Android Modding

The Complete Magisk Install and Update Walkthrough

Unlock your Android's true potential! Our complete walkthrough guides you through Magisk installation and updates, from patching the boot image to flashing.

Alex Carter

An Android enthusiast and developer passionate about system-level customization and open-source tools.

September 16, 20257 min read21 views

So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of Android customization. Welcome! You’ve probably heard one name whispered in forums and communities more than any other: Magisk. It’s the key that unlocks the true potential of your device, and for good reason. It offers powerful root access without touching your system partition, making it safer and more versatile than older methods.

But getting it installed can feel daunting. You see terms like "patched boot image" and "fastboot," and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Don't worry. This guide is designed to walk you through every step, from the initial installation to keeping it updated, in the clearest way possible. Let's get you rooted.

Before You Begin: The Prerequisites

Before we start patching files, let's make sure you have everything you need. Ticking these boxes now will save you a massive headache later.

Unlocked Bootloader: This is non-negotiable. An unlocked bootloader allows you to flash custom images (like our patched boot image) onto your phone. The process varies by manufacturer (e.g., Motorola, Google, Xiaomi all have different methods). A quick search for "unlock bootloader [your phone model]" will point you in the right direction. Warning: This will wipe your device's data.
ADB and Fastboot: This is the command-line tool that lets your computer talk to your phone in bootloader mode. You can get it by downloading the official Android SDK Platform-Tools from Google.
Your Stock Boot Image: This is the most crucial file. Magisk works by modifying your phone's stock boot image (boot.img), not the system itself. For newer devices (like Pixels on Android 13+), this might be an init_boot.img file instead. You need to find and extract this file from the official firmware package for your exact phone model and build number.

How to get the boot.img?
Download the official firmware/OTA package for your phone. If it's a payload.bin file, you'll need a tool like payload-dumper-go to extract the boot.img or init_boot.img from it. Always match the firmware version to the one currently installed on your device!

The Complete Magisk Installation Walkthrough

Got all your prerequisites? Great. Let's get to the fun part. The process is the same whether you have a boot.img or init_boot.img, you just need to know which one your device uses.

Step 1: Get the Magisk App

First, you need the Magisk application itself. This is what you'll use to patch your boot image.

On your phone, go to the official Magisk GitHub repository.
Download the latest .apk file from the "Assets" section.
Install the APK on your device. You might need to grant your browser permission to install apps from unknown sources.

Important: Only download Magisk from the official GitHub page. Unofficial websites can host modified, malicious versions.

Step 2: Patch the Boot Image with Magisk

Now we'll use the Magisk app to create our modified boot image.

Transfer the stock boot.img (or init_boot.img) you extracted earlier to your phone's internal storage (e.g., the Downloads folder).
Open the Magisk app you just installed.
Tap the "Install" button at the top of the main screen.
Under "Method," choose "Select and Patch a File."
Your file manager will open. Navigate to and select the boot.img (or init_boot.img) you transferred.
Magisk will work its magic. It will save a new file named something like magisk_patched-[random_chars].img in your Downloads folder.

This patched file is your key to root. It contains the original boot data plus the Magisk code.

Step 3: Flash the Patched Boot Image

It's time to use ADB and Fastboot to flash the file.

Transfer the magisk_patched-....img file from your phone's Downloads folder to the platform-tools folder on your computer. For simplicity, rename it to magisk_patched.img.
On your computer, open a command prompt or terminal inside the platform-tools folder.
Connect your phone to your computer via USB and enable USB Debugging.
In the terminal, type adb reboot bootloader and press Enter. Your phone will reboot into its bootloader/fastboot mode.
Now, flash the image. The command depends on your device's partition setup.

For most devices with a boot partition, use this command:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

For newer devices with an init_boot partition, use this command instead:

fastboot flash init_boot magisk_patched.img

Not sure which one to use? A quick search for "[your phone model] flash boot image" often reveals if your device uses the standard `boot` or the newer `init_boot` partition.

Once the flash is complete, reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot.

Verification: Is It Working?

Your phone should boot up normally. The moment of truth!

Open the Magisk app. Look at the top section. You should see "Installed" followed by a version number. If you do, congratulations! You have successfully rooted your device with Magisk.

You can now go to the app's settings and enable "Zygisk," which allows many modules to work their magic. You can also explore the "Modules" tab to start customizing your device.

Keeping Magisk Up-to-Date

Magisk receives frequent updates to support new Android versions and improve features. Updating is usually straightforward.

The Easy Way: Direct Update

When a new version of Magisk is available, the app will show an "Update" button at the top.

Tap "Update."
On the next screen, choose "Direct Install (Recommended)."
Let Magisk do its thing. It will patch your current boot image in the background.
Once it's done, it will show a "Reboot" button. Tap it, and you're done!

The Fallback: Manual Update

Sometimes, a direct install can fail, especially after a major Android OS update. In this case, the process is identical to the initial installation:

Get the new stock boot.img for your updated OS version.
Use the new Magisk app to patch this new boot image.
Reboot to the bootloader and flash the new magisk_patched.img file.

This method is foolproof and ensures you're always running a clean, properly patched image.

Troubleshooting & FAQ

Help, my phone is stuck in a bootloop!
Don't panic! This usually means something went wrong with the patch. The fix is simple: reboot back into your bootloader (you might have to force it by holding the power and volume down keys) and flash your original, unpatched stock boot.img or init_boot.img. This will restore your phone to its pre-Magisk state, no data lost.
fastboot flash boot stock_boot.img

The Magisk app says "Not Installed" after I flashed and rebooted.
This can happen if you flashed to the wrong partition (e.g., flashing `boot` on a device that needed `init_boot`) or if you used an incorrect boot image for your device's build number. Double-check your steps and try again with the correct files and commands.

Conclusion

And that's it! You've successfully navigated the Magisk installation and update process. It might seem complex at first, but once you understand the core concept—patching and flashing a boot image—it becomes second nature. You now hold the power to customize your Android experience in ways you never thought possible. Explore modules, enjoy system-level ad-blocking, and tweak your device to your heart's content. Happy modding!