Shizuku — A new method for Root Privileges on Android [Download & Install Guide]

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2. How to Install Shizuku on any Android?

Shizuku is becoming quite popular amongst Android enthusiasts who enjoy customization or personalization on their smartphones; things which would rather require rooting their Android devices. Shizuku gives you root privileges using APIs directly, and with even higher privileges as claimed by the developer. So let’s dive into how to install Shizuku and how to use it.

Shizuku developer, RikkaApps, state that it works as a middle man to receive requests from an app (any app that needs root privileges), send them to the system server, and send back the results. So if an app requires access to a service from Android system, Shizuku provides it by acting as a middle man. It can be as simple as uninstalling a system app such as Canta to as complex as revamping the entire UI using Repainter.

There are several apps that make use of Shizuku service. Some popular ones include Repainter, System UI Tuner, Canta, DarQ, Hex Installer and many more. A list of all the supported apps have been listed at the end.

Magisk is still popular. However, it requires tinkering with the system like flashing a custom TWRP recovery, unlocking bootloader, and providing apps with root access permanently; which may compromise the device security if you are a novice. Especially with Samsung and Google Pixel devices integrated with Knox and Titan M security chip as security measures.

Shizuku seem like a safer option if you don’t want to get too deep into the rooting ecosystem. Here is how to download and install Shizuku on any Android.

Download Shizuku App

First, download the latest Shizuku APK from any of the following official download repositories.

How to Install Shizuku on any Android?

In order to use Shizuku apps, You will need to first start the Shizuku service. Then the apps can utilize this service for root privileges.

There are two methods to start Shizuku. First is Wireless debugging, which may only work on Android 11 or above. For Android 10 and lower, use the USB debugging method.

Prerequisites

Enable Developer Options. As a quick method, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information > Tap on the Build number several times until you see a message of Developer Options enabled.
It is also recommended to enable OEM temporarily, just in case you mess up, so you can flash the stock firmware via recovery.
Install and launch Shizuku app on your Android.

#1. Wireless method

Enter Developer Options in Settings.
Enable Wireless Debugging

Launch Shizuku and tap on Pairing
Give notification permission if asked
Enter Wireless Debugging option and tap on Pair with code

Enter the 6 digit code into Shizuku app from the notification panel
Now go to Shizuku and hit START

You can now install any of the supported apps listed below, as Shizuku is now running.

#2. USB Debugging (Wired) method

Setup ADB on your Windows PC, MacOS, or Linuz machine.
From Developer Options, enable “USB Debugging”
Connect device to PC using USB cable
Type adb devices in the terminal.
A dialog “Allow debugging” will appear on the device, allow it and confirm.
You should see the list of devices attached
Enter the following command into the terminal.

Command for Shizuku v11.2.0+ (Tap to show)

adb shell sh /sdcard/Android/data/moe.shizuku.privileged.api/start.sh

You should see that Shizuku has started successfully in Shizuku app.

List of Shizuku supported apps

Audio

RootlessJamesDSP – An implementation of the system-wide JamesDSP audio processing engine for non-rooted Android devices GPL-3.0 (Source code)

Automation

PhoneProfilesPlus – Allows automatic or one-click configuration of your device for specific life situations Apache-2.0

Communication

TxtNet-Browser – An app that lets you browse the web over SMS GPL-3.0
Vendetta-Manager – Patch manager for the Discord Vendetta mod OSL-3.0

Customization

AAAD IAP 💰 – Downloads popular Android Auto 3rd party apps and installs on Android Auto Proprietary
AmbientMusicMod – Port of Now Playing from Pixels to other Android devices GPL-3.0
Android-Screener – A tool for easily adjusting screen resolution and frame rate MIT
Android-Show-Taps – Show customized taps upon touches GPL-3.0
AutoDark – A small Android app to let you schedule dark mode On/Off MIT (Source code)
AutoDND – A simple tool to toggle DND automatically when using specified apps AGPL-3.0 (Source code)
Better Internet Tiles – Bring back Wi-Fi and mobile data tiles on Android 12 or higher + a better unified internet tile GPL-3.0 (Source code)
CarrierVanityName – Carrier Vanity Name is a very simple app to change the carrier names on unrooted Android devices No license
ColorBlendr – An application to modify Material You colors of your device GPL-3.0
DarQ – DarQ provides a per-app selectable force dark option for Android 10 and above Apache-2.0
Language-Selector – Allows users to select individual app languages (Android 13+) Apache-2.0
LinkSheet – Restore the Android <12 Url-App-Link-Chooser with Material3 Modified MPL-2.0
NoPopping IAP 💰 – Auto Do-Not-Disturb mode Proprietary
Repainter IAP 💰 – Install custom Material You designs on your device Proprietary
ShizuTools – Contains some easy-to-use tools to go beyond the level of control allowed by Android System No license
System UI Tuner – View and modify hidden settings on Android devices MIT
TapTap – Port of the double tap on the back of the device feature from Android 12 to any Android 7.0+ device GPL-3.0
Taskbar – Use a start menu to access apps. Shizuku can unlock additional features Apache-2.0 (Source code)

Development utilities

AndroidAccounts – Dump package names of apps that have registered an account for a user. No license
AndroidLowLevelDetector – Detect Treble, GSI, Mainline, APEX, system-as-root(SAR), A/B, etc. Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Cosmic-IDE IDE for JVM development. Uses Shizuku for an embedded shell – GPL-3.0
CurrentActivity – A current activity monitor GPL-3.0
get_event – Read /dev/input/event* No license
LibChecker – An app to view libraries used in apps on your device. Uses Shizuku to determine the install source of other apps. Apache-2.0
LogFox – Yet another logcat reader for Android GPL-3.0
Logra – Material You logcat viewer for Android GPL-2.0
RootActivityLauncher Paid 💰 – Launch/interact with (un)exported activities, services, and receivers. Supports Shizuku alongside root. Proprietary (Source code)
SensorsOff – Enable/Disable device sensors via quick settings Apache-2.0
TakoStats IAP 💰 – FPS and performance overlay with detailed real-time system information Proprietary
wireless-adb-switch Widgets & quick settings tile to toggle wireless debugging (with KDE Connect integration) – GPL-3.0

Entertainment

Aniyomi – Tachiyomi fork with anime support and plugin management using Shizuku. Apache-2.0
Mihon – Manga reader with plugin management using Shizuku. Independent successor of Tachiyomi. Apache-2.0
- Mihon/Tachiyomi has several other active forks, including TachiyomiSY and TachiyomiAZ
LOModInstaller – Mod manager for the game ‘Last Origin’ No license
pf-tool – Easily import and share Polyfield maps MIT
translatefgo – Fate/Grand Order game translation project CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

File management

FV File Manager – File manager to access Android/data and Android/obb Proprietary
MT Manager – Split-screen file manager. Can install APKs and access Android/data and Android/obb using Shizuku Proprietary
ZArchiver IAP 💰 – Archive management program. Supports editing files using Root/Shizuku. Proprietary

Installer & app stores

AuroraStore – An open-source alternative to Google Play Store with privacy and modern design GPL-3.0 (Source code)
Droid-ify – Material F-Droid client GPL-3.0 (Source code)
fdroid_shizuku_privileged_extension – F-Droid Privilege Extension that works with Shizuku Apache-2.0 (Source code)
ffupdater – FFUpdater: Updater for privacy-friendly browser GPL-3.0 (Source code)
InstallWithOptions – Simple-ish app using Shizuku to install APKs on-device with advanced options MIT
IzzyOnDroid – An unofficial client for IzzyOnDroid F-Droid Repository GPL-3.0
Obtainium – Get Android App Updates Directly From the Source GPL-3.0
PI – Package installer that allows overwriting the package requester and executor MIT
SAI – Android split APKs installer GPL-3.0 (Source code)
skydroid – A decentralized domain-based App Store for Android GPL-3.0

Miscellaneous

Amarok-Hider – Amarok: Hide your private Files and Android APPs with just one click. Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Anywhere – An activity and shell shortcut folder Apache-2.0
aShell – A local ADB shell for Shizuku powered android devices GPL-3.0
- aShell You – Material You Redesign of aShell app. GPL-3.0
Batt – A simple app that shows battery status information on Android 14 and later. GPL-3.0
DSU-Sideloader – A simple app made to help users easily install GSIs via DSU’s Android feature. Apache-2.0
dualapp-mediastore-compatibility – Fixes MediaStore & File IO compatibility issues between HostProfile App and WorkProfile/DualApp/MultiApp. No license
KeyMapper – An Android app that changes what the buttons do on your devices! GPL-3.0 (Source code)
Lemmy Redirect – A simple app for automatically launching fediverse links in your preferred Lemmy client. MIT (Source code)
LSPatch – A non-root Xposed framework extending from LSPosed GPL-3.0
Mastodon Redirect – A simple app for automatically launching fediverse links in your preferred Mastodon client. MIT (Source code)
NaiveproxyForAndroid – A simple application to run Naiveproxy on Android MIT
RealMouse – Control the mouse using a virtual touchpad. Designed for secondary displays. Proprietary
rebootmenu – Lock the screen or open the power menu using shortcuts. Useful if your power button is broken. MIT
ScreenOff – Turn off your Android’s screen without entering standby/sleep mode Proprietary
SDMaid-SE – SD Maid 2/SE is Android’s most thorough cleaning tool GPL-3.0 (Source code)
SecondScreen – Better screen mirroring for Android devices Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Show taps Ads – Displays the location of touch events on the screen Proprietary
SimpleWear – A simple app for controlling your Android devices from your WearOS watch Apache-2.0 (Source code)
SwiftBackup IAP 💰 – Swift Backup can backup your important data in minutes Proprietary
XtMapper – Keymapper for Android x86 GPL-3.0

Network

CellReader Paid 💰 – Can read cell tower info on Android MIT (Source code)
PrivateDNSAndroid – Quick settings tile to switch active private DNS server MIT
WiFiList Paid 💰 – View your saved WiFi passwords on Android 11 and later without root Proprietary (Source code)

Software management

App Ops Ads IAP 💰 – Manage application permissions without root Proprietary
Blocker – Enable/disable Android components such as activities, services, receivers, and providers Apache-2.0
Canta – Uninstall any app without root LGPL-3.0
DisabledLauncher – Android app that disables unused apps while still allowing convenient access to them MIT
FreezeYou – Improve your device’s speed and battery life by freezing crappy software manually or semi-automatically Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Hail Freeze, hide or disable any app. Create and organize app groups that can be frozen with one click. – GPL-3.0 (Source code)
Ice Box IAP 💰 – Freeze or hide apps using Shizuku Proprietary
Inure App Manager 15-day trial Paid 💰 – Android app manager for both rooted and non-rooted devices GPL-3.0 (Source code)
Insular – Complete FLOSS fork of Island Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Island – Isolate and clone apps for privacy protection and parallel running Apache-2.0 (Source code)
Package Manager – A highly powerful app to manage both system and user apps GPL-3.0 (Source code)
UpgradeAll – Check updates for Android apps, Magisk modules and more! GPL-3.0 (Source code)

Vendor-specific

Google Pixel

pixel-volte-patch – Enable VoLTE on Pixel 6 & 7 with LG U+ GPL-3.0
Smartspacer – Customizable widget, can upgrade the built-in ‘At a glance’ widget on Pixel devices using Shizuku GPL-3.0

Samsung OneUI

Hex Installer: OneUI themes IAP 💰 – Custom system-wide theming engine for Samsung OneUI devices Proprietary
SMTShell – Privilege escalation exploit (CVE-2019-16253) to system user access (UID 1000) on non-rooted devices running up to OneUI 5. Uses Shizuku for automation LGPL-2.1

MIUI

AppLock – Prevent apps from being killed by side slide or one-click cleanup on MIUI 12+ GPL-3.0
FiveGSwitcher – 5G shortcut switch for MIUI GPL-3.0 – (Source code)
FxxkMIUIAd – Turn off MIUI ads with minimal cost Apache-2.0
Mi-FreeForm – Display most apps in the form of freeform on MIUI GPL-3.0