How to Root Galaxy S6 on Android 5.1.1 (All variants)

[up] Update: It seems TWRP recovery isn’t working for the T-Mobile variant (G920T). [/up]

[up] Update 2: Odin flashable UniKernel (custom kernel with auto-root) now available. Grab it from the downloads section below and flash via Odin. [/up]

[up] Update 3: T-Mobile S6 and S6 edge gets a new root method that doesn’t trips KNOX counter [“KNOX WARRANTY: 0 (0X0000)”]. Check the link below:

[icon name=”external-link” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Root T-Mobile S6 and S6 edge on 5.1.1 without tripping Knox [0x0] [/up]

Been impatiently waiting for a working root method for your Galaxy S6 running on Android 5.1.1? Well, there’s some good news. Root has finally been achieved on Android 5.1.1 builds for all variants of the Galaxy S6.

This is a combined effort from XDA users g.lewarne, mikeyinid (for making a custom kernel) and bigbiff (for 5.1.1 compatible TWRP recovery). The 5.1.1 based custom kernel from g.lewarne includes auto-root, so just flashing it via TWRP does the job.

However, this may not work on the Galaxy S6 edge variants. The TWRP recovery needs to be modified for the edge variant, and until TWRP works, you can’t flash the custom kernel’s .zip file to your S6 edge. Don’t be sad though, this should be sorted out soon and either an edge compatible TWRP recovery or Odin flashable kernel should be available soon for rooting Galaxy S6 edge on Android 5.1.1.

For the Galaxy S6, g.lewarne’s custom kernel with auto-root is universal, so it’ll work on all variants of Galaxy S6 — G920F, G920I, G920T (T-Mobile), G920S, G920K, G920L and G920W8.

Grab the Android 5.1.1 compatible TWRP recovery and g.lewarne custom kernel with auto-root from the download links below and then follow the instructions to root your Galaxy S6.

Method 1: Root Galaxy S6 on Android 5.1.1 via ODIN

Downloads

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Odin 3.10.6

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download UniKernel v6-0001 for Odin (.tar)

1. Download UniKernel for ODIN (.tar) and Odin 3.10.6 from the downloads section above.
2. Open Odin 3.10.6 on your PC.
3. Boot your Galaxy S6 into Download mode:
   1. Switch off your tablet.
   2. Press and hold “Home + Power + Volume down” buttons for a few seconds until you see a warning screen.
   3. Press Volume Up on the warning screen to accept it and boot into Download mode.
4. Once your S6 is in download mode, connect it to the PC with a USB cable. The Odin window on PC should detect the phone and show an “Added!!” message.
5. Now click on the AP button on Odin window and select the S6_UniKernel_v2-0003-ODIN.tar file that you downloaded above.
   └ Note: DON’T play with any other options on the screen. You’re only required to connect your Galaxy S6 and select the KERNEL file in PA tab.
6. Click the Start button on Odin and wait for it to finish the process. Once it has finished successfully, you’ll see a pass message on the Odin screen.
7. Your phone will automatically reboot when Odin is done flashing. You should now have root access, look for the SuperSU app in your app drawer. Also, download and install this root checker app from Play Store to verify root access.

Method 2: Root Galaxy S6 on Android 5.1.1 via TWRP Recovery

Downloads

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Android 5.1.1 TWRP Recovery

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Odin 3.10.6

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download UniKernel v6-0001 for TWRP (.zip)

We’ll be flashing the 5.1.1 TWRP recovery first via Odin and then flash the custom kernel with auto-root via TWRP recovery.

NOTE: This guide is only for Galaxy S6 running on Android 5.1.1. Do NOT try this on Android 5.0.2 builds.

Step 1: Install Android 5.1.1 TWRP Recovery

1. Open Odin 3.10.6 on your PC.
2. Boot your Galaxy S6 into Download mode:
   1. Switch off your tablet.
   2. Press and hold “Home + Power + Volume down” buttons for a few seconds until you see a warning screen.
   3. Press Volume Up on the warning screen to accept it and boot into Download mode.
3. Once your S6 is in download mode, connect it to the PC with a USB cable. The Odin window on PC should detect the phone and show an “Added!!” message.
4. Now click on the AP button on Odin window and select the twrp-2.8.7.1-zeroflte.img.tar file that you downloaded above.
   └ Note: DON’T play with any other options on the screen. You’re only required to connect your Galaxy S6 and select the FIRMWARE file in PDA tab.
5. Click the Start button on Odin and wait for it to finish the process. Once it has finished successfully, you’ll see a pass message on the Odin screen.
6. Your phone will automatically reboot when Odin is done flashing. TWRP recovery should now be installed.

Step 2: Flash Custom Kernel with auto-root via TWRP Recovery

1. Download and transfer g.lewarne’s custom kernel with auto-root to your Galaxy S6.
2. Boot your Galaxy S6 into TWRP recovery:
   1. Power off your Galaxy S6.
   2. Press and hold “Volume UP + Power + Home” buttons together and as soon as you see the Galaxy S6 logo on screen, release all the three buttons. This will boot you into TWRP recovery.
3. Tap Install on the TWRP recovery main menu and select the custom kernel zip file that we transferred to your phone in Step 1.
4. Flash the custom kernel and then simply reboot your S6. You DON’T need to wipe anything.

That’s all. Upon boot, look for the SuperSU app in your app drawer. Also, download and install this root checker app from Play Store to verify root access.