Obtaining superuser rights, or root access, opens up almost limitless opportunities for the smartphone owner to customize the system. This action allows you to remove applications pre-installed by the manufacturer that cannot be disabled using standard methods, as well as install specialized software for deep optimization of processor and battery performance. However, the process of gaining full access to the file system is associated with certain risks, including the possibility of turning the device into a “brick” if incorrect actions are performed.
Many users wonder why it is necessary to interfere with the operation of the operating system at all, if the standard functionality Android seems sufficient. The answer lies in the desire to gain complete control over the hardware: overclocking the clock frequency, changing voltages, completely replacing the interface and using powerful firewalls. Before you begin active actions, you must be clearly aware that obtaining superuser privileges will void the official warranty on the device in most cases.
In this article we will examine in detail modern methods for obtaining administrator rights that are relevant for current versions of the operating system. We will look at not only the technical aspects of unlocking the bootloader and firmware, but also the legal consequences, as well as ways to restore the device to its original state. Remember that after unlocking the bootloader, the data on the device will be completely deleted for security purposes.
Preparation of the device and the necessary tools
The first and most important step is preparation workplace and the smartphone itself. You will need a computer running Windows, Linux or macOS, as well as a working USB cable, preferably an original one, to avoid problems with data transfer. You need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your smartphone, which are key tools for interacting with the system partition of the device via the command line.
It is also critical to create a complete backup of all important data, including contacts, photos and documents. The bootloader unlocking process, which is a mandatory step to get Root, initiates a full factory reset of the device. Without a preliminary backup, you risk irretrievably losing all personal information.
To work, you will need the following software components:
- 📦 Platform Tools —an official utility package from Google containing ADB and Fastboot.
- 🔓 Unlock Tool —a specialized utility from the manufacturer of your smartphone (for example, Mi Unlock for Xiaomi).
- 📱 Custom Recovery —a modified recovery menu, such as TWRP or OrangeFox.
- 🛡️ Magisk —a modern tool for managing root access and masking their presence.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that your device's battery charge is at least 60-70%. Interrupting the firmware process due to low battery may damage the system partitions and make it impossible to boot the operating system.
Unlocking the bootloader
The bootloader is a app that runs before the operating system and verifies the digital signatures of all launched components. Manufacturers block it by default to prevent the installation of unverified software. To obtain Root access, this lock must be removed. The process differs for different brands: w Xiaomi requires waiting for 7 days after linking the account, while on devices Google Pixel or OnePlus this is done almost instantly through Fastboot commands.
To put the smartphone into bootloader mode, you usually need to turn off the device and hold down the key combination, more often All these are the volume down button and the power button. After connecting to the PC in this mode, you can send an unlock command. It is worth noting that on smartphones from American telecom operators (Verizon, AT&T), unlocking the bootloader is often impossible using software methods.
The procedure itself is as follows:
- Activate developer mode in the phone settings by clicking 7 times on the build number in the "About phone" section.
- In the developer menu enable USB debugging and enable OEM unlocking.
- Connect the phone to the PC and enter the command in the command line
adb reboot bootloader. - After rebooting in Fastboot mode, enter the command
fastboot flashing unlockor specific to your manufacturer.
After confirming the action on the smartphone screen, the device will reboot and reset the data. Now the bootloader is unlocked and you can install unsigned recovery images. This is a fundamental step, without which further manipulations are impossible.
Installing custom Recovery (TWRP)
The standard recovery menu, preinstalled by the manufacturer, has extremely limited functionality and does not allow installing third-party ZIP archives or creating full backups of partitions. Therefore, the next step is to install a custom recovery, the most popular of which is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). This tool has a touch interface and supports working with the file system in read-write mode.
The recovery image must be downloaded strictly for the specific model of your device. Using a file from another model, even if they are similar, can lead to serious errors in the touchscreen or the inability to boot the system. The file usually has an extension .img and is flashed via Fastboot mode with the command fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
There is an important nuance for modern devices with data encryption. After installing TWRP for the first time, the system can automatically reboot into stock Android, replacing the custom recovery back to stock. To avoid this, immediately after flashing the image, you need to hold down the key combination to enter recovery manually, without releasing the button until the TWRP logo appears.
What to do if TWRP does not see the internal memory?
If after installation you see that the internal memory is displayed as 0 MB, this is due to encryption. You will need to go to the Wipe → Format Data section, enter the word “yes” and confirm the action. This will delete all data, but will decrypt the partition, making it available for TWRP.
The following key functions are available in custom recovery:
- 📂 Backup — creating a complete image of all partitions (Boot, System, Data) for a quick rollback.
- 💾 Install — installing ZIP archives with patches, mods and kernels.
- 🧹 Wipe —cleaning Dalvik, Cache and Data partitions for a clean installation of firmware.
- ⚙️ Advanced —working with the terminal, managing partitions and dumps.
⚠️ Attention: The “Format Data” function in TWRP irreversibly deletes all files in the internal memory. Use it only if you have backed up important photos and documents to external media or to the cloud.
Installing Magisk to obtain Root
Today Magsk is the de facto standard for obtaining superuser rights. Unlike the legacy SuperSU, Magisk works on a systemless basis, meaning it does not make changes to the system partition directly. This allows you to pass a system integrity check (SafetyNet/Play Integrity), which is critical for the operation of banking applications and Google Pay services.
The installation process is as follows: you download the Magisk APK file, rename its extension to .zip and copy it to the device. Then, being in the TWRP menu, select Install, find the archive and install. After the reboot, the Magisk application will appear on the system, which manages access rights.
An alternative method, which is often required for devices with a locked system partition, involves patching the bootloader image. You extract the file boot.img from the stock firmware, open it through the Magisk application on your phone (function “Install” → “Select and patch file”), receiving the file magisk_patched.img. This file is then flashed into the boot partition via the computer with the command fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img.
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
fastboot reboot
Successful installation is confirmed by the appearance of the Magisk application icon in the menu and the “Installed” status inside it. Now you can grant or revoke root access for any installed application through a convenient interface.
Use the MagiskHide function (or Zygisk in new versions) to hide the presence of root access from specific applications, such as banking clients or anti-cheat games.
Comparison of methods for obtaining administrator rights
There are several approaches to gaining privileged access, and the choice depends on the device model and Android version. One-click applications, which were popular several years ago, now practically do not work on new versions of the system due to enhanced security mechanisms. Below is a table comparing the main methods.
| Method | Complexity | Security | Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-click utilities (KingRoot, etc.) | Low | Low (risk of viruses) | Outdated for Android 10+ |
| Unlock BL + TWRP + Magisk | High | High (user control) | Standard for all devices |
| Patching boot.img | Medium | High | For devices without TWRP |
| Kernel exploits | Very high | Unstable | Only for older versions |
As can be seen from the table, the combination of an unlocked bootloader and Magisk is the most reliable and secure way. Using dubious apps that promise Root in one click often leads to the installation of adware or Trojans in the system partition, which are extremely difficult to get rid of without flashing.
The only safe way to get Root on modern Android is to manually unlock the bootloader and install Magisk through custom recovery or patching the image.
Possible risks and recovery methods
Despite careful preparation, there is always a risk of failure. The device may stop responding to commands, freeze at the logo, or go into an endless reboot (bootloop). In most cases, if the bootloader is unlocked, the problem can be solved by re-flashing the stock recovery image or completely flashing the official firmware through the manufacturer's special utilities.
For devices Samsung the app Odin and firmware files .tar.md5are used. For Xiaomi — Mi Flash Tool.
It is also worth considering the impact on data security. With an unlocked bootloader, an attacker gaining physical access to your switched off phone could theoretically read the data, since the encryption keys are stored differently. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Root on devices that store critical corporate data or cryptocurrency funds without additional protection measures.
⚠️ Attention: After obtaining root access, some banking applications may refuse to work even if the rights are hidden. In such cases, the only solution is to completely flash the device to a clean official version with a locked bootloader.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the warranty expire after receiving root access?
In most cases yes. Unlocking the bootloader and changing the software is a violation of the warranty terms. Although physical traces of tampering can be removed by flashing the stock version, service centers can check the status of the bootloader or the trigger counter (for example, Knox on Samsung), which is irreversibly triggered by any tampering.
Is it possible to receive system updates over the air (OTA) with root access?
Usually no. The presence of a modified boot or recovery partition blocks the installation of official updates. The system detects a checksum mismatch and aborts the process. To update, you will have to temporarily remove Root, return the stock boot image, update and then get rights again.
Is it safe to use banking applications with Magisk?
Yes, this is possible thanks to the hiding function (MagiskHide/Zygisk). However, banks are constantly updating detection methods, so additional configuration of modules or the use of special exclusion lists may be required. In some cases, applications may still not launch.
What is a “brick” and can it be revived?
“Brick” is a slang name for a device that does not show signs of life or does not boot. If the bootloader is unlocked, the device can almost always be restored via Fastboot or EDL (Emergency Download Mode). If the bootloader is locked and the critical partition is damaged, recovery may be impossible without the intervention of a service center with a programmer.
Do you need to install an antivirus on a rooted phone?
On a rooted phone, traditional antiviruses are less effective, since malware can also gain root access and hide. The best protection is caution when granting access rights in the Magisk application and installing applications only from trusted sources.