How to root Samsung Galaxy Note 8 / 9

The following step by step guide can be used to root any of the flagship Samsung devices belonging to the S series.

Rooting any of these devices is a three-step process. First, you will need to install a custom recovery like TWRP recovery. This would enable you to flash custom binaries, commonly known as flashable ZIPs. The next step is to disable encryption and prevent Paranormal/RMM State by flashing the no-verity zip and RMM State Bypass zip files. And finally, you can root the device by flashing the latest Magisk zip.

Supported Variants & Models

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 – SM-N950F/N
• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 - SM-N960F/N

Preparations

• Take a complete backup of all your data on the device. Everything including apps, contacts, messages, logs, internal storage, etc will be wiped during the process. You can use a tool like Samsung Smart Switch for this process.
• Charge the device to at least 60% battery level. This will help avoid any sudden shutdowns during the rooting process.
• Download and install Samsung USB drivers on the PC.
• Download Odin v3.13.1 from the ‘Downloads’ section below and extract the file to an easily accessible location on the PC.

Downloads

• Odin 3.13.1 - Download
• Magisk 19.3 - Download
• RMM bypass - Download

TWRP Recovery

• Galaxy Note 8 SM-N950F - Download
• Galaxy Note 9 Sm-N960F - Download

Enable Developer Options and Enable OEM Unlock in Settings

Before heading over to the actual process, you must first enable Developer Options and OEM Unlock in the Settings. Go to Settings -> About Phone -> Software Information and tap 7 times on the ‘Build number’. You shall then see a toast notification – “Developer mode has been enabled”.

After this, go to the Settings main screen and tap on ‘Developer options’. Scroll down until you find the ‘OEM Unlock’ toggle and turn it ON. 

If the option is not yet visible on your device, it means that your phone has entered a 7-day buffer period. After this time, the ‘OEM Unlock’ option shall be available. If it is still not available, it means that your phone cannot be rooted.

Install TWRP Recovery

1. Download TWRP recovery for your device from the list above
2. Go to the extracted Odin folder and double-click on “Odin3 v3.13.1.exe”
3. Power off the phone completely
4. Hold the Volume Down, Bixby, and Power button simultaneously till you see this warning screen
5. Press Volume UP once, to enter Download mode. The screen should now show Downloading
6. As the Odin window loads, you shall see “Added!!” in the message box. The ID: COM port should also light up

1. In Odin, click the ‘Options’ tab, make sure ‘Auto Reboot’ and ‘Re-Partition’ boxes are not selected
2. Next, click on the ‘AP’ button under the ‘Files’ section
3. Select the TWRP recovery .tar file for your device from the location you have downloaded it to on your PC
4. Finally, click the ‘Start’ button to install TWRP recovery

After the flashing process is complete, the phone shall still be in Download Mode. Now it is very important to boot into TWRP mode directly, if by any chance your phone boots into the OS, the Prenormal RMM State will be set. This will force you to wait for another 7 Day period before you can actually flash anything

Boot to TWRP Recovery & Root device

1. While the phone is still in Downloading mode, Hold the Volume Down, Bixby, and Power button simultaneously until the phone screen goes off
2. Important: As soon as the screen shuts down, release the Volume Down key and hold the Volume Up button while still holding the Bixby and Power buttons
3. Your device should boot into TWRP recovery
4. On the ‘Unmodified System Partition’ screen, slide the ‘Swipe to Allow Modifications’ button.
   
   
   
5. Now you should see a screen with 8 options. Tap Wipe, then tap Format Data, then type yes in the field and hit Enter to format the device.
   
   
   
6. Once finished, go back to the main TWRP screen with 8 options
7. Tap Reboot, then tap Recovery, and if it asks you to install the TWRP app, tap Do Not install. Once the device reboots and comes back to the Unmodified System Partition screen, Swipe to Allow Modifications to get to the 8 box screen
8. Now you should be able to see the internal storage of the device on your PC. Transfer the RMM Bypass and Magisk 19.3 zip files to the internal storage
9. Tap Install and select the RMM bypass zip file, and swipe to confirm the installation
10. Go back and repeat Step 9, this time select the Magisk 19.3 zip file
11. Once the installation is complete, tap Reboot System 

Once it boots up, you would need to set it up like a new device. And you should now have full root access on the device with Magisk.