The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are devices made for Android enthusiasts who want the best devices with a pure Android experience directly from Google. However, when you make a device popular with Android enthusiasts then you can likely expect a fair bit of tinkering by the fans who own the device. This is no difference and many users have been wondering about rooting the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
For those who aren’t aware; rooting is a term used to describe gaining access to the root directory of the device and giving yourself permissions that users don’t usually have. Once you root your device you can do things like flash custom ROMs and add all sorts of new features to your device. In layman’s terms: rooting is like the jailbreaking of the Android community. So, it goes without saying that a lot of manufacturers don’t appreciate it when you root your device. In fact, rooting your device can be enough to void your warranty.
So, it was a bit of a surprise when a user shared their support chat on Android Forums where a Google support representative seemed to suggest that warranty is not affected by rooting your device. See the screenshot for yourself:
There you have it. Clear as day. Rooting Google Pixel 2, quote, “…doesn’t affect any warranty you have with us.”
That should be it, right? Rooting Google Pixel 2 is just fine! Not so fast… First of all, we can’t be 100% sure that this is a real support chat. Yes, it would be nice to be able to believe everyone on the internet and assume every screenshot is unaltered but that’s just not how the internet is. I apologize to the OP on this forum post if they are a good person and they are getting this doubt for no reason. A few trolls online have ruined it for everything. So that’s the first thing: this may not even be a real screenshot. Secondly, sometimes support reps aren’t right all the time. This rep may have been confused or got some bad info and given out an incorrect answer. This may help this one individual if they ever run into warranty issues as a result of rooting their device since they can say they got bad info from a support rep. However, it doesn’t help others who want to claim they got bad info from a screenshot online.
No support rep outranks Google’s actual policies. Until we hear from Google directly on this one we are hesitant to say that rooting does not, in fact, void your warranty. Plus, let’s not forget that Google isn’t the only retailer with skin in the game here. If you buy your device from another store and get warranty through them then they may have different policies regarding rooting and warranty.
So, what does this mean for those rooting their Google Pixel 2? It means you should either hold out and wait for an announcement from Google or ask for yourself. If you get a support rep to confirm this policy for you and you feel safe with proceeding based on that information then you do your thing. However, asking may be the best way to approach this until there is an official announcement. Forgive me for being a bit of a wet blanket but I’m not rooting my brand new, expensive Pixel 2 just because of a screenshot I saw online.
Let us know if you end up talking to Google support and what kind of response you get. We would love to add to this story or update the situation as more information rolls in. Until then, if rooting your Google Pixel 2, proceed with caution.
