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How to Root and Unroot Samsung Galaxy S25: A Complete Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S25, with its stunning 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, is a flagship device that’s perfect for customization enthusiasts. Rooting your Galaxy S25 can unlock advanced features like custom ROMs, performance tweaks, and root-only apps. However, rooting comes with risks, such as voiding your warranty and potential app compatibility issues. This step-by-step guide covers how to safely root your Galaxy S25 using Magisk and how to unroot it to restore the stock experience. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid bricking your device.

Why Root Your Samsung Galaxy S25?

Rooting grants superuser access to your device’s Android system, allowing you to:

  • Install custom ROMs for a tailored user experience.

  • Use root-only apps like AdAway or Titanium Backup.

  • Optimize performance by tweaking CPU settings or removing bloatware.

  • Access advanced features not available on stock firmware.

However, rooting voids your warranty in most regions, disables features like Samsung Pay due to a tripped Knox eFuse, and may cause banking apps to fail unless mitigated. Always back up your data before proceeding, as unlocking the bootloader wipes your device.

Prerequisites for Rooting Samsung Galaxy S25

Before starting, ensure you have:

  • A Samsung Galaxy S25 (or S25+/Ultra) with at least 50% battery.

  • A Windows, Mac, or Linux PC with a USB-C cable.

  • Enabled Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information > Build Number and tap seven times.

  • Enabled OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging: Settings > Developer Options.

  • A full backup of your data, as unlocking the bootloader erases everything.

  • Downloaded tools: Odin flashing tool, Samsung USB drivers (for Windows), Magisk APK (latest version from GitHub), and the Galaxy S25 firmware matching your device’s build number (check via Settings > About Phone or dial #1234# to find the AP version).

Note: Rooting is not possible on U.S. and Canadian Galaxy S25 models due to locked bootloaders. This guide applies to global models (e.g., SM-S931B for S25) with unlockable bootloaders.

Step-by-Step Guide to Root Samsung Galaxy S25

Step 1: Unlock the Bootloader

Unlocking the bootloader is required for rooting but wipes all data on your device.

  1. Enable Developer Options: Go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information, tap Build Number seven times, then enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging in Developer Options.

  2. Install Samsung USB Drivers and Odin: Download Samsung USB drivers and Odin from trusted sources like Samsung’s official site or XDA Forums. Install them on your PC.

  3. Boot into Download Mode: Power off your Galaxy S25. Press and hold Volume Down + Power + Bixby until a warning screen appears, then press Volume Up to enter Download Mode.

  4. Unlock Bootloader: Connect your phone to your PC via USB-C. Open a command prompt or terminal in the Odin folder, type fastboot flashing unlock, and confirm on your device using the volume keys and power button. Your device will wipe and reboot.

Warning: Unlocking trips Samsung Knox, permanently disabling features like Secure Folder. Proceed only if you’re comfortable with this.

Step 2: Download and Extract Firmware

You need the init_boot.img and vbmeta.img files from your device’s firmware for Magisk rooting.

  1. Find Firmware Version: Dial #1234# to check your AP version (e.g., S931BXXU1AYA1). Download the matching firmware from a trusted source like SamMobile or Samsung’s firmware page.

  2. Extract Firmware Files: On your PC, extract the firmware ZIP to obtain files like AP_[model]_XX.tar.md5 and BL_[model]_XX.tar.md5. Use 7-Zip to open the AP file and extract init_boot.img.lz4, and the BL file to extract vbmeta.img.lz4.

  3. Create TAR Archive: Select both init_boot.img.lz4 and vbmeta.img.lz4, right-click, and use 7-Zip to create a .tar archive (e.g., archive.tar).

Step 3: Patch Firmware with Magisk

Magisk creates a systemless root, preserving compatibility with most apps.

  1. Install Magisk: Download the latest Magisk APK from its official GitHub page and install it on your Galaxy S25.

  2. Transfer TAR File: Copy the archive.tar file to your phone’s storage.

  3. Patch with Magisk: Open the Magisk app, tap Install next to Magisk, select Select and Patch a File, and choose archive.tar. Magisk will generate a patched file (e.g., magisk_patched.tar) in your Downloads folder.

  4. Move Patched File: Transfer the patched file back to your PC’s Odin folder.

Step 4: Flash the Patched File

  1. Enter Download Mode: Reboot your Galaxy S25 into Download Mode (Volume Down + Power + Bixby, then Volume Up).

  2. Flash with Odin: Open Odin on your PC, connect your phone, and load the following files:

    • AP: Select the magisk_patched.tar file.

    • BL, CP, CSC: Load the corresponding files from the original firmware (use CSC, not Home_CSC, as it wipes data).

  3. Start Flashing: Ensure Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked in Odin, then click Start. Wait for the process to complete (look for “PASS!” in Odin).

  4. Reboot Device: Your phone will reboot with root access.

Step 5: Verify Root Access

  1. Install Root Checker: Download a Root Checker app from the Google Play Store.

  2. Verify Root: Open the app and tap Verify Root to confirm root access.

Step 6: Bypass SafetyNet/Play Integrity (Optional)

Rooting may break apps like Samsung Pay or Netflix due to Knox or Play Integrity checks. To mitigate:

  1. Enable Magisk Hide: In the Magisk app, go to Settings > Hide the Magisk App, then select apps to hide root from (e.g., Google Play Services, banking apps).

  2. Install SafetyNet Fix: Download the Universal SafetyNet Fix module from GitHub, flash it via Magisk, and reboot.

  3. Clear App Data: For affected apps, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Data.

How to Unroot Samsung Galaxy S25

If you want to restore your Galaxy S25 to its stock state, unrooting is straightforward with Magisk or by flashing stock firmware.

Method 1: Unroot Using Magisk

  1. Open Magisk App: Launch the Magisk app on your Galaxy S25.

  2. Uninstall Magisk: Tap Uninstall Magisk > Complete Uninstall. Confirm the action, and your device will remove root access and reboot.

  3. Verify Unroot: Use a Root Checker app to ensure root is removed.

Method 2: Flash Stock Firmware

Flashing stock firmware fully restores your device but wipes all data.

  1. Download Stock Firmware: Get the official firmware for your Galaxy S25 model from SamMobile or Samsung’s firmware page, matching your device’s AP version.

  2. Enter Download Mode: Power off your phone, then press Volume Down + Power + Bixby and Volume Up to enter Download Mode.

  3. Flash with Odin: Connect your phone to your PC, open Odin, and load the stock firmware files (AP, BL, CP, CSC). Ensure Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked, then click Start.

  4. Reboot Device: Your phone will reboot to the stock, unrooted state.

Note: To relock the bootloader (optional), boot into Download Mode and run fastboot oem lock via a command prompt. This wipes your device again and may not restore Knox-dependent features.

Risks and Considerations

  • Warranty Void: Rooting permanently trips Samsung Knox, voiding your warranty and disabling features like Samsung Pay and Secure Folder.

  • OTA Updates: Rooted devices can’t receive OTA updates. You’ll need to manually flash new firmware using the patched TAR method with Home_CSC to avoid data loss.

  • Security Risks: Rooting exposes your device to potential malware if you install untrusted apps.

  • Bricking Risk: Incorrect flashing can soft-brick (boot loop) or hard-brick (unresponsive) your device. If bricked, flash stock firmware via Odin in Download Mode to recover.

  • Region Restrictions: U.S. and Canadian models have locked bootloaders, making rooting impossible without exploits.

Tips for Success

  • Backup EFS Partition: After rooting, use TWRP or Magisk to back up your EFS partition (containing your IMEI) and store it securely.

  • Check Firmware Compatibility: Ensure the firmware matches your device’s AP version to avoid boot loops.

  • Join Communities: Visit XDA Forums or Reddit’s r/GalaxyS25Ultra for troubleshooting and custom ROM recommendations.

Conclusion

Rooting your Samsung Galaxy S25 unlocks a world of customization, from installing custom ROMs to tweaking performance. By following this guide, you can safely root using Magisk and unroot if needed, whether to restore stock firmware or prepare for a sale. Always use trusted sources like SamMobile for firmware and Magisk’s GitHub for tools. For the latest rooting tips, check XDA Forums or Samsung’s community pages.

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