How to open system folders on Android: all methods with root and without superuser rights

System folders Android store critical files of the operating system, application settings and device kernel. By default, they are hidden from the user - not only to protect against accidental deletion, but also to prevent malfunctions of the smartphone. However, sometimes access to these directories is necessary: to manually clear the cache, restore deleted data, modify firmware or debug applications.

In this article we will examine all current methods entering system folders Android - from simple methods without rootrights to advanced techniques using custom recovery and ADB. It is important to understand that any changes to system partitions can lead to irreversible damage to the firmware or loss of warranty. If your goal is simply to free up memory, first try standard cleaning methods in the device settings.

The material will be useful for both beginners and experienced users. We will pay attention not only to the technical side of the issue, but also to precautions that will help avoid common mistakes. Let's start with the safest methods and gradually move on to more complex ones.

1. Access to system folders without root access: what you can see

Without superuser rights (root), you will not be able to edit or delete files in protected sections, but some system folders are still viewable. This is possible due to the fact that Android provides limited access to certain directories through standard explorers.

The most popular file managers with support for viewing system folders:

• 📁 Solid Explorer — plugin for working with root folders (requires activation in settings)
• 🔍 FX File Explorer — built-in "Root Access" mode (works on some devices without root)
• 🛠️ MiXplorer - supports browsing /system and /data on devices with an unlocked bootloader

To try this method:

1. Install one of the listed explorers from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and go to settings (usually the ⚙️ icon in the top corner).
3. Find an option like "Root Access" or "Show hidden files" and activate it.
4. Return to the root directory (/) and try opening folders /system, /data or /vendor.

On most modern devices (especially with Android 10+), this method will only give readable access rights to write or delete. or root-rights or ADB.

2. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to view system files

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is an official tool from Googlethat allows you to manage your device through the command line. With it, you can access system folders without unlocking root, but with some restrictions.

Before you start, make sure that on your device:

• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging USB)
• 🖥️ Drivers are installed ADB on the computer (for Windows via SDK Platform Tools)
• 🔌 The original USB cable is connected (not all cables support data transfer)

Basic commands to work with system folders via ADB:

adb shell
ls /system # View the contents of the folder /system
cd /data/app # Go to the folder with user applications
pull /system/build.prop # Copy a file to the computer

Important: via ADB you can only view and copy files. To edit or delete you will need root or custom recovery. Also, some manufacturers (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) block access to certain sections even through ADB.

Enable USB debugging|Install SDK Platform Tools|Connect the phone with the original cable|Check the connection with the adb devices command|Download a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ command adb pull may not work for some system files due to limitations Scoped Storage. In this case, only obtaining root-rights will help.

3. Obtaining root access: when is it necessary and how to do it.

If you need to not only view, but edit or delete files in system folders, you cannot do without rootrights. However, the process of obtaining superuser rights depends on the device model, version Android and bootloader status.

General algorithm for obtaining root:

1. Unlocking the bootloader (bootloader). On most devices, this erases all data and may void the warranty. Samsung requires activation of the option OEM Unlock in the developer settings.
2. Installing custom recovery (for example, TWRP). This is a special recovery environment that allows you to flash modified images.
3. Magisk firmware —a popular tool for obtaining root without changing the system partition (systemless root).

List of devices for which the obtaining process root is as simple as possible (for 2026):

• 📱 Google Pixel (all models except the latest ones) data-i="122">(series 7–11, requires unlocking the bootloader) Android 14+)
• 🤖 OnePlus (series 7–11, requires bootloader unlocking)
• 🔧 Xiaomi (models with processors Qualcomm, except Redmi Note 12+)
• ⚡ POCO (most devices, except new ones with HyperOS)

For devices Samsung, Huawei or Oppo the process is complicated due to protected bootloaders and proprietary firmware. On some models Samsung s Knox receiving root will lead to irreversible activation of the flag. data-i="132">which will block the operation of KNOX 0x1, which will block the work Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and other services.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ and dynamic partitions (dynamic partitions), some methods of obtaining root may lead to total data loss even with the correct actions. Always make a backup copy through TWRP or adb backup before starting.

4. Working with system folders via TWRP Recovery

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you not only to flash modified images, but also directly edit system files. The advantage of this method is that you can change files without fully activating root (although some operations will still require superuser rights).

To use TWRP to access system folders:

1. Install TWRP on your device (instructions depend on the model; for most smartphones there are ready-made images on the website twrp.me).
2. Boot into recovery: turn off the phone, then hold down the combination of buttons (usually Power + Volume Up or Power + Volume Down + Bixby for Samsung).
3. In the menu TWRP select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to the desired system folder (for example, /system/app for pre-installed applications).
5. To edit a file, select it, then press Edit (you will need to enter text manually through the on-screen keyboard TWRP).

Through TWRP you can:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary system applications (bloatware)
• 📝 Edit files configurations (for example build.prop to change system parameters)
• 🔄 Restore deleted files from backups
• 📁 Copy system files to an external memory card

Limitations TWRP:

• ❌ There is no GUI for complex operations (for example, mass renaming of files).
• ❌ Not all files can be edited directly (for example, binary files in /system/bin).
• ❌ On some devices TWRP does not support data encryption (FBE), which may lead to loss of access to files.

5. Alternative methods: debugging via PC and specialized applications

If obtaining rootrights or installation TWRP seems too complicated, there are several alternative ways to work with system files. They are suitable for performing specific tasks without deep intervention. system.

5.1. Applications for working with system APKs

Some apps allow you to manage pre-installed applications without full access to system folders:

• 🛠️ App Inspector - shows the path to the APK of system applications and allows you to disable them.
• 🔍 Package Name Viewer - helps you find package names for deletion via ADB.
• 🗑️ Debloater Tools (for example, Universal Android Debloater) - delete bloatware via ADB without root.

5.2. Mounting system partitions on a PC

For experienced users There is a method for mounting a partition /system as a disk in Windows or Linux. This requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP.
2. Utilities diskimage or ext4fuse to work with the file system ext4.
3. Commands for creating a partition image:

   adb shell
   su
   dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/system of=/sdcard/system.img

After this, the image can be mounted on a PC and edited using Notepad++ or HxD (for binary files).

5.3. Using Termux to work with files

Termux is a terminal emulator for Androidthat allows you to execute commands Linux directly on the device. data-i="228">Browse system files via

• View system files via cat or less.
• Search for files by name using find.
• Archive system folders via tar.

Example command to search for a file build.prop:

pkg install root-repo
su
find / -name build.prop 2>/dev/null

⚠️ Attention: Mount system partitions on a PC - a procedure with a high risk of data damage. If you interrupt the image creation process (dd), the partition may become unreadable. Always check the integrity of the image before mounting.

6. Which system folders can be edited and why is this necessary? data-i="237">Not all system folders are equally useful for editing. Below is a list of the most popular directories and typical tasks for which they are accessed.

Not all system folders are equally useful for editing. Below is a list of the most popular catalogs and typical tasks for which they are used.

The most popular tasks for which users access system folders:

• 🚀 Deleting built-in applications (for example, Facebook, Bixby, Google Duo).
• 🎨 Replacing standard icons and fonts (requires editing files in /system/font and /system/media).
• 📡 Modifying host files (/system/etc/hosts) to block ads or sites.
• 🔋 Performance optimization by changing parameters in build.prop (for example, debug.performance.tuning=1).

Example of modification build.prop to increase battery life:

# Add to the end of the file (requires root)
ro.config.hw_power_saving=1
pm.sleep_mode=1

7. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when working with system folders. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them. prevent:

1. Deleting critical files

Some files in /system or /vendor may seem unnecessary, but are actually responsible for the operation of basic functions. For example, deleting files from /system/priv-app may cause to:

• Loss of mobile network (if deleted TelephonyProvider.apk).
• Not working Wi-Fi (if deleted WifiService).
• Cyclic reboot (if touched android.hardware.boot@1.0-service).

2. Incorrect editing of build.prop

Syntax errors (for example, a missing character = or an extra comma) will make the file unreadable. The system will ignore it or not load at all. Always check the changes through:

adb shell
su
build.prop --check

3. Interrupting processes while writing

If you are copying. or change files via ADB or TWRP, never interrupt the process. For example, interrupted file copying boot.img can make the device unbootable.

4. (permissions)

chmod 644 /system/build.prop

adb sideload original_build.prop