Google Pixel XL was a flagship device that was released in 2016 with Android 7.1 Nougat. It was highly praised for its camera quality, battery life, and software updates. However, after four years of support, Google dropped the Pixel XL from its official update list, as it typically offers three years of guaranteed updates on its devices. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the benefits of the latest updates. With a custom ROM like LineageOS 18.1, you can upgrade your Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu and experience the new features and improvements that come with it.
Android 13 Tiramisu is the latest version of Android that was released in September 2021. It brings a range of new features and enhancements, including improved privacy settings, new emoji designs, and faster app launch times. Tiramisu also includes a new feature called Material You, which allows you to personalize your device’s design and color scheme based on your preferences. Additionally, Tiramisu strengthens security features by offering additional controls for app permissions, notifications, and privacy settings.
Although Google Pixel XL is no longer officially supported for software updates, installing a custom ROM like LineageOS 18.1 can extend the lifespan of your device. LineageOS 18.1 is a popular custom ROM that is based on Android 11. It offers the latest features and security updates, as well as a range of customizations that allow you to tailor your device’s functionality to your liking. To upgrade your Pixel XL to Tiramisu, you need to install LineageOS 18.1 first, then download and flash the Tiramisu ROM. The process can be complex for beginners, but it can be worth it if you want to breathe new life into your old device. Let’s take a closer look at how to update your Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu using LineageOS 18.1.
Upgrading your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu using LineageOS 18.1 ROM can offer you various benefits, including:
- Access to Latest Features: Android 13 Tiramisu brings plenty of new features, including faster app launch times, dynamic theming, UI improvements, enhanced privacy and security controls, and more. With access to the latest Android version, you will stay up to date and benefit from the latest software available.
- Better Performance: Pixel XL was released with a Snapdragon 821 processor and 4GB of RAM, which may not be as fast as modern mobile devices, but it is still quite capable of running the latest Android version with a custom ROM like LineageOS. Upgrading to Tiramisu can help extend the performance and lifespan of your device.
- Customization Options: While the Pixel phone line is known for its clean, stock Android experience, installing a custom ROM like LineageOS offers various customization options, such as the ability to tweak system settings, customize the device’s user interface, and more.
- Security Patches: While Google stopped issuing official security patches for Pixel XL devices in 2019, many custom ROMs, including LineageOS, keep updating their ROMs regularly with security patches to ensure your device is safe from malware and vulnerabilities.
If you’re interested in upgrading your device, you’ll need to follow a few steps to do so. There are several resources available online that can aid you in the process. For instance, you may find guides that offer a step-by-step approach on XDA Developers forums, which provide detailed instructions that are usually well-curated with input from developers and moderators that ensure you don’t brick your device. Additionally, there are numerous customized tools and applications available on the internet to help you in the process. However, you must keep in mind that the process of updating your Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu with a custom ROM comes with certain risks, and there are a few precautions you must take to minimize those risks.
Preparing for the Update
Before updating your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu with LineageOS 18.1, you should take a few precautionary steps to avoid any mishaps. Here are some preparatory steps to keep in mind:
- Backup your data: Before updating your device, it’s crucial to take a backup of your important data, including contacts, photos, documents, and other media files. You can use Google Drive, Google Photos, or third-party backup apps to back up your data.
- Unlock the bootloader: You need to unlock the bootloader to install a custom ROM like LineageOS 18.1. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe all the data on your device, and you’ll need to start fresh. You can use the official bootloader unlocking tool from Google to do this.
- Install a custom recovery: You also need to install a custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) that allows you to flash custom ROMs, kernels, and other modifications. You can download this tool from their official website.
- Charge your device: Ensure your device has a sufficient amount of charge to avoid interruptions during the upgrade.
Once you have followed the preparatory steps, you can proceed to the next stages of installation. Also, note that there may be certain technical requirements or certain limitations that come with installing custom ROMs on your device. For instance, the version LineageOS 18.1 for Pixel XL provided by third-party resources may have some hardware limitations or some non-functional requirements, such as camera or audio issues. So, it would be best to check relevant forums or online groups to compare the ROM version and compatibility for your specific device before beginning the installation process.
Below is a table summarizing the preparatory requirements for installing Android 13 Tiramisu on Pixel XL.
| Preparatory Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| Backup Data | Use Google Drive or third-party apps for backing up contacts, photos, documents, and other data. |
| Unlock the Bootloader. | Use the official bootloader unlocking tool from Google to unlock the bootloader. |
| Install Custom Recovery | Download TWRP recovery tool from their official website. |
| Charge Your Device | Ensure your device has at least 50% charge before proceeding with the installation process. |
What to do if stuck on preparing update?
If your iPhone is stuck on the Preparing Update screen while trying to update to iOS 16, there are a few things you can do to try and solve the issue. First, open your iPhone storage menu and ensure you have enough space available for the update. If that doesn’t work, try choosing the Repair iOS System mode and selecting the Advanced mode. Once the iOS repairing is completed, reset the network settings. If all else fails, you can try upgrading or downgrading to a different iOS version.
Update Google Pixel XL To Android 13 Tiramisu
After performing the necessary preparatory steps, the next stage of updating your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu is installing the LineageOS 18.1 custom ROM. Here’s how you can do it:
- Download the LineageOS 18.1 ROM: You can download the latest version of LineageOS 18.1 for your Pixel XL from the official LineageOS website or from other third-party providers.
- Transfer the zip file: Once downloaded, transfer the zip file to your device’s internal storage. You can do this using a USB cable or any other file transfer mechanism of your choice.
- Reboot into recovery mode: Reboot your device into recovery mode. You can do this by pressing the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Flash the LineageOS 18.1 ROM: Use the custom recovery tool, TWRP, to flash the LineageOS 18.1 ROM. Select “Install”, locate the downloaded zip file, and swipe to confirm the installation.
- Reboot your device: Once you have successfully installed LineageOS 18.1, reboot your Pixel XL.
After rebooting, your Pixel XL will restart, and you’ll need to complete the initial setup. Once completed, your device will be running Android 11 with LineageOS 18.1 custom ROM’s features loaded.
In case of any issues encountered during the installation process, check out the LineageOS support forums or relevant online groups for additional support.
Below is a table summarizing the steps required to install LineageOS 18.1 on your Google Pixel XL.
| Installation Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| Download the LineageOS 18.1 ROM | Visit the official LineageOS website or other third-party providers and download the latest LineageOS 18.1 ROM for Pixel XL. |
| Transfer the Zip File | Transfer the downloaded zip file to the Pixel XL internal storage using a USB cable or other file transfer mechanism. |
| Reboot into Recovery Mode | Press the Power button and the Volume down button simultaneously for a few seconds and reboot your device into Recovery Mode. |
| Flash the LineageOS 18.1 ROM | Use the TWRP recovery tool, select “Install,” locate the downloaded ROM zip file, and swipe to confirm the installation. |
| Reboot your Device | Reboot your Pixel XL device. |
How to install LineageOS 15?
To install LineageOS 15, follow these steps:
1. Make sure your device is compatible with LineageOS 15. You can check the official LineageOS site for the list of supported devices.
2. Download the LineageOS 15 ROM file and GApps (Google Apps) package from the official LineageOS website.
3. Connect your device to your computer and transfer the files to your device’s internal storage.
4. Turn off your device and boot into recovery mode by pressing and holding the power button and volume down button.
5. In recovery mode, select “Wipe” and then “Advanced Wipe”. Select “Cache”, “System”, and “Data” partitions and swipe to wipe them.
6. Go back to the main menu of recovery mode and select “Install”. Navigate to the LineageOS 15 ROM file and flash it.
7. After flashing the ROM file, flash the GApps package.
8. Once both files have been flashed, reboot your device and it should boot into LineageOS 15.
Note: The installation process may differ slightly based on your device. Be sure to read the instructions carefully on the official LineageOS website for your specific device.
Updating to Android 13 Tiramisu
Now that you’ve installed LineageOS 18.1, you can proceed to update your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu. Follow these steps:
- Download the Tiramisu ROM: You can download the Tiramisu ROM from the LineageOS community forums or other trusted websites. Make sure you download the ROM that corresponds to your Pixel XL model.
- Transfer the zip file: After downloading the Tiramisu ROM, transfer it to your device’s internal storage.
- Reboot into recovery mode: Restart your device in recovery mode.
- Flash the Tiramisu ROM: Use TWRP to flash the Tiramisu ROM by selecting “Install,” finding the Tiramisu zip file, and swiping to confirm the installation. Wait for the process to complete, and then reboot your device.
Upon rebooting, your Google Pixel XL should be running the Android 13 Tiramisu custom ROM smoothly. Otherwise, check out the troubleshooting guides or contact the relevant support team for further assistance.
Note that updating your device to Android 13 Tiramisu is dependent on third-party developers and not Google themselves, so you may encounter minor bugs or issues. It’s worth checking the forums for updates, patches, or fixes to any problems you come across.
Below is a table summarizing the steps required to update your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu.
| Update Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| Download the Tiramisu ROM | Download the Tiramisu ROM from the LineageOS community forums or another trusted website. |
| Transfer the Zip File | Transfer the downloaded zip file to the Pixel XL internal storage using a USB cable or other file transfer mechanism. |
| Reboot into Recovery Mode | Press the Power button and the Volume down button simultaneously for a few seconds and reboot your device into Recovery Mode. |
| Flash the Tiramisu ROM | Use the TWRP recovery tool to flash the Tiramisu ROM by selecting “Install,” locating the downloaded Tiramisu ROM zip file, and swiping to confirm the installation. |
| Reboot your Device | Reboot your device and enjoy Android 13 Tiramisu. |
Is Lineage OS lightweight?
Yes, the LineageOS Android operating system is lightweight, as it is designed to be fast and not bog down the device’s resources. It is also highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their experience to their preferences. For more information, users can visit the official website at lineageos.org.
Conclusion
Updating your Google Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu can breathe new life into your device and give you access to the latest Android features and security enhancements. While the process requires some technical skills and carries some risks, following the steps outlined above can make the process relatively straightforward. With that said, if you’re not confident in your ability to install a custom ROM, it may be best to avoid this process or seek help from a trusted source.
It’s worth noting that the Android 13 Tiramisu custom ROM is not officially supported by Google, and you may encounter some issues or bugs when using it. However, if you’re willing to put up with some troubleshooting and potentially seek out community support, it can be a great way to breathe new life into your device and enjoy some of the latest Android features.
Overall, updating your Pixel XL to Android 13 Tiramisu can be a fun and rewarding experience for tech enthusiasts who are ready to take on a small challenge. Always proceed at your own risk, take a backup of your data, and enjoy the latest features of the Android operating system!
