Install OTA Updates on Rooted Android Devices using Magisk [Without Losing Root]

Rooting Android phones come with a number of advantages but hey, the downsides aren’t less as well. One major problem every Android user with a rooted phone faces is not receiving the OTA update. It is one of the downfalls of Rooting your device. However, what if I tell you that you can still get OTA Updates on your device despite rooting it? Here’ how.

An OTA Update is a wireless update for the software of your Android device. The device manufacturer pushes this update to the software of your device, Over-The-Air. In this article, we are sharing the method to install OTA updates on rooted Android devices using Magisk. And the best part about this method is that you will not even lose the Root.

Install OTA Updates on Rooted Android Devices using Magisk

Install OTA Updates on Rooted Android Devices using Magisk [Without Losing Root]

For those who do not know, Magisk is a Universal Systemless Interface that enables users to modify their Android phones’ software without altering the system partition of the device.

Nowadays, most of the Android devices come with a A/B Partition scheme. The OTA Updates that are released by the manufacturer of the device are installed to the inactive slot.

When you root your device using Magisk, it installs only to the currently active slot and hence the inactive slots remain untouched. So now when an OTA Update arrives, all you have to do is restore the stock boot image from the Magisk Manager and then install the OTA Update in the inactive slot. Then just reboot your device. That’s how easy it is. But if you did not get it here, you can scroll down to see a detailed guide on it –

 

Install OTA Updates on Rooted Android Devices using Magisk [Without Losing Root]

By following the below 5 steps, you can install OTA Update on your rooted device.

Step 1. Disable Automatic System Updates

From the Android 8.0 Oreo, Google has introduced a system of automatically installing updates as soon as they are out. This seems to be good for all the Android users except for the ones who have rooted their devices. So for the Rooted Android users, it is necessary to prevent the installation of the automatic update by following the below steps –

  • Go to Settings> About Phone> (Software Information) Scroll down to Build Number.
  • Tap on Build Number for 7-8 times.
  • This will enable Developer Options.
  • When it is enabled, go back to Settings> System> Developer options.
  • Here, scroll down to switch off the Automatic System Updates.

In case you have rooted your device using the method of installing a Custom Recovery, then it will be removed after installing an OTA Update by following the below steps. So if you want to save the TWRP even after the update, then just download and install TWRP Retention Module.

Step 2. Restore Stock Image when OTA Update is available

You will see an OTA Update notification arriving. If an OTA update is out, you will have to restore the stock boot image and uninstall Magisk from the present slot. For that follow the below steps –

  • Go to the App drawer and Launch Magisk Manager App.
  • Click on the Uninstall option.
  • Choose ‘Restore Images’.
  • You will see a Restoration Done message.

Note – Do NOT Reboot your device now. This will uninstall Magisk completely.

Step 3. Install the Update

  • Now that you have restored the stock image, you can install the OTA Update on your rooted phone.
  • For this, go to the Settings > System> System update.
  • Then press the ‘Download and Install‘ option.
  • Soon the installation will finish and your device will be prompted to root. However, Do NOT Reboot your device yet.

Step 4. Keep TWRP Recovery after installing OTA Update (OPTIONAL)

This is a completely Optional Step. However, you can follow it only when you have installed the Magisk using TWRP Recovery. This step will be helpful in keeping the TWRP Recovery even after installing the OTA Update.

  • As said earlier, Download and Install the “TWRP A/B Retention Script” by XDA Recognized Developer osm0sis from the Magisk Manager itself.
  • For this, go to the App Drawer and then launch the Magisk Manager App.
  • Then click on the ‘Menu‘ on the left top side of the screen.
  • Here, click on Downloads.
  • Here, search for the Modules repository for ‘TWRP A/B Retention Script’.
  • Lastly, click on the download icon and choose the Install Option.
  • Soon the script will be installed on your device and your TWRP will be preserved.

Step 5. Maintain Magisk Root after Installing the update

Lastly, install the Magisk Root in the inactive slot. Through this step, the root will be conserved once the OTA is installed after which the device will restart and get updated OS. For this, follow the below steps –

  • Open Magisk Manager.
  • Click on the ‘Install‘ option.
  • When you are asked to select the installation method, choose – ‘Install to Inactive Slot’.
  • Lastly, click on the ‘yes‘ button so as to confirm the action.
  • In no time Magisk will be installed to the inactive slot.
  • Click on ‘Reboot’.

This way Magisk will force switch the Android phone to the inactive slot where the OTA Update was installed, thus preventing any post-OTA Verification that the system may carry.

You have successfully installed the OTA Update on your Android device without losing the root. So now you do not have to worry if an OTA Update arrives. All you have to do is follow the above steps. We recommend you to bookmark this page. If you have any queries, let us know in the comment section below.

Happy Androiding 🙂