Install PixelExperience on r5x

keyboard_arrow_left Back to the overview

Warning: These instructions only work if you follow every section and step precisely.
Do not continue after something fails!

Basic requirements

Read through the instructions at least once before actually following them, so as to avoid any problems due to any missed steps!
Make sure your computer has adb and fastboot. Setup instructions can be found here.
Enable USB debugging on your device.
Make sure that your model is actually listed in the “Supported models” section here (exact match required!)
Boot your device with the stock OS at least once and check every functionality. Make sure that you can send and receive SMS and place and receive calls (also via WiFi and LTE, if available), otherwise it won’t work on PixelExperience either! Additionally, some devices require that VoLTE/VoWiFi be utilized once on stock to provision IMS.
PixelExperience is provided as-is with no warranty. While we attempt to verify everything works you are installing this at your own risk!

Unlocking the bootloader

Note: The steps below only need to be run once per device.

Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device! Before proceeding, ensure the data you would like to retain is backed up to your PC and/or your Google account, or equivalent. Please note that OEM backup solutions like Samsung and Motorola backup may not be accessible from PixelExperience once installed.

Download the bootloader unlock app for your device:
- Navigate to Realme’s forum.
- Go to your device’s page by clicking Product option, followed by the device’s name.
- Click Unlock Bootloader Tutorial for Name_of_the_device.
- Download and install the unlock tool apk on your phone.
- Open the unlock tool app and click Start Applying.
- Please read the disclaimer in detail, select the checkbox, and submit your application.
- The application will be processed in Realme servers and within an hour, the unlock tool app will show the status of the unlock request. Once it shows the unlocking is successful, please proceed to the next step.
- Click Start the in-depth test in the unlock tool app. The device will reboot.
- fast boot_unlock_verify ok string will be displayed.
On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window and change to the location where the unzipped fastboot and adb binaries reside.
Connect the device to your PC via USB cable.
Reboot to bootloader by typing:
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
Unlock the device by typing:
```
fastboot flashing unlock
```
- On your phone, press the Volume Up key to select Unlock.
If the device doesn’t automatically reboot, reboot it. It should now be unlocked.
Since the device resets completely, you will need to re-enable USB debugging to continue.

Installing a custom recovery using `fastboot`

Download the custom recovery.

Important: Other recoveries may not work for installation or updates. We strongly recommend to use the one linked above!
Connect your device to your PC via USB if it isn’t already.
If your device isn’t already in fastboot mode, 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. Use volume rockers to navigate and power button to choose between the modes.
Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing:
```
fastboot devices
```
If you don’t get any output or an error:
- on Windows: make sure the device appears in the device manager without a triangle. Try other drivers until the command above works!
- on Linux or macOS: If you see no permissions fastboot try running fastboot as root. When the output is empty, check your USB cable and port!
Tip: Some devices have buggy USB support while in bootloader mode, if you see fastboot hanging with no output when using commands such as fastboot getvar ..., fastboot boot ..., fastboot flash ... you may want to try a different USB port (preferably a USB Type-A 2.0 one) or a USB hub.
Flash recovery onto your device (replace <recovery_filename> with the actual filename!):
```
fastboot flash recovery <recovery_filename>.img
```
Now reboot into recovery to verify the installation. Do not reboot into the existing OS, since it will overwrite the recovery you just installed!
- With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power. Use volume rockers to navigate and power button to choose between the modes.
  
  Note: If you can’t power down the device, try long-pressing the key-combination (if any was used in the instructions above) until the device reboots and follow the instructions above

Installing PixelExperience from recovery

Download the PixelExperience installation package that you would like to install or build the package yourself.
If you are not in recovery, reboot into recovery:
- With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power. Use volume rockers to navigate and power button to choose between the modes.
Now tap Wipe.
Now tap Format Data and continue with the formatting process. This will remove encryption and delete all files stored in the internal storage.
Sideload the PixelExperience .zip package:
- On the device, select “Advanced”, “ADB Sideload”, then swipe to begin sideload.
- On the host machine, sideload the package using: adb sideload filename.zip.
  Tip: Normally, adb will report Total xfer: 1.00x, but in some cases, even if the process succeeds the output will stop at 47% and report Total xfer: 0.98x or adb: failed to read command: Success. In some cases it will report adb: failed to read command: No error or adb: failed to read command: Undefined error: 0 which is also fine.
Once you have installed everything successfully, run ‘adb reboot’.

Note: The first boot usually takes no longer than 15 minutes, depending on the device. If it takes longer, you may have missed a step, otherwise feel free to get assistance.

Warning: Depending on which recovery you use, you may be prompted to install additional apps and services. We strongly advise you to opt out of installing these, as they may cause your device to bootloop, as well as attempt to access or corrupt your data.

Get assistance

After you’ve double checked that you followed the steps precisely, didn’t skip any and still have questions or got stuck, feel free to ask on our Telegram group.