Since this product line is notoriously used by the bandwagon crowd, most S6 users are probably on the S7 by now. However I see some people are still here and yet no resource thread for rooting. Most development oriented threads generally arise in XDA so I'll be referencing that place a lot. Also keep in mind I'm trying to keep everything universal so that this information is useful to any S6 variant. If you want stuff exclusive to your variant, development might be happening more than what's presented here and you just need to navigate XDA for more info.
ROOTING:
Things you need to consider...
RECOVERY:
Odin flash tool
Samsung Firmwares
Sammy driver
To find your device info, either look in 'about phone' in settings or dial *#1234# and look at the first 5-6 characters under 'CP' or 'AP' (ap may be different if you already flashed a another variant's rom). Keep in mind that you'll need an account to use sammobile in order to download the firmware file for your device.
PROCEDURE WITH ODIN:
Odin is used for the following
It's a pretty straight forward tool. Download the tar file for your device. You need to install the usb drivers if you haven't done so already and boot the phone in download mode. Open odin and connect your phone. Check if a com port connection is active (top bar with boxes will show your device). Click on options tab in Odin and you'll see some checkboxes, leave them alone. If your installing a TWRP recovery image instead of the firmware, uncheck 'Auto Reboot'. Click 'AP' box and look for your tar file you downloaded, select and wait for it to load the file. Then click 'Start' on bottom section of Odin and wait for the process to complete. If checked, your phone will auto reboot when it's done flashing. If your flashing TWRP and your still in download mode, hold the buttons again that boot into download mode but release them as soon as the screen turn off.
Smart Switch
http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
A lot like the Odin flash tool except its supported by Samsung and available on their site. This is more easy to use but is only used to for restoration of apps, accounts and even firmware.
TWRP:
You downloaded either the tar (for odin) or image (if your on an older ver of TWRP). KNOX will be tripped if you flash this. The 'zerof' and 'zerol' in the device codenames stand for "flat" and "edge" respectively.
ROMS:
XtreStoLite Rom
Note: if your on Tmobile, refrain from flashing this. There's been reports of video calling and volte breaking.
KERNELS:
arter97 kernel
Latest is version 22
Note: You may need to flash superSU libs again and then download superSU app from play store to get root back. T/W8 variants are now supported but development for kernel is at end of life. Dev moved on.
MODS:
SuperSU (required for anything root) - will detect if system or system-less root is needed
xposed framework for samsung (Use arm64)
1064 fonts pack
Viper4Android with neon and convolvers
Coming eventually:
Will mention FlashFire and Magisk. These 2 projects will possibly help and allow you to freely do things a rooted user could do and get OTAs without any error.
ROOTING:
Things you need to consider...
- This will trip your KNOX counter
- Possibility of warranty ending because KNOX was tripped
- Rooting leads to situations where you'll mess up your device
- If you know a method that doesn't trip KNOX when trying to root on MM, please share your method or source
RECOVERY:
Odin flash tool
Samsung Firmwares
Sammy driver
To find your device info, either look in 'about phone' in settings or dial *#1234# and look at the first 5-6 characters under 'CP' or 'AP' (ap may be different if you already flashed a another variant's rom). Keep in mind that you'll need an account to use sammobile in order to download the firmware file for your device.
PROCEDURE WITH ODIN:
Odin is used for the following
- Downgrading/Upgrading android versions (Downgrading may be restricted with some rollback protection implemented by bootloader)
- Flashing bootloader/modem exclusively
- Revert to complete stock if you screwed up your device
- Will not trip KNOX if you are using samsung official tar files
- This will erase EVERYTHING
It's a pretty straight forward tool. Download the tar file for your device. You need to install the usb drivers if you haven't done so already and boot the phone in download mode. Open odin and connect your phone. Check if a com port connection is active (top bar with boxes will show your device). Click on options tab in Odin and you'll see some checkboxes, leave them alone. If your installing a TWRP recovery image instead of the firmware, uncheck 'Auto Reboot'. Click 'AP' box and look for your tar file you downloaded, select and wait for it to load the file. Then click 'Start' on bottom section of Odin and wait for the process to complete. If checked, your phone will auto reboot when it's done flashing. If your flashing TWRP and your still in download mode, hold the buttons again that boot into download mode but release them as soon as the screen turn off.
Smart Switch
http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
A lot like the Odin flash tool except its supported by Samsung and available on their site. This is more easy to use but is only used to for restoration of apps, accounts and even firmware.
TWRP:
You downloaded either the tar (for odin) or image (if your on an older ver of TWRP). KNOX will be tripped if you flash this. The 'zerof' and 'zerol' in the device codenames stand for "flat" and "edge" respectively.
ROMS:
XtreStoLite Rom
Note: if your on Tmobile, refrain from flashing this. There's been reports of video calling and volte breaking.
KERNELS:
arter97 kernel
Latest is version 22
Note: You may need to flash superSU libs again and then download superSU app from play store to get root back. T/W8 variants are now supported but development for kernel is at end of life. Dev moved on.
MODS:
SuperSU (required for anything root) - will detect if system or system-less root is needed
xposed framework for samsung (Use arm64)
1064 fonts pack
Viper4Android with neon and convolvers
Coming eventually:
Will mention FlashFire and Magisk. These 2 projects will possibly help and allow you to freely do things a rooted user could do and get OTAs without any error.
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