GKI_KernelSU_SUSFS/docs/magiskboot.md

Patch boot.img Manually (magiskboot)

For some devices, the boot.img format isn't as common as lz4, gz, and uncompressed. A typical example is the Pixel, where the boot.img is compressed in the lz4_legacy format, while the ramdisk may be in gz or also compressed in lz4_legacy. Currently, if you directly flash the boot.img provided by KernelSU, the device may not be able to boot. In this case, you can manually patch the boot.img.

[!CAUTION] Flashing a kernel can brick your device and will void your warranty. Make a full backup (boot partition at minimum) before proceeding.

[!TIP] It's always recommended to use magiskboot to patch images. There are two ways:

• magiskboot (official) - runs on Android devices (and Linux)
• WildKernels/Magisk (W.I.P.) - cross-built binaries for Windows/macOS/Linux PCs (W.I.P.)

Platforms: Android · Linux · Windows / Other

Preparation

1. Get your device's stock boot.img.
2. Download the AnyKernel3 ZIP file that matches your kernel version (e.g., 6.1.157-android14).
3. Unpack the AnyKernel3 package and get the Image file, which is the kernel file of KernelSU.

[!NOTE] Match by the full kernel version (e.g., 6.1.157-android14) - your device's Android version and the android14 in the kernel version are not necessarily the same.

Using magiskboot on Android devices

Folder structure on device (/data/local/tmp/):

/data/local/tmp/
├── magiskboot
├── boot.img
└── Image

1. Download latest Magisk from GitHub Releases.
2. Rename Magisk-*(version).apk to Magisk-*.zip and unzip it.

3. Push libmagiskboot.so to your device by ADB:

   adb push Magisk-*/lib/arm64-v8a/libmagiskboot.so /data/local/tmp/magiskboot
   

4. Push stock boot.img and Image from AnyKernel3 to your device:

   adb push boot.img /data/local/tmp/
   adb push Image /data/local/tmp/
   

5. Enter ADB shell and make it executable:

   adb shell
   cd /data/local/tmp/
   chmod +x magiskboot
   

6. Unpack boot.img:

   ./magiskboot unpack boot.img
   

   You will get a kernel file - this is your stock kernel.

7. Replace kernel with the KernelSU Image:

   mv -f Image kernel
   

8. Repack the boot image:

   ./magiskboot repack boot.img
   

   You will get a new-boot.img file. Flash this file to your device by fastboot:

   fastboot flash boot new-boot.img
   

Using magiskboot on Linux

Folder structure on PC:

.
├── magiskboot
├── boot.img
└── Image

Official magiskboot can run in Linux normally - use the official build. If you prefer, you can also use WildKernels/Magisk (W.I.P.).

1. Prepare stock boot.img and Image in your PC.

2. Make it executable:

   chmod +x magiskboot
   

3. Unpack boot.img:

   ./magiskboot unpack boot.img
   

   You will get a kernel file - this is your stock kernel.

4. Replace kernel:

   mv -f Image kernel
   

5. Repack:

   ./magiskboot repack boot.img
   

   You will get a new-boot.img file. Flash it by fastboot:

   fastboot flash boot new-boot.img
   

Using magiskboot on Windows / Other

Folder structure on PC:

.
├── magiskboot.exe
├── boot.img
└── Image

1. Download the corresponding magiskboot binary for your OS from WildKernels/Magisk (W.I.P.).
2. Prepare stock boot.img and Image in your PC.

3. Make it executable:

   chmod +x magiskboot
   

4. Unpack boot.img:

   ./magiskboot unpack boot.img
   

   You will get a kernel file - this is your stock kernel.

5. Replace kernel:

   mv -f Image kernel
   

6. Repack:

   ./magiskboot repack boot.img
   

   You will get a new-boot.img file. Flash it by fastboot:

   fastboot flash boot new-boot.img
   

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Related: Installation Overview · Install with Kernel Flasher · Releases