I realized something around Day 3 while working on our comprehensive Pixel 4a root guide for beginners: not everyone wants to be walked through every tiny step. If you're just looking for a quick refresher, some helpful links, or a fastboot command to copy, then this streamlined Pixel 4a root guide is for you.

1. Confirm you're using a non-Verizon Pixel 4a.
2. Back up any essential data.
3. Enable Developer options.
4. Turn on "OEM unlocking" within Developer options.
5. Reboot into Fastboot Mode by holding down the volume button.
6. Connect your phone to a computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) using a USB-A to USB-C cable.
7. Open a Terminal or Command Prompt window.
8. Download Google's standalone platform-tools (Windows | Mac | Linux).
9. Extract the platform-tools folder and place it on your desktop.
10. In the command prompt, type "cd", add a space, but don't press enter yet.
11. Drag and drop the platform-tools folder into the command window.
12. Once the path appears, hit enter to switch directories.
13. Enter fastboot flashing unlock and press enter. If an error occurs, use ./fastboot flashing unlock instead.
14. On your device, navigate to "Unlock the bootloader" using the volume down key, then confirm with the power button.
15. Wait up to 5 minutes for the phone to reboot.
16. Go through the initial Android setup again.

Patch Your Stock Boot Image with Magisk Manager

17. On your phone, open a browser and go to Google's factory images page.
18. Download the image matching your current build number.
19. Using Google Files or another file manager app, extract the image-sunfish ZIP from the main factory images ZIP. Need help? Click here.
20. Extract the boot.img file from the image-sunfish ZIP. More assistance available here.
21. Sideload the latest Canary version of Magisk Manager.
22. Launch Magisk Manager, tap "Install" in the top-right corner of the Magisk card. Disable "Preserve force encryption" (currently required for Android 11), then tap "Next" and choose "Select and Patch a File." Pick the stock boot.img file.
23. Transfer the resulting magisk_patched.img file from your phone's Download folder to your computer's desktop.

Flash the Modified Boot Image

24. Ensure you're operating from the platform-tools folder in your command window again.
25. Type fastboot flash boot (or ./fastboot flash boot, if you encountered an error at step #13), add a single space, but don't press enter yet.
26. Drag and drop the magisk_patched.img file from your desktop into the command prompt.
27. Once the file path is complete, press enter to flash the modified boot image and gain root access.
28. Type fastboot reboot (or ./fastboot reboot) and press enter to return to Android.
29. Verify that root is active using an app like Root Checker.

Alternative Option:

Our Full Step-by-Step Pixel 4a Root Guide

Cover image and GIFs by Dallas Thomas/Gadget Hacks

The above is the detailed content of Our No-BS Pixel 4a Root Guide for Android 11 — Straight to the Point for Experienced Users . For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!