How to Install an OTA Update on the Google Pixel 6/6 Pro while being Rooted with Magisk?

If you have rooted your Google Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro with Magisk, you will not usually get the latest monthly over-the-air or OTA update. Generally speaking, installing an over-the-air update on a smartphone or tablet that had it’s system files modified is considered more complex. There is almost always a reliable method of doing so, but it is more complex than tapping an install button and then waiting for the device to reboot.

So, in this article, we will show you how to install the monthly over-the-air or OTA updates on the Google Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro even though you have already rooted the device. We have already rooted our device with Magisk, and Magisk is installed on our device. Also, this method will not erase any user data or apps installed on your device, nor does it require you to flash the Magisk binaries via Fastboot manually.

Also Read:
How to root Google Pixel 6 with Magisk 24.1?

Steps to install an OTA update on Google Pixel 6/6 Pro

Here are the steps that you need to follow to complete the procedure.

Step 1: Preparing Magisk

You need to go into the Magisk application and tap on the uninstall Magisk option. A pop-up window will open where you must tap “restore images“. Then you have to wait for the restoration done message at the bottom.

Step 2: Installing an OTA Update

• Once that is done, go into the settings application, tap on systems, then tap on system update, check for updates and install that new over-the-air update if any OTA update is available.
• Please wait for the device to download and install the update in our inactive partition slot. Then, it’s going to go through the Optimizing Apps section. These are all the things that we usually happen whenever we install an over-the-air update. So, besides uninstalling and restoring the images in Magisk, there’s nothing new or unique about this process.
• Now, the amount of time this takes to complete will generally depend on how big the over-the-air update is and it not only downloads and installs the update but it also has to wait for the optimizing part and that can take a long time if you have a lot of applications installed on your device. But even if you have a bare device, it will take some time.

Step 3: Optimizing and Avoiding Reboot

The main thing you must remember is that you must refuse the reboot device option when this whole process is complete. When the Google Pixel 6 finishes installing that over-the-air update, it will offer a reboot option, and it will likely instruct you to reboot the device to complete the installation, but you have to refuse that reboot option.

Step 4: Reapplying Magisk

• When the update finishes optimizing all of your apps, you will get that restart now button at the bottom. Go back to the home screen and Magisk app again.
• Tap the install button at the top of the Magisk section in the Magisk application.
• Tap on “Install Inactive partition” under the method. It will give you a little warning saying that your device will be forced to boot to the currently inactive partition after a reboot and we should only do this option after an over-the-air update is done, which we just saw has been completed, so tap on OK.

Step 5: Finalizing the Installation

• Now tap on Let’s Go at the top; it will install Magisk 24.1 because that’s what’s currently installed. It will patch the ramdisk repackaging and flash the new boot images. Once you get that all-done message, tap that reboot button at the bottom and wait for your Google Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro to reboot.
• The boot cycle should boot back up into Android. It will be just as if you installed an over-the-air update through the built-in updater but since you took those extra steps to restore images and install Magisk to an inactive slot. You will retain all of your user data and all of the apps, games, pictures and videos you had on your device before. It will also retain root access, and Magisk will still be installed on your device.
• After booting back into Android like usual, your applications are still there and you can see Magisk has been installed. You can also consider installing the root checker app on your device to check if there is still root access.

Conclusion

That’s it. This is a complete tutorial on How to install the monthly over-the-air or OTA update on your Google Pixel 6 or the Pixel 6 Pro while your device is rooted with Magisk.

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.