Google is Blocking AI Features on Rooted Pixel Phones
Yes, you heard it right. Google Pixel 9’s AI features appears to not work on devices that are either rooted or with unlocked bootloader. This even includes the Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro series, and not just non-Pixel Android devices with these apps installed.
The primary AI capable apps introduced at the recent Pixel 9 launch event include the Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel Weather‘s with AI weather reports, and Gemini Live. Once Google detects an Unlocked Bootloader, which is the first step in rooting any Android device, the AI features in these apps will stop working. Some users also suggest this may also affect other AI features on the Pixel 9 series.
The new Google Pixel 9 series phones come packed with impressive AI capabilities, but some users are running into issues getting these features to work properly when their device has an unlocked bootloader. See what work and what not.
AI Features Failing to Function
Several Pixel 9 owners have reported problems with AI-powered apps like Pixel Screenshots and Pixel Studio when their bootloader is unlocked or the device is rooted. The common issue with Pixel Screenshots is that it gets stuck at “Downloading models” indefinitely. Pixel Studio shows a “Something went wrong” error. Other AI features fail to initialize properly as well.
This is happening even on devices using tools like TrickyStore to spoof a locked bootloader state. The issue seems to persist whether the phone is rooted or just has an unlocked bootloader.
While the exact reason isn’t confirmed, there are a few theories in place. Google is implementing stricter checks to detect unlocked bootloaders and rooted devices. The AI features may be looking for specific device fingerprints that get altered with custom ROMs or rooting. There could be server-side verification happening that fails for modified devices.
One user reported seeing logs indicating a “Precondition check failed” error when the AI core tries to initialize, suggesting some kind of attestation or verification is failing.
Potential Fixes
An ongoing discussion at xdaforums have revealed some potential workarounds and solutions
- Using the new A15 Beta fingerprint for Pixel 9 devices allows Pixel Studio to work properly.
- Completely unrooting and relocking the bootloader resolves the issues for some users.
- Older Pixel devices (like the Pixel 8) seem able to run these apps without issues, even when rooted.
- Disabling on-device AI allows some features to work, but defeats the purpose of local processing.
Is this the end of rooting on Android?
Is Google intentionally blocking AI features on Pixel devices?
As AI is the most attractive thing on Pixel 9 series right now, apart from the Pixel camera, Google might be wanting to keep AI features exclusive to Pixel series devices.
Non-Pixel Android users can easily gain Pixel 9 features on any smartphone by just spoofing their Android into thinking it’s Pixel 9 Pro by using a simple pixel props zip file. It essentially tweaks the build.prop file on your Android.
So in order to keep the spoofers at bay, Google might be blocking AI features on rooted Pixel 9 series.
Let us know in the comments below of what you think.
