How to Root Samsung Galaxy M21 without TWRP

Sadique Hassan•Updated Apr 1, 2024

In this guide, we will show you the steps to root your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery. So how will we carry out this process? To begin with, we will show you how to unlock the device’s bootloader. After this, the instructions to download the stock firmware and extract the AP file will be given. Then we will list out the steps to patch this AP file via Magisk. Doing so will give us the magisk_patched.tar file which we will then flash to your device via Odin and your device will be rooted.

The mid-rangers from Samsung have appealed to the masses and in some style. In this regard, the M21 is no different either. In countries like India, it has always occupied among the top spot in the buyer’s preference list. When you are getting a device that tick marks all the required necessities and OneUI as the underlying OS skin without burning a hole in your pockets, then the device’s rise to fame is no hidden secret.

However, for the tech enthusiasts, there were a few doubts. This is because the device comes with Exynos as the underlying chipset. And if we were to line Snapdragon, MTK, and Exynos on the ease of development, there’s no doubt who would occupy the last spot. Furthermore, being a majorly closed source makes it quite difficult for the modding community.

But once Samsung released the source code for this device, everything picked up the pace. In this regard, the device was recently blessed with the TWRP Recovery [Read: How to Install TWRP Recovery on Samsung Galaxy M21]. Well, the availability of this custom recovery automatically opens the gate to a plethora of tweaks. These include the likes of creating Nandroid backup, flashing ZIP and IMG files, and the likes.

Then you could also flash the Magisk ZIP Installer file and root your device. However, there were a few users who don’t wish to install TWRP on their device but still wants to root it. If you also echo these thoughts, then you have come to the right place. Given here are the detailed steps to root your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery.

Table of Contents

Benefits and Risks of Rooting Samsung Galaxy M21

Rooting the device via Magisk allows you to carry out a plentitude of modifications and tweaks. To begin with, it would give you administrative level access. Likewise, you would easily be able to access the system partition on your device. Along the same lines, it allows you to install Magisk Modules, Xposed Framework, Substratum Themes. Rooting also gives you the opportunity to flash custom kernels onto your device.

The latter would make it possible to overclock or underclock the CPU or set a different CPU profile. However, rooting your Samsung Galaxy M21 might bring in a few uninvited risks as well. The first prerequisite to root any device requires an unlocked bootloader. Once you do so, your device’s warranty will instantly become null and void. Likewise, you will also lose all the data on your device. The KNOX counter will also be tripped.

This will result in your inability to use apps like Samsung Pay, Secure Folder, etc. Then Widevine Certification will be degraded from L1 to L3 resulting in the inability to watch Netflix. Amazon Prime, etc in HD. With that said, you now have a perfect idea regarding the perks and drawbacks of rooting your device. If that’s well and good, let’s proceed to the steps to root your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery.

How to Root Samsung Galaxy M21 without TWRP

The entire instructions are written under separate sections for ease of understanding. Make sure to follow the exact same sequence as listed below. 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 on Samsung Galaxy M21

To begin with, you need to unlock the bootloader on your Galaxy M21 device. For that, please refer to our comprehensive guide: How to Unlock Bootloader on any Samsung Device [New VaultKeeper Method]. If you don’t wish to check out that guide, then here are the instructions in short: Start off by Enabling USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device.

Then boot your device to Download Mode and use the Volume Keys to select the option to unlock the bootloader. Your device will then automatically boots up, go to Developer Options, and make sure that OEM Unlock is greyed out. That’s it, the bootloader stands unlocked. Now move over to the next step to root your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery.

STEP 2: Download Samsung Galaxy M21 Stock Firmware

Next up, download the stock firmware for your device. Since Samsung doesn’t host the firmware files on their servers, you would have to take the help of the Frija Tool. While there are quite a few other alternatives as well (SamMobile), I usually prefer this only. So refer to our detailed guide on How to Download Samsung Stock Firmware/ROM via Frija Tool.

As for this device, type in the below-given information in the Frija Tool and hit the Download button situated at the bottom left: [Just make sure to change the CSC code as per your country accordingly before downloading the firmware]:

Model Number: SM-M215F
CSC: INS (for India)

If you are using SamMobile to download the firmware, then input the following details (these are for the Indian variant, the PDA and CSC might be different for different regions):

Device Name: Samsung Galaxy M21
Model Number: SM-M215F
Android: 11
PDA: M215FXXU2BUAC
CSC: M215FODM2BUAC

STEP 3: Extract Galaxy M21 AP File from Stock Firmware

Once the firmware file for your device is downloaded, extract it to a convenient location on your PC.
You should now get the following five files in .tar.md5 format:
```
AP, BL, CP, CSC, and HOME_CSC
```
Out of these five files, we will use the AP file to patch it via Magisk and then flash it via Odin.

STEP 4: Patch Galaxy M21 AP File via Magisk

Now that you have the AP file extracted from the firmware, transfer it to your device’s internal storage. After this, install the Magisk Manager app on your device. Then launch the app and check if it says YES or NO next to Ramdisk. Remember the answer as it will be used at the end to boot your device to the rooted OS.

recovery ramdisk samsung magisk

After this, refer to our detailed guide on how to: How to Patch Samsung AP Firmware via Magisk. The shorter explanation is as follows: Launch the Magisk Manager app on your device. Tap on Install > Select and patch a file > Select the AP firmware file and tap on Let’s Go. The process will take a few seconds. Once done, you should get the magisk_patched.tar file placed inside the Download’s folder. We will now use this file to root Samsung Galaxy M21 without using TWRP Recovery.

STEP 5: Boot Samsung Galaxy M21 to Download Mode

The next step requires you to boot your device to the Download Mode. This is needed so that Odin is able to interact with your device. Hence refer to our detailed guide to Boot any Samsung Device to Download Mode. Wish to save a click? Then here are the instructions in short:

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: Flash Patched Galaxy M21 magisk_patched.tar via Odin

It’s now time to root your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery. Starting off, you will have to flash the magisk_patched.tar file (patched AP file) to your device via Odin. To do so, please refer to our comprehensive guide on this topic: How to Flash magisk_patched.tar (patched Samsung AP file) via Odin. For the shorter version, proceed to the below steps:

Start off by transferring the magisk_patched.tar file to your PC where the other firmware files (AP, BL, CP, CSC, and HOME_CSC) are present.
Then connect your Samsung device to the PC via USB Cable (make sure it is booted to Download Mode).
After this, load the following files to the Odin tool:
- First off, click ‘BL‘ and load the BL firmware file.
- Then click ‘AP‘ and load the magisk_patched.tar file.
- After this, click ‘CP‘ and load the CP firmware file.
- Then click ‘CSC‘ and load the CSC firmware file (the normal CSC file, not the Home CSC file).
While we only need to flash the Patched AP firmware file, but it is never recommended to flash it alone. You should always flash this file along with other firmware files, always!
Moving on, go to the Options section of Odin Tool and uncheck ‘Auto Reboot‘.
Finally, click on Start to begin the process. Once done, you should get the PASS!‘ message.
That’s it. You have successfully rooted your Samsung Galaxy M21 device without using TWRP Recovery. It’s time to boot your device to the rooted OS.

STEP 7: Boot Samsung Galaxy M21 to Rooted OS

Now that your device is rooted, it’s time to boot it to the rooted OS. We have an extensive guide on the same topic, including the explanation as to why this needs to be done: How to Boot Rooted Samsung to Recovery Mode and Rooted OS. The shorter explanation follows:

If the Ramdisk Check via Magisk in STEP 4 showed YES, then you directly boot to the rooted OS just by pressing the Power key.
However, if there is no Ramdisk (if the check via Magisk displayed NO in STEP 4), then the steps to boot to the rooted OS are different. Here is what you need to do:
Press and hold the recovery key combinations until the device boots up and you see the Bootloader Unlock warning message. Then release all the buttons and you should be booted to the rooted OS with Magisk installed.

With this, we conclude the guide on how to root Samsung Galaxy M21 without using TWRP Recovery. 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.

Tags: