Root Samsung Galaxy M21 SM-M215F Android 10 using Magisk

Those are the days that exist where you have to Root your mobile after one year to get back your mobile performance by optimizing manually. But the new Android Mobiles are high in specs, and they can last long for years without degrading in performance with the help of regular software updates. The improvement in security in Android makes it hard to achieve the root process. It needs additional steps. Samsung Galaxy M21 comes with already optimized One UI 2.0 based on the Android 10 version. So, in the term for Performance improvement, you don’t need rooting. But When you are a regular Root user, and you need root for a specific purpose, You can use the below method to Root your Samsung Galaxy M21 Android 10 version.

After root, you will lose official updates. You have to update your mobile manually. So, Before proceeding with the process, you should know why you need to do it. So, If you are a regular user, you can try some alternatives for your purpose that doesn’t require root. When you are a regular root apps user and developer, you can follow the below guide to achieve root on your mobile.

Should you need to Root your Samsung Galaxy M21 Android 10 version?

You should have a strong reason for rooting. Samsung M21 already comes with One UI 2.0 based on Android 10 and is already optimized. You have More than Enough 4-6 GB RAM to use daily apps without lag for years. Yes, I Know, RAM maybe looks like not enough because of the Samsung Heavily customized OS. But, Trust me, One UI is far better than other Custom Skin OS. You can use this device without lag for years until Samsung mess with some Bloatware. But beyond, this not go reasons, you are addicted to some root apps, or you are a frequent user of some Custom OS, you can proceed further. But if you want to root because everybody is doing, I advise you, don’t root If you didn’t have any experience. For regular users, It can become a Nightmare.

How to Root Samsung Galaxy M21 Android 10 One UI 2.0 (SM-M215F)

First of all, thanks to the developer for the Root method. topjohnwu – this genius is a one who discovered and maintaining Magisk. Samsung Galaxy M21 International variants come with a flexible bootloader. It means that the smartphone can be easily rooted. Also, the device can accept to install TWRP recovery or any other custom recovery file/app alike. Don’t try with Snapdragon US Variants like Verizon devices. They come with a locked Bootloader.

But In the below method, we are going to Root this device by using Magisk. You can install Official TWRP using the official app when it is released. TWRP recovery is a custom recovery file that must be installed on your devices because you can root them successfully. In this article, we explained the easiest method to follow and install Magisk on Samsung Galaxy M21. However, the tool required for rooting this device is the Magisk App.

You can flash TWRP once it is available. With the help of TWRP Recovery, you can quickly flash the Custom ROMs into your Samsung Galaxy M21. Before sharing the tutorial, you may want to know that, with the Magisk present on your device, you can easily install any root apps. Does it seem complicated? Relax, everything will be explained succinctly in bullets.

Things to check out for;

• Check your device model number.

• You should Backup your current files and data- Full Data Loss Process (save them on external storage).

• Install Latest Magisk Manager.

• Make sure your device battery is above 50%

• You cannot use Samsung Pay, Secured folder, and some official apps from Samsung.

• You can’t update your firmware, to get new firmware you have to follow the below steps with the latest firmware.

• Read the full tutorial before the process.

1. Unlock Bootloader

• Enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock on your mobile. To do this; go to settings >>> about >>> Tap on the “Build Number” 7-10 times consistently to enable “Developer Options,” then go to the “Developer Options” and enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock. There is no complicated process in the Samsung Galaxy M21.

• Switch off your device. Enter into Download Mode-> Volume Down+ Volume Up and Connect your mobile with PC using USB Cable. When Download mode warning screen Appears, Press Volume Up button to unlock Bootloader.

• The above process will wipe your user data. After setup your device, Please recheck the OEM Unlock in the settings. Sometimes It Will Lock Again.

2. Preparing Patched Boot Image file

• Download and install the Samsung USB driver to your computer system.

• Also, download the ODIN software. Select the above Oreo version in the ODIN list. Install ODIN on your PC.

• Download Samsung Galaxy M21 Android 10 Firmware and save it on your PC. Your Current OS version and Downloaded Version AP and CSC should be the Same.

• You can use Phone Info to know your firmware version.

• Download 7Zip-ZS, LZ4, and Install both on your PC. Extract the files in downloaded firmware using 7Zip-ZS. You will get four files. Click on the AP File and Extract again. You will get some data along with the boot.img.lz4 and vmbeta.img.lz4.

• Copy the boot.img.lz4 and  vmbeta.img.lz4 to LZ4 Installed folder. Convert lz4 file to .img file by dragging the .img file to the lz4 application file. You have to drag the file to that application. The script will automatically convert the file to .img format. After the convert, Copy boot and Vbmeta — img file to your mobile.

• Download Magisk Manager (Download Latest version) or Magisk canary and Install it on your mobile. Open Installed Magisk and Select Install in Magisk; it will ask For zip file and Patch Boot Image File. Select the Boot Image file.

• Navigate to your copied Boot Image File and patch the file.

• Wait for the process to complete, In the end, you will get magisk patched .tar file. The .tar file will be in the same folder where you have the Stock firmware file. If you didn’t get the .tar and you got .img file. No problem. Copy this file to your PC. We can convert the data there.

• When you get .img file, Open the installed 7zip app. Navigate the magisk patched img file and select Add, Choose .tar format and choose ok. Convert only boot.img file. After you got boot.tar, Drag the Patched Vbmeta.img into boot.tar. Now we got ODIN flashable boot.tar file. In the .tar there are two files-boot.img and Vbmeta.img.

3. Flash Patched Boot and Vbmeta Image.tar using ODIN

• Due to Samsung’s new security restrictions, we can’t flash TWRP with Stock Boot on your mobile. So, we have to flash a patched boot using ODIN.

• Unlock your screen lock. There should be no fingerprint, PIN Lock, Wipe. Set No lock in the settings.

• Switch off your Mobile. Enter into Download mode->Volume Down+ Volume Up Buttons and Connect Your Mobile To PC via USB Cable, After Samsung Logo Appear, Release all keys.

• After entering into Download Mode, it will say Warning, Press Volume Up button to continue.

• Launch Odin Application.

• It Will Show the message added.

• If you did not get this message, Repeat the above steps.

• After Getting Added Message Select, AP/PDA Button, then Browse for the patched Magisk .tar file select it. Along with this file, you should select and flash the other three non-patched firmware files. We have to flash only the magisk patched boot image file. Un-Tick the Auto-Reboot.

• Press Start wait for the tasks to complete. After the process complete, Press Volume Down+ Power button to exit Download mode. When the screen goes off, Immediately Press Volume Up+ Volume Down + Power buttons to boot into Recovery mode.

• After entering into Stock recovery mode, Go to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and Select Yes to wipe data. It will erase your saved data in your device. Don’t Boot into OS, Read below Boot stages before booting.

Boot into Rooted OS

• Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release all the keys once the Bootloader warning appears. You have to set up your device like a new device. You can select the root status using the Root Checker.

• Stock Recovery Boot – Press and Hold Volume Up + Power buttons, release keys while you hold the Volume Up key.

• You will see Magisk Manager in your App drawer. If you can’t find the app, you can install Magisk Manager on your mobile.

Selva Ganesh

Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.