According to a Google online chat support rep, rooting your Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL won't void your warranty with the company.
Needless to say, that's good news for anyone who grabbed the new phones by Google with plans to tinker with them.
Pixel 2 Safe To Root
Over at the Android forums, Brian706 shared screenshots of a conversation he had with a Google support rep named Alex.
He asked whether or not rooting and flashing a ROM to the Pixel 2 will avoid warranty since the device will have an unlockable bootloader when bought from Google, after all.
The most interesting bit here is this:
"This [rooting] doesn't affect any warranty you may have with us."
And probably the most important part is this:
"However, in order for us to explore warranty options, we will need for you to return your device to the latest stable version of Android."
In short, you can root the Pixel 2 as long as you don't break your device, and when sending it in for warranty, you have to make sure it's running on an up-to-date, functioning version of Android.
Pixel 2 Rooting Precautions
Just to be safe, you should only root your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL if it's bought directly from Google, as the conversation above confirms the integrity of your warranty that way only.
In other words, your warranty isn't guaranteed to stay intact if you root a Pixel 2 under a carrier because there might be a different set of rules for such devices in place.
One more thing to consider is that the case might not be the same for you. Think about it this way: If Google suddenly changes its mind on this, then you're out of luck since the go-ahead to root your device without voiding your warranty isn't written anywhere in official documents such as the manual or the website.
Perhaps you can also chat up a Google support rep to get written confirmation — and a screenshot of the conversation, of course — that you had the green light to root your Pixel 2 without voiding the warranty, just like Brian706.
Still, Google has never been against rooting at all, and at times, most Android manufacturers even encourage and help out users who want to root their devices.
The Bottom Line
Most Android users don't really find a need to root their phones nowadays since most devices are already powerful enough to run smoothly and provide customization options. However, rooting still opens up a ton of possibilities, and thus the community who prefers to tweak devices as much as possible remains alive and well.
At that, considering the chat between Brian706 and Alex, the Pixel 2 is one of the perfect devices to root and flash a ROM to.
