Rooting an Android device used to be a complicated process reserved for tech enthusiasts, but not anymore. With modern tools like Magisk, Android platform tools, and a few well-understood commands, you can safely root almost any phone — from Google Pixel and OnePlus to Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, and others — even those running Android 16.
This article walks you through every step: from unlocking your phone’s bootloader to extracting and patching the correct boot image, and finally flashing it back for full root access.
We’ll also discuss how different manufacturers handle bootloader unlocking, what Magisk actually does, and how to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
By the end, you’ll understand not just how to root your phone but why each step matters.
🌱 Why Root Your Android Phone?
Rooting gives you administrator (superuser) access to your Android system. It’s similar to having full “admin rights” on a Windows PC — you can modify system files, uninstall pre-installed bloatware, customize themes deeply, and run apps that require elevated permissions.
Here are some real-world benefits:
- Remove pre-installed apps you can’t normally delete.
- Enable advanced backup tools like Titanium Backup or Swift Backup.
- Run Magisk Modules for ad-blocking, custom gestures, or advanced performance tweaks.
- Use systemless modifications — Magisk changes the boot image only, leaving your system partition untouched (safer and OTA-friendly).
- Improve performance and battery by controlling background services.
However, it also comes with responsibilities. Rooting voids some warranties, disables certain banking apps (though Magisk Hide can fix that), and can cause boot issues if done incorrectly. So take it slow — and always keep backups.
⚙️ Pre-Requisites and Important Warnings
Before we start, here’s what you’ll need:
🧩 Tools Required
- Android Platform Tools – includes ADB and Fastboot.
👉 https://developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools - USB Drivers for your device (download from your manufacturer’s website).
- Magisk App – the tool that will patch your boot image.
👉 https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk - Your device’s official firmware package, matching your exact model and Android version.
- A computer (Windows / macOS / Linux) with a USB cable.
⚠️ Backup Reminder
Unlocking your bootloader erases everything on your phone — apps, photos, contacts, internal storage.
Make sure to:
- Backup via Google Drive or your manufacturer’s cloud.
- Copy personal files to your PC or SD card.
🧠 Understanding What You’ll Do
You’ll perform three main stages:
- Unlock bootloader → allows flashing custom images.
- Extract and patch boot image → prepares rootable firmware.
- Flash patched image → applies root to your phone.
Let’s begin with the most crucial step.
🔑 Step 1 – Unlocking the Bootloader
Your phone’s bootloader controls which operating systems can boot. By default, it’s locked to prevent modifications. Rooting requires unlocking it.
📱 Enable Developer Options
- Open Settings → About phone.
- Tap Build Number seven times until you see “You are now a developer.”
- Go back to Settings → System → Developer Options.
- Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.
🖥️ Set Up the Computer Side
- Install ADB drivers on Windows (macOS/Linux don’t need extra drivers).
- Extract Platform Tools somewhere easy, e.g.
C:\platform-tools. - Open that folder. Click the address bar, type
cmd, press Enter — Command Prompt opens in that directory.
🔌 Connect and Verify
Plug in your phone, then type:
adb devices
Your phone will prompt for authorization; tap Allow.
You should see your device’s serial number.
🚀 Reboot to Bootloader
adb reboot bootloader
Your device now shows its bootloader screen.
🔓 Unlock the Bootloader
fastboot flashing unlock
On your phone, confirm with the Volume keys → Power.
Once complete, your device will reboot and erase all data.
You’ve now completed Phase 1 — the bootloader is unlocked and ready for flashing.
🗂️ Step 2 – Finding and Extracting the Correct Boot Image
The boot image (boot.img) is a core file in Android firmware containing the kernel and RAM disk. Magisk modifies this file to inject root.
📥 Download Firmware for Your Device
Each brand hosts its firmware differently:
| Manufacturer | Official / Reliable Source |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Google Factory Images |
| Samsung | SamFW Firmware Archive |
| Xiaomi / Poco / Redmi | Xiaomi Firmware Updater |
| Motorola / Lenovo | Lolanet Firmware Repository |
| OnePlus / Nothing | Community mirrors via XDA Developers |
Always choose the Fastboot version (sometimes labeled factory image). OTA or recovery zips won’t contain standalone boot images.
📦 Extracting the Image
- Unzip the main firmware archive.
- Inside, locate another folder named images, payload.bin, or boot.img.
- Pixel devices: look inside the
image-*.zip. - OnePlus/ Nothing: extract
payload.binusing payload-dumper-go.
- Pixel devices: look inside the
- Copy
boot.img(orinit_boot.imgfor newer Android 13 +) to your computer. - Transfer this file to your phone’s Downloads folder via USB.
So far so good — next we’ll patch this file using Magisk.
🧰 Step 3 – Patching the Boot Image with Magisk
🔧 Install Magisk
Download the Magisk APK from its official GitHub and install it manually on your phone.
(You may need to enable Install from unknown sources temporarily.)
🪄 Patch the Boot Image
- Open Magisk App → Install → Select and Patch a File.
- Choose the
boot.img(orinit_boot.img) you transferred earlier. - Wait for Magisk to finish patching.
- Once complete, you’ll find a new file in the
Download/folder named something like:magisk_patched-xxxx.img
💾 Move Patched File Back to PC
Transfer this new file from your phone back into your Platform Tools folder on your computer.
This will be the image you flash in the next step.
⚡ Step 4 – Flashing the Patched Image (A/B Slots Explained)
Modern Android phones often have A/B partitions — two system slots that enable seamless updates. To ensure stable root, flash Magisk’s patched image to both.
🔁 Boot into Fastboot Mode Again
Connect your device and type:
adb reboot bootloader
To check slot info:
fastboot getvar all
If you see slot-count: 2, it’s an A/B device.
📤 Flashing Commands
Case 1 – Single-Slot Devices
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
Case 2 – Dual A/B Devices
fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched.img
fastboot flash boot_b magisk_patched.img
Case 3 – Newer Devices Using init_boot
fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img
🔄 Reboot the Device
fastboot reboot
The first boot may take longer than usual — don’t interrupt it.
Android is rebuilding cache and optimizing apps.
Congratulations! Your device now boots into a rooted system.
✅ Step 5 – Verifying Root Access
Once your phone boots:
- Open Magisk App — it should display “Installed.”
- Tap Superuser to confirm access.
- Optionally, install a root checker from Play Store to verify system privileges.
You now have full root access — enabling powerful customizations, kernel mods, and advanced app control.
🏷️ Manufacturer-Specific Notes
Different brands have minor variations in unlocking or flashing:
| Brand | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Google Pixel / OnePlus | Use standard Fastboot commands. |
| Samsung | Uses Download Mode instead of Fastboot; patch and flash via Odin. |
| Xiaomi / Redmi / Poco | Requires Mi Unlock Tool approval (may take 3–7 days). |
| Motorola | Must request an unlock key from Motorola’s site. |
| Nothing Phone (1 / 2) | Similar to Pixel process; just use correct boot image. |
🧠 Troubleshooting & Common Issues
Rooting isn’t foolproof. If something doesn’t work, check these fixes:
🔸 Bootloop After Flashing
- Re-flash the original boot.img from your firmware to restore stock.
- Ensure you patched the correct build’s image (same version / security patch).
🔸 Fastboot Doesn’t Detect Device
- Use a different USB port or cable.
- Install or reinstall USB drivers.
- Run
adb kill-server→adb start-server.
🔸 Magisk App Not Showing Root
- Open Magisk → Settings → Reinstall Magisk.
- Verify you flashed the patched image, not the unpatched one.
🔸 OTA Updates Failing
- Temporarily restore the stock boot image before applying OTA, then re-patch the new one.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Is rooting legal?
Yes. Rooting is legal in most countries, but it voids manufacturer warranty and may disable Widevine L1 (affecting Netflix HD playback).
Q2. Will rooting erase my data?
Only the bootloader unlocking step wipes data. Patching and flashing don’t erase anything else.
Q3. Can I unroot later?
Yes — simply flash the original boot image or use Magisk’s Uninstall option.
Q4. What’s the safest way to get OTA updates after rooting?
Use Magisk’s Direct Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA) feature on A/B devices.
Q5. Does this method work on Android 16 and above?
Yes, Magisk supports Android 16 (beta and stable) with the new init_boot.img structure.
Q6. Will banking or UPI apps still work?
Some may detect root. You can hide it using Magisk’s Zygisk and DenysList features.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Rooting is an advanced modification. While it’s safe if you follow each step carefully, any mistake (flashing the wrong file, disconnecting during flashing, etc.) can soft-brick your device.
Always double-check commands and ensure firmware versions match your phone’s current build.
This article is for educational purposes only. Proceed at your own risk.
🧾 What You’ve Learned
By following this article, you now understand:
- Universal bootloader unlocking for any Android phone
- Boot image extraction from official firmware
- Magisk systemless rooting process
- Managing dual A/B partitions correctly
- Post-root configuration and safety tips
Rooting opens an exciting world of customization — just use it responsibly.
Tags: Android rooting guide, Magisk tutorial, bootloader unlock, Pixel root, Samsung firmware, ADB Fastboot, init_boot image, Android 16 root
Hashtags: #Magisk #AndroidRoot #BootloaderUnlock #ADB #Fastboot #Pixel6a #Android16 #CustomROM
