How to Root Galaxy S6 Edge: Step-by-Step
Rooting your Galaxy S6 Edge gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom kernels, use root-only apps, and even flash custom ROMs. This guide walks you through the entire process safely using Odin, a Windows tool, and a pre-rooted kernel (CF-Auto-Root). Before starting, back up all important data, ensure your battery is above 70%, and understand that rooting voids warranty and carries a small risk of bricking the device.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows PC (Odin is Windows-only; Mac/Linux users can use a virtual machine).
- The correct USB cable for your S6 Edge (preferably the original).
- Galaxy S6 Edge model number (e.g., SM-G925F, SM-G925T, SM-G925V) – check under Settings > About Phone.
- Odin 3.13.1 (or a recent version) – download from a reputable source like XDA Developers.
- CF-Auto-Root package for your exact model – available on the CF-Auto-Root page.
- Samsung USB drivers installed on your PC.
- Backup of your device data (rooting wipes everything).
Step-by-Step
- Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging: On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone, then tap “Build Number� seven times until you see “You are now a developer.� Go back to Settings > Developer Options and enable “USB Debugging� and “OEM Unlock� (if available).
- Install Samsung USB Drivers: Download and install the Samsung USB driver package on your PC. Restart your PC after installation.
- Download Odin and CF-Auto-Root: Extract Odin to a folder on your PC. Download the CF-Auto-Root file for your exact model (it comes as a .tar.md5 file). Do not extract the .tar.md5 file.
- Boot Your Phone into Download Mode: Power off your phone. Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power buttons simultaneously. When the warning screen appears, press Volume Up to continue into Download Mode.
- Open Odin: Run Odin as Administrator (right-click > Run as administrator). You should see a blue or yellow box in the “ID:COM� section indicating your device is detected. If not, reinstall drivers or try a different USB port.
- Load the CF-Auto-Root File: In Odin, click the “AP� (or “PDA� in older versions) button, then navigate to and select the CF-Auto-Root .tar.md5 file. Ensure only “Auto Reboot� and “F. Reset Time� are checked in the Options tab – do not check “Re-Partition�.
- Start the Flashing Process: Click the “Start� button in Odin. The process will take a few minutes. Your phone will reboot automatically when done. If you see a green “PASS!� message, the root was successful.
- Verify Root: After reboot, find the “SuperSU� app in your app drawer. Open it and update the binary if prompted. You can also use a root checker app from the Play Store to confirm.
- Reboot and Restore: Once rooted, you can restore your backed-up data. Avoid restoring system data from a different ROM to prevent conflicts.
Common Mistakes
- Using the wrong CF-Auto-Root file: Each model (e.g., SM-G925F vs SM-G925T) has a different package. Flashing the wrong one can brick your device.
- Forgetting to enable OEM Unlock: On many S6 Edge variants, this is required. If you skip it, Odin may fail with a “SW REV CHECK FAIL� error.
- Having Re-Partition checked: This is a common cause of soft-bricks. Always ensure it is unchecked.
- Using a faulty USB cable or port: A loose connection can interrupt the flash, leaving your phone in a boot loop.
- Interrupting the process: Do not unplug the phone or close Odin while flashing. Wait for the green PASS.
Tips
- Back up your device using Samsung Smart Switch or a custom recovery before rooting.
- Keep the CF-Auto-Root file and Odin in a safe place – you may need them to re-root after a firmware update.
- After rooting, install a root manager like SuperSU (which is included) to control which apps get root access.
- If you plan to install custom ROMs later, consider flashing TWRP recovery after rooting, but that is a separate process.
- Disable “Auto Update� in SuperSU to prevent unexpected binary updates that could cause issues.
Troubleshooting
- Odin does not detect the phone: Reinstall Samsung USB drivers, try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0), change the cable, or restart your PC. Ensure your phone is in Download Mode and not just connected normally.
- Odin fails with “FAIL!� or “SW REV CHECK FAIL�: This usually means the CF-Auto-Root file is incompatible with your firmware version. Try a newer version of CF-Auto-Root or use a different rooting method like Magisk patching the stock firmware.
- Phone stuck in boot loop after rooting: Perform a factory reset from recovery mode (Volume Up + Home + Power). If that fails, reflash the stock firmware using Odin to restore your device, then try rooting again.
- SuperSU not installed after flashing: Some CF-Auto-Root versions require you to install SuperSU from the Play Store. If it’s missing, download and install it, then open it and update the binary.
- Root checker says “not rooted�: Reboot your phone and try again. If still not rooted, re-run the Odin flash, ensuring you select the correct AP file.
- Wi-Fi or mobile data not working after root: This is rare but can happen if the kernel is not fully compatible. Reflash the original kernel or restore a nandroid backup if you have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rooting my Galaxy S6 Edge void the warranty?
Yes, rooting typically voids the manufacturer warranty. You can often restore the warranty by flashing the stock firmware with Odin, but the flash counter may remain tripped unless you reset it (which is not always possible).
Can I still receive OTA updates after rooting?
Usually not. OTA updates often fail because the system partition is modified. You will need to manually flash updates or use custom ROMs that provide their own updates.
Is rooting safe? Can it brick my phone?
Rooting is generally safe if you follow instructions carefully. However, there is always a risk of bricking if you flash the wrong files or interrupt the process. The S6 Edge is relatively easy to recover from soft-bricks using Odin.
Do I need to unlock the bootloader first?
Most Galaxy S6 Edge variants do not have a locked bootloader in the traditional sense, but enabling OEM Unlock is still recommended. Carrier-specific models (like Verizon) may have additional restrictions.
Will rooting improve battery life?
Rooting itself does not improve battery life. However, it allows you to install apps like Greenify or use custom kernels that can optimize battery usage, potentially extending battery life.
Can I unroot my phone later?
Yes, you can unroot by flashing the stock firmware via Odin. This will remove root and restore the device to factory state, but it will wipe all data.
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