In this article, we will show you a step-by-step guide on how to root the Google Pixel Watch with Magisk Manager. Rooting a device will unlock some extra functionalities that manufacturers initially restrict. It would help if you kept in mind that rooting a device will void it’s warranty as well, and all the Device’s data will be deleted permanently. Also, make sure that you maintain a stable connection between the Watch and your computer. So, ensure your watch cradle is correctly attached to the Watch through the pins.
PLEASE NOTE
This rooting process was performed with a unique USB-C cradle provided by the Google Team. We don’t recommend flashing the Device without a stable connection to the pins under the wrist strap. This rooting process will wipe your Device.
How do you root the Google Pixel Watch with Magisk?
Prerequisites
- The process requires you to have ADB and Fastboot tools on your computer. Download the latest version of ADB and Fastboot tools from the web.
- Download the Google Pixel Watch’s latest firmware OTA image on your computer. You can use this link to download the latest firmware file. Make sure you download the firmware file that matches the current version of the firmware you have on your Watch before rooting it. The newest version of the firmware file is always at the bottom of the website.
- Enable developer options by going to the settings app on the Watch. Go to the settings app, tap on systems – About – versions, and then tap on build number seven to eight times.
- Go back to the main settings app and look for developer options. In developer options, enable ADB debugging.
Initial Setup and Connection
- Connect your Google Pixel Watch to your computer/laptop through the watch cradle.
- Browse to the folder where you installed ADB and Fastboot Tools or extracted it. Then, open a Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell in this extracted folder and check whether your Device is correctly connected to the PC.
- PowerShell/CMD can be opened by holding the Shift button on the keyboard and right-clicking an empty space within the folder. Type the code ADB devices after opening the Powershell or CMD window and hit enter.
- If you get a random number on the screen with the devices, then it means that your Watch is correctly connected to the PC.
- Type code sha256sum name-of-firmware.zip to verify the checksum of the firmware you downloaded.
Transferring and Patching the Boot Image
- Unzip the downloaded firmware file and transfer the Boot.img to the Google Pixel Watch using the code adb push boot.img /sdcard/Download
- By default, the Google Pixel Watch does not have a file manager. So, download any file manager from the Play Store, which is needed to select the Boot.img file.
- Download and install the latest Magisk Manager app for your Google Pixel Watch from its GitHub page. Use the Code adb install name-of-magisk.apk to install the app on the Watch.
- After installing Magisk Manager on your Watch, launch the app and click Install. Now, choose Select and Patch a file and then select the Boot.img file that you just transferred to your Watch.
- Tap on Let’s Go, and the Magisk manager will start patching the Boot.img file. After completing the process, you will get a new file in the same folder where you transferred the Boot.img file.
- Transfer the newly patched file back to your computer by using the code adb pull /sdcard/Download/name-of-patched-image
Unlocking the Bootloader and Flashing Boot Image
- After typing that previous code into the ADB and FastBoot tool CMD or Powershell window(without quotes), use the ‘adb reboot bootloader’ to reboot your Google Pixel watch into Fastboot mode.
- Type the code fastboot devices to verify that the Device is indeed connected.
- Now unlock the Google Pixel Watch Bootloader by typing the code fastboot flashing unlock.
- Tap Confirm on your Watch to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe all your data on the Watch.
- Next, type the code adb flash boot name-of-patched-image.img to flash the newly patched boot image file you transferred from the Watch to your PC.
- Tap Start on the Watch in Fastboot mode to restart the Watch.
The Watch will start again after some time and it is the first Start after Rooting. So, be patient, as restarting will take a long time. Once the watch reboots set it up like you usually do.
Final Steps and Troubleshooting
- Reinstall the Magisk app on the Watch by using the code adb install name-of-magisk.apk
- Launch the Magisk Manager app on the Watch. It might ask you to restart the Watch, so do it as it says.
- When the watch restarts and has been set up, type the code adb shell.
- Run Su to escalate the root privilege. The shell should change the symbol from $ to #, type the Code Whoami, and hit enter. This will root your Google Pixel Watch.
Troubleshooting Suggestions:
- If booting the Magisk image results in a bootloop, you can unbrick the Device by flashing the corresponding stock boot.img image using:
- Code: adb flash boot boot.image
- Additionally, you can get into FastBoot mode by tapping on the screen’s top left and bottom right while the Device is booting, and the white “G” logo appears.
- If Magisk doesn’t see the file, try doing the following to your file browser app: Settings > Apps & Notifications > App permissions > Files and media > AppName > Allow all the time
WIRELESS DEBUGGING
Wireless debugging allows you to do almost all of this except booting the patched Boot.img file in Magisk. Go to Settings > Developer options > Check Debug over Wi-Fi to enable wireless debugging. Then, in developer options still, go to Wireless debugging and turn it on. From here, you can connect to your Watch remotely from your PC using Code: adb connect watchip
Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.
