How to Install OTA Updates in Rooted Android Device

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install OTA in rooted Android devices. There are quite a few perks associated with a rooted device. You get complete administrative privileges and could tweak the system files as per the need. Furthermore, the installation of Magisk Modules, Substratum Themes, and Xposed Frameworks are all possible. But every side has two coins, and so does rooting. Getting your warranty void and null, apps like Google Pay and Netflix causing issues, or your device might even end up in bootloop or a bricked state.

Along the same lines, there is another major caveat: you cannot easily install OTA on a rooted Android device. Why I mentioned easily is the fact that there is still a nifty workaround that will allow you to achieve the same. While the steps might seem daunting, but they are pretty easy to execute. So with that said, here is everything you need to know regarding how to apply OTA on a rooted Android device.

• How to Root any Android Device without PC
• How to Permanently Install TWRP without TWRP ZIP File (only using TWRP.img file)
• Root Android Devices Without TWRP Recovery
• How to Fix TWRP Error 7 (While Flashing Custom ROM via TWRP)

What is the Issue

With Android 5.0, Google introduced blocked-based OTAs. With this, as and when an Over The Air update arrived, it first verified and made sure there is no tweaking with any device partition. These included the recovery (yes, recovery partition was a thing before A/B slots made its way), boot, system, vendor, dtbo, etc.

So if the OTA found out that there are some modifications to any of these partitions, installing OTA was next to impossible. Then entered Magisk and its systemless modifications opened the door to a plethora of opportunities. This was one of the major reasons why people switched over to Magisk from SuperSU. Anyways, using this Magisk only, we will carry out the steps to install OTA on a rooted Android device. Let’s begin.

Install OTA on Rooted Android Device

In a nutshell, this is how the entire process will be carried out:

OTAs are installed to the inactive slot and Magisk to the current active slot. So it means the inactive slot is untouched as of now.
Hence we will be restoring the stock boot file via Magisk, then installing OTA to inactive slot. But just before the reboot, we will install Magisk to inactive slot (where OTA is installed) using the “Install to Inactive Slot After OTA” option of Magisk. Dont worry if all these sounds confusing. The below detailed step by step instructions will help you out.

Before beginning with the steps, we would request you to disabled the Automatic Updates on your device. The option is present in Developer Options. This is hidden by default, so you could enable the same as follows:

• Head over to Settings and go to About Phone.
• Tap on Build Number 7 times. Now head back to Settings and tap on System.
• Tap on Advanced followed by Developer Options. There you should find the Automatic System Updates. Disable it.
• That is it. Now follow the below steps to install OTA on Android device.

 STEP 1: Restore Stock Boot.img

1. Open Magisk Manager APK on your device and tap on the Uninstall Option/
2. In the pop up that appears, click on Restore Images.
3. Don’t reboot your device at this instance as you will completely remove Magisk and hence root. As of now we only need to temporarily disable root.
   

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STEP 2: Install OTA

It’s now time to install the OTA update. Head over to Settings > System > System Update > Download and install the latest available OTA. Again, please do not reboot your device after installing the OTA.

STEP 3: Retain TWRP after OTA (Optional)

If you had TWRP recovery before. then you might wish to get it back. In that case, here is what needs to be done. Do keep in mind that this step is optional. users who rooted their device via TWRP might need it. On the other hand, those who rooted their device without TWRP, just by using the stock boot.img file, they might not want to retain it. Anyways, it is completely optional, and if you need TWRP, then  follow these steps:

1. Open the Magisk Manager app and tap on the hamburger menu situated at the top left.
2. Head over to Downloads and search for TWRP A/B Retention Script. Hit the Download icon next to it followed by the Install option in the popup that appears.
3. Once the installation of the module is complete, you will get a Reboot option. Do not tap it. You don’t have to reboot your device even at this stage.
   

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• How to Fix Error: Cannot load recovery.img

STEP 4: Getting back Root after OTA Installation

1. Now that you have installed the OTA and retained TWRP, here is how to re-enable the root that we had temporarily disabled.
2. Launch the Magisk Manager app on your device.
3. Tap on Install > Install > ‘Install to Inactive Slot (After OTA).
4. In the warning message that appears, tap on OK. Now, wait for the process to finish, which should only take a few seconds.
5. Once that is done. you will see the Reboot option at the bottom right. You could now reboot your device. With this, you have successfully installed OTA on your rooted Android device.

What if I Rebooted my Device Mid-Way?

The reason why we told you not to reboot your device earlier was the fact that at that point in time, you had installed OTA in the inactive slot, but the Magisk wasn’t yet installed there. So if you had rebooted, you would have gone to the inactive slot and enjoyed the new OTA, but without Root and Magisk. But now that we have installed Magisk to the inactive slot as well (where the OTA has been installed), you could reboot to this slot and enjoy both the new OTA as well as the root.

Just for extra knowledge, since you have booted to this slot, it now becomes your active slot and the earlier one will your inactive slot. On that note, if you wish to know more about this topic, i.e how A/B slots work, how to install ROMs, Kernel, Magisk in these slots, etc, then please check out our below guides. Likewise, if you have any doubts about this article on how to install OTA updates on a rooted Android device? Do drop in your queries in the comments section below.

• How to Flash Various Files in A/B Partition Devices
• Install Custom ROMs on any Android Device- Includes A/B Partition
• [GUIDE] Flash ROMs/Magisk/TWRP/Kernels on A/B Partition Devices

About Chief Editor

Sadique Hassan

administrator

A technical geek by birth, he always has a keen interest in the Android platform right since the birth of the HTC Dream. The open-source environment always seems to intrigue him with the plethora of options available at his fingertips. “MBA by profession, blogger by choice!”

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