How to flash with OrangeFox

Installation Instructions | Evolution X (Pixel 8 Series)

⚠️ WARNING: Your device's bootloader must be unlocked before proceeding.

On the Pixel 8 series, the recovery resides entirely within the vendor_boot partition. You do not need to flash boot, dtbo, or init_boot just to boot into recovery. Flashing the OrangeFox vendor_boot image is sufficient.

Prerequisites

1. Unlocked Bootloader.
2. SDK Platform Tools (ADB & Fastboot) installed on your PC.
3. The correct OrangeFox .img file for your device (found in the BootStaff/Recovery folder of the release).
4. The Evolution X ROM .zip file.

Step 1: Flashing OrangeFox Recovery

Method 1: Via PC / Fastboot (RECOMMENDED)

1. Reboot your phone to Bootloader / Fastboot mode (Hold Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open a terminal/command prompt.
3. Flash the image using one of the options below

Option A: Flash to active slot only (Standard)

fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img

Option B: Flash to BOTH slots (For extra safety)

fastboot flash --slot=all vendor_boot vendor_boot.img

1. IMMEDIATELY reboot to recovery (do not boot to the system yet!):

fastboot reboot recovery

Method 2: On-Device (Root Required)

If you already have Magisk or KernelSU installed on your current ROM, you can flash the recovery directly from your phone using a terminal emulator (like Termux).

1. Place the OrangeFox .img file in your internal storage (/sdcard/vendor_boot.img).
2. Open your terminal app, grant root access by typing su, and run one of the options below:

Option A: Flash to active slot (using dd)

dd if=/sdcard/vendor_boot.img of=/dev/block/by-name/vendor_boot$(getprop ro.boot.slot_suffix)

Option B: Flash to active slot (using cat)

cat /sdcard/vendor_boot.img > /dev/block/by-name/vendor_boot$(getprop ro.boot.slot_suffix)

Option C: Flash to BOTH slots

dd if=/sdcard/vendor_boot.img of=/dev/block/by-name/vendor_boot_a
dd if=/sdcard/vendor_boot.img of=/dev/block/by-name/vendor_boot_b

1. Check the terminal output for any errors, then reboot to recovery.

Step 2: Flashing the ROM

You can install the ROM using either ADB Sideload or by flashing it directly from the device's storage. Choose the method that is most convenient for you.

Option A: Via ADB Sideload

1. In OrangeFox, go to the Menu icon → ADB & Sideload.
2. Swipe to start the sideload feature.
3. On your PC, run the following command (replace the filename with the actual downloaded ROM zip):

adb sideload EvolutionX-16.0-20260325-device-11.6.2-Unofficial.zip

Option B: Via Internal Storage or USB OTG

1. Move the downloaded ROM .zip file to your internal storage (while in recovery, your PC should recognize the device via MTP) or plug in a USB OTG drive.
2. In OrangeFox, navigate to the Files tab.
3. Locate the Evolution X ROM .zip file and tap on it.
4. Swipe to Install.

Step 3: Format Data (Clean Flash)

⚠️ Note: Formatting data is mandatory if you are transitioning from stock firmware or a different custom ROM.

1. Once booted into OrangeFox Recovery, navigate to the Menu (bottom right icon).
2. Go to Manage Partitions → select Data.
3. Tap the Format Data button (do not just wipe, you must format).
4. Type yes to confirm and proceed.

Step 4: Finish

1. (Optional) Installing Magisk: KernelSU is included by default in the custom GKI kernel. If you prefer Magisk, you must avoid conflicts by flashing the stock boot image first:
2. Download boot_stock.img from the Recovery folder on SourceForge.
3. Flash it directly in OrangeFox (Navigate to boot_stock.img → tap it → select Boot partition → swipe to flash) OR via fastboot (fastboot flash boot boot_stock.img) after the ROM installation.
4. Once the stock boot image is flashed, you can safely flash or sideload your Magisk zip.
5. (Optional) Flash any other desired addons.
6. Tap Reboot System.