Obtaining complete control over your operating system has always attracted enthusiasts. In the mobile tech world, this procedure is called rooting, and it opens the door to features that manufacturers often hide from the average user. However, this process is multifaceted, requires technical training and carries certain risks that you need to know about before starting any manipulations.
Modern versions Android have become much more secure than their predecessors ten years ago. Security mechanisms such as SELinux and the encrypted data partition have made it more difficult to gain privileges. However, the developer community is finding workarounds, creating tools like superuser. However, the developer community is finding workarounds by creating tools like Magiskthat allow you to modify the system while remaining as invisible as possible to banking and gaming applications.
Why do you even need to make such sacrifices? The answer is simple: freedom of action. Removing unremovable system garbage, deep customization of the interface, overclocking the processor or creating full system backups - all this becomes available only after activating the appropriate rights. But is the game worth the candle if the device can turn into a “brick” with one wrong command?
Preparation of the device and risk assessment
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to conduct thorough preparation. The first and most critical step is to create a complete backup of all important data. The rooting process almost always involves full reset devices to factory settings, which will lead to irreversible loss of photos, contacts and messages if they are not saved in the cloud or on external storage.
The second important aspect is battery power. The device must be charged at least 70-80%. Interrupting the process of flashing or unlocking the bootloader due to a dead battery can lead to damage to the system partitions, after which restoring the phone will require complex repairs in a service center or will become completely impossible.
⚠️ Attention: The rooting procedure will automatically void the warranty on your device. Manufacturers consider interference with the system software a violation of operating conditions, therefore, in the event of a hardware failure after rooting, the service center has every right to refuse free repairs.
It is also worth checking the support for your specific model on specialized forums, such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. Not all smartphones have working methods for obtaining root access, especially for devices with processors MediaTek of the latest generations or with locked bootloaders from telecom operators.
Make sure that the correct drivers ADB and Fastbootare installed on your computer. Without these utilities, communication between a PC and a smartphone in bootloader mode will be impossible. You can download them as part Android SDK Platform-Tools from the official website of the developers.
Unlocking the bootloader
The foundation for obtaining superuser rights is an unlocked bootloader. By default, manufacturers block it to prevent the installation of unsigned software. The unlocking process varies depending on the brand: for Xiaomi requires a wait of 7 to 15 days after submitting the application, and for Google Pixel the procedure takes only a couple of minutes.
First you need to activate developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, go to the new menu For developers and enable the option Factory unlock (OEM Unlocking).
Then the phone is switched to Fastbootmode. This is usually done by using a combination of the Power and Volume Down keys while the device is turned off. After connecting your smartphone to your PC, run the command in the terminal:
fastboot oem unlockOr, for newer devices:
fastboot flashing unlockA data loss warning will appear on the phone screen. Confirm the action with the volume buttons. The device will reboot and reset. Now the bootloader is open, and the path to install a modified recovery or patched kernel is clear.
☑️ Checklist before unlocking
Installing custom recovery (TWRP)
The standard recovery menu (Stock Recovery) has extremely limited functionality and does not allow installing third-party zip archives. To root, you need to install a custom recovery, the most popular of which is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). It has a touch interface and supports mounting partitions to access the file system.
Download the image twrp.img, designed specifically for your device model. Using an image from another smartphone is guaranteed to cause a failure. Place the file in the utilities folder ADB on your computer and run the command:
fastboot flash recovery twrp.imgImmediately after flashing the firmware, it is important to prevent automatic loading into the system, since the stock firmware can overwrite the custom recovery with its own. To do this, use a combination of buttons or the command:
fastboot boot twrp.imgAfter loading into TWRP swipe to allow changes. Now you have a tool that can install archives with permissions, make full backups (Nandroid) and clear the cache.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with data encryption (Android 10 and above), TWRP may require a screen unlock password. If you cannot enter the password or it is not accepted, you may have to format the Data partition through the Wipe menu, which will delete all files.
Installing Magisk: the modern rooting method
Forget about old utilities like SuperSU. Today the gold standard is Magisk. Its main advantage is the silent modification system (systemless), which does not physically change the partition /system. This allows you to pass the system integrity check (SafetyNet/Play Integrity), necessary for the operation of banking applications and Google Pay.
The installation process is as follows. Download the latest version of Magisk APK from the official GitHub repository. Rename the file extension from .apk to .zip. Download this archive to your phone and install it through the menu Install in TWRP.
An alternative and often more reliable method is patching the boot image. You need to extract the file boot.img from your phone's firmware, transfer it to your smartphone, open the Magisk application, select Installation → Boot image patching. The resulting file magisk_patched.img return to the PC and flash it with the command:
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.imgAfter rebooting, the Magisk icon will appear in the system. Open the application - if the "Version" line displays a number rather than "Not installed", then superuser rights have been successfully obtained.
Use the MagiskHide Props Config module if you need to replace the device fingerprint to pass security checks in specific applications.
Setting access rights and managing modules
After successful installation, you have access to privilege management. The first time you launch an app that requires root, Magisk will ask for confirmation. You can grant access temporarily, permanently, or deny it. In the application settings, you can turn on the notification log to see which apps are trying to gain high level access.
One of the key features of the Magisk ecosystem is modules. These are small packages that change the behavior of the system without flashing it. With their help you can:
- 🚀 Activate support for high-resolution audio codecs (LDAC, aptX HD) at the system level.
- 🛡️ Implement a system ad blocker (for example, AdAway), which filters traffic at the hosts file level.
- 🎨 Change system fonts, animations and emoji without replacing the entire interface.
- 🔋 Optimize the processor to increase autonomy or performance in games.
Modules are installed directly from the Magisk application in the “Modules” tab. After downloading and installing, a reboot is required. Be careful: incompatible modules may cause a bootloop. In this case, boot into safe mode (holding the volume down button when turning on) to automatically disable all modules.
| Tool | Purpose | Difficulty | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magisk Manager | Managing root access and modules | Low | Minimum |
| TWRP Recovery | Installing firmware and backups | Medium | Medium |
| ADB & Fastboot | Debugging and firmware via PC | High | High |
| Kernel Adiutor | Configuring kernel parameters | High | Critical |
Magisk allows you to hide the fact of having root access from specific applications through the DenyList function, which is critical for the operation of banking software.
Possible problems and recovery methods
Rooting is a process not without errors. The most common problem is when the phone endlessly reboots before reaching the desktop. This often happens when an incompatible module is installed or the boot partition is damaged. If you have a custom recovery installed, go into it and remove the problematic modules or restore the backup boot image. bootloop, when the phone endlessly reboots before reaching the desktop. This often happens when an incompatible module is installed or the boot partition is damaged. If you have a custom recovery installed, go into it and remove the problematic modules or restore the backup boot image.
Another common situation is loss of functioning of the camera or sensors. This happens if the patched boot image does not interact correctly with hardware drivers. In this case, the only solution is to return to the stock bootloader image downloaded from the manufacturer’s official website.
Also, users may encounter Widevine L1 blocking, which will make it impossible to watch content on Netflix or other streaming services in high quality (HD/4K). It is almost impossible to return L1 level after unlocking the bootloader on many devices, since this certificate is tied to the security state of the device.
⚠️ Attention: If your device is encrypted and you forgot the unlock password after a factory reset in TWRP, access to data will be lost forever. Decryption without a key is impossible using modern methods.
To completely return to its original state (unroot), the Magisk application has a “Full clear” button. It removes all traces of modification. However, to return the warranty, you often need to reflash the device through official utilities (for example, Mi Flash, Odin or SP Flash Tool), which erase all partitions completely.
What are Soft Brick and Hard Brick?
Soft Brick is the state when the phone turns on, but does not work correctly (freezes, reboots). It can be fixed programmatically. Hard Brick - when the device does not show signs of life, does not respond to buttons and is not detected by the PC. Often requires resoldering memory chips or using a programmer.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Will the security of my phone decrease after getting root?
Yes, the basic level of security is reduced, since any app with superuser rights can access all data. However, with proper configuration of Magisk and the use of security modules, risks can be minimized. Do not grant root access to dubious applications.
Is it possible to receive system updates over the air (OTA) with root access?
Standard OTA updates are usually not installed on modified devices. You will have to download the full firmware image and install it manually through recovery or PC, while maintaining root access by patching a new boot image.
Do banking applications work on rooted Android?
By default, many banks block access. However, Magisk allows you to hide the presence of root access through the DenyList (formerly MagiskHide) settings. If the bank still doesn't work, you may need to additionally hide the status of the unlocked bootloader.
Will rooting increase battery life?
Having root access in itself does not save battery. However, it makes it possible to use special modules and applications to aggressively put background processes to sleep and undervolt the processor, which in the hands of an experienced user can extend battery life.
Is it possible to return the warranty by removing root?
Technically, yes, if you completely restore the factory software and lock the bootloader. But the physical response counter (for example, Knox on Samsung) may remain in the “1” state, which will forever deprive you of the warranty on the software part and some security functions.