Once the command line shows the transfer is complete, reboot your device: fastboot reboot Use code with caution.
Most Google Pixels (from Pixel 2 onward), OnePlus 6/7/8/9, Xiaomi Mi A series, Essential Phone, and many Nokia Android One phones.
The Ultimate Guide to system-arm64-ab.img.xz for Android 12 GSI Flashers
You might wonder, Why not just use the stock ROM? Here are compelling reasons:
Because GSIs are generic, they occasionally conflict with proprietary vendor drivers. Check community forums (like XDA Developers) for device-specific "Treble fixes" or hardware overlays ( phh-treble settings) designed to patch these bugs post-installation. If you need help with the next steps, tell me: What device model are you trying to flash?
To understand why this file exists, you need to understand Project Treble. Before Treble (Android 8.0), the Android system and vendor HALs were tightly coupled, making OS updates slow and device-dependent. Treble created a stable, standardized interface between the Android OS framework ( system partition) and the vendor implementation ( vendor partition).
Flashing or using this system image typically requires technical knowledge and can potentially brick a device if not done correctly. This might limit its use to more experienced users or professionals.
Result: system-arm64-ab.img (raw ext4 / EROFS image)