[Samsung Galaxy S9  Guides, News, & Discussion] ShaDisNX255:
So...

The U.S. variants finally have root, this is a very exciting moment for S9/N9/S9+/N9+ users that always wanted to do more with your device. I wanted to create this thread separate from the root thread as I think GSIs are a whole different thing. It's actually pretty simple once you've read, understood and even tried the root method running Oreo Samsung Experience. The steps are very similar but you just swap out the system image.

So please, take the time to read the thread for the Extreme Syndicate root method here: https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s9/sam...pment/root-t4041815/post81608559#post81608559

I am going to quote some of the stuff in that thread directly as all of it still applies here.

Please take your time and make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Download the following:

- Root files from Extreme Syndicate that belong to your device

- The GSI you want to download (for these devices you need arm64 a-only. With gapps included should be your priority)

- Sh remover zip uploaded here.

- Alternative: ODM nosu zip

2. In odin folder flash the combo firmware

3. Once combo is booted up run the root bat. When done phone will reboot to download.

4. In odin flash the bootswap.tar.md5 file. What this does is swaps the boot and recovery images which allows system to be mounted rw.

5. Now when done flashing you need to hold the buttons to boot to recovery but since we swapped boot and recovery images it will boot system.

6. Now put your phone in airplane mode. This must be done whenever using Flashfire. Copy the system.img (your GSI img) , vendor.img, Sh remover.zip and ODM zip files to your phone.

- NOTE: Flashfire doesn't let you chose the partition on where it's going to flash any image. It decides on where to flash based on the name of the image. So if your gsi is named GSIName-arm64-a-nosu.img then flashfire will have no idea where to flash it. I would rename the img to something like system-GSIName-arm64-a-nosu.img.... or just system.img lol

- NOTE 2: I uploaded a ODM NOROOT.zip. Reason being that some gsi come preloaded with supersu. In theory, using the regular ODM_ROOT.zip from the Extreme Syndicate method should work fine even if the GSI comes prerooted, I just didn't test it with that lol. You should definitely use the root variant if the GSI doesn't say it comes rooted.

7. In Flashfire, choose zip and select the odm zip (root or unrooted, your choice. Read note above). Make sure you select "Mount /system read/write" when the Options pop up. This is necessary or else it will not boot, always chose this on everything. Then choose firmware and choose the system.img and the vendor.img. Then choose data wipe and wipe user and system data (the default choices). Make sure inject super su is NOT enabled. Disable it. Do not let flashfire inject root!!. Then choose zip again and select the Sh remover.zip (select to mount system read/write)

- NOTE: I added the Sh remover zip because some GSI (particularly Android 9 GSI) have a track record of having some problems booting up in Samsung devices. This zip should remove the system/bin/rw_system.sh file. There's no bad side of not having this file on GSI's that don't share this problem, so I'm making it a mandatory step to avoid as much problems as possible

8.. Now click flash. When finished you will have to hold buttons to reboot to recovery until you see boot animation.

You must do this on every reboot.

If you do not it will reboot to stock recovery. If it reboots to stock recovery just reboot system and hold buttons to reboot to recovery again.

9. When rom is booted up your computer will not recognize the phone for mtp file transfer. Adb does still work so you can transfer stuff that way (you need to switch to ptp transfer method in the dropdown) or use USB adapter and use a thumb drive.

10. Biometrics do not work so don’t try to setup fingerprint or face recognition.

And that's it, you should have your GSI up and running.

Let's keep all the GSI talk on this thread please. I will do my best to keep this thread updated with fixes, compatibility and news. For now, take a look at the confirmed working GSI:

Confirmed working:

- PHH Android 9 GSI

- HavocOS 2.9

- PHH Android 10 GSI (Added bug: WiFi is broken, working on a fix)

Confirmed not working:

- Pixel Experience Android 9

- OxygenOS (Erfan's GSI) (I wouldn't recommend GSI from other OEMs anyway)

ShoutOuts:

@elliwigy For the method and help and everything else

@klabit87 - Ditto

@me2151 - Ditto

@gsm-CHEN - Ditto

@jrkruse - For all the help and support for S9 variants

@everyone else I am forgetting!

ENJOY!