Android Device Setup
If you don't already have the Android Platform tools, ensure that you install them now.
- macOS
- Linux
Search the brew packages for the appropriate Android build tools:
# search for the package:
brew search android
# install the appropriate package:
brew install android-platform-tools
After the package is installed, ensure that you have the adb
and fastboot
commands available.
Search the apt repo's for the appropriate Android build tools:
# search for the package:
sudo apt search android build tools
# install the appropriate package:
sudo apt install android-sdk-build-tools
After the package is installed, ensure that you have the adb
and fastboot
commands available.
Rooting the Device
Google is more open to rooting the device than Apple is with jailbreaking. Specifically, the Pixel line is well known to be rootable if you purchase one directly from Google. However, if you get the device from a cellular carrier there is a good chance that it is not rootable.
Essentially, to root an Android device you must be able to unlock the bootloader. Once it is unlocked, you can then use Magisk to patch the boot.img file from the factory images, and then flash that to the bootloader.
Below is a simple example using a Pixel 6:
-
On the device, unlock the bootloader. This is done in the Settings app. Select the About page, then tap on the Build number 7 times. Then go back one level and select System => Developer options. Scroll down to OEM unlocking and toggle the switch to on.
-
Download the proper factory image for your device and the Android version you have. This link is for the Nexus & Pixel lines: https://developers.google.com/android/images
-
Extract the main zip file, then look for another zip file named image-(devicecodename)*.zip. Unzip this file as well. Inside will be the
boot.img
file. -
Download the Magisk APK file from https://github.com/topjohnwu/magisk/releases/
-
Next, push the boot.img file to the device using adb and then install the Magisk APK:
adb push boot.img /sdcard
adb install Magisk-v29.0.apk -
On the device, launch the Magisk app. On the Home tab, tap on the Install link at the top, then select the boot.img and allow it to patch it. This will create a new .img file in the same location.
-
Pull the patched .img file back to your computer.
adb pull /sdcard/Download/magisk_patched_(random).img
-
Flash the patched .img file to the device
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash boot magisk_patched_(random).img
fastboot reboot
Magisk
In progress...
Magisk Modules
In progress...