Root Your Device with Magisk

Root access. The Holy Grail of Android customization. Once you have it, you can do literally anything to your phone.

I've been rooting phones since the SuperSU days, and Magisk is hands-down the best rooting solution ever created. Here's everything you need to know.

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Why Root?

Before we dive in, let's talk about what root actually gives you:

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What is Magisk?

Magisk is brilliant. It gives you full root access WITHOUT modifying the system partition.

Why this matters:

• SafetyNet/Play Integrity can still pass
• OTA updates still work (mostly)
• Banking apps can work with proper setup
• Easy to completely remove if needed

Magisk also has modules - think of them as plugins that add features without permanently modifying your phone.

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Prerequisites

Before rooting, make sure you have:

• Custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox) - makes life easier
• Unlocked bootloader - required
• USB debugging enabled - for backup rooting method
• Backup your boot.img - just in case
• Magisk APK downloaded - from GitHub

Don't have custom recovery? That's okay - Method 2 works without it.

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Method 1: Flash via Custom Recovery (Easiest)

This is my preferred method. Quick and simple.

Step 1: Prepare Magisk

1. Download latest Magisk APK from GitHub releases
2. Rename the file:
   Magisk-v27.0.apk → Magisk-v27.0.zip
3. Copy to your phone's storage

Step 2: Boot to Recovery

# Via ADB
adb reboot recovery

# Or button combo (varies by device)
# Usually Power + Volume Up while powered off

Step 3: Flash Magisk

In TWRP/OrangeFox:

1. Tap "Install"
2. Navigate to Magisk-v27.0.zip
3. Swipe to confirm flash
4. Wait for "Successful" message
5. Reboot to System

Step 4: Install Magisk App

After booting:

1. Download Magisk APK (the original, not the renamed zip)
2. Install the APK
3. Open Magisk app
4. Should show "Installed" with version number

Congratulations, you're rooted! 🎉

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Method 2: Patch Boot Image (No Recovery Needed)

For devices without custom recovery or if you prefer fastboot method.

Step 1: Get Your Stock Boot Image

You need the boot.img from your current ROM/firmware.

Option A: Extract from ROM package

1. Download your ROM's zip/firmware
2. If it's payload.bin format:
   - Use payload_dumper to extract boot.img
3. If it's standard zip:
   - Extract and find boot.img

Option B: Extract from running device (root needed... chicken and egg)

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

Step 2: Transfer boot.img to Phone

adb push boot.img /sdcard/

Step 3: Patch with Magisk

1. Install Magisk APK
2. Open app
3. Tap "Install" (next to Magisk row)
4. Select "Select and Patch a File"
5. Choose your boot.img
6. Wait for "Output file written to..." message
7. Note the output path (usually Downloads)

Step 4: Flash Patched Boot

# Pull patched image to computer
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

# Reboot to bootloader
adb reboot bootloader

# Flash patched boot
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_xxxxx.img

# Reboot
fastboot reboot

Step 5: Verify Root

Open Magisk app - should show installed version. Done!

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Setting Up Root Properly

Now that you're rooted, let's configure Magisk properly.

Enable Zygisk

Zygisk is Magisk's modern injection method:

1. Open Magisk
2. Tap Settings (gear icon)
3. Enable "Zygisk"
4. Reboot when prompted

Granting Root Access

When apps request root, you'll see a popup:

[App Name] is requesting Superuser access

[Deny] [Grant]

Pro tip: For trusted apps (like Termux, Titanium Backup), enable "Remember choice."

Configure Root Access Level

Magisk Settings → Superuser section

- Superuser Access: Apps and ADB (recommended)
- Multiuser Mode: Owner managed (default)
- Mount Namespace Mode: Global (default)

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Hiding Root from Apps

This is crucial for banking apps, games with anti-cheat, and other root-detecting apps.

Step 1: Enable DenyList

Magisk → Settings → Enable "Enforce DenyList"

Step 2: Configure DenyList

Magisk → Settings → Configure DenyList

Add these apps (expand each and check ALL sub-components):

• Google Play Services (essential)
• Google Play Store
• Any banking apps
• Google Pay
• Games with anti-cheat

Important: Check EVERY checkbox under each app, not just the main entry.

Step 3: Hide Magisk App

Some apps detect the Magisk app itself:

Magisk → Settings → Hide the Magisk app
Enter any name (e.g., "Settings Plus")
Magisk reinstalls with new name/icon

Step 4: Play Integrity Fix (Still Failing?)

For stubborn apps:

1. Download Play Integrity Fix module from GitHub
   (chiteroman/PlayIntegrityFix)
2. Magisk → Modules → Install from storage
3. Select the zip
4. Reboot

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Essential Magisk Modules

Here are modules I install on every rooted device:

Installing Modules

1. Download module zip
2. Magisk → Modules → Install from storage
3. Select zip
4. Reboot

Or search online:

Magisk → Modules → [search icon]
Search for module name
Install and reboot

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Updating Magisk

Keep Magisk updated for security and compatibility:

1. Open Magisk app
2. If update available, shown at top
3. Tap "Update" → "Direct Install"
4. Reboot

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Troubleshooting

Root Not Working After Update

If OTA update removed root:

1. Flash patched boot.img again
   OR
2. In Magisk before update:
   Install → Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA)

Magisk App Keeps Crashing

1. Clear Magisk app data
2. Reinstall Magisk APK
3. If still broken, reflash via recovery

"Unable to Get Root Shell"

1. Check SuperUser settings
2. Clear root access for the app, try again
3. Reboot device
4. Reflash Magisk if persistent

SafetyNet Still Failing

1. Update Play Integrity Fix module
2. Clear Play Store and Play Services data
3. Ensure ALL Google apps are in DenyList
4. Check for conflicting modules

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Unrooting

Need to remove root? Easy:

Magisk → Uninstall → Complete Uninstall
Wait for reboot
Root is gone

For even cleaner removal:

# Flash stock boot.img
fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img

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My Rooting Checklist

What I do on every new device:

[x] Flash Magisk via recovery
[x] Enable Zygisk
[x] Install Play Integrity Fix
[x] Configure DenyList for banking apps
[x] Hide Magisk app as "Device Tools"
[x] Install LSPosed
[x] Install Universal GMS Doze
[x] Test SafetyNet with YASNAC app
[x] Verify banking app works

Takes about 15 minutes, and then I have a fully rooted, working phone.

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Summary

Quick Rooting:
1. Get Magisk from GitHub
2. Flash via recovery (or patch boot.img)
3. Enable Zygisk
4. Configure DenyList for hiding
5. Install essential modules
6. Enjoy root!

Root opens up a whole new world of Android customization. Use it wisely, keep backups, and enjoy the power!

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