Google - Pixel 9 Pro - caiman - Documentation Suggestions

eOSWiki Documentation Suggestions
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…Enter suggestions to improve documentation in this category. Do not raise bugs or issues here…

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

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I ran into issues installing /e/OS on a Pixel 9 Pro. It took several hours, but I figured it out. I’m using Fedora linux. Here is what I learned.

Overview

  1. Download required files
    1. Stock OS:
    2. Lineage OS:
    3. /e/OS:
  2. prepare .img files (using payload-dumper)
  3. load stock android from May 2025
  4. load lineageOS 22.2 recovery from June 2025
  5. load /e/OS 3.0.4

Stock OS image:
caiman-bp1a.250505.005-factory-f158d94e

1. Download and Install the Go Version

  1. Go to the payload-dumper-go releases page.
  2. Download the latest Linux binary (payload-dumper-go-linux-amd64.tar.gz or similar).
  3. Extract it:
    tar -xvf payload-dumper-go-linux-amd64.tar.gz
  4. Move the binary to your working directory (or somewhere in your PATH):
    mv payload-dumper-go ~/Downloads/lineage-22.2-20250624-nightly-caiman-signed/
cd ~/Downloads/lineage-22.2-20250624-nightly-caiman-signed/
chmod +x payload-dumper-go

2. Extract Images from payload.bin

Run:

./payload-dumper-go payload.bin

This will extract all partition images (like boot.img, dtbo.img, vendor_boot.img, etc.) into the current directory.

Step-by-Step: Switch to June Lineage and Sideload /e/OS

Download the older Lineage build first: Grab lineage-22.2-20250624-nightly-caiman-signed.zip from LineageOS downloads for caiman (filter by date if needed). Extract its payload.bin using payload-dumper-go (just like you did for the July one) to get boot.img, dtbo.img, vendor_kernel_boot.img, vendor_boot.img, vbmeta.img, etc. Place them in a new folder (e.g., ~/Downloads/lineage-22.2-20250624/extracted).

Assuming you’re still in recovery or can boot to bootloader (if not, adb reboot bootloader from recovery via Advanced > Reboot to bootloader).

  1. Boot to Bootloader (if not already): From recovery, Advanced > Reboot to bootloader (or Vol Down + Power).
  2. Flash June Lineage Partitions to Slot A (this overwrites the July ones with June SPL versions):
    fastboot set_active a
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
fastboot flash vendor_kernel_boot vendor_kernel_boot.img
fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img  # This is the recovery bundle
fastboot flash vbmeta --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta.img
fastboot reboot bootloader
  3. Switch and Flash to Slot B (sync 'em up):
    fastboot set_active b
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img
fastboot flash vendor_kernel_boot vendor_kernel_boot.img
fastboot flash vendor_boot vendor_boot.img
fastboot flash vbmeta --disable-verity --disable-verification vbmeta.img
fastboot reboot bootloader
  4. Wipe Data/Cache (fresh start):
    fastboot -w
fastboot reboot bootloader
fastboot set_active a
  5. Boot into the June Lineage Recovery:
    • From bootloader: Vol Down + Power > navigate to “Recovery Mode” > Power to select.
    • Or temporary boot: fastboot boot vendor_boot.img.
    • You should see the Lineage recovery screen (same as before, but now with June underpinnings).
  6. Sideload /e/OS (now that SPL should match):
    • In recovery: Wipe > Format Data/Factory Reset (confirm, if not already fresh).
    • Apply Update > Apply from ADB.
    • On laptop: ~/Downloads: adb sideload e-3.0.4-a15-20250713508366-community-caiman.zip
    • Allow unsigned in the LineageOS recovery environment.
    • Watch for success (no SPL error this time). It might still pause at 47%, but should complete.
  7. Reboot:
    • Back to main menu > Reboot system now.
    • Wait 5-10 mins for /e/OS to boot.
    • /e/OS Recovery will load
    • main menu > Reboot system now.
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