Install /e/OS on a Google - Pixel 8 shiba

This guide installs /e/OS on your shiba. Read it through once before you start, so you don’t hit surprises partway in. Downgrading from a newer OS version than the /e/OS build you’re about to install can cause instability or brick some devices — check your current OS version first. Flashing is done at your own risk: /e/OS builds are provided as best effort, without any guarantee, and the /e/OS project takes no responsibility for the consequences.

Requirements

  • Back up your important data to an external storage device — some of the steps below format the phone, wiping any backup left on it.
  • Charge your phone above 50%.
  • Enable adb and fastboot on your PC — setup instructions.
  • Download every file listed in the Downloads section below before you start.
  • Use a real data cable — some cables only charge and can’t transfer data.
  • Enable USB debugging on your device — instructions.
  • Confirm your exact model in the Device Selector: where shown, hover the device name for the supported model number, and check it matches yours exactly.
  • Boot the stock OS at least once and check everything works — SMS, calls, and both over WiFi and LTE if available (some devices need VoLTE/VoWiFi used once on stock to provision IMS). Whatever’s broken on stock stays broken on /e/OS.
Warning: Log out of any accounts (Google, Samsung, Mi Account, etc.) set on the stock ROM before proceeding. Most vendors enable Factory Reset Protection (FRP): after a factory reset, a device that's still signed in will ask for the credentials of that account before it can be used again. Also remove any screen locks.

Downloads for shiba

Tip: Before installing /e/OS on the Google Pixel 8 shiba for the first time, install the latest stock OS version 15 build on the device
official /e/OS A15

Not sure which one to pick? See official vs. community builds.

  • Before following these instructions please ensure that the device is on the latest Android 15 firmware.

  • If your device is currently using a newer or older version than the required version, please upgrade or downgrade to the required version before proceeding with your /e/OS installation.

  • The required version is Android 15 , which may be lower than the /e/OS version you are about to install - this is not an error! If there are multiple updates of that version (e.g. security updates), make sure to use the latest!

  • If you need to upgrade or downgrade your device, please search online for guides. We are unable to provide specific instructions here and on our support platforms.

Unlocking the bootloader

These steps only need to be run once per device. Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device — make sure anything you want to keep is backed up (see Requirements above). Not sure what unlocking changes on your device? See Bootloader relocking.

Tip: If you see no permissions fastboot while on Linux or macOS, try running fastboot as root.

  1. Enable OEM unlock in the Developer options under device Settings, if present.

  2. Connect your device to your PC via USB.

  3. On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type:

    adb reboot bootloader

    You can also boot into fastboot mode via a key combination:

    • With the device powered off
    • hold Volume Down + Power

  4. Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing:

    fastboot devices

  5. Now type the following command to unlock the bootloader:

    fastboot flashing unlock

  6. If the device doesn’t automatically reboot, reboot it. It should now be unlocked.

  7. Since the device resets completely, you will need to re-enable USB debugging to continue.

Installing /e/OS

Tip: For Windows users, we advise to use Git Bash. For more info about Downloads and Installation see Official Documentation

  1. Unzip the archive

    unzip <fileyoudownloaded>

    Replace <fileyoudownloaded> with the name of the archive file you downloaded.

    Alternately you can create a folder and unzip the archive there.

  2. Confirm that extracted directory contains following content:

    • bin-linux-x86 directory - which contains linux tools including fastboot and adb
    • bin-msys directory - which contains Windows tools including fastboot and adb
    • img files - The img files that are to be flashed onto the device.
    • flash_shiba_factory.sh - The installer script.

  3. Boot into bootloader/fastboot mode.

    • Power OFF the device.
    • While holding Volume Down button, plug in a USB Cable that’s connected to a PC on the other end.

  4. Run the installer script on Terminal(Linux) or on Git Bash UI(Windows).

    • Make sure you are in the current directory which contains the flash_shiba_factory.sh file.

    Linux

    • Right click -> Open terminal here
    • Execute the following command:
    chmod +x flash_shiba_factory.sh && ./flash_shiba_factory.sh

    Windows

    • Right click -> Git Bash here
    • Execute the following command:
    chmod +x flash_shiba_factory.sh && ./flash_shiba_factory.sh

The script will flash all required files and will wait for input at the last step. Proceed to locking the bootloader.

Locking the bootloader

Warning: The bootloader is lockable in official builds only. The procedure to lock the bootloader will not work on community builds.
Tip: What locking the bootloader protects, and what it does not: see Bootloader relocking.

  1. Boot into bootloader/fastboot mode if not already there by

    • hold Volume Down + Power

  2. Once the device is in bootloader/fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing:

    fastboot devices
    Tip: If you see no permissions fastboot while on Linux or macOS, try running fastboot as root.

  3. Download the avb custom key

  4. Erase the previous key fastboot erase avb_custom_key

  5. Flash the new key previously downloaded fastboot flash avb_custom_key pkmd_pixel.bin

  6. Lock the device fastboot flashing lock

  7. Use the volume key to select Lock the bootloader

Reboot the device

  1. Use power button to Start the device

    The reboot process may take 5 - 10 minutes

Disabling OEM Unlocking.

Once you boot your device after locking bootloader:

  1. Finish SetupWizard
  2. Go to Settings > About phone > Build number.
  3. Tap the Build Number option seven times until you see the message You are now a developer! This enables developer options on your device.
  4. Return to the previous screen and go to System to find Developer options at the bottom.
  5. In Developer Options, turn OEM Unlocking off.
Success: Congratulations! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS.

Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the Pixel 8 specific topic on our community forum. To report issues in /e/OS please refer this guide

This documentation “Install /e/OS on a Google - Pixel 8 - “shiba”” is a derivative of “install LineageOS on shiba” by The LineageOS Project, used under CC BY.