer something even more powerful: Fastboot Mode.

Also referred to as Bootloader Mode, this feature allows you to interact with your device before it starts up Android. This is crucial because once the operating system loads, all of its security measures are active, making it extremely difficult to modify the system in ways that allow for root access or custom ROM installation.

Many users find Fastboot’s command line interface daunting. Getting Windows Command Prompt to work with Google's "platform-tools" can be a challenge initially. But once you learn a few tricks, it becomes much easier.

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Boot Your Phone into Fastboot Mode

Before issuing any Fastboot commands, your Pixel needs to be in Fastboot Mode. While some try using ADB with the adb reboot-bootloader command, it's actually not necessary at all.

Start by restarting your phone. Long-press the power button and either select "Restart" from the menu or go through the "Power" option to tap "Restart." As the phone reboots, press and hold the volume down button continuously until you reach the main screen of "Fastboot Mode," shown below.

Connect to Your Computer

This step is simple — just connect your Pixel to your PC using a USB data cable. Make sure the phone stays on the primary "Fastboot Mode" screen during the connection.

Download Google's Platform-Tools

Now, on your computer, download Google's platform-tools. This compact software package, often called ADB and Fastboot, enables deep communication between your computer and your phone.

• Download Google's Platform Tools: Windows | Mac | Linux

Extract the ZIP

Once downloaded, extract the contents of the platform-tools ZIP file. Most systems let you right-click the archive and choose an option like "Extract here" from the context menu. After extraction, place the platform-tools folder somewhere convenient (like your desktop) for easy access.

Open a Command Prompt in the Right Directory

Next, you'll need to open a terminal window that operates from within the platform-tools directory. This is where most people hit a wall, but there's a quick trick to make it simple.

Windows users should press the Windows key to bring up the Start menu, type "cmd," then press Enter to launch Command Prompt. Mac and Linux users can simply open the "Terminal" app.

Type cd followed by a space. Don’t press enter yet. Go to your desktop or file browser, locate the platform-tools folder, and drag it directly into the command window. The full path will automatically appear after the "cd " text. Once it's there, press Enter.

Send Fastboot Commands

You're now ready to start sending Fastboot commands. To verify the connection, run:

<code>fastboot devices</code>

If the result shows a string of letters and numbers followed by "fastboot," everything is working correctly. If you receive a "Command not found" error, try this alternative:

<code>./fastboot devices</code>

See the difference? You’ll need to add "./" before each command if that was required here. So future commands will look like ./fastboot flashing unlock or ./fastboot reboot-bootloader.

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Cover image, screenshots, and GIFs by Dallas Thomas/Gadget Hacks

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