Guides
Step-by-step Android modding guides
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Unlock Bootloader
Wipes everything. Samsung Knox trips permanently on unlock — no way back.
8 steps ▼
- Back up all data — unlocking factory resets your device
- Enable Developer Options: Settings → About Phone → tap Build Number 7 times
- Enable OEM Unlocking in Developer Options
- Enable USB Debugging in Developer Options
- Connect to PC: adb reboot bootloader
- Unlock: fastboot flashing unlock (older: fastboot oem unlock)
- Confirm on device screen — wipe happens immediately
- Device reboots to stock setup wizard
Install TWRP Recovery
Use the exact TWRP build for your device model number. Wrong builds can brick.
5 steps ▼
- Download TWRP .img for your exact device variant from twrp.me
- Boot to fastboot: adb reboot bootloader
- Flash: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
- Boot into recovery immediately: fastboot boot twrp.img
- In TWRP swipe to allow modifications
Install OrangeFox Recovery
OrangeFox is only available for select devices.
4 steps ▼
- Download OrangeFox .img for your device from orangefox.tech
- Boot to fastboot: adb reboot bootloader
- Flash: fastboot flash recovery orangefox.img
- Boot into recovery: fastboot boot orangefox.img
Install LineageOS onGoogle Nexus 7 2013 (LTE)
20 steps ▼
- Read through the instructions at least once before actually following them, so as to avoid any problems due to any missed steps!
- Make sure your computer has adb and fastboot . Setup instructions can be found here .
- Enable USB debugging on your device.
- Boot your device with the stock OS at least once and check every functionality.
- Remove all Google accounts from your device to avoid “Factory reset protection”
- LineageOS is provided as-is with no warranty. While we attempt to verify everything works you are installing this at your own risk!
- Connect the device to your PC via USB.
- On the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type: adb -d reboot bootloader You can also boot into fastboot mode via a key combination: With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power until the bootloader appears, then release the buttons.
- Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing: fastboot devices If you don’t get any output or an error: on Windows: make sure the device appears in the device manager without a triangle. Try other drivers until the command above works! on Linux or macOS: If you see no permi
- Now type the following command to unlock the bootloader: fastboot oem unlock info_outline Note: At this point, the device may display on-screen prompts which will require interaction to continue the process of unlocking the bootloader. Please take whatever actions the device asks you to in order to
- If the device doesn’t automatically reboot, reboot it. It should now be unlocked.
- Since the device resets completely, you will need to re-enable USB debugging to continue.
- Build a LineageOS installation package. The recovery will be built as part of it! warning Important: Other recoveries may not work for installation or updates. We strongly recommend to use the one linked above!
- Connect your device to your PC via USB if it isn’t already.
- If your device isn’t already in fastboot mode, on the computer, open a command prompt (on Windows) or terminal (on Linux or macOS) window, and type: adb -d reboot bootloader You can also boot into fastboot mode via a key combination: With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power until the bo
- Once the device is in fastboot mode, verify your PC finds it by typing: fastboot devices If you don’t get any output or an error: on Windows: make sure the device appears in the device manager without a triangle. Try other drivers until the command above works! on Linux or macOS: If you see no permi
- Flash recovery onto your device: fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
- Now reboot into recovery to verify the installation. Do not reboot into the existing OS, since it will overwrite the recovery you just installed! With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power until the bootloader appears, then release the buttons. Use the volume buttons to scroll to “RECOVER
- Build a LineageOS installation package.
- If you are not in recovery, reboot into recovery: With the device powered off, hold Volume Down + Power until the bootloader appears, then release the buttons. Use the volume buttons to scroll to “RECOVERY” and press Power to select. info_outline Note: Please note that while touch inputs work in rec
Root with Magisk
Keep a backup of the original boot.img. Magisk is systemless — safer for updates.
7 steps ▼
- Unlock bootloader first
- Download stock boot.img for your exact firmware build
- Install Magisk app on device
- In Magisk: Install → Select and Patch a File → pick boot.img
- Copy patched_boot.img to PC
- Flash: fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
- Reboot and open Magisk to verify root
Root with KernelSU
Requires kernel-level support. Not all devices are supported.
5 steps ▼
- Check kernelsu.org for a supported kernel for your device
- Download the KernelSU kernel .img
- Flash: fastboot flash boot kernelsu_boot.img
- Install KernelSU Manager from GitHub releases
- Grant root from the Manager
Root with APatch
Alternative to Magisk with kernel patch support.
5 steps ▼
- Download APatch from github.com/bmax121/APatch
- Extract boot.img from your stock firmware
- In APatch app: patch boot.img
- Flash patched boot: fastboot flash boot patched_boot.img
- Reboot and verify in APatch Manager
Restore Stock / Unbrick
Always use firmware matching your exact region and model number.
7 steps ▼
- Download official stock firmware for your exact model and region
- Samsung: use Odin — flash AP/BL/CP/CSC files
- Xiaomi/Poco: use MiFlash in EDL/fastboot mode
- Google Pixel: use Android Flash Tool at flash.android.com
- OnePlus: use MSM Download Tool for hard bricks
- Other devices: check XDA for your specific model
- After flash: device reboots to stock
Buying & Selling Modified Devices
Unlocked bootloader = lower resale value. FRP locks are illegal to bypass on a device you don't own.
7 steps ▼
- BEFORE SELLING: Factory reset and remove Google account (FRP)
- BEFORE SELLING: Restore stock ROM and re-lock bootloader if possible
- BEFORE SELLING: Disclose Knox trip status to Samsung buyers — it shows in settings
- BEFORE BUYING: Ask if bootloader is unlocked
- BEFORE BUYING: Check IMEI on imei.info — confirm not blacklisted
- BEFORE BUYING: Test camera, speakers, fingerprint, charging
- BEFORE BUYING: Verify model number matches your region