Guide: how to get root access on Android 7

Operating system Android 7.0 Nougat and its modified version 7.1 brought many improvements in performance and security, but they also became a barrier for enthusiasts. Old methods of obtaining superuser rights, such as KingsRoot or OneClickRoot, have practically stopped working on this version of the OS due to the tightening of Google's security policies. Now the process requires deeper intervention in the system partitions and an understanding of the bootloader architecture.

Obtaining root access on the "seven" opens access to system files, allows you to remove pre-installed software (bloatware), configure the processor and install specialized modules. However, it's not just a matter of pressing one button in the app. You will have to go through the process of unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery. This is a responsible step that requires careful preparation and understanding of the risks.

In this guide, we will examine in detail the modern method of introducing administrator rights using the tool Magisk. Unlike the old SuperSU, Magisk works systemically, which allows you to hide the fact of obtaining root access from banking applications and Google Pay services. We will go all the way from preparing drivers to the final check of access rights.

Preparing the device and computer for firmware

Before starting any manipulations with the system software, you need to make sure that your equipment is completely ready. The most important thing is to create a complete backup of all data, since the process of unlocking the bootloader will inevitably lead to a complete reset (wipe data). Save photos, contacts and documents to the cloud or external storage. Also charge your smartphone at least to 70%to avoid power outage at a critical moment.

You will need a computer with an operating system Windows, macOS or Linux. It is necessary to install universal drivers ADB and Fastbooton it. Without these tools, the computer simply will not see your device in bootloader mode. Download Platform Tools from the official website of Android developers and unpack the archive to the root of drive C for ease of working with the command line.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader on many smartphones (for example Huawei or some models Samsung) may be officially blocked by the manufacturer. In such cases, obtaining root is impossible without purchasing paid codes or exploiting vulnerabilities, which significantly increases the risk of turning the phone into a “brick.”

Do not forget to activate the debugging mode on the smartphone itself. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. In the menu that appears For developers turn on the toggle switch USB debugging. This permission will give the computer the right to send commands to the device.

Unlocking the bootloader Bootloader

Bootloader is a app that runs before the operating system and verifies the digital signature of the loaded software. By default, it allows the launch of only-signed official firmware. To install custom recovery, we need to remove this lock. The process differs for different brands, but the logic is the same.

Connect the phone to the PC with a cable and open the command line in the Platform Tools folder. Enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

A window should appear on the smartphone screen asking for debugging permission - confirm it. Then reboot your device into Fastboot mode:

adb reboot bootloader

After entering fastboot mode (usually the Android robot screen or text menu), enter the unlock command:

fastboot oem unlock

Or, for newer implementations:

fastboot flashing unlock

A data loss warning will appear on the phone screen. Confirm the action with the volume buttons. The device will reboot and perform a factory reset. Now the bootloader is unlocked, and we can write third-party images to the recovery section.

What to do if the command does not work?

If the `fastboot oem unlock` command gives an error or the message 'Command not allowed', then the manufacturer has blocked this feature programmatically. For Xiaomi devices, permission is required on the miui.com website; for Huawei, the unlock code is no longer officially issued. In such cases, the standard method will not work.

Installing custom TWRP recovery

Standard Android recovery has limited functionality and does not allow installing third-party zip archives. We need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). This is an open source touch recovery that is the gold standard for firmware modification. You need to find an image (.img file) created specifically for your smartphone model and version of Android 7.

Download the file twrp-3.x.x-x-model.img and put it in the ADB folder. For simplicity, rename it to recovery.img. Put the phone into fastboot mode again and execute the firmware command:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Critical point: after successful firmware do not press power button for a normal reboot. This may cause the stock recovery to overwrite the custom one. Instead, use a combination of buttons (usually Volume Down + Power) to enter directly into recovery mode as soon as the screen goes dark.

In the TWRP menu, first of all, make a full backup of the current system (button Backup). Select sections Boot, System and Data. This is your insurance: if something goes wrong, you can recover from this image. Also in the TWRP settings (Settings), it is recommended to uncheck the "Use MD5 for Backup" item to speed up the backup process.

Installing Magisk and obtaining superuser rights

Now that we have access to the advanced recovery mode, we can implement administrator rights. The modern standard is Magisk. Download the current Magisk apk file, rename its extension from .apk to .zip (for example, Magisk-v26.0.zip) and copy it to the phone's internal memory or SD card.

Boot into TWRP. Go to section Install (Installation). Find the downloaded Magisk zip file and swipe to confirm installation. The process will take a few seconds. After successful completion, click the button Reboot System.

Stage	Action	Result
1	Start TWRP	Access the file system
2	Flash Magisk.zip	Patching boot image
3	Reboot	Start the system as root
4	Installing APK	Appearance of the control icon

After loading Android, find a new icon in the application menu Magisk. Launch it. The application may request additional downloading of files or installation of the full package - agree. If the application opens and shows the installation version, then the process was successful. For full operation of the rights, another reboot may be required.

Checking rights and setting up application access

To make sure that root access is really active, install the application Root Checker from Google Play. Launch it and click the "Verify Root" button. If you see a green congratulations message, it means the system kernel has been modified correctly. Now you can use apps like Titanium Backup or Greenify for deep optimization.

An important feature of Magisk is the ability to control access. Go to the settings of the Magisk application (shield icon at the top) and enable the function Zygisk (if available for your version of Android 7) or just follow the list of requests. When an application first tries to gain superuser rights, a pop-up window will appear on the screen asking for confirmation.

You can configure access rules:

• 🔒 Decline — the application will not receive rights and may work normally or throw an error.
• ✅ Allow — application gets full access to the system.
• ⏱ Allow only temporarily — access is valid until the application is rebooted or closed.

⚠️ Attention: Do not provide root access to unfamiliar applications. Malware with root privileges can steal any data, including passwords for banking applications, or encrypt your device. Always check the source of downloading apps that require such privileges.

Possible problems and solutions

The rooting process on Android 7 does not always go smoothly. One of the common problems is Bootloop (infinite reboot). If after installing Magisk the phone does not boot beyond the logo, try logging into TWRP and doing wipe cache/dalvik. If this does not help, restore the Boot backup made before the firmware.

Another common situation is Google Pay or banking applications not working. Although Magisk is positioned as a hidden root, some banks have learned to detect it. In the Magisk settings, enable the function MagiskHide (in new versions this is done by setting the exclusion list). Add bank applications and Google Play Services there. Sometimes it is necessary to clear the data of these applications after setting up hiding.

Also, users are faced with the loss of Widevine L1, which is why Netflix and other streaming services stop showing content in HD. This happens due to the bootloader being unlocked. It is almost impossible to return a high level of protection programmatically, since this is a hardware binding of encryption keys.

Is it safe to root Android 7 in 2026?

From a technical point of view, the process is proven and safe if you follow the instructions. However, from a data security point of view, having root access reduces the security of the device. Malicious apps can take full control. In addition, some modern applications may refuse to work on rooted devices, even with hidden rights.

Will the warranty expire after unlocking the bootloader?

In most cases, yes. Unlocking the bootloader is considered a violation of the software's terms of use. Some manufacturers (such as Xiaomi) allow you to officially unlock the bootloader, but this will still void the software warranty. The physical warranty may be preserved if you can return the stock firmware and lock the bootloader before visiting the service.

Is it possible to update the system over the air (OTA) with root access?

Usually no. The presence of a modified boot or recovery partition blocks the installation of official OTA updates. Attempting to update may result in a failure. To update the system, you will have to manually download the full firmware, install it through recovery and re-flash Magisk.

What to do if the phone went into bootloop after installing Magisk?

Don't panic. Hold down the Volume and Power buttons to get into TWRP. If recovery is available, go to the Install section and find the file uninstall.zip (if created) or simply restore the image boot.img from a backup copy. If TWRP does not start, you will have to reflash the stock bootloader image via Fastboot on the computer.

Will a factory reset remove root access?

No. A normal reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) from the Android settings menu only affects the user partition and cache. The system and boot sections, where superuser rights are registered, remain unchanged. To completely remove root, you need to flash the stock image boot.img or use the complete removal function in the Magisk application.