Extract boot.img from payload.bin

Modern Android OTAs package everything in a single payload.bin file. Need to extract boot.img for Magisk patching? Here's how.

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When You Need This

Common scenarios:

• Patch boot.img with Magisk for root
• Extract stock images for recovery
• Get specific partition images
• Inspect OTA contents
• Custom kernel development

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Understanding payload.bin

What's Inside

A payload.bin usually contains:

• boot.img (kernel + ramdisk)
• vendor_boot.img (Android 11+)
• system.img
• vendor.img
• product.img
• odm.img
• dtbo.img
• vbmeta.img
• And more...

Why Not Just Flash OTA?

Sometimes you only need one partition, especially boot.img for rooting without losing your current setup.

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Method 1: Online Extractor (Easiest)

No installation needed.

Using Online Tools

opengapps.github.io/ota-extractor/

1. Go to the website
2. Upload your payload.bin OR provide URL
3. Wait for extraction
4. Download the images you need

Limitations:

• File size limits
• Slow for large files
• Privacy concerns for personal firmware

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Method 2: payload_dumper (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Install Python

Windows:

• Download from python.org
• Check "Add to PATH" during install

Mac:

brew install python3

Linux:

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

Get payload_dumper

Clone from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/vm03/payload_dumper.git
cd payload_dumper
pip3 install -r requirements.txt

Or download directly from releases.

Extract Images

# Basic usage
python3 payload_dumper.py payload.bin

# Extract only specific partition
python3 payload_dumper.py --partitions boot payload.bin

# Output to specific directory
python3 payload_dumper.py --out extracted/ payload.bin

Example: Extract boot.img Only

python3 payload_dumper.py --partitions boot payload.bin
# Creates boot.img in current directory

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Method 3: payload_dumper_go (Faster)

Written in Go, much faster than Python version.

Download

Get from GitHub releases

Usage

# Extract all
./payload_dumper_go payload.bin

# Extract specific partition
./payload_dumper_go -p boot payload.bin

# Show available partitions
./payload_dumper_go -l payload.bin

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Method 4: Android-Based Extraction

Do it directly on your phone!

Using ZArchiver

1. Open OTA file (.zip) in ZArchiver
2. Navigate to payload.bin
3. Long press → Extract here (NOT recommended - huge file)

Not recommended for full extraction due to size.

Using Termux

# Install dependencies
pkg install python git
pip install protobuf bsdiff4

# Get payload_dumper
git clone https://github.com/vm03/payload_dumper.git
cd payload_dumper

# Extract (provide full path to payload.bin)
python payload_dumper.py /sdcard/Download/payload.bin

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Method 5: Extract Without Full OTA

If you only have the payload.bin URL:

Using wget/curl

# Download just the payload.bin header (for small partitions)
# Not always possible - depends on server

# Full download
wget -O payload.bin "URL_HERE"

Direct from OTA URL

Some extractors accept URLs:

python3 payload_dumper.py --url "https://example.com/ota.zip"

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Common Partitions Explained

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Rooting Workflow

Extract → Patch → Flash

# 1. Extract boot.img
python3 payload_dumper.py --partitions boot payload.bin

# 2. Copy boot.img to phone
adb push boot.img /sdcard/

# 3. Patch in Magisk
# Open Magisk → Install → Select and Patch a File
# Select boot.img

# 4. Copy patched boot back to PC
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_xxx.img

# 5. Flash patched boot
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_xxx.img
fastboot reboot

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Troubleshooting

"Not a valid payload.bin"

• File may be corrupted
• Might not be payload format (older devices use different format)
• Try re-downloading

Python Errors

# Install dependencies
pip3 install protobuf bsdiff4 lz4

# If still fails, try specific versions
pip3 install protobuf==3.20.0

Very Slow Extraction

Normal for full extraction (multiple GB). Use --partitions to extract only what you need.

Missing protobuf

pip3 install protobuf

If version conflicts:

pip3 install protobuf==3.20.0

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Alternative: Full OTA Installation

If you just want to update, you don't need to extract:

Via Stock Recovery

Settings → System → System Update → Local update
Select OTA zip

Via ADB Sideload

adb reboot recovery
# In recovery: Apply update from ADB
adb sideload ota.zip

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My Workflow

For rooting new updates:

1. Download OTA zip
2. Extract zip to get payload.bin
3. Run: python3 payload_dumper.py --partitions boot,vbmeta payload.bin
4. Patch boot.img with Magisk
5. Flash both boot and vbmeta (if needed)

Takes about 5 minutes total.

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Summary

Quick extraction:
1. Install Python + payload_dumper
2. python3 payload_dumper.py --partitions boot payload.bin
3. boot.img extracted!

For rooting:
- Patch extracted boot.img with Magisk
- Flash via fastboot

payload_dumper is an essential tool for anyone modifying Android devices. Keep it ready!

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Keywords: extract boot.img payload.bin, payload_dumper android, extract ota android, boot image extraction, magisk boot patch