During the Google I/O 2023 conference, Google unveiled the Google Pixel 7a, an exciting addition to their affordable A-series smartphone lineup. Taking design cues from its high-end counterparts, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel 7a features an updated design, a new processor, enhanced cameras, and wireless charging. Though the device has received positive feedback, there can be challenging times when the device may run into problems; you might need to install the firmware on your Google Pixel 7A using Fastboot Factory Images and OTA files.
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Google Pixel 7A is not entirely 100% bug-free. But yes, the software experience is much better than the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the buggiest phone released by Google. Although the latest pixels are improved, users face many issues with the display, fingerprint, Google Pay card, and scrolling. Google keeps fixing issues reported by users through OTA updates. But sometimes, the latest OTA update brings a new set of problems. You would want to return to the previous firmware in such a case.
In this article, you’ll find all the firmware flash files for the Google Pixel 7A. You can grab the file and return it to the stock firmware by flashing the Fastboot factory image or OTA file. Even if your Google Pixel is stuck on any screen or running into a bootloop issue, flashing the stock firmware can fix the problem.
Don’t know how to flash the stock firmware, don’t worry. Just grab the file using the download links below and follow the steps mentioned in this article.
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Download Links:
You’ll find the download links for the Google Pixel 7A factory images and Full OTA images. Select the specific device variant according to the carrier and then download the firmware file on the PC.
| Google Pixel 7A (lynx) | ||
| Version | Factory Image | OTA File |
| 13.0.0 (TD4A.221205.042, May 2023) | Link | Link |
| 13.0.0 (TQ3A.230605.012, Jun 2023) | Link | Link |
| 13.0.0 (TQ3A.230705.001, Jul 2023) | Link | Link |
Prerequisites
Before we get to the flashing steps, you must fulfill a couple of requirements to proceed.
1. Backup Your Phone
Before doing anything that could erase data on your phone, take a complete backup; flashing the firmware always has a risk of data loss; hence backing up the data on your phone is highly recommended.
Don’t know what to back up or how to back up your Android phone? Please read our detailed guide on how to take a complete backup of any Android device.
2. Install Android SDK
You’ll need to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer to make an ADB connection between the two devices. It’s critical to have Android SDK Platform Tools to run ADB and Fastboot commands. Go ahead and download the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
3. Charge Your Phone
The firmware installation may take a little longer. Therefore, it would be best to have at least 50% battery on your phone so it doesn’t die before the firmware flashes.
4. Install Google USB Driver on Your PC
It’s recommended to install the latest Google USB drivers on your PC. It will properly configure the USB connection for your Pixel phone. It also fixes the issue where the PC can’t detect the phone.
5. Enable USB Debugging on Your Phone
You need to enable USB Debugging on your Google Pixel 7A so the PC can recognize it in the ADB mode. This option can be found under the Developer options menu, which is hidden by default. Here’s how to enable Developer options and USB Debugging:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Click About phone.
- Tap seven times on the build number. It will unhide the Developer options menu.
- Go back to the Settings page.
- Tap on System and click Developer options.
- Turn on USB debugging.
Flash Pixel 7A Stock ROM via Fastboot Factory Image
You’ll need an unlocked bootloader on your Google Pixel to perform Factory Image flashing via Fastboot. Check out this guide on unlocking the Pixel 7A bootloader. With an unlocked bootloader, follow the steps on your phone:
- Extract the downloaded file into the platform tools folder on your PC.
- Connect your phone to the PC via a USB cable.
- Go to the platform tools folder on your PC.
- Type CMD on the address bar and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- Run the following command to boot your phone to the Fastboot mode:
adb reboot bootloader
5. Go to the platform-tools folder and double-click the flash-all.bat file to start flashing the firmware file. Otherwise, you can run the following command to do the same:
flash-all.bat
6. Once the process is completed, your phone will automatically reboot the system. If not, press the power button until you see the manufacturer’s logo.
The device may take a few minutes to boot into the system for the first time after flashing the firmware. So, don’t panic.
Flash Pixel 7A Stock ROM via OTA Image
- Connect your phone to the PC via a USB cable.
- Go to the platform tools folder on your PC.
- Type CMD on the address bar and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
- Type in the following command on the command window and hit Enter:
adb reboot recovery
5. Your phone will boot to Recovery mode. Please navigate to the Apply update from the ADB option and press the power button to select it.
6. Run the following command to sideload the factory image file:
adb sideload factory_image.zip
[Note: In the above command, factory_image.zip is the downloaded OTA image file.]
7. Once the process is complete, reboot your device to the system by running the following command:
fastboot reboot
You can also boot your phone to the system by pressing the power button.
That’s it for this post. What made you flash the firmware on your Google Pixel 7A? Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.