Google Pixel (codename: sailfish) launched in October 2016. The phone came out of the box with Android 7.1 Nougat and later upgrade to Android 9.0 Pie. In this tutorial, we will show you how to install the AOSP Android 11 on Google Pixel (sailfish). Recently, Google released its latest stable Android 11 for the general public. And with that, many OEMs were quick to adopt the same. First in the line were the Pixel devices, which were anyways along the expected lines. Later Google released the AOSP source code for Android 11 which is undoubtedly the main ingredient to compile Android 11-based custom ROMs.

Android 11 and It’s Features:

Well, Android 11, Google’s 11th iteration looks similar to Android 10 but with a handful of new features and changes. The update brings notification history, Chat bubbles, Conversation notifications, screen recorder, new media controls, smart device controls, one-time permission, improved dark theme with the scheduling system, app suggestions, wireless android auto, and many more. For more, check out our article Android 11 supported list, Android 11 Custom ROM list, best Android 11 features, and many more.

How to Install AOSP Android 11 on Google Pixel:

With such a long list of goodies to offer, no doubt you will want to try out the AOSP Android 11 on Google Pixel (sailfish). But before we list out the installation steps, please go through the prerequisites section. Make sure your device meets all the mentioned requirements. After this, go through the working features and the list of known issues present in this ROM. Once you have gone through all the requirements section, you may then proceed with the installation steps.

Prerequisites

  • Tested only on Google Pixel (sailfish)
  • First and foremost, create a complete device backup.
  • Next time, enable USB Debugging on your Google Pixel. This will make your device recognizable by your PC in ADB mode. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
  • Your device also needs to have the bootloader unlocked. If you haven’t done so, then refer to our detailed guide on How To Unlock Bootloader On Google Pixel.
  • Next up, you will also need to install the TWRP Recovery on your device. This will be needed to flash the AOSP Android 11 on your Google Pixel. You could refer to our comprehensive tutorial on how to Install TWRP Recovery For Google Pixel.

Download AOSP Android 11

Before you download the firmware file, there is a pretty important worth mentioning. You should only use the proper vendor and firmware of your device of stable ROM.

  • Download and Install AOSP Android 10 Q for Google Pixel
  • How To Install TWRP Recovery On Pixel and Pixel XL
  • List of Best Custom ROM for Google Pixel and Pixel XL [Updated]
  • Download and Install Lineage OS 17.1 for Google Pixel based on Android 10 Q

Once you have downloaded the above files, transfer it to your device. Then proceed with the below steps to install AOSP Android 11 on your Google Pixel (sailfish) device.

Downloads

Lineage OS 18.1: Download Link

Download Android 11 Gapps

Install AOSP Android 11 on Google Pixel (sailfish)

  • Connect your device to PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
  • Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
  • Execute the below command in the CMD window to boot your device to TWRP Recovery:
  • adb reboot recovery
  • Now head over to the wipe section and format system, data, and cache. Perform a right swipe to complete the format.
  • TWRP Home
  • Its now time to flash the AOSP Android 11 ROM onto your Google Pixel. For that, head over to Install, select the AOSP ROM ZIP file and perform a right swipe to install the file.
  • If you want Google Apps as well, then you need to flash it at this instance itself. Go to Install, select the GApps ZIP file, and perform a right swipe to flash this file.
  • When that is done, you may reboot your device. Head over to Reboot and select System.

Your device will now boot to the newly installed OS. With this, we conclude the guide on how to install the AOSP Android 11 on Google Pixel. Do keep in mind that the first boot might take up some time and you might have to set up your device from scratch.

Warning

adb reboot recovery

TWRP Home

Furthermore, once you have installed the ROM, do share your opinions about the same in the comments section. Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that you should check out as well.