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Magisk for dummies

Hi all,
I tried to find basic informations about Magisk without success.
Is anyone here could explain what is Magisk, as if I was 5 years old ?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

dont know if you saw this , but here is the thread for magisk. maybe will help. :what:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3473445

mrrocketdog said:
dont know if you saw this , but here is the thread for magisk. maybe will help. :what:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3473445
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
The thread for Magisk is too technical for me. In a first approach, I want only to understand with simple words, what Magisk can do.

root your device.

iwanttoknow said:
Thanks for your reply.
The thread for Magisk is too technical for me. In a first approach, I want only to understand with simple words, what Magisk can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm with you - that main thread completely lost me - I installed the manager and it errored from twrp and I guess it leads on to something about finding a boot.img to patch - but i'm lost

Lothaen said:
I'm with you - that main thread completely lost me - I installed the manager and it errored from twrp and I guess it leads on to something about finding a boot.img to patch - but i'm lost
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@iwanttoknow
have you seen this one
https://www.xda-developers.com/what-is-magisk/
&
https://www.xda-developers.com/magisk-hub-2/

IronRoo said:
@iwanttoknow
have you seen this one
https://www.xda-developers.com/what-is-magisk/
&
https://www.xda-developers.com/magisk-hub-2/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah - i've been through both of those, but mine error during the flash with issue with the boot image, so then I get stuck and have no idea how to fix it or where to go - I tried asking on the Magisk thread but its so chatty I think it got lost very quickly.

IronRoo said:
@iwanttoknow
have you seen this one
https://www.xda-developers.com/what-is-magisk/
&
https://www.xda-developers.com/magisk-hub-2/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot IronRoo for your reply !
After reading I have understood that Magisk implies to install a recovery tool like TRWP.
So I have only to unlock the device's bootloader to install a recovery tool and after Magisk. Magisk doesn’t modify system files.
Ok but I don't understand how it's possible the device obtains root access. It's certainly magical

Most of the time I don't look for the sort of 'tell me like I'm a 5 y/o' info - but Magisk IS an exception for that, for me.
There is very little that I can find which is written in plain, simple words such that I can even figure out -IF- it is usable as I'd like it to be.
My example:
I have an unlocked Moto E6 - can I even get TWRP installed & working in that phone ??
No clue.
Prior to Android V5.x gaining root access was loads easier to accomplish & I've happily done so for my several older LG devices & our previously daily use Kyocera phones.
BUT:
For my couple of devices with versions of Android newer than V5 - I am only able to de-bloat those somewhat via ADB shell - but they are locked to AT&T which would mean I'd have to fulfill their unlocking requirements to get 'em unlocked - or am I mistaken about that ??
The closest I've found to a VERY simplified guide to using Magisk is here:
Root Android Phone with ADB Command, Magisk & TWRP
Here are 2 different methods to root your Android phone or tablet using ADB and Fastboot commands, Magisk and install TWRP Recovery.
technastic.com
But method 1 is not possible for my devices AFAIK & method 2 requires me to have a stock firmware IMG to patch...but I've zero idea where I might get those for a Moto or a 'modern' LG phone - is there any particularly good way to accomplish that ??
So - as the OP said - please tell me like I'm a 5 year old ?!?
Thanks.

Any "Gotchas" to be aware of before rooting new OP7 via TWRP + Magisk?

EDIT
TL;DR: in this post lower on the thread I shared some of the things I learned in the process.
--
Original Post
Hi everyone,
My OP7 (non pro) is on the way. Really excited about it!
I'm trying to line up all the information and downloads in advance in order to root the device calmly when it arrives.
One thing I remember when I tried to root my last phone (Huawei P10) is that I rushed too much and ended up losing a lot of time. Also there were some "gotchas" that made it kind of hard with the particular version I had bought. In the end, after bricking and unbricking a couple of times, I gave up.
So, my question: with the OP7, are there any "Gotchas" I should be aware of, little subtleties that it would be better to know before starting?
If I follow the steps under Steps for unlocked bootloader with TWRP AND Root(Magisk) on this thread, should it just work?
(Don't have it in hand yet so don't have any version numbers, but in case that helps answer the question, here is the Amazon listing where I bought the phone.)
So far this is the list of files I have downloaded:
MagiskManager-v7.3.2.apk
twrp-3.3.1-52-guacamole-unified.img
Magisk-uninstaller-20190604.zip
Magisk-v19.3.zip
platform-tools_r29.0.2-windows.zip
twrp-3.3.1-52-guacamole-unified-installer.zip
OnePlus7Oxygen_14.E.14_OTA_014_all_1907280716_7e28877dd39949e3.zip
Should I download something else (for instance a system upgrade)?
Thank you in advance for any tips!

So don't do an over the air update afterwards even if the option is there. It put my phone in bootloop. Had to reinstall twrp afterwards.

swehes said:
So don't do an over the air update afterwards even if the option is there. It put my phone in bootloop. Had to reinstall twrp afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you are talking about. I did it 3 times and it worked perfectly.
1. Install OTA via Updater
2. install TWRP trough magisk
3. Install magisk to inactive slot
4. reboot
---------- Post added at 06:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:13 AM ----------
who ah way said:
Hi everyone,
My OP7 (non pro) is on the way. Really excited about it!
I'm trying to line up all the information and downloads in advance in order to root the device calmly when it arrives.
One thing I remember when I tried to root my last phone (Huawei P10) is that I rushed too much and ended up losing a lot of time. Also there were some "gotchas" that made it kind of hard with the particular version I had bought. In the end, after bricking and unbricking a couple of times, I gave up.
So, my question: with the OP7, are there any "Gotchas" I should be aware of, little subtleties that it would be better to know before starting?
If I follow the steps under Steps for unlocked bootloader with TWRP AND Root(Magisk) on this thread, should it just work?
(Don't have it in hand yet so don't have any version numbers, but in case that helps answer the question, here is the Amazon listing where I bought the phone.)
So far this is the list of files I have downloaded:
MagiskManager-v7.3.2.apk
twrp-3.3.1-52-guacamole-unified.img
Magisk-uninstaller-20190604.zip
Magisk-v19.3.zip
platform-tools_r29.0.2-windows.zip
twrp-3.3.1-52-guacamole-unified-installer.zip
OnePlus7Oxygen_14.E.14_OTA_014_all_1907280716_7e28877dd39949e3.zip
Should I download something else (for instance a system upgrade)?
Thank you in advance for any tips!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far it sounds good. But I have 2 tips.
1. Never lock Bootloader if phone isn't stock! You will 100% brick it.
2. If you flash twrp with twrp installer.zip you also need to flash magisk. It won't work that way if you don't flash magisk.

does rooting require unlocking bootloader? i dont want to unlock my phone's bootloader, but i want to try to root it.

jeromemo said:
does rooting require unlocking bootloader? i dont want to unlock my phone's bootloader, but i want to try to root it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root without unlock is impossible.

Hi everyone, thank you very much for your replies.
My plan is to root via TWRP + Magisk.
From the discussion, I am understanding that it is easier to update OxygenOS before rooting?
In other words, can I install 9.5.8 from August 8 then root?
I see that after root, there is also a guide (for the OP7 Pro, but guessing the process is same for OP7) to perform an OTA update via TWRP.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Kollachi said:
Never lock Bootloader if phone isn't stock! You will 100% brick it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@Kollachi thank you for this tip. How can I be sure that the phone is stock?
In the original post, I linked to the Amazon listing I bought it from. It seems stock to me, but is there a way to double check?

who ah way said:
Hi everyone, thank you very much for your replies.
My plan is to root via TWRP + Magisk.
From the discussion, I am understanding that it is easier to update OxygenOS before rooting?
In other words, can I install 9.5.8 from August 8 then root?
I see that after root, there is also a guide (for the OP7 Pro, but guessing the process is same for OP7) to perform an OTA update via TWRP.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's possible to update first and than root.
---------- Post added at 09:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 AM ----------
who ah way said:
@Kollachi thank you for this tip. How can I be sure that the phone is stock?
In the original post, I linked to the Amazon listing I bought it from. It seems stock to me, but is there a way to double check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fastboot oem device-info
That's the command to see phone is locked or not. I would check that first.
When I sold my OP7 I used MSMTOOL to be 100% sure phone is stock!

The root process was successful! Installed Magisk Manager. So far, so good.
One newbie question: with this kind of root (TWRP + Magisk), do I always have to use "Magisk Modules / Downloads" to install all Apps that have rooted features? I ask this because I read that Magisk is important to avoid tripping Google's "SafetyNet".
Or can I use any apps that used rooted features, such as Greenify, Titanium Backup, NotificationsOff, AdAway, etc?

who ah way said:
The root process was successful! Installed Magisk Manager. So far, so good.
One newbie question: with this kind of root (TWRP + Magisk), do I always have to use "Magisk Modules / Downloads" to install all Apps that have rooted features? I ask this because I read that Magisk is important to avoid tripping Google's "SafetyNet".
Or can I use any apps that used rooted features, such as Greenify, Titanium Backup, NotificationsOff, AdAway, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use any apps without the need being a magisk module.
They'll absolutely work.

Now that my setup is basically done, thought I'd come back and share the "gotchas" that I found during the process:
- after rooting, DO frequent backups with TWRP (like every hour of setup at the most) so you don't lose too much
- DO NOT install Pixel Netcut, that's what caused the one bootloop I got on the first install
- If installing Xposed inside Magisk watch out which one, I got a boot loop with one of the versions, from what I read edXposed is the one that works
- DO ask here if you're not sure… The community is super knowledgeable and friendly!

Question What is your current/and or favorite rom for the OP9?

I wanted to see what other users were using on their setups, as I have been using evolution-x on my personal device, but sadly it hasn't been getting updates lately, so what do you all use?

Ethanadams642 said:
I wanted to see what other users were using on their setups, as I have been using evolution-x on my personal device, but sadly it hasn't been getting updates lately, so what do you all use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on stock A12 rooted with magisk 23.0. passing safety net using magisk hide and all my modules. Call screen module and AdAway. Going to flash anything that comes along our way in the future A12. There is a sapphire aospa for the pro already. Reason I'm going to start flashing is I've had the proper version of the msm tool on my desktop since the beginning. I've read horror stories of errors when folks try and msm their device back to stock. Well I tried just patching boot.img to gain root on new A12 build and broke my boot and set-up. All I could reach is fastboot. Plugged in msm tool and in 500+ sec, wallah I'm restored to stock 11.4. I did however find the correct way to root A12 since though . Hopefully lineage will come out with A12 for us first. Enjoy the device I am. Ps live caption is broken.

mattie_49 said:
I'm on stock A12 rooted with magisk 23.0. passing safety net using magisk hide and all my modules. Call screen module and AdAway. Going to flash anything that comes along our way in the future A12. There is a sapphire aospa for the pro already. Reason I'm going to start flashing is I've had the proper version of the msm tool on my desktop since the beginning. I've read horror stories of errors when folks try and msm their device back to stock. Well I tried just patching boot.img to gain root on new A12 build and broke my boot and set-up. All I could reach is fastboot. Plugged in msm tool and in 500+ sec, wallah I'm restored to stock 11.4. I did however find the correct way to root A12 since though . Hopefully lineage will come out with A12 for us first. Enjoy the device I am. Ps live caption is broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking of going back to stock root, as my Evo build is out of date with no sign of na update or A12, but am also thinking of checking out havoc

Question It used to be very easy to root a oneplus device.

what's up, oneplus peeps?
it used to be so easy to root a oneplus device.
but now, there are so many versions of the stock rom. and no one bootimage to rule them all. no stock firmware and modem to define the device to be recognized by a customized rom.
so it becomes so scary to go down the rabit hole now.
should i take the blue pill or the red pill?
but i should take the red pill. otherwise life will be so boring just like an iPhone 12.
finally, what made a oneplus device attractive, such as my beloved Oneplus 3t, was that it was definitely a flagship killer at that time. and it was so easy to root. and this was also what made Oneplus so attractive especially to those who just wanted a rooted phone and be able to play with different ups that required a rooted device.

jmadiaga said:
what's up, oneplus peeps?
it used to be so easy to root a oneplus device.
but now, there are so many versions of the stock rom. and no one bootimage to rule them all. no stock firmware and modem to define the device to be recognized by a customized rom.
so it becomes so scary to go down the rabit hole now.
should i take the blue pill or the red pill?
but i should take the red pill. otherwise life will be so boring just like an iPhone 12.
finally, what made a oneplus device attractive, such as my beloved Oneplus 3t, was that it was definitely a flagship killer at that time. and it was so easy to root. and this was also what made Oneplus so attractive especially to those who just wanted a rooted phone and be able to play with different ups that required a rooted device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and now it is aalaready March, and yet there is still no OTA update even just toupdate the security patch which is still Nov.2021.
so disappointing.

jmadiaga said:
and now it is aalaready March, and yet there is still no OTA update even just toupdate the security patch which is still Nov.2021.
so disappointing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OxygenOS 12 Skin: OnePlus Confirms the device list for Android 12
OnePlus already released Beta program of Android 13 for OnePlus 10 Pro users. But stil some OnePlus user waiting for Android 12 based OxygenOS 12 update. Last year, OnePlus launched Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 skin in the global market. If you own a OnePlus smartphone, you probably bought it...
www.rmupdate.com

Seems like some of it is from Android and Qualcomm. Just look at the file size , froyo was around 100mb roughly now it's 1gb or more.

OnePlus is lazy to keep their phones up-to-date, but that another story. If you like to keep patched monthly, goes to Samsung flagships.
Ranting about root hard eh? Root is still easy, only few extra steps are needed now. You're just being lazy to follow instruction. Android becomes more, and more secure OS, you can't compare old op3t released with A6 with latest phone released with A11/A12, there's many changes since A6 was released.
op9 is A/B device, unlock bootloader, boot twrp image (NOT flash), flash twrp from inside twrp, then root with Magisk. If you change kernel, you need to flash magisk again. That's it, it's still simple.

x3r0.13urn said:
OnePlus is lazy to keep their phones up-to-date, but that another story. If you like to keep patched monthly, goes to Samsung flagships.
Ranting about root hard eh? Root is still easy, only few extra steps are needed now. You're just being lazy to follow instruction. Android becomes more, and more secure OS, you can't compare old op3t released with A6 with latest phone released with A11/A12, there's many changes since A6 was released.
op9 is A/B device, unlock bootloader, boot twrp image (NOT flash), flash twrp from inside twrp, then root with Magisk. If you change kernel, you need to flash magisk again. That's it, it's still simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! it was a rant, indeed. and how to do "boot twrp image (NOT flash). and i really can't find any OP9 bootloader.img file and also the firmware for the OP9 (IND).
the stock OS is just so bloated for me.
TIA

This is the easiest phone to root in the world man.

Question My phone came with android 13. Am i hosed?

Hello, newbie here. I bought a google pixel 6a earlier today for experimenting with custom roms. After unboxing it found that it shipped with android 13. I saw the anti rollback warning here and i wonder what i should do.
Shoudl i try and return it or can i save it in a way? I havent connected it to the internet at all or anything like that. It's almost exactly as it was shipped. Any advice? Thanks.
Edit:
Okay i am totally new to this and maybe the warning doesn't mean what i think it does. Does it just mean that theres an increased risk of bricking a device or that after android 13 custom Roms wont work?

I forget the exact technical details, but it only means that you can't go back to Android 12 (because hackers rollback to A12 to exploit a vulnerability/bug that they fixed in A13). That being said, Google did release a way to rollback though I don't know much about it (never tried it).
I don't think you need to return the phone. I've never had to rollback to A12. It's already been like 8 months that A13 was released. I'm happy with A13 and the 6a.

Just enjoy your device, mate.
There's an increased risk for bricking your device if you're new to this and don't double check everything you do. Be sure to ask (always Google first tho, haha) if you're not certain about something you're about to do.
Sending your device back and buying a new one is not really a solution imo, likely all devices are going to come with A13 out of the box. FWIW, I was already on A13 when I was able to unlock my bootloader and switch to custom ROMs.

if he wants to root his device he can't enjoy it. because there is no root for 13 yet and you can't roll back to 12 because of a "efuse" that blows when 13 is installed.

Lada333 said:
Just enjoy your device, mate.
There's an increased risk for bricking your device if you're new to this and don't double check everything you do. Be sure to ask (always Google first tho, haha) if you're not certain about something you're about to do.
Sending your device back and buying a new one is not really a solution imo, likely all devices are going to come with A13 out of the box. FWIW, I was already on A13 when I was able to unlock my bootloader and switch to custom ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is no root for 13 or I would have upgraded. I take that back there is but all the roms have stuff that does not work on them . like revanced or other things.

Alldayismokebomb said:
there is no root for 13 or I would have upgraded. I take that back there is but all the roms have stuff that does not work on them . like revanced or other things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean by "no root for Android 13"... Yes you can get get root access on Android 13 using Magisk, and yes it has been available since the launch of Android 13.

Alldayismokebomb said:
there is no root for 13 or I would have upgraded. I take that back there is but all the roms have stuff that does not work on them . like revanced or other things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting A13 has been available without any issues for many many months now.
What do you mean by things not working on all A13 ROMs? What things? ReVanced works flawlessly for me, running crDroid A13.

Alldayismokebomb said:
if he wants to root his device he can't enjoy it. because there is no root for 13 yet and you can't roll back to 12 because of a "efuse" that blows when 13 is installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted my Pixel 6a with A13 a month ago using guide from here. Also tried GrapheneOS for a bit. Had zero issues.

The guide for LineageOS tells you to upgrade to Android 13 before installing it anyway.