Many smartphone owners sooner or later face limitations of the operating system Android. The standard user interface does not allow you to remove pre-installed system applications, deeply customize the processor, or use specialized backup software. Gaining superuser rights, known in the community as rooting or obtaining root, removes these restrictions and allows full access to the device's file system.
The process of obtaining privileges varies depending on the smartphone model, firmware version and manufacturer. Modern versions Android have enhanced protection, so old methods that worked five years ago can lead to the gadget not working today. Before starting any manipulations, you need to clearly understand what risks you are taking on and how to properly prepare the device for interfering with system partitions.
In this article we will look at current ways to obtain advanced access, from unlocking the bootloader to installing a rights manager Magisk. We will not consider outdated utilities like KingRoot or iRoot, since they often contain vulnerabilities and do not support new versions of the system. Our goal is a safe and controlled software modification process.
Device preparation and risk assessment
The first step is to create a complete backup of all important data. The procedure for obtaining superuser rights often requires a factory reset, which will lead to permanent loss of photos, contacts and messages. Use cloud services or connect your smartphone to your computer to copy files to internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the manufacturer's official warranty for the device. If the hardware fails, the service center may refuse free repair, citing interference with the software.
You also need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware or unlocking process due to low battery may result in the phone turning into a brick and no longer turning on. Charging must be stable, it is advisable to use the original cable and power supply.
Enable USB debugging mode in the developer menu. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the item Build number seven times until a notification appears indicating that you have become a developer. Then in the new menu, activate the switch USB debugging.
☑️ Ready for rooting
Unlocking the bootloader
Most modern smartphones come with a locked bootloader, which prevents the installation of unofficial recovery images and modified systems. Without unlocking Bootloader it is almost impossible to obtain permanent superuser rights. The process differs for different brands.
For devices Xiaomi an official utility is required Mi Unlock Tool and linking the account to the device in a few days. Owners Pixel or OnePlus can unlock via the command line on the computer using Fastboot mode. Smartphones Samsung often require switching to mode Download Mode and confirming the action by pressing a combination of buttons.
After executing the unlock command, all data on the device will be deleted automatically. This is a security measure provided by the Android developers. The device will reboot, and you will need to go through the initial system setup again before setting access rights.
Unlocking nuances for Sony and Motorola
Some Sony and Motorola models require obtaining a special unlock code from the manufacturer's official website. This code is entered in Fastboot mode before executing the main command. Without this code, the procedure is not possible legally.
Make sure that the correct ones are installed on your computer ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, the computer will not see the smartphone in bootloader mode, and commands will not be executed. You can check the connection with the command fastboot devices in the terminal.
Installing custom recovery (TWRP)
The standard recovery menu (Stock Recovery) has limited functionality and does not allow you to install modified files or make complete ones system backups. To obtain root access, a custom recovery is usually installed, the most popular of which is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project).
Download an image .img, specially assembled for your specific smartphone model. Using an image from a different model will result in an error and potential damage to device partitions. Boot the phone into mode Fastboot and connect it to the PC.
Execute the recovery flashing command through the terminal:
fastboot flash recovery twrp_image_name.imgImmediately after flashing, do not allow the phone to boot into a regular system, otherwise the standard recovery may overwrite the installed TWRP. Hold down the combination of buttons (usually Volume down + Power or Volume up + Power) to enter directly into the installed recovery menu.
⚠️ Attention: On On devices with data encryption (Android 10 and above), TWRP may request a screen unlock password. If you cannot enter the password or it is not accepted, you may need to disable encryption or format Data through the Wipe menu.
Installing Magisk and obtaining Root access
Today Magisk is the de facto standard for managing superuser rights. Unlike old methods (SuperSU), Magisk works system-seamlessly (Systemless), which allows you to hide the fact of rooting from banking applications and services with integrity verification.
Download the latest version of the installation file Magisk.apk from the official GitHub repository. Rename the file extension from .apk to .zip, if your version of TWRP does not support installing apk directly, or simply copy the apk to the internal memory of the phone.
In the TWRP menu, select Install, find the Magisk file and swipe to confirm installation. After completing the procedure, click Reboot System. When you first boot, the system may take longer to initialize than usual - this is normal.
| Characteristics | SuperSU (Outdated) | Magisk (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation method | Changing the system partition | Systemless (without changing the system) |
| OTA updates | Often break | Possible with proper configuration |
| Hide Root | Missing or works poorly | Built-in MagiskHide/Zygisk function |
| Modules | Limited support | Full module support |
After downloading, find the icon Magiskin the applications menu. Open it and grant the required permissions. If the app prompts you to perform additional installation or configuration, agree and allow the reboot. Now you have full access to the system.
Magisk allows you to use modules to change system parameters without physically flashing partitions, which greatly simplifies rolling back changes in case of errors.
Alternative methods and manufacturer specifics
Not all devices require unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP. Some smartphones, especially from Chinese manufacturers with processors MediaTek, allow you to gain rights through vulnerabilities in the data transfer protocol or special utilities like SP Flash Tool. However, these methods require high qualifications.
For devices Samsung with processors Exynos the method of flashing a modified image boot.img through a app Odinis often used. You extract the firmware file, patch the image boot via the Magisk application on your phone, and then flash the patched file back through Odin in Download mode.
- 📱 OnePlus / Pixel: Standard path via Fastboot and TWRP, maximum compatibility.
- 📱 Xiaomi / Redmi: Mandatory unlocking via Mi Unlock, wait 7 days.
- 📱 Samsung: Firmware via Odin, presence of a physical KNOX switch (trigger is activated).
Owners of devices with processors Snapdragon have more opportunities for experimentation thanks to the wide community of developers on the forums XDA Developers. For processors HiSilicon (Huawei/Honor), getting root has become extremely difficult in recent years due to the closure of the bootloader code.
Rights management and security after rooting
After successfully obtaining superuser rights, it is critical to configure the permission manager. The Magisk app will ask for confirmation every time another app tries to gain root access. Never grant access to suspicious applications.
It is recommended to enable the function Zygisk in Magisk settings. This allows code to run in the Zygote process, which is necessary for modern modules to work and effectively hide root access. Also activate Enforce DenyListto hide the presence of rights from selected applications (banks, games with anti-cheat).
⚠️ Attention: Even with hidden root, some banking applications may refuse to work. This is due to the fact that they check not only for the presence of a superuser, but also for the integrity of the bootloader or the presence of a custom recovery.
Regularly update the Magisk application to the latest version. Developers are constantly closing vulnerabilities and improving compatibility with new versions Android. An outdated version of the rights manager can become a hole in the security of your device.
Use the MagiskHide Props Config module if you need to change the device fingerprint. This helps bypass security checks in applications that block operation on rooted firmware.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to get system updates over the air (OTA) with root access?
Usually no. Having a modified system partition or an unlocked bootloader blocks the installation of official updates. However, when using Magisk and the method of flashing a patched boot image (without installing TWRP), it is sometimes possible to receive OTA if you temporarily return the stock image before updating.
Is it safe to use banking applications after rooting?
Without additional settings - no. Banking applications detect root and block login. Using the hiding function in Magisk (DenyList) and security modules, you can cheat the verification, but the risk of blocking your account by the bank always remains theoretically possible.
What to do if the phone stops turning on after the firmware?
Try to enter Recovery or Fastboot mode and perform a data reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset). If this does not help, you will need to flash the device with the official stock image via a computer (Flash Tool, Odin, Mi Flash).
Will a factory reset remove root access?
No. A regular Factory Reset from the phone menu clears only user data and cache, but does not affect the system partition where superuser rights are registered. To remove root, you need to reflash a clean system image.
Is it possible to return the warranty by removing root access?
Technically, you can restore the software to its factory state, but on many devices (especially Samsung with Knox) the physical fuse (e-fuse) trips. It cannot be reset programmatically, and the service center will see the fact of interference even on clean firmware.