Install TWRP and Root Galaxy S6 on Android Marshmallow

Just a few days back Samsung broke the silence and started updating the Galaxy S6 to much awaited Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow firmware. Galaxy S6 owners, who also happen to be Android power users, they must have lost the root access and any custom recovery if they had it installed prior to updating their device to the Marshmallow firmware. A workaround to flash the TWRP 3.0 and also root the Galaxy S6 running Android Marshmallow has been found.

As we move ahead, we will go through a  comprehensive guide to install TWRP 3.0 recovery on our beloved Galaxy S6 running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. We will also get to root the device, but before rooting or flashing TWRP recovery, we will have to install a custom kernel to make the device rootable and flashable. The kernel we are talking about is the SpaceX kernel by XDA Senior Member Manh_IT. Once we are done installing the SpaceX kernel, we will be able to root the device easily and also install TWRP 3.0 recovery on it. Before heading towards the installation instructions, let’s go through some early preps to stay on the safest end.

1. The guide here will work to root the Galaxy S6’s following variants only.
   • SM-G920F
   • SM-G920S
   • SM-G920L
   • SM-G920K
2. Check your device’s model number under settings > general / more > about device. Do not try this on any other device as you will simply result in bricking it.
3. Charge your phone’s battery up to 50% to make sure that your phone doesn’t die during the flashing process.
4. Use OEM data cable to establish connection between your GS6 and your computer.
5. Backup each and everything including your important contacts, call logs, sms messages. Also, copy your media content to your PC. This is important so that just in case you loose your data, you will already have it backed up.
6. Disable your Windows Firewall, any Antivirus if you have installed. Also, close or uninstall Samsung Kies if you have installed it.
7. Follow the steps to the letter to avoid mishap.

Required downloads and installations

1. Download and install Samsung USB Drivers.
2. Download and extract Odin3 v3.10.6.
3. Download SpaceX-Kernel_MM.tar.md5 and TWRP-3.0_MM_ManhIT.tar.md5 carefully according to your device’s model number.
4. Download SuperSU.APK file and copy it to your phone’s SD card.
5. Download SuperSU.zip file and copy it to your phone’s SD card if you want to root via TWRP recovery. If are going to root using the kernel, then skip this step.

Install TWRP and Root Galaxy S6 on Android Marshmallow

Method#1: Root Galaxy S6 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow using SpaceX Kernel

1. Make sure that you’ve installed Samsung USB drivers, downloaded and extracted Odin3 v3.10.6, and also downloaded the SpaceX-Kernel according to your device. Also make sure that you’ve copied the SuperSU.APK file to your phone.
2. Now put your Galaxy S6 in download mode. To do so, turn it off completely. Now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Home + Power Key. Once your phone boots up with a warning, press Volume Up Key to continue. Now your phone is in download mode. Connect it to your PC now.
3. Now open Odin3.exe on your computer.
4. Once Odin detects your phone in the download mode the, box ID:COM box will turn blue. If it doesn’t turn blue, then connect your phone properly first.
5. The only options checked in Odin should be Auto-Reboot and F.Reset.Time. No other options should be touched.
6. Now in Odin, click on the “AP” tab and select the downloaded SpaceX-kernel.tar.md5 file.
7. Click Start in Odin. It will flash the SpaceX-Kernel on your phone.
8. Once the flashing is done, your phone will reboot.
9. Once it boots up, go to the file manager and locate the copied SuperSU.APK file.
10. Tap the APK file and follow on-screen instructions to install it.
11. Reboot your phone now.
12. That’s all. You can now install Root Checker to check root access on your phone. Best of luck.

Method#2: Root Galaxy S6 on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow using TWRP Recovery

1. Make sure that you’ve installed SpaceX Kernel on your phone using the method 1. Download the TWRP Recovery.tar.md5 file and copy it to your phone’s desktop. Download and copy SuperSU.zip file to your phone’s internal storage.
2. Now put your Galaxy S6 in download mode. To do so, turn it off completely. Now turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Home + Power Key. Once your phone boots up with a warning, press Volume Up Key to continue. Now your phone is in download mode. Connect it to your PC now.
3. Now open Odin3.exe on your computer.
4. Once Odin detects your phone in the download mode the, box ID:COM box will turn blue. If it doesn’t turn blue, then connect your phone properly first.
5. The only options checked in Odin should be Auto-Reboot and F.Reset.Time. No other options should be touched.
6. Now in Odin, click on the “AP” tab and select the downloaded TWRP Recovery.tar.md5 file.
7. Click Start in Odin. It will flash the TWRP Recovery on your phone.
8. Once the flashing is done, your phone will reboot.
9. Now turn off your phone and boot it into TWRP recovery using the 3 button combo i.e. Volume Up + Home + Power Key.
10. Once it boots up into TWRP recovery, tap Install > Install Zip > Locate the copied SuperSU.zip file and flash it following on-screen instructions.
11. Once done, reboot your phone.
12. That’s all. You can now install Root Checker to check root access on your phone. Best of luck.

Just in case something’s not working for you, reach us out through the comment box below. We might be able to help you out.