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Factory images and OTA files for Pixel and Pixel XL are now available

Google just released the first set of factory images, OTA update files, and driver binaries for the Pixel and Pixel XL, continuing a tradition that started in the Nexus era.
By
October 21, 2016
google pixel xl initial review aa (5 of 48) google assistant

The Google Pixels mark a departure from the fan-pleasing Nexus line, but that doesn’t mean that Google is leaving enthusiasts and developers high and dry.

Read: Our initial Google Pixel XL review

Case in point, the company just released the first set of factory images, OTA update files, and driver binaries for the Pixel and Pixel XL, continuing a tradition that started in the Nexus era.

Factory images for the Pixel (“sailfish”) and Pixel XL (“marlin”) are now available in Google’s image repository. Three images are listed for each device – from the oldest to the newest: NDE63H, NDE63L, and NDE63P. You can use these images to manually update your device to the latest version of Android 7.1.0 or to restore it to factory conditions after tinkering with the system.

If you just want to update and don’t want to wipe your device, OTA file updates (NDE63H, NDE63L, and NDE63P) for the Pixel and Pixel XL are available here. Flashing these is equivalent to installing the OTA update you would normally get from Google.

Android Nougat review: what's new in Android 7.1.2?
Features

Finally, Google also released the open source binary hardware support files for the Pixel and Pixel XL. Developers can use these to create custom ROMs and for other modifications.