Rooting is the process of gaining full control over your Android device by modifying the system software. Rooting can unlock many features and possibilities that are otherwise restricted by the manufacturer or the carrier. However, rooting also comes with some risks and challenges that you should be aware of before attempting it. In this guide, we will show you how to root your Pixel 4a 5G, a mid-range smartphone from Google that runs on Android 11.
Rooting Pixel 4a 5G: A Step-by-Step Guide to Android Device Rooting
| Method | Tool | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Magisk | Magisk Manager, TWRP, Factory Image | Unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, flash Magisk |
| SuperSU | SuperSU, TWRP | Unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, flash SuperSU |
| KingRoot | KingRoot | Download KingRoot, install KingRoot, run KingRoot |
| CF-Auto-Root | CF-Auto-Root, Fastboot | Download CF-Auto-Root, unlock bootloader, flash CF-Auto-Root |
| One Click Root | One Click Root | Download One Click Root, install One Click Root, run One Click Root |
| Kingo Root | Kingo Root | Download Kingo Root, install Kingo Root, run Kingo Root |
| iRoot | iRoot | Download iRoot, install iRoot, run iRoot |
| Framaroot | Framaroot | Download Framaroot, install Framaroot, run Framaroot |
| Towelroot | Towelroot | Download Towelroot, install Towelroot, run Towelroot |
| Baidu Root | Baidu Root | Download Baidu Root, install Baidu Root, run Baidu Root |
Benefits and Risks of Rooting
Some of the benefits of rooting your Pixel 4a 5G or any Android device are:
- Customization: You can change the look and feel of your device by installing custom ROMs, themes, icons, fonts, etc. You can also tweak the settings and performance of your device by using various apps and mods that require root access.
- Functionality: You can add or remove features and apps that are not available on the stock firmware. For example, you can install ad blockers, backup apps, firewall apps, VPN apps, etc. You can also enable features like call recording, screen recording, etc.
- Security: You can improve the security and privacy of your device by removing bloatware, spyware, or malware that may come pre-installed on your device. You can also install security patches or updates that are not provided by the manufacturer or the carrier.
Some of the risks of rooting your Pixel 4a 5G or any Android device are:
- Warranty: Rooting may void your warranty or make it harder to claim it. Some manufacturers or carriers may not honor your warranty if they detect that your device has been rooted or modified.
- Stability: Rooting may cause instability or compatibility issues on your device. Some apps or features may not work properly or crash after rooting. You may also encounter bugs or glitches that affect the performance or functionality of your device.
- Bricking: Rooting may brick your device if you do something wrong or follow a wrong guide. Bricking means that your device becomes unusable or unresponsive. You may need to flash a stock firmware or use a special tool to unbrick your device.
Precautions Before Rooting
Before you attempt to root your Pixel 4a 5G, you should take some precautions to avoid any problems or data loss. Here are some things you should do:
- Backup: Backup all your important data such as contacts, messages, photos, videos, etc. You can use Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Contacts, or any other cloud service to backup your data online. You can also use a local backup app like Titanium Backup to backup your data on your device or an external storage.
- Charge: Charge your device to at least 50% battery level before rooting. This will prevent your device from shutting down during the rooting process which may cause bricking or corruption.
- Unlock: Unlock the bootloader of your device before rooting. The bootloader is a program that loads the operating system on your device. Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom ROMs or recovery images on your device. However, unlocking the bootloader will also wipe all your data on your device so make sure you have a backup before doing this.
Step-by-Step Guide to Root Pixel 4a 5G
To root your Pixel 4a 5G, you will need a few tools and files:
- A Windows PC with ADB and Fastboot installed
- A USB cable to connect your device to your PC
- The latest Magisk Manager app installed on your device
- The latest factory image for your Pixel 4a 5G downloaded from Google
- The latest TWRP recovery image for your Pixel 4a 5G downloaded from XDA
Once you have these tools and files ready, follow these steps to root your Pixel 4a 5G:
Step 1: Unlock the Bootloader
- Go to Settings > About phone > tap on Build number seven times until Developer options is enabled
- Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer options > enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging
- Power off your device and boot into Fastboot mode by holding Power + Volume Down buttons together until you see a screen with an Android logo
- Connect your device to your PC via USB cable and open a command prompt window on your PC
- Type fastboot flashing unlock and press Enter
- Follow the instructions on your device screen to confirm unlocking the bootloader
- Your device will reboot and erase all your data
Step 2: Flash TWRP Recovery
- Extract the factory image file that you downloaded for your Pixel 4a 5G and find the boot.img file inside it
- Copy the boot.img file to your device internal storage
- Launch the Magisk Manager app on your device and tap on Install > Select and Patch a File
- Select the boot.img file that you copied and let Magisk Manager patch it
- Copy the patched boot.img file from your device internal storage to your PC
- Rename the patched boot.img file to twrp.img for convenience
- Power off your device and boot into Fastboot mode again by holding Power + Volume Down buttons together
- Connect your device to your PC via USB cable and open a command prompt window on your PC
- Type fastboot flash boot twrp.img and press Enter
- Type fastboot reboot and press Enter
Step 3: Root with Magisk
- After rebooting, power off your device and boot into TWRP recovery mode by holding Power + Volume Up buttons together until you see the TWRP logo
- Swipe to allow modifications on TWRP
- Tap on Install and navigate to the Magisk Manager app that you installed on your device
- Select the Magisk Manager app and swipe to confirm flashing it
- Tap on Reboot System
Congratulations! You have successfully rooted your Pixel 4a 5G with Magisk. You can now enjoy all the benefits and features of rooting on your device.
Alternative Methods or Tools to Root Pixel 4a 5G
If the above method does not work for you or you prefer a different way of rooting, you can try some alternative methods or tools to root your Pixel 4a 5G. Here are some of them:
- SuperSU: SuperSU is a popular root management app that allows you to grant or deny root access to other apps. You can flash SuperSU via TWRP recovery after unlocking the bootloader of your device. However, SuperSU is not updated frequently and may not support the latest Android versions or devices.
- KingRoot: KingRoot is a one-click root app that claims to root most Android devices without a PC. You can download KingRoot from its official website and install it on your device. Then, launch the app and follow the instructions to root your device. However, KingRoot may not work on some devices or Android versions and may install unwanted apps or ads on your device.
- CF-Auto-Root: CF-Auto-Root is a tool that allows you to root your device by flashing a modified boot image via Fastboot. You can download CF-Auto-Root from its official website and follow the instructions to root your device. However, CF-Auto-Root may not support all devices or Android versions and may trigger SafetyNet or OTA updates issues.
Summary Table
| Method | Tool | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Magisk | Magisk Manager, TWRP, Factory Image | Unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, flash Magisk |
| SuperSU | SuperSU, TWRP | Unlock bootloader, flash TWRP, flash SuperSU |
| KingRoot | KingRoot | Download KingRoot, install KingRoot, run KingRoot |
| CF-Auto-Root | CF-Auto-Root, Fastboot | Download CF-Auto-Root, unlock bootloader, flash CF-Auto-Root |