How to Make System Partition Read Write on Android

In this guide, we will show you two methods [Recovery and Fastboot] to make the system partition Read Write on your Android device. The tech enthusiasts still like to check out unchartered territory and carry out numerous tweaks on their devices [well, this is where the real fun lies!]. However, when it comes to making changes to the system partition, then just rooting your device wouldn’t be enough.

While you would be able to access the system partition, you wouldn’t be able to make any changes to it. This is because the partition is still in a read-only state. So to overcome this roadblock, you’ll have to make the system partition Read Write on your Android device. And in this guide, we will show you how to do just that. Follow along.

Make System Partition Read Write on Android Device [Recovery and Fastboot Methods]

Before starting, please take a backup of all the data on your device. Moroever, while we have shared both the TWRP as well as Fastboot methods below, so which one should you opt for? Well, TWRP is the shorter and easier of the two methods, so if your device does support TWRP, then I’ll recommend you go ahead with the TWRP method itself [of course, the ultimate method lies in your hands].

On the other hand, the Fastboot Method is a tad bit complicated and lengthier but for devices that don’t have a custom recovery, this is their only way out. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

Via TWRP

1. First off, install TWRP Recovery on your device.
2. Now download RO2RW-TEST-3.7.3.0s.zip on your device.
3. Then boot your device to the TWRP Recovery via:

   adb reboot recovery

4. Now go to Install > select the RO2RW ZIP and flash it.
5. Then answer the questions using the Volume Keys:

   Volume Up: Previous/Next
   Volume Down: Select

6. Now answer as follows:

   1 (Make/Install)
   4 (Maximum Expansion 4)

   

   1 (Continue)
   Disable Force Encryption 1 (Skip) 
   Remove a few stuffs 2 (No)
   Backup original super.img 1 (Yes)
   Backup type, choose 2 (Recovery/Row)

7. As soon as the backup is done, the new r/w super.img file will be flashed.
8. You might get a few Failed to mount error messages, this is normal.
9. Now transfer the backed up original super.img to your PC.
10. Then do a reboot to Recovery and finally to System. That’s it.

Via Root

1. To begin with, root your device via Magisk.
2. Now download RO2RW-TEST-3.7.3.0s.zip on your device.
3. Then launch Magisk, go to Modules, and flash the Ro2RW mod.
4. Once done, hit Reboot. Now install the Termux app from Play Store.
5. Launch Termux, type in su, and hit Enter [you’ll get a prompt, tap OK].
6. Then type in ro2rw and hit Enter. This will start Ro2RW.
7. Now choose 1 (Make/Install) and hit Enter.
8. Next up, choose how much you want to expand the default size of system partitions.
9. So select the desired partition size. Then choose 1 (Continue) and hit Enter.
10. It will now ask you to install Disable Force Encryption. Choose 1 (Skip) and hit Enter.
11. Then it will ask you to remove a few stuffs, choose 2 (No), and hit enter.
12. Next up, it will ask to take a backup, choose 1 (Yes).
13. Now it will ask for backup type, choose 2 (Recovery/Row) if you have a TWRP Recovery, or else choose 1 [Fastboot/Sparse].
14. Once the backup is done, transfer it to your PC [you could access the backup from /internal storage/RO2RW_SUPER].
15. Moving on, now select the type of output for your new image to flash. Choose the same as before [1 for Fastboot or 2 for Recovery].
16. Then it will ask you to force disable verification. Choose 1 (Force disable) and hit enter.
17. Now, if you have chosen the TWRP method, then flash this new super.img file as follows:
    1. Now boot your device to TWRP Recovery. Once booted, go to Install and select Install lmage.
    2. Select the super-rw-row-recovery.img file, choose the Super (system vendor……..) partition and flash it.
       
    3. Once done, select Reboot System. Your device will now boot to the OS.
18. On the other hand, if you have chosen the Fastboot Method, then proceed with the below steps [for Samsung devices, refer to the next section]:
    • Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
    • Boot your device to Fastboot Mode and connect it to your PC via USB.
    • Place the new super.img file inside the platform-tools folder.
    • Likewise, place all the other files of the stock firmware in that folder as well [except for all the super.img files, because we will now be using our newly created r/w super.img].
    • Now open Command Prompt inside the platform-tools folder.
    • Then flash your stock firmware via the present batch file or manually via fastboot commands.
    • Finally, use the below command to boot your device to the OS:

      fastboot reboot

19. You could now use any root-supported file manager [eg: Solid Explorer] and carry out the desired tweak.

How to Make System Partition R/W on Samsung [Download Mode]

Things have always been different in the Samsung ecosystem, so how could this tweak be left behind? Although the creation of the r/w super image is the same as above, it’s the flashing part that is completely different when compared with other devices. Since you cannot flash files directly in Fastboot Mode and have to instead use the Download Mode, Odin, and a TAR file, so let’s tweak the instructions accordingly and make it compatible with Samsung.

NOTE: This is specifically for those Samsung devices that do not have a TWRP Recovery. If your device does have this recovery, then a much better approach will be to take its help as its the shroter and easier of the two. Still, the choice is all yours.

1. First off, create the rw super.img file in the Fastboot format.
2. Then download and install the 7ZIP software on your PC.
3. Now right-click on the super.img and select Show More Options.
4. Then Choose Add to Archive and rename the file to super.
5. Now change Archive Format to TAR > OK and you’ll get the super.tar file.
6. Moving on, now reboot your device to Recovery Mode.
7. From the recovery, do a factory reset/format data.
8. Now reboot your device to Download Mode.
9. Then download and extract the Odin Tool on your PC.
10. Launch it via its EXE file and load the super.tar file to the AP partition.
11. Finally, hit Start and wait for the flashing to complete.
12. Once done, your device will reboot to the r/w system.

That’s it. These were the steps to get full access to the system partition [RW] on your Android device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.

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