How to Install Magisk and Root Any Android Device [2 Methods]

If you are looking for a tool to root your Android device, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will be providing you detailed guidance on how to install Magisk, a universal seamless interface to root your device.

There are two systemless root methods to install Magisk APK on to your device. Firstly, flash the latest Magisk installer zip on the Android device using TWRP custom recovery. Secondly, flash the patched boot image.

The most significant advantage of Android is that you can customize it as wanted. In the Android developer community, there are a lot of modification tools commonly called mods.

These mods help in getting various features on to the Android phone, which a regular OEM does not provide.

It is developed by an XDA recognized developer topjohnwu. This tool offers more features than SuperSU. You can also check Magisk Vs SuperSU for clarification.

Back in 2016, this tool came out to modify the software on the Android device the same as that of the Xposed Framework.

Unlike SuperSU and Xposed, Magisk will not make any alterations in the system partitions. So, users can pass Google’s SafetyNet tests and use the apps that rely on it.

Features Of Magisk

 The major features include:

• Modify or change the software without tampering the system (vendor) partitions.
• Pass Google’s SafetyNet tests even after the rooting phone.
• Any Android device can be rooted with the open-source root solution.
• Also on the rooted device, you can use banking and security applications.
• Manage root permissions and use biometrics such as Face Unlock or fingerprint to grant superuser permissions.
• Option to hide the root from selected apps. (Magisk hide)
• Remove kernel features like DM-Verity and ForceEncrypt.
• Install OTA updates easily on your rooted Android device.
• Add third-party features using Magisk Modules.

Prerequisites

• Download & install the latest USB drivers for Android devices on the PC.
• Unlock Bootloader of your Android device.
• Make a back up of all your personal data on the phone.
• Now, for Method 1, you should install the latest TWRP recovery on your Android device.
• And For Method 2,
  • You should download the latest Android SDK platform-tools package and install it on your PC.
  • When you are asked to launch the command-line window on the PC, do the following:
    • Windows: Reach the folder where the platform-tools have been installed (e.g., C:\platform-tools). Then press the SHIFT key on the keyboard and right-click on any space inside this folder. Now, select the ‘Open PowerShell window here’ option.
    • Linux or macOS: Open the Terminal and change its directory (use ‘cd’ command) to the folder wherever the Android SDK platform-tools are installed (e.g., Documents/platform-tools).

cd Documents/platform-tools

• Additionally, for method 2, you must have the stock boot image from the stock firmware that matches the current firmware installed on your phone. There are many ways to get the firmware. You can either get it on firmware.mobi or visit your device-specific section on the XDA-Developers forum. You can even download the complete OTA package of the installed software, and further to get the stock boot image, extract the Payload.bin file in it.

Magisk Installer Zip: Download

Method 1

After booting your Android phone, you will find the latest Magisk Manager app present in your device. Just run it to verify that Magisk has been installed on your Android device.

Method 2

Flash Magisk Patched Boot Image Using Fastboot

When a TWRP is not available for your device or when your device does not support it, you can follow this method to flash Magisk on your device. This method will let you quickly get OTA updates on the rooted Android device too.

1. Firstly, get the stock boot image for the present firmware installed on your Android device.
2. Now, transfer the boot image file to the internal or external storage of your phone.
3. Download the latest Magisk Manager APK file and install it on your device.
4. After installing the magisk manager, go to the app drawer and launch the ‘Magisk Manager’ application.
5. Click on the ‘Install’ button and select the option ‘Select and Patch a File.’
   
6. Navigate to the storage and then select the stock boot image file, which you have transferred earlier.
   
7. Magisk Manager patches the stock boot image with the latest version of Magisk.
8. Once it is patched, the patched boot image file will be saved in the ‘Download’ folder of the internal storage of your device.
9. Transfer the patched .img file from the storage of the phone to the folder on the PC, wherever the Android ABB or platform-tools are installed.
   
10. Launch the command line window on your PC now. (Press “Shift + Right mouse key” and tap on “Open PowerShell window here.”)
11. Now boot your Android device in the Fastboot mode or Bootloader and then connect it to the PC using the USB cable. (or give the following command in PowerShell window to boot into Fastboot Mode or Bootloader.)
    adb reboot bootloader
12. In the PowerShell window, enter the following command to ensure that your phone is detected correctly by the fastboot.
    fastboot devices
13. Lastly, the following commands should be entered to flash the patched boot image and then install Magisk on your device:
    fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img
14. You have to note that the Magisk Patched Boot image flashes on your device’s current active slot
15. After completing, reboot the device using
    fastboot reboot

After your phone boot, to verify the installation, open the Magisk Manager. You may, moreover, download various modules from the official repository, or you can even download from here. To know what Magisk is capable of check out this official documentation.

How to Uninstall Magisk Completely and Unroot your Android Device?

If you want to uninstall Magisk on your device, then check out the steps below. Before uninstalling Magisk, ensure that you have disabled and removed all the modules.

1. Launch the ‘Magisk Manager‘ app on your Android phone.
2. Click on the ‘Uninstall‘ option on the main screen of the app.
3. The Uninstall prompt will show up on the screen of your device.
4. Now, select ‘COMPLETE UNINSTALL' to uninstall Magisk entirely and restore the stock boot image.
5. Reboot your device after the process finishes.

There is also an alternative way for this above method that is to flash the Magisk Uninstaller zip using TWRP Recovery or by just restoring the stock boot image if you are using Method 2.

Magisk provides you the ability to perform different tasks to customize the software. You can even install modules for adding third-party features to the software.

If you have any queries, kindly leave in the comments section below.