Model Manual Android 16 (Baklava / QPR2) Compatibility → Verified Working

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra Root Guide

Complete Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra Magisk rooting guide using Odin AP tar patching method. Covers Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (first unified global chipset across all S25 variants), model-specific firmware extraction (SM-S931/S936/S938), vbmeta + init_boot dual-patch requirement, Knox e-fuse permanent trip warning, and carrier lock restrictions for US variants.

Samsung Knox & Warranty Notice

Unlocking the bootloader on Samsung devices permanently trips the physical Knox warranty bit (0x1). This permanently disables Samsung Pay, Secure Folder, and Samsung Health hardware keystores. Banking apps and Google Wallet can still be restored using Play Integrity Fix and Shamiko.

Hardware & Partition Specifications

Before flashing, confirm your device matches these exact kernel and partition specifications:

Hardware Parameter Target Specification Engineering Details
SoC / Chipset Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm, Global Unified - No Exynos variant on S25 lineup) | Adreno 830 GPU | 12GB LPDDR5X RAM Hardware processing platform and architecture
Target Partition init_boot.img + vbmeta.img (Both required - extracted from AP tar via Odin firmware package) The exact partition image that must be patched in Magisk
OS Compatibility Layer Android 16 (Baklava / QPR2) Layer → Kernel specifications, SEPolicy patching & 16KB memory page rules
RAM Page Alignment 4KB Memory Page (Android 15 on S25 series; 16KB optional via developer toggle but not enforced at kernel level) Virtual memory kernel standard (Android 15/16 compatibility)
Firmware Package Samsung Odin Firmware Package (AP_S931BXXU*.tar.md5 / AP_S936BXXU*.tar.md5 / AP_S938BXXU*.tar.md5) - Download via SamFW.com or Frija tool Official OEM stock ROM packaging format
Unlocking Method Settings > Developer Options > OEM Unlocking + Download Mode (Vol Up + Vol Down while connecting USB). NOTE: Locked on all US carrier variants and many North American units permanently. International SM-S931B/S936B/S938B models supported. Bootloader unlocking requirement and tool
AVB / dm-verity Requires vbmeta patch Android Verified Boot verification enforcement

Step-by-Step Rooting Procedure

Phase 1

Unlock the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra Bootloader

Enable Developer Options by tapping Build Number 7 times in Settings → About Phone. Navigate to Settings → System → Developer Options and toggle on OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging.

Unlocking Method: Samsung
Settings > Developer Options > OEM Unlocking + Download Mode (Vol Up + Vol Down while connecting USB). NOTE: Locked on all US carrier variants and many North American units permanently. International SM-S931B/S936B/S938B models supported.
Phase 2

Extract the Stock Partition Image

Obtain the official stock firmware archive matching your exact software build number. Extract the required partition image:

Extraction Command
$Extract AP_*.tar.md5 -> find init_boot.img.lz4 and vbmeta.img.lz4 -> lz4 -d init_boot.img.lz4 init_boot.img
Phase 3

Patch Partition in the Magisk App

1. Download and install the latest official Magisk v30.7 APK onto your Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra.
2. Transfer the extracted stock init_boot.img + vbmeta.img (Both required - extracted from AP tar via Odin firmware package) to your device's Download folder.
3. Open Magisk, tap Install on the top card, and choose Select and Patch a File.
4. Select your file. Magisk will patch the ramdisk and output magisk_patched_[random].img to your Download directory.
5. Transfer the patched image back to your PC via USB.

Phase 4

Flash Patched Image

Connect your device to your computer in bootloader/download mode and execute the verified flashing command:

Flashing Command
#Odin3 v3.14.4: AP slot = magisk_patched.tar | BL + CP + CSC from original firmware (use HOME_CSC to preserve data)

Emergency Recovery & Bootloop Prevention

If your device fails to boot after installing an incompatible module, use this model-specific hardware recovery procedure:

Hardware Safe Mode Keycombo

Recovery Action: Download Mode -> Odin -> Flash original AP_S93xBXXU*.tar.md5 in AP slot with original BL/CP/CSC. Device will reboot to stock. Check SamFW for matching CSC/build.
OTA Maintenance: After OTA: re-patch new firmware init_boot.img via Magisk app -> re-flash via Odin. Monthly Samsung security patches require re-root each time if not using Magisk module OTA scripts.

Related Guides & Next Steps

Continue setting up your rooted Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra with essential modules and protection:

Android 16 (Baklava / QPR2) Layer

OS Layer

Deep dive into 16KB kernels, init_boot partitioning, and Play Integrity bypass rules.

Next Step: Read OS Guide →

Samsung Rooting Hub

OEM Hub

Browse all supported Samsung smartphones, firmware guides, and OEM tools.

Next Step: View OEM Hub →

Play Integrity Fix (PIF)

Module

Pass MEETS_DEVICE_INTEGRITY attestation and unblock Google Wallet on Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra.

Next Step: Setup PIF →

Fix Magisk Bootloops

Recovery

Emergency safe mode and ADB module wipe tutorial without data loss.

Next Step: Learn Safe Mode →
Technical Verification Notice: This guide has been verified against Magisk v30.7 and stock Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ & S25 Ultra firmware partitions on 2025.