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 Pixel C
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!
- Enable OEM unlock in the Developer options under device Settings, if present.
- 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 .
- 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.
- Download a custom recovery - you can download TWRP . Simply download the latest recovery file, named something like twrp-x.x.x-x-dragon.img and rename it to recovery.img . 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 .
- 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. Use the menu to navigate to and to select the Recovery option. info_outline Note: Please note that on most devices you’ll need to use the Volume Buttons to cycle onscreen options and the Power Button to select (Mobile), or by short pressing the Si
- Build a LineageOS installation package.
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