How to Root Galaxy S8/S8+ on Android 9.0 Pie!

Step 3. Tap on “Build number” 5 times or more until it says developer mode has been turned on.

Step 4. Tap on the back button twice and go into “Developer options” menu.  In there you should see a menu button for “OEM Unlocking”.  Turn it ON.

IMPORTANT: While turning on, if your phone asks you to factory reset you will have to be READY to press Volume Down, Bixby, and Power buttons together as soon as your phone reboots.  If you don’t do this, you may have to wait 7 more days to root your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus.

Step 5. If you are able to turn on OEM unlocking without factory reset, also hold down Volume Down, Bixby, and Power buttons until you get into the warning screen.

Step 6. Tap the Volume Up button to enter ODIN download mode then connect a USB cable from your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus to your Windows computer.   Yes, you will need a Windows computer as ODIN program we will be using only supports Windows.  You can also use VMWware to run Windows on Mac or Linux but that’s outside the scope of this tutorial and you should be able to Google how to do that.  But my advice is to use a Windows computer, go borrow one from your friend or you can even pick up an old Windows netbook on eBay for less than $50.

Step 7. Download all the necessary files for rooting:

• Download ODIN and Samsung USB Drivers
• Download Magisk, No Verify Opt Encrypt ZIP, RMM State Bypass Mesa
• Download TWRP recovery for YOUR model of Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus

Once downloaded, also unzip ODIN zip file but leave the rest of zip files zipped.

Step 8. Run the ODIN program inside the unzipped ODIN folder and you should see ODIN program.  If you see a light blue highlighted box with a random COM number, you have already installed the proper drivers(perhaps you have rooted a Samsung device before on your computer), otherwise you will have to install the Samsung USB drivers you downloaded earlier.  Once drivers are installed, unplug and re-plug the USB cable and you should see the highlighted box like shown in above screenshot.

Next, click on “AP” then choose the TWRP file you downloaded earlier.

VERY IMPORTANT: Next, before you hit Start, be READY to hold down Volume Up, Bixby, and Power buttons simultaneously and QUICKLY when the screen goes blank/black.  PLEASE watch the video tutorial several times and practice hitting the buttons.  If you miss this step, you may have to unroot your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus then wait additional 7 days to try again.  So, PLEASE do not mess up this step.

 

Step 9. If you are ready, click on the “Start” button and you will see TWRP file flashing within less than a few seconds.  After that screen will go blank and you have to IMMEDIATELY hold down Volume Up, Bixby, and Power buttons together and HOLD THEM until you see TWRP, then let go of all buttons.   If you don’t get this part, again PLEASE watch the video tutorial several times until you are sure of what to do.

Step 10. Tap on “Keep Read Only”.

Step 11. Wipe your device by using the wipe menu and format data.  This will ERASE EVERYTHING on your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus.  There is no going back so if at this point you need to back up, reboot and backup everything and start the root tutorial again.

Step 12.  Also VERY IMPORTANT, use the Reboot menu then tap on “Recovery” to reboot recovery.

Step 13. Once rebooted, tap on “Keep Read Only”.

Step 14. Copy over the Magisk, RMM State Bypass, No Verify Opt Encrypt files to your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus.  It should automatically connect to your Windows computer as a disk drive at this point.  If for some reason you don’t see it on your computer, you can also alternatively use a microSD card or USB OTG to copy the files over.

Step 15. Use the Install menu to install all three files, install the No Verify Encrypt ZIP fist, followed by RMM State Bypass, then Magisk ZIP.  Then reboot.

Step 16. Once rebooted, sign in and you should see Magisk Manager.  If you don’t see it, power off your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus then hold down Volume Up, Bixby, and Power buttons to enter TWRP recovery to re-install Magisk, which I had to do and I think this is actually a necessary step with Android 9.0 Pie.

Step 17. Use install menu to install Magisk ZIP file again.  If you don’t see the file(as it happened to me), copy the file over again then install Magisk ZIP.

Step 18. Once rebooted, you should see Magisk Manager app.  If you still don’t see it, download Magisk Manager APK (direct download) and install manually.  If you don’t know how to install it manually, please watch the video tutorial.

Step 19. Open up Magisk Manager app and if you see two checkmarks like above, you have fully rooted your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus on latest Android 9.0 Pie.  Congratulations, pat yourself on the back and make sure to hit Like on YouTube for my video tutorial if you can, thanks.

You can verify root working properly by installing and running any rooted app on the Play Store, I recommend running the free Titanium Backup app and you should see a Superuser request window pop up!  Congrats!  Cheers!

Having trouble rooting your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus following this tutorial?  Leave a comment on our forum for help!

 

Have a question?

Please post all your questions at the new Android Rehab Center at HighOnAndroid Forum, thank you for understanding!

Join the HighOnAndroid VIP Fans List for free help from Max and discounts on Android accessories.