This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process for rooting modern Samsung devices using Magisk and Odin. It is intended for users who have some experience with flashing custom firmware.
This is a high-risk procedure. Please read the entire guide carefully before starting.
- Disclaimer
- What is Rooting?
- Prerequisites
- System-as-Root Devices
- Step-by-Step Guide
- Troubleshooting & FAQ
- Acknowledgements
IMPORTANT: Rooting your device carries inherent risks. This process will void your warranty, trip the Knox security fuse permanently, and may prevent certain security-sensitive apps (like banking apps) from functioning correctly. By following this guide, you acknowledge that you are proceeding at your own risk. I am not responsible for any data loss, device damage ("bricking"), or any other issues that may arise. Be responsible for your actions and follow each step with precision.
Rooting is the process of gaining privileged control (known as "root access") over an Android device's operating system.
- Pros: Allows for deep customization, removal of bloatware, installation of specialized apps, and full device backups.
- Cons: Voids warranty, introduces security vulnerabilities if not managed properly, and can lead to device instability.
- A Windows PC.
- The Samsung device you intend to root.
- A high-quality USB data cable.
- A complete backup of your device's data, as this process will erase everything.
- A stable Wi-Fi internet connection for the initial device setup.
Download and place these tools in a dedicated folder for easy access.
- Magisk: Download the latest APK from the official GitHub.
- Alternative: KitsuneMagisk.
- Odin: Patched Odin 3.14.1 (A patched version is often required for custom binaries).
- Samsung USB Drivers: Download from Samsung's Developer Portal.
- Firmware Downloader: SamloaderKotlin Bifrost.
Please read this section carefully, as it applies to most modern Samsung devices.
When you first install the Magisk app (in Step 4), it may detect and display information about your device. If you see a line that says
Ramdisk: No
, this is normal. It means your device has a "System-as-Root" configuration.
For these devices, Magisk must install itself into the device's
recovery
partition. Consequently, one step in this guide becomes the most important part of the entire process:Step 6 (
Wipe data/factory reset
) is NOT an optional cleanup step. It is a MANDATORY and essential part of the Magisk installation.When you boot into recovery after flashing the patched file with Odin and select
Wipe data/factory reset
, you are triggering the script that finalizes the Magisk setup. Without this specific step, your device will not be rooted.If you perform this step correctly, you will likely NOT see the "Additional Setup Required" pop-up in Magisk at the very end. This is a good sign, confirming the installation was successful on the first boot.
- Navigate to Settings > About phone/tablet > Software information.
- Tap on Build number seven (7) times consecutively until you see the "Developer mode has been turned on" message.
- Go back to the main Settings menu and enter the new Developer options.
- Find and toggle on OEM unlocking.
Note: If this option is missing, your device may not be unlockable (e.g., some US carrier models), or you might need to wait several days after activating the device. Ensure your software is up to date.
Samsung's servers now require device-specific information to download firmware. SamloaderKotlin Bifrost
helps with this.
- Extract the
Odin3-*.zip
andbifrost-*.zip
archives. - Run
Bifrost.exe
from the/bin
folder of its extracted directory. - Enter your device's Model number (e.g.,
SM-X910
). - Select the appropriate Region code (e.g.,
XAR
). This should match theService provider software version
on your device's Software information screen. - Enter your device's Serial Number or IMEI.
- Click Check for Updates and then Download.
- Save the firmware zip file in your Odin folder.
WARNING: This step will perform a factory reset and erase all data on your device.
- Power off your device completely.
- Press and hold both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
- While holding the buttons, connect the device to your PC with the USB cable.
- Continue holding the buttons until a light blue "Warning" screen appears. This is Download Mode.
- On this screen, long-press the Volume Up button to unlock the bootloader.
- You will be asked for confirmation. Press Volume Up again to confirm.
- The device will reboot and automatically initiate a factory reset.
- Once it boots to the "Welcome!" screen, complete the initial setup. You must connect to Wi-Fi.
- After setup, re-enable Developer options and verify that OEM unlocking is grayed out and enabled. This confirms the bootloader is unlocked.
- Once the firmware download is complete, extract the firmware
.zip
file. You will see several files starting withAP
,BL
,CP
, andCSC
. - Connect your device to your PC.
- Copy two files to your device's internal storage (e.g., the
Download
folder):- The firmware file that starts with
AP_...
(it's the largest one). - The
Magisk.apk
file.
- The firmware file that starts with
- On your device, open a file manager, locate
Magisk.apk
, and install it (you may need to grant permissions). - Open the Magisk app.
- In the top card, tap Install.
- Choose the Select and Patch a File option.
- Navigate to and select the
AP_...
file you copied earlier. - Magisk will patch the file. This may take a few minutes.
- Once complete, a new file named
magisk_patched-[version]_[random_chars].tar
will be in your device'sDownload
folder. - Copy this
magisk_patched-*.tar
file back to the Odin folder on your PC.
- Reboot your device into Download Mode using the same method as in Step 3 (Power off -> Hold Vol Up + Vol Down -> Connect USB).
- When the warning screen appears, press Volume Up once to enter Download Mode.
- On your PC, run
Odin3.exe
as an administrator. - In Odin's Options tab, ensure Auto Reboot is UNCHECKED.
- Load the firmware files into their respective slots:
- Click BL and select the
BL_...
file. - Click AP and select the
magisk_patched-*.tar
file. - Click CP and select the
CP_...
file. - Click CSC and select the
CSC_...
file.
Important: DO NOT use the
HOME_CSC_...
file. Using the regularCSC
file is necessary to wipe the device correctly for this process. - Click BL and select the
- Once the files are loaded and your device is detected (the
ID:COM
box will be blue), click Start.
The device will not reboot automatically. We must do it manually to enter recovery.
- Wait for Odin to display a green PASS message.
- Unplug the device. Press and hold the Power + Volume Down buttons to force a reboot.
- The moment the screen turns black, immediately switch to holding Power + Volume Up.
- Continue holding until the Android Recovery screen appears. (If you miss the timing, the device may bootloop and enter recovery on its own after a few attempts).
- In recovery, use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Choose Wipe data/factory reset and confirm.
- Once the wipe is complete, select Reboot system now.
- The device will reboot to the "Welcome!" screen. Complete the initial setup again, including connecting to Wi-Fi.
- Once on the home screen, copy the
Magisk.apk
to your device one last time and install it. - Open the Magisk app. It will show a pop-up stating "Additional Setup Required."
- Tap OK. The app will perform its final steps, and the device will automatically reboot one last time.
After the reboot, open Magisk. If everything is green, congratulations! Your device is now successfully rooted.
- Odin doesn't detect my device.
- Ensure the official Samsung USB drivers are installed correctly. Try reinstalling them.
- Use a different USB port (preferably a USB 2.0 port on the back of your PC).
- Try a different, high-quality USB cable.
- My device is stuck in a bootloop.
- You likely need to re-flash the stock firmware. Download the original firmware again and flash all original
AP
,BL
,CP
, andCSC
files in Odin (withAuto Reboot
checked this time) to restore your device. Then, attempt the guide again, paying close attention to every step.
- You likely need to re-flash the stock firmware. Download the original firmware again and flash all original
- SafetyNet fails / My banking app doesn't work.
- This is an expected consequence of rooting. In Magisk settings, enable
Zygisk
and configure theDenyList
to hide root from specific apps. This may not work for all apps.
- This is an expected consequence of rooting. In Magisk settings, enable
- The "OEM Unlocking" option is missing.
- This usually means your device has a locked bootloader that cannot be unlocked (common for devices sold by US carriers like Verizon or AT&T). There is no workaround for this.
This guide would not be possible without the incredible work of the following developers and communities:
- topjohnwu for creating Magisk.
- The XDA-Developers community for tirelessly testing and sharing knowledge.
- The developers of Odin, SamloaderKotlin, and other essential tools.