UPDATE: Rooting via APatch is currently not possible because APatch doesn’t support Samsung devices. So even though you’ll be able to extract AP > get boot.img.lz4 > extract it to get boot.img > patch it via APatch > but you wouldn’t be able to flash it via Odin. Moreover, patching AP via APatch is not possible. So you’ll reach a dead end here. With that said, the below guide is still a work in progress and will be updated at regular intervals.
In this guide, we will show you the steps to root your Samsung device via APatch. There exist three methods through which you can gain administrative privileges over your device- via MAgisk, KernelSU, and APatch. While Magisk has long been the go-to choice for tech enthusiasts, but we are now seeing a change as many users are beginning to take the kernel route- using KernelSU or APatch.
One major reason for the same is Play Integrity and root hiding- it has become quite a challenging task to make banking and payment apps run on a device rooted via Magisk. On the other hand, that isn’t currently the case with KernelSU or APatch. So, owing to this reason, this guide will make you aware of the steps to root your Samsung device via APatch.
Table of Contents
How to Root Samsung Devices via APatch
Before starting, please take a complete device backup. 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.
STEP 1: Unlock Bootloader
First and foremost, you will have to unlock the bootloader on your device. Do note that doing so will trip Knox and reset your device. If that’s well and good, then you may refer to our guide on How to Unlock Bootloader on any Samsung Device [New VaultKeeper Method]
STEP 2: Download Samsung Stock Firmware
Next up, you will have to download the stock firmware for your device. For that, you may use the Frija Tool, SamLoader Tool, or websites such as SamMobile. Just make sure to download the same firmware that is currently installed on your device. Likewise, it should be of the same CSC code as well. [Read: How to Find My Device’s CSC Code].
Now go to the folder where you have downloaded the firmware and extract it. Upon extraction, you should get the AP, BL, CP, CSC, and HOME_CSC files. We will be using these files (except for HOME_CSC) to root your Samsung Galaxy device via APatch.
Get Samsung Boot.img
- Download and install 7-Zip on your PC.
- Then extract the AP file using it and you’ll get the boot.img.lz4 file.
- Now convert boot.img.lz4 to boot.img using this tool: lz4_win64_v1_9_3.zip
- Finally, transfer this boot.img file to your device.
STEP 3: Patch Galaxy AP via APatch
- Now, download and install the latest version of APatch on your device.
- Then launch it and tap on the install icon at the top right [NOTE: We are using the Automatic Flashing Method as it is the easier and shorter one. If you want to try out the Manual Method, then do check out the section with the same name at the end of this guide.
- Now choose Select a Boot Image to Patch and select the stock boot.img file.
- Then tap on Set SuperKey, set your key, and hit OK. The length of Superkey should be at least 8 characters, in alphanumeric format.
- Do not use weak keys like 1234abcd. The latest version of the app might not even let you set weak keys, which is definitely a welcome move from the security point of view [ah, an unlocked device with root talking about security, the irony!].
- APatch will patch the boot.img and place it inside the Downloads folder. Transfer it to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
STEP 5: Boot Galaxy to Download Mode
You will now have to boot your device to Download Mode so that Odin is able to identify it and hence allows us to carry out the flashing of the patched AP file. So refer to our guide to Boot any Samsung Device to Download Mode. Or refer to our below direct instructions:
- Start by powering off your device,
- Then press and hold Vol Up + Vol Down together and connect your device to the PC via USB cable.
- As soon as you see the Warning message on your device, release the pressed keys.
- Finally, press the Volume Up key once and your device will be booted to Download Mode.
STEP 6: Install Odin
- To begin with, download the Odin Tool from this link.
- Then extract it to a convenient location on your PC.
- After that, head over to the folder where you have extracted the tool.
- Finally, double-click on the Odin3_v3.14.4 EXE file to launch the tool.
STEP 7: Flash Patched AP file via Odin and Root Galaxy via APatch
- To begin with, launch the Odin tool on your PC.
- Then click on the BL button, navigate to the extracted firmware folder and select the BL file.
- After that, click on the AP button, navigate to the patched AP.tar file and select it.
- Next up, click on the CP button, navigate to the extracted firmware folder and select the CP file.
- Then click on the CSC button, navigate to the extracted firmware folder and select the CSC file [the normal CSC, not the HOME_CSC].
- Once all the files have been loaded, click on the Start button. The flashing process will now begin and could take a few minutes.
- Once done, you should get the PASS!‘ message. Likewise, your device will automatically boot to the OS.
That’s it. These were the steps to root your Samsung device via APatch. 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 at the earliest.
